Okay, maybe I'm being a little harsh in the title, but watching Diaby slow down counterattack after counterattack is getting old. There were several times today where he did the work to bring the ball up from deep from Birmingham territory, shirk defenders, and then proceeded to not pass the ball to the wings joining him on the left and right. Instead, he whirled in his little circles allowing the rest of the defensive troupe to arrive and ...counterattack ended. Then pass, after pass, after pass and back to the other end. Our ability to finish a counterattack with a goal is diminished without Cesc. We still have great short passing, and actually great creativity, but the timing of releasing the ball for a pass that carves the defense was not there. The willingness to take a shot on goal when 10 yards or more out from the box was not there. Perhaps if Rozicky had started instead of our Russian who had played two games over the Interlull and looked quite atrocious, the finishing would have been better. I think in the 25 minutes or so that he played, Tommy looked like he looked all season...capable of making something out of nothing.
Anyway, I guess I'll end the Diaby tirade by saying he made great runs but needs to improve the timing of his passing and shooting. When those attributes come to the forefront, he could run a game where we get a 4-1 result instead of a 2-1.
Other than Diaby's pirouettes, late passing and shooting, I have very few complaints about the team's performce. The first goal by Birmingham was made by a player who is 6'7" off a free kick. DJ did not mark him well (one can see he still not at his best)...but he's 6'7". And while I was cursing at the television as we kept giving away needless free kicks in dangerous areas (okay, maybe I do have another complaint), Fabianski responded well by catching, punching, and commanding his area. This is Lukasz third solid perform ace. I think Almunia, if still injured, will find it difficult to return to his position. If he's not injured, then I'd say he may be on his way out come January.
Okay onto the two controversial - or maybe not so controversial - incidents of the match. Chamakh's penalty and Jack's red card. The Chamak-attak is being accused of diving. Jack could have broken Zigic's leg. Both occurrences could have been foreseen. Chamakh has flailed in the box before, making contact as he goes down, arms thrashing. Jack went in late against Zigic, over the ball, and could have snapped his ankle. This is Jack's first red card but he has been acting reckless for a while. Not just with tackles, but with going in with gusto against big, muscular players. Big Z called him "crazy" in the Bolton game for his bravery/recklessness. Today the recklessness won out. To Arsenal's credit, the reaction of both Wilshere and Wenger were a bit different than those of a Shawcross or Allardyce. Jack took responsibility for the red card. He not only took responsibility but also says he will learn about it. Hmmm...that's a different reaction from that mope Shawcross who stated he wouldn't change anything about how he tackled...after he broke Rambo's leg. Broke. A. Leg. I don't like that Jack made such a bad tackle but feel better knowing he's going to try and not repeat it.
So, all in all, it's three points on a weekend when Manure and Chelski dropped two points each. Now we need MacCity to do the same tomorrow against Blackpool. Hey...it could happen.
Tuesday we have our Champions League game at the Emirates against Dudu's Shaktar. Hopefully, we will have some more players back from the injury list including our Captain. I'm worried though as www.physioroom.com has him listed as "very doubtful" for the 24th after being removed from the list altogether this last Monday. The good news is that we are no longer at the top of the chart with the most number of players injured. We are now in third with only five players out. One has to find the silver lining, hasn't one?
That's it for today. I'll probably be back on Monday with a preview of our CL game on Tuesday. Until then Gooners.
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