Morning all.
Watching the team play via an App on an iPad isn’t the best but it’s better than nothing, even if the constant buffering meant I missed bits of the match. Sadly though, there was no buffering when Leno dropped a clanger which nearly ended up with us going behind. The match had barely got going when that happened.
The German keeper was just one of many changes Unai Emery made to the team which defeated Everton at the weekend which was no surprise. It was a strong team though which is just what we’d hoped for. Mkhitaryan returned, Welbeck too and as anticipated, Emile Smith-Rowe was handed his first start. Elneny and Guendouzi filled the central midfield whilst Lichtsteiner, Holding, Mustafi, Monreal and Iwobi made up the eleven. Not the best description of our team selection I know but you get my drift.
We got the perfect start with just five minutes on the clock. Guendouzi supplied the cross, Welbeck outjumped those around him to head past Daniels in the Watford goal. A lovely header it was too. 1-0 nearly became 2-0 shortly after but Jeanvier timed his tackle on Smith-Rowe to perfection to spare the visitors. The same player, Jeanvier I mean, should have been penalised after clearly fouling Iwobi in the box but once again, honesty earned us nothing. As much as I admire our players for not dropping to ground as easy as the likes of Hazard do, it’s clear that we’re not going to get much reward from players staying on their feet. Certainly not when Dean is the referee.
We did get a second though and it was that man Welbeck again. A lovely goal it was too. Credit to Mkhitaryan, Monreal and Iwobi also for their involvement in the build up.
After the break we squandered chances to put the game to bed but at 2-0 up, we were looking relatively comfortable. But then it came. A free kick twenty odd yards from goal shouldn’t really have caused us much of a problem but Alan Judge had other ideas. The wall jumped, kind of, but the ball was struck sweetly enough to curl up over it and dip at just the right time. 2-1 and Brentford started to believe.
The game was open, too open. Brentford got through our midfield and defence far too easily at times which seems to be the Arsenal way. Especially when there’s no Torreria on the pitch. They created chances to equalise. We had opportunities to regain the two goal cushion with the best perhaps from Monreal who saw his effort from close range kept out by Daniels.
Another penalty shout turned down, this one for Brentford and I was surprised Dean didn’t didn’t jump for joy and point to the spot when Yoann Barbet went to ground. in the box.
Emery had made changes, one of whom made sure we were heading into the next round. Alexandre Lacazette, who in my opinion just gets better and better. 3-1. Job done.
I thought Welbeck looked pretty good throughout the game. He was certainly very busy. Scoring goals will not only give Emery a selection headache, but tonnes of confidence to the player who is fighting for his place back into the first team. Like Ramsey though, he’s out of contract in 5he summer. Iwobi looked good again I thought and had he not strayed marginally offside, would have got himself on the scoresheet. A mention for Smith-Rowe too who looked like he’d been part of the team for years.
From what I could make out, the match looked entertaining, with the Championship club giving us a few scares, certainly in the second half after they scored.
But all in all, a good night for The Arsenal but in all seriousness, until the defensive issues are resolved, we’re always going to concede goals. Fortunately for us though, we’re scoring them too but that style of football can’t last forever. It won’t work against better opponents either.
In other news, it seems Aaron Ramsey’s Arsenal career will soon be over. The club have reportedly withdrawn the offer of a new contract which if true, should mean he’ll be sold in January. Perhaps the rise of Emile Smith-Rowe has something to do with that…
Watford up next, the last of our run of home fixtures.
“We got the perfect start with just five minutes on the clock”… well forgot the Leno mistake at the first minute.
We continue very inconstant
I did mention the Leno gaff Jm, pure misfortune perhaps because after that I thought he was pretty secure.
I think that what’s being proved is that we need better midfielders and defenders. Maybe that’s one of the reasons Ramsey has had his contract offer withdraw. If he has. I saw a few headlines suggesting Ozil could go too which wouldn’t surprise me.
I’d say we need two central defenders, solid ones and another midfielder like Torreria.
Rico. Yes, defenders for me too. Mustafi was awful again last night. If only he could stay on his feet. Personally, I find him a worry.
Perhaps Smith-Rowe will come through but Banega would make us stronger straight off. If Ozil left in January and I’m not convinced he will, that would leave space for a creator perhaps and there aren’t many of those around.
I too think Mustafi is our weak link Adam.
Emery seems keen to give our younger players their chance which is why I think Smith-Rowe could replace Ramsey. Especially if it’s always going to be a case of balancing the money. I doubt Ozil will go too, especially in January if for no other reason than his outrageous wages. No other club would pay him what he’s on for what he gives in return. Whoever sanctioned that contact needs their head examined. But the club was desperate I guess, what with the Alexis fiasco etc.
