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

[Xhaka Can’t]

Theo has been very very poor for the most part since signing the new contract. Our relative success this season has been achieved without him.

[Power n Glory]

It still doesn't make tactical sense to leave him on the bench. Plus, he did help change things against Everton.

If Wenger doesn't think Theo is up to the task then he has to buy a proper winger in January also. We won't get away with playing Wilshere on the left all season.

[BOBN]

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.

But tbf its not just Girouds fault. RVP admitted Walcott was brilliant for him. A lot of his gosls were tap ins from a square ball from Walcott after he'd got him behind.

Our striker position and right wing position need to be upgraded with pace. There are some piss-easy goals to be had just by adding pace. Especially in this crude league.

[Ollie the Optimist]

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.

perhaps he has just shit in training then who knows? Theo is a good player but as Gary says, he has been poor since his new deal and we are 5 points clear despite him not playing. looking at the comment that AW said he would play him if we needed a goal says AW was lining up to be defensive and conservative. before the game, was the way i would have gone, afterwards it clearly was wrong decision.

however, Theo should have come on as a sub. i didn't get why he dint

[milla]

perhaps he has just shit in training then who knows? Theo is a good player but as Gary says, he has been poor since his new deal and we are 5 points clear despite him not playing. looking at the comment that AW said he would play him if we needed a goal says AW was lining up to be defensive and conservative. before the game, was the way i would have gone, afterwards it clearly was wrong decision.

however, Theo should have come on as a sub. i didn't get why he dint

If Feo is not up to our standard, get someone else who can do the job. At £100k a week, there are a few of WF who can do better what we have now.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

when we play negatively we are asking players to play differently to what they are asked to do 80% of the time. We get beaten by a shit Man Utd side because we were negative, which will happen when we play City & Chelski. And we wonder why our recored against the big teams is poor? Our attacking play tonight was simply embarrasing against a poor Napoli defence. Attack is the best form of defence - we have been playing the best football in the league, why dont we let teams worry about us.

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?

Absolutely spot on.

If Feo is not up to our standard, get someone else who can do the job. At £100k a week, there are a few of WF who can do better what we have now.

I believe he is on 90k but I see your point. Ironically Podolski is on 100k and Wenger was reluctant to play him even when he was fit. No wonder he's always smiling.

[IBK]

We're into December and we're looking tired at the wrong time with Man City and Chelsea to play next.

This. The bed-wetting taunt by the OP is childish.

No one is denying that we have had a fine season so far, but every title contender will come under the microscope and the fact is that we have already been found wanting a few times this season when the focus has been on us.

We have failed to top a group that we were in control of. A team with real winning credentials should have had the composure to get a draw against Napoli.

We lost to a bedraggled Manure outfit who have lost at home to the likes of Everton and Newcastle.

We only took a point from Everton after leading them at home with 10 mins to go.

Whatever our progress these are results that people will look at and be entitled to question our winning credentials. Throughout our trophy less years AW teams have always been capable of the kind of wins we achieved in Dortmund. Bottom line is that we have not really done anything yet to alter the prevailing opinion that we will not match the likes of Citeh over the course of the season.

No one knows how things will pan out but people are entitled to reserve judgment about this team in the meantime.

[Maestro]

This. The bed-wetting taunt by the OP is childish.

No one is denying that we have had a fine season so far, but every title contender will come under the microscope and the fact is that we have already been found wanting a few times this season when the focus has been on us.

We have failed to top a group that we were in control of. A team with real winning credentials should have had the composure to get a draw against Napoli.

We lost to a bedraggled Manure outfit who have lost at home to the likes of Everton and Newcastle.

We only took a point from Everton after leading them at home with 10 mins to go.

Whatever our progress these are results that people will look at and be entitled to question our winning credentials. Throughout our trophy less years AW teams have always been capable of the kind of wins we achieved in Dortmund. Bottom line is that we have not really done anything yet to alter the prevailing opinion that we will not match the likes of Citeh over the course of the season.

No one knows how things will pan out but people are entitled to reserve judgment about this team in the meantime.

[Xhaka Can’t]

This. The bed-wetting taunt by the OP is childish.

Not when you were sitting reading ~half a dozen posters as they soiled their matresses in the match thread all night.

[Xhaka Can’t]

I don't expect us to win anything this season, and I seriously doubt anyone with half a brain who did at the start of the season. But the direction of travel has given me back something I'd lost long ago - hope.

If you have no hope - what is the point.?

That said, it is pretty damned optimistic to think that signing Flamini and Ozil is going to deliver silverware.

Their signing and the disposal of a plethora of deadwood is a noticeable shift in strategy. It also demonstrates we were serious about Suarez (who I hate). When we wereafter him, I thought it was utter bollox, but could you imagine how many goals he would get in our side?

I'm disappointed by the result last night, but that is a small part of the bigger picture. If we continue with the transfer activity and build upon the side we have, I am confident genuine challenges for trophies will come.