Seeing as the media coverage of this game was conspicuous by its absence i thought i would give my match ratings on our players last night. I know there are plenty of people who have only seen the goal highlights and you cannot get a real picture of the game from them. Its something of a tradition with the guys i travel down with and it keeps us occupied for a while on our trip home

By the way the scale of scores goes like this.

1=terrible never play for us again.
2=needs to go and play in a lower division.
3=Doesn't look like he will ever make it.
4=Liability on the day.
5=really bad game but has a spark in himLiability on the day.
6=below par but has the ability.
7=Solid Average performance (ie good enough for us).
8=Better then most.
9=Absolutely outstanding perfomance.
10=Lovechild of Dennis Begkamp and Platini. (very rarely given)

Most games player fall into the 6,7,8 categories. There are some 5's and 9's but not every game.

Fabianski - 8 showed he can be better than both Lehman and Almunia. Great save in the first half from Martins. Came out and caught crosses that many other keepers would have flapped at. Has a tendency to rush of his line a bit too quickly.

Hoyte - 7 Solid performance, did everything required of him. Linked up well with Eboue.

Song - 7 Was scared stiff at the thought of him playing a the back, however he looked pretty good there. read the game well, good in the air, great in the tackle. Can't believe i am saying this but could have a future at centre back.

Senderos - 7 A mixed performance from big Phil. At times he was clearing of the line and putting in thunderous challenges, which reminded me of his better performances. At other times he was slicing th ball on clearances. Half of hi game was a 6 the other half was an 8.

Traore - 8 Blindingly fast, tough in the tackle. Put over a great ball for Bendtner to score. At times lost his player but looks like he will be pushing clichy for his Arsenal spot soon (also for France).

Eboue - 7 looked effective and dangerous. A solid performance coming back from injury. Linked up well with Hoyte.

Diarra - 8 and my Man of the Match. Good enough to be a first 11 choice. Strong in the tackle, great distribution, superb turn on the ball, and very mobile. Cannot work out why he didn't play more in the midfield for Chelsea. Definitely reminds me of Deschamps/Makelele.

Denilson - 7 The footballing world must hate Wenger. While they are marvelling at the prodigy that is Cesc, Wenger picks up a hardly rated Brazilian player and voilà, Cesc mk.2. Ran the game and showed plenty of ability. Has obviously been attending the same shooting school as Cesc this summer. Blinding goal.

Walcott - 6 I am a little worried about Walcott. He clearly has the physical attributes but yesterday he seemed to lose his confidence as soon as he got near the box. One run took him past three players, he then got to the box looked up and then horridly miskick allowing t he final defender to just take the ball away. Needs a goal and some confidence quickly.

Bendtner - 7 Powerful, great in the air and good on the ground too. It took the team about 75 minutes to realise that if you put in a decent cross he is lethal. As soon as the ball left Traore's boot i knew Bendtner was going to score. Misses out on an 8 because he needs to be more mobile and also because (not his fault) he spent half the game watching the ball sail miles over his head or being cut out by the first defender. He gives us a real target man in the box, something we haven't had for some time.

Eduardo - 7 Doesn't give a defender a chance to rest. Always on the move and was a constant thorn in the side for Newcastle. Showed the reasons why Wenger bought him and slowly adapting to this style and level of football.

Diaby - 7 Came on for Eboue and the game changed because of it. Walcott switched sides and looked better for it, also Traore got forward more, leading to the goal. Already has a good understanding with Diarra and it showed. Some good tackles and caused Newcastle problems with his strength.

Merida - Came on in the last minute. Don't think he actually touched the ball.

Feel free to discuss.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Hobart,

I think you might have beena little harsh with most of the marks to be honest. I felt it was an exceptional performance by such a young team against a team that is currently 5th in the PL.

I would agree with you about Theo he does concern me that he seems to have a problem with his confidence in and around the penalty box.

However he is only 18 and the basic ingredients are there alongside the fact that he has the best manager in the world for fostering young talent - we just need to be patient.

so do you reckon fabianksi will get a go in the first team?

Fabianski - 8 Did all he needed to do.
Hoyte - 7 Steady
Senderos - 7 Amazing saving clearence, couple of usual blunders
Song -8 Classy
Traore - 8 Very dangerous
Walcott - 6 Lack of end product as ever
Denilson - 7 Great goal, quiet 1st half
Diarra - 8.5/9 Immense, hardly gave ball away
Eboue - 7 Good return to the side but didn't get much change out of LB
Bendtner - 7 Slow 1st half, great strikers header
Eduardo - 7 Worked hard, needs a bit of luck.

