Manchester Utd 1 Arsenal 0

Park Ji Sung was the slayer on the night as his lone 40^th minute header consigned us to defeat at Old Trafford and our fifth such setback of the season. It used to be conventional wisdom that you cannot hope to win the league if you lose more than five games all season long. Well, we’ve reached that point now and it would be interesting to see what happens to our title hopes henceforth.

The game itself did not reach the dizzy heights that such encounters between we and them are noted for. Wenger blamed the nature of the pitch as well as tension from both sides for the tame nature of the game. He never seems to run out of explaining away every defeat we suffer – as if Man Utd played on a separate pitch from us.

While Man Utd would surely go on record as having won it, on the pitch there wasn’t much to separate both teams. Rooney was a peripheral figure all through the 90minutes as he conceded responsibility of leading the attack to Nani. It was no surprise therefore that it was Nani’s assist that led to Ji Sung’s winner.

On our part, the big story clearly was the league debut of our rookie goalie, Wojciech Szczesny in place of the now-regular Fabianski and in fairness to the younger Pole, he was not disgraced.

The goal that beat him could have evaded more experienced goalies and in the second half, he managed a clean sheet despite a face-to-face with Anderson and Rooney penalty.

All in all, despite leaving the Stadium of Dreams empty-handed, we still remain second on the log and two points behind Man Utd, who travel to an intimidating Stamford Bridge this weekend to play Chelsea.

Rooney misses from the spot to save us further punishment

 Below are how we performed on a chilly Manchester night.

·         * Szczesny (7/10) – His name might be a tongue –twister but if the truth be told, we will be getting used to it. Wenger, never afraid to blood young players, pulled a big rabbit out of the hat by naming the 20year-old to start. Despite the outcome of the game, Wojciech enhanced his reputation with an accomplished performance. Yes he was beaten by Ji Sung’s looping header for what proved to be the winner, but he saved well from Anderson in the 53^rd minute and also from Rooney in the 80^th minute, after the star England striker had blazed a penalty over the bar in the 73^rd minute.

With Manuel Almunia now definitely fallen out of favour, expect to see more and more of Wojciech as the season unfolds.

·         * Clichy (6/10) - Did the simple things well but his penchant for switching off at key moments cost us on the night. Both key moments in the game stemmed from direct mistakes by our left fullback. He gave Nani too much room to launch the pass onto Ji Sung’s head that led to the lone goal. Clichy’s handling of the ball – though inadvertently -  in the 73^rd minute also gifted Man Utd an undeserved penalty that Rooney blasted into the night sky. Clichy on his part, needs a talking-to.

·         * Koscielny (7/10) – Was never found wanting all the times Man Utd came knocking on the door of our defence. I will never understand what the criticism about him is all about because he always gives 100% and is very positionally alert and sensitive to danger in and around the box. Kept Rooney and Ji Sung quiet all game and despite the goal they scored, he emerged from the match unblemished.

·         * Squillaci (5/10) – He remains the weak link in our back four. He does the business against lesser and weaker sides but against a top team like Man Utd, he struggled a lot of the time to cope. Wasn’t exactly disgraced on the night but found it tough going against the speed and movement of Nani and sometimes Anderson, on the few occasions the Brazilian midfielder strode forward. I reckon he needs a break for a couple of weeks while someone like Johann Djourou takes his place.

·         * Sagna (7/10) – Was his usual no-nonsense self all through the 90minutes. He dealt with all that came his way in form of Nani and his cohorts. He even found the strength and space to bomb forward and lob in a few balls. Didn’t have an effective communication though with Rosicky in front of him through no fault of his though. He also had a running battle all night with Patrice Evra on the Man Utd left flank and had his shirt ripped apart in an aerial clash with Rio Ferdinand early in the second half. It takes much more thana torn shirt to stop Bacary though and last night he was on top of his game.

·         * Song (6/10) – Did well in his natural defensive midfield role as he stuck closer to the defence than his new-found love of bombing forward. Came out on top in his running battle with Darren Fletcher and Anderson, thus nipping many a Man Utd attack in the bud. All in all, it was still a subdued night for the big Camerounian who picked up a booking late in the game for a foul on Evra.

·         * Wilshire (5/10) – It was a testament to his reputation that our little English terrier was swamped by Man Utd midfielders anytime he had the ball. Despite the close attention paid to him by Fletcher and Anderson, he still tried his best to launch attacks form a very crowded midfield. Was taken off in the 65^th minute after picking up a slight knock in a gritty tackle that left him hobbling around the pitch. A learning curve for Jack but one that will enhance his experience and game massively.

·         * Rosicky (5/10) – On a night when the game was likely to be won based on the outcome of the midfield battle, our captain for the day, Rosicky failed woefully to spark. He was simply overawed by the towering Fletcher who did a perfect job keeping him quiet. Couldn’t find his feet, let alone his range of passing and it was no surprise at all that his number was the first up when the changes were being rung. A better-forgotten night indeed for Tomas.

