Review: FC Twente 0 - Arsenal 2

I've got a couple of words to describe last night's performance: lackadaisical, disjointed, disinterested, wobbly, unconvincing, poor, unmotivated, lucky.

It was simply terrible. There I was, sitting at 3am in front of the telly, watching a terrible performance unfold before me, and wondering what the heck I was doing up. The first half in particular was scary. But for the fact that we were playing an even more crap team in front of goal, this could have been a bad bad result. How we played reminded me of an FA Cup game, and a Carling Cup game last season. Shocking. It had a total pre-season irrelevant game feel to it, except that we all know it is far from irrelevant.

A crappy game begets a crappy first goal, and the fact that we got a second was probably testament more to a tiring Twente than anything else. I suppose this is as good a time as ever to try out some specific player ratings:

Almunia 7 - He had a little bit to do, and when needed, pulled off a good save or two. This should be a good confidence-building game for Saturday.

Sagna 7 - The only dude who seemed remotely interested and up to it. He can be forgiven a little bit of rustiness, given his energy and commitment.

Gallas 7 - Would have given him a 6, but he gets an extra mark for doing what he does best - sneaking in unnoticed at free kicks and corners. He didn't really score the goal. He just put himself in the way of the ball.

Djourou 6 - Generally unspectacular. One or two scary moments, but it's a toss up whether it's better to have Senderos instead.

Clichy 6 - Not one of his better games. But his energy again is undoubted. Just needs a few more games to get back in shape.

Eboué 1 - I'd have given him a big fat zero. But I suppose he should get a mark just for showing up, or getting himself sent off. What the hell he's still doing in an Arsenal shirt is beyone me. Not a single decent cross, attempt at goal, or attempt at a run. Just pathetic (as usual).

Denilson 5 - Terribly, terribly disappointing. This was his chance. But he flubbed it. Never seemed enthused enough, and was largely pedestrian. No indication of any creativity, and his passes looked more like hopeful kicks than anything else. I think it was he who allowed that dude Denneboom straight through on goal in the first half with barely a sniff as resistance.

Ramsey 6 - Not too convincing either, but can be forgiven, and there were one or two instances of what may be.

Walcott 6 - Disappointing too. Seemed too lightweight, unfortunately. Never made any of his trademark runs, and just looked generally weak. His pass to Ade at the end earned him a consolation mark.

RVP 6.5 - Rather inconsistent. Had glimpses of his usual self, but was generally muted. Didn't do very much to threaten the Dutch defence.

Ade 6 - Generally absent, except for the goal. Never got into the march, and never imposed himself on the game.

All in all, it was not an encouraging performance. All that was needed was a third rate Dutch team to man mark and run down each Arse player, and we were rendered impotent. For the first 60 minutes, there was none of the usual passing, and the fact that our goal came from a scrappy free kick was typical.

Le Boss has got to raise the team. Last night's performance was probably the worst in pre-season, and we've got to pick it up in double quick time for Saturday. He's of course made comments more optimistic than called for, but the point is that we cannot keep using a "young team" as excuse for a less than adequate performance. The next obvious question is why then do we have to keep hoping for extraordinary performances from our youngsters?

As far as this tie is concerned, good thing is that the return leg is largely meaningless. We'd better concentrate on our performances from Saturday on.