After a difficult opening day fixture this was exactly the kind of game that we needed. Six goals, plenty of chances, everyone contributing, and big players easing back into action; what more could you wish for?!
I don’t think there is any point in analysing the game in detail. It was always going to be tough for the visitors and the sending-off just killed it as a contest. After that it was just one way traffic and only a matter of how many Arsenal score.
To be fair to Blackpool they came with the right intent and played well for the first half hour or so. They were pressing high up the pitch and made it hard for Arsenal. In that period I wasn’t very happy with our midfield that seemed lethargic and tentative. But when a team that has a slow left back plays that high up against a guy like Walcott you know it won’t be long before he carves them apart.
Theo created a couple of chances for Chamakh early on but the Moroccan was having an off day. The first goal arrived in the 12th minute with a classic Arsenal move. See how neat it looks on the graphic and you can imagine how beautiful it was to watch.
The passing was quick and incisive. Each player moved as if he already knew the script and the weight on each ball defined perfection. You can see how Arshavin moved from the left touchline to the top the box. It was good to see the Russian was working hard and I hope he picks up a lot more assists this year to go along with his goals.
Blackpool came close soon after as we left Crainey free on the left wing. His delivery was perfect and Taylor-Fletcher rose above Clichy but couldn’t keep his shot on target.
It was an open game and Arsenal were creating chances but Blackpool were holding on. It all changed around the half hour mark when Evatt was sent off and Arsenal were awarded a penalty. Arshavin converted with a perfectly placed strike and the visitors’ resilience was well and truly broken.
I read some reports that said this was a harsh sending off and some even said that the defender got the ball. I thought it was a clear foul and a red card. The penalty decision was border line and could have gone either way. It’s good to see that we are getting the rub of the green this season and refs aren’t averse to awarding penalties to Arsenal! Perhaps it’s because we sold Eduardo, eh!?
Holloway wasn’t able to reorganize his ten men and Arsenal found it much easier from that point on. Walcott got his second with a striker’s turn and finish. Wilshere found him in the box. Theo’s first touch set it up and he smashed it home on the turn.
The fourth came early in the second half when Diaby rifled home a Sagna cut back. Diaby then turned supplier as Walcott got his hat-trick with a sublime left footed finish. Theo ran onto the through-ball, controlled it with an excellent touch, sorted his feet out, and placed it in the corner with the keeper rooted t0 his spot.
Chamakh finally got his goal when he powered his header home off an inch perfect Van Persie corner. In the end Theo, Chamakh, Diaby and Arshavin got on the scoresheet and it must have been a good confidence booster for all of them. It was also nice to see the assists spread out amongst Arshavin, Chamakh, Wilshere, Sagna, Diaby and RvP.
There were some aspects where we need to see improvement but it’d be naive and churlish to criticize anyone after such a game. We know that this team will only get better as the big guns return to form and fitness. From that point of view El Capitan’s cameo was heart-warming.
I was most delighted by the fact that Walcott has answered his critics well. Some might have been surprised that there was a great deal of intelligence to the way he played today! Even some gooners have been on his case and hopefully this will shut them up. Obviously, Theo needs to perform on a consistent basis but fans should also show some respect and not expect the world from him in each game. He is still only 21 and will develop into an exceptional player over the next two, three years. Hopefully, this will be an injury free season for the youngster.
Another player who’d have shut his critics up was Rosicky. Some of his passing was sensational. The weight on the pass – to Arshavin for the first goal, Chamakh for the second, and many others – was unbelievable. He has had a difficult time over the last two years and hopefully he will be another who stays fit this year. I’d been amazed by the sheer number of gooners who’d written him off. Such games should remind the ones with short memories that class is permanent and we must learn to value the talent we have.
Amongst the others, Vela had some good touches and a mesmerizing run, Wilshere did a decent job, Vermaelen and Clichy were quite competent, and Almunia caught a cross!
Finally, I cannot emphasize enough how good it feels to see Song back on the pitch. He was playing it safe initially but as the game wore on we could see him dominating his area of the pitch with more and more assurance. It’s difficult to describe but I always feel a lot more confident when Song is on song.
