Aston Villa v The Arsenal, Sat 18 Feb, 12.30pm

[Mac76]

3-0 Watkins hatter

This feels as much as a must-win as Weds was - if we take just 1 or 2 points from 12 we're in some pretty bad territory.

Arteta HAS to be radical here - nothing ventured etc...

[Marc Overmars]

Need to pull ourselves together immediately but operation collapse has been activated. I don’t see us bouncing back here but hopefully I’m wrong.

[GP]

0-8 (eight)

[Letters]

Oh just win you utter twats!

[Marc Overmars]

Trossard in for Martinelli. Finally.

White back in for Tomi.

Rest of the team as you were.

[HCZ_Reborn]

So he drops Martinelli but he can’t drop Xhaka and Zinchenko who have been fucking awful

[Mac76]

So he drops Martinelli but he can’t drop Xhaka and Zinchenko who have been fucking awful

that's Arteta for you I'm afraid, it's his biggest weakness

[Mac76]

Trossard in for Martinelli. Finally.

White back in for Tomi.

Rest of the team as you were.

really rough on Martinelli - Atretat should have dropped Eddie instead

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Moreno, Kamara, Luiz, McGinn, Buendia, Watkins, Coutinho.
Subs: Sinisalo, Traore, Chambers, Young, Duran, Digne, Dendoncker, Bailey, Ramsey.

Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Trossard, Nketiah.
Subs: Turner, Tierney, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Kiwior, Holding, Tomiyasu, Vieira, Nelson.

[Mac76]

Keystone Cops at the back again already...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

1-0 Watkins. :doh:

[Marc Overmars]

Jokers.

Top 4 in danger at this rate.

[Mac76]

Zinchenko gives it away again and there we go, a goal...

[HCZ_Reborn]

1-0 Watkins. :doh:

That’s another defeat most likely

Haven’t come back from a goal down away from home for almost two years

[Mac76]

1-0 Watkins. :doh:

two more to go for the hatter ;)

[Ralpheroo72]

Biggest collapse since Enron

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Dive from Nketiah.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

How did Mings clear that?

[Mac76]

Ramsdale :ilt:

[Mac76]

How did Mings clear that?

Eddie headed it over i think

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Poor control from Nketiah.

[Marc Overmars]

SAKA!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

SAKA!!! Holy shit.

[Ralpheroo72]

Saka!

[GP]

SAKA! What a goal!

[Marc Overmars]

Good response since conceding tbf. Maybe they’re not total losers after all.

[Mac76]

good backpass from Zinchenko

[Ralpheroo72]

Saka gets zero protection from refs

[Mac76]

Fuck me Zinchenko's just embarrassing

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-1 Coutinho. Cock.

[Ralpheroo72]

Shambles of a side now

[Mac76]

we're so easy to score against

[HCZ_Reborn]

2019 - last time we were behind at half time and went on to win

[Letters]

we're so easy to score against

Only Chelsea have conceded fewer :shrug:

But it is properly going to shit now. I scoffed at people who ever said top 4 was in doubt, it would take a ridiculous collapse for that but now…it’s ON! :ilt:

[Marc Overmars]

Us. :lol:

We do love proving everyone right.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-1 HT. Fuck.

[Mac76]

Only Chelsea have conceded fewer :shrug:

But it is properly going to shit now. I scoffed at people who ever said top 4 was in doubt, it would take a ridiculous collapse for that but now…it’s ON! :ilt:

*sigh* ok i should have said "we're so easy to score against NOW..." :rolleyes:

[Marc Overmars]

Even if we turn this around the defence has gone to shit. Which is hugely concerning.

[Mac76]

if he doesn't sub Zinchenko at HT after that, there's just no hope for us

he gave the ball away a lot including for the goal, takes too many touches, has dreadful shots and has no tactical awareness, keeps ignoring Trossard when he's in good positions - absolutely appalling and the worst signing we've made in a long time, not least because he's denying us the contribution of one of the best left backs in the country

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Only Chelsea have conceded fewer :shrug:

But it is properly going to shit now. I scoffed at people who ever said top 4 was in doubt, it would take a ridiculous collapse for that but now…it’s ON! :ilt:

Newcastle!

But however the way we're going, that soon won't be the case.

[HCZ_Reborn]

if he doesn't sub Zinchenko at HT after that, there's just no hope for us

he gave the ball away a lot including for the goal, takes too many touches, has dreadful shots and has no tactical awareness, keeps ignoring Trossard when he's in good positions - absolutely appalling and the worst signing we've made in a long time, not least because he's denying us the contribution of one of the best left backs in the country

The whole left side of our attack has been neglected for weeks. What’s happening to Trossard is no different than what happened to Martinelli.

These types of collapse were always possible because Arteta is too stubborn with certain players.

Xhaka and Zinchenko need to be dropped

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

If Arteta knows whats good for him he will involve Martinelli immediately and ensure that Trossard remains on the pitch.

