Match Reation - Arsenal 3-0 West Ham

[Ollie the Optimist]

its going to be incredible when we overtake mourinho's chelsea to win the league.

[Injury Time]

its going to be incredible when we overtake mourinho's chelsea to win the league.

He's baaaack!

[Alpha]

These comparisons between Coquelin and Matic are plain wrong. Matic is not a wall, he's not even a defensive midfielder. Coquelin (so far) is a much (not just a little, but much) better than Matic in the defensive midfield role. However Matic is twice the player offensively. Statistical comparisons have been doing the rounds lately but they compared apples to oranges and missed out some crucial numbers. Take a look.

http://www.squawka.com/comparison-ma...ellow_cards#90

Defensively Coquelin leads the way in EVERY category. Every single one. Offensively and in terms of distribution he's nowhere. However, because we are overloaded with attacking talent Coquelin is the perfect addition to our team. If we bought Matic tomorrow and played him in Coquelin's role we'd be worse. Same would be true of Schneiderlin.

If Coquelin can stay at this level then we probably can't do better no matter how much we are prepared to spend and there would be no guarantees with a new signing anyway, there's no guarantee a newcomer could give us any more than we already have. Which leaves us in a tough position because it's still not smart to rely on a single player for the role considering we are injury specialists. Bring in an expensive alternative and it would be hard to leave him on the bench as cover. Ideally Beliek works out as he could then be introduced as cover without all the fuss and media that goes along with a star player stuck in the back up role.

Koscielny is another important factor. When he's fit I believe there'n no better CB in the PL and his pace and awareness behind Coquelin gives a great balance and must give both players great confidence too. Kos was imperious yesterday and if Kompany or Terry had put in a performance like that the media would have abandoned sleep and they'd be into day 2 of ranting and raving.

This is a very good post from you mate . We really don't need players in number but some quality . And with the same players we have we can do something if all players can fold their sleeves and work harder like Alexis and if we can have the kind of confidence we had against Man U .

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Coquelin gets good performances from hard work, however he doesn't have the eye for a tackle or interception like people who are better than him do, he can panic and be a bit rash. Also when you play for a club like Arsenal it's not enough to be someone like Matic who is just a wall, you need to be able to be the pivot between defence and attack.
With Schneiderlin it's not just how good he is at breaking up play, it's the quality of his passing game and his tactical forethought

Not enough to be someone like Matic? Have you seen Matic play?

The main reason he stands out above pretty much everybody else in his position in this league is the fact that he IS a wall but also launches/distributes/sets up the play from thereon with aplomb.

Matic does what you just described about Morgan S, only better. I just don't know what you are seeing when you're watching Coquelin.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Theo had a rusty game and he missed a few chances although the first should have been a penalty. But the goals will come as long as he keeps making the right moved. It's an underrated skill in football. Just think about the wingers we have that struggle to get one chance on goal all game.

That is the irony, yes. Certain players would get less criticism if they simply put themselves in a position to score less often. The movement off the ball is somewhat of an intangible and as you say, an underrated skill.

[fakeyank]

At this moment of time, I can think of NO other DM in the world I'd rather have over Coquelin. Defensively he is as good as anyone performing in world football. He is nowhere near to be called world class because he could be having a 'flash in the pan' season like Flamini did back in 07, but if he continues the same way, he is irreplaceable.

Having said that, I would like us to buy a back up to him because Arteta and Flamini are shit. I'd keep Arteta just for his influence in the dressing room but Flamini can easily be discarded. A good back up to Coq would be Wanayama.. I like Schneiderlin but Wanayama is a better fit for us IMO.

[Alpha]

The next step we need is for the whole team to improve their defensive game . They must learn to defend as a team . That will make it easier for the DM and defenders as well .
Ironically , when we attack , we do it as a team . Even our defenders can easily reach the other end of the pitch . But when it comes to defend , many of our offensive players give up and leave it to the defensive players to sort out . And if it is a counter-attack , with the whole team in the opposite camp , we will have only 2 or 3 defenders to protect our goal .Most of case , they are always outnumbered and the worse very hard to avoid .

[Letters]

its going to be incredible when we overtake mourinho's chelsea to win the league.

Nurse, the screens!

[Niall_Quinn]

Nurse, the screens!

Why don't you keep your anti-Wenger nonsense to yourself for a change?

[Master Splinter]

I must say, Giroud's goal is as a good as Wilshere's last season. The movement, the perfectly-weighted passes, the glorious finish. It was beautiful.

The Flamini goal was quite brilliant too. It's just a shame that the intricate build-up was topped off by a mere tap-in.

Giroud is always involved in all our dreamy goals. Defenders are drawn-in and become weak-kneed at the sight of his gorgeous face. What a specimen.