Arsenal kicked off their Carling Cup campaign last night with a 2-0 win over Championship leaders West Brom. Second half strikes from Sanchez Watt and sub Carlos Vela saw the Gunners through to round four despite the Baggies impressing before having Jerome Thomas sent off for slapping Jack Wilshere.
You can view a Match Report Here. Scroll down for Player Ratings an analysis.
– Szczesny – (7) – Great debut. Once or twice when coming for a cross wasn’t able to gather the ball. But it was good to see he had the confidence to come and claim. Made some good stops as well.
– Gilbert – (6) – Wasn’t asked many questions, especially after Thomas was sent off. However, the one time Thomas did attack Gilbert he was able to take it round him with ease. Wasn’t able to link up with Sunu too effectively.
– Senderos – (7) – Solid at the back, looked composed on the ball as well. Also made a couple of chances for himself at the beginning of the game. Booked.
– Silvestre – (7) – Helped the team with his experience and was able to sniff out any danger, can still get turned at times. But in general held the line well.
– Gibbs – (7) – Was rarely troubled and in all honesty didn’t have a lot to do. Looked extremely comfortable, but we didn’t see too many raging runs forwards, concentrated more on his defensive duties.
– Traore – (7) – Took a little while to get going in an unfamiliar position, but as the game went on looked at ease in the position. Was able to ask questions of West Brom’s right back and was often an outlet for Arsenal.
– Ramsey – (7) – First half didn’t get the ball as much as he would of liked, but in the second half took the game by the scruff of the neck. Always looked to create something, but perhaps sometimes tried to over complicate things. But it is clear that the young man is learning. Booked.
– Coquelin – (6) – Made some big challenges and almost assisted Watt for the opener. However, gave the ball away a few times in risky positions. Worked hard though, and had a good debut, certainly one for the future.
– Wilshere – (8) – Technique and touch is absolutely class for such a young lad. Was able to find space and drive in to it with some direct dribbles. Drew in lots of fouls, and his determination is second to none. Everything good about Arsenal went through Jack, particularly in the first half. Wenger though may want to have a quiet word with him after the Thomas incident. Boys class though.
– Sunu – (6) – Showed a couple of nice touches and what he is capable of but never really got going. The energy was there but was unable to really get in to the game.
– Watt – (7) – Full of running, but was perhaps sometimes too enthusiastic. Was unable to hold the ball up as well as he would of liked, and fell over a few times on the turf. Considering he was up top on his own though managed to cause an experienced West Brom defence some problems and on another day could of had a couple. Scored a real strikers goal by following in the rebound, and this will give him some confidence to take in to the next game.
Substitutes
– Vela – (9) – Changed to a 4-4-2 and gave Arsenal much more of an outlet. Instantly caused problems for the West Brom defence with his nifty foot work and off the ball movement. Set up one and scored the other, was a real match winner.
– Randall – (7) – Did extremely well after coming on. Spread the ball and broke up any of West Brom’s counter attacks well. Also provided the moment of the match with a delightful chip which hit the crossbar and led to Arsenal’s goal.
– Barazite – (7) – Showed some very neat touches and along with Randall and Vela looked lively and always wanted the ball after coming on.
Article By – Nick Love
Does Gilbert have future at arsenal?
i was at the game and ramsey ran the show, was class, especially when he moved to DM when Coquelin (who also played very well) went off 7/10 is not justice. Ramsey was man of the match
Good points there but Imo i would put Jack rating as 7 but everyone elses ratings is spot on
I feel 6 is harsh for Coquelin. I thought he was really solid, making lots of tackles and playing the simple ball.
Just like the first team, not many people wanted to shoot…
Great effort from Randall though who at times can look a real class act, reminding me of Frank Lampard but at others is unable to string a pass together.
Yeh I was close to giving Coquelin a 7 and maybe I should of, but just thought at times he gave the ball away in dodgy positions, which u just cant do. I did think he had a gd debut though! And I think its safe to say he wll make it at Arsenal
Coquelin deserved a 6, no way a 7.
