Morning all.
As suggested last night, that old ‘game of two halves’ cliche was seldom more appropriate than after our match against Chelsea. We really didn’t start well at all and once Hazard put the visitors ahead quite early in the game, I feared a glut of goals might follow but instead, we were soon level after a header from Nacho Monreal found its way into the back of the net. Not without a bit of assistance from Alonso and then Rudiger I hasten to add. Hilarious but that wasn’t the end of our good fortune, just as it wasn’t the end of a bad night for Rudiger either as when Lacazette crossed the ball from our right, a deflection off the big defender sent the ball into the path of Granit Xhaka who finished very striker like. 2-1 and that’s how the score remained and off we go to Wembley next month to face Man City. A totally different proposition to Chelsea.
For all the money the West London club have spent on flashy players over the years, they simply can’t move away from cheating can they? Either that or systematically fouling our players. Kante, Bakayoko, Rudiger and Moses were all lucky to get away with some of their rough stuff and yes, I know we committed a few fouls too, but none were nasty unlike some of the stuff Wilshere, Iwobi and Ozil had to endure. Jack on Barkley was perhaps the worst but even he didn’t make much, if any contact. And why wasn’t Hazard booked for trying to con Michael Oliver into giving his side a free kick just outside the box when he tripped over what must have been the only blade of grass missed by the groundsman and his mower? For once though, a cheating Chelsea side didn’t prosper.
At 2-1 though, I thought we needed a third goal, especially as away goals would come into play after extra time had it been required. My mind drifted back to 2004 and Wayne Bridge, albeit in a bigger competition but regardless, a chance to get to another Wembley Final wasn’t to be sniffed at, not now we’d come this far and we really should have got it. A lovely move by us saw the ball end up with Mesut Ozil out on the right. He looked up to see Iwobi free in the middle of the penalty area in acres of space. Ozil played the perfect ball across the box and all Iwobi had to do was hit his shot either side of Caballero. If only Lacazette had been the man in the middle eh.
Both sides had other chances throughout the ninety minutes, perhaps the best going to us in the end, but two goals turned out to be enough. What was refreshing though was even with just the one goal between the two sides, we didn’t look like we were going to concede, unlike so many other times this season and seasons before. Elneny dropped further and further back as the second half went on and to be honest, I thought he did well.
As did our left back Nacho Monreal who deserved his man of the match award after the match was won.
Thierry Henry:
Monreal was everywhere tonight. To be able to give that sense of drive that he had and commitment as a left-back, that was amazing. It’s contagious when you see a guy fighting on the field. We were expecting other to stand up, but he was the man and played a part in the equaliser.”
As said, we started poorly but as the game went on we improved so all in all a good night for the club..
Next up for us is a trip to Swansea next Tuesday when we might get to see new man Mkhitaryan make his debut. Who knows, Aubameyang might be with us by then too, as might Jonny Evans or Abdou Diallo, both of whom continue to be linked with a move to North London.
Whisper it quietly, Diallo has been known to play in the defensive midfield position.. No idea if he’s any good though but being a defender, at least he should know how to defend.
Have a good day guys, enjoy the victory last night as you never know when the next one is coming…
“Monreal was everywhere tonight. To be able to give that sense of drive that he had and commitment as a left-back, that was amazing. It’s contagious when you see a guy fighting on the field. We were expecting other to stand up, but he was the man and played a part in the equaliser.”
Imagine if we had a DM replicating Monreal’s work ethic…
We did lee just didn’t appreciate him. Coquelin was a beast alongside santi. He played out of his skin but as soon as santi got injured he lost his way. Great game by the way. It seems we have Chelsea’s number lately. Just like in the old days. COYGS
Oh my bad morning lee?
No worries Stan. Sunny here in London town, how’s Arnhem?
I love Arnhem. All those cyclists!
Beautiful day here too lee. Just had a cuppa. Hey Adam cyclists huh? I know what you mean?
Goonster. How goes it Stan?
Apparently mahrez was spotted at the EMs last night. Do you think auba is a just a distraction, a ploy just to get mahrez??? Mahrez or aubameyang??? Oh God maybe we ‘ll get both??? Hey Adam I need a tissue and a tube of vaseline. I feel a wank of epic proportions coming????
That’s a riveting image Stan. I shall carry it with me through the day. 🙂
Adam?????crazy old goat. Hahahahahaha
Were you at the game last night adam??? Heard the EMs was packed to the rafters. That’s a good sign. About time says I
Funnily enough I felt totally relaxed watching the game yesterday evening, almost in a state of complete karma.
