Morning all.
Arsenal v Southampton :- Leno, Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Torreira, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan, Ramsey, Iwobi, Lacazette
Subs: Cech, Koscielny, Monreal, Guendouzi, Suarez, Ozil, Aubameyang
2-0
Arsenal v Bournemouth:- Leno, Jenkinson, Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal, Kolasinac, Guendouzi, Torreira, Ozil, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang
Subs: Cech, Mustafi, Elneny, Iwobi, Suarez, Ramsey, Lacazette
5-1
Two very different teams, two very different performances. The only players in both starting eleven:- Leno, Sokratis, Kolasinac, Mkhitaryan and Torreira. There’s no doubt that the better of the two Arsenal performances was against Bournemouth and that’s not just because of the score line. Our attacking play had more pace to it, the ball was moved around much quicker and we looked a bit more organised in defence. Yes we conceded a sloppy goal when Guendouzi was caught out but look a bit closer and you’ll see he was fouled. Doesn’t excuse the fact he was given the ball in a dangerous position in the first place but as Bernd Leno has said recently, adapting to playing out from the back was a struggle to get used to. Clearly it still is. City and Liverpool’s defence didn’t grasp that either during their first season under Guardiola and Klopp respectively. Signing different players solved their defence and defending in general.
Another difference between the two matches was taking our chances.
Against Bournemouth we had 16 shots, 7 on target with 5 taken. Against Southampton though, we had 12 shots, 4 on target with 2 taken. Basically, our conversion rate isn’t brilliant. Hitting the target alone is less than 50%, however, having had a quick peep at City and Liverpool recent results etc, their conversion rate is very similar. Against the same two opposing sides, we actually come out on top. Just as we do when comparing our strike rate against today’s opposition.
However, it’s away from home that we’ve really struggled this season which may or may not have spilled over from last season. Enough time has passed now though for those kind of results to be what they are, the past. As Unai Emery has said on more than one occasion, now is about creating new history, not replicating old history which when it comes to this fixture, doesn’t make good reading. This is Unai, Emery’s chance to be the most loved Spaniard in the red and white side of North London.
We’ve lost heavily at City, Liverpool and Chelsea. Beaten by Southampton, West Ham and the draws at Brighton, Crystal Palace and the Old Toilet felt like defeats. Losing to City, Liverpool and Chelsea is far from criminal but the fashion in which we lost is what hurts. Twelve further points dropped on the road might not seem much but it’s the difference between us and second place Man City.
We can’t change what’s gone on this season but we can do something about the remainder of the season. On paper, the really tricky one is today at Wembley but even that is winnable bearing in mind their recent results and injuries, the rest of our fixtures are against teams we really should be doing well against.
As said yesterday, there’s plenty to play for yet this season so there’s no excuse for a lack of motivation. There shouldn’t be in any case. We’ve won three in a row now, a bit of confidence should be returning after what’s been an up and down period and we need to build on that.
A NLD in itself should be enough to raise the level of motivation and commitment in our players. Unai Emery has seen and heard for himself what it means to the fans after our 4-2 victory earlier in the season. He’ll also know how disappointed we were after our defeat in the FA Cup so it’s another big day for him. Picking the right players is crucial, obvious I know but he’s got to find the right balance. Does he start Mesut Ozil after his fine performance on Wednesday, Mkhitaryan who found some form, or both? Guendouzi and Torreira in midfield, or does he bring back Xhaka? Lichtsteiner or Jenkinson at right back must be a tough decision to make. Experience v’s a true Gooner who had a good game just a few days ago. Monreal or Kolasinac? Lacazette, Aubameyang or both? Tricky eh. Iwobi and Ramsey will be desperate to play too, especially the latter with this probably being his last NLD ever. The only certainty is likely to be in central defence where Koscielny and Sokratis are our strongest pairing.
A worthless stat for you. Since the Premier League started up, we’ve lost only one match against the neighbours away from home when the fixture is in March. That was in 2013.
