Morning all.
As I begin to type, it’s 4-1 to Arsenal. Three cracking goals and a penalty so what’s not to be happy about so far eh. Plenty! A weak midfield, two dodgy central defenders and a goal conceded after some really poor defensive work by Xhaka, Mustafi and finally Koscielny who gave away the free kick. Petr Cech stood no chance of preventing the ball finding the back of the net though as it was a superb free kick.
A couple of really close offside calls during the first half. The first against Musa when Bellerin looked to be keeping him onside, not that he was certain to score had the flag not gone up. The offside flag against Ramsey though was equally as bad, if not worse because the Welshman had the ball in the back of the net. Cruel. Despite that though, Ramsey soon made sure he was getting on the scoresheet. The first was good, the second, a a thing of beauty. Bellerin supplied the pass for his first, Ozil for his second, both on the money. Inbetween those two goals, Mesut Ozil was brought down in the box and Lacazette, fresh from sending Butland the wrong way last weekend, did the same to Akineev. The Frenchman, who looked lively I thought, nabbed his second of the night soon after. Another really good finish after some nice touches beforehand.
The second half didn’t quite play out as hoped. Ozil continued to weave his magic, both Lacazette and Ramsey had chances to nab a hattrick each but couldn’t quite make it happen, the Welshman came closest though but hit the post. Both Mkhitaryan and Ozil missed chances to add to the score line as did Iwobi but 4-1 is how it stayed until the final whistle blew. A scoreline which should be enough to see us through to the semifinals, especially if CSKA are as open at the back in Moscow as they were last night. If we’d have won the game 10-2, the scoreline wouldn’t have been unfair. They broke through our midfield and defence on a number of occasions and that’ll need to be addressed before the second leg. Of course I know it won’t though.
Personally, I thought the game faded somewhat when Mkhitaryan had to go off after suffering a knock to the knee. The tempo dropped and at times it looked like the boys were in training. But hey, job done at home.
I thought Mesut Ozil was outstanding, he really bossed the game with some lovely touches and wonderful passing. Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette were excellent too. Mkhitaryan missed a few chances on goal, but together with the other attacking players, we looked very good. I know their defence wasn’t the best we’ll ever see but we can only play who were up against. As so often though, it’s the defensive side of our game which looked vulnerable.
Next up is Southampton on Sunday at The Emirates when I suspect just like last night, they’ll be a lot of empty seats. Well, I hope there is because that’s the only way the message to the board might hit home…
Another message which should be given out loud and clear is to Liverpool FC. Footage, which has now been released to the newspapers, shows just what Pep Guardiola and his players had to endure not long before they kicked off their big game on Wednesday evening. Disgusting behaviour from the home fans, scary too and there’s no doubt the City players would have been upset, scared even as the assault on the team bus hit its heights. How on Earth could they be expected to play a game of football after that?
Liverpool have been charged by UEFA and they need to be strong. I’d throw them out of the competition, show them that such behaviour from its fans is totally unacceptable and ban anyone proved to be involved the incident for life. Not only from attending matches but from being within a certain mile radius of Anfield and certainly from going to Russia for the World Cup this summer…
Have a good Friday guys and gals, summer is on its way…
first?
I’ve watched the game yesterday. I was in transit bit I watched this early morning.
I hope it happens what has been customary: CSKA is more efficient away than at home. If not, who knows…
It was not Ramsey who was offside. It was marked to Ozil and maybe he was.
Morning again Rico. Throwing the scousers out would both send a message and set a precedent and what with the world going crazy right now and idiots taking over the asylum, that might not be a bad thing. It would at least throw down a mark.
Last night was good but frustrating. Koscielny’s ridiculous challenge on the edge of the box was so dumb and so incredibly stupid, especially for a player with such experience. We could have done without conceding a home goal but Kos is so impetuous these days. Mustafi is just about ok at the last ditch challenge but he seldom seems to sense danger and is totally reactive, throwing himself at the ball in silly situations. We so desperately need a new central defence because we won’t go far in serious competitions with those two I think.
Morning Jm, Adam, all.
Agree, silly stuff from such an experienced defender but that’s him all over. In fact that’s been Arsenal in recent years hasn’t it, I recall Song forever giving away free kicks in dangerous areas.
Agree again re Liverpool and the world, some really strong examples need to be set because otherwise, nothing will improve. The fear factor has to come back..
rico says..
If Ozil had a bit more of a physical presence, he’d be one of the best footballers out there imo.
Spot on I thought. .
Great player but his physical weakness is so frustrating. .
Entertaining 1st half last night, and as predicted we couldn’t keep a clean sheet.
All our defenders look like rabbits caught in the headlights , panic city all over the place..
We really need a cool and composed head out there, a bit of organisations and coaching wouldn’t go amiss either.
If only. ..
Afternoon all
Afternoon from a sunny southeast.
We desperately need a proper captain on the pitch.
Kos last night showed his limitations and he just never talks or leads by example.
They are all liabilities at the back, diving in, too slow, giving away free kicks and corners. If that side had some decent strikers, they’d have had a few goals.
Jack was awful, and against a poor side too.
I think the club are right to stick to their contract offer, take it or leave it.
Now a few positives, Ramsey’s goals, Ozil, Lacazette goals, um… that’s it really, except to say I can’t see us not scoring away, so I reckon we have it.
I can’t wait to see City wipe the floor with manure on Saturday. Napoleons face will be a picture when City win the league after beating his side.
I hope I haven’t jinxed them now.
Evening guys, quiet day. Must be the sunshine making an appearance.
My day has been filled by clearing ground elder, horrid stuff!
How on earth did Mustafi think that hooking the ball over his head and back into the danger area, was a good idea?
When in doubt, row Z, they can’t score from row Z…
On the marshes that was on to the pitch about 3 away and get time to reorganise. First thing we were taught never pass across your own area , and this guy is an international. Beggars belief.
As Meerkat says there were positives but the negatives have got to be a worry . Should we go through at least we have a few weeks to sort it out before we come up against Costa and Greizmann.
Mertesaker is the only defender we have, who can organise the defence, but he’s finished so it’s like carnage at the back
I see the Kozzer bashers are out in force again, don’t suppose it’s even occurred to any of ya that he could have been a world class defender if only he’d stopped being at fault for conceding so many of our goals !
rico, you whinging again, count your blessings it’s not Japanese knot-weed !
Of course Micko, it’s what I do best… lol
New post up, it’s sponsored so be nice… lol