He really did disappoint on a technical level, but has bags of energy.
agree with no1fran_merida. we were on the back foot for some time in the first half and coquelin did so much to break up their attacks. Personally I must have missed him giving the ball away, i thought his distribution was good. Good article.
i thought szeczeny deserved an 8 for the performance, very composed and anticipated the danger well for someone making his debut in goal. future talent for sure
Excellent ratings, it is nice to have the site back posting regularly, always quality analysis and info here.
Having been very happy that randall was not playing, I think he was the reason we went out last year and whenever I have watched he has been eratic at best, he showed his talent last night. When he tackles well and teh passes hit he looks like a top talent in the xabi alonso mold.
Wilshere, vela, watt were all excellent. The whole team when you consider that so many were out of the youth cup should be extremely proud. They will only get better, even the bench had top players and lansbury and JET to return.
I think senderos and silvestre deserve more credit than they have got generally. Senders looked sharp and confident, bursting into midfield a few times second half. I am starting to get worried that we will let him and gallas wind their contracts down like flamini and regret it. Sign them both up and get a new signing or promote bartly when silvestre’s finishes.
I was one of the visiting Albion fans, obviously disappointed not to have witnessed a 11 v 11 game. Although you have [and have had for many years] good young players, to be honest, I thought that they should have been better. These are supposed to be players on the fringe of the first team – indeed the majority have playing and/or bench warming experience. That team should ba as good as an average Premiership team and much better than a Championship outfit in my opinion. Further, in years gone by I think they would have beaten a Championship side down to ten men by a bucket full rather than scoring only one and getting gifted a second. Are the best young players going elsewhere? Dont get me wrong, I love watching any Arsenal team play but I think you are now definitely the fourth of the big four with Man City biting your ankles.
Agree with article and ratings in general, good stuff as ever. Have to say Gilbert does not look up to scratch, a Championship player at best. Could see huge potential in Watt, he definitely needs to beef up to deal with stronger and more experienced defenders.
Coquelin deserved a 7 – noticable (to me at least) that 10 man WBA 2 best chances came after he was subbed and Randall was in the defensive role
hey arsenehollis. You used to write for arsenalinsider right? Have you left or are you on a break? Havent seen any stuff from you or PerryGrovesLovechild in a good few months.
i thought coquelin was fantastic not motm but a very good solid performance, he looked comfotbale on the ball.
WHY THE FUCK DO PEOPLE RATE WATT SO HIGHLY, HE WAS SHOCKINGLY SHIT YESTERDAY.
excellent rating except i had Chesney in goal as my MOM 2/3 quality saves and no sign of nerves a great take towards the end from a wba cross. vela made the difference but AW should be congratulated for changing to 442 giving Watt some help up front and Jack going wide….well done lads
Sorry but that’s very kind ratings. Not what I thought when I was at game and manyu around me. definitely not as good as other years. Vela changed game and rightly was bst/most influential player. His quality immediately showed so deserves a 9.
Hpwever Gilbert should get no more than a 5 at most. Did nothing going forward and got easily beat a number of times. Traore was poor and didn’t do much for whole game. Sunu too was also showed he’s not ready for step up yet. All of them were 5’s at most. They can improve though. But the cohesivness didn’t show (even vs 10 men for most parts).
I think you should swap the player ratings for Coquelin and Ramsey. Ramsey was completely anonymous before the change of formation. With Wilshere part of the midfield 3, our 4-3-3 turned into more of a 4-2-3-1, which really shackled Ramsey in holding role. As such, he was almost entirely a passenger until Vela and Randall came on. What he did do by that point was usually poor. On the other hand, Coquelin was far more involved, tackling, passing, dropping back to cover for Senderos’ forward runs, a la Song whenever Gallas or Vermaelen goes forward. He did misplace the occasional pass, but no more than Ramsey had to the point where Coquelin was subbed off. Ramsey improved after that point, but to say that he “took the game by the scruff of the neck” is rather generous indeed.
