Powder Puff Attack Couldn't Win Without Diaby

Rambo rampant
By Boris Mellor
January 3 2010

The moment I saw the line up for the game my heart sank, a front three of Wilshere, Eduardo and Vela. I text a few friends, "this front three will never score". One text's back "have faith", but faith is for religion not football tactics. A similar line up, except Wacott for Eduardo, had failed to score in Greece, and also at Man City in the Carling Cup (Merida in place of Eduardo).

It was a game of four quarters, and for three of them Arsenal made no impact. Yes Arsenal got into the box a few times, but all of the front three lose the ball, misdirect it, or on a few occasions unleash a weak shot. I really could not see where the goal would come from.

It's not a matter of picking on individuals, or even one individual, the lineup was unbalanced, too many lightweights cannot create a critical mass.
On 45 minutes West Ham were 1-0 up, and on resumption of the second half confidence was coursing through their veins, they sensed they were fighting a toothless dragon. It's a good job Fabianski had a good game or it could have been more than a goal down.
Wenger did something he rarely does, he got his subs to warm up on the hour, on 65 Wilshere and Merida came off, Diaby and Nasri came on.
Wenger has chosen well from his depleted resources, he has also removed the weakest links. Dynamic Diaby drove the team forward a whirlwind of action, in turn he inspired Vela and Ramsey. The Welshman became more central to play, Nasri was also getting into shooting positions, it seemed it would be only a matter of time before the Gunners equalised. The only question was could the Hammers hold on?
The late show
On 78 minutes the answer was given, Song passed to Vela, who got the ball to Ramsey in the box, the shot was sublime, across the face of goal, and well past Green the Hammer's keeper. Ramsey ran to the Arsenal crowd who hugged him in delight. A new Arsenal favourite, along with Song, is developing.
Midget rises above Giant.
On 83 minutes the Hammers interest in the cup was ended. Once again it was a Vela assist, his cross into the box from the left saw Eduardo rise above and in front of Upson and loop a curling header into the top corner of the net beyond Green, two - one and the Hammers were out.
Arsenal didn't try and shut the game down, and carried on looking for a third goal until the end. Perhaps some players thought that goal difference counted. There again as they had only turned up for the last quarter they had plenty of energy left.
The difference between the first three quarters and the final quarter was quite simply Diaby. His tempo made it impossible for West Ham to clear their lines; defenders no longer had plenty of time to block Arsenal attackers.
Ramsey was official man of the match, fair enough his goal got the Gunners back into the game, but it was Diaby that turned the game around.
The reward? An away tie at Stoke and laugh like a drain Pulis, hopefully he will be given cause to moan like one as well.

Powder Puff Attack Couldn't Win Without Diaby

Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)

Date: 03/01/2010 22:35

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:01:05:20:00:59 by Padre Pio.