Jenkinson out but promising signs with Djourou – Solid Arsenal defence?
Arsenal’s effective team suffered a slight setback last night after Carl Jenkinson was injured during the Marseille game. Of the disappointment, Wenger said “Jenkinson has a knee problem… He overstretched his knee and we will check that tomorrow.”
With Sagna out, some assumed that it was to be Koscielny who would be deployed in the right-back position, but Jenkinson stepped-up and dealt with the threat of alleged Gunners target Andre Ayew. On top of this, he was decent going forward and contributed crosses well, as well as coping impressively with the usual lack of defending instincts from Walcott.
After the injury, it was Johan Djourou’s chance to prove himself worthy of a place in the team after last season’s string of appearances in the side. His past experiences playing in midfield seemed to do him proud, with a composed display being finished off with the assist – despite a slight deflection from Gervinho – for Ramsey’s late winner.
Such a solid performance was ideal, with Koscielny’s partnership with the increasingly confident Mertesacker in defence proving to be excellent, despite a couple of slow reactions from the German. Still, Koscielny may have been criticised already this season but judging by his calmness and near-faultless distribution, he is too good to be put at right-back.
It can’t be guaranteed that Djourou can put in this standard of performance each week – if he is indeed the man to fill the Sagna void – but what is often described as a squad without depth can be proud that they have proved their critics wrong. From recent displays, the defence looks reasonable to say the least.
Could the defence – realistically – improve much from last night’s performance?
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verma please we need you quickly..we are gunner be fine
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It would be nice if Mertesacker learned to run…. Last night was atrocious Marseille’s attack had him on either on the floor or ten paces out. on balance he did make some tackles but hes too slow. Wenger you may want to use the phrase ” laufen snell” in training, it means RUN QUICK in German.
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Now as a result of both jenkinson & sagna out, perhaps for an extended time, I would like to see how djourou takes to the full back position…
I really think that he could slot in well & do a half decent job
The options for A.W are now limited… give him a chance!
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Djourou looked far from composed last night and it was obvious to see. Playing at right back was clearly not his thing as he looked nervous and weren’t sure what to do with the ball and you could see that with the Marseilles players putting him under pressure at every opportunity and clearly identified him as a weak link.
Unlike playing in central defence where he has a radius of space around himself to manoeuvre he wasn’t as comfortable being so close to the touch line and did get caught with the ball (without it being too detrimental) and found it hard to find the time and space to make any sort of telling pass. When he should’ve just put his foot through the ball to get himself and Arsenal out of danger he dithered a bit, nor did he have the space to push and run.
He is as Big Gun say’s an accident waiting to happen in that position !. If push came to shove with us having no right back for the time being and Vermaelen being available again I’d prefer to opt for playing three centre backs, Koscielny, Vermaellen and Mertsaecker and five across the midfield with Song, Frimpong and Arteta more central, Chamberlain on the right wing, Gervinho on the left and RVP up front.
That way’s Song can do a particular role in front of the back three when necessary whilst assisting Frimpong and Arteta.
Save to say……I’m none too convinced about Djourou as a right back !
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i really hope walcott gets injured, so alex oxlade chamberlain can play on the right. walcott offers us next to nothing down that right flank. in the short time alex oxlade chamberlain has been here hes almost offered us as much as walcott has in the 4 years hes been with us. seriously we might as well have ten men when walcott playing. dont get wrong walcott can be dangerous on his day, but how m,any of those days does he have????????? its so clear that chamberlain is more effective down the right than walcott; but for some reason wenger cant see this.
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The way Jenkinson attacked last night was brilliant. Even Djourou showed the arsenal initiative of constant attack. I think both Walcott and Arshavin could have done much better. Our Game against Stoke should be very interesting.
Arsene won’t take any chances and start with Park Chu Young, Walcott would also probably be benched for the Ox.
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yes jenkinson played really well and looks promising. as much as i like djourou he will struggle as a full back and we should be more worried about him than jenkinson. he wont be able to keep up with the speedy wingers in the competition. hopefully that knee injury doesnt keep jenkinson out for long.
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Can’t believe people dissing Djourou. He came on and did a job and assisted for the goal. Call yourselves Gooners, not happy unless you’re slagging someone off.
