via @Arsenal Instagram LOVE THESE TWO
Another Europa night, another devastating pummelling of a prestige team.
The big man in charge, Sir Unai Emery, inflicted defeat over Valencia in a pretty poor match at The Emirates.
Unai opted for what some thought was an attacking formation, with some thinking it was defensive. I thought it looked like a 3-5-2 at home, with 7 defensive players on the pitch, with a view to keeping a clean sheet for the second leg. Others thought it looked like a wrecking machine with two strikers and Ozil free to create havoc.
Havoc we created. The opening 20 minutes were straight out of the dustbin. Matteo and Xhaka were all over the place, the defence was getting pulled every which way and there was no intensity to our play. We even managed to concede from a setpiece (which is pretty rare), a long ball to the back post was nodded back into the mixer, Xhaka was nowhere and he was beaten to ball by Diakhaby who headed home.
The Swiss really isn’t fit for purpose… it makes me so sad that when he has a few ok games and all the usual suspects revert back to him being peak-Gilberto when it comes to football enigmas. He’s not. He’s bang average. There is nothing smart in the long-form editorial suck up pieces that lambast social media obsessed millennials who just don’t understand the beautiful game because they can’t see the beauty in Xhaka. Football fans are OBSESSED with other fans who celebrate shit players in militant fashion because it’s so bizarre, you worry you truly are missing something. You’re not. You weren’t with Senderos. You weren’t with Denilson. You’re not with Xhaka. Move on.
Up the other end, 7 minutes later, Lacazette played a perfectly weighted ball to Auba, he cut back and gave his buddy the gift of an open goal from ten yards. What a gentleman. I love those two. If they had a child, it’d be one helluva striker… would probs dress nice too.
7 minutes later, Xhaka showed why the usual suspects menace themselves to bedroom posters of his radar maps. He whipped a beautiful first-time diagonal ball into the box, Lacazette made a yard on his centre back and headed into the ground, the keeper claimed the ball didn’t cross the line but the refs watch buzzed… techhhhhhnology wins again. Xhaka… what a cross, I really think if you ignore the OTT critique of Xhaka, there’s a great player in there, I guess some people just don’t get it.
The second half just didn’t feel particularly smart. We were chasing the third goal and leaving Laurent Kos and Sokratis completely exposed on the counter. It was really tough to watch, Cech kept us in the tie when he denied Kevin Gameiro with a great block. Kos nursed an injury for as long as he could before limping off, we really have to pray he’s going to be ok. That block where he threw his head at a foot late on was something else.
Late on, Kola found Auba at the back post on a tight angle, the ball was struck awkwardly but crept in at the near post. A real shame most fans had gone home by that point. A sad indictment of the fans? The drab football? The Europa League? Who knows.
3-1. That’ll do nicely. £100m worth of strikers to the rescue. Another example of how dependent we are on superhuman finishing.
There’s no point in analysing the game too much. The football was awful, we looked a mess, but we did the job. We’ll shithouse ourselves to the final and then it’s a coin toss… and there’s no manager that knows this trophy as well as Unai.
Whatever my thoughts on his long-term future, watching him twitching out on the sidelines shows how much passion he has for the project. When that third goal landed at the end, he lost his damn mind. It’s great to see. He’s a hard worker, a trophy in his first season would be epic, it’d be even better if we didn’t have to play Chelsea.
Also… does a cup final count as an away game? Answers in the comments.
I’m getting ahead of myself, let’s see if we can go away from home and not concede 3 goals… not as easy as one would think.
Right, see you in the comments you total meltbags xx
Aki attacking they got no chance.
‘Bournemouth giving Spurs a hard time is yet more proof of what we have been saying: the PL has improved; teams 7-13 are good teams and tricky fixtures.’
Well, it’s nothing new. I don’t think there has ever been a season in PL.in which teams placed in 7-13 position bracket have been pushovers. They often give most teams a good game. As for Bournemouth, Spurs had 4 to 5 chances to score before Son was wrongly sent off.
Look forward to the breakdown of why one of these so-called “good teams” middle of the league aren’t yet cunting 9-man Spurs like they have 11-man Arsenal…
Wouldn’t say that if Wenger was still in charge. Funnily enough Big Weng had an embarrassing draw and an even more embarrassing defeat at Bournemouth the last two seasons
Don
Oh, I see, so Pedro and others (who criticized his selection) are wrong. It’s about Emery’s “tactics, motivation and set up“. OK, care to tell us how he got his set-up and tactics wrong? Further, what evidence do you have that the players were less motivated than they should have been, and what evidence do you have that this is on the manager and not on fatigue or other factors? Do explain.
