Morning all.
“We wanted this result but also we wanted to play for our supporters here, to improve and build our mentality after first match away, which was not good. We did our best to come back (in the tie) and the team worked very well.
“But we also had to take precautions because if they scored they can be back in the match. Our message was if we score, carry on. If we scored two, carry on. Carry on and carry on. We needed two, three or four goals for more precaution in the 90 minutes.
“The players did our game plan as we wanted and they arrived in the box a lot with a lot of crosses. And we showed the efficiency we went, which we didn’t have away.”
Unai Emery
He can say that again. We were better, we had to be but even so, it’s hard to get overly excited about beating a team like BATE but at least we looked like we wanted to play with a bit more effort and determination.
So what if our opening goal was an own goal. It came from Aubameyang getting the ball into the box and their defender rushing his clearance. The second two came from corners. Shock horror eh. Mustafi might not show too much conviction in his own box but he certainly wanted to get his head on the cross which Xhaka fired in from the corner spot. Same with Sokratis from another Xhaka corner in the second half.
For the rest of the match, apart from a goal line clearance by Lichtsteiner, our progression through to today’s draw was pretty much plain sailing. Not being negative but our under 23 team should be beating BATE and had Arsenal not been so awful last Thursday, we’d have probably seen them do so yesterday.
I’m just glad we’re into the next round where a much sterner test awaits. So, who’s left in the competition?
Ideally we’ll avoid the teams from both Spain and Italy but in all honesty, not one of the clubs left in this competition should be feared. Respected yes, but not feared. The draw itself is today at midday, with the ties being played on Thursday, March 7th and Thursday, March 14th. I’ve a hunch we’ll draw Chelsea.
Before then, we’ve two home fixtures against Southampton and Bournemouth after which we take the short trip to Wembley for the third NLD of the season.
Utd welcome Liverpool to the old toilet on Sunday. I can’t stand Liverpool but I’m hoping they do us a big favour but we have to win ours of course which kicks off before them. I still think top is there for us, I really do. In fact I’d say it’s the better of the two chances we have of Champions League football next season.
Not wishing to sound previous or be presumptuous, this Arsenal team shouldn’t lose another league game between now and the end of the season. A draw at Wembley would be acceptable but other than that, Emery should be looking at our fixtures and instilling belief into his squad. Not arrogance or complacency of course, just belief.
But a lot rests on how we defend. Last night we didn’t concede but as already said, tougher tests are heading our way. The Koscielny injury is nothing too serious apparently and with Sokratis back, Mavropanos too, we’re just Hector Bellerin short of having our strongest defence for the first time in a while.
Talking of which, I thought our Swiss pensioner was very good last night. Not only for his play but his leadership qualities too.
Anyway, the Europa draw is up soon, let’s hope it’s kind to us…
See you in the comments guys…
Southampton and Bournemouth next, we really need to take maximum points from those two games because it’s the NLD after that and if we get anything from that game it’ll be a miracle.
Morning Gooners
Morning Rico, sure looks a great post, I’ll go and read it right now…. 😉
Morning Kev, cheeky bugger. 🤣
It was a great post Rico… 😀
On the face of it Rico, Inter and Napoli look tough opponents, but Arsenal have a great record against Italian teams so I’d not be too upset if we got either of them.
Where Arsenal fail is vs Spanish teams, we’ve lost some big euro cup ties against La Liga sides, not least Valencia who always seem to turn us over.
Any trip to the old Soviet Union is a trip into the unknown, where Arsenal make a mess of things generally, so I hope we avoid them.
English clubs? We’ve lost the lot against English teams, so not Chelsea if you please.
The rest are do’able…
So no to Chelsea, or Spaniards or ex-USSR…
In other words Kev, you want us to get a walkover into the next round? 😜
Yeah Rico, pretty much, Rennes or Slavia would be nice… 😉
They’d be ideal Kev. On paper at least….
http://sportwitness.co.uk/ac-milan-take-cfo-fulham-head-business-strategy-arsenal/
I thought Gazidis was already at Milan. Good luck I say…
Chelsea v Kiev
Hilarious about there transfer ban…
Arsenal vs Rennes… That’ll do nicely….
Yeah Rico, Chelsea will have to play a few of their many young players.
Rennes. Nice. 😜
Looks like all the big sides will be going through to the Quarter Finals.
It’s gonna be a damned hard trophy to win this season…
Top four might be easier Kev. Lol
Housework beckons. Go steady Kev…
Rico, Chelsea have already said they will appeal against the ban, which will not come into force until the appeal process is complete. The appeal is unlikely to be heard before the end of the summer transfer window.
Could be worst ….
Benfic always lucky but I hope not ! 😉
Cicero, in that case if FIFA find against Chelsea a 2nd time then they should increase the penalty to three transfer windows.
Man City have threatened to drag the football authorities through the courts for years if they’re sanctioned, so this is just warming up…
Afternoon all.
Nice? Rico. Nice? I thought we were playing Rennies! The answer to all dyspeptic upsets😀
Although a match against the Kiev’s 11 could be promising. Will it be played out on the Hackney Marshes? Or somewhere else, farther flung?
Not a bad result last night. Good job they were only a National League side, otherwise we might have struggled. I think we made them look far better than the were. Still a win’s a win.
Southampton? We should win that one too. Imo, they perform only slightly more efficiently than Bate.
Blue skies, again and 16c again. Basking in the sun, sun glorious sun. Long may it continue…………..
New post up now