Match Reaction vs Chelsea

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by IBK

I feel deflated after that. Been a familiar feeling this past month.

Before this season we were perennial top 4 material. I'm sorry but I see no fundamental change in this team, or the manager's tactics. We have improved defensively, no doubt. But now Ramsey's hot streak has ended and Giroud's looking fairly ordinary again, we struggle to make goalscoring opportunities. We hold an almost suicidally high line - giving inevitable opportunities to the opposition - yet at times look so easy to defend against.

We've spent #42m on one player, yet as we have posted all the usual results/performances against the top teams over the past month, we have looked desperately short of a match winner.

We need a real step change if we are to win things, not gradual improvement, because I see all of the traditional top teams in this league being noteably stronger during the second half of this season, yet alone next season. I'm afraid we are not seeing a step change - and all those who questioned our credentials despite our good start are being proved right.

---

Ozil hasn't shown up for the big games and it's really disappointing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Özim

They aren't a great side, they have been poor this season and yet are what 2 points behind us when we've had a good season thus far, they're only going to improve in reality. They were away from home at the end of the day so a draw is a better result for them.

We've got another run like this in March April and I think we'll drop points left right and centre again tbh, haven't seen anything to make me think otherwise.

---

why is it that chelsea will improve in your mind but we won't? thats just stupid logic. what happens if we pull off another ozil?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Özim

If I'm honest I just don't believe in this side, I needed to see us produce something in the last few games, something that tells me we're capable of winning the league, I haven't seen that, we're not the best team and the best team usually wins the league. Until we can show we are capable of beating the top sides, I'm never going to truly believe and will continue to see us as 2nd tier. 2 points from 9 with 2 games at home is a poor return IMO.

A striker might help but I'm not sure Wenger will spend and don't know who is available, we need someone World class who can guarantee goals.

---

Whilst I agree with a lot of that did you think before the season started that we'd be level on points with the league leaders at Christmas? I bloody didn't. We won't win the league. Tonight confirmed that for me. I'm disappointed because although I never thought we would win it, it's still a kick in the pants when it's confirmed. But I have seen improvement this season, the important thing is we have to build on that, otherwise it'll be Groundhog Day again.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xmas Is Boss

I can go along with that.

---

:lol:

People need to stop bashing Özil, he's doing exactly the same thing as he did in Real Madrid, only difference is that our players doesnt score on the easy chances he gives them.

Horrendous conditions tbf.

Thought we could have moved the ball quicker at times, and it's pointless having walcott if we're never going to play the quick ball in behind.

Far too predictable.

Thought Chelsea were shit too mind.

I thought we were pretty brutal TBH and this team looks nowhere near good enough or any closer to beating any of its rivals, as in Chelsea, Man City etc.

We lacked imagination, got a lot of the basics wrong and pretty much just huffed and puffed our way to a draw. Our passing was off, at times lacked discipline and in general just looked the least likely of the sides to win.

What concerns me more than anything is this team seems to have gone back to the Arsenal of last season prior to our decent run, I don't know if it's because we are playing decent opposotion but we just look so toothless.

Upfront isn't our only issue either, we are beginning to see problems in Central Midfield again. Moreover Ozil who is suppose to be our star man has been absolutely woeful in the games against City and Chelsea, weak, immobile and afraid to make decisions.

Forget the title, we have a huge battle on our hands to finish top 4 IMHO, it's getting that tight.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Letters To Santa

Whilst I agree with a lot of that did you think before the season started that we'd be level on points with the league leaders at Christmas? I bloody didn't. We won't win the league. Tonight confirmed that for me. I'm disappointed because although I never thought we would win it, it's still a kick in the pants when it's confirmed. But I have seen improvement this season, the important thing is we have to build on that, otherwise it'll be Groundhog Day again.

---

Wrong.

If we sign a top top striker in the ilk of Costa, we can win the league.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JonasTC

People need to stop bashing Özil, he's doing exactly the same thing as he did in Real Madrid, only difference is that our players doesnt score on the easy chances he gives them.

---

It's not good enough and he's not going to get a free pass. The midfield were pretty poor and he contributed to the poor play.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JonasTC

People need to stop bashing Özil, he's doing exactly the same thing as he did in Real Madrid, only difference is that our players doesnt score on the easy chances he gives them.

---

Brilliant post.