What a terrible game. All we managed was an own goal on a free kick, and all the Baggies got was a totally bullshit penalty. I know it is always an injustice when a referee decides a game--and wrongly at that--but I am not going to say we deserved three points today. On the basis of our play this year, we're not a top four team; and we're about to lose our two most dangerous players. Drawing against the league's worst team says it all. Chelsea should be licking their lips.
What's wrong with Rob Holding? I like Chambers, and he should not have been penalized today, but he was off the pace all game. Suddenly we have immense problems at the back. Monreal is a huge miss for us.
Ugh.
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Crystal Palace 2 - 3 Arsenal
Three precious points gained in a place we've found difficult recently. I've been arguing on Arseblog that Alexis was still an excellent player with alot of positives for us, and he proved it today. Not only did he score twice, he kept the ball alive for us just before Mustafi slotted our first past Speroni. Ozil actually had two better chances to score than anything Alexis was presented with, and couldn't do it. We are definitely going to miss the Chilean.
I thought we looked pretty good overall, but the defensive lapses were worrying. Palace could easily have gotten one or two more, with the opportunities they were given. I'll skip the player comments except to say that Jack is coming along very nicely indeed.
We're in touch with the two teams above us, and that's the important thing. With the form our competitors are in, we can't afford to drop points.
I thought we looked pretty good overall, but the defensive lapses were worrying. Palace could easily have gotten one or two more, with the opportunities they were given. I'll skip the player comments except to say that Jack is coming along very nicely indeed.
We're in touch with the two teams above us, and that's the important thing. With the form our competitors are in, we can't afford to drop points.
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Szczesny Shines, Mourinho Dims
Our former #1 looked splendid in preserving a 1-0 victory for Juve over Roma (the club he was so good for the last two years) with some excellent saves. I don't think we did the smart thing in selling him. But he's gone. Let's hope Matt Macey is up to the job when he's called upon.
A late late equalizer from Leicester ruined Jose's day, and that's always a good thing. Man City was not going to be caught anyway. I can always hope United collapse and get sucked into the top four scrap. They're eight points above us now; Chelsea five. We're a point behind Liverpool and trail Spurs on goal differential. All we have to do is start playing better. Simple, eh?
My wish for the transfer period is that we manage to find a buyer for Alexis, we sign Ozil for another three years, keep Jack, and bring in some 19 year old no one has heard of who scores 15 goals, including the winner in the Europa League final. So do it, Arsene.
A late late equalizer from Leicester ruined Jose's day, and that's always a good thing. Man City was not going to be caught anyway. I can always hope United collapse and get sucked into the top four scrap. They're eight points above us now; Chelsea five. We're a point behind Liverpool and trail Spurs on goal differential. All we have to do is start playing better. Simple, eh?
My wish for the transfer period is that we manage to find a buyer for Alexis, we sign Ozil for another three years, keep Jack, and bring in some 19 year old no one has heard of who scores 15 goals, including the winner in the Europa League final. So do it, Arsene.
Friday, December 22, 2017
Arsenal 3 - 3 Liverpool
I'm starting this before the game to confess that considering the way we're playing I am not expecting to get anything from this game. I will be delighted to be proven wrong. Kickoff is in a few minutes.
It could have been a lot worse at halftime. Arsenal had a couple quarter-chances at most. I don't remember Mignolet having to do anything. Cech, on the other hand, was a very busy man. He made some big saves and interceptions, but was stranded on the goal. It could easily have been 0-3. What's going wrong? It's an old story: too many giveaways, poor defense. Xhaka was particularly bad. It's not as though Liverpool has been perfect; they've misplaced the usual number of balls. It's that we're really bad. Can Wenger turn this performance around?
Uh, yeah, he can, and yes, he did. A deflected shot from Salah got past Cech to make it 0-2, but then an electrifying 4:45 saw three Arsenal goals. The first was a courageous header from Alexis, who was really up for this game, challenging for everything. Next, Xhaka uncorked a screamer from about 30 yards that swerved enough to evade the one arm Mignolet saw fit to use to try to stop it--it was straight at him a foot over his head. The third was a brilliant interchange between Lacazette and Ozil that left the latter one on one with Mignolet, who had the shot dinked over him for 3-2 Arsenal. I had a feeling it wouldn't end that way. When a clearance came out to Alexis on the sideline, he saved it in for Liverpool instead of just knocking it on or heading it out. A couple passes later, Firmino was found by himself on the edge of the area, with time enough to hit one that Cech got two hands on but it looped under the crossbar.
I expected another goal or two in the final twenty minutes, but it remained 3-3, and I think that was a fair (if disappointing) result. It was, as they say, a tale of two halves. Liverpool was worth more than their one goal advantage in the first, and we were worth more than our one goal margin in the second, in my opinion. Our lack of bench firepower was underlined by the substitutions of Iwobi and Alexis with Welbeck and Walcott, who both looked fine when they touched the ball but didn't factor into anything important.
It's worrying that Monreal had to be subbed out for an injury; he may be our best player this season. Xhaka redeemed himself in the second half. Jack had a solid game offensively and defensively; I think he has to start when he's fit, especially with Ramsey out. Lacazette was excellent, and deserved a goal for his hard work--the assist was fabulous though. Alexis was all action. He looked disgusted to be taken out for Walcott--I'd have left him in. He still gives the ball away too much, but I can't stay mad at the guy. He challenges for every ball, even in the air against guys a foot taller. Ozil had one of his best games. Our fullbacks were quite good. Maitland-Niles did well against Salah. The center backs also did well for the most part, but were under huge pressure all game. Cech definitely outplayed his Liverpool counterpart and had more saves to make.
As you saw up top, I'm reasonably happy with the point, and the boss and the players should have learned something about playing 90 minutes. We can't start slow every game and expect to be in the top four.
It could have been a lot worse at halftime. Arsenal had a couple quarter-chances at most. I don't remember Mignolet having to do anything. Cech, on the other hand, was a very busy man. He made some big saves and interceptions, but was stranded on the goal. It could easily have been 0-3. What's going wrong? It's an old story: too many giveaways, poor defense. Xhaka was particularly bad. It's not as though Liverpool has been perfect; they've misplaced the usual number of balls. It's that we're really bad. Can Wenger turn this performance around?
Uh, yeah, he can, and yes, he did. A deflected shot from Salah got past Cech to make it 0-2, but then an electrifying 4:45 saw three Arsenal goals. The first was a courageous header from Alexis, who was really up for this game, challenging for everything. Next, Xhaka uncorked a screamer from about 30 yards that swerved enough to evade the one arm Mignolet saw fit to use to try to stop it--it was straight at him a foot over his head. The third was a brilliant interchange between Lacazette and Ozil that left the latter one on one with Mignolet, who had the shot dinked over him for 3-2 Arsenal. I had a feeling it wouldn't end that way. When a clearance came out to Alexis on the sideline, he saved it in for Liverpool instead of just knocking it on or heading it out. A couple passes later, Firmino was found by himself on the edge of the area, with time enough to hit one that Cech got two hands on but it looped under the crossbar.
I expected another goal or two in the final twenty minutes, but it remained 3-3, and I think that was a fair (if disappointing) result. It was, as they say, a tale of two halves. Liverpool was worth more than their one goal advantage in the first, and we were worth more than our one goal margin in the second, in my opinion. Our lack of bench firepower was underlined by the substitutions of Iwobi and Alexis with Welbeck and Walcott, who both looked fine when they touched the ball but didn't factor into anything important.
It's worrying that Monreal had to be subbed out for an injury; he may be our best player this season. Xhaka redeemed himself in the second half. Jack had a solid game offensively and defensively; I think he has to start when he's fit, especially with Ramsey out. Lacazette was excellent, and deserved a goal for his hard work--the assist was fabulous though. Alexis was all action. He looked disgusted to be taken out for Walcott--I'd have left him in. He still gives the ball away too much, but I can't stay mad at the guy. He challenges for every ball, even in the air against guys a foot taller. Ozil had one of his best games. Our fullbacks were quite good. Maitland-Niles did well against Salah. The center backs also did well for the most part, but were under huge pressure all game. Cech definitely outplayed his Liverpool counterpart and had more saves to make.
As you saw up top, I'm reasonably happy with the point, and the boss and the players should have learned something about playing 90 minutes. We can't start slow every game and expect to be in the top four.
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Arsenal 1 - 0 West Ham (League Cup)
The Hammers did not look terribly interested in making it to the two-legged semifinals, and that might be smart, considering that they're in a relegation scrap. I can't remember a real spell of pressure from them and I doubt Ospina had to make more than one or two easy saves. At the other end, we were hardly more impressive. There was a lot of enterprise, and of course we had almost all of the ball, but Joe Hart's work was confined mostly to fishing the ball out of his net after Welbeck scrambled it in and making a flying tackle that missed the ball but brought down a Gunner just outside the box. It was not "an enthralling contest" as the commentators say.
Nevertheless, we go on to face either Man City (who won a shootout over Leicester to advance) or most likely Chelsea or Man U in a two-legged tie. There will be no cupcakes left, unless the big boys slip up tomorrow. The big news from today's win was Giroud's hamstring injury. The guy seems indestructible, and we have Shad Forsythe to work his magic, so maybe we'll see him again in January. Theo captained the team, and was pretty bad for most of the game. He missed a wide-open header (courtesy of a lovely early cross from Kolasinac) and was otherwise wasteful. He's trying, but it's not working out. Welbeck once again looked almost useless, though he was Danny on the spot for the goal, coaxing it across the line with his shin when presented with the tap-in opportunity. Chambers (who looks damned good with a beard) and Holding were excellent. Ospina did his job (he's still punting and goal-kicking past the halfway line). Debuchy and Kolasinac showed some menace and were fine defensively. (I wonder what Matthieu was thinking when Arnautovic was sent in as a sub late on.) Coquelneny were pretty much what's needed in a game like this: steady defense and no cheap giveaways. Willock played his part and did not look out of place.
No matter who we draw in the semis, it's going to be a very tough assignment. I'm happy to see Wenger stick with the plan and leave it to the youngsters and our veteran fringe players, at least in the first leg. If we make it to Wembley, then go all out.
Liverpool at the Emirates in three days. We'll miss Ramsey. What about Maitland-Niles in defensive midfield? He can't be more of a liability than Xhaka. Let's hope AOC isn't inspired to show us why we were excited to have him.
Nevertheless, we go on to face either Man City (who won a shootout over Leicester to advance) or most likely Chelsea or Man U in a two-legged tie. There will be no cupcakes left, unless the big boys slip up tomorrow. The big news from today's win was Giroud's hamstring injury. The guy seems indestructible, and we have Shad Forsythe to work his magic, so maybe we'll see him again in January. Theo captained the team, and was pretty bad for most of the game. He missed a wide-open header (courtesy of a lovely early cross from Kolasinac) and was otherwise wasteful. He's trying, but it's not working out. Welbeck once again looked almost useless, though he was Danny on the spot for the goal, coaxing it across the line with his shin when presented with the tap-in opportunity. Chambers (who looks damned good with a beard) and Holding were excellent. Ospina did his job (he's still punting and goal-kicking past the halfway line). Debuchy and Kolasinac showed some menace and were fine defensively. (I wonder what Matthieu was thinking when Arnautovic was sent in as a sub late on.) Coquelneny were pretty much what's needed in a game like this: steady defense and no cheap giveaways. Willock played his part and did not look out of place.
No matter who we draw in the semis, it's going to be a very tough assignment. I'm happy to see Wenger stick with the plan and leave it to the youngsters and our veteran fringe players, at least in the first leg. If we make it to Wembley, then go all out.
Liverpool at the Emirates in three days. We'll miss Ramsey. What about Maitland-Niles in defensive midfield? He can't be more of a liability than Xhaka. Let's hope AOC isn't inspired to show us why we were excited to have him.
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Arsenal 1 - 0 Newcastle: Worrying, Worrying Arsenal
When players with the technical capabilities and inventiveness of Ozil and Sanchez are on the team, eventually one has to question what it is that prevents Arsenal from creating more good chances, and putting away the ones we do get. It almost has to be a problem with preparation and organization, and that's on Wenger. Man City was simply better than we were. We outplayed Spurs and looked very good in the Man United loss. But the Gunners have in past years been efficient at picking up the maximum points from struggling clubs by wearing them down and scoring when necessary. No more. Newcastle has now gone nine games straight and gotten one point out of them. At the Emirates, this is a team we should have beaten comfortably, at least 2-0, despite their solid defensive organization. Instead, it was an agonizing nail-biter. I'll just hand out some random comments:
Iwobi is going to be a major talent. With a little more awareness of what's going on around him and a better finishing touch, he's going to be very good for us for quite a while. He played his part.
Maitland-Niles did remarkably well at left back. A lot has been said of Wenger putting six left-footers out there but playing a right-footed midfielder at left back, and that's a valid criticism. But he was quite good.
Xhaka is infuriating. He can hit some sublime long range passes when he gets the time and space. He has the size to help out in the box on crosses, and gets a head to a lot of them. But he gives the ball away cheaply and he commits stupid fouls. He also can be gotten around far too easily. Maybe there are some match stats proving me wrong, but I thought he was poor on the day. At least Elneny doesn't cough up the ball.
Jack's not really a big asset yet, but I think if he stays healthy he will integrate with the rest of the team and be more effective. He does lots of good things and works hard, but does fall asleep on defense sometimes and still dribbles a little too long.
We're running Kos into the ground. I love the guy, but he's worn out. What's wrong with Holding? Chambers? They need games, Kos needs a rest, and Monreal (who was fantastic again) should be left back in games like this. Sheesh.
The team misses All-Action AAron.
Lacazette looks off. You can see he's not confident. He seldom goes 90 minutes. This worries me.
Welbeck has become pretty much useless. He seems a nice fellow, but I have yet to see him look as though he belongs out there this season.
Pending the Liverpool result, we're sitting fourth in the table. But if you watch the games, it's hard to imagine Arsenal finishing above Tottenham or Liverpool, let alone Chelsea. City will win the league, and United looks nailed-on for second. Burnley will fall away. It's likely we'll be playing Thursday nights next year too, barring some collapses at our rivals, an improbable title run in this year's Europa League, or a dramatic improvement in form for Arsenal. I can live with that, but I know we can beat teams like West Ham and Stoke, and we better start doing it.
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Szczesny looked his confident, commanding self as Juve swept Bologna aside today. He made the right move, and so did Juve. He made some damning comments about the coaching he got at Arsenal. Unless we improve in that area, the young talents coming up like Macey and Martinez aren't going to reach potential with us.
Iwobi is going to be a major talent. With a little more awareness of what's going on around him and a better finishing touch, he's going to be very good for us for quite a while. He played his part.
Maitland-Niles did remarkably well at left back. A lot has been said of Wenger putting six left-footers out there but playing a right-footed midfielder at left back, and that's a valid criticism. But he was quite good.
Xhaka is infuriating. He can hit some sublime long range passes when he gets the time and space. He has the size to help out in the box on crosses, and gets a head to a lot of them. But he gives the ball away cheaply and he commits stupid fouls. He also can be gotten around far too easily. Maybe there are some match stats proving me wrong, but I thought he was poor on the day. At least Elneny doesn't cough up the ball.
Jack's not really a big asset yet, but I think if he stays healthy he will integrate with the rest of the team and be more effective. He does lots of good things and works hard, but does fall asleep on defense sometimes and still dribbles a little too long.
We're running Kos into the ground. I love the guy, but he's worn out. What's wrong with Holding? Chambers? They need games, Kos needs a rest, and Monreal (who was fantastic again) should be left back in games like this. Sheesh.
The team misses All-Action AAron.
Lacazette looks off. You can see he's not confident. He seldom goes 90 minutes. This worries me.
Welbeck has become pretty much useless. He seems a nice fellow, but I have yet to see him look as though he belongs out there this season.
Pending the Liverpool result, we're sitting fourth in the table. But if you watch the games, it's hard to imagine Arsenal finishing above Tottenham or Liverpool, let alone Chelsea. City will win the league, and United looks nailed-on for second. Burnley will fall away. It's likely we'll be playing Thursday nights next year too, barring some collapses at our rivals, an improbable title run in this year's Europa League, or a dramatic improvement in form for Arsenal. I can live with that, but I know we can beat teams like West Ham and Stoke, and we better start doing it.
