Goals from Eduardo and Nick Bendtner see the Gunners through to the fourth round as Arsenal win away to Burnley in today’s FA Cup 3rd Round match.
Fielding a slightly stronger Carling Cup side, Arsene Wenger’s men seemed to never really get out of first gear. That didn’t seem to matter though, as nine minutes in, Eduardo ran onto a looping lob by Kolo Toure to beat the Burnley defense and cooly slot the ball past the keeper and into the net.
One - nil up, and you thought perhaps there would be more where that came from, but Burnley were up for it, playing their hearts out and trying the backline of Traore, Senderos, Toure and Sagna. Senderos and Traore in particular were guilty of a few missteps, but luckily for them, Burnley could not take advantage.
The second half was more of the same, as Burnley had a greater urgency about them. Even after they went down to ten men after a rash challenge by Rafferty on Gilberto, the home side controlled the ball and created several chances. At times, it seemed as if Arsenal were the ones playing with ten men.
Finally, in the seventy-fifth minute, Dudu found Bendtner in space with a great pass, and Nick scored with aplomb to book passage to the fourth round.
The draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup takes place at 8:30 AM ET tomorrow, and after that is a small matter of a North London derby versus Spurs in the first leg of the League Cup semis. Kickoff for that is at 2:45 PM on Wednesday, and the match will be shown live here in the US on Setanta USA.
82 Responses to “Burnley 0 - 2 Arsenal”
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January 6th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
regulation victory. we didnt need to move out of gear so we didnt. to be honest i was never afraid that we might concede, so i dont know what the commentators were yaping about.
the major positive is that both our strikers got the goals….a very good boost for their confidence with the spurs game on the horizon. i will however put adebayor on the bench though - given his imperious record against them lol.
i think eboue was utter garbage in this game. wenger really needs to stop that experiment. i think we really need to sell gilberto quick to at least give diarra some breathing space.
January 6th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Yup i think the team did ok. apart from one Traore’s silly attempt trying to play the ball out from our goalmouth, the defence did alright. Traore is still very raw, in terms of many of his decision making, but he definitely got what it takes to make it with Arsenal. But i do perfer our defenders to keep things simple. To concede a corner no matter what is better to concede a goal. so if there is no way out, hoof it onto the roll Z.
Bendtner played pretty well. He made his presence felt in our build up play.
and perhaps the midfield was a bit disappointed. still couldn’t control the game without Cesc.
Eboue needs to work on his “final ball”. His presence was there, and he worked reasonable hard. But his final passing was extremely poor.
One last note: is this the last game of Jens? it’s sad he has to leave this way if he indeed decides to move on.
and i 100% with AW’s decision to leave out Diarra. I don’t know if he’s trying to sell him or not. But at least, by leaving out, it sent out a signal that - u better WORK your way into the first team, not TALK your way into.
If AW gives in to Diarra, we would be in big trouble in the future - then everyone who doesn’t get to play will be moaning not stop to the press.
January 6th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Not a lot to shout about in this one. The Gunners needed to be stable to win. They were and they did. The announcing was atrocious, creating the impression that a serious challenge was at every turn.
Now, on to Spurs!
January 6th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Complete nothing game really. Arsenal can win these games in their sleep and they usually do.
January 6th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Arsenal did the bare minimum, professionally. I never thought Burnley would score.
Maybe Diarra has flu, a lot of it going around at the moment, nearly everyone seems to have got a dose. I really don’t want him to leave. He is better than Gilberto and can be A LOT better than Flamini.
Having said that, if the papers are to be believed, he said he wanted to leave this January, so if he has made that request then I doubt we will see him again in an Arsenal shirt sadly.
January 6th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Traore seems to be going through a rough patch. He was hesitant today, and really showed little of his ability. Perhaps he’s feeling pressured by Clichy never putting a foot wrong at age 22, so that the path into the first team isn’t clear. We all know that an injury could happen at any point, leaving us relying on this precocious 18 yo.
Traore looks like he could use some reassurance, from Gallas or Kolo or AW. I also like the idea of him developing a second position such as left wing or center back. I know some people feel his speed would be squandered in central defense, but he’s 6′1, growing in strength, and a terrific athelete. We haven’t begun to see how good he can be.
January 6th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Credit to Burnley for taking the game to Arsenal. They are definitely not your average Championship team who rely on only “route-1″ football. They passed the ball around comfortably and if they had more clinical finishers, Arsenal would have been in trouble. And they were winning majority of the balls in midfield - especially in the 1st half. Our midfield was poor in the 1st half. Too many misplaced passes from the likes of Gilberto, Denilson, Eboue and Diaby. Did not create any chances for Bendtler and Eduardo. Eduardo’s goal came as a result of Toure’s chip over Burnley’s defence. He should have scored a second goal in the 2nd half but missed. There were some good interplay between Eduardo and Bendtler in the 2nd half with Eduardo providing the assist to Bendtler who scored the 2nd goal. Traore was poor today and got into Arsenal into trouble a few times with his defensive mistakes. He was sub’ed by Hoyte in the 2nd half - Hoyte provided better defensive stability on the left side. Sendoros made one error and allowed Burnley a shot at goal but otherwise did well defending against high balls and putting in critical interceptions. Gilberto played better in the 2nd half but was guilty of some misplaced passes. Good thing he was not badly hurt by the “over-the-ball” challenge from Rafferty. Denilson was poor, too many misplaced passes and did not create any chance of note. He did made a few long distance tries. Eboue was poor with his shooting and final ball - such a skilful player but clearly lacking the application. Diaby was too individualistic sometimes making one too many dribbles when a pass is the better option.
