CARLING CUP THREAD

Post by **DB10GOONER** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:44 am

I thought Ramsey made a lot of silly errors and lost posession cheaply too often - he tried too many tricks, drag backs and back heels. But these were silly mistakes and didn't take too much away from his overall good performance. He has a good range of passes and likes to go for the killer pass. He needs to simplify his game though. He doesn't need to keep trying to show that he is skilful, we know he is. He needs to take a long look at other playmakers. Cesc's (for example) best moments on the pitch are often just the simple pass into the right place, no back heels or dragbacks or stepovers.

Bendtner was absolute shite for most of it (first touch of a rapist springs to mind) but he did at least work hard for the team and he took his goal well.

Randall looked lost when he came on but it is hard to get into a game with only a few minutes left...

Sylvestre did well but Swiss Tony is still a disaster waiting to happen everytime the ball goes near him.

A pretty good entertaining game and a good win.

Its Up 4 Grabs Now · Post by **Its Up 4 Grabs Now** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:57 am

DB10GOONER wrote:I thought Ramsey made a lot of silly errors and lost posession cheaply too often - he tried too many tricks, drag backs and back heels. But these were silly mistakes and didn't take too much away from his overall good performance. He has a good range of passes and likes to go for the killer pass. He needs to simplify his game though. He doesn't need to keep trying to show that he is skilful, we know he is. He needs to take a long look at other playmakers. Cesc's (for example) best moments on the pitch are often just the simple pass into the right place, no back heels or dragbacks or stepovers.

Couldn't agree more with all of that. It's something I've noticed with him before when he's come on as sub, probably just trying too hard to get himself noticed given his limited opportunities. Still think he'll be a top player though.

I actually thought Nasri dictated the game more for us. Rarely gives the ball away, will always look for the forward/incisive pass first but if it's not on he'll just play the simple ball & then move to find space again. The guy is class & the quicker we get him in midfield alongside Cesc the better.

RoscommonGooner · Post by **RoscommonGooner** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:59 am

I don't get this "he worked his arse off" bollocks! If I was out there I'd have worked my arse off too, that doesn't mean I'm good enough though. He strutted around like an arogant git most of the game presumably because he was one of the more "senior" members of the team. He needs to be brought to one side by some of the management and told to buck up. He is a prime example of how much this club misses a senior player to teach the new guys.

Lethal · Post by **Lethal** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:02 am

ramsey could be godlike in a few years

CYGooner · Post by **CYGooner** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:08 am

Wenger said before the game that he wanted Ramsey to prove himself as he was close to the first team. Replacement for Diaby anyone?

I dont want to start another Diaby slating post, but surely we'd take Ramsey over him? Especially the way he's been playing in the Carling Cup and for Wales

Eboue-Why? · Post by **Eboue-Why?** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:11 am

Considering it was his first game I thought Nasri was brilliant and to get 90 mins was really good. After such a good win I don't want to be too negative but Bendtner showed again why he divides the fans. How many times did he give the ball away and yet comes up with a well taken goal?

Special mention for Eastmond. What a great debut, so assured for a youngster.

Really enjoyable game

CYGooner · Post by **CYGooner** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:26 am

I think one good aspect of Bendtner when he plays is that he is a Right footed, Right Winger (in this system, altho not his natural position) that cuts inside, which is strange. This should bring in the left back and leave plenty of space for players like Nasri or our RB to move in to that space and get the cross in. Bendtner being our biggest physical presence is then already in the middle to receive said cross and make more of a go of it than Eduardo, Van Persie or Arshavin could.

Thats my theory anyway, it doesnt happen very often but I think it should!

Eastmond was quality last night I felt, taking in to consideration he was making his debut

Bendtners Drinking Buddy · Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:52 am

I love the fact that people used to have a go at Adebayor for being lazy, yet also have a pop at Bendtner despite the fact he was clearly working very hard - covered every blade of grass and helped support Gilbert (who in my opinion was absolutely out of his depth). Nick had a poor game in relation to his other performances this season, but he still contributed and took his goal well - yes he probably does rate himself highly, but most good attackers do! He is a young striker who is doing very well at a top club and I think will get even better. Although his passing went astray last night I thought some of his first touches were brilliant.

Really enjoyed the game, some great football from both sides at times and delighted to see Nasri back - he ran out of steam a bit towards the end understandably, but he is very good on the ball - a very good dribbler in the mould of Hleb, but can actually have a good crack on goal now and again!!

Ramsey had a good first hour but then faded a bit, think he could be a stonking player, I would happily give him a run in the first team soon. Merida faded as well, but again showed some brilliant awareness and his range of passing was brilliant.

