re: Arsenal 2013/2014 Season Long Thread

Was covering the LSU game in Dallas this weekend, so just now watching NLD.

Some thoughts as I've been watching:

Giroud really is having an excellent season. His back to goal play is as good as it gets in the EPL, and he's now making the killer runs. Instead of single post runs, he's starting at the back and cutting to the front, or vice versa. And his first touch, including on finishes, has always been superb.

I love the 4-2-3-1 with Santi narrow left and Gibbs providing width, and it's only going to be better with Ozil. He loves to drift to the sidelines (though, more to the right with Real, though that was probably by design), and he and Santi will be interchangable there.

Funny that Jack will be the odd man out on Arteta's return, given Rambo's run of form.

Speaking of Rambo, love his combative play lately in midfield. He's still prone to the odd give away here and there, but he usually makes up for it on the recovery, and it's usually not in a terrible place. Just watched him make two tackles in about 5 seconds to kill a Tottenham attack. Beautiful.

Per/Kosc continue to be a dynamite tandem centrally.

Fullback play is concerning, but Tottenham's wingers look sharp. I wonder how weak we will be defending on our left. We're going to ask a lot of Gibbs/Monreal. Jenkinson hasn't been on good form lately.

Theo is quietly playing very well. He and Giroud have a nice chemistry.