Match Reaction vs Man Utd (home).

On Alexis:

Quote:

---

Wenger said: "He has a little groin problem.

"Unfortunately he goes to Chile. You cannot stop him from going to Chile and he loves so much to play for his country and he will play against Brazil [on Friday] and Peru [next] Tuesday so the game at home against Brazil he will not want to miss.

"Hopefully he will come back in good shape."

---

Looked like he had a massive groin and a bumper set on Sunday, ripped that Darmian bloke a couple of new ones.

But hopefully the Chile staff are a bit sensible. That's the trouble with these stupid internationals, they can use up the player and send him back clapped out without any consequences their end. Can't afford to lose this guy for any amount of time, he's the battery for the rest of the team.

What this game has shown is that we certainly have the talent. So what has been missing?. I really feel we need a mentality change. The confidence in their own abilities and more importantly the ability to fight back against adversity. My greatest fear yesterday is that Utd would score before HT. If that had happened our all too familiar fragility would have reared its ugly head.

Now lets smash Bayern.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Globalgunner

What this game has shown is that we certainly have the talent. So what has been missing?. I really feel we need a mentality change. The confidence in their own abilities and more importantly the ability to fight back against adversity. My greatest fear yesterday is that Utd would score before HT. If that had happened our all too familiar fragility would have reared its ugly head.

Now lets smash Bayern.

---

What has been missing is competent and informed management. Wenget to his credit, delivered that in spades yesterday. He;

1. appeared to have motivated and focussed the team. they worked their socks off for 90 minutes ...all of them to a man, something that is usually missing from this team.
2. set the team up correctly, and they were tactically drilled especially the positioning and balance between attacking and defending
3. cajoled nd marshalled his troops from the touchline, ensuring they don't drop their levels, keep the opposition at bay and keep their shape
4. made coherent substitutions, and tactical adjustments to suit, showing bravery rather than going defensive ..as well as attentive in game management

...of course the team also played a big role, individually and as a group but i couldn't help noticing wenger doing all the things we are constantly crying out for him to do. last game we did this was when we beat city last season. united were beaten, tactically, technically, physically, mentally from the get go. it was a truly beautiful win, especially given our recent record against them. as mentioned by everyone we all hope this really is a turning point rather than the flash in the pan twice a season performance we have become used to.

not getting to excited as there is so many tough games to come, not least the double header with bayern ...and you also get the feeling city will have something to say about the title, we'll probably need to beat them and handle united again to have a real chance of challenging.

Wenger, that's all we've ever been asking for ....everyone needs to give absolutely everything.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Maestro

What has been missing is competent and informed management. Wenget to his credit, delivered that in spades yesterday. He;

1. appeared to have motivated and focussed the team. they worked their socks off for 90 minutes ...all of them to a man, something that is usually missing from this team.
2. set the team up correctly, and they were tactically drilled especially the positioning and balance between attacking and defending
3. cajoled nd marshalled his troops from the touchline, ensuring they don't drop their levels, keep the opposition at bay and keep their shape
4. made coherent substitutions, and tactical adjustments to suit, showing bravery rather than going defensive ..as well as attentive in game management

...of course the team also played a big role, individually and as a group but i couldn't help noticing wenger doing all the things we are constantly crying out for him to do. last game we did this was when we beat city last season. united were beaten, tactically, technically, physically, mentally from the get go. it was a truly beautiful win, especially given our recent record against them. as mentioned by everyone we all hope this really is a turning point rather than the flash in the pan twice a season performance we have become used to.

not getting to excited as there is so many tough games to come, not least the double header with bayern ...and you also get the feeling city will have something to say about the title, we'll probably need to beat them and handle united again to have a real chance of challenging.

Wenger, that's all we've ever been asking for ....everyone needs to give absolutely everything.

---

This 100%. How many expect "lacked little sharpness" post international after Watford?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Maestro

What has been missing is competent and informed management. Wenget to his credit, delivered that in spades yesterday. He;

1. appeared to have motivated and focussed the team. they worked their socks off for 90 minutes ...all of them to a man, something that is usually missing from this team.
2. set the team up correctly, and they were tactically drilled especially the positioning and balance between attacking and defending
3. cajoled nd marshalled his troops from the touchline, ensuring they don't drop their levels, keep the opposition at bay and keep their shape
4. made coherent substitutions, and tactical adjustments to suit, showing bravery rather than going defensive ..as well as attentive in game management

...of course the team also played a big role, individually and as a group but i couldn't help noticing wenger doing all the things we are constantly crying out for him to do. last game we did this was when we beat city last season. united were beaten, tactically, technically, physically, mentally from the get go. it was a truly beautiful win, especially given our recent record against them. as mentioned by everyone we all hope this really is a turning point rather than the flash in the pan twice a season performance we have become used to.

not getting to excited as there is so many tough games to come, not least the double header with bayern ...and you also get the feeling city will have something to say about the title, we'll probably need to beat them and handle united again to have a real chance of challenging.

Wenger, that's all we've ever been asking for ....everyone needs to give absolutely everything.

---

Good analysis. Problem is that we are used to seeing one standout performance like this from us every season. Reprising my other thread, is the problem not that Wenger cannot do it, but that after so much time he can't raise himself, and therefore the team other than on an ad hoc basis?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LDG

Still :cloud9:

I really hope we look within and understand that if you give it the effort, both before and during the game, you get the results.

We should be blitzing teams like that all of the time, not just in some games. If you want to win the league, then 75-80% of your matches have to be played like that. You will always get off days and bad patches, but they should be the exception, not the norm.

---

I'd like to see the effort applied to each game, but I can't help but feel this sort of game can only play out as such with a team ridiculous enough to believe they are better than us like Manure. A lot of the time our undoing is a dull, drab stalemate where we just can't score and the opposition are quite happy to sit back. When that happens, our ability to find the solution or to coin a Wengerism 'get them out of position' will be key.

I think that sort of game is more likely to be our undoing and though I still don't think we will win the league, I look forward and hope towards not thinking each big game is a foregone conclusion before we even play it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Munchies

http://i.imgur.com/AopwFUQ.gif


:lol:

---

LOL!!!! :d :d

https://www.facebook.com/Troll.Footb...type=3&theater

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Coney

https://www.facebook.com/Troll.Footb...type=3&theater

---

It's funny because they called Smalling, Small.


:unsure:

So much to be happy about with Sunday's performance...

Alexis confirming that he's back...

Özil ramming a performance down his critics' throats...

The way the front 3/4 are really starting to 'click' - everyone creating for each other and getting goals...

The way the back 4 and the keeper are starting to 'click'...

The way the midfield 2/3 is managing to contribute to both ends and link everything together...

The manager getting the team pumped and his decisions spot-on...

...this is all fantatsic stuff to watch as a gooner!

Fair play to Theo again - he's really owning that CF role at the moment, and it's great to see him focussing on performance first, rather than waiting around anonymously for goals. This was pretty much exactly what I was saying that I wanted to see from him: apply that devastating pace of his to the defensive side of his game, add some of that lovely, Sanchezesque work-rate, and use it to hassle and press along the front line. If he continues to do that, then he's going to be a nightmare for defenders and holding midfielders, and will go from being a pushover to a bit of a bully - who'd have ever thought that?! That's the sort of shit that will win you the psychological battle against your markers every time, and really mess with their composure. Keep doing it, and the goals will follow - if not always for him, then at least for his team mates.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LDG

It's funny

---

:haha:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn

On Alexis:



Looked like he had a massive groin and a bumper set on Sunday, ripped that Darmian bloke a couple of new ones.

But hopefully the Chile staff are a bit sensible. That's the trouble with these stupid internationals, they can use up the player and send him back clapped out without any consequences their end. Can't afford to lose this guy for any amount of time, he's the battery for the rest of the team.

---

Aye, I hope Alexis is OK, a little groin problem at Arsenal is never a little groin problem.

Arteta & Flams are both out at the moment with little muscular problems yet we hear nothing about return dates.

I think if Alexis is not 100% we can just about get away with resting him away to Watford but we'll need him back for the Everton game and especially the Bayern one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by selassie

Aye, I hope Alexis is OK, a little groin problem at Arsenal is never a little groin problem.

Arteta & Flams are both out at the moment with little muscular problems yet we hear nothing about return dates.

I think if Alexis is not 100% we can just about get away with resting him away to Watford but we'll need him back for the Everton game and especially the Bayern one.

---

Now that we know the players and manager have a next level to their game, we’re now looking on to the next barrier to our title challenge. Injuries and fitness. We have to pray that Alexis, Coquelin and Theo stay fit otherwise it’s curtains.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Maestro

What has been missing is competent and informed management. Wenget to his credit, delivered that in spades yesterday. He;

1. appeared to have motivated and focussed the team. they worked their socks off for 90 minutes ...all of them to a man, something that is usually missing from this team.
2. set the team up correctly, and they were tactically drilled especially the positioning and balance between attacking and defending
3. cajoled nd marshalled his troops from the touchline, ensuring they don't drop their levels, keep the opposition at bay and keep their shape
4. made coherent substitutions, and tactical adjustments to suit, showing bravery rather than going defensive ..as well as attentive in game management

...of course the team also played a big role, individually and as a group but i couldn't help noticing wenger doing all the things we are constantly crying out for him to do. last game we did this was when we beat city last season. united were beaten, tactically, technically, physically, mentally from the get go. it was a truly beautiful win, especially given our recent record against them. as mentioned by everyone we all hope this really is a turning point rather than the flash in the pan twice a season performance we have become used to.

not getting to excited as there is so many tough games to come, not least the double header with bayern ...and you also get the feeling city will have something to say about the title, we'll probably need to beat them and handle united again to have a real chance of challenging.

Wenger, that's all we've ever been asking for ....everyone needs to give absolutely everything.

---

:gp:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory

:gp:

---

You were right about Theo. I was concerned of his play when he wasn't taking chances and he has quelled that the last 3 weeks for me.:good:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory

Now that we know the players and manager have a next level to their game, we’re now looking on to the next barrier to our title challenge. Injuries and fitness. We have to pray that Alexis, Coquelin and Theo stay fit otherwise it’s curtains.

---

Yep, I think if we can keep everybody relatively fit, esp the three you have mentioned...don't laugh! Then we are in with a geniune chance as long as we keep the consistency levels high.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mastermind84

You were right about Theo. I was concerned of his play when he wasn't taking chances and he has quelled that the last 3 weeks for me.:good:

---

No worries. Just glad to see he’s finally getting a run up front. He’ll grow in that role as he keeps playing. You can see how he’s progressing quickly and is now contributing with assists and creating space for others. It’s looking promising so far and I wish we’d have tried this much earlier.

Let's not do this after one game - AGAIN. Let's just relax, enjoy the win and wait and see what happens next time this lot are on a pitch. Then we'll have a much better idea where we really are.

The problem the manager and the team are going to have now is they have shown us what they can do. Hard for them to shirk from here on without getting a ton of stick. As much as it could and should be the step up to where we want to be all the time, it could also be the last straw if we drop down several levels and take Watford for granted. I really hope some lesson have stuck this time.

I also hope we don't get carried away against Bayern. We won't be doing to them what we did to Utd. The two Bayern games are entirely different affairs and we'll need Plans A, B and C to get the results we need. But if we can keep on getting the basics as right as we saw on Sunday, the passing, the movement, the use of the wide players, we'll give them a game at least.

Goes without saying Cech needs to be inked onto the team sheet from now on.

People are going to say it's hindsight, but I had a feeling Theo would step up a level this season. That's why I changed my mind about him in the summer and was glad when he stayed. After Sunday he's looking a bargain at £140k pw (relatively speaking of course). Damn glad he's not tearing it up for the chavs instead. They are the ones with the striking problem now. Falcao :haha:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by selassie

Yep, I think if we can keep everybody relatively fit, esp the three you have mentioned...don't laugh! Then we are in with a geniune chance as long as we keep the consistency levels high.

---

Whilst it would be wonderful if we could blow teams away like that week in week out, we won't be quite as lucky with the space we were afforded on Sunday, every week. Leicester also showed they were happy to come out against us rather than sitting, and also got punished. Any manager worth their salt will be looking to sit against us from now on, rather than let us play through the inside channels on the counter attack.

Unfortunately, many of our matches will find us playing with 10 men in front of us, and limited space. This will entirely change the questions asked of us. What we need to know, is does this team have it in them to break teams down week in week out? It's an entirely different game when we end up passing sideways across the pitch....which is why a fit and form Giroud is crucial if we want to push on.....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LDG

Whilst it would be wonderful if we could blow teams away like that week in week out, we won't be quite as lucky with the space we were afforded on Sunday, every week. Leicester also showed they were happy to come out against us rather than sitting, and also got punished. Any manager worth their salt will be looking to sit against us from now on, rather than let us play through the inside channels on the counter attack.

Unfortunately, many of our matches will find us playing with 10 men in front of us, and limited space. This will entirely change the questions asked of us. What we need to know, is does this team have it in them to break teams down week in week out? It's an entirely different game when we end up passing sideways across the pitch....which is why a fit and form Giroud is crucial if we want to push on.....

---

I think Giroud is the worst player to have when a team sits deep against us. The lack of movement doesn’t create space for others and the opposition find it easy to mark him. Despite his lack of pace, he’s better when the game is more open and we’re on the counter. When he makes a well timed run into the box, unmarked and with the ball being whipped in or cut back, he fairs a lot better. But we’ll need him back on form.

But I thought we shredded United open for our first two goals and created our own space even though they were defending from deep. After the first two goals they were pushing forward more. I thought that game was a mixture. We had them pinned back from the opening minutes but we were clinical. We carve open teams that sit deep as well, just as long as we’re moving and passing with purpose. The one thing I hate is when we play with Giroud as the target man, everyone is looking for one twos or the short yard pass back from him. It just makes everything so static and doesn’t shift defenders. It’s very easy to defend against.

It's the tempo that's so important, no matter who plays. The tempo and the accurate passing. Too many times we play that plodding pace and I think it puts the players off, the get lazy and careless with the passing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn

It's the tempo that's so important, no matter who plays. The tempo and the accurate passing. Too many times we play that plodding pace and I think it puts the players off, the get lazy and careless with the passing.

---

Very true. But I also think the tempo relates to the pace up front and the movement. It goes back to what I've always thought about the balance of the squad. Lack of runners and off the ball movement.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn

Let's not do this after one game - AGAIN.:

---

I agree, but people on here over-react after one bad game. Football fans are reactionary.

IMO we're good enough to challenge this year. I've kept saying that because I genuinely believe it but I would agree we've not seen a huge amount of evidence to back that up. We saw it on Sunday though. The trick is to get consistent. I don't expect that level every game, that is unrealistic and no team does that, but we have to stop switching off and thinking we just need to turn up and win.

Is anyone really over board? What are you guys seeing here that I'm not? Nothing wrong with praising the performance of the players and manager without going into the negatives.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory

Is anyone really over board? What are you guys seeing here that I'm not? Nothing wrong with praising the performance of the players and manager without going into the negatives.

---

Aye - in fact its only fair to enjoy and praise a good performance when we have been criticising the dross. I used to bang on about this all the time. Football supporting is an emotional business. i donpt think its fair that so many on here are seen as 'over-reacting' to one bad result. The over-reaction from most in these situations is because often a bad performance from us is not a stand alone thing - its a repetition of failings or obvious mistakes that have characterised the team for years - so its criticism born of frustration. Similarly, its been instructive to see that no-one is gettigng carried away with Saturday's win. If we show the same kind of performance over the next half-dozen wins, then the reaction to a disappointing result will become more measured, I am sure.

No - people react on here because we've had a decade of "last weeks". You & I were debating on another thread where I told you whilst I enjoyed the game against Leicester & the way we attacked I wasn't over excited because we have become used to what happens next. Then 3 days later we have the shambles of a performance against the Greeks. Its not just one game, its regularly occurring every year.
Reasons for this weeks rollercoaster of a ride.
1, If we had started all 3 games on the front foot & hungry, aggressive - moving the ball quickly & taking our chances then we would have beaten the Greeks by a few goals aswell.
2, If we had started with Cech in goal for all 3 games there is a very good chance that we wouldn't have given the Greeks the belief they had with a half time lead.
3, If we had players playing with consistency rather than 1 game on 1 game off then we also would be winning all 3 games. In the same way that Bayern won all their 3 games in the same week by convincing margins, consistency with quality players in all positions (none costing more than Ozil cost us).

The key words are quality & consistency. Consistency breads quality but you need the quality in the 1st place to become consistent. We have two many players who's quality will never lead to consistency & we don't deal with these weak links in the transfer window.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LDG

Whilst it would be wonderful if we could blow teams away like that week in week out, we won't be quite as lucky with the space we were afforded on Sunday, every week. Leicester also showed they were happy to come out against us rather than sitting, and also got punished. Any manager worth their salt will be looking to sit against us from now on, rather than let us play through the inside channels on the counter attack.

Unfortunately, many of our matches will find us playing with 10 men in front of us, and limited space. This will entirely change the questions asked of us. What we need to know, is does this team have it in them to break teams down week in week out? It's an entirely different game when we end up passing sideways across the pitch....which is why a fit and form Giroud is crucial if we want to push on.....

---

A fit and in form Giroud would be crucial if we concentrated more on crossing from wide positions rather than the slow build up that tends to happen when players (Ramsey; Ozil) come inside into congestion. I am not a Giroud detractor, and I think that he will respond to healthy competition up front from Walcott - that will also prevent him becoming knackered, which often happens. But Wenger has to learn to play to his strengths, and this means crosses, and runners into the box.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dein-machine

No - people react on here because we've had a decade of "last weeks". You & I were debating on another thread where I told you whilst I enjoyed the game against Leicester & the way we attacked I wasn't over excited because we have become used to what happens next. Then 3 days later we have the shambles of a performance against the Greeks. Its not just one game, its regularly occurring every year.
Reasons for this weeks rollercoaster of a ride.
1, If we had started all 3 games on the front foot & hungry, aggressive - moving the ball quickly & taking our chances then we would have beaten the Greeks by a few goals aswell.
2, If we had started with Cech in goal for all 3 games there is a very good chance that we wouldn't have given the Greeks the belief they had with a half time lead.
3, If we had players playing with consistency rather than 1 game on 1 game off then we also would be winning all 3 games. In the same way that Bayern won all their 3 games in the same week by convincing margins, consistency with quality players in all positions (none costing more than Ozil cost us).

The key words are quality & consistency. Consistency breads quality but you need the quality in the 1st place to become consistent. We have two many players who's quality will never lead to consistency & we don't deal with these weak links in the transfer window.

---

Not sure why you are disagreeing with my post, given that you agree with my 2 main points :unsure:

As for your specific observations - we have started quickly in a number of games - including Olympiacos. The difference being that we haven't finished our chances in that opening period - whereas against Manure we converted almost every one. Both Cech, and the players' attitude and commitment in defence are crucial, though - and this attitude and commitment are what we need to see on a consistent basis. The irony is that it should be much easier to ensure that your players are 100% up for each game than it is to ensure that they are on song technically.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn

Let's not do this after one game - AGAIN.

---

This - Come on guys, let use the superior brain power than God blessed Arsenal fans with & not sound like the fickle idiots that I see from other teams. It was less than a week ago when most on here we're righting us off as absolute no hopers

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by IBK

Aye - in fact its only fair to enjoy and praise a good performance when we have been criticising the dross. I used to bang on about this all the time. Football supporting is an emotional business. i donpt think its fair that so many on here are seen as 'over-reacting' to one bad result. The over-reaction from most in these situations is because often a bad performance from us is not a stand alone thing - its a repetition of failings or obvious mistakes that have characterised the team for years - so its criticism born of frustration. Similarly, its been instructive to see that no-one is gettigng carried away with Saturday's win. If we show the same kind of performance over the next half-dozen wins, then the reaction to a disappointing result will become more measured, I am sure.

---

It’s been measured and the praise has been good. But I think it’s about to get ugly. Letters again. :lol: The negative outpour doesn’t come from one bad result. We’ve discussed this so many times on here and it’s not worth going over again. We just need to give credit where it’s due when we perform like this without getting carried away.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by IBK

Not sure why you are disagreeing with my post, given that you agree with my 2 main points :unsure:

As for your specific observations - we have started quickly in a number of games - including Olympiacos. The difference being that we haven't finished our chances in that opening period - whereas against Manure we converted almost every one. Both Cech, and the players' attitude and commitment in defence are crucial, though - and this attitude and commitment are what we need to see on a consistent basis. The irony is that it should be much easier to ensure that your players are 100% up for each game than it is to ensure that they are on song technically.

---

No sorry IBk, was responding to Letters but didn't do "reply with quote"!!

Agree with what you say but the reason we aren't finishing the hundreds of chances we create is consistency. We don't have a quality, consistent striker & we haven't had one since RVP. But we continue without, every year & will probably do the same in Jan window aswell as next Summer because our manager continues to argue the obvious. This will mean performamces like West Ham & Olympiakos, plenty of possession & chances but losing games, & the monotonous cycle continues.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by IBK

A fit and in form Giroud would be crucial if we concentrated more on crossing from wide positions rather than the slow build up that tends to happen when players (Ramsey; Ozil) come inside into congestion. I am not a Giroud detractor, and I think that he will respond to healthy competition up front from Walcott - that will also prevent him becoming knackered, which often happens. But Wenger has to learn to play to his strengths, and this means crosses, and runners into the box.

---

I hold a similar opinion. Giroud isn’t good in tight spaces. He has his moments but I also think he’s better when someone is crossing to him. Counter attacks. It makes sense if Wenger is saying statistically he scores more with his first touch.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dein-machine

This - Come on guys, let use the superior brain power than God blessed Arsenal fans with & not sound like the fickle idiots that I see from other teams. It was less than a week ago when most on here we're righting us off as absolute no hopers

---

Who exactly is painting us as world beaters after one good game. Far as I can see people are simply enjoying a great result over a traditional rival - which surely is what being a fan is all about. I am seeing a rather equivocal opinion generally as to whether this signals any real change - which is as you say completely justified.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dein-machine

No sorry IBk, was responding to Letters but didn't do "reply with quote"!!

Agree with what you say but the reason we aren't finishing the hundreds of chances we create is consistency. We don't have a quality, consistent striker & we haven't had one since RVP. But we continue without, every year & will probably do the same in Jan window aswell as next Summer because our manager continues to argue the obvious. This will mean performamces like West Ham & Olympiakos, plenty of possession & chances but losing games, & the monotonous cycle continues.

---

Fair enough mate. If I had to call it, I would agree 100% that what we have seen for so many years is not going to change fundamentally now. We've been led to believe too many times that things will change. Be nice if we could put a dozen similar performances together - but we have seen even this over the past few seasons only to fail over the whole season!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory

No worries. Just glad to see he’s finally getting a run up front. He’ll grow in that role as he keeps playing. You can see how he’s progressing quickly and is now contributing with assists and creating space for others. It’s looking promising so far and I wish we’d have tried this much earlier.

---

he probably wasnt ready, but its happening now and its added an element to our attack that wasnt there before.

The problem is the right side. Ramsey did a good job on Sunday but he hasnt got the speed to do it out there and he is our best CM. Santi's legs are gone. Ox isnt really a threat out there and is often better for the opponent. Its a big issue.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mastermind84

he probably wasnt ready, but its happening now and its added an element to our attack that wasnt there before.

The problem is the right side. Ramsey did a good job on Sunday but he hasnt got the speed to do it out there and he is our best CM. Santi's legs are gone. Ox isnt really a threat out there and is often better for the opponent. Its a big issue.

---

Agreed. We are playing Ramsey because he has a good engine & does his defensive duties, he is no longer an attacking threat & his distribution is woeful. He should be used as sub to give Santi or Ozil a rest when a game is won until he gets back to the player he was 2 years ago. Marne from the Saints would solve the right hand side issue & be able to switch in & out with Walcot during a game. Sanchez, Walcot & Marne being fed by Santi & Ozi has a good feel about it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mastermind84

he probably wasnt ready, but its happening now and its added an element to our attack that wasnt there before.

The problem is the right side. Ramsey did a good job on Sunday but he hasnt got the speed to do it out there and he is our best CM. Santi's legs are gone. Ox isnt really a threat out there and is often better for the opponent. Its a big issue.

---

I think Ox needs to be persevered with out right, and Ramsey needs to be tried in the CM position. I like Santi, but with Ozil on the left, and Alexis who can dribble and pass pretty much as well, I wonder if he is often a bit of a luxury in the team.

I think its worth pointing out that Spuds recently smashed City 4-1, a good result of course but would they consider themselves ready to challenge after one result?

Just asking....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mastermind84

he probably wasnt ready, but its happening now and its added an element to our attack that wasnt there before.

The problem is the right side. Ramsey did a good job on Sunday but he hasnt got the speed to do it out there and he is our best CM. Santi's legs are gone. Ox isnt really a threat out there and is often better for the opponent. Its a big issue.

---

It's possible but I've always thought he'd have benefitted from starting early. Especially after that Newcastle hat trick. He was electric. But we'll see how he fairs as the season goes on.

I thought Ramsey made some important passes on Sunday. For once he didn't look totally out of the loop but it's no long term solution. He's not confident playing there. Ox has to step his game up and claim that spot because although Ramsey isn't ideal, I really don't know how Ox will play. At least with Bellerin overlapping we get some sort of wing play down that side. But yes, it's an issue and we need someone to step their game up because there are no obvious candidates for the right at the moment.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dein-machine

No - people react on here because we've had a decade of "last weeks".

---

I think that's a bit of a simplification. And in the last 2 seasons we've won a trophy in each. People react because people get emotional about football and that seems to make them irrational. We lost at West Ham and it was all "woe is me, we have no chance." I was roundly criticised for saying that maybe, just maybe, it's a little early to be throwing in the towel after one game.

Quote:

---

You & I were debating on another thread where I told you whilst I enjoyed the game against Leicester & the way we attacked I wasn't over excited because we have become used to what happens next. Then 3 days later we have the shambles of a performance against the Greeks. Its not just one game, its regularly occurring every year.

---

It is, but it's happening to every team every year. Maybe to us more than most but no team is completely consistent. City sweep all before them and then lost to West Ham and then get hammered at WHL of all places.

Quote:

---

The key words are quality & consistency. Consistency breads quality but you need the quality in the 1st place to become consistent. We have two many players who's quality will never lead to consistency & we don't deal with these weak links in the transfer window.

---

I disagree about the quality of our players, I think we're good enough to challenge properly.
I agree to an extent about not dealing with the weaker links - notably up front. My take on the summer's dealings, or lack thereof, is that Wenger didn't see the point in signing another Wellbeck, either sign someone who will push us - another like Sanchez or Ozil - or don't bother. If that is what happened then I agree with that, but the problem is he failed to land the big signing (it seems like he was chasing Benzema). If the result of that is we fail to challenge then he should be sacked. If Sanchez keeps his shooting boots on and Walcott stays fix then we might just have enough up front after all.

As I keep saying, Wenger should be ultimately judged next May. He shouldn't be judged after a poor result vs West Ham or a good one vs Utd. Obviously each game will change and shape options and the frustrations of the last 10 years will colour those opinions. So long as we stay in touch I'll feel we have a chance. We have a good run in - City away is our penultimate game, interestingly - and if we're in touch with 10 games to go I wouldn't write us off.

The key for now is to build on that Utd game and get a bit of momentum going.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AFC Leveller

I think its worth pointing out that Spuds recently smashed City 4-1, a good result of course but would they consider themselves ready to challenge after one result?

Just asking....

---

:lol:

No, but then they're not a side who ever challenge for the title, I don't even think they have top 4 pretensions this year let alone title hopes.