But I doubt he'll do something imaginative, he'll play it safe as usual and hope Saka conjures magic to save his ass.

This predictability is becoming rather boring.

[Marc Overmars]

If Arteta knows whats good for him he will involve Martinelli immediately and ensure that Trossard remains on the pitch.

But I doubt he'll do something imaginative, he'll play it safe as usual and hope Saka conjures magic to save his ass.

This predictability is becoming rather boring.

Eddie for all his poaching ability is not a well rounded player. He’s done as well as he could but we’re lacking horribly up front now.

Maybe worth playing Martinelli central, can’t be any worse than what we’re seeing currently.

[selassie]

I didn’t see this collapse coming a month or so ago, maybe I was naive. This team is a mess right now.

[Mac76]

Xhaka and Zinchenko need to be shot

corrected :)

[Mac76]

I didn’t see this collapse coming a month or so ago, maybe I was naive. This team is a mess right now.

some of us kept pointing out Arteta's deficiencies and were put down for it but hey, I'm not exactly happy at being right...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

No changes. :lol:

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

The whole left side of our attack has been neglected for weeks. What’s happening to Trossard is no different than what happened to Martinelli.

These types of collapse were always possible because Arteta is too stubborn with certain players.

Xhaka and Zinchenko need to be dropped

Your post is fine, but I'm not sure why you have used the word "neglected" for the right side..the players on that side of the field have been fucking average and thats why every attack we make over there just goes to die a slow pathetic death!

Obviously the coach is at fault seeing this and not being able to identify a solution. Clearly both Trossard and Martinelli are not the problem....would it kill him to realise that he can play both of them so as to bring back the Jesus effect that side of the pitch is missing??

Arteta keeps on with his naive rookie mistakes.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Eddie for all his poaching ability is not a well rounded player. He’s done as well as he could but we’re lacking horribly up front now.

Maybe worth playing Martinelli central, can’t be any worse than what we’re seeing currently.

Xhaka adds nothing in this game

Eddie, Martinelli and Trossard should have started this half.

I just hope Villa don't score again.

[Letters]

Newcastle!

But however the way we're going, that soon won't be the case.

Holy shit! Their GA number is ridiculous. Ok, 3rd then! I don’t think that fundamentally changed my point.

[Mac76]

Saka ...

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Holy shit! Their GA number is ridiculous. Ok, 3rd then! I don’t think that fundamentally changed my point.

Well no it doesn't but I don't think it's relevant to what we're seeing right now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Saka scuffer.

[Marc Overmars]

Xhaka adds nothing in this game

Eddie, Martinelli and Trossard should have started this half.

I just hope Villa don't score again.

Who do you bring in? Vieira isn’t trusted.

We’ve known all season our squad isn’t strong enough though and won’t be able to cope if things don’t according to plan.

[selassie]

some of us kept pointing out Arteta's deficiencies and were put down for it but hey, I'm not exactly happy at being right...

Oh I totally accept that Arteta has his flaws but this collapse so early in the season is massively concerning considering it happened last season too.

We look lost as a team at the moment, everyone is in poor form aside from Saka. How long is Arteta going to continue telling everyone he is proud of these players? This will be 3 losses in the last what 4 league games, no win in 4 and this team is supposed to be fighting for the title?!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Nketiah hits the bar.

[Mac76]

Nketiah hits the bar.

should have been in - he's lost it completely

[Marc Overmars]

Oh I totally accept that Arteta has his flaws but this collapse so early in the season is massively concerning considering it happened last season too.

We look lost as a team at the moment, everyone is in poor form aside from Saka. How long is Arteta going to continue telling everyone he is proud of these players? This will be 3 losses in the last what 4 league games, no win in 4 and this team is supposed to be fighting for the title?!

There’s no more challenge. City don’t go on runs like this, neither do United for that matter anymore.

It’s Arsenal DNA.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Who do you bring in? Vieira isn’t trusted.

We’ve known all season our squad isn’t strong enough though and won’t be able to cope if things don’t according to plan.

We're lossing 2-1 and only one player is responsible for all our 3 goals in our last 3 games...does it take a genius to consider playing 2 strikers?

Martinelli should play just behind Eddie as besides Saka, Martinelli and Trossard are the only people I trust to score if given the chance.

[HCZ_Reborn]

There’s no more challenge. City don’t go on runs like this, neither do United for that matter anymore.

It’s Arsenal DNA.

It’s not Arsenal DNA, it’s Arteta DNA

[McNamara That Ghost...]

ZINCHENKO!!!

[Ralpheroo72]

Get in!

[Marc Overmars]

It’s not Arsenal DNA, it’s Arteta DNA

Maybe so but this is a story that has many different variants but always the same ending.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Zinchencko does something right, its about fucking time!!

[Marc Overmars]

Get the fuck in

[Mac76]

Zinchencko does something right, its about fucking time!!