[quote]I think you might have beena little harsh with most of the marks to be honest. I felt it was an exceptional performance by such a young team against a team that is currently 5th in the PL.[/quote]

It all depends on how you normally mark them. A 7 in my book is a very decent performance. They only get more if they actually stand out on the day. With the exception of Walcott (who needs some help fast) i would be happy for all of these players to play regularly in the first team.

The Sun’s ratings were terrible I think they have just sat in an office and guessed them

[quote]The Sun’s ratings were terrible I think they have just sat in an office and guessed them Roll Eyes[/quote]

Given up reading that rag years ago.

Went to the match last night. We played very well and were patient which was the key.

But how the Newcastle players can get paid on that performance is beyond me.
How can Big sam not see it. They were awful. Why wont they closing down, why werent they running at us. I thought after the first half they might have oaicked up but they did the same. They are supposed to be fit and run for 90 mins. But the thing is all the teams we play seem like this. Liverpool last year at home were crap. Gerrard did nothing all match. Wheres the fight!

Could it be that AW chosing young players in both our teams shows the faults of older players in other teams who just want to pick up a salary.

You'll always get better comments from people that are interested. The papers very rarely spend time actually watching the games as can be seen by the number of mistakes they make in identification of players. They only really get interested when something goes off but nearly always report on the retaliation because mainly they miss the cause of the incident. ( Savage and Gilberto ) for example

[quote]Walcott - 6 I am a little worried about Walcott. He clearly has the physical attributes but yesterday he seemed to lose his confidence as soon as he got near the box. One run took him past three players, he then got to the box looked up and then horridly miskick allowing t he final defender to just take the ball away. Needs a goal and some confidence quickly.[/quote]

sorry i disagree he does not have the pysical attributes at present, he got knocked off the ball a few times when going through on goal. He needs upper body strength and he wont get this for another 2-3 years.

Its not really confidence. He isnt a wide player, he needs to be more central.
His speed is too quick for his ball control and the ball gets caught up in his feet and he is still learning how to marry the two. I just want to see him kick the ball in front of him and run pass the defender on to it. When he starts doing this he will get better.

[quote]I just want to see him kick the ball in front of him and run pass the defender on to it. When he starts doing this he will get better.[/quote]

I can't work out why he doesn't do it more often.

He keeps on getting brushed aside!

The only player who worried me last night was Theo. I am not sure that he will make it even at Arsenal. Got bundled off the ball too easily, we didn't see too much of his " blistering pace" and he didn't seem to know what to do with the ball when he got it. I think his team mates cottoned on because I noted that a few times, when he was in a good position, they did not pass to him. As for the age explanation, well how old is Traore? how old is Denilson? how old was Cesc when he delivered? Shrek?

A player who is worthy of special mention is Alexandre Song. I was at Fulham. I was not happy with him until last night, but did he deliver! If he can replicate that sort of performance, I will gladly eat humble pie. Well done to him and the whole team. Arsene knows .

[quote]He keeps on getting brushed aside! Roll Eyes[/quote]

I think he needs to have a word with Owen. Several times last night he got in front of his man then hesitated allowing the defender to get an arm to him. Although it's technically a foul the refs are never going to give it. Then the defender gets shoulder to shoulder and knocks him off the ball. If he followed Owens example and stepped across the defender as soon as he gets in front, then the defender either pulls him to the ground, clips his heels or lets him run.

I know he is fairly lightweight on the ball, but similar sized players have learnt how to shield the ball and draw the foul. One or two of them and then the defender gets booked and has to stay away.

[quote]As for the age explanation, well how old is Traore? how old is Denilson? how old was Cesc when he delivered? Shrek?[/quote]


This is where I have sympathy for Theo. When he was first signed by us the press reported him as a natural phenomenon a la Rooney or Giggs. Clearly we have seen that he is not and he will have to work very hard to achieve the level we want him to reach.

He is under a unique kind of pressure at Arsenal; a young Englishman who plays in an attacking position in a side (mostly made up of foreigners) known for breathtaking attacking football. As someone who follows Arsenal & England I'm desperate for Wenger to make Theo into a world-beater.

He will play up front in the future but Wenger seems to be working with Theo like he did with Henry at Monaco. I fear that he may only blossom away from Arsenal.


[quote]A player who is worthy of special mention is Alexandre Song. I was at Fulham. I was not happy with him until last night, but did he deliver! If he can replicate that sort of performance, I will gladly eat humble pie. Well done to him and the whole team. Arsene knows .[/quote]

Agree with this. I booed the team off at half-time at Craven Cottage last season and though I did not specifically boo Song then I did sing the "We Want Cesc Fabregas Song" that night. But as I've said elsewhere today I've finally seen something good about Alex and he deserves all the praise today.

It's only one game but perhaps Theo can do no worse than look at Alex Song's career path to see light at the end of the tunnel.