Arsene Wenger is pleased that Arsenal sealed victory against Crystal Palace playing ‘good quality’ football.
The boss, who has spoken in the past about combining style and substance on the pitch, first purred with delight at the way Olivier Giroud capped off an amazing end-to-end move with a stunning strike, then turned his praise to the collective.
“I felt we had a dynamic game where we had a good balance between possession and movement of the ball,” he told his post-match press conference.
“Overall it was an interesting game to watch because we played football, and that’s what we try to do. I said on Friday that it’s important to deliver good quality in games, and that we at least try to [do that].
“Overall, I think today was an interesting game to watch because two teams tried to play and overall I felt that we always looked dangerous.
“The only frustration I have is that we didn’t kill the game off quickly enough. Even when it gets to 1-0 or 2-0 against a team like Palace, you are always under threat and we had a bit of a dodgy moment on corners, where Benteke was dangerous.”
Petr Cech was equally pleased with the performance, especially as it included a second clean sheet in a row.
“I thought we got control of the game, we got the goal that we needed and we played really well,” the keeper told Arsenal Player.
“I thought we moved the ball really well, we created chances and it was the same in the second half. What was most important was that we stayed solid at the back and we didn’t concede.”
The veteran Czech also had his say on THAT goal by Olivier Giroud joking that the Frenchman has set the standard high for 2017.
“First it’s a very important goal because we needed to break them down and we needed to score,” he added.
“When you score a goal of the year on the first day of the year, you put the bar really high!
“I always keep saying that he’s one of those players who you love to have in the team, because he’s a handful and he can score important goals. As we know, he scores important goals, no matter if he starts or if he comes off the bench. He’s always a threat.”
Still plenty of room for improvement. Felt we dropped around minute 60-70 and almost let them in. Had a lucky goal gone in, we would be staring at 2-1 and nerves again. Plus we have to strive to be sharper in front of goal considering the opportunities created. Sometimes, I feel we are almost apologetic with our shots. Like to see some of our players (the younger ones like Ox and Iwobi but also Ozil) really strike them like they mean to. We can and should be scoring a lot more goal. The biggest positive over last two games is… Read more »
Agree with you on pretty much everything. We need to rotate well as our big quality squad is one of our biggest assets this season. Lucas and Ramsey for example have barely played this season and are quality players who can decide games and will be important during the second half of the season. Giroud finding form again at the right time. The race is open. The Kloppo-loving media declared it a two-horse-race a couple of days ago and then they go and draw against poor Sunderland. Liverpool and Chelsea dont’t have the squads to cope with injuries which could… Read more »
And mostly because Özil wasn’t there!! Let him go, Arsene, as Carragher said: he has never suited Arsenal’s play!
Don’t think this comment would be too popular anong the arsenal fanbase, and probably for a reason too. Ozil is quality but at time you question how big a role he has in the team. He isn’t a player like Alexis, Hazard, Coutinho that can dominate a match and change a match by himself. I wouldn’t mind seeing him on the wing in some games and playing a more physical midfield. Even Iwobi won many physical duels which looked kind of strange as one is used to Ozil not even going to 50-50 challenges.
Suppose you would replace him with someone like Payet? Press love him Lazy when tracking back though. But hey wouldn’t bother saying that unless he was wearing an Arsenal shirt though.
Just been thinking about our line up. Usually wanting a couple of signings but you know what it ain’t that bad.
Look at the season on a hole.. Liverpool rested several players 3 points dropped Leicester week after same problem dropped another two points don’t even go there about shambolic trips to Manchester. But never mind Carragher says get rid so off you go Mesut!
Let’s be honest, if we were really going to push for the premiership this year we’d go out in January and buy someone who could make serious impact in a short space of time. Someone at Ozil or Sanchez level. Just can’t see us winning the big games with the squad we have. Close down our two stars and we are vulnerable. Another top quality player might just make it difficult for the opposition to close all avenues. Obviously the question is who? But I have no doubt City, Chelsea and Man U will be looking for that player who… Read more »
Name one player who is on their level, available and willing to come to arsenal in January?
Danny Welbeck … dat man is world-class.
Mick Malthouse
1. Learn how to spell
2. I think slumped into mediocrity reading your post.
Go on and thumbs down. Thanks
Spelling?
*accept mediocrity. Except if the Arse win against Bournemouth/Preston. That will set us up nicely for the treble. How lucky are Man U and their new manager Mike Dean? LOL Phil Jones is writhing around like a big baby and 60sec later is back to normal. Dean is a fuck-wit. Hope we don’t get him for the Preston game. That is unacceptable.
“Mick Malthouse” won’t come Yinka! 🙂
Flat track bully Gunners….? We have to beat Chelsea and Bayern Munich in Febuary. If we do, then we may have a season to remember. Otherwise…..same old.
WBA, Palace are no gauge at all.
Winning big games is not about big players it’s more about belief. If we have 11 ‘big players’and the confidence is low… pfft even a team as poor as Watford will run you over. Fans are just insatiable. Ugh
Even if I’m very happy for Giroud – If I were the decision maker I wouldn’t change our no.1 system yet (with Ox/Iwobi on the left – Alexis up front – Walcott on the right) . From the opening game until the match against Everton – this formation scored significantly more goals than we did last year. Plus we were unbeaten not just in the Premier League but in the CL too. I think the main question is if Wenger will be able to rotete and handle the team well, so everybody stay motivated (even if he is benched for… Read more »
“Dynamic Arsenal” very funny picture Bloggs 🙂
Indeed – the very image of dynamism right there.
Needs more Podolski grinning though
Ospina should pick up that mantle.