This could be Lehmann’s final game if he decides to join Dortmund in the next few days. Diarra was not on the bench and I don’t think he is being saved for the Carling cup semi. I think he is on the way out to Man City. I believe Arsenal can afford to release Diarra, Lehmann and Gilberto with no impact.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I thought it was a very poor performance, especially the midfield and specifically Traore. If these are the second string who want to challenge the first team, I expected them to be a lot keener to play well and prove themselves. How many from this team will be playing against Spurs? Need a marked improvement.
I was very disappointed with Traore. His terrible performance against Seville was attributed to the quality of the opposition, and rightly so. But when Burnley trouble you no end, you have a LOT to learn defensively.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
The good part of the game was the improved understanding between Bendtner and Eduardo. In the second half, they play a nice one-two which Eduardo should have buried. Eduardo provided a nice assist for Bendtner’s goal. Bendtner is coming along very nicely and that’s great.
My long term worry remains that 5 strikers will be too many for Wenger to handle when (and if) Walcott makes it. I don’t want to lose Bendtner. I guess I’ll worry about that later.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
@ 5: yeah, diarra is a better option than gilberto at this point, but there is no real basis to say he is better than flamini. he has played for france mainly as a RB, and lets not forget that he was 6th choice at chelsea last season and sidwell pushed him even further down. if he was that good arsenal wont have been the only ones bidding for him. chelsea had absolutely no other choice that is why they sold him to us.
yes, he looks like he might be a top-notch player but he really hasnt done anything for france or chelsea in central midfield that confirms his superiority over flamini.
it will be hilarious though if flamini decided not to extend his contract after diarra has gone.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
The one part of Eboue’s game which is often missed is that he carries an almost zero goal threat. Couple that with Hleb and 2 of our top 3 wingers are goal shy. It sounds stupid talking about this when we are the top scorers in the league. But it was an issue when RvP was out and Ade and Cesc’s goals were drying. Eduardo’s goals came about at a good time. But it could become an issue again.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Luton Town is holding ‘Pool through 65 minutes. All the better with tomorrow’s draw coming up.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I didn’t say Diarra was better than Flamini Fred, I said he can be. I get the feeling Flamini is playing at full throttle, in fact that has dropped in the last few games, whereas already this season Diarra has played better than Flamini ever could in certain games and has the potential to be even better and maybe more consistent.
As for the Arsenal midfield, I think the pitch had a lot to do with their performance. It’s very ignorant to say it was a crap performance without taking the pitch into account, again it appears certain people haven’t got a clue about playing football, probably because they’ve never played it. No team in the world, bar Brazil, would have knocked the ball around comfortably on that pitch - the ball bobbled 5 times with every 10 yard pass.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Benitez will get sacked if he fucks this result up, I suspect the Liverpool board are looking for a reason now. I read in the papers today that he’s blaming Liverpool’s failure on Man Utd’s budget, ridiculous when you think what Wenger has achieved on a 10th of what even Liverpool have spent.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
yup, funny how benitez is all about the money……and always yapping about how u need money to challenge for the title, when wenger is doing with so very little.
January 6th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
‘Pool does have both goals in the match, unfortunately Riise’s goal was an OG for a 1-1 equalizer.
Yeah, the complaints about budget are absurd. Benitez has all the necessary talent, but he shuttles them in and out like he’s doing hockey line changes. There is no real continuity about their side.
January 6th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
If Diarra thinks he is so good why doesn’t he fight for his place? Wenger doesn’t have much patience with such people. Bentley is an excellent example. If he had stayed, he would be shining in Arsenal colors now. Flamini is an excellent example too. He stayed, he fought, he took his chance and he is doing well now.
January 6th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
According to my estimates, Arsenal’s probable first team at present:
Almunia £2m (rough guess)
Sagna £6.1m
Toure £150k
Gallas £0
Clichy £250k
Eboue £1.5m
Flamini £1m
Fabregas £500k
Rosicky £6.8m
Adebayor £7m
Van Persie £3m
TOTAL 28.3m
Fernando Torres £20m
January 6th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
maybe i’m missing something, but every time i see denilson start he doesn’t look that great. and yet everybody continues to talk about him like he’s the second coming of fabregas. opinions?
January 6th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Nipuna, I think Diarra’s main complaint is that he hardly ever plays at all. You can’t fight for your place when you’re not even on the bench, and you can’t prove your Premiership credentials when you’ve only started 1 game out of 19.
His complaint is he was promised he would be given a chance, he never said he was promised a first team place. I have to agree that he hasn’t been given a fair crack of the whip. Moaning won’t do him any good, obviously, but a player of his ability shouldn’t have to tolerate being in the position he is and Arsenal are throwing away a potentially top class player in favour of a player who has done very well (Flamini) but has half the talent, and Gilberto who has one leg out the door. If Wenger is not careful he will lose all three.
January 6th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I don’t think anyone has ever said Denilson is the second coming of Fabregas, so yeah, you’re missing something.
January 6th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I think Rafa’s in a very difficult situation. AW is unique, because he has an eye for bargain. but apart from him, who else does?
At the meantime, Liverpool is desperately for a league title. They want quick success. As a reault, Rafa has no choice but go for established talents. And those players aren’t cheap.
lot of fingers have been pointing towards his “rotation policy”. The way i see it though, they simply don’t have a talented enough squad to get a consistent result in the league week in week out.