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Szczesny looked his confident, commanding self as Juve swept Bologna aside today. He made the right move, and so did Juve. He made some damning comments about the coaching he got at Arsenal. Unless we improve in that area, the young talents coming up like Macey and Martinez aren't going to reach potential with us.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
West Ham 0 - 0 Arsenal
We were fortunate to escape with a point tonight. We made nothing and we got nothing. This is a mid-table team, folks. We're sitting seventh after losing ground to everyone but Liverpool, who also drew 0-0. (The three teams immediately above us have just one point more.) I couldn't watch, but I did listen, and it was dispiriting. I'm sick of hearing how well Jack played in games we don't get anything from. He had one opportunity to win it and knocked it over the bar. The team selection was extremely odd. Frankly, I wish we'd tanked 0-8 against United and played better in these winnable games. Two points from nine...at this rate we won't have to worry about European distractions next season.
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Southampton 1 - 1 Arsenal
A point is exactly what we deserved to get from this game. We were sloppy all over the field. And what's with Alexis? He used to shoot all the time; now he seems to want to make assists (and he got a peach on Giroud's equalizer). Per may take himself out of the running for another start after being exposed in this game. We should have started a back four. Poor all around. Lacazette once more disappeared in the second half.
Oddly, two of the teams above us dropped three points, and Liverpool dropped two. City and Spuds won. So we actually gained a point on United and Chelsea. Clearly, winning the league is not in the cards for the Gunners. We'll be fortunate to finish in the top four.
United got outplayed at home and lost 1-2 to City, all three of the goals created by horrible defensive errors. Mourinho's mopey post-match interview was my second favorite moment of the day, soccer-wise (the first was of course Giroud's sublime header). After trying all week to work the refs on City's diving team, it was his own guy Herrera who was carded for throwing himself onto the turf. Naturally, Mou insisted it was a penalty. Klopp was entertainingly outraged at the cosmic injustice of a late penalty that saw Everton draw the derby after being thoroughly outplayed. You can watch it here.
Oddly, two of the teams above us dropped three points, and Liverpool dropped two. City and Spuds won. So we actually gained a point on United and Chelsea. Clearly, winning the league is not in the cards for the Gunners. We'll be fortunate to finish in the top four.
United got outplayed at home and lost 1-2 to City, all three of the goals created by horrible defensive errors. Mourinho's mopey post-match interview was my second favorite moment of the day, soccer-wise (the first was of course Giroud's sublime header). After trying all week to work the refs on City's diving team, it was his own guy Herrera who was carded for throwing himself onto the turf. Naturally, Mou insisted it was a penalty. Klopp was entertainingly outraged at the cosmic injustice of a late penalty that saw Everton draw the derby after being thoroughly outplayed. You can watch it here.
Friday, December 8, 2017
Arsenal 6 - 0 BATE Borisov
OK, it was heartwarming to see Debuchy, Elneny, and Jack score really fine goals, Theo dispatch one of his chances, and Giroud tuck away a penalty kick (twice--encroachment). It was great to finish in such fine style. Of course, the opponent played very poorly. They had a few chances but never made much of them, and on defense they seemed befuddled as the taxi squad Gunners cut through them effortlessly. I got the feeling that if we had to score more, we would have.
Giroud wasn't getting service from crosses, so he participated in the buildup play and in winning the ball. I thought he was great. Some of the one-touch passing up front didn't come off, but it was exciting to watch. Maitland-Niles wasn't as sharp as he has been in Europa League, and Welbeck never really got going. But it's not easy to criticize anyone who played a role in such a comprehensive win.
Since this was a different eleven from the team that lost to United, and the opposition was so much poorer, it's impossible to draw any conclusions from yesterday's game. Europa League knockout stage competition will be a lot better than BATE. We've played our last creampuff, unless we draw more nonleague FA Cup opponents this year. It's going to be a slog, for everyone in the league.
Will we be selling players in January? It will be a distraction.
Giroud wasn't getting service from crosses, so he participated in the buildup play and in winning the ball. I thought he was great. Some of the one-touch passing up front didn't come off, but it was exciting to watch. Maitland-Niles wasn't as sharp as he has been in Europa League, and Welbeck never really got going. But it's not easy to criticize anyone who played a role in such a comprehensive win.
Since this was a different eleven from the team that lost to United, and the opposition was so much poorer, it's impossible to draw any conclusions from yesterday's game. Europa League knockout stage competition will be a lot better than BATE. We've played our last creampuff, unless we draw more nonleague FA Cup opponents this year. It's going to be a slog, for everyone in the league.
Will we be selling players in January? It will be a distraction.
Saturday, December 2, 2017
Arsenal 1 - 3 Man U
Crazy game. Two early defensive howlers led to two smartly taken goals from the visitors, and despite sustained furious pressure from the Gunners, United's desperate defending and DeGea's excellent goalkeeping (he tied a PL record for saves in a game) limited us to a single goal, though it came early in the second half and made this a real cracker of a game. Pogba's strength and savvy got United another goal in the second half, and then he spiked Bellerins' knee (ugly stuff) and got sent off. United defended better with ten men, actually. We had some penalty shouts; Welbeck had his legs taken out from under him after a nice cutback and it should have been given. We also had a couple misses from close; Xhaka, Ramsey, and Alexis could easily have had goals, and probably should have.
Read about the game on Arseblog if you like; I'm too dispirited to go into a critique. Mustafi got himself injured in the process of giving up the second goal. Kos made a poor pass to Kolasinac, who allowed the ball to be intercepted, and that led to the first goal. Just awful: two down in nine minutes. Then came the assault on DeGea's goal, which lasted for most of the rest of the game. United couldn't clear it and couldn't hold it, but we simply didn't find that final pass or sharp finish at the end of our attacking moves. It's impossible to say what would have happened had we not gifted United the early chances or they not cashed in; it doesn't matter, because we did and they did. I haven't looked at the table, but surely Liverpool has passed us into fourth, and we're far back of United and about four back of Chelsea. We're still three up on Spuds thanks to their 1-1 draw at Watford.
I think we travel to Southampton next weekend, after a meaningless Europa League tilt at home. (Start Nketiah, please.) If we play this well against the Saints, I like our chances.
Read about the game on Arseblog if you like; I'm too dispirited to go into a critique. Mustafi got himself injured in the process of giving up the second goal. Kos made a poor pass to Kolasinac, who allowed the ball to be intercepted, and that led to the first goal. Just awful: two down in nine minutes. Then came the assault on DeGea's goal, which lasted for most of the rest of the game. United couldn't clear it and couldn't hold it, but we simply didn't find that final pass or sharp finish at the end of our attacking moves. It's impossible to say what would have happened had we not gifted United the early chances or they not cashed in; it doesn't matter, because we did and they did. I haven't looked at the table, but surely Liverpool has passed us into fourth, and we're far back of United and about four back of Chelsea. We're still three up on Spuds thanks to their 1-1 draw at Watford.
I think we travel to Southampton next weekend, after a meaningless Europa League tilt at home. (Start Nketiah, please.) If we play this well against the Saints, I like our chances.
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Arsenal 5 - 0 Huddersfield Town
I did not watch this game live, and only saw the highlights and read a couple of recaps. It wasn't televised here and I went bike riding instead. But I'll comment anyway:
The scoreline was very flattering to Arsenal. Huddersfield had their moments and played pretty well. But the Gunners were by far the superior team and broke open a tight game midway through the second half with three goals in three-plus minutes. Cech earned his clean sheet with some smart saves and alert keeping. Giroud got a brace, Ozil was magnificent, and Ramsey was devastating. Xhaka even looked excellent. The bad news was Lacazette's groin injury, which rules him out for Man U on Saturday. Also worrisome is Kolasinac's poor form. He looked like a world-beater early, but he's never found passing accuracy and seems a bit off the pace at times, especially on defense.
Well, I'll be watching the game Saturday with my Red Devil-worshiping neighbor. It would be delightful to keep the four point advantage over Tottenham. United is so stacked with talent that a clean sheet seems a tough ask; we'll have to score two or three at least to get the three points. Without Lacazette that may be difficult. Will Welbeck start? It could be a smart move. Giroud could then be subbed in later. It should be a very good game.
The scoreline was very flattering to Arsenal. Huddersfield had their moments and played pretty well. But the Gunners were by far the superior team and broke open a tight game midway through the second half with three goals in three-plus minutes. Cech earned his clean sheet with some smart saves and alert keeping. Giroud got a brace, Ozil was magnificent, and Ramsey was devastating. Xhaka even looked excellent. The bad news was Lacazette's groin injury, which rules him out for Man U on Saturday. Also worrisome is Kolasinac's poor form. He looked like a world-beater early, but he's never found passing accuracy and seems a bit off the pace at times, especially on defense.
Well, I'll be watching the game Saturday with my Red Devil-worshiping neighbor. It would be delightful to keep the four point advantage over Tottenham. United is so stacked with talent that a clean sheet seems a tough ask; we'll have to score two or three at least to get the three points. Without Lacazette that may be difficult. Will Welbeck start? It could be a smart move. Giroud could then be subbed in later. It should be a very good game.
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Burnley 0 - 1 Arsenal
It's happened again, it's happened again, Burnley gets burned in injury time. On balance, I think we deserved this one. The first half saw us outplayed by a significant margin, but whatever Arsene did at halftime worked, because it was all Arsenal after the break. We had two strong penalty shouts, and the second one was rewarded with a whistle and a point to the spot, and with less than a minute to go we had our accustomed late winner against a very game Burnley side.
That wasn't all that happened of course; this was a well played and engrossing contest. Burnley did more than defend in the first half, and had more half-chances. The first twenty minutes was owned by the home side, and they didn't slack off much the rest of the way. In the second half, they dropped back as we upped our game. Burnley defended very well. I did get very annoyed with Barnes's flopping every chance he got; clearly it was a tactic designed to win some dangerous free kicks, and it worked. Cech and his minions did well to keep those shots and crosses from doing damage.
It was a hard game to referee. Burnley and Arsenal tackled and crowded players in possession at every opportunity. Lee Mason did a decent job except for awarding too many free kicks for the aforesaid dives, but in a game this physical a referee has no chance of getting them all right. In the end, justice was done and our two PK shouts equaled one goal--the only goal, just as last year's handball goal from Kos won at Turf Moor.
I have high praise for the defense, who did their job and also contributed to the offense as we pushed Burnley practically into their own net in repeated attempts to get the three points. Xhaka and Ramsey had a lot to do in midfield but managed to do it well. The wingbacks got very involved going forward and I think it was Sead whose header in to Ramsey induced the penalty. (Had Tarkowsky kept his hands off Ramsey, Aaron would almost certainly have gotten his head onto the ball, but it would have been very hard for him to have steered it in past the keeper. Nevertheless, clear PK.) The front three got crowded every time they were in position to shoot, but their movement was excellent and gave Burnley problems all game. Iwobi's industry on defense was valuable in the first half, but we missed Ozil's passing all game. Lacazette was watched closely but still contributed, and Alexis always looked the most dangerous player out there. He really can spot a pass and deliver it.
Good game, right result, top four (above Spurs, finally). Tottenham, Liverpool, and Chelsea all dropped points. I hope the crowded fixture list doesn't wear us down, but that's a problem all our rivals will have to deal with too. We should be competing for all four cups, but realistically, City is not going to be caught (by us, anyway; United has a faint hope), so it's Carabao and the sixth UEFA group game for the young'uns, FA and Europa League knockouts for a strategic cast, and the league to try for that fifth trophy, the ticket to Champions' League.
Hanging over everything is the Alexis/Ozil contract situation, but hey, we can't worry about that. What I do worry about is the number of players we have who can't play 90 minutes. Iwobi and Lacazette especially are missed when they run out of gas with a half hour to go. Welbeck is another guy who is never going to go 90. I think Shad Forsythe's contribution towards minimizing our injury absences is overlooked, and I give him a lot of credit. Maybe he could work on conditioning too; it could be that we can get more productive minutes from some key players.
That wasn't all that happened of course; this was a well played and engrossing contest. Burnley did more than defend in the first half, and had more half-chances. The first twenty minutes was owned by the home side, and they didn't slack off much the rest of the way. In the second half, they dropped back as we upped our game. Burnley defended very well. I did get very annoyed with Barnes's flopping every chance he got; clearly it was a tactic designed to win some dangerous free kicks, and it worked. Cech and his minions did well to keep those shots and crosses from doing damage.
It was a hard game to referee. Burnley and Arsenal tackled and crowded players in possession at every opportunity. Lee Mason did a decent job except for awarding too many free kicks for the aforesaid dives, but in a game this physical a referee has no chance of getting them all right. In the end, justice was done and our two PK shouts equaled one goal--the only goal, just as last year's handball goal from Kos won at Turf Moor.
I have high praise for the defense, who did their job and also contributed to the offense as we pushed Burnley practically into their own net in repeated attempts to get the three points. Xhaka and Ramsey had a lot to do in midfield but managed to do it well. The wingbacks got very involved going forward and I think it was Sead whose header in to Ramsey induced the penalty. (Had Tarkowsky kept his hands off Ramsey, Aaron would almost certainly have gotten his head onto the ball, but it would have been very hard for him to have steered it in past the keeper. Nevertheless, clear PK.) The front three got crowded every time they were in position to shoot, but their movement was excellent and gave Burnley problems all game. Iwobi's industry on defense was valuable in the first half, but we missed Ozil's passing all game. Lacazette was watched closely but still contributed, and Alexis always looked the most dangerous player out there. He really can spot a pass and deliver it.
Good game, right result, top four (above Spurs, finally). Tottenham, Liverpool, and Chelsea all dropped points. I hope the crowded fixture list doesn't wear us down, but that's a problem all our rivals will have to deal with too. We should be competing for all four cups, but realistically, City is not going to be caught (by us, anyway; United has a faint hope), so it's Carabao and the sixth UEFA group game for the young'uns, FA and Europa League knockouts for a strategic cast, and the league to try for that fifth trophy, the ticket to Champions' League.
Hanging over everything is the Alexis/Ozil contract situation, but hey, we can't worry about that. What I do worry about is the number of players we have who can't play 90 minutes. Iwobi and Lacazette especially are missed when they run out of gas with a half hour to go. Welbeck is another guy who is never going to go 90. I think Shad Forsythe's contribution towards minimizing our injury absences is overlooked, and I give him a lot of credit. Maybe he could work on conditioning too; it could be that we can get more productive minutes from some key players.
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Koln 1 - 0 Arsenal
This was the first time I wished I'd watched American football instead of football. What a dreadful game. Arsenal showed no urgency until after they went behind, and they never looked like scoring. Some random gripes:
Elneny's set piece deliveries stank. Surely someone else on the field could have done better.
Giroud was the wrong guy to have out there today. He wasn't bad; but Koln would have had more difficulty with a front man who had more guile and movement. I wish they'd have started Nketiah. Why not?
Welbeck looked short of full fitness.
The commentators kept praising Jack, but I could not figure out why. He lost the ball as much as Alexis, and he just wouldn't shoot.
Why does Wenger encourage Coquelin to try to score?
Is Debuchy trying to play his way off Arsenal?
Maitland-Niles may be the only Arsenal player who should feel he played a good game.
Red Star's draw at BATE meant we backed into winning the group. But this game ought to tell our fringe players and young guys that they aren't going to win games on talent and reputation. They have to play both ways and stay switched on. On the play that led to the penalty, our mids got beaten too easily and didn't seem to care. We were awful today; this group should do better. Ugh.
Elneny's set piece deliveries stank. Surely someone else on the field could have done better.
Giroud was the wrong guy to have out there today. He wasn't bad; but Koln would have had more difficulty with a front man who had more guile and movement. I wish they'd have started Nketiah. Why not?
Welbeck looked short of full fitness.
The commentators kept praising Jack, but I could not figure out why. He lost the ball as much as Alexis, and he just wouldn't shoot.
Why does Wenger encourage Coquelin to try to score?
Is Debuchy trying to play his way off Arsenal?
Maitland-Niles may be the only Arsenal player who should feel he played a good game.
Red Star's draw at BATE meant we backed into winning the group. But this game ought to tell our fringe players and young guys that they aren't going to win games on talent and reputation. They have to play both ways and stay switched on. On the play that led to the penalty, our mids got beaten too easily and didn't seem to care. We were awful today; this group should do better. Ugh.
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Arsenal 2 - 0 Tottenham
It was a complete performance today, and with a bit of good fortune courtesy of (of all people) Mike Dean, it was rewarded with a deserved win over the noisome neighbors. Every Arsenal player was switched on all game. I don't think Spurs will have a legitimate complaint about the result. They had their moments but they didn't fashion enough chances and they were just that little bit behind us. Harry Kane should probably not have started; he did not look 100%. But they had Lloriente and Son on the bench and Pochettino knows his job.
