Sunday’s game was a mixed bag. Arsenal were commanding in the first half, before reverting back to their worrying past in the second half to create an unnecessary and nervy end to a game that we should have killed.
Inconsistency can largely be put down to a team shuffle. Flamini came in for the recently excellent Coquelin – who shouldn’t need a rest, so that was a strange decision to disrupt a flowing team. The conceding of two goals is also telling, following Szczesny’s reintroduction. Can’t say he was at fault for either, specifically, but there’s just a continued arrogance and continued air of unease surrounding him; he doesn’t give off a single ounce of confidence – other feeding his own personal ego. The players don’t look confident in front of the Polish international, and his distribution is still way off for a top keeper. I’d like to stick with Ospina for as long as possible. The flow of the team was disrupted so it’s difficult to assess in comparison to our recent form, but for what it’s worth, my player of the week was a certain Mozart: Tomas Rosicky.
The veteran was everywhere, gliding past players ten years younger with ease. There’s little better than seeing our Czech zipping through the midfield and leaving players in his wake before making the crucial and often correct pass to a team mate. There’s a reason Wenger prefers him in big games. Rosicky is reliable. You know that when he plays he’s going to give everything, and he still has the legs he had years ago, which is a huge bonus on Arsenal’s behalf and an even bigger credit to Rosicky’s. Imagine if he’d been injury free all those years ago… he could have been outstanding. Technically gifted, and always speeding up play, our Mozart is the obvious choice for big away games, and I hope that even if he’s used sparingly, Wenger brings him in for the big games. He hasn’t yet, so that suggests Wenger has a new role in mind, but he wouldn’t have given him a new contract if he didn’t intend to remain using this little star – worst case scenario…he’s an excellent squad player, and a great option to have on the bench. I’m never truly worried when he plays, an opinion strengthened by his performance on Sunday. It was the Rosicky Show. He controlled the game effortlessly as Cazorla has done so recently, so to have two players so gifted with the control of the game is a wonderful problem to have. His assist was brilliant, feeding a disguised through ball that cut the defence open and allowed Ozil his much needed goal. Then he went one further and scored a stunning volley with the outside of his foot. I wish he’d score more. He can do it. And when he does it’s often a joy to watch.
The other player who stood out was a certain Theo Walcott. Yes, okay, he didn’t show too much, and he was subbed on 70, but it’s just so good to see him back and his goal on the opening minute truly marks his return – it’s now official, Theo Walcott is back. It was a typical Walcott goal, he loves to hit the early shot, and it was carbon copy of his goal against Liverpool a year or so back; he brings the cross under control with an impeccable first touch before rifling into the bottom corner. The English forward is so clinical now, and he’s approaching his prime. I’ve always been fan, even in his struggling days, but now that he’s very clearly matured, he’s there about in the world-class bracket. We are simply a much more killer team with him in it. He is lethal. You get him and Sanchez together and there’s few teams that could match it, or deal with it. It’s imperative that Arsenal keep him fit, and seeing him get a good run out was a thankful reminder that he hasn’t suffered anything lasting from his injury; rustiness aside, he’s as sharp and direct as ever. He’s one of the few Arsenal players who’s first thought is too shoot, or to float around the penalty box – I don’t care if he’s seen as a winger, he is a striker, pure and simple. And we could do well to let him lead the line.