They r heavily relied on Gerrard to drive them on, and Torres for goals. Anyone of those two absent, or off form, they struggled. every team would struggle without their key players, but Liverpool struggled more than other big 4 sides.
IMO, they need a massive injection of new players in a lot of positions, the entire defence, the midfield. There is no way Rafa, or anyone else could work a miracle over one or two seasons. Because their main rivals just too solid - Chelsea with their $$, Arsenal and Man U both have a deeper and more solid squad.
The worst sceniro is Liverpool sacked Rafa, then they will have to start the “rebuilding process” all over again. The new manager would want his new men. Same as when Rafa first took charge, he wanted to bring in his new men as well. It’s the same when Houllier first took charge.
i m not sure how much Liverpool’s American owners know the game. Football is not NFL, NBA. They don’t have a draft system. No salary cap as well. So it’s far more difficult to turn the table in short period of time. A dominated force will remain to be a dominated force for a long long time. They should have known it themselves as back in the 70/80s, you never knew when the Reds’ dynasty was going to end.
Apparently though, their new owners do not have much patient. If they get rid of Rafa, good for us, Man U, and Chelsea. As we will have one less team to worry about in the foreseeable future.
January 6th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
But this is his 4th season. Benitez certainly has enough of a budget to be able to compete at the very highest level - he must have spent over £150m. I didn’t see him moaning about money when he won the Champions League.
Liverpool got 82pts in 05/06, you can win a title with that amount. Last year they got 68pts - so they have taken a big step backwards so it’s nothing to do with money.
January 6th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Thread #13: It is true that the pitch was woeful and affected Arsenal’s passing game but Burnley were also playing on the same pitch and they were passing the ball around pretty well. Arsenal adapted better in the 2nd half though Rafferty’s send off also helped.
January 6th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Both teams passed the ball as well as each other - the pitch was a leveller. Arsenal created 4 clear chances, scored 2. Burnley created one.
January 6th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I missed the game as my boys had an indoor tournament today so I won’t talk about it.
As for Benitez, he’s in a world of hurt. I talked about it being a problem in the summer with all their new signings. You simply can’t bring in that many egos at one time and build a team with any continuity. It’s why I knew we’d do better than Liverpool this season. They have enough talent but not the continuity. It’s also why Spurs continue to struggle, they bring in new players by the boat every year.
If you bring in new players and are expecting them to immediately and seamlessly intergrate then you’re asking for trouble. If they manage to mesh early with the team then that’s super but if they don’t and you need them to then you’re going to get screwed. Not only is there unnecessary pressure on you but on your player to immediately justify his big price tag. Arsenal signed Eduardo but we’re only just now seeing him do what he does and we haven’t dropped a bunch of points hoping he’d produce sooner. Also, we didn’t sign a bunch of players. Man Utd spent big but weren’t depending on those guys to have an immediate impact. As a manager, you’ve got to plan more carefully.
Benitez has been touted as some sort of genius but he’s made some horrible decisions with signings. He’s made a few poor tactical decisions as well. Why on earth would Liverpool play a 4-5-1 at home against Wigan? Are you freaking kidding me? They deserved to drop those points.
January 6th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
A disaster weekend’s 3rd round action for the EPL sides. I rarely seen so many EPL sides being held to draw or beaten in the 3rd round by the lower division sides.
watched the 2nd half of Stoke Newcastle tie, big Sam can count himself lucky it was not played in St. James Park, Stoke played them off the park, and were very unlucky not to score. his situation is even worse than Rafa.
January 6th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Rafa’s also got this weird ego defensive mentality too - his perverse insistence on doing something HIS way when the better way is obvious an everyone else is saying he should do it. His choice of Carling Cup side against us last season was a case in point. Likewise his team selection today for Luton - 8 changes!
Granted, Wenger made plenty of changes today too, but his players always fit into the Wenger system. The continuity come from Wenger’s bedrock of the passing game with, thankfully this year, some forays into long ball etc when needed.
Today’s Burnley was all it needed to be and no more. I got the scoreline right because I knew we wouldn’t got nuts raking up a 6-0 win even if it was there for the taking. This year, the team understands how to pace itself more. I got the feeling we were a) trying to avoid any injuries and) b) keeping one eye on the Sp*rs game.
The early goal certainly allowed us to do the bare minimum, made even more bare by the sending-off.
Plus points were the ongoing extrovert/introvert pairing of Bendtner and Dudu. (Dudu is not one for the big I am celebrations, is he?) Both have a nice touch for the threaded pass.
Sendy made his obligatory ‘oh-oh’ clearance, but it was only one and it didn’t cause any real problems.
Eboue’s final balls were shockingly shite though. Overhit crosses and wayward shooting when under no pressure. It’s always been the most erratic part of his game and needs to be addressed specifically. Today, I really felt like, What do we gain from him in the team if it so rarely leads to chances, never mind goals?
January 6th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Benitez was right to rest players. The F.A Cup is just slightly above the Carling Cup in terms of importance to the big four and should be treated as such. The pundits love to use F.A cup ties to put under pressure managers under more pressure but yet even if Liverpool went on to win the trophy this season people would say “they only won the F.A Cup, the american owners are looking for more than that”. So, the competition is relatively pointless. If Arsenal had lost today I wouldn’t have even cared except for being slightly pissed off that future F.A Cup weekends would be devoid of Arsenal matches.
