In the Aftermath: Arsenal 4 – Wolves 1 Post Match Review

Good fortunate smiles on the fortunate doesn’t it?

Arsene Wenger’s boys continued their impressive march winning emphatically at the Molineux. The 4-1 mauling placed the Gunners in 2nd in the table and next the Chelsea they are showing the most consistent form always looking like a threat to win their matches.

Pointing the way to the top!

It’s hard to say that matches this early in the season are must wins but the top of the table is very congested with a loss or a draw having the ability to drop as many as three places down. So even with all the impressive wins, the Gunners needed to come out and contine their current form.

This match had collossal let down written all over it and Mick McCarthy’s side certainly started out as if they had it in them. Within 10 minutes Nenad Milijas delivered a probbing corner as Sylvan Ebanks-Blake eluding his markeronly to wind up driving the shot wide of the post.  And then again at the 18th minute Milijas again found Chirstophe Berra on a free kick. Berra however, wasn’t in position and the ball was pushed away from danager.

Arsenal would go in front on the 28th minute from a corner kick from Fabregas. But it was the play that resulted in the corner that really set the Gunners up. Eduardo featuring in his second start with Bendtner on the bench, raced down the wing to block Ronald Zubar from the ball resulting in a cross check that led to an Arsenal free kick. Fab’s shot was deflected wide of the post but it was the hustle and cunning of the Crozillian striker that got them to this point.

From the resulting corner the ball was swung in and on the far post, Zubar who was under pressure from Eduardo, deflected the ball past his keeper. It was quite evident the goal was an OG as Eduardo refused to celebrate – though his workman effort at the post was surely the reason Zubar was where he was.

Like last week’s win against Spurs, the suddeness of the first goal, after a good effort by Wolves, changed the momentum of the game. From that point on it wasn’t a concern of IF Arsenal would win but by how much. Feeling they were finally in control of the match, the Gunners exerted further pressure and with Wolves pressing up, a break away 2 on 1 with Ramsey and Eduardo versus Craddock resulted in another own goal. This time however, Eduardo was more direct in his influence, lobbing a shot that went off of Craddock’s head and rattled the post in. It did look like Eduardo wasn’t going for goal but rather a lob pass to an open Ramsey.

In stoppage time, Captain Cesc Fabregas would reassure the Gunner faithful witha  beautifully slotted shot past Wayne Hennessey. Coming off a pass from the continually improving Robin Van Persie, the goal was a rocket that continued to show that this new 4-3-3 or 4-3-2-1 (depending on who ask) is giving Fabregas the freedom to be more in control and more of threat. He has shown that last week against Spurs and against AZ Alkmaar.

A final tally from Andrei Arshavin would put the icing on the cake and mean that the 1 goal allowed in the 89th minute would not threaten the game at all.

Arsenal fans have to come to understand that because an opponent is coming at them like Wolves did does not mean we have resorted to old ways. I would be surprised if lower teams didn’t get up for playing one of the big boys. Win or not. The key will be for Arsenal not to look down and let them in the game for the entire 90 minutes. This team is more clinically threatening in my opinion than any Arsenal squad of recent memories.

Even with the injuries we have, we are not lacking in our ability to create and get results from the chances we are creating. Even with two own goals in this match, they came as a result of a steady Arsenal attack and pressure of some great scoring talent.  Abou Diaby went down early on and we were able to replace him with Song who was sitting on the bench to get a rest.

MOTM Ramsey

The best part of the game – besides the win – was to watch the continued emergence of Aaron Ramsey.  While there were some mistakes – he is showing a Fabregas like ability to see plays develop and control play. He started out in defencive role but with Dibay going off and replaced by Song, Ramsey was freed up to more of an attacking role.  His interlinking play with Eduardo set up the second goal and he was in on more than enough of his fair share of chances. Depending on how long Diaby is out, Ramsey is now going to get a chance to show a little more of himself and I expect that performances like yesterdays are only a view of things to come.

With Gael Clichy on the bench Kieran Gibbs also got a chance to show the boss why he should play more. His pace and crossing in my opinion are superior to Clichy’s and frankly his size and tackling skills give him a tremendous upside. He burned more than one opponent yesterday and one ill advised cross he would’ve been better suited to take the shot himself but overall his was a very steady and solid performance.

Defensively we looked solid yet again. Vermaelen and Gallas continue to look like an imposing pair in the middle. I rarely saw them get caught out of position. Vermaelen did seem to be the culprit on the Craddock goal in the 89th but overall, he controls his space very well and looks so far to be the best signing of the summer for ANY team.

We now head into the interlull in 2nd – waiting to see what happens between United and Chelsea. A draw puts us in 3rd 1 point behind United and 3 points behind Chelsea. A Chelsea win leaves us in 2nd on GD and 5 points behind Chelsea. A United win puts us 2 points behind Chelsea and 3 points behind United. In each scenario we are in a good position with a game in hand.

The good news as I see it for the Interlull is that I believe that most of the teams our players are playing for have already qualified so hears hoping some of them get some rest. The exception I believe is Arshavin with Russia who has a playoff to star in. Also the return from the interlull will see the return of Denilson, Vela, Walcott, Wilshere and possibly Fabianski. If noone gains any serious knocks away on the break, the only people to be out would be Bendtner and Djourou. Here’s to hoping.

Editor’s Note: I blame myself for the lack of a cleansheet. 1 minute prior to the goal, I said in Game Day Chat: “I am slightly impressed with Mooney. 3 matches back and 2 cleansheets.” Then craddock scored. So my fault.

Player Ratings:

Almunia: 6
Sagna: 7
Gallas: 7
Vermaelen: 7
Gibbs: 7.5
Diaby: 5
Ramsey: 9
Fabregas: 9
Arshavin: 9
Van Persie: 7.5
Eduardo: 8

Subs:
Song: 7
Rosicky: 6
Nasri: 6