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?
Sunday, April 30, 2017
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!
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Barcelona 0 - 0 Juventus (0-3 aggregate)
To my delight, Gigi Buffon kept a clean sheet (though he was not at his best today) and Juve eased through to the semifinals of the ECL. They're a complete team, playing well individually and as a unit, and I don't see why they can't win the cup. Watching them play, especially on defense, made me wonder why the Gunners can't seem to avoid diving in unnecessarily and getting passed or giving away dangerous free kicks.
I know it's not football, but the Wizards beat the Hawks to go 2-0 up in their first round playoff series. That makes me happy too.
Is it Sunday we play City in the FA Cup semis? They're the opponent I want now. If we get by them, maybe by the final, the Chavs or the Spuds will drop off in form, or we'll find some good form. Lucky 13!
I know it's not football, but the Wizards beat the Hawks to go 2-0 up in their first round playoff series. That makes me happy too.
Is it Sunday we play City in the FA Cup semis? They're the opponent I want now. If we get by them, maybe by the final, the Chavs or the Spuds will drop off in form, or we'll find some good form. Lucky 13!
Monday, April 17, 2017
Middlesbrough 1 - 2 Arsenal
Fortunately, supersub Rudy Gestede didn't ruin my day by heading in a late goal. The game raised a few questions:
1) What was with the back three? I can see Monreal as a wingback, but Ox? This system didn't work today, in my opinion, probably because it was sprung on a cast of characters who never played it.
2) What is Ozil thinking about when on the field? It sure isn't football. Nice goal, though, Mesut!
3) How can three center backs look so vulnerable on free kicks?
4) Why do we give away so many stupid free kicks?
5) When is someone on the coaching staff going to tell players like Sanchez and Giroud to stop whining like babies when they don't get the call they want from the ref?
6) Who is responsible for alerting Wenger that he hasn't used any substitutes yet?
OK, those were mostly rhetorical. But then so was Arsenal's performance today. They made the lowest-scoring team in the Premiership look quite dangerous. It was too easy for Boro to pass our midfielders. On offense, we got some chances. Had Atkinson called an obvious PK early on a bearhug of Giroud, this might have been more comfortable. Nevertheless, Arsenal had just four shots on goal, one fewer than Boro. This is not the sort of form that is going to scare anyone higher in the table.
Cech earned his money today; nice work. Holding was decent, Kos wonderful, and Gabriel fine at the back. Monreal looked a bit confused about where he should be playing. Ox tries hard on defense but it's not his thing; making dangerous runs is his thing and he did a lot of it today. Ramsey and Xhaka could have been stronger on defense, but Aaron had a nice assist on the winner, and I appreciated Granit's not getting a card. Ozil needs to be motivated. Alexis is always motivated; used properly he'd have us in the top four now. Giroud did well but this wasn't the sort of game he was going to star in.
Please, Arsene, announce your retirement now. They'll establish a chair at the Sorbonne for you in philosophy, I swear.
1) What was with the back three? I can see Monreal as a wingback, but Ox? This system didn't work today, in my opinion, probably because it was sprung on a cast of characters who never played it.
2) What is Ozil thinking about when on the field? It sure isn't football. Nice goal, though, Mesut!
3) How can three center backs look so vulnerable on free kicks?
4) Why do we give away so many stupid free kicks?
5) When is someone on the coaching staff going to tell players like Sanchez and Giroud to stop whining like babies when they don't get the call they want from the ref?
6) Who is responsible for alerting Wenger that he hasn't used any substitutes yet?
OK, those were mostly rhetorical. But then so was Arsenal's performance today. They made the lowest-scoring team in the Premiership look quite dangerous. It was too easy for Boro to pass our midfielders. On offense, we got some chances. Had Atkinson called an obvious PK early on a bearhug of Giroud, this might have been more comfortable. Nevertheless, Arsenal had just four shots on goal, one fewer than Boro. This is not the sort of form that is going to scare anyone higher in the table.
