Morning all.
I’d be a hypocrite if I rambled on about that Arsenal performance yesterday evening as I’d already said that as long as Arsenal won, little else mattered. However, apart from a few special passes from Saka and three well taken goals, Arsenal’s performance wasn’t the best.
If Dani Ceballos is desperate to stay at Arsenal beyond the summer, he had a funny way of showing it. Of all the places to give away a free kick, just outside Leno’s box and centrally is the worst. He knew it too, you could tell by his reaction. A half-hearted header which he appeared to try and flick back towards Leno was simply pathetic and ended up with Benfica being gifted possession. Both mistakes led to goals.
We started well though and Benfica were all over the place. A slide rule pass from Saka to Aubameyang ended with us going 1-0 up. Then came the free kick which was pretty much perfectly placed and left Leno little chance of getting a hand to it. Honours even.
Aubameyang had the ball in the Benfica net soon after the break. The goal was very similar to his first although this time, he was deemed to be offside. Just.
Then came the second Ceballos gaff and we were heading out unless we could come up with two goals. To be honest, the way we were playing, getting one goal back looked an uphill task, let alone two. Jesus clearly thought the same as the way he celebrated Benfica’s second goal, I think he believed his team was through.
With just over twenty minutes left, Kieran Tierney let a left footed shot fly and it rocketed past the Benfica keeper and into the bottom corner of the net. No fuss, little celebration, he just picked up the ball and urged his teammates to go again. Go and get that desperately needed third goal.
Time was running out when Saka produced yet another moment of magic. His cross into the area was pretty much right on money as Aubameyang lurked at the far post to head home. Another VAR check for offside but phew, no problem.
There was time for Benfica to hit the post but never fear, had it have gone in, the offside flag would have saved us.
Aubameyang will of course be the hero but in my opinion, this Arsenal team would be lost without Bukayo Saka, He’s such a talented player who last night was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. A mention for Willian too for setting up Kieran Tierney but in truth, the Scotsman did all the hard work. Plus, he gave the team hope after scoring the first of the two goals we needed to achieve the right result. As said above, no big celebration, just get back to work and go again.
3-2 and Arsenal are through to the next round. Who we meet will be decided in today’s draw which takes place at midday.
I reckon we’ll draw a British team.
Morning rico, good summing up. It was a hard watch for the most part, but this time, no heartbreak at the end. If only Bellerin could beat his man and deliver a fraction of the balls in that Tierney does, we could attack with pace on both sides. Soon as it’s his overlap, you know it’s going to end in a back pass. Time for Cedric who deserves an extended chance. No more words needed on Saka and Tierney, they are our two biggest hopes for the future, along with ESR.
Morning Andrew, thanks.
As I watched last night I had a similar ‘If only’ thought re Bellerin. He really has become pretty average. Maybe he’s simply been at Arsenal too long and needs a new challenge.
!2 oclock the hot and cold balls go into the hat. 4 British teams , 2 Spanish and 2 Italian . Plenty of options to curtail the travel neutral ground problems.
What are you suggesting Potter. Lol
Good Morning Rico and all
The pass from Saka for the first goal was Bergkampesque…..or maybe Ozilesque as well. He spotted the run and placed it on a plate. And his second assist was also Ozilesque (when Ozil bothered to wake up from his slumber) quality.
Incidentally…..Fenerbache have lost 3 games and drawn 1 out of the 5 that our dear number 10 has played in. Not implying anything….just stating bare essential facts.
At least he has left some of his skills imprinted on some of our youngsters. I hope his attitude will be snuffed out once and for all.
The difference between Saka and some of the team (Ceballos, Willian, Pepe etc) lies only in the attitude and how much they want to give for the cause. its not a question of lack of technique. Its a question of work ethics, right attitude, mental toughness and will to win. Tesco has that in abundance. I get the impression that if Tesco would headbutt an opponent like Pepe did he would not be happy unless he smashed the opponent’s face in and the latter would need facial surgery. Such is his will to win. Pepe’s attitude when he did it was stinking and pathetic while the butt was equivalent to handbags.
Attitude is cultivated. Its a skill like ball technique.
So yes…..That is why I feel that Arteta needs to examine a player’s attitude before buying him.
Morning Devil. Who is Tesco, Tierney?
Yes. Tierney it is 😊😊
I’d tell Bellerin to take the defender on and just bang a cross over.
Don’t even bloody look, just go!!!
The more he thinks about things, the more mediocre he looks and he nullifies his own biggest asset-speed.
This type of player is one that does not benefit from bloody tippy tappy crap.
Morning all.
Two errors aside, we win clearly and the entire performance looks a bit better.
These mistakes need to be stopped as they continually hurt us.
I’d love Toots to draw Utd Kev.
I reckon Rangers could cause a few problems though.
Good point Potter, wouldn’t it be great to see Tottenham draw Man U…
Scott….we keep shooting ourselves in the foot. if the coaching staff focused on concentration and eliminated these mistakes we keep on doing in practically every game we would be a lot better in the table and points. plus our defence would be more impenetrable.
