Benfica Match review and Insight.
Cheeky back heel Yaya
Pace oh pace how we have missed thee… Emirates cup pre-season tie against Benfica was a nice run out for the players and a good day out for the supporters. When I saw the team-sheet I immediately gained optimism at the prospect of seeing pace back in our attack. A dynamic frontline containing Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanogo and Campbell guaranteed an exciting spectacle going forward and we weren’t disappointed.
There was evidence of Campbell demonstrating his desire to play for Arsenal this year with his direct style on the ball. He was good coming in off the right and knows how to beat a defender, he bagged himself a nice goal and although he could have scored more, his attacking intent was encouraging.
Joel – Pace, directness and attacking intent
Sanogo scored and I stated a while back that when Sanogo eventually does score he won’t stop, not once did he stop. What I’ve always admired about him is how he’s never hidden on the pitch in spite of missing chances, he keeps going and going and I think that could get him far, he’s certainly at the right club to do so.
He’s incredibly raw and will need to neaten up technical aspects of his game but that will come with practice, his movement has always been one of his better attributes however and he’s been unlucky not to score for u before. He got into great situations against Benfica and his simple finishes should not be underestimated, it usually signals a good striker. 4 goals will only enhance his confidence going into the season and hopefully he pushes on.
Hector – In Wenger plans?
It’s also nice to see both full-backs get forward too! Ever since former right back Bacary Sagna returned from his leg-breaks he lost his urge to burst forward and offer an alternative, we had to settle for his occasional special delivery crosses in the rare big game. The Benfica game made for a totally different scenario as both Kieran Gibbs and Hector Bellerin occupied the full-back positions. Gibbs showed what we already know about him whilst young Hector demonstrated adventure in his game. The young Spaniard could also be a factor in why Jenkinson doesn’t currently feature in the clubs plan for the coming season, a promising prospect indeed. Needs work defensively but that will come with more match experience no doubt and I look forward to viewing his development over the next few years.
Yes he plays for Arsenal – Sanchez cameo
I’ve recently emphasised on how I believe our attack has been bolstered already this summer with the signing of Sanchez and return of Campbell, not to mention Walcott is getting fitter with each passing day and Sanogo should improve from here. Podolski and Giroud also due a return to action makes our options up front fairly strong in my opinion.
A good variety of options up there and if we sort out more pressing issues like finding a midfield powerhouse as well as replacing our captain Vermaelen who’s exit seems imminent at this point then I don’t see why we can’t rank our squad up there with the best in the league!
Time will tell of course.
I am Subomi. An Arsenal supporter throughout my lifetime currently in my early 20’s. I am a graduate of West London’s Met Film School and an aspiring screenwriter. I do like to write about various topics that interest me and that tends to swing towards matters concerning Arsenal, it’s a passion of mine.
I was born and raised in North London, moved out to Essex but I am now back in North London for university of course.
It was a friendly.
Giroud will be back when the real business starts Campbell will be on the bench and Sanogo on loan.Giroud and Sanchez are our two strikers
Wenger has stated he intends to keep Sanogo and Campbell at the club this season. They’ll still be options for us whether they start or not
A good positive article to mirror our mood after such a great match to whet our appetite for the season. My sentiments deservedly go against this positivity unfortunately. I had a strange foreign feeling in the pit of my stomach with each goal yaya scored. A feeling that the confidence gained from his 4 goal haul actually exceeds his current ability and can be a false dawn in the Sanogo story so far. first of all barring his 3rd goal, I’d like to think any professional footballer could put away the chances put on a plate for him. Secondly, his celebrations. I don’t know if it is just me this sets alarm bells off with, but players that run off away from teams mates to throw together a cringeworthy dance to the fans after a team goal/providing a sitter says to me that he is all about ‘yaya’. He did it each time despite the graft or the selflessness of team mates that handed him the goals. He was nicknamed Sa-no-goal after all, if it was me, I’d show some gratitude for making it easy to get that monkey off my back. I feel as though he has a level of cockiness bubbling away underneath which has the potential to make him lazy and hinder his development and desire to improve (Adebayor for example). I know all strikers thrive on confidence and I’m all for it, but humility and respect are qualities that are strongest in our team and always will be. Anyway this isn’t a Sanogo bashing, just a couple of strange feelings mixed in with the elation and joy of seeing The Arsenal truly strutting their stuff, what a season we are in for!!
@Adamski
Actually the easy finishes should certainly be credited to him, you have to be there to score at the end of the day and he did. Was Van Nistelrooy a bad striker for only scoring 1 goal outside the box for United?
His good movement has been evident for a while now and his celebrations just projected his relief in finally breaking his duck for us, I was more than happy for him.
Also if there is an arrogance about him or cockiness in his play, great! Long as you have the talent to back it I’d usually consider it a great tool for a striker. Henry was the most arrogant of all!
It seems this year that the recall of the youth products and the ones coming through could really bolster our squad , bellerin , chambers , sanogo , Campbell all looked ready for the PL. Last two seasons we had a real clear out of the dead wood , and we are adding quality rather then projects or gambles … Trouble is its so tight at the top now will the additions provide us with anything better then fourth place .?
com’on!! give the guy a break….he deserves it….i bet giroud wouldnt put to bed most of the chances sanogoal did….let him enjoy himself….i dn’t see adebayo in him….what i see is…”thierry henry”….this lad gat talent….show some support for him and stop criticising him
The best signing we have made for the season ahead, I’m afraid, was made in 2011 and has been waiting to happen. I hope Gooners start seeing JC for who he is and not for what he cost us 3 years ago. I have this niggling feeling that the resistance to open up and embrace JC as a new star at Arsenal has to do with his three year nomadic loan stints across Europe while awaiting the Queen’s land to deem his a desirable alien. He has not cost us £32 or £42.5m, so he couldn’t possibly be as good as he seem, could he?
Gooners! He is better than he seem and Arsenal and Wenger will make him a superstar before he is 24! The nonchalant manner he does complicated moves, the pace, the knack to score stupendous goals, the eye for a good pass, the balance, lack of fear and confidence of this boy scare me and I am an Arsenal supporter! Sit tight Gooners and enjoy the revelation that’s about to unfold
@Adamski…you are not the only one who had those feelings. but i hope its just his immaturity and excitement that he has finally had a shot to endear the fans. even joel campbell did so though he did beckon to his team mates while doing it. come to think yaya did as well on 2 of his goals too. so maybe he has just been waiting for that chance being a friendly and the pressure he has had. all in all i wait to see what he will do in the epl
Another 4 for Sanogo. He also scored 4 in a game for Auxerre.
I’m a bit interested by Wenger’s comments that they worked with him for 6 months when he arrived. We’d assumed he was injured, but perhaps that was something different going on? Some kind of physical rebuild/training?