Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Arsenal 2 - 1 Chelsea (2-1 Aggregate, Carabao Cup)
With the away goals rule, any scoring draw through 120 minutes meant Chelsea advanced, so once Hazard waltzed through our central defense for a clear crack at goal with only Ospina to beat, it meant we needed two at least. The good news was their goal came so early. The better news was getting even so quickly afterwards. Nacho worked into a free header position and put it hard on goal. It would undoubtedly have been saved had it not taken a deflection, and in this case, it took two deflections off Chelsea defenders' heads to wrong foot Caballero. (The Chelsea keeper turned out to be the busier on the night; he made some fine saves later on.) My feeling was that we were outplayed most of the first half and were fortunate to be level.
The second half was another story. Wenger is often criticized (by me, anyway) for a lack of tactical acumen, particularly during the game. But he must have made some adjustments, because things got harder for the Blues on offense and we kept the ball for long periods. After Lacazette was sent into the channel he tried to cut it back for Iwobi, but that pass was blocked into open space in front of goal, where the far-advanced Xhaka expertly poked it home past a desperate Caballero. The rest of the half featured some very entertaining stuff, both teams threatening repeatedly, but the defenses were up to the challenge--barely--and it ended 2-1 to the good guys. I think it was deserved overall; we really did handle them in that second half.
Monreal was magnificent on offense and on defense. For stretches, Ozil managed to control the game virtually from the sideline; how does he do that? Jack was the midfield bite that kept Chelsea off balance, and he did keep taking the game to them. Lacazette did really really well. He came back on defense, won the ball when he had to, kept it when he had to. Solid. Xhaka was as usual too easy to get by on defense but he seemed not to give the ball away quite so much this game. Elneny was practically our third CB, and provided some sure passing where and when it was needed. Iwobi owned Moses when they were one on one, which I'm sure they will discuss in idle minutes when they train together for Nigeria. Mustafi was fine, and Kos was very good. Bellerin had a tough assignment with Marcus Alonso and not much help from Ozil, and he did well. Ospina never looked commanding but made the saves he had to. I was worried on every Chelsea corner, but after Willian had to be subbed out their corners were pretty poor, which is fortunate because they got a lot of them. Kolasinac and Ramsey came in late as fresh legs to shore up the defense, and it helped.
This was without Alexis, the cup-tied Mkhitaryan, or the still-in-Dortmund Aubameyang. And Wenger wasn't tempted to play Walcott because he's gone. Not to worry--we got almost as many offside calls as we would have had he been there. Neither team today looked as sharp as they did last weekend, but you have to consider the opposition then, and the competitiveness of this game three days later. Michael Oliver played his part by calling an excellent game.
I like our chances against City next month in the final. Yes, yes, they are the better team, and not by a little. But Wembley is like home to Arsenal and their record there is very good. I'll take an own goal and a penalty, please!
The second half was another story. Wenger is often criticized (by me, anyway) for a lack of tactical acumen, particularly during the game. But he must have made some adjustments, because things got harder for the Blues on offense and we kept the ball for long periods. After Lacazette was sent into the channel he tried to cut it back for Iwobi, but that pass was blocked into open space in front of goal, where the far-advanced Xhaka expertly poked it home past a desperate Caballero. The rest of the half featured some very entertaining stuff, both teams threatening repeatedly, but the defenses were up to the challenge--barely--and it ended 2-1 to the good guys. I think it was deserved overall; we really did handle them in that second half.
Monreal was magnificent on offense and on defense. For stretches, Ozil managed to control the game virtually from the sideline; how does he do that? Jack was the midfield bite that kept Chelsea off balance, and he did keep taking the game to them. Lacazette did really really well. He came back on defense, won the ball when he had to, kept it when he had to. Solid. Xhaka was as usual too easy to get by on defense but he seemed not to give the ball away quite so much this game. Elneny was practically our third CB, and provided some sure passing where and when it was needed. Iwobi owned Moses when they were one on one, which I'm sure they will discuss in idle minutes when they train together for Nigeria. Mustafi was fine, and Kos was very good. Bellerin had a tough assignment with Marcus Alonso and not much help from Ozil, and he did well. Ospina never looked commanding but made the saves he had to. I was worried on every Chelsea corner, but after Willian had to be subbed out their corners were pretty poor, which is fortunate because they got a lot of them. Kolasinac and Ramsey came in late as fresh legs to shore up the defense, and it helped.
