Match Reaction v Brighton (away).

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Actually, let's not speak about this filth again.

[SMatthews]

Should never have drawn that. Although, I could see us losing that last year. But everything is healthier than at the same stage last season. It’s all about 4th spot and we’re well positioned for it, so happy for the time being. We’ll be up for the Liverpool game on the weekend.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Too many midfielders on the pitch, Guendouzi wanting 20 touches every time he receives the ball, Xhaka complete inability to turn still, Litch terrible, AMN terrible when he came on, Ozil anonymous and Iwobi still playing with his dancing shoes.....and whilst he didn't pay for it, Leno's decision making when coming out is patchy.

Spurs are significantly better. Pains me to say it, but they are.

[SMatthews]

Fuck Spurs. They ain’t winning shit and all they have is finishing above us. Meaningless. They aren’t the yardstick as plaudits are the only thing they’ll win.

[Marc Overmars]

Should have been a comfortable win, Brighton were shit scared in that first half and Auba should really have made it 0-2 with that one on one.

We didn't make the most of our dominance and got done by a random punt up field which caused chaos. Lichtsteiner is proving to be a really poor signing, he's just a scrote who's there to draw fouls and slow the game down. He offers no threat at all getting forward, which I would understand given he's an old man but when he does get opportunities to help out his delivery is shocking, even under no pressure he can't seem to generate any power or whip on his crosses.

A really, really bad second half where we offered nothing at all. If Brighton had any quality they would have buried us.

Cannot help but fear what Liverpool could do to us on Saturday.

[fakeyank]

Guendouzi wanting 20 touches every time he receives the ball

This.

The kid looks really heavy on the ball. I would have taken him off and got Iwobi on instead of taking off Ozil. While Ozil was ineffective in the first half, I'd rather he be on to find a killer ball rather than Guendozi or the other defensive midfielders.

[Letters]

Only saw the second half but it was pure Wengerball (circa 2016, not 2004).
Thing is, we all know Emery has work to do but at times I was loving the way we were playing.
Wtf has happened to that? These can players play like that so what the piss are they doing recently when it’s back to the old nonsense where they never ever look like scoring.

[SMatthews]

Only saw the second half but it was pure Wengerball (circa 2016, not 2004).
Thing is, we all know Emery has work to do but at times I was loving the way we were playing.
Wtf has happened to that? These can players play like that so what the piss are they doing recently when it’s back to the old nonsense where they never ever look like scoring.
We’ve only played like that occasionally because the players aren’t good enough to do it consistently. That’s why we’ve needed to substitute so many early in games. We score as much as the other top teams but our defence and midfield still need big surgery. Plus, the toll of playing at this pace is going to take time to get into the team without them all dropping like flies.

[Globalgunner]

This.

The kid looks really heavy on the ball. I would have taken him off and got Iwobi on instead of taking off Ozil. While Ozil was ineffective in the first half, I'd rather he be on to find a killer ball rather than Guendozi or the other defensive midfielders.

Iwobi solves no football problem known to mankind

[fakeyank]

Iwobi solves no football problem known to mankind

:haha:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Too many midfielders on the pitch, Guendouzi wanting 20 touches every time he receives the ball, Xhaka complete inability to turn still, Litch terrible, AMN terrible when he came on, Ozil anonymous and Iwobi still playing with his dancing shoes.....and whilst he didn't pay for it, Leno's decision making when coming out is patchy.

Spurs are significantly better. Pains me to say it, but they are.

Agree with all of that- and the root cause of all these issues, besides the unfortunate injuries, is Emery's decision making, which IMO has been sub par for quite a few games now.

Firstly why can't he make up his mind on the 3 deep lying midfielders. Torreria is an obvious choice and we were lucky he didn't get a card (this would have ruled him out of the Pool game and ensured our fate). Xhaka and Guendozi playing today (and almost all other days) was an overkill. We weren't in a midfield battle as Brighton didn't bother playing through it and their presence didn't really add anything to the attack as most of the good things we did came through the wing or long balls anyway.

