It’s quite hard to really do justice to what happened last night because there are so many elements that didn’t really work in our favour.
At the highest possible level, accept this: Klopp and Liverpool shithoused the rules for COVID, it was cheating, and they got away with it. You have to salute it, there will be no consequences, no ‘morally bankrupt Liverpool’ tweets, it’ll just be brushed under the carpet. Would it have changed the outcome? Probably not, but don’t let what they did pass you by, it was shocking behaviour that worked for them. The in-game equivalent of Fabinho getting no cards for 6 fouls and Partey getting sent off for 2 fouls.
If we shift down a level, the simple truth is we don’t have the squad to play a strong Liverpool side that desperately need a final. We lack experience, depth, and ability at the moment. Arsenal is a project on the up, Liverpool still is a project that is there. They are close to peak. For Arsenal to win a game like that, we need everyone fit, at 100%, all on the pitch.
We didn’t have that last night.
We had a lot of talent available, but I think we all saw why Arsenal postponed Spurs. Being present isn’t the same as being ready. Tomi was not fit, Smith Rowe was nowhere near the level we know he’s capable of, there was fatigue all over the pitch. You simply cannot compete with Liverpool in the state we were in.
If you’re going to take anything from that previous point, take this one: Liverpool had 3 shots on target and scored 2. We were controlled, not played off the park. There was no shame in the defeat, it was just frustrating considering the circumstances.
The final piece of the pie is that when we play City and Liverpool, our problems are magnified in a way they aren’t against other teams, even Chelsea. Liverpool exposed our lack of a striker. They exposed our dependence on a fit Tomi. The game highlighted our inexperience and the problems with our experience. Our two centre midfielders have taken three red cards in January, it’s really poor, but that’s where we are. Lacazette went one on one with a new keeper and didn’t hit the target. Our squad needs work, we aren’t at Top 2 level yet, that shouldn’t come as a surprise.
No one expected to beat Liverpool over two legs. We all wanted a party at Wembley, we didn’t get it, but I’ve seen enough this month not to be too worried about the future.
Odegaard was absolutely outrageous, even in a drab performance. He’s found his swagger, he’s looking more and more like he’ll be a Cesc like figure, and he’s showing off his leadership skills. I’d say he’s quite a way off being a ‘boring player.’
Martinelli doesn’t have goals and assists yet, but he bullied TAA and Matip. We all know he’s special. Things will happen for him and when he bangs, it’s going to be wild. He’s just 20 man, check out how flustered Liverpool were trying to deal with him. I get shades of early Thierry and Anelka with him. He’s so, so exciting.
You’d also hope that a game like Liverpool shows the club hierarchy where we need to go.
We need to bolster our midfield desperately. Lokonga will be it next season, but who is competing with him?
A Vlahovic like striker would change the game for Arsenal and it’s needed now. We cannot start next season with someone that has to adapt to the club. Eddie, Auba, and Lacazette will all be gone, we need someone in now so we can use the back end of the season to bed them into the system.
Going out in a semi-final is tough, having a January this shite is painful, but you have to keep the bigger picture in mind. Competing for top 4 this season was a stretch goal, but if we beat Burnley, it’s our reality. Young players will have ups and downs, expecting them to win every game is not reality, and demanding it on an #ArtetaOut hashtag isn’t ‘standards.’ Young players get better, ours have shown that all season, supporting them in the down moments is how they’ll get better, so let’s keep doing that.
NOW LISTEN TO THE PODCAST.
“””Even if Partey was as accustomed to flying as a regular business frequent flier, can’t imagine throwing in a player with barely 3 hours of sleep- assuming he could fall asleep””””
A little better than shoving a player with a muscle injury back into the field……. never mind.
Richardlison as good as people say he may be. He does have a brain fart in him.
Positive Pete
I like David. He needs to score more but his overall game is better than the other options. He is scoring at a better rate this season than last. What I really like from his game though is his ability to press. Him and Martinelli on our front line would harrass opponents in to a lot of turnovers.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/12521125/granit-xhaka-exclusive-interview-arsenal-midfielder-insists-he-wont-change-despite-red-cards
He is said this is who I am and I can’t change that. Fair enough. But “who he is” isn’t good enough for Arsenal.
