Ipswich 1 Arsenal 0

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall…you know the rest of the rhyme. Only a Dumpty with a hump could have crashed so dumbly as we folded and capitulated to Championship strugglers Ipswich Town in the first leg of the Carling Cup semifinal at Portman Road. We lost to a side that had no coach – after firing the highly-decorated but luckless Roy Keane. 

Of course trust Arsene Wenger to rollout the excuses and this time, he didn’t disappoint. This time, the excuse was, fatigue. Fatigue indeed! I’m having a laugh. As if his pampered wimps play everyday of every week. As if those games were played in far-flung places like Vladivostok or Arondizogu in my native Nigeria.

We simply stunk the place out as the likes of Nicklas Bendtner and Andrei ‘the Giant(!)’ Arshavin outdid each other in incompetence. Our players’ collective attempt to sleepwalk their way to a win backfired spectacularly as we were rightly put in our place by Ipswich’s battling men who had nothing to lose. You just have to hand it to Wenger though. He at least conceeded that we lacked “spark”. Cute choice of words. It may be just the first leg of the Carling Cup with the second scheduled for the home comforts of Emirates where we are always expected to annihilate the opposition – not mentioning that the likes of West Brom and Newcastle (who until recently were both campaigning in the same division with Ipswich) beat us a few months back.

Our performance doesn’t bear mention because we did nothing of note all of the 90 minutes, except to extend our lack of a goal from open play to 270 minutes. So, to save everyone unnecessary aggro, let’s just go to the ratings which are in themselves more cause for the sort of aggro Humpty Dumpty must have felt after his great fall.

No sweetness here....Arshavin ruing a poor outing

*Szczesny (7/10) – He may be just 20 and short on experience, But what he lacks in real playing time, he makes up for in ability and determination. He covered his lines well and dealt with everything that Ipswich could conjur in form of an attack. Until the 79^th minute that is. He still prevented an even more embarrassing situation by saving from Carlos Edward’s point blank shot after the speedy winger had evaded our ramshackle offside trap in the 83^rd minute. It was his second straight game in the starting eleven and if he continues this form, he won’t be overlooked for too long.

·        * Eboue (6/10) – Did well as far as his standards. Didn’t disappoint but didn’t turn the world upside down as well. Enjoyed some freedom and space to overlap in the first half especially and combined well with Walcott in front of him. Enjoying an extended spell in the side due to the suspension of Bacary Sagna and should enjoy it while it lasts before the ‘Sagman’ returns in next week’s FA Cup replay against Leeds.

·         *Koscielny (7/10) – Did well to be fair to him. I’m still mystified why people enjoy slating him. I reckon and keep insisting that he is a fine defender. To tell it as it is, I think he’s been let down a lot by his defensive partners. He is still a top man marker and makes up a lot of ground when it comes to a sprint. Wasn’t at fault for the goal.

·         *Djourou (7/10) – Everytime he files out for us, I always say a silent prayer that he doesn’t pick up an injury. He is world class, if you can describe a 22 year-old bloke who hasn’t played 50 top flight games for Arsenal in his entire career as that. He is still top class and the more games he plays, the more I admire him. If he continues his progress, he’ll soon become our answer to Barcelona’s Gerard Pique. He was directly responsible for the goal though as he was outrun by the determined Tamas Priskin. Will learn though from last night but I still rate him. Highly actually.

·         *Gibbs (6/10) – Did well and with his worrying injury history, we ought to err on the side of caution with him. I still consider him lightweight but he acquitted himself well and dealt with everything that came his way. Bombed forward at every opportunity and helped to neutralise the threat of the tricky Connor Wickham, who is Ipswich’s Golden Boy. Though he still has a considerable way to go before threatening the more-experienced Clichy,  Kieran is still a bundle of talent.

·        * Denilson (6/10) –Went a long way to repairing the damage he caused in the FA Cup with that penalty clanger against Leeds. Stood strong on his feet and held the middle fort well. Tackled back and front a lot; and snapped into tackles with much more gusto. He clearly was a man on a mission and methinks he accomplished it by a mile. Had a good game all round and repaired his reputation to great length.