Yet we ended the game with all 3 of them lasting 90 mins and no shots on target in the 2nd half for a game we are supposedly "desperately" trying to win, laughable.

But definitely not more laughable than his decision to take Lacazette off which is the major bone I have to pick with him.

There is no doubting that Emery deserves a lot of credit for getting Lacazette back on his horse this season but in the last few games he's done almost everything to undermine him and in fact this team by the way he's handled him.

Look at the goal today, can anyone help me out with any other Arsenal player that could withstand 5 players on him in the box to still pick out Auba with that pass. Let's even forget the pass, what of the fact that he took out 5 players for Auba to score an easy goal. Or the other chances Auba got in the first half because Brighton knew they had the more physical threat of Lacazette to worry about

Was anyone surprised when Auba's goal drought ended when he finally started a game with Lacazette again (Burnley)?

This is rudimentary people- forget through passes, intricate wing play and all that crap; a confident marauding Lacazette has been Emery's ace this whole season against most of the pub teams that AW struggled with. The firepower trick at the front (Laca + Auba) is what teams are struggling against not any beautiful scintillating play we are offering. Another good example of this is the difference between Liverpool and City .This I thought the manager understood but now it seems he's been making it up as he goes along.

I am pissed off right now as that was an easy 3 points we threw away. That team couldn't handle our firepower in the first half but lo and behold our manager decided to shake things up in a silly way.

On to the next game and hopefully when our manager solves a problem he doesn't go back to conjure it up so he can look busy. We have more than enough on our plate with the useless defensive personnel we have at this club.

[AFC Leveller]

Missed Bellerin, Rick Steiner is terrible. Looks like Jens Lehmann playing outfield. No guile or agility and his quality on the ball is shocking.

Guendouzi should have made way instead of Ozil. Ozil is always dangerous and there is no way Iwobi should have come on for him.

Don't understand what Emery' s problem is with Laca, seems to take him off almost every game. Can he not see that he and auba work really well together? We had no goal threat once he took off Laca.

Liverpool away should be fun. Mane running at Rick and Kosciesnly...

[SMatthews]

We had no goal threat for after Auba fluffed his one on one in the first half, let alone when Laca went off. 6 goals in 18 appearances isn’t good enough for a central striker, even though he works hard for the team. Auba has spent a lot of games working from a starting position he hasn’t been in for years and he’s doing wonders in the league. Laca was bought to score goals and 25 in 61 is probably similar to Giroud level. The vast majority of those of been in a central role too.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

This.

The kid looks really heavy on the ball. I would have taken him off and got Iwobi on instead of taking off Ozil. While Ozil was ineffective in the first half, I'd rather he be on to find a killer ball rather than Guendozi or the other defensive midfielders.

Ozil didn't need to go off either while Guendozi and Xhaka stank the place up with meaningless sideway passes.

Emery decision making was just poor today........... and i hope he doesn't think of starting Lichsteiner as RB against Liverpool or it might turn to a serious rout.

[Marc Overmars]

Trouble is, who else do you put at RB? Kos? AMN?

Attacking fullbacks are vital to Emery’s system and without Bellerin we just don’t have the options. Whoever we put there is going to be a weak link.

There’s always Jenkinson I suppose...

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

We had no goal threat for after Auba fluffed his one on one in the first half, let alone when Laca went off. 6 goals in 18 appearances isn’t good enough for a central striker, even though he works hard for the team. Auba has spent a lot of games working from a starting position he hasn’t been in for years and he’s doing wonders in the league. Laca was bought to score goals and 25 in 61 is probably similar to Giroud level. The vast majority of those of been in a central role too.

Not sure what you are trying to insinuate about Lacazette but his form is undeniably an important part of why we are even talking about a top 4 place this season.

On the stats, in the EPL he has started 12 games and come on as a sub in 6 of them. He's been involved in 11 goals, 6 scored and 5 assists (just like today). The only out and out strikers that have been involved in more goals are Auba, Kane, Aguero and Salah (if you see him as an out and out striker). He's done better than $80m Lukaku (and all other Man U minions), Mane and superman Vardy; despite playing similar to less minutes than all of them.

