Thursday, December 19, 2024

Report: Arsenal 2-0 Borussia Dortmund (inc goals)

Arsenal: Martinez, Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla, Alexis, Sanogo

Subs: Huddart, Koscielny, Bellerin, Rosicky, Flamini, Podolski, Campbell

Arsenal secured their place in the knock-out stages of the Champions League with a much improved performance and a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates this evening.

Despite being back in the squad, Laurent Koscielny remained on the bench as Nacho Monreal continued at centre-half, while Yaya Sanogo was recalled to first team action to replace Danny Welbeck who was ruled out with injury. That left Lukas Podolski and Joel Campbell on the bench.

If the selection of the former Auxerre man raised eyebrows, they were raised even further when he scored the game’s opening goal after just 72 seconds. Santi Cazorla stabbed it to the Frenchman who beat the offside flag despite the fact he appeared to be offside, he then poked it through the keeper’s legs for his first ever Arsenal goal. 1-0.

In the 9th minute he had a great chance to double his Arsenal tally when sent clean through on goal but seemed indecisive and rather than shoot he cut inside and was robbed of the ball.

The two sides traded bookings with Subotic and Arteta picking up yellow cards before the 15 minute mark, before the visitors created their most dangerous moment of the game to that point. Piszczek flashed in a cross from the right hand side, the ball skidded across the Arsenal 6 yard box and Immobile, at the back post, just failed to make contact.

Another good Dortmund move saw Mkhitaryan shoot over the bar as the momentum swung in their favour a little, but the game had settled into a back and forth of possession without either team making anything really clear-cut.

Arsenal did play some nice combination football at times, Sanogo holding the ball up well when it came to him and bringing others into play. Dortmund almost crafted an equaliser in the 39th minute when a knock down found Mkhitaryan in the box, but his close range shot was well saved by Emi Martinez and the resulting corner well dealt with by the Gunners.

The young keeper made another save from Bender’s floater which ensured Arsenal took the lead into the half-time break.

There were no changes for either side at half-time but some early danger from the Germans in the early moments of the second period. Calum Chambers found himself out of position but Aaron Ramsey got back well to cover.

Mkhitaryan made a good interception before firing a shot straight at Martinez, while Arsenal responded with a stinging Alexis effort which forced Weidenfeller into an excellent near post stop. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain then came close to doubling the lead with a fantastic 54th minute attempt. He picked up a cross field ball by Alexis, took it down, waited for the bounce and lofted a shot onto the crossbar with the keeper stranded.

Dortmund’s luck didn’t hold though as Arsenal went further ahead in the 56th minute. The goal began with a first time Mertesacker pass into Cazorla, he played it out wide to Alexis in the left hand channel. The Chilean stepped inside and curled a brilliant shot inside the far post to make it 2-0.

Jurgen Klopp almost immediately made a double change, sending on Kagawa and Ramos for Immobile and Aubameyang. Arsenal too had to make a change, this time enforced as Mikel Arteta picked up another injury and the gutted looking Spaniard was replaced by Mathieu Flamini.

For once the Gunners showed some common sense and caution, not over-committing men forward and looking to control the game through possession. Oxlade-Chamberlain fizzed a shot just over the bar after again making the most of an Alexis pass, before goalscorer Yaya Sanogo signaled to the bench he’d hurt his hamstring and was replaced by Lukas Podolski.

Gundogan tested Martinez in the 83rd minute with a low drive but the keeper made the save easily, Mkhitaryan had a shot blocked and Arsenal sat deep, allowing Dortmund to put some late pressure on but for they couldn’t find a final ball.

Cazorla fired an 89th minute free kick over before Arsene Wenger threw on Joel Campbell for Oxlade-Chamberlain. Emi Martinez made another good save before the final whistle, but Arsenal were good value for the win overall.

Not all the problems fixed by any means, but definitely a step in the right direction.