·         *Wilshire (6/10) – Was his usual busybee self and played some nice balls.The weakness with his game though despite his precociousness, remains that he isn’t direct and penetrating enough. He can be forgiven though because at 19, he’s still learning the ropes. Did well all in all on the night and complimented Denilson well. At least he offers something refreshingly different to the tired Thomas Rosicky.

·        *Fabregas (7/10) – Did his best to lift the team and dictate the play as always but things just didn’t work out for him on the night. Almost gifted Ipswich a soft goal in the early minutes of the second half after he lost ball on the halfway line with the entire defence off their line. He never gave up though and tried to win the game almost singlehandedly, which unless your name is Diego Amando or Christiano Ronaldo, you won’t succeed. Still worked his socks off nonetheless.

·        * Arshavin (5/10) – Is it pure bad luck or bad karma? Whichever or whatever it is, I give up trying to unravel what is eating the little Russian. From the best player of the European Championships in 2008 and onto becoming one of the most-feared players in the world, the little Russian has been reduced to a walking shadow who needs three touches to control a ball and can’t beat defenders from a lower division. His confidence is at rock bottom at the moment and one wonders how much lower you can sink despite his lack of inches. His loss of form continued last night and it is now a crisis.  

·         *Bendtner (5/10) – Can’t bother to waste time and words on this one. He’s just a muppet who looks more and more clumsy everytime he wanders on a pitch. I can tell you right now, he’ll never make it at Arsenal. Not now. Not ever.

·         *Walcott (7/10) – Never short on endeavour. Ran his guts out and got on to the end of some tasty passes. Won a couple of freekicks in good positions, which if we had a reliable deadball specialist, could have yielded goals. Unfortunately, he looked like a lone ranger most of the night.

Substitutes

·         *Chamakh (5/10) – He came on in the 63^rd minute for the bumbling Bendtner but lacked any real service and ended up being swallowed by the Ipswich defence. Looks to be struggling for form after a blistering start to his season.

·         *Song (5/10) – Replaced Wilshire in a double swoop with Chamakh but found it tough to stamp his usual authority.

·        *Vela (4/10) – As long as you don’t have any expectations from this bloke, you’ll not be disappointed. He came on for Arshavin and promptly vanished amidst the 21 other players on the pitch. Typical.  

Arsenal 3 Partizan Belgrade 1

For what may be the first time this season, we started with two strikers upfront as Arsene Wenger went for a basic 4-4-2. Robin Van Persie continued his rehabilitation as he partnered Marouane Chamakh in attack. All-the-world-and-its-mother knew this was a must-win game for us as we looked to tie up our progress into the knock-out stage of the Champions League for the eleventh consecutive season. Funnily though, things started on a low key as we passed the ball around with ease and penned the Yugoslavs in their area. As has been the case recently, Samir Nasri was seeing a lot of the ball as he spearheaded proceedings from the right side of midfield. His prolific form in front of goal was easily the reason behind his confidence as he ran at the Partizan defence at will.
We had to contend with an early change however when the unfortunate Kieran Gibbs turned his ankle in the 15th minute and had to go off.
In the 26th minute finally, we made a breakthrough when Partizan skipper, Mladen Kratsjic upended Van Persie in the box. The Dutchman rose to bury the penalty and record his first goal since May. Against the run of play, Cleo scored a surprise equalizer for the visitors in the 52nd minute and once again, we managed to make life difficult for ourselves.
It was a night when we were not to be denied however as Theo Walcott came on for the disinterested Andrei Arshavin, and scored his first goal in almost two months with a fine volley in the 73rd minute. Four minutes later, the irrepressible Nasri sealed the game with a fine shot from the edge of the box after being fed by Song.
Things turned sour one more time for us as Bacary Sagna was redcarded in the 85th minute for a last-ditch tackle on Alexander Laveski. We resisted with ten men though to see out the game and finally, finally book our passage to the knock-out stage, next February.
You always got the impression that we were playing with the brakes on last night. It was to be expected, considering our trip to Old Trafford on Monday night in a top-of-the-bill showdown with bitter rivals, Manchester United.
The goal we conceded notwithstanding, it was a fitting end to our European campaign for the year, while we await bigger fish to fry next year and in the meantime, focus on domestic matters.
For making it out of the group stages for the eleventh consecutive time, we can’t be that bad really. Not even the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea or even Real Madrid can boast such consistency.