January 6th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
reina: 7 million
finnan: 5 million
carragher: free i would imagine
hyppia: 6 million
riise: 4 million
pennant: 8 million (HAHAHA)
gerrard: free
mascherano: 2 million loan (rising to 20 million if they buy)
babel: 12 million
torres: 20 million
kuyt: 9 million
total: 73 million on the first 11 alone.
compared to 36 million for ours.
if we use the full squad, the total is nearer to 150 million. but ours reaches about 60 million for the ENTIRE squad.
i think the squad he has is OK, he just isnt managing them well enough. he has to form his OWN trusted style not try to play like Man U. if arsenal played the normal english style i think we would be in the bottom half of the table.
a top coach has to have his own winning system in place. benitez doesnt, so he is scrambling for players.
January 6th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
its nice to be talking about OTHER managers, u know pitying them and all…it is the sign of a content fan
January 6th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
On Eduardo, I knew he was going to miss a one-on-one by overdoing the left-corner routine. I know he missed the target but if you look at the replay Kiraly stood his ground and left a massive part of the goal open for Eduardo to roll into the right corner. As a result I think Eduardo aimed the ball too much to the left. Hopefully he varies a bit more now. Goalkeepers aint stupid.
January 6th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I’m not really sure I care how bad the pitch was, I saw Diaby unable to complete a two yard pass on several occassions and try to take on the whole team at one time. I think I’m starting to agree with Mazza about him. And someone needs to talk to Denilson about his shot selection. I understand that shooting from outside can turn into good things, but it only works if you don’t shoot into the stands on EVERY shot. The bottom line is that Arsenal played only as hard as they had to to win and I’m fine with that - you can’t play at full throttle every game.
January 6th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
What a pathetic criticism. He’s scored 73 goals in 98 for Zagreb, 21 in 33 for Croatia, and now 11 in 20 for Arsenal. So I don’t think he needs you to tell him where he’s going “wrong”. That post sums you up perfectly.
January 6th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
errr…..mazza, 2 of his 3 PL goals so far have been to the RIGHT …after viewing some of his zagreb and croatia goals, he definitely doesnt seem to have a bias for the left side.
he is a natural finisher he likes to play it in the position where the keeper has the least mobility even if it might be closer.
January 6th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Great to see Eduardo continue his integration by scoring 1 goal and creating the other. This quiet development of Dudu and Bendtner may prove to be incredibly important in the second half of the season. Apart from Ade and the injured RvP they look the likeliest source of goals in the squad.
How many games will Dudu rescue for us with his lethal finishing? He proved today that he is human not robotic by sending one chance wide and letting the keeper close him down in another. But the fact that this caused us a little surprise just shows how clinical he is.
Having the four of them scoring will also raise the bar and create a bit of competition.
Overall since our stumble against Boro we have won 7 and drawn 1 - that’s a great response in a really tricky period. This team/squad keeps passing tests.
January 6th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
So Danny, I suppose every one of those 100 goals were one-on-ones coming from the left and with the ball on the ground? No, thought not. Simple fact is that every time he is one on one he opens his body up making it very difficult for him to slip the ball to the right side. All I’m saying is I hope he varies it a bit. It’s becoming blindingly obvious what he’s gonna do.
Anyway, if he’s through on goal against Van Der Sar in a couple of months and he does the same thing that he did today I’m sure you won’t be so quick to reel out his goal record for Zagreb and Croatia.
Fred, those EPL goals to the right were volleys. I’m on about when the ball is on the floor and he has time to outsmart the keeper.
January 6th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
isn’t it simply because he’s “left-footed”? so his natural instinct was to go for the left (if he’s going to “place” it)?
the same with Henry’s trademark move - cutting from left into middle, before placing the ball to the top corner with his right foot (as a right footer). He did it again and again and again, goalkeepers surely not stupid, but not too many of them be able to stop him.
January 6th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Good point about Henry and his predictable trade-mark finish. It’s about accuracy.
On this occassion the keeper didn’t save it - Dudu steered it wide. If he was on target it would likely have been a goal.
January 6th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
The midfield that Wenger puts out for Wednesday’s Carling Cup match is going to be telling given today’s performances by Denilson and Diaby. We know Eboue is not available after today and it’s doubtful Wenger will use any of the other starters. Question will be whether he thinks starts are somehow warranted for Diaby, Denilson and Gilberto after their performances today.
I like Diaby but he is misused as a winger; if Wenger believes he can’t play central midfield, he should let him go. Denilson’s passing and shooting today were horrific; hopefully, that’s merely a sign of rust.
January 6th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I think the Henry had more margin for error with his technique though.
Also it has little to do with left-footed/left corner. Can you imagine a right footed guy coming in from the right or right central and alway going to the nearer post. Most players like Rooney actually drill it into the opposite corner.
I love the way Eduardo does the Cool Hand Luke routine I’m just saying I hope he is flexible and doesn’t always open his body up. You never know, next time he might go far corner across the keeper. I’m just putting it out there.
January 6th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
VG they’ve done the job in the other CC ties and Wenger isn’t knee-jerk so he will likely stick with his original ideas re selection. Denilson is a CM so his shooting is a bonus, there are other players in the squad far more worthy of criticism for their poor shooting ability.
The Spurs game will be big. The young players selected will be really pumped for it.