The first ten or so minutes were back and forth, very well played. Both teams wanted to press and win the ball in the opposition half, and were looking to spring counterattacks after getting the ball in their own half. And both sides were well aware of the danger and made sure to get numbers back when they had to. As the half proceeded, Arsenal looked the more dangerous team and put Tottenham under pressure repeatedly. The breakthrough, though, was controversial. A fine ball upfield found Alexis, who headed it across Sanchez but couldn't get past him. Was it a clean tackle to save a breakaway, or did he get to it first because he used his arms to impede Alexis? I know I'd have felt it was good defense had Monreal made that play, but the referee saw it as a foul, and the decision was close. Also close was the offside call that should have been made on Mustafi as he surged forward to meet Ozil's free kick and head it magnificently off the indie of the far post past a rooted Lloris. Five minutes later, Lacazette made a perfectly timed run, received the pass, and fizzed it across to Alexis, who'd made an angled run towards the near post. He controlled the pass with his thigh, and fro close range slammed it into the roof of the net over Lloris, who had little chance other than to hope Alexis would shoot right at him:
http://arsenalist.com/f/2017-18/arsenal-vs-tottenham/goaaaal-alexis-sanchez-2-0.html
The second half was similarly intense, but I never got the feeling that Spurs were going to come back into it. Both sides had their chances, but it was the Gunners who looked likelier to score. Lacazette came off for Coquelin, which was the right move. The fans were unhappy, but I wonder if Lacazette has 90 hard minutes in him. I appreciated his tracking back on defense, but he was largely anonymous for most of the second half.
Tactically, I think Pochettino got it wrong. He figured on outplaying us in midfield, but our wingbacks pinched in when necessary and the space wasn't there. Spurs for some reason did not use width often enough to worry us.
My thoughts on the players: I can't believe anyone can have the energy Aaron Ramsey does. He gets back on defense, he bombs upfield on attack. He's one of those guys you hate to play against. He didn't get on the scoresheet today, but he kept Tottenham off balance all game. Xhaka worried me when he picked up a yellow after 30 minutes, but he somehow managed not to get another one. He was good today.
Our front three combined well and looked dangerous constantly. I was not terribly impressed with Ozil's defensive commitment, but he did try today and it made a difference. Alexis uncorked some fantastic passes, and his goal was superb. He did give the ball away a lot, but let's forgive him. Lacazette was a problem for Tottenham with his runs, and I thought he did great today.
Bellerin left it all out there today. Wow. He was totally spent at the end. It still bugs me that his crosses are poor, but I give him high marks. Kolasinac was disciplined and seems to be almost back from whatever injury has been slowing him down. He benefited from Monreal playing behind him, who was as usual fantastic. Kos was also great, again as usual. Mustafi was the central CB and he was for my money, considering the goal, our player of the game. Cech made two difficult saves off headers but otherwise had little to do--let's call him perfect today.
Great day, eh? I think we're clicking lately and there's no reason we can't climb further up the table.
The first ten or so minutes were back and forth, very well played. Both teams wanted to press and win the ball in the opposition half, and were looking to spring counterattacks after getting the ball in their own half. And both sides were well aware of the danger and made sure to get numbers back when they had to. As the half proceeded, Arsenal looked the more dangerous team and put Tottenham under pressure repeatedly. The breakthrough, though, was controversial. A fine ball upfield found Alexis, who headed it across Sanchez but couldn't get past him. Was it a clean tackle to save a breakaway, or did he get to it first because he used his arms to impede Alexis? I know I'd have felt it was good defense had Monreal made that play, but the referee saw it as a foul, and the decision was close. Also close was the offside call that should have been made on Mustafi as he surged forward to meet Ozil's free kick and head it magnificently off the indie of the far post past a rooted Lloris. Five minutes later, Lacazette made a perfectly timed run, received the pass, and fizzed it across to Alexis, who'd made an angled run towards the near post. He controlled the pass with his thigh, and fro close range slammed it into the roof of the net over Lloris, who had little chance other than to hope Alexis would shoot right at him:
http://arsenalist.com/f/2017-18/arsenal-vs-tottenham/goaaaal-alexis-sanchez-2-0.html
The second half was similarly intense, but I never got the feeling that Spurs were going to come back into it. Both sides had their chances, but it was the Gunners who looked likelier to score. Lacazette came off for Coquelin, which was the right move. The fans were unhappy, but I wonder if Lacazette has 90 hard minutes in him. I appreciated his tracking back on defense, but he was largely anonymous for most of the second half.
Tactically, I think Pochettino got it wrong. He figured on outplaying us in midfield, but our wingbacks pinched in when necessary and the space wasn't there. Spurs for some reason did not use width often enough to worry us.
My thoughts on the players: I can't believe anyone can have the energy Aaron Ramsey does. He gets back on defense, he bombs upfield on attack. He's one of those guys you hate to play against. He didn't get on the scoresheet today, but he kept Tottenham off balance all game. Xhaka worried me when he picked up a yellow after 30 minutes, but he somehow managed not to get another one. He was good today.
Our front three combined well and looked dangerous constantly. I was not terribly impressed with Ozil's defensive commitment, but he did try today and it made a difference. Alexis uncorked some fantastic passes, and his goal was superb. He did give the ball away a lot, but let's forgive him. Lacazette was a problem for Tottenham with his runs, and I thought he did great today.
Bellerin left it all out there today. Wow. He was totally spent at the end. It still bugs me that his crosses are poor, but I give him high marks. Kolasinac was disciplined and seems to be almost back from whatever injury has been slowing him down. He benefited from Monreal playing behind him, who was as usual fantastic. Kos was also great, again as usual. Mustafi was the central CB and he was for my money, considering the goal, our player of the game. Cech made two difficult saves off headers but otherwise had little to do--let's call him perfect today.
Great day, eh? I think we're clicking lately and there's no reason we can't climb further up the table.
Friday, November 17, 2017
Italy Out of WC
No US, no Italy, it's in frickin' Russia...I wonder if I'm going to bother watching it next year.
I will watch what transpires when Spuds come to the Etihad tomorrow. I expect a shootout. Tottenham is very good now, but I don't see why we can't beat them. Xhaka may be the weak link--too easy to play around.
I wonder how long Spurs can hang on to their big players. Kane, Dele Alli, and Erickson will get impatient if they aren't winning anything, and Tottenham is building a stadium.
I'm still annoyed we didn't sell Alexis and Ozil. The way they're playing, their prospective salaries are going down every week. Yeah, they could start playing the way they are capable of, but I don't see many signs of that. At this point, I'd rather have Iwobi or Nketiah. They don't give the ball away as much.
I will watch what transpires when Spuds come to the Etihad tomorrow. I expect a shootout. Tottenham is very good now, but I don't see why we can't beat them. Xhaka may be the weak link--too easy to play around.
I wonder how long Spurs can hang on to their big players. Kane, Dele Alli, and Erickson will get impatient if they aren't winning anything, and Tottenham is building a stadium.
I'm still annoyed we didn't sell Alexis and Ozil. The way they're playing, their prospective salaries are going down every week. Yeah, they could start playing the way they are capable of, but I don't see many signs of that. At this point, I'd rather have Iwobi or Nketiah. They don't give the ball away as much.
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Manchester City 3 - 1 Arsenal
Sometimes I just have to admit we played well but were beaten by a team that played better. That's what happened at the Etihad today. Sure, their third goal was offside; and that penalty call was harsh. But had Ramsey or Alexis been bumped like that by (say) Otamendi, I'd have thought the penalty was deserved. I have seen us get away with such shoulder-to-shoulder contact in the area, but I can't say this was a bad call.
Fundamentally, given the way both teams played, I thought a City win was a fair result. They spurned two two-on-one breakaways too. I was proud of the way the Gunners played today. Coquelin managed to improve and did a job. Kolasinac seemed a little short today, unfortunately; I hope he makes a full recovery soon. Alexis was lively but Guardiola probably didn't see anything to make him rue his failure to secure him. I honestly can't fathom why Lacazette didn't start. Cech may have done better on the first goal but the other two weren't going to be kept out by any keeper. Kos was superb, my man of the match. I didn't see enough today to convince me that Ozil was giving 100%. Ramsey was all over the place but in general had a good game. Even Xhaka did his job, though of course he had to get one of our six yellows. Iwobi seemed to step up a bit too, and did not look out of place.
I hope Wenger can take the positives from this one and stress to the team that they need to play like this in every game. The Watford and Stoke results were inexcusable from a group that can go toe to toe with a rampant City like this. No one is going to catch City, barring a string of injuries. But a top four finish is not out of the question. Liverpool and Chelsea seem just as vulnerable as we do, and I can always hope for a Spuds implosion. (Delle Alli always seems on the verge of doing something that'll earn himself an eight game suspension.) We welcome Tottenham to the Emirates after the international break in Saturday's late game (12:30 11/18). I'm hoping for a win.
Fundamentally, given the way both teams played, I thought a City win was a fair result. They spurned two two-on-one breakaways too. I was proud of the way the Gunners played today. Coquelin managed to improve and did a job. Kolasinac seemed a little short today, unfortunately; I hope he makes a full recovery soon. Alexis was lively but Guardiola probably didn't see anything to make him rue his failure to secure him. I honestly can't fathom why Lacazette didn't start. Cech may have done better on the first goal but the other two weren't going to be kept out by any keeper. Kos was superb, my man of the match. I didn't see enough today to convince me that Ozil was giving 100%. Ramsey was all over the place but in general had a good game. Even Xhaka did his job, though of course he had to get one of our six yellows. Iwobi seemed to step up a bit too, and did not look out of place.
I hope Wenger can take the positives from this one and stress to the team that they need to play like this in every game. The Watford and Stoke results were inexcusable from a group that can go toe to toe with a rampant City like this. No one is going to catch City, barring a string of injuries. But a top four finish is not out of the question. Liverpool and Chelsea seem just as vulnerable as we do, and I can always hope for a Spuds implosion. (Delle Alli always seems on the verge of doing something that'll earn himself an eight game suspension.) We welcome Tottenham to the Emirates after the international break in Saturday's late game (12:30 11/18). I'm hoping for a win.
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Arsenal 0 - 0 Red Star Belgrade
This was a game that could have gone either way, despite our dominance in possession. The collection of young guys and veterans we put out there were hampered by their unfamiliarity with each other in game situations, but all showed their technical superiority. Had we put Elneny in Coquelin's position, we would probably have won this. Francis was a real buzzkill on offense. Heck, putting Jack more centrally (in place of Coquelin) and starting Nketiah wide left would have been even better.
But the perfect home record is gone, and deservedly so. A few comments:
Matt Macey is a work in progress. He's no Szczesny. He did well enough, but made some errors you don't expect to see at this level.
Giroud is a real trouper, isn't he? He never phones it in. It didn't happen for him today, but it was not for lack of effort.
Jack looked GOOD. If Xhaka doesn't step up his game, he may be playing in Europa League instead.
Debuchy still looks to me like the guy most likely to make a defensive error that costs a goal. Yes, he did well, but his confidence is shot and it shows.
Somehow I expect more from Theo in games like this. He looked good, but where's that special something that wins games? In fairness, he is never going to be the answer against teams that sit back.
It would be better to win the group, of course, and that is a virtual certainty. We host BATE, which really should ice it for us. Away at Koln doesn't seem that frightening either, although BATE got hammered there. I hope Arsene keeps the second squad in for these. I wouldn't mind if he threw in even more youngsters.
On to Manchester. It ought to be a good contest.
But the perfect home record is gone, and deservedly so. A few comments:
Matt Macey is a work in progress. He's no Szczesny. He did well enough, but made some errors you don't expect to see at this level.
Giroud is a real trouper, isn't he? He never phones it in. It didn't happen for him today, but it was not for lack of effort.
Jack looked GOOD. If Xhaka doesn't step up his game, he may be playing in Europa League instead.
Debuchy still looks to me like the guy most likely to make a defensive error that costs a goal. Yes, he did well, but his confidence is shot and it shows.
Somehow I expect more from Theo in games like this. He looked good, but where's that special something that wins games? In fairness, he is never going to be the answer against teams that sit back.
It would be better to win the group, of course, and that is a virtual certainty. We host BATE, which really should ice it for us. Away at Koln doesn't seem that frightening either, although BATE got hammered there. I hope Arsene keeps the second squad in for these. I wouldn't mind if he threw in even more youngsters.
On to Manchester. It ought to be a good contest.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Arsenal 2 - 1 Swansea
Swansea at the Emirates should have been an automatic multi-goal win. Instead, the Arsenal defense gave too many chances to the Swans in the first half, and they took one of them. The second half was apparently (I did not see this game, thanks to NBCSN's new policy of charging for the games not televised) a very different story. Man-of-the-match Sead Kolasinac pounced on a deflected pass and arrowed it home past two defenders and the excellent Fabianski; then he set up Ramsey for a classy finish just inside the near post. There should have been more goals, but a great save from our former keeper and some bad misses from our usual suspects kept it at 2-1. Three points, yeah, but the team we put out there really should have blown Swansea out of the stadium. I worry that the men are becoming complacent. It shouldn't be the case, seeing as how Stoke and Watford beat us, the latter outplaying us, and Liverpool wiped us off their boots fairly easily.
It's hard to imagine Red Star Belgrade troubling even our young guys, though you never know. They are in a battle with BATE to advance and they will scrap for every point. Why not start Nketiah? Or Akpom? Giroud played serious minutes today. And I will never get used to seeing Elneny as a center half. He can't like it.
Well, I'm loving Europa League. Long term, it's good to stay in these "lesser" competitions like it and the League Cup as long as possible, to give the fringe and young players meaningful minutes. A poor performance against City in our next league clash would pretty much settle the question of whether we can compete for the title, so why not shoot for some other silverware?
It's hard to imagine Red Star Belgrade troubling even our young guys, though you never know. They are in a battle with BATE to advance and they will scrap for every point. Why not start Nketiah? Or Akpom? Giroud played serious minutes today. And I will never get used to seeing Elneny as a center half. He can't like it.
Well, I'm loving Europa League. Long term, it's good to stay in these "lesser" competitions like it and the League Cup as long as possible, to give the fringe and young players meaningful minutes. A poor performance against City in our next league clash would pretty much settle the question of whether we can compete for the title, so why not shoot for some other silverware?
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Arsenal 2 - 1 Norwich (League Cup)
Wenger changed the entire starting 11 from Sunday's thrashing of Everton. Although the Gunners had more of the ball and seemed dominant for long stretches, Norwich could very easily have won this game. They had some golden chances not taken, Elneny could have been given a red when we were down a goal, and Debuchy tangled with a Canary in the area and may well have given up a penalty for it. But the referee was charitable and it gave Eddie Nketiah a chance to be the hero, scoring two expertly-taken goals, the first to send the game into extra time, and the second (a wonderful header) to win it. Sweet.
I think we've been rather fortunate that our makeshift back five in the second team have not been shipping oodles of goals. Elneny as center half? Odd. Holding does not look out of place, but Debuchy always seems like a man who knows something awful is about to happen to him. Nelson and Maitland-Niles aren't wingbacks. Coquelin seems out of joint. Jack's all right, but seems a little short on fitness. Walcott was back to his usual frustrating self. Iwobi didn't have his best night, and Giroud didn't have the impact we should expect from him.
Well, a win is a win, and that's what happened Tuesday. A win. West Ham is next. I make no predictions. Before our season opener a couple times back, I told my neighbor, "We own West Ham." Of course, it was the Gunners who got owned that day. If the Hammers can score three on the Spuds to win at Wembley, they can beat anybody on their day. It'll be up to our second unit to make sure it isn't their day when we meet in December. I'd like to see us take this trophy. It may have lost its shine in recent decades, but it's one we haven't won since 1993, before AW arrived. You know he'll want to win it.
I think we've been rather fortunate that our makeshift back five in the second team have not been shipping oodles of goals. Elneny as center half? Odd. Holding does not look out of place, but Debuchy always seems like a man who knows something awful is about to happen to him. Nelson and Maitland-Niles aren't wingbacks. Coquelin seems out of joint. Jack's all right, but seems a little short on fitness. Walcott was back to his usual frustrating self. Iwobi didn't have his best night, and Giroud didn't have the impact we should expect from him.
