Monday, December 23, 2024

Report: WBA 0-1 Arsenal (inc. goal action)

Arsenal: Martinez, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Flamini, Ramsey, Welbeck, Alexis, Cazorla, Giroud

Subs: Macey, Gibbs, Bellerin, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Campbell, Podolski

Danny Welbeck’s second half header was enough for Arsenal to secure three points at the Hawthorns and a temporary return to the top four. The Gunners squandered a host of chances in the first hour before man of the match Santi Cazorla produced a jinking run and fine cross to set up the England international. Saido Berahino hit the bar as the home side sought an equaliser, but in contrast to recent Premier League encounters Arsene Wenger’s squad found the character to stay strong in the face of late pressure.

Pre-game

Arsene Wenger made five changes from the starting XI that faced Manchester United a week ago. The defence took on a more conventional look for the first time since early October with Laurent Koscielny returning to partner Per Mertesacker and Nacho Monreal returning to left-back in place of Kieran Gibbs who dropped to the bench. Without the injured Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere, Wenger selected Mathieu Flamini, Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla in the centre of the park with Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck flanking Olivier Giroud up front. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined usual suspects Lukas Podolski, Tomas Rosicky and Joel Campbell on the bench, while young stopper Matt Macey provided back-up to Emiliano Martinez who was making his Premier League debut in goal.

First half

The opening 45 minutes were, for want of a better word, strange. The Gunners were impressively patient on the ball, but frustratingly impatient when opportunities finally presented themselves. The half was littered with half chances, most created by fantastic, intricate triangles in the final third, however, our finishing, as was the case against Manchester United, was far from lethal.

Santi Cazorla set the tone within two minutes, lashing a drive from 20-yards that stung Ben Foster’s palms and followed it up with another effort that was closed down at close quarters by the Baggies defence. Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck were full of energy, but like their Spanish teammate couldn’t beat the always alert Foster. The former burst through midfield on six minutes only to hit a tame effort straight at goal, while the latter was foiled by the onrushing keeper as he latched on to a fine Ramsey through ball.

The introduction of Kieran Gibbs for injured Nacho Monreal saw Arsenal further up the tempo, but still they couldn’t break the deadlock. Tenacious closing down by Olivier Giroud saw him nick the ball off Foster on 27 minutes, but having stolen possession his left foot effort from the left side of the box was always curling away from goal. Aaron Ramsey had the Gunners’ best chance on 36 minutes but his shot, following a scrap on the edge of the box, was dragged wide.

Arsenal’s front three looked dangerous throughout, Cazorla was at his impish best while the defence was rarely tested. Indeed, West Bromwich Albion didn’t register a shot on or off target at all in the first half.

Second half

Arsenal started where they left off in the first half, squandering further chances. Welbeck and Ramsey got in a muddle having turned the West Brom defence and Per Mertesacker snatched at an effort that fell to him after a free-kick was bundled in his direction.

As our full-backs pushed further up the pitch, so the gaps in our defence began to open. Saido Berahino, the home side’s most dangerous player by far, was given offside when he clearly was not, then he nearly caught Martinez out with a cheeky near post effort on 54 minutes that only found the side netting.

Just before the hour mark, Arsenal finally found the back of the net. Welbeck got the goal but it was all about the ingenuity of the brilliant Cazorla. After more intricate build up play in midfield the Spaniard burst down the left flank, looked up and picked out the England man who powered home the dinked cross with his head. (GOAL! 1-0)

Not long after Welbeck felt he should have had a penalty when he was clipped on the edge of the box, before a raft of substitutions upset the high tempo.

Chasing an equaliser Alan Irvine sent on two strikers in Victor Anichebe and Giorgios Samaras and also replaced injured left-back Sebastien Pocognoli with Cristian Gamboa. Olivier Giroud made it to 77 minutes before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was sent into the fray.

With ten minutes remaining the home side twice came close to a leveller. Mertesacker blocked a dangerous shot from Chris Brunt and as the ball was returned into the area Berahino beat Chambers at the back post to hit the bar with a header. Arsenal looked nervy.

