Arsene Wenger knows when to dial up a season, and when to put on a show. His band of temperamental misfits pulled it together to a very empty stadium, and dropped CSKA from a great height onto a slab of polished concourse concrete.
Not even Arsenal can fuck up a 3 goal advantage.
The performance was dominated by Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil. The Welshman was in full on ‘give me the Ozil money’ mode. He absolutely dominated the game with his energy and attacking instincts. He popped up with two goals and was unlucky to have an early attempt disallowed. Our German superstar was in his element, he was given free rein to pick out space and runs all evening. His three assists and an asisst to the assister gave him the MOM.
The first goal came when he found Bellerin on the right. The Spaniard fizzed a searching low first-time cross into the penalty area, it found Ramsey at the back post where he cooly smashed his shot past Akinfeev.
The second didn’t take long to arrive, and it went the way of CSKA. A shoddy Mustafi clearance, a weak header by Xhaka, and an aggressive clear up operation from Koscielny led to a freekick being given about 20 yards out. Golovin made no mistake, masterfully looping the ball over the wall and dipping it under the bar. Petr Cech had no chance.
It didn’t really feel like a game changer, we had all the momentum. Arsenal looked comfortable on the ball, we were definitely fitter, and we had way more talent. CSKA played the way Wenger needs teams to play to win. Totally open, zero agression, with no clear plan.
Our second came from a penalty after Ozil was felled in the box for the second time in a week. This time, the penalty was a bit more justified and the contact came before the ball was touched. Lacazette took the kick and scored his second of the week.
Our third was so good that I’m still waiting for my excitement to subside, you know what I’m saying, right?
Mesut Ozil picked out a Ramsey late run into the box with a diagonal lofted ball into the CSKA area, Ramsey pirouetted mid-air and turned the ball over the keeper with the side of his heel. Ballerina beauty. A Puskas nomination is surely forthcoming. Give him the keys to north London while you’re at it. Also, force him to sign a new deal.
The night was capped off with a slick move. Xhaka played a great ball down the left, Ozil put in a sprint of exceptional gusto, then rattled a ball across the box, he found Lacazette about 10 yards from goal, he controlled the ball with one touch and rattled home a precision strike back across goal. A real fox in the box strike.
The only shame of the night is we didn’t really make sure of the result (you know, to properly safe levels), but to be honest, CSKA were so off the pace, it’s hard to see how they’d come back into the game.
There were no major upsets in the other games. Leipzig beat Marseille 1-0 at home. Atletico dealt easily with Sporting with a 2-0 victory, they’re certainly in the semifinals. Lazio beat Salzburg 4-2. All the strongest teams look very likely heading into the next round.
… Just pray we don’t meet Atletico.
Right, that’s all I have, see you in the comments. x
Losing Mkhi for the remainder of the season is actually a pretty big loss. One, because he combines well with Ozil, Ramsey and others in the final third; and two, because his replacements are zeros.
Mystic
“you were the biggest Ramsey hater yourself when he just got out of having his best season and also when he was playing like a proper CM”
I’d say I was more a Ramsey critic than a Ramsey “hater”. And far from playing as a “proper CM,” this was back when he was doing “Hollywood Ramsey” all of the time, doing pointless backheels to no one, etc.
He deserved the criticism then; he really doesn’t today. And under a proper manager, he could be an excellent and versatile CM, which is why I’ve argued for re-signing him.
Gibbs likely to be in the championship next season.
Wow.
Not where I pictured him to be at 28 year s age.
Shame
A true test of Ramsey’s ability is against decent teams, where he has consistently been ineffectual..
Hillwood
UK mate, South East.
Rafa is doing a fantastic job this season with Newcastle, that squad he’s working with is Championship level.
Really good manager is Benitiez, deserves more than Ashley.
“A true test of Ramsey’s ability is against decent teams, where he has consistently been ineffectual..”
If you listen closely you can almost hear Paulinho typing ferociously..
Yes Benitez is a good manager. I like that Perez fella in Newcastle, a nippy player.
“Gibbs likely to be in the championship next season.Wow.
Not where I pictured him to be at 28 year s age.Shame”
Actually, he’s exactly where he belongs after all the seasons he spent on bloated wages.
Gooners are so damn sentimental.
Red
Really? If any of our midfielders show up against the better teams, I’d say Ramsey does. Maybe someone could review our last ten matches against top competition. For me, Ramsey is one of our better players when we face class opposition.
Please not another round of Ramsey debate ! Everyone has had enough of it.
Banford
I’m not looking to provoke, but why when discussing Ramsey are constantly defining judgement to this season?
I’ve seen you chirp a few times about Ramsey being more creative than Ozil this season, and now you want to look at the last 10 games against decent sides (all this season). You realise he’s been here a decade almost right?
Comes across very much that you’d rather ignore the previous couple of seasons when Ramsey has been largely ineffectual and focus on this campaign when he’s been more potent…..when fit.