Well, a win is a win, and that's what happened Tuesday. A win. West Ham is next. I make no predictions. Before our season opener a couple times back, I told my neighbor, "We own West Ham." Of course, it was the Gunners who got owned that day. If the Hammers can score three on the Spuds to win at Wembley, they can beat anybody on their day. It'll be up to our second unit to make sure it isn't their day when we meet in December. I'd like to see us take this trophy. It may have lost its shine in recent decades, but it's one we haven't won since 1993, before AW arrived. You know he'll want to win it.
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Everton 2 - 5 Arsenal (and Europa League)
First, what a lovely goal to win in Belgrade! Giroud meant that, 100%, and the buildup was sublime. It was a great run-out for some youngsters, too. It's cruise control now in the Europa League until the knockout stages, which should help us immensely in the EPL. We'll want to finish top, which should be easy now, with the two opponents closest on points having to come to the Emirates.
Everton. Oh, poor Everton. They looked completely disjointed. Every time I see Sigurdson take the field against us I am concerned, but he looked like a man who's abandoned all hope, having jumped from Swansea into an even less promising situation. I thought Koeman was fine, but Everton's dreadful play is not good evidence for that. Arsenal's passing was slick and assured (mostly), but we've tried the same tricks and flicks against every other team with far less success. The Toffees looked awful. No, they were awful. So I'm not going to get carried away with this richly deserved win.
We should have been out of sight in the first ten minutes. But another poor touch from Xhaka allowed Rooney the chance to score, and he did so with an excellent strike. I don't begrudge him; he's earned his reputation and the ovation he got for that goal for his first club. The Gunners resumed their dominance and finally broke through when Monreal tucked away a rebound of a Xhaka shot very nicely. (I know Xhaka has a shot, but he's trying a few too many from long range for my liking.) Halftime was a welcome respite for Everton.
Alexis was picking out lovely passes all game, and none were better than the ball he served Ozil to head past Pickford. I don't know how many headed goals Ozil has made in his career, but I don't remember another at Arsenal. This one, however, was well done. I was feeling confident, and Gueye's ejection turned it into a rout. A flowing move ended with Lacazette sweeping in #3, and after Jack entered the game, he put Ramsey in and this time the Welshman finished his chance. (He bottled an earlier one.) A comedy goal resulted from a poor Monreal back-pass that Cech was slow to react to; 2-4. Alexis finally got the goal his performance deserved at the death.
Not to be picky, but Xhaka had another poor game, in my opinion. Kolasinac is not 100%, but performed adequately. Bellerin has got to be one of the worst crossers in EPL history. I love the rest of his game, but he probably could have gotten three assists today. The back three was very good, though Everton's attack wasn't fearsome. The mids were good enough. Ramsey went high so often that he looked like a second center forward. At least he got a goal today. I like his confidence, but where does he get it? The front three were very good, always dangerous, and each got a goal. I'm convinced that Lacazette is going to knock quite a few in this season. Alexis is magical. Given the space he had today, he can tear a defense apart with either his dribbling or his passing, and he can finish too. Ozil had the right opponent today--they hammered Alexis when they could catch him, but Ozil glided where he wanted to. Nice stuff.
This game changes nothing. We still have trouble against a press, we're wasteful in front of goal, and we look fragile, especially away, against most teams. Everton is imploding. Cech needs to do some work to at least start anticipating events better; he's lost a step and opposing forwards are catching on. Xhaka has got to start listening to the coaching staff. He's killing us.
Ah, well, I feel so much better than I did a week ago. On to the Carabao Cup game Tuesday against Norwich. Home games against Swansea and Red Star Belgrade lead into a gut check at Man City on November 5. I'll take a point, thanks.
Everton. Oh, poor Everton. They looked completely disjointed. Every time I see Sigurdson take the field against us I am concerned, but he looked like a man who's abandoned all hope, having jumped from Swansea into an even less promising situation. I thought Koeman was fine, but Everton's dreadful play is not good evidence for that. Arsenal's passing was slick and assured (mostly), but we've tried the same tricks and flicks against every other team with far less success. The Toffees looked awful. No, they were awful. So I'm not going to get carried away with this richly deserved win.
We should have been out of sight in the first ten minutes. But another poor touch from Xhaka allowed Rooney the chance to score, and he did so with an excellent strike. I don't begrudge him; he's earned his reputation and the ovation he got for that goal for his first club. The Gunners resumed their dominance and finally broke through when Monreal tucked away a rebound of a Xhaka shot very nicely. (I know Xhaka has a shot, but he's trying a few too many from long range for my liking.) Halftime was a welcome respite for Everton.
Alexis was picking out lovely passes all game, and none were better than the ball he served Ozil to head past Pickford. I don't know how many headed goals Ozil has made in his career, but I don't remember another at Arsenal. This one, however, was well done. I was feeling confident, and Gueye's ejection turned it into a rout. A flowing move ended with Lacazette sweeping in #3, and after Jack entered the game, he put Ramsey in and this time the Welshman finished his chance. (He bottled an earlier one.) A comedy goal resulted from a poor Monreal back-pass that Cech was slow to react to; 2-4. Alexis finally got the goal his performance deserved at the death.
Not to be picky, but Xhaka had another poor game, in my opinion. Kolasinac is not 100%, but performed adequately. Bellerin has got to be one of the worst crossers in EPL history. I love the rest of his game, but he probably could have gotten three assists today. The back three was very good, though Everton's attack wasn't fearsome. The mids were good enough. Ramsey went high so often that he looked like a second center forward. At least he got a goal today. I like his confidence, but where does he get it? The front three were very good, always dangerous, and each got a goal. I'm convinced that Lacazette is going to knock quite a few in this season. Alexis is magical. Given the space he had today, he can tear a defense apart with either his dribbling or his passing, and he can finish too. Ozil had the right opponent today--they hammered Alexis when they could catch him, but Ozil glided where he wanted to. Nice stuff.
This game changes nothing. We still have trouble against a press, we're wasteful in front of goal, and we look fragile, especially away, against most teams. Everton is imploding. Cech needs to do some work to at least start anticipating events better; he's lost a step and opposing forwards are catching on. Xhaka has got to start listening to the coaching staff. He's killing us.
Ah, well, I feel so much better than I did a week ago. On to the Carabao Cup game Tuesday against Norwich. Home games against Swansea and Red Star Belgrade lead into a gut check at Man City on November 5. I'll take a point, thanks.
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Watford 2 - 1 Arsenal
I don't want to hear about the soft penalty the Hornets were awarded. Watford was the better team on the night and deserved to win. It could have been worse; we were outplayed by a wide margin in the 2nd half. There were at least two clear-cut chances when we did counter, but Ozil bottled one and Xhaka (and others) simply wouldn't shoot on another. What was Ozil on for anyway? He was exactly the wrong guy. The midfield needed more steel.
Well. This seems to be who we are right now: a stylish but vulnerable mid-table team with pretensions to excellence. Why do I watch these torture sessions? At least DC United doesn't tease me with delusions of adequacy. They stink, so any wins are a pleasant surprise. The USMNT is done ruining my international football experience for a while. If you love something, let it go. The Gunners can go free range for a while as far as I'm concerned.
Well. This seems to be who we are right now: a stylish but vulnerable mid-table team with pretensions to excellence. Why do I watch these torture sessions? At least DC United doesn't tease me with delusions of adequacy. They stink, so any wins are a pleasant surprise. The USMNT is done ruining my international football experience for a while. If you love something, let it go. The Gunners can go free range for a while as far as I'm concerned.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
USMNT Saves Me a Lot of Time Next Summer
Congratulations to Honduras and Panama for playing themselves into the World Cup. Fortunately, a family event kept me from watching the game. From the writeup, T&T was simply better and could have been awarded a couple of penalties too. I expected better from this US team, but they got precisely what they deserved: humiliation, some time off, and no doubt an unhinged rant from Alexi Lalas.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Arsenal 2 - 0 West Brom
The Gunners were very, very lucky to be a goal up on the Baggies at the half. Mustafi clearly took Rodriguez's legs out from under him in the area, and surely the free strike at a tight angle was not really an advantage over the PK. The rebound presented an even better opportunity, but it was spurned. Amazingly, play continued without any punishment for our CB's rash slide.
Both sides were living dangerously, and it was not long before an infraction was punished with a goal. Lacazette made no mistake on his rebound opportunity (he made a wonderful run to get there) when Alexis's free kick crashed back off the bar. Monreal made a spectacular goal line clearance when we were caught out on a well executed West Brom counter.
After the half, Arsenal dominated, and it was a disappointment that all they could put past Forster was Lacazette's PK following Nyom's shove on Ramsey as he blew by him on the endline. Ozil made an appearance near the end. The three points were earned, but with an asterisk.
Monreal was magnificent, and not just because of the goal he saved. Kolasinac was his usual awesome self. Kos was great. Mustafi is worrying at times, but we got away with it today. Bellerin did a fine job vs Gibbs, who looked to be a solid starter for the Baggies. (He took their corners and free kicks, too, but was just OK at that.) Xhaka and Elneny did enough. Alexis was better than last game. Ramsey did well up front. Lacazette did the business, and he is definitely going to take our penalties when he's on the field.
On to Belarus.
Both sides were living dangerously, and it was not long before an infraction was punished with a goal. Lacazette made no mistake on his rebound opportunity (he made a wonderful run to get there) when Alexis's free kick crashed back off the bar. Monreal made a spectacular goal line clearance when we were caught out on a well executed West Brom counter.
After the half, Arsenal dominated, and it was a disappointment that all they could put past Forster was Lacazette's PK following Nyom's shove on Ramsey as he blew by him on the endline. Ozil made an appearance near the end. The three points were earned, but with an asterisk.
Monreal was magnificent, and not just because of the goal he saved. Kolasinac was his usual awesome self. Kos was great. Mustafi is worrying at times, but we got away with it today. Bellerin did a fine job vs Gibbs, who looked to be a solid starter for the Baggies. (He took their corners and free kicks, too, but was just OK at that.) Xhaka and Elneny did enough. Alexis was better than last game. Ramsey did well up front. Lacazette did the business, and he is definitely going to take our penalties when he's on the field.
On to Belarus.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Arsenal 1 - 0 Doncaster
It was a pretty strong side Wenger put out there, though this was a scoreline I'd have expected the Arsenal Under 23s to better against a side newly promoted to League 1. Cohesion wasn't there with so many little-used players on the pitch at the same time, though. No one really shone, but Wilshere's may have been the brightest performance for us. I really liked Maitland-Niles's play as well. Alexis was as bad as I've ever seen him, though even so he got a beauty of an assist for Theo's goal. Walcott missed a couple more chances, Giroud had a few half-chances, but that was it for the scoring. The Rovers had their moments but this was not to be their day.
I hope we're better than this the next few games. It may help that we're away for them.
I hope we're better than this the next few games. It may help that we're away for them.
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Chelsea 0 - 0 Arsenal
OK, I'll admit it: I was expecting a Blues win. But in what was an entertaining, well-played contest, a draw was a fair result, and a decent one for the Gunners. Our team selection seemed a bit weird, but the first half performance justified it. Xhaka's defensive abilities still make me cringe, and he misplaced some passes again, but that was a cracking first half strike that Courtois parried. Ramsey stayed home more often, which was good; and when he did advance, he nearly made it count. There should have been goals for both sides in the first 45, but luck was with the defenses.
The second half was more sedate but still showed two teams who didn't want to waste time or shy away from a crunching tackle. Oliver was rather lenient but still had to hand out cards, including the red to Sideshow Bob that came too late to affect proceedings. Mustafi's header into their net was rightly ruled offside; there were few credible penalty shouts. Arsenal didn't really threaten after the break, although we had our moments.
Iwobi played well, I thought, but ran out of gas in the second half and it was good to replace him. Everyone did his job. This was not a game for Ozil or Walcott; toughness and discipline were required, and a willingness to defend as well as attack. Alexis was lively but well tended by Chelsea. They knew he was the guy who could hurt them. We didn't handle Hazard as well--the guy nearly broke us down a couple times. The third potential supersub, Giroud, got no service.
For me, Monreal and Kolasinac were our players of the game. Kos was excellent too. Mustafi frequently steps up when he shouldn't, trying to get an offside or interception, and it almost killed us again today. Cech was superb. Ramxhaka were quite good against an explosive opponent. Bellerin had a fantastic duel with Alonso and for me he was the winner. Welbeck and Lacazette were good; it's a damned shame about Welbeck's injury, which looks like a three month absence for a groin pull (just a guess). Elneny did what was needed, even taking a yellow at an appropriate time.
Three points would have been wonderful, but one is welcome, frankly. We played the champions to a draw, after having won silverware off them the last two times we met. Midweek opponents Doncaster should afford us the opportunity to throw the likes of Nelson, Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Jack, the Jeff, Akpom, and maybe even Debuchy and still advance at the Emirates. West Brom, BATE Borisov, and Brighton follow in rapid succession, all on the road, which takes us to the international break. It's not unreasonable to expect us to run the table against those teams, while giving some starters a couple nights off and some young guys some valuable experience.
Feeling pretty good right now. You?
The second half was more sedate but still showed two teams who didn't want to waste time or shy away from a crunching tackle. Oliver was rather lenient but still had to hand out cards, including the red to Sideshow Bob that came too late to affect proceedings. Mustafi's header into their net was rightly ruled offside; there were few credible penalty shouts. Arsenal didn't really threaten after the break, although we had our moments.
Iwobi played well, I thought, but ran out of gas in the second half and it was good to replace him. Everyone did his job. This was not a game for Ozil or Walcott; toughness and discipline were required, and a willingness to defend as well as attack. Alexis was lively but well tended by Chelsea. They knew he was the guy who could hurt them. We didn't handle Hazard as well--the guy nearly broke us down a couple times. The third potential supersub, Giroud, got no service.
For me, Monreal and Kolasinac were our players of the game. Kos was excellent too. Mustafi frequently steps up when he shouldn't, trying to get an offside or interception, and it almost killed us again today. Cech was superb. Ramxhaka were quite good against an explosive opponent. Bellerin had a fantastic duel with Alonso and for me he was the winner. Welbeck and Lacazette were good; it's a damned shame about Welbeck's injury, which looks like a three month absence for a groin pull (just a guess). Elneny did what was needed, even taking a yellow at an appropriate time.
Three points would have been wonderful, but one is welcome, frankly. We played the champions to a draw, after having won silverware off them the last two times we met. Midweek opponents Doncaster should afford us the opportunity to throw the likes of Nelson, Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Jack, the Jeff, Akpom, and maybe even Debuchy and still advance at the Emirates. West Brom, BATE Borisov, and Brighton follow in rapid succession, all on the road, which takes us to the international break. It's not unreasonable to expect us to run the table against those teams, while giving some starters a couple nights off and some young guys some valuable experience.
Feeling pretty good right now. You?
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Arsenal 3 - 1 Koln
Cologne was feisty, like their supporters, and delayed the Gunners' party, but they were no match for the rotated but still strong team AW put on the field. Koln's goal in the 8th minute was mostly Ospina's fault. Poor marking forced him to come out to deal with a through ball, and his clearance was dreadful, gifting possession back immediately to the visitors close enough for Ospina's Colombian teammate Cordoba to loft an excellent strike on the turn over our retreating keeper's head. It almost got a lot worse not long afterwards when Ospina took out a Koln attacker in the box, but the play had been whistled dead for an offsides. Holding was having an un-Cannavaro-like game and may have been our worst performer, though Walcott may have edged him out in that category.
Kolasinac came in for him in the second half, and the tide turned quickly, thanks to a superb volley from the sub in the first three minutes. We spurned some more chances, and then Alexis curled a beauty from 25 yds inside the far post with the keeper rooted to the line. Hector knocked in a rebound to seal the points in the final stages. But Koln had chances, and our defense was suspect.
We didn't learn a lot from this game. I'd like to see 90 minutes of urgency from this squad, like we showed in the FA Cup final. They played as though they expected Koln to roll over. Well, three points is three points. On to Stamford Bridge.
Kolasinac came in for him in the second half, and the tide turned quickly, thanks to a superb volley from the sub in the first three minutes. We spurned some more chances, and then Alexis curled a beauty from 25 yds inside the far post with the keeper rooted to the line. Hector knocked in a rebound to seal the points in the final stages. But Koln had chances, and our defense was suspect.
We didn't learn a lot from this game. I'd like to see 90 minutes of urgency from this squad, like we showed in the FA Cup final. They played as though they expected Koln to roll over. Well, three points is three points. On to Stamford Bridge.
