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Good game and good write up
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Written by Mean Lean on Saturday, 03 December 2011 21:06
Match Report - Wigan 0 Arsenal 4 (Arteta [28], Vermaelen [29], Gervinho [61], van Persie [78])
Arsenal put in a mature performance at Wigan this afternoon, a performance that could be seen as professional. No player embodies that more than the former Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta. I thought he was magnificent today. We looked a little disjointed from the first whistle, last weeks draw against Fulham and then the resting legs of the first team looked to have made Arsenal's purring engine go a little cold and it needed plenty of graft and scrapping for possession before the side were running smoothly again.
Mikel Arteta was heavily involved in both sides of Arsenal's game from start to finish. Arteta, Song and the whole team continued the excellent closing down of the opposition when not in possession and credit to Wigan they are capable of keeping the ball very well at times.
But Arsenal and Arteta started to control the game and dictate the possession. Arteta managed make a total of 97 passes in open play with 85 of those passes finding their intended target (88%). Arteta has this remarkable ability to make the game look very simple and keep the team flowing, with Tomas Rosicky out injured, Mikel Arteta seems to have borrowed the batons and conducted the midfield battle.
What I love about Arteta is his ability to find the pass between the lines, a very important job in this Arsenal team. van Persie dropped deep to collect the ball and Arteta sliced little passes into his feet time and time again. But the Arsenal first goal scored by Arteta was all about Thomas Vermaelen. As we moved the ball around, spaces looked limited until the stylish Belgian strode out from the back and the pitch visibly opened up in a split second, Arteta received Vermaelen's pass with space ahead of him and fired across Al Habsi into the net. Perhaps the keeper could have done better but as they say, you have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.
A minute later, the game was all but won. A van Persie in-swinging corner was met at the far post and his header was directed away from Al Habsi. That was Vermaelen's third goal since his return from injury at the end of October. When you consider that he narrowly missed a great chance against West Brom and his near post assist against Borussia Dortmund then it confirms how much of a threat he is in the opposition box. He is far from the tallest central defender in the league but his desire to win the ball in the air, timing and sense of positioning are traits that are missing in this Arsenal team.
Al Habsi denied van Persie after great work from Gervinho. Gervinho had another influential game, he is getting increasingly important to this Arsenal team. He has an upright running style almost like a Gazelle. Willing to twist and turn away from full backs time after time. He is a flair player who you almost expect to throw his arms up when he loses the ball and ignore his defensive responsibilities yet he works harder than most in the red and white. He is continuously on the move, chasing wingers, trying to close down the pass and make the interception. That mixture has instantly made him a favourite of mine in this Arsenal team and I can excuse his profligacy at times. He deserved his goal just after the hour but the credit goes to Robin van Persie who exchanged passes with Alex Song, Cruyff turned his man to the floor, jinked past another before curling a right footed shot to the far corner, Al Habsi palmed the ball out to Gervinho who like Vermaelen, also has a knack of being in the right place at the right time scuffed his shot off the floor and over the sprawling keeper. I hope that releases a bit of the anxiety that he had in front of goal over the last few weeks.
Some of our football after that was just sublime and certainly at least equal to what we played at our best with Cesc and Nasri in the team. One touch, no pressure, full of confidence. van Persie, Arteta, Song, Ramsey, Gervinho and Santos all popped the ball around in triangles and Wigan couldn't get near us.
The 'one man team' headline writers breathed a sigh of relief when van Persie scored his customary goal, the last of the game. Koscielny slid Walcott through and he rode the challenge of the last defender, you could see the choices flashing through Walcott's mind as he looked up and saw the keeper but he eventually opted for the cut back to van Persie to fire past the keeper.
Arsene rang in the changes after the fourth. Alex Song who had picked up a knock was replaced by Francis Coquelin, Andrey Arshavin and Yossi Benayoun replaced our two wide forwards. It would have been a great opportunity to have given Park his first league outing and also would have been nice for Oxlade-Chamberlain to have had a pressure free last ten minutes but it was not to be.
