Match Reaction v Villa (away).

[McNamara That Ghost...]

0-1 but still quite comfortable really.

Now Ramsdale isn't there, quite easy to see what we lose from his distribution.

Still, overall quite a good first half and second half, could've done better in some situations.

On we go to the international break with the top 4 trophy in our hands and not in anyone elses. :bow:

[dazthegooner]

A good result but again it show's that we need a striker badly could be the difference in the end.

[Mac76]

We do need a striker but also inexperience and poor decision-making were on show again, Odegaard not always making the right choice in and around the box and what was ESR doing getting in Laca's way for that chance in the box?

[Marc Overmars]

Big 3 points.

The head to heads we’ve got against the teams around us will decide 4th

[Chippy]

0-1 but still quite comfortable really.

Now Ramsdale isn't there, quite easy to see what we lose from his distribution.

Still, overall quite a good first half and second half, could've done better in some situations.

On we go to the international break with the top 4 trophy in our hands and not in anyone elses. :bow:

What happened to Ramsdale?
That is a huge blow!

[Chippy]

A good result but again it show's that we need a striker badly could be the difference in the end.
Great result ���� 1-0 to the Arsenal!

[selassie]

I thought we looked very good first half, totally controlled the game. We tired second half but always looked to have control of the game.

Massive 3 points and a step closer to CL.

[Master Splinter]

Once again, the only disappointing thing about the performance was the lack of ruthlessness in attack. So many good opportunities wasted because of a poor decision, a lack of convinction in the final pass/shot or a pointless extra touch.

Partey, Xhaka and the whole defence were excellent. ESR was classy as always, but probably still not fully fit. Saka shat on another opponent and was allowed to be kicked out of the game again by deplorable officials. Laca was Laca.

If Nketiah and Pepe are still somehow here next season, I hope they're behind Biereth/Hutchinson/Bischoff in the pecking order. They're of absolutely no use to this team going forward. Pepe's two highlight reel moments per season are not worth the hugely detrimental impact he has on the standard of the team.

[I am invisible]

This young team has absolutely no right to be this professional this soon! Not gonna lie, I was a little worried about this one, but they just keep shutting games down and getting business done. Love it.

If we can win our next 3 (Palace, Brighton and Southampton) then I think we’re pretty much there - I know we’ve got some tough games after that, but that would make it 9 wins from 10 games and I think that might be enough to break the chasing pack. Seriously, it’s just demoralising when you need the team in front of you to slip up and they just go on winning and winning and winning.

[Master Splinter]

If we can win our next 3 (Palace, Brighton and Southampton) then I think we’re pretty much there - I know we’ve got some tough games after that, but that would make it 9 wins from 10 games and I think that might be enough to break the chasing pack. Seriously, it’s just demoralising when you need the team in front of you to slip up and they just go on winning and winning and winning.

"No team wants top 4!"

"They're all inconsistent!"

"Same old soft, silky, gung-ho, porous Arsenal!"

"We don't actually watch any Arsenal games properly!"

[I am invisible]

"No team wants top 4!"

"They're all inconsistent!"

"Same old soft, silky, gung-ho, porous Arsenal!"

"We don't actually watch any Arsenal games properly!"
:blah:

Suits me, though - I’m quite happy for the rest of the world to keep making assumptions about us and not really pay close attention to what we’re doing.

[selassie]

Once again, the only disappointing thing about the performance was the lack of ruthlessness in attack. So many good opportunities wasted because of a poor decision, a lack of convinction in the final pass/shot or a pointless extra touch.

Partey, Xhaka and the whole defence were excellent. ESR was classy as always, but probably still not fully fit. Saka shat on another opponent and was allowed to be kicked out of the game again by deplorable officials. Laca was Laca.

If Nketiah and Pepe are still somehow here next season, I hope they're behind Biereth/Hutchinson/Bischoff in the pecking order. They're of absolutely no use to this team going forward. Pepe's two highlight reel moments per season are not worth the hugely detrimental impact he has on the standard of the team.