Back among the goals..Walcott celebrates his sweet volley

Below are the ratings on the night.

• Fabianski (7/10) – Was reduced to dealing with only backpasses as a measure of the paucity of the visitors’ attack, until the 52nd minute when Cleo broke away to rifle a shot that deflected off Squillaci’s outstretched leg and sail over him. Nothing he could do about the goal, but he redeemed himself considerably when he stopped a fierce freekick from Kratsjic in the 86th minute consequent upon Sagna’s sending-off. With a cloud hanging over Manuel Almunia’s return to the team, Fabianski looks to have sewn up the number one shirt in the nearest future.
• Sagna (7/10) – Was his usual no-nonsense self and dealt with all that came down his flank in the form of Partizan attack. Roamed forward a lot though and linked well with Nasri and later Walcott. Unfortunate to be sent off in the 86th minute for a challenge on Laveski but will be back for the big game against Manchester United, Monday night.
• Squillaci (6/10) – He was the weak link in the defence. Was caught out severally by the duo of Cleo and Partizan’s West African, Medo. Gave Cleo the space he needed to shoot for their equalizer and looked out of his depth for most of the game. Methinks he’s exhausted from the unexpected amount of games he’s been forced to play since arriving in August. Looks like he’ll benefit from a breather.
• Koscielny (7/10) – Was surprised to see him return so soon after that head collision four days ago against Fulham. Did well though on the night and proved to be a tough customer. He is still our most-rugged defender after Thomas Vermaelen as he never shies away from knocks. Nipped a lot of balls that could have been a danger and covered lots of ground as well.
• Gibbs (5/10) – The young Englishman fell to the curse of injury – yet again. He lasted only 15minutes before a twisted ankle ended his night. Returned to the pitch to try to run it off, but eventually had to be substituted as he continually hobbled around.
• Denilson (6/10) – The Brazilian started in place of the rested Jack Wilshire and battled hard in the middle to assert himself. Guilty of misplaced passes on several occasions but he did his defensive duties well and snapped into tackles all night. Helped to screen the defence with his endless running and link-up play with those around him. Did better than in many of his erstwhile games for us.
• Song (6/10) – A rather quiet night for the Camerounian. He still threw himself around alot though and never allowed the Partizan midfield of Medo, Jovanovic and Laveski to settle. Had a sniff of goal in the second half when he collected a ball in the visitor’s box. After swivelling away from his markers, he attempted to curl the ball in off the far post, with options waiting around him.After three goals to his name this season already, he surely fancies his chances of getting more now. It was not to be on the night though but he still provided the assist for Nasri's goal.
• Arshavin (5/10) – Back to his bad habits. Didn’t inspire anything and though he tried to initiate some runs from his left flank, he ended up in cul-de-sacs. Didn’t look interested at all and after some fine performances over the past two games, he seemed to have fallen back to his old, lazy ways. Was the first to be substituted – not counting the injured Gibbs – not surprisingly.
• Nasri (8/10) – He is indeed a man transformed. Oozed confidence all night as he took on defenders at will and ran rings round them from all over the pitch. Gets in behind defenders easily now and last night was no different. He has emerged as a huge outlet of our attacks and has become very influential in the team, especially with the sporadic appearances of captain Cesc Fabregas. His goal in the second half was deserved after all the running and passing he was involved in on the night. For us to win anything this season, we need Nasri to remain in the blistering form he has found. Twelve goals so far this season makes him our highest goalscorer and for a midfielder, it is quite a statement.
• Van Persie (7/10) – After being out for so long, the Dutchman was due a full game and he got it last night. Completed his first 90 minutes in ages and was handed the captain’s band to lead the troops. Scored from the spot to send us on our way and did well for the rest of the game. He’s still finding his form and that will obviously take time. His presence on the pitch though encouraged Wenger to opt for a two-man attack and take some pressure off the hardworking Chamakh. Hoping Van Persie stays injury-free, as we head into a crucial time of the season.
• Chamakh (6/10) – Like Squillaci, he also looks jaded. Considering the frenetic start he’s had to both his Arsenal career and the season, his tired legs can be understood. Wasn’t at full pelt on the night and apart form a misdirect header in the first half, off a Bacary Sagna cross, he was largely anonymous. Wasn’t a surprise at all when he was eventually substituted.