Arsenal back to winning ways, on a day when Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea all won so it was vital to keep up with the pack. Plenty of players had very good games which shows the teams current consistency from back to front.
Impressive and entertaining display from the Arsenal.
COYG
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03-Dec-2011 21:39 | | mr hGerv seems to me to be what Wenger wanted Eboue to become... With that little bit extra to take him for good to great. He really does track back and never stops... What an engine that man has!!!
That was one of the first matches I've been able to see close to the entirety of... My curse of streaming struck quite thoroughly however, as I was unable to catch a single goal!!!! Oh well, that's what highlights are for I guess...
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03-Dec-2011 21:44 | | Byo - Win!!This looks like the team being orchestrated by Cesc, except this team has more fight, looks more calm and assured.
P.S. We need to remember we got 3 months of good performance from Nasri. He was never one we could depend on to change games, most of the time he did not show up.
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03-Dec-2011 21:48 | | D lLANCASTERLove the blog what a team Simply the best Arsenal for ever !!!!!!!!
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03-Dec-2011 21:48 | | irish goonergreat attitude by the players today,,i think we shall beat da greeks wednesday,,,roll on june for da euros!!!!!!!!
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03-Dec-2011 21:50 | | MeanLean
Stick to the script Mr H, stay away from streams and the title is ours.
You make a great point about Eboue. In some ways they are similar, talented but a little rash. Gerv's energy is amazing. He will only get better as well.
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03-Dec-2011 21:52 | | MeanLeanThis team has more options than 'Cesc's team' we are not giving it to one player to make the final pass and yes, I absolutely agree that the team has plenty more fight and calmness than previous teams.
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03-Dec-2011 21:52 | | MeanLeanThanks fella. Lovely game today. Very much enjoyed it. Its nice to feel relaxed half way through a game.
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03-Dec-2011 21:54 | | meaner - except RamseyCredit to all except Ramsey. It was a eye sore to watch him play.
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03-Dec-2011 21:58 | | MeanLeanA little harsh. It may not have been his most influential game but he put in a great defensive shift and got himself into the box on many occasions. I'd just go with a fine team display rather than pick out any perceived downfalls in individuals.
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03-Dec-2011 22:06 | | Holloway AfroI really believe we are one more striker away from great things. If AW doesn't believe that then he must believe that Theo can play central and that The Ox and Ryo can step up and play the wings. This is probably the most complete squad since 06. Also I think Kos keeps getting better and is becoming indispensable and Santos really could turn out to be a wonderful signing despite our reservations initially. The future is truly bright.
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03-Dec-2011 22:14 | | viktor 02I was afraid b4 the first Goal,dy looked unstoppable but we show a class[entertaining
.
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03-Dec-2011 22:15 | | GUNJIGGA - FlawlessArsenal made the game look so easy, it was almost a perfect display. Well done boys!
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03-Dec-2011 22:31 | | ChrisThe so-called "panic buys" have made us more experienced and assured. Mertesacker, Arteta, Santos and Benayoun are all vastly experienced players, calm under pressure and all are becoming more influential. They will only get better. I would expect to see Yossi get more game time as the season goes on. Koscielny, Ramsey, Walcott and Szczesny have all made huge improvements and that is the main reason why the defensive side of our game is looking much better. With Wilshere and Sagna still to return, we should have two "new" signings in the new year! That aside, I still feel we need a striker in January. Lukas Podolski, please!!
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03-Dec-2011 22:50 | | Kgunner - Never got the chance to see the game, but has gone good game, i am realy happy. Well done guys
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03-Dec-2011 23:36 | | naked goonAmazing to think Arteta, all those years at Everton.He was always in my fantasy team and was a consistent high scorer.I know its about more than that but he is a very focussed,intelligent and technically adept player, ie. perfect for Arsenal. We look so much more balanced these days. COYR
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03-Dec-2011 23:39 | | pedantic george94% pass completion is an eye sore?
what sort of a tosser makes a post like that?
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04-Dec-2011 02:08 | | davidi think arsene should try theo in the middle for Tuesday's game, to see if we have an option (god forbid) RVP gets injured. its worth a try.
