First thing first, hats off to Bradford city they earned this victory. They fought hard, kept their nerve during the penalty shoot out, and got what they deserved. It was a typical first half Arsenal performance. Arsenal worked hard, but didn't have that extra little bit of creativity to unlock a Bradford City side that really represented itself well for the home crowd. Arsenal found themselves down 1-0, when Bradford City were awarded a soft free kick. Bradford City proceeded to execute the set piece brilliantly, and get their goal. Arsenal give up a goal from a set a piece, what a shocker, I bet nobody saw that coming......hey if it's not fixed then don't fix it.
From that point on the game was frustrating to watch from an Arsenal point of view. Arsenal's timing appeared to be little off, to say the least. A loose pass here, some poor decisions there, and a whole slew of missed chances. The game itself was a poor spectacle to watch until Vermaelen scored late in the 88th minute. In extra time, I thought Arsenal really took control of the game and looked like the team to score. But Arsenal have no chemistry, and no finishers. Arsenal look like a squad full strangers running around the pitch getting in each others way. In the end Arsenal's lack of finishing, awareness, and resolve cost them their only real chance at silverware.
I will give Arsenal credit, the team kept fighting until the end, coming back twice, once in the 88th minute, and again during penalties. I must admit I had lost all hope after Arsenal missed their first two penalties, but Szcz made 2 saves on Bradford's 3rd and 4th penalty attempts to give Arsenal another chance at extending penalties, but in the end Vermaelen missed the 5th penalty, and Arsenal were finally put out of their misery. FT-Penalties Bradford City (3)1 - 1(2) Arsenal
The Good
Santi - Where would Arsenal be without him? Assisted on the goal and hit the post in extra time. He really tried to make something happen, but he had no one to work with.
Szcz - I thought he was great during the penalty shootout. He made two clutch saves, and really gave his team a shot at extending the penalties.
The Bad
Ramsey - Loose passes, losing the ball cheaply, poor decisions, poor shots, just all-around dreadful play. The only other Arsenal player to frustrate me like Ramsey, was a young Song. To solve this problem Wenger intelligently sent Song out on loan, and he came back a much better player. It's just a suggestion, or maybe stop playing him out wide......who knows.
Gervinho - If there was anybody who needed a medical marijuana prescription, it's this guy. What a spaz! Someone on the coaching staff should have Diaby smoke this guy out before games. He spends all game running around like a crack head, missing chances, making poor decisions, and poor runs. I know Theo was unfit, but he must say to himself, "I cant play down the middle but this guy can? I'm outa here." Every time Wenger plays Gervinho down the middle it's a slap in the face to Theo, and all Arsenal supporters. Especially since Gervinho is clearly Arsenal's best wide player at getting into the box and to the byline. Especially since he hustles and provides defensive cover. The guy can't consistently hit the target, he doesn't have the proper temperament to score goals, he's a spaz, and he's making Wenger look like he doesn't know what he's doing.
The Inconsistent
Vermaelen - He scored a clutch goal, but boy did he have his hands full with Bradford's Wells. A player currently applying his trade in League 2 continually put Arsenal's captain under pressure throughout the first half, and eventually won the free kick that set up Bradford's only goal.
Podolski - I'm not sure, but did he play last night? No really, did he play?
The Ugly
Chamakh's hair and all the crosses from wide areas.
Peace Out
Blanco
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