Bamford
Ramsey is shit just like Benteke…you dig
Early May Burnley come to the Emirates for what could be a major duel for the final EL spot. That’s how shit we are in the league.
Golf? Hmmm skill & finesse yes.power v.little imo.truthfully a bit of an ol mans game for wannabe social climbers.but hey.each to their own….
Only domestic Champions should be allowed to play in the Champios league for the Europa league to be a meaningful competition.
“Golf? Hmmm skill & finesse yes.power v.little imo.truthfully a bit of an ol mans game for wannabe social climbers.but hey.each to their own….”
You play?
Ramsey is playing for an enhanced contract.
He has been so in and out the last two seasons.
The fact Jack is average only enhances his contract
negotiations.
Give him a while and he will be back to normal
No Charlie I don’t.but do appreciate the skill factor.i guess it’s the lack of pace in the sport.tends to drag & this puts me off .not that I’m some sort of speed merchant.
If City win today Mourinho has to win the FA Cup to save his job. Should make today and the FA Cup semi interesting.
Where was Ramsay when we struggled for 2/3 rd of the season? Again better teams he is a liability.
For an attacking midfielder who spends half his time in the opposition box he has only scored more than 6 goals a season twice. Now let that sink in
James Wood. Ramsay has had a few decent games against poor opposition. 5 of his 9 goals were against CSKA and Everton, both of those have defenders way past it
Uwot
You’re definitely overlooking the strength/power/speed aspect in elite golf then mate.
Finesse and skill are needed for sure, but power is a huge factor these days
9 United players defending in two banks of 4 and 5 players when City have the ball.
Uwot
.truthfully a bit of an ol mans game for wannabe social climbers.but hey.each to their own….”
Wot an idiotic comment
Mourinho is awful lol City are dicking on them at Old Trafford.
Maureen has turned them into Spurs
What a turn and finish from Gundogan. 2 nil City.
City 2-0 up.
United players are so poor with the ball on their feet. Most of the times they pass backwards or sideways. Forward passes generally wayward. Looks like Borinho conducts only defensive drills in training.
Sterling you idiot points for my fantasy team.
Unpopular opinion, but the best GK in the league plays for the blue Manchester side and not the red one.
City should have been 4-0 up, Sterling misses two easy chances.
Berg being back to normal.
Refers to being his usual average self.
City don’t win the league without Ederson, integral to their style.
United perhaps don’t finish top 4 or barely do without De Gea.
One great with the ball at his feet and distribution while the other a great shot stopper. Depends on taste/priority really.
You can argue that Ederson has probably been less busier than both keepers throughout the season. Both excellent keepers. Remember De Gea been at United for like 7 years now.
Pogba has got the control of a “One legged tightrope walker “.
How many more times will he loose the ball.
Remember that silly fucking video of Alexis playing ‘glory glory man united’ on the piano? How he wanted to win everything with Man U? Should’ve waited until the summer and gone to City.
Now he’s playing for a Mourinho side who aren’t even good at defending..
De Gea is a fantastic shot stopper but he’s not dominant, and doesn’t use his feet well.
Ederson is a very good shot stopper, dominant, and superb with the ball at his feet.
De Gea is more Hollywood but I don’t think he’s that much better than Ederson at any technical GK aspect. I do think Ederson wipes the floor with him in terms of physicality and ability with the ball though.
Mikki out. Looks bad
Pogba is just a fit Diaby.
Not going to get into an argument about who’s the better keeper but TR7’s right about the number of points De Gea’s worth to ManU.
Jamie – If Mourinho survives the summer I reckon he’ll be sacked before Christmas. Shit football, behind City and probably Chelsea and Liverpool and then he’ll have a public spat with either Pogba or Sanchez.
The Sky Sports website has a piece on “did Sanchez pick right?” – do you think it needs to be put to a vote?
I’m no alexis hater but watching him run around like a lost fat kid in a school playground with no mates is quite amusing. Oh how the mighty fall….
Marc
The vote should be: Should brain dead supporters like you be attending the Emirates
Gundogan and Sane are special players.
Pogba comment hasn’t aged well…
2-2
2-2
What the fuck are City doing!
City should have been out of sight by now if not for their poor finishing and now Pogba scores 2 goals in 2 mins.
Citeh are interesting one I can see them not being as dominant next season
Pogba comment hasn’t aged well…
Diaby had some good games with Arsenal.
Azed
Hahahaha well played
City started this 2nd half like it was game over.
Samesong
Agree – they are of course a very good team but I think they’ve had a little bit of things just going for them in a few results. It happens, the Invincible’s had a couple of matches that on another day they would have lost.
Mentality is so important.
City were thinking about Liverpool and saving legs, United knocked twice and there level.