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Arsenal 3 - 0 Bournemouth
The Gunners put the abject Cherries to the sword in a game that was never competitive. Lacazette's strike for our second was sublime. We snapped into tackles and allowed Bournemouth few looks until well into the second half, at which point the points were won. I am not going to get excited about this game. It wasn't so much that Arsenal was good as it was Bournemouth being bad. We should have had more goals.
If someone had told you that four games in we'd be sitting on six points, I don't think you'd have been surprised. Few expected a good result at Anfield, and Stoke is always a tough place to visit (as Man U found yesterday). The thrashing by Liverpool was discouraging (if City beat them 5-0 and the Reds beat us 4-0, will City beat us 9-0 or 20-0?), but decent calls from the ref and the linesman should have been enough for a 2-1 win at whatever they're calling the Brittania these days. On balance, though, I don't like what I'm seeing from the team. They have lost faith in the system and the manager, and maybe with each other.
The two new guys have been really good. Lacazette will score 20 in the league this year if he stays healthy. Kolasinac is a beast--I like everything about his game, and he will only get better. We can still expect excellence from Kos and Nacho and Cech. Bellerin seems to be rounding back into form. Giroud will be a valuable asset. Welbeck will contribute. It's the midfield that worries me. Coquelin's day is about done (even before the hamstring injury). Elneny isn't hitting his stride here; he can do better. Walcott just needs to accept his utility player status and start doing his job--all of it. Ozil seems unmotivated, and he should learn to play defense too. Who knows what Jack can do? Ramsey needs discipline. The occasional rumble forward can be devastating to an opponent; abandoning his defensive duties on a regular basis has been devastating to us. Xhaka is like a dumb version of Arteta: impressive passing range, average defensive abilities, the ability to score from distance a few times a season, and (unlike Mikel) shockingly poor judgment several times a game. He gives the ball away too much and he does crazy things trying to undo his mistakes. He's also stubborn, refusing to change his game even when it's killing the team. Can Wenger drum some sense into him? A lot depends on it.
The Europa League draw isn't bad. A trudge to Belarus late this month to play their tractor boys, Belgrade in October, and a short plane ride to Cologne in November for the away games. If we don't win the home fixtures, shame on us. First up is Koln on Thursday. I bet I know who Podolski will be supporting. I hope we take all the cup competitions very seriously. There are men at the club with prodigious talent and a point to prove, like Ospina, Iwobi, Wilshere, Walcott, Chambers, Debuchy, and Elneny (and more). They aren't just guys you throw in there to rest your starters; they're capable of winning games going away against the likes of Belgrade and Doncaster.
It'll be interesting. I hope it's in a good way.
If someone had told you that four games in we'd be sitting on six points, I don't think you'd have been surprised. Few expected a good result at Anfield, and Stoke is always a tough place to visit (as Man U found yesterday). The thrashing by Liverpool was discouraging (if City beat them 5-0 and the Reds beat us 4-0, will City beat us 9-0 or 20-0?), but decent calls from the ref and the linesman should have been enough for a 2-1 win at whatever they're calling the Brittania these days. On balance, though, I don't like what I'm seeing from the team. They have lost faith in the system and the manager, and maybe with each other.
The two new guys have been really good. Lacazette will score 20 in the league this year if he stays healthy. Kolasinac is a beast--I like everything about his game, and he will only get better. We can still expect excellence from Kos and Nacho and Cech. Bellerin seems to be rounding back into form. Giroud will be a valuable asset. Welbeck will contribute. It's the midfield that worries me. Coquelin's day is about done (even before the hamstring injury). Elneny isn't hitting his stride here; he can do better. Walcott just needs to accept his utility player status and start doing his job--all of it. Ozil seems unmotivated, and he should learn to play defense too. Who knows what Jack can do? Ramsey needs discipline. The occasional rumble forward can be devastating to an opponent; abandoning his defensive duties on a regular basis has been devastating to us. Xhaka is like a dumb version of Arteta: impressive passing range, average defensive abilities, the ability to score from distance a few times a season, and (unlike Mikel) shockingly poor judgment several times a game. He gives the ball away too much and he does crazy things trying to undo his mistakes. He's also stubborn, refusing to change his game even when it's killing the team. Can Wenger drum some sense into him? A lot depends on it.
The Europa League draw isn't bad. A trudge to Belarus late this month to play their tractor boys, Belgrade in October, and a short plane ride to Cologne in November for the away games. If we don't win the home fixtures, shame on us. First up is Koln on Thursday. I bet I know who Podolski will be supporting. I hope we take all the cup competitions very seriously. There are men at the club with prodigious talent and a point to prove, like Ospina, Iwobi, Wilshere, Walcott, Chambers, Debuchy, and Elneny (and more). They aren't just guys you throw in there to rest your starters; they're capable of winning games going away against the likes of Belgrade and Doncaster.
It'll be interesting. I hope it's in a good way.
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Honduras 1 - 1 USA
Other than the Honduras goal and a couple of nice free kick attempts, this was an ugly game. The referee allowed a lot of contact from both sides, so it got very chippy. It seemed as though we had no plan--or at least none that we could follow. Honduras pressed, but it wasn't so fearsome that we had to lump it upfield at every opportunity. For long stretches, it seemed that neither team had much possession--the ball was always up for grabs. The Catrachos had more energy, or more desire, or a better idea what to do--or all three. Honestly, a US loss would not have been an unfair result.
Well, we're in good position to advance to the World Cup, but we'll have to play better than this or we could be in trouble.
Well, we're in good position to advance to the World Cup, but we'll have to play better than this or we could be in trouble.
Friday, September 1, 2017
USA 0 - 2 Costa Rica
They executed their game plan, and we didn't. Our finishing was poor, theirs excellent. Their defense was good enough, ours was definitely not. On both goals, Tim Ream and Geoff Cameron were ridiculously far apart and were marking no one. CR started by bullying our midfield and should have picked up an early penalty, but the referee took a very lenient view of matters. Navas made some nice saves, Howard looked bad on their first goal. Arena was riding his luck a little, but he will be furious with the dreadful giveaways and slack defending.
Now it's a case of having to win away in Honduras. That's not going to be as easy as winning at home was. It's not panic time yet; we could (and probably should) get nine points from the last three games, and that would be good for an automatic berth. But this was a fall to earth for Arena and the US team. They looked rather ordinary tonight.
Now it's a case of having to win away in Honduras. That's not going to be as easy as winning at home was. It's not panic time yet; we could (and probably should) get nine points from the last three games, and that would be good for an automatic berth. But this was a fall to earth for Arena and the US team. They looked rather ordinary tonight.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Transfer Period Fail
This is just about the worst outcome: a disgruntled Alexis playing out his final year before he goes out on a Bosman; Ozil doing the same; the squad still loaded with extra baggage; no new impact signings; and a manager who's lost the plot and the dressing room. At this rate, we'll be lucky to finish in the top half. Unless there's a very unlikely turnaround soon, Wenger will have to go, and even that won't help much, because who wants to work for Kroenke--and who could they get now anyway?
It's just football, so we're not in tragic territory. But it was all so unnecessary.
It's just football, so we're not in tragic territory. But it was all so unnecessary.
Sunday, August 27, 2017
Liverpool 4 - 0 Arsenal
We looked like a team that thinks it can play with the EPL's elite but can't. There was some huffing and puffing from the Gunners, but only a couple real chances. The Reds carved us up repeatedly, and could have scored 4. I don't see much hope for a turnaround. Liverpool knows what it's doing out there, and we don't. That's on Wenger, in my opinion. Back at full time.
More of the same. Arsenal showed more urgency for a few minutes, but no more organization, and finished without a shot on goal. This was a total butt-whipping. Liverpool played very well, we stank. Only Cech can hold his head up, in my opinion. Ramsey, Xhaka, Bellerin had nightmare games, but they didn't even stand out as especially awful for us. Poor defensively, toothless on offense--it was Arsenal at its naive, impotent worst.
I could ask questions about team selection and tactics, but I don't have to, do I? Awful.
We have to sell Alexis. I wouldn't mind if we unloaded Ozil and AOC too. We're a mid-table team until Wenger leaves, apparently. This is us now, so Stan may as well make a profit this year and research how he can break the contract with AW.
More of the same. Arsenal showed more urgency for a few minutes, but no more organization, and finished without a shot on goal. This was a total butt-whipping. Liverpool played very well, we stank. Only Cech can hold his head up, in my opinion. Ramsey, Xhaka, Bellerin had nightmare games, but they didn't even stand out as especially awful for us. Poor defensively, toothless on offense--it was Arsenal at its naive, impotent worst.
I could ask questions about team selection and tactics, but I don't have to, do I? Awful.
We have to sell Alexis. I wouldn't mind if we unloaded Ozil and AOC too. We're a mid-table team until Wenger leaves, apparently. This is us now, so Stan may as well make a profit this year and research how he can break the contract with AW.
Saturday, August 19, 2017
Stoke 1 - 0 Arsenal
A turnover led to a too-easy goal after the restart, we weren't clinical in front of goal, a linesman wrongly ruled out a fine Lacazette strike, and some arguable penalty non-calls ruined an otherwise promising performance from the Gunners. I don't have criticisms. This is costly, but if we play this well we'll win a lot of games. Kos and Mert were missed. Holding might have been a better choice than one of the center backs selected today; I don't know. That's all I have the heart to type about this gut punch of a result in Mordor.
Friday, August 11, 2017
Arsenal 4-3 Leicester
Alternately agonizing and exhilarating, this was an instant classic of a game. The defenses did not cover themselves in glory. Leicester was uncharacteristically open in the second half, even with a lead; they seemed to invite danger. We were doing the same thing, but it's familiar from us, and we were behind more than they were. Lacazette's opening header was perfect--what a start. He was fine throughout the game, I thought. The equalizer I blame on Cech, though he didn't give the ball away to start the move. What was he doing chasing that cross? He took himself out of position. Monreal got bullied; size is his weakness at center forward. (Gotta say, Koscielny would have made a huge difference.) Leicester's second, off another giveaway, was a perfect cross to Vardy. Welbeck's goal at the end of the first half looked weird, but it as no more than the Gunners deserved after making a large number of chances.
Two handball non-decisions were a factor, but one went each way, so no complaints here. I liked the way the game was called. The tackles flew in, but the whistle usually didn't blow and I can remember just one yellow card all game.
Vardy's second, a free header off a corner, was a gut punch. Hello, Steve Bould! You there? Arsenal made chance after chance. Ozil had a particularly poor game, but Xhaka was right up there with him. With time running out, our two subs managed to get on the scoresheet, with Ramsey managing not to lash his shot straight at Schmeichel, and Giroud fighting off two defenders to head strongly off the underside of the crossbar and just across the line.
More later, but I'm spent.
Two handball non-decisions were a factor, but one went each way, so no complaints here. I liked the way the game was called. The tackles flew in, but the whistle usually didn't blow and I can remember just one yellow card all game.
Vardy's second, a free header off a corner, was a gut punch. Hello, Steve Bould! You there? Arsenal made chance after chance. Ozil had a particularly poor game, but Xhaka was right up there with him. With time running out, our two subs managed to get on the scoresheet, with Ramsey managing not to lash his shot straight at Schmeichel, and Giroud fighting off two defenders to head strongly off the underside of the crossbar and just across the line.
More later, but I'm spent.
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Arsenal 1 - 1 Chelsea--Arsenal wins 4-1 on PKs (Community Shield) ...and USWNT
I did not see this game. I'm on vacation and checked the score after the game was over, then read Arseblog's commentary. But I wanted very much for Arsenal to win this one. I don't understand those who say that it's a meaningless friendly. It's a regularly scheduled match between the winners of the national league and the national cup. It's one week before the league starts play. There's silverware involved. It's at Wembley, which still means something even if Spurs are going to rent it for a while. From what I read, the Gunners played well. A few guys who needed to impress Wenger actually did impress him. Elneny showed his value, Xhaka played like the guy we were very eager to buy, and Kolasinac was excellent (and got a goal). Iwobi and Monreal continued to impress. No one's getting too excited, but this was encouraging. Ozil, Alexis, Ramsey, and Koscielny weren't even available. Confidence and silverware were gained; that's a good thing.
Wenger is moaning that the squad is too big. Yes, he's right. But before he gets carried away with sales and loans, he needs to think about making a run at the Europa League. Why not? We make the final 16 of the ECL every year, so it's not beyond us.
The US women looked toothless for 160 minutes of the "Cup of Nations", then they exploded for six goals in the last 110 minutes. Australia won the thing, and good on you, mates. I don't know what's needed, but the team is not playing up to its potential.
Wenger is moaning that the squad is too big. Yes, he's right. But before he gets carried away with sales and loans, he needs to think about making a run at the Europa League. Why not? We make the final 16 of the ECL every year, so it's not beyond us.
The US women looked toothless for 160 minutes of the "Cup of Nations", then they exploded for six goals in the last 110 minutes. Australia won the thing, and good on you, mates. I don't know what's needed, but the team is not playing up to its potential.
Thursday, July 27, 2017
USA 2 - 1 Jamaica
That was not the comfortable win I predicted. Jamaica did exactly what they did against Mexico, ceding possession and looking for counters and set piece opportunities. Their cause seemed doomed after they lost their spectacular goalie to injury (his hand was kicked as he tried to stop a rebound shot) and his replacement looked poor on a free kick that Altidore curled under the crossbar to put the US ahead just before the half. But Jamaica leveled on a corner: Jordan Morris allowed his mark to run past him and get a clean finish from short range at the far post. The Jamaican keeper made two or three great saves and they rode their luck for a half hour, and then Morris redeemed himself by one-timing a loose ball hard and high and on frame, getting a slight deflection to take it past the keeper. Four minutes later, extra time finished and the US had another Gold Cup. It was certainly deserved.
Arena has done what I hoped he'd do. The US is unbeaten in the 14 games since he took over, including a qualifier at Azteca and the six Gold Cup games. The players are expressing themselves and seem looser (sometimes too loose). They're learning to play within the system and they're creating chances. Everyone knows where he stands and what's expected of him.
Villafana frustrates me no end. The commentators kept praising his defense, but I'm not so sure about that; and until late in the game, it seemed he hit the first defender with every cross. Nagbe was good at keeping the ball, but kept running into trouble and wound up passing backwards. Gonzalez seemed solid; Besler gave the ball away a couple times. Bradley wasn't putting his free kicks in the right spot, though to be fair Jamaica defended them well. Dempsey improves the team a lot. He missed getting his 58th by an inch or two when their keeper got fingertips on a header and pushed it onto the post.
I'm sure they'll improve. Pulisic and other Europe-based players weren't on the team, but they'll be on hand for the World Cup.
Arena has done what I hoped he'd do. The US is unbeaten in the 14 games since he took over, including a qualifier at Azteca and the six Gold Cup games. The players are expressing themselves and seem looser (sometimes too loose). They're learning to play within the system and they're creating chances. Everyone knows where he stands and what's expected of him.
Villafana frustrates me no end. The commentators kept praising his defense, but I'm not so sure about that; and until late in the game, it seemed he hit the first defender with every cross. Nagbe was good at keeping the ball, but kept running into trouble and wound up passing backwards. Gonzalez seemed solid; Besler gave the ball away a couple times. Bradley wasn't putting his free kicks in the right spot, though to be fair Jamaica defended them well. Dempsey improves the team a lot. He missed getting his 58th by an inch or two when their keeper got fingertips on a header and pushed it onto the post.
I'm sure they'll improve. Pulisic and other Europe-based players weren't on the team, but they'll be on hand for the World Cup.
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Jamaica and Szczesny
I fully expected Mexico to dismiss Jamaica on Sunday. But Andre Blake had other ideas, and Mexico ran out of ideas late on, so the one bit of poor goalkeeping all game did el Tri in. It was a fine free kick, decent pace, over the wall, and just under the bar, but the Mexican keeper didn't even move, and it was a yard and a half inside the post. Blake would have tipped it over. Anyway, this makes me happy, because I think the US matches up better with Jamaica (yes, I do remember the last Gold Cup). I predict a 3-1 US win tonight. Dempsey sets a new record (PK), and Altidore and Nagbe are the other scorers. Since no one reads this blog, I can be bold.
I was sure that Szczesny would be Arsenal's goalkeeper of the future, taking over after next year's apprenticeship under Cech. But he's earned an even better apprenticeship under one of the greatest keepers of all time, Gigi Buffon, for an even bigger club, Juventus. Full credit to him for making the most of the faith Roma placed in him. His decisionmaking is improving, he's courageous, he's a leader, and physically he's got all the tools. I expect him to take his place between the sticks as Juve's #1 in 2018 and establish himself as world class for 8 to 9 years. Since Juve is my #2 favorite club, this feels like I'm not really losing him. Gotta say, 10M pounds seems cheap for Italy's gold glove winner.
