Result: Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Competition: Premier League
Date: 26 December 2019
Venue: Vitality Stadium
Starting XI: Leno, Maitland-Niles, David Luiz, Sokratis, Saka, Torreira, Xhaka, Nelson, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette
Subs: Martinez, Mustafi, Mavropanos, Guendouzi, Willock, Smith Rowe, Pepe
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cancelled out Dan Gosling’s first half opener as Arsenal drew 1-1 with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Both sides showed plenty of energy and intent in an end-to-end 90 minutes but a dearth of quality in attacking areas proved to be very frustrating for Mikel Arteta in his first game as head coach.
Pre-game
Arteta’s first lineup as head coach saw him return Mesut Ozil and Alex Lacazette to the starting lineup. Emile Smith Rowe dropped to the bench while Gabriel Martinelli, nursing a hamstring problem, wasn’t in the squad. At the back, the suspended Calum Chambers was replaced by Sokratis. Other than that, it was the same side that started against Everton meaning Bukayo Saka once again got game time as left-back.
First half
In his opening press conferences, Mikel Arteta demanded more intensity from the Arsenal players and made clear he wanted us to get back to dominating games and creating chances. In that respect, he won’t have been disappointed with the opening 30 minutes.
We popped the ball around in midfield with pace and urgency, repeatedly finding Mesut Ozil in pockets of space between the Bournemouth midfield and defence. From there, the German created chance after chance for his teammates. Unfortunately, nobody in a yellow shirt showed any composure in and around the box.
Lacazette received the ball in dangerous positions on three occasions in the opening 15 minutes but his attempts to control and shoot were, to put it kindly, fucking awful. It was like he was playing with boots made of giant timber.
Saka and Nelson found plenty of space on the flanks but were similarly profligate both attacking balls into the box and trying to provide for teammates. Sure, they’re young and they’ll improve, but we’re paying the price at the moment for not having cutting edge quality in the final third.
Sure enough, Bournemouth, who’d had a couple of efforts via Fraser and Wilson, took the lead on 35 minutes. Our attempts to play out from the back on the left side backfired massively. Again. On this occasion, Stacey did the damage with a driving run and pull back that Gosling converted from close range. It was the home side’s first shot on target. (1-0)
We went back to probing but it was the Cherries who looked the more likely to bag another. King, tormenting Nelson down the left, evaded a Sokratis challenge and tried to beat Leno at the near post. The German read the effort and blocked it for a corner.
Saka summed up our efforts in the final seconds of the half with yet another awful final pass having worked his way to the edge of the box. This one was shanked into the crowd behind the goal.
Second half
Ozil picked up where he left off playing a one-two with Lacazette before feeding Aubameyang. The captain tried a Thierry and curled just over.
Able to sit deep and in numbers, Bournemouth were happy enough soaking up our passive possession. We looked to be going into our shell a bit but Arteta kept barking on the touchline. He was pleading with his players to keep closing down, to keep the tempo high, to keep believing.
Auba had a chance, created brilliantly by Ozil, but he couldn’t get off a shot. Two minutes later, the Gabon international made no mistake. The build-up was ridiculously scruffy with Lacazette and Ozil working a ball to Nelson whose deflected shot fell to Auba and he slotted home at the near post. Auba ran to the travelling Gooners and was buried in a mass of bodies. His celebrations earned him a booking. On the touchline, Arteta threw a few high-fives. (1-1).
Could we find another? Nearly. A brilliant Luiz pass split the Bournemouth defence to find Lacazette. He took a decent touch, freed space for the shot but it was just blocked for a corner.
Somewhat surprisingly, with 15 minutes remaining, Ozil went off to be replaced by Willock. He didn’t look too pleased having produced his best display of the season. A second change was forced on Arteta when Sokratis suffered what looked like a concussion. On came Mustafi.
The game was scrappy. Two sides lacking form and confidence threatening punches but missing with their swings. Bournemouth thought they’d grabbed a goal when Calum Wilson followed in a Harry Wilson shot that was parried by Leno into his path. VAR had a look and confirmed he was offside.
