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Arsenal Debate: Who Can Provide Creative Spark In Absence Of Cesc Fabregas?
Which attacking midfielder will 'step up' for crucial Porto tie?
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Mar 9, 2010 11:00:00 AM
By Matthew Weiner | Arsenal Correspondent
Cesc Fabregas’s injury couldn’t come at a worse time for Arsenal. The Gunners have a crunch Champions league match this week and the Premier League could be their’s for the taking if they can maintain their winning form.
The fact that the north London side are in this position is largely down to their captain’s incredible performances this season and he will be sorely missed tomorrow night. He ranks 29th overall in the Castrol Rankings.
However, Arsene Wenger will take solace in the fact that he has a number of match-winners in his side who now appear to be playing their way back from injury and into form.
Abou Diaby
Games started/Goals/Assists: 24/7/4
Form rating (out of five): 4.5
Fitness rating: 4
Castrol Ranking: 30
Has had his most impressive season for the Gunners yet, proving precisely why Arsene Wenger has shown faith in the midfielder. Diaby has appeared to have overcome his fitness problems this season. He has started 24 games this term, one more and he will equal his appearance record since joining the club in 2005. His contribution to the side’s attacking threat has also been impressive - seven goals and four assists suggests he has been more effective than the likes of Nasri and Rosicky. Allied with his new-found defensive maturity, Diaby is now a key component to this Arsenal side.
Andrey Arshavin
Games started/Goals/Assists: 26/10/4
Form rating: 4
Fitness rating: 4
Castrol Ranking: 11
Scored Arsenal’s third goal against Burnley having just returned from injury. The Russian hasn’t hit the heights of last season yet but much of this can be blamed on the fact that he was forced to play up front while Van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner were both out. Now the big Dane is back in the side, Arshavin can go back to doing what he does best – playing off the centre-forward and running at defences just like he did at the weekend.
Theo Walcott
Games started/Goals/Assists: 8/2/1
Form rating: 3.5
Fitness rating: 3.5
Castrol Ranking: 939
It wasn’t just the fact that Theo scored at the weekend that so impressed but the sumptuous nature of the goal and the dominating performance that it underlined. The Englishman has come in for much criticism this season since coming back from injury just a few weeks ago. His electric pace has been getting him into the right positions but particularly against Sunderland his final ball was disappointing. Against Burnley he righted those wrongs, firing in accurate cross after accurate cross. Had Bendtner not been having an off day, Walcott could have had a hat-trick of assists to go with his left-footed strike. Any defence would find it hard to live with the winger on this kind of form.
Tomas Rosicky
Games started/Goals/Assists: 13/3/4
Form rating: 4
Fitness rating: 4
The Czech Republic captain is quietly getting back to his best in recent weeks after having been out injured for over a season. It was his assist for Diaby against Liverpool that began the Gunners' current run of victories in the Premier League and since then he has grown in influence, providing the pass for Campbell’s goal in Porto and then, against Stoke, his trademark thunderous shot led to Arsenal’s third goal, scored by Vermaelen. Three goals and four assists in just 13 games speaks volumes about Rosicky’s undeniable quality. If Arsenal are to win something season his ability to unpick locks will prove crucial.
Samir Nasri
Games started/Goals/Assists: 19/3/2
Form rating: 3.5
Fitness rating: 5
Castrol Ranking: 181
The Frenchman’s form has been improving over the last two or three games, culminating in a beautifully chipped assist for Fabregas’s opening goal against Burnley. This was only Nasri’s second assist of the season despite his 15 appearances in the Premier League so he will need to use this as a springboard for the rest of the season. Just three goals in all competitions this term is not enough for a player of his work-rate and technical ability, so Wenger will be hoping for more in the coming weeks. It’s easy to forget, however, that this consummate professional is just 22 years of age and Arsenal can expect him to develop into a quality player in the comings months and years.
Cesc Fabregas’s injury couldn’t come at a worse time for Arsenal. The Gunners have a crunch Champions league match this week and the Premier League could be their’s for the taking if they can maintain their winning form.
The fact that the north London side are in this position is largely down to their captain’s incredible performances this season and he will be sorely missed tomorrow night. He ranks 29th overall in the Castrol Rankings.
However, Arsene Wenger will take solace in the fact that he has a number of match-winners in his side who now appear to be playing their way back from injury and into form.
