Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Gibbs, Coquelin, Ramsey, Elneny Ozil, Alexis, Welbeck
Subs: Macey, Chambers, Monreal, Flamini, Campbell, Walcott, Giroud
Arsenal claimed a creditable 2-2 draw at Tottenham despite playing with ten men for most of the second half. The Gunners were leading at the break thanks to Aaron Ramsey’s backheeled goal on 39 minutes only for Francis Coquelin’s 55th-minute red card to turn the tide in favour of the home side. Toby Alderweireld and Harry Kane scored within two minutes of each other and the home side could have further extended their lead before Alexis Sanchez pounced with 14 minutes to go to grab a vital point for the Gunners.
Pre-game
Arsene Wenger made four changes to the team that started the defeat against Swansea. At the back David Ospina stepped in for the injured Petr Cech in goal and Nacho Monreal – nursing a slight calf problem – dropped to the bench with Kieran Gibbs taking over. Mohamed Elneny replaced Joel Campbell meaning Aaron Ramsey was shuffled to the right flank. Up front Alexis and Ozil were joined by Danny Welbeck. Goalkeeper, Matt Macey, aside the subs bench had an experienced look about it with Giroud, Walcott, and Flamini all included.
First half
North London derbies often come served with a side of blood and thunder and this was no different. The home side, drilled in the art of high pressing by Mauricio Pochettino, started with real intensity as the White Hart Lane crowd roared them forward.
Three times Harry Kane went for goal inside the opening six minutes. Two efforts were calmly collected by David Ospina, a third deflected over the bar.
Arsenal looked anxious at the back. The game plan was obviously to soak up the pressure and try and use the pace of Alexis and Welbeck to launch attacks on the break.
Alas, time and time again we surrendered the ball in dangerous parts of the pitch allowing Spurs to break through midfield and work the ball to the wings. Tackles flew in. Not all of them legal. Bellerin and Coquelin both ended up in referee. Michael Oliver’s book.
For all the home side’s possession they only had one real chance of note in the first half. A rocket of a cross by Walker, delivered after a fine Gabriel challenge on Kane pushed the ball to the right flank, was sent goalwards by Eric Lamela who was denied by a fine stop by Ospina. It was a reflex save of the highest magnitude from the Colombian.
Bright sparks for Arsenal in a torrid opening half hour? Mohamed Elneny, making his first Premier League start, looked very composed given the intensity of the game, Ramsey battled hard and Welbeck was a useful outlet up front.
The latter pair eventually got just reward for their hard work, combining six minutes before half time, along with Hector Bellerin, to give the Gunners a surprise lead. Ramsey got the goal, sumptuously back-flicking the ball past Hugo Lloris after a delicious pass from the Spaniard. (1-0)
The goal sparked Arsenal to life. The passing was crisper, the movement dynamic and incisive and chances ensued. Welbeck failed to get a shot off after being played in by Ozil, then the England international flicked a header on target from an Alexis cross. By the break we looked the more likely side to get a goal.
Second half
All Arsenal’s good work was undone inside 15 minutes of the restart and the blame lies squarely with Francis Coquelin.
Booked in the first half the Frenchman knew he had to be careful, so quite why he threw himself into ridiculous sliding challenge that took out Kane on the touchline is anybody’s guess. The referee had no choice but to issue a second yellow card. Coquelin trudged off. There were 55 minutes on the clock.
Within seven minutes of the red card Spurs had scored twice. Were it not for goal line technology the home side may have equalised even earlier. Ospina’s fine stop to deny Kane saw the ball 90 per cent cross the line. Just enough.
It didn’t really make much difference. On the hour mark Alderweireld smashed home at the near post after the Gunners failed to clear a corner. (1-1)
A bad situation got considerably worse inside two minutes as Kane cut in off the left and curled the ball into the top corner. (1-2)
Mohamed Elneny was replaced by Olivier Giroud as Wenger threw caution to the wind and within 30 seconds Arsenal had an equaliser. Ramsey worked the ball to Bellerin who fed Sanchez. The Chilean’s first time strike bobbled past Lloris at the far post. (2-2)
Giroud then totally schooled Eric Dier in the centre of the park only to be hauled down by the England midfielder. Having been booked five minutes earlier, Dier should have been sent off. Michael Oliver bottled the decision despite the protestations of the men in red.
