🇷🇸 Branislav Ivanovic

[Henrique 9,133]

He played OK today but on the other hand, it's kind hard to judge considering Arsenal didn't really test him that much, especially after they went down to 10 men.

Arsenal got tactics completely wrong, since they could terrotize our defense exploring our right side, instead they were playing with a CF that is not exactly a CF. No surprise Walcott probably breaked the record of off sides in one single match.

[Tomo 21,751]

If we had Dani Alves with the amount of space every team gives ivanovic....

No real point making that comparison because of we did have Alves the oppo would adjust their tactics and not give him that much space.

[Tomo 21,751]

Arsenal got tactics completely wrong .

Doesn't sound like Arsene

[Fernando 6,585]

Has more patience with a 31 year old then 20 something year old.

Makes sense Mourinho!

[Barbara 15,149]

Good to read he had a decent match and hilarious to read that Arsenal wasn't set up to explore the biggest liability in the world of football.

It doesn't mean Mourinho isn't held responsible for this situation. If we can't play the bench player because he isn't good enough, it's Mourinho's fault because we had a great replacement that has been underused. If we haven't signed someone who can cope with defending in England, still Mourinho's fault to an extent (but also the board) and if we have a capable replacement that just needs time and matches to prove his worth, this is even more Mourinho's fault.

All that said I didn't expect - or even wanted Baba to play today. It wasn't the time for that. But if Mourinho doesn't give him more chances he won't ever develop to reach any potential he might have. So I hope we see him in COC and being given a few chances against certain kinds of opposition, especially playing at the Bridge.

[robsblubot 3,595]

He did not have a decent game, but a good game.

And Arsenal tried to exploit that side for sure - always go for the attacking fullback side. They could not do it because he played well - defended better - and was helped by more work from the attacking players. Helped too by Oscars presence.

Pedro and hazard don't do that naturally like Oscar, so we are a bit softer this season.

[Gilvorak 3,734]

Still not convinced but all this proves is that Sanchez is the biggest fraud in football.

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

Good game but you know it if Arsenal wanted it more to attack that right side he would got destroyed. I see this on Ivanovic's face that he suffers when he has to deal with any bit of balance and acceleration. No he's not back. He probably will be a starter here I just can't imagine how he can start every league game.

Oh and his crossing is still terrible.

Nonetheless good game but Azpilicueta is the defender we want.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Arsenal did try to exploit both fullbacks with diagonal balls behind them and they even targeted Iva several times before they went a man down but he had a good game. He still should not be our starting RB but it was the kind of decent enough performance he put in most of the times last season. He's not getting displaced anytime soon by Baba if what we saw against Maccabi was anything to go by.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

Well, Arsenal did set up to exploit Ivanovic's weaknesses but he just refused to blink. the weeks rest did him a whole of good. Despite of arsenal's attacks 54% came on his side, of all our players, he won most tackles and aerial duells, completed the most clearances and interceptions. If only we would rest him more so he can be fresh for challenges like this one.

[LAM09 7,054]

I hope he's finally woken up. Arsenal aren't the biggest test, but he didn't look like a liability on Sat for once this season.

[killer1257 3,282]

I still can not believe how Arsenal did not try it harder to target Ivanovic.He is such a bad defender

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Terrible, maybe he played well against arsenal because they didn't target him. I'm a better defender than him

[zolayes 14,489]

what more can be said about him ,, Now well by his sell by date or his use by date ,,,BIN HIM

[Despiadado.Maleante 1,046]

When the undoubtedly worst player in the league is your captain, what message does it send to the players.

[didierforever 7,349]

another brilliant performance. makes the RB spot his for another 5 games i suppose.

[robsblubot 3,595]

there were a lot of players far far worse than ivanovic - even Matic had a bad game.

[killer1257 3,282]

there were a lot of players far far worse than ivanovic - even Matic had a bad game.

Matic has bad games when his midfield partners play bad.Oscar did not win any tackle,Cesc never wins tackles and you can´t expect fro Matic to win every tackle.

Apart from that,Iva plays in every aspect of his game horrible.I do not know where to begin because it would take too much time,but in short,he can´t defend,nor he can attack.

[Special Juan 28,141]

This is not harsh, but he's an absolute cancer.

[robsblubot 3,595]

Matic has bad games when his midfield partners play bad.Oscar did not win any tackle,Cesc never wins tackles and you can´t expect fro Matic to win every tackle.

Apart from that,Iva plays in every aspect of his game horrible.I do not know where to begin because it would take too much time,but in short,he can´t defend,nor he can attack.

I agree about the attacking players being poor defensively - add that hazard and spec Pedro. Though I disagree that ivanovic has been as bad as people here say he's been. The same way you say lack of defending up front hurts Matic the defense is also affected.

Hazards form is far worse and so is fabregas'

Besides this is not tennis - replace ivanovic and nothing will change. Remy would still have been a zero up front for example. No wide plays etc. Pedro has been worse than Iva.

The team is just off. Jose needs to address the overall team play and the terrible form of certain players-ivanovic is just the scapegoat which would change nothing esp because we don't really have better option on the roster.