Monday, November 18, 2024

Report: Man City 2-2 Arsenal (inc. highlights)

Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Elneny, Ramsey, Iwobi, Alexis, Welbeck, Giroud

Subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Coquelin, Wilshere, Cazorla, Campbell, Walcott

Alexis Sanchez secured a vital point for Arsenal as the Gunners twice came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad.

A manic opening ten minutes saw Olivier Giroud’s header cancel out Sergio Aguero’s low drive. Six minutes after half time Kevin De Bruyne restored the home side’s lead before Sanchez, courtesy of a fine Giroud assist, fired home a deserved equaliser on 68 minutes.

The draw means the Gunners are two points behind Tottenham Hotspur before the last game of the season against Aston Villa.

Pre-game

A slight hip injury saw Mesut Ozil miss out on the trip to Manchester. In his place, Alex Iwobi was handed the central attacking midfield role with Alexis and Danny Welbeck providing pace on the flanks. Despite being horribly out of form recently, the boss stuck with Olivier Giroud. In the absence of Per Mertesacker, Gabriel partnered Laurent Koscielny. Returning Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere took places on the bench.

First half

To say that Arsenal made a jittery start to the game would be an understatement. From the off, Arsene Wenger’s men did their best impression of a hungover pub team. Koscielny set the tone with a wild miskick as he attempted a first touch and his teammates followed suit, hacking the ball out for a series of throw-ins as the home side pressed.

After 8 minutes of relentless pressure, Aguero finally broke the deadlock. As the ball dropped to the Argentine in the box he controlled tidily before firing a low left-foot shot through Elneny’s legs that beat Cech at his near post.

Thankfully for the Gunners, Manuel Pellegrini’s City are more than capable of comedy defending of their own. Moments after the restart, Gael Clichy, under no pressure whatsoever, nearly headed a Giroud cross into his own net. The ball just clipped the outside of his post with Hart beaten. The England keeper chuckled about the incident, but the smile was wiped from his face immediately. From Elneny’s resulting corner, Giroud, left unmarked by Mangala, crashed home a header. His first goal since dinosaurs roamed the earth. (1-1)

After a manic first ten minutes, the game settled down, in part because the Gunners were forced into a change. Danny Welbeck appeared to tweak knee ligaments making a challenge on the touchline. He hit the turf with a look that suggested he knew it was serious and that his Euro 2016 hopes might be in danger. After a brief attempt to run, the attacker trudged down the tunnel to be replaced by Jack Wilshere.

There was a chance for Aguero who was denied a second by a brilliant Gabriel block Mangala headed a corner wide, but for the most part, both sides just ran around like headless chickens. Even Petr Cech got involved, going full Almunia, as he misguidedly tried to help Koscielny shackle Aguero.

Second half

It took City just six minutes to restore their lead after the break and again questions have to be asked about the Arsenal defence.

Kevin De Bruyne picked the ball up near the halfway line, shrugged off Bellerin and outpaced Elneny before cutting inside and firing a low shot from the edge of the area through Gabriel’s legs. As was the case with Aguero’s opener and Crystal Palace’s equaliser a couple of weeks ago, Cech was beaten at his near post. It was a decent solo effort by the Belgian, but it was almost like the Gunners were willing him on to have a shot.

Arsene Wenger responded by taking off the ineffective Alex Iwobi and giving Theo Walcott a chance. The winger’s presence certainly made a difference as he forced Ottamendi into a last ditch clearance with Giroud sure to score a tap in. Moments later Walcott then squandered a chance of his own as he bore down on Hart only to loft his finish high and wide.

The equaliser that Arsenal’s slick play deserved came on 68 minutes. Alexis ran at the City defence, fed Giroud whose delicious first time flicked pass slipped in the Chilean who fired past Hart. (2-2)

City, needing a win to keep Champions League qualification in their own hands, responded strongly. De Bruyne tested Cech with a free-kick and Aguero fired a volley just wide. Sensing a need to sure things up, Wenger sent Francis Coquelin on in place of Mohamed Elneny.