Inside the final five minutes Chamberlain received a kick on his knee that saw him left writhing in agony – he was just about okay to continue and even collected a late booking – before Craig Gardner’s wicked shot was deflected just wide by Ramsey. Four minutes of stoppage time saw more long balls lofted into the Gunners box but to the credit of debutant Martinez, his defence stood firm.

The win takes Arsenal fourth ahead of the 3pm kick-offs and marks a positive end to another roller coaster week. Next up we entertain Southampton on Wednesday evening, win that and we might just be able to claim we’re on a roll…

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Arsenalman29

Dat Guy Cazorla

Dat GuyWelbz

Dat Was Great

Arsenalman29

Why so many down votes? Are Wenger out fans annoyed we won? I am a Wenger change, or get out fan. But il never want Arsenal to lose to prove a point. I think majority of Arsenal fans, do not want Wenger out, they just want him to change. But if he does not change his ways, and make the decisions the fans want, then they would want him to leave. Nothing wrong with that. Although there is different ways to go about voicing your opinion. I did not agree with the banner Arsenal fans held up today, no need… Read more »

Az Ahmed

Without fans making their opinion known, and without putting pressure on manager to change his ways, he would most likely not change his ways. We have seen it before that only when Wenger’s back is to the wall does he perform better. It shouldn’t have to come to this kind of protestation, but i think it is necessary because it seems the board doesn’t want to criticise Wenger as he is making money for them. It’s up to the fans to put that pressure to perform on the manager and the players.

Arsenalman29

I agree with what you’re saying. I just didn’t feel it was necessary to do it at a match, on live Tv. Or an away match. I just feel it could have been done at say a training session, or pre match at the emirates, or outside the stadium. But it is about time the Board and Wenger listened to the fans more. The reporter after the match put it to Wenger about the fans, and he just said nothing. Which i did not agree with neither. But i think he is just annoyed. But so is the fans. As… Read more »

Az Ahmed

He needs to stop being stubborn – what do you think Wenger Out fans see saying?? I think he hasa set of philosophies and sticks to then no matter what, however it can be detrimental to the team and the results. No philosophy is all encompassing, no philosophy is perfectly balanced. A manager as experience as Wenger should know this by now and should be more adaptable

VictoriaConcordiaCrescit

If you think fan opinion affects Wenger’s decisions you’re massively over estimating our influence. Wenger adapts based on his own analysis, he is not tuning in to 606 to hear what the fans or Robbie Savage think.

Dylan

I pray for the sake of anyone who tunes in to hear what Robbie Savage thinks.

Arsenalman29

He doesn’t need to tune into 606 or watch Robbie, as you seen today the banner, same banner thats been used since 2012, which he knows about, has seen and has been told of, he does hear the fans opinion, but as ive said, he is stubborn, and if (if) he listens to the fans, Wengerout fans will become wengerIn fans. And Arsene actually said in an interview, he likes to watch football and football analysus, he is not blind to how the fans feel, he does not need to read articles or tune into 606 or watch Robbie, he… Read more »

Nacho de Montreal is tasty

You said exactly what I have always thought of Wenger. However, I am definitely in the Wenger must change his way to remain at the helm of Arsenal football gang. I used to want his name printed on my shirt instead of players name. Why did he lose my support ? Well, the image of defensive weakness that would not erase from my mind is Denilson giving up chasing Drogba in a counter attack before Drogba reached midfield. After few yards of sprint, he stopped running, stood there and Drogba went unchallenged to score the goal. I am talking Denilson,… Read more »

Mpls

That was a good solid win today, wasn’t it! And that game against Dortmund? Nice hard-working show of making your own fortune.

I sure am glad the Manager didn’t take any half crocked advice and bench our Man of the Match today, I can’t imagine how it would have gone without him on the pitch, and Welbeck striking in from the left.

The same banner since 2012, and a new contract in 2014 says it all.

jubaka

Doing the same thing again and again expecting different results …whoever made that banner is no real fan of arsenal …or a very thick one..