Perhaps it’s a blessing that Gazidis has gone.
I haven’t a clue which defenders we could sign but again, if money is restricted etc, I’d be tempted to look at the Championship clubs. Certainly for one, then add to him a top notch defender who’ll cost more.
Morning all and thanks Rico.
Not seen any of the game and thats a disappointment, they used to show highlights around 10:30pm on ITV…………..fcukers !
So thanks for the report.
Anyway, what I want to talk about is…………..has someone secretly moved Cornwall out into the mediterranean ?
🙂
Unless you’re trying to swim for survival right now Lc, I’d say no, they haven’t.
Not sure if your realise but it’s very warm across the uk in general, not just in poldark land.. lol
Good game, nice result even if the match wasn’t televised live.. Really we need one more very good defender and a world class winger, and then Arsenal can take on any team in Europe. Emery is doing a great job .Stan Kroenke need to splash the cash, otherwise he should hand over our club to a more soccer loving investor.
Bet it`s raining where Wavy is !……………..he`s a rain jinx !…………………..he once went on a middle eastern cruise and it rained the entire trip, never went on the Ark again !
Add another defence minded midfielder Chairman and I agree, although I still think we need two defenders by the time next season kicks off.
Rico its John fucking cross. No one takes what that prat says serious. I too believe Rambo is gone in January. Shame he didn’t hit the dizzy heights we all know he could but like Adam says if we get banega we ‘ll be more dangerous and better off. Morning everybody how are you guys doing?
Just him though Goonster?
Emery and Benega Have History don’t they? In a good way.
Hi Rico, great`summary as usual.“““`
One thing E S-R will have to brush up on is how to jump when he’s in the wall – the free kick went just over his head and if he’d timed his jump with the rest of them he would have blocked it. Otherwise he looked very good – at least Emery is giving him his chance in his proper position, Wenger would have started him on the wing or at full-back.“`
AS usual, what to do with Ozil is a problem, I’m going to think hard about it!
Brian
Hi Brian, thanks.
Not sure you’ll come up with an answer, other than sell him… lol
Lol of course not ma’am but we both know we won’t get all our players in one window. I think we ‘ll get a winger this January. Ismail sarr link won’t go away. The new dembele they dubbed him. I must admit I don’t know the lad but from what I ve seen he’s a baller and for 20m that’s quite a steal. If we were able to nab him and get banega and another LB this January then I see us pushing for a top 4 finish.
I wouldn’t expect miracles in January either Goonster and if we signed just one player, it would have to be a central defender for me. If we can stop conceding goals, we’ll be half way there. Then in the summer, get much of the rest sorted.
Morning all.
Sorry to disappoint LC but it’s blue skies here and warm. However, should I travel down to the south west I’m sure I’d bring the rain with me! I’m a weather monger you know!
Last night was a win when all is said and done. Move on….
Ramsey a couple of years ago would have been sorely missed if he’d been sold. Now, I’m not so sure he’s still a good player but he’s not the footballer he was. Not sure what’s changed but he’s just as effective as he was. Too many stray passes, too many careless flicks and definitely not enough goals. I think he knows that his role in this team is less than certain, so he’s going to take his contract to the wire. He’ll probably leave in the hope of being adored elsewhere, Cardiff City perhaps?
Right I’m back to my Indian summer sun bathing!
Rico a central midfielder really important ma’am if we are really letting Rambo go but watching auba struggle on the wings all season is painful. We need him in the thick of it. A winger with pace ,tricky and a good cross ‘ll be more beneficial to us than a midfielder. Yes I ‘ll jump for joy if we get banega but our priority in January should be a winger.
Good morning Rico, what a thoroughly entertaining game, something for everyone, from Leno almost putting the ball in his own net in the first minute, to Elneny’s extra time goal ruled out for offside, In between we had Welbeck actually scoring a couple rather than wasting chances, penalty appeals and Mike Dean refusals. Plus that sublime second goal, everything good about Arsenal’s football encapsulated in a few seconds, Mkhitaryan dummying a couple of Brentford players and finding Iwobi on his left who went forward and passed to the overlapping Monreal who laid it on a plate for the well positioned Welbeck, sublime.
Then of course there was the generosity of the Arsenal defence led by Mustaffi, who Roger Hargreaves could surely write a book about*, falling over themselves, literally, in an effort to bring Brentford back into the game. Brentford’s goal and Lacazette’s injury time nerve settler.
Wonderful stuff.
