CL Group H Thread - Arsenal - Sevilla - Steaua - Slavia

So Wenger gambled on playing a weak side and we will almost certainly have a tough game in the next round as a result. I'm not happy with the amount he has changed the side in the last two games and it has really cost us. This was a bad time to lose a game with so many tough away games coming up. It was always going to be tough for the likes of Traore tonight and it won't have done his confidence any good playing alongside a shaky defence and an exposed flank. I would have rathered two or three changes but retaining a strong core to the side. A number of defensive problems were exposed tonight and we will have to work hard on fixing them. Plus we have yet to look confident playing away in the CL since the 05/06 season.

Bendtner did well, although he inevitably tired without support and I thought Eboue and Eduardo looked bright going forward. The central midfield three were poor, especially Gilberto who has been worryingly off the pace (despite this being his third game in the last fortnight). Defence had a very uncomfortable night, and I hate to say it but Senderos is beginning to look out of his depth.

Though I can understand why we need to prioritise, this rankles - we didn't want to lose like that. I only saw the last 30 minutes but midfield were all bloody all over the place. We'd better be up for it against Villa on Saturday.

Did anyone see Poulsen grabbing Eboue by the collar?

Poulsen and Eboue were winding each other up throughout the game and we should have had a clear penalty for a foul from Poulsen on Eboue.

Can't have any complaints about the result, we were completely outplayed once they got the equaliser. I can't understand why Wenger has played such weakened teams in the CL in the last couple of games, yet Diarra didn't play tonight despite the rest of the midfield playing very poorly. Our tactics put Traore under a lot of pressure, he was very exposed at times and D Alves in particular had far too much time and space to exploit. A very frustrating night and I just hope Fabregas is ok and Wenger stops playing such weak teams in this competition in the future.

I'd say Navas caused more problems then Alves. Towards the end of the game Navas was attacking down the middle with Alves on the right causing problems for Arsenal's defence.

El Tiki Taka wrote:I'd say Navas caused more problems then Alves. Towards the end of the game Navas was attacking down the middle with Alves on the right causing problems for Arsenal's defence.

You're right, but I couldn't remember his name when I was writing my post so I just went with Alves. The point still remains that we gave Sevilla far too much space to attack, particularly down their right flank. We had three central midfielders who mostly tucked in (and did too little anyway) and it was too much to expect Eduardo to support Bendtner and still provide adequate defensive cover on the left. It left that side very exposed.

is there something wrong with Cesc? I thought he was just being rested

It was a big ask for Traore to cope with Alves and Navas and he had the rabbit in the headlight look from what little I saw. I didn't think Phil did any worse than he normally does but Denilson looked poor. Put out a Carling Cup team in the Champions League and this is what happens.

OK, I'll stop moaning now. We now must keep our unbeaten record in the league.

Was Wenger sent to the stands?

Sheffield gunner wrote:

El Tiki Taka wrote:I'd say Navas caused more problems then Alves. Towards the end of the game Navas was attacking down the middle with Alves on the right causing problems for Arsenal's defence.

You're right, but I couldn't remember his name when I was writing my post so I just went with Alves. The point still remains that we gave Sevilla far too much space to attack, particularly down their right flank. We had three central midfielders who mostly tucked in (and did too little anyway) and it was too much to expect Eduardo to support Bendtner and still provide adequate defensive cover on the left. It left that side very exposed.

haha made me laugh:biggrin:

Gilberto must go. He slows down our game too much and his passing is too limited. This was a sub-Carrick performance. Just shows how good Vieira had to be playing next to him and still dominating the midfield. A passive player whose only positive additions to the team iare hight and composure. Considering his replacements have adequate composure to play in the team he only adds hight. Sell him and Senderos and buy a decent back-up CD and a Winger . With that we should be fine.

Cesc came off because he felt some pain in his hamstring. It was a precaution and he was running normally, so hopefully he will be fine. Senderos was worse than usual, he did very little right tonight and as you say Denilson was disappointing. We need to recover quickly and get a good result against Villa now. We're not in a disastrous position in the CL, even if the last two results have been disappointing, and there are no guarantees that Sevilla will win away.

edit:

Rai, yes he was. Although I don't know why.

ballackthechristmasfatty wrote:haha made me laugh:biggrin:

As did the introduction to this messageboard at the top of the page which I can only assume you were responsible for!

Raifael wrote:Was Wenger sent to the stands?

He had an argument with the fourth official.

Almunia - 6
Hoyte - 6
Touré - 7
Senderos - 2
Traoré - 5
Eboué - 7
Cesc - 6
Gilberto - 4
Denilson - 5
Eduardo - 7
Bendtner - 8

My two cents.

