Morning all.
I should have known we were heading for an unexpected victory in the San Siro because no sooner as I tried to copy the starting eleven onto Highbury House, the site crashed. Out it went for the entire match, probably in shock. I jest of course, it happens sometimes.
Just as Arsenal winning. does. Not only winning I hasten to add but playing well too. Ok, AC Milan aren’t the Italian Champions of years gone by but they went into this match in good form and there’s little doubt they thought we were going to roll over for them. I did too and I suspect I wasn’t alone either.
But what did I suggest yesterday? Yes, this is the time of season Arsene Wenger often turns into Mr Motivator. It’s happened many times before when the door into the top four has looked closed, yet somehow he’s managed to get his team playing well enough to sneak that fourth spot at the last minute. Last season when nothing was left but the FA Cup, he won it by beating Chelsea in style and then last night, again he pulled a rabbit out of the hat. Not for one minute am I suggesting that this tie is over as it isn’t, especially with our home record in Europe but we’ve certainly got one foot into the quarter finals.
Performances like yesterday evening raise more questions.
The first I’ve already alluded to and that’s why can’t the players work as hard as they did last night in the majority of our fixtures and not the minority?
Why does it so often seem that Arsene Wenger has to get to a last chance saloon before he does something different? Last season it was switching to three at the back, last night it was leaving out Iwobi and playing all three of Wilshere, Ramsey and Xhaka, something which I don’t think we’ve seen before this season, certainly not from the off.
Why can’t Arsene Wenger motivate his players all season?
Why hasn’t Koscielny played like he did yesterday more often? The same guy who looked shot of confidence against Brighton and so many other teams this season.
What made Xhaka suddenly decide to defend more, stay camped in his own half more when too often he’s deserted his defensive duties?
Kolasinac looked more like the player we first signed again rather than the guy who’s been sat in the naughty corner for the last few weeks/months. Why?
I’m sure you guys can add you own questions to the few listed above, as could I and we’ll probably never know the reason, but we’ll all have our hunches and most will have Arsene Wenger as being the reason.
I’ve a sneaky feeling that Steve Bould has been working with the defence over the last few days. Not just because we didn’t concede a goal, which in itself is ironic considering Petr Cech has been searching for just one extra clean sheet for what seems like years now, but when Kolasinac had to go off, it was Bouldy whispering sweet nothings into Maitland-Nile’s ear, not Wenger. I could be way off the mark, that or not very observant, because I’ve not seen that for a while. Steve Boulds job is usually to be sat in the dugout listening to Wenger sound off, a bit like a fourth official really.
Anyway, Arsene Wenger clearly rallied the troops prior to last nights fixture and it worked. We looked much better, more organised and more together as a team. Ospina looked decent too and made one really good save with his feet and overall I’d say we were a tad unlucky not to score one or two more. There was a question mark over whether or not AC Milan should have had a penalty when Ospina had a rush of blood as he does sometimes but I’m still unsure on that one despite Jenas suggesting that had the player gone to ground, the ref would have given it.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan got on the score-sheet for the first time which was great for him, he nearly had a second too before Aaron Ramsey made it 2-0. Danny Welbeck had a really good game I thought and did everything but score. I thought Calum Chambers had a good game too, as did Jack Wilshere although I do wish he’d stop going to ground at every opportunity. One of these days he’ll do that too often and find himself back in the changing rooms for an early shower. In fact they all did pretty well which makes a pleasant change.
Next up is Watford at The Emirates on Sunday before facing AC Milan again next Thursday. Our season is hanging by a thread, a hope that the Europa Cup can salvage something from what’s been a really poor seven odd months of football.
But regardless of what happens in Europe’s second best competition, Arsene Wenger’s future shouldn’t be judged on it either way. That decision should be about the last ten years and the very apparent demise of Arsenal FC.
I think JW goes to ground more often in a serious bid to avoid being injured so the slightest touch he falls i honestly can’t blame him because of his past problems.Anyway great game to watch very enjoyable my only criticism was i wanted them to press home there advantage in the second half which they didn’t do?
Morning, very good post. Nice having something positive to report on, even if it does raise more questions than answers. Pleased for Welbeck, he needed that.
Allan, I get what you mean about the second half but had we pushed on and conceded on the break, we’d have been criticising the team and Wenger this morning. 2-0 going into the home leg should be enough, IF we don’t take AC lightly..
