Arsenal 2015-2016: The One That Got Away
- Thread starter blueguitar322
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Wish the forwards played with more intensity. There are way too many gaps of space and the closing down has been very nonchalant. Really would like them to tighten up and hit them on the break.
GIROUD!
What a finish - he had me completely fooled live as I thought he had taken a poor touch
What a finish - he had me completely fooled live as I thought he had taken a poor touch
Sigh...
Bunkering is just never a strategy that works well. Credit to Liverpool, they really outplayed Arsenal for 70-80% of the match despite all their injuries.
Edit: Huge missed opportunity to take the full three points against a depleted squad, especially given that United, City, and Chelsea (who are mostly irrelevant, but I will continue to engage in schadenfreude) all drew and Spurs lost.
Bunkering is just never a strategy that works well. Credit to Liverpool, they really outplayed Arsenal for 70-80% of the match despite all their injuries.
Edit: Huge missed opportunity to take the full three points against a depleted squad, especially given that United, City, and Chelsea (who are mostly irrelevant, but I will continue to engage in schadenfreude) all drew and Spurs lost.
Ehhh, playing at Anfield is never easy and while they have a bunch of injuries, we're not exactly at full strength either without Alexis, Coquelin, Cazorla, Wilshere, and Welbeck.
That we have to put on Ox and Gibbs - both of whom are neither threatening on the counter nor helpful in terms of keeping possession of the ball - to see out the game is pretty awful. We closed up shop way too early in this one but we also have such poor bench options right now.
Its a missed opportunity but staying even with City and gaining a point on Spurs is not a bad outcome from today more globally, given that we were playing at Anfield.
I think we'd have been in much position bringing on Wilshere and Welbeck to see out the game in comparison to Gibbs and Ox. Not that we're likely to see W/W anytime soon but that's the case for some of Liverpool's players as well.
Anyway...
Wenger said after the game that Sanchez may make Sunday, although his tone leaves me kind of doubtful, and he also confirmed that Elneny has joined the team and might be in contention for Sunday as well (I highly doubt he would start, but he might be on the bench).
Way to ignore all the names that matter... Point is Arsenal is far from full health and Sanchez, Cazorla and Coquelin are pretty huge subtractions.. So getting a tie away anywhere let alone Liverpool is far, far away from 'really sad'.
You have to say, though, that it's pretty typically Arsenal to agree to buy a player at the end of December and then not yet have him available to play in a game on 13 January. Perhaps playing Elneny instead of Flamini last night might have made a difference? (I know there were work permit issues, but still...)
Because including Wilshere and Welbeck in that take away from the overall argument because they're not that good and they're not to be relied upon. No one would argue against those top three being important players to the squad.
Yeah, I don't agree with this at all. Liverpool is a pretty mobile squad and would run circles around Jack. Welbeck gives me nothing. He's a less good Campbell (i.e. mediocre). Ox and Gibbs are both mobile and that's what I will take. I'd say the big substitution if any was taking off Ozil. He was the one orchestrating the best instances of possession and providing the longest respite for the defense. What did Arteta do? This is where the Elneny transfer delay may have hurt Arsenal.
Its a foot injury.
Stoke fans are the actual scum of the earth. BOOOO AARON RAMSEY, HOW DARE YOU HAVE YOUR LEG BROKEN BY OUR CAPTAIN THUG!
Stoke fans are the actual scum of the earth. BOOOO AARON RAMSEY, HOW DARE YOU HAVE YOUR LEG BROKEN BY OUR CAPTAIN THUG!
He's been an absolute zero all season. Hasn't made any strides at all since he was like 18 years old. Losing faith.
What an absolutely putrid game. Cech was the only one who showed up for Arsenal and thank christ or they'd have lost.
I hate watching Arsenal play Stoke. Especially at Stoke. Take our point and run for the hills, methinks.
I thought Campbell played well. He was the only one in the final third who seemed able to create any viable chances and linking with Giroud. Not sure what Koscielny was thinking with a few passes toward midfield that were easily intercepted and led to some heart-dropping moments. Walcott and Ox were also excellent and disrupting Arsenal's attack with key misplaced passes.
No doubt. Without Özil, Alexis, Cazorla, and Coquelin, I realistically didn't expect much. A scoreless draw with no injuries is welcome.
Such a different team without Ozil or Cazorla. No one else comes close to offering what they do. Maybe Wilshere on his day (c.f. Barca several years back) but he's out too.
I really really hope Campbell is not the one dropped when Alexis returns.
Feo has done positively nothing to keep his place in the starting XI
Feo has done positively nothing to keep his place in the starting XI
I can't say that Ox is suited to play centrally right now. He doesn't have the concentration and increasing his touches on the ball means that he has to make more passes which along with finishing is the weakness in his game. At the same time, I did feel his mobility was important and he did a decent job of getting back into position to disrupt Stoke's attack. As you all know, I love the potential of Ox, but the kid just needs to put things together mentally. I've felt that part of the problem has been the lack of consistent opportunity. Well, he's had a consistent opportunity these last few weeks and he hasn't delivered. Another up and down performance.
Without Ozil, there is definitely a severe lack of creativity. I thought Stoke did a good job of pinning Arsenal's fullbacks back too, which was not aided by the fact that a certain winger wouldn't track back. Nacho had another impressive game in my opinion. I don't think Bellerin got enough opportunities to attack. The passing wasn't as pin point and Giroud really had to finish the one chance he has after a brilliant Campbell through ball. Butland was superb for the home side.