*Mr. Tumbledown perhaps?
I won’t miss him Wavy..
We’ll have to agree to differ Goonster.. Yes we need a winger, just as we need in other positions but imo, they can wait until the summer if they have to. Stop leaking goals is the priority right now. Imo anyway.
Morning Cicero, shows how bad my stream was, I thought it was Iwobi with the goal ruled out…
Mustaffi is not a disaster waiting to happen, he’s 10 disasters which DO happen every match!
A midfielder won’t change that ma’am because he ‘ll still have to learn how emery plays. We play with our wing backs deep in the opposition half thereby pushing them backwards with a high line. What good is one midfielder if he is constantly left by himself to defend against a counter attack but if we had a genuine winger bellerin won’t bomb forward and ‘ll have cover when he does. A winger is of the utmost importance.
Perhaps both Rico, even more entertaining.
Priority for me is a Mustafi replacement, Gary Cahill would fit the bill.
Where have ya been, Stan?
Sean’s traipsing around Holland looking for a blonde Adonis and can’t find you!!!!
Morning all.
If Ramsey goes, Ozil must stay.
Replace Ramsey with someone who has less flair and more consistency to compliment Ozil.
We can lose both, imo, but equally, we’ve yet to see them play brilliantly together.
I really do like Danny boy!!
He’s a worker and though he looks awkward, he can still find the back of the net.
11 players with his work ethic would be a formidable opponent.
On Leno, well, I don’t care about his foot skills as he’s a keeper and when we start asking strikers to have good hands, it’s fair to ask a keeper to have good feet 🙂 🙂
Scott, I don’t think it unreasonable for ‘keepers to be asked to have some skills with their feet. Defenders are expected to attack, midfielders to both defend and attack, attackers to defend. Gone are the days when all a ‘keeper was expected to do was chuck himself at the feet of a lump of a striker, grab the ball and leather it up-field. I do, however, think it wrong to play out from the back whatever the circumstances of the game but some level of dribbling skill shouldn’t be impossible to achieve.
Cicero, I was a little tongue cheek with that lol
My real point is I want a keeper to excel with his first job which is saving goals, and foot skills is a secondary thing, for mine.
Best have a great keeper with poor foot skills than a rubbish keeper who’s like Dennis on the ball 🙂 🙂
Hey, if they can do both, though……..I wouldn’t complain.
Afternoon Gooners.
Thanks for the post Rico, that was a nice summary of the game.
I saw very brief highlights on a channel called Quest, but it looked a good, competitive match. Brentford aren’t no mugs for sure.
Yes Stan, I also agree with Adam about Banega, actually Stan I agree with Adam about most things, I admire his common sense and decency…
Scotty oz😃 is that a fact??? Little Sean in the lower countries?? My word…why didn’t you tell me earlier? I could have had a welcome party for him. AK don’t we all?? Adam is one of kind😁😁😁
Looks like the club have effed him off. Not the other way round. I suspect perhaps Dick doesn’t see him as the future, or rather his future is all behind him! Great shame as I believe old mother Wenger saw him and Jack as Cesc’s replacement when he tried to re-unite his DNA with his Barca brothers, but it never quite happened for young Aaron as it didn’t for Jack. Perhaps they’ll link up with the ‘am ers.
Tea time I’m off for my fish and chips
You buggers! 🙂
Your last comment goonster has confused me.. I didn’t suggest a midfielder, I’d like us to sign a CB…
Thanks Kev..
A CB for sure Rico.
You’d think so Adam.
OK !…………………….from the horses mouth………………I`m intrigued as to why the offer was removed ?
https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david/status/1045316829042933761
Stan, he flies out tomorrow-bugger.
They’ve been based in Utrecht but been to Eindhoven, Amsterdam and even over to Düsseldorf.
I think it’s been around 10 days or so, thus far.
Has a few trial games and been to PSV v Ajax, and Düsseldorf v Bayer Leverkusen so seen plenty.
Shame we couldn’t line you up to see the Aussie kids play.
Morning Rico and all.
This Ramsey stuff is all a bit weird isn’t it?
‘morning all, Le Coq it seems obvious what went wrong. The club offered him an improved contract but no enough money so he turned it down and the club said enough!
Apparently there are a couple of clubs interested, although no formal approaches have been made, so flog him in January for whatever we can get, rather than pay him until the summer when he can leave for nothing. He wont be missed, at least by me.
Morning Adam, Cicero, all.
If the story is true about him being offered more money and he said no and as a result he’s being sold, then good. Draw a line under the Ozil stupidity and don’t visit it again I’d say.
New post up now by the way..