Substitutes
• Eboue (7/10) – Came on very early in the 18th minute for the luckless Gibbs and as the only defender on the bench, had to improvise in the left full back position. Did well considering he was playing out of position and wasn’t disgraced at all. Resisted very well and stopped all that came his way. One of his better games for us in a while.
• Walcott (7/10) – Replaced the anonymous Arshavin and immediately put life into out attack. Took on the Partizan defence with his trademark pace and eventually scored a fine goal which restored our lead in the 73rd minute and brought belief back into the side. He needs games like Van Persie to rediscover his sharpness but may have to continue to contend with time on the bench.
• Bendtner (5/10) – Replaced Chamakh as Wenger clearly sought to rest the Moroccan ahead of the Manchester game. Was involved in the build up to the Nasri goal and helped trouble the Partizan defence.

Shakhtar Donetsk 2 Arsenal 1

Ex Gunner, Eduardo(left) applauds the
fans holding an Arsenal shirt 

In what was always going to be our toughest Champions League game, we lost at the Dombass Arena to a revenge-seeking Shakhtar side. It was a very different side to the one that humiliated the Ukrainians a fortnight ago, as we made seven changes to the team that won 5-1 in the Emirates.
On account of injury, our entire midfield underwent a make over as Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas, Denilson and Abou Diaby all stayed at home. Andrei Arshavin also joined the missing-in-action list, while Marouane Chamakh and Bacary Sagna were rested.
Interestingly, we took the the lead in the 10th minute through the ever-improving Theo Walcott, who raced onto a through pass out of defence by Wilshire to score in his usual break away fashion.
Shakhtar, severqally known as 'Pitmen' or 'Miners' (depending on your choice of vaocabulary) responded with a sustained onslaught and despite some brave defending by Johann Djourou and Lukasz Fabianski, we were pegged back in the 28th minute when Craig Eastmond headed-in an own goal under pressure from a freekick.
Shakhtar continued their pressure and we were containing them comfortably until the 45th minute when Dario Srna nicked the ball off Gael Clichy to send a cross into the ball for the lurking ex-Gunner, Eduardo to shoot past Fabianski.
We had chances in the second half through Sebastian Squillaci, Walcott and Wilshire, but it was not to be our night as the hosts held on for their win.
In the larger picture, we still top the group though on goals’ difference now as Shakhtar join us on seven points apiece. We play host to Partizan Belgrade next and a win will surely seal up the business of qualification ahead of the final group game away to Braga in December.


