Written by Mean Lean on Sunday, 06 March 2011 10:56

I still find myself shaking my head and slamming my hands down on the table from time to time. Disappointment has become a little too familiar in recent weeks.

Where have I seen this before? The latter stage of the season, Arsenal in a good position and then come the mass injuries followed by the almost weekly appalling refereeing decisions.

History is repeating itself once again as referee Anthony Taylor and his assistants failed to see a push in Andrey Arshavin's back when he was about to strike the ball in the penalty area. Titus Bramble was also the last man and would have been dismissed, well that is assuming that the rules would have been applied correctly and I guess that is a 50-50 chance of that happening.

I have said many times this season that if we are to win trophies then we have to play good enough to beat the opposition and refereeing decisions. We might have just been good enough to beat Sunderland 1-0 or 2-0 but we need to be better than that to guarantee the points against other influences.

Clearly the side lacked the cutting edge of our strongest possible side, every side would. We miss Theo Van Fabregas and that makes it more difficult to break down the opposition but I felt we lacked the intensity in the early stages of the game. We moved the ball too slowly, there was not enough movement off the ball to open up spaces.

It was yet another afternoon where the opposition goalkeeper was handed the post match bottle of champers at the Emirates, I was beginning to think it was coincidence but after reading a recent interview from Dennis Bergkamp about finding corners  of the net, I wonder if our players are sometimes just ok with hitting the target.

Nasri, Bendtner and Arshavin were all guilty of snatching at chances instead of being clinical at vital moments.

I have been looking forward to watching Jack Wilshere playing in the advanced midfield role and he did ok but when you are in that position you need movement. Without Van Persie's spinning runs away from markers and Theo's electric diagonal bursts, Wilshere's options were quite often limited and even more so as Nasri kept drifting into central midfield and not running beyond his full back.

It was the same for Arshavin, didn't make enough diagonal runs and when he did he managed to round the goalkeeper and put the ball away even though trigger happy assistant didn't do his job correctly.

Chamakh heading against the crossbar pretty much said it all, it just wasn't going to be our day especially when decisions continuously go against you.

Conclusion

Whilst I find myself banging my head against my hands due to the referee and his assistants, I am not happy that the team left it until the last twenty minutes before they started to turn the screw. We have been over this as a team. We have learnt that to win any game we have to start quickly and intensely regardless of which personnel are on the pitch.

In the end it should have been a game where we spoke of a champions display, winning when not playing well but we were denied. It is a big set back for the team who have no time to feel sorry for themselves, we cannot go into the game at Camp Nou feeling anything but confidence which will be difficult after recent disappointments.

Our captain Cesc Fabregas is back and hopefully his reintroduction into the team can lift the spirits and add to the quality on the pitch.

Szczesny (7)
Sagna (7)
Djourou (8)
Koscielny (7.5)
Clichy (7)
Denilson (6)
Diaby (6)
Wilshere (6.5)
Nasri (7)
Bendtner (6)
Arshavin (6)

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

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Comments (19)

• 06-Mar-2011 11:33 | | Bala
  

  I think we could have started the game with Rosicky instead of Dienilson because we lacked creativity for most of the match and I m getting bored by seeing these opposition goalies having the game of their life against us and Refs making errors

• 06-Mar-2011 11:59 | | hazzaboy21
  

  The finishing idea from Mr Bergkamp is spot on. We always make the keeper look better than they are by not going for the corners. I would just like to comment on two improvements we have made this season. Firstly Wilshere has added that extra "go forward" in midfield. He's always looking to play the ball forward from deep and so normally our play is quicker and more incisive as a result. Denilson and Diaby are often scapegoats and yesterday they weren't great. However I wonder why there was a lack of forward passes from them. It's certainly not down to skill so is it rustiness? Had they been told to be patient in their build up? When we played this midfield 3 against Chelsea Abou was the most advanced so what made AW change his mind?
  
  Secondly and more importantly for me it's become clear over this season how Theo has become so key to the team. Not only does his pace frighten defenders forcing them deeper and creating more space for the team, it is a very useful tool in pressing. When we win the ball back it is often from him pressing high up the pitch or using his pace to get goalside of his winger.
  Without him we miss these qualities and it must be said that our pressing
  hasn't been as effective in his absence. Didn't the team learn that pressing brings results or so they think it's not required every game?
  
  Anyway without your best players it is inevitably harder to play well. But the problem is in the majority of the 2nd half we did play well. My problem is how long we took to get going. It's time for the squad players to stand up and be counted!

