Arsenal - We Gave Our Game to United

By Gunners Hawk

Contrary to my standard, I am publishing Manchester’s day-after thoughts two days after the game, for the simply reason that I wanted to read the reaction of Arsenal fans following defeat, and I have to say I’m surprised with what I’ve been reading.
Surprised because many insist on bashing the referee and/or Rooney, when it is as clear that we were our own worst enemy on the day and that we beat ourselves.

Referee mistakes?
That Mike Dein could have been less harsh with Arsenal players and more with the Manchester United ones is true, as is true that Arshavin was clearly fouled and the penalty was not given. But, as things stood in the 60th minute of the game, we were dominating our opponents, creating chances and heading towards a very important win. After that, two mistakes cost us the game.

If you want to blame the referee or Rooney for the defeat, you are free to do so, but let me tell you that Arsenal.com, the club’s official website, wrote that there was contact between Almunia and Rooney so dive or no dive, there was contact in the penalty area and instead of asking what would have happened if it was a different referee, or a different striker or a different team, we should instead ask why Almunia decided to get so far off his line to challenge Rooney.
To err is human but be ready to pay for it against Manchester United.

Three episodes changed the direction of the game on Saturday: Almunia rushing out of his goal to challenge Rooney, Diaby’s own goal and the fact that the team was not able to respond the first time in the season they found themselves trailing.

Allow me to start with Diaby. I can’t blame him for our defeat, he played a very good game and was in the wrong place at the wrong time. That he is a better player when compared to last year is true, but unfortunately he’s still very poor when defending has to be done although in a way that should not be his job.

On Rooney’s penalty, well, we’ve been through it already. The only way a professional diver like Rooney could get something out of that move was indeed to do what he did, and with Gallas keeping up with him, he needed Almunia to come out and slide just the way he did to accomplish his mission.

Finally, that we lack the experience required to raise our head and fight back when we’re hit by such a quick one-two is a known fact. But having said that, one kid who seems to have the balls to actually fight when this happens, Jack Wilshere, was kept on the bench when it would have been wise to use him to replace a tired-looking Arshavin. I love Ramsey, but he’s still a long way to be good enough in these sort of games.

Speaking of experience, Wenger believes we lack it when under pressure
Many praised the performance of our midfield but fortunately, others were more honest and realised that after United equalised and we were under some pressure, the midfield faded away and was not able to step it up a gear. We missed Cesc Fabregas of course, with him, it would have been a complete different story and what annoys me is that Wenger knows that we need more experience as he said in one of his post-match interviews yet I’m not sure if he intends to solve this problem in the near future.

Looking Forward
I’m sorry if contrary to many I just can’t see this defeat as the result of referee mistakes but I always prefer to focus on our team, our performance. I’m also sorry if you believe I’m starting to show some pessimism. Actually, I’m satisfied with what I’ve seen in this first month of football, after all, Nasri, Rosicky, Vela and Walcott are yet to kick a ball, but the small minor adjustments required need to be fixed soon.

I’ll be back for the Manchester City game, maybe before, but I’m afraid we need to get all three points against Adebayor’s side, since losing could result in being six points below the likes of Chelsea and Spurs and I would hate that, if it happens