Morning all.
That Arsenal performance was disappointing. Was the ball out just before West Ham scored? Probably but unless technology intervenes, or rules change, goals like the one last night will always stand. Michael Oliver hadn’t seen the ball cross the line, nor had the linesman and the camera angles didn’t show enough for VAR to overturn the decision. Rubbish really. West Ham’s second was clear cut. Mavropanos out jumped the Arsenal defence and that was that. Oh, and David Raya saved a penalty which Declan Rice conceded.
Arsenal, although slow and often predictable in attack created enough chances to score half a dozen goals if not more but couldn’t convert one of them, let alone enough to nick a point. To be honest, it wasn’t until the last twenty odd minutes that Arsenal played with any kind of urgency and by then, it was easy for West Ham to just sit back and defend their two goal lead.
Martin Odegaard:
I think we created more than enough to score goals to win the game and it was the little details and the little last pass or the finish that was missing today. We have to learn from it and make sure we get sharper and better in front of the goals. The goals we conceded were too easy, so definitely in front of the goals, inside the boxes, that’s where the games are decided. We weren’t good enough today.
Arsenal’s problem in my opinion is there is no plan b when plan a isn’t working. Personally, I think a plan b will only come from signing a different kind of striker. A big strong fella who can be a target man in the box. Someone to ping crosses in to rather than try and pass the ball around a ten man defensive unit. But I think we’ve all suggested that on here at some stage.
It’s not the end of the world to be beaten at home though by West Ham, frustrating yes but they’ve been in good form of late. We’re still only two points off top spot and there’s five months of this season to go yet. Every club will continue to drop points I’m sure.
Just two more fixtures and then the players get a break and going by the way they played during the first 40/50 minutes last night, they need it. Four points from the last four games is hopefully our blip and after the winter break, the players will come back fit and firing. Hopefully we’ll have Fabio Vieira, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu fit again soon too although I know both Tomiyasu and Partey could be away playing international football for the next two months if they’re declared fit enough.
Next up is Fulham on New Year’s Eve and then the transfer window will be open. What Arsenal’s plans are for January is anyone’s guess but defensively and in attack, I think we’re short. An injury to either Ben White or Oleksandr Zinchenko and we’re in trouble. An injury to Declan Rice or either of our centre backs and we’re down to the bare bones. Kai Havertz will be back for the Fulham game of course and Emile Smith Rowe looks fit and healthy too so in attack, we’re pretty strong on paper but when it comes to an out and out striker, we’re seriously lacking.
A bit of fun. If Arsenal signed just one player next month, in what position would hope like it to be?
Catch up in the comments.
Morning Rico and all,
It’s a striker for me, possible someone who is tall enough to use his head from corners, it’s doesn’t matter how good you defend if you can’t put the ball in the net, you not are not going win.
Not good enough sums it up Rico but I’m not sure about a plan B, we just need plan A to work properly.
Jesus should have scored one and probably two headed goals but his finishing was Hackney Marshes level, therefore get out on the training ground and practice headers then!
Martinelli had a stinker, he needs a sit down at Fulham, Saka and Martinelli have become predictable, therefore work harder at training at being unpredictable don’t keep on doing the same things.
We missed the height and control of Havertz across the board and in particular in both boxes.
There will always be that last minute winner vs Bournemouth by Nelson from last season but he can’t dine out on that forever, neither Reiss or Eddie made any significant difference although Eddie did inject some energy and probably needed longer on the pitch?
So if Reiss and Eddie and probably Vieira aren’t going to make any difference when they come on , we have to move away from them next summer.
I thought that Trossard had one of, if not ‘his’ worst game in an Arsenal shirt, he was completely ineffective and should have come off at half-time. He makes a difference when he comes on as a sub but as a starter I’m not sure anymore.
Zinchenko is the elephant in the room, maybe he’d be more effective in the left 8, that’s why if Arsenal only bring in one player this summer I’d like it to be a defender, someone who can cover across the back four and someone who can do the Zinchenko job instead of Zinchenko.
Which poses the question?
What has happened to Kiwior and why doesn’t the manager trust him?
Good morning Rico, I’m pretty sure that Michael Oliver had no idea whether or not the ball was out of play, but awarded that goal in the hope that Var would prove him right.
Timber should be back soon, so my priority is for a centre forward, otherwise it would be a left back.
Declan Rice should be doing what he does best, dominating midfield, not covering for Zinchenko when he goes walk-about.
Morning Geoff, Cicero, Kev.
Absolutely re Oliver but he couldn’t disallow the goal Cicero.
Kev, Martinelli and Saka have become predictable but that’s the plan a. We need something different as well as better finishing imo.
Surely the way we play and the players individually, is what Arteta wants from them. Is it not his responsibility to get them playing a different way? Martinelli is very right footed, Saka, left and both usually like to cut in onto their favoured foot. If I can see it, any old fool can… 😂
Because of the slow and predictable build up by the time either Saka or Martinelli get near the penalty box there are at least eight defenders and two or three attackers already packed in there. As we don’t have a proper striker there is little point in our wingers hitting high balls into the goal area, so the only alternative is to play the ball around and hope for either a penalty, Jesus is adept at falling over, or a free kick on the edge of the box.
