Review: Arsenal 3 - Burnley 0

Most important take-away: if we beat Hull, it’s Chelski in the semis. Yummy. I suppose I’d have rather Everton, but better than playing Man U. But Hull first, and before that, what we did against Burnley. In the other semi, it’s Man U v Everton, so we know who’s going to be in the final.

Arse started on pretty indifferent footing: slack passing, dawdling too long on the ball, the usual. As the game wore on, however, we seemed to take the game a little bit more seriously, and Eduardo slowly found his way into the game. Funny that the goal came just as I was getting peeved with the performance – and what a finish by Vela. He’s beginning to make the cheeky chip a speciality of his. We really should’ve added a second – but for a few great challenges from the Burnley defence.

Song even had a few worthy contributions, one of which was a great pass over the Burnley defence to Eduardo, only for – again – a last minute clearance. Hey, Eboue even had a shot at goal, so we can’t really complain. All through the first half, one thought that kept coming to mind was: Hey, Diaby ain’t that bad really. He just seems a much better option consistently than Denilson. Less lightweight, more able to assert himself on the game.

And to the second half we went: AND WHAT A FREAKIN’ SUBLIME FINISH from Eduardo for the second goal. Quite simply the best we’ve seen this season so far. How we’ve missed his brilliance. Breathtaking it was, and just as breathtaking was Song’s chipped assist.

After that, however, it was just crappy defence, and crappy finishing. The game should’ve been dead and buried by minute 60. Theo spurned a one-on-one for a fairy tale return, and RVP showed a great deal of je-ne-sais-quoi lack of calm in skying a volley in front of an open goal when he had all the time to take two touches, have a cup of team and poke it in. (Methinks he had Eduardo’s goal in mind, and somehow felt he had to do better).

So, when it seemed like we would never score a third – up pops a moment of magic, from the unlikeliest of sources. Forget RVP, forget Theo. Yes – Song and Eboue. Leave it to them. Song for a clever back heel, and Eboue for an unlikely emphatic finish. Funny how it works sometimes.
All in all, we truly played Burnley off the pitch, and should’ve added a couple more just for the heck of it. We really need to put chances away better, and defend better if we’re going to do better against the likes of Roma on Wednesday.

Satisfying, therefore on certain fronts: the return of Eduardo and Walcott, Arshavin another 90 minutes and getting better, Song – capable of having a useful game, and us scoring goals again. Even Eboue; and Diaby showing why he should put some questions in Le Boss’ mind re Denilson.
The still not-so-satisfying: the wastefuless, the occasional weakness in defence, etc. But all in all, no point complaining.

The player ratings:

Fabianski 6.5 – Should keep his FA Cup credentials, at least. Not much to do, but had a dodgy moment during a corner.

Sagna 7 – I’m getting used to his reliably professional performances. Equally effective in defence and creating that spark up front.

Djourou 6 – Not good. Looked lost at times – and too many dodgy moments to be worthy of a starting place. What’s with these Swiss defenders of ours?

Gallas 6.5 – Not his best either. Looked absolutely out of it in the first half, but slowly got into it.

Gibbs 7 – An excellent stand-in for Clichy, looks like. Full of energy and imagination. Should have done better when he found himself in the Burnley box after an excellent run – but betrayed his age when he subsequently panicked.

Eduardo 8 – Captain, he was! Wow. What a second goal. The kind you just want watch over and over and over. Like right here, if you want.

Song 8.5 – Never thought the day would come, but maybe the exorcism really worked. Two brilliant assists. Let’s hope this is not the end of his contributions for the season.

Diaby 7 – Imposed himself generally, but must slowly rid himself of that habit of headless chicken-type running.

Vela 8 – A dodgy start, but after his brilliant goal, imposed himself thereafter.

Eboue 7.5 – His usual, running at everybody performance, but this time, seemed to not have forgotten his brains. A threat most of the time, and finally, a goal worthy of the red and white.

Arshavin 7 – Good in spurts, but getting there, it looks like. Should be really in the thick of things in good time. No worries there.

RVP (sub) 6.5 – Not one of his better performances. But maybe he’s saving it for Wednesday.

Theo (sub) 6.5 – Needs more time, and really should’ve scored with his chance set-up by Arshavin.

Ramsey (sub) 6.5 – Le Boss should give him a few more starts. An FA Cup tie looks to be just right, so maybe in the game with Hull.

So, it’s Wednesday we go. This should be nice confidence booster. Now that we’ve got a few back from injury, here’s who I think should make the pitch:

Almunia, Clichy, Toure, Gallas, Sagna, Nasri, Diaby, Song (can’t help it, can we?), Arshavin, RVP, Eduardo. Subs: Djourou, Denilson, Ramsey, Walcott, Bent Nick.

Can’t wait. Later, mates.