Tag Archives: Hugo Lloris

Wojciech Szczesny, Olivier Giroud, Substitutions, Alan Hansen, Drums and Spurs New Stadium

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Wojciech Szczesny

Another brilliant game for the big Pole. Two world class saves kept us in the game. The debate is now over. We do not need a better goalkeeper. For me he is now the third best goalkeeper in the Premier League, behind Peter Cech and Hugo Lloris. As long as he does not allow his focus to slip in training like he did at one point last year, here will become one of the best keepers in the world

Olivier Giroud

Oliver Giroud is fit. I am not talking in the looks and body sense (although he is certainly a 10), but the pure physical sense. He had a tough game, with 6ft 3in Damien Delaney not giving him a minutes silence, able to compete with the Frenchman in terms of power and strength. However, with 5 minutes to go, Delaney was sick on the pitch, showing just how hard he was working to keep up with Giroud. 2 minutes later, Giroud got clear of him to score. It highlights how physically fit he is that he could keep going to the 90th minute, whilst his marker struggled past 80. A reminder to those criticising him during the game that a match last 90 minutes, and often a goal late on is due to the good work of a player throughout the game.

Substitutions

Many had a go at Wenger for firstly taking of Gnabry and secondly Cacorla. However, there was method behind his perceived madness. Gnabry for Wilshere was an obvious substitution. Whilst he might have been a good pacey outlet on the right, we needed to shore up the middle by bringing on Wilshere. Between Ozil, Cazorla & Gnabry, there is only one choice, and that is to take off Gnabry. Going down to 10 men is all about keeping the ball. Why take off one of your two best ball retainers? With a midfield of Ozil Ramsey Wilshere Cazorla it meant play would not be breaking down needlessly.

As for the 2nd substitution, taking of Gnabry did lose us the width and with Ozil to wrecking up the right, it was smart to bring Monreal on the left, and we ended up getting a lot of success, with Monreal ghosting in to nearly score, before a Ramsey cross from the left hand side set up Giroud’s goal. I like bringing Monreal on as neither him or Gibbs are shy getting forward, so it enables us to lock down one side of the pitch whilst still maintaining an attacking outlook

Alan Hansen

Whilst the outrage last night and this morning against Alan Hansen for bringing up 3 year old footage of a goal is justified, what he had to say actually made sense. I mentioned to a pal before the Arteta red card happened that leaving Arteta as the last man worries me, due to his lack of pace. If he gets turned, he has no chance of catching up. And the Match of the Day analysis highlighed just how high our two players sit. We should be playing with Gibbs on the halfway line, and Arteta just infront of him. Hopefully Wenger adjusts the way we defend when we attack corners, otherwise I can see opponents exposing us again.

Drums

Please no more drums at stadiums. They are fucking annoying.

Spurs New Stadium

In today’s papers, it was announced Spurs were thinking of building 65,000 seater stadium. The mooted 55,000 was already going to be too big for them. All 65,000 will do is mean more empty seats. They struggle to fill their stadium currently:

Tottenham v Tromoso – 29,000
Tottenham v NK Maribor – 27,089
Tottenham v Lazio – 25,030

Yes, these might be for the Europa League, but you would think if they had 30,000 fans currently not able to go to games, they would jump at a chance to watch Spurs, no matter the competition. Arsenal’s worst attendance at The Emirates was 46,539 for the League Cup tie against Shrewsbury. Spurs – Why do you need a bigger stadium when you do not sell out every game in the current one?

Keenos

Arsenal v Tottenham – A player by player review

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In 2 days, 7 hours time, Arsenal will be kicking off against Tottenham in the North London Derby. A team who has spent nothing, against a team who have spent nearly £90m. Here at SheWore, we compare the two sides if they both had a fully fit first 11. Who has the best side? Add your thoughts in the comments below…

Szczesny v Lloris

Both are amongst the best shot stoppers in the Premier League. But both also have their faults which may stop them fulfilling their potential. Hugo Lloris can often get a little ‘Hollywood’ with his saves, giving away needles corners. Whilst Wojciech Szczesny suffers from over confidence. He does not flap at corners (as flap normally means looks unconfident under them) he more makes the bad decision to come and runs into trouble.

The difference between the two is Szczesny’s faults will lead directly goals, whilst Hollywood Hugo’s will lead to good youtube highlights. Add him being electric on the line, Hugo Lloris gets it.

