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.
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
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.
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