The good news is that we won both games. The bad news is: we won them in pretty different fashion. I thought the West Ham game was one of our better games this season, especially going forward. We had that fluidity to our attacking game; people were on the same page; playing great one-two's; attacking quickly using both wings; constantly creating opportunities to score and putting West Ham under pressure pretty much non stop. As i have said many times before, it all starts with pressing on the ball. I thought we did a much better job at pressing West Ham when they had the ball compared to the Chelsea game. On the other hand, they let us pass the ball around, which led to these constant threats that we created throughout the game starting in the 4th minute of the game when Ramsey gave a great pass to Theo and released him on the wing. The pattern continued throughout the whole game: great passes given by Wilshere, Cazorla to both wings, where Podolski and Theo were running riot and kept supplying good balls to Giroud and whoever else was willing to get into West Ham's penalty area.
I thought Giroud was very efficient today and i am glad he responded after the performance he had against Chelsea. Both goals that he scored were simple, yet not easy to pull off. In a way, the chance he missed against Chelsea was easier than both of the goals he scored today. Podolski was obviously one of our best players. He scored a great goal, and his assists for Giroud's, Theo's and Cazorla's goals were spot on!! Theo scored a good goal but with the amount of chances he had on the wing, i felt at times his crosses could have been much better. Then again, i have always said the wing is not his best position. Wilshere and Cazorla were great throughout the game. They were constantly going forward trying to open up space and create chances.
I thought Giroud was very efficient today and i am glad he responded after the performance he had against Chelsea. Both goals that he scored were simple, yet not easy to pull off. In a way, the chance he missed against Chelsea was easier than both of the goals he scored today. Podolski was obviously one of our best players. He scored a great goal, and his assists for Giroud's, Theo's and Cazorla's goals were spot on!! Theo scored a good goal but with the amount of chances he had on the wing, i felt at times his crosses could have been much better. Then again, i have always said the wing is not his best position. Wilshere and Cazorla were great throughout the game. They were constantly going forward trying to open up space and create chances.
The negative part of the West Ham game was our defending at set pieces and crosses. Throughout the whole first half we looked shaky anytime West Ham was able to put the ball in our box. If you look at the goal they scored in slow motion, you will see Mertesacker turning his back and getting out of the way of Collison's shot like a big pussy who is scared to get hit. Last time i checked, defenders are supposed to block shots not hide from them. The good old German is incredibly soft for a man his size...
Defending aside, we had a great performance against West Ham and even our pressing was better. We just can't forget that the Hammers had a pretty poor showing, especially at making it hard for us to pass the ball. Any team that let's us pass the ball around at home will have a tough time.
The Brighton game today was much different. At first, i was really happy Wenger finally rotated the squad. Any day Wenger makes 5 changes to the team is a special day. If we count Vermaelen's injury, that's 6 changes compared to our West Ham line up. I have been asking for Jenkinson to get some playing time for the past few months. And then i saw, that Santos is playing! I would rather see a kid from our academy than that meatball on the pitch in Arsenal colors!! Even the half-time commentator on Fox Soccer Channel said that Santos is the WORST left back to EVER wear the Arsenal jersey. I agree 100%. If Wenger considers Santos part of the "we have 2 class players for every spot" statement that he gave for the papers over the weekend, he is fucking delusional.
Defensively we were fucking horrible today. Big part of that was the fact that Brighton were toying with Santos's side of the pitch. He was constantly outrun, out muscled, and crosses were coming into our box non stop. Our pressing was back to normal = non existent, so we had many uncomfortable moments in the game. Szczesny had a great save just before we scored our first goal. But then he was at fault for Brighton's equalizer, together with Giroud, Diaby and Mertesacker (our 3 tallest players!) which just stood there and watched Barnes score easily from a cross. The second goal was very similar: Santos and Podolski stood on the side; gave plenty of space; and watched Barnes cross the ball and Ulloa had an easy header. Mertesacker had given Ulloa too much room and the Argentinian gratefully took his chance. Wenger finally realized that Santos had to be taken out and Gibbs came in. Once Gibbs came in, things settled a bit and we were able to close the game out.
Giroud had another good game. Both of his goals were top class. I hope he responds like this (4 goals in 2 games) every time he has a shitty game (vs Chelsea). His second goal was especially well taken. There is no doubt that Podolski is a great player going forward, but his defensive work is very questionable. He rarely closes players down, instead he prefers to stay 3,4 feet away from them and let them pass the ball. As i mentioned earlier, he allowed Barnes to cross the ball with no pressure on him, for Ulloa's goal. Taking two steps forward and putting the crossing player under pressure is not that much to ask for. I was so happy to see Rosicky back! I just wish he could stay healthy for longer periods of time. He plays with so much heart and passion, he makes it difficult to deal with him because he is always going forward and looks to be aggressive. Ramsey was OK, nothing special but at least he didn't suck. Same for Diaby, he wasn't great but his pass for Giroud's second goal was very well given. Oxlade didn't do much, i would like to see him be more effective on the wing. Mertesacker had a shitty game, especially at covering players on crosses. Santos doesn't even deserve to be written about. Jenkinson was very solid. Brighton were rarely trying to attack on his side, and even though he had a few bad passes here and there, overall he was great! Koscielny was solid and i want to see him and Vermaelen playing together and Mertesacker on the bench. I was also curious why Wenger didn't let Mannone get a game as well.
It feels good not to have to play an extra game for the FA Cup and get two wins in a row this week, but the problems are still there:
1) We are still vulnerable defensively.
2) We DON'T have 2 quality players for every position
3) Our pressing on the ball is up and down
The good news is that going forward, we look sharp and we can be very dangerous. The Liverpool game will be a good test for us. If Suarez gets the chance to play vs Mertesacker we will be in trouble! I hope Vermaelen is fit and Wenger is smart enough to realize that Suarez and Sturridge will rape the German. Koscielny and Vermaelen should be the center backs for this game.
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