Cech earned his money today; nice work. Holding was decent, Kos wonderful, and Gabriel fine at the back. Monreal looked a bit confused about where he should be playing. Ox tries hard on defense but it's not his thing; making dangerous runs is his thing and he did a lot of it today. Ramsey and Xhaka could have been stronger on defense, but Aaron had a nice assist on the winner, and I appreciated Granit's not getting a card. Ozil needs to be motivated. Alexis is always motivated; used properly he'd have us in the top four now. Giroud did well but this wasn't the sort of game he was going to star in.
Please, Arsene, announce your retirement now. They'll establish a chair at the Sorbonne for you in philosophy, I swear.
Monday, April 10, 2017
Palace 3 - 0 Arsenal
At the half, it looks like another nightmare. The Gunners have most of the ball, and actually create some good chances, but it's Palace with the goal when a goal kick is knocked around from one Palace player to another until a simple cutback to a wide-open Andros Townsend is banged in. Honestly, it seems like another case of lack of focus. The studio crew's Rebecca Lowe just remarked that Arsenal has not come back from being behind at halftime to win an away game in five years. Oh boy. Well, we're due, right?
...
Wrong. A too-easy goal from Cabaye, then a ridiculous penalty in the modern style as the Palace player knocked the ball past everyone and then made sure to kick Martinez's outstretched hands and flop. 3-0. I turned off the TV, then turned it back on. I deserve to see this, for actually believing we were going to win. What a chump. Flamini comes on in the last ten minutes for Palace, the final indignity. The rest of the game was garbage time, but Palace never switched off. Credit to them.
Where to start...Ozil was awful today. giving the ball away, refusing to shoot, lazy defense. Walcott was virtually anonymous--why does he start? But the real questions have to be asked of Wenger. Everyone in the world knew what Palace was going to do today. Our players should have been prepared and set up for it. They weren't. Palace could have had more, too; we were that bad. Their defense was organized, switched on, and energetic. Ours was pretty limp.
That's that for Champions' League. Frankly, we were piss-poor representatives for the EPL anyway. Let Liverpool and the Manchester clubs fight it out for the honor of being smashed by Bayern or Real in the knockout stages. St Totteringham retired weeks ago. If AFC was waiting for a good time to announce that Wenger is coming back, they can keep waiting. After this, the supporters will be in open revolt. How Wenger could think he was the guy to run this club now is beyond me. He's gone from footballing genius to deluded old man. The personnel should be good enough for a top four finish, or at least a decent run at it, but they are collapsing and if they finish in the top seven it will surprise me. Winning the FA Cup seems unlikely now; we're playing so much worse than everyone else.
I have the sound off for the NBC Sports studio yakkers. Enough. I'm sorry I watched this, really I am.
...
Wrong. A too-easy goal from Cabaye, then a ridiculous penalty in the modern style as the Palace player knocked the ball past everyone and then made sure to kick Martinez's outstretched hands and flop. 3-0. I turned off the TV, then turned it back on. I deserve to see this, for actually believing we were going to win. What a chump. Flamini comes on in the last ten minutes for Palace, the final indignity. The rest of the game was garbage time, but Palace never switched off. Credit to them.
Where to start...Ozil was awful today. giving the ball away, refusing to shoot, lazy defense. Walcott was virtually anonymous--why does he start? But the real questions have to be asked of Wenger. Everyone in the world knew what Palace was going to do today. Our players should have been prepared and set up for it. They weren't. Palace could have had more, too; we were that bad. Their defense was organized, switched on, and energetic. Ours was pretty limp.