Szczesny 6 Lloris 8

Sagna v Walker

A player towards the end of his career against a player near the beginning. These two right backs are not just polar differences in where they are in careers but also in playing style. Bacary Sagna is a very defensive full back. Whilst Kyle Walker plays like a Brazilian, bombing forward and neglecting his defensive attributes.

If you could combine Sagna’s ability in defence with Walker’s ability in attack, you would have Cafu. As it is, both do their job well. Whilst Sagna might be past his best, Walker often shows his youth.

Sagna 7 Walker 7

Koscielny v Vertonghen

The athlete in both sides centreback pairing. Also the goal scorers. Both perhaps hit the headlines more last year for their goals then there defending, but that does not say both are poor defenders. Both are brilliant one on one and are amongst the most athletic in the league.

Vertonghen however edges it as he relies less on last ditch challenges and is stronger in the air.

Koscielny 8 Vertonghan 9

Metersacker v Dawson

The slow, yet ‘proper’ defender in both sides. Both are leaders on the park and both are proper defenders. Less concerned with running forward for the glory of a goal, more excited about keeping a clean sheet.

Dawson’s career at Spurs looked over last season as he was offered to QPR due to the emergence of Kaboul, but AVB realised that playing ‘2 athletes’ does not work and that you need a proper defender alongside an athlete. See Ferdinand/Vidic or Desailly/Blanc for your reference – Arsenal have done similar realising that the best partnership is Mertesacker with Koscielny, not Vermaelen.

Mertesacker is the clear winner in this contest as he is head and shoulders above the Englishman.

Mertesacker 8 Dawson 6

Gibbs v Rose

No contest. Despite there only being 10 months between them, Kieran Gibbs is superior in all hours. Better getting forward. Better in defence. Danny Rose is clearly a stop gap until Spurs find a decent left back.

Gibbs graduated from the England U21s in 2010. Danny Rose is still part of it.

Gibbs 8 Rose 5

Arteta v Capoue

Two completely different defensive midfielders. One is positional aware, has great reading of the play and can start attacks. The other covers the ground, is a physical ball winner and lets you know they are there.

Both of their strengths are the other ones weakness and the decision comes down to whether you think the defensive midfielders job is to let an opponent know he is there, or to win the ball quietly and start the attacks.

Arteta 7 Capoue 7

Ramsey v Paulinho

The man of the moment, Aaron Ramsey, against one of the most hyped up central midfielder to join the Premier League in a decade. A lot of what is known about Paulinho is from a good Confederations Cup and a performance against Chelsea in the World Superduper Cup for Clubs. This is a challenge I look forward too, not just for tomorrow but for the rest of the season. For me, at the moment, Aaron Ramsey edges it, as he has performed at a high level in the Premier League for all of 2013.

Ramsey 9 Paulinho 8

Wilshere v Dembele

Jack Wilshere and Moussa Dembele. Player’s which stats were not made of. Both are top players, you have only to watch them to realise that. Yet both do not score or assist enough. Whilst Wilshere has had his progress halted by injury, Dembele’s career at Spurs has also stuttered as AVB seems to always be looking for a better option (Bale in the middle, Dempsey, Sigurosson). When it comes down it, Wilshere is more talented, and will only get better.

Wilshere 8 Dembele 7

Walcott v Lennon

At one point these two were labelled as ‘nothing but speed.’ Aaron Lennon has not really pushed on since he became the youngest player to appear in the Premier League 10 years ago. Whilst Theo Walcott has struggled ever since he became England’s youngest ever player in 2006. However, last year Walcott broke through, scoring 21 and assisting 14. Aaron Lennon meanwhile scored just 4, assisting 8. There is no real comparison. Theo Walcott is far superior.

Walcott 9 Lennon 6

Giroud v Soldado

Whoever scores more in the League could determine which team finishes above whom. Neither have had a sparkling careers, Giroud in France until 25, Saldado a Real Madrid reject, but both will be looking to score a hatful for their new(ish) clubs. Both rely on the help of others to score, as neither are blessed with pace or the ability to create something out of nothing.

Soldado has hit 81 goals in his last 3 seasons. He is the more proven goal scorer. And it is that which just edges it.

Giroud 6 Soldado 7

Cazorla v Lamela

The little genius against he who is almost about to sign. Cazorla has assisted more goals in his time at England then any other player. He is a player of top quality. Lamela meanwhile is an unknown quantity. 15 goals from midfield at 21 shows talent. It comes down to a simple equation, would you rather a player who can do it, or a player who might be able to do it?

For once, Arsenal have the man with experience whilst Spurs have the man with potential.

Cazorla 10 Lamela 7

Arsenal 87 Tottenham 77

Keenos