Napoli v Arsenal match reaction - let the bed wetting begin!

[AFC Leveller]

The positives were that we qualified from the toughest group and were beaten to top spot by goal difference, so all in all we shouldnt be too disappointed.

However, i cant help but feel the blames lies with the manager for this loss (very similar to the Man u one IMO) as he blatanely went out not to concede and it backfired again. Napoli are not Real or Barcelona, we know we can beat them if we play our game (see 2-0 reverse fixture) but we looked scared and clueless throughout the game. Theo should have started, he is fresh and available, plus this game would have been perfect for him.


Why did we not look interested to attack them? we they were without some of their best players and were there for the taking IMO (again, same as Utd) but we we fucked up on the night because the manager still doesnt believe in his side and doesnt want to damage their confidence thus he goes for draws in the big games.

I expect City to beat us because not only do we start games slowly these days but also because we will play a defensive team and look for a draw.

[Marc Overmars]

Really hope we take the game to City, we will get pumped if we try to play conservatively, it doesn't suit us.

Half the players will probably be gassed now as well.

Theo must start.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

"Theo must start".

We've been saying that for the past 3 games now.

Useless.

[Power n Glory]

Theo probably won't start and he's lacking match fitness. No idea why he hasn't started a single game since his return to fitness. He rested Wilshere so he'll probably start. He also needs to stop playing both of our DM's together. We can't really afford fatigue or injuries in that area.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Really hope we take the game to City, we will get pumped if we try to play conservatively, it doesn't suit us.

Half the players will probably be gassed now as well.

Theo must start.

Tbh, I don't think most of them will be gassed. It was a fairly conservative effort out there and they looked comfortable right up to the first goal and probably would have seen out the match comfortably at 0-1 had Arteta not had a brainfart.

The one exception though - is Giroud. He looks completely and utterly exhausted. This is a huge worry for us going into the Christmas programme. With Giroud much less of a threat, we are going to invite all sorts of pressure on ourselves with teams well equipped to do exactly that.

[BOBN]

This is my biggest concern after tonight. Wenger seems to have completely given up on having some pace on at least one of the flanks and decided we have to play with 5 central midfielders. This is concerning on so many levels. Because it makes us very one dimensional and having to be at the very top of our game in order to pass the ball through a midfield and defence and lastly it doesn't give us any outlet to relieve pressure. Furthermore it means that teams with pace on the flanks will absolutely crush us given the tendency of all our players to drift centrally and leave our fullbacks exposed. None of the teams we've played so far have had decent wide players barring Everton and they gave us a lot of trouble down the flanks as a result.

The mans an obsessive and has morphed into a football snob. He gets an ideal in his head and pushes it beyond its limits. Right now its tiki-taka.

But he should note his boyfriends Barcelona have Neymar, Messi, Sanchez, Pedro, Tello... players who can run, penetrate, burst through lines. I mean this Pedro can barely play. Until you can afford a Neymar youve GOT to scarifice some tiki-taka for a player or two with a different dimension.

[Dein-machine]

Neville & Henry were on Sky yesterday prior to the game showing the lack of movement from Giroud in & around the box. This team needs a Suarez/Aguero type of striker to maximise the qualities we have. The only penetration we've had consistanly this year is Ramsey's runs into the box. Even with Ozil in the side, if Ramsey was playing like he did last year we'd be mid-table.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

How deep was Giroud last night? We were basically playing 4-6-0. We had no bloody attack.

[Ollie the Optimist]

how many times have we moaned that we have rushed players back to early? clearly theo is not 100% fit and with our huge schedule coming up in the next month, there is no point rushing him back if there is a chance he isn't fully fit. if he had started and wasn't fit to play a whole game or got injured again we would be killing AW for starting him. its a lose lose situation this for AW

[Grebbo]

1st or 2nd in the group - I'm not bothered at all. We have zero chance of winning the competition.

I actually wouldn't have minded going out of the Champs Lge if it meant we'd have a better chance to win the Prem.

Don't get me wrong, it's nice that we're in the Champs Lge but I just can't get excited about it as there are many teams that are better than us in it. A lot better than us. Whereas in the league City and Chavs haven't found their rhythm yet and Man U are a shambles so I have much more hope.