Written by Mean Lean on Wednesday, 20 October 2010 13:23

Yet another perfect European night at the Emirates as the Gunners blew away a talented Shakhtar Donetsk side out of the water with a sumptuous display of attacking, creative football.

The signs were good before the kick off when the line up showed four of our creative offensive players on show. Cesc Fabregas returning from injury, Jack Wilshere continuing in the heart of the midfield with both Tomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri in wide positions. All that was missing was the magical Dutchman, but that would be unfair to Mauraone Chamakh who produced yet another wonderful center forward's performance.

I had actually thought that we started the game a little slowly and lacked a bit of urgency in the final third of the pitch. We played at a quicker pace against Braga in an earlier game. Even without the early cutting edge we looked in control of the game and stuck with the patient approach. We hadn't really created a clear cut chance until the opposition goalkeeper dropped a catch, Djourou pounced and poked the ball to Song who was standing in the six yard box with a defender ahead of him, instead of using his left foot to put the ball in the net, Song strangely  used his other foot to flick into the net off the defender on the line who was struggling to keep it out. Either Song has no confidence on his left foot or he is full of confidence, either way it was a strange choice of finish that came off.

Alex Song had a very good game I thought, winning countless tackles throughout the game and linking well with the offensive players when driving forward into more attacking areas.

Shortly after Arsenal could have been two up after another trademark passing move resulting in Chamakh nodding down perfectly to Nasri who had a snap shot saved from the edge of the area. It was a classic Alan Smith nod down from the late eighties and early nineties.

Jack Wilshere who has been under the microscope in the last week went in late on Hubschman but was given a talking to from the referee instead of the more likely yellow card. Jack Wilshere is a full blooded and committed player who has to be careful not to gain a reputation for making bad tackles. While Jack's technique on the ball is first class, his tackling technique needs plenty of work.

Wilshere had yet another fine game in midfield, sitting in between Cesc and Song, rarely giving away possession and driving forward to support his attacking colleagues. I love the way Jack allows the ball to run across him then flicks the ball forward to the feet of a more advanced player and a few strides later he has the returned pass under his left footed spell.

I still feel that we are watching Wilshere with chains on, he is keeping his game very simple to remain disciplined. The 16 year old Wilshere playing against lesser players will drive at opponents, drag it past another and chip the advanced goalkeeper. I believe that will come in time. It will come when he is a few years older and playing in his favourite attacking role. Cesc's role.

I was watching the game in a pub with a few Arsenal mates of mine and we were discussing the Cesc and Wilshere combination. One of their arguments that Wilshere should be the more advanced with Cesc dictating the game from the center circle carry's water but I feel that Cesc's goals and assists last season cannot be ignored from the more advanced midfielder. However I do believe that in time, Wilshere will excel in that position.

Arsenal's second goal three minutes before half time was a thing of beauty. Samir Nasri who I thought was exceptional throughout the game pulled down Song's deflected cross marvelously. It was almost Bergkamp-esque, he adjusted his feet very quickly and fired high past the keeper on his weaker left foot. A great great goal.

Two nil up before half time without getting into top gear, a wonderful position to be in and that is what happens when you take your chances. The Stamford Bridge regrets came back up again in our discussion at half time. Had Song's flick in front of goal bounced off the defender on the line and away to safety then it game could have panned out differently. It is the same with Koscielny's header from probably closer than Song was.

Shakhtar Donetsk had decent possession during the first half but could not do anything with it. I was surprised to see Douglas Costa on the bench for the visitors, he had just returned from injury and probably was not at 100% but without him Shakhtar struggled to break down the Arsenal defence who were strong. Praise must go to Johan Djourou who has been rather inconsistent since returning from injury, he hasn't had a run of games under his belt and at times that has shown but last night I thought he was superb. He intercepted well, made many good tackles and used the ball very well. With Vermaelen and Koscielny out it bodes very well, giving our other two central defenders plenty of game time which will allow future rotation without any problems if need be in future.