My name is my name

The thing is he does change, and has showed that this season. Unless he does exactly what all the individual WengerOut’s want, there will always be something that he’s doing wrong/should be doing instead.

Arsenalman29

But you’re saying this and yet its our worst start in 32 years. People need to think about what they are saying, has he changed? Did he buy players we so blatently need? Did he buy the CB he promised? Has he filled the DM position we have been crying out for? Has he won against any of the big teams? His stats in the past few years, and his tactics have not changed. He has been stubborn, and any fan of Arsenal should know that. I will let everyone else talk now, i have voiced my opinion..

Az Ahmed

Forget for a second what fans have been saying. Wenger as a manager admitted himself we needed to fill the CB and DM position. I cannot think of a single pundit who did not say we needed these positions filled. It boils down to the failure of the manager to fill these positions, as well as the naïve outlook in matches. It was drastic to display a Wenger out sign in an away match, but fans feel their voice is not being heard, thus a drastic action was necessary.

Arsenalman29

I suppose if you say it that way, then it makes sense. I just wish they done it at the Emirates, maybe at the United game, and i wish it just said, time to change or go, we have a voice too, or something, kind of silly asking him to leave in the middle of a season, i just hope he will finally change his ways.

MPLS

SOME supporters feel their voices were not being heard. How fortunate for them they don’t have to give a fuck about those who disagree with them as they shame the team to the world.

Rene

Nothing to do with Arsene or Arsenal, it’s just ‘dat’ is just so cringey

Arsenalman29

I know dat is cringey, its just Welbeck calls himself Dat Guy, and whilst he is scoring goals for Arsenal, i will support him in the way he woukd like, and i thought most Arsenal fans have a sense of humour.

Dats why i said it 😀

r

I think the downvotes are because of that overused joke.

Dylan

Dat overused joke. Sorry

jubaka

Sorry there but can you please listen to yourself ? We should sack him/change for not making the decisions that the fans want? What do the fans know ?

Arsenalman29

Are you for real jubaka? What do the fans know? I know that we needed a CB when we sold Vermaelen, i know that we needed a DM for years, i know that losing 8-2 to United is embarrassing and not good enough, i know that losing 11 of the last 15 games is not good enough, i know that losing 6-0 to chelsea is not good enough, i know that playing a high line against quality oposition, will get you the hammerings we got, 8-2 6-0 3-0 5-1 and i know that managers with good tactics would not let… Read more »

Arsenalman29

11 of the last 15 to United*

john

Bcause they’re loser

john

because*

Silent Stan's Content Mustache

Santi MoM for me, make it 3 assists in the last two games for him. Now let’s get some more fucking points, boys. It would also be nice for Arsene to rotate the squad a bit, Alexis can’t be running like this through May

GunnerDareMacedonia

yes santi motm, but he has to score one of the couple chances he had, especially one the welbz set him up he had all time in world to chose where to shot.

Maniac

A good result and it’s starting to look promising as our midfielders are finding some form. Santi was the stand out performer today but Ramsey is also starting to find some of his old form and Flamini was solid all round in his defensive duties, sometimes dropping back to become a sort of third CB and amazingly went a full game without getting a card! Only semi-negative thing I can say about today is that I think that our finishing is still quite poor, with plenty of chances going amiss, but with more and better chances being created I can… Read more »

Mpls

Totally agree on Ramsey- much more solid today (with a few brief head-scratchers). He was defending and tackling reminiscent of the beginning of his good run last season and it was great to see.

Ryan

What a fucking leap from Welbz!!!

gar14

He’s still hangin’

False11

All stand as we welcome Lebron James Welbeck to leap 40 feet over West Brom’s backline.

WizardOfOzil

Ah, shitting bricks as we enter the final ten. I’ll never take that feeling for granted again.

Big Chief from Antarctica

No wonder Welbeck chose #23 as his shirt number because of Michael Jordan, how high was he up in the air!? Beautiful goal!

