A Couple Of Observations

dvbrisgooner1 · Post by **dvbrisgooner1** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:55 pm

I am writing this with the realisation that I will need a tin-hat to ward off the flak I am going to get, so here goes...

Cesc Fabregas needs to sort his form out.

There, I've said it. From where I've been watching the past 6 weeks Fabregas has gone right off the boil. His performance in the first-half last night was lazy and erratic. If Senderos or Gilberto had given the ball way as much, and as carelessly, as Cesc did then most of the 60,000 would have been getting on at them (in fact Gilberto probably did do that so I'll leave it at Big Phil). If Fabregas redicovers his early season form (and I'm not just talking about goals) then we WILL win the Title, without it we may just struggle.

My other observation is that, despite not having to make a "save" last night, we would not have won had Manuel Almunia been in goal. I qualify this by the fact that Lehmann came and dealt with every dead-ball sent in to the penalty area. Had Almunia been there we would have been relying on the defence to deal with the aerial threat and we would have conceded at least once. I also believe that Senderos' improvement over the past 3 matches is due, in no small part, to having Lehmann playing behind him and the confidence and assurance this sends through the defence.

I'm off now to put on my suit of armour.

Post by **Belfast Boy** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:13 pm

Well Cesc has had dip in form over the last couple of months but NOBODY can play at their peak forever and he has been brilliant for us, and a dip is inevitable and seein as he is the consumate professional, and clearly loves playin, especially for us

then I'm sure he and AW are doin everything to get back to his true form ASAP and it's worth remembering he was played out of position last nite!
As for Almunia everyone was givin him grief for comin off his line too readily so it is possible he has retreated too much, or maybe this is the way Wenger wants him to play it as he is not a big keeper, making coming for the ball very risky in a packed box!

augie · Post by **augie** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:07 pm

Cesc hasnt been at the top of his game for a while now but to be fair to him putting him on the wing last night is a waste

I would rather put flamini out there and keep our more creative player in the centre where he could be more involved but what do I know ?

As for the whole keeper scenario I think we are all clutching at straws cos most of us want Jens retained in the team and are looking for some small aspect that can acheive that cos he wont keep his place for all the saves he has made cos he has had fcuk all to do. Sadly as I said on another thread earlier Ibelieve that the spanish waiter will be restored to the number 1 spot for the milan game unless Jens has a blinder at the weekend

Wayno · Post by **Wayno** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:14 pm

Cesc is doing alright in all departments except the scoring one, sorry did I say Cesc, I meant Smoothie

Post by **I Hate Hleb** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 11:33 pm

ARSENE WENGER SAID AFTER THE GAME THAT CESC HAD BEEN ILL FOR THE 3 PREVIOUS DAYS AND ONLY PLAYED BECAUSE OF A SHORTAGE OF PLAYERS FOR LAST NIGHT'S MATCH. THAT IS ALSO THE REASON HE WAS POSITIONED WIDE RIGHT RATHER THAN HIS USUAL CENTRAL MIDFIELD.

IN THE SAME INTERVIEW HE LET SLIP AS WELL THAT CESC WOULD PROBABLY MISS SATURDAY'S MATCH WITH MAN UNITED.

26may1989 · Post by **26may1989** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:06 am

I Hate Hleb wrote:IN THE SAME INTERVIEW HE LET SLIP AS WELL THAT CESC WOULD PROBABLY MISS SATURDAY'S MATCH WITH MAN UNITED.

Wenger probably reckons it's better to have Cesc 100% ready for the Milan game than 75% ready to play United.

Here's a thought though: if, having lost that headcase Diarra and with Gilberto probably leaving in the summer, Wenger wants to get another central midfielder in, how about Steve Sidwell? He can't really afford another season as 6th choice central midfielder at The Bridge (he was only additional cover for Essien and Mikel during the ACN anyway), and Wenger said when he let him go to Reading he might one day re-sign Sidwell. Not sure it would really be the right move for Sidwell though, given that he would at best be 3rd choice behind Cesc and Flamini.