Arteta has moulded the team to play the only way he knows. I don’t think he has either the confidence, or the knowledge, to invent a plan b. His old boss twigged it a while ago and introduced Haarland. If, and it’s a big if, we are interested in signing Ivan Toney then Arteta is copying Pep’s strategy in going for an old fashioned number nine.
Afternoon rico, House, went to bed in a very bad mood last night. My son went, worse for him.
Assuming Brentwood wont let Tooney leave, I would go for Solanki, especially seeing his two great headers from distance last week. And bring Tierney back from loan, a great overlapping full back who once upon a time was allowed to get to the byline and cross, very well.
If Arteta is not going to play him, them it’s time to let Elneny go.
I hoope Arteta hasn’t run out of fresh idea’s
In my opinion, and once again, the ball is out because the ball is a spherical surface, which implies that all points on its exterior are the same distance from the center (this is the notion of radius of a circle). Therefore, as long as its entire surface is outside the line, that is, the line can be clearly seen, the ball is out. This is what the Law of the game also says.
It turns out that the Var algorithm doesn’t do this. Var is based on the projection of the ball which depends on the origin of the light focus and therefore distorts the Law and sporting truth.
I can’t understand how anyone who understands hasn’t seen/noticed this error yet.
We have always had this game in us , the game when nothing works and that includes the players . It is difficult to have any criticism of Kev’s assessment . We are predictable both our wingers are playing on the wrong side to give the cut inside curling shot , perhaps when they are struggling they could swap over. As Jesus spends so little time in the penalty box perhaps one or two of our midfielders might like to get in there .
Kev suggests heading practice but I have long believed that in training we concentrate of a 5 a side format and we need to spend some time learning to shoot .
occasionally Elneny if he gets the 10 minute cameo call will take a punt but he learned that as a junior, Rice had one just over the bar and Smith Rowe in his actually made a run into the box to the far post but the pass to him was over hit.
Apart from that life was easy for their defence they blocked out the wingers and we went into back heel little flick mode and passed it to death where we could not hurt them .
I watched the 2nd goal a few times this morning . As the lined up Zinchenko 5 foot 9″” was marking 6 foot 4″ Mavropanos and when he made his run to the near post Zinchenko let him go and he had a clear run to get over Gabriel . Schoolboy defending.
I was against letting Tierney go. Even as a sub he was amazing at instillating energy and good crosses.
Zinch should be pairing the midfield with Rice. The other teams saw him as a weak spot in defense. Whereas on his day he’s great offensively.
Saka & Ødegaard are predictable in the way they cut inside and try to score. They definitely need to work on new ways to unlock defenses.
Raya is not as good a shot stopper as Rams. Please bring back Rams and his instant reflexes.
ESR must start against Fulham.
We need a plan b. We are too predictable. The other teams figured it out how we play
Afternoon Andrew, Totts are after Solanke but like you, he’d do for us imo.
If we are to sign a striker next month he needs to be Premiership ready. There is no time for finding his feet in anew league. Solanke first he bill.
It’s a bit gusty on the south coast…
Agree re the striker, if we’re going to sign one. If rumours about Arsenal rejecting Crystal Palace’s approach for Nketiah are true, I doubt we’ll sign a striker next month.
So Arteta has finaly admitted that we need a striker, but the question is will he do something about it.
I reckon we will sell Niketiah but not to a premier league club.
Has he Geoff? Good. Although that’s just put the price up of anyone we’re after, unless a deal has already been done.
It’s hardly the time of year for a trip to the seaside 🏊 Rico. But the puppy would enjoy a romp on the beach. 😉
She will Cicero, the weather is meant to improve to tomorrow so sand and sea awaits. 😃
Personally Rico I would skip the sea until mid June at the earliest. I’ll stick to my weekly swim in a heated indoor pool. 😉
Don’t have to go to the water here on the Broads the water is coming to us . The surrounding fields around us are now under water for over 10 weeks .
Solanke ? but will Bournemouth sell ? Who ever we get it’s a gamble . If they come from overseas they will have to bed in . If they are African or Asian they have international tournaments . The question is do we plod on with what we have or do we get who we want in the close season .If we wait then we are settling for a fight for Champions league with 6 points separating the top 5. If we act now maybe Champions outright.
Last season the atmosphere at the ground was rocking , the last few games have seen nerves creep in . Is this transferring to the players and the manager.?
Imo, a new striker would lift the team as well as the fans. I still remember the buzz Arshavin brought. His goals too and he wasn’t even a striker..
The weather is awful everywhere isn’t it, roll on tomorrow when storm whatshisname buggers off…
We must beat Fulham now we are 4 place with 5 place Tottenham closing in
The weather is quite awful, the puppy is still biting, the scenery is delightful, so bring out the sun and let it shine let it shine let it shine
Happy new year all 🎉🎊
Happy New Year to you Geoff.
New post up.