Morning all.
I’m sure we’re going to disagree on the sending off of David Luiz. A shocking back pass by Mustafi to Leno who did his best to get to it but from there after, I thought Luiz was too clumsy. He had try and do something to prevent a goal of course, but clattering into Tammy Abraham was not the smartest idea. Do anything but that because the outcome was only ever going to be one thing and that was with Stuart Attwell pointing to the spot. The red card to go with it took me by surprise, especially as Mustafi looked to have got himself back in front of the goal and behind both players. I’m not suggesting our German defender would have prevented Abraham from scoring, but he was there.
Frank Lampard and his players must feel like they lost that match having played against ten men for over an hour and having twice gone ahead. Chelsea had dominated the match as far as possession goes but what team wouldn’t against ten yet most of which they tried, we dealt with one way or another. A hoof up top, a clearance for a corner or throw in, it didn’t matter, as the team looked determined not to concede another after they’d gone behind for the first time. They dug in deep that’s for sure.
Then came Gabriel’s equaliser, a thing of beauty. A Kante slip followed by Brazilian determination, pace, skill and precision. He really is a super player with a game much older than his years.
We held on well until around the 85 minute mark when Azpilicueta beat Leno to make it 2-1. I’m still scratching my head as to why this goal was allowed. Azpilicueta might not have been offside but what about the other Chelsea players who must have been ‘interfering with play?’
It felt like it was game over for Arsenal and it probably would have been just a couple of months ago but within minutes of going behind, Hector Bellerin came up with left footed curler from the right hand side of their box which left Kepa looking rather silly.
Four minutes of added time was signalled and during those minutes we did something I haven’t seen us do in years. Take the ball to the corner flag and keep it there. Saka did it, Martinelli too I think just before he was replaced with barely a minute to go.
At the beginning I said that this game will have felt like a loss for Chelsea but for Arsenal, it should feel like a victory. It should be the kind of performance and result which proves they can against all odds, fight hard and dig in deep until the end. Yes we conceded another late goal but for once, we scored one too. From an unusual source too which is another bonus. A lesson to others too. Try because you might succeed as our captain did.
Arsenal are improving under Mikel Arteta, there’s no doubt about that but as others and I have said before, there’s only so much he can do with who he’s inherited. Not even the worlds best jeweller can turn an old stone into a diamond.
Finally, how good it was to see Hector Bellerin back and getting through 90 minutes? Holding too had more minutes on the pitch and Martinelli just continues to impress. Saka, Xhaka and Torreira had really good games too and even though his suicidal back pass cost us so dear, Mustafi went on to have a decent game I thought.
We might have drawn last night but it was a well fought and much deserved draw and one to be proud of.
Catch up in the comments guys.
Rico, have another look at the penalty, Leno was behind both Mustafi and Luiz, so Luiz was the last defender.
I did Cicero in slow mo.
To be honest, I’m not too fussed because we can’t change it. Mustafi sold Leno short, Luiz imo was stupid. Hopefully just a one match ban which will be for the FA cup match.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5_LrGyfNkDc
This one clears it up I think Cicero.
Hi every one Rico well written I Just watched the replay and at last I have finally seen a little bit of the light at the end of a tunnel no one giving up as for luiz red card I have mixed feeling the problem is it was so early in the match to do a tackle like he did if it was in the last 20 minutes and it was a draw I would agree with the tackle after all he would of scored but by making him take a penalty shot late in the game under more pressure there is a slim chance he could miss or leno saving it
I think that he had to dive in because he was never going to get goal side to block a shot.
His only hope is that he can argue the triple jeopardy rule .
But nothing can hide the fact that we need to look seriously at the centre half positions and determine how ready Holding and Saliba will be to join Chambers as the new wave
Morning All, Great post Rico.
Rico , I agree with you about Luiz ! It is easy sitting on our sofas criticizing, but Luiz is paid 80 odd thousand pounds a week to do a job,and he nearly cost us the game with a rush of blood to the head. We can’t argue with the red card, he made no attempt to play the ball. Yes Mustafi made a horrendous mistake, but he didn’t get Luiz sent off.