Freddie
Wether he is or isn’t he’s still just a man giving his opinion of a football team. He never resorts the bitch fest precedent set by Marko and Bamford so why the multi pointed assaults? Because he wants British players at arsenal? Because he liked Wenger? Hardly justified.
B’mouth are not good at all
Any team that cannot break down 9 men at home is deep level shite. It’s like Eddie Howe just got a brain freeze
Banford
Nice try, what did I happen to call Marc yesterday exactly? I was called a short arse fucking cunt, though I’m sure you’ve kept right up with matters before playing lecturer.
Also this was you about 20 mins ago..
“You’re the guy who acts like a dickhead here, not Marc.” Lol moron.
Why are Spurs struggling? Maybe because they have 9 men. 30 years of following football and you don’t understand the basic principles?
Bournemouth can’t score against 9 men. Absolute shit on display from the home side.
If Spurs go down here it will be their 6th on the spin EPL defeat away. Six defeats in a tidy row.
Lost to Southampton. Lost to Burnley.
What the fuck was that.
Ishola
Arsenal fans are rightly fucked off with 3 points from 15. It does get glossed over that the Spud’s recently had a run of 1 from 15 and they shouldn’t have managed a draw in that match.
Bam Plainly, our team is better than their team. Even our second string combined is better than their team. Had our starting 11 been drilled properly and motivated to play to their full potential we’d not have conceded 3 goals to a mid table team. You’re a coach guy, surely you know this? Also, the old fatigue excuse wasn’t accepted last season or any before so why is it acceptable now? We’ve played a second team in the LC and EL for the first half of the season. Played two games in the FA cup and was knocked out so… Read more »
Marc, keep up the work on Charlie. I’ve enjoyed watching him squirm like the crybaby he is.
Resigned to a point or Spuds even nicking it, Bmouth have been appaling this afternoon in the final third.
If we were down to 9 against Bournemouth we would be getting punelled.
Why are Spurs struggling? Maybe because they have 9 men. 30 years of following football and you don’t understand the basic principles?
Hahahaha
Bamford has been bent over and had his pants pulled down again. Glutton for it that fella
Incredible toothless display by Bournemouth so far
Don “You told CG to crawl under his rock, called Pedro stupid” Again, I never called Pedro “stupid,” and this is at least the second time you have blatantly lied about me here. (The other is your false claim that I once said I was going to start supporting Madrid.) I don’t know if these false claims are deliberate — and you’re just dishonest — or the result of a bad memory, but they’re nonetheless false and lame. As for CG and this alleged “rock” comment, I don’t remember saying that, but the guy has said some pretty backwards things.… Read more »
Rambo
He is quite funny. It’s a bit like a yapping little dog having a go at everyone in sight and then whining when he gets bitten.
Training stuff from spurs 9 v 11
Jesus Bournemouth are bad
Don’t ever mention Eddie Howe among any English managers with prospect of managing a bigger team.
To think Pedro even mentioned him for Arsenal;
Marc
“It does get glossed over that the Spud’s recently had a run of 1 from 15 and they shouldn’t have managed a draw in that match.”
Yeah they are crawling to the end of the season.
Look forward to the breakdown of why one of these so-called “good teams” middle of the league aren’t yet cunting 9-man Spurs like they have 11-man Arsenal…Wouldn’t say that if Wenger was still in charge. Funnily enough Big Weng had an embarrassing draw and an even more embarrassing defeat at Bournemouth the last two seasons
Mongo
Way to move the goal posts there but I feel it necessary to point out that Arsene Wenger was not managing arsenal for those games. It was emery. He threw the points. 1/10 for effort though
Banford
You got sin binned for calling Pete daft, then you had fanny convulsions on twitter over it.
Marc
You’re being egged on by Rambo Ramsey, let that sink in mate before you go around high fiving strangers in the street.
Bournemouth you are absolute pants.
CG would love Eddie Howe. English, plenty of prem experience, average ability. Ticks all the boxes.
Fraser looking for the same cross every time.
CC
We were talking about you not to you.
Loooooooooooool
Finally!!
Get in Bournemouth
GET FCKING IN!!
Six on the spin for Spurs
Ouch
Finally Bournemouth score
long overdue
Fuck sake now hold on to it!
About fucking time.
