After a do-or-die midweek performance in Europe, it was inevitable that there would be a letdown in the league this weekend. It happened to all the clubs who played in the Champions' League and Europa League. Fortunately, we had Villa on Sunday, and our "C" game was more than enough to outclass them. I thought we were pretty awful, frankly. However, we were gifted the first goal when Hutton dragged Theo back on his excellent gather-and-run down the left. He wasn't going to score from that angle and he didn't have enough support, so the obvious foul was crazy. Giroud felt no nerves on the PK, sending Guzan the wrong way and slotting it into the empty half of the goal. The second goal looked majestic, but: 1) Ramsey's steal that started it was closer to a foul (though it wasn't a foul) than Arteta's similar lunge that was penalized and resulted in the first West Brom goal a few weeks ago; and 2) that had to be the worst defense on a breakaway I have ever seen. A 4-on-4 was transformed into a 3-on-1 by one easy, slow Walcott pass almost straight up the field. A two goal lead was insurmountable by the inept Villa attack, and their players knew it. Another assist for Mesut--that's 13! Henry has the EPL record with 20, but that's looking shaky. Ozil has the highest assist-per-game ratio in EPL history. It's easy to see why--he's magic.
Hey, how about a January loan of Debuchy to Villa? The three Frenchmen can surely work out this win-win-win deal. Wenger owes Remi Garde for his advice to take the Villa job.
What a wonderful weekend. Spuds and United lose to low-ranking opponents, and Liverpool drops points again. Man City won, but we'll have our shot at them next Monday. Leicester is not going to win the league. They're a great story, and I know they don't have European football to distract or wear them out, but they're one Mahrez hamstring pull or Vardy knee strain away from being Stoke. If they can get through the crowded "festive period" fixture list in good shape, I may reassess that judgment. But they are going to start dropping points.
Barcelona. Hmmm. You know, I don't mind that draw. I was delighted with the Monaco draw last year, and we took them lightly and were punished. We won't take Barca lightly. And we can beat them, too, especially in February after Alexis is back and up to speed. I admit to being worried about Flamini doing enough to break up Barca's play. They will score. We have to score more, and I believe we can. La Liga is almost as competitive this year as the Premier League, so they won't be able to concentrate solely on the ECL. We win 2-1 at the Emirates and lose 2-3 away, and go through on away goals for once. Alexis, Walcott, Ramsey, and Giroud get one goal each. I haven't gotten around to assigning assists, but you can count on at least one being from Ozil.
We'd probably have to play Barca eventually if we progressed, so why not right away? If we lose, we won't have those European games to distract us anymore, and no one will say it was a disgrace to lose to Barcelona (unless it's by six goals). If we win, we should be brimming with confidence and become one of the favorites to take the cup. I don't see a downside.
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