Monreal was superb, Elneny did a great job while the partnership between Mesut and Jack is developing nicely, it would be wonderful to see it continue for a few more years.
Lacazette did some great work, you think he’s about to be dispossessed but he holds onto the ball like a limpet, one of his performances in an Arsenal shirt.
Afternoon all and thanks Rico.
Southern Oilers got what they deserved………nothing !.
Beautifull day here so going to do some stone walling and landscaping !
Will leave you with Nachos goal !
https://twitter.com/gemilangfadli/status/956309236056604672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Farsenalarsenal.net%2F2018%2F01%2F24%2Fchelsea-pre-match-ozils-night%2F
It seems that twitter is full of people criticising Lacazette for not being quick enough on the break.
He is a player that runs off the shoulder of defenders but at the moment is spending more time out of the area than in it. Give him a chance in the box and he is quite lethal, ask him to play on the wing he is not .
Afternoon all1
good victory!
João Mário (Inter) West Ham?
Stan. I wasn’t there last night but I watched it with Mrs A and Kev,
Did the machine make an appearance Brudder?
It did Brudder. 🙂
How was Brudder AK47?
Auba deal is looking unlikely. Arsenal penny pinching again. Dortmund might be forced to sell to a different club. Heck we might get gazzumped. Get it done sven. Don’t let us down.
It was super Brudder.
Afternoon guys.
10.46 Goonie, you do have a way with words… 🙁
Kev, agree re Elneny. I know he gets a lot of criticism but I thought last night he was smart and good.
Jack said a short while ago that he wants to build a strong playing relationship with Ozil so hopefully Ozil feels the same. In his current form, I’d be sad if Ozil left. Just hope he doesn’t go back to how he was if he signs a new contract..
Am sorry Rico just chuffed that’s all. My apologies but it’s looking ominous now. We might not get him after all. Arsenal dithering again. Bummed out maam.
It’s not fallen through just yet Goonster, Dortmund are obviously trying to rinse us for as much as they can…
Well why not just pay the asking price and move on. God in heaven it took man city a day to do the laporte deal. Why do we always act like a poor club. We ‘re the second richest club in England ffs. Am sick of it rico.
Trouble is goonie, we don’t know what’s going on other than snippets from the media and who’s to say they are facts?
Mourinho has extended his contract, good. I hope he ruins them..
I know Rico but sven and gazidis has been in Germany for almost a week now. Still doing diddly squat. No matter who we employ we are still slow out of the blocks. It’s 6 days till the end of the transfer window Rico 6 fucking days.
Is that a fact rico??? Maureen extended??? Cool which means aleggri might still come to the EMs then. Good times.?
What will Be will be goonie, nompoint in stressing off the back of media spin.
Yep, 2020, if he lasts that long…
Just hope you ‘re right Rico. If we loose Sanchez and only replace him with mhki there’s going to be hell to pay. They need to get this done pronto.
Not just him Goonie, a defender/Cdm too.
According to SS’s, it’s Girouds fault that we haven’t snapped up Aubameyang yet..
We ‘ll probably get Evans but a dm??? I doubt it. Wenger doesn’t believe in dms anymore coquelin was just sheer luck. He hasn’t signed a dm since diarra even then he didn’t play him so we lost him to Portsmouth. Oh well just get it done already it’s 6 days to the end of the window.
Rico if giroud don’t want to move then why not just pay the asking price. Besides it’s in giroud’s best Interest to move this window if he wants to make the French team to the world cup. I don’t believe say sports on this one ma’am. It’s arsenal dragging their feet only to announce after the window to say “Oh we tried but no one was available ” where have we heard that before? Twats.
Unless we are serious about the French Dm/ch goonie…
I beg to differ re Aubameyang- Dortmund are trying it on I reckon..
But no one else is linking us with him. I think I only saw it on metro and we both know they are shit when it comes to transfers.
Just hope you ‘re right about aubameyang cause I don’t want benzema anywhere near my team.
I know that re the Metro. I read in on Ss’s I think and The Mail. Only six days to know for sure eh… lol
If we get a dm plus mhki auba and Evans then that’s the best window since 2006!!!
Agree there, although I’ve no idea what the French guy is like..
But knowing arsenal that’s a dream too far. I won’t hold my breath Rico. I ‘ll believe it when I see it.
Best way..
Catch you tomorrow Goonster, I’m off for a bit of TV..
Night to you and all..
Night rico
Morning all.
New post up now.