Pellegrini responded calling on Wilfried Bony and Yaya Toure as Fernando and Navas made way. It was Bony who came closest to sealing the points for City as he hit the bar on the volley with two minutes remaining. The Gunners though held on for a point that leaves them in pole position to secure at least third place next Sunday.

Related articles

Comments

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

136 Comments
oldest
newest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
George Wang

Relief that we got a point.

Also will be laughing my head of if the oil sugar daddies Man Sh*ti didn’t get CL.

Bob's Mexican Cousin

Guardiola in the Europa League, hysterical.

Parth

Hahahaaha

leftfootedprince

yaaay!, third place!WE GOT IT GUYS(well…..almost).Guys,I was curious and checked our odds of finishing in top four this season as seen at the start of the season was 1/50(paddy power).Why is that not 100%.I don’t get it ,can someone explain to me.Why do bet makers want to lose their money?

Nygunner

I think Mourinho in the Europa League as Utd manager is even funnier.

John C

Isn’t that funny, lets celebrate other peoples failure because we have no achievements to celebrate of our own!! How pathetic have people become?

And we have no chance of the league if Chelsea, Man City and Utd, all led by new managers don’t have the distraction of european football next season!

Too Drunk To Be Offside

Frankly I don’t know which I wud enjoy more … Man U not getting CL or Man City not getting CL. Any other season I wud say Man U, but if them getting CL means LVG is around one more season making a mess of things, then I wud prefer City to miss out. But tough call. I also don’t want Sunderland being safe before final day. I want Newcastle to have something to fight for vs Sp*rs on final day, and with their the team from Sh!te Hart Lane pondering how they have pulled another Sp*rs, they cud lose,… Read more »

Paul

It’s “would” my funny named friend. 🙂

Jeff

St. Totteringham’s Day coming up!! Yeeeaaahh

soothsayer

all things considered…pretty happy with that

Bob Davis

FFS. I can’t believe how slow we started the game and it’s not the first time! You give a player like DeBryne a shot on goal he’s going to score. Gabriel’s got to get closer and make the tackle or just take him out and take a yellow card for the team. Just wish we had leaders that could take the game by the scruff of the neck and really go for it. What more incentive do you need when your arch rivals lose? Well done to Giroud for his goal and assist. Hope he gets a hat-trick against Villa!… Read more »

SB

It didn’t like we were desperate to finish above Tottenham. It looked like we were playing not to lose, more worried about the teams behind us.

I guess we are hoping for another bout of bad tummies for the Spuds!

Cahamakh

Ramsey and WIlshere looked good together today. Impressed by WIlshere after such a long time away, took some time to get in the match but good stuuf still. That pass from Ramsey from a bad position to set up walcott was a beauty. Giroud’s best match in 6 months. Alexis passing game was really poor the whole match but a cracking goal when it mattered. Not a perfect match but a good draw from a hard away match when it mattered. Now hope Newcastle humiliate spurs in their last match.

Alexstratz

With our poor GD this is 3 points gained rather than 1, which means a place in the table, potential direct CL qualification, and a better hand earlier in the transfer market. Of course I would’ve preferred a win too, but I think there was more at stake than finishing above punny Spuds. Imagine we went all out and lost (quite possible given our current form). Best case scenario we finish 4th and have a slow summer, with the anxiety of CL play-offs after Euros. Worst case scenario we finish 5th. I wouldn’t risk everything for some bragging rights over… Read more »

Flashmob

1st class game!
Congrat. to the players!

Arsetronomy

FUGGIT ID’LL DEW

Mississippi Gunner

i felt insulted when Theo came on and I’m not even Joel Campbell

Bob's Mexican Cousin

Wenger is probably hoping he gets a goal to drive up his price.

wenger's coat

Shut up mate, Theo’s a decent player and will definitely be there next season

Eyob

If theo is decent, then Campbell is Avengers movies material.

Mesut!

Not sure if this a positive or a negative?!

Crash Fistfight

I’m sure most people were disappointed to see Theo come on instead of Campbell, but Theo made a big difference when he came on, I thought.

If it’d been a Theo with a run of games under his belt and some confidence he could’ve had a goal for himself.