Below are the ratings:
*Fabianksi (7/10) - Actually did well despite the defeat. It was always going to be a difficult game in difficult surroundings and he coped admirably for all that came his way. He was free from blame for both goals that went in and even prevented many more. Surely now, he is established between the sticks and all the stupid blunders seem to have been dealt with.
*Clichy (5/10) - A very ordinary game from Clichy. Was doing ok, just ok until he allowed Srna to dispossess him of the ball in the 45th minute, which ultimately led to the winning goal. Tried to atone for his mistake with his usual overlapping runs but the mistake was to remain crucial.
*Squillaci (6/10) - Did well on the night. He always brings a calmness to the defence and his experience allows him to read games well and anticipate a lot of situations. Despite the defeat, he acquitted himself well.
*Djourou (7/10) - Interestingly, this could count as Johann’s best game for us all season. The amount of blocks and interceptions he made were quite impressive and he even saved a goal bound shot on the line in the first half. The run of games he’s got already has helped his form a lot and it is hoped barring injuries, his long-trumpeted potential is beginning to emerge. Keep it up Johann.
*Eboue (6/10) - The Ivorian did well on the night and performed as expected of him. He helped out in defence when required and stifled the threat of Eduardo all night. Apart from the the winner which he scored, the ex-Gunner was not given any room to manouver.
*Eastmond (6/10) - It would go down as a better-forgotten night for the young Englishman but with his age, it should count as part of the learning curve. He was forced under pressure by ex- Barcelona defender, Dmitry Chygrynskiy to head into his own net but he recovered to hold his own. In the absence of Song and Fabregas, it was always going to be a formidable task for Eastmond to cope, and ultimately he was subbed early in the second half. Mention must be made that the long term injury to Emmanuel Frimpong is the reason why Eastmond is getting a look-in.
*Wilshire (7/10) – The young maestro picked up from where he left prior to his suspension. He dictated the pace of our game and provided the breakthrough pass for Walcott to score our goal. Was unfazed by the physicality of the game and almost scored himself in the second half. All in all, it was great to see him back in the side.
* Nasri (6/10) – Was required to play the Fabregas role on the night. But it didn’t quite go according to plan. Was visible though in the first half as he took on the Shakhtar defence repeatedly but there was no ready outlet to feed his balls. Tired and faded as the match wore on.
* Rosicky (6/10) - Was very pedestrian all night. Not much to write about him as he failed to impose himself in the middle.
* Bendtner (5/10) - For someone who is trying to break into the team, this was a missed opportunity to show what he could do. He was pedestrian all night and the sight of Chamakh on the bench must have served as a constant reminder that he wouldn’t be getting too many chances to start like last night.
* Walcott (8/10) - Another impressive day at the office. Apart from his well taken goal that silenced the home crowd, he was dangerous all night and never allowed the Shakhtar defence to relax. He is now a genuine source of goals for us and he has equalled his best tally of seven goals for us in only the third month of the season. Expect greater things from him this season.


Subs
*Vela (5/10) – As is now the fashion of the Mexican, he contributed nothing of note to the game. Came on in the 56th minute to little effect.
*Emmanuel Thomas (5/10) – Came on late for the tiring Walcott but had little impact on the proceedings. It will be nice to see what he can offer though as a starter.
*Chamakh (5/10) – He replacd the ineffective Bendtner but time ran out on him to impact on the game.

Blackburn Rovers 1 Arsenal 2…ratings

Blackburn Rovers 1 Arsenal 2…ratings



This was a potential banana skin. I mean going to Ewood Park against big, bad Blackburn; managed by bulldog-lookalike Sam Allardyce; and led by ugly-duckling, bouncer-to-be Chris Samba (nice rhyming there!)


Well, the records show that we hadn’t won in the league there since 2002 and it had nothing to do with lack of effort or anything of the sort. The same fixture last season left a very vile taste in every Gooners’ mouth as we all watched Fabianski being shoved all over the place on the way to us losing 2-1.


Prior to Saturday’s fixture, Wenger had pleaded with the match officials to be on the lookout for ‘rugby-style’ tactics. He carefully didn’t mention the team guilty of such, but it was clear whom his alert was directed at.


Since taking over from Mark Hughes two seasons ago, Allardyce has gradually constructed a team very much in his own image. Tactics such as long balls; overphysicality; intimidation of opposing goalies;


long throws into opponents’ areas; crowding opponents’ goalmouth at setpieces, etc are very much his stock-in-trade. Just like he successfully did during his Bolton days, the heavy-jowled Allardyce has become something of an antagonist to everything beautiful and romantic about the game.


Saturday was to be another chance to smear Wenger and stop us playing.


But all good things, as they say, come to an end.


Our so-called fear (or weakness) against physical teams like Blackburn, Stoke and the like was trumpeted loud ahead of this tie – as if the more mention made of it, the more we were supposed to shiver and quake before opponents lacking in any form of skill.


Well, two well-taken strikes from Theo (again!) and the unpredictable Russian Arshavin put paid to all that. Intimidation, allied with Allardyce’s tepid tactics all went out of the window as an early shower gave way to a midday sunshine, helping us see off Blackburn and navigate this tricky tie in flying colours.


