Arsenal vs Manchester City 1-1

So, i haven't had time or desire to post since the last two games with Chelsea and Swansea. Needless to say there wasn't much to post about anyway. Against Chelsea it looked like Wenger did not learn anything from the Liverpool beat down we suffered in February. A common theme in all these bad losses that we had this year against the top teams, was how we conceded goals: one of our midfield players makes a bad pass or losses possession of the ball = quick counter = goal for the opposition. The first three goals we conceded against Chelsea were all started by giveaways in midfield. Sometimes it's Arteta (who i feel is the biggest liability in our midfield), sometimes it's Cazorla, sometimes Oxlade and today was Podolski. It doesn't really matter who the player that gives the ball away is, what is important is that we are not prepared for it and teams punish us over and over.

Today's game compared to our last few showings was OK. I felt that we had chances to win the game (especially Podolski's shot being blocked by Hart's leg was very unlucky). We still looked vulnerable, but at least we played a bit smarter than other times. When Gibbs saw how much pace and quickness Navas has in the first 10 minutes, he stopped going forward as much and dropped back a bit, so he can control the Spaniard. The rest of the game i though Kieran did an awesome job defending Navas's runs. But he made and ADJUSTMENT! Something we haven't done very well all season long. In the big losses that we suffered this year against Chelsea, Liverpool and City, the cause was the same: we never adjusted our playing style! There was no plan B. So when you don't make an adjustment you get punished. That's where i feel Arsene has struggled for years, he is not tactically flexible. We have to suffer big defeats over and over, before something changes.

Anyway, today we got a decent result. It would have been much better if we had won the game, but we needed a response and we did play some good spells of football. I though Cazorla was very good and always threatening going forward. Rosicky was also dangerous even though he had some reckless challenges. As i mentioned, Gibbs adjusted well after the first 10 minutes, Sagna delivered some great crosses from the right side, there was one that should have been converted for sure. Vermaelen and Mertesacker were solid for the most part, i think the Belgium is someone who we should NOT let leave if we want to be a team challenging for a title in the upcoming seasons. He should be given more game time and rotated with Koscielny, instead being a bench warmer. Flamini had a good game and was everywhere on the pitch. If anything, he looked more like an attacking midfielder then a defensive one. He also scored a nice goal. Podolski had a decent game, but missed a great chance to win it for us. Giroud was his usual self - working hard and winning a lot of high balls, but not a lot of end product from him. He also loveeees laying on the ground and making faces every time he gets tackled. I felt Oxlade should have come in a bit earlier if we really wanted to push and try to win this game.

I left good old Arteta for last because i finally decided to record a typical giveaway that he does at least ONCE EVERY single game! I am not blaming him for lack of pace or the strength needed to fight off challenges - i blame Wenger for putting him as a defensive midfielder when he lacks the attributes needed to be one!     

Since he brought Kallstrom as a defensive midfielder, i hope we will see him play instead of Arteta for a few games and decide if he is a better alternative. Until then, expect more clips like the one above.

With the FA Cup being our only realistic chance of silverware i do hope we can at least keep fourth place, the game against Everton next week will be huge in deciding that. Let's hope we show up ready to play! C'mon You Gunners!