Desi Gunner 
So thats it we are going to win the Premiership and the CL.I will bet my last pound that when we play Chelsea Theo will not start just mark my words
Tick Tock Twat – had to be someone in the AAA camp who finds doom in a 6 – 0 win. Where does anyone say we’re now going to win the league, apart from your poxy post of course!!
What is your reason to predict this. Don’t forget Theo is still only 21. Please don’t put too much pressure on the lad. There are plenty of other, so called exspert pundits doing this. If Thoe kicks on and keep playing well, there is no reason why he would not start aginst any team. He has always delivered against big teams. Remember, his goals for England, against Chelsea in carling cup final, against Liverpool and Barca in champions league. What more do you want. Let him develop at his own pace and he will be a fantastic player for us. And well done to Theo for keep ramming down the throat of his critics.
Good to see you our players fired up like that.
I am not surprised about Rosicky at all.Last season was his first after an 18-month layoff.In the beginning, he was getting some injuries which is understandable.As the time was passing by , he was getting less and less injuries.The last 3-4 months of the season, he almost had no injuries and in the last 2(when most of our players were injured)he was one of our best players.He was always trying to get involved. He does not hide(like nasri sometimes).Also , he had a good preseason and now he is playing well in the league.We know he is quality and this performance is not surprising.It seems like many people dont pay attention to details.
Agree with you. He put spark in the team when he came on at Liverpool. If he stays fit, we can have a very good season. Very creative and works hard for the team.
That’s the sad part. Some people don’t look at the details but only at the results.
The only problem I had with Rosicky was that occasionally he didn’t track back or gave the ball away casually. Considering that he was playing with the likes of Eastmond he could have taken more responsibility as the experienced pro. Still he was our most influential player in that period along with Nasri.
TR7 was MOTM for me.unlike nasri he is as direct an AM as you’ll see and he is a battler.the lil mozart stroked the orchestra effortlessly and if you cast your minds back to 07-08 we were cruising in the league when he was fit.he just adds another dimension to our play.his first touch is only rivalled by rvp.good to see him enjoying his football after the torrid time he endured when he had to sit out 18 months.On theo,he may not be my favourite but the boy did well today.Messi said barca players were rattled by his mere presence because all defenders fear one aspect of an attacker more than any:electric pace.cr9 has thrived on it,it won owen awards.i was impressed with intelligence he showed today constantly interchanging with c.kaka and his first touch was much improved.he made so many correct decisions,he demanded the ball and he also took freekick responsibility.his off-the-ball movement was sublime to watch and he also tracked back.fans may say it was only blackpool but he has done it in cl vs milan,pool and barca who have 15 cl titles in between them,cc final vs chavs,zagreb hattrick…all in all he needs to stay fit and add consistency which would make him one of our most dangerous attackers similar to ljunberg in the invincible era.
Walcott’s off the ball movement is extremely underrated. I think he can do a lot more if he gets a consistent run and for that he needs to stay fit.
what a refreshing performance, I think capello did us a favor in dropping theo from wc, not only was he saved the embarrassment of englands performances, but it gave him a kick in the ass to improve. Walcott was just sensational today, and if we can get more consistant performances like that out of him I think he will finally start deserving to wear that legendary #14.
I have to ask, is it only me that cringes everytime I see one of our players go down from a tackle expecting some ridiculous injury? when I saw RvP go down the first thing I was thinking was ‘no! not again!’
On a side note, I just want to say I’ve been reading this blog for a while and I just want to tip my hat to the writer, of all the arsenal blogs I end up reading this is by far my favorite. I really enjoy how you back up your points with stats, charts, formation analysis etc, instead of the knee jerk ‘wenger has lost it, and Arsenal lucky not to be relegated’ type blogs out there, I wont mention any names.
Thanks.
Agree with you, Capello really did us and Theo a favour.
I had my heart in my mouth when RvP went down. I don’t feel that way about all our players but RvP, Theo, Rosicky, and some others always make me nervous because they’ve been injured so often.
