Man Utd – Arsenal, the story for the defence « Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News. Supporting the Lord Wenger; coach of the decade
Arvind
Well..that was just very very painful to watch. I watched it on mute as usual and was continuously left shaking my head in disbelief at the scoreline. We’ll look at the defense of course and there’s a surprise or two in store but a quick overall review of the other bits.
I thought Coquelin had a very good game in which he moved intelligently and was always available for a pass. Less dynamic than Frimpong but another very talented youngster. I’m guessing he wasn’t match fit and AW wanted to protect him a little as well; I think the plan would have been 60 minutes despite the scoreline. Ramsey n Tomas worked hard but the creativity just just wasn’t there. Yes they play keep ball reasonably well..but after watching all that possession in years gone by, it does seem a notch lower than years gone by. Arshavin and Theo were very direct in the running, AA23 in particular who seemed up for it but had to do a little too much defending for my liking. We had plenty of shots on goal as well, which means the scoreline is a little funny. I do think we need 1 creative player; someone who can release the runners we have in our team else we might have some trouble lasting the whole season.
Back on topic, let us look at Untold Defenders for Game 3. Here are the tables – I’ve split it into 2 columns [Did well – Which means he made the right decision and Total possible is the total number of oppurtunities available for the player]:
| Player Name [Keeper] | Sczesczny | |
| Did well | Total possible | |
| Catching | 1 | 1 |
| Punching | 1 | 1 |
| Long range shots | 1 | 5 |
| Reaction Saves | 2 | 2 |
| Near Post coverage | 1 | 1 |
| Ball distribution | NA | NA |
| Goal kicks | 4 | 5 |
| Box coverage | 3 | 4 |
I thought Scsz had an okay game. Which sounds weird as we’ve shipped 8 goals. The 1st goal is partially his mistake as he’s off his line. I do notice that a lot of teams try and catch him off his line at least once a game. Both of Young’s strikes and Rooney’s freekicks, bring down his score in the long range shots category but I won’t read too much into any of them.. they were all top top strikes. Nani’s chip is coz of the LB playing him on side resulting in an easy finish and the penalty is a lottery. So yes the other figures show that the keeper had an ok game.. we don’t need big changes here.
| Player Name [LB] | Traore | |
| Did Well | Total possible | |
| Recovery Pace to get back into position | 1 | 4 |
| Interceptions all over the respective wing; the further up the better | NA | NA |
| Width while attacking | 2 | 2 |
| Kick starting a counter attack | NA | NA |
| Tackling | 2 | 3 |
| Beaten down the wing | 0 | 9 |
| Crossing | 1 | 2 |
Armand Traore had a nightmare to be frank. He was everywhere except Left Back. And time after time after time United lofted balls into the vacant space and played one twos all around him. Each time I saw the ball drift inside I was relieved. That might seem harsh but really… he was beaten at least 9 times [probably more] on the wing and it was almost like playing with 10 men at times. Arshavin had to do more defensive work than normal and at times he was in the LB position getting double teamed while Traore strolled back. I thought he’d improve in the second half by staying back but he kept wandering forward all the time. I have my doubts about Kieran Gibbs as well.. defensively and fitness wise and I have a feeling we will miss Gael Clichy more than a lot thought. I’m guessing if Cahill comes in, we will move TV5 to LB and play Koscielny and Cahill in the middle.
| Player Name [RB] | Jenkinson | |
| Did Well | Total Possible | |
| Recovery Pace to get back into position | 1 | 4 |
| Interceptions all over the respective wing; the further up the better | 1 | 1 |
| Width while attacking | 4 | 4 |
| Kick starting a counter attack | NA | NA |
| Tackling | 0 | 2 |
| Beaten down the wing | 0 | 1 |
| Crossing | 1 | 5 |
Jenkinson got forward a lot and has a lot of pace about him.. however there’s a little bit of positional sense that is lacking..that will come with time. He gets forward a lot as he did today but got caught out while pushing forward. Much better than Traore but balls kept getting lofted into the inside right channel, which is where Ashley Young shoots from all the time. If you let him get within 25 yards of goal he is a fantastic striker.. so he needed to recognize that and close the channels off. He also got sent off trying to get back and tackle..was it a straight red? But despite the fact that he was positionally suspect and a little inaccurate in his crossing he never ever gave up and kept running up and down till he was sent off. Its been too steep a learning curve for him; one hopes he will get to learn a little more slowly.
| Player Name [RCB] | Djourou | |
| Did Well | Total Possible | |
| Set piece clearances | NA | NA |
| Second ball anticipation | NA | NA |
| Dealing with the long ball over the top | 1 | 2 |
| Intercepting crosses/through balls Open Play | 3 | 3 |
| Tackling | 1 | 4 |
| Goal Scoring from set pieces | 0 | 3 |
Djourou was directly responsible for at least 2 of the goals due to fouling around the area. I think Park’s shot also went through his legs (he could have done better) and he got out muscled by Wellbeck for Goal 1. So that’s 4 goals he’s been part of. It can’t be easy being under seige all the time but mistimed tackling on the edge of the box can be very risky as was shown today. While he has to be calmer in front of his goal no doubt, it really is down to the whole team to ensure there isn’t as much pressure as there was today. But no.. he did not have a good game at all..marginally better than Traore but that’s not saying much.
| Player Name [LCB] | Koscielny | |
| Did Well | Total Possible | |
| Set piece clearances | ||
| Second ball anticipation | ||
| Dealing with the long ball over the top | 1 | 2 |
| Intercepting crosses/through balls Open Play | 12 | 12 |
| Tackling | 1 | 1 |
| Goal Scoring from set pieces | 0 | 3 |
Laurent was the best of the four defenders and intercepted at least 12 dangerous balls into the area on the ground or aerially. If it had not been for him we would have gone into double digits, most probably. I did not see any mistakes from him at all apart from the first goal where he could have communciated better. Like TV5 last time, he dominated his area and left lesser work for Djoruou who was not upto the mark this time. It seems strange that a defender had a good game but we conceded 8 goals. It just shows that every position has to be in sync, specially against the big teams.
How do we not concede?
Wellbeck goal – The chipped Anderson ball is a routine one really.. why are both defenders side by side .. watching the ball go over them and letting Wellbeck run. Ideally one attacks the ball and the other stays with Wellbeck.
Ashley Young Goals – Clear shot on goal. The RB is caught forward and no one has tracked Young either. The fullbacks must learn that they must defend first..if they have 0 crosses that is fine but the number of balls into the LB and RB areas which were so easy to attack.. are too huge.
Rooney Free Kicks – Dont concede fouls. Simple. Dont dive in. Which means .. keep the ball better, because if there’s too much pressure here..in your dee.. the foul will happen some time or the other. Specially since AFC plays an offensive brand.. keep the ball. If we can’t keep the ball there is always a chance this will happen.
Nani goal – Offside trap? Come on. I think Traore didn’t step up and played Nani onside. Basics guys..come on.
Penalty – Well, can happen..nothing to add here apart from the obvious of not tackling unless sure. At least Walcott tracked Evra back till there which is a good thing. Theo tried well today and was even explaining to Carl on staying back.. after the second goal.
Cant remember too much about Park’s goal though.. someone please fill me in.
Overall.. its been a dreadful day and its 3am here in India as I finish this. I hope we sign whoever we are targeting and recoup from this terrible loss. Keep the faith guys.