Morning all.
We, or perhaps I is nearer to the truth, keep going on about our defending. The media do too and that’s because we look vulnerable. But then yesterday a wave of positivity washed over me. Or reality. Opponents are getting through us to create scoring opportunities but we’re not conceding that many goals. Too many I hear you say but five of the eleven we’ve let in came in the first two matches and since then it’s six in seven. An average of under one a game. Yeah yeah, you worked that out..
There so often seems to be a last ditch tackle, interception or a great save to spare us. Isn’t that simply good defending? Or having a good keeper? Isn’t that exactly what we’ve been asking for for the last ten years or so? Of course we could be better, what teams couldn’t but the reality is, maybe, just maybe we’re not as vulnerable as we appear to be.
Out of all the possession Leicester City had last night, they scored one goal and that had a chunk of luck to it. Leno looked to have it covered until the boot of Bellerin deflected the ball away from him. Penalty shout? Not for me because in the build up, Holding’s arm collided with the Leicester played and the rebound caused it to make contact with the ball. They hit the bar but so what? Might as well have hit the corner flag because the end result would have been the same. Perhaps we’ve spent too much time watching crap defending by Arsenal to appreciate a bit of determination and effort when it’s on show. That’s how I feel anyway.
The first half was hit and miss. We started slowly I thought and the opposition took the initiative. Leno made a cracking save from a Maguire header and until their goal, that’s probably the closest they got to taking the lead. Unless I missed something whilst making a cuppa. Leicester probably thought they’d be going into the break on a bit of a high but we had other ideas. Mesut Ozil had other ideas. His finish was sublime but then so is he. When he wants to be but up until that point, I thought he and Arsenal in general were at a slow pace.
Goodness knows what Unai Emery said at halftime but whatever it was, it was good. We came alive and pretty much ran the show from then on. Then Emery struck gold again. Lichtsteiner off, Mkhitaryan off. Guendouzi and Aubameyang on. (Both starting in Lisbon no doubt) within five minutes of the changes, Aubameyang had scored two and we were 3-1 up. Leicester we’re done for.
The first from Aubameyang was a simple tap in, although I though the two chances against Man City were too but unlike on that day, no way was he missing. Ozil played the most wonderful pass through the Leicester players into the path of Bellerin. His pinpoint ball across the box made it easy for the man from Gabon. The second involved Ozil too with a cheeky pass off the outside of his boot for Aubameyang to finish. Lacazette played his part in our third too and boy how unlucky was he not to get on the scoresheet? Another day, another game and he will.
Game over, ten wins on the bounce and a really good second half of football from the boys in red and white.
Arsenal may not be a team full of world class players, yes we have a few but they are outnumbered by players who wouldn’t be put in the same category by the media but they worked bloody hard to make sure we won that match. Xhaka at left back, Bellerin had a great second half I thought. Guendouzi gave us something different with his pace, passing and enthusiasm. Leno, superb. Mustafi, Holding and Lichtsteiner all did a good job, good enough to stop Leicester scoring anyway and Torreira was simply his usual self.
Have I missed anyone? Oops, yes. Alex Iwobi. A few off moments in the first half just like many of them really but after that, I thought he was excellent. This is a player who just a few months ago looked awful out there on the pitch. Lost and really out of place. An incredible turnaround in such a short space of time in my opinion.
Ozil was the final one to be substituted, to a standing ovation I must add. Captain on the night but probably the most frustrating player we have in the squad. When he turns it on though, boy he turns it on…
Odd first half, great second half and inspirational changes made by the manager.
I reckon this guy from Spain knows what he’s doing don’t you?
Had the pleasure of watching bien sport with Keyes and Gray .Half expected Wenger to crop up.As usual it was all big screen pointing out wwho was where when things happened , vut one thing that they did say was that when Bang Bang came on Leicester dropped deeper and gave Ozil the space in midfielld. Thought that was about right.
Lucky you Potter. Not…
Good morning Rico, a resurrection more in keeping with Easter than mid-October.
I said before the game that we needed to see more from Ozil and boy did he put on a show. That was the sort of performance that helps to explain why he is paid so much, I just hope it is a sign of things to come and not a flash in the pan.
Leicester started well and caused a problem or two, but as you so rightly say, Rico, good goalkeeping and some good defending kept them down to a single goal and that has been officially credited as an own goal by Bellerin. Perhaps it’s the Foxes who should be labelled “lucky” not Arsenal.
Ozil’s excellent goal for the equaliser coming, as it did, just before half-time knocked the stuffing out of Vardy and Co. The second half saw them shredded by quick passing and even quicker goals, by the end they were a spent force, totally lacking in ideas and totally beaten.
The sweetest outcome, for me, we have leap frogged Spurs! Luvvly jubbly!
Great post Rico, full of enthusiasm, I like that.
Yep, again we seemed to invite the opposition onto us, let them use up a lot of energy then finish them off later in the game when our energy and technical superiority made the difference, it definitely seems to be a tactic.
But now our ‘hopeless’ team faces a trip to those superb technical geniuses in Lisbon. Frankly we don’t stand a chance, Sporting will rip us apart…
I just hope that we have a very strong referee as I can foresee a shed load of simulation and playacting from the boys in green hoops. Tbh, we have to be as cynical and do the same.
Morning Cicero, first half I thought Ozil was off, second half, very very different.
Same as Arsenal in general I thought. A cunning plan?
