Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Xhaka, Coquelin, Iwobi, Welbeck, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud
Subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Ramsey, Lucas, Alexis, Walcott
First half strikes by Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane gave Liverpool an unassailable lead as Arsenal’s crashed to a 3-1 defeat at Anfield despite an improved showing after the break.
The Gunners, without the dropped Alexis Sanchez, struggled to cope with the home side’s pressing game in the opening stages but did come back into the game with the Chilean subbed on at half time as Danny Welbeck reduced the deficit.
As Arsene Wenger’s beleaguered side went in search of an equaliser Georginio Wijnaldum killed the game in stoppage time sidefooting home a cross by Divock Origi.
First half
The big news prior to kick off was Arsene Wenger’s decision to drop Alexis Sanchez to the bench, a decision the boss claimed was taken to improve our capability in the air. Without the Chile international the pace in the team was provided by Chamberlain, Welbeck and Iwobi with Bellerin a further outlet on the right.
In fairness, Arsenal were bright for the opening eight minutes but then it all went downhill rapidly. With Liverpool’s first attack they scored.
Firmino beat Koscielny to a Mignolet goal kick, the ball fell to Coutinho who quickly spread the play wide to Mane on the right. In a split second the ball was rolled across the box where Firmino took a touch and buried the ball in the top corner. It was all too easy.
The goal gave confidence to the home side who were energetic in their pressing of the Gunners midfield. Arsenal found it very hard to keep the ball.
Giroud, who looked very isolated up front, began holding his hip around the 20-minute mark and continued to hobble around for quite some time. Alexis was sent to warm up and received a warm welcome from the travelling fans. Giroud seemed to take a couple of paracetamol, or maybe they were invisibility pills. Tough to tell.
Liverpool kept forcing the issue. Cech was forced to acrobatically tip over a Coutinho effort from the edge of the box and two counter-attacks, both started by carelessness by Coquelin, who earned a booking, left us chasing shadows.
It wasn’t a huge surprise that Liverpool doubled their lead five minutes before the break. Milner on the left combined with Wijnaldium to feed Firmino who in turn slid the ball to the back post for Mane who crashed home a low drive past Cech.
In the moments before half time Coutinho had two further opportunities to extend the home side’s lead. Cech and a deflection did just enough on each occasion.
Second half
Coquelin was the man sacrificed at half time as Alexis came off the bench to take up a position on the left of attack. Chamberlain moved centrally next to Xhaka.
Within three minutes the Chilean’s presence spurred an attack as Monreal crossed for Giroud whose header forced Mignolet to tip on to the bar.
The better start to the half was rewarded on 56 minutes as a quick break out of defence involving Chamberlain and Alexis saw Welbeck break through the Liverpool defensive line and clip the ball over Mignolet.
While Klopp’s men weren’t quite so alert in midfield they were still dangerous. Mane continued to give Monreal a torrid time and Mustafi did well to divert a Coutinho cross over his own bar from close range. The Brazilian midfielder also flashed over with an ambitious effort just before Giroud and Welbeck made way for Lucas Perez and Theo Walcott.
The England international’s first touch drew a foul from Emre Can who, already on a booking, should have been sent off. Referee Bobby Madley bottled the decision as the Liverpool man lay stricken on the turf having collided with his own man as a result of his own carelessness. Granit Xhaka did go in the book after complaining. All rather ridiculous.
The post came to Arsenal’s rescue on 83 minutes as Origi’s header from a free-kick left Cech stranded and nearly resulted in a killer third for the hosts. Despite pushing for an eqauliser, Alexis had a great chance blocked bby Matip, the knockout blow was delivered in stoppage time for Liverpool as Wijnaldum polished off a break to condemn the Gunners to another painful Anfield defeat.
The result sees Liverpool leapfrog Arsenal into fourth place. Next up, Bayern Munich. Joy of joys. Go and have a drink.
I blame Bellerin. Ever since he’s worn that Alice band our form’s gone down the pan.
If you’re going to drop your best player you better have a tactical plan.
Great job wenger
Wenger out – thumbs up
Wenger in – thumbs down
Dude Stop with the polls. It’s just annoying.
It’s up to him if he wants the poll, not you. Is he breaking any rules?
If you don’t want to participate then scroll down.
The truth is, the polls show that the majority of fans want Arsene to leave, and that is a major problem for you because your allegiance to Wenger is stronger than your allegiance to Arsenal.
There’s a thing called selection bias, we should not make the mistake that the fans in the comment section of Arseblog News are representative of the entire fan base. I believe cunts are over represented in the comment section for example.
1. I think most of us want a change in management now .
2.You are annoying as well.
Not in the rules. We can ask that it be put in the rules?
What’s this “just scroll down if you don’t want to participate in the polls” bollocks?
