Result: Crystal Palace 1-3 Arsenal
Competition: Premier League
Date: 19 May 2021
Venue: Selhurst Park
Arsenal: Leno, Chambers, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Elneny, Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Aubameyang
Subs: Ryan, Cedric, Mari, Xhaka, Ceballos, Odegaard, Willian, Lacazette, Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe scored in stoppage time as Arsenal snatched a 3-1 win at Crystal Palace.
The Ivorian had given the Gunners the lead with a fine finish in the first half but Mikel Arteta’s men had to work very hard for the points after Christian Benteke headed home an equaliser.
Needing a win to keep our hopes of qualifying for Europe alive, Martinelli collected an Odegaard pass to score from close range before Pepe rounded things off with a fine solo effort right at the death.
Pre-game
All eyes were on Roy Hodgson before kick-off as both sides and 6,000 Crystal Palace fans saluted the 73-year-old on the occasion of his final game in charge at Selhurst Park. Arsenal lined up in the brand new yellow away strip with Kieran Tierney, Gabriel, Rob Holding and Calum Chambers in defence, Mo Elneny and Tommy Partey anchoring the midfield and Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Nico Pepe providing the ammunition for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Granit Xhaka was fit enough to be included on the bench after a couple of weeks on the sidelines.
First Half
The game began at a frenetic pace as Arsenal, needing a win to keep slim hopes of European qualification alive, looked for an early goal. It didn’t come, but we did work several promising situations down the right flank.
Chambers and Smith Rowe both whipped in dangerous crosses inside the opening five minutes. It was to become a common theme. Arteta had obviously drilled his players to target the space behind Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell with the aforementioned duo constantly making overlapping runs around Pepe. Unfortunately, their end product left much to be desired.
With Palace supporters making lots of noise and keen to impose themselves on referee Anthony Taylor, there was a tetchiness to the match. Schlupp made a horrible challenge on Chambers that left the right-back requiring treatment and he was lucky didn’t upgrade the yellow card dished out to him. A further flashpoint arrived when Joel Ward needlessly kicked out at Tierney off the ball. The Scot made the most of the situation but no card was forthcoming. The home support took it upon themselves to boo our man for the rest of the half.
Clear cut chances were few and far between, but Palace certainly had opportunities to break the deadlock. Cahill headed wide early, Partey had to make an important challenge on Schlupp and Leno claimed a Ward header at full stretch. Unsurprisingly, Palace aimed a lot of high balls at Benteke and the Belgian came close on the half-hour mark when he found space behind Gabriel to clamber over Tierney. Luckily, his header from six yards out went over.
At the other end, Saka thought he’d won a penalty when he rounded Guaita only to be felled. Unfortunately for the England international, the flag had gone up for offside.
After Leno made another decent stop to tip a deflected Schlupp effort around the post, the Gunners finally clicked into gear. 35 minutes were on the clock when Saka played a quick give and go with Tierney, then returned the ball to the Scot with a perfect back heel. The left-back spotted Pepe’s run into the box, whipped in a cross and the Ivorian met the ball on the volley to find the back of the net from the penalty spot. It was the best move of the match and ended with the goal it deserved. (1-0)
Arsenal seemed happy to sit deep in the period left before the break and we did well dealing with the aerial bombardment. Benteke’s frustration nearly got the better of him and the Belgian was arguably lucky to stay on the pitch when he swiped an arm at Elneny after the Egyptian took umbrage to a shoulder charge on Saka. Both went in the book.
Second Half
A Benteke header had the Palace fans off their feet early but Arsenal settled down and looked comfortable enough on the ball. It was tight and scrappy but every so often we broke through the lines and had space to attack. Chambers and Tierney both had chances to pick out teammates but were denied but decent defending.
If Palace were going to score, it always felt like a set-piece might play a part. When Partey clumsily went through the back of Zaha, it gave Townsend the perfect opportunity to whip in a ball from a dangerous area on the left. He did so with aplomb, finding Benteke who crashed home a header. Arsenal hands went up in unison claiming offside. VAR looked it over but the goal stood despite it highlighting a Benteke nudge on Elneny. (1-1)
Arteta responded by sending on Martin Odegaard for Saka but it didn’t stop the game swinging Palace’s way. Leno had to close down another Benteke effort and a combination of the German, Holding and Chambers stopped Zaha.