And no he's not been played majorly centrally by Emery, especially of recent as evidenced today.

Anyway, i think he's been great and important for us this season. Don't think we would have lost the Southampton game if he started (with Auba) and I believe we would have won this if he had finished the 90 mins.

And I'm still waiting for anyone to give me any Arsenal player who could hold up 5 players single-handedly in the box.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I'd play AMN. He's good on 1 vs 1, athletic, quick and has good energy levels though he has been horrible recently. If he was involved more often and for the benefit of the regular hands on approach others have had then like Kola and Bellerin he would find his way.

If we don't like our options then we should be signing players sufficiently we feel can do a job at right back.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Trouble is, who else do you put at RB? Kos? AMN?

Attacking fullbacks are vital to Emery’s system and without Bellerin we just don’t have the options. Whoever we put there is going to be a weak link.

There’s always Jenkinson I suppose...

It's a bad situation we're in but Lichsteiner is just too slow and not up to the fight.

AMN has been quite disappointing as RB but he still has youth and speed on his side.

He didn't give Karl a run-out when he could have in easier games, so it seems AMN is the only realistic option to avoid being serially raped at that flank.

[Chippy]

Fuck Spurs. They ain’t winning shit and all they have is finishing above us. Meaningless. They aren’t the yardstick as plaudits are the only thing they’ll win.
Are you sure about that? 11 goals in 2 games for the scum. They are miles ahead of us and most of the premier league. As for us, this was another shit display. We ain't getting fourth, the Europa league is our only hope.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Honestly, with the defensive personnel (which includes the keeper) and the experiences we have had in past few games; we need to give up on trying to be defensively solid and focus our efforts on trying to score more goals than the opposition.

Which is sweet considering we are facing the best defense in the country next.

Anyway, I thought we were the better side when we met last. A similar but more clinical performance will be needed to get something in front of the kop.

[Mac76]

Are you sure about that? 11 goals in 2 games for the scum. They are miles ahead of us and most of the premier league. As for us, this was another shit display. We ain't getting fourth, the Europa league is our only hope.

Have to agree, especially as moan u now have their act together and they will overtake us

Some poor players, unlucky injuries and anti-arsenal refs are all things Emery has to face up to

We need to make 3 or 4 quality signings in Jan to have a chance of anything this season

[SMatthews]

Not sure what you are trying to insinuate about Lacazette but his form is undeniably an important part of why we are even talking about a top 4 place this season.

On the stats, in the EPL he has started 12 games and come on as a sub in 6 of them. He's been involved in 11 goals, 6 scored and 5 assists (just like today). The only out and out strikers that have been involved in more goals are Auba, Kane, Aguero and Salah (if you see him as an out and out striker). He's done better than $80m Lukaku (and all other Man U minions), Mane and superman Vardy; despite playing similar to less minutes than all of them.

And no he's not been played majorly centrally by Emery, especially of recent as evidenced today.

Anyway, i think he's been great and important for us this season. Don't think we would have lost the Southampton game if he started (with Auba) and I believe we would have won this if he had finished the 90 mins.

And I'm still waiting for anyone to give me any Arsenal player who could hold up 5 players single-handedly in the box.
Insinuate about Lacazette? Nothing. It’s all said clearly enough. He’s a goal scorer and his goal return has not been good enough since he joined. He’s not employed as a hold up man, or someone to occupy defences. No problem with his effort but he is not up to his main task of scoring goals. He and Auba move around at will. Over the 61 appearances, 25 goals is just average. He’s doing all he can to score more, which is great to see, but if his ratio is the same at the end of his second season he has no reason to complain about lack of starts and being substituted.

[SMatthews]

Are you sure about that? 11 goals in 2 games for the scum. They are miles ahead of us and most of the premier league. As for us, this was another shit display. We ain't getting fourth, the Europa league is our only hope.