The Chelsea second goal was a joke, how was that not interfering with play, standing in direct sight of the keeper. Have I got that right or have the rules changed ?
It’s clear that a lot of our players are not quite good enough YET ! I’m convinced Ozil’s days are numbered, the game just passes him by these days and he offers very little. Pepe doesn’t do enough, he is too lazy and needs a kick up the backside. If he worked half as hard as Martinelli I would be happy. Two shots on goal in a whole game is not good enough for any team let alone Arsenal.
All that said , the TEAM played brilliantly last night, Arteta deserves credit for giving us some fight back. I can’t wait to see how we perform when he gets his own type of players in.
Thanks Mike, Geoff.
I reckon Luiz was up to fever pitch and his emotions got the better of him. But it’s not like him doing what he did was anything new. It’s what Luiz is.
Absolutely agree re the CB situation. Someone who can play left sided and give Saka a break until our full backs are fit again.
I must just mention our fans last night !
They were immense. They could easily have turned on Mustafi. but they didn’t and they encouraged him and the rest of the team fantastically the whole game. BRILLIANT !
Well said Mike. To hear them at the Bridge was pretty special. On tv I mean. Lol
I also like seeing Arteta acknowledge them after every game, regardless of the result. Emery didn’t always and neither did Arsene Wenger.
Arteta clearly wants to bridge the gap which has been apparent for so long.
Afternoon Rico/everybody,
great point in the end.Two lovely goals,Martinellis was just fantastic,I hope we can hold onto him.
Chelsea must be kicking themselves,all that possession,all those shots,and they only score a penalty,and then an offside goal,I still can’t believe VAR looked at that,and decided it was OK.
Bournemouth in the cup next,I saw somewhere,if that goes to a replay, the replay would be during our 2 week break.Makes no sense.
Isn’t it great to be looking forward to Arsenal games ?
Yeah Rico, Arteta always acknowledges the fans and it is really appreciated.
Arsenal fans get a bit of stick, but lately they have been great. I am so proud of our away fans. They have been especially noisy over the last few games.
Afternoon Limey, can’t believe that re the FA Cup potentially being replayed during the break. The FA really are dopey.
Agree Mike.
Seems like Lyon have struck a deal for a Bruno Guimaraes.
Hopefully he wasn’t our only option Rico. I’m not holding out much hope of any signings in this window to be honest.
Limey, I’m pleased you thought it was off side too. He actually swerved his body out of the way of the ball! Leno had no chance to see it. Ho Hum.
It’s been a quiet one for most PL sides Mike, perhaps next week things will move a bit. Like you though, I’m not expecting much for us. A left back on loan at best I reckon..
I’m not 100% sure about the possible cup replay Rico.I did see it on a reputable site,it quoted Arteta talking about it, so it was a thing,I just can’t believe the club’s couldn’t agree a date.As you say,typical FA.On the day Terry Jones died, the
absurdity is beyond belief.RIP
And now for something completely different…
Hi All great to hear the fans singing and cheering on the players even when Chelsea scored there 2nd and most importantly the fans did not boo Mustafi and luiz for the first goal May be some good come out of Xhaka having a go at arsenal fans during the Emery period lets face it the more you boo the players the more they don’t try as the old saying say’s encouragement will do no harm.
Bruno Guimarães to Lyon.
La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga have all spent double what the EPL has spent, makes you wonder if FFP is actually reining in the Premier Leagues spending after all?
https://www.arsenaltrust.org/feed/afc-finances/2019/-SimonHillfinancialanalysis
Interesting article that might go some way to explaining our position on transfers . I am only a retired wiper blade salesman and a lot of this goes over my head but it does suggest that we are living beyond our means.
Strange how our brains switched to the same subject Kev . There has to be a reason for our transfer inactivity.
FFP, the very thing I’ve been bleating on about when the cries of ‘Kroenke hasn’t invested in Arsenal’ are heard. Yes, I’m a smart arse! Lol
New post up now