Sunday 15 May 2011

Villa at home

A poor first half display and an equally poor response by a sub-set of the fans who booed at half-time and then, in the second, engaged in an extended "6%, you're having a laugh" as the team was showing the fight to get back into the game.
Some of the comments and player ratings in the blogosphere are ridiculous but are unsurprising given the attitude referred to above.
Bent took his goals well though there was a hint of offside for both - MOTD will confirm this or not!
First half was typical Arsenal - possession but no penetration and poor defending with Squillaci failing to cope with Bent's movement.
The 2nd, with Squillaci off, Chamakh on and Song dropping back, saw a more determined Arsenal with a more direct approach that created a number of chances.
Another 'where's he hiding' game from Theo though he actually blossomed towards the end rather than his usual start well and fade. He was lucky not to be substituted when NB52 came on, AW preferring to take off Arshavin who was actually exhibiting a lot of fight and causing Villa problems - this seemed odd (both the substitution and AA's effort!). But after that, Theo started to get involved a bit more, perhaps realising that with men in the box his crosses might stand a chance of being converted. One was but Chamakh appeared to be harshly penalised for a push on a Villa defender - again MOTD will clarify.
AW seems to have learnt nothing from the Stoke game. Arsenal look much better with a target man up front meaning RvP plays as the leading point in the midfield triangle (as in the 2nd half today and at Stoke) or is played  wide up front.

No comments:

Post a Comment