Needing a goal to keep our slim chances of European qualification alive, Xhaka was sent on to exert some control in place of the sloppy Partey. Martinelli also joined the action at the expense of Tierney. Rather than go hell for leather, we looked tentative and devoid of ideas in the final third. It was reminiscent of the second leg against Villarreal.
After Jordan Ayew went close, a quick Arsenal counter did see Chambers find Aubameyang with a cross but the striker couldn’t direct an effort on target. Five minutes of nothing seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.
Finally, in stoppage time we produced another moment of quality. Odegaard clipped a delightful ball to the back post where Martinelli controlled the ball enough to give himself the chance of a shot. From pretty much on the goalline he squeezed the ball home. VAR had a look. Offside? No. Handball? No. Goal. A massive goal for Arsenal. (2-1)
Against the backdrop of stunned silence, Pepe rubbed salt in the wound by scoring his second of the game with the last kick of the game. It was a fantastic solo effort as he wriggled through several challenges before calmly stroking home with his left foot. (3-1)
St Totteringham’s Day is on lads! Let’s do this!
6th-Spurs 57 (away to Leicester who will want to win to get 3rd)
7th-West Ham 57 (assuming the lose to West From are home to Southampton, and have 4pts from last 6 games)
8th-Everton 59 (Away to City, who will surely want to finish their season well)
9th-Arsenal 58 (Home to Brighton)
6th gets Europa League
7th gets Europa Conference
How are Arsenal still able to achieve Europe and St Totteringhams Day?!?!?
Although it feels like a levitation trick by a magician, apparently post Christmas / New Year, we’ve the most points only bettered by the Manchester clubs (can’t be arsed to check)!
Careful not to spoil the narrative! 🤣
From our last 23 games we would be on track for 73 points.
That Oct-Dec relegation form killed us.
You’re not wrong
Our worse team still able to compete with these teams apex teams ever.
Oh FFS Brighton. They are the most random team in the league. Even more so than us.
Aubameyang through the middle doesn’t work for us. Has never worked and might never work. We lose a lot of our attacking combinations and potency. The big challenge is where do you play him now? He’s the captain and all but look at the number of shots we get with him through the middle and not just this game. Easily swallowed up by PL defenders there and never competes for a 50-50. Obviously the fans will have their fantasy that it might work or they might have forgotten like we always do that he’s failed there throught his spell with… Read more »
He looks so lazy and lack any desire to do anything. I really don’t know why he deserves to start ahead of lacazette.
He had Malaria, lost a lot of weight and just got back in the starting line up. Give the guy a break.
I think you are right, hence Laca probably should start or atleast come on as a sub for Auba
I would replace both. I like them but its clear they wont win us anything here and we need to start being ruthless and less sentimental with these things. But we have no money to replace one let alone both.
For the Europa Final?
Fair enough – but the point then is, why is he starting and/or why does he not get a 45min crack and then come off for Laca/Marti]/Balog a lot earlier when he is so patently off the pace?
Been that way all season. He looks like he has thrown in the towel.
Not lazy. Just lightweight.
lazy and lightweight. got caught breaking covid protocols for the barber’s and tattoo. not captain material.
I don’t think he has ever been lazy for us. It’s just that He’s a bit lightweight and the position negates his direct running, his biggest asset, as opposed to playing wide left (where he has scored lots of goals for us)
You look at him in Dortmund where it’s end to end stuff and he’s killing them with pace and goals. We don’t play that way and sadly most PL teams don’t play a high line against us
Auba’s pace is WAY OVERRATED
Aubas had an awful season with alot of mitigating factors. He’s done a fair amount for the club in these dire years so I personally would like to see him come back next season fresher and hope he can tur n it around.
This is not true I’m afraid. It has worked very well in the past with 3 ball-playing midfielders in behind. We scored 4 and tore Leeds apart with Auba up top and Odg Saka and SR.
A more accurate statement would be: it hasn’t worked too well against deep-blocks. Which is what we saw earlier. That said, he nearly got on the end of a couple tonight. I’d much rather him up top that anyone else. I’d even argue his clever movement allows more freedom for Pepe to attack the box.
what clever movement? he was jogging around the whole game.
The first goal comes from his near post run attracting two defenders.
Besides, is he even fully fit yet? The guy was in hospital 2 weeks ago for god’s sake.
