Stoke City 0 - 0 Arsenal: Good performance, but lacking in attack

Wouldn't say "good" performance, more a spirited one.

Excellent defensively, especially considering Szczesny, Sagna and Koscielny all absent, but going forward we are depressing at times. Gervinho failed to take pre-season form into real competition like last summer, Giroud and Podolski are promising at times, but struggle for the most part. In the middle, Diaby and Arteta have actually been quite decent, plus we have Wilshere and Rosicky to return, but a specialist DM and another forward are vital next week.

The thing about the big games coming up is that, more often than not, they're only decided by a one goal margain. They'll be closely contested games where the team that takes that one chance will most likely win.

That's why I'm not too concerned about our attack being the way it is for those games. Players will be more motivated and might turn up and do something special.

We need few players, we cant compete with this team, Groud is good player we still need a top striker.

Wenger: "Transfers? I anticipate we will do something. We are still on the market." http://t.co/zkXie7sS

Done with the opening post.

Tough place to go but we should've won that. Diaby was awful. Like Bambi on ice. Even the ref tackled him twice. That bit near the end where he lost his balance after taking ages from 6 yards was embarrassing. Like watching an 80 yr old lady.

Mert was excellent though. Really good. I thought Giroud did well but this was a battle and at least we came away with a point and no injuries, despite Stoke's best efforts (on Cazorla and Vermaelen).

Oh, we could easily have had a pen in the first half for handball as well.

Not even worth waking up for at 7:30 AM

Reading people saying Diaby needs to be sold after his first two healthy games in years disgusts me

He obviously has the skill and is very neat in possession, he's already played more this year than last but apparently that's enough time to pass judgement and call for his exit even though Wenger has kept faith in him for 6 years. Lol Ffs his absence and subsequent return actually make him like a new signing meaning he needs time to hit form. Same with White Drogba and Prince Poldi. The kneejerking is immense

Great tactical analysis Jay. The penalty incident leaves me with questions what if, but you can see the team is getting together and working for one cause. Arteta's and Diaby's workrate impressed me.

I just can't wait till we face 'Pool at Anfield.

diaby is world class though...


attack needs time to gel. we struggled to get goals even with van persie. maybe it's something we do in training, but our players aren't as comfortable as they should be in the final 3rd

You can't expect our whole attack to gel in their second match together we saw the potential this match just everyone was off by half a metre.
Diaby did okay but he just seems clumsy at times, you can see when he gets pushed off the ball he looks like it gets injured.

Think we are fine up front although I though Wenger should of moved Podolski into the middle and taken Giroud off.

Will be interesting to see who we bring in this week could make or break our season.

Very simply:

The defense is much-improved. Granted, the first two games weren't against the most offensively-minded teams, but it's still obvious this team will be much more solid in the back than last year. And we still haven't seen Koscielny or Sagna, both of whom should be in the lineup soon.

The midfield work and buildup have been excellent. The finish has been lacking, but that will come. Cazorla is genius. Podolski was terrific today and his hard work on both ends of the pitch was impressive. I also think I like him a lot better on the left than in the middle. Playing on the left gives him room to drift in. Giroud looks like the sort of physical presence in the box that Arsenal has been lacking. I think he's going to be a good one very soon. I imagine we'll be seeing less of Gervinho for awhile. And if Theo isn't careful he might find himself behind Oxlade-Chamberlain in the pecking order.

Patience, grasshoppers. Good things are to come.

Excellent stuff jay

Thought we were amazing defensively. Just let them in once all game. Defended superbly from the throw ins and freekicks.

However it was the same problem as it was against Sunderland. We lacked Cohesion and coordination. It was 4-5 brilliant attacking players playing individually, however with no fault of their own. They tried working together. Podolski was great with everything he did. Giroud tried to bring the midfielders in. But you need time to Gel and that is what we need.

but hey, 2 clean sheets in a row. The goals will come so not a lot lost.

I wasn't impressed with Gervinho at all. Diaby was meh. Arteta was motm, worked ever so hard. Defence as i said was immense. gibbs is getting better with each game. The partnership of Mertesacker and Vermaelen ever so good

now let's hope we can get something from the liverpool game.

Arsenal scored 0 goals after 2 league games last season - when Van Persie played all 180 minutes.

And back then it was by and large the same problems going forward. Gervinho had just come in for Nasri, and Ramsey was playing instead of Cesc. Took a few games for the new look midfield and frontline to get going but once they did, we went on a long winning streak.

Just one more thing I wanted to add Gibbs was very impressive today, he is improving every game defensively he has improved a lot.

After watching the Liverpool game I wonder why we never whip in early crosses they cause defences so much problems. Gervinho wanted to reach the by line every time he had the ball wide then just slipped or was pushed off the ball.