Yes nice win vs a team likely to be down by Easter and a wonderful desplay (at last) from Theo, lets hope he can do it in successive games let alone a decent Premiership run. It’s always nice to prove the critics wrong after such a display but I’ll wait a little longer before being convinced. I seem to remember another fine win at the beginning of last season away from home and against better opposition ultimately ending in nought so excuse my disbelieving ways however be my guest in your open season on the doubters amongst us.
In the meantime I hope our illustrious leader gets his cheque book out this week and addresses the problem areas that even a blind man can see. I’m sure theres going to be sterner tests than plucky Blackpool ahead.
Rosickys performance was seriously impressive. That’s the little maestro at his best conducting everything around him, fantastic to see! So the question is in our next game against blackburn who plays and where? You can’t drop him. Cesc will be back in his favored position i’d imagine, Song will move up to DM with Kos back, so Rosicky would have to move into the 2nd cm role dropping Diaby and Jack to the bench then. Also a headache for the boss with Walcott on form and vPersie ready to start from the off. Would you drop Chamakh against the blackburn defense? He’s starting to find his feet in the pl and the more games he plays the better.
No I will not drop Chamakh. He gives us presence in the opposition box. We should give fat face something to worry about. For once, we can give him taste of his own medicine. We should play VanPersie behind Chamakh as second striker, and Robin does like deep lying role. Drop Arshavin and play Rosiscky in his place. Song and Fab in the CM. Theo on the right to attach the full back. That should give plenty of problems to the fat face. Their only chance to score a goal is from set pieces. However, with Chamakh’s heading ability, we now have better chance to defend at set pieces.
Wenger will surely have some tricky decisions to make. I guess it’s best to think about it only after the week is over because you never know which Arsenal player might end up crocked!
“And Almunia caught a cross” hilarious.
credit where credit is due, eh 😛
I am just glad they battered a team they should batter. I am not expecting the title. I am just thrilled that so many players are emerging, on form, smarter, more controlled arrogance, as it will be a long season and we need to build a mature and confident foundation for a title push next year.
Rosicky will be our super sub when struggling to break someone down at home or on the road, with occasional starts, or get starts in Europe. Walcott same, but he should probably also play at home and more a sub in Europe?
Diaby and Song and Chamakh should all start against Blackburn, plus RvP. Maybe Eboue, too. Just leave Arshavin as the only little one. (Cesc doesn’t count; he rarely gets bossed.) The bigger the line up the better. Diaby needs to stay mean and bothered, Chamakh, too.
This article wasn’t about us winning the league or anything like that. It’s just some Doomers, who have proven abilities to misunderstand simple points or to completely miss the point, that are talking about the title.
I don’t want to think too much into the future because in the last two seasons whenever we’ve had a full quota of players someone or the other has picked up a serious injury.
…and the pollyannas over the top.
Desi, I would expect better than a knee jerk reaction. Remind us of our opener last term, it’s a long season and this is not a proper analysis. Blackpool?
Great match, but the downside is the window could be closed.
If you read again you’ll see that I’ve said there is no point in analyzing such a game. This article was about enjoying a great game.
I’m tired of all the transfer talk because there is nothing new … all through the summer I’ve only talked about the transfers where there has been a point that I found important. Once again, not a topic to be brought up in such an article.
its funny that we are all short sighted we cannot even find out why it became sloppy after the introduction of Cesc .actually Rosicky played far much better HE needs the space he does better without Cesc on the picth. we still need A good CB and a goolie these boys cannot take on chel$ke yet . lets not be all carried away that fast
That’s the kind of over-analysis that doesn’t make any sense. By the time Cesc came on everyone was just having fun on the pitch. Go and see the early part of the 07-08 season to see how well the two play together.
Rosicky is BACK! Waiting to see our play against tougher sides though.
Ya rite..
I feel very comfortable at the very sight of Song. The lad looks rock solid. Be it a DM role or CB role, he provides solidity which lets other players to breath easy.
Its very important for both Rosicky and Theo to stay fit as in the former’s case we all know his is pure CLASS which we need it against teams which come with Park the Bus mentality and for the latter its very important to continue his development.
I would like to have Shay Given at the Goal. Just a wish.. Anyways, Wenger Knows..
Nice graphical analysis. It was an encouraging result, but not one to get over-excited about given the (lack of) quality of the opposition. Still, three points is three points – and we didn’t “do a Hull”, so all is good!