I can’t work out Wenger’s thinking re Diaby. Not sure where he thinks he’ll end up. Maybe he thinks Diaby needs more time out wide to fully get over the horrific Smith challenge. The fact he has kept him despite the injury and the abundance of CM’s suggests he really likes him.
January 6th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Mazza, do you really think that Henry had more margin for error with his technique?
I would have thought that it was pretty high risk. It involved him putting a slight bend on the ball to curve it around the keeper and he often had a pretty small window to aim at and did it on the run. I always shock my head at the quality he displayed doing this. My initial thinking with Dudu is that he picks the opening where the keeper has the least reaction time.
What I love about the guy is that he is so predatorial. He wants to be in the box, he wants to be one on one with the keeper, he wants the responsibility to score. Lotsa players like the glory of being a striker, but few appear natural. Guys like Rush, Linekar, Wright, Cole, Shearer….they were born scorers. They had ice in their veins it seemed to come naturally. Dudu’s scoring record at all levels he has played impresses - I’m hoping he can transistion to the EPL. If he can, he’ll be another Wenger steal.
January 6th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I think Henry had more margin for error because he had a greater distance to work with in terms of curling the ball. He could put it out of sight of the keeper and the ball could still curl in. Eduardo’s bend less because he can’t afford them to bend anymore because of the shorter distance the ball travels. This means the ball is generally in range of the keeper. Also think with Henry’s curlers the ball is more likely to get a favourable bounce off the post and go in. Less likely to happen with Eduardo because the ball is straighter.
However as you said, they probably balance each other out because the keeper has less time to react to Eduardo’s near post slots.
January 6th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I know when I play striker, it all depends on what the keeper gives me. If he gives me near post, I’ll take it. If he gives me far post, I’ll take it. Whether he knows it or not, the keeper has to give me something so it’s about my recognizing what he’s giving me. If he tries not to commit then I’m more inclined to bend it near post. Firstly, the keeper has no help near post and secondly, I just don’t believe I can miss that shot. Eduardo probably feels the same. The hard part is getting the chance.
It’s not nearly as complicated as it might seem. If you’re in the box and the keeper’s at you mercy, you just pick a side and put it away. Ninety percent of the shots missed under those circumstances are because the striker screws it up. Ask any striker and they’ll tell you the same. If he keeps his nerve and his technique is right, he certain to score.
January 6th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
@#1 and #3: Your comments on this thread criticising the announcers are naive. This was a game between the leader of the Premier League versus a Championship side. There are a lot of people in England watching this game - and the magic of the 3rd round has always been about shockers. When you are an announcer of such a match, you don’t say that Arsenal is just going to kill their opponent - you keep some suspense for viewers - ESPECIALLY supporters of Burnley watching the game. This is a big event in their season. And, they played very very hard. Your criticisms smacks of supreme arrogance.
January 6th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
you. Where did I ever disparage Burnley? I criticized the announcer and I would do it again.
January 6th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I did not say you critized Burnley - my comment was to your criticism of the announcer - and I was providing my view of why the announcer called the game the way he did.
January 6th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
I think Burnley played as well as they could. I am glad they got to host a top side at home. Basically the announcer lied to the audience by describing a match other than what was being televised.
January 6th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I don’t disagree with you. My only point (too harshly made) was it is common for that kind of announcing where there is a world-class club playing a lower-league club in England, especially in the FA Cup.
January 6th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
It’s true, the commentators in the UK were talking shit. They kept saying throughout the whole game how much of a different game it would have been in Burnley had not hit the bar but it had gone in instead.
Then they conveniently forgot Arsenal had one cleared off the line and Eduardo missed a sitter. If all the clear cut chances had gone in, 4-1 to Arsenal. So yeah, I understand they are trying to make it exciting, but patronising the audience is not the way to go about it - we do have our own eyes and can see what’s happening for ourselves, we don’t need their mid-game fairytales.
January 6th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
i didn’t have a problem with the announcing. arsenal were fortunate not to go 1-0 after that early shot went off the post. even much later, after burnley were down to ten men, they looked like they could score if they got lucky. it wasn’t pure fancy to portray it as a contest in which the outcome was, for at least two thirds of the game, somewhat in doubt.
i do sort of agree with mazza that eduardo went one too many times to the left-side finish, but i can understand why, in a game like that, you would just keep going with what’s been working and not think about it too hard. i’m sure in the future he’ll be more cunning.
January 6th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Danny, yes, the pitch was bad. I didn’t say Arsenal didn’t deserve to win. I said the midfield was poor. I expected them to show more since they are fighting for a first team place. But if they were saving themselves for the CC game, then so be it.
January 7th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Eduardo’s goal are a huge benefit to the team. It makes a lot more comfortable about our scoring options. The understanding he is developing with Bendtner and the rest of team may very well prove decisive in the latter stages of the season.
January 7th, 2008 at 3:48 am
and to conclude the diarra argument….even if he and gilberto leave….we’ve still got Song !!!
January 7th, 2008 at 4:23 am
I think I was among the first to express a fear that if the CM issue is not handled properly, we might end up with losing all three by the summer.
Danny, I still cannot see how Diarra can complain about not getting games. He knew how many CMs Arsenal had before coming here. I cannot believe for one moment that Wenger promised him games. He wouldn’t make a promise he can’t keep.