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04-Dec-2011 02:12 | | Martin - BreakfastWatched the game over breakfast in Toronto anticipating indigestion. Instead great job by the team and very good job on this write up. Thank you
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04-Dec-2011 03:22 | | AnonymousWell done on a good game! Just remain focused and enjoy your football!
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04-Dec-2011 06:14 | | Anonymouskos did well considerin thats not his natural position,i noticed he improved from the last game coz this time he waz looking to cross when he could...savy buy by AW.
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04-Dec-2011 07:00 | | Dungul Gosi - Cruyff?An excellent performance from the Guns. It is important to keep up with the leading pack. And now that we are up to 5th on the league table, shooting for a top four finish should no longer be seen as a day dream. But what is with that "Cruyff turned his man to the floor" reference?
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04-Dec-2011 07:56 | | james - gunarsarsnal playd xcellent futball,evrybdy in d team playd wel,i tink dis match is per matasaka bst match 4arnl so far.weldone guyz up guns
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04-Dec-2011 10:48 | | pikaoh dear lord . oh where is colesy? ahahahahahhaah
come on colesy...it was a terrible game and performance..we were only playing wigan...
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04-Dec-2011 16:03 | | richieWhy not play Theo centrally Tuesday? Its surely a game for the Carling Cup team plus whoever Arsene wants to give a run out to. I can imagine AW wanting to give JY Park more game time as he hasn't (as yet) reached his on field peak, but why not give both him and TW 45mins each. It can't hurt and as you say its worth a try.
As we've already finished top of the group Theo might be totally rested and Park Chamakh and AOC might get the nod, it hardly matters. I'd be tempted to give the fans a splash of Miyaichi as well just for good measure.
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04-Dec-2011 16:28 | | richieWhat did I like best about this game (apart from the fact that everybody and his dog scored) Well how about that we never once looked troubled, remember that playing a team like Wigan last year we looked anything but secure. Its further evidence if any were needed that a team isn't made only from great players, in fact there are times when a great player can end up holding a team up. A team that works well isn't necessarily a team filled with superstar players its simply a team that works fotr each other and thats what we have. Long may that continue!
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04-Dec-2011 16:38 | | richiePanic buys??? Thats newspaper talk! Check out the Leveson inquiry to get a better spin on how they operate.
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04-Dec-2011 23:53 | | MeanLeanYeah poor guy has suffered with injuries so far. It looks as if his impact may well be next season by the looks of things.
As for Theo, I would love to have seen him given a go in a low pressure game but I don't think any of the first team will fly out. I reckon Wenger will keep his troops in London to be fully rested for Everton.
We shall see though.
I was saying on Twitter that even with our second string we will have to leave some experienced heads out.
Fabianski
Yennaris
Djourou
Squillaci
Miquel
Frimpong
Coquelin
Rosicky / Benayoun
Chamberlain
Chamakh
Arshavin / Park
All those players need games, especially in this sort of game but two of them will miss out, providing that Rosicky is fit to play.
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05-Dec-2011 11:23 | | richieYes ML your probably right, Arsene will definately want a fully rested full strength squad available for Everton (Never the easiest of fixtures). With all top 5 teams winning the squeeze is on. This might sound cruel but I fully expected Newcastle to drop points, their only real chance to win against Chelski fell to the Ref in the 4th Min and he fluffed his entrance
To say we need the run to continue isn't really the point we need to keep going and we need the others in the top 4 to drop some points. I must say hoping not to temp fate I can definately see that happening.
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05-Dec-2011 11:45 | | richie - DG Re a Cruyff TurnWhen a player executes a "Cruyff turn" it often unbalances a defender because that defender has to change direction quickly. In this case watch our 3rd goal and you will see RvP "Cruyff turn" at speed which in effect causes him to lose 2 defenders. The 1st falls to the ground as he attempts to change direction, and the 2nd is wrong footed (he has his weight on his front foot) which means he can't change direction quickly enough which enables RvP to skip past him, before he shoots.
RvP is beautiful to watch just for his balance alone.
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