Pepe came on for Nelson and promptly needed treatment after being hacked down trying to launch a counter-attack. In the closing stages, Saka had several chances to get the ball into the box from the left but, as was the case throughout the game, he couldn’t deliver.
It’s hard to fault the players’ effort today, they certainly ran around a lot both in and out of possession. Having 17 shots on goal was positive, only getting two of those on target was not. At vital moments we failed to execute the basics; controlling the ball, making the right pass, crossing the ball and shooting. Assuming we fix all that, we might get better. Easy!
It’s a hard ask of Mikel Arteta who only has a few hours on the training pitch with his players before we take on Chelsea in three days time. At the time of writing, the gap between us and the relegation zone is down to four points. It’s embarrassing having to even reference the drop this far into the season, but it is what it is.
24/38
We’re eight points away from relegation aren’t we? Nine points off top four.
eight off top four, too, we actually recovered one point. this was so uncomfortable, but we looked much more like a team than pretty much any time this season. better control of spaces too. shout out to Lucas, motm by far and great at doubling down on enemies to take the ball off them. Granit was more good than bad, too, and Laca really should have won it. the young lads were bad, Saka’s and Nelson’s crossing was atrocious. plus Saka losing the ball and us being effectively without left back at the time led to us conceding. still, i… Read more »
Clear improvement in midfield.. haven’t dominated a game like we did today in a long time. Saka is doing very well, considering he’s only 18 and playing out of position. He’s usually very accurate with his crosses, such a cultured left foot, seems odd when the ball isn’t on point. However, Kept pushing and finding space, was still sprinting and meeting through balls right till the end.
might be the younglings were most stressed with the new gaffer. i really like Saka, btw. Reiss was actually better in the second half – but still should have been replaced earlier methinks. we could have gone for the kill with Pepe and maybe Martinelli, maybe a missed chance. still, baby steps and good ones, too.
think the defensive sub killed out game off, as I would imagine martinelli would have been on the pitch at the final whistle if that wasnt forced.
his tenacity + fresh legs and if i were a gambling man i’d have bet on us to win.
You have to crawl before you walk. Plenty of positive crawling today.
Ozil’s play was encouraging. Let’s hope it’s the start of better days.
Other than the fact that we tried to play out from the back under heavy pressure which cost us the goal, I thought that was better from Arsenal. To me, Saka and Leno stood out as playing well even though both had a hand in letting in the goal. Saka continously got free down the left to make crosses and linked up well. The right side with Nelson and AMN was absolutely terrible both in attack and defense. Please don’t play them again. Ozil looked better today for 2 reasons…. we had most of the possession and he was asked… Read more »
Saka was abysmal. He’s only a kid and these performances will happen, but I don’t know what game you were watching?!
Other than a few bad crosses and being put into a bad situation by the decision to play out from the back, he played well.
Maybe you didn’t like his crosses but at least he had the movement to get those crosses in. He didn’t really get beat on his side on defense.
Other than the lucky goal Auba was bad, Laca was bad, midfield was bad and the whole right side was bad. Ozil was ok.
Auba, Laca, and Nelson were so wasteful. Ozil was far better than ok. We stopped creating after came off.
I disagree almost totally with your comments. I thought the midfield was excellent with Xhaka and Ozil having their best games of the season. Aubameyang peas always looking dangerous and I agree that if Lacazette has been in form we would have won
He was far from abysmal. He is playing in an alien position and he played very well.
he played most of his young football as a left back. he is however now a winger and had that in mind on some occasions instead of having defensive focus. you can see every time he was caught he sat back a little bit when we retained possession, to me showing he realized he had overreached and was conscious of it happening again. bellerin still gets caught like this, and teams playing liverpool look to exploit the attacking fullbacks, so it isnt exactly a direct slight on him as a player more of a comment about his experience. BUT. he… Read more »
I hate to place the blame on specific players, but Saka dropped a straight up 1/10 performance today. Crossed like he’d never seen a football in his life. I have no doubt that if we had Tierney or Kolasinac available, we’d have taken all three points today.