The worst part is that, if he stays for just six more months, he can make a great career at Arsenal. I don’t see how not playing for Arsenal affects his international chances. He is not a first choice player like Lehmann.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:46 am
denilson and gilberto are both reasonably poor. However he is 19? and needs first team week in week out football to become cesc (which he can) think about it - fabregas has been playing first team every game football for years. Denilson has the potential but unless fab gets some serious injury he will never live up to it. I think he will go. Diarra has to be given a couple of preformances in the prem to see if he really is better than Flammani. To let him go would be a real shame as i belive he is quality and is a much more rounded and cultured player than flammani. We need some theo - he was just starting to put in good games as well. This african nations is his time to win a first team spot.
Spurs on wens…
Fab
hoyte, sagna, sender, traore
theo? diarra, da silva, diaby
Dudu, Bendtner
hopefully see RVP towards the end if hes fit.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:56 am
52*
If they has scored the first goal they would of shut shop and put 10 men behind the ball. because it was so early and the first goal it would of made a huge difference.
Our chances were later in the game and might not of happened if they had put 10 men behind the ball.
Muppet of a comment there
Also 43 and 44. Henry scored so many goals because he could get away from the defence with 2 steps and slot it before anyone can really react. Im a goal keeper. Slow strickers like Dudu (hes not that quick) will always be under pressure. Its alot harder to curl a ball under pressure so u know they will place it and its reasonably easy to guess. When its truly 1 on 1 like henry found so often u basically stand no chance.
Both of dudu’s chances wernt 1 on 1 - first chance there was incredable pressure on him. To slot that one home was quality. But if i was in goal i would f saved it cause he double stepped or skipped - whatever u wanna call it.
Henry had less margin for error because he was alot quicker. Simple.
(thats the only reason theo is even nearly worth the 12m price tag)
January 7th, 2008 at 9:16 am
nipuna, problem is - how AW is going to handle it “properly” of our CM situation?
Bench Flamini and play Diarra because the latter moaned about it?
Bench Flamini and play Gilberto so that Gilberto will stay?
Offer Flamini whatever money he wants in order to keep him?
it’s a tricky job to be a manager. Too many quality players in one position, it’d bound to upset the dressing room chemistry. Too little quality players in one position, there would be lack of competition.
There is no sure win formula IMO. I remember Capello once said - he will never want to be friends with his players. ‘Cos you can never keep them all happy.
the important thing for the manager is - never give in to your player, no matter how great a player he is. Great managers all got that quality. Alex Ferguson dared to drop and sell anyone. So does Wenger. There is no “I” in a TEAM.
Even if the worst sceniro happens, the 3 of them all leave. I wouldn’t be worry about it too much.
Vieira gone, that opened the door to Cesc.
Cashley gone, that opened the door to Clichy.
Henry gone, that opened the door to Adebayor, young Bendtner gets more chances, and Eduardo has been showing the promise he’s on the way to become another great goalscorer at Arsenal.
Had Henry still here, Bendtner probably would have left, Eduardo wouldn’t be joining us. Adebayor would not be making much a progress as a bit-part player.
If Flamster, Gilberto and Diarra all gone. Who knows? Denilson and Diaby may be getting more chances, and that would surely help their progress. And with AW’s eye for talent, it’s not that difficult for him to spot another unknown talent to take over the trio.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:45 am
I understand Wenger’s predicament and I am not saying that he should give in to his players. But one must remember that it was Wenger himself who has put himself into this position. Why did he sign Diarra when he already had a plethora of options in CM? Not only should he have anticipated this problem, but he should have been prepared for it.
As for the solution, I guess Wenger has to decide which two of the three has a future with Arsenal.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Wenger signed Diarra because he got good quality for cheap. The real monkey wrench is Flamini’s form. Anyone who says they anticipated that is lying their ass off. So you can’t be mad at Wenger for not anticipating that.
Darkman Nate gave us a goal keeper’s perspective and re-enforced what I was saying. If a striker’s one on one and fails to finish, it’s almost certain to be the striker’s fault. It don’t have shit to do with how smart the keeper is. If the striker’s cold and clinical then it’s a goal. Period. Near post? Far post? It doesn’t matter. It’s about putting the ball on target where the keeper can’t reach it.
January 7th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Yeah, like Josh said, because Diarra was AVAILABLE. AW is not the one to buy player for the sake of it. Even if he’s interested in someone, if he’s expensive, he would normally pull out of the race, rather than paying over the odds and get himself involved in a bidding war with other big spending clubs.
AW did not just “suddenly” interested in Diarra. Apparently he has been tracking him for years. so when the chances arise, he grabbed it. What’s wrong with that?
besides, what’s the signing of Diarra would HURT us? Gilberto is unhappy not because of the addition of Diarra. He wasn’t happy since losing the starting place to Flamster, that had nothing to do with Diarra.
as for Diarra, even if he leaves, we will be surely earn a handsome profit from the transfer fee. nothing to lose either.
lastly, like Joshuad said, who on earth would expect Flamini to shine this season? I think when AW first started him, he didn’t expect Flamster to hold on to his place neither. It’s primary a measure to pluck the gap until Gilberto return. But Flamini did well, lucky us. But really, i don’t know how on earth AW could have “prepared” for it. Prepared for “what” anyway?
Please, it’s very simple isn’t it? The problem is not Arsene Wenger. How can we complain when we have too many quality players in our squad? It’s the players ATTITDUE that matter. Frankly, their attitude today, most of them, SUCKS.
