Written by Mean Lean on Thursday, 20 January 2011 20:33

Another fine performance from the boys last night at Elland road. A cold night up north against a determined side went the way it usually does, an Arsenal victory.

The ITV crew would tell you something different though and I almost felt as sorry for them as I did with Leeds United as they struggled to hide their disappointment at the final whistle.

Leeds flew out of the traps and were as committed as we expected them to be but were caught by a sucker punch. How nice would it be if we finished our first chance of the game more often? Having said that the chance does not always fall to a player in such mesmeric form as Samir Nasri.

Arshavin and Chamakh combined before Nasri touched the ball past a Leeds defender much in the way he did against Fulham a few months ago but instead of continuing his mazy run he opened up his body and slid it past the keeper.

It would take something special from another Arsenal player to end up with the player of the year award come the end of the season, Samir Nasri has been exceptional pretty much from pre season to date. He is gliding through matches now, he is developing that glow around him when he gets the ball to his feet.

I have said it before but his improvement reminds me of the leap that Thierry Henry made after he started scoring. From a technical player, learning the Premier League to a world beater in months. Nasri's fitness is incredible, sprinting up and down the pitch tracking back to win the ball or moving into space to receive the pass.

We started to move the ball around much better than we had in the first game and at Ipswich, our squad players look to be sharpening up at the right time. The movement was much improved and our passing was much more fluid.

We knew that the players who travelled to Ipswich were good enough but the performances were not there. It is one thing being declared fit to play and it is another thing to be sharp enough to play at a high level. Hopefully those two cup games as well as time on the training pitch at London Colny has brought the rest of the squad up to speed.

Bendtner could not quite reach a cross from Sagna before he took matters into his own hands. Bendtner failed to control a pass and the ball trickled out to Sagna on the right with acres of space, he didn't need a second invitation and drove into the penalty box. Just as he did at Goodison park earlier in the season, he drove the ball from the angle and Schmeichel's outstretched hand deflected the ball high into the net for 2-0.

We were in total control of the game and it should have killed our opponents but they were given a lifeline minutes afterwards. Arshavin should have received a free kick by the touchline but play was waved on, the ball eventually fell to former Arsenal youngster Bradley Johnson who struck the ball from 30 yards out into the top corner. He couldn't have hit the ball any sweeter and once again we find ourselves conceding to a perfect strike.

That changed the complexion of the game a little, it gave their supporters and players a lift and a reason to continue to fight on. If the referee blew for the foul then I believe that the margin of victory would have increased.

As it was the home side fought hard but fair and credit to them for that. One of their substitutes had a good chance to level in the second half but deflected his shot wide.

As many have already said, Andrey Arshavin had given plenty of effort during the 90 minutes but he is clearly out of sorts right now. He still isn't afraid to try and score goals. One shot ballooned into the sky following a cut back from the right and he almost had a fantastic chance to score but for a wonderful recovery challenge following a lung bursting chase back from Snodgrass who was probably the home team's best player on the night.

Arshavin will come good in time. It was not long ago when he ripped apart Aston Villa at Villa Park, he still gets into goal scoring positions and still churns out chances for others when you do not expect it. Form is temporary etc etc

What I found very pleasing was the way that we kept the ball moving under intense pressure. An Arsenal side lacking cohesion would have given away plenty of passes but the likes of Alex Song, Denilson, Gibbs, and obviously Samir Nasri were wonderful under pressure.

Alex Song was masterful until he tired out late in the second half. The 'visible' wall has now turned into a graceful, skilful, brick wall. I love the way he positions himself in front of the opposition midfielder and they just run straight into him, bounce off his solid frame then the blonde haired Cameroonian shuffles his way past a couple of challenges and then finds an advanced team mate who knew that sequence was about to unfold 10 seconds prior to the pass. Gordon Strachan called him the best defensive midfielder in the league, so do I.

Imagine how Leeds United felt, trying to get themselves back into the game and then glancing over to the bench to see two world cup finalists stripping off their tracksuits ready to change the game and that is exactly what they did.

The difference to our midfield when Cesc came on was quite remarkable. His aura demands the ball, he finds himself in spaces that scream for the ball and his awareness of those around him is second to none in the Premier League.

Nicklas Bendtner worked very hard on the right, he may not have had his best offensive game but he grafted for the whole 90 minutes. He produced real quality when it mattered though. I remember pundits saying that Alan Shearer could cross the ball really well because he knew what type of cross he wanted, as much as I thought that was another one of those stupid pundit cliche's, it made me think about it once again after watching Bendtner float a Beckham-esque cross to the back post for Van Persie to take one step back and plant his header past Schmeichel in goal.

It deleted any remaining hope that Leeds would have had and the game was over.

The squad is ticking over nicely. Players are getting into form at the right time, even the squad members are reaching the required level. I said that this replay could have been a positive thing for the squad and as long as we do not suffer any niggles from the 90 minutes then it will be a bonus game for the likes of Gibbs, Denilson, Bendtner, Arshavin and company.

Next round we face Huddersfield at home and it is a great opportunity to give these players another chance to get even stronger.

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Comments (6)

• 20-Jan-2011 21:11 | | thenry
  

  excellent article.

• 20-Jan-2011 21:55 | | Sean  - werenotfamousanymore.blogspot.com
  

  http://werenotfamousanymore.blogspot.com/2011/01/leeds-united-1-3- arsenal-top-four.html
  
  Leeds Arsenal match report from a Leeds Fans perspective. MOT.

• 20-Jan-2011 22:29 | | dkgooner
  

  Nice summary ML. Last night you said you were going to bed with a smile on your face. I've been smiling, purring, all day. I have a real sense from the last two matches that things are really beginning to come together. Sharpness, attitude, goals from different players. A real sense of desire.
  This is the most positive I've felt all season. Now 4 consecutive home games to really get in a groove.
  For those who haven't seen it, the Denilson interview is here:
  http://arseblog.com/2011/01/exclusive-arsenal-brasil-interview- denilson/
  Fascinating viewing. He comes across as a really bright, thoughtful, down-to-earth guy and all of you who don't like him as a player can just STFU for once.

• 20-Jan-2011 23:34 | | MeanLean
  

  Good evening DKG,
  
  Totally agree with you about the team at the moment. Everything seems to be coming together rather nicely at the moment. The sharpness the desire, the working together. I hate talking about it but we have to cross every part of our bodies that we keep our key players away from the treatment table.
  
  I get the nagging feeling that we will need Diaby to be fit and sharp, he will be needed to allow others to rest or different style of game.
  
  Another center back might also be important depending on Squilly and Vermaelen.
  
  I am yet to view the Denilson interview, gonna hit the sack now so might do so tomorrow.
  
  Night all

• 21-Jan-2011 00:00 | | Ben  - Fair article
  

  As a self-confessed leeds fan even I have to agree with this Arsenal post. The Nasri - Song combo seemed unstoppable, especially for our defence who appeared determined to re-enact the movie "the day the earth stood still". Take nothing away from a top Arsenal performance though.
  Despite this there was much room for improvement with Bentner and Arshavin playing well below par, but a fair counter argument would be the numerous options that your team have on the bench.
  I hope that you enjoyed your bloody cold trip up north and enjoyed (what I like to believe) was a good game all around with many positives for both teams!
  Until next year

• 21-Jan-2011 14:17 | | ^_^GUNNER^_^  - Nice Article
  

  A very good article. Had a very good time reading it

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