Are you a maniac
Kola crossing…?
Yeah Maniac, he should know better at his age in a position he doesn’t play in. Spot fucking on mate.
Not trying to be rude, but a winger should know how to cross the ball. That was the most disappointing part of his game today, not the defending.
If you read the comment, he criticises his crossing into the box. Which winger shouldn’t be able to put in an attacking cross? I thought he wasn’t bad defensively other than ‘that’ dispossession for their goal
He’s “called out” a very young player playing out of position. He should not do that is what I am saying. Saka may well read this stuff.
if he does he will see people backing him, and people sayign what his coaches have probably been saying; “those were some poor crosses today, you need to calm down, you have the ability to perform but you were getting too anxious.” out of position is also questionable, I’m told he played there for the youth teams on numerous occasions and the reason freddie first turned to him instead of one of our mobile defensive senior players (amn, luiz, chambers, xhaka etc). i say fair criticism is fine, take it too far and your are out of order but otherwise… Read more »
How about he takes it from the coach then rather than us ‘supporters’. And I’d argue he didn’t get caught out for the goal. He played the ball up to auba (accurately) and carried on to support him. Auba didn’t hold the ball and saka couldn’t retrieve it.
No player should read any of this waffle. Positive or negative.
Any professional player reading the waffle fans spout after any game does not deserve to be in the game.
If I was a pro player, I won’t even have a social media account.
He said he played a 1/10 ‘performance’ which is rubbish. Buy the worse part is that it’s smother young player getting the crappy kill your confidence comment. His crossing was poor today. Probably next game it won’t be. Either way, why even bother coming on here and saying that about a kid trying his hardest. There’s nothing to gain.
Saka was ok, but crossing was shit from him and Nelson overall
Everyone’s crossing was poor but why are we so reliant on them anyway? It’s not like we’re playing Giroud up top, we should focus more on getting in behind, not crossing from deep. Saka also defended well.
Same Saka put in great crosses in previous games and even got assists.
He was bad going forward but also very good at the back. Saved us many times and for that he wasn’t 1/10 but around 6/10. It is hard for youngsters to play good constantly especially in that evironment.
Saka is 18, being asked to do a job at left back, a position he’s not been educated in, and he played well overall, finding himself in some good positions. If you hate to blame specific players? Then why do it? Lay off the young lads, and give them room to grow. The conditions out there today were difficult, and if you’re so sure Kolasinac would have delivered better crosses? Then i’m pretty sure we’ve been watching a different player over the past 2.5 years, Kolasinac on the cut back is quite effective, but his overall crossing certainly isn’t anything… Read more »
Proper harsh he had a good game I think, especially given he’s 18 and only played as left back once before
True word. He was shit. And will probably never ever be a good player. Kloasinac even though he is limited is far better.
I am astounded by the wankers on this site singling out a young player.
I’m not sure if they’re actually that thick or just do it to wind people up. All they end up doing is making themselves look stupid.
Hot-take culture at its worst. Saka was fine. Nelson was the weaker of the two…I don’t see a very high ceiling there but he did work hard.
Agree with the comment that we are too reliant on airborne crosses. Our strikers are clever finishing cutbacks but will never climb the ladder against those big CB’s. Playing to our weakness.
Just because he’s young doesn’t mean he should be immune from any criticism. Like in school – kids get good grades, kids get bad grades – that’s how you learn. I have every faith that he’ll do well for us in the future, but today (in my opinion at least) he was awful. I don’t feel like there’s anything hateful in saying that, and I don’t think that branding people “wankers” for having the discussion is particularly helpful either.
You’re talking utter rubbish. Saka is one of our most promising youngsters and playing out of position he did very well.
I completely agree. It is hardly the fault of Saka, that he is our last resort in this position, which is not even his usual position. It might not have been his best game, but for a teenager his ratio of good games vs bad games is still very much in his favour.
