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Middlesbrough 1 Arsenal 1: Match Report & Player Ratings
Saturday, 13 December 08, 12:00 PM · Comments(12)
Middlesborough managed three corners in the first 8 minutes, and pressed Arsenal relentlessly - giving away numerous free kicks.
Arsenal weathered the early storm, however, and put a delicious passing move together in the 10th minute resulting in a Van Persie strike that bobbled just wide of the post. With regards to this current Arsenal team, that particular spasm of one and two-touch football was like an old relic from yesteryear.
On 11, Diaby struck ferociously from distance, but showed horrible tunnel vision as Adebayor was well-placed to be put clean through.
On 16, Adebayor is less selfish, instead of shooting he plays in Diaby whose low strike is parried by Ross Turnbull. From Fabregas' ensuing corner, Adebayor heads in to open the scoring. 1-0 Arsenal. Adebayor didn't even have to move, he was left completely unmarked 5 yards from goal - Robert Huth the culprit.
Arsenal weathered the early storm, however, and put a delicious passing move together in the 10th minute resulting in a Van Persie strike that bobbled just wide of the post. With regards to this current Arsenal team, that particular spasm of one and two-touch football was like an old relic from yesteryear.
On 11, Diaby struck ferociously from distance, but showed horrible tunnel vision as Adebayor was well-placed to be put clean through.
On 16, Adebayor is less selfish, instead of shooting he plays in Diaby whose low strike is parried by Ross Turnbull. From Fabregas' ensuing corner, Adebayor heads in to open the scoring. 1-0 Arsenal. Adebayor didn't even have to move, he was left completely unmarked 5 yards from goal - Robert Huth the culprit.
With Middlesborough clearly disconcerted and lacking confidence - they stop closing down and Arsenal start playing some nice stuff around the middle of the park. A
stunning Fabregas through ball on 18 falls to Van Persie who struggles to turn his defender and get a clean shot away.
Fabregas is passing with radar-like accuracy. In contrast, Song is giving the ball away with almost every touch.
On 24, Boro have their first strike on goal, a snap shot from Sanli Tuncay easily dealt with by Almunia.
On 24, Boro have their first strike on goal, a snap shot from Sanli Tuncay easily dealt with by Almunia.
Three minutes later a Fabregas corner drops unexpectedly to Diaby in the area, he strikes it cleanly but straight into Turnbull's arms.
With Arsenal in full control, only "Calamity Clichy" can wreck Arsenal's decent start, and he duly does just that. Pressed in the corner by two Boro attackers he attempts a careless clearance that is deflected straight to Tuncay who whips in a vicious cross that ex-Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere only has to direct his head at to flash by Almunia for 1-1.
With Arsenal in full control, only "Calamity Clichy" can wreck Arsenal's decent start, and he duly does just that. Pressed in the corner by two Boro attackers he attempts a careless clearance that is deflected straight to Tuncay who whips in a vicious cross that ex-Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere only has to direct his head at to flash by Almunia for 1-1.
Arsenal's best spell of football for two months destroyed by a reckless decision from Gael Clichy, who promptly trips Boro midfielder Adam Johnson up in the box for what looks like a stone wall penalty.
Thankfully, referee Peter Walton gets it all wrong and says no pen.
Song was already tracking Johnson back, there was no need for Clichy to try and tackle with his wrong leg. How many more cock ups before Wenger realises Gael Clichy is
turning into the new Phillipe Senderos? Plenty of effort, sod-all brains.
With the psychology of the game completely reversed, Boro get right back into the game, however, on 38, another fabulous Fabregas ball finds Adebayor who crosses from the right to the unmarked Van Persie in the box. Van Persie tries a fancy flick but makes rather a mess of it.
Meanwhile, Clichy - feeling guilty - bombs forwarded like a lunatic, runs into three Middlesbrough players and gets dispossessed.
Half-time, and it's the usual story - Clichy's errors apart, Arsenal's midfield trio of Song, Denilson and Diaby have all been well below par, Fabregas has played more accurate passes than all three put together, and that's no exaggeration.
As the second half starts, it seems as though someone has pressed "reset". A carbon copy of the first half, Middlesbrough start on the front foot, pressurising Arsenal,
then Arsenal slowly start to get a grip on the game.
On 55, Clichy gets forward and plays a one-two with Fabregas but shoots from distance instead of crossing. Still, not a bad effort.
Slowly but surely Arsenal begin to hog possession, but just when it looks as though they might put a move together one of Song, Diaby or Denilson misplaces a pass and it's back to square one.
Middlesbrough are reduced to playing long balls, and on 59 it nearly pays off as Stewart Downing chases a through ball. Almunia makes the perilous mistake of not coming out, allowing Downing to latch onto the ball and get his shot away. Almunia saves well, but luckily for him Downing did not shoot across goal.
Entering the last 20 minutes, it's obvious Arsenal need to make some changes, but Wenger is sitting on his hands. The change doesn't come until the 81st minute, Bendtner for Diaby. The Dane's boots now a hideous fluorescent yellow - even they've lost confidence in being pink.
