In the penultimate post reviewing the 2014-2015 season, I’m going to assess the performance of Arsenal’s midfielders. As with the previous ones, there’ll be a short review of each player’s season and a one-word summary. 7. Tomas Rosicky It was a frustrating season for Tomas Rosicky as he didn’t get as much game time as … More SMR end-of-season review 2014-2015: The Midfielders
After three scoreless games at home, there was a worrying sense that the season was petering out for Arsenal, which was a big concern given there is still a cup final to play. But all of the frustration that built up on Wednesday evening as the Gunners couldn’t break through a stubborn Sunderland side was … More Walcott puts his hand up for Wembley
After the 0-0 draw with Chelsea, the 1-0 defeat to Swansea and the mediocre 1-1 draw with Manchester United, it felt like Arsenal had lost some momentum towards the end of the season following the excellent winning run. What was needed was a morale boosting goal-fest that can sometimes come if there is pressure off … More Another blank as Arsenal stutter towards Wembley
Having lost on all recent Premier League trips to Old Trafford, a 1-1 draw with Manchester United should be viewed as a positive result. And, having been 1-0 down in the game, it’s to Arsenal’s credit that they did salvage a point from the game. But I feel some frustration that it took Arsenal so … More Walcott, Ramsey and Wilshere give Arsene plenty to ponder after Old Trafford draw
The 2-2 draw between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium was a great game for neutrals, but for fans, it was impossible to feel comfortable at any moment. Most draws can be categorised as good ones or bad ones (see Everton for a good one and Leicester for a bad one), but having been … More Character and spirit can’t hide defensive concerns
With the season over and a trophy in the cabinet, I’m going to assess the season for each member of the Arsenal squad and rate them. I’m sure there’ll be some disagreements about some of my ratings, so feel free to comment at the bottom with your thoughts. Moving up the pitch, it’s the midfielders. … More The SMR Arsenal Squad Review – Midfielders
This isn’t going to be a blog about “what if?”, as in “what if Özil had scored?” or “what if Szczesny hadn’t been sent off?” or even “what if we had kept the score at 0-1?”. The reason this isn’t going to be about that is that I’m actually pretty happy about that game. No, … More Bayern Munich are better than Everton
Whilst Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa didn’t quite fit the ‘game of two halves’ cliché, there were definitely two distinct parts to it. For the majority of the game, Arsenal were in control, had plenty of possession and didn’t look in danger of conceding. Then, as Aston Villa cranked up some pressure near the … More Out of the darkness and back to the top
I could get used to this. A second 2-0 home win in four days in any other season, and in any other group, would comfortably see Arsenal through to the last 16 of the Champions League. However this isn’t the group of death for nothing. The Gunners sit at the top on 12 points, but … More Good win but work still to do
The strangest thing about the 4-1 win over Norwich City on Saturday was that it really didn’t feel like a 4-1 performance for a lot of the afternoon. Arsenal seemed like they were in control, even when Norwich were seeing a lot of the ball, but there was still plenty of anxiety around the Emirates … More 4-1, with more to come
The Big Diag 