Welbeck, who’d run himself into the ground, was replaced by Flamini with six minutes left.
There were chances for both sides to win the game as the game edged towards the 90 minute mark. Ospina denied Eriksen’s speculative effort. Lloris punched away a decent Alexis free-kick and Gabriel nearly put the ball in his own net, shinning a cross just over the bar. Deep into stoppage time Ramsey, bursting through on goal, was denied by Wimmer’s last ditch tackle.
In the end the spoils were shared. Certainly a more satisfying point for Arsenal given the circumstances, but one that doesn’t do our title chances much good.
at least we didn’t lose
Customary red card in the big game- check.
Great strength to come back into that but why oh why do we crack under the pressure and get someone sent off in so many big pivotal games?!
Players just can’t handle to pressure and it HAS to stop!
If the rules were applied properly we might jot no up with players sent off. Or at least if the rules were applied equally. Dier? Costa?
Ballerina?
That was meant to be Bellerin
“Big” game means that the Spuds are actually a good team. They are not, let’s use the correct terminology and not big them up.
“Important” game.
No starts for Walcott since Old Trafford indicates that AW is finally seeing sense.
COYG finally a decent performance. Let’s hope this is a morale boosting turning point
COYG
COQ went full retard, we looked like winning it
“Full retard”? What a horrible thing to say. Hope this comment gets pulled from here.
in a comment yesterday I noted that we have some of the stupidest supporters, this fellow above reinforces my point.
It’s a film reference from Tropic Thunder, I’m sure he wasn’t trying to be offensive.
But everybody knows….you NEVER go full retard
I do hope you mean Bob’s Mexican Cousin? Can’t believe I’m being thumbed down for defending people with learning disabilities and pointing out the use of the word “retard” to mean something negative. I know how much people use this word without even thinking about it but it’s about time it started getting properly challenged. As I’ve said, the post should be removed immediately.
Calling people with disabilities retards is distasteful. I didn’t do that. It’s unfortunate that your mind jumped at them just as much as it was an unfortunate comment in a public forum. My intent was to summarize Coq’s decision in three words.
The expresion in itself is used in the same context I used it here in the US. I didn’t mean to offend, my apologies.
it was in reference to the word, yes.
Unfortunately, there are more horrid ones. Just take a look at Ramsey’s instagram. Some people just don’t have a life and even though it’s a minuscule percentage of the fandom, it makes me fucking sick to my stomach.
Did I hurt your sensibility? Grow up man
Grow up? Are you serious? You think this is an issue of maturity? I suggest you google the word, read a bit about it and think of how it affects others. I’m a social worker and have worked with people with learning disabilities for the past 7 years and I can assure you that challenging negative language surrounding this group of people is not connected to somebodys maturity. I won’t judge you, you’re clearly not educated in the subject and nor do you have to be. But I do suggest instead of telling me to grow up you go and… Read more »
Just did, read above. Aaron is also familiar with the expresion as you can see.
@ Oor Wullie..
While I can agree with the main “thrust” of your point, you came off in a condescending manner..mplus you are here advocating for censorship!
Clearly you have some issues that need to be taken care of also before we can move this world forward into the beautiful, loving place you are rightly advocating for.
Full retard is a reference from a movie. Tropic thunder
Ah OK. If it’s from a film then it can’t be bad. Jeez.
I think if more people watched Tropic Thunder for the delightful movie it is then we wouldn’t have had this confusion. Clearly the real issue here is the fans that haven’t seen the movie.
Neenaw, neenaw, the PC nazis are out. Well have to start using non gender specific pronouns on here too soon. Clearly he didn’t mean to cause any offence by it.
Comments section has become synonymous with faux outrage.
At least we got a point though, ay.