The home team are reportedly without Dele Alli and Eric Dier. They also have doubts over Jan Vertonghen and Harry Winks. Laurent Koscielny has recovered and is fit to start and other than our long term injured, everyone else is fit.
The following year, March 2014 is last time we beat the Toots in the league away from home. A shocking record really and one we need to change. Tomas Rosicky was the hero that day and after four long years of waiting, we need another hero today. I doubt any Arsenal fan will care who it is, just as long as we have one. Better still, we have fourteen, fourteen men who give everything they have in them to beat our noisy neighbours. Play for the fans, for the shirt and with pride.
Get the gap closed to one point and push hard for that third spot..
COYRRGS!!
Good morning Rico, if today’s game is half as good as your post we will be in for a feast.
I was particularly struck by your expertise in avoiding the use of the term T*******m H*****r, anathema to all of us. 😉
I think we have a good chance of taking all three points this afternoon, we’re on a roll and they’re on a soggy sandwich, trapped by a couple of defeats and hints of a breakdown involving Saint Kane, who shows signs of preparing to throw his toys out of the pram.
Emery needs to hold his nerve, pick the starting eleven on current form and that means utilising the talents of Mesut Ozil.
I not sure about today’s ref, Anthony Taylor, but he needs to take early action to stop the sneaky fouls so much a part of Pottechino’s tactics and, of course, the Kane elbows.
Not much over two and a half hours to kick off. C’mon The Glorious Gunners!!!
Morning Rico.
If any player at Arsenal is not motivated for a NLD they don’t deserve to wear the shirt.
In all honesty they shouldn’t be at the club.
Good post Rico. I noticed the points dropped on draws and thought where we could have been too. Mind you we didn’t actually play that well and City did.
Loved the Hares….
The video was a good touch and shows the animosity between us and Tots.
I get the distinct impression that the refs these days are a poor lot, get a lot wrong and frankly, the linesmen (Trainee referees?) might as well be home watching the tv – roll on VAR.
It’s 100% effort today for 90+ minutes and no quarter given.
Morning Cicero, thank you.
I can’t bring myself to type their clubs name. I don’t really like them… lol
Morning Bt, long time and all that. Hope all is well. 100% agree, this is about pride today, bragging rights and the fans. It matters.
Thanks Andorra. I’d have rather seen Dean officiate this one, only because he and Poch have had a bust up. Taylor never forgot his with Wenger when reffing our games afterwards.
As Kev said yesterday, Oliver would possibly been the fairest but that probably wouldn’t suit Riley…
Morning Gooners
Morning Rico, great post, still got a bit more to read, but, regarding our system/tactics playing out from the back, I think it has more to do with quality, the quality of our players, Guardiola and Klopp have taken both Man City and Liverpool onto a new level, a level capable of being CL winners because they have both gradually increased the quality level of their respective squads, Emery is still at the beginning of his journey, he needs to be given time and I believe that the club will give him that.
Interesting to read how Ozil got away with murder under the increasingly weak leadership of Wenger and that the reputation of Emery has risen within the club because of his resolve not to make the same mistake. Players play on merit in Emery’s team it seems…
Morning Kev, thank you.
As you know, like you, i think it’s a player thing too rather than an Emery issue. Pep went straight into the transfer window to resolve his issues, as did Klopp but he had to sacrifice Coutinho to do it.
I don’t think we look quite so vulnerable when Koscielny and Sokratis play together, but there is still room for improvement. Same in midfield imo.
I totally understand why Emery hasn’t been playing Ozil, not surprised to hear he got away with a lot under Wenger and he’s not alone either imo. The players we’ve seen arrive with so much expected of them, simply didn’t reach the levels they looked like they might reach. If that makes sense.
A better, or perhaps different is a kinder word, coach would have improved Walcott, Gnabry, Merida and many others. Ramsey too. I/we should be devastated he’s leaving for free in the summer but apart from the free bit, i really couldn’t care less.