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The gooners currently making fun of Djourou are the same people that this time last season were hailing him as the real deal. fickle fickle fickle.
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dont jump the gun please, this was only marseille, wait till we play against a better team and better players, then see how we are exposed…..
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Djourou was out of his depth playing as right-back, he did a job and got the assist but I must say I was nervous every time he got the ball in our half, he was out of position though so well done for covering, but I hope it’s not a long term position for him !. Jenkinson looks very good going forward and digs in for defence, not 100% there yet but he is learning very fast and I hope he is not out for a long spell ! (He seems tough so would think he will be back soon) Our problem last night was Theo and Arsharvin…both offered next to nothing going forward and even less in defence (thankfully our back 4 were on the ball last night)…I am a fan of Theo but in the last couple of games he hasn’t turned up, and as for the little Russian, thought he played a blinder as a sub at the weekend, but yet again went on the missing list last night. Man of the match for me was KOS….had an excellent game !…bring on Stoke (and Wenger play the OXO kid, Theo needs to know he is not a definite on the squad sheet and perhaps he will up his game !)
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They did well last night, but lets see how they hold up against Stoke this weekend. Our defence ALWAYS falls to pieces against Stoke, because of their long ball/set piece play, we seem to panic and gift goals.
I think if Gibbs comes back, stick him on the left, Mert and Kol in the centre and Santos at RB. If Gibbs doesn’t make it, stick Santos at LB and then Djourou at right back as last resort.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we stick Walcott at RB though, I’m pretty certain we did that before when he first came, we were short on defence then (deja vu) he didn’t do too badly if I recall.
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I suggest we put the more pacey and no nonsense Coquelin as right-back option. Remember during one old left back crisis, Flamini was pulled in to do same job. And did very well. Coquelin plays in similar style but may not be as versatile. Look I’m just saying he has more engine in him than Djourou.
Give it a try in training, Wenger.
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Djourou is better than jenkinson at right back…ok jenkinson runs trye to do his best but is really really poor technically…i can t believe wenger went for him
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I agree with Bolly, Djourou did will last night and if I were AV I will try him again in the same position, but Wallcot & Arshavin were truly awful.
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i will sign in under another name as you all have blown my comments away of late – i expressed nothing that others have not agreed with yet you mark me down….at least i didnt wish walcott injury
if george graham agreed about arshavin and others showing Djourou to be weak….it must be a witch hunt
i shall just nip off and slash my wrists
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I’d go for Song or Coquelin as RB, don’t like Djourou though..
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Djuru is ok for CB but not RB he was very shaky last night
Can Vermalen take the left side and Santos come to right?
Can Kos become RB and Djuru or Vermalen plays center with Mert?
can Coqlin play RB?
in PL Arsenal will be badly exposed with Djuru in the right hand side
something needs to be done
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Jenkinson is shyte. He’s the worst player we’ve brought into the first team in at least 5 years. Denilson, Aladiere, Diaby, Vela, Senderos…all way more legit than Jenkinson (and obviously all those guys are total shyte).
I HATE Carl Jenkinson. Get him out of our side ASAP!
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@MattinFL – Diaby isnt that bad, he would add physique in some game we really need a tough guy! He dribbles well and has some intelligent moves, good player for carling.
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djourou is good central defender last season he was great but i don’t want to see him playing RB as he is to slow to play RB
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Diaby is the most frustrating arsenal player ever! He has so much talent but can’t do the basics right, for eg…. He holds on to the ball way too long and can’t hold his Temper ( Newcastle) but I’m looking forward to him coming back, on his day he can boss a match. He is not a defensive player he is a box to box player who scores his fair share of goals. I’d have him over Ramsey at the moment and arteta to, not that I don’t rate these two, it’s just on his day diaby is that much better. Who agrees?
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@Stuart. I totally agree on your assessment on Diaby.
As for Djourou, i don’t believe this guy can play as RB for 90 min without being a major liability to the Arsenal defense against Stoke. i really like to be proven wrong on this though!
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This Reminds me of our utility man Ebuwe he should not have been sold after all
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Oh no, poor Jenkinson, I hope that he will be back soon. Arsenal are at a loss as it is, they don’t need another injury to add to that
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