Sometimes I doubt if they do tactics’ training and movement off the ball. This needs to be practiced constantly until it sinks in and becomes second nature. Yes it does limit the amount of attacking players but, whilst we have gone stronger defensively, the players do need to put more with regards covering and limiting the options of the opposition.
If Bellerin goes next year we might see the right back position shared between Soares and maybe a new right back. I dont think it will be AMN playing there….not after WBA are giving him lots of game time in central midfield where he wants.
Should footballers need coaching in relation to not making mistakes? I’m sure every footballer from grassroots upwards knows that you simply don’t give away a free kick just outside the box? Seeing the reaction from Ceballos, he knew he’d royally cocked up.
Same with the second incident imo.
Great post Rico and yeah, let’s keep it real, when we went 2-1 down we all thought we was going out, well all except Scott, that our season was over and that the knives were out for Arteta. Even when it went 2-2 I just thought that that’s to make it even worse, we go out on away goals to a really poor Benfica team, but Saint Saka saved our bacon.
He really is a wonderful footballer, he’s brilliant on the right flank and he’s brilliant on the left flank, he’s brilliant everywhere I bet that he could play centre forward.
The draw could be very interesting because Arsenal in truth are really an average team with 3 or 4 really top top players. So on any given day if our top top players work their magic we can beat anyone and on another day we can lose to Molde. We used to be the Invincible’s and now we’re more akin to the Dysfunctional’s…
I guess it keeps us interested because you never know what team is going to turn up.
‘morning all here’s the teams, take your pick
Qualified teams:
Tottenham
Dynamo Kiev
Manchester United
Arsenal
AC Milan
Rangers
Slavia Prague
Villarreal
Roma
Dinamo Zagreb
Young Boys
Molde
Granada
Shakhtar Donetsk
Ajax
Olympiakos*
*My pick, get a bit of retaliation for last season.
Anyone of these teams would do for me………Granada, Rangers, Molde, Young Boys and Slavia Prague. Of them all I prefer Young Boys or Rangers.
And yes….I would love to see Toots drawn against Manutd. it would be interesting to see them play against each other. And Maybe Milan vs Roma.
Fingers crossed that we win against the toots…..so either us or Man utd will put the final nail in Jose’s coffin.
Arsenal vs Ajax would be a good tie, positive on the travelling front as well.
Slavia and Young Boys both looked very dangerous teams to me DG, I wouldn’t be too confident if we drew them.
Its a mistake to think it that way Rico. However long you are practicing football you still need to practice and be coached in defensive situations. Tactical movement needs to be coached….even where you do tactical fouls. Even movement and covering needs to be practiced because each match is different than the other. Players also need to be coached according to each opponent where to put the ball once possession is gained again.
People might think that as they are seasoned professionals it is to be expected. The simple answer is no. you have to prepare for each game and that means defensive tactics practice, progression and execution.
We’ll have to agree to differ on that one Devil. These adult players aren’t kids learning the game, they are seasoned professionals.
Kev, we Aussies just have a never say die attitude.
It’s built in 🙂
Some players simply won’t be coached out of certain aspects of their game and that’s a fact.
A manager either accepts them, or moves them on.
I’d like to know why Ceballos was the last line of defence for that attempted back header???
Scott, good question but hadn’t our central defenders been up for a corner before Benfica hit us on the break?
Shakhtar could be an intriguing draw ☹️
Ajax would be a good draw as well Kev
Any team can be dangerous if we go there with the wrong attitude. If we play with the right attitude there can only be one name on the cup.
Scott….we were attacking a corner. so its to be expected that Ceballos goes there. Luiz, Gabriel, Xhaka, would be up there due to height. Auba, Odegaard, Saka as well since they are attackers.
so its natural that Ceballos goes there and Elneny a little bit further up just a few metres shy of the D in the penalty area.
Scott I hover between the ultra positive and the gallows, it keeps thing fresh… 🤔
I know that I could well be committed to a lunatic asylum but I actually thought that Willian looked ok when he came on…
Ok Devil,
I didn’t get to watch the game, just the highlights and obviously the corner wasn’t shown, so that explains it.
Keep the faith Kev!!!
Good things are coming 🙂
Just a reminder to tell you that next May it will be 60 years since Spurs last won the league. Most on this page here were still in their nappies or happily suckling milk.
And we keep arguing because of how we are playing now.
Imagine being a toots supporter
Devil, I’m sure they only exist to make us happier.
Morning Rico and the House
Another sunny day in Kent
Morning Rick.
Interesting return match against Olympiakos then. Nice.
Olympiakos again… a Portuguese coach again… Athens again-…and sokratis
You got your wish Cicero.
Redempion on its way.
Unfortuately Devil I saw it first hand and had to suffer ity all at school.
The draw . We are in Greece , United in Italy , Spurs have a trip to Croatia so all travelling difficulties avoided.
J.M what was the Portuguese take on the game last night. ?
Robbie Burton to score the goal that eliminates the Spuds, now what a story that would make.
Rico…..Tony Adams, Lee Dixon and Steve Bould all said it themselves that George Graham used to spend a lot of time on defensive shape, tactics and movement……until they learned it by heart.
