Morning all.
That’s it for Arsenal for another season, at least as far as winning silverware goes but I suppose to put it into some kind of context, it’s the same for most clubs in the Premier League. Even though others are left in Europe or either/both of the domestic Cups, nothing has been won yet.
It’s very disappointing because obviously when you have the final there, one game away, you have a level of excitement and you are really looking forward to it. We did everything we could to put a competitive team out. I think we had our moments in the game against a top side. In the first half certainly when we had our chances, we hit the bar, and we have to score. In the second half at the beginning it was the same thing. When that happens, that’s the difference. The first time they go through our halfway line, they scored a goal, with a bit of luck. That changes the tie and the second time yes, we gave the ball in a dangerous area after just regaining the ball. And when they attack your space between the centre back and full back with one pass, it’s extremely dangerous because they have the quality to finish the game off. – Mikel Arteta.
Thomas Partey named as one of the substitutes didn’t surprise me, but when I heard he’d only landed at midday yesterday, my thoughts changed as wrongly, I’d assumed he’d returned to Arsenal on Wednesday. Regardless, he clearly had no objections to being involved in last night’s match because otherwise, he wouldn’t have been in the squad. The fact that he came on, got himself booked twice, meaning he’ll miss Sunday’s match against Burnley, is no one’s fault but his own.
The goals we conceded were down to sloppiness and slip ups. Takehiro Tomiyasu slipped for the first one which allowed his man through, Gabriel Martinelli for the second to lose possession which kicked off Liverpool’s break forward.
Diogo Jota was the difference between the two sides because in front of goal, he was ruthless.
For the opening 20 odd minutes, we looked good, very good. Gabriel Martinelli especially. Our first real opportunity to open the scoring was after Bukayo Saka was fouled just outside the Liverpool penalty area. Alex Lacazette took the free kick, which was heading into the top right corner of the goal before the Liverpool keeper got his fingertips to the ball, pushing it onto the woodwork.
Liverpool had the ball the in the net but the offside flag cut any celebrations short. Not for long though as Jota made the most of a rare Tomiyasu error and somehow, despite being surrounded by Arsenal players, scuffed a shot which beat Aaron Ramsdale.
From then on, I thought we struggled a bit and when Lacazette blazed a shot over the bar early in the second half, I kind of got the feeling it wasn’t going to be our night. The ball from Sambi Lokonga over the defence to Lacazette was super by the way.
The away team had a glorious chance to double their lead but just like Minimino is the first leg, Kaide Gordon fired his close range shot high over the bar.
Mikel Arteta made a couple of changes with around fifteen minutes left, with Eddie Nketiah and Partey coming on in place of Lacazette and ESR. One didn’t make a difference and the other didn’t make it to the end of the match. Jota scored a second and it was game over.
The performance was disappointing really but it also highlighted how much Mikel Arteta needs a striker and midfielder. Lacazette works hard etc etc but he’s not clinical in front of goal. To be fair though, he never has been since he moved to Arsenal. ESR and Takehiro looked well off the pace and Saka looked like he had lead in his boots. That’s not a criticism, just an observation.
How this result affects the mood around the club?
I am extremely proud of how our supporters have tried to help the team, the momentum that we have created. Because I know what those players have done to play to tonight – five or six of them haven’t had any training sessions – and they were still willing to compete, and the way they competed against this team is in my opinion remarkable. So I will try to use that in a positive way, to use it towards Sunday.
Both Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares were unavailable so with AMN out on loan, it was choice between playing Ben White at right back, or Tomiyasu. The latter wanted to play according to Mikel Arteta, despite having not trained.
It’s easy to be critical after the event but selecting five or six players who haven’t been training is a bit risky isn’t it?
Anyway, it’s back to the Premier League on Sunday and there’s still a lot to fight for. That fight will be easier if the club add a couple of players to the squad before Big Ben strikes on deadline day.
See you in the comments.
The game under players belts will help them on the weekend, imo, but I could be wrong.