You are proper clueless
That was so much better. Encouraging display from our side. Onwards and Upwards, COYG !!!
on a positive note, we had more shots in this game than we’ve had all season so its a start
Actually, under Emery, we only had shots more than today… twice! (source: Orbinho)
For all our attacking talent, it’s the final third where we lost the 2 points today.
Atleast it’s an unbeaten start for Arteta.
This is the problem since 2017/18 and not defense. I said a lot of times that we lost most of the away games in the last Wenger’s season because we couldn’t kill those games (how many times we scored first). Then under Emery we just forgot how to play football.
We need to start getting better upfront and only after we fix that then we can go to the defense. I wouldn’t even try to get Saliba in January just because I don’t want to destroy his confidence.
“I don’t want to destroy his confidence” earlier than we need to.
We are going to have so many good evenings with arteta.
Hope those evenings don’t turn into ebenings
yeah…right
We played well, kept possession but the final third just wasn’t clicking. Brighter days ahead.
I saw many positive things today. We played the ball quicker, cut through the lines faster, and as it’s Arteta’s first game after a few days of training there isn’t much to look into in that regard. However, an observation that I’m sure many have also made is that many of our academy graduates simply do not have the required technical ability for the Premier League, yet. Throwing them all into the deep end at the same time doesn’t seem smart to me. I would say that if you look back to the likes of Vela, those kids could FINISH.… Read more »
These kids were trashing teams in Europa League earlier this season.
I said Premier League. A whole different game to the Europa
Serge Gnabry
Saka has demonstrated he can hit a ball beautifully so has Willock. Sometimes it just doesn’t come off. Look at Lacazette. Hes known for his excellent shooting and today it was dreadful. Footballs so so mental.
Great comment.
Unfortunately, the cool-drinking masses will have a go. But you are completely correct.
Willock is raw. Nelson, same. Saka did some good things today, and some stupid things. AMN is so easily exposed. I was happy to see Geundouzi NOT playing today.
Hopefully some practice pitch work will get them moving. But now, they are not impressive.
“None of these kids look like they even know how to kick a ball with any power.”
See Joe Willock vs Liverpool. Then beg everyone’s pardon for wasting their time with such demonstrably false assertions.
Lots of positives, but we have as much confidence in the final third as I had talking to a girl when I was in school.
Honestly, if we had Tierney today, we would have the game won in the first half. Jesus, the amount of good positions and crossing oppurtunities wasted by Saka and Nelson.
it was like having the ox on both flanks today, horrible crosses
Spot on!
I’ll take that point given the circumstances, away, tough weather, tricky opponents, couple of injuries and ofc new coach.
Man of the match – Xhaka who had some nice passing and great positioning today.
I think we saw some changes in formation and new ideas from Arteta and I think this was a decent start to build on.
I also think the tough games ahead comes in a good time because the players really need to rise to the occasion now. Get a win there and we might get the spirit that’s needed!
He look so much more confident with torriera at the base. And you can see the overall defense seem less nervy with both. Hope they can get a consistent run of games together and the offense can start clicking on that
I think Ozil was more upset for the chances missed by teammates and the moves that fell flat, than the substitution. But I guess how you interpret his reaction is dependent on whether you think he is petulant or competitive.
They missed so many….he could have at least 3 assists and many more passes before assists. He definitely is frustrated with both the substitution, especially bringing in Willock and the missed chamces
I had a lot of empathy for Ozil as he struggled to combine with Nelson and AMN. The gulf in class really hampered him. Needed Pepe in there for danger earlier…Nelson was scaring no one.
There’s so much more confidence playing those long line-splitting passes when he’s in the half-spaces to receive them.
Encouraging. Not great, but better effort.
