English Premier League: Arsenal vs. Manchester City – Arsenal team analysis ( Part 2)
Gael Clichy
The French left back, who is only second to the France captain Patrice Evra in the national team, was considered to be the weakest link in the Arsenal back line prior to the game. Ever since the start of the season, Clichy had looked like
a mere shadow of the player that he was last season. Most people blamed his poor form, on the injury that he had sustained near the end of last season. His injury however did pave the way for the likes of Kieran Gibbs, to make the leap into the starting eleven
and as a result most people started to doubt Clichy’s credibility.
Prior to the game, Clichy was reported to have said that the game was going to be one of the biggest games of the season for him. This was mainly due to the fact that Arsenal were playing a Manchester City side that was still to lose in
their home ground and considering the team had even beaten the likes of Chelsea at the Eastlands, it seemed like a giant mountain for Arsenal to climb.
However once the game kicked off, Clichy seemed to have forgotten all about the added pressure of the match, or the game. The player seemed to have a sense of determination and focus on his mind. In simple words, Clichy finally after ages
looked like he was in it, to win it. The player was constantly being a thorn in the backs of David Silva and James Milner. Both the wingers kept interchanging their positions to try and throw off the defender, but he wasn’t falling victim to any of their trickery.
The only time the team did manage to get down the left by line was when Clichy was up front trying to help out with the attack.
Some might say that it is a left back’s job to fall back even if he does go forward. However considering the level of commitment that the player was showing up front, it would be impossible to not give him credit where it is deserved.
Another major boost that the Arsenal team were shown, was when Clichy displayed that his sprinting was back to its best. The player despite not being the most physical of players around, is still quite easily one of the fastest and this was more than apparent
in the match, as the pacy side back was using his speed to his advantage to almost always get to the ball ahead of the opposition.
All in all this game not only was a turning point for Arsenal, but was also a major step in the right direction for Clichy.
Bacary Sagna
One of Arsenal’s most consistent players, was back to being his outstanding self in the game. The player was solid in defence and was almost always a threat on the overlapping run forward. One of the most notable aspects about Sagna’s
game going forward was the fact that his crossing was rather outstanding. Every time the side back whipped in a cross, it was almost always a dangerous ball. This is something that Arsene Wenger would have noted in the game and would be looking to implement
it in the teams style of play in the future.
On the other hand Sagna’s defending was ever-present and consistent. It is almost impossible to recall a single City attack that came down the right flank and that is mostly thanks to brilliant work that the French first choice right back
was doing at the back.
In simpler words, it was another world class display from a world class player.
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