Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi were again left at home again. Both have been given a chance by Mikel Arteta but it seems they’ve blown it. I admired Unai Emery when he dropped Mesut from a great height because his style of play wasn’t working for the Spaniard and now it seems as if our second Spanish head coach feels the same. I’m guessing of course but if our super rich German doesn’t make for squad for our next fixture which is at home, then perhaps the writing is on the wall. Same with Guendouzi.
The game itself was not good. With players being fouled every few minutes, there was no flow to it. For Arsenal their were five changes from the team which beat Southampton, changes we knew were coming, just not who would miss out.
Our goal came after a foul on Lacazette just inside the box. Pepe stepped up, a couple of paces and bang. Job done. 1-0 to The Arsenal.
Sheffield Utd caused us all sorts of problems, much of which came down our right. We struggled with their set pieces that’s for sure but despite them finding the back of the net twice, neither counted. Both rightly given offside. The defending on each though is a great cause for concern.
After the break, the home side stepped up their game. Well, they had more spring in their step and certainly didn’t hold back in terms of physicality. I bet their wasn’t a single person watching the game who didn’t think an equaliser was coming. It was, it did. A long throw into the box, Kolasinac swung his boot at the ball, his clearance hit Mustafi and the loose the ball was sent flying past Emi Martinez by McGoldrick.
My thought then was that we’d be lucky to hang on and take the game into extra time but I was wrong. Dani Ceballos made sure of that.
As said, the game wasn’t the best, the performance from Arsenal wasn’t good either because individually, errors are being made. The group doesn’t look whole, it looks fragmented without a natural flow from front to back, nor back to front. But this isn’t something new, it’s been present in Arsenal teams for a long time. So long, it’s almost become the norm. So long, it’s not leaving the squad anytime soon in my opinion.
We can moan about team selections, tactics etc all we like but as I said the other day, probably twelve months ago too when Unai Emery was struggling, this squad is made of players who are either not good enough to get Arsenal back to being a top four club, divisive or are relatively inexperienced. Plus, they’re fragile, mentally.
Bearing in mind we were beaten at Bramall Lane earlier in the season and held to a 1-1 draw at The Emirates not that long ago, on both occasions with a stronger team than the one Mikel Arteta fielded yesterday, it’s great to have come away with a place in the FA Cup semi-final secured. Man City will be difficult opponents but we said that back in 2017.
Mikel Arteta was pretty upbeat after the game:
“I think the players deserved the win with the way they fought today, their attitude and, for some moments, the way we played as well. We know how difficult it is to win here. After the equaliser, the reaction… I really like it from the team so I’m really pleased today.
“I never fault the effort of the players. I think the way they are applying themselves is superb. You have to only see our front players, how they go to the pressing for every single ball. I’m really happy with that.
“We are back at Wembley, the history of this football club with this competition… it’s going to be very different [with no fans] but it’s still a great occasion to play a semi-final and we are delighted to go through.”
I thought Martinez had another good game, Tierney too and although he can frustrate at times, AMN had a much better game. Pepe, well I just think next season we’ll get to see why we signed him.
As for Mikel Arteta, well I wouldn’t want to player poker against him…
See you in the comments guys.
** Rumours are rife in NN and Twitter which suggest Folarin Balogun has rejected the offer of a contract extension at Arsenal which means his name can be added to Aubameyang, Mustafi, Saka and Ozil who can all leave for free in twelve months time.
Not good news to read on a Monday morning. Why though, that’s what we fans need to know. Not the older players but the two very talented youngsters.
Thanks Rico.
I always seem to put up a comment just before a new post! hahaha
After 4 away games on the trot it will be great for the team to finally play in front of their own cardboard cut out fans!
Norwich are a mostly young team. but their ageing wing backs Charles Charlie Charles Potter and Jamie Jimmy James Cicero push their average age upto 104!
No doubt to me Lady Luck was on our side and if we are going to reach a final and win it we are going to need Lady Luck and her identical sisters!…………..how many has she ?……….dont know, but the more the better as we are going to need them!
Good morning Rico.
As you correctly say most of our problems came down our right side, hardly surprising when we were playing with two left backs and a left wingback, and were relying on a midfielder and a right winger to cover that flank.
The football authorities have at last reacted to the appalling behaviour of Liverpool fans celebrating their teams Premiership trophy win. They have threatened the club with having to play at neutral venues instead of Anfield. They should go much further and deduct sufficient points to deny them The Premiership and ban all home games for next season.
I wouldn’t say Lady Luck was on our side Lc, the two offside decisions were clear and we’ve seen many chalked off the same way. You score, you win. Simple.
We really need City to be thinking about the Champions League in a big way when we face them at Wembley. Hopefully Torreira and Soares will be fit too.
Is Sorearse any good?………………….still waiting to see! 🙂
Morning Cicero. Indeed but I understand why Arteta is chopping and changing.
They’ll never do that with Liverpool but maybe a points deduction for next season although how the club are expected to control their fans I don’t know. Idiots will be idiots regardless of what club they support.