Well, it was A better performance…
Some notes: 1) we are the only team in the history of the premier league to not get a new manager bounce, I am sure of it. 2) Saka (who defended well) and Nelson had worse end product than Sunday league players. Shocking. Lacazette looked like he was running through concrete the entire game. 3) Everyone worked hard, which is the least we can expect right? 4) We made some good passes between the lines. Amazing what happens when we play the ball quickly and someone makes a run eh? 5) Xhaka, Torreira and Ozil were much better today. I… Read more »
Everything about Laca was bad today (performance and even attitude). Doing this in the first game for a new coach who seems to believe a lot in him isn’t going help him.
Rubbish. Total complete rubbish comment.
Laca is nowhere close to match fit. Even so, he works hard on and off the ball.
We had a lot of issues today. Laca’s first touch was off, for sure. But he was NOT the problem.
I’m starting to think there are a lot of rival fans on this blog. No other way to interpret some of your “notes”
I’m pretty sure my ‘notes’ can be summarised as some good, some shit (in the words of Gattuso). Hence the draw. I don’t see how that led you to believe I was a spurs fan.
Spot on! Pepe should have started. Idiotic to have him on the bench.
Torreira, Ozil and Xhaka were very good today. I cannot understand your pessimism as the improvement was so noticeable. True we missed some good chances but we thoroughly deserved to win. It’s some time since we thought that
Astonished at how we suddenly look like a different team under Arteta. Quicker and more confident on the ball, better passing between the lines, good tactical positioning, and finally some control in midfield via the superb duo of Xhaka and Torreira. Each player looks like he knows exactly what role he needs to play. Better finishing and it would have been an easy win for us. If this is how much Arteta could improve us in a short span of time, I genuinely can’t wait to see how he takes this club forward. Early days I know but the signs… Read more »
When we were moving the ball quickly forward we looked threatening; when we got into playing slowly from the back, we were back to old habits. Our lack of full backs is limiting us.
Leno is good but his distribution was poor and slow and it causes us issues.
Luiz is the proverbial box of chocolates – he makes good 50 yard passes but spend too much time making poor 5 yard ones, usually backwards.
Another day, I think Ozil’s passes would have seen us get a hatful of goals.
Thank you, I was beginning to think I saw a BBC edited version of the game considering all the negative comments here.
We dominated the game and should have won. Poor final balls and tepid finishing by Laca cost us the victory. Both Willock and Saka wasteful.
A point is better than nothing but it should have been 3.
Poor performance & a game we should have won.
With half the season gone we’ve won 5 of 19 games, which is disgusting.
Arteta is a nothing appointment, a yes man to enable this ownership to further push us to irrelevance while they keep creaming off the TV money.
A very sad state of affairs.
Why do you even bother commenting?
To wake you all up. We should be holding this absolute shambles of an ownership to account every single day.
No, you wake up no one. All you do is steal 5-10 seconds of our lives by posting your usual tripe.
I.ll bite. I have no love for the Kroenkes. But give Arteta a chance. He could turn out to be a dud or a totally inspired choice. I.m hoping for the latter
you’re a spuds fan. bye.
Are you for real?
Absolutely. We’ve employed a man who retired less than four years ago & who hasn’t managed another club. Everyone’s enthusiasm for employing him is because he used to play for us & he was Pep’s assistant, big deal. When did you all decide to sleep walk & accept such mediocrity? Look at Liverpool’s fans, revolted against Gillet & Hicks, walked out of a game because they refused to accept increased price rises, they demanded better and look at them now. You lot moan a bit but won’t get off your backsides and actually fight for the soul of this club.… Read more »
You’re either a troll or a spud, either way this site is probably too positive for you. Why don’t you get off your toxic backside and try somewhere else?
Ahh yes the old ‘if you don’t agree with us go to Spurs’ argument. How can you not be angry at the state of our club? How can everyone reading & posting on here think a draw against an injury hit Bournemouth is acceptable?
I’m genuinely astonished how you let the club off by treating us so badly & how poorly they are performing..
But sure, keep deluding yourselves, eat the sh1t they keep feeding you & don’t demand better.
I go home and away mate. I’m a realist.