I agree with all of this. I think one of the biggest improvements in the team since January has been Central Midfield, Partey especially is now showing the form that we all knew he was brought in for, he is dominating the middle of the park every single week now, he was outstanding again yesterday. For all his faults, Xhaka has really stepped up too, both him and Partey are controlling games now. Having Odegaard further forward completes the trio, it looks like we have a perfect blend of experience as well as physicality and technical skills.

[Letters]

This young team has absolutely no right to be this professional this soon! Not gonna lie, I was a little worried about this one, but they just keep shutting games down and getting business done. Love it.

Right. I’m loving how much they want it right now.
This is a team who are ready to fight for each other and the fans.
That’s what I expect from a team. We might yet miss out due to inexperience or injuries, or the lack of a really top striker. But there’s definite progress and I’m enjoying watching us play more, it does seem more direct than the sideways nonsense towards the end of Wenger’s time with us.

[Marc Overmars]

If this team had a world class striker and a bit more maturity up front I don’t think they’d be too far off achieving something big. If we can nail the signings in the summer I’m very optimistic about what we could do next season. I do worry about not scoring enough goals to kill games dead, you never want to leave the door open for a fluke, dodgy refereeing etc, but we’re doing enough right now it seems.

Defensively we’re quite sound and the shape of the team is helping squeeze out these wins. No doubt if we get 4th it will be down to the the work put in there. It’s weird watching an Arsenal team in complete control of performances, none of that hap hazard stuff we’ve seen so often in the past.

Every game has that cup final feel now. Confidence is growing but that run in April will decide our fate, we have to go into those games in the driving seat.

[I am invisible]

Right. I’m loving how much they want it right now.
This is a team who are ready to fight for each other and the fans.
That’s what I expect from a team. We might yet miss out due to inexperience or injuries, or the lack of a really top striker. But there’s definite progress and I’m enjoying watching us play more, it does seem more direct than the sideways nonsense towards the end of Wenger’s time with us.
I love that we can play both fast, beautiful football for sustained periods and also completely shut games down when we need to, and have developed the wisdom to know when it’s the right time for each. Again, it just feels way beyond their years and current experience.

The more I see it in action the more I appreciate what we’ve done with our recruitment strategy. The modern game is no longer about putting together a team of specialists who each do one particular job to a 9/10 standard - it’s about putting together an entire team of players who can do two or three jobs to a 7/10 standard so you’re creating constant overloads and doubling-up everywhere: 4 attacking players suddenly become 6; 5 defensive players suddenly become 8 or 9. No matter how good you are, there’s not much you can do against overwhelming numbers.

[I am invisible]

Lol @ Ashley Young :lol:

[dazthegooner]

Must have reminded him of when rhe celebrations Manure used to do when they got a 98th minute penalty <_<

[I am invisible]

Must have reminded him of when rhe celebrations Manure used to do when they got a 98th minute penalty <_<
It’s always players who used to laugh and sneer whilst kicking us off the pitch who cry the loudest - they come into these games thinking it’s going to be more of the same and then we spoil their fun by not rising to it and easily handling them. And they don’t like it. Because that’s all they have.

[Master Splinter]

I love that we can play both fast, beautiful football for sustained periods and also completely shut games down when we need to, and have developed the wisdom to know when it’s the right time for each. Again, it just feels way beyond their years and current experience.

The more I see it in action the more I appreciate what we’ve done with our recruitment strategy. The modern game is no longer about putting together a team of specialists who each do one particular job to a 9/10 standard - it’s about putting together an entire team of players who can do two or three jobs to a 7/10 standard so you’re creating constant overloads and doubling-up everywhere: 4 attacking players suddenly become 6; 5 defensive players suddenly become 8 or 9. No matter how good you are, there’s not much you can do against overwhelming numbers.

I think Odegaard is the perfect manifestation of this. He can play like Ozil or Fabregas when we're attacking. But he can also do the pressing and defending to a really high level, like Bernardo or De Bruyne. It took him a while to gain the consistency, but just like Arteta's methods as a whole, it's now all coming together.

As you say, there's no room for one-dimensional players at top teams anymore. Our recent signings all prove this too. Both full-backs are two-footed and can play on the left or right or even centre-back in the case of Tomiyasu. White can play across the back line and in midfield. Sambi and Odegaard are comfortable deeper or higher up the pitch. And summed up by the Ramsdale upgrade, they're all excellent technically and progressive passers.