Also, Sunu was an absolute passenger. What does an attacking player have to do to earn a 5? Miss complete sitters?
No one gave the ball away more than Watt, but his energy, work-rate, and, most importantly, his goal saved his rating.
Barazite was good after he came on, but not good enough to deserve a 7 for 20 minutes of work (unlike Randall).
yh we all support arsenal but you dont need to win us over by giving kind ratings, would be better epescially for people who couldnt see the game if you said what you thought. Please tell me thats not what you thought.
I wouldn’t exactly say there really generous raings. Theres only two above an 8. There young developing players, and I dont think giving sunu and Gilbert a 5 is justified. They weren’t involved much, but didnt exactly do much wrong.
Ramsey i think second half paticularly stepped his game up as he had been a little quiet in the first half.
Didn’t think watt was that great at all, but at the end of the day he playd up top on his own and got his goal. Think a 7 is fair.
Essentially Arsenal won 2-0 and I thought they played well for a young team who were playing against a good, quality side.
No 9 that is what I thought!
At the end of the day everyone view’s the game differently and has different opinions.
I agree with the rating. Coquelin and Ramsey partnership I think just need sometime to gel. There were a few times where they both came for the ball at the same position but with times that would change.
I was disappointed that Sunu did not get involved with plays right away to show his talent. I think the only occasion was when he switch to the left did he show a glimpse. hopefully next round he get to show his talent.
sorry ‘two above a 7’ not a ‘8’
In the modern game, a winger has to be almost equally good with both feet in order to be as effective on both wings. It explains why players lik JW are less effective when playing on the left, or Barazite being less effective when playing on the right.
Anyone ever seen Ribery play on the right? Nowhere near as effective when playing on the left, or even Messi, who’s less effective on the left hand side.
This pretty much explains why Sunu couldn’t perform as well as he can. He is deadly on the left (on his day).
The only two players who are equally effective on both wings right now are Ronaldo and Hleb (that i can think of right now). They are great with both feet and therefore will always bamboozle the opposition as they won’t know which way they’ll go.
Also, certain players are better cutting in rather than going on the outside.
I think that it was a good result as, other than the first teamers, it was mainly the U18s involved and not the Reserves. Coquelin for me was excellent and so was Vela. Szczesney and Ramsey were good too.
Well I didn´t see the game but from what I´ve read it seem to have been a difficult game for the youngsters. But one point I have to make is that the players out there where all players who would not be in the first team if everybody is fit, so to still have players on the bench who can chance the game shows how big the squat really is.
I would in the next game have a front 3 of Merida Vela Barazite. I just think they will be able to link up better and keep the ball a lot more. Watt and Sunu to come off the bench if we are chasing the keep.
I don’t understand why Barazite has fell down the pecking order he is still a class act.
Nice to see Frimpong is on his way back.
good point TJ, the other thing is that if you’re not equally good with both feet, you have to be lightning quick to play on the right wing for a right footed player or on the left wing for a left footed player, like Lennon or Robben.
Players with more creativity like to cut inside, to play as wide playmakers (ribery, joe cole, messi, pires etc.).
Deacon is, as Hleb, equally good with both feet..I’m sure Wenger noticed that
“Bass Baby” – piss off.. ur a west brom fan you’re not welcome here… do you know how completely inexperienced at this level half of our team was??? And what you expected us to beat you about 6-0??? You’re a pretty good side.. have some self-respect… idiot. The team worked hard and took you out….
Exactly Sharpovic mate, that’s why people like Traore can only be a left winger and Valencia can only be a right winger. They’re more of the conventional type wingers. The majority of modern day wingers have evolved to be more like ‘wide playmakers’ as you put it. Spot on mate.
i dont think gilbert has future at arsenal. average RB. full muscle, no brain
They played well. Walcotts goal was good.. A great way to look at the seocnd and third teams. http://bobbygee.wordpress.com/
Great analysis as always bobbygee.
