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

[Letters]

Isn't last night a bit like the opposite of our game at Bayern last season? That night we had to win 3-0 which was never going to happen, Bayern maybe took their collective eye off the ball and when we got the 2nd goal we gave them a real fright. We were never going to go out last night and maybe with one eye on the City game and knowing we were unlikely to lose 3-0 we coasted through a bit and ended up getting a fright ourselves. But we’re through and with the group we drew I’d have taken that.

Shame we didn't win the group but I don’t think we’ll win the CL so in a way I’d prefer a tougher draw, games I can look forward to us playing.

[BOBN]

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

Well he was "linking" play right? "Superbly"

When pundits and stuff gush about how much we dominate possession this season I dont care, I roll my eyes. Because we are effectively cheating. Weve willfully overloaded the team with possession players at the expensive of a cutting edge. Of course were going to dominate possession (couldnt even manage that against Everton). If Roberto Martinez was as obssessed about possession as people say he is, as obssessed as Wenger, hed replace Lukaku, Barkley and Mirallas with more ball-keeping types, but no, he prefers players who will risk the ball but add penetration and thrust, for the greater good.

In 2012 Messi lost the ball more than any other player in La Liga. It laughable that we praise a striker for merely holding the ball and linking play.

[Dein-machine]

Henry spoke to Wumger before the game & asked "did you not think about starting Walcott tonight". Wumger said it did cross his mind but he was on the bench if we needed to score. This states that he is going into a game against average Italian oppsition wanting a 0-0 draw. I've stated before in threads, we got 1-0 up against shit sides in the PL & then seemingly sit back. Flamini is the only defensive midfielder we have, our team is not suited to defend all game. If we do it agian on Saturday we'll get beaten.
Why buy Ozil & then not want to use him?

[Özim]

Isn't last night a bit like the opposite of our game at Bayern last season? That night we had to win 3-0 which was never going to happen, Bayern maybe took their collective eye off the ball and when we got the 2nd goal we gave them a real fright. We were never going to go out last night and maybe with one eye on the City game and knowing we were unlikely to lose 3-0 we coasted through a bit and ended up getting a fright ourselves. But we’re through and with the group we drew I’d have taken that.

Shame we didn't win the group but I don’t think we’ll win the CL so in a way I’d prefer a tougher draw, games I can look forward to us playing.

Probably right, we didn't look likely to ever go out though if their defender Armero had scored his chance it might have been tougher for us, I think the issue is that we needed a point in reality as topping the group makes a huge difference in terms of quality of opposition in the next round so we did have something to play for (think you get money per point as well).

I agree we won't win the CL, but we get more money for getting further so the club should have that as an incentive at least.

[Power n Glory]

Well he was "linking" play right? "Superbly"

When pundits and stuff gush about how much we dominate possession this season I dont care, I roll my eyes. Because we are effectively cheating. Weve willfully overloaded the team with possession players at the expensive of a cutting edge. Of course were going to dominate possession (couldnt even manage that against Everton). If Roberto Martinez was as obssessed about possession as people say he is, as obssessed as Wenger, hed replace Lukaku, Barkley and Mirallas with more ball-keeping types, but no, he prefers players who will risk the ball but add penetration and thrust, for the greater good.

In 2012 Messi lost the ball more than any other player in La Liga. It laughable that we praise a striker for merely holding the ball and linking play.

We just need a better striker. Unlike the tippy tappy team of the Cesc era, this team can actually sit back, defend and then pounce. We had great moments where we looked comfortable defending but then we'd suddenly string together a good attacking move, like the chance Giroud had that was saved. As Henry said, a better striker would have got a better touch on that pass so it would have set him better for the shot instead of moving away from goal and creating a difficult scoring angle. The January transfer window will be a pivotal moment for us. I seriously hope Wenger goes out to buy a striker.

[Özim]

We need some pace up front IMO, so a striker who can finish and have pace would be great, against Everton we seemed really slow getting forward and that was a real hindrance.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

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

He's clearly fit enough to come on as sub every game bar last night. That tells me he's fit to play.

Listen if you're going to make excuses then you can always find one. Walcott should have started last night. End of.

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Henry spoke to Wumger before the game & asked "did you not think about starting Walcott tonight". Wumger said it did cross his mind but he was on the bench if we needed to score.

So he's fit then. Wenger chose not to start him.

Oh dear.

[Marc Overmars]

Yeah I don't buy the easing him back excuse, he's fit to play.

He was a starter prior to his injury, but with the success we've had with the midfield 5 I don't think Wenget wants to change that yet. He'll string it out for as long as he can like he always does.

[Power n Glory]

Wenger said he'd be first off the bench and I was surprised to see Ramsey come on.