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.
**************************************
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.
**************************************
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.
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