Yes I’m sure. I’m not about to be concerned about a team who have scored a lot of goals in two games and will never win a major trophy. They aren’t the yardstick. Teams that win trophies should be our yardstick. It’s weird, you’re nervous about a team with one of the most laughable trophy cabinets in the top 6 and yet you’re nailed on that we won’t get fourth when we’re only two points off it. Chelsea are just as rocky as us. They aren’t any better than fourth.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

If we couldn't afford the players we really wanted in the summer why will be able to sign a few worth having now...?

Even someone who would improve us that is surplus to requirements like Eric Baily wouldn't be cheap as Man U aren't into doing us favours and are competing with us for the CL place.

[KSE Comedy Club]

We aren’t getting top four season, let’s face it.

Our defence is pathetic, and we seem to have lost all the decent attacking play that we were working towards from around 10 games in.

There is a lot of work to do and personnel to change, but Emery needs to sort himself out as well as he isn’t performing very well over this recent period either.

[Marc Overmars]

We aren’t getting top four season, let’s face it.



No we are definitely in the mix for 4th, Chelsea appear to be just as flaky as us.

Granted, I wouldn’t bet on us though.

[selassie]

No we are definitely in the mix for 4th, Chelsea appear to be just as flaky as us.

Granted, I wouldn’t bet on us though.

Yeah agree with this. I actually think we will end up in a 3 way battle with Chelsea & Man U for 4th place. I don’t personally think we will make it.

[Mac76]

only just saw the highlights - Laca did really well for our goal and Ozil also played a part - great take from Auba

pity we couldn't do more of that

[selassie]

only just saw the highlights - Laca did really well for our goal and Ozil also played a part - great take from Auba

pity we couldn't do more of that

I’m not sure why Emery took both Özil & Lacazette off. Stupid decisions.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Accordingly to dermot Gallagher our goal was offside :rolleyes:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

If we're desperate to finish top 4, we are worse defensively now than last season and top 4 is in the balance....why not pay the 25?million release clause for Toby Alderweirld?

[SMatthews]

About the same as last season. We’d let in 23 at this point but scored less and had 4 less points.

Alderweireld won’t come here when he has the pick of the worlds biggest clubs after him. Plus he’s not available until the summer.

[Marc Overmars]

If we're desperate to finish top 4, we are worse defensively now than last season and top 4 is in the balance....why not pay the 25?million release clause for Toby Alderweirld?

Would be a nice bit of business.

With the new regime in place I’d like to think that maybe we can become a bit more aggressive in the market and go for targets that at first glance you’d think were out of reach. Never know until you test the waters of course.

I do think we need to sign at least one player in January though. Whether we can find the sufficient quality though is another matter.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

About the same as last season. We’d let in 23 at this point but scored less and had 4 less points.

Alderweireld won’t come here when he has the pick of the worlds biggest clubs after him. Plus he’s not available until the summer.

No. His release clause expires in the summer as stated here.... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46693595

So it's in effect now. We don't know anybody will come here, that doesn't mean we shouldn't be trying to bring in the best we can.

Liverpool have scored 43. We've scored 41.

Liverpool have conceded 7. We've conceded 25.

[Marc Overmars]

As far as I'm concerned, our defending is worse than it ever was under Wenger and boy was our defending shit then.

Emery has to get a grip on things at the back, it's completely undermining all the good we've seen so far.

Maybe we can tempt Koulibaly away from Italy, with all the shit going on there with him.

[SMatthews]

No. His release clause expires in the summer as stated here.... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46693595

So it's in effect now. We don't know anybody will come here, that doesn't mean we shouldn't be trying to bring in the best we can.

Liverpool have scored 43. We've scored 41.

Liverpool have conceded 7. We've conceded 25.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/dec/27/tottenham-hotspur-toby-alderweireld-deal-release-clause

Spurs letting one of the best defenders around leave mid-season when they’re in the CL and (laughably) believe they’re in for the title? Makes no sense. They’ve activated it now to stop him signing a pre-contract with a European club for free in January. There’s a reason no one is going to bid for him this January - because he now isn’t for sale until the summer. And he won’t be coming to us either, that’s for sure.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Would be a nice bit of business.

With the new regime in place I’d like to think that maybe we can become a bit more aggressive in the market and go for targets that at first glance you’d think were out of reach. Never know until you test the waters of course.

