Bentdner backs up his bragging to dispatch Orient
63 comments March 3rd, 2011
Arsenal 5 – 0 Leyton Orient (Chamakh 7, Bendtner 30, 43, 62 (pen), Clichy 75)
Highlights | Arsene’s reaction
This replay was actually quite convenient…
It gave us a chance to get back to winning ways and gave a much needed run-out to the likes of Gibbs, Eboue, Bendtner and Chamakh. With Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott due to be out for a few weeks yet, getting the strikers back among the goals was particularly important – Chamakh’s early strike was his first since November.
I like Bendtner’s confidence…
He’s not the world’s greatest striker, but there is something admirably ballsy about the Dane. Cupping his ear to the Orient fans after scoring in the first-half was provocative, but frankly he’s entitled to do whatever he likes as long as he’s scoring. Whilst his first touch is one of the worst at the club, in front of goal he can be very effective.
It was a good night for Abou Diaby…
70 minutes under his belt, 100% of his 69 passes found their target, and (remarkably) he didn’t get injured. He was far too good for the Orient midfield, and completely ran the game in the first half. There is still a big role for him to play this season between now and May.
Conor Henderson…
Is the latest Englishman off the Emirates production line. He’s a tall, elegant midfield player with a good left-foot. He was nominally playing on the left wing of our 4-3-3, but played deeper than you’d expect an Arshavin or Nasri to operate. Curled one particularly lovely set piece in to the box, which prompted applause from senior colleagues on the bench.
EDIT: I’ve just been admonished by Arseblogger – Henderson is an Irishman.
9,000 lucky Orient fans witnessed a very, very rare sight…
…a Gael Clichy goal. It was only the second of his career. You wouldn’t know it, as he lashed Emmanuel Eboue’s cross back across goal and in to the net.
It’s a bit 10 days for Arsenal…
We face Sunderland at the weekend, before travelling to Barca and then to Old Trafford in the FA Cup Quarter-Final. At the moment, we’re still in contention for the three major prizes. By next Saturday, it could easily be just one.
