Well, I'm not sure whether I should be impressed by the win in Brussels on a cold chilly night at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.
This was a game that was similar to the performances Arsenal have put in so far in the BPL. It has become predictable. Falling behind and then having to claw their way back to draw (in this case, a win). What concerns me is precisely the habit that Arsenal have been conceding goals first after spells of possession but the possession has not been able to produce goals.
And so, having fallen behind by Najar's goal, the Ox and Campbell came on, with Podolski arriving later in the 83rd minute. The change to an attacking focus helped peg back Anderlecht and we somehow found 2 late late goals to pull off an escape. Najar, really was unmarked, and I thought Mertesacker could have been better positioned. Najar's header, though, was superb because it was a cross with little speed on it and he had to generate power to beat Martinez in goal, who later made a great save to keep us in the game.
Chambers did really well to whip in a delicious cross down the right side and the first-time finish by Gibbs was exquisite, to say the least. I'm not sure if that was lucky but the cross by Chambers was extremely incredible, with speed and dipping downwards at the last few moments to the feet of on-rushing players to attack first time, and, such crosses are usually managed by top crossers. If he has that kind of ability to feed in such crosses, playing him on the right will give Arsenal another way forward.
It was then in the 91st minute that Sanchez did well to chest the ball and attempt a shot that rebounded an Anderlecht player to Podolski, who promptly finished by blasting the ball into the roof of the net. Sanchez really is the bright spark for Arsenal thus far in all competitions. He has been at the heart of our attacks, though at times, I would like him to pick a pass quicker than dribbling with the ball (which he does very well).
At this moment, I feel Ramsey is really out of form. There was a chance in the second half when Sanchez picked a low cross from the right and he failed to shoot it on target. This kind of chances he would have finished off last season when he hit form. Wilshere seemed to not be able to get into the game today. Cazorla, too. He had two opportunities, one in the first 10 minutes of the game when he skied a first time shot way wide off the target which was poor. Then, later, having been teed up by Sanchez (yet again), his shot was saved by Anderlecht's keeper Proto.
Overall, I feel that we need Koscielny back to protect our backline with Mertesacker asap. He is sorely missed. Monreal just can't play properly at CB. The defence is in a mess right now. It just seems so porous right now our defence. I cannot over emphasise how much Wenger needs to sign at least one CB during January's transfer window. If he doesn't do so, well, I would've nothing to say. (I'm sure he will though). Arsenal should have gotten Manolas in my opinion. Going forward, we seem to lack someone that plays closer towards Welbeck with Ozil out on the sidelines. The 2 games which we played well- 3-0 against Villa and 4-1 against Galatasaray were simply because Ozil played at the centre in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Only then would we have a better balance upfront. Otherwise, we would just keep passing without producing that final killer pass. Too much possession but no killer pass.
Looking forward, we face Sunderland away on Saturday. I sure hope we would revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation with possibly the introduction of Walcott back into the mix. Here's our group's position in the Champions League right now.
This was a game that was similar to the performances Arsenal have put in so far in the BPL. It has become predictable. Falling behind and then having to claw their way back to draw (in this case, a win). What concerns me is precisely the habit that Arsenal have been conceding goals first after spells of possession but the possession has not been able to produce goals.
And so, having fallen behind by Najar's goal, the Ox and Campbell came on, with Podolski arriving later in the 83rd minute. The change to an attacking focus helped peg back Anderlecht and we somehow found 2 late late goals to pull off an escape. Najar, really was unmarked, and I thought Mertesacker could have been better positioned. Najar's header, though, was superb because it was a cross with little speed on it and he had to generate power to beat Martinez in goal, who later made a great save to keep us in the game.
Chambers did really well to whip in a delicious cross down the right side and the first-time finish by Gibbs was exquisite, to say the least. I'm not sure if that was lucky but the cross by Chambers was extremely incredible, with speed and dipping downwards at the last few moments to the feet of on-rushing players to attack first time, and, such crosses are usually managed by top crossers. If he has that kind of ability to feed in such crosses, playing him on the right will give Arsenal another way forward.
It was then in the 91st minute that Sanchez did well to chest the ball and attempt a shot that rebounded an Anderlecht player to Podolski, who promptly finished by blasting the ball into the roof of the net. Sanchez really is the bright spark for Arsenal thus far in all competitions. He has been at the heart of our attacks, though at times, I would like him to pick a pass quicker than dribbling with the ball (which he does very well).
At this moment, I feel Ramsey is really out of form. There was a chance in the second half when Sanchez picked a low cross from the right and he failed to shoot it on target. This kind of chances he would have finished off last season when he hit form. Wilshere seemed to not be able to get into the game today. Cazorla, too. He had two opportunities, one in the first 10 minutes of the game when he skied a first time shot way wide off the target which was poor. Then, later, having been teed up by Sanchez (yet again), his shot was saved by Anderlecht's keeper Proto.
Overall, I feel that we need Koscielny back to protect our backline with Mertesacker asap. He is sorely missed. Monreal just can't play properly at CB. The defence is in a mess right now. It just seems so porous right now our defence. I cannot over emphasise how much Wenger needs to sign at least one CB during January's transfer window. If he doesn't do so, well, I would've nothing to say. (I'm sure he will though). Arsenal should have gotten Manolas in my opinion. Going forward, we seem to lack someone that plays closer towards Welbeck with Ozil out on the sidelines. The 2 games which we played well- 3-0 against Villa and 4-1 against Galatasaray were simply because Ozil played at the centre in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Only then would we have a better balance upfront. Otherwise, we would just keep passing without producing that final killer pass. Too much possession but no killer pass.
Looking forward, we face Sunderland away on Saturday. I sure hope we would revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation with possibly the introduction of Walcott back into the mix. Here's our group's position in the Champions League right now.
On a final note, HAPPY 65th BIRTHDAY ARSENE WENGER you legend! Haha he can go celebrate today's last gasp victory but more needs to be done to finally turn our possession and potential into winning football!
Till then folks. As usual I'll end off with a COYG!
Till then folks. As usual I'll end off with a COYG!