Here’s an idea you can have for free – how about you start a site called ThePostBigGameWengerOutPolldotcom and you lot can head over there and vote, leaving this comment section free for people to discuss the actual game.
Same bollocks mate, give us an alternative, think anyone is going to make a major difference while Kroenke holds the reins? Wise up, KROENKE OUT
Cant agree more. This isnt the place for that type of shit
Very annoying! Like it’s not enough the team have no confidence in the fans. Give it a rest already
Yeah, because the players are coming on this website to check out the comments. Haha.
Spinner, they do. How did Ox inadvertently thumb up a Wenger Out post on an Arsenal fan social media.
Exactly. Shit fans like this are the reason we go on some bad form. One lose and they want the boss out!!
We were watching a man who knows how to buy very good tools but doesn’t know how to use them properly. Alexis did not look half as interested on the bench as usual so maybe there’s more to his early exclusion. But we were a different team when he came in second half. It was night and day. Why then did Wenger not play him first half when we were clearly inefficient and lacking inspiration? Then instead of keeping Giroux and Welbeck after we scored, he hauls them off to put on Lucas and the ineffective Walcott. I would have… Read more »
Some of our players who we’v built our core team around are failing misrably doesn’t help the contract situations with some big players and the manager as well but just WENGER OUT is not the solution. Personally I don’t think he’s the main problem it starts above him and mostly below him. This summer I need us to be ruthless This OZIL and SANCHEZ deals making us look soft we don’t need to beg any player to play for Arsenal! We are Arsenal if you don’t want to play for us and be committed then leave! and that includes sulking… Read more »
This should be a poll.
We’re actually a bit shit aren’t we?
Lack of class by Klopp, leaving Wenger waiting at the end while he celebrated with his cronies. Wenger walked off without a handshake… don’t blame him.
I have an alternative poll:
How often do you want to see a Wenger out poll on Arseblog?
One will do – thumbs up
After every match/press conference/article/time Arsene breathes – thumbs down
The poll results are pretty telling though if you’ve been following them regularly on this site. There’s quite a few fans who continuously switch between Wenger in and Wenger out depending on just the last result.
Social media and sports! Complete rubbish!!! The masses are fickle. Any mistake made now turns into a feverish argument for bragging rights, these are real people that play out there and manage these are their lives! I guess it comes with the new territory but to be honest I am beginning not to enjoy what it’s becoming these days. The money seems to have destroyed the human aspect and family values of the game. Can’t talk with young ones anymore about hard work and dedication because of what they read in the media. What the point supporting a team anymore!?… Read more »
Gio, how did you come to the conclusion that “a few fans switch continuously between Wenger in and Wenger out” just by looking at thumbs? There is literally no way that you can tell. And unless the site records which users vote for what and let you cross-check that info, not even Arseblog could tell you. If we’re gonna have polls, maybe just let Arseblog run them? Drawing unscientific conclusions based on snap polls in the comments is not gonna provide any worthwhile insights. And people need to stop hijacking the first few comments in general, it’s turning into the… Read more »
Fair point kaius, impossible to know for sure. it’s just that the swing in percentage after each match is so ridiculously high that there is a high probability that there are at least some fans who do switch regularly. I could be wrong though.
Stop the polls – thumbs up
Keep the polls – thumbs down
FFS!
To end all of the polls:
Don’t thumb.
Blogger, you simply have to legislate against this now.
Was taking the piss 🙂
To add to that Wenger’s just come out and said Giroud was carrying a knock, it’s beyond belief!!
Your right. Starting a less than fit giroud and leaving Sanchez on the bench is mind boggling. And what the fuck does Perez need to do to get a start. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass Mr. Wenger. I’m not sure what to feel anymore. I’m just gutted.
I knew we’re gonna lose, but I watch anyway. It’s sad to see my beloved gunners goes this way, for the last decade… Its painful to watch. Some shake up must be done, it’s long overdue
I don’t even get upset after a loss like I used to because it’s expected now. All belief in this team has gone. Until Wenger leaves, I don’t think I can enjoy football again.
Really? I think we should all be realising that its Kroenkes attitude/ influence/ lack of interest/ desire/ winning mentality that is at the heart of our problems. He just don’t give a fuck as long as CL keeps coming. Lets have some banners in that direction Tuesday. Yes I am fucking raging!
It’s amazing how one person can make a comment section so toxic. That’s all it takes. Just one person. I haven’t been to this site for a while because Arsenal have not been doing so well and I don’t want to see ranting comments. Why wallow in misery? When I come here I don’t want to be further depressed for no reason! The first comment is fine in this thread, a little bit of humour. And hey, why not criticise Arsene strongly. But saying a comment like that is just going to make the comment section toxic.