I was sure that Szczesny would be Arsenal's goalkeeper of the future, taking over after next year's apprenticeship under Cech. But he's earned an even better apprenticeship under one of the greatest keepers of all time, Gigi Buffon, for an even bigger club, Juventus. Full credit to him for making the most of the faith Roma placed in him. His decisionmaking is improving, he's courageous, he's a leader, and physically he's got all the tools. I expect him to take his place between the sticks as Juve's #1 in 2018 and establish himself as world class for 8 to 9 years. Since Juve is my #2 favorite club, this feels like I'm not really losing him. Gotta say, 10M pounds seems cheap for Italy's gold glove winner.
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Preseason Rambling
Transfer season is annoying to me. When these twentysomething millionaire players and the billionaire owners reach an agreement, they can announce it and then I'll start thinking about it. I'd love it if Alexis and Ozil and AOC extended their contracts, but I don't control that. I'll be rooting for the guys wearing the red and white shirts, whoever they are, when the games are played. Lacazette will be an asset for sure, and Kolasinac looks very good.
Remember the British Core? It seems as though Gibbs, Wilshere, and Jenkinson are as good as gone. Ox is a wantaway. Walcott will be around only because no one else is coming in for him. Ramsey is the only one who's still important to us. And the newer Brit Calum Chambers could be sold too. Newest Brit Rob Holding will be with us for some time, I hope.
The two Australian games were extended training sessions. Bayern and Chelsea were a bit more serious. I saw very little of these games, but what I saw was not impressive. I take the Charity Shield seriously, and I hope the team does too; but it's EPL that will be the focus. Wenger will probably throw his youngsters at Europa League competition and he won't be too sorry if they bow out early. But I would really like us to win that thing.
Remember the British Core? It seems as though Gibbs, Wilshere, and Jenkinson are as good as gone. Ox is a wantaway. Walcott will be around only because no one else is coming in for him. Ramsey is the only one who's still important to us. And the newer Brit Calum Chambers could be sold too. Newest Brit Rob Holding will be with us for some time, I hope.
The two Australian games were extended training sessions. Bayern and Chelsea were a bit more serious. I saw very little of these games, but what I saw was not impressive. I take the Charity Shield seriously, and I hope the team does too; but it's EPL that will be the focus. Wenger will probably throw his youngsters at Europa League competition and he won't be too sorry if they bow out early. But I would really like us to win that thing.
Gold Cup: Costa Rica 0 - 2 USA
Finally it gets serious. After a sloppy, unimpressive group stage (still good enough for a first place finish), we looked pretty bad against an overmatched El Salvador, who bit off more than they could chew, as it were, and the US progressed in the quarters. The semi against CR was a well played contest, with both teams looking reasonably sharp. CR's injury woes put them at a severe disadvantage, and the US took the game to them. The crosses coming in from Villafana and Arriola could have been better, but for the most part it was only disciplined defense that kept the score respectable. If we play this well against Mexico on Wednesday (I think everyone expects them to progress against Jamaica tomorrow), we have a good chance to hoist the trophy.
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Confederations Cup
It's been pretty entertaining in Russia in this World Cup tune-up tournament. The pre-tournament favorites all advanced to the semis. Of the makeweights, Australia (Asia) gave a good account of themselves, drawing with Chile, but the rest did no better than expected. Host Russia looked poor, New Zealand was hapless, and Cameroun did not impress. Mexico sent a strong team and looked good even in their 1-4 semifinal loss to Germany, in which they went down two goals in the first seven minutes. They had plenty of possession and made several good scoring chances, but their only goal was a very late long-range strike. The other semi was just as much fun despite 120 scoreless minutes from Portugal and Chile. The woodwork was hit but neither keeper was beaten until "kicks from the spot", and then only Rui Patricio was, as Chile executed Portugal with maximum efficiency, 3-0. That's right, Claudio Bravo saved all three kicks. They weren't great, but they weren't terrible either. He read which way they were going, went early, and got two hands on the three strikes. Alexis got Chile's third kick. The final will be a replay of the 1-1 group game between the tournament's youngest team (Germany) and its oldest. I'll be hoping for a Chilean win.
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Mexico 1 - 1 USA
I admit I was expecting Mexico to win this game. Were Klinsmann still at the helm, they would have. But Arena organized these guys superbly, and boy did they deliver on defense. Two excellent strikes in the first half set the stage for a high-energy affair that was a good spectacle. Guzan always makes me nervous, but he was fine tonight. I was surprised DaMarcus Beasley was still playing anywhere, let alone on the national team, but I don't follow MLS closely. He was good! The team selection worked really well. Pulisic seemed like more of a decoy than anything else; he was the danger man the Mexicans had to follow around and mark out. It's no surprise that Mexico had most of the ball and most of the chances. They couldn't put them away, though, and the result was just about fair.
The other two games in the group are on Tuesday. I'm hoping for a draw between Panama and Honduras. Costa Rica should beat T&T easily. It's looking pretty good: we play Costa Rica and Panama at home, and I like our chances for three points at Honduras and T&T. Confidence should be flowing through the team now. They were quite good today. Mexico had 76% possession, but just one (of ten) shot on goal--Vela's equalizer. We had two (of seven). Had Mexico finished a bit better, they'd have won, but they didn't, so they deserved just the point. If we play like this anywhere but Azteca, we'll win.
Well done, guys!
The other two games in the group are on Tuesday. I'm hoping for a draw between Panama and Honduras. Costa Rica should beat T&T easily. It's looking pretty good: we play Costa Rica and Panama at home, and I like our chances for three points at Honduras and T&T. Confidence should be flowing through the team now. They were quite good today. Mexico had 76% possession, but just one (of ten) shot on goal--Vela's equalizer. We had two (of seven). Had Mexico finished a bit better, they'd have won, but they didn't, so they deserved just the point. If we play like this anywhere but Azteca, we'll win.
Well done, guys!
Thursday, June 8, 2017
USA 2 - 0 Trinidad and Tobago
T&T were game but in the end did not bring enough to the party. They had two or three great chances--Kenwyne Jones crashed a header off the bar in the first half for their best--but we had more, and wunderkind Christian Pulisic scored twice in the second half--both very nice finishes too--to put this one to bed. I was annoyed at some of the casual play from our guys (though I bet Bruce Arena was more annoyed). I'd have liked to see more urgency from them in this must-win game. But they got the job done.
Other than Pulisic, it's hard to pick a standout player in this game. Bradley was steady, Nagbe frequently threatening. Dempsey played well. Altidore got outmuscled a couple times and didn't hold the ball up well. They'll probably be more switched on for Sunday's game at Estadio Azteca. They'll have to be, if it isn't going to be embarrassing again.
It's hard to see Panama, Honduras, or T&T finishing above the US. We're in third now (pending the later games, both scoreless at the half hour as I type), and I think that's where we'll finish in the hex. That means a trip to Russia, where I hope Bruce can at least duplicate the 2002 success.
Other than Pulisic, it's hard to pick a standout player in this game. Bradley was steady, Nagbe frequently threatening. Dempsey played well. Altidore got outmuscled a couple times and didn't hold the ball up well. They'll probably be more switched on for Sunday's game at Estadio Azteca. They'll have to be, if it isn't going to be embarrassing again.
It's hard to see Panama, Honduras, or T&T finishing above the US. We're in third now (pending the later games, both scoreless at the half hour as I type), and I think that's where we'll finish in the hex. That means a trip to Russia, where I hope Bruce can at least duplicate the 2002 success.
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Juventus 1 - 4 Real Madrid (ECL Final)
Well, damn. Real made it look routine as they put four past Buffon (none of them his fault), when Juve had shipped only three in their previous 12 ECL games. The first half was fairly even, with Ronaldo's deflected effort (it may have beaten Buffon anyway) canceled out by a magnificent bicycle kick goal from Mandzukic. In the second half, things got Real. They dominated. I don't remember a shot on goal from Juve, and only one or two off target. Real could have had more. Depressing stuff, as Ronaldo preened and strutted after his goals, and the game got chippier and chippier. Juve got frustrated and somehow Kroos's performance after a perfectly understandable effort from Cuadrado to get to the ball so he could take a throw-in convinced the referee to give a second yellow to Cuadrado. No matter; it was 3-1 by then and in fact Juve seemed to play better with 10. Better, but not well.
I am not sure what was different after the break. But in neither half did Dybala impose himself on this game, and that was key. I'd seen signs of vulnerability in the Monaco games, but Real cut Juve's vaunted defense to ribbons. Real was clearly the better team and deserved the cup. Bale got his chance to run around in Wales and act relevant towards the end, but this game was won by Casemiro, Modric, and Kroos, as far as I'm concerned. They cut off the pipeline forward for Juve, and cycled the ball around and up to an overlapping Marcelo or to Benzema, Ronaldo, and Isco. Their defenders were better today than Juve's as well.
Juventus is 2 for 9 in ECL finals. Who knows when they'll be there again?
I am not sure what was different after the break. But in neither half did Dybala impose himself on this game, and that was key. I'd seen signs of vulnerability in the Monaco games, but Real cut Juve's vaunted defense to ribbons. Real was clearly the better team and deserved the cup. Bale got his chance to run around in Wales and act relevant towards the end, but this game was won by Casemiro, Modric, and Kroos, as far as I'm concerned. They cut off the pipeline forward for Juve, and cycled the ball around and up to an overlapping Marcelo or to Benzema, Ronaldo, and Isco. Their defenders were better today than Juve's as well.
Juventus is 2 for 9 in ECL finals. Who knows when they'll be there again?
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Two More Years
I guess we all knew it was coming. "We will announce our decision at the right time in the right way" and all that fairly screamed that they were going to keep Wenger but didn't want to add fuel to any fires. I don't think it was a sure thing, though. Had our collapse extended into the last part of the season, it probably would have been a different story. But the strong finish and the Cup win made it easy for Kroenke to do what he wanted to do all along. It certainly would have been awkward to try to find a manager in such a short time frame.
It's a waste of time to try to guess whether AFC would have been better off with a different manager. We have a very good one, and he's learned a few things recently that could make him better. For instance, it's obvious now that a team with so many good center backs should have been figuring out a way to get more of them on the field at the same time, but I don't remember a groundswell among the supporters for a back three. Allardyce is credited with bringing the value of this tactical change home to Arsene after Palace crushed us, and that may be right. We've got the defensive personnel to rock a back three. Every one of our backs is comfortable with the ball at his feet, and can zip a pass through the lines. When you realize that Chambers is out on loan and Bielek is no more than a year away from being able to contribute to the senior team, we're actually overstocked with center backs. Per is in the last year or two of top-flight football, and Kos is over 30; Monreal is not young either. I'm not sure if Holding, Bielek, and Chambers want to wait around and be platooned or loaned, but they're all potential future mainstays in defense and I don't want to lose them. Gabriel improved under Wenger too, and Mustafi (when he recovers) is a very good center back, especially in a three.
Wenger's greatest strength is also his greatest weakness, in my opinion. That would be his loyalty. He sticks with players long after most managers would give up on them as too fragile or not talented enough or insufficiently motivated. I am still amazed at the Diaby situation; no other team in the world would have stood by him so long. There was never a question about Wenger's faith in Ramsey or Walcott. I remember a year when I saw Ramsey's name on a team sheet and despaired. This year he's repaying that faith. Theo has been more trouble than he's worth, with his difficult contract negotiations and his fussing about where he's played. He's one of those maddening players who has lots of natural talent, a good attitude, and an appreciation for the finer points of the game, but fails to do the hard work on defense that he knows is required, and is not as productive on offense as he'd have to be to make up for his defensive lapses. He knows what he needs to do, and wants to do it, but when it's nut-crunching time, for some mysterious reason he doesn't do it. None of these guys is lazy; it's just something in his head that switches off far too often. If Theo had the physique or talent to hold up the ball, he may have stuck as a striker. But he's hopeless as a frontman. He wants to be the guy who sits on the shoulder of the last defender and waits for Ozil to find him making a run. Fine, but then he'd have to stay onside more, and do something useful when we don't have the ball, and learn how to put in better crosses. (Enough about him--I just wish we'd sold him five years ago.)
Can Wenger, who has admitted that the squad is "heavy", cut some players loose? He will find it hard. But we shouldn't be carrying salaries for players we're essentially replacing when we get a top class winger or striker. Iwobi is a fine backup for offensive positions. I'd hate to lose Lucas, but I think we just might. There are some really good young players that Wenger may have to make a decision on soon. (We saw some in the Southampton FA Cup game.)
Alexis and Ozil. Yes, that's the big question. I say, find out what they want to do by offering what we think we can afford to pay (not what we want to pay, which is not going to be enough). If one or both decide to move on, fine--get what we can for them, which in Alexis's case ought to be substantial, and move on from there. But I think Ozil genuinely likes Wenger and wants to stay. Alexis is probably going to move on. We'll miss him, obviously, but we will still score goals.
Keeping Arsene says something about Arsenal that I like: we want to win, but we want to show some class and flash doing it. There was absolutely no guarantee that a new manager would have improved anything. Look around the league: was Mourinho really the answer for free-spending United? I've been a Conte fan for a while (I support Juve and Italy), and agree that he's done wonders at Chelsea. But he's not looking for another team. Pep has hardly burned up the league at City. Maybe we should have fired Wenger mid-contract and made a play for Pochettino, but maybe not. Klopp is not Liverpool's savior after all. So, resign yourselves to more of Wenger's courtly post-match performances in which he has nothing but praise for his players, whatever the result, and whines about some bad refereeing decisions if we don't win. Expect to hear the following: "belief," "confidence," "as well." And I think you can count on the Arsenal playing well and contending for titles. Why support any other club? And if it's Arsenal that you love, support them all the way. I will.
It's a waste of time to try to guess whether AFC would have been better off with a different manager. We have a very good one, and he's learned a few things recently that could make him better. For instance, it's obvious now that a team with so many good center backs should have been figuring out a way to get more of them on the field at the same time, but I don't remember a groundswell among the supporters for a back three. Allardyce is credited with bringing the value of this tactical change home to Arsene after Palace crushed us, and that may be right. We've got the defensive personnel to rock a back three. Every one of our backs is comfortable with the ball at his feet, and can zip a pass through the lines. When you realize that Chambers is out on loan and Bielek is no more than a year away from being able to contribute to the senior team, we're actually overstocked with center backs. Per is in the last year or two of top-flight football, and Kos is over 30; Monreal is not young either. I'm not sure if Holding, Bielek, and Chambers want to wait around and be platooned or loaned, but they're all potential future mainstays in defense and I don't want to lose them. Gabriel improved under Wenger too, and Mustafi (when he recovers) is a very good center back, especially in a three.
Wenger's greatest strength is also his greatest weakness, in my opinion. That would be his loyalty. He sticks with players long after most managers would give up on them as too fragile or not talented enough or insufficiently motivated. I am still amazed at the Diaby situation; no other team in the world would have stood by him so long. There was never a question about Wenger's faith in Ramsey or Walcott. I remember a year when I saw Ramsey's name on a team sheet and despaired. This year he's repaying that faith. Theo has been more trouble than he's worth, with his difficult contract negotiations and his fussing about where he's played. He's one of those maddening players who has lots of natural talent, a good attitude, and an appreciation for the finer points of the game, but fails to do the hard work on defense that he knows is required, and is not as productive on offense as he'd have to be to make up for his defensive lapses. He knows what he needs to do, and wants to do it, but when it's nut-crunching time, for some mysterious reason he doesn't do it. None of these guys is lazy; it's just something in his head that switches off far too often. If Theo had the physique or talent to hold up the ball, he may have stuck as a striker. But he's hopeless as a frontman. He wants to be the guy who sits on the shoulder of the last defender and waits for Ozil to find him making a run. Fine, but then he'd have to stay onside more, and do something useful when we don't have the ball, and learn how to put in better crosses. (Enough about him--I just wish we'd sold him five years ago.)
Can Wenger, who has admitted that the squad is "heavy", cut some players loose? He will find it hard. But we shouldn't be carrying salaries for players we're essentially replacing when we get a top class winger or striker. Iwobi is a fine backup for offensive positions. I'd hate to lose Lucas, but I think we just might. There are some really good young players that Wenger may have to make a decision on soon. (We saw some in the Southampton FA Cup game.)