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Mr. White

Proper class performance from every player. Even Sanogo scored today. Only way is up my fellow gooners

Az Ahmed

Wenger finally does his job and tells the team to sort its defensive frailties out. Who knew it would come good, eh? This makes the poor defensive performances of the season all the more frustrating. Surely this season should have marked a continuation of the consistency from last season – taking what worked and improving on what didn’t, rather than ripping up the formation set up of last season.

Fireman Sam

Maybe it would help if fans got behind the club and its manager when things go against us instead of shouting WengaOut at the top of their voices?

I agree with Wenger: this team is the strongest I’ve seen for a long time and can really go places. It hasn’t worked for us really yet but that’s football. Just pinning all the blame on Wenger makes no sense.

Az Ahmed

Fans have been behind Wenger since the start, myself included. It was not the fans who made Wenger change the tactics and team set, foregoing what was working last season and trying to play like Brazil of old – you score three, we’ll score four mentality. We want to win. I have felt that Wenger has it in him but his pride and arrogance got the better of him not allowing him to admit his mistakes to himself. When it reaches boiling point and fans are ready to start a mutiny, he sees there is no way out and he… Read more »

Az Ahmed

The reason things have gone against us is because of the inactivity of the manager in the transfer market, specifically in not signing the players we need, the poor defensive set up in matches, and the manager’s completely passive attitude in matches. Even the signing of Alexis, although a briliiant signing, does not address the shortages we have. Prioritisation of defensive players. Are there no defensive players available? That’s the excuse we have had to listen to. Preposterous! The team needs inspiration at certain times, especially when they are down, or doing something wrong, just something simple like asking the… Read more »

Arsefog

Loved the display and result tonight! Loving how the Ox is progressing, got the potential to become a complete footballer full of world class. I wouldnt use this performance to hide or forget how we have been playing recently. I feel like whenever theres a bad result the comments are filled with ‘Wengerout’ but the second a good result occurs people abstain from remembering recent games. This game showed we have the footballing ability to win important games so the lack of technical nous seen recently is a bit unforgivable.

Az Ahmed

Precisely

kona cadabra

AND NOW ALL YOU USAMONoV LOVERS AND ‘WENGER OUT’ SCI_IMBAGS CAN DO ONE

WE SUPPORT OUR CLUB, OUR PLAYERS AND OUR MANAGER

VICTORIA CONCORDIA CRESCIT

p.s1: and whoever dont like it…..stay home and let us the “deluded” get on with it ….
ps2: hey alisher you better lose a pound ( or two) and remember: To wenger you bow

Arseblog-mania

Whisper it quietly but we look a more disciplined team without Wilshere and Welbeck. This week’s Tactics column on Arseblog now seems eerily prescient. Hope they shed their ‘perennial kid’ and ‘almost there’ status to become decisive game-changing players like Alexis often is. Also a big shout out to Emi Martinez for the stunning first half and injury time saves, he didn’t receive sufficient credit on Saturday for making Di Maria miss a 1 on 1 situation.

La Défense

Whisper it quietly, but Alexis Sanchez is becoming an Arsenal Legend.

Arsepedant

Hell, I’m gonna shout it from the rooftops!

Gunnersaurus

I don’t want to go around whaling on our players, but I do think we play better without Wilshere and Welbeck. They both concede possession far too easily and ultimately break up the play and pressure that we’re trying to build with out passing/possession game. It’s so frustrating to see a good string of passes in the midfield and then suddenly Wilshere will run headlong into someone, probably get a free kick, but crucially give the opposition the chance to reorganise and shut us out. I know they’re both capable of great things, just see the recent England games for… Read more »

DanSchulof

Given that we now have arguably nine out of eleven first-choice players (Welbeck, Giroud, Walcott, Ozil, Wilshere, Arteta, Koscielny, Debuchy, Shezzknee — stick two shitsuckers in there and that’s a UCL last-16 team in itself, how is that not a HUGE point in every media analysis of us?!) out, I think we’d honestly be brimming with confidence if the result against ManU had gone anything like the xG model would have suggested. It’s going to take something really weird for the Chelsea train to come off the tracks far enough for us to challenge for the league. But otherwise the… Read more »

Rdent gunner

Hyperbolic, much?