It feels like the early Wenger years where the profile of the player and how he could be moulded into the team was more important than just signing names (see Manchester United).

[Master Splinter]

It’s always players who used to laugh and sneer whilst kicking us off the pitch who cry the loudest - they come into these games thinking it’s going to be more of the same and then we spoil their fun by not rising to it and easily handling them. And they don’t like it. Because that’s all they have.

They can't have their two minutes of social media post-match attention by calling Arsenal "boys" or "soft" or "easy" so this is all they have left in their cliche folder.

The fact that it comes from a veteran player who's played at different levels of the game and not just an ex-Championship gobshite makes it even more pathetic.

[I am invisible]

I think Odegaard is the perfect manifestation of this. He can play like Ozil or Fabregas when we're attacking. But he can also do the pressing and defending to a really high level, like Bernardo or De Bruyne. It took him a while to gain the consistency, but just like Arteta's methods as a whole, it's now all coming together.

As you say, there's no room for one-dimensional players at top teams anymore. Our recent signings all prove this too. Both full-backs are two-footed and can play on the left or right or even centre-back in the case of Tomiyasu. White can play across the back line and in midfield. Sambi and Odegaard are comfortable deeper or higher up the pitch. And summed up by the Ramsdale upgrade, they're all excellent technically and progressive passers.

It feels like the early Wenger years where the profile of the player and how he could be moulded into the team was more important than just signing names (see Manchester United).
Yeah, you have Ødegaard who can play as a 10 or an 8 in a midfield 3 (and maybe even as one half of a double-pivot, with a bit of work)… Saka can play as a winger / wide forward, an 8 in a 3 or a fullback… Smith Rowe can play as a winger / wide forward, an 8 in a 3 or a 9 (apparently)… Martinelli can play as a winger / wide forward or a 9… Xhaka is currently playing as a left-8, but he could also drop into a double-pivot… Tomi and KT can both play as fullbacks, 3rd CBs and tuck into midfield (KT can also play as a wingback and Tomi can play as CB in a 2)… White can play CB, RB or drive into midfield… even Ramsdale does his bit as a sweeper-keeper when needed.

You graft all of that onto two or three fixed players down the spine - Gabriel, Partey and Lacazette (and I expect the ST role will become more of a dual-role next season) - and it becomes remarkably fluid. There’s a tremendous amount of tactical and structural flex there without needing to make a single change.

[selassie]

Yeah, you have Ødegaard who can play as a 10 or an 8 in a midfield 3 (and maybe even as one half of a double-pivot, with a bit of work)… Saka can play as a winger / wide forward, an 8 in a 3 or a fullback… Smith Rowe can play as a winger / wide forward, an 8 in a 3 or a 9 (apparently)… Martinelli can play as a winger / wide forward or a 9… Xhaka is currently playing as a left-8, but he could also drop into a double-pivot… Tomi and KT can both play as fullbacks, 3rd CBs and tuck into midfield (KT can also play as a wingback and Tomi can play as CB in a 2)… White can play CB, RB or drive into midfield… even Ramsdale does his bit as a sweeper-keeper when needed.

You graft all of that onto two or three fixed players down the spine - Gabriel, Partey and Lacazette (and I expect the ST role will become more of a dual-role next season) - and it becomes remarkably fluid. There’s a tremendous amount of tactical and structural flex there without needing to make a single change.

Arteta rebuilding us as a Man City "lite" ;)

To be fair the way we have been passing the ball about recently is not that far from them, honestly the quality of our football has really gone up a few levels the past few months.

[Chippy]

A good result but again it show's that we need a striker badly could be the difference in the end.

That could be difference of getting top four.

It is a three horse race now the Spuds beat West Ham today. Hate to say it, they have hit form and will not drop many points.
The NLD is going to be massive.

[Marc Overmars]

Getting a bit sick of this “over celebration” stick salty losers want to beat us with.

We haven’t qualified for the CL in 5 years and the club has been a mess for a lot of that time too. Most of our squad are young and have never played in the competition before either. What’s the problem if every win that edges them closer is evoking some emotion?