Marko
Wouldn’t say it about Wenger because it was clear he wasn’t up to snuff. It’s the fact Emery is still being propped up by dafties like yourself despite dropping Wenger-like clangers. Talk about consistency and agenda.
LOL poor Spurs.
B-O-T-T-L-E J-O-B
Than makes it even more back breaking
right at the dead. 1 Nil to Bournemouth.
At last
Yes
Always better right at the end, glorious.
13 league games lost for Spurs this season (so far).
TR7
Poch…one of the best three managers in the world!!!!!!!!
Are you having a laugh?
Ref loves a card. Dele Ali just not at the races this season it seems like
Someone knock Dele Alli out. He really is a cock.
Wouldn’t say it about Wenger because it was clear he wasn’t up to snuff. It’s the fact Emery is still being propped up by dafties like yourself despite dropping Wenger-like clangers. Talk about consistency and agenda
I didn’t mention Emery once what does it have to do with him. It’s about you being a hypocrite with your pissing and moaning these days while you were quiet as a mouse under “Big Weng”. Speaking of Big Weng how pathetic must you be to coin a nickname like that for the man. Like you knew him personally. Jaysus that was embarrassing
CC
Dier should have gone for a second yellow in the first half.
Marc, he was always going to conveniently omit that.
Who does he actually support? Us or Spuds/Poch
Dissenter
Poch is in my view one of the top 3 managers in the world. Losing a game by one goal with 2 men down is not going to change my opinion on him.
Dele Ali just rugby tackled someone ion the penalty box
What a cock
How costly is the Aubu penalty miss now. Said At the time that it could cost us top 4.
We’d be only one point back with a match in hand going into Brighton.
Fairly good chance of Everton getting a draw next Sunday.
We absolutely have to give it everything tomorrow.
Wally to get a 93rd minute equaliser next week.
come on Bournemouth
Joe
Not true at all.
If Auba scores that pen, every subsequent result for both us and Spurs would be different.
TR7
Just messing with you
You’re one of the gentlemen here [assuming you’re male of course]
You’re entitled to your opinion
Pochettini the messaih.
Best case scenario: He finishes a couple points ahead of Arsenal. In Unai Emery’s very first season in English football having to work with the stench Wenger left behind.
The way Spurs are playing they could even lose next week.
If Palace win tonight then Brighton and Burnley are safe which could work in our favour.
Its basically game on from 3rd-6th place.
Marko
You brought Wenger into the convo out of nowhere when the topic was Arsenal under Emery. You’re absolutely lost, “big Weng” has been used by Pedro numerous times in jest you spanner. You’d know that if you stopped fixating on the same posters nutsacks.
That’s you in a nutshell, doesn’t bother with the subject of the debate, it’s all about drawing it back and drawing it back so you can criticise something.
Gambon
Yeah we’d probably be miles ahead in 3rd while spurs would be battling wolves for 7th
Can’t wait for the Poch post match interview.
Jaysus that was embarrassing
Mongo
Nearly as bad as claiming emery coaching his defence was fanciful…..you’ll never live that one down
Rambo
Don’t you mean worst case scenario?
Spurs don’t have Son next week
They will get walloped by Ajax on Wednesday
Everton have been on the up and have something to play for- EL place.
It’s all up in the air provided we do our business.
Wenger is 6,3
Hence, big weng. Doesn’t take a genius to figure that, wait oh…. it’s marko
TR7 also thinks Phd420 is one of the top posters here. So one might be inclined to think his understanding of the word ‘top’ might not be the same as most others
That Bournemouth goalie is very good…for a 19 year old on his debut.
Not even his saves…it’s his assurance and utter confidence
Many don’t believe in the football Gods but 10 minutes ago it’s was chucking it down where I live. Suddenly I’ve got gorgeous sunshine and blue skies.
Marc, best case for Pocchettini
gambon
“If Auba scores that pen, every subsequent result for both us and Spurs would be different.”
We’d be 9 points clear of Spurs
Poch is in my view one of the top 3 managers in the world. Losing a game by one goal with 2 men down is not going to change my opinion on him.
How about zero trophies in his whole career? Who’s the top 3 by the way? It’d be extraordinary to hold him so high while others who have won and still win trophies are below him
loooooooooooooool
The spuds explodes in a much more spectacular way than we!!
Rambo
Was kidding mate! Knew what you meant.