COYG
Godwin’s Law invoked, nice one. It’s about being nice to people (especially those who are disadvantaged) and if you think that’s a bad thing then I’m ashamed to share the same love of Arsenal with you.
I am pretty sure that sort of use of language is frowned upon in Mexican culture, too . . . however, I stand to be corrected.
Mexican culture takes into context not just words. We don’t have so much whining about issues like this when it is crystal clear that the intention was not to offend
Culturally in the UK the word ‘retard’ is offensive, whether or not you intended it to be. I can’t vouch for its use in any other country. I wonder how you feel about the word ‘n*****’ with reference to black people and whether you find that acceptable to use when making reference to the performance or decision-making of a football player?
The first yellow was silly and “retard” the second was rash, there was real danger there. Dier should have gotten a second yeller for stretching Giroud’s shirt so
But we could’ve won.
But we could’ve lost too. Could’ve been worse…
We are deep into Wenger territory: the battle for champions league ticket, it feels like being champion he said.
The ref is a twat! The ref is a twat! Michael oliver, the ref is a twat!
I thought oliver had a decent game. He made three wrong decisions, with two.of them being huge. The second yellow for dier and should have been a pen for us when Alderwield Hamballed it.
Dier should have been sent off for sure . But aside from that, I thought the ref was very good.
I agree with mesut. I think he’s one of the best out there, still remember his performance at Old Trafford in the FALL Cup with a few dives from them followed by yellows
Yeah i still like him for that. Never seen anything like that at Old Trafford before. Ever
Of course by wjich i meam that fair and impartial administration of the law. Not a thing you see up there often!
I agree as well, and he does seem very fair and impartial. But somehow we don’t have a very good win rate with him.. I’m not going to ponder that point other than I think this is the first red in the league we’ve gotten from him.
If he had sent off Dier for the shirt pull he would’ve had to have sent off Hector too!
Or maybe he wouldn’t have had to make a decision as hector wouldn’t have made a foul because the game had changed with only 10 per side…
Yes that’s a fair point but still, can’t call for one and turn a blind eye to the other.
Team mentality signal – only Alexis walked off the pitch in disgust at the result and performance. The rest stayed on to applaud as though they won the game. Just saying…
Applauding our away fans support rather than themselves
I’m worried about Alexis. He ran off the field in a huff. Has he had his fill of missed possibilities at Arsenal? tbh – he’s been personally somewhat responsible over past few weeks. But I am concerned that he and a few other big names might be looking to leave in the summer. Great to see Elneny making a difference. I think the starting 11 and next 2 or 3 in line are physically and mentally jaded. I’d like to see a few more fringe players get more starts. Elneny, Campbell, even Chambers. Anyone else have that sinking feeling when… Read more »
Might have been running down the tunnel to ring Le Coq’s neck.
In all seriousness I wouldn’t worry unless he kept on doing it.
Agreed. I don’t buy into the media cunts’ bullshit agenda and constant niggling at Arsenal – Ozil discontented, Sanchez will be off if we don’t win the title…what horseshit. These guys can see how rubbish Chelsea, Utd etc have been so our stars are not likely to jump ship to them (nor Leicester!). So they only have to decide if they want to move countries and play for the handful of teams that are better than us in Europe, if they can get in. Yeah we’ve had a poor run recently but I remain optimistic we can win silverware this… Read more »
Great composure in the end to drag out a draw from the jaws of defeat. Really proud of the lads!
Can’t fault the effort, tactics and commitment, great game
Team shape loads better and I liked Elneny, good tactical awareness and kept the ball moving
Lots of good performances, please stick with this starting eleven Arsene!
After all the crazy though not unjustified negativity around our beloved club the past week,We should give credit to the boys for turning it around against all odds. We could have even won if a couple of great chances had gone our way. On the other hand, I must say I don’t understand what the hype about the Sp*ds is all about. I was not impressed by their much talked about quality and they certainly don’t look like champions to Me. I think Wenger might have finally got the balance right in midfield with the impressive El Neny and Coq… Read more »
The title race isn’t over however arsenal aren’t in it we will struggle to hold on to fourth at this rate.