I’d get it if we were seasoned winners who’ve fallen on hard times but come on. Ashley Young and Agbonlahor can get fucked.

[dazthegooner]

Yeah and they've both got girls names so ner :p

And also Gerrard has told Saka he need to toughen up he really is a C**T <_<

[Mac76]

Getting a bit sick of this “over celebration” stick salty losers want to beat us with.

We haven’t qualified for the CL in 5 years and the club has been a mess for a lot of that time too. Most of our squad are young and have never played in the competition before either. What’s the problem if every win that edges them closer is evoking some emotion?

I’d get it if we were seasoned winners who’ve fallen on hard times but come on. Ashley Young and Agbonlahor can get fucked.

:gp:

It's just the sign of a young side and manager enjoying themselves and gaining more self-belief with each game, I love to see the spirit, if it was Moan U everyone would be saying how great it was...

[selassie]

See the Spuds won again yesterday, I think they will be are closest rival for 4th place, at the moment its looking like a case of going there and making we sure we don't lose. Need to take care of the other games too...from our remaining games, the difficult ones that stick out to me are obviously Chelsea away, United home, West Ham away, Palace away and Newcastle away is a potential banana skin too.

[Chippy]

See the Spuds won again yesterday, I think they will be are closest rival for 4th place, at the moment its looking like a case of going there and making we sure we don't lose. Need to take care of the other games too...from our remaining games, the difficult ones that stick out to me are obviously Chelsea away, United home, West Ham away, Palace away and Newcastle away is a potential banana skin too.
This.

Being the world's biggest pessimist, I am surprised that we are the bookie's favourite to get fourth with the games we have remaining. Not only that, the scum are on a roll and have the easier fixtures.

[Letters]

Not only that, the scum are on a roll.
Yeah, they've won *checks notes* 2 in a row.
They do have the easier fixtures, and they've got home advantage in the NLD. But they're still Spurs.
Honestly, I can't call it right now but I do think it's between us and them.

[Marc Overmars]

It will be that 3 day period when we face Chelsea and United that could settle it. However the NLD hasn’t even been scheduled yet, so there’s a lot of football to be played.

Growing in confidence with each game but there is a cup final feel about every game now. Let’s just get past Palace, Brighton and Southampton and see where we’re at before the death run. It’s difficult to have faith in us winning the big games so we really need to take 9 points from the next set of fixtures after the break.

[WMUG]

Saka career-ender upcoming in the international break.

[Mac76]

what we really need is for someone to break K**t and/or Sonofabitch's legs :satan:

[Chippy]

[QUOTE=Mac76;4554498]waht we really need is for someone to break K**t and/or Sonofabitch's legs :satan:[/QUOTe
Yep
That would be very satisfying. :cloud9:

[selassie]

It will be that 3 day period when we face Chelsea and United that could settle it. However the NLD hasn’t even been scheduled yet, so there’s a lot of football to be played.

Growing in confidence with each game but there is a cup final feel about every game now. Let’s just get past Palace, Brighton and Southampton and see where we’re at before the death run. It’s difficult to have faith in us winning the big games so we really need to take 9 points from the next set of fixtures after the break.

Taking maximum points from the next 3 games will be huge for us, it's very possible too given our current form. On current form I would fancy us against both Chelsea and Man United but things change quickly and the pressure could be very high at that stage of the season so we just have to take it game by game.

I am growing in confidence too, whatever happens the team looks fully prepared for this, you can see what finishing in the top 4 would mean to a lot of the players in this group.

[selassie]

This.

Being the world's biggest pessimist, I am surprised that we are the bookie's favourite to get fourth with the games we have remaining. Not only that, the scum are on a roll and have the easier fixtures.

To be fair our game management has been very good for a while now. We look by some distance the most settled team of the challengers for 4th place. We do fall short in the big games but we are starting to control a large percentage of the other games, it's not like last season where we were struggling away from home pretty much anywhere let alone our mixed home form.

With Conte in charge and Spurs looking a bit more settled now we are definitely in a battle for top 4, but we are in the driving seat, we just need to ensure we win the games we should be winning and don't lose the games against our rivals for 4th place.