Morning all.
The away fixture against against this afternoons opponents was one of those, ‘should’ve, could’ve, would’ve’ games. We should have won because we had more possession and opportunities to score, could have won if our chances created were taken and would have won – well, for the two previous reasons. But the game at Bramall Lane was just another one in a long list of bad away days under Unai Emery.
It was also a day when both Mike Dean and VAR failed to spot Sokratis being tugged over in the Utd box. The pull on our Greek defenders shirt was clear to everyone bar the officials and probably anyone who wanted Chris Wilders team to win but ignored by those who count. Another big miss followed, this one from Pepe. Kolasinac whipped a great crossed into the box and from just a few metres out, somehow our number 19 skewed it wide. It really was a terrible miss.
Around the half an hour mark, we conceded the only goal of the game from a Utd corner. No meaningful challenge from Luiz for the headed knockdown, no challenge at all from Xhaka on Mousset. No real surprise. Utd thought they should have been awarded a penalty following a Kolasinac challenge in the box but Dean rightly dismissed their appeals, Arsenal players thought we should have been awarded a penalty too when Saka went over in their box but again, Dean rightly waved away such claims. This time though he waved his yellow card at our young winger. Funny that! Xhaka nearly earned a point with a wonderful strike from miles out but the keeper matched the quality of the shot with a good save. That was pretty much that.
Unai Emery didn’t have his strongest team out back then. Injuries played their part as they will again today but also, his choice was to leave Lucas Torreira on the bench. The industrious Alexandre Lacazette didn’t start either. We’ll never know if they’d have made a difference but a fit Torreira is always a starter in my opinion.
It it looks like Torreira is fit for today’s game which if so, is a huge boost. He was certainly training yesterday, as were Bellerin, Holding and Tierney to name just a few. No sign of Kolasinac though so I guess Saka will be called upon. I’m sure Wilder will see our two fullbacks as being our weakness. Another hole for Arteta to fill is up front with the absence of Aubameyang. Martinelli is the obvious choice to slot into his place. As has been said before by many of us here and recently by Mikel Arteta, other players need to step up and start scoring goals. Pepe, Lacazette, Ozil, Cabellos, Guendouzi, Xhaka – all of them whenever they play, have to take a chance when it presents itself instead of looking for an extra pass.
We know what to expect from Utd this afternoon and that’s an organised, hard working and fearless but they don’t always travel well. We simply have to make home advantage count, not only today but for the rest of the season if we’re to close the gap between ourselves and Chelsea in fourth place. An eleven point difference is nothing in this league, especially as other club results are nearly as up and down as our own.
Mikel Arteta said he’s already warned his players of the threat Sheffield Utd will pose today. I hope they’ve listened because if they think anything other than 100% commitment and discipline will be enough, they’ll be in for a surprise.
Have a good Saturday guys.
Good afternoon Rico. The away match memories don’t make comfortable reading, I just hope we can wipe them out with an improved performance, and a goal or three, this afternoon.
A great performance by our new spinner, taking all five South African wickets in their first innings. But the rain gods have now taken over.
Afternoon Cicero, all.
Arsenal were in a very different place when we travelled away for this fixture. I can’t see complacency setting in today. Also, with Auba missing, it’s an opportunity for someone else to come forward and make his presence known.
Big shame about the rain in SA.
Morning all.
Rico, I doubt we will see complacent whilst Arteta is in charge but if we do, it’ll only last 45 minutes 🙂
Massive game for us, this one.
45 mins is too many though Scott.
Mike Dean should run out to ‘its all about you by Mcfly’
COYG
Leno, AMN, Luiz, Mustafi, Saka, Torreira, Xhaka, Ozil, Pepe Martinelli, Lacazette.
Subs, Bellerin, Holding, Ceballos, Martinez, Guendouzi, Willock, Nketiah.
Strongest team available, strong bench too.
Fingers crossed now.
Rico, true, but we’ve seen plenty of 90 minutes like that.
Small steps…
No Sokratis…?
Haven’t we just Scott.
One nil to The Arsenal!! Martinelli.
Half time.
He’s a gun, Cicero.
Superstar in the making!!!
John Jules has scored to give Lincoln the lead.
Listening on the radio and it sounds like we’re clinging on for a point. Just.
Rico, Utd has a few cracks at us late-mainly from some average passes by us-but in general, I reckon we were the better side in the second half.
The Pépé penalty shout was a soft one but I’ve seen them given time and again.
I don’t agree with those being given, but the lack of consistency rears it’s ugly head yet again.
