Match Reviews - Top Content http://www.tiki-taka.org/index.php/index.html/_/matchreviews/ Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:04:31 +0000 43200 Match reviews generated by our members in the forums. Arsenal 2-1 Olympiakos http://www.tiki-taka.org/index.php/index.html/_/matchreviews/arsenal-2-1-olympiakos-r29 ARSENAL 2
OLYMPIAKOS 1

Most notable on the night, for his exuberant debut goal, was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arsenal's young star in the making, fresh-faced, with Southampton DNA, became the youngest-ever Englishman to score in the Champions League, and in the process, he open his club account on the biggest stage of European football. Quite rightly, for most, he was the toast of North London, and the talk of the town.

However, in what was a tense group game throughout, it was Arsenal's defence that stood firm, held their nerve, and improved to such an extent in the latter stages of the match that, for me at least, their achievements overshadowed that of the mercurial displays of the English 18-year-old. With all three goals coming quickly in the first half, and Arsene Wenger once again opting to rotate his team's back line, though – with regards to his centre-backs – not entirely by choice, the match was won by the side with the better defensive display in the second half.

With guns blazing, Arsenal had two shots on target and an early two-goal lead in just 20 minutes, after Brazilian left-back, Andre Santos, cooly slotted home his first goal for the club by beating Olympiakos goalkeeper, Franco Costanzo, at his near post. The Greek visitors kept true to their manager's pre-match words though. Before the game, Ernesto Valverde had made a point of saying that his side were there to give a good account impression of themselves, and his team did not disappoint him. They did just that.

Just seven minutes later, the Greek side's quickly taken short corner caught the Gunners off-guard completely, and standing like statues, Arsenal's two-goal advantage was immediately halved just before the half hour. It was the same old story. Once again, Arsenal were struggling at the back, especially when it came to set-pieces, and if not for Mikel Arteta's brilliant off-the-line clearance, and Wojcech Szczesny's smart reactions, Olympiakos could have been level, had their tails up, and had momentum on their side, all before half-time. They ended the first 45 minutes with a counter-attacking run by Kevin Mirallas, who struck a low-angled shot that Szczesny deflected away with his knees.

Into the second half of the match, the tempo of the game continued at fast pace, chances were made at either end, but in terms of being the more inventive and attack-minded, it seemed to be Arsenal who were lacking, and more on the back foot. However, it was a more composed and resolute display by the home side, with the Greeks – having found another gear – only playing into the Premier League outfit's hands as the game went on. In fact, for once this season, there seemed to be a great unity within the team, Emmanuel Frimpong dug in, Arteta, who was the classiest midfielder on the night, provided some respite for the Gunners, and Tomas Rosicky provided some creativity in the final third, though not enough to extend Arsenal a bigger lead. At the back, Per Mertesacker and Alex Song both worked tirelessly to find cohesion, and where errors crept in either from midfield or the flanks, they were often the ones to clean up.

Although, as the Greek attack began to subside, Olympiakos captain, Vassilis Torosidis, after cutting inside Santos a little too easily, cracked a superb swerving effort that beat Szczesny, only to thunder against the bar. Another wonder goal wasn't to be the undoing of the Londoners this time though. After seeing the opposition coming so close to an equaliser, Pat Rice brought on Aaron Ramsey for a much applauded Chamberlain to strengthen the stability in midfield. For all his attacking prowess, the young Englishman gave his French colleague on the right, Bacary Sagna, a lot of work to do, and Ramsey would keep Arsenal's midfield more compact.

The Welshman's first contribution of the night though was to set Arshavin free on a run, but the Russian's quick shot was ably met by Costanzo. On 70 minutes, Robin van Persie replace Marouane Chamakh to lead Arsenal's front-line, with hopes of sealing the match with a third goal. This was met five minutes later with an Olympiakos double substitution, Mirallas and Pablo Orbaiz departing for defenders, Djamel Abdoun, and Francois Modesto.