MPLS

Heaven forbid someone should show enthusiasm for their team and players.

mrarsenal3

Giroud isn’t injured, he wasn’t available today because he wasn’t registered to play as he returned sooner than expected.

MPLS

He’s barely back and not full match fit. I think the point is a good one and still stands.

Hurensohn

We battered United without conceding a shot on goal with Jack in the team on Saturday. We only conceded after he went off… Let’s not Hype Martinez up until he’s played a few games too, no good can come of it…

Fireman Sam

Well said. Seems like some people like to criticise Jack whatever he does.

Even the usually brilliant and impartial mr blogs gave him 1/10 when he was our best player against Man U imho.

Paul

Yes but Jack is a bit shit really be honest!

Bob's Mexican Cousin

I understand Wilshere, but Welbeck? He’s the only one remotely close to rivalling Alexis in working his socks off

Arsepedant

Oxlade-Chamberlain? Chambers? Gibbs? Even Monreal is working hard, and trying to learn an unfamiliar position on top of it. And in case you hadn’t noticed, Monreal has become a much better centre back over the past two matches. Wilshere is working hard too, it’s just his decision-making that’s been poor. You can’t fault his effort.

Bob's Mexican Cousin

I’m not questioning their effort. I’m only pointing out that it seems to me that Alexis runs a shitload more than the rest of the team. Is it desire or style? I’d rather hope for the former and that it’s contagious. Welbeck is similar in that way.

Paul

Agreed

Silent Stan's Content Mustache

Alexis and Gibbs MoM for me. If there was one thing that came out from that shit strech of football was Ox’s progress. He deserved a goal today, should be a first team regular this season.

Remember the invincibles

Gibbs outstanding, chambers outstading, Oxlade-Chamberlain outstanding.Monreal very good. Arteta very good. Sanchez not great, but what a hit son! Shame that Ramsey was poor again but even he wasn’t playing silly back heels, so that’s something.

The Universal

Thought Ramsey was on it tonight.

Gargoyle

Ramsey was better than he has been this season. Even if he wasn’t outstanding, he had a good game. Made a couple of mistakes here and there, but so does everyone else in every game.

Petit's Handbag

Very much back to basics from Rambo, great to see. No silly flicks, a lot of tackles won and provided a solid base in front of the back while still getting forward.
Can look forward to Saturday again!

ARiddlingName

Ramsey wasn’t poor, he knew he was attacking too much in previous matches and so he changed that.
Defended really well!
5 successful tackles isn’t easy to do (highest from Arsenal team).

Harsh

That Alexis goal. On FIFA, it is my favorite move. Giving a pass to a right footed forward on the inside left channel, cutting inside and curling it in at the far post. The first time I have seen it live in a real match and it was a thing of beauty

ARiddlingName

Bro have you ever heard of this man named… Eh.. Robert Pires? He used to score those for fun.

Bob's Mexican Cousin

Chill dude, he said live.

Paul

And he looks very young! Take it easy!

La Défense

Big Smiles

Thomas

Great performance overall. The OX was IMMENSE tonight.

Andre's Sandals

Chambo most sublime on the day. Carzola too. And Sanogo scored. Real Positives.

ARiddlingName

Cazorla’s been getting a lot of stick (and rightfully so) but today he stepped up like the Cazorla we know.
2 successful tackles
5 successful take ons
88% pass accuracy
3 chances created
2 assists
1 shot
Brilliant.

Penguin

What was an encouraging performance doesn’t change the inadequacies that were exposed on Saturday. Not trying to sound like a doom-monger but sometimes games like this make me frustrated that, with just a bit more steel in midfield and at centre-back, we could be a real force domestically and in Europe. Tonight, however, I think the performance showed a maturity from the team we haven’t seen this season, and that was fantastic to see. This seemed like a performance out of 2013/14’s early stages, not this season, which was wonderful. We saw an excellent Sanogo goal, and if he’s not… Read more »

Less Rambly Pete

I hear what your saying, but from a more glass-half-full point of view, look at what Newcastle have achieved over the last month or so. Their run started with a somewhat undeserved 3 points. Ours were very much deserved tonight, lets hope it will be the launch pad we need.