I agree that Theo should be bound for the bench upon Alexis' return. Campbell has shown some moments of brilliance but his work rate is what has stood out for me the most. He's responsible and I think that pairs well with Bellerin.
Without Ozil, there is definitely a severe lack of creativity. I thought Stoke did a good job of pinning Arsenal's fullbacks back too, which was not aided by the fact that a certain winger wouldn't track back. Nacho had another impressive game in my opinion. I don't think Bellerin got enough opportunities to attack. The passing wasn't as pin point and Giroud really had to finish the one chance he has after a brilliant Campbell through ball. Butland was superb for the home side.
I agree that Theo should be bound for the bench upon Alexis' return. Campbell has shown some moments of brilliance but his work rate is what has stood out for me the most. He's responsible and I think that pairs well with Bellerin.
Nacho signed a long term contract. He has earned it. He has been stellar since taking over the job from Gibbs and his form lately has been tremendous.
Ozil will be back for Chelsea but despite Alexis looking good in training, it looks like Wenger wants to be very careful with him. Sunday is not only an important match to be able to exercise some demons, but also to get back on the winning track and regain momentum.
Coquelin being back in full training as well - a month ahead of schedule, apparently - is pretty huge. (Sounds like Welbeck might be back in full training next week too...)
What is it about Arsenal, Chelsea, Costa and red cards. Oof.
Absolutely the right call, but that's devastating.
Absolutely the right call, but that's devastating.
This game sucks so far but I'm not about to criticize Wenger for (1) setting up his team to play a high line and (2) Mertesacker being slow. Those two things have been the case forever, and Wenger probably receives far more blame when it goes wrong than credit when it works out.
It's up to the midfield to not get caught out like they did. Players have to perform.
It's up to the midfield to not get caught out like they did. Players have to perform.
Or don't play Mertesacker if youre going to play a high line.
And its not even about the red card, the team looked like absolute DOG SHIT before that.
And its not even about the red card, the team looked like absolute DOG SHIT before that.
Arsenal doesn't like to do anything easy. I just dont understand why they are so bad. They really need an enforcer. Arsenal always has a small team. If you are going to foul costa, you have to make sure he at least feels it.
Bits and pieces of Arsenal news:
-Le Coq could play this weekend and Wenger said Elneny may start as well.
-Wenger confirmed that we are very close to signing 17-year-old Nigerian Kelechi Nwakali (along with another Nigerian guy too), a deep lying central midfielder who won the Golden Ball at his past year's U17 World Cup. The majority of Golden Ball winners in that tournament never amount to much but there are a couple gems in that list as well (Fabregas, Kroos). Generally speaking, I think a midfielder winning this award is a much better signal of quality than a forward because the latter often win just by happening to score a bunch of goals but the former generally only win when they really show a lot of quality. Like all 17-year-olds, Nwakali is probably still a long shot to become a meaningful first team player for a club like Arsenal but this is probably still one of our most promising youth signings in a long time.
Obligatory highlight video:
-Le Coq could play this weekend and Wenger said Elneny may start as well.
-Wenger confirmed that we are very close to signing 17-year-old Nigerian Kelechi Nwakali (along with another Nigerian guy too), a deep lying central midfielder who won the Golden Ball at his past year's U17 World Cup. The majority of Golden Ball winners in that tournament never amount to much but there are a couple gems in that list as well (Fabregas, Kroos). Generally speaking, I think a midfielder winning this award is a much better signal of quality than a forward because the latter often win just by happening to score a bunch of goals but the former generally only win when they really show a lot of quality. Like all 17-year-olds, Nwakali is probably still a long shot to become a meaningful first team player for a club like Arsenal but this is probably still one of our most promising youth signings in a long time.
Obligatory highlight video:
Nwakali aside, this winter transfer window has been very much like the summer transfer window, hasn't it? Get one guy you want at a position of need, and then...tumbleweeds. I guess I'd hoped for rather more.
Arsene Wenger is still the manager. I'm surprised we bought ANYONE in a january window.
This lineup today.... ugh. Calum Chambers are RB, goodnight sweet Debuchy, your career is over now.
This lineup today.... ugh. Calum Chambers are RB, goodnight sweet Debuchy, your career is over now.
Forgive me for not knowing his name as I'm only half watching your match while watching a shit stream for mine but who is #45? Classy feet on him, feels like every time I look up he's taking a great touch
Alex Iwobi. He is a youth player that has never gotten much hype but hasn't looked out of place at this level in his few chances this season. Good feet as you say.
I dont think there is much special about him as a player but I think he'll have a decent career either as a depth player for Arsensl or, more likely, eventually moving to a lower or mid table team.
Interesting. Another Nigerian. I know they had a youth team that tore up some tournaments a few years back but they may really be able to make a mark in a few years at the International level. A lot of young Nigerian talent coming up right now.
Maybe in the sense of being closest to the first team. I've never seen much discussion of Iwobi as a serious contender to ever be a first XI player for Arsenal, as with players like Jeff, Malen, Bielek, Gnabry, etc. those guys are younger and easier to dream on but nobody was dreaming like that with Iwobi, as far as I know.