A good result not to lose under the circumstances but yet another game that we took the lead and bottled it.
Elneny and welbeck are looking good though and ospina had a good game. The three of them could be crucial in securing fourth place.
Paul, why are you calling the tile race already? There are 27 points / 9 games still left. Arsenal are certainly still in the race. Don’t give up!
Paul why are you using my name??!!!!
That ^^^^^^^^ is not me!!
Watch out for the un-capitalised “paul!”
That was more like it. But we could’ve won that game. Coquelin. What an idiot
Unwelcome rush of blood to the coq
yeah man, our coq came too fast
Was that bit at the end really necessary? It was a very bad decision but Kane kept his legs down midway as he was jumping over Coq. Sure Coq shouldn’t have given him the opportunity but that doesn’t make him an idiot.
He knows, and knew immediately that if Arsenal give the referees an opportunity to shorthand us they’ll take it. Both fouls were silly and needless. He knows it and I guarantee that’s what he was telling himself all the way to the tunnel. And I imagine Alexis and a few others reminded him as well.
I love his commitment but it needs to be real tackles at times when they’re really needed.
Well thank fuck we didn’t lose that. But how stupid what Coquelin?
Thank God Ramsey wasn’t playing central midfield. Ramsey is a fucking liability. He’s ok for Cardiff City.
For all the thumbs-downers, I think La Defense’s post was supposed to be sarcastic.
The reason we lost the game was because of Coq, lets be honest. But still, this isn’t good enough and Wenger made the wrong choice to start Ramsey over Campbell. I don’t understand why the fuck he wasn’t dropped and now his goal excuses him from criticism because he played the worst after Coq today. So many miss placed passes, takes too long on the ball and got rekt by Rose on his side. It’s no surprise he is the most dribbled past player. We were awful attacking wise and Campbell may have bought something there and at the very… Read more »
Didn’t win* Yeah and no need for the sarcastic posts mate… You want us to stay silent and not criticise players? Just because he’s one of your favourites doesn’t mean we can’t say how we see it.
So a goal and a key pass/chance created for our equalizer = bad performance from a fucking attacking winger position? Right.
He was woeful, 60% pass completion and his goal papered over the cracks
He took the goal well. Other than that he was very poor. It’s desperate to try and keep the myth going. Delighted he wasn’t in the middle.
Yep, you’re right…. Without Ramsey’s goal we would’ve lost. Bad selection, clearly.
Ramsey didn’t even play on the wing, he played center. Arseblog got it wrong. Welbeck was covering right wing in defence, and Ozil was playing false No. 9. Interesting choice from Wenger, and it worked until Coq had that brainfart.
Let’s no blame le coq too much.. you would have to chain me head-to-toe and prolly amputate my legs to prevent me from succumbing to the urge of whacking that ugly cunt.. and I’m even a nice guy!
Fine margins. Stupid by Coquelin. Ospina, Welbeck and Mertesacker were great. And Rambo, for fucks sake man, SHOOT! Fucking hell. Should’ve scored that Ramsey
Mertesacker made a customary error, the opposite of what they call a pre-assist. should have hit the ball out, but instead did the worse thing losing it.
The team showed a lot of commitment and desire, and for a few moments here and there, the passing had the zip and precision of old.
COME ON!
Ramsey – the most overrated Celtic player of all time. ALL TIME.
Staylybridge ? I’m confused . . .