MPLS

I don’t think anyone is going to be able to gloss over the inadequacies, what with 794,231 voices constantly reminding us all.

Runkeball

Das war ein flop, mein Klopp!

Maniac

That was easily the best I’ve seen Arsenal play this season, and of the back of a series of underwhelming games against a tough opposition. Great to finally see that we are closing down games and frustrating the opposition rather than feeding them hope. Just an all round top performance from the lads today!

Charvakan

Yes, we can’t forget that it was Dortmund out there, not Anderlecht. Klopp’s men played pretty well. They fought hard for the ball, but Cazorla, AOC, and Alexis won most of those fights and skipped away with it. Nothing came easy, but it came good. The Ox really does look like a man who can take over a game. When Walcott’s fully fit, will he start? AOC and Alexis are in such fantastic form that it would be insane not to start them.

Gunnergetuptogetdown

Ah yaya sonogaoal!

Mooro

Best performance of the season.

Legrande

I was impressed by Cazorla’s game today. Seems he is finding his form.
Hope this marks the start of a good run. Team finally gelling?

Mr. White

Sanogo scored today. Wenger out!!!!!

xxxrob

Thumb me down if you will, but this “xxxxx,wenger out” stuff is getting old..

Runkeball

I think he may have taken the piss out of the “Vengah Aht” brigade. Nothing wrong with that.

spinner

As per your your request, I have thumbed you down. You don’t need to thank me.

Xxxrob

Haha cheers!

bbb

Back to basic

SB

It was more like the Arsenal we have been craving for.

Only wish Wenger rotates a bit more and the injury gods look more kindly at our players.

IAM ARSENAL

Very good performance tonight.. Credit where credit is due, the back four were excellent and finally discipline from both full backs.
Much improved from Cazorla. Gibbs had an excellent game as did the Ox who has been our best players recently along with Sanchez.
Solid display, annoying that the side cannot produce this consistently. They created nothing.

xxxrob

Far out..

I gambled that the team was going to let me down so I didn’t watch all of this live, only 50th minute onwards once I got into work.

From what I saw, Gibbs, Ox and Sanchez were playing out of their skin.

Great news that Sanogo got his first goal, of course he had to go off injured to complete his day out. Hope it’s nothing serious.

Hope Arteta is OK too, he is so important for us.

kona cadabra

chambers as well….outrageously good..at some point he was doing the ronaldo down the sideline..going past three..i had to recheck …

Xxxrob

By gambled I don’t mean to say I flat out refused to watch it. I mean I made my commute to work during the first half rather than start later in the morning (aus time) and figured I would just catch the second half.

Kind of sorry I did but I have the game recorded and can’t wait to get home and watch it properly, particularly keen to see how sanogo played

WizardOfOzil

Fucking Wenger man, always just when you think he’s finished he pulls a performance like that out of the bag. Hope we keep it up.

Bob's Mexican Cousin

Lets hope he pulls someone from the injury bag soon… Ozil anyone?

Fireman Sam

Just when you think he’s finished?

Love him or loathe him he’s definitely not finished and definitely not going anywhere any time soon whatever the fuck happens.

johnny

No complaints tonight, that was as good as it could have been ( bar the injuries ) Alexis wonderstrike, Cazorla best performance all season, Sanogo GOT A GOAL, Ox was really good and the shape and defence were solid and Martinez did anything he had too. Happy!

0o2Be

Big saves from Martinez tonight. Impressed!

Arsepedant

Yes, Martinez was very impressive tonight. Not as commanding in the box as Szczesny is, but made two excellent saves and was solidly behind everything that came his way.

Nairobi's numero uno gunner

I’m not looking to start anything but…what’s our win percentage this season when;
a)wilshere doesn’t play at all and
b)when he does not start but cpmes off the bench?
Reason I am asking is because we all know he is quality but have you seen Cazorla in that advanced midfield position today? amazing!!
Same goes for Ozil…
so what’s the deal with Jack staring in a position where we can play either of two midfield maestros but don’t?