Statistically speaking: Today our 18th best footballer (Nelson) played ahead of our best one (Pepe).
https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/13/Show/England-Arsenal
Pépé, our best? Even though you said statistically, one very good season at Lille and an artificially inflated price tag does not guarantee imnediate success in the premier league.
Remember when Arsenal used to be a top team? Remember when Barcelona and Real Madrid wanted our players and our manager? Now even the fans accepted cheapness and mediocrity in every field.
I still remember Arsenal finishing 16th and 17th in the league after winning the double a couple of years earlier. Football throws these challenges up from time to time. I loved Arsenal then, and I love Arsenal now. It’s not about cheapness and mediocrity. It’s about supporting your team through thick and thin.
Really?!?! Are you saying the Real or Barca wouldn’t still sign Auba? or that they won’t be after Martinelli if he keeps on his current trajectory? or the Arteta won’t be head hunted by both if when he lifts us out of our current conundrum. Also, cheap and accepting are probably the last two words in the dictonary I’d use to describe an Arsenal fan. Maybe negative and entitled would be a bit more accurate. Arteta has has one game. Chill the fuck out.
Lot of improvements today.
Passing was quicker with lot of forward passes.
Lot of interceptions. I haven’t seen an Arsenal team doing these many interceptions in a match for a long while.
Torriera was immense today. As blogs said he is going to thrive under Arteta.
Fullbacks inward movements were refreshing to see.
Also happy to see substitution switch happening quickly without lazy walking.
If in one match, this much game play can be improved, i am very much excited about this new era with Arteta.
Everything you’ve pointed out as well as Ozil and Xhaka’s performances has convinced me that Arteta is the man to steer Arsenal back to where we belong.
Honestly can’t remember the last time I actually enjoyed an Arsenal game but this was so welcome. Hugely positive for the way forward under Arteta the Great
Xhaka had a good Game.
… and seems to be leaving according to news breaking now from his agent.
Not if the positive comments by Arteta are serious
We didn’t win because of our strikers today. They have been repeated told it’s not them that are the problem so naturally they will take the longest to catch up. I thought Ozil was great today. Work in progress I’m excited. COYG!
I.d happily take the money for Auba. I like him but he doesn’t offer much aside from goals. I know. I know. But it is a problem
Of course goals are irrelevant. However he does offer a great deal more.
Lacazette is off form but he can only get better whilst Aubameyang always looked dangerous
Wow… It’s the first time in a while we played like we wanted it… Like we dominated… Came forward ,, wasn’t afraid.. played with intensity.. It was a nice game from xhaka nd Luiz..both defensive nd attacking wise.. If they continue like dat… It will be really nice for the team nd them… It’s a new regime I will like to say this… I don’t care about the English soldiers here defending their players.. I have seen people like zelalem,, the Jeff,, gnabry who were technically wonderful nd never had the chance to play for us… But this willock… He… Read more »
sell laca saka nelson willock bcoz they had a bad game today.Next match ozil auba xhaka will have a bad game and we can sell them too. #IdiotFanBase
Agree wiloks finish was soft and lacked a hard hit, but coming into a game and that being his first proper movement in the game is a bit harsh to rate his career on.. Laca has not seen much football recently (game time) I thought his work rate was top notch so his desire was there to be seen, lacking finishing today tho unfortunately.
Wiloks shot was soft but it was his first real involvement in the game and a bit harsh to judge his whole career on.
Laca showed a lot of energy and aggressive play so I would say his mind and heart was completely on Arsenal today however his finishing was way below par but again not sure that is a liscence to sell
Wilok should have scored, there was not enough power in his shot, but it was his first proper involmemt in the match. There are plenty of talented players coming through the academy.. I being one of the biggest fans of Wilshire do see your point but saka Nelson Nkete Nelson (gnabry) and others all show that the academy is producing… Laca had a good presence today and showed a high work rate and aggression, apart from his finishing I would say his mind is definitely on Arsenal on that performance..