Karsa 9 unbeaten since he took over. No I’m sure you’re right pure circumstance nothing to do with Conte.
Villa is a better team. This is the best I have seen Buendía plays.
S Asoa
Everything you highlight makes perfect sense.
It just beggars belief that some on here defend Arteta every time he cocks things up.
No sensible and logical person would have thrown Partey into the mix.
Then again, what do I know.
‘ “ It was widely reported that Partey’s early morning flight landed at noon. That means he got up early, checked out, got driven to airport, waited in a lounge, boarded, deplaned, walked hundreds of metres of corridor at Heathrow (I presume), navigated immigration (which now has covid checks), got in a car and got chauffered to the team hotel. I’d be surprised if he got there before 3pm. For an 8pm kickoff, the team bus would have left the hotel round 6pm. Presuming he’d flown from Douala to London, it was likely a flight of 9 hours or more,… Read more »
Name calling is all a little playground (I’ve been guilty of it too) but I guess we should all accept that people sometimes come on here to vent or just get into an argument for the sake of it. Some, mentioning no names, come on to dispense ‘fortune cookie’ like wisdom and don’t charge for the contribution. I do agree with PositiveP that although we should all accept differing opinions sometimes when people, in the name of balance(?) bang a very negative drum then it grates when it feels that the natural position should rightly have an Arsenal bias. That… Read more »
Sid
“”””A little better than shoving a player with a muscle injury back into the field……. never mind.””‘
No suprise at all , Partey played his best game when Arteta was not in the stadium. ( Man City)
I am not a huge fan of Partey. (He does not score or create chances) But Partey was a vastly superior midfielder than Arteta.
So Arteta should not micro manage his game just because he has recieved a few coaching badges.
Bard
Don’t care one jot about any other team.
“ Arsenal are also mindful that Arteta’s contract expires at the same time as his mentor Pep Guardiola’s and City could look to target their former assistant as a natural replacement for his compatriot, should he call time on his tenure at the Etihad. “
– Assuming the most successful Club with resources and ambition are fools. Dammit ,see how neatly they palmed off that persona after the early need of Pep to be guided in the idiosyncrasies of EPL were done.
There’s nothing wrong with Arteta giving Partey 15 minutes in that game. In the history of the AFCON, players have been shuttled back and forth, by private jet between club games and AFCON games. It’s not like he was stuck in an economy seat next to the toilet. It was private jet with sleeping space. Arsenal physios may have been in touch with him mid flight and helped him with conditioning exercises. He wasn’t;t flying acrosss so many time zones that precluded him from playing that game. Partey is the one to blame for those yellow cards. We though we… Read more »
Not everything is Arteta’s fault. Trading AMN without a backup is. But the red card to Xhaka and Partey are not.
This so called ‘Arsenal bias’ that’s ;being advocated for, comes across as ‘head-in-sand’, very close to a mass delusional,state.
There’s nothing wrong with supporting the team you love with open eyes and a clear mind.
It’s possible to critique what you’re seeing with your God-given eyes and still love the.club.
Le-grove became more accepting of the untold Arsenal migrants and now they drive the narrative here.
Of course if City really want Arteta at some stage then extending his contract could get us a nice compensation fee
Everton looking like a championship level team whilst Villa are starting to realise their potential under Gerrard. Buendia etc look like different players and were clearly stifled under Dean Smith who has found his level at Norwich
Nelson
That is true but circumstances highlight the opposite.
Xhaka is Xhaka, so getting a red card is always a possibility.
Partey would not have been nowhere near 100%, irrespective of what some may think.
‘ Partey would not have been nowhere near 100%, irrespective of what some may think.’
Players play all the time without being anywhere near 100%.
Don’t blame Arteta for a ‘senior’ professional player whose lack of control got him two yellow cards within 15. minutes
Party knew that we were short of players in the middle, hence his desperate inclusion< so why do something so stupid?
Dissenter,
I haven’t got a problem with criticising Arsenal, Arteta, Kreonke, Doris the Tea lady whoever.
The issue is for me when somebody always seems down with the club then it feels like the person is spreading negativity for their own ends. When people are super positive, it also doesn’t quite ring true but at least they’re taking an optimistic line, which for me is more palatable.