Alexis and Ozil. Yes, that's the big question. I say, find out what they want to do by offering what we think we can afford to pay (not what we want to pay, which is not going to be enough). If one or both decide to move on, fine--get what we can for them, which in Alexis's case ought to be substantial, and move on from there. But I think Ozil genuinely likes Wenger and wants to stay. Alexis is probably going to move on. We'll miss him, obviously, but we will still score goals.
Keeping Arsene says something about Arsenal that I like: we want to win, but we want to show some class and flash doing it. There was absolutely no guarantee that a new manager would have improved anything. Look around the league: was Mourinho really the answer for free-spending United? I've been a Conte fan for a while (I support Juve and Italy), and agree that he's done wonders at Chelsea. But he's not looking for another team. Pep has hardly burned up the league at City. Maybe we should have fired Wenger mid-contract and made a play for Pochettino, but maybe not. Klopp is not Liverpool's savior after all. So, resign yourselves to more of Wenger's courtly post-match performances in which he has nothing but praise for his players, whatever the result, and whines about some bad refereeing decisions if we don't win. Expect to hear the following: "belief," "confidence," "as well." And I think you can count on the Arsenal playing well and contending for titles. Why support any other club? And if it's Arsenal that you love, support them all the way. I will.
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Arsenal 2 - 1 Chelsea (FA Cup Final)
[I had a post done on the day of the final, but it was messed up somehow, probably by me in my excitement.]
What a glorious day for Arsenal Football Club and its supporters. You know all about the game; here are the official highlights. I would not have given our first goal had I been carrying the whistle, but we were good value for the win, creating more chances and generally bossing the game for long stretches even before Moses picked up those two yellows.
I'm proud of everyone who wore the shirt today. There were no weak links out there. The biggest difference I saw was the focus and commitment on defense. I was very worried about not having Kos available (suspension), but Per was majestic and he was ably partnered by Holding and Monreal. Costa got his goal (he and Cahill were Chelsea's best players on the day), but it was erased seconds after the restart by Ramsey's header off Giroud's exquisite cross. Bellerin, Ramsey, and especially Ozil spurned opportunities to make the win comfortable, but it did not matter in the end. The Blues were flat, the Gunners at the top of their game, and the better side won. I looked at a Chelsea supporter blog and they recognized it too.
I'll comment on the fallout from the board meeting a little later.
Meanwhile, it's Huddersfield Town, a club with some old Arsenal connections, that will be joining Brighton and Newcastle in entering the EPL next season.
What a glorious day for Arsenal Football Club and its supporters. You know all about the game; here are the official highlights. I would not have given our first goal had I been carrying the whistle, but we were good value for the win, creating more chances and generally bossing the game for long stretches even before Moses picked up those two yellows.
I'm proud of everyone who wore the shirt today. There were no weak links out there. The biggest difference I saw was the focus and commitment on defense. I was very worried about not having Kos available (suspension), but Per was majestic and he was ably partnered by Holding and Monreal. Costa got his goal (he and Cahill were Chelsea's best players on the day), but it was erased seconds after the restart by Ramsey's header off Giroud's exquisite cross. Bellerin, Ramsey, and especially Ozil spurned opportunities to make the win comfortable, but it did not matter in the end. The Blues were flat, the Gunners at the top of their game, and the better side won. I looked at a Chelsea supporter blog and they recognized it too.
I'll comment on the fallout from the board meeting a little later.
Meanwhile, it's Huddersfield Town, a club with some old Arsenal connections, that will be joining Brighton and Newcastle in entering the EPL next season.
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Arsenal 3 - 1 Everton; Liverpool Cruise into ECL; Juve Clinches Scudetto
Desperate Crotone was no match for Juventus, who has the double and can't really be considered underdogs against Real Madrid in Cardiff. The Dybala free kick inside the near post watched by a motionless goalkeeper was the game in a nutshell.
Liverpool took nearly a half to do it, but they asserted their dominance over relegated Middlesbrough to make our game against Everton meaningless...
...and what a crazy game it was. Arsenal totally dominated the Toffees, scoring a goal (Bellerin's) that looked to be the first of many. But then Koscielny made an inexplicable decision to challenge far from goal--there was no need--and not only missed the ball, but left his feet and clobbered Enner Valencia to earn a straight red in the 14th minute. Suddenly things looked very shaky indeed. But in this game of mistakes, Everton made the next one. They stopped playing after Welbeck found himself with the ball deep in the six yard box. Robles had to come out on him, and he simply rolled it into the path of Alexis for an easy finish. There were chances for Everton, but Cech was up to them. Then Holding allowed the ball to hit his arm, and Lukaku finished the PK coolly: 2-1. Arsenal kept looking for another goal, and had their finishing been better, they'd have had a couple. But Robles did enough to keep the game close until injury time, when Ramsey curled a beauty into the top right corner from yards outside the area. It finishes 3-1 and the lads looked happy. The supporters appeared somewhat mollified by the courageous response of the Gunners to going down to ten men. It was a really good game for neutrals, with all the end-to-end action.
It looks really bad now for the FA Cup final. I didn't hear the announcers say anything about it, but surely Kos is ineligible now for that game due to his red card. Gabriel did his knee in. And Alexis pulled up lame late on. The return to first team action of Per Mertesacker is not much consolation. Well, we have some players, and we have enough shirts for them, so they'll give it a go and maybe the ball will bounce the right way and the referees will see the close calls our way.
Liverpool took nearly a half to do it, but they asserted their dominance over relegated Middlesbrough to make our game against Everton meaningless...
...and what a crazy game it was. Arsenal totally dominated the Toffees, scoring a goal (Bellerin's) that looked to be the first of many. But then Koscielny made an inexplicable decision to challenge far from goal--there was no need--and not only missed the ball, but left his feet and clobbered Enner Valencia to earn a straight red in the 14th minute. Suddenly things looked very shaky indeed. But in this game of mistakes, Everton made the next one. They stopped playing after Welbeck found himself with the ball deep in the six yard box. Robles had to come out on him, and he simply rolled it into the path of Alexis for an easy finish. There were chances for Everton, but Cech was up to them. Then Holding allowed the ball to hit his arm, and Lukaku finished the PK coolly: 2-1. Arsenal kept looking for another goal, and had their finishing been better, they'd have had a couple. But Robles did enough to keep the game close until injury time, when Ramsey curled a beauty into the top right corner from yards outside the area. It finishes 3-1 and the lads looked happy. The supporters appeared somewhat mollified by the courageous response of the Gunners to going down to ten men. It was a really good game for neutrals, with all the end-to-end action.
It looks really bad now for the FA Cup final. I didn't hear the announcers say anything about it, but surely Kos is ineligible now for that game due to his red card. Gabriel did his knee in. And Alexis pulled up lame late on. The return to first team action of Per Mertesacker is not much consolation. Well, we have some players, and we have enough shirts for them, so they'll give it a go and maybe the ball will bounce the right way and the referees will see the close calls our way.
Friday, May 19, 2017
Juventus 2 - 0 Lazio (Coppa Italia): The Treble is Still On
Gigi watched from the bench as the Bianconeri outclassed a game Biancocelesti in the Coppa final. A fantastic cross found the red hot Dani Alves, who spaked it off the ground and past the helpless Lazio keeper inside the far post from about 15 yds. Bonucci added a second on a scramble after a corner, and barely a third of the way in it was pretty much over. Juve wants every season to be special, and that means winning everything in sight. They will get the chance on May 3 in the ECL final in Cardiff. Lo Scudetto is a formality now, with a four point lead on Roma. They look pretty good lately, don't they?
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Arsenal 2 - 0 Sunderland
The first half was scoreless, though both teams had chances. Frustrating, right? There were a lot of empty seats, the fans getting a jump on protesting the mismatch between ticket prices and results. The Gunners better pick it up if they are going to put any pressure on Liverpool. Back after full time...
They did pick it up, and the three points too. Sunderland reverted to form, and were ineffective, except for their superb young goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, without whom the score would have been at least 4-0 instead of just 2-0. The goals were nice: Ozil presented Alexis with a tap-in at about 70 minutes, and Alexis scored a header from very close range when Pickford saved an athletic bid from Giroud. A few comments:
Cech was excellent. He made a couple of very good saves, and came far out of the goal to prevent dangerous situations that could have turned out to be breakaways. He also had to deal with a crazy backpass from my man Monreal that he could only save with his hands, resulting in an indirect free kick just at the intersection of the endline and the six yard line. The game was scoreless, early in the second half, and it might have been a disaster.
Other than Nacho's error, the back three looked commanding. Holding carried forward once and was not far from scoring a goal.
Alexis and Xhaka dwell on the ball too long. Both lost it very avoidably, more than once. It's OK to have the ball stolen when they're crowded out, or to lose it trying an ambitious pass; but having it taken off your foot by a guy who's overtaken you in space is not OK. Just pass the damned thing!
Ozil got a yellow for dissent, which was as interested as he seemed to get today. He played well, but does he ever invest himself fully? Alexis makes a lot of mistakes, but he's always "all in". He's one goal behind Lukaku ( and one ahead of Kane) for the golden boot.
Giroud put in a good shift, and was unfortunate to be robbed by Pickford a couple times. He was wrestled away from a corner once too; it probably should have been a first-half PK.
Subs: Iwobi came on and looked decent, as did Welbeck. Walcott got a late chance and was found deep in Sunderland territory, but nothing came of it. Ramsey came off with an injury; I hope it's not serious.
City beat a limp West Brom, so that leaves Liverpool as the only team we might overtake for 4th. They have to drop points at home to Middlesbrough (let's hope Callum Chambers has a good day) and of course we need to beat Everton at the Emirates. And regardless of the final standings, we have to avoid serious injuries or red cards to field our strongest team in the FA Cup final.
They did pick it up, and the three points too. Sunderland reverted to form, and were ineffective, except for their superb young goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, without whom the score would have been at least 4-0 instead of just 2-0. The goals were nice: Ozil presented Alexis with a tap-in at about 70 minutes, and Alexis scored a header from very close range when Pickford saved an athletic bid from Giroud. A few comments:
Cech was excellent. He made a couple of very good saves, and came far out of the goal to prevent dangerous situations that could have turned out to be breakaways. He also had to deal with a crazy backpass from my man Monreal that he could only save with his hands, resulting in an indirect free kick just at the intersection of the endline and the six yard line. The game was scoreless, early in the second half, and it might have been a disaster.
Other than Nacho's error, the back three looked commanding. Holding carried forward once and was not far from scoring a goal.
Alexis and Xhaka dwell on the ball too long. Both lost it very avoidably, more than once. It's OK to have the ball stolen when they're crowded out, or to lose it trying an ambitious pass; but having it taken off your foot by a guy who's overtaken you in space is not OK. Just pass the damned thing!
Ozil got a yellow for dissent, which was as interested as he seemed to get today. He played well, but does he ever invest himself fully? Alexis makes a lot of mistakes, but he's always "all in". He's one goal behind Lukaku ( and one ahead of Kane) for the golden boot.
Giroud put in a good shift, and was unfortunate to be robbed by Pickford a couple times. He was wrestled away from a corner once too; it probably should have been a first-half PK.
Subs: Iwobi came on and looked decent, as did Welbeck. Walcott got a late chance and was found deep in Sunderland territory, but nothing came of it. Ramsey came off with an injury; I hope it's not serious.
City beat a limp West Brom, so that leaves Liverpool as the only team we might overtake for 4th. They have to drop points at home to Middlesbrough (let's hope Callum Chambers has a good day) and of course we need to beat Everton at the Emirates. And regardless of the final standings, we have to avoid serious injuries or red cards to field our strongest team in the FA Cup final.
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Crouch's Hand 1 - 4 Arsenal
The Gunners tormented a strangely listless Stoke to come away with three points and an outside chance for a top four finish. Stoke had some moments, but they were few, and the only one they made count was when Peter Crouch blatantly handed a cross past Cech. By that time it was 2-0 Arsenal due to some incisive passing and clueless defending. Coquelin slipped Bellerin behind the defense, and he crossed for an easy Giroud tap-in at around 40 minutes. Early in the second half, Alexis hit a charging Ozil in stride and two perfect touches later the ball hit the back of the net as a despairing Jack Butland watched from the ground. After Crouch's "goal" Alexis drove towards goal and uncorked a hard shot into the lower left corner, and Giroud got his second as substitute Ramsey cut back and the Frenchman launched himself at the ball and left-footed it past Butland.
Every Gunner looked good, but much of that was due to Stoke's poor play. They gave us space to make passes, opting to pack the 18 yard box and try to block shots. But they didn't get that right either. Even Coquelin looked like an offensive threat; Monreal could have had two goals in the first 15 minutes. (He hit the post with a header and fumbled a great opportunity across the endline.) If today's game with Swansea was any indication, Sunderland won't be strong opposition mid-week. I hope Everton has already gone on vacation as well by next Sunday, and Liverpool catches the Spursiness that Tottenham seems to have shaken.
Wizards force Game 7 with a game-winning three from John Wall. Fiorentina beats Lazio 3-2 in a meaningless (for the standings) game.
Every Gunner looked good, but much of that was due to Stoke's poor play. They gave us space to make passes, opting to pack the 18 yard box and try to block shots. But they didn't get that right either. Even Coquelin looked like an offensive threat; Monreal could have had two goals in the first 15 minutes. (He hit the post with a header and fumbled a great opportunity across the endline.) If today's game with Swansea was any indication, Sunderland won't be strong opposition mid-week. I hope Everton has already gone on vacation as well by next Sunday, and Liverpool catches the Spursiness that Tottenham seems to have shaken.
Wizards force Game 7 with a game-winning three from John Wall. Fiorentina beats Lazio 3-2 in a meaningless (for the standings) game.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
Southampton 0 - 2 Arsenal, and Juventus 2 - 1 Monaco (4-1 agg)
The Gunners made hard work of it, but they got the three points due to a dominating second half and a sharp Petr Cech in the first half. The Saints have not been playing well, especially at home, and have little to play for, so few expected anything other than an Arsenal victory. We were good value for it, showing our class when it counted.
It seems too little too late, however. City is not going to drop points twice, so our hopes of Champions' League next season rest with Liverpool dropping points in one game while we win against the orcs in Mordor, relegated Sunderland, and Everton. Oh, and Stoke's in three days, and we host Sunderland three days after that. The Toffees come to the Emirates five days after that, and we go to Wembley to thrash the Chavs six days after that to hoist the FA Cup for a record 13th time. Let's hope AOC's hamstring heals quickly.
...
Juve finished the job against Monaco, whose defense was simply not up to the task of keeping Higuain, Alves, etc. from scoring. Gigi's streak of 690 scoreless minutes in ECL was ended late, but in truth, it took some good fortune (as well as excellent defense and goalkeeping) to keep Monaco out of the net until then. They created some very good chances. The Old Lady plays holders Real Madrid in the final in Cardiff. It should be a very good game. I give Juve a slight edge, because of Gigi and Allegri. Dybala is my pick to be man of the match, though Alves has been otherwordly.
...
The Wizards and the Capitals are in tight playoff series. Fingers crossed.
It seems too little too late, however. City is not going to drop points twice, so our hopes of Champions' League next season rest with Liverpool dropping points in one game while we win against the orcs in Mordor, relegated Sunderland, and Everton. Oh, and Stoke's in three days, and we host Sunderland three days after that. The Toffees come to the Emirates five days after that, and we go to Wembley to thrash the Chavs six days after that to hoist the FA Cup for a record 13th time. Let's hope AOC's hamstring heals quickly.
...
Juve finished the job against Monaco, whose defense was simply not up to the task of keeping Higuain, Alves, etc. from scoring. Gigi's streak of 690 scoreless minutes in ECL was ended late, but in truth, it took some good fortune (as well as excellent defense and goalkeeping) to keep Monaco out of the net until then. They created some very good chances. The Old Lady plays holders Real Madrid in the final in Cardiff. It should be a very good game. I give Juve a slight edge, because of Gigi and Allegri. Dybala is my pick to be man of the match, though Alves has been otherwordly.
...
The Wizards and the Capitals are in tight playoff series. Fingers crossed.
Monday, May 8, 2017
Arsenal 2 - 0 Manchester United Reserves
I was on the road during the game and saw only the highlights. I was happy to see Ramsey and Ox and Welbz do so well. It would have been disheartening to lose this one, or even to draw. We're still dependent on Liverpool screwing up even if we win our remaining games, so it's a long shot for us to qualify for ECL--and really, do you think we'd go far in that competition next year? I'm afraid it's Thursday night games in Eastern Europe for the Gunners.