This was without Alexis, the cup-tied Mkhitaryan, or the still-in-Dortmund Aubameyang. And Wenger wasn't tempted to play Walcott because he's gone. Not to worry--we got almost as many offside calls as we would have had he been there. Neither team today looked as sharp as they did last weekend, but you have to consider the opposition then, and the competitiveness of this game three days later. Michael Oliver played his part by calling an excellent game.
I like our chances against City next month in the final. Yes, yes, they are the better team, and not by a little. But Wembley is like home to Arsenal and their record there is very good. I'll take an own goal and a penalty, please!
Saturday, January 20, 2018
Arsenal 4 - 1 Crystal Palace
The Gunners blew an injury depleted Palace off the pitch in 22 minutes and then coasted to an easy win. No one should be lulled into thinking we solved any basic problems today. Palace was awful on the day, especially early, and even so they had their chances. They could have had more goals had Cech not been sharp. The goal was not his fault. We definitely missed Kos and Monreal; did Nacho actually get a goal and two assists in 15 minutes? The passing wasn't really crisp. Ozil and Jack did seem to work together well. Elneny stayed back and did his defensive job, but we still looked shaky after giveaways, of which there were way too many.
But Lacazette putting one in was fantastic, and it didn't hurt to see Iwobi stick one in either. Kos seems to specialize in bundling them over from close range. (I'll never forget his bicycle kick goal aganist Southampton last season, though.) What a crisp, definitive header from Monreal to start things off.
Well, this was three points we had to get. Burnley's loss means real separation between 6th (that's us) and 7th, so Europe looks like a good bet, if not ECL. But fourth seems out of reach. We'll give it a go on Wednesday in the 2nd leg of the League Cup semi, and there's no reason to think it won't be a close game.
Feeling better now? I am.
But Lacazette putting one in was fantastic, and it didn't hurt to see Iwobi stick one in either. Kos seems to specialize in bundling them over from close range. (I'll never forget his bicycle kick goal aganist Southampton last season, though.) What a crisp, definitive header from Monreal to start things off.
Well, this was three points we had to get. Burnley's loss means real separation between 6th (that's us) and 7th, so Europe looks like a good bet, if not ECL. But fourth seems out of reach. We'll give it a go on Wednesday in the 2nd leg of the League Cup semi, and there's no reason to think it won't be a close game.
Feeling better now? I am.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Transfer Crazy Time
Arsenal is on a fast slide into mid-table status. This is confirmed by the inevitable sale of Alexis--almost certainly to a rival (well, stronger) team--and the looming loss of Ozil in the summer if not sooner. Walcott needed to go for quite some time; Coquelin's was a loss I'm finding it hard to fathom given our problems at DM. Wilshere is being low-balled in his contract in typical Arsenal fashion, meaning he is probably wondering why the hell he's being taken for granted in a position we're not exactly strong in. Aubameyang is a good player, and so is Mkhitarian. I hope we get Malcom.
Does anyone think the new team will be an improvement on what we had a month ago? Our disorganized, tactically daft formations will continue. Our defenders aren't going to get healthy instantaneously. Mustafi seems to get worse every month; Cech is getting old and showing it. There's enough talent in there to probably pip Burnley to sixth place, but the chances of catching Liverpool, Tottenham, or Chelsea are so remote as not to be worth contemplating.
I'm convinced that the players respect Wenger as a man but not as a coach. Why should they? Even they must see how he's playing people out of position and frequently is very slow on the draw when a change has to be made. They're not being properly prepared or organized. It's a shambles.
The situation could be improved, but I don't think it will be. We're here because we have an owner who simply doesn't give a shit about the success of his teams, in any sport. He's doing what good businessmen do: make money. This is not a hobby for him. Okay, that explains why we're behind City and Chelsea, but if you want to see a well-run club, look no farther than Tottenham. They're doing it right, as we used to do. They haven't won anything in ages, but they're on the way up, and are clearly the better team at this time, with better prospects for the future. They'll lose some stars, but they'll get Gareth Bale type money for Kane and spend it wisely.