Post by **DB10GOONER** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 12:15 pm

Its Up 4 Grabs Now wrote:
DB10GOONER wrote:I thought Ramsey made a lot of silly errors and lost posession cheaply too often - he tried too many tricks, drag backs and back heels. But these were silly mistakes and didn't take too much away from his overall good performance. He has a good range of passes and likes to go for the killer pass. He needs to simplify his game though. He doesn't need to keep trying to show that he is skilful, we know he is. He needs to take a long look at other playmakers. Cesc's (for example) best moments on the pitch are often just the simple pass into the right place, no back heels or dragbacks or stepovers.
Couldn't agree more with all of that. It's something I've noticed with him before when he's come on as sub, probably just trying too hard to get himself noticed given his limited opportunities. Still think he'll be a top player though.

I actually thought Nasri dictated the game more for us. Rarely gives the ball away, will always look for the forward/incisive pass first but if it's not on he'll just play the simple ball & then move to find space again. The guy is class & the quicker we get him in midfield alongside Cesc the better.

Ditto on Nasri. He is different class at times.

And a good point about Ramsey trying too hard - I think that's exactly what I was alluding to; his opportunities are limited and he's desperate to show what he can do. I hope someone takes him aside and calms him down, shows him the simple economic effective stuff because he could be a world beater in a year or two.

Charlie! Charlie! · Post by **Charlie! Charlie!** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 12:31 pm

As above says once Ramsey learns to simplify his game he will be awesome, I though Eastmond looked like good on his debut. Nasri did all he could after a long lay off and I just thought Nik looks out of place amongst the slick, fast moving game. Then he scores and that is why he splits the fans - but in any job hard work alone is no guarantee of success.

green gooner · Post by **green gooner** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 12:55 pm

If this club is bursting with great youth and fringe players, as it surely is, why is Diaby, Denilson, Eboue and Song still in the starting line up?

OK, so one swallow doesn't make a summer, and one or two good displays in the beer cup wont turn you into Pele, but surely Ramsey and Merida are knocking on the door.

Senderos showed he is still beyond any kind of hope as he could have gave away a penalty. Tweety is just shit but then I only saw the highlights late on BBC 1.

Gooner Jim · Post by **Gooner Jim** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 1:14 pm

green gooner wrote:If this club is bursting with great youth and fringe players, as it surely is, why is Diaby, Denilson, Eboue and Song still in the starting line up?

OK, so one swallow doesn't make a summer, and one or two good displays in the beer cup wont turn you into Pele, but surely Ramsey and Merida are knocking on the door.

Senderos showed he is still beyond any kind of hope as he could have gave away a penalty. Tweety is just shit but then I only saw the highlights late on BBC 1.

Ramsey played well but he did try passing it around area's he really shouldnt have, if we were playing against a stronger side they would have made up pay for it.
I agree that these players should be played above diaby and eboue, not too sure about song and denilson though. Eastmond was actually outstanding today, fair play to him for taking his oppertunity. Randall was woefull

Its Up 4 Grabs Now · Post by **Its Up 4 Grabs Now** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 1:17 pm

Gooner Jim wrote:Eastmond was actually outstanding today, fair play to him for taking his oppertunity. Randall was woefull

Yeah, saw him at SHL last season in the youth cup playing at RB & thought he got a bit of a roasting at times. But last night he was superb. Be interesting to see how he does in the next round.

SWLGooner · Post by **SWLGooner** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 1:24 pm

Bendtner is simply not good enough with the ball at his feet to play in the Arsenal system, but he's physical, good in the air and works his arse off, so I think he makes a great impact sub.

However, I don't see someone with his self-image staying an impact sub long...

augie · Post by **augie** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 1:28 pm

It's funny the way so many people watching the same game can come out with so many contrasting opinions

For what it is worth I was disappointed in gibbs last night (for first 70mins anyway)

Maybe it was cos who he was playing alongside or behind but it was noticeable that all their best moves came down our left wing and gibbs was caught out positionally too often.

Kerrea I thought was woeful in possession but tenacious when they had the ball. Of course it helps when you are only facing babel but he did ok but doesnt look Arsenal quality to me.

If I'm honest neither centre back impressed me that much but silvestre looked very shaky and rusty to me. For me if you are a player of that age then you need to regular football to delay the total shutdown of what energy and lega you may have and imo playing as rarely as he is then he will always be blown away by pace when he does play.

I am a big fan of ramsey but last night, dare I say it, he looked a bit diaby-esqe

He was outstanding in possession at times but other times lost the ball too easily (a la diaby

) but the difference for me is the energy ramsey brings to the game and he doesnt go awol. I believe that regular playing time would knock that carelessness in possession from ramsey and I would want him ahead of diaby in the pecking order.
I thought that in possession merida, nasri and eastmond were close to impeccable last night although individually all went missing on occasions.

Bedtner for me was little short of woeful which was especially disappointing in that you would expect he would be one of the leaders last night with his experience. For me the fact that he wasnt subbed sooner is another indictment of wengers 70m-75m substitute policy.

Eduardo too was a disappointment last night although he did receive little or no support at times and was isolated too often.

Overall I felt that last night showed up the positives and negatives of wengers formations - in possession we looked brilliant and played some lovely triangles but without possession we were over-run at times especially on the wings. A win, any win, over the scousers is good but in the next round when we wont have nasri I would hope that vela and wilshire will be back