This might be hilarious, but I’ve always felt Hector’s performances deteriorated by his decision to grow his hair out.
Going to London for the first time in May. I was going to try to get tickets to the Everton game. Not sure I even want to now. Fucking hate watching this team.
How many players can actually hold their heads high after today? The team just looks completely lost – off the pace and uncreative. Kos is desperately trying to band them together but it’s hopeless.
so, ozil’s the pushover?
feel bad for kos 🙁
I thought Ox was pretty good, actually. The effort was there from most players–maybe not Xhaka–but we weren’t as quick-thinking. Both sides misplaced passes in the game, but we did it more. To a large extent, the players don’t know exactly what’s expected of them, and Wenger has to answer for that. Expressing themselves is all well and good against inferior opposition, but we needed more discipline today, greater speed of thought, more confidence that what our player did was part of a plan: if we rush up to press, there’s support, etc. And let’s admit that Liverpool were quite… Read more »
Some fan you are.
He cannot be worse than someone who buries his head in the sand and tries to convince himself that everything is fantastic – does that sound like someone familiar to you ?
Well don’t watch this team. Got and WATCH another. Il support my club through thick and thin. COYG
I am sick over what has happened to Arsenal since the beginning of 2017. Absolutely heart broken. I had purchased tickets through Hospitality for the Manchester United game on May 6th for my wife and I a while ago. That day will be my 69th birthday and I was really hoping that not only would we beat the hated Mourinho and ManU that day, but even dreamed about the possibility of clinching the BPL that same day. A great birthday gift! The BPL title is obviously over now, but beating Mourinho will still be great. We live in New York… Read more »
He should go today. No finishing the season. It’s over. They dont believe in him. We don’t believe him. Give us a little to be hopeful about going forward.
I was hoping for a win but expecting a defeat, because unfortunately Wenger no longer has what it takes.
If he loves the club like he says he does, then he will do what is best for Arsenal and leave.
I am in favour of the banners, if they result in Wenger not signing a new contract.
You seem like a complete John Terry so I doubt many are bothered by what you believe
That’s aimed at spinner
I would prefer that Wenger announces his departure. No banners, no discord, all the fans unite in respect to what he has achieved.
If he vacillates the clamor for him to fuck right off will get louder and more strident leading to a discord in our traditional end of season run to the top four, subjecting it to an ignomonius failure.
Wenger has no clue as to what is going on around him, he has to go.
Up The Arsenal!
Spot on.
No. He should SAY he’s going. At the end of the season. He deserves that. I am now Wenger Out but he is still a legend and deserves a proper send off. One where we thank him. If you do not understand why he deserves this then you are either too young or not a Gooner.
Oh fuck off with the “if you don’t agree with my point of view you’re not a true fan.”
He will be remembered as a legend whether or not he keeps bleeding us for 2 more months or not. He should go so that we can maybe salvage fourth again and then we can give him a nice send off before the start of next year. But he’s done. There’s no dignity in allowing him to fumble through two more months.
Agreed, but he should resign now. The board need to start the search for a replacement and the fan base needs to be galvanised. This would do that. At the moment he is a pretty wretched stench hanging around the place. Sad I should ever hear myself say that about such a great man.
I remember everything and I say we need the new manager boost now to save our season.
^^This is the only thing that needs saying. The side do not believe in him and we no longer believe in him. Do what Enrique did and announce leaving at the end of the season. Let the players send him off with a strong finish to the season.
Announcing he’s leaving would also advance any decisions by Alexis and Ozil. We need clarity. I love AW, but keeping the whole club in limbo like this is not good.
Give me a realistic alternative and I might consider your point. As said previously I think the problem is Kroenkes total lack of ambition. Which will not change if Wenger leaves.
Great stuff well done Arsene
“No room for slow start at Anfield”
Huh. Could have had me fooled.
Two words friends, the second one is ‘OUT’.
Fair play to Liverpool for being explosive and committed, something Arsenal will never be under the frail & outmoded Wenger.
More comedic than soul-crushing for me at this stage.
After watching the effects of having a pacey forward against Liverpool on Monday, for Arsene to decide to drop Alexis and play Giroud up front today is an absolute joke.
Also, fuck off Can you cheating cunt. Fucking ref fell for it too.
Thought the ref did a decent job up until then, but of course this is the premier league so getting a game changing decision wrong was gonna happen sooner or later.
in slow-mo, it is clear that Can saw what he did, took a split second to think “shit” and then pretended to roll on the floor in agony. It was a distraction tactic and it cost us the game.
