Man of the Match Arsenal PL (H)

[trevorriley]

some good performances, KDB there is nobody better in the PL.

 

[OB1]

Kev on another level to just about every other player on the planet this season....except Jordan Henderson of course. What a privilege to watch him play. Ably supported by Dave and Gunders. Mendy looked sharp too and a nice little cameo from Fodes toward the end. Some really good football out there considering we were supposed to be ‘rusty’

Agree with all that.

 

[AustinBlue]

I went with kdb, but only because David Luiz wasn’t an option

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

KDB by a mile

 

[chesterbells]

KDB by a mile

What I loved and noticed most about him from the off, was his evident hunger. To get on the ball, to play the game, to make progress, etc etc
It’s not just about his ability, it’s the way he just looks like he relishes being on the pitch, so keen.
Probably not conveying it very well, but hunger is the best I can come up with.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

What I loved and noticed most about him from the off, was his evident hunger. To get on the ball, to play the game, to make progress, etc etc
It’s not just about his ability, it’s the way he just looks like he relishes being on the pitch, so keen.
Probably not conveying it very well, but hunger is the best I can come up with.

I know what you mean--he drives us on, has a real will to win, and his the heartbeat of the team. I've wondered who he compares to in that sense but it's not easy to do - Vieira, Gerrard and Keane (without the nastiness) maybe, but they all had red mist moments whereas Kev seems to do it without that but make no mistake about it he's having as much an influence on this team as any of them had on theirs

 

[Ric]

I know what you mean--he drives us on, has a real will to win, and his the heartbeat of the team. I've wondered who he compares to in that sense but it's not easy to do - Vieira, Gerrard and Keane (without the nastiness) maybe, but they all had red mist moments whereas Kev seems to do it without that but make no mistake about it he's having as much an influence on this team as any of them had on theirs

Absolutely nailed on to be captain next season imo.

 

[BufordUSABlue]

I went with Kev, but honorable mention for Gundog who I thought had a tidy game.

 

[Vienna_70]

I didn’t think I’d be that arsed about the match, given the fan free circumstances, but some of our football was glorious. Just to watch Kev gliding downfield is sufficient to give me goosebumps, never mind what he actually does with the ball. I’ve always loved sportsmen in all fields who’ve had that swashbuckling elegance. Muhammad Ali, David Duckham, John McEnroe, Alex Higgins, Johann Cruyff. Touched by God. We’ve been truly spoilt to have had 2 such individuals on the books for years (Dave and Kev)

Interesting that you mention David Duckham.

When I was nine, my local club, Penryn, were drawn at home against Coventry in the quarterfinal of the Cup, and Duckham ran practically the whole length of the pitch to score a brilliant try.

The whole ground applauded him.

 

[cleavers]

Absolutely nailed on to be captain next season imo.

Lets hope we overturn the european ban then :-)

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

Interesting that you mention David Duckham.

When I was nine, my local club, Penryn, were drawn at home against Coventry in the quarterfinal of the Cup, and Duckham ran practically the whole length of the pitch to score a brilliant try.

The whole ground applauded him.

I’ve never seen a runner like him before or since. He had the most devastating side step and change of direction I’ve ever seen in a rugby player, but the difference between him and twinkle toes players like Phil Bennett or Jason Robinson, was that he did it whilst going full tilt. He was brilliant in that famous Barbarians game against the All Blacks with the Gareth Edwards try, and he’d be in my best ever England XV even now.

 

[Rammy Blue]

Kev and Kyle.

 

[york away to this!]

Rashford

 

[Vienna_70]

I’ve never seen a runner like him before or since. He had the most devastating side step and change of direction I’ve ever seen in a rugby player, but the difference between him and twinkle toes players like Phil Bennett or Jason Robinson, was that he do it whilst going full tilt. He was brilliant in that famous Barbarians game against the All Blacks with the Gareth Edwards try, and he’d be in my best ever England XV even now.

Unfortunately for him, he was the only great player in that England team, whereas the Wales and France teams of the time were full of them.

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

Unfortunately for him, he was the only great player in that England team, whereas the Wales and France teams of the time were full of them.

Some good runs in this....at 2:10, 3:20 & 7:50

 

[kaz7]

Blondie of course,looked like he had never been away

 

[Withnail]

Super Kev

 

[Vienna_70]

Some good runs in this....at 2:10, 3:20 & 7:50

Brilliant. The greatest game of rugby ever.

I saw that All Blacks side at Redruth, when they played a combined Cornwall / Devon XV.

 

[sir baconface]

I know what you mean--he drives us on, has a real will to win, and his the heartbeat of the team. I've wondered who he compares to in that sense but it's not easy to do - Vieira, Gerrard and Keane (without the nastiness) maybe, but they all had red mist moments whereas Kev seems to do it without that but make no mistake about it he's having as much an influence on this team as any of them had on theirs

Colin Bell?

 

[Nelinho]

Kevin, for his quality, leadership, and general influence, offensively as well as defensively; inspiring the team in our attacking game while, at a certain moment, was covering the CB position, just because the team needed him there. The man leads by example, as his manager says...

It was a collective effort, with everybody contributing. Gaby often reminds me of Tostao, with his work-rate and sacrifice for the team (even though his current form is miles away from his true ability). Ryiad entered 2nd half determined to leave a rather disappointing 1st half behind him -and won us the penalty. Eric junior seemed calm and confident, Phil and Sergio motivated to make an impact as subs, and so on, and so on.

Finally: Encouraging performances delivered by Raheem (judging by his standards this season), and Kyle (the biggest enemy of whom is himself: the reasons behind his insecurity occasionally, leading to lack of composure and ridiculous mistakes, are totally beyond me). I hope they both keep up the good work, their presence is expected to be crucial in the following months.

Raheem upfront, Kevin in midfield (MOM), and Kyle in defence (with Eddie as GK, of course), shaped the backbone of the team, Wednesday night. Leading to a convincing victory with a good overall performance, given the circumstances.