That third Arsenal goal didn't arrive though, and sensing the opportunity to take something from the match with a late equaliser, Valverde threw on his final substitute, Serbian forward, Marko Pantelic. However, it was an act that proved to be fruitless, as the Greeks failed to score again. In the end, it was to be a Greek tragedy for Olympiakos in North London, as Arsenal worked like Trojans to achieve what Troy could not – and what other English sides in Europe's elite competition could not – the Gunners had held onto their first victory this season in their Champions League group. Job done.]]> Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:46:48 +0000 d1f491a404d6854880943e5c3cd9ca25 <![CDATA[Arsenal vs Liverpool, A Fan's Review]]> http://www.tiki-taka.org/index.php/index.html/_/matchreviews/arsenal-vs-liverpool-a-fans-review-r13
- Pepe Reina and that save? Nice.

- Jose Enrique is quite something, isn't he? Even in moments where he's out of position by a yard or two he'll make up the ground so quickly and is hugely imposing physically when he gets there, fighting those in possession off the ball - all this and he still holds a real amount of technical guile, too. We don't know how the rest of the season will pan out for him, but anything close to the consistency of his first two games and he'll be noted as one of the players of the season. Alongside him, Agger and Carragher (a hoof or two or three aside) were excellent, I felt. Really brilliant. Their positioning was strong, their work in the air and on the deck was almost to the perfection - and this from a defensive duo that I do not think fits. And Kelly on the other side was trustworthy and very decent yet again.

- Adam was atrocious in the first half, not only because of his erratic set pieces, but because he just didn't do what he does best, and that is set the team on the offensive. He just failed to impose himself at all in the first half, and only in the second, when he tired, did he simplify his game and become entirely useful and effective. I like him a lot, but he needs to realise that if things aren't going his way then it's okay to adopt a more basic approach. Henderson is a guy someone can look to for the basics. That kid really loves the basics of football, and to be fair he was actually quite good today. His movement is great, and his close touch and short passing is spot on. He's Busquets, only not as dynamic (defensively) and plays higher up the field. I think Kenny will move him and contort his role quite often until something clicks, but he's got strong foundations for us to be somewhat expectant that it will indeed click.

- Lucas has yet to reach the levels of his great work of last season, but then he is just two games into his preseason. I particularly liked how there was no way he was pulling out of the challenge with (the impressive) Frimpong - ultimately leading to a red card that would change the game, that and the additional sight of Suarez hitting the field. Downing was again very good, although he does tend to drift out of the game for large portions. Kuyt was our worst player, which is never easy to me to say. Got nothing right and was entirely aimless.


- Re: Carroll

View PostVision of Division, on 20 August 2011 - 07:29 PM, said:

Now regarding all this shite and over the top comments about Carroll, did anyone actually take the time to realise that Vermaelen actually had an absolutely fantastic game? Carroll struggled because Vermaelen was on top of him all game. He won all the headers, all the tackles and just dominated Carroll. I'm not gonna lie but the entire Arsenal team today were rubbish but Vermaelen was their shining light. He was absolutely brilliant and that's why Carroll struggled.


- The introduction of Meireles and Suarez reminded me of Benitez's introduction of Alonso, Kuyt and Torres against Portsmouth (3-2 win) all those years ago. The perfect introduction of a perfect duo/trio (shared characteristic: talented) who would take advantage of the ailing opponent. While not always possible, it's also evidence to the potential of a strong squad. Oh, and Suarez is the most gifted Liverpool player I've ever seen. My only way of accurately accounting for this statement is to add up the amount of times I've said "holyfuckhowdidhedothat?" while watching him play. It happens many times. His movement is also stunning, and Meireles - as Bub said, not nearly as good as many suggest - understands Suarez's game, and I'd group Meireles with the more intelligent footballers of our squad.

- All in all, hard not to enjoy beating Arsenal/anyone away from home.]]> Tue, 23 Aug 2011 06:13:54 +0000 73278a4a86960eeb576a8fd4c9ec6997