I really think he’s shot himself in the foot with his desire to play through the middle. If he’d had a consistent run of games on the right and got some confidence he might not be the dead-weight he is most of the time now.

Mississippi Gunner

Didn’t really feel insulted, that was a joke, it was more like frustration and bafflement. I’m also not trying to bash Theo it’s just obvious to me that even on the counter Campbell is more effective with his passing and dribbling. We already a runner in Alexis. Plus Theo’s finishing can be as poor as it can be impressive. I would have at least smashed it into Joe Hart’s face. He dinked it like 6 feet wide of the goal from six yards out

GunneRonnie

I hope to see Rosicky play for us one last time next week.

Flashmob

1. We wanted to hit them on the counter (and Walcott is still very quick)…
2. Maybe Wenger has a bit more selective memory and managed to recall the memories of the game in the Emirates

locksley444

I’ll not bash Theo, but I ask anyone here to tell me why he’s worth a place in our squad, let alone 140K a week. He doesn’t do nearly enough towards defensive work/build-up play/assisting. The only thing that he does is score, and it’s certainly not in enough quantity to carry him for 90 minutes every game. Heck even when he comes on as a sub we can see that holding on to the ball is a much harder objective for the team. I’d personally be shocked and demoralized personally to see him with us in August. If you ask… Read more »

loose_cannon

“I won’t bash Theo on here..” proceeds to have a go at Theo 😉

locksley444

My apologies for having implied no criticism, but its not the illogical or banter-style comments that we see more often. I just tried to highlight what he brings to the team and what he doesn’t bring that hurts the team. Its neither a lengthy individual critique(and you know there’s a lot more that can be said), nor anything hateful.

Fabulous

Hah. A classic case of “I don’t want to sound racist, but…..” followed by the most racist shit you’ve ever heard.

MannyG

Good to see Jacky boy back on the pitch! Would have loved a Cazorla cameo.

Stringer Bell

Good to see jack back. Until he came on we couldn’t get hold of ball in midfield. Pray Wenger does not start Ramsey in there next season.

andr

Jack didnt exactly play very well. Gave the ball away on many occasions and he took on iwobi’s role not ramsey’s

Stringer Bell

i didnt say he took Ramsey’s role but he clearly played in the middle. In case you don’t understand football iwobi played in middle as well

Arsene-al fan

St Totteringham’s Day still alive. Lets hope for some dodgy food.

Paul

Dodgy food not required! Spuds up north in that atmosphere, no fucking chance! “It’s happened again”…
I hope…:-)

Paul

What a great game!
I thought we showed fighting spirit from the start to the finish.
Well played chaps!

Bob's Mexican Cousin

I love Alexis. Even when he plays shit one class moment to save the day. Nice from Ollie too

Bosscielny

We need a good, solid center half. Gabriel isn’t convincing enough.

Let’s hope Newcastle win next weekend.

SB

Cech didn’t have a good game either!

GiddyforZelalem

Unpopular opinion: We should bring back Szczesny to compete for the number one next season and not loan him out again, i’m fairly confident he’d win out.

Crash Fistfight

Not sure he’d win out, but I don’t think there is the huge gap between the two that people would like to believe – Cech is really slow and getting down to low shots and makes crazy decisions to come out of the box/dribble with the ball at times.

Mpls

You know, these crazy decisions to come out seem to be a common thread for us no matter the goalkeeper, Ospina aside. And even he has had a couple close calls. Ospina is naturally a stay at home keeper. And although Cech can dominate the 6 yard box, he is hardly a sweeper keeper. I have to wonder if they’re being asked to go against their nature, or simply are forced to with our playing style. You can name nearly any of our keepers since probably Lehmann and recall these walkabout howlers. Interestingly, if he’d be able to dial in… Read more »

Xxxrob

I feel like we’ve conceded that De bruyne goal so many times this season… Lanzini(?) on opening day, Bolasie at home come to mind I’m sure there are others. With Cech, balls into the box my heart doesn’t skip a beat but low shots from outside the box at his near post have me in fits lol

Deano

Loris didn’t cover himself in glory for the cunts either. Goalkeepers have bad days but Cech is always at the top end when it comes to the golden gloves. He’ll do for me.