Imo, which is usually wrong, plenty of players will benefit on the weekend having played last night.
Good morning!
I’m not agree with “Lacazette he’s not clinical in front of goal”.
The time he needs now to execute is already different.
That’s the big difference.
As for yesterday’s game: from the moment Liverpool found the balance in the game (20-25 minutes), that is, knowing how to defend as a whole and when and how to attack, they started to control the game until the end.
JM, our boys were flat.
It was obvious they lacked fitness and to be fair, I thought they gave their all but just weren’t up to it.
Hard to hold that against them imo.
I did not make any statistics on this campaign so far (and it wouldn’t look that good, I assume), but last season Alexandre Lacazette was the BEST FORWARD when it comes to efficiency.
“There is a reason I didn’t mentioned in the lead that I would expect to see an Arsenal player in the TOP20, maybe even in the TOP10 of every statistic. Besides the negative indicators (like yellow cards, own goals, successful dribbles against a player) there are neutral stats where leading the charts is not necessarily desirable. For me ‘shots per game’ falls in this category. While I don’t doubt that Tottenham and Liverpool fans are proud of Kane and Salah sitting on the top with 3.9 and 3.4 shots per 90 minutes respectively I think this is a sign of being selfish and often making the wrong decision, as I appreciate a smart pass or a cheeky dribble instead of shooting from every possible opportunity. Similarly it is debatable who is considered the better striker, the one who scored more goals, or the one with the superior goals per shots statistics. I wish there were available data on the latter, but apparently I have to research it on my own.
Kane: 23 goals in 134 shots = 17,1% conversion ratio
Salah: 22 goals in 116 shots = 19,0% conversion ratio
Fernandes: 18 goals in 114 shots = 15,8% conversion ratio
Son: 17 goals in 63 shots = 27,0% conversion ratio
Aubameyang: 10 goals in 52 shots = 19,2% conversion ratio
Lacazette: 13 goals in 32 shots = 40,6% conversion ratio
Pepe: 10 goals in 30 shots = 33,3% conversion ratio
I didn’t make a full comparison, but Lacazette (and Pepe) obviously stand out.”
I can imagine that releasing Laca on a free would still be the best decision – see the Aubameyang failure for reference – but I wouldn’t agree with the statement that we have a clear weakness in our attacking department. I think we have great players there (Auba, Laca, Eddie, ESR, Ode, Saka, Martinelli) plus Balogun and Nelson could prove to be capable reinforcements, so I would prefer the explanation that they are not utilized properly. The low number of chances created and key passes is a long outstanding issue, and it is unbecoming to Arsenal.
The game tonight was no exception either.
Sorry, Pepe was excluded unintentionally.
We were outnumbered in midfield all night, which made it hard to control the game. The first leg showed Liverpool struggle when they can’t launch long balls and counter-attack into space. Last night we let them do this too easily.
Tomi & ESR were way off the pace and Lacazette had one of his lazy nights.
I wonder how that will affect Sunday’s game?
@PB stats can be manipulated to come to whatever result you want.
Pepe just ain’t very good. Lacazette plays when he feels like it.
I agree that stats don’t always show the full story, Pete, but I wouldn’t go as far to suggest that we can doctor it any way we like.
YouTube videos might – you can see compilations from players best moments and you think he is world class, and you can see blunders from the same person leading you to consider him a total failure and liability.
But stats could be quite meaningful, you just have to be aware of their limitations.
I’m not to fussed about the loss, I am more interested in the normal season to see how we are going to be next season.
Scott one TW doesn’t change the fact that we are too slow in buying players, even this window we have sold / loaned players yet we have not brought anymore in to replace them. If Arteta has found someone he wants then the club should go in hard from day one for that play. How many times do you hear the fans and media talk about us panic buying on the last day. We asked to have a match transferred because we couldn’t fill a team because of ACON – virus etc
Hi Geoff, you’re right, one TW doesn’t change things, but then, you’re holding things that happened 3-5-7-10 years ago against today’s hierarchy, so that’s not really fair imo, and it’s not as easy as we’d like to think mate, transfers don’t simply happen because one club wants them to.
