Unai Emery does NOT seem too concerned about away form.
“I think generally we are well. I don’t think we are very bad,”
“It is a bad result, not a good performance but we are fourth.
Yes, this is true.
“This was a very good opportunity to take the three points and go third but after the result we are fourth and we need to be consistent.
“We are going to have chances also in the next matches and it depends on us and on other teams.
“After the result we can be negative because three points less (to be won) but it is in our hands to continue taking chances to be in the top four.”
This is also true.
Our top 4 chances have taken a big hit after that result, mainly because the loss has taken the wind out of the momentum sails. We’re heading into a crunch run of very important high-intensity games with a horrible away record hanging around our necks with tired legs… not. ideal. fam.
However, if we want to mix it with the big boys next year, the players have to react. If they want bigger bonuses, they’ll have to dust away the sad-webs and make a serious adjustment to their mentality away from home.
The manager is going to have to start learning lessons a touch quicker. Matteo G and BIG Mo cannot be played together, it’s a mix of low talent and raw experience that blends worse than orange juice and milk. Our rotations are going to have to be cuter if we’re to maintain belief, energy, and skill.
We have a monster match this Thursday against the MIGHTY Napoli. I say mighty… I’m not really sure. Juve are mighty and they are top of Serie A by 20 points. Napoli reside in second, 7 points ahead of 3rd. Is this a bit like the difference between Dortmund and Bayern? I would think so. That said, it’ll not be easy and let’s be TOTALLY real here… we’ve been taken down by Rennes and BATE this season, so even if we snatch a win, it’ll be very tough to deal with them at their place.
The big question for Emery is how hard will he go in this game? Where does he see his biggest opportunity? Or, has the season become so unpredictable now that he’s just going to gun hard for both top 4 and Europa? I think likely the latter. He’ll be desperate for a trophy and he’ll really want that tag of being the greatest Europa League king who ever did exist… I heard that he’s hoping they retire the trophy if he wins it this time. He’s very focused.
That could come with issues, we have 6 games in 18 days, players are already tired if Everton was anything to go by… so what impact will gunning for everything have?
Well, we’re going to find out my pretties… but please, don’t be dim in the comments and tell me that an international break is enough to bring players back to freshness, or that fatigue is related to character… or that love for the badge will change anything.
SEE U IN THE COMMENTS x
P.S. Hazard… whoooahmy
My boy Santi with another goal this evening! 😀
Dissenter
He’s our new ozil
But he’s playing well enough for me tonight
Running hard and showing off the ball. I’d be a lot happier if he played like this more often
He will always miss chances as he’s a tap in merchant but if he uses his ice to create space for us then I’d be happier
Nelson
Can Dele Ali play with the broken hand?
Dissenter, our defence is already giving me a lot of tension. I don’t expect our fellow gunners to add to it. Please say a few positive things !! We need it..
I beg Napoli will bring in their tall striker.
Jim
“My boy Santi with another goal this evening! ”
Does that get them out of the last 3 relegation spots because Villarreal have been shite with or without Cazorla this season.
@Dissenter –
“Does that get them out of the last 3 relegation spots because Villarreal have been shite with or without Cazorla this season.”
What……
Idiots saying we need better or more clinical strikers. We have two of the most deadly strikers in the world. Laca is having an off game but still getting in great positions and Aubameyang is always a threat.
Hope laca and Auba have put on their shooting boots for the second half. A goal from Ozil will be very welcome.
We can’t defend even if our lives depended on it. Putting in a typical naive defensive performance.
Auba can’t hold up the ball. He loses every header.
Never did like Auba or Wally for that matter wearing Henry’s jersey.
The latter was downright insulting.
We need to make sure we don’t concede. 2-0 is an ok score.
The pressure is starting to get to us. It will be a miracle if we manage to keep a clean sheet.
Benfica going to town on Eintract now, 4-1.
J Felix hat-rick.