Abou DiabyGames started/Goals/Assists: 24/7/4
Form rating (out of five): 4.5
Fitness rating: 4
Castrol Ranking: 30
Has had his most impressive season for the Gunners yet, proving precisely why Arsene Wenger has shown faith in the midfielder. Diaby has appeared to have overcome his fitness problems this season. He has started 24 games this term, one more and he will equal his appearance record since joining the club in 2005. His contribution to the side’s attacking threat has also been impressive - seven goals and four assists suggests he has been more effective than the likes of Nasri and Rosicky. Allied with his new-found defensive maturity, Diaby is now a key component to this Arsenal side.
Andrey ArshavinGames started/Goals/Assists: 26/10/4
Form rating: 4
Fitness rating: 4
Castrol Ranking: 11
Scored Arsenal’s third goal against Burnley having just returned from injury. The Russian hasn’t hit the heights of last season yet but much of this can be blamed on the fact that he was forced to play up front while Van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner were both out. Now the big Dane is back in the side, Arshavin can go back to doing what he does best – playing off the centre-forward and running at defences just like he did at the weekend.
Theo WalcottGames started/Goals/Assists: 8/2/1
Form rating: 3.5
Fitness rating: 3.5
Castrol Ranking: 939
It wasn’t just the fact that Theo scored at the weekend that so impressed but the sumptuous nature of the goal and the dominating performance that it underlined. The Englishman has come in for much criticism this season since coming back from injury just a few weeks ago. His electric pace has been getting him into the right positions but particularly against Sunderland his final ball was disappointing. Against Burnley he righted those wrongs, firing in accurate cross after accurate cross. Had Bendtner not been having an off day, Walcott could have had a hat-trick of assists to go with his left-footed strike. Any defence would find it hard to live with the winger on this kind of form.
Tomas RosickyGames started/Goals/Assists: 13/3/4
Form rating: 4
Fitness rating: 4
Castrol Ranking: 1326
The Czech Republic captain is quietly getting back to his best in recent weeks after having been out injured for over a season. It was his assist for Diaby against Liverpool that began the Gunners' current run of victories in the Premier League and since then he has grown in influence, providing the pass for Campbell’s goal in Porto and then, against Stoke, his trademark thunderous shot led to Arsenal’s third goal, scored by Vermaelen. Three goals and four assists in just 13 games speaks volumes about Rosicky’s undeniable quality. If Arsenal are to win something season his ability to unpick locks will prove crucial.
Samir NasriGames started/Goals/Assists: 19/3/2
Form rating: 3.5
Fitness rating: 5
Castrol Ranking: 181
The Frenchman’s form has been improving over the last two or three games, culminating in a beautifully chipped assist for Fabregas’s opening goal against Burnley. This was only Nasri’s second assist of the season despite his 15 appearances in the Premier League so he will need to use this as a springboard for the rest of the season. Just three goals in all competitions this term is not enough for a player of his work-rate and technical ability, so Wenger will be hoping for more in the coming weeks. It’s easy to forget, however, that this consummate professional is just 22 years of age and Arsenal can expect him to develop into a quality player in the comings months and years.
Cesc Fabregas’s injury couldn’t come at a worse time for Arsenal.
The Gunners have a crunch Champions league match this week and the Premier League could be their’s for the taking if they can maintain their winning form.
The fact that the north London side are in this position is largely down to their captain’s incredible performances this season and he will be sorely missed should his hamstring prove a further problem.
However, Arsene Wenger will take solace in the fact that he has a number of match-winners in his side that now appear to be playing their way back from injury and into form.
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2/15/12
And with that, we're going to call it a night, folks.
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
2/15/12
All this focus on the Arsenal and Milan game should not take away from another cracker earlier tonight between Zenit and Benfica. The Russians came from a goal down to lead 2-1 in the closing minutes before Oscar Cardozo levelled things for Benfica, but it wasn't over there as Roman Shirokov won the game for Zenit in the 88th minute.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
2/15/12
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny bemoaned his side's luck tonight but refused to give up. Here's some of his quotes:
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
2/15/12
Another Milan player who was willing to share his thoughts after the match was Mark van Bommel, who has urged caution ahead of the second leg in London.
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
2/15/12
Next up is the Milan maestro Clarence Seedorf. He only managed 12 minutes on the pitch, but watching from the sidelines he was delighted at how his team mates had dominated the game.
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
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