I am not rating willock or lacazzete because of this game… Since lacazzete returned from injury…
His control touch finishing has been extraordinarily poor…
nd for willock defend him all u want..
Name one thing he has done this season to deserve the bench despite having huge amount of he time..the lad is overrated…
There re thousands of fans out there whom he annoys constantly with his abbysmal displays game after game… Today he didn’t pass … Wtf
I remember going to an early game in the season and Laca got injured after that he has not been the same (may have been Emirates cup) but I do think he wants to be part of the next chapter hoping Abu does too because they are class.. I would love to see our starting 11 without any injuries for a good 4 or 5 games I think they could deliver
Like seriously? Haven’t you seen how emery have killed willock confidence?! I don’t like to insult people, but your comment is so dumb even a dumb person speak more sense that you!! Give the kid a break! Emery had him playing a different position every game confusing the kid! His confidence is gonna need some rebuilding.
Positive and a good start. Arteta was very active and I do think he will be very good if he’s backed by the right signings from the owners. We need a replacement for Xhaka who is good and has character but are way to slow for the PL. Thats the prioroty for me. Dissapointed in our strikers. Sure Auba got a goal but the amount of opportunities they squandered was a bit embarrassing. Laca had a really poor game. Ozil was good but he should shoot more often. I have some memory of Wenger telling us he’s a brilliant finisher,… Read more »
I thought Ozil was great also, but yeah, I feel he’s just as capable of curling one into the upper-v as much as placing an inch-perfect pass for Laca to fluff. A bit of that would do wonders
Xhaka had his best game for ages and apart from his defensive work his passing out was brilliant. Yes let’s sell him
Better going forward than we’ve seen recently, especially 1st half. Final ball and finishing lacking though, plus can Aubameyang really play on the left of a 4-2-3-1? Looked way deeper and wider than where you’d want him, even though he did score in the end. Playing Auba, Laca and Ozil together looks set to be a problem for Arteta just as it was for everyone else.
Torreira and xhaka both quality today. Ozil brilliant in first half. Not laca’s best game but at least we looked like we wanted to score
The big positive for me was the central midfield. Xhaka and Terreira kept moving so they could receive the ball in more positive situations. They kept receiving the ball when they were facing forwards. They were seemingly always facing their own goal under Emery. Hey, we even went forwards from kick off rather than backwards. Green shoots of renewal for me.
Also noted AMN tucking in so that he could play forward balls in front of Nelson (or Pepe) rather than into them facing the wrong way
Having to rely on 3-4 youngsters at the same time proves costly at times. I’m not sure if we have a worst team that we actually believe we have or it’s a matter of confidence. We should have finished at least 2-3 counter attacks with a simple pass…
Lots of positives and glad we didnt lose after the effort was shown. Ozil fancied it today. Nelson was disappointing. I thought he was quicker but seemed sluggish and his final ball was shocking. I like Pepe and would have liked to have seen him come on earlier. Could say more but ‘green shoots ‘ at last?
If only we had more than 2 shots on target, with the 2nd of them tamely reaching the keeper in the 92nd minute. Think that’s 3 shots on target in the last 2 prem games now….on fire!!!
The season is basically over. So why not just play laca, auba, ozil and pepe and see if they are any good together. At the moment we can’t score or play defense. With this team we wont play defense no matter who starts. But we should be able to score. Let them rip and if they are awful then we at least will know who we can get rid of.
And since our midfield is awful why not sit back and counter.
6/10 performance for me. Signs of improvement, but there’s still a long way to go.
Very disappointed with Nelson’s final ball today, but encouraging that he kept getting into the right positions
In 10 minutes tnite pepe looked more dangerous than Nelson the entire match. Got totally mugged because he was way to quick for bourmouth. In our last victory he was so unstoppable he was mugged each time he touched the ball.
Why is he not playing. Who cares is he doesnt play defense. Tell AMN never to go forward, then
If his attitude is so poor that emery, freddie and arteta refuse to play him then we are in trouble.