That's that for Champions' League. Frankly, we were piss-poor representatives for the EPL anyway. Let Liverpool and the Manchester clubs fight it out for the honor of being smashed by Bayern or Real in the knockout stages. St Totteringham retired weeks ago. If AFC was waiting for a good time to announce that Wenger is coming back, they can keep waiting. After this, the supporters will be in open revolt. How Wenger could think he was the guy to run this club now is beyond me. He's gone from footballing genius to deluded old man. The personnel should be good enough for a top four finish, or at least a decent run at it, but they are collapsing and if they finish in the top seven it will surprise me. Winning the FA Cup seems unlikely now; we're playing so much worse than everyone else.
I have the sound off for the NBC Sports studio yakkers. Enough. I'm sorry I watched this, really I am.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Arsenal 3 - 0 West Ham
The Hammers were just what was needed to get us back to winning ways. West Ham started OK, but faded quickly in the first half and were quite fortunate to get into the locker room even at 0-0. Antonio was substituted for at the break and that was that for the threat from the visitors. Arsenal piled on the pressure--in truth it didn't require their best effort--and eventually were rewarded when a weak shot evaded Randolph and put the Gunners up a goal. Ten minutes later, nice work from Alexis and Ozil resulted in the latter's cutback to captain Walcott, who finished clinically into the lower left corner. Substitute Giroud made it 3-0 with a great curling shot from perhaps 20 yards and to the right of goal that ended up a foot inside the far post past the outstretched arms of Randolph. Ox set him up for this after running past a dispirited West Ham midfield.
The Hammers made almost every Gunner look good today. Emi Martinez was fine in goal. Gabriel and Mustafi handled everything that came their way; Andy Carroll in particular was toothless. Monreal was his usual great self, and Bellerin played good defense and should have had a goal. (I keep hoping he'll replicate that wonderful shot against Liverpool.) Elneny and Xhaka did well, not having had to deal with a Coutinho or Silva today, and Ozil seemed more interested than usual. Alexis could have had an assist or two had we finished better. Walcott scored and was involved more today than on the weekend, but then it's West Ham. Welbeck was disappointing; he was set up for a relatively easy goal but barely touched the lob.
Spuds won, Chelsea beat City, and Liverpool dropped two points at home to Bournemouth. United's draw yesterday means that we're in fifth on goal difference. We're four points out of fourth, with a game in hand. It's looking possible that we could qualify for Champions' League, but still less than even money; and I think we can finally say goodbye to St. Totteringham's Day.
The Hammers made almost every Gunner look good today. Emi Martinez was fine in goal. Gabriel and Mustafi handled everything that came their way; Andy Carroll in particular was toothless. Monreal was his usual great self, and Bellerin played good defense and should have had a goal. (I keep hoping he'll replicate that wonderful shot against Liverpool.) Elneny and Xhaka did well, not having had to deal with a Coutinho or Silva today, and Ozil seemed more interested than usual. Alexis could have had an assist or two had we finished better. Walcott scored and was involved more today than on the weekend, but then it's West Ham. Welbeck was disappointing; he was set up for a relatively easy goal but barely touched the lob.
Spuds won, Chelsea beat City, and Liverpool dropped two points at home to Bournemouth. United's draw yesterday means that we're in fifth on goal difference. We're four points out of fourth, with a game in hand. It's looking possible that we could qualify for Champions' League, but still less than even money; and I think we can finally say goodbye to St. Totteringham's Day.
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Arsenal 2 - 2 Manchester City
It is with foreboding that I approached this game. I was going to liveblog it, but I'm too nervous. See you later.
Halftime. My opinion is that Arsenal is lucky they're only one down. De Bruyne hit the post, Ospina made a smart save, and Koscielny made some important blocks and interceptions to save a goal. For us, it was an opportunity made because Clichy kept Walcott onside (he specialized in that for us too). That's not quite all, but close. Caballero had little to do. Our defending often seemed somewhere between desperate and naive. Mustafi is always taking himself out of position, and his daft header that created the Sane goal was typical. There will be a lot of focus on Ozil giving the ball away and then washing his hands of the whole defending thing before City's second goal, with good reason. He's done himself no favors with his uninterested play lately.