Morning all. I wrote a longwinded post last night that disappeared into the ether. It must have been so boring that my iPad just gave up.
Nice opener Rico. Agree that perhaps Bould has at last seen the writing on the wall. He knows if Wenger goes then he too is out of a job.
Goonster just cracks me up with his comments, and I have been on the receiving end!
The thing about Kroenke is that he is just not into sport. I bet he wasn’t even aware we were playing in the Rory cup last night. All he cares about is$$ and all the while his staff are making him more of it he is happy. He is a business man and they don’t sack people who are making them money, ergo he won’t ever sack Wenger. Why would he? He doesn’t care that Arsenal fans are unhappy, he probably doesn’t even know, that sort of thing doesn’t show up on his quarterly Balance Sheets.
Goonster get yourself some Blood Pressure medication, we are in for a lot of disappointments along the road.
Last night the players worked hard for once,and earned their overinflated wage packets, but we need more of the same week in week out. Let’s see which team turn up for the next game.
Thanks Andrew, makes a nice change eh…
Whst was most noticable was the difference a bit of confidence made when we didn’t concede at the first opportunity. Thought Xhaka showed that he would be a perfect fit for Italian football because of the slower pace of the game. Was also please that Welbeck grew into the game after a few dodgy early touches. He may not be everyone’s cup of tea but he works his butt off for the team and is still recovering from several iniuries.
Two words last night “iwobi and bellend” without both of them we looked more assured and dogged. Even though chambers is not a right back yet he did what bellend haven’t done in 2 seasons which is beat his man and whip in a good pass. One more thing we didn’t see chambers bombing forward even when we had the ball. Bellerin on the other hand tend to Sprint forward and jogs back casually when we lose the ball in the opposition’s half. The sooner he fucks off to barca the better. Great game though Rambo mkhi and the ozster all had good games shame we don’t seem to see them perform like this often. Still doesn’t change nothing though Wenger out. Morning everybody.
I disagree re Bould Meerkat. Imo, I think it’s more likely that Wenger is desperate and finally he’s caved into letting someone who knows how to defend, coach the defending..
Wenger is a control freak after all..
Bob, agree re Welbeck, he’s a grafter alright…
Meerkat I try lol I just can’t believe how low we ‘ve fallen.
Afternoon all and a fine post El Rico.
More results like last night and Spuds Spexit and I`ll probably survive this life threatening Man-Flu !
🙂
Great result, but we all know it was a one off in our current climate, our previous four games are where we are realistically at !…………………what do we expect from Watford game ?……………last night stuff or previous form ?
If Welbeck had Eduardo`s coolness in front of goal he would be a beast !……………..more Frank Spencer though !………………………………Mmmmm Betty, I think I did a whoopsie on the goal post !
Thanks Lc. I reckon Welbecks qualities are in the air, but a bit like with Ollie, not many crosses of ours find him.
LC omg I remember Franck Spencer. It used to come on tv when I was a kid. Some mothers do have them. Dang am going on YouTube for some bing watching. Thanks lc you ‘re a pal.???
It’s ok to disagree Rico and that’s what we’ll have to do re Bould. We will soon see,if last nights game was a one off re defending.
You know what they say ‘you can’t polish a turd’ and Mustafi Kos et al, need more than Bould can offer imo. As for Bellerin, Barca don’t want him now either, so says the press.
Lol LCM. You will have to fork out a tenner in October for a flu jab, to remain flu-free next winter.
As long as Iwobi stays out I will be happier, ( and we stay clear of injuries.)
As for Wenger, I’m afraid I don’t think he’s going anywhere regardless of results.
It is Meerkat…
How’s you rico, got back on the saddle last weekend you’ll be glad to know, first game of the season, Juve won it in the 93 minute and we spent the rest of the evening dining with the Lazio Ultra’s in Rome, pished all over the Emirates experience if I’m honest, Wednesday and Thursday was the icing on the cake, hopefully Watford will have a bad hair day on Sunday !
Stan, crossing the ball into large patches of lush green deserted grass takes hours of practise, give Hector a break will ya man !
Le Coq, you sure you ain’t got tuberculosis……..get over it you big Jessie !
Morning Rico and all.
Morning Adam and all.
Good to see you back Micko, I take it you’ve had a trip to Italy, hope you got to shake the hand of the Juve players… lol
New post up now.
It’s sponsored so be nice… 😉