Morning all.
I’m still disappointed with the defeat we suffered at the weekend as I’m sure we all are. Losing is no sin but at home with a squad more than capable of beating most teams in this league, well, it hurts. Factor in the stage of the season we’re at and where we are in the table and it feels a lot worse. Had the defeat come last September I’d have probably forgotten about it by now but, with last seasons collapse fresh in mind, the ‘it’s happening again’ won’t leave my mind. Arsenal can’t afford a repeat of last season though because before we know it, we could be in a fight with Villa or Totts for 4th place.
Mikel Arteta talking after Sunday’s match:
We’re really disappointed and frustrated because of the way we played the first half and the amount of chances and situations we created, how dominant we were and it should have obviously been a very, very different scoreline. We didn’t capitalise on that and in the second half we struggled much more to get momentum. It was a much more even game, and we dropped the level. They increased it and we conceded very poor goals that cost us the game. We didn’t score any goals and on top of that, we conceded two goals that are nowhere near the level that we’ve been at. That’s the reason why we lost the game and you have to congratulate the opponent as well when you lose the game.
He’s right of course, we did have chances to score and had Trossard beaten Martinez or Jesus hadn’t headed wide from just a few yards out, things would have probably turned out differently but ifs and buts don’t win football matches. Liverpool went through something similar in their game too as no matter how many shots they had, nothing fell right for them and like us, they lost.
I don’t want to knock any of our players but sometimes it’s hard not to. Jesus is such a frustrating player to watch and not just because his finishing is poor. It seems to me than no sooner he’s in the box, if an opposition is near him, he goes over in hope, or desperation, to get a penalty. It’s embarrassing most of the time but bordering on cheating too. I hate seeing footballers go to ground so easily, especially when it’s one of our own.
Wrexham – what a fantastic time they’ve been having over the last few seasons. In November 2020, Canadian-American actor Ryan Reynolds and American actor Rob McElhenney, through their RR McReynolds Company LLC, bought the club and they haven’t looked back since. From National League to League One in two seasons is pretty special and this last promotion which was secured at the weekend, involved our own Arthur Okonkwo who has been named as the best goalkeeper in League Two by the EFL. 13 clean sheets in 34 league appearances is something to be proud of regardless of what league a keeper is playing in so it’s no surprise Wrexham are linked with a move for him on a permanent basis. I’m not sure it’s a move he’d opt for but as far as Arsenal are concerned, Okonkwo has certainly raised his profile and I’m sure it won’t only be Wrexham looking at signing him. He’s still only 22 years old so perhaps Arsenal will give him another loan next season.
Who knows what goes on in Arteta’s mind when it comes to goalkeepers eh – we’ve already seen two be sold with a third looking likely in the summer yet we still don’t have what I’d call a world class player between the sticks. It’s strange really because the core of any great team is usually very strong yet not at Arsenal. Rice has been brilliant but four years down the Mikel Arteta line, we still don’t have a ruthless striker or a top top goalkeeper. At least I don’t think we have.
Still, they’ll be plenty of time for transfer talk in a few weeks time, for now it’s all eyes on how Mikel Arteta rallies his wounded troops for tomorrow’s match in Germany. Bayern have a number of absentees with Alphonso Davies suspended, Gnabry ruled out through injury and both Neuer and Sane doubts. Doubt = they’ll be fit in my opinion. They didn’t play at the weekend but then they didn’t need to.
More on our squads fitness tomorrow…
See you in the comments.
G’day Rico.
Perhaps, as seems likely, Ramsdale leaves in the summer and we make Raya’s stay permanent then Okonkwo could share the back-up position with Hein.
Tomorrow’s game is probably the biggest of the season so far, by any metric a semi-final place would be a great morale booster and a fine achievement for Arteta and the squad.
Morning Rico and all.
I read Ian Wright was upset about Arsenal fans leaving the ground with 10 minutes to go, personally I don’t think it’s a bad idea, it’s a way to show the players and Arteta how disappointed you are with their performance, especially as some players and managers say they don’t read comments from fans. I would rather see fans leaving early than having fans protesting outside of the ground.
The main issue I have with Raya is his height
Huge game tomorrow. What are the odds on penalties?
Fans are always leaving early at Arsenal, same happens all over the country. There are many reasons why people leave early. They’re an easy target for those that watch on TV from their sofas or those who get paid (and free entry) to give their opinions on the various media outlets.
Saying that a lot shot off straight after Bailey’s goal. Although we didn’t look like equalising there was still 5 minutes on the clock. Maybe some fans’ expectations are just too high. How We deal with adversity is the most important thing. We need a positive reaction against Munich.
Afternoon Cicero, Geoff, Pete, all.
I got lonely so left. lol
The last thing we need is extra time and penalties. It’s ok for Bayern but not us…
Cicero, I watched Okonkwo’s ‘best bits’ from a month or so ago and he does tend to spill the ball a bit. He might have improved that side of his game by now though.
I too think many club fans leave early and much of the time I don’t think it has much to do with the game but the congestion getting out of the stadium and the journey home.
Still waiting on the upgrades to Holloway Road Stn and Drayton Park Stn, Emirates is 18 years old and we’re still waiting.
I don’t drive to the Emirates anymore, when I go, too many roads are closed off to cars in Islington and Hackney so all my shortcuts are no more and sitting in an endless traffic jam isn’t my idea of fun especially if we’ve lost.
As for getting a train or tube well the queues outside the stations are enormous and the platforms and carriages are like sardine cans, so leaving early I totally understand and is also the major reason I mostly experience Arsenal from my armchair.
Progress?
I always used to walk up to Manor House before going through Finsbury Park and got on empty trains . However it is true that the club was stitched sideways and nothing appears to have been done to warrant the money that they gave to transport for London. I wonder if that goes with the promises given by the council as well.
I found it easier to get to Highbury than the Emirates.. Much easier.
Is that a ticketing problem ?
The whole journey really Potter. Not so bad getting there as I could choose my travel time but getting out just seemed to take forever. Mind you, I can’t use the tube when it’s chockablock so that has a lot to do with it.
New post up.