Paul

I thought Gabs did well?

Smart-Arse

Overall turgid, mistake riddled performance with patches of very good play. Not the Arsenal I know, but the result is excellent. 3rd pretty much wrapped up and if the Geordies, fighting for their lives, pull off a win we’re one villa home win away from the best St Totteringham’s Day ever. Fucking please ?

Mississippi Gunner

Best ever. Even better than finishing above them after being down by 13 and turning around with that 5-2 win at home

hg

That wasn’t last minute though.

Paul

“Turgid”?? I thought we played great!
Major effort imo.

D

Sp*rs best season since the dawn of time. One of our most forgettable and we could STILL finish above them.

Mustrum Ridcully, Unseen Academicals

What has Campbell done wrong?

Magneto

Campbell hasn’t done anything wrong.

In Ozil’s absence, I would love to have seen Campbell given a run
out today as the ‘playmaker in chief’ in the number 10 role, but
sadly it was not to be.

ramgooner

Let me put it this way.
Campbell has done everything right and he is expected to stay here for a long long time.This season is just a litmus test for Campbell.

Mpls

I was with you up through ‘done everything right’ but unfortunately have my doubts about the rest. I could certainly be way off, but I just don’t get the sense Wenger rates him. I can’t figure out if maybe he trains poorly, doesn’t stick enough to direction on the pitch, or just isn’t the speed based player Wenger seems to prefer on the right these days? It wouldn’t be fair of me to assume any of those, I’m just trying to fathom it. At a loss. But if Danny’s out for a bit, and with Theo’s and Ox’s form and… Read more »

ramgooner

I think Wenger rates him highly and is just struggling to fit him and Alexis in the same team. Iwobi is ahead of Campbell only because he is a little extra versatile and can operate as CAM from start to finish if needed.
I have no doubt Joel will be used well in the coming season and beyond.

zizou

The Wally Pally “walcotted” a chance, a big chance really

Alexstratz

Good luck in Europa Pep Guardiola! Or best case scenario: Pep doesn’t go to City and comes to Arsenal after Wenger retires next year, United keep Van Gaal because he qualifies them for CL, and Mourinho remains jobless.

Pearson

Very interested to see how Pep performs out of the limelight with an average team in Europa.
And it will be interesting to see if Pep’s filosofeee works in England

Richie Growling

He failed at Bayern, so not sure why he would do better at City, he doesn’t always get to play Messi

Mootilated

he just won the Bundesliga

Mpls

And I thought I heard somewhere it’s the first time a Bundesliga club has won 4 in a row?

Arsene's handbrake

We played with the handbrake on. Arsene goes or he stays, I will always remember his quotes.

mastaofthegoonaverse

“Everyone thinks they have the prettiest wife” is my favourite.

Konstantinos Lymperis

Another extraordanary performance by a team that claimed to be title contenter. Yet again we managed to kill brain cells with Ramsey as a CM and Giroud as counter-attack speedy stricker. Yet again we saw injury (Welbz get well good).

I really wonder if you have to be expert to see that Ramsey is not No8 but ONLY a second striker.
Actually Ramsey is not allowed not to play.

The worst is that Sp*rs will sit on top of us….

Please Wenger learn from this years mistakes….

Alexisshorts

Didn’t enjoy watching that as much as I enjoyed watching the Spuds lose ?

J. Thomme

Uh oh. Petr ‘near post’ Cech.

goonshow

Or in this case… the Cech’s not ‘in’ the post.

Dive

Good point. Absolutely SHITE performance from both teams. Miserable is the only word.

Interesting result for City especially if United beat West Ham. Maybe Guardiola can add the Europa League Cup to his list of achievements :P? Aaaaaand somebody’s potentially getting their bean chopped off back in Qatar for deciding to ok that announcement early that’s for sure.

mastaofthegoonaverse

it’s Abu Dhabi.

SB

I guess Man U is lesser of the two evils from Manchester to play in the Champions League.

However, worried it might be the Special Cunt there next season, in which case it might be Pep is the lesser of the two evils!