Bellerin's Bellend

Solid.

jsergio

Back to basics. Great stuff boys. What we needed to do.

D

Fucking selfish, glory hunting, arrogant Ramsey is doing my head in. He should be dropped.

Dick Swiveller

Or alternatively he should be complimented for stepping up his play the last two games and starting to come back in to form, aside from missing a few shots.

Joey Sixpack

Way to insult the man who scored the winner in the FA Cup final. Class is permanent.

CB

D stands for…?

Arsepedant

Dummkopf, dunderhead, donkey, dope, damnfuckingidiot, dontknowshit …

CB

Not dickhead?

Bob's Mexican Cousin

He may be frustrating at times, but no need to get your knickers in a twist after a win and an improved performance from Rambo

Goonstein

That was a good win. Hopefully there are more to come. But what’s wrong with Ramsey? Sorry, but he shouldn’t be playing a full 90 minutes.

Dick Swiveller

I don’t get it.

He plays well but misses a few shots and he’s awful? He did a lot of running, his passing was sharp and positionally he helped fill the gaps and hassle players off the ball.

Goonstein

Well, I didn’t say he was awful. We have seen far worse from him this season. But his decision making is below par. He misses nearly every shot and those useless flicks and turns really annoy me sometimes. He’s losing the ball far too often. I am just worried because he said he is fit and sharp again but I can’t see it. But yeah, you’re right. There’s definetly a slight improvement. Hopefully it’s getting better and better because we know what he can be capable of.

Dick Swiveller

I thought there were a lot fewer of the flicks going wrong. I’d rather he gave the ball away less than he does but he was playing further forward today, or at least pushing forward more which means the giveaways were in less of a dangerous position and offered more potential reward, like that throughball to Welbeck.

He still ain’t there yet, I agree but he is an asset rather than a liability now which you couldn’t say for sure a few weeks ago.

Lloyd Townsend

Personally I thought his passing was pretty poor and he tracked back very, very slowly all game!

Dick Swiveller

Fair enough, it seemed like his passing was better judged and quicker, and he contributed well to the pressing but maybe he could have got back a little quicker at times, or maybe used a little more power whilst doing it.

Bob's Mexican Cousin

Perhaps he’s just too eager to score. But aren’t they all?

Dale Cooper

Yeah, how dare Ramsey block that shot that almost certainly would’ve been a goal in the final 10 minutes.

Bould's Eyeliner

That deflection he made could have potentially been our 3 points in the bag. He might not be in fantastic form, but he’s playing alot like it’s 2013. Give him some time, his work rate has been phenomenal.

mersons coke dealer

Good performance. Santi looks to be nearly back at his best. Ramsey is getting there but not quite there yet…..

it’s so good to have Kos back, too. Onwards & upwards.

Wangge

Good game, got 3 pts. That banner at the end is stupid.

Stuart Steele (@Stuart_Ten)

Reminded me of the performances at the tail end of the 2012/13 season. Solid, organised, efficient. Good win on the road, well done boys.

Podolski Sklep

Berahino is a great prospect but glad he didn’t convert today.

+ what a difference when Kos returns!

Just what the doctor ordered!

COYG!!!!!

AC

Sorry it was meant to be thumbs up! Ignore that one!

Phil

Cazorla was beautiful, beating his man almost at will, Alexis-Giroud-Welbeck dovetailing is glorious, and Mertesacker looks imperious with Koscielny back. Only low was Monreal, he’s won my respect for his attitude while playing CB, shame he had to pick up an injury.

Dick Swiveller

It’s also a bit of an issue with Gibbs injury record being a little chequered.

AS17 is for A.Sanchez not A.song

In Africa we believe in sacrifice to “gods”. so on behalf of Arsenal football club, am gonna sacrifice a goat/bull to the injury ‘gods’. anyone with virgin goats, am very serious, drop your email please.

Henry! Chance!! Goal!!!

Let’s keep building on this form. We’ve been close all season but there was something missing. Now, things appear to be finally clicking.

Henry! Chance!! Goal!!!

Plus Martinez seem really calm in goal. I don’t know how good he is yet, but he plays like he belongs. So far so good

Dick Swiveller

I think there’s an element of luck with him coming into the team just as we come into form, but he does seem confident and composed and his feet seem to be about 6 foot wide when strikers are shooting, all good things for a keeper.

Arsepedant

He’s done well. Two starts for the senior team, two clean sheets. Long may that continue.

Glocken

Good win to wrap up a better week. Arsenal have to win these games if we want to get third or fourth this year. Great to see Kos back, Shame about Monreal & Gibbs, hopefully it’s not too bad.

Let’s hope Kos can stay fit till until we buy in January.

Come on you Reds!

Robstar

I can watch match of the day tonight.

CGooner

AOC being mad with Ramsey at the end sums up how most people feel about Ramsey wanting a goal so badly.. Great game.. Nervy ending.. But 3 points in the bag.. Now on our way to staying up with the big boys.. We can do this! COYG!!

lenny

3 tasty points nothing else matters

Thomas

Santa Cazorla got 3 assist in the last two games…. and it’s not even December.

Arsenalman29

Martinez impressedme today again, he made allthe right choices, and dropped nothing, collected everything. Santi was brillant, has been great for us since we bought him in my opinion. Welbeck was a great buy also, took his header well, works so hard. Giroud played well too, having not started a game in ages. Good solid performance, scary last 10 minutes, a bit of luck with West Brom hitting the bar. But i think we were due a bit of luck. 2 clean sheets in a row, Koscielny back in the team. Lets go on a great run now.

A Yank

Happy to win. Happier we didn’t collapse in the last 10 minutes again.

H2k

Something doesn’t seem right. Must be dreaming… -We didn’t concede to the oppositions first shot on target -In fact we didn’t concede at all -Koscielny back meant we had 3 of our ‘best 4’ playing in defence -Chambers didn’t get booked -Flamini didn’t get booked -In fact only one booking in the entire game (and that came in injury time) -Santi is back in form based on the past couple of games -Welbeck scores after a bit of a drought -The team was happy to shoot (17 shots!!) although still need some shooting practice -And most surprisingly, we did what… Read more »

Arsenalman29

I predict Sunderland to get a result against Chelsea today

GunnerDareMacedonia

Don’t worry about chelsea, we are far behind, you need only to worry for our team and this is crucial run of game where we had to win today, and to continue winning, and we will climb the table.

Arsenalman29

I dont worry about Chelsea, i worry about Arsenal, because we are so far behind, i watch all football not just Arsenal. And obviously as an Arsenal fan, i want Chelsea, and other clubs competing for the top 4 or the title to lose, and i just think today they will drop points, i could be wrong i could be right, its a simple prediction, il predict what i want lol

Dick Swiveller

Yeah, I’d prefer to see Chelsea lose all their games just because they’re Chelsea.

From our perspective though, I’m not convinced the psychological weakness has gone. I know it’s a dreary thing to say after we performed so well but I don’t see us challenging for the title unless this dawn is really the coming of a new day or another false one, so Chelsea losing is merely something to be enjoyed rather than a step towards us winning the title; always a chance that it might be though and that lends a little more fun to seeing Mourinho unhappy.

Pearson

We want Chelsea to lose every game. When they are relegated to the Conference League Two I still want them to lose every game.
Up The Arsenal!

GHunner

Good show again today. Kudos to Cazorla also. This is what happens when player gets consistent game time.
Is it me or does Ramsey do better with Giroud in the squad?

Man Manny

My take on the game
Belief gradually coming back
Team playing better as a team
Koscielny shows us he was a big miss
Carzola man of the match
Three points gained.
Sanchez is tired
The team will get better.
Thanks and beat Soton… Time to start climbing up the table for real.

GoonerN16

Agreed, the team play was solid, the last two games we played as a team. Oh joy!

rix

Decent game, great to get 3 points. All in all the first half was a bit of a sleeping pill. I gotta say that is mainly due to West Brom trying to slowing down the game at times. Great header by Danny, I thought Cazorla was very good today.

All in all: we got 3 points, so can’t really complain.

fez

Decent performances in the last 3 games just poor finishing and final ball has let us down. Lacking little confidence in front of goal. Welbeck and giroud showed they can play together, was little concerned welbeck would be stuck wide but played more centrally and got his goal. Koscielny a big plus aswell, he snuffs out the danger before it even begins and is a calming presence in defence.

AC

I was very nervous at the injury time but very well deserved 3 points! Now, bring the Southampton high flyers!!!!!! COYG!

g

all i care abt is the points on board.my team is fucking back

Mesut & Tie

Good PL debut for Emi, buzzing for the lad and Santi proving form is temporary but class is permanent #ARSENALIN

Rob Smith

Watched the goal many times in replay, still could not fully accept it was arsenal scoring it not conceding it. The ball coming in at leaping height, at the right place and the leap which precision matches it, makes the defenders although nearby, look never likely to prevent the header. That used to be Arsenal at the receiving end of such attack. Whooh! Its good to feel good, even if it’s hard to understand it.

Goonstein

Hey Blogs, the link to the goal isn’t working for me. Maybe I am not alone with this. Thanks and Cheers.

YouTube Graduate

No Alexis goal? What the hell is wrong?

kampala gooner

Job done and everybody said amen.

CB

Ozil anonymous again.

jjmizuno

Great that we grinded out a win today, a bit nervy towards the end but I’ll take the 3 points! Great jump by welbeck, great performance by cazorla and a clean sheet. Good performance overall, hope we get this momentum going against Southampton.

Burger

Worst on ground goes to the commentators I got.

Nervy finish but 3 points. Onwards and upwards.

Ehsan

What the fuck was that banner for??????????????????????????????????
It’s a shame, stop moaning and get behind the team! Last thing the team wanted was that banner!
So fucking disappointed..
Look at dortmund, they cheer full 90 min even when they are about to get relegated..
I bet we will be relegated if we drop arsene, cause NO fucking body can handle soo many injuries, financial crisis, these stupid fucking fans AND still do his work..!
Now come on hit me up with the dislikes..

Mpls

Most of those folks don’t show up after Wins. Most.

Petit's Handbag

Solid performance, Danny out left shows what we’ve bought.
Gary Neville was right, half the price of Andy Carroll, four times the player

GunnerG

Good win. 3 points COYG
Banner was an absolute disgrace.
These are no Arsenal fans,especially after the win.. Disgusting, stupid and counter productive.
COYG lets make it a brilliant December

Az Ahmed

We want best man for the job to lead forward, how disgraceful. #Wengerchangeorgetout

MPLS

Well I guess you know better than the club and the players.

Pearson

Welbeck’s header was straight out of the comic books and Santi’s cross was like imported chocolate melted over the body of a supermodel.
Clean sheet mean that I have wet sheets tonight!
Up The Arsenal

Forfuckssake

Good performance considering injury to Arteta and Jack and the pressure they are under from few poor games. Sanchez quiet for a change and up steps Santi. I think we will see many goals from Danny in this formation. Strong performance from Chambers and tidy work from Flamini. The team as a whole were not all on form today and much more work needs to be done in training particularly in defence but overall I am pleased for Arsene and hope he can win over the fans on Wednesday night. Still no Rosiky when I thought he could of come… Read more »

Trez

1.This is what you get when you have Bosscienly back in buisness!!!…super delighted he’s back.
2. Carzola was get; slowly getting back to top form. More of that from him.
3. Nice little combination play between welbeck and giroud; however, playing both giroud and welbeck
somehow stifles alexis(or maybe i’m imagining things). Giroud and ramsey have a lil understanding between them

4. Ramsey is still trying too hard…his decision making isn’t good at the moment. Doesn’t know the right time to pass or shoot.
5. Team still lacking confidence..still not clinical enough.

Dick Swiveller

I think that Alexis’ impact is less noticeable when we’re playing well, when he’s just one of a few guys making great runs and nice little layoffs, whilst exhibiting the touch of a god, rather than doing all that by himself, he looks like just another brilliant cog in the machinery.

So, not so much stifled, but rather made into a standard for everyone else to try to keep up with rather than a superstar carrying us on his back.

Trez

Could be…Regardless, its still early days.
I like it when alexis is in the thick of things.

Trez

*great.

Forfuckssake

Good performance considering injury to Arteta and Jack and the pressure they are under from few poor games. Sanchez quiet for a change and up steps Santi. I think we will see many goals from Danny in this formation. Strong performance from Chambers and tidy work from Flamini. The team as a whole were not all on form today and much more work needs to be done in training particularly in defence but overall I am pleased for Arsene and hope he can win over the fans on Wednesday night. Still no Rosiky when I thought he could of come… Read more »

theramseyfinal

Little bit peed my pants

PaulW

That banner is an absolute fucking disgrace. We stick together.

santori

Shameful Banner Facile fans. Lowering ourselves to the level of Liverpool fans or Newcastle or West Ham. Stupid. Lots of rubbish about Wenger not being flexible enough. he switches around loading Welbeck with Giroud (tantamount to a 4-4-2 in some ways) and he gets criticized for it. He rests Ox and he gets stick. If he played him, they will say he doesn’t do rotation. Absolute wank. Santi has been back into good form since Dortmund (or before). Two assists against the team managed by the supposed annointed successor to Wenger. one here against Brummies. Plenty of rubbish in press… Read more »

Az Ahmed

It is not just as a result of one match, a few matches or even one season. People are tired of Wenger’s excuses and not improving the team and the team set up when necessary over many years.

MPLS

Well if it’s not short term knee jerk reaction, then why has the marked improvement in quality squad additions- top quality, mind you, the long stretch atop the table last season, and the FA cup been so quickly dismissed? Nobody is happy, including Wenger, that we do not have the defensive and defensive midfield depth. He said so himself. We have progressed in the last two seasons. He has more than shown willingness to adjust formation. He showed a lot last season a shift in emphasis to overall stability when necessary, and as well in the last two matches. So… Read more »

john

but a marked step back in results!

MPLS

Temporarily.

swiftarf

The first half was awful. If I’d played that badly on FIFA I’d have been worried I’d had another stroke.

Nacho de Montreal is tasty

I still prefer this first half to that against Man U where we played really well and lost the game in the end. Let’s be pragmatic.

santori

Overall not too bad. Scraped back up to 6th. A couple of teams further up we can catch sooner than later. Still way off pace and damaged done but hopefully City will shed points and critically Chelsea (someone unexpected has got to beat them) We just have to concentrate on getting our own game right for now. Small but important steps. Koscielny’s return a welcome. Martinez has been decent for us. Ramsey and Flamini to improve together. Think Wenger had the feeling West Brom would cede midfield and pack defense so he wanted the extra body in Welbeck particularly as… Read more »

texasgooner

I wasn’t able to watch the game-score line aside, did we play well or was the performance on a whole disappointing?

Arsepedant

We played well, although not as perfectly as we have at times in the past. It was a good workmanlike effort with moments of flair. We’ve still got a way to go to match the end of 12-13 and the start of 13-14, but today (as in our last two matches) we showed marked improvement over our form earlier in the season.

Dan D

I said in the week I’ll take 5 one nil wins in a row and that we should get back to basics.

We were a little better than that today but not scintillating, I will however, take that right now.

My only frustration was our finishing again, had Beranhio hit the back of the net instead of the bar late on we could have been haunted once again for not capatlizing on our numerous chances.

But it’s a start in the league and another better team performance defensively to add to Weds.

EuanDewar

A frustrating match with some quite worrying moments, but I can overlook that for now considering the three points. If we manage to build on it and look more confident against an impressive Southampton on Wednesday then I’ll be pleased as punch.

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