At half time Costa came on as the visitors attempted to get back into the game. Two minutes into the second half Shakhtar Donetsk had their first real clear chance of the game. A delightful pass from Mkhitaryan found Luiz Adriano's diagonal run into the box but Fabianski came out quickly and made a block reminiscent of Peter Schmeichel of old.

The game was over on the hour when Adriano man handled Djourou in the box, penalty to Arsenal. Samir Nasri had been doing a very good job of penalty taker in the absence of Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie but the pecking order remained and number two Cesc Fabregas showed why he is indeed second only to Van Persie but slamming home an unstoppable right footed effort high into the top left corner of the Shakhtar goal.

Eduardo came on and received his much deserved standing ovation from the home support, Denilson had also replaced Cesc who was understandably never at his best but will be closer to that level on Sunday afternoon.

Jack Wilshere had pushed up into the attacking midfield position and in a matter of minutes he grabbed his first goal of the season and what a goal it was. Chamakh's lay off around the corner was subtle yet majestic. Wilshere, the master of give and go fed Rosicky and the Czech's first time pass was weighted to absolute perfection, a pass that had to perfect was made to look very easy. Wilshere controlled the returned and chipped past the onrushing keeper. Arguably the best goal of the night.

We are told that Arsenal overplay and should swing more balls into the box or shoot more from outside the area but the whole idea of our football is to use what you have at your disposal. We play intricate passes because we have a team full of technically gifted players who can pass and receive the football.

Much of football is about percentages. If you shoot from outside the box there is no guarantee that you will score a goal, you have more chance of scoring a goal from being in a better position on the pitch. Arsenal rely on their ability to pass and move around the opposition because that is what we are good at. Teams like Stoke rely on crossing balls into the box because they are not good at keeping possession, it doesn't mean that they are more effective than Arsenal. Stats would suggest otherwise.

Three minutes later Arsenal were at it again. Nasri's golf chip over the top of the Shakhtar defence allowed Chamakh to control the ball, look across to his right at the linesman and then side foot off the keeper and into the net for number five. A goal that he fully deserved for his usual unselfish work throughout the night.

Five goals to the good, five different goal scorers on the night. Walcott replaced Chamakh and Arshavin came on for the impressive Nasri.

Eight minutes from time the inevitable happened. Eduardo da Silva clipped the ball out wide, then ran to meet the cross with an impeccable half volley side foot into Fabianski's corner. It was the Eduardo of old, putting the ball where no keeper could reach.

A fitting end to a fabulous game of football. Eduardo could have scored for the home side such was the noise around the stadium. He received warm applause from the home support. It was funny watching the Arsenal fans behind the goal stand up and cheer when they had realised that it was Eddie who put away the chance.

Conclusion

Arsenal had controlled the game from start to finish and took the chances that came our way. Even with Cesc Fabregas not at his best we were still able to carve the opposition apart time after time. Jack Wilshere was once again impressive and can now put his feet up while he serves his suspension.

There wasn't any real head and shoulder performances from anyone out there. Most of the players were in sync with each other and produced a fantastic team display of possession football.

Shakhtar starting without Douglas Costa could not provide the early knock out blow and were slowly wrestled into submission. It will be a different game altogether on Sunday. Manchester City will give us far less time to pick passes at the Eastlands.

Having minutes under Cesc and Walcott's belt will be highly beneficial. Bendtner also had some minutes on Saturday against Birmingham and all these players have made Arsenal's bench look very strong all of a sudden.

Three victories out of three Champions League games will massively help our league campaign as we will be able to rest some key players before important domestic matches.

The focus will now be on Sunday, let us hope the run continues.

Fabianski (8)
Eboue (7.5)
Squillaci (7)
Djourou (8)
Clichy (8)
Song (8)
Wilshere (8)
Cesc (7)
Rosicky (7)
Chamakh (8)
Nasri (8)

Please note that ratings are only my interpretations of the game and that others will have differing opinions

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Comments (9)

• 20-Oct-2010 13:54 | | Arsenal Articles
  

  Great performance and nice to see Eduardo score at 5-0!
  