SB

I was disappointed with WestHam’s loss yesterday!

oka.oka.arsenal

yaaay!, third place!WE GOT IT GUYS(well…..almost).Guys I was curious and checked our odds of finishing fourth this season as seen at the start of the season was 1/50(paddy power).Why is that not 100%.I don’t get it ,can someone explain to me.Why bet makers want to lose their money?

amg

Walcott is a dreadful footballer

AJ

So technically a point against Aston Villa will secure a top 4 finish unless United go all bonkers and score 13+ goals in their next two fixtures. Judging by today’s defensive performance however, and the fact that we are playing a ‘so called small side’ at the Emirates, am I the only one worried about next week?

Oh so hard to keep yourself mentally stable as a Gooner!

Paul

I thought today’s defensive performance was very good, against a very good side that wanted it badly at home!
Am I watching different games to some people??

Dom47

Can’t believe we did not play our 2 best central mids, coq and elneny. Coq should have played. Ramsey really is Arsene’s favourite, to the detriment of the team. And still, no Campbell, argh.. Playing Giroud, really? Don’t care for the goal and assist really, we could have won with a more balanced setup, playing players who deserve to play, in their natural positions. We were lucky to get a point and against a citeh side that did not play like they give too much shit. Can’t wait for Arsene to go, he is a legend but also, as a… Read more »

Crash Fistfight

If anything, it’s a shame we didn’t play with Coquelin and Ramsey, in hindsight – I thought Elneny was annoyingly passive all game long (I’d be interested to see his ‘tackles attempted’ – get on it, 7am).

Giroud had to play based on Welbeck having to play out wide. Isn’t it also good that he got a goal and an assist?

Dom47

I don’t agree. Coq and Elneny are more solid defensively and we might not have conceded 2. And Welbeck could have started in place of Giroud, why would he have to start?? Iwobi left, Sanchez right. No need for Mr. Handsome & Useless.

Paul

“Playing Giroud, really? Don’t care for the goal and assist really”
Are you sure Dom??????

Dom47

Of course what he did helped, but if you read again you could see what I was thinking.

Kotuah

Your comment on Ramsey will not fly on this platform because the administrator is in the Ramsey fun club.

santori

1) Massive points considering City were trying to secure fourth or third and now are in danger of not getting that fabled CL 4th spot trophy (or anything for their pains and heavy spending) 2) It still puts us in a very tight frame to pip Spurs to 2nd with them slipping up against Soton and having to face Newcastle final match. 3) Giroud. Where are all those whingers complaining about him? When he isn’t scoring, he helps the team act as a node (as with yet another assist to Alexis today). Oh yeah, and he put one in himself… Read more »

Crash Fistfight

I think 2007/08’s Flamini was a better player, but at the moment I don’t think so. However, he was not good at all today. It looks like he’s been taking tips from Theo on how to shirk a challenge. To be fair, the whole team didn’t seem to want to make a tackle – are they already playing for the Euros and not wanting to get injured? Such a shame that one of the few players to play with any commitment today, Danny Welbeck, was rewarded by getting an injury that is very likely to keep him out of the… Read more »

Diarra

Agree mostly with the other points (although even Girouds flicks and headers have been off for some time). But Elneny has restored good passing to the team. He is almost always able to find another player with a pass and calms the play. He needs to improve on his defending for sure if he plays as the DM role but still has been solid in other areas.

Mark

We just need to take care of our business and beat Villa to secure third or higher. Big relief I am sure for them to be top 4, but have to go for top 3 at a minimum and avoid that playoff.

Paul

Downed you for stating the bloody obvious! 🙂

aros

Downed you for being a dick. 🙂

Getso gunner

Precious point

Mick Malthouse

Though Jack was excellent today. Theo continues to rob the club of 150K each week.

Miranda

Our highest-paid players (after Oezil and Alexis): Walcott, Wilshere, Rosicky, Cech, Arteta, Flam, Giroud – who with, the exception of Cech, haven’t exactly been paying their way . . .

Our lowest-paid: Kos, Monreal, Iwobi.