Post by **REB** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:14 am

not sidwell please,, wenger will prob raid lyon for a midfielder and striker during the summer,, even he admits our squad is to small,, as for cesc playing on sat,, no,, wenger will treat this game as the least important of the next 3 games so will expect one or two changes

milan and brum more important to him

Galasso · Post by **Galasso** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:23 am

augie wrote:Cesc hasnt been at the top of his game for a while now but to be fair to him putting him on the wing last night is a waste I would rather put flamini out there and keep our more creative player in the centre where he could be more involved but what do I know ?

As for the whole keeper scenario I think we are all clutching at straws cos most of us want Jens retained in the team and are looking for some small aspect that can acheive that cos he wont keep his place for all the saves he has made cos he has had fcuk all to do. Sadly as I said on another thread earlier Ibelieve that the spanish waiter will be restored to the number 1 spot for the milan game unless Jens has a blinder at the weekend

If Flamini had been on the wing, we would have lost that impetus in midfield (with the leaden footed Gilberto). As it was, Flamini could do his normal stuff and Fabregas was able to come inside with Sagna overlapping.

26may1989 · Post by **26may1989** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:25 am

rebel gooner wrote:milan and brum more important to him

I agree with him on that, esp given that United and Chelsea have trickier away games than ours at Birmingham - ie. to Newcastle (who really need to get their arses in gear) and Spurs (like it or not, a form team in the division).

Galasso · Post by **Galasso** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:27 am

Cesc is having a blip in form but it will come back (tho before the end of the season would be good!) Perhaps it is something to do with Hleb playing wider and less centrally?

As for Jens, I'm a fan but can't see him playing further on than the manu game.

26may1989 · Post by **26may1989** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:27 am

Galasso wrote:If Flamini had been on the wing, we would have lost that impetus in midfield (with the leaden footed Gilberto). As it was, Flamini could do his normal stuff and Fabregas was able to come inside with Sagna overlapping.

To be fair to Gilberto, there was one excellent pass I remember him playing on Monday, when he played in (I think) Eduardo with a defence splitting pass from well inside the defensive half. But leaden footed is still pretty accurate.

Post by **REB** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:30 am

if almuinia goes back into the team then theres something wrong with wenger,, he drops jen over a couple of mistakes,, now jens has had a few games and hasnt had any mistakes,, so wenger should stick with his princibles and not bring almunia back in

Post by **flash gunner** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:33 am

Agreed Rebel Jens experience will be needed over the next few weeks i hope Wenger sticks with him, mad as a fucking hatter he might be bad keeper he aint.......

Goonanana · Post by **Goonanana** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:47 am

Would certainly agree he's had a dip in form but even on low form he's still better than 80% of the midfielders in the league! BBurn game was especially bad but like others said he was ill and out of position

Thing that worries me about Cesc is

9 Yellow Cards and 12 games left, there's no way he won't get another so its looking like he'll only play 10 out of the 12 now do we have two crap teams in a row..let see

Saturday, 01 March 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Aston Villa, 15:00

Sunday, 09 March 2008
Barclays Premier League
Wigan v Arsenal, 16:00

Saturday, 15 March 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Middlesbrough, 15:00

Sunday, 23 March 2008
Barclays Premier League
Chelsea v Arsenal, 16:00

Saturday, 29 March 2008
Barclays Premier League
Bolton v Arsenal, 15:00

Saturday, 05 April 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Liverpool, 15:00

Saturday, 12 April 2008
Barclays Premier League
Man Utd v Arsenal, 15:00

Saturday, 19 April 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Reading, 15:00

Saturday, 26 April 2008
Barclays Premier League
Derby v Arsenal, 15:00

Saturday, 03 May 2008
Barclays Premier League
Arsenal v Everton, 15:00

Sunday, 11 May 2008
Barclays Premier League
Sunderland v Arsenal, 15:00

I think Ideally I'd go for a booking against United in the league and miss Reading and Derby but i don't think he'll even make it that long so I think we'll see a booking against Aston Villa and miss Wigan and Boro?

donaldo · Post by **donaldo** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:17 am

Cesc had to have a blip in form sometime.There was no way he could keep his early season form all season.He is allowed a few poor games.Unlike Gilberto who is piss poor every game he plays.