Arsenal manages another draw at St James Park in their first league match of the season. It’s not another 4-4 draw, but the result is as expected by many fans and pundit. Last season, Arsenal also drew their first match with Liverpool which saw sent off of Joe Cole and Koscielny.
Coming to this game and seeing Joey Barton in the team sheet really make me uneasy. I don’t need another reminder how he ruined Arsenal title charge last season single handedly. My gut feeling didn’t fail me as Joey Barton cause another Arsenal sending off in the shape of Gervinho. Like last season when he should also been sent off, he miraculously staying on the pitch and only receiving red card. Come on ref, are you afraid Joey Barton will assault you when he sees you outside?
As I stated in my previous post a few months ago, Arsenal really need to work out their counter attack and free kick if they want to grind off result.
Defensively, Arsenal are doing very well and deserve an big round of applause. It is always good not to concede in the first match and give the defense a whole lot of confident. At this kind of situation that the team really needs to take any opportunity to win the game. Just one chances well taken, it will be three points in the bag.
Counter attack. There are two moments when Arsenal should have create and opportunity or scores from the counter attack. The first was when Arshavin release, with only Gervinho and a defender to beat, he just waste the opportunity by giving it to the defender instead of putting Gervinho through on goal. The second counter attack comes very late in the game. Djourou manage to bring the ball out of the danger zone and beat one Newcastle player at the middle of the pitch. He have the option of RVP and Theo, under no pressure he pass the ball at the back of Theo instead of in front and the chances go begging.
If Arsenal want to grind the result and win by 1-0, this is the area they need to improve. Arsenal have fast players upfront, they should take full advantages of their speed.
The next match will be Udinese. This is the game that Arsenal shouldn’t take lightly. I hope Ryo Miyachi can play. Looking forward for a positive result.