We had them
we fought well but this result ends any title hopes we had
No it doesn’t
Imagine having another DM when Coq gets sent off. Push Ramsey up, take Ozil out. Maybe we could’ve avoided the second goal where Welbeck was unsuccessfully tracking on the right. Welbeck had a GREAT game! Also, to take out Alexis for Walcott on wednesday was a bad decisions. Even if he misses ten, you keep him on for days like today. We can’t sub a DM on a yellow coz the risk of playing coq is better than having Flam on. Go figure. Who’s incompetence is that? not being able to sign another DM? Finally, thank god I didn’t see… Read more »
How can you say Welbeck was great?? He is the same 3 out of 5 star player he has always been. Horrible touch, giving away possession in the box multiple times. 2 of 4 take ons, 0 of 1 aerial duels, 0/1/2 shooting, dispossessed or gave it away twice in the 18yd. box, and hesitated when chasing Lloris down in the box giving him time to clear. What he has going for him is his directness, and to be honest, his Englishness. Giroud, though he has been struggling lately, still offers more dimensions than Welbeck: he can hold the ball… Read more »
Elneny used to play as a dm, he’s only started played as a box to box for the last season or 2. So we kind of did have 2 DMs on the pitch.
Nothing going for us, Coquelin red meant we were lucky to get anything.
1 point in 9 isn’t good enough, no chance of the league now given our away matches still to go.
Just have to pray for St Totteringham’s Day. Or Leicester to win the league if not.
They will crumble due to over exertion like all Pochettinos teams – you can just see it starting now
More performances like that and who knows……..
Good draw after coq-up as it stops our losing streak and stops them from going top
We are 100% going to win the league. 27 points to play for.
It isn’t over yet I feel too..
we had them
Until Coq decided to become a complete bellend.
Elneny was our best player after Ospina. In the first 10 minutes of the second half he had 3 interceptions, great mobility, passing.
Fair result though Ramsey should have sealed the game for us
Unfortunately it was the finishing of a man really out of form. He was dreadful right up until he scored. For all his haters you have to give him credit for not wilting after all the lost tackles and loose passes he never hides , always wants the ball. I thought Hector looked a bit out of sorts defensively but how about 2 assists at the Lane?
Showed much heart to come salvage anything from that game. Encouraging performance, but l fear its all a little too late.
Crazy match, I’m not even mad. Imagine what we could’ve done with 11 men? Coq needs a hairdryer treatment Better result for us than Sp*rs given their run-in (Liverpool, United, Chelsea). Unfortunately this can play into Leicester’s hand. I’m rooting for Watford this evening.
Fire Coquelin into the fucking sun.
Well played everyone else
oh LA LA elneny. He is a joy to watch. Per was very good as well.
As soon as fourth place is in threat we put in a much more committed performance. Expected.
not quite Cazorla but Elneny did a good job of keeping us ticking. Also, that extra midfielder (ramsey on the right) meant Sanchez didn’t drop back too much and i think that helped a lot in defending and attacking.
im suprised no one has picked up on this. ramsey on the right gives us another body in midfield. Which makes us much more solid.
Coq messed up big time
Why was bellerin so high up when Coq went for the tackle. We are tactically inept. Coquelin should not be blamed Imo.
Modern fotball my son. Fullbacks like Bellerin are attackers and cdm’s like Coq provide cover down the flanks. Cope with it.
I agree. But not when we are 1-0 up. Not in this game. Away from home against spuds. That’s why we are not where we are supposed to be. Our over reliance on Bellerin worries me. He has been off form imo. Sorry, but Wenger has to be blamed for this.
I think both should be blamed, but moreso Coquelin for making an obvious yellow card tackle when you’re already on one. Especially in the circumstances – the open-mouthed one is not hugely fast, and was running into the left channel – plenty of opportunity to stop the play without the tackle.
The mighty spuds, so beloved by the media, couldn’t beat a 10-man team. Now let’s wait for them to be labelled bottlers who can’t handle pressure.
To dare is to do, apparently
“Why always me”
Really gutted: 11 – 11, we win that game.
Don’t know how big that point might be but I hope that result brings back some confidence.
Really resilient, tough fucking performance from the lads against a bloody good spurs side, much as I hate to admit it. In isolation, I would be happy with this result. But it still annoys the fuck out of me that a side that can be this ballsy can also capitulate against Swansea.
Blogs is there any chance of some personal opinions from yourself or tom during the live blog. Maybe every ten minutes you could put up a recap of your thoughts on the game. Really enjoy it, and its an absolute life saver as I don’t have any of the TV channels but would like some of the aforementioned updates. Thanks blogs
Sure
I agree with this
Seconded!!!