Probably because Niles played as an inverted full back and Nelson is a traditional winger. On the other hand Pepe likes to cut inside, so he needs a full back who ovelaps. Arteta had to choose between Auba and Pepe. I think it is quite possible that we will see Niles on the left in the next few games and Bellerin on the right with Pepe.
Pepe took a nasty knock to his knee and I think he may take a bit of time to get over it, he was taken out again today in a horrible tackle, maybe he club is trying to look after him a bit. The Premier League is a difficult place for a young player to adapt, especially in a new country with a language he doesn’t really understand. I don’t think it’s an attitude problem, he seems genuine to me, and I think he’ll come good. I just wish the referees would look after players more.
I say lets enjoy premier leauge football when we have the opportunity to play some of the best teams in europe and watch top players play at our stadium. Thats what it come to. Fingers crossed we will have the same opportunity next season. Feel sorry for Leno, Pepe and Auba. Our only top players.
All in all – on shite day on the south coast… fairly encouraging. The positives: STRUCTURE – not sure what Unai actually ever said/did on the training pitch but the players seemed more settled, discplined and positionally sound after a few days of Arteta than in 18 months of Emery ENERGY – cutting down the space; pressing high and hard, chasing it like you want it! ATTITUDE – led by our pet Jack Russell, Lucas, we scrapped and harassed and battled and shouted at each other (in a good way) in a way I haven’t seen for way too long.… Read more »
Oh yes… and please can we cut out the 50+ back/square passes per game, Mikel? As soon as you possibly can? Please?
Plenty to be optimistic about. Crossing and shooting the main issues today.
A little worried about the two stand in full backs on Sunday. Sok going to be missing with concussion? although Chambers should be back.
I think people that are being critical of the final product (esp crossing) forget just how bad the weather conditions were today. I know it’s England and the weather is normally awful this time of year, but looked worse than normal today with a lot of final balls being sliced or not hit cleanly.
Within a minute of the start I could sense the difference and within 10 minutes of it I could see it for sure. Baring the atrocious crossing from both Saka (who usually is a very good crosser) and Nelson, it was enjoyable. It seems Laca still have fitness issue though, or he would have buried the game for us today. I’m super excited and hopeful from what I saw today. At least I saw the idea and what Ateta wants to create, the perfect implementation of it by the player will come with time.
Saka is not good enough for Arsenal yet. Ozil, Xhaka and Tor were magnificent
Watched the match a second time in full before commenting. Somewhat predictable we would struggle (Bearing in mind this is a Bournemouth side who have lost 6 odd games plus shorn of many first team starters) but some positive things. 1) Effort. Not quite the bounce we would have liked (yet) but at very least some players pushing slightly more for the gaffer. Ozil I thought in particular put in a session beyond his usual. 2) Midfield I thought was better. Arteta rightly focusing on the engine room and an area he is MOST familiar with. We set up with… Read more »
Not too bad at all. Definitely an approved performance away from home. We looked more assured defensively I think mainly because we had more possession and controlled the game more. Saks and Nelson were frustrating, they got in many good positions and the final ball was really poor. You could probably say that about Laca and Auba though too. Ozil, Xhaka and Torreira all had very solid games and I think part of the reason we looked better in midfield. We found Ozil in some good pockets and create a few good chances. All in all, a positive first game… Read more »
How the fuck was that challenge on Pepe not a straight red card? Off the ground, from behind, scissor tackle. It was appalling. Absolutely no attempt to play the ball, it was just a pure hack at the player’s leg.
There were a couple of the same sort of challenge on Pepe a couple matches ago, too. Is there some fucking memo to all the referees to allow Pepe to be chopped in half every match?
It’s important for Ozil to realize that we have big games coming and we need him in all those games – he’s not a 90 minute man and when you need to change things in a creative area HE might just be the casualty. It’s not personal. You missed reviewing Mustafi going to ground and launching into a slide that ended somewhere in the English channel, I did appreciate “Boots made of timber though” lol