Agree Rico, but we’re carrying quite a few players who in reality don’t have much of a future at the club, given time Emery will move them on, but it may take longer than necessary because of our owners lack of investment, something he doesn’t replicate with his LA Rams dealings…
I hope that Harry Kane starts today as Sokratis will have a focus and Son will play a different role, I worry more about Son than I do with Kane.
I’m leaning more towards playing all three of Torrieira, Xhaka and Guendouzi as we need to dominate midfield, Ramsey could come on later in the game as it becomes more stretched.
Not sure that today is a day for Ozil as we need players who’ll put their body on the line for this one…
Agree again Kev. Emery could hardly sell everyone as soon as he arrived. He needed to see some of them play with his own eyes. Clearly he didn’t see what he wanted in Ramsey or Ozil. I’d imagine it’s the same with Mustafi too and perhaps a few others whose names get mentioned each week.
As you say, the other thing is the money which is why fourth spot is crucial for us, third even better. The icing on the cake would be adding the Europa Cup but that’ll be tough imo.
Ozil is a no from me too.
That’s right Rico, Liverpool had to sacrifice their best player at that time, but they’ve come on in leaps and bounds, mainly because they’re so good at selling players and getting the maximum return where as Arsenal have been so poor since Dein left.
Like you I’m not too fussed about Ramsey leaving, I’m just excited about how good Guendouzi and Torrieira will be in a couple of years. We need to tie both of them down to new long term contracts because the vultures will be circling in a year or two.
Interesting to read that despite all the guff about Rabiot going to Barca that the latest is that he could be joining Arsenal next summer?
I know that a very good friend of mine can’t stand them, but you can’t escape from the fact that Tottenham have built a really good squad of players on not much money spent and that’s the way I want Arsenal to go. It’s really the only way we can go under KSE.
So £45m sounds a paltry amount to spend next summer, plus any funds raised by selling players, but with intelligent business we can bring in 3 or 4 players nobody has heard of, as Liverpool did with Robertson, and take the squad up a couple of levels closer to City and Liverpool.
Agree Rico, winning the Europa is going to be enormously difficult, Rennes aren’t a pushover but I’ll be devastated if we can’t get past them, after that it’s down to a bit of luck in the draw, but I’d imagine that all the bigger teams left in the competition won’t want to draw Arsenal.
As it stands our best chance is top four, but it’s nice to have something to fall back on…
A score draw for me today, I’d take that right now, 2-2 probably…
COYG
What sort of bloody team has Emery picked today, has he gone crazy? No right back, three centre backs and Monreal. No, Kolasinac. No Torreira, Aubameyang and Ozil On the bench. Iwobi and the dead duck Ramsey to start. Lunacy, total Lunacy.
Arsenal: Leno, Mustafi, Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Ramsey, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Lacazette
Subs: Cech, Kolasinac, Maitland-Niles, Torreira, Suarez, Ozil, Aubameyang
Odd leaving Torreira out..
Unlike us Kev, spent too much on average players and let players choose where they go like Cesc who should have gone for much more than we got.
Here it is…if you can believe it..Cech, Mustafi, Koscielny, Sokratis, Monreal, Xahka, Guendouzi, Ramsey, Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Laczette.
Mustafi at right back. I feel sorry for Jenks.
Weird squad selection imo.
Leno in goal Cicero
Yes Cicero, yes. Have to assume that little Dick considers this eleven his best team! Well, it’s not mine, nor I suspect, many others. The substitutions are pre determined, more or less. Ozil for Ramsey, Suarez for Mikki, Auba for Iwobi. Unless there is some sort of injury to one of the others! No right back just AMN and..watch Son run away from our Austrian defender, oh, he’s a RB isn’t he?
I’d say this is a shambles of a team and the result will be equally unacceptable. All I can do is hope that I’m completely wrong and that the small comedian has got it right. If we win I shall be sure to offer him full some praise, but if he’s got it wrong……………vitriol will be the potion for the rest of the day!
Turned out nice here. Not especially warm but quite sunny.