He’s scored 75 goals in 3.5 seasons and you’re happy to write him off after that performance game against Crystal Palace. I’d take him over Laca every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Use both of your eyes next time. He made great runs but when he doesn’t have anyone who can get him the ball, you don’t get the chances.
And that’s Leeds. Everyone scores against leeds and also concede to them because they are carelessly open.
Now look at how we struggle to get the ball into the box with him there. Our only way is cut backs and crosses which he has little chance of converting. I think our first shot on target second half might have been in injury time.
Should probably check Leeds recent form…..
Cannot understand the down votes. Auba has been poor the whole season. Agree he is a lovely chap, but it is time for him to step aside.
Step aside for what, we gave him a 3 year contract at Ozil wages, we have to play him. I cannot understand the fickle nature of Arsenal fans.
That’s why I love Arsenal. They give you hope to break your heart better.
This is the way
Pepe and Martinelli hopefully have shown Arteta what he should correct for next season.
One more win and a good go at St Totteringham’s Day, maybe more.
Handed an absolute lifeline by Sp*rs, but could we have looked more like trying to put that chance in the bin. Ultimately it was two moments of brilliance in an otherwise completely toothless second half that separated us from Palace. Never an easy moment as an Arsenal fan – probably lost half my hair during that game.
All we can do now is go all out on Sunday and hope some other results fall our way. A small beacon of hope arising out of what has looked like a hopeless season. COYG!
That’s the thing with Sp*rs – there’s always a chance they’ll Sp*rs it up!
That’s why we have to keep on—
We are going to finish 7th aren’t we.
Europa conference is written in the stars.
Goddam it
Why not 6th. West Ham are losing and we have most comfortable final match.
The ideal scenario next week would be West Ham lose, Spuds draw and we win. Getting us EL and the spuds the conference.
I really, really, really don’t want us to be in that competition. You are better off out of it.
I will only love the competition, if we send Bouldy and the squad there.
We need Everton to drop points too, fortunately they’re facing City, who will hopefully show up..
So much for 6th then, can’t catch the Hammers.
I’d accept the Conference league headache if it means St. Totteringham’s Day.
Would be a great experience for the u23s
Aubamayang needs to go in summer. Worse captain we have ever had.
I love our fans! 😉
You will find that out worst captain was Gallas!
Yeah, factually the unbeatable answer.
Fuck dont mention that prick. Before any of his petulance and general shitness the audacity to take Dennis Bergkamps shirt.
Come on.. he was not born then how can he know??
How quickly you forget
I remember a certain Gallas who would seriously challenge for that title..
Auba is just wasted in the central role unfortunately.
I think his name is William Gallas
curse of the arsenal captain: every captain we had either self destructs or leaves the club.
It is the curse of Emirates which consumed Arsene the great, King Henry the Magnificent, Prince Fabregas, Squire Gallas, Lost soul RVP.
Paying the debts taken to build the stadium was never easy and that meant selling your prized assets and making profits. We were extremely good in that time before Lord Gazidiz wrecked us
It’s been an insane season. As poor as we’ve been (and we’ve been terrible for the most part this season), we could still realistically finish in the Europa League. A couple more wins (fine margins – either we didn’t have a brain fart or we didn’t get fucked by the officials) and we’d be in contention for CL. We’ve literally been a couple of goals away from a European final and a guaranteed European league position. I wonder if keeping Willock would have made the difference?
I don’t think willock would have been the difference. Maybe keeping Kolasinac or AMN to cover that LB spot would have made the biggest difference.
I liked his strength, but Kola was not good this season. No chance he would have made a positive influence on results
better than sacrificing xhaka at LB or re-injuring tierney
Willock looked really dangerous in the first half today. I wasn’t surprised he scored
well he won’t get the license to attack the box under moyes, sorry i mean arteta.
To make a statement like that you surely have to mention Ozil. As a reminder we dropped Ozil from the squad and played without a 10 the first half of the season. We went many hours without scoring from open play.
Willock contributed more goal contributions on loan than Ozil has in the last two years, and he didn’t exactly go tear it up in Turkey. Give it a rest.
Whats happening when gooners talking about a season when Ozil was an Arsenal player are told of for mentioning Ozil? Anyone could see what a stupid decision dropping Ozil was and it could not have been illustrated more clearly by subsequent events. If your sensitive soul can’t bear to hear his name thats your problem mate don’t tell me to give it a rest. Ozil Ozil Ozil Ozil Ozil!!!
