OMFG A RESULT.
Sure, sure, winning in the Europa League last 16 isn’t busting out the red panties and champagne, but a win, is a win, is a win.
The game followed a very familiar pattern.
Total control + massive unforced errors. The main difference this time is we took our chances going forward.
The first half was painfully dominant. We controlled the play, had lots of different answers in attack, and we hit the target with TWO freekicks. It was quite the scene.
… but lurking in the dark, like a sweaty pervert at a work party, was an unforced error. The biggest one came from Martin Odegaard, he played a hospital pass across midfield, the ball was intercepted and we were lucky to escape the counter with a nothing moment. David Luiz also had one of his standard brain farts that has cost us so often in his short career with us.
The Norwegian loanee did make amends down the other end though. He took control of the ball on the edge of the box, looked up for the pass and decided instead to fire off a fizzing shot at the Olympiacos keeper who totally made a hash of the save. SCORCHIO was all I could say. What a way to open your goal-scoring account.
The second half should have been more comfortable than it was. The mistake was a Leno/Ceballos class in clowning. Bernd Leno received a fairly standard pass back him on the edge of his box, he had three options open, he chose to go back to a tightly marked Ceballos, the Spaniard didn’t have the skill to protect the ball, and we were punished to the max as usual.
I think we were all a little worried Arsenal would shut down like we normally do after a mistake. It didn’t happen this time. Willian came to the rescue with his immense creativity again. He dropped a deep cross from a short corner, Gabriel barged in front of Auba who was tracking, putting a sublime header back across goal. Inch perfect stuff from the Brazilian.
7 assists for Willian this season. The new Ozil? No. The new Arsenal GOD. He’s not my fave, but if he’s contributing, it’s a good thing for everyone.
The final goal was all about Mo Elneny. He picked the ball up in midfield, drove at goal, and unleashed fury. Stunning stuff from the best Egyptian in world football. He loves a goal in the Europa.
Arsenal left Greece for the 2nd time this month, but far happier. We beat a solid Champions League side with ease and left with a whopping 3 away goals. That means Olympiacos have to score 3 without a response to win. A tough ask against a team that doesn’t ship goals like they used to. Also a risky game to attack if we spring load our forward line with pace merchants like Pepe and Martinelli.
Some negatives?
Thomas Partey came off on 55 minutes, he didn’t have his best game, but I am sure he’ll be available for the NLD at the weekend. Even when he’s having an off night, he contributes. His assist set the ball rolling. I think we have to be fair with him, his fitness is precious and he’s still adapting to the club. I can’t wait to see him develop the way we know he will.
The main talking point was Bernd Leno again. Martinez fans were running around aroused after the game, keen to whine that we sold the wrong keeper. It’s certainly not that simple to my mind, but the more this new system evolves, the clearer it is that Bernd needs to sharpen his game with the ball at his feet. Leno made the error today, but let’s be clear, it wasn’t his at the weekend.
Some moan that it’s a system issue. I disagree. Playing out the back is part of the way Arteta wants to play. It has more benefits to our play than it does negatives, so to bin it would be a weakness (Emery caved, and he’s meek management 101). It’s about the players making better decisions. Everything else in the German’s game is electric. He just needs to double down and concentrate a bit more.
7 of the 14 goals we’ve conceded this year have been from unforced errors. Arteta knows this is a problem.
“We have to be very clear and honest with ourselves. We gave three chances to the opponent, they took one and at that level they are going to punish you,”
“If we want to go to the next level we have to stop that and be more ruthless and when we are that dominant, kill the games off.”
It’s annoying, but it’s also a gift. It means it’s absolutely clear the job that needs to be done this summer. Some of this can be eradicated over time. I do not expect Martin O to make those mistakes next season. Some of it can be addressed with coaching. Some will come with the natural churn in the squad as we upgrade.
Overall though, what we’re seeing on the pitch is exciting. As I’ve been saying for a while, there’s something brewing at Arsenal. The football has a clear identity, the players all know what they’re doing, and we’re producing high-quality chances over and over again. 18 shots, 8 on target… that’s a good outlay considering where we were a few months ago.
We have a really solid group of players at the moment. Look at the squad reaction when Martin O scored that goal. The players are together. Look at how they reacted to BIG Mo scoring his goal. There’s a culture building. It’s exciting.
The fundamentals are there. We defend well, our off-the-ball movement is great, we have style, and we create excellent chances. Arsenal are on the right path. Now we have to prove our mettle by beating Spurs on Sunday. A huge ask, but a do-able one. That game is our Premier League Cup Final. Win, and it’s all smiles, anything else, it’ll be a problem.
See you in the comments. x
Don’t worry Guns/China Arteta will put Willian or Xhaka on Son.
Cue Benny Hill music with the speeded up video replays of them both chasing Son’s shadow.
