Saturday, February 18, 2023

AVL 2 - 4 ARS

 First half:

Arsenal was cut apart twice after elementary errors by their fullbacks.  Their goal was due to a Villa error.  The strikes were all very good, but it was a sloppy game and Arsenal is playing themselves right out of the title chase.  I like what we're trying to do, but it's clear now that we are no longer able to do it with any regularity.  Teams know the formula:  lots of fouls to slow us down, defense stoutly, and wait for us to overcommit and lose the ball--then counter.  I'm not thinking that we're going to break Villa down twice.  I hope I'm wrong.  Everyone thinks they can beat us now, and they are doing it.

Second half:

Villa had their chances, but Arsenal dominated proceedings.  Zinchenko made up for his error on the first goal with a superb strike to make it 2-2.  There it sat, despite golden opportunities for both sides, until Jorginho blasted one off the underside of the crossbar and onto Emi Martinez's head and into the goal three minutes into extra time.  When Martinez came up for a corner, it gave us the chance to score an empty net goal, which Martinelli did with the last kick of the game.  Glorious result, made more impactful by City's somehow failing to beat Forest two hours later.  

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