Doris the Tea lady
Not having Doris criticised looool.
Bob N16
There’s no such thing as spreading negativity, assuming we are all grown adults with minds is our own. There have been the rare rival fans that come here to mock us and they catch hell from everybody.
There’s a definite attempt to force ‘positivity’ down the throats of others.
If it was okay to criticize Wenger and Emery, then surely there shouldn’t be this much fuss about people skeptical about Arteta.
Actually, I do blame Arteta for Xhaka because all of this could have been prevented long ago.
Those that think that Partey needed to play obviously haven’t thought it through.
This is just rank poor management.
By the way that’s criticism.
Dissenter There’s nothing wrong with Arteta giving Partey 15 minutes in that game. In the history of the AFCON, players have been shuttled back and forth, by private jet between club games and AFCON games. I would suggest that this probably was the first time that a player will have flown for in excess of 6 hours and then was expected to play at the highest level that same day. Even at Non League level the players aren’t expected to travel more than 4 hours to an away FA cup game and most clubs travelling in such away will stop… Read more »
Berg10kamp January 22, 2022 11:16:18
“Jamie, nobody can say that they definitively know. I just know it isn’t what we think it is.”
I can say that I definitely know. Tell us what you think though. Don’t be shy.
Dissenter, I disagree, I think a poster is spreading a negative when they consistently criticise and fail to praise when it is due. Most people find a reasonable balance, I just think extremism is unhealthy any which way- but extreme positivity is easier to take than extreme negativity.
There are some posters, who I scroll down without reading because I know their stance and it adds no insight or understanding to my Arsenal experience -they tend to be the ultra critics. I might have more sympathy with their views if their position didn’t lack any form of nuance at all.
Samesong -you’re right I crossed the line when I mentioned criticism of Doris the tea lady, sorry!
Godfrey is a dirty player.
Getting spicy at Goodison.
“”I haven’t got a problem with criticising Arsenal, Arteta, Kreonke, Doris the Tea lady whoever.””
Bob
Sorry but I’m taking offense if you criticised Doris the Tea lady. Leave her alone. :))
To think that Pedro always made reference to Untold’s blind Wenger worship when he was in charge…
If anyone is interested ITV @4.00pm the have an hour highlights of the 1989 title decider played at Anfield
ITV 4
I’ve moved back to my native couple months back (India, if that matters) and here’s some bitter truth. We are cricket loving nation and football has gained popularity in last 10-15 years. Guess who has got more followers? Chelsea and United. New generation are looking forward to City and Bayern. Premier League games are streamed on Disney+Hotstar. Arsenal’s live audience is always in the 40-50k where as United/Chelsea game easily crosses 100k. United has a massive follower list because of their branding and Ronaldo/Rooney has upped it up in last decades. Chelsea got followers because they WIN. So is the… Read more »
Playing Partey in the league cup just hours after flying back from Africa is definitely one of the biggest bloobers in football history
its up there with signing a player with a broken back
Having Arteta will cost us a lot more now than we will gain later because if we replaced had replaced him by December, what we aim to achieve with him next 2 seasons would have been achieved this season.
Mysticleaves
Sorry but not quite sure what you’re trying to say.
Are you saying we should have got rid back in December?
@Positive Pete, I’ve never once posted anything in an attempt to “oust Arteta”. Not once. So if I struck a chord by saying the term “bedwetters” is childish, then I think your reaction highlights that deep down you know it really is childish.
My concern with Arteta is that even though he shows ambition (which is really refreshing) he and the team seem to have lost their discipline… we now appear to be easy pickings for referees to card our players since the reputation of the club is not great given the number of red cards recently issued so I’m sure we are been watched and teams like Burnley may try to wind our players up to gain an advantage. Furthermore, while the Vlahovic saga runs on, and whether the deadline for the player to agree to the transfer is by midweek… we… Read more »
To think Elnaga is ahead of Sancho now at United.
Sancho better wake up
“”””Some, mentioning no names, come on to dispense ‘fortune cookie’ like wisdom and don’t charge for the contribution.”””””
You cant help it, can you? Poking the bear, stirring the hornets
Out of the frying pan and into the fire!
