The long road of recovery cut short... [Arsenal vs Blackburn Ratings]

Maybe in such a game as this, I should just talk about the first half, and I may sob until my PC overrides with the amount of tears running through its system.

We lined up with the usual 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3, with Santos replacing Gibbs, and Walcott being dropped to the bench in favour of Gervinho and Arshavin.Surprisingly, no Frimpong, Chamberlain or Jenkinson to be seen.
In general, the first half was great, with Gervinho picking up his first EPL goal after a lovely through ball from Song. Yakubu then nicked a equalizer after Koscielny and Santos played him onside, before Mikel Arteta crashed home a pass from Ramsey on what was, in my opinion, our best play this season.

So here's ho we performed individually:

Sczczczczczczczesny [6-0] : Wasn't at fault for ANY of the goals, and di make some decent stops, but I felt he seemed a bit out of touch today, especiallyat set pieces.

Sagna [6-5] : Tough time against Hoilett, but decent going forward. Went off injured- if it's serious, that's our most reliable defender GONE.

Mertesacker [5-0] : Lack of pace showing through, not living up to what fans expected at the moment. Missed a great chance to nick a draw in the dying stages.

Koscielny [4-0] : Poor. After such a great performance in midweek. Possibly at fault for his own goal, and played Yakubu onside for the first. Too many errors to be on the side.

Santos [5-5] : Yes, did play Yakubu onside for both his goals, but almost made up for it with two sublime crosses in stoppage time. Not the best debut.

Song [6-5] : Brilliant in the first half, where he got an assist and carried on his great vein of form. Faded, before being subbed for Chamakh.

Arteta [6-5] : Great goal, good to see we've got a Fabregas-esque player in the side. However, like his previous games, faded in the second half. Trend developing here.

Ramsey [6-0] : Good assist, and looked much better in the first half, but, you've guessed it, faded.

Arshavin [6-5] : He seems to be slowly regaining confidence and form. Surprise pick ahead of Theo, and looked a rejuvenated player in the first half, before.......................... FADING.

Gervinho [6-5] : Nice to see him back in the side, lots of moments of brilliance, but was much too greedy on the ball in the second half.

Van Persie [6-0] : Worked very hard, but still anonymous when being deployed alone. Much better when he played in a 4-4-2. Great ball in for Chamakh.

SUBS:

Djourou [3-5] : Would have much rather seen someone else, ANYONE, come on at right back. Let Hoilett thorugh for the fourth with a missed tackle.

Walcott [6-5] : Bit of a wake up call, being dropped. Came on and looked lively, and his pace means he's great as an impact player.

Chamakh [6-5] : Finally got the confidence boosting goal we've all been waiting for! Big fan of this dude, love to see him play in a 4-4-2 with RVP.

So, that's that. Slipping further down the league, as usual. Bolton at home next, be interesting. I predict a 2-2 draw, Gary Cahill losing his marker, Mertesacker, and netting from a set piece, showing us what we're missing.

Arsenal 2-8 Manchester United : Reaction and Analysis

Right, first off, this is my first blog post, or 'ramble'. I was hoping to be positive and be writing about a shock win that happened at Old Trafford, rated in many Gooner's minds as up there with the Barcelona victory.

Unfortunately, I said I would post when I'm either "pissed off or ecstatic", and today, this post won't be the latter.

So, here's an opinion on the aspects of the team, and of course, Wenger:

Goalkeeper


Eh. Sczczczczczesny wasn't at his best. And at a time where we needed a performance like against Udinese. Possibly at fault for the first goal. And bewildered at the fourth, Rooney's free kick. 
Did make some good saves though.


Defence


Abysmal. Ok, ok, Sagna, Vermaelen and Gibbs out, and Koscielny just returning from injury. But seriously. I was just beginning to think our defence was slowly beginning to sort itself out after a dismal 2010-11. And then this goes and happens. I won't highlight all the goals, because that will just depress me and all you lot. The one goal I will highlight is the first. The defence was looking ok up till then, before Djourou and Koscielny cocked up in an almost familiar manner, before allowing Welbeck to head home. Ugh, that goal knocked all the positivity out of me. Reminded me of the famous saying, directed primarily at us. TWO WORDS. CAN'T DEFEND.


Midfield


To be perfectly honest, they weren't great, but they can't be blamed for the result. Coquelin held his own, before the team imploded after he was taken off.
 I was impressed by Rosicky. I concede that I am a big fan off this guy, and his incisive passing further upped my opinion of him. His assist to Walcott was superb, and an immaculate chipped through ball to Van Persie could have sparked a comeback, had it have been buried.
 Once again, I was not impressed by Ramsey. You have to feel sorry for him. A replacement for Cesc? Never. Has to still be a deputy while another signing (I wish) 'mentors' him. I would replace him with Jack as soon as we can. 


Attack


A mixed reaction. Lets start with the bad.
 Arshavin. Enough said. What is up with this dude? He could have been a star, a captain ,a PFA player. He just seems so uninterested and lazy. However, he did test De Gea a few times from long range, something NO other Arsenal player seems to do. Missed an open goal after a mazy run to put us back in the game.
 I was also disappointed with RVP. The only ray of hope in a crumbling mess, and he wasn't there today. Missed the crucial penalty, which would have put us level and boosted our confidence. Also missed a great chance from Rosicky's chip. A decent consolation goal, but not impressed.
Walcott was his usual. Started brightly and faded badly. Won the penalty and scored, although it was only past De Gea. Wasted his chances.


Wenger


In Arsene we trust. 
A saying I have gone by ever since I supported this club, six years ago. Made a terrible mistake in the subs department, bringing off the only recognised CDM, to be replaced by a teenager making his debut. Should have reverted to a 4-4-2 at the break, bringing Ramsey off and Chamakh on.
I'm not even going to go into what he should have done this summer, because you ALL know what.


Oh well, that's me done. I'll be posting the player ratings when we get a new signing, so possibly tomorrow.