Senderos was woeful. I gave Traoré a 5, but in truth, he didn't do anything wrong; he was so isolated he had no chance.

If we're left during the ACON with Senderos stepping in for Touré, we can wave goodbye to the title.

Also, the failings of Gilberto were chronically evident tonight. Thank God Flamini has stepped up his game and we've signed Diarra, else we certainly wouldn't be sitting top of the table at the moment

Tweesus of Nazareth wrote:Almunia - 6
Hoyte - 6
Touré - 7
Senderos - 2
Traoré - 5
Eboué - 7
Cesc - 6
Gilberto - 4
Denilson - 5
Eduardo - 7
Bendtner - 8

My two cents.

Senderos was woeful. I gave Traoré a 5, but in truth, he didn't do anything wrong; he was so isolated he had no chance.

If we're left during the ACON with Senderos stepping in for Touré, we can wave goodbye to the title.

Also, the failings of Gilberto were chronically evident tonight. Thank God Flamini has stepped up his game and we've signed Diarra, else we certainly wouldn't be sitting top of the table at the moment

Agree 100% with everything you've posted.

Toure, Eboue (surprisingly) and bendtner especially were exceptionally good.

Gilberto and Senderos (OMG seriously the guy is supposed to be getting better). He does well internationally but is not cut out for our 1st team I have to concede now. I'm worried when Toure goes to ANC. We are arguing with Ivory Coast as to when we will release him.

god i fooking ahte sevilla their feigning injury antics, constant fouling gets on my t¡ts, they are the fooking bolton of spain. puta seville, puta seville.

Marca's ratings - out of three

Palop 1; Alves 3, Fazio 2, Drago 3, Crespo 1; Keita 2, Poulsen 3, Adriano 1, Navas 3; Kanoute 1, Fabiano 3 (Kerzhakov 1)
Jimenez 3

Almunia 1; Hoyte 1 (Sagna 1), Toure 1, Senderos 0, Traore 1; Gilberto 1, Cesc 2 (?) (Rosicky 0), Eboue 2 (Walcott 1), Denilson 1, Eduardo 2; Bendtner 3
Wenger 1

Referee 0

gilberto 1 too many, cesc 1 too many, eboue 1 too many. drago 1 too many, wenger 1 too many. wot did the ref get?

Agree with you on all except Drago. Every time Eboue got forward he had Crespo covered.

they got the ref right anyway he wasblooooody awful

Steaua are out of Europe after the best game we played so far. But Slavia was incredible lucky.

The good thing is the trip to London will be just for fun and (some) pride.

Bad luck Gone. I saw some of the highlights and it looked like you were seriously unlucky.

Don't give a f@ck about this match, don't care who we draw next round, wouldn't risk injuries to key players, therefore my starting line-up would be:

Lehmann
Hoyte Song Senderos Traore
Eboue Diarra Denilson Eduardo
Barazite Bendtner

There's no way Lehmann will play again for us. IMO we'll try to go out and win. If we do, we're more likely to play teams like Schalke, Celtic and Roma (prays) as opposed to teams like Inter, Barca or MAdrid

Tweesus of Nazareth wrote:There's no way Lehmann will play again for us. IMO we'll try to go out and win. If we do, we're more likely to play teams like Schalke, Celtic and Roma (prays) as opposed to teams like Inter, Barca or MAdrid

Er, Tweedle: “You will see Jens Lehmann in goal tomorrow,” said the Frenchman at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. “This was decided three weeks ago so it is independent of anything else.”

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=485202&lid=NewsHeadline&Title=Lehmann+and+Van+Persie+look+set+to+return

Gosh tweedle i bet you walk into doors at home.

Alumunia has been impressive i think, he's well due a rest, very surprised if Lehmann starts v chelsea

Wenger is lying! I'm right

Depends on how the match is for me. Don't know what to expect Steaua have nothing to win, BUT you get money for every point you earn in the CL (more than 1M me thinks; Steaua aren't as rich as we are), points for the UEFA club ranking & last but not least this is a great showcase match for all Steaua players wanting a contract in a big league.

If the match isn't that competitive, I wouldn't mind Robin taking part, otherwise I wouldn't gamble. Thinks matchfitness isn't as important as making sure he can play v Chelski. Robin wasn't match fit when he came on v The Mancs either didn't stop him from scoring (injury he picked up had nothing do with lack of matchfitness).

Think we should NOT risk anybody. Chelski Sunday is what it's about.

dodgy midfield looking line up

L r d wrote:dodgy midfield looking line up

indeed just predicted Dica will score in the matchdaythread. My sister is a better DMF than Song.