January 7th, 2008 at 11:38 am
How many times have you said that Wenger can’t buy another CB/winger because he will upset the balance in the team and won’t be able to keep them all happy? Now you say that it’s to Wenger’s credit that we have many quality players in the side. Sorry, you can’t have it both ways.
I am NOT defending Diarra. If he can’t wait a year to establish himself, then I don’t care if he leaves.
My point was simple. I said that there is a chance that all 3 CMs will leave if the situation is not handled properly. I don’t see what is wrong in that. It is a manager’s job to handle the situation which, quite frankly, he got into himself.
January 7th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
frankly who cares if all 3 CMs leave by the summer???
the DM position is probably the SIMPLEST role to fill in the entire team.
just get somebody who can run and harry for 90 minutes in relatively intelligent manner and who can pass forward for 5 to 15 yards. i am sure one can even find ENGLISH players that can do this task.
the trio are soooooooo dispensable. diarra is good, but if he was the next DM jesus, mourinho (who is a defensive coach) would have used him more often in central midfield not at rightback.
January 7th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Well, I think Diarra has the potential to be as good as Essien. I am talking about a possible world class player, which Flamini isn’t and Gilberto certainly isn’t at the moment.
Diarra can do everything, great engine, hard tackler, pace, skill, good passer - he really needs a run in the team. I hope Gilberto and Hoyte leave in this transfer window and Wenger tells Diarra, ok - it’s between you and Flamini, and you can cover for Sagna when he’s out too. Hopefully that will keep Diarra happy. Diarra should be on the bench for every game, he such a useful player.
January 7th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
“How many times have you said that Wenger can’t buy another CB/winger because he will upset the balance in the team and won’t be able to keep them all happy? Now you say that it’s to Wenger’s credit that we have many quality players in the side. Sorry, you can’t have it both ways.”
Well, when i said it would upset the balance if we buy too many players in one position, I was referring to those who moaned about lack of new signings, or asked AW to buy this and that.
And I was talking about the “future”, at least the “near future”. we don’t really need much addition, unless someone has left.
As for what happened “at the past”, the players we already bought. I don’t dwell on it.
January 7th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
anyway nipuna, frankly i don’t know what u on about.
If u were AW, what would u do? Play Diarra, drop Flamini? Play Gilberto? Give Flamini a 50k a week contract?
if u r going to complain about anything, at least give us your insight on HOW to do it BETTER? don’t just moan about it for the sake of it.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
The only problem I’ve seen with Diarra is that he tends to hit a bit of wall in the second half of games. He panics when earlier on in the game he would be the epitome of calm. That should improve with time and experience. Other than that he is brilliantly talented footballer who really should be in the Arsenal first team. Flamini has done well but I think it’s obvious we need someone better if we really want to excel at the top level. Diarra has the talent to be that somone.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
well, maybe he can make do with the RM position….if wenger can play diaby as a LM, then surely he can play diarra as a RM to keep him reasonably happy till the summer when gilberto will be shunted out.
he is definitely better defensively than eboue….and eboue is utter garbage going forward so diarra will be an improvement.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
As good as Essien? That’s a big call. For me Essien is a monster, perhaps the best DM going around.
It’s normally best to keep things simple. Diarra signed at the last minute of the pre-season. No time to integrate or show what he can do in this team. The Flamster has performed really well and held the position on merit. We have a surplus of CM’s at the moment and this is likely to be pruned over the next 6 months. When you sign for a big club there is competition - period.
Diarra whinging was a bad call. Wenger has little room to move at present and Diarra is simply fashioning a bad attitude for himself. Once you start bleating the media gets it and uses it and you (the player) lose control of the situation.
He needs to prove his pedigree this year on the pitch in whatever team Wenger puts him. After that, if he is as good as people say his quality will force him into the team.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Wenger cannot drop Flamini as long as he keeps playing well. It would affect other players. If you bring back Gilberto you are saying that Flamini will never be a regular as the place belongs to Gilberto. If you bring in Diarra, you are saying that some players don’t have to prove themselves. The situation with Almunia is the same.
Bendtner, Eduardo, Senderos, Traore, Djourou, Walcott, Diaby and Denilson all have to believe that a first team place can be won by performing on the pitch when called upon. Almunia and Flamini are their examples. Yes, there is always room for a Sagna to come in and make himself undroppable. But it still relies on the performance. The problem for Diarra is that Flamini was already making waves at the end of August when he arrived.
DannyT may be right that Diarra has the potential to be better than Essien. I have some doubts. However, at this point in time, Flamini, through his play and the example his progress gives to others on the fringe, is too valuable to the team. When you add in the way he talks to the team throughout the game, he is an example of how a team can be more than the sum of its parts.
By the way, Mazza, we are top of the league, how do we need someone better than Flamini if we really want to excel at the top level? That argument held water last season and the season before when we were fourth but generally the answers were found within. The sale of Henry and to a lesser extent Ljungberg released the younger players, particularly Fabregas. Even if we fall short this season, we will need tweaking rather than major change.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Flamini is not athletically gifted enough to partner Fabregas in midfield. Because Fabregas is slow and lacks defensive dynamism himself, Arsenal need someone with physical presence and an athletic mobile game. Gilberto and Diarra possess these qualities but Gilberto falls short in other departments such as aggression. Diarra has everything but is not consistent enough yet.
Flamini is doing well and it’s not an urgent situation that needs to be addressed. But in the long term I feel we will need more strength in that position to reach the targets Wenger aspires to reach.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Let’s see Diarra put in some dominant performances when he’s picked, display a bit of respect and a good professional attitude THEN acclaim him as…..the great whatever.