Slip of the keyboard over Cech, Rico. 😉
Slip of the season on Emery’s behalf. For once I agree with Rio Ferdinand, he’s absolutely stated Emery for his team selection.
SLATED!! Not stated. Bloody spellchecker!
hello gumnners!
i’m waiting for the kick off
Catch you later
It looks an odd selection, I thought that Lichtsteiner would start.
It looks like a like a team that’s going to stifle midfield, try and stop the supply to Kane and Son.
But we’ll have Ramsey, Mkhitarayan and Iwobi bombing forward if we turn over possession?
We’ll soon see if he’s got it right or not?
COYRRG
Sorry. Just realised that the Lickey banker is not even in the squad! Well that’s a bonus! Still think it’s a most eccentric and unbalanced team. I’m ready to be amazed though, even with only ten minutes to go.
I was nervous this morning, now I’ve seen the teamim worried.
Just when I thought I was getting a handle on Emery.
Can’t say I’m expecting much but we’ll see…
It’s official a back four, God help Mustafi with only Mkhitaryan in front of him. Probably two yellows before halftime.
I like the line up,
Afternoon all.
Dead duck?
He heard you 🙂 🙂
I thought Ramsey looked heavy legged chasing that ball. He did well..
I do wish our lot would concentrate on defending and stop raising their arms every time a ball gets crossed into the area. Play the bloody whistle for goodness sake…
Brilliant goal, Rico and yes, our defenders need to let the linesman worry about offsides.
They actually stop playing too Scott, it really cheeses me off.
Incredible from Leno.
That was as good a save as you’ll ever see, Rico.
Absolutely brilliant!!!!
Surely we need to do something about this Trippier overlap situation.
Was thinking the same myself Adam, happening to frequently and with ease.
Me too. I was thinking Kolasinac for Iwobi.
Adam, Iwobi is watching him go lol
Well here we go……O2B
Iwobi is our weak link today imo.
Rico, in defence he’s very worrying.
What a miss after some lovely footie.
His final ball in attack too Scott. It’s not happening for him today..
After some of the challenges on our boys, it’s pretty funny to see ours getting pinged for pretty soft ones.
Rico, his final pass almost always let’s home down.
If he improves that, takes more responsibility in defence, he’s a proper player.
Another sneaky, dirty Spud coming on Lamella, always ready to dive.
Cicero, and a card already.
Let’s hope he gets another 🙂
Booked within minutes! What did I say?
Mustafi was a bloody idiot! But how many were offside?
Prick was offside and then falls over as he does!!
We see more contact in nearly every corner than it took for that scumbag to fall over.
He was never scoring that!!!
Crap penalty Aubameyang!
Too true Rico.
Aubameyang went over easier than Kane Scott..
Torreira straight red.
So Danny Rose goes studs up into Leno, no problem.
Torreira gets a straight red for less.
Work that one out…
I know he did, Rico, but He wasn’t offside though.
Justice should’ve been done but it wasn’t and that’s on the player:
Terrible penalty.
That at least makes more than likely that Spuds won’t win the Premiership.
completely robbed with the offside but in a big game like this you need your strikers to be clinical and unfortunately Auba and lacazette were utter shite.
feels like a loss tbh.
Didn’t you know that before Cicero? 😜
Bad officiating and awful finishing from Auba and Laca cost us big today.
Ditto Kel. We were robbed, but by the time that decision was made, the win should have been secured.
That aside, I thought we played well. Certainly our defending was better and made them look pretty average.
Yep, we most definitely had enough chances to that.
Anyway, good night all.
The team played very well, performed far better than I ever thought they could or would or in fact did. Sadly our two strikers let us down, Lacazette should have scored at least two and Auba at least one!!!
I guess we have to take the draw. Whether it will be enough at the end of the season to get us into the top four only time will tell. But, we’ve been cheated again, by a poorly positioned Lino and a cheating ,’arry Kane! No change there really. 1-1 it is then.