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Monaco 0 - 2 Juventus
Supporting multiple teams has advantages. When the #1 favorite is not doing well, one can take solace in the successes of one's other adopted enthusiasms. Here is an attempt to list the teams I support, in descending order of affection:
Clubs
Arsenal
Juventus
DC United
Roma
Notts County
Fiorentina
Celtic
UNAM Pumas
Dortmund
(many others, like PSG, Melbourne Victory, 1860 Munich, York City)
Countries
USA
Italy
England
Mexico
New Zealand
There's not a lot of rhyme or reason to any of that list, except for USA and DC United. Some I've adopted because an acquaintance turned me on to them (e.g. Notts County); but most were born of pure whim and grew into strong passions (like Arsenal) or mild interests (Victory). My attraction to Roma was strengthened when Szczesny was loaned to them, but I've liked them for a while.
Anyway, Juve has made me happy today by taking a two (away!) goal lead over Monaco in the first leg of the Champions' League semis. I don't forgive Monaco for being the beneficiary of Arsenal's generosity two years ago in the ECL, so I am hoping the Bianconeri can seal the deal next Tuesday. Two fantastic finishes by Higuain off superb assists from Dani Alves, one in each half, should be all Juve needs. but you never know. Monaco actually was quite dangerous, and should have scored. Juve actually did a better job throttling Barca. It's hard to believe that the best clubs in Europe have been unable to score against the Old Lady for six game now. They looked very sharp today.
Clubs
Arsenal
Juventus
DC United
Roma
Notts County
Fiorentina
Celtic
UNAM Pumas
Dortmund
(many others, like PSG, Melbourne Victory, 1860 Munich, York City)
Countries
USA
Italy
England
Mexico
New Zealand
There's not a lot of rhyme or reason to any of that list, except for USA and DC United. Some I've adopted because an acquaintance turned me on to them (e.g. Notts County); but most were born of pure whim and grew into strong passions (like Arsenal) or mild interests (Victory). My attraction to Roma was strengthened when Szczesny was loaned to them, but I've liked them for a while.
Anyway, Juve has made me happy today by taking a two (away!) goal lead over Monaco in the first leg of the Champions' League semis. I don't forgive Monaco for being the beneficiary of Arsenal's generosity two years ago in the ECL, so I am hoping the Bianconeri can seal the deal next Tuesday. Two fantastic finishes by Higuain off superb assists from Dani Alves, one in each half, should be all Juve needs. but you never know. Monaco actually was quite dangerous, and should have scored. Juve actually did a better job throttling Barca. It's hard to believe that the best clubs in Europe have been unable to score against the Old Lady for six game now. They looked very sharp today.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Tottenham 2 - 0 Arsenal
Who didn't see this coming? This is the best I've seen Arsenal play in months and they were outclassed by Spurs. Other than the insufficiently motivated Ozil, I don't have anything bad to say about our starters. Spurs had more good chances, but they still needed a lucky rebound to Dele and a dive from Kane to put the ball in the net. I can't argue with the result: Spurs are the better team.
That's all I'm going to say about this hard-fought but ultimately depressing game. The aftermath should include an end to the silly emphasis on this rivalry, which has for too long served as a sop for our underperforming. It should also cause a rethink of the apparent decision to keep Wenger on, but it won't. This was our chance to take control of the top four race, but the opening provided by the Manchester clubs' pratfall earlier today has been slammed shut. We could pass United, but I doubt that Liverpool or City (with no distractions) is going to drop so many points that this so-so Gunners team could pass them. It's the FA Cup final to look forward to now. Why not?
That's all I'm going to say about this hard-fought but ultimately depressing game. The aftermath should include an end to the silly emphasis on this rivalry, which has for too long served as a sop for our underperforming. It should also cause a rethink of the apparent decision to keep Wenger on, but it won't. This was our chance to take control of the top four race, but the opening provided by the Manchester clubs' pratfall earlier today has been slammed shut. We could pass United, but I doubt that Liverpool or City (with no distractions) is going to drop so many points that this so-so Gunners team could pass them. It's the FA Cup final to look forward to now. Why not?
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Arsenal 1 - 0 Leicester City
Three at the back again, this time with Bellerin and Gibbs as wingbacks, and Monreal-Kos-Gabriel as the three amigos in front of Cech. Xhakalin were in front of them, and Walcott, Ozil, and Alexis were up top. It wasn't working very well in the first half, and only a little better in the second. It may have been the personnel rather than the system. This was a poor game for Alexis, who gave the ball away numerous times, including in our half at least once. Theo was virtually anonymous, and played like a man who is sure he'll never score again. Ozil was typically lethargic on defense but did put some nice balls in on passes, free kicks, and corners. Coquelin was ineffective offensively whenever he tried to do something more ambitious than make the easy square pass. Even Kos gave some balls away. Bellerin's crosses were bad, but then no one from Arsenal looked interested in meeting them anyway. Cech made some fine saves but also was profligate on distribution, and flapped at a couple crosses. We had just five shots on goal.
Our goal was not one of them. When the players marched out onto the Emirates pitch, I said to myself, "A Huth own-goal would be great." I mean, that chest was made to bounce shots off of, and I'm sure that's exactly what Nacho had in mind when he launched that rocket into the man-mountain from Germany. It was around the 85 minute mark, so not too soon. Chances were rare for both teams, but when they came, they went begging. Welbeck had come in for Gibbs ten minutes earlier and we went to a back four; and a few minutes after Welbeck came on Giroud replaced Walcott and Ramsey replaced Coquelin. We were more dangerous after the subs. There was a moment of panic when Kos hyperextended his knee after the three substitutions, but he came back on and was effective.
Unconvincing to say the least. Alexis looks as if he's worn out, which would not be a surprise. I'll hand out praise for Monreal, Gabriel, Kos, and Xhaka, who were all solid. Gibbs and Bellerin were fine defensively. We were too easy for the Foxes to defend, though. This sort of performance is not going to be enough to get us out of Europa League. Credit to Leicester for good organization and hard work, but we should have created more and better chances and won this game easily.
I guess Perez's thigh injury will keep him out for the rest of the season. Too bad. I'd love to see him out there. We don't really miss Mustafi.
We will have to step things up for the NLD. Spurs dominated Palace today and won 1-0 at Selhurst Park to a team that cut us to ribbons. Neither team will want to settle for a point, so it should be wide open.
Our goal was not one of them. When the players marched out onto the Emirates pitch, I said to myself, "A Huth own-goal would be great." I mean, that chest was made to bounce shots off of, and I'm sure that's exactly what Nacho had in mind when he launched that rocket into the man-mountain from Germany. It was around the 85 minute mark, so not too soon. Chances were rare for both teams, but when they came, they went begging. Welbeck had come in for Gibbs ten minutes earlier and we went to a back four; and a few minutes after Welbeck came on Giroud replaced Walcott and Ramsey replaced Coquelin. We were more dangerous after the subs. There was a moment of panic when Kos hyperextended his knee after the three substitutions, but he came back on and was effective.
Unconvincing to say the least. Alexis looks as if he's worn out, which would not be a surprise. I'll hand out praise for Monreal, Gabriel, Kos, and Xhaka, who were all solid. Gibbs and Bellerin were fine defensively. We were too easy for the Foxes to defend, though. This sort of performance is not going to be enough to get us out of Europa League. Credit to Leicester for good organization and hard work, but we should have created more and better chances and won this game easily.
I guess Perez's thigh injury will keep him out for the rest of the season. Too bad. I'd love to see him out there. We don't really miss Mustafi.
We will have to step things up for the NLD. Spurs dominated Palace today and won 1-0 at Selhurst Park to a team that cut us to ribbons. Neither team will want to settle for a point, so it should be wide open.
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Manchester City 1 - 2 Arsenal
When I saw the lineups, I thought we were going to lose 4-0. The three at the back didn't work against pathetic Boro; how could it stop powerful City? But a disciplined defensive determination kept the ball out of the net except for an Aguero finish of a Sane cross wrongly ruled to have gone over the line on the way to the Argentine. The Gunners had it in the opposition net once as well, but a correct offside call negated that as well. It was a physical game, but only Sanchez picked up a yellow on a slightly mistimed lunge at a loose ball. Silva had to leave the game after Gabriel's knee was driven into his thigh from behind. There were two penalty shouts with some merit: Aguero had his ankle clipped by Ox, though it was more a case of Aguero kicking Ox than the other way round; and Alexis was wrestled to the ground trying to get to a free kick, though it was an open question whether he'd have gotten to the ball. City was the better team, but the scoreline was not grossly unfair. Back after the half...
Oops...my second half comments got lost in the excitement. Arsenal found another gear in the second 45 and looked slightly the better side. The first goal was a result of their overcommitment to offense. When Ramsey lost the ball with everyone up for a set piece, Aguero was set loose and Monreal found himself trailing the play. Aguero chipped Cech beautifully. Within minutes, though, Ox lofted a lovely cross to the right foot of Nacho, who slammed it past Bravo at his near post. City hit the woodwork twice and Welbeck narrowly missed the far post, but it was 1-1 full time.
Arsenal really did look the better side in extra time, and their high pressure seemed to rattle a tired City. Kompany brought Welbeck down outside the area close to the touchline, City did not deal with the ball in, and Alexis pounced on the loose ball to slot it into the City goal for Arsenal's first lead. And that's how it ended, as City had chances but didn't really look like scoring. I'll have a lot more to say about this inspiring win in a while, but for now, I will happily flagellate myself for my lack of faith in the team and the system and exult in another FA Cup final. It's five weeks away, and who knows what form Chelsea and the Gunners will be in then? Dream!
...and now for some comments. Boy was I wrong about Ox as a wingback. He can defend, and his offensive play was fantastic. Sane gave him problems, but Sane gives everyone problems. Monreal was another of our stars today. The finish on his goal was perfect, and he was a real contributor on both sides of the ball. All three center backs were excellent, and for once Kos didn't stand head and shoulders above his center back partner(s). Gabriel may have had his best game for us, and Holding seemed to know exactly where to be. He probably should have had a goal off a corner too. Cech was excellent, I thought. Arseblog thought he was a bit at fault on the City goal, but that's nuts. Coming out after the ball would only have resulted in a red card and PK. He made a fingertip save from Fernandinho (?) and was quite solid. Xhaka and Ramsey were not as impressive as the guys they played in front of, in my opinion. They showed discipline for the most part, but Ramsey kept getting caught too far forward as the game wore on. Their fitness was key, though, as they looked stronger in extra time when their opposite numbers faded. Ozil was a disappointment again; he looks like a guy preoccupied with deciding where he'll be playing next season. Alexis was his usual sparkplug self, though I wish he wouldn't always try to play the ball out of the back after he recovers it when he is (laudably) helping out on defense. One of these days he's going to cost us a goal. Giroud did his job, wearing out the City center backs and providing a good target up front. He seemed to be used as an outlet and a decoy, and seldom had service--though there were moments. Welbeck did well when he came on for Giroud. Bellerin did not do so great; there seems to be something a little off with him, besides the new hairdo, which is awful. I don't remember Coquelin kicking the ball after coming on very late.
City looked shaky on set pieces, but otherwise this was the same crew that outplayed us in our building a couple weeks ago. Had two refereeing decisions gone their way, both of which they have a right to feel aggrieved about, they'd have won this game. But sometimes the ref doesn't see things your way and you have to overcome it. It was 0-0 after those incidents and anybody's game, and I hope Pep isn't using the officiating as an excuse. His guys just dropped off in the later stages. I've seen de Bruyne play better, and Silva had to come off; but Aguero looked sharp and Toure had a fine game. Bravo didn't blunder, although he looked like a man who was likely to. Bottom line, if Arsenal can win this game, they should do very well the rest of the season.
With three games in hand on Liverpool, whose loss today leaves them nine points better than us, it's conceivable for us to catch them*. City and United will have to stumble to give us even as much of a shot at passing them as we have with 'pool. But we will host United, who looks a bit banged up now and has Europa League to distract them. Tottenham will have to be defeated at Wet Fart Lane a week before, though, which is no easy assignment. Those games in hand, of course, will have to be played mid-week; but if we're going to make a run at the top four, we'll have to be in good form, and when you're in good form, you want the games to come thick and fast. Top four is a long shot, but not an impossible one, and we may hoist the FA Cup yet. I know 18 other EPL clubs who aren't going to do it for sure.
*The run-in (away in italics): Leicester, Tottenham, Man U, Southampton, Stoke, Sunderland, Everton. We're going to Mordor, Frodo!
Oops...my second half comments got lost in the excitement. Arsenal found another gear in the second 45 and looked slightly the better side. The first goal was a result of their overcommitment to offense. When Ramsey lost the ball with everyone up for a set piece, Aguero was set loose and Monreal found himself trailing the play. Aguero chipped Cech beautifully. Within minutes, though, Ox lofted a lovely cross to the right foot of Nacho, who slammed it past Bravo at his near post. City hit the woodwork twice and Welbeck narrowly missed the far post, but it was 1-1 full time.
Arsenal really did look the better side in extra time, and their high pressure seemed to rattle a tired City. Kompany brought Welbeck down outside the area close to the touchline, City did not deal with the ball in, and Alexis pounced on the loose ball to slot it into the City goal for Arsenal's first lead. And that's how it ended, as City had chances but didn't really look like scoring. I'll have a lot more to say about this inspiring win in a while, but for now, I will happily flagellate myself for my lack of faith in the team and the system and exult in another FA Cup final. It's five weeks away, and who knows what form Chelsea and the Gunners will be in then? Dream!
...and now for some comments. Boy was I wrong about Ox as a wingback. He can defend, and his offensive play was fantastic. Sane gave him problems, but Sane gives everyone problems. Monreal was another of our stars today. The finish on his goal was perfect, and he was a real contributor on both sides of the ball. All three center backs were excellent, and for once Kos didn't stand head and shoulders above his center back partner(s). Gabriel may have had his best game for us, and Holding seemed to know exactly where to be. He probably should have had a goal off a corner too. Cech was excellent, I thought. Arseblog thought he was a bit at fault on the City goal, but that's nuts. Coming out after the ball would only have resulted in a red card and PK. He made a fingertip save from Fernandinho (?) and was quite solid. Xhaka and Ramsey were not as impressive as the guys they played in front of, in my opinion. They showed discipline for the most part, but Ramsey kept getting caught too far forward as the game wore on. Their fitness was key, though, as they looked stronger in extra time when their opposite numbers faded. Ozil was a disappointment again; he looks like a guy preoccupied with deciding where he'll be playing next season. Alexis was his usual sparkplug self, though I wish he wouldn't always try to play the ball out of the back after he recovers it when he is (laudably) helping out on defense. One of these days he's going to cost us a goal. Giroud did his job, wearing out the City center backs and providing a good target up front. He seemed to be used as an outlet and a decoy, and seldom had service--though there were moments. Welbeck did well when he came on for Giroud. Bellerin did not do so great; there seems to be something a little off with him, besides the new hairdo, which is awful. I don't remember Coquelin kicking the ball after coming on very late.
City looked shaky on set pieces, but otherwise this was the same crew that outplayed us in our building a couple weeks ago. Had two refereeing decisions gone their way, both of which they have a right to feel aggrieved about, they'd have won this game. But sometimes the ref doesn't see things your way and you have to overcome it. It was 0-0 after those incidents and anybody's game, and I hope Pep isn't using the officiating as an excuse. His guys just dropped off in the later stages. I've seen de Bruyne play better, and Silva had to come off; but Aguero looked sharp and Toure had a fine game. Bravo didn't blunder, although he looked like a man who was likely to. Bottom line, if Arsenal can win this game, they should do very well the rest of the season.
With three games in hand on Liverpool, whose loss today leaves them nine points better than us, it's conceivable for us to catch them*. City and United will have to stumble to give us even as much of a shot at passing them as we have with 'pool. But we will host United, who looks a bit banged up now and has Europa League to distract them. Tottenham will have to be defeated at Wet Fart Lane a week before, though, which is no easy assignment. Those games in hand, of course, will have to be played mid-week; but if we're going to make a run at the top four, we'll have to be in good form, and when you're in good form, you want the games to come thick and fast. Top four is a long shot, but not an impossible one, and we may hoist the FA Cup yet. I know 18 other EPL clubs who aren't going to do it for sure.
*The run-in (away in italics): Leicester, Tottenham, Man U, Southampton, Stoke, Sunderland, Everton. We're going to Mordor, Frodo!
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