Players, other clubs and filthy agents (I do love them hahah) really can complicate things.
Best take time and get them right than rush in and get things wrong I reckon.
As both Nketiah and Lacazette are already in the departure lounge, is it time to recall Balogun from his loan at Middlesbrough as we could be down to zero in the striker count if either left or got injured.
With no apparent progress on the Vlahovic transfer we could shortly be in need of two new strikers.
Morning all.
I agree re the stats as they don’t tell the whole story at all. Both negative and positive.
And AMN Cicero who imo should never have gone in the first place.
I too think Arsenal are pretty average when it comes to transfers. Buying and selling.
Work in progress .
Can’t be surprised by last night as we put out a mish mash of players at any stage of fitness.
When you are in a problem you do need a level of experience to hold things together and the truth is that we don’t have it .
I have made the point that games are won and lost in midfield and that’s where we are weak.
We had players out there that should not have been there , whether because they were unable to train before the match or just plainly knackered and need a rest Saka in particular.
We took the field with a team averaging 22 years old if you take out Lacazette and a subs bench averaging 19 if you take out Holding .
We got overrun in the middle and it was too easy when first Tomi and then Martinelli lost their footing for Liverpool to get onto our back four and they took their chances where we didn’t .
I’m not particularly cut up about it , but we do need to sort out our midfield defensively sooner rather than later. Pressing sides that flood the midfield will always get the upper hand on us until we learn how to dominate that area.
I think that we are going to have both Lacazette and Nketiah until the end of the season when they will both leave for their signing on fees elsewhere . That is why Balogun is getting this loan to hopefully grow into the position for next season.
That doesn’t mean that we dont need another forward to lead from the front and as previously stated at least one dynamic midfielder to run that area with Partey and Lokonga . At present we have too many nice players in the team , good on the ball but not in the mould of Parlour , Petit or going back further Storey or Kelly . Add the steel that other teams have and we will go forward and challenge for the top four places again.
I’m in agreement over our midfield. It’s the hub, heartbeat of any team, the key link to how we play yet as you say, ours is weak. Has been for years imo.
I don’t think we can afford to let any more players leave in this window, we’re down to the bare bones anyway and just one defence minded midfielder for Sunday’s match. And he’s young and in his first season in England.
How long do you think players like those you mention would stay on the pitch with Riley’s little helpers officiating? Potter.
Hi Rico.. Really disappointed; we may as well have just lost last week! Was such an anticlimax. As they say it’s the hope that kills you.
Typical Arsenal to get TP back and then lose him to a red card!! Does anything like this happen to other teams?! That is now 14 red cards under Arteta! Shocking..
Hi Sue. I’m disappointed too, especially as it was that lot. Even playing Burnley is a concern if last night is anything to go by. Our players look knackered. Assuming the game goes ahead that is.
I don’t understand why our guys keep getting sent off. Are they really that stupid?
Whilst |I agree that we do seem to be picked on and there are a number of stats that show we are , every top team has at least one and probably two that know when to be physical and when not to be .
We don’t! We have players that get caught out and in their last ditch attempts to retreive the situation commit stupid fouls and reap the consequences.
Thiago , Fernandinho , Milner , Rudiger all manage it we need that type of player that reads the game better than the ones we have.
Rico, Arsenal’s buying activities could be seen as average (even though I can easily stand behind the ‘looking for raw diamonds’ approach like signing Martinelli, Tavares, Guendouzi, Mavropanos, Holding and co. or the ‘buy talented yet underappreciated players and nurture them into stars like Torreira, Tierney, Tomi and Gabriel rather than prefering to break the bank every transfer window like MU and Chelski do), but our selling (disposing) practices are downright terrible.