This GK debate has morphed from being merely tedious (one no longer plys his trade for the club this site claims to be about) into becoming pretty fucking irksome as revisionists get on here on claim that some of our most storied men between the sticks were also flawed. When you have a pop at Spunky and Jens Lehmann, it reveals you probably enjoying moaning more than following the Arsenal. If this is where this circular bullshit is heading ie an eventual demolition of all our keepers’ reputations then I suggest the discussion be kicked into touch! Seaman and Lehmann… Read more »
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1242272/Down-earth-WAG-Melanie-Slade-turns-Ferrari-birthday-gift-Arsenal-boyfriend-Theo-Walcott.html Adds to your post earlier, China Regarding the NDL let’s hope Arteta has a tactical and plan restricting Son and Bale space and time to operate and keeping Kane to a limited service. Jose probably has planned to nullify Auba (not difficult at the moment) so, why not sit down Balogun and Martinelli and tell them they each have 45 minutes to state their case. Give them Pep, ESR, Saka, MO, Partey , Cedric and KT to feed them. I believe it could be very interesting and not what Jose will be expecting. If we lost going down bleeding… Read more »
Tony
I totally agree with what you’re saying. Similar to the Chelsea game; they has no idea how to cope with Martinelli, ESR and Saka.
But we all know Arteta will be boring and start his favourite: Willian. I’m expecting the same team that faced Olympiakos, maybe ESR in for Odegaard.
Also, just a heads up to everyone:
Arsenal U23s played Blackburn U23s yesterday.
We started Nelson, Balogun, Nketiah, Azeez and lost 0-3 and currently sitting in 10th position.
Last 5 games: LDLLL
Samir
Then no hope to see Balogun.
You’re right Arteta seems too rigid to change.
Leno would have tipped Lascelles’s header over the bar.
He is good in instinctive saves.
I want to be wrong but I dont think Arteta is gonna rotate much . Xhaka will play , so will Auba , Ødegaard , Saka, Partey and Willian. Just hope they can pull it off .
Worrying that with two first team players in that side the U23s still lost.
Nelson and Nketiah should be trying to play out of their skin to force their way back in…
Balogun, sadly seems to be marking time now.
With Lacazette and Nketiah rumoured to be on their way out I don’t know why he hasn’t signed yet. He would have been given chances to play had he committed to the club… shame to be losing him.
China It’s a double edged sword with a Spurs final, win and its immensely satisfying like you say, lose and it haunts us forever. I get why some would relish that scenario, but for me, in the current conditions and factors of this season, I’d rather avoid them and take the piss out of how they went out in the quarters and we won it. If this had happened when we were at our zenith under Wenger and they were how they were back in those times, then yeah, I’d look forward to smashing them in a final. The fact… Read more »
More than United, more than Liverpool, more than City…
I hate losing to Tottenham.
You know they will be in full diving and handball mode against the Arsenal tomorrow. After all, why not? Given recent results it’s not if we’re being awarded clear penalties and protected when opponents hack down our players anyway.
We need to stop making it easy for them and cut out our mistakes…
,
Arsenal mngt (read Arteta and Edu) were shortsighted to not have signed back Giroud, knowing well a fit Tierney could be turning up a dozen crosses every game. Arsenal goal tally could have been better by 10 at the least.
More than Spurs, more than Liverpool, more than City…I hate losing to United.
Spurs and Jose Mourinho is the team I would love to beat . Please Arteta make it happen
Do not like losing – full stop.
Bertie Mee I was interested in your post that you watched our U23 team lose to Blackburn 3-0 earlier this week. There have been similar comments expressed by Bird and a journalist who follow our youth teams about their very poor performances this season. The comments about the team’s defence being piss poor has been commented for a long time. When you see how many goalkeepers and centre backs are on our books it is disturbing to see reports about how poor they are. You need to ask serious questions about our recruitment of defenders. You refer to Azeez being… Read more »
“Arsenal U23s played Blackburn U23s yesterday. and lost 0-3”
Maybe we should consider signing the striker from Blackburn U23.
YeH somebody upstairs likes Boulders .Nice guy I believe & a member of the Fab Four defence ( never to be forgotten)but I think had his day.Has had a good run at Arsenal.Time to move on.
Yeah peanuts.It’s yahnited all day long & tomorrow.Spuds,scousers & chavs in that order are next up.The orcs( Stoke)& Bolton completes the list.
Chris you’re absolutely right but spurs bottle trophies – it’s who they are I’d be shocked to see them win a trophy any time soon and if they do it will be the league cup Even for all the credit and rave reviews they’ve earned in recent years the grand sum of it all has been a few top 4 finishes and a CL final which they lost. Along with Utd they are consistently the most overrated team in England by a country mile Who can forget in the Leicester title season the pundits were lavishing praise on them and… Read more »
Yeah Tony.u might be forgiving but there’s a whole squad on here who’ll be moaning day & night for at least a week!