Hurensohn

We battered United and never conceded a shot on goal with Jack in the team on Saturday. Conceded not long after he went off.

SDB

this was from about a month ago… Jack Wilshere: This player has appeared in 12 of Arsenal’s 13 games in all comps this season with 10 starts and 2 sub appearances. In terms of playing time, he has been on the pitch for 826 of the 1170 minutes Arsenal have played this year – 71%. Arsenal has a record of W2 D5 L3 when this player starts. Arsenal is W2 D1 L0 when this player does not start. As a team, Arsenal has scored 19 goals, conceded 16 this season (+3). Arsenal have scored 11, conceded 14 (-3) when this… Read more »

Arsepedant

That doesn’t take into account the fact that Wilshere generally starts more often against stronger teams (where we would expect to score fewer and concede more) than he does against weaker teams (where we would expect to score more and concede fewer). Kind of skews the whole argument.

Injurred Gooner

Jack needs to sort his fucking head out. Hope he sees an ankle-head specialist that can help him with his head too because he fucking needs it.

I hope we bench Koschealni for the next game also. No sense in rushing him back too quickly.

santori

Jurgen Klopp for Arsenal manager.

16th in the easier Bundesliga, barely two points off us in CL…. quite obviously a better manager.

15th season we have qualified for the next stage. Consistency is our minimum bench mark, something Klopp has yet to find granted early success with Dortmund. So he’s lost key players, Arsenal quite obviously has not before and still manage a CL finish.

Some people need to shut it.;)

WizardOfOzil

They’ve lost Lewandowski, Goetze and Reus to injury who are all top class players. The lads they’ve replaced them with, the likes of Immobile, Ramos, Aubameyang are a grade below and you can see they’re not the team they were a couple of years ago. But they still play outstanding football, just lacking the top players to seal the deal on the field. No doubt they’ll probably recover in the Bundesliga though. What tonight shows though is that Wenger deserves credit for slowly putting a top class squad together again. How Dortmund must wish they had Sanchez or Ozil at… Read more »

Hurensohn

So are you saying Klopp can’t buy good players? …Seriously though, you go on to describe Arsenal in the first paragraph while talking about Dortmund, so whats the point in change for change sake…

Let’s be honest, Klopp isnt leaving Dortmund anytime soon anyway. Pointless talking about it.

WizardOfOzil

Just refuting the point that Klopp would not be worthy of replacing Wenger (some day) which seems to be Santori’s pov.

santori

He isn’t much better either

16th in the league.

We have a host of injuries too.

We are only 2 points of in CL

Why is he so much better.

Can he finish consistently AT MINIMUM at least 4th in the PL even with best players sold (Ala Wenger not a few seasons back?)

I think you are lacking in clarity.

not saying Wenger is perfect but you must be out of brain cells to think Klopp is a necessary upgrade.

Sorry.

Iceman

Wow Santori. Your Klopp bashing is really something else. I m not saying he should replace Arsene effective immediately but I think everyone will feel he is a worthy candidate when the time comes. And you are judging him only for what he has done this season? He’s won back to back titles against a team that is argubly a better team than all of the epl and also reached thd champions league final, played in two consecutive semi finals. Just because you have a negative view about a person doesnt mean you dont acknowledge what he has achieved in… Read more »

WizardOfOzil

If I were to base it on tonight’s performance, then no, it would be hard to say Klopp would be a massive upgrade. But then again, that’s the best performance I’ve seen from us probably since 2-0 Liverpool a year ago. Can we keep it up? Can this team mature into something special? If we keep the core we have then maybe they could become something special under Wenger, but so far this is just one result. Regardless, if it were tomorrow or several years down the line I think Klopp would be an excellent replacement for Arsene.

StuckInTheWire

Pretty much everything you said in the 1st paragraph, you could just as easily say of Arsenal at the moment.