• 06-Mar-2011 13:02 | | George Wong
  

  I believe the ref's decisions cost Arsenal.When the Mu defender fell a Chelsea with the faintest touch,a penalty was give. The push by Bamble was harder ,warranted a penalty and rc.
  I think the gunners are going to find it tough going with the refs from now. Personally I believe if refs don't give a penalty when it's very clear it shd,this guy has some explaining to do.
  The FA should high light glaring oversight by refs and punish them.

• 06-Mar-2011 13:15 | | A Gooner among others
  

  Hi Mean Lean,
  
  I see there was a little argument with MUK over the quality of our squad yesterday in your match preview.
  
  If MUK reads my comment, can he explain to me how Vand der Vaart was going to accept sitting on our bench, while he left Madrid because he did not play enough ?
  And please people have to stop talking about Gourcuff. I follow him closely (I live in France so I think I know a little bit more about him than most people) and he hasn't had a good game for over a year !
  In France, thare are a lot of people who say the guy will never come back at the level he had for 18 months with Bordeaux.
  Oh and by the way Gourcuff moved to Lyon (and not Marseille as MUK said) for 22 M € ! Hardly what I Would call good business.
  
  HOWEVER, I think we are being to nice with our squad players.
  If they need game time, then they should ask to play one or two games with the reserves. It is their job to be ready when they are called upon.
  
  And ML, how do you explain that last year when Ramsey had to play he was instantly sharp while this year Denilson looks terribly off the pace when he plays ?

• 06-Mar-2011 13:28 | | Steve of Chiang Mai  - Better than average.....
  

  Giving Diaby and Denilson 6 suggests they were better than average... If you think Wilshere with his delightful chip for Bendtner was only half a point better than his midfield compatriots you were watching a different game than everyone else.

• 06-Mar-2011 14:44 | | Andrew Wong
  

  I agree with what George Wong had said.With regard to refs,you never know. They could be friends with the red faced and you have no need to know the penalty decision could cost the gunners dearly.
  The gunners have been at the receiving end of unfavorable referee decsions even though they are the victims of illegal tackles.That is why I have doubts about these match officials.
  I feel Arsenal take too long to launch a counter strike. If you watch Everton against Newcastle you will know what I mean.There were only three or defenders at the most. In contrast the gunners passing gives time for the defenders to regroup.That is why the gunners could not have the one on one to shoot and score. It's happening in most matches.
  Wenger better do something to counter to packed defences. He may not like to pack/mass his defence. But this kind of tactics could help you win games.

• 06-Mar-2011 16:07 | | dkgooner  - Liverpool 3 ManU 1
  

  Well, I called that one totally wrong. But who would've though it? Lost 3-1 last week to West Ham - beat United by same score today. Great for us of course - any blow to United's confidence is welcome. But they still have 3 points and goal difference on us.
  Anyway - still a whole load of games to be played. I'm just concerned about the number of opportunities we've missed this season. Let's hope we get back to full strength again soon.
  Liverpool look to have got a real livewire in Suarez. He's tricky, skillful, direct, and has a lot of courage too. But when Dirk Kuyt can score a hat-trick against Man United, then anything can happen.
  Barca next and they will be without both Pique and Puyol. I see they rested Villa and Iniesta yesterday. Still looks uncertain who will be available for us, though Jack has said he's OK. One thing for sure - we're going to need a goal (or two preferably).

• 06-Mar-2011 17:21 | | Sobin the Indian gooner
  

  Iam really disappointed with our result but iam happy that man u loss to liverpool,now the title is in our hands.come on gunners.

• 06-Mar-2011 19:12 | | Man United KIlla  - A Gunner Among Others-Response
  

  A gooner among others to answer your question, tell me how Wenger is able to rotate Walcott,Arsh and Nasri.Then you will find the answer to how he can rotate wisely between Cesc,Wishere and Van Der Vaat.Are you and Mean Lean saying that we dont have space for one extra world class midfielder.That is very disappointing if that is that you are saying...The fact that we get one or two extra world class midfielders does not mean they should sit on the bench.With a sensible balance between 4 competitions and good rotation we can keep our squad fresh.Plus there is always the option of a versatile player who can play in both midfield and out wide..I dont see how an extra world class midfielder ruins anything.
  About Gourcuff, I will hand that to you granted that you might know him better than me.Fine! But all I am saying is that the gulf between the first 11 and the backup is just too large.Cesc makes telling passes,gets injured and his backup cant even make one to save their lives..this is NOT good enough.Until we accept that our backup is rubbish and stop defending that bunch of over-rated average players and finally do something about that, we will not even win a darn plastic cup.There is a reason why fans have been disgruntled lately.There is no smoke without fire!!For how long shall we continue to field average players and hope they do the job of world class players..Its not going to happen..Not in a million years!!!
  Denilson,Diaby,Rosicky,Bendtner are average and not good enough as backup..
  Finally I am getting tired of excuses excuses excuses.. Injuries, fatigue,referees, agenda against Arsenal..blah blah blah...We just dont do enough to help ourselves..simple as that.."Whenever we get a chance to make amends we mess up..is that always coincidence? I think not...quality my friend,quality..
  This team is very close to complete...but its simply not complete yet..we need a few more key signings.