Yeah tony agreed on all points
And yep more proof that Theos Mrs is way too good for the other wags out there. Pretty, smart, good person and down to earth. Theo won big time with that one
Most 21 year old girls in that position would’ve taken that Ferrari every day of the week
Aaron on 365 Arthur cost Juventus much more than Ronaldo I know im a bit late to the champions league mailbox party but i have to point out even though the focus will be on Ronaldo as it always is, there was an awful performance from a team mate deserving of critiscism much more than Ronaldo in the whole Juventus champions league debacle. If there was one player in a Juventus jersey that deserves criticism it is without a doubt Arthur Melo and not Ronaldo. Watching the match on numerous occasions Ronaldo was making great runs looking for the ball… Read more »
So Martinelli isn’t even getting a look in at under 23 level. Really odd.
Get rid of Steve Bould, he wasn’t a great baller and just sat motionless next to Wenger for years.
Get an Ajax youth coach they know what they are doing.
Clubs a mess
China I absolutely see where you’re coming from. Your post has reminded me a lot of Spurs best moments ie “it’s happened again”. The spectacular losses etc, even when Jeff Stelling asked Merson what he thought of Spurs’ recent success and he replied “What success?” I don’t think the inferiority complex can ever be better illustrated by their reaction to equalising in the last minute to make it 2-2 in 2004. The final whistle went and they celebrated like they had won the league. Then it dawned on them that we had actually won the league as our players went… Read more »
The club does seem to be in mess. From senior level to youth level. Miles behind Man City and Chelsea academy wise.
We were very lucky with Saka and ESR.
Chris I was in a Spurs fans box at WHL for that game and remember the celebrations of the Spurs players and fans followed by the realisation that “71 never again” was “71 is happened again”.
To be fair to them (and you have to be fair when surrounded by Spurs fans who have invited you to their box for a NLD) they were in a real relegation fight at the time and the point meant quite a lot.
The next time I went was the 5 4 match.
I wasn’t invited again.
Graham
Brilliant story mate. That must have been sweet. Almost as good as being there in 71 I imagine. I remember being disappointed by the draw and swiftly changing my mind when they went the corner with the trophy.
I heard an interview (with TH maybe) in which our players had been told not to celebrate because it was poor sportsmanship or something. Fuck that said TH in so many words. Winning the title there twice sends an important historical message I was living in Washington DC at the time – it made my spring/summer that year.
It was – although getting away from the ground after was a bit hairy. I can’t claim at WHL first time (I was only 3) but I can say I was three rows back in the North Bank just to the West Stand side of the goal net for a fantastic view of Adams and “that sums it all up”. But I enjoyed just as much great moments I could not attend in person like “it’s up for grabs now” and “Wiltoooord” For all our collective disagreements and angst over Wenger, Emery, Arteta, Martinez, Martinelli etc etc let’s not forget… Read more »
Cracking game Leeds v Chelsea.
Re the discussion we had about UK racism the other day
To whomever it was who said white British males face the worst racism – I just saw the UK gov statistics show Asians are 10x more likely than whites people to be victims of racially motivated hate crimes which is comparable and marginally higher than the number for black people
Chris yeah man I used to feel physically sick watching them celebrate draws it was proper pathetic stuff Who can forget them releasing that DVD way back when. Proper tiny club syndrome It shows how shit we are these last few years that we are below them because I honestly don’t believe they are anything special. Every year we seem to be progressively shitter and they’re usually only a bit above us. The difference is (apart from AKB) we all think arsenal have been shit for 10 years whereas Spurs and the media talk like they’re actually doing things when… Read more »
I also don’t think this spurs team or even the one a few years ago winning all that praise was really any better than the team that had van der vaart and co in way back when The only difference between then and now is in the old days you could bank of at least 4 of arsenal city Chelsea Utd and liverpool doing vaguely ok and finishing above them. But the last few years have been incredibly volatile for all the bigger clubs so they’ve blogged their way into CL places left over just by virtue of bigger clubs… Read more »
We play the Tiny Totts who are managed by Mou.
If we do not win, at least I hope we draw. It’s terrible losing against them.
@ China1 The difference is (apart from AKB) we all think arsenal have been shit for 10 years
During those 10 shit years, we were in the CL without fail. We even challenged for the PL some years and reached a final of the CL.
Are you saying we are in the same shit category these days? Not sure, the current shit seems different.
new post
Odegaard: “I said many times that I’ve been looking for stability (in same club), but haven’t found it. I think it’ll be important to find stability. I’m very happy at Arsenal, enjoying myself. I like it here. Now my focus is to finish the season, then we’ll see.” For the right price, and under the right conditions, £30-£40mill, but with no buy back clause, and no sell on clause, I’d be inclined to take a punt I think he’s got a really high ceiling, he’s at a good age, with a good level of experience, and could easily develop into… Read more »
Rich, he has to be a priority this summer. Takes time to adapt to the pace over here, but he works hard, has that special sauce, and everyone seems to love him
JayJay, not really being awkward, if you think after 14 years of writing about Arsneal, I don’t have contacts, you are wrong.
Matteo dropped by Hertha today.
Kind of buries your crusade. Not even a side in a relegation battle can be arsed with him