Frustrating times at the Emirates

After watching Arsenal's 1 - 0 win over Roma in the first leg of the Champtions League Round of 16, I must say that I am very frustrated and disappointed. It angers me when I see a team with so many skillful and talented players not playing to their potential. But its not the whole team thats causing the problems.

One player who has time and time again disappointed me is Nicklas Bendtner. From the beginning I have always been skeptical of him. It first started with his spat with Emmanuel Adebayor, which was a bit understandable considering what Adebayor said to him. Then when he came out in the news recently and said that he should be Arsenal's number one striker, which I find hysterical. And finally tonight's performance against Roma, heavy touches, poor passes, and goal chances missed just reiterated my feeling that we need to take him off the first team. I'm not saying that we should sell him because I don't know any clubs that would want to deal with him.

Another player who has disappointed me lately is Emmanuel Eboue. I understand that this has been a ruff season for Ivory Coast international, but he needs to focus on his game more. He is always looking for the foul (which isn't always bad, but he needs to pick and choose) and can't keep his mouth shut when dealing with the referee. I do like Eboue, don't get me wrong, I just think that he needs to step down from the pedestal that he seems to be standing on and give himself a reality check.

After watching the match, the difference Abou Diaby makes when he is on the pitch is astronomical. In the first half, Arsenal were attacking, Diaby was making these great darted runs towards the Roma defense. But in the second half when Diaby was replaced by Alex Song, Arsenal were back in their half playing like a team that was winning 1-0 away, when they should have been pushing forward and attacking like a team that was winning 1-0 at home. 

Thanks to Robin Van Persie, Arsenal will take a slender lead going into the Champions League 2nd leg in Rome. Hopefully this next leg won't be Arsenal's last night in Rome.