Pearson

Watch the GIF of Sanchez goal to see his vital role in -the build up to the goal and- how he actually ended up in the television picture

Kotuah

That celebration by Wenger at the end of proceedings says it all. What are we playing for?

GiddyforZelalem

Elneny been here for what a few months now, he has one good month and he’s already better than Ramsey? Before insulting your further I just want to hear your arguments for why Coq and Elneny are better than Ramsey, and just how exactly we could have won with a more “balanced” line up.

GiddyforZelalem

Sry. this was meant to be a reply to Dom47

everglades

Ramsey haven’t been playing well for 2 seasons already

Dom47

Hi, I did not say that coq or elneny were better than ramsey, I thought that both of them are best options for CM role, as they are natural CMs. Ramsey has shown he does not have a discipline for the role, he is better suited in more attacking areas as he does go forward all the time.

biafran arse

Giroud dribbled!!! Praise master JESUS

Theo's Radar

A lot of team fouling going on by the Fernandos, ref let them get away with it until the last few minutes..

Mick Malthouse

Absolutely then Niall Quinn gives one of them MoM! Ridiculous.

Armchair Expert

I am just glad that we didn’t make Jesus Navas look world class.

Charlie

Credit where it’s due Giroud was brilliant today, don’t want to be negative. Too many games where he doesn’t show up but today he deserves a lot of credit.

DanP

Yippee third place is on for our new legends the “implodables”

greg

There are times we just need to pull a player back and take the yellow! Be cynical ffs. Elneny and Bellerin should have taken de bruyne down

Crash Fistfight

Unfortunately I can only give one thumbs up for this. If I could do, I’ve give many more.

This team is so annoyingly naive at times, it’s ridiculous. To be fair, the manager leads by example – why, in injury time, did he stop the ball and give it to a City player? – he should’ve let the ball run between his legs and let the player get it!

greg

It’s because we’re a great bunch of guys with great character

We forget we had some right cunts at times who we loved – keown and Vieira to name just 2. We love them even greater because of their desire to win and willingness to do anything to achieve it. It seems at times that aw feels that betrays his principles

Lone

That Awkward moment when Manchester United is Begging, Praying and Longing for “4th” Spot that they diss on Arsenal 🙂

andrewthowl

If it were Ospina in goal today, people would be demanding his head. Poor Cech on both those near post goals.

Shitbird

Theo came on and changed the game.

[hides behind sheet of metal]

Calm down, I’m just kidding.

Cape Town Gooner

I don’t know why I’m hopeful on Theo but I am. A glimpse of a good player from him today. However I just don’t want to see Ramsey in our colours again. .I hope someone comes for him. RM Please

Chamakh

Ramsey was one of the best on the pitch today, did you even watch the match?

Shane

Well done to the boys. The technical side was not very sharp but the effort was there. Credit to Giroud for ending his drought.
Arsenal fans sounded very vocal in the away end…love that!!?

BenGman

So, no St.Totterings day this year.

santori

Giroud has scored 20 goals this season. Here’s another one and another assist, a brilliant lay off to Alexis. The reason why Wenger plays GIroud is even when he isn’t scoring he functions as an important node for the rest of the team. He is another player that some ill informed fans seem to illogically criticise like Per and Flamini. Instead they prefer to think Welbeck is more effective, like Elneny or Gabriel. This is a psychological thing. Some people like to convince themselves that certain players are poor and it amplifies every mistake where it will blind them to… Read more »

everglades

and where has Giroud led us this season?

Trez

Well said. 20 goals with only 13 in the league despite being first choice and the support he has behind him. If we needed 13 goals from our first choice, we might as well buy Lacazette and Defoe.

Mpls

Hes led us ahead of where Aguero has led City, Costa has led Chelsea, and whoever has led Man U, etc.

The guy was in a slump. The whole team was. Yet he leads us in goals and prior to that slump he was a very large part of why we were top of the table. Yes we need a striker but there have been many other and far worse performers this season.

Needing to add a striker doesn’t mean we need to denigrate the best one we’ve got. (I’m not considering Alexis a striker.)

andrewthowl

Raheem Sterling is Theo Walcott.