Much better performance barring one or two individuals.
Welbeck, Sanchez and Ramsey were superb. Elneny was decent. Need a bit more bite in midfield.
How they stayed with 11 is beyond me.
So self destructive it´s fucking ridiculous. One red and two goals in the asre within ten minutes in a very winnable game. We can´t go on with the stupidity that´s going on. Coq is always a liability who acts first and thinks later. He´s not the future, he´s a back up. Even so good result for Leicester. Up the foxes! I´m not usually balming the ref but you know what. This season is beginning to look like a fucking conspiracy from their assosiation. First of all Coq whas stupid as fuck and deserved the red but Dier should have had… Read more »
I´m really not balming the refs 🙂 might have to though. If this shit continues
One mistake by Coquelin, a player who’s been so important to our team for over a year now, and you’re ready to label him a liability? That’s the most extreme form of short-termism I’ve seen on this blog.
Overall, a decent performance… Brainless Coquelin probably cost us the victory which we desperately needed… Ref Oliver bottled it by not showing a second yellow to Spud scum whose name I can’t remember… The title is gone now but hopefully Leicester will win it… We’re now looking over or shoulder at Man United: fourth place is in jeopardy.
Let’s win the FA Cup…
This is a weird day. Just got even more weird – I find myself agreeing with Fatgooner. Spot on, mate.
Thanks. Hopefully today we’ve at least stopped the scum from taking the title.
he does talk sense most of the time does our fg 🙂
I am not giving up. Want Leicester to choke and we have the good run we used to have to save fourth place, this time to win the league. People, what a stupid, brainless goal we concede on the first Spurs goal? We certainly have no idea how to apply the already stupid idea of zonal marking.
Not sure what I want really. I honestly can’t seeing us getting the points we need at the away games coming up, we just don’t have the bottle or the character.
A Leicester win takes them further away from spurs. That will do me after this shit storm of a season. But also I can hear wenger saying it shows money don’t buy you the title and we have no need to spend blah blah blah.
He will omit the fact that Leicester play for each other and have more character than we could ever have.
The Coq is asking for another loan spell at Charlton, I think….. what is he doing on the geound for the 2 yellow cards? They are all unnecessary!!! World class DM please…..or World class manager please….
Or maybe some world class fans?
I prefer world class fans. Atleast they would have some class
I´m really not balming the refs 🙂 might have to though. If this shit continues.
A fair result and I would have taken a point before the game. Ospina did really well and made some great saves. Ramsey’s goal was probably one of the best goals ever scored at Shit Hart Lane. Coq has to show maturity when going in on a challenge like that especially on a yellow card. He could have cost us the game. We were always going to struggle with the form of Sp?rs. Going down to 10 men, it was just a matter of time before they were going to get back in the game and take the lead. How… Read more »
He did cost us the game
You would have taken a point before the game when it leaves us potentially 8 points off top and 4 points ( due to goal difference ) off Tottenham going into the last 27 points. Perhaps the passiveness and bottle job mentality does spread to even the fans then. Needed to win, quite clearly.
5 games without a win.
Simply put, we’re not worthy of title.
that’s something of a match.. almost heart attack.. but truly speaking the title is Leiscter to lose..
We started off with great tactics. I don’t get why Ramsey and ozil stayed on the pitch when we are 1-0 up. Ozil shows no desire to defend. Ramsey switches off in key moments. Tbh it’s not even coquelins fault. 1-0 up we should have had bellerin,ozil or Ramsey on the right hand side. Wenger is too stubborn. He either needs more world class players or we need to have a more tactical manager.
I would like to see an audit of red cards handed out to black v white players, If Dyer had been black, would Oliver have red carded him today?
you’re joking I hope.
A better study would be home vs away team. If Dyer was an away player the home crowd would have roared and probably forced the refs decision. Coq’s first yellow was probably a foul on Spurs, but he decided to hand ball. He probably didn’t deserve the first. The second yellow was a yellow all day and he has to be smarter when on a yellow in the first place. Also, Coq is always whining or overreacting to calls on him; this will earn him no favours from refs.
