Match Reaction v Olympiacos

[Syn]

Was a genuine question. He was awesome for Zenit and Russia in 2008 and the talk of Europe. It was considered quite a coup when we got him but for one reason or another he turned into the fat fuck we see today.

Agreed.

A bit pedantic calling you up on the 'one of the best in Europe' - regardless, he was bloody good. Now he's bloody awful. The change has been massive. You can't know for sure if it was Wenger with this one...I think someone like Theo would've been a better player by now elsewhere; somewhere where pace and directness is encouraged. With most talented, top footballers (of which Arshavin was one), I think football is all they have. Arshavin just seemed to out-grow it and football is just a job for him. I don't think he is bothered that he doesn't start most games.

[IBK]

Asharvin is not someone who is effective on the wing in a 433, he was awsome in a 442 on the wing.
He also changed completely mentally after Russia failed to make the world cup and since then his confidence has gone completely and he actually looks lost out their at times.

Wenger is at fault for alot of this, and he should try and use Asharvin in other ways to see if he can bring back the spark....under that fat there is a world class footballer just not sure we will ever see that player again

Wenger leeches confidence out of players like a managerial bell jar by playing a brand of football that is so fucking difficult to make work that its like trying to cycle with the brakes stuck on.

[IBK]

Decent game from Chamakh. Needs to score but he looked more sharp. Did well to create space for Ox's goal, should have had an assist with that nice pass and should have scored with a header and that chance that fell to his left foot. When he went off for RVP it was noticable. RVP hardly touched the ball and coudn't get involved with the link up play.

Chamberlain got his debut goal. Good run and finish with his left. Could have scored a second but the keeper rad the chip. Look comfortable on the ball but can't leave Sagna that exposed down the flanks.

Santos looked good as well. Arshavin was no help to him down the flanks but he looked more solid on defence in the second half. I like his runs forwards, he can dribble and also has an eye for the pass or cross. Strong as well and won't get bullied easily.

Merts was impressive. Calm at the back, read the game well, dealt with what ever came his way, didn't dive in... Good game. Just a shame that the overall display of the defence. Sagna was poor, but Oxlade left him exposed a bit, dame goes for the opposite side with Arshavin. He shouldn't be starting games for us when he plays like this. Really poor. But, I'll cut him some slack because a few weeks ago he looked sharp and dangerous.

Not impressed with Arteta, Frimpong or Ramsey. Rosicky was the best of our midfield players and he should have stayed in the centre. His first touch, passing and movement was on point and better than the rest of his peers. Arteta just isn't involved in the build up play, Ramsey is just hit and miss and Frimpong had no authority. We need to sort the middle out. Roles need to be definded quickly.

I'd go with that apart from Arteta whom I thought had a decent enough game. Unusually, bit of a shocker from Sagna. As usual, bit of a shocker from Arshavin. Chamakh suffered from having the Russian in the front 3.

[Letters]

Was a genuine question. He was awesome for Zenit and Russia in 2008 and the talk of Europe. It was considered quite a coup when we got him but for one reason or another he turned into the fat fuck we see today.

Tbh I don't follow football in this country that much these days let alone throughout Europe so no, I hadn't seen him.
But he cost what, £20m or less? I doubt we'd have got away with paying that for 'one of the best players in Europe'.
He was rated but I think you're over-stating it.

I'm not sure where this idea that Wenger can't coach came from. The Emirates era hasn't been successful in terms of trophies but on a relative shoestring Wenger's kept us top 4 (till last season at least) by buying players young and developing them. That suggests a certain ability in terms of coaching and developing players.

[LDG]

Agreed.

A bit pedantic calling you up on the 'one of the best in Europe' - regardless, he was bloody good. Now he's bloody awful. The change has been massive. You can't know for sure if it was Wenger with this one...I think someone like Theo would've been a better player by now elsewhere; somewhere where pace and directness is encouraged. With most talented, top footballers (of which Arshavin was one), I think football is all they have. Arshavin just seemed to out-grow it and football is just a job for him. I don't think he is bothered that he doesn't start most games.

Yup.

[Ollie the Optimist]

blaming wenger for arshavins form is just wrong imo. yesterday when they had that shot that hid the crossbar in second half, arshavin was about a metre away from the player before he shot and did he move? did he fuck he just stood there and watched. thats not wengers fault thats his fault. he is slow to get up when tackled, doesnt track back and is unfit. thats not wengers fault thats the players fault and his attiude

[LDG]

blaming wenger for arshavins form is just wrong imo. yesterday when they had that shot that hid the crossbar in second half, arshavin was about a metre away from the player before he shot and did he move? did he fuck he just stood there and watched. thats not wengers fault thats his fault. he is slow to get up when tackled, doesnt track back and is unfit. thats not wengers fault thats the players fault and his attiude

Yet, if Wenger demands full control of the team, in all capacity, then he is ultimately at fault.

[Coney]

We don't know how Arseshavings would have coped in the PL in a different club so it is not fair to assume that Wenger has screwed him up. There are a number of players who have come to the PL, not been able to handle it, and then returned to their own or a different country and become 'great' again.

[Ollie the Optimist]

We don't know how Arseshavings would have coped in the PL in a different club so it is not fair to assume that Wenger has screwed him up. There are a number of players who have come to the PL, not been able to handle it, and then returned to their own or a different country and become 'great' again.

forlan being the greatest example of that. couldnt hit a barn door yet now is a top european striker

[Coney]

forlan being the greatest example of that. couldnt hit a barn door yet now is a top european striker

Good example. Now I don't see people saying that SAF was a wanker* because Dago Foreskin could not get it on. Double standard by some people.


* Not to say they don't call him a wanker, just not for this reason.