I wasn’t referring to defence shape, tactics etc Devil. I realise all that needs working on week in and week out. I meant not giving away a free kick just outside the area. That’s just football basics.
ooopppssss/ misunderstood you. I was referring to defensive shape and tactics.
Yes you are right. Ceballos cocked it up royally committing a foul there.
With regards tactical fouls though….they need to be instructed. Especially on how to stop certain players and how to nullify their attacking threat. For example…..against players like Walcott…who rely on breakaways and speed they could be nullified by committing tactical foul against any other player with the ball just a little bit beyond the halfway line or centre circle. Then the team would just fall back in a defensive shape. Theo’s speed and breaking off quickly would be useless there as there would be too many bodies
I really dislike tactical fouling because basically, it’s cheating albeit within the rules. Watching a team rotationally foul Saka or any of our players just because they’re tricky to mark infuriates me.
Interesting tie against Olympiakos. MAybe its payback time? who knows.
We have to concentrate for 180 minutes imo. and make sure we dont commit mistakes. Plus Auba has to score now. and others help him as well as we need them to score. and keep tight defensively
Jorge Jesus:
orge Jesus says he is “frustrated” with the elimination of Benfica at the feet of Arsenal in the 16th round of the Europa League. The Eagles coach acknowledges the crisis but guarantees that he has seen a team trying to react in Athens.
«What did we lack? In the last minutes have the ability to prevent a draw and 2-3 and be better one on one in these moves. The players were in control, the team was well positioned, but Everton and Nuno Tavares were easily beaten.
– Benfica played an excellent game, we changed in the second half, I felt that the 1-1 didn’t eliminate us but I wanted the second goal. That’s why Gabriel, Everton and Darwin came in, to give new blood and greater offensive capacity. We were awarded with the 2-1 but then we were unable to hold the result in two situations that have nothing to do with the team », analyzed SIC.
«We were better than in the game in Rome, the team had moments of great offensive and defensive category. This marks emotionally, nor is it just the result. We left here frustrated because this is blow after blow …
– We are in a crisis of results, but we can already see the team trying to get its head out, more competitive, to run more. It was a very important tie for our confidence but we are still worse, ”he said, concluding with a“ no ”to the question about a possible regret for returning to Benfica this season.
As 2 london clubs cannot play home games on the same night
they will have to change the fixtures for one of them.
The manager of the spuds will get the hump if its them.
I don’t mind if it’s us who change, much prefer to play the home tie first.
Rico you are spot on with your views on tactical fouling.
Saka has played over 70 games since the start of last season and is
now one of the most targeted players with this type of fouling.
Every team know he is our match winner and are kicking lumps
out of him.
The question is how can they stop it ?
A million dollar question Rick. Did you see my comment yesterday about Sky Sports have a League table for the ‘most fouls won’? Hardly going to help reduce the fouling is it?
If I were Arteta, I’d keep him away from the next set of international fixtures and give him a break.
We play the Toots on the Sunday after the first leg.
UEFA could move one game to the Wednesday…wont hold my breath on it being us.
An OK draw for Arsenal,could have been worse.The AC Milan -Man Utd draw means one potential winner eliminated.Spurs luck with cup draws carries on.
What a player Saka is,we should give credit to Aubameyang too.
Yes I did Rico.
That is something the so called experts are always saying
They make it soundlike its an act of honour.
By the way I am still having problems with the House Rico.
Have to post comment to update the days post and comments.
Exactly Rick re your 3:53.
I think once you’re logged into WordPress, the site is ok. It’s the same for me until I log in.
I got my preference.
At the very least nobody at Arsenal will underestimate the quality of the opposition and the players will be looking for revenge. What greater motivation could there be?
The team that is drawn first plays the first game away and this is
what is going to cause problems
We are both at home on the Thurs before we play the spuds.
If they say we are to play on the wed can you imagen what will be said.
Its going to be interesting how they get round it.
All 4 clubs must agree
Rico, I heard that the team drawn first plays the Home leg in the second game.
Really confusing if true! Us/Spurs still got to be changed somehow, anyway.
Andrew, good re your earlier comment. Playing away second is good I think.
I think that they will play on the same day but the time will be different
Apparently Arsenal being FACup holders means that Tottenham have to switch.
We’re away on Thursday 11 March. Kick off 8 pm our time
Didn’t we get drawn against Olympiacos a lot in the Champions league. As well as Sokratis, they also Jan M’Vila – linked with Arsenal for years.
The M’Vila links seem a lifetime ago now..
Have Uefa got cold feet.
At the moment they are sayingboth clubs are away on the 11th and at home on the 18th
This is the opposite of what the UEFA regulations state
AFC.comm show us at home on the 11th Rick.
Rico I will try to log to world Press later Thanks
No it doesn’t, it shows us away on the 11th and home me on the 18th.
just read story were Willian said he never wanted to leave chelsea but was forced out because they would not give him a 3 year contract and how hard it was going to Arsenal due to the rivalry between the 2 teams So I wonder if this is why he has done nothing for us because his heart is still at Chelsea.
Feeble excuse if it is Geoff.
New post up now
https://highbury-house.com/2021/02/27/is-leicester-citys-squad-better-than-arsenals/