Everton 1 - 0 Arsenal FC

Another appalling away-day performance.
I single out Sol Campbell, Gilberto, Pires and Ljungberg as under-performers. It's disgraceful especially when you think that these people earn as much as they do.
The only Arsenal player who really gave a damn about the team was 18-year-old Cesc Fabregas and he got sent off right at the death. I don't blame him for it though; at least he showed spirit and fought for a cause.
Even Captain Henry was strolling around the park most of the time. He really isn't quite captain material, I don't think.
Gilberto is just weak and sloppy and Sol Campbell got easily brushed off the ball for Everton's goal. England call up for him? I'd be worried if I were English.
The seniors are really not lifting the team at all. They're not showing enough commitment and that's a bloody shame.

Arsenal FC 7 - 0 Middlesboro

I was out catching up with an old friend and didn't really get a chance to watch this game. Caught a couple of the first half goals but completely missed the second.
Apart from the score line the other good news was that Pascal Cygan was replaced by Ashley Cole at some point in the first half.
Everything else went, evidently, smooth. Nuff said...no need to harp on.

Wigan 1 - 0 Arsenal FC (League Cup Semi-Finals 1st leg)

I didn't really watch this match. I missed practically the entire first half and switched off five minutes from time.
The Gunners were poor.
Apart from Manuel Almunia, Phillipe Senderos, Johan Djourou, Kerrea Gilbert and, in my opinion, Gilberto Silva (who was captain for the night), none of the other Arsenal players gave a shit about the game.
Worst of all, to no surprise, was Pascal Cygan. The idiot kept getting drawn into the middle leaving Gilberto no choice but to track back from centre midfield to left back to provide cover.
Honestly I don't know why Cygan still wears an Arsenal shirt. He keeps sucking up the precious little midfield resources we have left by leaving a gaping hole in defence every time he starts acting mad higher up the pitch.
If it not Jose Reyes, it's Gilberto that has to track back...Cygan should be shot!
Speaking of Reyes, he was utterly hopeless last night and so were Alex Hleb, Freddie Ljungberg, Mattheiu Flamini and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie.
The forward line was completely useless. They barely bothered the wigan defence...and this against a weakened Latics side that apparently lost two players through injury during the first half.
It's important that Ashley Cole or Gael Clichy come back really soon. Cygan will cause the destruction of this already frail team.
Time to get involved in the transfer market...

Arsenal FC 2 - 1 Cardiff

This game wasn't televised but I heard that Jose Reyes continued his revival with an assist.
Robert Pires pop-ed up with both of Arsenal's goals, the second coming from a Dennis Bergkamp assist.
In the end, there was apparently a lot for Manuel Almunia to do in goal to ensure we made it to the next round.
Can't say much about the rest though I did notice that Sebastian Larsson was given about 15 minutes to impress.
Though it's not long, but the fact that the gaffer's getting him off the bench more and more often is a good sign for the Swede.
And while he wasn't very, very impressive against Ajax in the Champion's League match earlier this season, he's certainly someone to look out for in the near future.
Also Quincy got a run out as well, coming in for Reyes in the second half. As mentioned before, he hasn't really impressed me.
He can dribble like a mad man but there's rarely any end product from all the hard work.
The Ivorians had to run off and join their national squad so Johan Djourou came into the heart of defence.
Young Englishman, Kerrea Gilbert, also got a run out on the right side of defence, apparently.
Apparently also, Cardiff scored a dodgy goal, but it didn't matter in the end.
Anyway, here's the line-up: Manuel Almunia, Lauren, Philippe Senderos, Johan Djourou, Kerrea Gilbert, Robert Pires, Matheiu Flamini, Gilberto, Jose Reyes (Quincy Owusu-Abeyie 45), Dennis Bergkamp, Robin van Persie (Sebastian Larsson 77),
Subs: Mart Poom, Alexander Hleb, Arturo Lupoli.

Arsenal FC 0 - 0 Manchester United

The game against ManUre wasn't a cracker but it was entertaining enough.
The team wasn't at its best but neither was it at its worst. Some players seemed to really get in the mood which is great to see.
Nothing like bitter rivalry to spur things forward.
Gilberto Silva had one of his better games. For once he was getting in the tackles and winning the ball back for the team.
That helped Arsenal hold plenty of possession in the first half.
Cygan was dodgy throughout and it looked like the defence was going to crack towards the latter part of the game because of his mistakes in giving away possession.
He keeps getting sucked into more central midfield battles when he should mind his own business and keep the left flank clear.
Luckily though, Sol Campbell had a decent game this time around. He got stuck in and placed a few very important, well timed tackles.
Jens Lehmann pulled off a great reaction save to deny Rude Van Nestleboy and continues to be consistent.
He's probably got the World Cup to motivate him on though I have a feeling he's going to be bitterly disappointed.
Thierry Henry occasionally showed some great movement but wasn't awfully effective.
Robert Pires tried but just couldn't do enough.
Jose Reyes ran his socks off. I have new found respect and hope for the boy. His commitment to the Arsenal cause has been undenyable in the past few games.
Alex Hleb tried but like in previous games, just hasn't gelled with the others yet. His time will come.
Cesc Fabregas probed and ran at the midfielders but couldn't break through.
In the end, I guess it was a point well earned for both teams. Neither really threatened but they kept getting at each other.
I was a committed performance from both sides and though tempers were beginning to show, nothing got out of control and neither side put in any nasty challenges.
A point to note is that Arsenal were actually playing a 4-5-1 formation rather than their usual 4-4-2 so maybe that's why they weren't getting forward enough.
With 4-5-1, I feel you need an out-and-out striker with pace. While Henry has the pace, he's just a typical centre forward and not an out-and-out striker.
He seems to either need to pass or run onto a great through ball to his feet that only either Bergkamp or Pires are capable of making in this current Arsenal side.
I'm hoping Cesc and Hleb will take on the mantle for creative passing really soon. They have so much potential.

Aston Villa 0 - 0 Arsenal FC

What a dull game. Aston Villa tried all they could but being the mediocre team that they've been for the past few seasons, they just couldn't break Arsenal down.
It's not like Arsenal were playing well, Villa just sucked.
In fact, if you asked me, I'd have to say it was a point well earned for Arsenal.
They were so poor in many areas of the pitch that we have to thank Milan Baros for being such a shitty hitter of the ball to gift us the point - not resolute defending.
Pascal Cygan was back on the left side of defence and I don't think I need to elaborate on his performance...he's quite consistently bad.
Another player who has been consistent, as I've mentioned before in other posts, is Jens Lehmann.
He didn't have a blinder but he did quite reasonably well. I noticed that he doesn't come out very far to meet oncoming attackers though. Wonder why...
Gilberto didn't start so we had Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini in the middle. They're still not the best midfield pairing.
I look on in envy at Liverfool and Chelski's central midfielders...such power and experience...something Arsenal clearly lack this season.