Below are the ratings for the game:


*Almunia (7/10) Stood up very well to all the push and shove manufactured by Samba and his gang. Banged his head against the post in the first half but recovered to deal with all the aerial bombardment that followed. Couldn’t do anything about their equalizer, but did well to organize his defence and withstand intimidation thereafter. There were reports of him throwing his shirt into the crowd of supporters after the game as a sort of parting gift. Don’t know where that came from!?


*Sagna(7/10) On top of his game once more. Kept a tight rein on the roving pair of Elhadj Diouf and Pedersen with his tireless marking. Supplied the crucial cross that led to the winning goal with a gutsy, overlapping burst from deep. Good game all round for the Frenchman who has started the season in uncompromising mood.


*Koscieny (6/10) Did well also. Picked up from where he left off against Liverpool. He is a battler and scrapper all rolled-into-one and can mix with all that is offer in the Premiership. At fault or their equalizer as he allowed himself to be beaten with pace by Diouf (of all people). But he stood up to all their antics and aerial balls in the second half and kept their attack quiet in the second half. So far, so very good for the new boy.


*Vermaelen (7/10) TV was just TV. Good tackling; great awareness around him; superb organizer; fine allround defence play. Lost Mame Diouf for their equalizer but did everything else asked of him or the rest of the game. He is a gem of defender indeed.


* Clichy (6/10) Stuck to Diouf (Elhadj that is) like a glue and though the wily Senegalese escaped a few times in the first half, it was a different story in the second. Not Gael’s best game, but not his worst either.


*Song (7/10) Reverted to his tradition DM role or the first time this season and how so natural he looks in it. Harried and disrupted the Blackburn attempts at attack and ran his socks off as he continually shadowed the hulking Samba everywhere. Looked quite unrecognizable in his dyed, cornfield hairstyle but long as he maintains his form, no one is complaining.


* Diaby (6/10) Quiet but effective game or the gangling Frenchman. Also helped to keep Samba quiet and I’m sure Wenger preferred him alongside Song due to the height advantage. He almost scored the opener early in the first half when his shot ricocheted off Gael Givet and Robinson.


*Fabregas (6/10) Another one with a quiet performance. The captain started his first game of the season and it showed in the first half. To be kind to him,he was very anonymous in the first period apart from heading a goalbound shot of the line.. Things changed though in the second and he upped his level, which unsurprisingly saw him involved in the winner. It was his deflected shot that fell to Arshavin which the Russian buried for what turned out to be winner. Cesc lasted 68 minutes before making way for Rosicky.


*Van Persie (6/10) For someone who lasted only about 30 minutes, he ought not to command such a rating. But his perfect pass to Walcott produced the opener in the 19th miunte and that assist was worth its weight indeed. It was also his first start of the season and it must be an indication of how much importance Wenger attached to this game that he rolled out both his World Cup stars for this one. Robin succumbed to a twisted ankle though, cutting short his appearance.


*Walcott (8/10) Well, well, well. Looks like the real Mr Walcott is standing up now. Theo looked quite on fire as he served up another tasty, all-guns-blazing performance right in front of the watching England boss, Fabio Capello. He cracked a sumptuous opener from a difficult angle after being played in by Van Persie and could have easily got a couple more in the second half. His running, passing, positional play and allround game clearly marks him out as one to watch this season. Whatever may have happened to him over the summer break, Theo is a very different person now. Man of the match for the second week running.


*Arshavin (7/10) The unpredictable Russian went up a level in this game as he seems to prefer a step-by-step introduction into the news season. Linked up well with Cesc and took on the Blackburn defence with relish. Scored the winner by blasting through a forest of arms and legs in the 59th minute after arriving at the end of Fabregas deflected shot.


Subs


*Chamakh (5/10) Came into the game in the 30th minute as a like-for-like replacement for the injured Van Persie. Held the line well and full of running as usual. His presence kept the Blackburn defence busy, which prevented them having any ideas about roving forward.


* Rosicky (5/10) Replaced Fabregas and linked up well with the frontmen. Not up to the standards of his two previous games this season though.


* Wilshere (5/10) Came on in the 80th minute as we were seeing off the game safely. Almost nicked a goal for himself at the death if not for some inspired goalkeeping by Robinson.