I could see us choking a 2 goal advantage in Naples if they score early and get us under the cosh, they’re there for the taking today so would be pretty bemused by a 2-0.
Auba is thinking of his next sports car.
Poor striker. at best
Aubameyang is so fucking wasteful!
We need to take off laca or Auba. Iwobi or Mikki will give us better attacking options. Auba and laca are really struggling to keep hold of the ball. Very disappointing.
We need another 2 goals without conceding to make this tie safe, anything else and our terrible away form could cost us.
Wasting so many chances it will cost us
Un na
Your wish was been granted. Someone in the North Bank has put an England flag across. Comes from Coventry.
We need an extra man in the middle.
Shades of Eboue off of AMN dare I say it.
Seems Emery has answered my prayers. Iwobi and Mikki coming on. Right call that one.
Great stuff from AMN there
Gonna be an arsenal boy for years that lad
I would take out Auba. Emery may want to reat Ozil.
One of the very few matches that I wouldn’t take Ozil off yet, he’s played very well.
DB10
Haha. Hardly my wish. I just think it’s pathetic to ban your own national flag and allow others to go up
Their tall striker is coming in.
Such a waste.
Fuck me Napoli will score a late one you can just smell it.
Somebody just fucking shoot for fuck sake!!
Why leave aubameyang on? He’s been the worst of our forward players and he’s meant to be sick.
Ozil was playing well also
Hmmm
Getting ridiculous now.
Best game in an Arsenal shirt from fatboy Kola, been brilliant down the left.
Lol ‘best goalscoring season for Iwobi in an Arsenal shirt’.
Yeah Martin, he’s scored fucking 5 goals mate. So he’s scored a whopping 1 goal more than his previous best of 4, in more matches.
Whooooo what a save. It really should have gone in. The usual case of goalkeepers doing world class saves agsinst us.
Monreal is weak and slow…
One eye on Watford. Lacazette started against Everton so it made sense to take him off with Watford in mind and we will need him fresh for the physical game at Watford. Ozil being rested for Watford too probably.
You plonkers. Get the defence in order. We are playing like amateurs. Absolutely shocking from us. Napoli getting stronger as the clock ticks.
We really need a 3rd here and I can see us conceding a goal if we’re not careful.
Montreal is finished trouble is we have a history of giving benefits to players, not ruthless enough
Elneny on for Christ sake why?
Elneny? For fucks sake.
Oh God, Elneny coming on but then Torreira hasn’t played for a few games so we don’t want to tire him out I suppose.
Is Torr tired?
Kolasinac’s decision making has been poor
I imagine Torreira must be injured. you don’t replace like to like and bring on inferior player otherwise.
Elneny because he doesn’t bomb forward.
Un na I know. I just thought it was funny that you had to make that “rant” and here tonight a Gooner brings in a St George’s flag.
Torriera is really important for the pl game. Can understand the sub.
We should however get another one just to be safe.
Shocking miss from Ramsey.
That’s why Ramsey should go two times this match.
WFT?
Fucking Ramsey again!!!
looks like Iwobi won a fan contest to feature in the team. He has really regressed
Oh dear
Iwobi and Mikki not tracking back enough. Important thing is keeping a clean sheet rather than a third goal.
Rambooo how can you miss!!! It was on a fucking golden plate.
Ohhhhh!!! And there’s the Ramsey we all know and love that is nowhere near worth £350K pw.
we have been very suspect at left back area.
Bottler
Auba’s technique is bad.
Fucking hell! Get it on target you idiot!
what kind of pass was that to Auba from miki? not exactly in his path was it?
How many chances have we missed? Should have won by 6 nil at least.
I am fed up with Ayba
I feel like crying. We are clueless when it comes to defending. You just know we are going to fuck it up.
We’ve had out chances to end this tie. If we go out, we can only blame ourselves.
Feels like a defeat
I feel 2-0 is the MINIMUM we could get tonight if we want to go through. It’s not over by any means at 2-0. Napoli on their ground will be a fearsome prospect.
