Alright, I know that there are TONs of Arsenal blogs out there and many of them real quality ones. You must be asking yourself "Right... nothing much here, i'll just move along then..".
As difficult as the task maybe to make my blog different, I might just start by doing this: Instead of just touching on matches, transfers and the current Gunner news - Why don't I give my own rating to the players too?
Let's start with the last match:
Jens Lehmann (6/10) - Put in a couple of critical saves. Other than that, nothing much for him to do. Conceded that single on-target Man City goal after Clichy's error. Almunia got himself injured so old Lehmann gets to take the gloves back. Its a blessing in disguise he did not leave us recently. Let's hope we see more of the best of him in the next few games.
William Gallas (7/10) - Cpt Gallas, assured as usual. Didn't do much wrong in the game but couldn't do much about Man City's goal after Clichy was caught out by Corluka at the bye line. Gelson Fernandes drilled a shot past Lehmann and him.
Phillipe Senderos (7/10) - Has been an able stand-in for irreplaceable Toure so far. Very solid display at the back with Gallas but I still feel he needs to work on his balance. More confident in his passing instead of hacking balls away every time.
Bacary Sagna (7/10) - Haven't been seeing the best of him in recent matches and Hoyte has come in recently to challenge his place. Didn't do much wrong in this match and AW would still trust him with the RB spot. Put in a couple of fantastic crosses for Manu and his runs into the box was critical.
Gael Clichy (6/10) - Expectations of him is high, especially his midweek call-up to the French A team. Was unusually sloppy in the build up to City's only goal in the 1st-half. Is still my favourite and Arsenal's best LB. Irreplaceable!
Mathieu Flamini (8/10) - After that brilliant midweek man-of-the-match performance, he justified it again in this game. Was covering back and forth throughout the match and plug gaps in defence, eg. whenever Gallas gallops forward to attack. His passing and decisions has improved so much. High workrate and intensity. Provides the engine for Arsenal. I really have to take back my pre-season rating on him being a Gunner misfit and wanted him to be sold. Guess I'm no Arsene Wenger eh!
Cesc Fabregas (7/10) - Wonderkid Cesc hasn't been producing his early season form and his passes hasn't been the usual defence splitting kind but his average performance was enough to direct Arsenal to another victory and climb back above Man U.
Abou Diaby (6/10) - He is such a silky player. Too silky, I feel, for the English game but Arsenal do need him. He's still young and learning and if he can get his aggression up a few notches and be quicker in making decisions, he will be a big asset. Lost the ball too many times again!
Alex Hleb (6/10) - Trademark dribbles were on show again, helping Arsenal to get past the City defence time and again. Not much influence on the right-hand side, ala Eboue, as he loves to cut back into the middle. Would love to see him score goals again. Replaced by Hoyte late in the game.
Eduardo (7/10) - Brilliant second goal for Arsenal! His true form is appearing and AW has rewarded him by naming him in the starting 11 for the last several games. But once RVP is fit again, he would most probably warm the bench. Well, unless he starts scoring hat-tricks! XD
Manu (8/10) - What can we say? Scoring 2 more goals to inch closer to Ronaldo on the top scorer's chart, he assured Arsenal of another league win. He has improved alot this season and has shown what he can do. A deflected shot off a Sagna's pass opened accounts and his 2nd late in the game was good enough to end City's unbeaten home record.
Overall: Arsenal dominated the game and Eriksson was getting his players to play with more intensity and to get forward more. Not much they can do as the visitor's showed why they lost just once in the league so far. I was kind of nervous before the game as City has been tremendous at home and we need to win to keep pace with their rivals, United. I hope the Gunners keep this form 'till the end of the season and not lose focus, as we have seen they can this season.
Photo courtesy of espnsoccernet.com
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