·         * Arshavin (6/10) – Another one that failed to make an impression on the night. It is an indication of where the pendulum of victory will eventually swing when too many players in a team are simply not firing. Arshavin was policed excellently by the Brazilian fullback Rafeal and simply did not have the legs or the guile to outwit his marker, He drifted into the centre on a couple of occasions in search of space but he eventually lost his way and interest in the game before being substituted. His yo-yo form must be worry to all Gunners now.

·          * Nasri (6/10) – Despite the lack of service from a packed midfield, our French maestro never stopped trying. He wasn’t his usual dominant self due to the close marking of Vidic and Ferdinand which was to be expected. Credit to him though for making the best out of a tough night by showing glimpses of why he is now a force to be reckoned with.

·         * Chamakh (5/10) – Apart from a snap first half header that Van Der Sar held very well and a second half shot crambled away by Vidic, we could as well have played without a striker. The Moroccan was largely anonymous as the game passed him by in large doses. Picked up a late booking for a needless foul and was lucky to avoid conceding a penalty when he ‘hugged’ a ball in our area where a header would have been the easier option. In my opinion, Chamakh’s level has dropped in recent games as the goals have dried up and the legs gotten heavier. Just like Squillaci who also came in from the French league and found themselves plunged head-on into the frenetic English game, he also needs a break to recharge his batteries. The need for such a break was evident with the sight of him clutching his groin at the final whistle.

The substitutes:

·         * Van Persie (5/10) – Came on in the 63^rd minute for an ineffective Rosicky. He wasn’t given room by the Man Utd backline and in a huge game as this, it wasn’t the best place to ease him back to the game. He surely needs games to rediscover his form after a long time out with injury.

·        *  Fabregas (5/10) – Tried to pull the strings he’s well known for after coming on to replace Wilshire in the 63^rd minute. Wasn’t given room as well by a well-organised Man Utd defence and didn’t look like he was willing to take any risk as well with the game dieing a slow death.

·        *  Walcott (5/10) – He was the last throw of Wenger’s dice as he came on in the 80^th minute to try to outrun the Man Utd defence. Did well for the 15 odd minutes he was on the pitch but ran out of time to change the destiny of the game. As long as he stays fit, he remains am potent alternative for Wenger if the manager wants to reshuffle things at the front.

Once again, we fail to trouble the very teams that we are supposed to overhaul in our attempt to win anything. Teams like Man Utd, Chelsea who have remained our betenoire for these 3-4years past. More annoying is the confirmation of all the hateful jibes thrown at us by Patrice Evra before this game, labeling us a ridiculous side for not winning anything recently.

Just as has also been the case all season long, we fail to take anything from a game where we concede first. It is a measure of our lack of fighting spirit, or level of demoralization, or both that we can’t seem to find an extra soon as we fall behind in a game.

It’s all well and good to take the lead and pummel poorer teams into submission, but soon as we concede ourselves, we just fold and go through the motions for the rest of the game.

Yet again, when questions are asked of this bunch, they fail to respond. Szczesny apart, I couldn’t really point to any other player on the night who merited the shirt.

Which makes Wenger’s gripe about the pitch more hollow and very grating.  

Nobody Wants Lukasz

In case u've not seen it yet, there's a damming poll on Arseblog, which asks readers and fans alike to vote for the one man that should be our Number one goalkeeper for the rest of the season.
It lists all the four goalies we have and as at 10am(Central African Time), 279 fans had voted. An overwhelming 187 thumbed for untested, untried rookie Wojciech Szczesny.


Man of the people? Obvious

 Current number one Manuel Almunia managed a second spot with 47 votes; the same as current number three Vito Mannone. It is no surprise that Lukasz Fabianski, current number two has the fewest fans with just 2 votes. Two votes!
The surprise for me is finding anyone at all who voted for him. Those two fans must be from his own nuclear family.
These are clearly not the best of times to be an Arsenal goalie.
For a club that produced one of England's greatest and most-accomplished in David Seaman, our goalkeeping situation is a pig's breakfast. A fine mess.
Bearing in mind last Saturday's capitulation to West Brom, most fans who would have given Almunia some benefit of doubt since the start of the season, have now given up.
Szczesny's blast at Wenger last week clearly shows that strange things are happening behind the scenes. Not a man to give too much away, Wenger would surely have been hit below the belt with that tirade.
Not a man to be cowered into anything either, it may amount to a burning-of-the-bridges for the young Pole. If nothing, Wenger is as stubborn as a Texan mountain goat and would never, ever be seen to be brow-beaten into any action. Least of all by a 20 year-old upstart who owes all his footballing pedigree to Wenger himself. Interestingly and quite unlike anything we've seen since Adebayor, Wojciech looks and sounds like a very confident bloke.
But, for a man of Wenger's experience, he must know that you cannot alienate fans in an industry like football. Whatever happens form hereon, it might mean the end of Wenger's rigid hierachy structure and time to move Wojciech up the ladder.
Because whichever way you may interpret it, the arseblog poll is the fans talking.
And very loudly indeed!