  Please check my player ratings at:
  
  http://arsenalarticles.webs.com/

• 20-Oct-2010 14:16 | | Bala  - bl.mrgn1@gmail.com
  

  "I have never been in a stadium where a opposition's goal is cheered this much"-Andy Gray's word after Eduardo's Goal

• 20-Oct-2010 14:27 | | DJ Dragonfly
  

  We were outstanding once again last with Wilshire putting in another exceptional performance, however I must say, I thought Squillaci was quietly efficient in defence and he has marshalled the backline considerably well in Vermaelen's absence IMO. I would go as far as saying that I think he should be Vermaelen's regular central defensive partner ahead of Koscielny and Djourou.
  
  It's a shame that Wilshire is now suspended for the next tree games in domestic competition, but mark my words, I feel he is now ahead of Diaby, Ramsey and Denilson in the box to box role in central midfield. He took his goal very well.
  
  The interchange between our midfield trio was also a delight to see. Whenever Song pushed forward to support the attack for example, Cesc and Wilshire would stay back to protect the back four and vice versa. I still think Song should stick to his defensive duties, whilst leaving the creativity duties to the likes of Cesc, Wilshire, Nasri, Chamakh and Rosicky.
  
  Fabianski hardly had anything to do, but when Donetsk had their first real shot on goal, he came up with the goods. Wenger, please keep Lukasz in the side upon Almunia's return and give him a long overdue extended run in goal. His confidence is sky high at present.
  
  When Van Persie returns from injury, I think it's critical that Wenger finds a way to play Van Persie, Chamakh, Nasri, Wilshire and Cesc in the same line-up. Perhaps he could go with the following:
  
  Fabianski
  
  Sagna Squillaci Vermaelen Gibbs
  
  Song Fabregas
  
  Wilshire Van Persie Nasri
  
  Chamakh

• 20-Oct-2010 14:54 | | Alex
  

  I say, let Wilshire be the tough tackler. Don't discourage him from making hard tackles, for we all know we need that kind of player in the squad. Just like we had Vieira, Petit or MU with Scholes.
  I hated when Arsenal are playing victims, complaining when tackled by opposition player, no getting the foul and so on. Be the offender once in a while!
  
  And one more, you know why we won? Because no Diaby in the pitch to hold-up play, letting good counter-attacking opportunity slipped like for 100 times.

• 20-Oct-2010 16:34 | | Ahmed El Hawary
  

  hey guys I've been a long time arsenal fan but since I live in egypt I've never been to any game, but thankfully I managed to save up and I'll be attending the tottenham game next month ( not a bad game for my first visit to arsenal eh??) anyway I was wondering if there are any precautions i should take when going to the game as i heard that when we play tottenham some underground station is closed. the other thing I wanted to ask is that I'll be in london for a week before the game so I wanted to know where i could watch the everton game?? I wanted a place where its mostly arsenal fans but not overly crowded. Thnx

• 20-Oct-2010 19:39 | | double dapper
  

  Ahmed, it is very important that you take your sense of humour to the game as you will need to hear rubbish like spurs will finish above the gooners and huddlescock is better then cesc.

• 20-Oct-2010 20:42 | | DreisGoon
  

  thank you! thats wise thinking my friend...i think we need to step it up and quit complaining..make more firm but smart challenges..we shouldnt kill wilshire's warrior/ creative spirit..nasri involves himself in challenges from time to time..i like his style too

• 20-Oct-2010 21:44 | | balls2thewall  - balls2thewall
  

  It was a close game up until Songs goal. I just get the feeling that the good luck that (IMO) we haven't really had for the last 2 years is starting to turn in our favour. In the past Songs shot from the goalies mishandled ball would have rebounded out for a corner from the goaline defender. The team played well and as you say - good to start getting the injured players back - Arshavin and Walcott last two subs on the pitch - what luxury. Perhaps we will get to see some of the Youg Guns playing in the latter qualifying games depending on the return result. Thanks Mean Lean - always an enjoyable read...

• 20-Oct-2010 22:54 | | stan dan deliver
  

  Ahmed - how much did you save to come over for the spurs game? Happy to show you around if the beers are on you.

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