It’s scarely believable. You spend £100 million and still we play in the same lazy, unimaginative way and give away a goal in the last few minutes. Still, at least we are one of three teams with a 100% record – but sadly not quite the same one as Chelsea and Liverpool. Let’s face it, we could still have no points by the end ot the month given the next three games away at Everton and at home against Chelsea and Man U – and then into October at home against Tottenham. Woe is indeed us.
But, but… there are one or two positives to take away from this afternoon as well as plenty of negatives. Fabian Balbuena was for me the undoubted man of the match. He looked totally comfortable, solid, skilfull and committed. He seemed to partner well with Issa Diop and they rarely looked in trouble. We kept possession a little better than in previous games but to little end in effect. Here we go…
1. Even without Noble playing what is it with constant passing back. We’re not playing Netball FFS. The default reaction for Wilshere seemed to play the safe ption and not drive forward. Wilshere’s performance was terrible today. No energy, no creativeness. Nothing. No wonder he was subbed after an hour. Obiang did much better.
2. Fabianski was outstanding in goal and saved two certain goals. He was equalled up the other end by Rui Patricio.
3. Balbuena was calm and collected and looks as if he could be an ever present.
4. Diop built on his mid week second half performance and looked solid alongside Balbuena.
5. Sanchez tried to perform the role of Midfield General but you never felt confident that he wouldn’t do something silly. And so it was.
6. Felipe Anderson seemed to play left back for much of the second half with Cresswell often further upfield than him. He had a few runs but he never looks as if he is going to go past a defender. He had one long range shot but rarely created anything. Disappointing. Again.
7. Michail Antonio not only looked disinterested but did nothing. He had one header which bounced off the bar, but apart from that it’s difficult to think of a single contribution he made.
8. Ryan Fredericks was the worst player on the pitch, certainly in the first half. In the second half he looked better going forward but defensively he makes you clench your buttocks.
9. Snodgrass was unlucky to be hooked off at half time but Yarmonlenko did look promising as long as he combined with Arnautovic up front, but he seemed to tire incredibly quickly. Chicharito only had ten minutes but didn’t ever really get into the game.
10. It was good to see Cresswell back in the starting lineup but he flattered to deceive both in attack and defence rather too often. There was no shred of understanding between Anderson and Cresswell at all. To me, Anderson would be much better playing a number 10 role behind Arnatovic rather than on the wing.
So the scores on the doors…
Fabianski 8
Balbuena 7
Diop 6
Cresswell 5
Fredericks 4
Sanchez 5
Wilshere 4
Anderson 5
Snodgrass 5
Antonio 4
Arnautovic 6
Obiang 6
Yarmolenko 6
Chicharito 5
Not much else to say, is there?