No. Being shit for the first 45 and not much better for the second 45 cost the game
Not that it would have made much difference to the outcome,but fuck robert madley for not giving what was clearly a second yellow to emre fucking cunt. Fucking unbelievable he booked Xhaka instead
Coquelin easily could have got a yellow card (or even red) for a high boot in the first half, to blame the ref is ridiculous
Why oh why didn’t Wenger start with Sanchez and Walcott?
It was totally the wrong team selection.
You start with your best players against the big teams – SANCHEZ – Our top scorer!
He wanted to keep Alexis fresh for tuesdays battering by munich
And when we get battered again that make sanchez mind up to leave and go play for some team that really wants to win a title
He’s already gone.
If you think Walcott would have made a positive difference in that first half, you know nothing about football or you’re completely deluded.
Walcott is our 2nd top scorer! Clearly you know jack shit!
Not sure how that’s relevant to the point I’m making. 2nd top scorer or not, he’s very average tracking back, in possession, taking on defenders with the ball at his feet, transitioning us up the field against pressing defenders, winning long balls in the air…need I go on. He wouldn’t have helped us in that first half.
you are being to kind with “…very average…”
If you’re going to drop your best player you better have a tactical plan.
I’m Sick Of This.
Wenger out – thumbs up
Wenger in – thumbs down
Hold on. You posted this bullshit “poll” twice? Fuck off with that already
I doubt you are against polls in general, but you are against this particular poll because the result is not what you want to see. We are Arsenal fans so we want what is best for Arsenal. Whereas you are an Arsene fan so you want what is best for Arsene.
And you are an idiot. Someone can be an Arsenal fan and find the polls really annoying (in fact, someone can be an Arsenal fan and still think Arsene deserves to stay, even though I don’t agree with that view).
Why are you calling people idiots? Read the comments policy, you are breaking them but luckily Blogs will turn a blind eye.
I make my point because that particular commenter has admitted that he feels that Arsenal would be in a better position next season with a new manager but at the same time he wants Wenger to stay. Well that means his allegiance to Wenger is greater than that to Arsenal. If my view is incorrect then please kindly explain?
“in fact, someone can be an Arsenal fan and still think Arsene deserves to stay”
No they can’t,unless they’re deluded
Ok, maybe, maybe not. But it’s possible to be deluded and still be an Arsenal fan. Yet this guy feels the need to proclaim that such fans aren’t real fans because they don’t share his views on the manager. Or because they don’t like an annoying poll, for crying out loud.
It’s petty beyond belief, and extremely tiresome.
Sorry bud. Against bullshit polls like this. Feels like facebook bullshit and i like to think we are above that here
I agree, stop it with the polls, they’re annoying!
Thumbs up if you agree! ?
If you really want a poll…
What would you rather:
a) Watch your parents have sex once every day for the rest of your life?
Or b) Join in once to stop it?
Thumbs up for a, down for b!
….and yes I have taken to jagerbombs to deal with the pain of that match and Arsenal I general!
Dont post fucking stupid comments on a total cunt of a night
So we should stop the comment (the poll) that have had most people give a thumb on this article?
Yeabsra, stop worrying about what we think mate…:-)
The match lasted 90 minutes but I only saw 45 minutes of football from us. Once again a slow start has cost us points.
Slow start bullshit is pissing me off. People hear something then cling on to it. Plenty of matches where we were explosive in first 15 minutes then come to a slow halt. It is desire that is the problem. I refuse to believe that this team doesn’t want it but they are unable to convert desire into action.
That’s 45 minutes more than I saw.
Well f off then. You’re clearly not a proper fan. Through thick and thin. Arsenal til I die.
Because I don’t think we played any decent football today? Or maybe 5 seconds’ worth for the goal? You’re an embarrassment.
No. Because you didn’t watch it. Everyone is entitled to an opinion as long as you watch the game.
Explain where I said I didn’t watch it. Did you even read the comment I was originally replying to, to understand the context? Like I said, you’re an embarrassment.
I read from Maniac that he only watched 45 minutes (of the game, not of football as I now understand!), and you Hi-brid had watched none because “that’s 45 minutes more than I saw”. I was wrong. I am sorry. I AM an embarrassment!
Thanks. For what it’s worth, I think the ‘proper fan’ competition is never very helpful anyway. I imagine that there are plenty of proper fans who couldn’t get to see the game for whatever reason.
Yep. Fair play. Read it wrong. Apologies!
What you didn’t see the second half? Not bad NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO EXCUSE FIRST HALF SHIT!
I actually think we started ok, against a Liverpool team who always come out like a house afire, especially against top teams at Anfield. The problem was a) Kos made a very un-Kos-like mistake, gifting them a simple goal and killing our fragile confidence, and b) Coquelin was a complete liability after that, neither defending well nor being able to keep the ball at all under pressure; and Xhaka was slightly better, but still his usual slow self. So with their tails up, Liverpool’s midfield started overrunning us. But the “slow start” myth isn’t quite right, and I don’t think… Read more »
And when we did start well, Everton and Sh*tty, we faded. Go figure.
