Arsenal’s lessons from defeat

Monday, 19/12/2011

by Richard Leighton, Shoot's Arsenal blogger

It was a good effort and in some ways we were a little unlucky to lose the game but I did see a lot of positives from Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Manchester City.

First of all, let’s look at the defence because I would like to do something a little strange here – praise it. In the continuing absence of four full backs we again had to go with a back line of four centre backs and in the first half especially I thought we coped very well indeed with City’s attacks.

Laurent Koscielny’s meteoric rise continues and it was only when Johan Djourou went off injured, and we had to reshuffle the back line again, that we lost our organisation.

Koscielny had to go to full back and it was with what most people would think was our strongest centre back pairing of Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen that we looked most vulnerable – a huge compliment to Koscielny.

Anyway, after that re-jig we didn’t nearly look as assured and sure enough that was when they snatched the winner.

Elsewhere Gervinho was very lively again, which is more than can be said for Theo Walcott who in Zabaleta was up against a makeshift left back himself, making it all the more infuriating that he had absolutely zero impact on the game.

Talking of which there were late cameos for Andrey Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh. The former had a couple of decent chances but such is his form that they were squandered. To those who say sell him in January; I’m more inclined to agree with them now but only if we can get a replacement of better quality.

As for Chamakh, all we can hope is that he goes away with Morocco to the African Nations Cup in January, scores a hatful of goals and comes back a more confident kettle of fish. I can dream right?

When Vermaelen stayed forward late in the game and was firing left footed stingers at Joe Hart, threatening aerially, and just generally rattling the City defence, I remember thinking: this guy gives us much more up front than Arshavin or Chamakh.

That left foot of his is wasted in defence so next time Arsenal are chasing a game I’d honestly prefer to see him put up top because the subs we brought on yesterday were basically a waste of time.

A quick word on the Micah Richards' handball and subsequent lack of penalty shout from our players. Did they not see this blatant penalty incident? Where were the outrage and gnashing of teeth at such an injustice?

Something to work on in training before Aston Villa on Wednesday.

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