Morning all.
Playing against a team which packs the defence is always going to make for a less entertaining match but what else did we expect from a team like Vorskla. Had they arrived at The Emirates and attacked us from the start, I strongly suspect they’d have soon be trailing, instead they managed to keep the scoreline at 0-0 for most of the first half. It was down to us to find a breakthrough but as we’ve seen far to often over previous years, we huffed and puffed a bit.
Their aim was probably been to shut up shop and hope they have a chance to hit us on the break. The way they defended made it difficult and the first half was a bit of a slow affair. A frustrating affair. Eventually a goal came. A good one it was too. Perhaps Mkhitaryan was a bit cheeky and encouraged the Vorskla player but he got it anyway, then ran with it. A pass to Iwobi on the left who into delivered a lovely weighted ball across the box and into the path of Aubameyang who took his chance. From then it really was one way traffic.
Iwobi then had a shot of his own, high over the bar it sailed, Auba his the post before Torreira tried a cheeky free kick which hit the outside of the net. It just needed another inch in its bend and we’d have had a 2-0 lead.The first half saw a couple of nasty and worrying for our little Uruguayan. A nasty tackle followed by a horrid fall.
He came out for the second half though and no sooner had the game restarted, we were 2-0 up thanks to Welbeck. 3-0 and then 4-0 after Ozil and Aubameyang both grabbed goals which reflected the way the game was going. It was all a bit easy, too easy but then sloppiness set in. First Lichtsteiner couldn’t get the ball away inside the box which ended up being fired past Leno and then just a second before the final whistle blew, Vorskla scored a second after Arsenal players appeared to have switched off. I thought the changes Emery made changed the way Arsenal played. We’d lost our little midfield General, Auba’s pace up front had gone and Ozil, well as good a player he might be, he slowed everything down. Guendozi looked very good but his game was focussed on getting forward and making something happen. Personally, I think he’s the kind of player who should play with Torreira, not in place of. And here’s something I thought I’d never write, when Iwobi was subbed, we missed him. I know the opposition wasn’t the strongest, but in my opinion, he had a really good game.
Ok, it didn’t matter as we’d won with ease but it does matter. It matters a lot. We should have kept a clean sheet and would have but for the complacency which had set in, certainly for their second. We’d been messing around with the ball, trying to be too cool and clever but got caught out. I hope Emery gave them all a rollicking after the game.
As the Spaniard said in his post match interview, they have to concentrate for ninety minutes and had they done so, we might have managed to keep the first clean sheet of the season. Instead, Leno conceded two, or that’s how the newspapers portray it. Not good enough to oust Petr Cech said Keown although how he can suggest that after one game I’m not entirely sure. No more than Leno should be judged for the two goals as neither were his fault. I know Vorskla didn’t put the kind of pressure on our defence as teams in the league do when we’re trying to play out from the back but on the odd occasion they did, no mistakes were made. No panic and no fuss which is what we criticise Cech for so Emery has a decision to make before Sunday.
Anyway, our Europa campaign is off to a good start, now it’s back to the domestic game for a couple of weeks.
See you in the comments…
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Good morning Rico. Cut and pasted from the end of yesteday’s post
An encouraging win last night. The four goals scored will be a confidence boost for Aubameyang and Ozil while Welbeck, finally getting the ball in the net, will also be relieved to have got the ball in the net.
It’s hard to judge Leno’s performance on the little evidence available, he had no chance with either of the two late goals conceded, but looked somewhat calmer with the ball at his feet than has done Cech lately.
Lichtsteiner, up to the dither point, impressed me with his no nonsense approach to defending, willing to actually put in a tackle and win the ball he also looks good going forward.
Sokratis gets better with every game, another defender with the ability to tackle effectively and is calm on the ball.
Torreira and Elneny seemed to have developed an understanding and looked good in partnership dominating the midfield.
I’m with Rico in respect to Guendouzi, a joy to watch and he plays with a freedom of spirit that bodes well for the future.
From an Arsenal point of view the one black spot on the match was the last ten minutes of headless chicken attacking which left the defence exposed and thus led to the conceding of two late goals. Unai Emery will not be pleased with that.
Right, it’s a lovely morning, off for a three miler around Bayfield estate followed by lunch at the Three Swallows in Cley-next-the Sea
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Morning Cicero.
And I’m with you re Sokratis. A slow starter but he’s improving now and looks the leader in our defensive pack. Agree re Elneny and Torreira too. It seems Torreira is key to our midfield just as Sokratis is now looking like he might be key to our defence.
A solid 60 mins, then it all went a bit crazy with too many wanting to get on the score-sheet.
Yesterday game was OK but for those late goals by Vorstla, especially the one that came in the injury time .Arsenal should stop conceding goals at the death, just like in the Newcastle game. Because such goals could be a late equalizer or even a late winning goal against us. Emery need to drill our boys to keep over ninety minutes concentration. Those two late goals by Vorstla took the shine off the game, especially as they don’t deserve to score any. All in all ,it was a nice game to watch .Players like Torrera, Socrates ,Aubermeyang and Iwobi really made my day. Next up is Everton on Sunday in the league. Let’s decimate them and may be keep a clean sheet for once. COYG.
I got a bit bored in the first half. But Auba’s goal woke me up, as it did the players I think.
Lacazette was hilarious, I thought he was going to end up on the ground. Chilled or what..
Morning Rico and all. Personally I thought it was a poor game played in front of a small crowd. Arsenal fans are not convinced by what they are seeing so far. Oh and Martin Keown is fast becoming extremely irritating with his lust for money and fame as a footballing pundit far exceeding his abilities. His pronouncements on Leno are daft.
Morning Adam. As much as we have a few really good individual players, I don’t see a lot of difference in the way we play than we did under Wenger.
Perhaps that’ll change after a couple more transfer windows.
Rico. I agree. We are still very much a team of two halves searching for the right balance. Perhaps Emery will sort it after he’s made the right changes. Do you think Ramsey will leave in January and/or Danny?
I’d like to think they will Adam if neither are going to sign a new contract.
Rico. I agree.
Evening all and thanks Rico.
U23`s Vs Bindippers Under age crooks ! 🙂
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1043207219779649538
Willock 3-0
Eddy 4-0
Eddie scores for fun !
Great result by the U23’s and stuffing the Scousers 4-0 is always going to make me a very happy Gooner as I despise Liverpool….
Scouser arseholes!!!
It’s “their year” again, according to those I know hahahahaha
Citeh will win again and we are all chasing top 4.
Apparently, Citeh still struggle to fill their stadium even with a top side and yep ticket prices for CL games.
You and me both Kev, big time.
Really Scott re City? That surprises me. Mind you, we can’t fill ours either…
Morning all.
New post up now.