While playing Willian there…..Arteta Non negotiables.
Tottenham is really in tight spot, they have to win to finish above us yet I believe no one wants to be in 7th spot. So on Sunday we will see all the three trying their best to avoid 7th place, Arsenal do have an incentive to push youngsters there but for Everton it doesn’t make any sense and their league form may go downhill very quickly with it.
That’s the way boys! We need to start starting seasons how we end them.
True that; we’re actually 2nd in the form guide table since Boxing Day. That’s a pretty large sample size to go on.
really? i thought that was a horrible performance. we were trying to run down the clock right after scoring just one goal in the first half? Against crystal bloody palace? Embarassing!
Out of curiosity, if you consider a 3-1 win in a match where just getting the points far outweighed how the points were got embarrassing, what would you have considered acceptable?
Also, Palace are a decent side. Your expectations might get a bit more realistic once you start respecting the clubs out of the top 6
Well, at least we bought Pepe in ’19, and not Zaha.
And yet Emery wanted Zaha and so many supporters did too.
it doesn’t matter. we end up playing moyesball anyhow
Your just a real negative Nancy ain’t ya.
Visceral reaction: Arteta isn’t as intelligent as he thinks he is. An average of 3/4 shots per game over a season is, frankly, embarrassing. The football could not be any more low energy and boring. Players basically walk around passing in a horseshoe between the centre backs or around their box. He really has to improve hugely next season, patience is wearing very thin.
On the other hand, no club has picked up more points since Christmas other than United and city. Really doesn’t feel that way though.
Actually, according to the table, we’ve been the second best team in the league since Xmas:
https://www.transfermarkt.us/premier-league/formtabelle/wettbewerb/GB1?saison_id=2020&min=15&max=37
Even more surprisingly, we’ve scored the third most goals since then.
It’s not that surprising because City are miles ahead and every other team has had really poor spells of form. Our 2021 form does bode well for the new season though.
It bodes well for giving us hope, only to have it crushed all over again next season :,(
Well yes, that’s The Arsenal way. At least we win the odd trophy occasionally unlike them down the road.
1st half was fun in general tonight (fans!! – even the twats they are), that second half was dour though. Ooof, we still need a lot done to change the way this team plays. Pepe is a crazy guy – he is the type that can kinda look awful until he scores an amazing goal. That was him in a nutshell, except he scored two amazing goals and did a whole lot of crappy stuff. It’s really hard fitting both him and Auba in the same team as Auba is bringing basically nothing in build up play, which is why… Read more »
I wouldn’t agree that Auba is a ‘technical’ striker though as he doesn’t have anywhere near Pepe’s close control. And, as Auba has faded this season, so Pepe has grown. So I’m going to say this here – and now, irrespective of the many possible downvotes: I would rather see Pepe in the Auba role (whatever that may be) – he’s more versatile playing off left OR right and Auba in the middle continues to be a failed experiment (not necessarily Auba’s fault but the stats speak!). He also has Auba’s speed, paired with that rare ability to beat anyone… Read more »
We said that after the great end to last season and half decent transfer window;.
A reason to keep Arteta. Lets Hope the team can build on from this and not fail like last fall
I am amazed
I’m with you. We had something of a spark between the chelsea and wolves game but ever since luiz’s phuccup we became completely lost. I suspect Arteta being the strict moyesian disciplinarian that he is, has something to do with it. He killed off our natural footballing instincts and no arsenal player ever since the Wolves game ever dared to try something spontenous and instinctive in any games since.
Not Saka in this game just now with a back heel to set up the first goal?
Other than most of Pepe’s and a lot of Saka’s and ESR’s play in the last few months?
well they can do it but they get benched the next game. ask pepe
‘...no arsenal player ever since the Wolves game ever dared to try something spontenous(sic) and instinctive in any games since.’
OR
‘they can do it but…’
A more considered opinion (before the you type) might gain you a little more cred on here. Just a thought…
I have a feeling players are drained out of confidence and micro managed.
The Horseshoe….dearth of decent Centre mids since Cazorla.
We also have second best goal-diff over that period, with 2nd best goals scored… hmmmm?