He’s been training well apparently Lc. 😂
I reckon City could rest all their players who played yesterday and still beat us……………….I think they had about 99% possession! hahaha
Rico, talking of training well, I read something by one of the ex-players and I cant remember which one, but he said that some players in training are like world beaters, but when they walk on a pitch with a stadium full of fans it all disappears!
Recently Lc?
Morning all.
Two wins in a row.
They were needed.
Forget Citeh and the cup for now imo-who’s next?
Let’s hope we get on a roll.
Norwich at home, Scott, on Wednesday with Mike Dean on var 😳
I agree with everything you said about passing out from the back. We’re not the greatest under pressure at the best of times!! So I don’t know why we persist with it… Martinez’s distribution is pretty damn good, so stop sodding about and get rid of the bloody thing 😂
Hi Rico, great post, ta very much!!
After we’d won, someone on Twitter said Always nice to see a giant killing!! Bloody cheek!! 😂
We needed that, big time, so confidence will be on the up!!
Another date with City… I think we should get KDB on the lasagne, as let’s face it, he’s the one that does the damage!! 🤣
Let’s hope we finish the season on a high…👍
Funny isn’t it, this playing out from the back, I’m not a huge fan but realise it’s modern day football, however this is the only period of time when I’ve thought we look ok.
You’re right Scott, Martinez kicks very well. So did their keeper, once. 😂
Also, that is really disappointing about Balogun…
Rico.. On Netflix, have you watched that movie – Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga? Omg it’s mental… I honestly thought at one point I was tripping 🤣🤣
Hi Sue, thanks. Scrappy wins will do for now imo but next season is when Arteta needs to show what he’s made of I reckon. If the board don’t hang him out to dry as far as signings go. Just a midfielder or two would make a difference I reckon.
Then replace who goes, either in the window or internally.
Rico, we did it quite well, but again, for me it’s risk v reward.
I don’t think the benefits are worth it.
Really disappointed with Balogun and I’m hoping it’s not true or he changes his mind. . What is it with Arsenal and bloody contracts? Show some ambition and these guys might want to stay.
Doesn’t sound my cup of tea Sue. I’ve been watching Dark, it’s weird but good.
Scott, that’s because of the lack of movement ahead of our defence I reckon. The defence, midfield and attacking players aren’t as one. Until they are, if ever they are, little will change imo.
To me it seems like every player is playing their own game much of the time.
Fancy threatening Liverpool with neutral venues! Wow, is that it?! Now they’re won it (😫) I’m surprised the season hasn’t been cancelled!!
Believe me it wasn’t my cup of tea, I’m not into Eurovision at all… Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams are in it. Just had to see if it was as bad as all the reviews said it was 🤪
Dark? Will have a butchers 😉
Rico, when the opposition strikers are 10 yards away, why make a pass to a fullback who’ll be under immediate pressure??
On occasions what you’re saying is correct, but on others, it’s just suicidal, or at least damn dangerous imo.
Pick the in times to do it, and the times to be safe.
Yes, recently, Rico.
Fcuk anything Eurovision, Sue!………………….the real thing is like a lingering slow death, I`d only wish it on Spud fans!
I`m on the last season of Sons of Anarchy and watching Love Island Australia there was this guy on there and I thought he was the spitting image of Jackson Teller, he turns around and he has a SoA tattoo across his back and is a Stripper who goes by the name of Jaxon!
The Balogun rumour is from Ornstein,so he`s probably gone unless Ornstein say other!
I don’t mind Eurovision Contest Sue, the good old days when Cliff represented us, Brother Hood of Man etc.. lol
Let’s hope we include a buy back clause this time then!!
Good old boogie in your living room then, Rico 😉😄
Scott, I did say I’m not a fan of it.. 😜
I`ve been on Facebook quiet a while now and I really am Billy No Mates!
I have only 28 friends and one of those is my dead brother!
Most are family and funnily (or not) a lot of the women are church going bible bashers and guess what?…….they reguarly put up the shock emojis on my comments! hahaha
They are family though and if they want to believe in someone who lives on a fluffy cloud then that`s ok and as I once told them………… I used to be a regular church goer myself and only stopped once the leadm run out on the roof!
As I say only 28 fb friends but I believe in quality of quantity!
Gee even I don’t get Aussies being in Eurovision.
Absolutely Sue. To both of your comments. Lol
Rico, it scares me to death lol
LC, add me and I’ll improve your FB experience hahahahahahahahaha
Zuckerberg just loves me 🙂
Well there’s an offer you can’t refuse, Le Coq 😝
With regards to Balogun, it looks like any deal will be certain to include a ‘hefty sell-on clause’
I think I`ll keep with the quality thing, Scott! 😆
😆 😆
Went into Iceland and asked for an interview and hey presto got one on Wednesday!………………..they cant see the face, incredible body and bed charming humour in on line applications!……………………all for 12 contracted hours! 😆
Mmmm…………..just had some Covid-19 Potatoe Wedges!………they will give you respiratory failure……….you would have to build up your immune system before eating my wedges …………like a pre-season training of gargling molten lava!…………………..think I told you just sniffing one made my daughter cry!……………………delish!
Now that Leicester are in lockdown again, I wonder if our fixture against them will be off if things stay as they are now…
LC, you don’t know quality 🙂
New post up.