I hope we do well in the cup competitions we haven't been dumped out of so far. An unlikely Europa League championship would be a ticket back to the ECL and a potential draw for more recruits this summer if Stan opens his wallet (don't bet on that). But I'm seeing an extended period of Spursiness in our future. Even the guy they get to replace Wenger (he has to go, right?) won't change that. I can live with it; I have to. The upside is they don't televise mid-table teams as much and I'll be spared some suffering.
Does anyone think the new team will be an improvement on what we had a month ago? Our disorganized, tactically daft formations will continue. Our defenders aren't going to get healthy instantaneously. Mustafi seems to get worse every month; Cech is getting old and showing it. There's enough talent in there to probably pip Burnley to sixth place, but the chances of catching Liverpool, Tottenham, or Chelsea are so remote as not to be worth contemplating.
I'm convinced that the players respect Wenger as a man but not as a coach. Why should they? Even they must see how he's playing people out of position and frequently is very slow on the draw when a change has to be made. They're not being properly prepared or organized. It's a shambles.
The situation could be improved, but I don't think it will be. We're here because we have an owner who simply doesn't give a shit about the success of his teams, in any sport. He's doing what good businessmen do: make money. This is not a hobby for him. Okay, that explains why we're behind City and Chelsea, but if you want to see a well-run club, look no farther than Tottenham. They're doing it right, as we used to do. They haven't won anything in ages, but they're on the way up, and are clearly the better team at this time, with better prospects for the future. They'll lose some stars, but they'll get Gareth Bale type money for Kane and spend it wisely.
I hope we do well in the cup competitions we haven't been dumped out of so far. An unlikely Europa League championship would be a ticket back to the ECL and a potential draw for more recruits this summer if Stan opens his wallet (don't bet on that). But I'm seeing an extended period of Spursiness in our future. Even the guy they get to replace Wenger (he has to go, right?) won't change that. I can live with it; I have to. The upside is they don't televise mid-table teams as much and I'll be spared some suffering.
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Bournemouth 2 - 1 Arsenal
Why do I watch these things? Arsenal did not deserve anything from this game. At the back, we miss Koscielny and Monreal terribly. Well, we will have to get used to life without them. Up front, we were borderline pathetic. Overall, it's organization where we continually fall short, and that is on Wenger. Mid-table for a few years, I guess. We're not a big team anymore. Big club, sure, but one that's not in a good patch. This was not a good Bournemouth team, and they weren't playing terribly well. We were lucky to score at all.
When Walcott is brought on, it's over. All he contributes these days is offsides calls. His potential transfer fee (no one should want him) drops a million pounds every time he plays.
We're still in two cup competitions, but we are so bad now that it's hard to see how we should be winning anything.
When Walcott is brought on, it's over. All he contributes these days is offsides calls. His potential transfer fee (no one should want him) drops a million pounds every time he plays.
We're still in two cup competitions, but we are so bad now that it's hard to see how we should be winning anything.
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Chelsea 0 - 0 Arsenal (Carabao Cup semi, 1st leg)
It was an entertaining if poorly played game, and I was happy with the result. We never looked like scoring, so it was well done to limit Chelsea to a bunch of half-chances that could be saved or blocked without a lot of drama. The second leg will be a struggle, and I hope we get Kos and Aaron back at least. A few random comments:
I still really like Iwobi. He seemed more fit this time for the entire 90. He's got great technical skill and a good work ethic. Decision making needs work, and his finishing is just awful.
Welbeck is not Dat Guy.
Ospina and the back three were pretty solid today.
I'm more impressed with AMN every time I see him. If Sead (or Monreal) becomes fit, why not try AMN as a DM?
Poor Jack. Let's hope he's not seriously injured. He's a real asset in midfield.
Say what you will about Alexis, but he's all action. He isn't playing like a guy who's a wantaway on the way out, although of course he is.
Elneny is a good guy to have on the bench. He takes care of the ball and understands the game, adjusting to the situation. But he doesn't provide anything going forward, and he's not fast enough to be any better at protecting the back line than Xhaka is.
No complaints about Lacazette. He just isn't getting service.
I still really like Iwobi. He seemed more fit this time for the entire 90. He's got great technical skill and a good work ethic. Decision making needs work, and his finishing is just awful.
Welbeck is not Dat Guy.
Ospina and the back three were pretty solid today.
I'm more impressed with AMN every time I see him. If Sead (or Monreal) becomes fit, why not try AMN as a DM?