I’m glad we won but this is the dumbest game ever. But 6 shots against Crystal Palace? 6 shots? In the whole game against Crystal Palace? What?!
I am sorry but I’m really really worried that we’re going to invest as per Mikel Arteta’s vision because this is beyond horrendous as a set-up. Getting 6 shots against Crystal Palace should disqualify anybody from being an Arsenal Manager.
I feel happy with the result but I don’t feel like I want to be happy with it. Maybe it’s just something wrong with me.
Auba was a ghost. Two recent games he’s started centrally and got zero service. Something’s not quite right
ofcourse he is. We create from wings instead of centre.Auba would tear the league apart in an leicester team who counters at pace.Our counters are horrible while our movement is always at snail’s pace.
And yet, Odegaard’s late cross was an Ozil classic, tailor-made for a far-post dash. The fact that Martinelli seized on it, rushed it yet refused to give it up and scored… says something, I believe:
possibly the changing of the guard?
I don’t think it is about him…
…and I don’t think it is about the service either.
In my opinion he is just completely not made for this Guardiola style tiki-taka game. It is much more for a player like Lacazette who is just simply better in tight situations, with his better ball control and intelligence.
(I think it is not a coincidence that both Aguero and Jesus by is out of the starting 11 at City by now)
Well he starts, so he has to adapt to how the team play surely?
Its just not in his game like Running intensely for Ozil.
Yeah definitly, so this is another good reason for his extension. He does not fit in. So what should we do? Seems like selling seems imposssible. I think this Arteta-Auba twist could be extremely costly for the whole of Arsenal.
It’s not just the tiki-taka but also the real lack of playing through the middle
Whenever we beat the press and ESR gets time on the ball facing the palace defenders, he kept passing it sideways to pepe rather than feed a ball through to Aubameyang. And we can predict what happens after that every time. Pepe cuts inside, finds nobody, passes it back and we go on our horseshoe parade. I dont get it.
Unfortunately I’ve watched enough of the “new era” Arsenal where we take 5 shots a game, to just be happy with a win
great. let’s hire mourinho then.
Put a fit Lacazette in the middle in this very game and we would have more shots on target. No hold up play or combination with the wingers and midfielders. That’s how we dominate possession but lack on shots in the end.
Whether they go in is a different matter but we get easily contained with Auba as our 9
Turgid apart from the late flurry. We beat Brighton next game, Tottenham draw with Leicester and the natural order will be restored. COYG, there’s really something to play for now.
Tottenham get booed off in Harry Kane’s WHL farewell, dontcha just love it.
If you watch Reguillon’s own goal, it’s like God seized his ethereal playstation controller to intervene in human affairs and put things right.
say that to arteta mate. he doesn’t want us to play ball. horseshoe parade till we fluke a goal in
There is always wun!
yep…. (sigh)
So if Tottenham and Everton lose and we win, we’re in Europe next year! Oh shit that’s assuming that West Ham fuck it up…
Tottenham and Everton can both only draw also…
Finally 4 wins on the bounce. It only took 2 seasons but Mikel has done it. It was looking pretty dire when they showed the match stats before 1-2 but thankfully we turned it around and got a win in the new kit. I know Martin Keown is buzzing that Martinelli came out to score. Good stuff from Pepe, that’s the kind of dribbling that we’ve missed. It might not be a perfect sendoff for Roy Hodgson but he leaves Crystal Palace relegation free and with decent talent. Congrats on 45 years of management I’m surprised the Palace fans were… Read more »
The commentator said at the third goal “this is the problem for Mikel Arteta, he doesn’t know what he’s going to get”.
And I’m thinking “Mikel Arteta IS the problem if he doesn’t know what he’s going to get”
Willock scoring goals for fun at Newcastle meanwhile Arsenal FC are constipated
A better right back than Chambers.
A better partner for Partey than Elneny.
A more involved centre forward than Aubameyang.
A proper team emerges.
Elneny played much better than Partey today!
He ran around more, that’s all.
Partey was still more assured in possession.
El-neny kept doing what we call in Nigeria, “Back to Sender.”
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Which match you were watching? I was only able to watch from 50th minutes onwards and man he was sloppy. Gave away the ball a-lot which invited pressure.
Also it seems by continuously changing lineups we don’t have partnerships in the team that’s why players either send the ball behind the runner or too far ahead of him. Give the players multiple chances before you through them to bench (Don’t put Willian in for God sake).