Not sure what’s worse, getting robbed on the offside penalty, or throwing away the game with a terrible penalty.
Still the ref has earnt his brown envelope today.
Got Tottenham out of jail, kept 11 on the pitch for them and as a bonus weakened us for our run in.
You have to feel a little sorry for the linesman, there where so many Spuds in an off-side position that he couldn’t see Kane who was on the far side of the penalty box.
Taylor must have been told, after the penalty was taken, that Kane was off-side so he tried to even things up by awarding what was a very soft penalty for the touch on Aubameyang. It has to be said, the penalty attempt was p**s poor.
WE WOZ ROBBED!!!
Leicester v Wasps now. Laters.
It’s the linesman who cocked up. Taylor handed us a chance at the end. Aubameyang blew it big time.
Nothing to add, cheated, crappenalty no title for that lot and a bar suddenly empty as their away support sneaked off
I think we were the best team on the pitch.
Today, contrary to the custom, we defend well.
We were betrayed by a stupid foul (like the one, in the first half, that had been canceled by an off-side goal), an off-side goal and the bitter taste of a penalty (which does not exist …) at the end of the game.
I did not understand why Ozil’s coming into play. The game called for another type of player, of characteristics opposed to Ozil. It happened from a player who gives himself completely to the game (Ramsey) to a player who does not defend, not seen on the pitch and nothing adds in a situation like the game was.
Ramsey bids farewell to the derbys with the totts with a goal. Fantastic and well deserved!
Afternoon all and thanks for a top post Rico.
Dont normally watch when we draw, but will watch with interest tonight as it sounded like an interesting game and I`m sort of an interesting person………………. some interesting points in the comments hahaha…………………love it when someone slates a player in comments and then they score !………………..nice one Cicero ! hahaha
Nice double save from Leno………………..
https://twitter.com/GrimandiTweets_/status/1101835059567517697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1101835059567517697&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.caughtoffside.com%2F2019%2F03%2F02%2Fvideo-arsenals-bernd-leno-makes-sensational-double-save-to-deny-tottenham-in-north-london-derby%2F
To add to the misery just seen a replay of the Auba penalty and verthongan was half way into the box before Auba even struck the ball.. it should have been a retake considering verthongan cleared the rebound..
by fuck the gods were looking down on spurs today..
I’m know there is positives to take from the game but I’m still fucked off with how we failed up front today. 😡
Kel. I saw that too and I agree that striking-wise we were awful. Really shocking stuff from the match officials today.
Jm, I’d have rather Ramsey stayed on and Kolasinac in place of Iwobi..
Thanks Lc.
rico, yes, but I think Ramsey was exhausted.
kolosinac in and Iwobi further inside.
Adam, definitely poor from the officials even with my red tinted glasses on I didn’t think Torreria was a red card either.
unfortunately for us we lose him now particularly against Utd..
personally I think the dropped pts today will cost us dearly come end of season. 😕
Goodness knows why if he is Jm..
Kel, perhaps we might appeal the red card..
JM , I can’t think why Ramsey would be exhausted, before today he hasn’t played a full game in months, and certainly hasn’t done much in the last week or so. Today, the sprint for his goal apart, he did little but jog around the pitch and had very little effect on the game.
Glad I wasn’t the only one who thought that Cicero.
I would like to see the statistics, in particular, the kilometers (miles) traveled. For me, Ransey delivers a lot to the game, goes ahead and
behind, defend and attack and is natural, although he has not played lately that is worn. In fact, the fact that he did not play, gives him more courage to do what he does and still indulge more in the game.
I think that Emery got his tactics spot on, but the quality of our players and their finishing let him down.
Notwithstanding the atrocious officiating…
I was very pleased with the way we played and dealt with the atmosphere and foul play of the Scum.
It feels like we lost that game and in a weird way that’s a positive because we played so well and I’m disappointed…
I’m sure there are others Rico, they’re just a bit shy. 😉
I won’t be around much for the next two weeks the time difference will be too great. The Rennes match will kick off around 1.30 am local time in Cambodia which is where I should be.