This season just keeps unravelling. I need a stiff drink. *smh*
I have a bottle of JD – doesn’t seem to help.
A contract assassin would help…
No passion. No guts. No pride. It’s a shame that this is happening to my beloved Arsenal. Heads need to roll
Sanchez, literally sitting there, laughing and smiling at our poor play. The smug look on his face when he could literally see that Arsenal Football Club currently need him to be worth anything on the pitch. It is a terribly empowering position for him to be in, especially with his tantrums. Wenger tried to prove a point and it failed. He makes his boldest decisions at the worst times. The worst thing about watching this team play is the lack of problem-solving on and off the pitch. They seem to have lost the desire to even try. I do believe… Read more »
That look on Sanchez face said it all
Actually I feel sorry for Wenger! For once the man really took some bold decisions – he benched his best player only to see others screw up, he substituted his worst player at half time (I don’t remember him doing that at all) and made a double change (wrong one to leave Iwobi and take Welbeck out). But he was penalised not for the mistakes he committed in this game but for ignoring the mistakes that were brewing over from a long time ago like Bellerin’s wayward crosses, failing to see that Iwobi is not ready for big games (defensively… Read more »
Better second half but need to off load coq Ramsey and Theo to name three. Their players that just are not good enough to win leagues
How about attaching some blame to Wenger?
Guys like you try and find anything to blame apart from the manager.
He didn’t say he DIDN’T blame Wenger. Just didn’t mention him at all. Is every comment unacceptable to you now unless it involves slagging off the manager?? Jeez, get a grip.
Stringer Bellend has said in numerous previous posts that he doesn’t feel Wenger is to blame for the current problems and that he is supportive if him extending his contract.
Why are you being his bodyguard?
I’m not, I don’t know him or care about him per se. I don’t like your infantile way of running around on here attacking other commenters who disagree with you and spouting the same simplistic message (whether it’s right or wrong) ad nauseam.
So I’m objecting to your comments.
You have just made that up. ? Never said no such thing. I want Wenger to go just don’t like the idea of morons holding up banners
No one is suggesting that AW is blameless Spinner, but the players need to cop it as much.
Feel it’s time for a change, but just not with the manager. Not sure likes of Elneny, Coq & Theo would get more than 10-15 games a year in any other team in the top 6.
Eternal optimist in me sees us hammer Lincoln on Sat, beat either the Chavs/Utd in the semi, & the other lot in the Final. That, my fellow Gooners, would be an amazing season. Just don’t hold your breath….
You can point at players all you like. But it’s got to be Wenger at this point surely. Same problems in every away game for years. He’s tried them all, he clearly is just not up to it anymore
It comes down to this. Either we’ve bought every under achieving player available this last 12 or so years or the manager has consistently made a catalogue of errors resulting in underachievement. I know which I think it is.
Coquelin is in a bad patch,and there’s no other real DM so we should keep him as a rotation option at the least. Theo doesn’t have enough to nail down a starting spot at arsenal and doesn’t really provide any impact off the bench. Too hit and miss to start,so agreed he needs to go. Ramsey I personally love, but unless we play a 4-3-3 I don’t see a place for him. Worst of all is keeping Gibbs knowing he’s not good enough. With monreal being over 30 we really should’ve bought someone like Jose gaya or that Rodriguez guy… Read more »
well coq is shit at the moment, and yes we have miles give the kid a chance he can’t be worse then coq is now, also when he played in the cups he played great.
No idea why this received so many thumbs down. Seems a perfectly thoughtful comment (even if I don’t exactly agree with all the details).
Tinker bell always on cue to blast Ramsey… even when he doesn’t play.
Based on the last few weeks we should fire the owner, the manager, half the team and a few fans. It’s not only the manager (im hoping for a new one come next season), he’s been let down by the players and the owner. Let’s not complete the treble and let him down ourselves, we are the soul of the club and the club is class.
Fire the owner (Kroenke/Walmart) Kroenke out! Wenger, leave with dignty
Wenger Out, Bouldy Out, Kroenke Out, Board Out, Kit man Out, Cech Out, Kosc Out, Monreal Out, Mustaphy Out, Belerin Out, Xhaka Out, Coquelin Out, Walcott Out, Ox Out, Giroud Out, Welbeck Out, Sanchez Out, Iwobi Out, Physio Out, Fuck the lot of them.
Ahhhh, I feel so much better. Now bring on Bayern, COYGs !!!
Water boy OUT, Tea lady OUT, and you forgot to add NOW!
Kroenke out!
Would’ve given you a thumbs up for being funny if you hadn’t spelt Bellerin and Mustafi wrong.
