Took a 25-30 km to and fro trip home to watch the game. Was disappointed that we lost, but not disheartened. The players deserved at least a point from the game after the heart they showed.
The referring was poor to say the least. Darren Fletcher made at least 5-6 tackles that could’ve been a yellow card, including the penalty incident which was never given. Yet no yellow cards for him. And the likes of Sagna were yellow carded for dissent, when actually he was right. There was no yellow for Rooney in the initial stages of the game when he shouted at the referee. The funniest was when RVP was given a yellow for almost an identical tackle that Fletcher made on Arshavin just minutes earlier.
Coming to the play, I think we played with grit and determination. We started both the halves very brightly, but the goals actually pinned us down. And dare I say, my fears about Almunia came true. Though I don’t blame him for the penalty, he could hardly have done anything about it, he should’ve taken charge of the situation from which Diaby scored the ill fated own goal. There were no ManU players near the ball and Almunia could easily have come out to collect the ball, anyway.
Arshavin’s strike was brilliant, trilliant and more. What power this guy possesses. Hardly any back lift, still the ball rocketed into the goal. Though I must admit that he was not at his best apart from this goal.
Diaby, apart from the og, had a brilliant game. Now he is starting to live up to the promise that he showed intermittently. He has lovely ball control, and his long legs aid him to get away from defenders.
Song was not great. Was scrappy and lost the ball at times. Denilson had a quite game, was in oblivion most of the time. Eboue showed glimpses of brilliance, but on the whole was average. RVP didn’t have a good game by his standards. I somehow felt that the captain’s arm band didn’t make him very comfortable.
Vermaelen again had a very steady performance. His consistency is showing that he is class and not just temporary good form. Gallas has had better days. Still, didn’t give much room to Rooney to move about with the ball. Clichy had a good game defensively, though he didn’t venture forward much. Sagna had to do a lot of work. Was not supported much by Eboue defensively.
Almunia, well I am having serious question marks about him. I read somewhere that Ricardo, the Portugal international GK is for sale, with Betis gone down last season. Just a thought. Because even our backup doesn’t inspire much confidence.
I have always believed that good GKs are the ones which can inspire confidence in the defenders. And we lack this kind of confidence at the back. I think we should address that. We need to have better defense if we have to challenge for the title. Last year both Arsenal and ManU scored 68 goals, the difference was the goals conceded, which was 37 and 24 if I remember correctly.
Now we have a international break. I just hope none of our players get injured in this time. Hope to get back Walcott, Cesc and Rosicky after the break to face Money City. But boy, what a MF that will be, options all over. Can play 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-1-2-2 or whatever formation required. Not sure if Rosicky will be part of the Czech squad. I hope not.
