View from the North Upper

As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
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SPUDMASHER
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View from the North Upper

Post by SPUDMASHER »

Excellent game last night. We did everything except score and everyone contributed.
Lehman... Solid performance and his first half long throw to Ade was superb. You kinda get the feeling that the defence are happier when he's there. Take nothing away from the spanish waiter but I think we needed big Jens last night.
Clichy... This guy is a revelation. He had Kaka and Pato in his pocket all night and I can't remember them getting the better of him. Has surpassed Cashley now and you have to ask the question, Would Cashley get in our side today?
Sagna...Linked up well with Eboue and hleb. Confident and tenacious in defence, fluent in attack. A quality player.
Big Willy... (Nothing to do with Wayno) A captains performance. Marshalled his defence well and encouraged the full backs to go forward. Reads the game well and is fast becoming a favourite of mine.
Swiss Phil... Not my favourite player but credit where it is due. Was solid last night and dealt with everything that came his way calmly. Distribution was superb and got forward to offer support at set plays.
Flaminal... The amount of work this guy put in was amazing. He's a class act and the run in the team has enabled him to establish himself as a must on the team sheet.
Cesc... Did well last night but was slightly off the pace. For periods of the second half he looked knackered. Some good passing and several important tackles. The problem with Cesc is that he set his own standards so high that when he is not 100% it shows. Maybe I expect too much from him. Overall a good performance but would mark his report card with 'can do better'.
Hleb... Full of running. I would hate to have this guy dribbling towards me. Probably one of the finest exponents of the art of dribbling in the Premiership. Some precision passes and good link up with Eboue and Sagna.
Eboue... I don't want to be too hard because he did a lot of good stuff tonight. Provided a decent threat down the right but his antics let him down. I couldn't see the penalty shout properly as the tosser in front stood up at the critical moment. Was it, wasn't it? I don't know. Overall a good performance but I don't think he has a future at the club.
Eduardo... Offered decent support to Ade but didn't impress. Some nice movement taking defenders away but needs this season to bed in to English football. I think we'll see the best of him next year.
Ade... For a tall gangly fella he has great strength and superb control under pressure. Was unlucky last night and deserved a goal. Needs to address his timing to avoid the offside problems otherwise an all round top player.
Bendner and Theo... Neither got a chance to do much but I was frustrated with Wenger when he brought Theo on. He should have played him up the middle and put the ball over the top for him to run onto it. The Milan defence would not have lived with his pace. Theo's not a wide-boy and I think his development is suffering as a result.

So, was it enough? I think if we can get one out there then it will be. As good as Milans forwards are they lack support and speed. Provided we keep a high line and force them to knock it over the top then we can deal with them on pace alone. We will need to be a lot more clinical in front of goal because chances in Italy are few and far between. WE CAN DO IT!

The future's bright, the futures red and white!

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DB10GOONER
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Post by DB10GOONER »

I would concur with that.

As for Eboue's penno claim; I've seen it given, I've seen it not. There was contact but it looked toe to toe, as in Eboue ran into the defender rather than the defender tripping him. Any other player (or a manure crunt at old shatford) would possibly have got a penno, but Eboue went over far too easily (and dramatically :oops: :roll: ). Maybe his reputation has preceeded him into Europe now as well as the PL? :?

Regarding Phil; I still don't think he is good enough and expect a disaster at any moment, but as you say, credit where it is due. Apart from a few scuffed clearances he dealt with Universal Player of the Year and Master of the World etc etc etc f*cking etc Kaka quite well 8) . If he could perform like that in every game he'd be the dogs bollix. Unfortunately, he can't. :(

Shame Ade didn't score at the end; would have liked to go over there with a goal in the bag. Still, any score draw will do now. 8)

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REB
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Post by REB »

eboues a wanker :twisted: sorry but he is,, and what does big phil have to do ,, the man is playing out of his skin but still we wait for him to fuck up,, gallas and toure are always making mistakes :roll: get beat in the air and were our centre halfs against man u went we let in 4 :twisted:

what we need is a natural winger to get to the line and cross for the two 6ft 5in forwards we stuck on who both want to be wingers :roll:

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Goonanana
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Post by Goonanana »

Would agree with most of that, wouldn't agree no pace in the Milan forwards, that Pato for me looked almost as quick as Theo, Sagna is no slouch but I think he had the legs on him tonight, expect him to have more support at the San Siro. Phil is certainly earning some credit and my confidence is building, the trouble is like tohers I still fear a blunder, however I don't think the season is over which I may have done if Kolo got injured with Phil playing how he was 6 weeks ago.

Theo did great for the whole 4 mins he was on, he made the chance for Ade that he put against the bar. Should have given him at least 8-10 mins though to really test the old defence!

mrgnu1958
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Post by mrgnu1958 »

rebel gooner wrote:eboues a wanker :twisted: sorry but he is,, and what does big phil have to do ,, the man is playing out of his skin but still we wait for him to fuck up,, gallas and toure are always making mistakes :roll: get beat in the air and were our centre halfs against man u went we let in 4 :twisted:

what we need is a natural winger to get to the line and cross for the two 6ft 5in forwards we stuck on who both want to be wingers :roll:
Im so sorry Rebel i cant read your post because ive got a hand round me Knob looking at THAT sexy sexy babe.
Any more of her? :P

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