Typical Showing.
1) Start Slow
2) Fall Way Behind
3) Be Hurt, Attempt a Fightback
4) Get a Goal
5) Suddenly its not embarrassing
6) Take foot off gas again
Arsenal seem content to lose as long as its not embarrassing. The second there is some respectability to the scoreline, the players go back into their comfort zone.
Tbf they’re content to lose embarrassingly too.
Made me laugh! I needed that, thanks.
Lost all enthusiasm for it now. See ya same time next year everyone?
Comment of the year. Frame it put it on the wall and it’ll continue to be relevant for a depressing amount of time.
I don’t believe for a second that he has the support of the players. He clearly has lost the dressing room
You are thinking of the 1-5 against Bayern match??
Anyone surprised? Anyone at all? Hellooooo? No didn’t think so.
Say what yous wanna say about wenger out and wenger this and that but there’s no doubt we’ve been unlucky this season. Red cards, offside goals, penalties fuckin joke and obviously injuries. Cazorla has been such a big miss. Our midfield looks so average at most times without him there
You’re not fooling us with that fake name. We know it’s you Ty.
Team selection all wrong again.
What a load of shit. Xhaka really has no positional awareness and has not lived up to how much wenger paid for him. Should have went all in for Kante.
Agree about Xhaka. I understand it’s his first season but you’d have to say he’s been a big disappointment. Especially when you consider how much we paid for him. Kante and Draxler went for similar fees and he’s nowhere near that level.
Wow! Who saw that result and performance coming?!
No, wait…..everyone. Everyone did!
Pathetic.
Beyond a joke. No one gives a shit.
It will be lost in that we were once again crap. But how dog shizz were the officials again. Also this must absolutely be coq’s last game.
That was dreadful. Wenger has got to go SURELY! We all knew how the game would go and it went exactly that way. Team selection was absolutely dreadful, the performance was just as dreadful
Nearly 2-2 fine margins.
How was that nearly 2-2? On chances they should have won comfortably.
Two minutes to go, Alexis hits a shot in Poos area, it bounces away instead of going in and they score at the other end. Fine margins.
hahahahaha.
Really?
Sorry, that’s funny. A speculative shot from outside the box in a crowded area which we never, ever score from. And you rate that as a chance. Nice.
Clutching at straws maybe, but their 3rd goal WAS offside in the build up and we were seriously pressing for the equaliser at that time.
You are so positive! wow ! The mugsmashers played badly. but WE ARE SO MUCH SHITE. UNBELIEVABLE !!!!
I find being positive is a good thing.
what did you saw
Someone remind me why I bother?
Even big sam will do a better job than wenger
In case you forgot Big Sam is just a big Penis Fly Trap – i’d rather finish outside the top ten than have that bloody walrus anywhere near the club!
Lol. It’s bad but not that bad mate.
I suppose we just wait it out now, enjoy individual players brilliance and the occasionally exciting game until Arsene decides it’s time, I no longer have the energy to call for change or try and believe again. So I’ll just wait!
He needs to go today. Do the honourable thing.
i am bored. dont like to see his face anymore.
Well now, what happened is, uh… our manager, he had a sort of… well, he went a little funny in the head. You know, just a little… funny. And uh, he went and did a silly thing.
Anyone still want Wenger ?
Bob the clown still want him…he is jobless nowadays. Maybe the board can appoint him as our mascot
Judging by comments on this site recently, a lot still do. I genuinely don’t understand how.
Someone posted a poll on a couple of days back, and it was about 80% Wenger in to 20% Wenger to leave.
I wonder where all those people are now. Either hiding or they will have changed their minds for a day or so before reverting to Wenger for life fans again.
Okay! What should happen if Wenger gets the sack and a new manager comes in and is worse off? Let’s be mature here! Am listening….
He has to go someday he isn’t immortal. It will happen at some stage so why do people keep saying “what if it’s worse without him”? One day, no matter what, he will be gone and we will have to appoint a new manager. The way things are going I’d say it’s better to do it sooner than later while our club still has a bit of respectability. You have to give the next guy a chance of building a decent team but the way things are going we will no longer be able to attract high caliber players or… Read more »
You are right he will retire at some point! But the understanding that he is just doing it to be remembered as an individual for individualism is the problem! He had a vision for this club and it has been realized! The future and longevity of this club is what his wrapping up! His never been stupid to start now to believe his going to be in charge forever. Is Wenger one of the biggest, greatest, Arsenal fans ever? I believe so.Let him gracefully finish what he started. Who in Arsenal one on one will you trust about the club’s… Read more »
I don’t for a second doubt Wengers love for the club. What he has achieved with us will always be remembered and probably never repeated by any one individual. I’m not saying he should go right now but I do believe this should be his final season. Yes there is a danger of what happened at Man Utd, for example, happening to us but what is 2 or 3 bad seasons compared to the history of the club. Then again look at what is happening at Chelsea this season after they changed their manager. it doesn’t necessarily have to be… Read more »
Why are you assuming that will happen?