I do think we need to sign at least one player in January though. Whether we can find the sufficient quality though is another matter.
It's difficult because on one hand we are led to believe we can't afford players costing substantial amounts despite just spending 50 odd million on Aubameyang. On the other hand we are led to believe we can't afford NOT to get back into the CL next season. That means we should absolutely be going all out to make the signings to take us over the line. If we can't afford to do that then quite simply.....we can afford not to be in the CL next season, lol. Because if we can't, then we would do the most to ensure it happens. Also the sooner we get the quality that will take us to the next level the better. Prices of players aren't going to suddenly out of nowhere plummet. If we signed a Van Dijk he'd be of the highest quality and one of our main defensive positions would be sorted for several years. We need to be way more aggressive in that regard where it will pay off. We're not going to be able to pick up Torreira value on every signing.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/dec/27/tottenham-hotspur-toby-alderweireld-deal-release-clause

Spurs letting one of the best defenders around leave mid-season when they’re in the CL and (laughably) believe they’re in for the title? Makes no sense. They’ve activated it now to stop him signing a pre-contract with a European club for free in January. There’s a reason no one is going to bid for him this January - because he isn’t for sale until the summer.
Ok fair enough that is more explicit than the Beeb. In any case, nothing is stopping us from pursuing him in Jan and whatever alternatives we have in mind I doubt will be of his quality.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Ok fair enough that is more explicit than the Beeb. In any case, nothing is stopping us from pursuing him in Jan and whatever alternatives we have in mind I doubt will be of his quality.

We'll be inflating the market if we go for him in January when we know the spuds won't sell, especially to us.

Interesting release clause and smart contracting from them again.

On another note, how come they keep attracting and producing really good defenders while we've been stuck with shit for almost a decade now. We'd need to pull off at least 3 Campbells now to save this team.

[Mac76]

Alderweireld won’t come here when he has the pick of the worlds biggest clubs after him. Plus he’s not available until the summer.

Don't forget some players really like London and going to another club based here is a bonus, plus we've a pretty cushy setup as we know. If he thinks we've enough promise and he'll be first on the teamsheet, he might go for it.

And he may be pissed off with paunchetino - remember he was left on the bench for the derby? It gets to players when they're left out of the big games

[SMatthews]

Don't forget some players really like London and going to another club based here is a bonus, plus we've a pretty cushy setup as we know. If he thinks we've enough promise and he'll be first on the teamsheet, he might go for it.

And he may be pissed off with paunchetino - remember he was left on the bench for the derby? It gets to players when they're left out of the big games

29, last chance to go to a mega club and win trophies and his low transfer fee means mega wages. He’s spent years waiting to win something at Spurs and is the wisest man in the club right now as he realises he never will.

We’ll be looking at bargain buys with lower wages. Sven needs to pull a few Torreria style gems out for our defence.

[GP]

29, last chance to go to a mega club and win trophies

Agreed he's definitely coming.

[selassie]

As far as I'm concerned, our defending is worse than it ever was under Wenger and boy was our defending shit then.

Emery has to get a grip on things at the back, it's completely undermining all the good we've seen so far.

Maybe we can tempt Koulibaly away from Italy, with all the shit going on there with him.

Yeah we are a mess defensively, I don't believe it is purely tactical either, I think bringing in higher quality players would most definitely go some ways towards improving it. Sure we aren't going to get a VVD for 75million but we need to do something. We really need to be spending as big as we can on a top quality young-ish CB.

[Mac76]

Agreed he's definitely coming.

:gp: :lol:

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

We'll be inflating the market if we go for him in January when we know the spuds won't sell, especially to us.

Interesting release clause and smart contracting from them again.

On another note, how come they keep attracting and producing really good defenders while we've been stuck with shit for almost a decade now. We'd need to pull off at least 3 Campbells now to save this team.

Well we can't inflate the market unless a fee is agreed. If it is agreed, inflating a market with 20/30 million when money for a player has exchanged hands in the region of 200 million + isn't really something we should concern ourselves with. It wouldn't bankrupt the club and its our legitimate money.