God alive! What is wrong with? Why can’t we shoot first time or always need to take an extra touch letting the chance go??
Ramsey is the MOTM.
Good. We didn’t give up an away goal.
The fact that we are not confident even with a 2-0 lead tells us a lot about our defence. Napoli must fancy themselves at home.
Well we never make it easy for ourselves. Bring on the return leg.
Nelson
torriera or AMN
You’ll take that. A fucking clean sheet. But really should have scored another couple more goals. Kolasinac taking that extra touch time and time again. Good performance considering how they let the club down last Sunday
Thank god for Ramsey and Torreira.
The offensive players ahead and around them were shite.
Ramsey is the heart beat of the team. Torr and AMN are only for support
Big win
Should have been signed and sealed though Ramsey and auba
Ramsey showing the best and worst of himself tonight
I seriously hope that we won’t regret the opportunities to score much more goals.
Elneny and Guendouzi back for Watford then.
Paulinho
Ramsey was fucking wasteful as hell
Jesus you don’t half look through rose ti ted glasses at this fella
Is two goals enough?
I’m not sure but every goal we score at Naples will be like double so we should be good.
Rambo MOTM for me with Koscielny and AMN doing very well too. Thought both strikers were shite tonight though
Really liked the look of that midfield duo. Wanted to see them for a while play together,
Both can go forward and both can defend. Fluid combination that could’ve been great if Ramsey wasn’t leaving.
Ramsey has a real issue with first Tim shits
Always slicing them unless they are weighted spit on perfect and even then he misses loads
All eyes on Watford now. Is Deulofeu injured still? Will Watford have an FA Cup hangover with nothing to play for in the league and not be quite at it?
First time shots
Paulinho
Well he is. And he’s only got himself and his greed to blame
Well done Arsenal!!! We kept a clean sheet. Shame that we could not score a 3rd goal. But, this hopefully should kick us on to go for the away goal as that should help secure going to the semis.
This is why Unai should go for the exact same starting line up, when we play our second leg, and play with the same intensity.
Intensity is exactly what we have been lacking in our away games. We really hit the handbrake when in a setup defensively. Why that is, I don’t know.
We could’ve scored the third and conceded a cheap goal at the death and been worse off.
Battle- You’re just bitter that Ramsey played with dynamism without the supposedly vital Xhaka.
The Watford game is on Monday
The away game in Naples is on Thursday
The next week will be brutal for the squad which is why a 3-0 win tonight would have been really nice.
It defiantly should have been 4 or 5 tonight. Weren’t Napoli favorites for the tournament?
WengerEagle
We’re going to miss Ramsey, goals from midfield are hard to find.
No we won’t, it’s the sitters he misses is what he’ll.be remebered for. lol
Aubameyang is a Championship player and Ramsey is fucking dreadful.
Paulinho
No. I’m pissed off thatbhe missed three sitters (as usual) when he could have put the tie to bed. That’s not a £200k pw player. Kevin Nolan has a better record than Ramsey for Bolton
Well it’s our away form that I am worried for the second leg, but right now just enjoy the win.
Jim
Na don’t think anyone had them as favourites really, just a dangerous dark horse but they’ve been pedestrian this season in Italy compared to previous ones, Juventus can win the league on Sunday sparing 6 matches which is comical and they’re barely ahead of Inter who are a shambles.
Chelsea are the favourites for EL, I make us a close second with Eintract Frankfurt before tonight being a potential dark horse although they’ll need to really pull it out of the bag 2 goals down to Benfica.
Jim’
I think Chelsea are the most decorated team [Europe wise] left in the competition
I really hope they get knocked out before the finals.
All the moaners and whiners relax. 2-0 is a fantastic result for the first leg. We’ll score once over there. They won’t score 4.
Complaining we best Napoli and didn’t concede? Most of you will whine about anything just for whining sake