On 55, Clichy gets forward and plays a one-two with Fabregas but shoots from distance instead of crossing. Still, not a bad effort.
Slowly but surely Arsenal begin to hog possession, but just when it looks as though they might put a move together one of Song, Diaby or Denilson misplaces a pass and it's back to square one.
Middlesbrough are reduced to playing long balls, and on 59 it nearly pays off as Stewart Downing chases a through ball. Almunia makes the perilous mistake of not coming out, allowing Downing to latch onto the ball and get his shot away. Almunia saves well, but luckily for him Downing did not shoot across goal.
Entering the last 20 minutes, it's obvious Arsenal need to make some changes, but Wenger is sitting on his hands. The change doesn't come until the 81st minute, Bendtner for Diaby. The Dane's boots now a hideous fluorescent yellow - even they've lost confidence in being pink.
On 87, Fabregas feeds Bendtner into the area, but he whacks it straight at Turnbull. Shortly after, a headed opportunity from Bendtner sails wide - but not easy. The game peters out to a dull draw.
Middlesbrough created few chances throughout the 90 minutes, Arsenal created more but lacked sharpness in the final third and did not look dangerous for all their possession.
So, another Clichy catastrophe costs Arsenal points, maybe all three were it not for a referee with bad eyesight.
With Aston Villa smashing Bolton 4-2 and moving into 4th place - and Arsenal facing Liverpool, Villa and Portsmouth before Christmas, Arsenal have a fight on their hands if they're not to get estranged from the top four.
Almunia (6)
Made one good save, but also made some careless decisions.
Sagna (7)
Very solid throughout.
Gallas (6)
Was marking Aliadiere but could do little to prevent the goal.
Djourou (6)
Performed reasonably well.
Clichy (5)
His hashed clearance led to Boro's equaliser, but more worrying was yet another pointless, idiotic tackle that should have been a penalty. Had a decent game otherwise, but these lapses in concentration can't be tolerated forever.
Denilson (5)
Looked tired in the first half, Wenger has flogged him to death this season. Improved in the second half but his crossing in particular was poor.
Diaby (6)
Slightly better than Song and Denilson, but his decision making remains questionable. Needs to show a lot more conviction going into tackles. Tackles like a girl sometimes.
Fabregas (8) STAR MAN
Fantastic in the first half, his passing was simply exquisite. Seemed to tire in the second half, which is why Arsenal's chances dried up.
Song (5)
Had a very poor first half indeed, constantly giving the ball away. Worked much harder in the second half and passed better too, but that won't stop supporters counting the days until he's gone.
Adebayor (7)
Had a good game. Scored a goal, without having to do much - but his passing was good and generally-speaking he looked a proper player.
Van Persie (6)
Plenty of effort but lacked sharpness in and around the area. Getting consistent performances and goals out of Van Persie seems problematic, but he's not well served by the midfield.
SUBS
Bendtner (6)
Had a small positive impact when he came on, but not enough to make the difference.
PS. If Wenger doesn't trust Vela he should really send him out on loan for the rest of the season, preferably to a Premiership club.
With Aston Villa smashing Bolton 4-2 and moving into 4th place - and Arsenal facing Liverpool, Villa and Portsmouth before Christmas, Arsenal have a fight on their hands if they're not to get estranged from the top four.
Almunia (6)
Made one good save, but also made some careless decisions.
Sagna (7)
Very solid throughout.
Gallas (6)
Was marking Aliadiere but could do little to prevent the goal.
Djourou (6)
Performed reasonably well.
Clichy (5)
His hashed clearance led to Boro's equaliser, but more worrying was yet another pointless, idiotic tackle that should have been a penalty. Had a decent game otherwise, but these lapses in concentration can't be tolerated forever.
Denilson (5)
Looked tired in the first half, Wenger has flogged him to death this season. Improved in the second half but his crossing in particular was poor.
Diaby (6)
Slightly better than Song and Denilson, but his decision making remains questionable. Needs to show a lot more conviction going into tackles. Tackles like a girl sometimes.
Fabregas (8) STAR MAN
Fantastic in the first half, his passing was simply exquisite. Seemed to tire in the second half, which is why Arsenal's chances dried up.
Song (5)
Had a very poor first half indeed, constantly giving the ball away. Worked much harder in the second half and passed better too, but that won't stop supporters counting the days until he's gone.
Adebayor (7)
Had a good game. Scored a goal, without having to do much - but his passing was good and generally-speaking he looked a proper player.
Van Persie (6)
Plenty of effort but lacked sharpness in and around the area. Getting consistent performances and goals out of Van Persie seems problematic, but he's not well served by the midfield.
SUBS
Bendtner (6)
Had a small positive impact when he came on, but not enough to make the difference.
PS. If Wenger doesn't trust Vela he should really send him out on loan for the rest of the season, preferably to a Premiership club.
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