BobbyGee, It was Watt and Vela who scored!
Gooner 14
I can tell you that Arsene won’t start Barazite in the next game. Arsene will continue to play Watt ahead of Barazite because of his work rate and his extraordinary finishing abilities. Arsene saw Watt finishing off half chances during the Youth Cup and League games and ever since Watt has been on the rise. He played him in pre-season to the surprise of everyone and was on the bench during the CL game with Standard Liege. As it is, unless something else happens Watt is closer to the first team than Barazite, Randall, Simpson, Lansbury, Hoyte, Bartley, Ayling, Sunu and Coquelin.
The only players ahead of Watt now are Gibbs, Merida, Ramsey and JW.
Watt may not be technically superior but you can’t take away his work rate, pace and finishing abilities.
“Wenger needs to have a quite word with Wilshere about the Thomas incident”.
What is he going to say to the lad exactly? “Stop disposessing ex-Arsenal players”? “Stop dribbling past the other team and getting kicked”?
Don’t be ridiculous – the kid played well and despite being grabbed by the throat, he didnt get violent. Which tells me he has the right temperament!
And I dont know why you fall so easily for DiMatteo’s propaganda – a “fellow professionals” or “colleagues” that worthy of respect do NOT foul you repeatedly and blatantly and then offer you a phony hand up in order to avoid getting carded for persistent fouling!
Watt may have better finishing qualities but Barazite spent last season on the right wing for Derby. Therefore his work rate must be at least good. Once Vela takes the central striking position for the next game i personally Barazite is much more suited to playing on the left or right of a front 3 than Watt.
Lets not forger Barazite was our best reserve player for the two seasons prior to his loan spell.
I agree with cj, most of our squad was teenagers and half of them have just come out of the u-18 last season or are still eligible to play for them now not to mention we still beat you with that very same team. It sounds like you prettty much came to the game expecting to get battered which is pathetic to be quite frank. But tell me what does the case of who is where in the ‘big four’ have to do with our or anybody else’s youth team?
If you look at Watt and Barazite, its pretty obvious why Wenger has Watt ahead. He has more speed and he hustles non-stop, when in posession and on defense as well. That hustle is how he scored that rebound off of Vela’s goal.
Watt’s touch is actually good, what he lacks is patience and that is why he bobbles the ball. Barazite is interesting but his problem is he isnt as physical or fast as a Watt. Nor does he show the same level of mental strength.
Dont get me wrong I think Barazite is a premier league player too. Bu tits pretty obvious to me that Watt has the type of attributes that will get him chances right NOW in a Wenger team, same as Gibbs did last year.
Sam I think you misunderstand what I mean. Im talking about how one second he had his head in his hands in agony but the next was in Thomas face. Could easily bring negative media, and u don’t want that at such a young age! I didn’t doubt his performance at all. I thought he was outstanding!
That I dont have a problem with. He was struck in the face. The refs these days are both dim and gutless. f the players dont make it clear that they have been hit, they get NO calls whatsoever.
And Arsenal gets the worst of this. This is why we foul the least in the league and yet we get carded the most. How perverse is that.
So no, personally I dont think Wilshere needs to apologize for underlining that he was hit in the face – he was. its not for anyone to dictate to him how he should react to that, as long as he didnt react to that blow by taking to violence himself. And that he didnt.
Nacer Barazite has never really impressed me that much sure he scored alot of goals in the reserve team but so did Jay Simpson, but Sanchez Watt seems to be getting better all the time and like others have said Arsene Wenger really likes him and if he sees somthing in him that is more than good enough for me IMO.
Should HAVE!! Would HAVE!! Could HAVER… not of
“All muscle no brain”
So Gilbert is like Micah Richards??
And Arsenal gets the worst of this. This is why we foul the least in the league and yet we get carded the most. How perverse is that.
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I’m sure this claim investigated on sky sports last year and analysis of the stats found this not to be true.
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