Thanks Kev, I’m enjoying watching Arsenal, especially the second half.. lol
Morning rico, all, good post. As much as Ozil improved, what about Iwobi. Lost ball 7 times in first half, was calling for him to be replaced at half time by Auba (although he showed a glimpse of what was to come by taking a ball down, if only he had done that earlier when through!). Second half he looked one of the most skilful footballers on the planet!
Not quite as optimistic as you rico about our defending, but the stats certainly paint a better picture. Whether or not it was a penalty, many refs would have given that. It made a change to be the opposition, especially bad-loser Schmeichel, crying about the referee. Did you hear, when they asked him ‘any credit to opposition in 2nd half’? His answer, no….
We MUST soon start a game like we came out 2nd half, Liverpool would be a good candidate.
Morning Andrew. Thanks.
Agree re Iwobi, he and Ozil turned the game around second half. Thought Bellerin did really well going forward too. He’d make a great winger as people have said before.
Once we start a match as we play in the second half, I reckon we’ll be a very good side.
Boo hoo Schmeichel- not every decision went our way by a long chalk, Lacazette got nothing from the ref imo, neither did we for a while.
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
A fair summation of the game Rico. I still think we need to tighten up at the back. However, our team continue to show moderate but steady improvement across the pitch. Our results must be a psychological boost to the team’s confidence.
As for Iwobi, he is young and still learning. I think Unai should continue to groom him. His pace allows us to switch from defense to attack very quickly and open up the opposition by stretching their backfield.
Does anyone know why neither Monreal or Kolascinac were played at left back?
There is still a lack of understanding between our fullbacks, it’s just suicidal for them both to bomb forward at the same time. It leaves us wide open to a fast counterattack. Last night Lichtsteiner was caught out in the first couple of minutes, Bellerin was also to far forward which left the two centre backs horribly exposed. If one goes forward the other should stay back, allowing the centre backs to shuffle across to nullify the counter.
Iwobi is certainly something of a curate’s egg, good in parts. He sometimes needs to look for the simple pass when faced with being shut down by pressing defenders, not carrying the ball into a cul-de-sac and losing possession. However, his pace and bodily strength is proving to be his best asset.
Hi Cg, although you’re probably sleeping by now..
Maybe Emery was th8nking of Sporting Cicero, although I think Monreal might have a little niggle of some kind.
Hi Rico – Lovely upbeat article with positive viewpoints.
Starting to Believe. Exciting to see team play with discipline and tactics. UE makes effective substitutions more than many managers. Was Happy with UE post game comments “did not start game well for 30 minutes”.
He demands excellence from squad – feels no favourites. Classic move give Ozil armband, maybe will stimulate excellent technique to perform consistently. Like many Gooners am excited for first time in years. Let see next 10 games. Thanks Rico for the platform to speak Arsenal- Cheers
Hi A117, thanks.
Hard not to be upbeat really. Room for improvement I know but we’re making progress at a good rate I reckon. Considering he’s only had one transfer window, alls good imo.
If you managed the opposition team how would you plan to beat Arsenal?
Evening all and thanks Rico for an uplifting post.
Personally I think our defending has been less than average in most games in this 10 match winning streak and it`s my opinion that our fortune has been down to some bad finishing by our opponents, espescially in the WHam and Everton games .
The last two EPL games have seen us take on a sort of Rope a Dope game, where lead the opposition into a false sense of superiority in the first half, only to come out in the second half shocking our opponents into submission………………………the quintuple is still alive and kicking with Dicks Rope a Dopeball !
Next up Benfica before (IMO) the more important one at C Palace !
A great run, yes, but, other than the first two games, the last ten were games I expected us to win, we need to beat the likes of Dippers, Spuds at home and ManU away to really make me/realistic people take notice.
This is why it`s called the beautiful game………………..
http://arsenalist.com/f/2018-19/goaaal-pierre-emerick-aubameynag-3-1-2018-10-22.html
Easy Dick !………………………..put away the chances in the first half before our team wakes up in the second half !
😆
Changed my mind and I think I`d rather beat Benfica !………………although that will be hard as they are playing in the CL tonight !
😆
Yeah it’s Sporting Lisbon Le Coq, just another bunch of Jonny Foreigners, more cannon fodder for the Glorious Gunners. 😀
In answer to my own earlier question, both Monreal and Kolascinac trained today, so Unai Emery must have cunning plan for Thursday’s game..
Think Monreal had a right hamstring. Odd Kolascinac wasn’t a sub, but Medley was!
We may well be riding our luck to an extent, but as the old saying goes, the harder we work, the luckier we get so I reckon we should give plenty of credit to the manager and players.
Saying that, we dominated possession, shots, shots on target and they scored off a deflection so that suggests to me that the better side won.
There’s no question that we need to tighten up in defence but that’ll come, in time.
Morning all.
Morning all… Scott how do you see the Ramsey scenario playing out? I just believe we have to sell him in Jan and try to get as much as possible (£15m/£20m?) I also think they’ll be minimal if any transfers in for us!
Morning Lee, Scott and all.
I know you didn’t ask me Lee, but I’d sell him or try and use him in a player swap deal..
If we can’t sell or swap him we should send him out on loan and let his new club pay his wages so we get them off of our books.
Oh, and good morning folks.
Hi Cicero, I wouldn’t loan him out as we’ll need him for Europa.
Rico I agree..
Rabiot for me Lee.
I`d try and negotiate again and get him(Ramsey) to stay, but alas I think that boat has sailed and Ramsey seems to be coming across that he will see out his contract, so we cant sell him unless he wants to be sold so we will lose a £50M player for nothing !
Morning !
Blame Wenger for that Lc. Or Kroenke. Lol
New post up now