Key Incidents
Goal (Man Unitedl) (19 Seconds) - A comedy of errors - just not a comedy that any Gooners will find funny! A sloppy pass from Hoyte, combined with slips from Djourou and Clichy allowed Bellion to get a shot away. Almunia some how allowed this one to come off his hand and into the net. The expression on his face said it all in truth. A poor start which we never recovered from.
Player Ratings
Manuel Almunia - 5 - Would have loved to have been able to give him a six for the two good saves he made, but his early mistake in effect cost us the game. Yes I know that others will disagree and say we had a whole 89 minutes to get back into it, but it shook our players, and the pressure then showed on every one of them.
Gael Clichy - 6 - Reminds me of Ash a few years back. He has the ability within, and can play fantastic attacking football at times, but still hasn't learnt the defending side of the game to his full potential. He bombs forward, but doesn't get back quick enough, and this was evident on a number of occasions on Wednesday night. Once he learns his defensive trade, he will be on par with Ash and would be good to see the two combine down the left side. Today, however, he had an average game, putting in a few tackles, but at the same time losing the ball in bad areas.
Johan Djourou - 6 - Again he was, to my surprise, the better of the two centre backs. Had a good game in the air, and made a few decent covering tackles. Needs to bulk up a bit, as he was knocked off the ball a few times, but overall, has progressed pretty well.
Philippe Senderos - 5 ½ - Yes ok, I have started awarding half marks!! Again, he failed to really impress or impose himself upon the game. Before the Everton game in the last round, I was one of many calling for him to be brought up to the first team to replace Cygan, but now I see why Arsene left him out. He seems to have this need to take the ball down on his chest of knee, and left us in some sticky situations. Not as assured as he was in pre season, or as he was against Man City. Needs more time to develop his game before making that step up. Arsene knows!
Justin Hoyte - 6 - Had an average game, very much along the lines of Clichy, with some neat tackles and passing, but at the same time, weak in the air, and was caught out on his positioning a few times.
Jermaine Pennant - 6 - Did what he does best, but like the rest of the team, only in brief spells. He took on defenders, and sent in some what improved final balls. But to me, he doesn't look like he will ever be rivaling Freddie, especially with the form that Ljungberg has been in of late.
Mathieu Flamini - 6 - Kept the midfield ticking. Took on his role well, and played the ball about confidently.
Sebastian Larsson - 6 - Also had a good game in the middle of the park. Despite the fact that he has played at left back for the previous two Carling Cup games, he adapted well, and stood up to the bullying tactics of Phil Neville.
Quincy - 6 - Not the best that I have seen him play by a long shot. The flicks rarely came off, and he was kept quiet, as United seemed to get three men around him whenever he received the ball in their half. Was stifled out of the game, and didn't live up to expectation (for this game anyway)
Robin Van Persie - 6 - He has a hot head on him doesn't he?! His on-running battle with Richardson was the highlight of the night. Managed to get himself in the book for a bad looking challenge, and made sure he got himself about a bit. Giving himself quite a reputation early on in his days in England.
Arturo Lupoli - 5 - Had a few runs, but nothing to set the world alight, and that sums up our night really.
Subs:
Ryan Smith - 5 - Only a small glimpse of his true ability. Was given the same treatment as Quincy, and was kept out of the game.
Patrick Cregg - 5 - Can't say that I noticed him after he came on. No impact on the game.
Daniel Karbassiyoon - 5 - His only contribution to the match was to lose his man late on, but was rescued by Almunia.