Tottenham 1 Arsenal 4(aet)

All in all, this was a consummate performance following quickly on the disappointment of Saturday night at the Stadium of Light.
We breezed into the 4th Round of the Carling Cup after silencing the Tottenham crowd – albeit in extratime. The score of 4-1 very much reflected the pattern of play and in addition to our 54% possession, including our 19 shots at goal as against Spur’s 9 shots, our dominance was crystal clear.
At no time in the game were we under sustained pressure, unlike the constant barrage we unleashed at the other end. That the game dragged onto extra time was largely due to uncoordinated finishing on our part – rather than any stalwart resistance by Spurs.
It turned out to be our biggest win at White Hart Lane since 1980 and credit must go to all the players, who put on a show to compensate for the banishment of Wenger from the bench.

The Three 'Gunner' Musketeers had a fine night

Quickly, below are the ratings.
*Fabianski (5/10) – Easily our worst player on the night. What Wenger sees in him, we all will never know. Was largely responsible for Spur’s equalizer as he failed to hold onto Robbie Keane’s weak shot. Despite his mistake and general lack of confidence, I must say this was the first game I’ve seen us win with him between the sticks. Little wonder fellow-Pole, Wojciech Szczesny is threatening showdown talks if he isn’t given a run.
* Eboue (7/10) – Did very well as deputy to Sagna. Denied Spurs any real in-road from the right and though caught out a couple of times by the sneaky David Bentley, he recovered well to ward of his threat and even marauded regularly into the Spurs’ half. It’s a measure of what a fine time a fullback is having, when he spends so much time in the opponents’ half.
*Koscielny (8/10) – Another five-star performance from the new boy. Dealt very well with all of Spur’s forays and commanded the defence admirably. Pulled off a glorious tackle in the 70th minute as the dangerous Aaron Lennon was poised to shoot at goal. There never seems to be an off day for him. Quality defender indeed.
*Djourou (7/10) – Did quite well for someone who has been out for ages. Slotted smoothly beside Koscielny and helped keep the marauding Pavlyuchenko and Keane at bay. Was clearly rusty due to the length of time he’s been out but did well and ticked all the right boxes. If he stays injury free, we should see more of him.
*Gibbs (7/10) – His stature clearly has improved and it is apparent why Wenger was willing to sell Armand Traore and hang onto to Gibbs. Forced the substitution of the speedy Giovanni and also stood up very well to his replacement, Lennon. Limped off late in the extra period with an injury which was later confirmed to be a mere bruising.
* Denilson (6/10) – Not a very convincing night for the little Brazilian but he was adequate for the occasion. Still cannot fill the boots of Alex Song but on the night, he put in an average shift. I reckon no way is he a defensive midfielder.
* Lansbury (7/10) – Manned the right side of midfield and did his case no harm at all. Got us off to a great start in the 13th minute with a goal at the end of a five-man move. Wenger says he reminds of him of Ray Parlour and from last night’s heroics, he surely has set his eyes on emulating the one-time Gunner great.
*Nasri (7/10) - Took his time to get into the game and it later emerged why. A thigh strain restricted him through the greater part of the match. He was to play a pivotal part as he won the penalty in extratime that restored our lead and scored again to make it 3-1. Took over the captain’s band from Rosicky and it seemed to propel him as the game wore on.
*Rosicky (6/10) – Led the team out and battled bravely until he was withdrawn after picking up a knock in the second half. Was clearly intent on appeasing the fans after Saturday’s penalty miss at Sunderland. Went a long way in achieving that.
* Wilshire (8/10) – Is there a better 18 year-old in the game anywhere in the world at the moment? I doubt it. Lionheart Jack, simply put, ran the show on the night. Full of running, trickery and an eye for a pass, he effortlessly slotted into the Fabregas position and tirelessly ran rings round the Spurs players. Their response was to kick him endlessly but he still found time and space to lay on goals for Lansbury and later for Arshavin late in the game. What a legend he’s growing to be!
* Vela (5/10) – A disappointing night for the smiling Mexican. He seems to prefer coming off the bench and putting on cameos than starting games and taking full responsibility for the attack. Wasn’t given any leeway by the Spurs defence and didn’t do enough to merit one. Withdrawn in the second half for Chamakh.


Subs
• Arshavin (7/10) – The Russian came on for Rosicky and galvanized our attack at a very crucial time. Scored the final goal off a quick freekick from Wilshire.
• Chamakh (6/10) – Didn’t do much except win a penalty for the third goal. Full of running and enterprise as always.
• Clichy (5/10) – Came on in the extra period to replace a limping Gibbs. Helped soak the little Spurs pressure as the game petered out.
This competition now looks very much wide open with big guns like Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea all dumped out. It might turn out to be our year in this much-maligned Cup, often used as breeding ground by Wenger. Fingers crossed on that.


Next up, we welcome a tricky West Brom to the Emirates on Saturday afternoon as attention shifts back to the premiership. After the heroics at Spurs, appetites are now very much whetted in anticipation of more wins. Also welcomed back would be Wenger after serving his one-match ban as well as Song for the two cautions against Sunderland.