Sad seeing Ronaldo and Messi so declined these days. Father time is undefeated.
Bob, Good way to put it. I’m constructive about the team right now. Reading the comments here, which you aptly describe as unpalatable….. can really put a person in a foul mood. The hate and negativity is disgusting. It goes from the usual Arteta hate, to players he chooses, then devolves into believing the obviously made up media stories as gospel, especially the stuff that’s meant to whip up Arsenal fans as clickbait money. Then the funniest and worst as you see since Thursday, predicting our best players will be leaving just as we’re building something good. Such a stupid… Read more »
WengerEagle
It’s a fact of life I’m afraid.
Sid, what makes you think I was referring to you? You’re not the only poster dispensing free advice.
Let’s all hold hands and dance around the mulberry bush.
A drone at Brentford.
The teams have left the pitch.
Nigel, I recommend scrolling down and not reading those posters who are pretty much guaranteed to have a dig, much less likely to get in a ‘foul mood’!
Mb, again apologies for the implication that Doris deserves criticism- she is a paradigm of virtue remaining serenely above any suggestion of wrong doing!
Are the Russians coming?
Are you alright Graham, I get the feeling you’re under it a bit today? Hope all’s well.
I actually love the Arteta contract extension story. I don’t love him unconditionally, and i criticize him, but I’m behind what he’s doing so he has my support.
Best part …..It drives the haters insane. I hope its a good long deal.
How old are you Nigel? Don’t know if I have ever heard a grown man use the word ‘haters’.
Bob
I’m self-isolating with Covid.
Tested negative yesterday, so as long as I’m negative tomorrow I’m out of here.
And if you are quite young I can see why you would be a bit infatuated with Tets, it’s understandable he is very suave albeit bland.
The more I watch of Utd the more confident I am that we will finish above them tbh.
Spuds are the big threat, will be tough to overcome them and Conte.
I hope Chelsea and Tottenham and also Westham and United get draws. It would be amazing for us.
Cheers Bob. Something we can agree upon.
Yeah West Ham and spu*s are more of a threat for top 4 than United.
Draw here is a very good result for us.
West Ham look so ordinary, giving an on their knees Utd no issues at all.
Nah I hope that Chelsea pate the Spuds.
No chance at all we will finish above Chelsea, we’d all snap hands off for 4th let’s not get greedy now haha.
Paste*
Graham
Yes. Was it December we had that horrible form? Or November? Or maybe it’s the December of last year. Sorry, wait…probably the whole of his stint with us bar the past 7-10 games before the most recent 3 defeats in 4 game period.
Damn you Stan!!
Thought something was up Graham, fingers crossed that you’re negative tomorrow!
Actually Chelsea turning the spuds into Pâté quite appeals !
Everton one win in 14
Guess which game that was?
Good luck with tomorrows test Graham. I had my first negative test today too after a week of coughing and splutering.
Project youth
19 yr old Guendouzi vs 22 yr old lokonga
Hahaha Bergkamp63.
Be negative, Graham.. for once..
Sid
Yeah, youth only counts when you buy it yourself.
Rashford is Walcott v2.0. Non-existent football brain. Ronaldo looks like he wants to murder him.
Its getting tight, wolves are prowling
Xhaka of Arsenal would have been booked for such a similar tackle by McTomminay on Rice.
Silly FA and their incompetent, corrupt referees
That’s offside
Cavani was offside
Is that not offside against Manchester united?
How come VAR didn’t even have a look?
Why didn’t they show the offiside position call on screen
You fucked it LoveSausage!
WE,
I knew I was going to jinx it but couldn’t help myself. Sorry guys.
I’m still right though. That was a vintage TW14 tap in.
Wolves averaging less than 1 goal a game (and x3 of those were scored today) and right in the mix for top 4 is bizarre.
Out of both cups and in dog fight for European football.
It doesn’t matter if we fail despite spending over 200 millions because we have the youngest team in the league and the most talented generational coach in the world
Yep things are looking great!
Wenger Eagle
Everything i say, meant in general…you seem to take personally and are trying to create some beef with me.. I am not thinking about you at all.
Tallesttiz,
I thought the same thing about that McTominay foul.