match reaction v chelsea

[Marc Overmars]

Different team, different circumstance. Pedantic.

[Xhaka Can’t]

If an English club wins the CL and we come 4th do we miss out?

Only if it is United that win the Cup.

[Özim]

Only if it is United that win the Cup.

Ok that's good news I guess, as I'd say it's unlikely they will!

[GP]

[Power n Glory]

Managers tactics do not tell, you if it is fine to hold your position when your colleague has just been robbed of the ball. Unless indeed we do have a hopeless case of a manager. Time and time again the same crap happens, the ball is lost often in midfield or due to crap play from Giroud. and the immediate reaction is panic stations. Its as if in training it has never been simulated, what to do in these situations. This has been our lot since a long time but more obviously when Vieira and then Gilberto left. the midfield that lost the ball will hold station and pass the predicament over to an overmatched defence. This is a symptom since 2007 and has not been addressed. I see the problem as more symptomatic of the manager. if several squads of varying players exhibit the same deficiencies.over many years....then it obviously isnt the players

We've stopped pressing to win the ball back and the deep defensive line and organised structure we saw at the start of the season is slowly fading. The pressing certainly has and I think Wenger may have somehow linked the intense pressing to our fatigue and injury problem. It's just a hunch but I have a feeling he's linked the two and feels to it burns too much energy so he's changed tactics.

[Niall_Quinn]

We've stopped pressing to win the ball back and the deep defensive line and organised structure we saw at the start of the season is slowly fading. The pressing certainly has and I think Wenger may have somehow linked the intense pressing to our fatigue and injury problem. It's just a hunch but I have a feeling he's linked the two and feels to it burns too much energy so he's changed tactics.

Same thoughts here. We joke about the computer making subs and telling us how far each player can run before they give up, but I do sense some horrible sort of sports psychology and statistical regime at work here.

[1_nilto the arsenal]

Conceding 17 goals against our title rivals doesnt bode well. If a miracle did happen and we won this title, we will go down for being one of the weakest sides to have won the eague, and will always be remebered for our 3 thrashings against our main rivals. Just a thought but I wouldnt want to win the league after those 3 maulings. Best to stay 4th for this season as Liverpol, Chesea and Man City deserve this championship with thier attcking style and free scoring total football, something we serioulsy lack.

[Özim]

I still think we lack real leadership in this team, it's all very good being great when we're playing well, but the leaders are needed when things are going wrong, they're needed to steady the ship and organiser, we've got noone basically, when we go a couple goals down we capitulate.

If we had an Adams type player or two I'm pretty sure this wouldn't happen.

[Ernesto]

This is reminiscent of 2000-01. We finished second, but lost at the homes of the other teams in the top 4. Not only that, we we embarrassed at two of them (lost 6-1 at Old Trafford and 4-0 at Anfield but fortunately only 1-0 at Elland Road!)

We had leaders in that team. Any of the back 5 could've made captain, as well as Vieira (à captain in the making). Hence, i really don't think it's a question of having leaders on the pitch. Yes, it would be nice to have à player who understands how their role would evolve in a game (Wilshere used to do that before his injury). It would be nice, for example, for Cazorla to head the ball once in a while, in spite of what the manager's told him.

It really is down to the manager. As far as the abhorrent Chelsea go, he ought to have focussed on their strengths and weaknesses and how to exploit said weaknesses. Instead, there appears to be an arrogant "do what you do best" style team-talk given ahead of every game. It would have worked with the Invincibles. Not with this lot. Not by a long shot.

[AFC Leveller]

Can anyone tell me what the fuck does the manager see in Arteta? the guy is our weak link and all the top teams target him when we have the ball. Slow, letharig, no confidence, no energy, no strength nothing. He is one of the worst players in this team and doesnt protect the back 4 or break up oppo's play.

Unbelievable that he is vice captain.