Gambon
Let’s just say that the penalty miss massive in regards to this season
Fucking hell by the look of the comments everyday is Joke Friday now XDDDDD
Thanks lad for keeping me (in)sane love you all xxx
Bet the gg9 or Oirish won’t envision this kind of stuff 11 years back tho
Miss the Grizzly Bear Geoff too where is he now? I went sabbatical too but will he come back again?
TR7
It’s not that anyone thinks you should relegate the Poch out of your top 3 for losing today. It’s more a question of how the fuck he got there in the first place.
Such a great weekend of football.
Cardiff v Palace is a huge game for us.
UTD not winning would be ideal.
Marko
Di Matteo won the champion league in 6 months at Chelsea
Trophies aren’t always the best indicator of a coach’s talents in the ascendancy of his career
Poch will win trophies at his next club. No doubt about it
That’s you in a nutshell, doesn’t bother with the subject of the debate
First off there was no debate (never is with you) we were talking about you being a hypocrite. Of course you waffle your way out of it.
Pierre
“Nice to see you admit that our 22 game unbeaten run was in wenger’s image .I would say the team has reflected Emery’s image since December ….12 defeats in 5 months is confirmation of that..”
Emery has taken a poorly equiped squad on the brink of Europa Cup glory
Gambon there is no way in hell Utd don’t win tomorrow or next week.
I think they meant “Poch is a top 33 manager” like Ramsey “is a top 33 midfielder..”
Suddenly I’ve got gorgeous sunshine and blue skies.
Marc
Not lived in England long then??
I can see what Frazer is bringing to Bournemouth: lots of very good crosses to their strikers. I am not sure whether he would work for Arsenal. Our strikers can’t head the ball and don’t have the height to convincingly and regularly beat to the ball tall defenders. Unless we purchased another big striker, he would just cross for the opposition.
JamieMay 4, 2019 14:36:49
I think they meant “Poch is a top 33 manager” like Ramsey “is a top 33 midfielder..”
Hahahahahaha 😂😂😂😂
Top marks for that one Jamie
The most positive thing for us today is how late on Bournemouth scored.
The Spud’s were so close to holding out for what would’ve been a good result in the circumstances.
That’s going to be a really miserable journey home.
We may end up a missed penalty away from a top 4 position.
Emery has taken a poorly equiped squad on the brink of Europa Cup glory
Ruth
That’s in no way a response to the pint being argued dopey bollocks
Emery has taken a poorly equiped squad on the brink of Europa Cup glory
Ruth
That’s in no way a response to the point being argued dopey bollocks
Un
46 years mate. Fortunately not in the North or I’d have never seen the sun.
I’d say even Poch would somehow manage to win a trophy with PSG.
Marko
Debate was clear as day. I was responding to the calls that the last 3 teams we got spanked by are “good teams”, yet Spurs just lost 1-0 with 9 men against one of them.
It’s a nod to management, how we don’t see any under Emery and the difference it makes. Sorry it wasn’t spelled out for you, I know how you struggle with basic sentences as is.
I would say Emery has manfestly improved a creaking Arsenal left behind by Wenger.o
Spirs losing 13 league games is mid-table standard.
Rambo PhD/SDE/Kiyoshi has been posting here since 2009 or perhaps even before. I am not sure whether you have followed his work from the very beginning. He has extensive knowledge of the game and he has an enviable writing style. Quality of his rants is unmatchable when he is in his elements. He is a well read man if his views on politics, religion, history and cultures is anything to go by. People’s view on him is largely tainted by his tirades against Nasri’s Mouth, Emiratestroller and Bamford but when it comes to pure football, he is up there with… Read more »
CC
actually we beat Bournemouth at home 5-1 and away 2-1.
They are also not as athletic as the teams we struggled against, nor has as good players. Spurs also has a much better squad than us and are only 4 points ahead with 1 game more. Which manager is underperforming exactly?
Spurs’ last ten away games:
❌ 2-1 loss vs. Chelsea
❌ 2-0 loss vs. Palace
❌ 2-1 loss vs. Burnley
❌ 2-0 loss vs. Chelsea
✅ 1-0 win vs. Dortmund
❌ 2-1 loss vs. Southampton
❌ 2-1 loss vs. Liverpool
❌ 4-3 loss vs. City
❌ 1-0 loss vs. City
❌ 1-0 loss vs. Bournemouth
You would think that Legrove pundits would celebrate the bad away form of our bitter rivals,but no,instead their manager is deemed as ‘sauce’ and ‘pizzzaz’ lol