Paul McOzil

Agree with you Santori – we have lots of players out / unavailable tonight
Szczesny Debuchy, Koz, Wilshere, Ozil, Giroud, Walcott, Welbeck – so shows we still can improve from where we are at the moment…

COYG

Runkeball

It’s as simple as this. Wenger WILL leave Arsenal one day. Hopefully on a high and with a well deserved retirement where he’ll be enjoying the fruits of his labour as one of football’s elder statesmen. When that happens we will require a new manager. For my money Klopp would not be an unworthy replacement. There are others as well but if we got Klopp at least I would be pleased with that. Rather that than a champagne manager like Guardiola who’d fuck off at the first sign of not being allowed to buy some stupidly expensive player he intends… Read more »

An Arsenal Fan

I do like Klopp and he is a good manager, but Pep is a class above and probably the best club manager in football at the moment along with Ancelotti. He didn’t leave Barcelona because he didn’t get a stupidly expensive player and he didn’t buy any players and bench them without reason.

In actuality we’d probably endure quite a few of the issues many have with Wenger under Klopp, although he’s be superior tactically over the last few years.

Andy Mack

Has Pep ever built a team? (genuine question!)

He’s undoubtedly a very good coach.

An Arsenal Fan

If you mean building as in buying every single player himself à la Arsène then not quite. However he has made vital signings, in particular the likes of Piqué, Alves, Mascherano, Villa and our very own Henry at Barça. Also made big choices in selling Yaya Toure, Deco and, depending on who you ask, Ronaldinho.

With regards to the other aspects of team building (developing players, systems, etc.) he is superb. Just look at what we’re seeing from Alaba, Lahm, Götze and even Alonso, amongst others.

rossi88

Credit where its due. Good pressing, tempo, work rate, shape. And finally some finishing. Well done yaya, hope he hits the goal trail. Thought ramsey played well, ox boy youre on fire, sanchez doing what he does best. Take a bow monreal, thought u were solid fella. Martinez played well, watch out szchezzers!! Hope arteta and yaya okay. Bring on saturday.

Parisian Weetabix

I thought that was a cracking win. Santi Cazorla was back to playing in that way he used to do in 2012 which can only be described as “delightful”. His touch was perfect time after time and he looked so confident in his ability to keep the ball. Arteta was also magnificent as he has been every time he’s played this season. Monreal doesn’t look out of place at centre-back either. We played sensibly, which is what we have to do. It’s how Barcelona play; they control the game to give Messi a platform on which to win it. Sanchez… Read more »

IAM ARSENAL

Earlier subs from Wenger could have prevented injuries.

neutral

Agree, Sanogo needed to come off, he was fading and you can’t expect an injury prone player to last 90 minutes on their return to competitive action.

Bob's Mexican Cousin

He has to see the future now?

lordgunner

to be fair sanogo has injuries history that would make diaby “proud” at such young age . you dont need to see the future, specially he hasn t play a competetive match for us in age let alone 90mn

IAM ARSENAL

No but when Sanogo was clearly tiring it would have been productive to take him of sooner don’t you think.. Same for Arteta who has just come back from injury.

DialSquareGoon

Ate my hat on Sanago’s selection and it tasted like sweet victory. Disappointed to see Arteta injured tho. I wonder if part of our denfensive midfield issues/ susceptibility to the counter is due to an unsettled partnership there are one of wilshere, arteta or ramsey is always injured at any given time this season so far.

Parisian Weetabix

I think Arteta’s played masterfully in that deep role this season. It takes so much discipline and awareness and he has looked world class, which is why I’m also gutted that he’ll probably be facing another spell out. There was a long period I think last season where he wasn’t quite doing enough both on the ball and off it, but he was bullying players against United and he did it again today. I think more than anything he’s a reassuring presence for the back four and the midfield; he’s the out ball for them and when he’s playing well… Read more »

GoonerN16

Arteta is class and often underestimated, imo. He is the heartbeat and the whole team plays better when he is playing.

geolgau

Less possession, more goals.

Wenger's Glasses

Finally. A discipline & efficient performance by us!