Ramsey looked much better than last season guess he just needed a break and with the new signings there isn't as much pressure on him.

Arsenal fullbacks and wingers need to learn how to center the ball high.... no point in having a target like Giroud if you're not using width and his height/strength. If you want a striker who predominantly plays the ball on the ground, Giroud was the wrong purchase even though he's decent there too.

As far as the rest... Fullbacks are good defensively but disasters going forward; especially the RB. Gibbs got lucky that a pk wasn't called on him as he made a silly challenge.

Diaby is slowly but surely getting better. Nothing like he uses to be; but you see flashes. It will take some time with him.

Gervinho is rubbish.

Finally, you need more than just Cazorla to be capable of making an individual difference and a final pass. The team lacks another creative force.

i think Diaby played well today.. he stood strong against Stoke.. i am more impressed with Gibbs seeing the last 2 matches...
1 point is not a bad result.. the attack will gel soon and we will start scoring soon..
The only disappointment was Gervinho.. he dribbles past two just to make a poor pass or shot.. he has had enough chances to learn.. i dont think he can succeed with his style at Arsenal.. he needs to modify his game a bit..
also not happy to see us making so many mispasses and losing possession at the final 3rd.. the technical quality of the squad has reduced.. Giroud, Gervinho and Podolski needs to up their passing skills...

sportsczy wrote:Arsenal fullbacks and wingers need to learn how to center the ball high.... no point in having a target like Giroud if you're not using width and his height/strength. If you want a striker who predominantly plays the ball on the ground, Giroud was the wrong purchase even though he's decent there too.

As far as the rest... Fullbacks are good defensively but disasters going forward; especially the RB. Gibbs got lucky that a pk wasn't called on him as he made a silly challenge.

Diaby is slowly but surely getting better. Nothing like he uses to be; but you see flashes. It will take some time with him.

Gervinho is rubbish.

Finally, you need more than just Cazorla to be capable of making an individual difference and a final pass. The team lacks another creative force.

exactly the opposite was said about them before the last 2 games.. they were cautious, stood back and concentrated on defending.. they are better at going forward than defending.. once they get some confidence going then they will play more naturally...

Finally, you need more than just Cazorla to be capable of making an individual difference and a final pass. The team lacks another creative force.

Definitely agree here. Diaby is a useful player to have when he's on top form but he doesn't really have the ability to cut open defences with incisive passes.

With any luck, we'll have a new holding player this week so Arteta can push forward more.

sportsczy wrote:Finally, you need more than just Cazorla to be capable of making an individual difference and a final pass. The team lacks another creative force.

We're waiting for wilshere

I think Giroud did quite well actualy, one pass of his reminded me of that Dutchman who not long ago played for us.

I think once Giroud gets used to this squad we will be seeing a mixture of Kanu and RVP. Though i think he could look at a few videos of RVP's movement off the ball. Not saying its bad, but if he can match even half of RVP's movement, we could possibly have a very complete and very component forward in Giroud. Also I like his confidence to take that audacious attempt from 30-40 yards out and that scissor kick.

Looking back, I think we should be very encouraged by Podolski's improvement. He was actively looking to get into dangerous positions and available in front of goal. He was very tenacious tracking down the ball and fighting for it. Very happy with him, the goals will come.


I also like White Drogba's confidence as AnJl said and I'm happy with the duo's quality. We just need some time to gel because that's what it really is at its core. A need for time and cohesion.

A few points i'd like to make:
I believe Giroud can be a clinical finisher. However he's not too good at passing, deciswion making is not the best (not bad), and sometimes his first touch isn't too good, but at other times it is like when he controls a long ball.

Defensively again we were solid. I really think Bould is helping the team defensively and it's showing.

This attack can be lethal. But time is REALLY needed to make it gel. Our front four were Podolski, Gervinho, Cazorla, and Giroud. Three of them have played their second game in the PL. Gervinho didn't adjust completely last season and he needs time too. Giroud at some points was running into the box hoping for Cazrola to chip the ball over the defence for him, but that understanding isn't quite there and he never attempted one of those passes.

All in all, great defending so far. Great attacking players who need time to adjust, i don't think this is our year, but i think perhaps next season or season after we could finally end our trophy drought. Or we might even win a trophy this year.....At the end of the day, it's looking promising....

Hahaha, Arteta lazy? He was tackling Stoke fools all over the field, AND getting the ball all the way back to our strikers. Diaby is our weak midfield link. Think Rosicky will be our best option, once he's fit again.

(I don't totally write Diaby off, but he's just come back to match fitness after a long time off, and like Ramsey, will need more time before he's ready to start.)

Arteta is the unsung hero for me. He has given up on his natural position and is doing a more defensive job and to me is excelling in it. He has made good tackles and interceptions in both the matches.
However i think his talent will be better used further up the pitch.