Morning all.
An odd game really. In the first half, the visitors seemed lively and on more than one occasion looked like they might open the scoring. Ospina was in good form to keep them out.
Arsene:
In the first half it looked like a difficult game because they were dangerous going forward. They had good technique in short spaces, they are quick on the counter-attack and it was not easy. We took complete control of the game in the second half and we could’ve score more because they had given a lot in the first half. They suffered a little bit physically in the second half.
On 12 minutes, Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring and with a delightful finish but Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain were both guilty of trying to find an extra pass instead of going for goal early in the game and even after going 1-0 up, Ludogorets had one, two, maybe even three really good opportunities to equalise. Both Koscielny and Mustafi were guilty of making defensive howlers but as said, Ospina was in good form.
Theo Walcott made it 2-0 just before the break and soon after the second half begun, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made it 3-0 before Mesut Ozil stole the show.
Cazorla set up Mesut’s first goal with an inch perfect pass. A superb first touch from the German followed by a cool finish under the body of Stoyanov. Soon after, there was a second from Mesut Ozil. Substitute Lucas supplied the cross, the German fired home with his right foot. Sweet as a nut.
Arsene:
The confidence is high, we have a good balance at the moment in the team and maybe it’s because we’ve been making more of our chances. The final ball is better. Is that because our finishing is better? It’s difficult to analyse at the moment, but what is for sure is that we score more goals. We score lots of goals. That’s what our game is about. We have a risky game and therefore it’s important that we take our chances.
The same duo supplied our sixth goal which ended with Ozil volleying home his first ever hat-trick in football. With a huge smile on his face and with the match ball in hand, off he and his team-mates went for a well deserved bath. And a selfie of course…..
As we keep saying, they’ll be tougher tests ahead for this Arsenal team, but for now, just enjoy the superb six goals scored and three more big Champions League points…
With PSG also winning, we needed them.
Spare a thought for ‘Arry and his wife. Hope she recovers well after her old man accidentally ran her over……
Morning Rico and all. It all ended up quite comfortable last night but they were certainly lively in the first half. Some great goals but Mesut’s first touch for his second was quite ridiculous. I could watch that over and over.
Adam, he’s a genius, and a joy to watch.
His movement is just smooooth.
I hope he finishes his career with us, as that gives us another 4-5 years of viewing pleasure.
What a win! I know the Bulgarian league is not quite as good as the EPL but……..you can only play the team that is put in front of you. (Ian Wright BTTV, last night.)
6-0 and some cracking ‘Arsenal goals’.
It was a night and a game that could have been lifted straight out of the 2006 back catalogue. I remember the dismantling of Crystal Palace at Highbury, 5-0 and when Henry scored the fifth I turned to my son and said, ‘make the most of this, it won’t last’. He did and the play and players didn’t!.
Last night’s game was reminiscent of that night with goals to match. Arsenal goals. Fast break, a couple of incisive passes and a deadly finish! Oh, how we’ve waited for the return of fleet footed, direct footballers with finishers at the end of the move.
The difference between the tippy tappy crab football that has been dished up so regularly and so tediously just was not in evidence last night and, has only been served up a couple of times this season. It’s progress! Only Arsene knows who, what and how the team approach has altered, however, we,all know why!
Add to the mix the ingredient that has largely not appeared recently, luck and good fortune. That little bit of luck is absolutely crucial if we are to be winners.
A year ago Alexis shot would have curled out over the bar. Woolcott’s shot would have been hit with half the pace and caught comfortably by the keeper. Ozil would have scuffed at least two of his shots or mis hit them high wide and handsome! The Ox’s shot would have been deflected harmlessly away from goal!
But the team are now a far more ruthless and less hesitant, when passing the ball, when controlling the ball and when shooting!
Oh, long may it improve and last…….!
A cheery good morning to you all.
Lol Wavy….love that post, mate!!
Morning Rico and the house
Give mesut what he wants wages wise and dont fuck him around
loved peres contribution when he come on
Agreed on both points, MG.
We have Ozil….surely it’s less risky to up his wage than to replace him, running the risk of a new guy not settling in etc etc.
Perez works hard, and will end up a good purchase.
Scott, ta, re the post. Let’s just hope that this is the new dawn that’s awakening a new era and not a false dawn that returns to black night!
Cynically I wonder if this ‘new’ approach has more to do with the will of the players rather than any ‘tuning’ from mr Wenger. I don’t suoppose we’ll ever know but as long as it continues, I could care less!
Morning Adam, Mg and all..
Spot on re Ozil Adam, incredible touch…
Nice one Wavy…
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Rico – Great game report.