IAM ARSENAL

Chambers was Excellent.

hank1979

Much more solid. Dare I say it almost mature. Ox alexis and our 2 full backs were super. Ramsey much more involved. And I thought nacho looked really assured. Great night. Enjoy.

santori

As mentioned it is the details we need to sort out. No need for a new ‘physical’ DM. Where were their DMs today? Arteta and Flamini were reasonably solid for us. We have not done us justice cos we have made silly school boy errors in decision making at the back. The difference between success and failure is a fine line for us. With Koscielny back too, there is a good chance we can start to finally earn points in the remaining games this year. Where we are is better than where the genius Klopp lies in the Bundesliga. What… Read more »

Podolski Sklep

No, no, no! I won’t have this weird ostrich impression that our fans seem to love doing at the moment. I can accept the view that a defensive midfielder isn’t a guaranteed solution to all our problems, but I just don’t see how we would FAIL to benefit by having one. If a team is playing badly and has a chance to add an extra dimension, passing it up on the hope that things will magically sort themselves out seems totally mental. Adding steel to the midfield just looks obvious. Like buying an extra defender looked obvious. Neither Flamini nor… Read more »

santori

You can’t buy everyone at the same time. Blatantly the one player we needed last summer was not a DM but a Cback. The DM situation can and will be visited upon next summer. Its a question of priorities. Fans need to understand this isn’t a supermarket. Also some players need a bit of time to come good ala Ramsey and now Ox. If you follow the sort of knee jerk policy most fans prescirbe to, we won’t get the benefits of either Ramsey or Ox. Simply put, whilst we have much more money these days, we still do not… Read more »

The Ghost of Paul Robinson

#KloppOut #WengerIn #Aha

santori

As I mentioned to some clowns earlier, this is the reason why Santi starts ahead of Podolski. Over a longer period, he is more consistent and creative. He doesn’t waste too many balls either. Great game from the Spaniard even if he is still struggling to find the net in the new Puma kit. Another great performance from the Ox today which is to me the highlight. And who would believe it, Sanogo comes up with a goal! Again some people should just shut it.;) So they beat us 2-nil at Dortmund and we return the compliment. When they win… Read more »

alexisgotbooty

pretty sure santi scored against city in the new puma kit though.

Geefive

Yay: We won!
Boo: 2 more players out?!?!

DARKO

Martinez great job man,Ox can only get better ….

santori

Ox is a very encouraging thing for us at the moment.

We need players to step up to match Alexis and Ox is doing just that.

Meanwhile the Chilean has once again underlined the quality you get spending the money we did for him.

…and who was the plonker who decided to buy him now?

neutral

yeah, takes real genius to think we should buy Sanchez. myself and every other punter was saying it for years. but yeah, now I feel ashamed for doubting Wenger

tanned arse

Congratulations and how many duff players have you and all the punters been calling for to be signed?

TizTeezy

The pressing game looks good on Arsenal. I love the Chambers-Ox-Sanchez understanding.

santori

This is where the continuity in selection which was so frustrating earlier in season is starting to pay dividends.

It will reap even more benifit if we can continue to stay stable and error free at the back.

4-2-3-1, 4-1-4-1 is the same thing. It just depends where the link player in midfield places emphasis in attack or defense next to the DM.

Football isn’t that complicated.

Phil

Gibbs was bloody brilliant, well done to him.

yoloarsenal

clearly dortmund had no intention to snatch a win and this win here we collect is in every aspect, a free giveaway. not impressed for the lack of “sharpness”. dortmund’s pass looks more a comfort than ours rigid and clueless btw.

santori

Sure.

Clearly them being 16th in the league, they can afford to throw away a game.

Clearly us being but 2 points off, they can afford to take the gas off the pedal.

Clearly.;)

Arsepedant

Clearly, the “yolo” in your name is code for “i support some team other than”.

Ex-Priest Tobin

Agreed. Interesting to see how a win against a bottom of the table Bundesliga team can silence the Wenger out chorus. A lot of fair weather fans on here indeed.

bb6

Sky sports must listen to arsecast that montage at the end of coverage with that evil taylor swift song seemed aimed at you/us.

santori

I woke up in the middle of the night. bad nightmare…pillow of cockroaches and Taylor Swift. Bloody Hell!