When you have a manager who is underachieving with the players / resources he has available, then the assumption will be there will be an improvement of you change the underachieving manager.
Has he resigned?
Without Santi and Mesut playing Giroux is a waste of time. Iwobi is not ready for the pressure. Poor selections AND formation from the start.
Hindsight is 20/20. Obviously it was crazy to not start Sanchez assuming he was fit, but I actually don’t think it was such a bad idea to play Giroud (gets our team up the pitch against a high press team), and, in spite of not looking fully fit, I thought he played ok, and we lost momentum for the last 20 minutes when we inexplicably took both him and Welbeck off at the same time. And this is coming from someone who is definitely NOT Giroud’s biggest fan! Wenger has been VERY BAD this season, but he really can’t win… Read more »
If he had managed to make the team have more than just one good performance against top teams this year I am sure we would have more faith in his selections
Agreed, but plenty on here would still find something to object to about any selection decision each time we lose. Not saying he doesn’t deserve lots of criticism for his managing this year, but as far as I can see we didn’t lose that game because Giroud started per se. If, e.g., Theo had started instead, I’m sure we would have been just as crap in that first half. Our problems are far deeper than any selection decisions (even though not starting Alexis today takes the biscuit for insane/ballsy decisions!).
Hard to watch these games. Why oh why would you not choose our best player for an important game at Anfield?????
To be fair to Wenger, he tried being pragmatic today, something he is accused of not doing enough, but it just didn’t work and it has cost us. Still, we had 45 mins to change the game.
He tried being stupid and succeeded in a glorious fashion.
How is it pragmatic to play Iwobi over Alexis? Alexis offers more offensive and defensive output.
Agreed. And yet again move Chamberlain to the right when his best games keep coming in the middle.
Dropping your best player is pragmatism??
100% right
I could fucking cry
We are experts at making ordinary teams look good and Klavan. Can’t help but think how a red for Can would have changed the game. First half we didn’t turn up, I’m not making excuses. Bring on the video refs. Also, the race for top four is not over but it looks like Spurs will finish above us this season.
6th place . sure spuds will finish above our lot
if our form continues we will passed by Everton and end up 7th.
was agreeing with you on every word until you threw in the spurs finishing above us thingy…..that got you my thumbs down
Same shite, different day.
Has he announced his departure yet? And i don.t mean Alexis
My son is 15 months old… it, when he grows up, he should decided to follow in my footsteps and follow Arsenal.. I will spend the rest of my life apologising to him and trying to make up for all the years of disappointment that he has ahead of him.
No body should have to put up with the utter lack of effort from their football team like Arsenal fans do..
Given we are gunna get mauled by Bayern on Tuesday… I am opting to go sit in a dark room till Lincoln come to town.
if*
Who says he will have years of disappointment ahead of him? Just because we’re pants at the moment doesn’t mean we will be forever. Hell, we could be good next season if we get a manager that knows what he’s doing.
Look on the bright side. My brother is a massive Arsenal fan due to me – he started supporting them in a big way in the eighties. We’re talking the legendary Don Howe era. I’m surprised he still talks to me.
Give it a rest – if he supports Arsenal, he’s hardly going to have a lifetime of disappointment is he?
The sense of entitlement of some people on here is frankly staggering….
who said anything about entitlement.. it’s not entitled to expect your team to at least try.. My manager at work is not entitled when he expects a ‘minimum level of acceptable performance’ from me.. 8 hours a day 5 days a week… so why is it different from a team of highly paid individuals who only need to concentrate for 90 minutes twice a week. How is it entitled, when we the fans pay a lot of money to support our teams through match day, shirts, sky and btsport subscriptions, to expect that same minimum level of performance. I know… Read more »
Lost that in midfield. Coq and xhaka were poor, poor passing, poor defensive work and limited pace. Without Cazorla wilshire and Ramsey our midfield is over run and is failing to create control and defend and cover our defense.
Agree with all of that except the word ‘Ramsey’.
Can’t understand why we were not in for Mane this summer.
The team has no idea what it is doing.
This has been coming for a long time, Wenger stayed too long and the consequences will be worse than if he left two years ago.
We are terrible to watch, what is it, 1/5 games we look good?