Crash Fistfight

He’s shit. I’d be grateful if he isn’t a first choice at the Euros – take note, please, Roy.

Gervinho

Very happy with the point but it doesn’t feel as good as it should because of that injury to Danny. Really hope he’s ok. Really, really hope he’s ok.

Island Gooner

I can’t say that we played well, but we showed lots of fight, especially when trying to win the ball back, which has often been lacking in many of our games. This fight or grit is what carried us through today and got us an invaluable point. Sure beats all the possession tika taka we attempt without results at times.

gordy

I thought it was a good game between the two teams who should have been fighting it out for the league. If we had Aguero…

broken red army

hurray look at people celebrating 3rd. when I was younger we were pissed of runner ups. you get what you’re satisfied with. reduced ambitions is the first thing holding back Arsenal. board is satisfied with our situation for a decade. manager is satisfied. even many fans seem satisfied. look at our protest after years of failure ffs. even that protest had no fire in it. and of course if a Robin Van Persie or a Nasri or a Fabregas wants a club matching their ambitions we still preserve the right to disrespect them.

Paul

For goodness sake!

broken red army

this! you remember United fans protests, Glazers didnt step down of course but they showed more hunger and won 3 league titles in next 5 years. so thats no protest for goodness sake for you sir! doing it with passion is what that is for good of the club. for the love of it.

Vonnie

Nobody is celebrating third, but it would be very stupid indeed to let next season go down the pan by fucking it up before it even began. I’m really disappointed we didn’t win the league, even more disappointed that we aren’t going to win a third-in-a-row FA Cup, which was there for the taking; but I will be very relieved and happy to be able to go into the market place in the summer (yes, I believe we will) being able to offer Champions League football, and I will be very relieved to avoid those horrible qualifiers in August if… Read more »

broken red army

when you say clubs negotator sounds not happy and he is sitting on millions unspent. I don’t take it. you don’t have the right to be anything other than happy if you have made exactly zero effort. we were nowhere near being up there and did nothing about it. when Arsenal left Highbury I was sad but I had hope. I believed it when Wenger and the “unhappy” people you mention told we were going to be even bigger to compete for CL on regular basis and win it let alone league titles. they told we’ll finally the kind of… Read more »

broken red army

and do I really need to mention I’m not sulking over could have beens? what I say is exactly about future. well if you believe this system and Wenger will spend the resources we pay for our passion and actually win something worth celebrating for. I don’t know how to wake you up man.

Dom47

I fully agree, broken red. It seems to me that when we are 1st or 2nd, basically really close to the top and fighting for the title the players become complacent because they feel they are already overachieving. When they fall to 3rd/4th this is where they feel at home and they start fighting just enough to keep us on that level. Like we are calibrated to aim for 4th or max 3rd. I think it showed today as we did not really go for it, we did not try to win in order to hunt for the 2nd. I… Read more »

GoonerN16

Yawn….

Diarra

Would be interesting to see a midfield 3 of Elneny, Ramsey and Wilshere on a consistent basis. They could interchange positions and could even be more physical and defensively solid than when playing Ozil as 10. Also they all can shoot and score. The only problem would be where to put Ozil, maybe on the wing, had some good matches there (although been better in the middle).

Alex

Sell Özil and basta! Why bothering for the best creator of all PL History!

Flashmob

I agree, that we are damn lucky to have Ozil, but (in part) I also agree with ‘Diarra’. I think it would be very interesting to see how we can cope with the style that Barca played with (when they played Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets in the middle) Considering the fact that JW is left footed and Ramsey is right / both are able to help in defending duties but also possess creativity… They already know each other well and probably it would be the best position for both of them (not the No.:10 role neither a DM) So I… Read more »

Diarra

My point was that he could be deployed out wide (like Mourinho did with him) and then interchange positions with Wilshere and Ramsey. Doesn’t mean I underrate Ozil but this could make the team play better. Would be similar to how barca play (Messi drifts between no10 and wide role and they have Iniesta, Busquets, Rakitic in the middle)

Share article

Featured on NewsNow

Support Arseblog

Latest posts

Latest Arsecast

136
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x