Expect City to come roaring back if they’ve much about them
Champagne Ramsey was good last season as well. So I’m not just looking at this season. As for whoever made that “Ramsey is a CAM who plays in the opposition box yet has only twice scored x number of goals” argument, that’s bogus. While his attributes and skillset would allow him to play the CAM role, at Arsenal he has most often been deployed as a box-to-box CM. Thus assessing him on goals or assists alone is not a fair or reasonable approach. Instead, you have to look at a number of things, including his total number of passes, his… Read more »
*theyre
Ffs apple.
Samesong,
According to the football genius that is little p, next few years title race is already all over with citeh clean sweeping….
Its time to remove Sterling.
Banford
Rambo made 13 starts in the league last season scoring 1 goal and making 4 assists. 4 starts in Europe with no goals and 1 assist.
You’re talking nonsense to make out he was good last season, he wasn’t and his returns tell precisely that story. Nvm actually watching him last term amble about aimlessly.
Next goals huge
It’s taylor made for Aguero.
Made a quick bite at half time, back to see Utd have drawn level?!!
Lol.
Oh boy!!!
Really bad performance by City and it could have a major knock on for Tuesday night.
Also asks a couple of questions of Pep – not starting a striker etc. Would Aguero have finished one of the chances Sterling had in the first half?
Wow, now they lead! Unbelievable. City should’ve been 4 up at the half. Sterling missed a couple of great chances.
Wow. Crazy game.
Grand scheme of things it doesn’t matter if City win it today or next week. Sanchez has turned this game around big time
The city worship here is deplorable
People attributing the city collapse to switching off, which is utter bollocks.’
United just got it right.
I’ve been saying that Liverpool and spuds have been the better teams win the league over the past month, not city.
Good point Marc
Bamford10April 7, 2018 17:48:45
Champagne
Ramsey was good last season as well. So I’m not just looking at this season.
————
It’s looking at Ramsey over a 10 year period.
Not taking a snapshot period of him over a few seasons..
Objectivity isn’t your strongest point,amongst other things.
How’s Neymargate doing?
Still recovering?Or just continuing the kamikaze car crash of opinions?
De Gea probably saves that one, Ederson forte is ability with the ball and distribution.
Citeh having an Arsenal style wobble
Raheem Sterling has missed sitters nut he’s also created two goals.
His last minute goals in the first ten games of the season helped to give city their momentum….and we all know momentum is everything in sports.
Dissenter
City were 2-0 up and made another 3/4 ridiculous chances. They clearly switched off thinking they were on easy street
What did United “get right”? They scored two in two minutes and City were shell shocked
Manc can still win it 4-3
Was it the Alex scowl as they walked of at half time. 🙂
Danilo looks like he’s playing on the beach sometimes.
What the fcuk has Ageuro done to Pep that Jesus gets in ahead of him?
Kun could have buried all those chances Sterling missed. Pep has got his selections wrong in both games (against Pool and now against United) And I doubt if they play like this they will get pass Pool in the 2nd Leg.
League is wrapped up regardless (only a matter of when not if), but he wouldn’t want them to go through a dip right now.
You just gotta love this beautiful game. No respecter of persons!!
The shit Sanchez with two brilliant assists away from home against the top team in the league…
Ah gud
Liverpool will be laughing their asses off right now
City are throwing in their gold-plated sinks.
Aguiero down
Pep genius.
Kay
I’m pretty sure a Manc team will either win or get a draw. It’s also possible that one could lose.
Pen and straight red for young there – disgusting tackle.
Looks a pen in the replay
Should have been a pen and a sending off
Champagne
“What did United “get right”? They scored two in two minutes and City were shell shocked”
They scored two goals, same as city, then they edged ahead.
Kompany’s goal was a good old header, what was so special about it.
Ref bottle job. Young guilty of a handball in the box in the 1st half, now this. So poor.
Penalty and straight red card. Shocking decision by the ref.
@Marc
Looks to be getting a bit nasty. Draw is very much possible. But not sure on the win and maybe I jinxed it lol
Lolz at the Sanchez sub!!
How the fuck was that not a pen ?? Ashley young gets away with shit all the time
Reckon it’ll kick off at the final whistle – could be amusing.
Gary Nev creaming himself in the studio now that it’s kicking off..
Dissenter
Boring interacting with you mate, just showed your hand with your “Pep genius” comment. Obviously a bit sensitive that he gets so many plaudits.
City switched off, clear as day to anyone watching.
Champagne
Ramsey was being played as a B2B CM last season, not as a CAM, so it makes no sense to assess him on goals and assists — and certainly not that alone.
I just explained this; you have to look at his total contribution (all stats, both sides of the ball).
As I remember it, he was good last season, esp. towards the end.
UTarse
He’s still under Fergie protection
Game of two halves
That’s an old cliche that’s being proven right over and over again. It has nothing to do with City’s midweek game distraction.
People forget that city have had some close games that they won by a squeaker, especially in the start of the season.
Give United some credit, end of.
Pogba has been the difference second half.
I hate it when Mourinho wins. Incredible turn-around. Thankfully, the result is meaningless for both sides.