Ciao, for now.
Spot on Kev.
Best 90 mins we’ve played for a while I reckon
Cicero, have a great time and be safe
Have a great time Cicero. Take care buddy.
https://www.gunnerstown.com/arsenal/2019/03/01/freddie-ljungbergs-impact-leipzig-links-and-who-will-make-it-an-look-at-the-arsenal-academy-with-jeorge-bird/
That Chicken Shiesh was delish, definitely the best away 90 minutes this season Rico, I thought that we were in control for most of the game and should have won 3-1.
Most Spuds will feel relief and that says it all.
Adam made a great point to me about Emery and how he handled the post match press conference, no whinging about the officials, he even praised the referee, very smart psychology, get them onside and we might start getting more favourable decisions.
Classy the way he spoke of the prospect of VAR helping the officials.
Ok, off to watch Father Ted…
Ramsey busted his arse, and even 6-8 minutes after he left the field, had still covered more territory than any player on the field.
Gee guys, he’s leaving and some are happy about that but please, credit where it’s due lol
If Torreira deserved a red, and in today’s climate he probably did, Rose should’ve been arrested!!!
The linesman stuffed up in the Prbalty incident, but so did the ref.
Kane fell under bugger all pressure, but that’s how the prick plays.
Mustafi did absolutely nothing wrong because it happens literally in every set piece we see, so let’s not blame the defender for the ref deciding that suddenly, that action is a penalty.
Consistency is all we ask of officials, but unfortunately their only consistency is in their inconsistency.
Auba’s penalty-if that was given against us, I’d have been livid as he fell too bloody easily as well.
FIFA won’t do anything about this cancer if the game.
Such a shame.
Anyway, I bloody well enjoyed the contest, whatever happened and Emery did get this line up right, imo.
When Özil came on, he showed once and for all that in hard, pressure games he’s just not up for it, so let him tear apart the weaker sides and keep him out of the big ones.
That’s only until we manage to offload him.
Kev, I also like the way Emery always starts with ‘Good Morning’etc, depending on the time of day. He’s clever that’s for sure, and making sure he leaves the officials out of any blame. Not for the first time either..
Ramsey scored a really good goal Scott but other than that, I thought he was tame.
Mustafi was naive. He should know by now that the slightest of touches an£ Kane would go over. It was a penalty for me. The original free kick though was dubious, the five players offside, obvious. Big mistake by a linesman not up with play..
Jeez Rico you’re on the go late…
I hadn’t noticed it at the time, although Adam mentioned it to me after the game, but watching MotD and Arsenal’s penalty, you could clearly see that Vertonghen was almost alongside Aubameyang when he took his shot, so Anthony Taylor should have definitely ordered a retake, especially as it was Vertonghen who cleared the ball from off of Aubameyang’s toe when the ball came back to him.
Also, there’s been almost complete silence from the Mesut Ozil fan club following his introduction to the game and the fact that his influence on the match was zero…
Rico, I know we label players naive, but it’s a contact sport and these divers take away all sportsmanship from the game imo.
FIFA must act, for the good of the game.
Kev, I did mention Özil mate.
It was pretty obvious he didn’t rise against a top, physical side and there were no excuses.
I’m a fan, but he is only if use v certain sides, unfortunately, but his wage means he should be dominating the big games.
Very disappointing.
Rico, I reckon Ramsey was fantastic and he was back defending on several occasions, as well as belting up and down the pitch in attack.
Fantastic performance for mine, and he had ever right be knackered.
Comes with old age Bt… lol
Scott. You can’t do what Mustafi did to Kane in the box. It’s the rules. What annoys me is the inconsistency in giving decions like these. Just why VAR can’t come quick enough and thankfully it’s next season.
We’ll have to agree to differ re Ramsey. Ground covered means very little imo, Aubameyang and Ozil run around a lot but it’s not often they do much with the ball.
New post up now.