Would repeat again though for another Arsenal win.

Runkeball

Nowt wrong with Taylor Swift. A truly uplifting song sung by a ginger Southern belle added just after an Arsenal victory. What’s not to like?

santori

Shout to the miserable defeatist fans that make the Emirates atmosphere so dour and knife edge all the time.

Clearly Arsenal have nothing to fight for this season. Clearly we will unravel again.

Clearly we will not win a trophy….wait what is the FA cup?

If the team has as much fight as some of the fans we would be a mid table team like Spurs or as Ian Wright says without Sanchez (Clearly forgetting of course someone had to bu Alexis in the first place)

😉

Trez

I suppose winning the FA cup once in 10 years makes eeverything ok right?

Arsepedant

Arsenal first played in the 1886-87 season, so this year is our 129th. In the previous 128 season we’ve won 11 FA Cups, which is an average of one every 11 or 12 years. So once in ten years is a bit above average. It’s not an entitlement. Next time think before you speak.

Trez

You should tell yourself that. No big club would be satisfied with going 10 years without winning the league. People like you slag looserpool fans for basking in past glories yet have no problem in winning a trophy in 10 years. If thats good enough for you, then don’t ever call arsenal a big club then.

Runkeball

Quite right Trez. Forget the FA Cup win. I mean how does that fair against all the other PL teams who win zilch year in year out? Clearly we’d be better off if we were more like for example Aston Villa who changes manager every year with an owner who’s tried to flog it off for years. Compared to that Arsenal is just shit and it’s all Wengers fault. Not least that shit stadium of ours that cost so much money. What a pile of shit the Emirates is. The fact that we get to face the best teams in… Read more »

Trez

“All other epl teams”?? yeah comparing us to aston villa…how thoughtful of you.
From going a season unbeaten to accepting “4th place trophy” to celebrating finishing ahead of spuds and now being compared to “say aston villa”….yeah that progress…signs of great progress.
Wenger is God…he never makes mistakes. lets not question his policies.

Vivek

• Some good saves by Martinez
• Clean sheet for the defence (Gibbs was the standout for me)
• Second consecutive very good game for Arteta
• Two assists for Cazorla
• Goal for Alexis
• GOAL FOR SANOGO
I can sleep better tonight

Gunner pundit

Give credit where its due. Well done lads. Cazorla well played. Showing quick feet spraying passes

lenny

So that’s what a win feels like….almost forgot

Tim

Good win, just a little side negative note.. how ineffective are our corners, around 15 in the last two games and not one threatened. Its almost an advantage to the other team not ours. Why are we persisting with outswingers.. lets try an inswinger for once and create problems in this area

Runkeball

Agreed. Our corners are crap. Would love for an addition to the team that can hit good corners for us. Wouldn’t kill us with an improvement on free kicks either.

Dazer

Crap, nothing to moan about.

Now what are we going to do…?

Ex-Priest Tobin

I like Welbeck but I think we look much more solid with a natural target man like Giroud or Welbeck up front.

Bob's Mexican Cousin

Which of the two Welbecks would you start up front with?

Ex-Priest Tobin

* Giroud or Sanogo

Puff Puff

Chambers was outstanding….Dare I say he may be the answer to our DM problem

Saffa Gooner

How good was he today! fwoar

AllGunsABlazin

The postman has delivered. The floodgates have opened.

Goon

Sanogo did well to score. He was anonymous for much of the game and has to learn to hold the ball up well – just like Welbeck does. But as a striker you have to score and take your chances and he did just that so well played Sanogo! This team needs Giroud because we have so badly missed his ability to hold the ball.

Alexstratz

Easier to win than to get no injuries. Good performance nonetheless.

Mike

Great goal from sanchez .
If Martinez can grab the opportunity then who knows …
I’ve been unimpressed with Shezney this season

Goonerrob86

Great performance. After recently worrying that Sanchez was regretting joining our bunch I was pleased to see what could be a bit of a bromance between him and the ox. I think perhaps he has found someone who can match his workrate and desire. And ox seems to be thriving now we have more urgency in our attacks.

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