It’s like the “new Vieira” tag is getting to his head and he’s trying to do too much. He’s looking more like a poor Alex Song.
Gonna put a few quid on him to score on Sunday, he’s gotta get one on target this season
An manager.
I swear I’m worse at HTML than at English.
Chambers played very well, and Elneny was better than Partey, who’s really sloppy a lot of the time and I’m really not seeing the value in him, for every good thing he does he does two stupid ones, giving the ball away or stupid free kicks in dangerous positions. Aubameyang needs to sort himself out, he’s been poor all season and hopefully he gets some time off, gets healthy and comes back with a point to prove. Agree that the midfield and striker are problem areas, Odegaard is a bit like Ozil was, he’ll do anything except shoot at the… Read more »
As already been mentioned, Elneny was much better than Partey today and Chambers was good, as he generally has been since back from injury.
Sometimes I can’t work out if I’m watching the same match as some others
I do love Pepe and Martinelli. These boys are the future.
arteta’s the only guy who downvoted that HAHA
Did arteta cheat on you in a past life or something?
The agenda is strong in this one.
Other than you… who feels a deep compulsion to piss on any and every postiive sentiment here that doesn’t start with #ArtetaOut.
Yawn…..
The Arteta haters better turn off the tele and look for the result. Results wise we are second for second half of the year.
I tried watching a painful match.. turned it off.. couldn’t stop myself and turned it on at 85 minutes mark. Kept on sipping on my tea and yay we won.
Try this formula as well,.. less frustration because of the quality but results are coming which is okay.
Is it a tactic for us to excruciatingly pass the ball sideways until we bore the opposition into gifting us an opening. Drives me nuts!
Don’t lose the ball, get to the final 3rd and try not to lose the ball!
A flattering scoreline after an average performance.
The same problems: a lack of creativity and a tendency to concede bad goals. We were stale for most of the match. But two late goals gave us a victory we didn’t deserve. Bad misses by Benteke and Ayeue cost Palace dear.
Hey: we might even catch Spuds! I don’t give a fuck. It’s been an awful PL season for us and finishing above that garbage won’t paper over the cracks.
Arteta out and Benitez in this summer. That would make a big difference.
I reckon Benitez will go to Spurs.
Fatgooner and Benitez to Spurs
I like the idea of Benitez. I’ve always admired him; but my heart says Arteta should be given one more shot, and backed as fully as possible this summer.
Chambers is not a top 4 right back.
Elneny is not good enough, even as a back-up. His ball retention is horrendous. Compare him to Kouyate of CP tonight.
Auba is over the hill, I am afraid. We need a new arrowhead in attack.
ESR needs another No.10 to carry the creative load over a season with him.
The wings are okay.
If Xhaka is going, replace him with an upgrade.
I sort of disagree bro but you’ve made it clear that it’s your heart driving that belief and not your head.
Our final third activity is still not where it needs to be for us to be a strong top 4 side. The starting position of our players when we get possession is still not deep enough. There’s are still some things to be doubtful of on the pitch.
Before the Odegaard switch to Martinelli. We were looking at another mediocre performance
Agree – I’ve done an interesting excercise of the past few matches. Watch City (in particular) but also Scousers and Chelsea’s front 1/3 movement off the ball. It’s like ants on steroids – whereas our guys tend to stand still and stare at whoever in our midfield has the ball.
Last night was as bad as it’s been… ESR really the only one who moves!
Yeah, get rid of the manager who after his frist full season. Spending learning and let another team benefit from what he’s learnt at Arsenal.
Get rid of the manager who is 2nd in the league since xmas..
I hardly ever agree with your posts. Benitez… Yikes.
Difficult to thumb your points fats with only one thumb.
Pepe’s solo goal at the end was glorious!
We never do things the easy way, do we?
A win is a win, fans are back, St. Totteringham is nigh, Europa possible.
Arteta could still leave on a high note 🙂
Not too fussed about Europe if it means missing the Europa and playing in the Conference.
But endure a season as shitty as we have – our worst since fuck knows when – and yet still finish above those fucking mugs up the Seven Sisters Road would indeed be hilarious.