Oh, no--Kos was injured and Gabriel replaced him. We're fucking doomed. Later.
Wow, what a letoff. The two Germans who were most at fault in the first half combined to even things up on a corner early in the second. Mustafi's header from the very good corner (Ozil's set pieces were all good, I thought) earned us the point in the end, though City had the better of the play, no question. They had more chances. They had 56% possession, 15 shots to our 8, and 5 on target to our 3. Credit to Gabriel, who was solid. I am ashamed for doubting him--I just had flashbacks to what happened in both Munich games when we lost Kos.
Monreal was great. I love that guy. I have criticized Mustafi, but he had a hand in both of our goals. Kos was his usual wonderful self. I thought Bellerin was good. Xhaka and Coquelin put themselves in a box with early yellows. They did OK, but I expect more from two defensive midfield specialists; City had their own way in midfield. Ozil was a disappointment. Alexis had his usual flashes of brilliance, but they were all too far from the goal to mean anything. Walcott did very well at times, but he's not involved enough on offense or defense. Welbeck was easily marshaled up front, but that was not his fault. I thought he did his job. Giroud may have made a difference had he started; hard to say. Alexis may have been able to score were he up top too. Iwobi looked good when he came in.
Well, the bottom line is that this was not good enough. We need three points from every home game at least. Great game to watch for a neutral, but torture for me. We did not look real good, but it was nice to get some good fortune.
In a game I did not watch, DC United beat Philadelphia Uniion 2-1 for their first victory. Whew.
In the early game, my man Rudy Gestede missed a golden opportunity to be a Middlesbrough hero with a last-minute header.
Halftime. My opinion is that Arsenal is lucky they're only one down. De Bruyne hit the post, Ospina made a smart save, and Koscielny made some important blocks and interceptions to save a goal. For us, it was an opportunity made because Clichy kept Walcott onside (he specialized in that for us too). That's not quite all, but close. Caballero had little to do. Our defending often seemed somewhere between desperate and naive. Mustafi is always taking himself out of position, and his daft header that created the Sane goal was typical. There will be a lot of focus on Ozil giving the ball away and then washing his hands of the whole defending thing before City's second goal, with good reason. He's done himself no favors with his uninterested play lately.
Oh, no--Kos was injured and Gabriel replaced him. We're fucking doomed. Later.
Wow, what a letoff. The two Germans who were most at fault in the first half combined to even things up on a corner early in the second. Mustafi's header from the very good corner (Ozil's set pieces were all good, I thought) earned us the point in the end, though City had the better of the play, no question. They had more chances. They had 56% possession, 15 shots to our 8, and 5 on target to our 3. Credit to Gabriel, who was solid. I am ashamed for doubting him--I just had flashbacks to what happened in both Munich games when we lost Kos.
Monreal was great. I love that guy. I have criticized Mustafi, but he had a hand in both of our goals. Kos was his usual wonderful self. I thought Bellerin was good. Xhaka and Coquelin put themselves in a box with early yellows. They did OK, but I expect more from two defensive midfield specialists; City had their own way in midfield. Ozil was a disappointment. Alexis had his usual flashes of brilliance, but they were all too far from the goal to mean anything. Walcott did very well at times, but he's not involved enough on offense or defense. Welbeck was easily marshaled up front, but that was not his fault. I thought he did his job. Giroud may have made a difference had he started; hard to say. Alexis may have been able to score were he up top too. Iwobi looked good when he came in.
Well, the bottom line is that this was not good enough. We need three points from every home game at least. Great game to watch for a neutral, but torture for me. We did not look real good, but it was nice to get some good fortune.
In a game I did not watch, DC United beat Philadelphia Uniion 2-1 for their first victory. Whew.
In the early game, my man Rudy Gestede missed a golden opportunity to be a Middlesbrough hero with a last-minute header.
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