“… As we keep saying, they’ll be tougher tests ahead for this Arsenal team, but for now, just enjoy the superb six goals scored and three more big Champions League points…” All too true, but in the meantime we should take pleasure where and when we can.
The teams playing style seems to be evolving and the team coalescing into a well oiled, well tuned machine. As Wavy so eloquently detailed, the team are returning to some of the more direct approach of their earlier glory days of Henry and Bergkamp. Some errant passes and defensive slip-ups last night, thankfully none of them costly, but the team are growing in confidence and co-operative cohesive play.
It looks like they have finally learned to alter and vary their style of play and to be more ruthless. Early days yet, but this season does seem to hold some real promise of silverware.
Hi Cg, thanks.
Agree, Wavy summed things up very well..
Michael Owen delivers blunt verdict on Theo Walcott’s goal in Arsenal’s win over Ludogorets;
http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2016/10/michael-owen-delivers-blunt-verdict-on-theo-walcotts-goal-in-arsenals-win-over-ludogorets/
What a graceless malevolent little twonk the Mental Midget of Merseyside is. He just can’t say anything good about about The Arsenal or our players.
Here is some more of his verbal diarrhea, if you have the stomach for it;
http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2016/10/michael-owen-issues-warning-to-arsenal-after-6-0-win-over-ludogorets/
I see the Philippines has been hit badly by yet another typhoon. Has anyone heard from AGAG recently?
I think I’ve put everyone to sleep again. So, I’m of to bed to dream of more big scoring wins for The Arsenal.
Have a great day everyone.
Afternoon all.
I`ve said it before and I`ll say it again !………………………….Alexis and Ozil would be in my all time greatest team Arsenal team and that means one thing to me…………………..dont fcuk about Wenger/Gazidis/Kroenke/Chips/Board/whoever……….get them signed up now !.
http://arsenalist.com/f/2016-17/arsenal-vs-ludogorets/mesut-ozil-s-flick-after-the-match.html
My argement or frustration is that we are always consistently there or there abouts.Injuries have been a major factor but now eventually that has been hopefully sorted out to a degree, why do we still look so vunerable in defence.Individually take last night’s team all look very sure and solid but not working as a unit.Who does the defensive coaching ? One assumes it’s Bould then I am afraid we need a change and not listen to the bosses words last night about scoring more than one concedes.We all know games are not played out that way.
On review I noticed Perez made 2 goals from crossing from both flanks.I wonder if Giroud;s sore toe is turning into a major headche.
Evening guys, busy old day today….
Gangrene perhaps Kelsey.. lol
Night…
Hey Scott, ready for this? I know you will get a chuckle. Apparently, it seems that the players don’t know whether AW is staying or leaving, and this is the reason why Ozil have not sign. He he is waiting for AW to sign. The story goes on to say that when hes was at Werder Bremen he was on his way to Arsenal but wasn’t sure if AW was going to stay so he opted for Real. When real told him he can pick the team he want to transfer to he pick Arsenal because of his prior conversations with AW, which was the reason for the deal being done so quickly. So it is not about the money, they have agreed on that, according to the story.
Hi Obi.
Question then !…………………………If it meant that Ozil and Alexis would only stay if Wenger signed a new contract………. would any of you accept that ?.
I shall start the ball rolling and say yes !………………I love these two players and anything to keep them like Wenger staying is OK !…………………………I`d even accept Sanogo staying !…………………….talk about desperate !. hahaha
LC you always bring me to stitches…lol. The story only mentioned Ozil but my guess is if Ozil stay Alexis would and Sonogo may be convinced to stay…. I would not mind AW staying if he continues to implore tactics and use the squad properly as he’s been doing. My problem with him has always been about selection, tactics and spending, it looks like that has changed.
I still think there are games when Giroud will be useful but imo he always should of been our plan B.
Our attack is much more fluid and full of pace it’s quite frightening…..
Let’s hope the Ox can do a “Walcott” this season and the big prizes will come our way!
Well done Arsenal and more importantly well done Arsene Wenger!!!
Well said re Arsene Wenger Lee. Morning to you and all.
He deserves a lot of credit for changing things this season but he could still be more proactive as a match is being played out when there’s clearly a weakness which is getting exploited by the opposition.
As for Ozil/Sanchez – IF AW staying put means they both will, then yes, I hope they all stay…
Morning Rico, Brudder and all. Yes, Arsene looks like he is back on it lately and that’s good news.
Morning Adam. Maybe having a pretty decent bunch of players helps… 😉
New post up now.