January 7th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Andez, you got me all wrong. I am NOT moaning. I simply said that there is a CHANCE that all 3 CMs will leave by the summer. After the Vieira + Edu exit episode, that situation is best avoided. We should be building on this excellent season, not rebuilding again.
If I were Wenger, I wouldn’t sign Diarra in the first place. If he is really good, then I would give him some playing time and make my decision on which 2 CMs have a long term future at Arsenal. Since you argued that Wenger did nothing wrong, I merely pointed out that he is not faultless in this case. That’s all.
January 8th, 2008 at 12:39 am
what do you mean “he is not faultless in this case”??? has wenger commited a crime by buying a player??
doesnt chelsea also have SIX central midfielders like we do?
did wenger tie him with a rope and drag him to the emirates?
lets all remember among all this “diarra is great” posts that only lille made an inquiry about diarra in the whole summer. arsenal were the ONLY team that bid for him.
wenger saved him from a life of 7th choice CM at chelsea.
January 8th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Again you are getting me wrong. I am NOT defending Diarra. See my earlier posts about him.
I am saying that Wenger got many CMs at Arsenal so if there is discontent, he is not faultless for that. It is his responsibility to bring in players and manage them.
January 8th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Diarra is, undoubtedly a fine player with loads of potential to become a world class superstar. Wenger got him for two million quid. There’s no way in the world that’s bad business. Nipuna, you’re the only one who thinks that was a bad idea.
Put yourself back in the summer and think of this pitch:
Diarra, you can sign for Arsenal and you will be competing with Gilberto, who’s already 30 and Flamini, who’s been fringe during his entire time at Arsenal. Either that or you can stay at Chelsea and continue what you’ve been doing. We believe you can be better than those guys and you have a very good chance of being a regular in the side almost immediately. What do you say?
That’s probably the pitch that he got and said, “hell yeah, I’m moving to Arsenal. The only thing is that Flamini didn’t read the same script and is doing his own thing. Now, what’s he going to do? Bottom line is Diarra’s got to man up or kick rocks. If he’s smart then he’ll learn from his compatriot, a former gunner, who had even more talent but the same crappy attitude at his age and is well know throughout world football as “Le Sulk”.
Anelka has grown up quite a bit and let’s his football talk for him now. Does Anelka want to leave Bolton? Fuck yeah; especially to play for a team in the Champions League. But he’s not running his mouth to the media about it. He’s being patient and showing his talent. I heard some idiots on Sky the other day saying that Anelka’s silence signifies a lack ambition to play at the highest level. I swear those guys are freaking assclowns. What it really means is he’s learned that cream doesn’t need media help to rise to the top. He’s learned that running his mouth has led to a career of under-achievement and is trying to right that wrong before his career’s over. Diarra needs to learn from Anelka before he shoots himself in the foot.
January 8th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Josh, again you get me wrong. I didn’t say Diarra is a bad player. I said signing another CM when you already have many is a risk. If you take the risk, you should be prepared to face the situation existing today. Nobody seems to be addressing that point. Everybody is going on about whether Diarra is a good player or not.
I looked at it simply from my perspective. If I have a team of 6 people who are effectively vying with each other for the work of 2, I would think twice before hiring another one. If the new guy is really good, then I would be prepared to let go of some of the existing staff. If there is discontent in my team because of this, I am sure my boss will be kicking my ass for it as I hired the new guy.
January 8th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Flamini not athletically gifted? The guy has one hell of an engine for a person not athletically gifted. The guy is a dynamo. Diarra may be a better player all round, but Flamini has been the right water carrier in midfield. He’s been doing for us what Gattuso does for Milan. I think he’s improved technically this season (passing) and his understanding of the game seems to have got better (not so much speeadboat without driver). I’ve never been his greatest fan and to a certain extent still think he might be a better RB, he’s not perfect but he’s made himself undroppable, Fabregas described him (and Hleb) as one of his best mates on and off the pitch. Balance.
The solution for Diarra is to up his own game, take any opportunity he can and make himself undroppable. Flamini should serve as a shining example to him.
January 8th, 2008 at 10:08 am
[...] boss Arsene Wenger was full of praised about Burnley for their display and top flight clubs should take lower division clubs with more respect. If not, [...]
January 8th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Nipuna, I know you didn’t say Diarra was a bad player. The point is Gilberto’s over thirty and Flamini, in three years, hadn’t proven capable of providing a descent challenge to Gilberto. Wenger had no reason to expect Flamini to improve and, in fact, told him he was free to leave.
Wenger needed someone to challenge Gilberto as Flamini, after three years, hadn’t proven capable of doing that. That’s what made the decision to sign Diarra (for only two million quid) a very good one.
Let’s use your employee analogy. If you had a potential employee who you believed was capable of performing better than everyone else you had for less money, would you hire him? Think, you’re so confident in this new guy that you already told one of your old guys they can quit if they like and you just passed the other senior guy over for promotion to captain which means you expect him to leave as well. That was Wenger’s predicament.
Flamini’s proven more resouceful that Wenger thought possible; probably as a direct result of signing Diarra. Does that make Wenger’s decision to sign Diarra a bad one, no. Does Wenger have to make another tough choice, yes. But that’s what managers get paid to do.
January 8th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Josh, very good analogy. I understand Wenger’s predicament and hope he will resolve in the same way he has been making great decisions in the past.