At least they showed some fucking bottle and fight today. I was expecting to get thumped than they decide to turn up…Probably beat Barca but go out…
Coq came to quick.
Game of very low quality with both teams pass completion stats in the low 70% but that’s what you get with a Derby and it could have gone either way and at least we didn’t lose.
No indicator of anything though and a draw was probably a good result.
Great character to come back.But is this good enough?
We have failed to win in 4 games and won’t have an easier chance to win a title in the following seasons
Take the point today, but we could’ve bagged this even with 10 men. Great game by Ospina, but Gabriel is a total waste of money. Lost the duel before the equalizer and what he was thinking before 2-1 beats me. Extremly poor defending.
You’re insane. He had an awesome game today especially in the first half.
Ospina always realeases any ball he catches. If I was an opposing coach, I would ask my strikers to expect that and run towards him after any shot.
Can’t believe people are already slagging off Coquelin
Yes he was stupid but still he’s a very good player
People saying he’s not the future are just overreacting
Where’s Santori? This seems like the perfect opportunity for him to say how Flamini is better than Coquelin.
When Coquelin first came through from the youth team, I used to think he was a new version of Flamini – with that stupid yellow card today, he’s making me think my opinion was quite accurate.
This is quite an annoying result given the way the game played out. Spurs really looked toothless – the fact we’ve been able to get a draw from a goal and a man down shows that they’re not actually all that.
I think Coquelin should be slagged off for making a stupid decision. If anyone is saying he’s rubbish/should be sold, etc. that’s just stupid, but it doesn’t mean he can’t be criticised for this performance.
Frustrating that once again we cannot keep 11 men on the pitch in a big game. So annoying and that was really unnecessary Kane was going nowhere.
Positives I guess were Rambo and Alexis getting on the scoresheet. Mertesaker and ospina looked good. 2 assists for Bellerin.
Gabriel seems like a brainfarter to me. We’ve got one in my Sunday league team. They do some stuff spectacularly well and then go full retard next play. Concerning
Gibbs, El Neney and Welbeck all great. Ramsey was a liability all game leaving El neny, hector and Welbz to cover for him. Normally this would leave me vexed but I can’t help but remain optimistic – the comeback and hopefully the return to form of Alexis. Motm Ospina
Really frustrating when the Coq lets you down in the middle of action like that.
Haha..a GOOD Coq joke still works!
Didn’t watch it, couldn’t watch but I could not resist it, so I listen to a live radio broadcast. Fair result. However a change is needed…
Better Arsenal.
Now if we continue to play like Champions then it might just happen
Referees always seem to be against us aswell. How dier didn’t get a second yellow is beyond me.
I think even dier was surprised he wasn’t carded for that one!
Ramsey out wide is so much better – lets him use his runs into the box and (exceptional) harrying/tackling without giving him the responsibility of holding onto and distribution the ball, which is clearly not his thing.
I’d like to see Elneny continue at centre mid for the time being. He seems assured for a new guy.
Per with all the experience should not have risked that..
– Wenger got his tactics, subs sport on today. Credit to him. – Bellerin was a beast…he’ll be the best RB in the world soon – Elneny-Coq pivot was solid and energetic though Elneny was a bit passive at the the start. Grew into the game. – Gabriel was a beast…more of this from him. Close to capturing his Villareal form for us – Ospinaaaaaa!!! Enough said. – Coq really let us down. It was a stupid yellow card and rightly deserved to get sent off. Cost us 3 points. – We still missed one or two chances. Goes back… Read more »
So did Elneny play his way to a start or what….And is Wenger ever going to tell us what his problem with Campbell is. Loved that Giroud and Walcott started on the bench.. At least Wenger did SOMETHING.
I think you’ll find that, like most managers, he’ll pick some placed on how well they’ve trained that week etc. In the case of elneny, he probably felt he offered us more protection in the middle, considering the magnitude of this game.