If you’re interested, here’s my review of the match – I’d welcome your thoughts:
http://thearmchairsportsfan.com/2010/08/22/arsenal-and-walcott-bring-blackpool-down-to-earth-with-a-bump/
Good performance, and a special mention to Rosicky on this one.
Was really impressed by Walcott, his movements were absolutely fantastic today. Good to see.
Its also good to see Chamakh, who had a howler, come out with a goal in the end. It shows grit from the player.
However, this is not the opposition footie we will be exposed to in England. Teams will not be willing to play the ball on the ground like Blackpool did. With this in mind we need to secure our reinforcements, i.e. I hope Wenger doesnt look at this performance (much like he did with Everton last year) and decide that the team is up to scratch. Tougher tests will come and we need to be ready.
Goalkeeper
Defender
Defensive Central Midfield
I agree, this was probably the easiest game we will get all season. Still, no reason not to enjoy it for a few days.
Yesterday was a demonstration of the “real” rosicky. When he’s fully fit and playing centrally he is one of the best creative attacking midfielders around. The only thing cesc that makes cesc better is that he can score a lot of goals. So I think rosicky rather than nasri should play centrally when cesc is out at the moment.
I wouldnt read too much into song’s performance. Blackpool at home with 10 men couldnt test him too much. We know he’s a reliable guy, but DM is his position for me. He’s much better when facing the play than when he has to turn, I think, but he can and will imo be one of the world’s best DMs. He has everything you need for that position.
On theo, hope he can continue this form, but we’ve been here before so many times now. He puts in one good performance, and everyone says “told you so”. Imo he didnt deserve to start the game yesterday because he’s been poor for so long. Hes never proven himself over a run of games so imo vela deserved the chance instead. It was a game where we could give that chance to a young striker and the likelihood was that he would be able to use it to gain confidence. As it turns out vela got about 20mins, and did pretty well, but it is ultimately disappointing because he didnt have the time to really make an important impact. Theo now has yet another opportunity to prove himself, but why should anyone be optimistic that he will do so? I hope he will prove me wrong (because that is all I can do) but his track record gives me no reason for optimism. He will probably play ok in the next game and then just descend into mediocrity, while vela and eboue continue to watch from the sidelines.
Have patience. Just to remind you that lad is only 21. If you know how footballers develop, then you would know that you will not get those consistence performances from him untill he is at least 22 or may be 23. In the mean time you will just have to put up with his development progress and accept some bad performances from him. Its all part of the package with a young player.
I understand, and I agree he can become a very good player in the future, but why does HE get all the opportunities when players like vela, merida and even wilshere last season also show great potential?
And why is he treated as a 1st team regular when he has been so inconsistent for so long. I agree we shouldnt give up on him but imo his chances in the 1st team should have been a bit more limited and hes done nothing to deserve a 60k pw contract..
I have no problem with arsene trying to develop young players, in fact I love it, but you cannot persist for 3 years with no clear result – that’s madness! You give these kids a run of games, and if they cant show consistency, you say “ok, he’s not ready yet, we have more work to do”, keep him playing reserve games, or send him out on loan. Then you can try him again some time later – you dont persist with him and continue to play him in the big games! That hurts the 1st team TOO much.
Anyway, he has yet another chance to prove he is capable now. Theres nothing else to do but support him, but there is no cause for optimism. It’s been the same for 3 or 4 years now..
Theo hasn’t had a good run of games for a long, long time. Every time he is in form he ends up injured. Let’s see how he does when he stays fit. My point is we need to show him some respect and have some patience. Constant scrutiny and criticism doesn’t help a youngster. What I don’t get is, why do gooners want to make their own players’ lives difficult?
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Didnt see the game. How was Chamakh
Not completely convinced about his shooting. Great work rate, good positioning, decent touch, great header.
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explosive performance by arsenal..
with cesc and RvP is back will give wenger headache to think who will start for trip to blackburn..
TR7 & walcott is on form, chamakh shouldnt be dropped to the bench as he’ll cause problem to blackburn’s defence.
but it’s good to see everyone come back…