Silvestre is just the little concern
Terrific performance by almost the entire Arsenal team today which was much the like the grit and guts of title contenders.
I don’t usually give match reactions but I had to let it out today.
The only red patch on a day which saw Arsenal continue their solid form of 10 points from four games was the little concern over Mikael Silvestre being deployed at left-back.
From start to finish, I thought Silvestre looked a major liability playing there. Hull operated comfortably on his flank and when we tried to attack on the left, he was too naive.
I am definitely not slating him because of the PK. It was a very soft foul and harsh decision. If anything, it was Silvestre rather who was fouled.
Also, he tries to create a very nervy, shaky moment every time he has the ball in our territory and too often hands over the trouble to poor Almunia with a back pass. In such instances, he seems more like a youngster still finding his cut in the side rather than the ‘veteran’ he is).
That said, I hope Traore – who was immense at Anfield – returns in time for Villa.
If not, then Eboue – who deputized well at full-back today – should be moved over to the left when Sagna is slotted back in next week.
Anyway, Silvestre was the arguably the sole low performer of a tremendous Arsenal display today. They look set for the job from the start and that paid because Hull were very up for it too. On one of the days when we had dull starts, the visitors may have taken that upsetting early lead.
All in all, my surprise of the day was Denilson’s free-kick, Song was alright, Vermaelen was an absolute beast as usual, Diaby proved my point right (that he should play as an emergency striker) while Almunia was perhaps the one who secured 2 of those 3 points for us.
Good Day…just check Silvestre.
Don’t agree. He is our fourth choice lb and does just fine. I think he is a great person, with all his experiance, to have in the squad. Will never be motm buy does his shift.
He is fourth choice LB, that’s why this is a “little” concern.
I am only bringing this up in preparation for the Villa match – in case he remains the only choice at LB as he was today – because the pace and quick thinking of Ashley Young will take a toll on him.
While I agree ashley young will be a menace, he is deployed a lot on the left, he is a true left winger.I doubt very much that he will be played on their right wing, ie making runs on our left back.
The guy has done a gr8 job as cover and has been very consistent everytime he has played this season.
So pls keep ur garbage to urself!!!
i totally agree with you! Yeah he can put up a good shift against hull but he lacks pace. Agbonlahor,ashley young and downing is enough trouble 4 any defense and it will b impossble 4 others 4 him. D eboue idea is good. Or move verm. 2 left back and mik or senderos 2 center. I really fear 4 nxt week as song lacks pace also,so we need both backs 2 b able to overlap in offense to peg villa back a bit and also stay man for man with their wingers. Sagna-young, verm-heskey,carew,gallas-agbonlahor, eboue-downing. No defender has d chance to cover for another.watch burnley game nd see how bad silv. was
I agree with most of your analysis but disagree on a few points. Silvestre was very poor and I’m not sure how people can defend him. Their aren’t many good fourth-choice players in this league, but just because you’re fourth-choice and you play for 90 minutes doesn’t mean a bad performance should be praised. Hull’s most threatening moments came from Silvestre’s error. And while the penalty decision was poor, Silvestre was naive in creating the danger when none was present.
I though Diaby was poor as well. his first touch is terrible and he lingers on possession too long. He fails to spot the open man or move the ball fast enough. He almost waited too long to make the easy cut-back for the second goal, and he missed an easy cut-back later in the game. But his finishing is always institive quality. He should be playing in the front three with Nasri in midfield. Not sure why AW doesn’t see it that way.
I thought song was excellent today. In a midfield with Diaby, and Denilson, there’s not much creativity or incisive passing. Song held possession well, moved the ball forward and covered the back four. It was his cesc-esque pass that put diaby through to make the second goal.
My disappointment today was that Eduardo and Walcott both spurned good chances. They needed a boost in their confidence and those opportunities could have helped.
Overall though, happy to get 3 points and back among the goals
Diaby? poor? Watch the game before you spew crap jerk!
Was a very good fighting performance from Arsenal against 12 of Hull.
@ Yankee Gunner
You must have seen a different game to the rest of us.
Diaby, upped his game today..that is for damn sure! He ran his butt off today! Something everyone has been hoping for! 1 goal and an assist and passed the ball well. He didn’t lose a lot o possesion like before so improvement there.
As for Sylvestre, he did a good job vs. a team who is in the bottom of the table. Now, facinf Aston Villa isa whole different story! I hope Wenger makes the proper changes for this match. I wouldn’t want to slip at this point in time.
He was good today one of the best on the pitch.
What do you expect from Silvestre, he did his job as cover in both CB and LB roles admirably, he’s a good man to have around in case we are severely depleted. Don’t go overboard here.
I throught MS had an good game today dealt with his winger and helped out in attack. Also why base you title and whole article one the ‘one’ player you throught did’nt do well????? Especially as there are soooooooooo many other positive things to comment on like Diaby’s goal………Denilson freekick……..Song bossing the MF again……e.t.c e.t.c
@Yankee Gunners
My friend,
having read your comments which I respect, I can confidently assure you watched a different game as your views quite clearly reflect that.
MOTM was very clearly A. Diaby – basically took responsibity and rose to the occassion.
Not a great game in any way, having that this only because Arsenal have set such high standards that we unfortunately have come to rate them by and for what would have been regarded an astounding performance by any other team.
Something interesting though, Hull say they came with a game. Fairly said!?!
But to pack all 11 behind the ball, was hood enough for what seemed like an intent for a draw.
Very poor and negative I thought. But then again , who wouldn’t do that playing against Arsenal!
Do we have what it takes to go the full length?
The opportunity is certainly there!
Time will sure tell!!??!!
i disagree randy……..i think silvestre played well…..
I say let’s give silvestre a chance. He is a decent player who is committed and hard working, it is better to give him the benefit of the doubt before we have passed judgement on silvestre without him even having played!
While I can see your concerns , I would rather focus on the positives here. Villa are a great team, and arsenal will need to do something special to overcome them. last season, arsenal finished in the top 4 and villa did not, even though villa were ahead in the table for a large part of the season.
We can beat villa, no matter who plays at left back. we beat hull so who says we can’t do one against villa
Considering his lack of playing time and low ranking in the pecking order,Silvestre did a reasonably good job in the game.He was not outstanding by any means,but what did we expect from him anyway.It was a stop gap necessity and he did ok in my opinion.Against a team like Aston Villa,i duobt that he would do as well,which i believe is the point Randy was trying to make.In so far as the upcoming game with Villa is concerned,i am a little aprehensive of this team.They are playing some positive attack minded football,and are serious top four contenders.We have to be at our very best against them.Hopefully,we will have a near full strength squad of first team players available for the game.