:gp: :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Nketiah has to be ruthless there, that's what he's waiting for.

[Mac76]

Nketiah has to be ruthless there, that's what he's waiting for.

awful

[Marc Overmars]

FFS Eddie

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Douglas Luiz off, Dendoncker on.

Buendia off, Bailey on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Did Martinelli come on for Trossard? I missed it.

[Mac76]

why is Rick Wakeman one of the Villa backroom staff?

[Mac76]

Did Martinelli come on for Trossard? I missed it.

yup - should be for Eddie but there you go

[Mac76]

our corners are so bad

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Odegaard just dropped the Ashes.

[Mac76]

how did he miss? :(

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a save from Ramsdale!

[Marc Overmars]

No one misses chances like we do. Fuck sake

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Gabriel clears it.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Saka straight at Martinez.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

MARTINEZ OG!!!

[Marc Overmars]

JORGINHO!!!!!

:haha:

[Mac76]

Jorginhoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mac76]

Martinez :haha:

[Ralpheroo72]

Great signing

[McNamara That Ghost...]

MARTINELLI!!!

[Ralpheroo72]

I love Martinez

[Mac76]

Martinelli open goal :haha:

[Marc Overmars]

COME ON!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Agent Emi. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Aston Villa 2-4 Arsenal, FT.

Holy shit what a game.

[GP]

Martinez :haha:

Off you pop

[Mac76]

c'mon Forest :pray:

[HCZ_Reborn]

Last few weeks have been a real shitshow, and today wasn’t the best performance in terms of confidence but in the end we came from behind to get deserved three points.

[Marc Overmars]

What a huge win.

Well done to the boys for turning that around. I thought we were cooked.

A week to reset and shake off this funk properly. Leicester away next so will be tricky like today.

Let’s fugging go.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Great signing

It had to be a former winner to show us hows it done..Jorginho has been a true breath of fresh air (feel a bit foolish being against this singing).

[HCZ_Reborn]

Genuinely wish Villa well for the rest of the season, don’t give a shit about the club but I like Unai Emery I think it was never going to work out with him here but he does seem like a decent and classy guy and I do think he tried his best with us.

[GP]

I do feel like we've missed Partey but Jorginho offers something different. His passing is really good.

I'd like to see him start alongside Partey.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I do feel like we've missed Partey but Jorginho offers something different. His passing is really good.

I'd like to see him start alongside Partey.

Yeah maybe I’m not sure how that would work because I don’t think he can play the number 8 role…he’s basically a defensive midfielder. His range of passing is obviously good but not sure he’s capable of same advanced play.

[dazthegooner]

Vieira's pass for Martinelli's goal showed he's a team player a lot of players would have taken a shot.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Genuinely wish Villa well for the rest of the season, don’t give a shit about the club but I like Unai Emery I think it was never going to work out with him here but he does seem like a decent and classy guy and I do think he tried his best with us.

Totally agree.

He's definitely a really decent manager and gets teams to play some great attacking football...but his main weakness, which was clearly shown in this game and the main reason he wasn't a good fit for us, is the way he closes out games...TBH if I was a villa fan, I'd be gutted that I lost this game in this manner.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

Yeah maybe I’m not sure how that would work because I don’t think he can play the number 8 role…he’s basically a defensive midfielder. His range of passing is obviously good but not sure he’s capable of same advanced play.

I strongly disagree with this.

If Xhaka can play the free role, any midfielder with above average talent and a decent brain can do the job.

I'd always play Jorghino over Xhaka if given the chance....but like I said earlier in this game, Martinelli should have come on for Xhaka once we were chasing the game.

[Mac76]

Vieira's pass for Martinelli's goal showed he's a team player a lot of players would have taken a shot.

I think that's two really strong cameos for him in the last two games and i think he should start in place of Xhaka against Leicester

[dazthegooner]

Can't see it though but if not would like to see maybe Zinchenko in his place with Tierney at left back.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I strongly disagree with this.

If Xhaka can play the free role, any midfielder with above average talent and a decent brain can do the job.

I'd always play Jorghino over Xhaka if given the chance....but like I said earlier in this game, Martinelli should have come on for Xhaka once we were chasing the game.

I don’t know I think Xhaka is quite adept when on form in the no 8 role, the most natural substitute for him is in my view Vieira. However, I'm happy to be proved wrong if it gives us another midfield option and means we can drop Xhaka when we are playing shite

[Xhaka Can’t]

I only read the first three pages of this thread and gave up.

How much did we end up losing by?

[HCZ_Reborn]

I only read the first three pages of this thread and gave up.

How much did we end up losing by?

In the words of many online conspiracists…do your own research

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I only read the first three pages of this thread and gave up.

How much did we end up losing by?

We drew 2-2 because everything that happened afterwards was the domain of Agent Martinez.

[LDG]

why is Rick Wakeman one of the Villa backroom staff?

:haha: