Arsenal 0-1 PSG Player ratings and Match Reaction

[HCZ_Reborn]

Raya 7 - Some of his distribution was poor but he made two crucial saves


Timber 5 - And I think that’s generous, responsible for the first goal and could have cost us a second


Saliba 6 - Marshalled Dembele well but didn’t give Rice any help


Kiwior 5 - Did nothing majorly wrong but doesn’t have it at this level


Lewis-Skelly 7 - One of the few outfield players who had any balls


Rice 4 - We bought him to snuff out danger, he’s been (in my view) rather needlessly pushed too far up the pitch where unless he has time and space he lacks the technique, strength or pace to play. He wasn’t helped by Merino or the defence, on nights like these it’s shown starkly that West Ham saw us coming a mile off.


Merino 4 - Embarassingly poor, made to look like a championship player by Fabian Ruiz who isn’t that great himself


Odegaard 3 - A cowards performance by a true coward who is so scared of making a mistake or getting hurt that he’s reverted within himself. I argued against stripping him of the captaincy and whilst I wouldn’t give it to Rice (maybe Gabriel) I think I’ve revised that decision


Martinelli 5 - Another coward, cut inside rather than take on his man. Should have scored in the first half


Trossard 6 - Tried hard but gave us all the evidence we need that we should part company in the summer


Saka 5 - Clearly not fit, I disagree with people who say it wasn’t a foul…he pushed Nunes off balance before winning the ball, because he wasn’t quick enough to get to the ball first



Subs


White/Nwaneri - 6 - One was brought on for an injury, one wasn’t given enough time to do anything



I don’t know whether the players simply aren’t good enough or whether the coach is to blame for apalling tactics, either way Arteta is fully responsible as these are his players and along with the humiliation in the league…any right minded club would dispense with his services this summer. We simply cannot afford to waste more money on the whim of a deeply inferior coach.


A midfield of Vitinha, Neves and Ruiz is nothing special but we made them look like they were Xavi, Iniesta and Zidane. The players should be deeply ashamed of themselves, Odegaard needs to question whether he has a future in the game. Rice might want to consider whether he should have identified as trans and joined the women’s game, because he played like a woman yesterday.


They frankly make me sick and that Lego haired sociopath makes me the most nauseous. Our most important game in 16 years and we mince about like a bunch of fairies. That shouldn’t be taken as homophobic because most gay men have more testosterone than was on display from us last night.

Anyone kidding themselves this tie isn’t dead, needs to stick their head in a bucket of cold water in the hope that the sharp temperature drop brings them back to reality. We fucked it.


A revolver and a bottle of whiskey should be left in Arteta’s office (figuratively or literally, I don’t really give a fuck right now)

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

:lol: ...I see a goodnight's rest hasn't calmed you down yet.

Disagree with the high rating for Raya and the low ratings for Rice ( who clearly played deeper) and Merino, who suffered the same fate.

Well, I am still positive that turning this around in Paris is not beyond us as the PSG side I saw yesterday is still the kind of team we will beat on a day Arteta's system works. But I will budge on the quality of their attacking players, as they are clearly above ours , with only Saka getting into that team.


ATM I am only worried about the way we will respond in the next few games as it is important we head into the final tie with confidence and momentum.

Also its clear that we need to solve this Odegaard issue now as he can't stay undroppable when he clearly gives the team very little.

I am not saying we should drop him for the PSG game, but by now Arteta should realise that giving him undeserved playing time won't get him out of his rut and their needs to be a plan B, a notion he keeps struggling with.

[Marc Overmars]

For me we were simply outclassed and shown up for being overly reliant on stodging the game up. Partey being back in the second leg will help because it may enable Rice to drive further forward and force something to happen, like he did when he created the Trossard chance. This should be the job of Odegaard but I don’t know what the fuck he’s doing right now other than hiding in plain sight.

Clearly the early goal threw the entire evening off and we know we don’t have the firepower to really turn games around in a flash. Kvara is world class and Timber couldn’t get near him and was embarrassed quite frankly. He’s a player we should have tried to sign.

The tie is not dead on paper but in my mind it is.

Just want to see us give it all next week and not fade away into nothingness like we did at Bayern last year. If that happens again it would be unforgivable.

[HCZ_Reborn]

:lol: ...I see a goodnight's rest hasn't calmed you down yet.

Disagree with the high rating for Raya and the low ratings for Rice ( who clearly played deeper) and Merino, who suffered the same fate.

Well, I am still positive that turning this around in Paris is not beyond us as the PSG side I saw yesterday is still the kind of team we will beat on a day Arteta's system works. But I will budge on the quality of their attacking players, as they are clearly above ours , with only Saka getting into that team.


ATM I am only worried about the way we will respond in the next few games as it is important we head into the final tie with confidence and momentum.

Also its clear that we need to solve this Odegaard issue now as he can't stay undroppable when he clearly gives the team very little.

I am not saying we should drop him for the PSG game, but by now Arteta should realise that giving him undeserved playing time won't get him out of his rut and their needs to be a plan B, a notion he keeps struggling with.

Playing deep is Rice’s natural position. He is a 6. Problem is he was too much of a girl to even try and put out the fires

Raya’s distribution wasn’t great but he stopped the result from being even more embarrassing that can’t be overlooked

PSG would be beatable if we were going there with a lead or even level. We can’t break teams down when they score first, and the game next week doesn’t start at 0-0, It starts at 0-1….they won’t come out…just like they didn’t really come out in the second half yesterday. They didn’t need to.

The sharp and refreshing hit of cold water will bring you back to reality. The tie is over. Any talk to the contrary is to be honest like Real Madrid’s claim about Remontada. Empty Hubris.

[Letters]

Raya’s distribution wasn’t great but he stopped the result from being even more embarrassing that can’t be overlooked
I don't think his distribution was bad, it's just we insist on him passing it short and playing out. I hate it.
The slightest mistake leaves you vulnerable. The times Raya did kick it long we often won the ball, so it's not like playing PepBall was more effective.


The tie is over. Any talk to the contrary is to be honest like Real Madrid’s claim about Remontada. Empty Hubris.
Nah. Not buying it. I mean, head says you're probably right but they were 3-0 down and we haven't been thumped by 3 goals for years, it was very unlikely to happen. Obviously I was still nervous on the night and an early goal could have made things interesting, but looking back it was vanishingly unlikely we were going to let a 3 goal lead slip. PSG aren't invincible, it's only one goal.

[HCZ_Reborn]

It’s got nothing to do with how good PSG are. They have the lead, they don’t have to come out and play. They can just smother us. We are done. It would be easier for people to accept this

[Letters]

It’s got nothing to do with how good PSG are. They have the lead, they don’t have to come out and play. They can just smother us. We are done. It would be easier for people to accept this

This is like the momentum argument. You can provide multiple examples where people thought we were dead and buried in a tie and they were correct, and I'm sure there are multiple examples where people said the same and we prevailed :shrug:
I think you're more likely right than wrong, but I think throwing in the towel at 1-0 is somewhat premature. If they'd scored a second I'd be with you.

[IBK]

What happened last night was precisely what I was nervous about. I'm not presenting myself as an expert analyst here - because I think it was utterly predictable that PSG would come flying out of the traps, and how many times have we seen this Arsenal team sluggish and unfocussed, and concede as a result of this? It's immediately obvious when we start a game like this, and for all PSG's brilliance in the first 30 minutes, we were architects of our own downfall.

The way PSG were pinpoint crisp and energised in contrast to our waywardness in this period was plain to see. I was concerned before the game about Partey's absence in MF but I did not expect such a massive drop off with Merino there. Yes, we very much steadied the ship after 35/40, but even after we had done so, the same familiar failings - lack of finishing; ponderous build up in attack; lack of movement and off-form players were present and correct. We very nearly imploded altogether in the final period of the game.

It's easy to be wise after the event, I know, but the RM ties masked the frailties in our team that have been found out repeatedly in the league. RM's reputation masked the fact that they are a collection of individuals rather than a team now. PSG are the opposite - a finely honed machine with outstanding talent - and the nervousness our players showed in the first half in particular suggests to me that they knew this too - there was hardly the confidence that should have come from the 5-1 in our previous tie.

I was going to say that the idea PSG could be outmuscled by a more physical Arsenal side ignored their results against Liverpool and Villa, but the sad fact is that we basically had nothing else out there tonight. Leaving Nwaneri as sub until 88/89 was pointless and in my view a mistake - given how Odegard was stinking the place up, but the 2 subs we made were the only options before reverting to a bench of Academy players.

As 21GS says, at our very best, with all our players on song, I think we could have at least drawn this match. But barring MLS; Saliba; Kiwor and (for the most part, acknowledging both his mistake and his deeper role) Rice, we were nowhere near.

Who says we can't take league form into a cup comp? On paper we can turn this around in Paris, but the head says we won't. And we could be in jeopardy of a CL place next season with more dropped points against Bournemouth at the weekend, and Liverpool and Newcastle still to play in the league. Many said after the Palace game that the league is not important. Well it has made Saturday an absoulute nightmare with us having to face PSG again on Wednesday.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I think missing out on the CL would be a blessing in disguise. I don’t think Arteta survives that. And I have to say it would make this awful season worth it, to see him sacked.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Playing deep is Rice’s natural position. He is a 6. Problem is he was too much of a girl to even try and put out the fires

Raya’s distribution wasn’t great but he stopped the result from being even more embarrassing that can’t be overlooked

PSG would be beatable if we were going there with a lead or even level. We can’t break teams down when they score first, and the game next week doesn’t start at 0-0, It starts at 0-1….they won’t come out…just like they didn’t really come out in the second half yesterday. They didn’t need to.

The sharp and refreshing hit of cold water will bring you back to reality. The tie is over. Any talk to the contrary is to be honest like Real Madrid’s claim about Remontada. Empty Hubris.

Except the reason we were so good against Real is because Rice was playing as an 8 and making driving runs forward. Partey was sitting in the 6 role and mopping up their midfield.

[KSE Comedy Club]

It’s got nothing to do with how good PSG are. They have the lead, they don’t have to come out and play. They can just smother us. We are done. It would be easier for people to accept this

Yep absolutely, I am going to burn my shirt now and stop watching football until August.

Maybe it's worth sending an email to the club and telling them it's not even worth travelling to France next week :ilt:

[KSE Comedy Club]

This is like the momentum argument. You can provide multiple examples where people thought we were dead and buried in a tie and they were correct, and I'm sure there are multiple examples where people said the same and we prevailed :shrug:
I think you're more likely right than wrong, but I think throwing in the towel at 1-0 is somewhat premature. If they'd scored a second I'd be with you.

2nd leg will be a different game, we will have our (only) 1st choice team back and we will see a difference.

There is zero chance that PSG will be able to sit back and defend for 90+ mins to see the tie out at 1-0. We will have more control over the midfield and will have more dominance in attack.

I'm still positive we will go through - Remontada is on.

Seriously - what is the code for the 'tm' logo?

[KSE Comedy Club]

What happened last night was precisely what I was nervous about. I'm not presenting myself as an expert analyst here - because I think it was utterly predictable that PSG would come flying out of the traps, and how many times have we seen this Arsenal team sluggish and unfocussed, and concede as a result of this? It's immediately obvious when we start a game like this, and for all PSG's brilliance in the first 30 minutes, we were architects of our own downfall.

The way PSG were pinpoint crisp and energised in contrast to our waywardness in this period was plain to see. I was concerned before the game about Partey's absence in MF but I did not expect such a massive drop off with Merino there. Yes, we very much steadied the ship after 35/40, but even after we had done so, the same familiar failings - lack of finishing; ponderous build up in attack; lack of movement and off-form players were present and correct. We very nearly imploded altogether in the final period of the game.

It's easy to be wise after the event, I know, but the RM ties masked the frailties in our team that have been found out repeatedly in the league. RM's reputation masked the fact that they are a collection of individuals rather than a team now. PSG are the opposite - a finely honed machine with outstanding talent - and the nervousness our players showed in the first half in particular suggests to me that they knew this too - there was hardly the confidence that should have come from the 5-1 in our previous tie.

I was going to say that the idea PSG could be outmuscled by a more physical Arsenal side ignored their results against Liverpool and Villa, but the sad fact is that we basically had nothing else out there tonight. Leaving Nwaneri as sub until 88/89 was pointless and in my view a mistake - given how Odegard was stinking the place up, but the 2 subs we made were the only options before reverting to a bench of Academy players.

As 21GS says, at our very best, with all our players on song, I think we could have at least drawn this match. But barring MLS; Saliba; Kiwor and (for the most part, acknowledging both his mistake and his deeper role) Rice, we were nowhere near.

Who says we can't take league form into a cup comp? On paper we can turn this around in Paris, but the head says we won't. And we could be in jeopardy of a CL place next season with more dropped points against Bournemouth at the weekend, and Liverpool and Newcastle still to play in the league. Many said after the Palace game that the league is not important. Well it has made Saturday an absoulute nightmare with us having to face PSG again on Wednesday.

I knew it was going to be bad as Merino was pretty dogshit in this team until he was put up front, ironically

[HCZ_Reborn]

Except the reason we were so good against Real is because Rice was playing as an 8 and making driving runs forward. Partey was sitting in the 6 role and moping up their midfield.

That’s fine if there’s plenty of time and space for him, but a) it’s not his natural role and b) as I said he played his natural role yesterday and was an effeminate mincing tart

[HCZ_Reborn]

Yep absolutely, I am going to burn my shirt now and stop watching football until August.

Maybe it's worth sending an email to the club and telling them it's not even worth travelling to France next week :ilt:

You have an Arsenal replica shirt?

How old are you, cos honestly if you’re anywhere near my age that’s not a good look for a middle aged man

But yes the season is over unless we contrive to fuck up champions league qualifications. And I can see the up side to that as the board would surely have to act. Seeing Arteta getting his comeuppance would almost make this terrible season worthwhile

[Letters]

Seriously - what is the code for the 'tm' logo?

It's [ TM ] [/ TM ]


Without the spaces

Like this

[Letters]

You have an Arsenal replica shirt?

How old are you, cos honestly if you’re anywhere near my age that’s not a good look for a middle aged man

I have one - so old it has DREAMCAST on the front. I almost never wear it unless I'm playing football. And the old knee is restricting how often that is these days :oldboy:

[HCZ_Reborn]

I have one - so old it has DREAMCAST on the front. I almost never wear it unless I'm playing football. And the old knee is restricting how often that is these days :oldboy:

Oh I had that one, the point being I was 18 when I got it. Stopped getting replica shirts by my mid twenties….undignified

[Letters]

Oh I had that one, the point being I was 18 when I got it. Stopped getting replica shirts by my mid twenties….undignified

Largely agreed.
There's someone I'm FB friends with (who used to post here but I won't name names) who seems quite proud of the fact he gets every replica kit the minute it is released. He must be in his 40s now so...yeah, I find it a bit odd. Each to their own I guess.

EDIT: While we're here. How the fuck have clubs convinced their fanbases that they need to change their kit every year and you have to pay £80 for the latest one. It's mental when you think about it.

[Chippy]

I think missing out on the CL would be a blessing in disguise. I don’t think Arteta survives that. And I have to say it would make this awful season worth it, to see him sacked.

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-fc-points-qualify-champions-league-b1225111.html

This should cheer you up :lol:

Mind you, they might be right, where do you see us getting two wins from? :(

[HCZ_Reborn]

Largely agreed.
There's someone I'm FB friends with (who used to post here but I won't name names) who seems quite proud of the fact he gets every replica kit the minute it is released. He must be in his 40s now so...yeah, I find it a bit odd. Each to their own I guess.

EDIT: While we're here. How the fuck have clubs convinced their fanbases that they need to change their kit every year and you have to pay £80 for the latest one. It's mental when you think about it.

It’s mental that people are prepared to pay for it, but the fact is they are. If people are prepared for the purpose of status to pay through the nose for something that would have cost no more than a few quid in the cost of textiles and human labour, to put together. It would be mental for the kit manufacturer not to bleed them dry.

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

I think missing out on the CL would be a blessing in disguise. I don’t think Arteta survives that. And I have to say it would make this awful season worth it, to see him sacked.

As much as I'd love this to happen (and I really do think it needs to happen for us to achieve our true potential) , even if everything you said occurred, he is going no where.

I am confident of this as until yesterday, most people for some strange reason, largely viewed this season as being a success (maybe due to the Citeh and Madrid results).

Also financially, we're going to make more money this season than we did last season thanks to these semis....so the rude shock of not being in the CL might still be balanced out in the P&L books (especially if we get past PSG and still lose in the final).

So in short, we needed to implode far earlier if we really wanted the Kronke's to wake up to "Arteta Out"!

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

2nd leg will be a different game, we will have our (only) 1st choice team back and we will see a difference.

There is zero chance that PSG will be able to sit back and defend for 90+ mins to see the tie out at 1-0. We will have more control over the midfield and will have more dominance in attack.

I'm still positive we will go through - Remontada is on.

Seriously - what is the code for the 'tm' logo?

:gp: Finally, kith and kin.

[Mac76]

It's [ TM ] [/ TM]


Without the spaces

Like this

It's working for me...

[Mac76]

Largely agreed.
There's someone I'm FB friends with (who used to post here but I won't name names) who seems quite proud of the fact he gets every replica kit the minute it is released. He must be in his 40s now so...yeah, I find it a bit odd. Each to their own I guess.

EDIT: While we're here. How the fuck have clubs convinced their fanbases that they need to change their kit every year and you have to pay £80 for the latest one. It's mental when you think about it.

I don't see a problem with someone wearing an Arsenal shirt at any age they want, but changing it every year really is a rip-off, as are 'third kits'

[Mac76]

:lol: ...I see a goodnight's rest hasn't calmed you down yet.

Disagree with the high rating for Raya and the low ratings for Rice ( who clearly played deeper) and Merino, who suffered the same fate.

Well, I am still positive that turning this around in Paris is not beyond us as the PSG side I saw yesterday is still the kind of team we will beat on a day Arteta's system works. But I will budge on the quality of their attacking players, as they are clearly above ours , with only Saka getting into that team.


ATM I am only worried about the way we will respond in the next few games as it is important we head into the final tie with confidence and momentum.

Also its clear that we need to solve this Odegaard issue now as he can't stay undroppable when he clearly gives the team very little.

I am not saying we should drop him for the PSG game, but by now Arteta should realise that giving him undeserved playing time won't get him out of his rut and their needs to be a plan B, a notion he keeps struggling with.

Pretty much all of this, though I thought PSG were the best team we've played this season and will be a test even if we are at our best, you can argue we had chances but so did they

I can live with it if we can just keep it close next week, e.g. a 1-1 would be respectable as making the semis is itself progress on last year

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Largely agreed.
There's someone I'm FB friends with (who used to post here but I won't name names) who seems quite proud of the fact he gets every replica kit the minute it is released. He must be in his 40s now so...yeah, I find it a bit odd. Each to their own I guess.

EDIT: While we're here. How the fuck have clubs convinced their fanbases that they need to change their kit every year and you have to pay £80 for the latest one. It's mental when you think about it.
Ooo let's name a random name from the past... Flava Flavs?

I've never been sure how to square this, on the one hand I know no one who admits to buying a replica shirt and yet go to any game and there are thousands upon thousands of grown men wearing them.

I'll admit, I have one replica shirt, randomly, which is an all black Germany shirt from a few years ago. Can't say I wear it often tbf and I only bought it because it was on sale for about £20.
I do also have/have had a few "football fashion" shirts, Art of Football and a couple of old 60s/70s style Liverpool tops, that type of thing.

Now a grown man getting a name on a kit. I've had one name on a kit, as a kid. 2004 England kit. Owen :sick:

[KSE Comedy Club]

It's [ TM ] [/ TM ]


Without the spaces

Like this

You sir are a star :tiphat:

[KSE Comedy Club]

You have an Arsenal replica shirt?

How old are you, cos honestly if you’re anywhere near my age that’s not a good look for a middle aged man

But yes the season is over unless we contrive to fuck up champions league qualifications. And I can see the up side to that as the board would surely have to act. Seeing Arteta getting his comeuppance would almost make this terrible season worthwhile

Yes I have one, I rather like the Adidas kits, so will always likely purchase one - and I am 44, nowt wrong with that (although I don't suffer with the lack of hair and larger round stomach my mate has who wears one....:haha:) :good:

I'm not ashamed to own them and I still wear them to the ground (when I'm lucky enough to get a ticket) or the pub when I watch games. There were around 30 people in there wearing theirs too :shrug:
It's one of those things, but I certainly don't think anyone is above wearing them.

[KSE Comedy Club]

It's working for me...

Yeh I just couldn't remember the code for the life of me! There doesn't seem to be a 'secret code' section on the forums :shrug:

[Mac76]

Apparently Dembele has a hamstring issue and may not be fit for next week :popcorn:

[Niall_Quinn]

Apparently Dembele has a hamstring issue and may not be fit for next week :popcorn:

That's a shame. He was useless.

[Mac76]

That's a shame. He was useless.

You mean apart from when he scored the winning goal...?

[Niall_Quinn]

You mean apart from when he scored the winning goal...?

Well, mishit a fluke. Sure. But it was only the winning goal because everyone else was even more useless.

[Mac76]

*sigh*