• 06-Mar-2011 19:14 | | Man United KIlla
  

  Diaby and Denilson deserve 4 and 3 respectively

• 06-Mar-2011 19:15 | | Man United KIlla
  

  A gooner among others..by the way,I like your objectivity..Nice one.

• 06-Mar-2011 19:20 | | Man United KIlla
  

  I like your point of view...but Diaby and Denilson are not good enough backup..Is denilson really a Brazilian?too many back and sideways passing.
  Jack is amazing.But I have to say I am loving young Scenzy more and more everyday.As far as our goal keeper crisis goes, I think he might be the solution.He needs encouragement.he is a good keeper.

• 06-Mar-2011 19:23 | | MeanLean
  

  Another crazy weekend in the Premier League. I was smacking my head against my hands yesterday but the Mancs got a good stuffing today which was fantastic to see.
  
  It is now time for us to step up and win our games. What are the chances of a injury free run in? No likely I suppose

• 06-Mar-2011 20:36 | | Man United Killa
  

  It's been an eventful couple of weeks.it still hurts me that we have not been able to capitalize of slips.I hope we can pick up the pieces and move on.
  An injury free run-in would be glorious.With the return of Cesc I hope we pick up..Hopefully RVP and Walcott will make a return soon.We have a decent shot as long as we dont get any more injury to these players (Nasri and Arsh included).

• 06-Mar-2011 23:43 | | richie  - The high & lows of a Gooner
  

  Yesterday was depressingly disappointing today exquisitely exhilarating and we didn't even have to play! Not only did the Man'uer get well and truely stuffed but the "tiny tots" remember them? Our poor neighbour's who didn't get the National Olympic stadium drew when in the lead with only minuets to go. Marvelous Sunday!
  
  Now "all" we need to rise phoennix like from the ashes of our injuries and form a team from our squad capable of winning or drawing at the new camp. After that "all" we have is the little matter of playing Manu'er at their house in the FA. Make no mistake they will do everything to win that! Taggert will have them well up for it as he won't want to lose 3 in a row. Taggert will believe a win will not only matter in the cup he will think the game will have a mental bearing on the out come his teams league position.
  
  Things are closing in so I hope the team manages to step up now is the time for characters to stand and be counted!

• 07-Mar-2011 11:40 | | CHGooner  - Blame the ref...
  

  It was the ref's fault. Nothing to do with Denilson being in the side. The guy is either a really unlucky Jonah, or just complete and utter crap. I'll go for the latter. Nice to see our vaunted 'mental strength' coming to the fore again as well.. Man U are the poorest they've been since the early 90;'s, Chelse have had a complete nightmare, Liverpool are recovering from Hicks, Gillett and Hodgson, and City aren't quite ready yet. NEVER will an opportunity present itself so nicely to win a title. But we all know that we won't don't we chaps?

• 07-Mar-2011 12:12 | | MeanLean
  

  Nah nothing whatsoever to do with the officials. Every team should have two goals taken away in every game because every title winning side scores at least four every game even when they are not on form. Let's throw in the towel and blame Denilson for some reason.

• 07-Mar-2011 13:45 | | CHGooner
  

  Denilson is a wastrel. Pretty much every time he has appeared this season we lost or drew. The emergence of Jack has thankfully consigned him to the role of understudy. That is too good for him though. Put him up for sale and the interest would be low key at best. Do you really think any top side would even bother making a bid? Stop defending the indefensible ML, that is Uncle Arsene's favourite trick and ends up with clearly substandard players coming in and costing us points and trophies, time after time after time.
  
  Stop moaning about referees, injuries etc and focus on WHY we keep doing the same things, keep failing to deliver in big games, continually falter at this stage of the season. That would be interesting. Constantly moaning about refs should be left to Ferguson and his ilk.

• 07-Mar-2011 14:51 | | Mr H
  

  So ML, I put my Jinx to the test....
  
  I sat at home with itchy palms, wanting to dig for a stream or visit the nice and shiny TV of the In laws.... I didn't, I stayed true and followed it on BBC.
  
  Although we didn't win, the Mancs did lose.
  
  Where do I stand now?
  
  Should I watch the beautiful Arsenal posthumuously on replays and highlights, or should I risk watching the game on Telly???

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