I tried to follow the game as closely as possible and again the same conclusion: we were on top of the game until 65-70 minutes. We insist on leaving Ozil on the field and the game turns. We replaced Laca which gives great strength in the middle and introduced Nketiakh. He has speed but no physique and we lost physical strength in the attack and pressure just outside the area. We had long since lost strength in midfield with Ozil on the field. We haven’t won a game and we haven’t reached 30 points yet, we should have had them in our pockets for more than 2 months. We continue in 10th.
Thanks Scott.
It’s frustrating to lose but we all knew it would take time. I’m hoping the subs etc are about MA finding out about his players because I’m not sure bring Eddie on when we need to win is a smart choice, certainly not for Lacazette.
Rico, we drew 1 – 1.
Disappointing I agree but one goal is never enough with our defensive frailties. Martinelli looked distraught at the end.
I agree Cicero, one is never enough because I’d imagine the nerves are still hanging around in the players minds after so long of leaking goals.
Once Arteta can get a few signings done in the summer and the longer he works with the players, and of course our injured return, things should get much better.
At least I hope they will. The signs are good that’s for sure.
Most disappointing aspect for me was lack of clear cut openings. Watched as you instructed rico! Shef United so organised though. Just when I thought Mustafi was having a good game he passed straight to them and could have cost a goal. Similarly Luiz just let them have a clear header that fortunately straight at Leno. No jump, no lean, just let him, which is disappointing as I like Luiz. Torreira some really good interceptions as usual. Saka also good.
Isn’t Ceballos fit?
Isn’t it time to start playing?
A Spanish national team player (who replaced Silva …) eager to play and go to the European Championship, won’t he be a “pearl” in the team?
For 38 minutes we were level on points with Tottenham . Not that it means much . They are just as crap as we are . We never seem to be able to put things to bed when we should .
Too inexperienced at the end ,yet it was the same old culprits that ran out of steam . I agree that Ozil should be replaced now at the hour but who for . I don’t think that shoring up a 1 nil lead with our players is the way to go . We always have a mistake in us and that is our undoing . Whether it’s under hit passes , not closing down , or just ball watching , we are guilty of all of them . Frustrating yes but we are a young team that’s learning in a very hard league . We finished playing 4 up front average age 20 . You can’t expect a hatful of goals from that when the supply line is not providing much ,
Isaac Heyden hits a ninety-third minute winner for Newcastle against Chelsea.
We’re 10 points behind Chelsea who’re in 4th place, by close of play on Tuesday that could be 13 points and the thinnest of thin chances of us finishing top four will finally be extinguished.
Do the winners of the FACup get a place in the Europa?
Europa League Kev.
So we still have two reasonable chances of getting back into european competition Cicero.
Forget the league, we need to focus on the two cups…
I agree, the League is a write off.Today made a little better by Chelsea losing – and a former gunner scoring.
We are in for a struggle to get to 50 points though.
It was never going to be easy.
Maybe we will make a couple of changes,Ceballos for Ozil for one,he looks jaded – he’s not exactly dynamic at the best of times.
Ozil busted his arse in that game, and to blame him is just very, very surprising to me.
He worked as hard as we’ve ever seen but i think we are letting our opinion of him dictate the tone of our comments.
He was strong at the end and never stopped chasing.
Nketiah-that was a surprise and I guess Arteta wanted to see what he’d provide.
You could tell how disjointed we became instantly as he’s not played with our guys for quite a while.
Mustafi…….Andrew, I remember having the very same thought you did, and at the same time.
Right before THAT pass lol
He was damn good, though.
Leno is all at sea at set pieces-it’s the only thing holding him back from being a World class keeper, I reckon.
I maintain that most other clubs get that penalty shout yet we don’t.
Why??
Well, we all see it weekly so we know why.
Saka is a proper footballer in the making.
I knew the wraps on him were big from Rick, Kev and others before he started playing first time football and they were right-little things he does under pressure are bloody impressive.
And he can deliver a cross!!!!!!!!!
We look a much better side already under Arteta, they’re working for each other and I think once we string 2 or 3 wins together, the confidence will grow amongst the squad and we will climb the table.
I’m sorry , I’m trying to be positive but I have to be honest. We deserve to be where we are in the table. We are just not good enough to beat teams above us.
Arteta has got the team playing better, with a bit more fight. But maybe the players just aren’t as good as I think.
If we can’t beat teams like this at home, then we have a scrap on our hands.
Brighton and Southampton were supposed to be in real trouble, now they are right behind us.
New post up now.
My cup remains 3/4 full… lol