Diaby inspires Arsenal to a 3-0 over Hull City

Arsenal started off reasonably bad as usual after the big matches. Had to leave captain and playmaker Francesc Fabregas on the stands due to injury. He will be out for 10days. Wenger finally decided to play the best team he had got currently with him, available and not injured. It includes

Almunia
Eboue-Gallas-Vermaelen-Silvestre
Denilson-Song
Diaby
Nasri-Eduardo
Arshavin

This doesn't look like a conventional Wenger formation but more like an evolved one due to the need. I would say evolved since there is no Fabregas, the playmaking from the Hull half will be less and last time Hull were very attacking when they played at Emirates. Song and Denilson gave the much needed backbone to Arsenal attacks. Both of them can play very good defensively but the advantage Wenger has is the range of passing they possess. They can keep the ball and also move forward dribbling. Diaby finally gave the result which was expected from him years back. Initially Wenger played him defensively thinking he is a Viera clone with similar frame. But knowing Diaby's past will make us believe he can attack as a striker since he was a second striker in his young days. A second striker should not be played in Left Midfield or as a defensive midfield. Wenger should be playing him behind the striker and in front of the midfield which he did this time and also made the difference. He is exceptional there with his frame and speed. He possess good dribbling skills too. But the problem often seen with Diaby was that he got too carried away with his dribbling and often created problems for Gunners than opponents.

Arshavin was silent throughout the match giving more balls and chances to Eduardo who was the second best player we had on the pitch. Eduardo showed that he was regaining confidence and slowly getting to his real self. He was offmood and often offtarget last 10 matches and until last night he never was any threat to opponents. In case Wenger opts to play him in front for next 4-5 matches he would be back in form and in form Eduardo is more dangerous than many other strikers we have seen. This will also take off the striker worry for Wenger since Bendtner will be back in January by New Year.

Hull City penalty from Giovanni was saved by Arsenal stopper Almunia. It was his 4th save out of 7 penalties he had faced this season. It looks a good record. But once again his delivery was poor and also looked out of touch except for the penalty save. He surely needs to gain more confidence and hope this penalty which was saved will help him raise it. He is not even looking something similar to what he has last year. Considering Almunia's age, I would save Wenger should look for more talented goalkeepers or give Mannonne or Sczhezny one more shot. Fabianski is a good player, but still lacks the natural talent as Sczhezny who is a very young. But for an already young and dangerous Arsenal team, a goalkeeper who is of 19years won't make any difference. Awarding a penalty to Fagan was a very bad decision since everyone could he that Fagan pulled Silvestre and tried to forge a fall. Silvestre looked very dejected by that decision and later Silvestre and Vermaelen together gave Fagan a very bad time.

Silvestre was another player who caught my eye. He was good on the left back position and looks like he should be the second option for Wenger with his experience and skill. I had written previously also in my blog that Silvestre should be played at Left Back to extract what he can add to the team and proud to say that it made the difference. He is not a good center back at all, but plays well on the left back position. Wenger played Ramsey for Nasri, Walcott for Eduardo and Vela for Arshavin towards the end of the game. Walcott once again showed great pace and also missed couple of good chances which with his experience we expect him to finish. Vela also started to show that he was gaining his cofidence back which is very much needed seeing the kind of layoff that Van Persie is facing.

Once again Arsenal and Hull City match was filled with aggression as Hunt and Barmby manhandled Nasri when Nasri had fouled their fellow player after the bad treatment he received. Nasri and Hunt was yellow carded. It showed the kind of physical level these matches can take players to. Arshavin also had a stunt with Fagan for Fagan's false penalty claim and acting.

Overall it was not a great Arsenal display but what matters is the result which they were able to make. Arsenal really cannot afford any slip up. In case they had won at Burnley, Arsenal would be at second position in table with one game in hand. Let's hope this develops to a better and memorable season and also hope Wenger brings in one Center back since Senderos is set to go and also one much needed striker. Almunia would be a good second goalkeeper to have, so can save him for the bench.