Wenger admitted that we were "lucky" to get the three points, and he was certainly right about that. Cech and the defense had good games, but everyone else looked flat. A Gunner watching the game with us in a Portland ME bar speculated that the guys who played so well against Chelsea and Basel were a bit leggy and the lineup could have done with some freshening up. Well, Isaac, I think you nailed it. I'd have liked to have seen Perez start up top, with Alexis on the left and Iwobi on the bench. We had no one in the middle who could serve as a target, as well.
This might have meant less if Ozil or Cazorla could have made a few killer passes, or if Burnley had not been so disciplined and hardworking. In truth, Burnley earned a point for their tactical excellence. It must have grated to see that last-second goal stand. Only obstructed vision could explain the referees' not chalking it off for handball and/or offside. Both Kos and Ox were just barely onside when Walcott made his beautiful headed flick, but when Ox struck the ball towards goal, Koscielny was surely offside when it hit him on the elbow and bounced in. That elbow may even have spared AOC the embarrassment of seeing his shot balloon over the bar. We stole two points. [Edit: After looking at replays, I now think Kos may have kicked that ball himself. He had to reach back for it and that may explain the upward flight of the shot. If he was the only player who got contact, it wasn't offside. I still think that it was handball, but I'm glad the ref didn't see it that way (or see it at all).]
But that's OK with me. North London had a good day today, and Manchester did not. I like that. The team learned some lessons today, I hope, about persistence.
DC United managed to beat Toronto last night, bringing them to fourth place and a near lock on a playoff spot. I don't see why they can't make a run.
No comments:
Post a Comment