Well done lads. Three points is three points is three points, etc. Some thoughts I fucking love that kit, but I still refuse to buy it. Stick with the yellow shorts too. Palace fans are absolute thunder cunts. We are STILL passing backwards and sideways way too much Xhaka and Elneny need to be moved on. They’re just not good enough We are STILL giving the ball away needlessly We are STILL painfully slow at times Pleased for Martinelli, took his goal well and great to silence the aforementioned thunder cunts People who’ve been hating on Pepe – who’s the… Read more »
Agree on everything Q, except Mo’Nenny – by all means upgrade our midfield urgently But keep Mo as handy, solid back-up for not a lot of money.
Who’d have thought? Get players in box, drive at defenders, attack and you can score!
A generational insight.
Andros Townsend Man of the match
Yeah, what a load of old bollocks.
Another pundit brain fart from Keown.
“Pepe is asking Arteta to bench him for the next match”
Do I want MA to be fired? NO.
Would I be frustrated if he was fired? NO.
We are all waiting for the last kick of the season…
The question is,
did we deserve the Euro with our epileptic form?
The jury is out.
Arsenal are like a good shot on the 18th when your score is 112. Just enough to come back for more heart ache and frustration.
Yeah, I had good back 9 today and still didn’t win anything.
Martinelli losing his marker, calling for the ball then making the run was very encouraging. From the left, understudying Auba.
I see your ‘understudying’ and raise it to ‘overshadowing’…
Could be the changing of the guard.
I genuinely believe if we work out how to score more, we’ll be higher on the table. For all his flaws, MA has improved our defence. However marginal the improvement.
We have the 3rd best defence in the league by goals against, that’s nothing to sneer at or call marginal…
As for scoring goals, someone in the comments above said we have the 3rd most goals scored since Christmas, and half the season is no small sample
Which is an incredible stat since we seem to concede each game and every shot on target.
That’s my point above: we allow far less shots on target; and – whilst creating less, we are converting far more.
The numbers don’t lie! (It’s 2nd most goals scored btw – only City above us).
I was pissed at the goal we conceded but apparently its only the the 2nd goal we have let in from a direct set piece.
Gabriel really needs to be stronger for that goal – he’s a big fukka and must show it!
Mo-Nenny also got shoved down far too easily by the Belgian Beast
Here’s the thing: since Matchday 15 (35% into the season) ONLY City have scored more than us. And ONLY City have the better goal diff…
We may not create that many chances but we seem to be converting those we do create. Because something’s definitely working…
I’d love to know what we did and who we did it to that VAR and the referees are so bias against us. There have been so many questionable decisions over the last couple of seasons where it seems there is zero tolerance for an Arsenal infraction. David Luiz at Wolves, Auba at Palace, Pepe v Leeds with a finger in the face of the opposing player. Bruno Fernandes rakes Xhaka and VAR doesn’t even look at it. Partey got tripped at the weekend and got a yellow for diving. At least we now only have to look at the… Read more »
No one has mentioned the wonderful bias performance of the referee and the VAR referee . We have had players sent off for doing less against opponents than what CP did to Arsenal this evening .
Xhaka Burnley
Pep Leeds
PEA last year against Palace
With regard to the 3 examples how did Schluup stay on the pitch along with Benteke’s elbow to Elneny’s chin
I can just about understand why the VAR ref wouldn’t want to overturn schlup’s yellow but not giving a red for a pretty obvious elbow to the chin/neck was odd.
I completely agree.
Especially Benteke’s aggressive violent “contact” on Elneny. If any Arsenal player did that they would be given a straight RED card. VAR saw it, and dismissed it. What a joke.
And the no penalty handball decision against burnley. Not the one off his shoulder on the goal line but the other one. Pieters put his arm out at a 90 degree angle and intentionally moved it into the path of the ball. For me that was the most blatant decision against us. We’ve seriously been rinsed for 8-9 points by VAR this season.
Fair amount of luck. Pedestrian affair for the most part…
Leno saved us on a couple of occasions.
Game of two halves with us showing some flashes of excellent work first half but then scattered performance second.
Late winner followed by icing by Pepe who had a good game as did Chambers and I thought Elneny.
Worth noting all our goals came from diagonal runs into the box from wide attackers.
We looked clueless in the second half when the Sp*rs result was known and the chips were down. The players showed no urgency and kept passing sideways. If Martinelli’s goal hadn’t gone in in injury time we would be seething about the second half performance.
No highlight for the third goal?