The 3 transactions I consider adequate from the last 10 years would be selling Iwobi, Willock, and miraculously geting rid of Willian (whom we shouldn’t have signed in the first place). I’m less familiar with other clubs’ dealings, but I think we belong to the bottom of the table when it comes to sell players for reasonable price…
Sue tackling, fairly, has been a problem for Arsenal ever since Don Howe quit coaching. The only player in our squad who seems to know how to nick the ball off of an opponent, without fouling him, is Martin Odegaard. The rest just go in feet first or tug at a shirt.
Partey’s two fouls last night are a glaring example, they were late and dangerous. No finesse, no timing, no skill and both committed right in front of the referee and rightly punished with yellow cards.
What irks me most is two yellows, especially when one is so soon after the other like Gabriel’s and Partey’s were.
Pbarany, agree re the selling which we’ve discussed here quite often. As a club we pay too much and sell for far too little.
Cicero.. MA is happy to get shot of or bench players for breaking the rules/club values, but what about the on-field discipline? Totally neglects that! The amount of yellow/red cards we’ve received have been so costly.. this really needs to be addressed.
The clock is ticking and still no signings.. all we have left is the league and to be honest I’m not entirely sure we’re up for the CL… yet
Sue, I think Arteta’s antics on the touchline just confuse the players. He’s forever yelling instructions and trying to direct the play. If they aren’t clear about their roles, and positioning, then it’s down to him and his coaches for failing to make clear during training just what it is they want.
Hi all,
My take on the TW, Arteta thought he would be able to sell many, he sold few and loaned out many.
The buys for me Ramsdale was the gem, great buy and saved us many games, talks to his defenders and good footwork.
White is an average defender and over priced because he’s English like Mcguire and Stones. At least good on the ball makes me feel calmer when they play out the back.
The youngsters looked talented but weren’t supposed to be relied on so much this season.
Tamiyisu was a desperate need for a RB and was solid at Bologna. We needed a wing back but so impressed with his will to try get forward.
Odegaard was a safe buy but nothing wow in his game but a solid player as we saw when we loaned him.
RIp Marvin Lee Aday, better-known as Meat Loaf. Just seventy-four years old.
Will he rise up like a bat out of hell ?
Completely agree, Cicero 👍
I’m 100% sure we’re not Sue. I’d take 4th in the PL and 3rd in the group stage though. Lol
Brad, didn’t we block a few sales though? AMN, Nketiah, Xhaka?
🤣 Rico
I may be way off the mark, but is it your Birthday this month?
😂 Sue, it is. Today in fact.
Phew 🤣 Happy Birthday, Rico 🥳🍹 Have you had a nice day?
Thanks Sue, good thanks. Have an Indian takeaway arriving soon. 😀
Glad to hear it! Ooh nice – enjoy!
Happy birthday, indeed!
Thanks Sue, Pbarany.
Happy Birthday Rico, enjoy the meal.
Oh and Rico, it’s Ozark time 😉
Arsene was a socialist that believed in paying well , some might say me included over paying and gave high salaries and when things didn’t work out would never hold out and made things easy for players to leave .
This doctrine appears to have remained within the club and we buy high and sell cheap usually because we can’t find clubs that will pay what we did for average players.
Feliz Rico , may you find a couple of presents on your laptop tomorrow . A midfield general and a forward.
Thanks Cicero, Potter. A midfielder and striker would be the icing on the cake.
It is Sue, I feel another binge watch coming. 😂
Happy 29th Birthday again Rico, I had my 29th Birthday last month, it’s amazing isn’t it? 😄
How did the ruby go? 😋
Thanks Kev, 28 though so I’m catching you up.
Food was lovely thanks, lentils and spinach 😋
Happy birthday Rico and Kev
Let’s hope we can pick up some good players that are ready to hit the ground running, our younger players need a good break
A new deal for Arteta?!
https://twitter.com/OsmanZtheGooner/status/1484656923706376193?s=20
Hiya Sue,
Let’s hope so.
He deserves it big time.
Thanks Geoff.
New post up now