This. Especially the Mane point. We needed a creative, fast, goal scoring right winger who was an upgrade on Theo. We went in for Mikhitaryan (sp?) but his agent screwed us over on that one. But we TOTALLY could have gotten Mane if we had wanted him, and for a reasonable price in this market too. But Wenger prefers to keep faith with players who have disappointed for 10+ years…
I think Kos saying a few weeks go that he felt we need “to hate losing” is very telling in matches like this. We had Liverpool on the back flirt after making it 2-1 and we couldn’t smell the blood in the water to get back in it. Can only hope the second half can spring us to the fourth place trophy
Yeah, but something people haven’t pointed out is that Wenger, not for the first time, hurt us with his substitutions. As soon as Giroud and Welbeck went off, we had no aerial presence up the pitch, and no one to cross to, which meant we were always going to struggle to get it into dangerous positions, especially against a Liverpool team who are much better at defending from the front than from the back, and who of course were going to start looking for fouls and time wasting. Theo in these situations adds absolutely NOTHING, since the opposition aren’t going… Read more »
I only believe in things if there is sufficient evidence. There is sufficient evidence that we are stuck in a skynet-style time repitition vortex. Sacking the boss and board is a good place to start but we all know we’re stuck here.
Seriously though I need to understand something. Why is it that every time one of our players clear the ball it ends up with the opposition? Like, literally every time. And why did it take 45 minutes for us to realise liverpool are nearly as shit defensively as we are. I say nearly, because I quite honestly believe we are League one at the back, and that might be doing a dis-service to league one. Also, how did Xhaka turn from a dynamic, promising young player to a sunday league clogger? I have to say one thing. for all the… Read more »
Out-thought and out-fought.
When I saw the lineup, I did not thought we will be able to win. I still stood up behind the team during the game. I’m no football expert of course, but I would like to see us leave the outdated and inefficient 4-2-3-1 tactic and move to 4-3-3 or something like that. In addition, I’d prefer to have Welbeck up top, Sanchez on the left and Lucas on the right, as this would have been a much less predictable forward trio and it would influence our gameplan. Stubbornly sticking to Giroud and crosses to him is very predictable and… Read more »
To be fair, what did Lucas do when he came on? He was as anonymous as Theo was.
It’s such a shame to see this kind of confused gutless first half display over and over.
Even when wenger changes players or shape it’s the same out come.
It’s so so painful to watch.
Seriously Wenger is to blame. Why would you start Giroud and leave Alexis out. Whole damn season he plays Alexis up top and decides now to have him on the bench. He is now an old fart and a dinosaur of the game. Also Iwobi and Coq needs to be dropped. We were well rested and should have been of faster pace……agghhh never mind evything else I want to say. Fuck it all and at the moment fuck this team. heartbroken with every game.
I think that the most likely reason for Alexis not being picked in the starting eleven today is because he has already told AW that he wants to leave at the end of the season.
I am not even disappointed. Our owner is not even interested. All other clubs at least have owners who want to win and at least COME SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING!
Yeh kronke is just running our club as a business he is not concerned about trophies just the bank balance
As bad as it sounds for the first time I was so disappointed I couldn’t give a shit whether we got a late equaliser or not.
Wenger got it completely wrong today.
The first half was boarding on the embarrassing, are Midfield 3 were hopeless, completely overrun. This really isn’t Coquelin level, – really struggled again – as he does against pretty much anyone who’s any good.
I think it’s clear Sanchez and Ozil will go in the summer. We need an overhaul in the Summer, I think Gibbs, Coquelin, Mert and possible Giroud or Walcott should also go too.
time to go Mr.W. You lost it. Time for a restart. Take all your philosiphie with you and let us play football with players, not mannequins,hungry for the game we love. we are the Arsenal.
He’s just lost it. He played Iwobi who hasn’t done anything for months. He always plays Iwobi. He didn’t play one of the best players in Europe, Alexis. He didn’t play Ramsey, he took off Welbeck. i love what he’s done for our club but he’s just lost it.
I wonder if he is doing this deliberately to destroy all the expectations that we have built up?
Would Ramsey really have helped? Really?!???! I agree AW was poor again, but whoever he picks someone will complain.
Frankly, it’s all gone wrong at this club. The money grubbing board, the out of touch manager, the content to be 4th place fan base. The Wenger era has been over for years, we’ve just been watching it on replay for a decade. We peaked a couple of years ago, and now we are on the way down. It’s a slippery slope and rest assured we are going get a proper fucking. It’s only fair, considering how dysfunctional this club is at the moment. Sad time to be a Gunner.
you are so right ,man
Coq should have played his last match this season, Ox in centrally. Iwobi needs a rest and Lucas in.
Somebody to tell Mustafi thats it wise to not let the forward on his inside each time a crosset come.
And lastly, Wenger to announce his retirement.
What will happen is: Coq/Iwobi starts next match, we end up #6, Wenger signs 2 more years and let Alexis go for pocket money.
Well said.