Poor Jack. Let's hope he's not seriously injured. He's a real asset in midfield.
Say what you will about Alexis, but he's all action. He isn't playing like a guy who's a wantaway on the way out, although of course he is.
Elneny is a good guy to have on the bench. He takes care of the ball and understands the game, adjusting to the situation. But he doesn't provide anything going forward, and he's not fast enough to be any better at protecting the back line than Xhaka is.
No complaints about Lacazette. He just isn't getting service.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Nottingham Forest 4 - 2 Arsenal
Complain all you like about several decisions that didn't go our way; Forest deserved this win. Team selection sealed our doom in this match. I'm not going to bother running through the lineup and pointing out the obvious errors. Wenger thought this crew would be enough to see off a troubled Championship side that has been in poor form, but he was very wrong. We were outplayed.
I will opine that we should have expected more from Walcott, Welbeck, and Iwobi. I was bitterly disappointed in Holding, who was pretty bad all game. I see now why Wenger isn't playing him. What does Nketiah have to do to get a start?
Well, this is one more contest we've bowed out of. The league is out of sight, and I'm sure Chelsea will end our Carabao Cup run--and if our current form is any indication, decisively. I'd say we should be concentrating on Europa League, but I don't think we're playing well enough to win that either.
Stan Kroenke was on hand as his Los Angeles Rams were eliminated by the Atlanta Falcons yesterday in LA. How proud he must be.
I will opine that we should have expected more from Walcott, Welbeck, and Iwobi. I was bitterly disappointed in Holding, who was pretty bad all game. I see now why Wenger isn't playing him. What does Nketiah have to do to get a start?
Well, this is one more contest we've bowed out of. The league is out of sight, and I'm sure Chelsea will end our Carabao Cup run--and if our current form is any indication, decisively. I'd say we should be concentrating on Europa League, but I don't think we're playing well enough to win that either.
Stan Kroenke was on hand as his Los Angeles Rams were eliminated by the Atlanta Falcons yesterday in LA. How proud he must be.
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Arsenal 2 - 2 Chelsea
Entertainingly frustrating. I've been asking "What's wrong with Rob Holding?" when we needed a replacement at CB, and I guess I got my answer today. He wasn't bad, and was better than Chambers, but Kos and Nacho are greatly missed.
Sorry, but if Hazard gets a PK for flopping after getting kicked on the foot (and I don't necessarily disagree with that decision), why didn't Maitland-Niles get one for being tripped? I do wish Wenger would stop whinging about the calls. I don't see how it helps, and he's paid to do and say things that help the club.
Fair result, but we have to start winning games if we have any hope of a top four finish. I'm not seeing it now. This is still an exciting team to support and watch, even if we're not quite Champions' League material.
I have no expectations for a transfer window coup. I just hope we get resolution on Jack, Ozil, and Sanchez. Just like last season (with Wenger), indecision is killing us.
On current form, I expect Chelsea to take the semifinal of the League Cup. but you never know. If I had my way, we'd focus on Europa League as the best way to get into the CL (not that I expect much from us in that competition next season), and take the FA Cup seriously too. I think we'll pick up enough points off the teams lower in the table to keep 6th place, but lose enough to prevent us climbing any higher. But maybe we'll find the form that's eluded us for most of this season, or a couple of the other big clubs will fold.
Sorry, but if Hazard gets a PK for flopping after getting kicked on the foot (and I don't necessarily disagree with that decision), why didn't Maitland-Niles get one for being tripped? I do wish Wenger would stop whinging about the calls. I don't see how it helps, and he's paid to do and say things that help the club.
Fair result, but we have to start winning games if we have any hope of a top four finish. I'm not seeing it now. This is still an exciting team to support and watch, even if we're not quite Champions' League material.
I have no expectations for a transfer window coup. I just hope we get resolution on Jack, Ozil, and Sanchez. Just like last season (with Wenger), indecision is killing us.
On current form, I expect Chelsea to take the semifinal of the League Cup. but you never know. If I had my way, we'd focus on Europa League as the best way to get into the CL (not that I expect much from us in that competition next season), and take the FA Cup seriously too. I think we'll pick up enough points off the teams lower in the table to keep 6th place, but lose enough to prevent us climbing any higher. But maybe we'll find the form that's eluded us for most of this season, or a couple of the other big clubs will fold.
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