Match Reaction v Shrewsbury

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Oxo is a very talented player, you can spot players with ability as soon as you see them, saw him for Southampton last season and was very impressed.

IMO this guy can become something special in time.

Worth the money we paid for him tbh

[Cripps_orig]

on getting the win against a decent side…
It was a bit nervy because we played against a good side. I said before the game that the lower divisions have improved in the last five years and you could see that. They were direct but not without technique. They had a direct game but they played it with intelligence and efficiency. They had a few dangerous situations in the first half, even after they scored. So 1-1 was not too bad for us at half time and in the second half we took over, they dropped physically and we played in one half after that.

on whether he was calm at half time…
Yes, I was very calm at half time because panic doesn’t help. I felt that if we maintained the pace in the game we had a good chance to win the game.

on whether Shrewsbury ‘dominated’ the first half…
I’m not sure they dominated the first half, if you look at the numbers again you will see they didn’t dominate the game. They created dangerous situations. It’s always difficult to beat a football team, no matter what division they play in. They knocked Swansea and Derby out and you can see why. They are top of their league.

on whether some of his players are playing with fear…
We played a young team with a mixture of young players and experienced players. We took a gamble and it worked because you could see some players, who we haven’t seen so much of like Oxlade-Chamberlain and Coquelin, have done extremely well and that is positive for the future.

on how to get belief back in the squad…
In the last four games, we have had three good results and the one game we didn’t was Blackburn and that, for me, was a miracle. Look at the numbers; we had 62 per cent of the possession and had 16 shots on goal and we lost 4-3.

on Oxlade-Chamberlain and Coquelin’s performances…
Oxlade-Chamberlain grew through the game and became stronger and stronger. In the first half he was a bit timid and suddenly he grew in stature in the second half. It was unbelievable. What came out, you didn’t expect it after the first half. He became stronger and stronger.

on whether he has staked a claim for a place in the first team…
You could see that he will be a first-team player here, that is for sure. He still has things to work on but, very quickly, he will be knocking on the door.

on Djourou’s performance…
He was very good in the second half. In the first half, he was surprised on the goal. In the second half, he had a good performance.

on whether he will bring in a defensive coach…
I just completed 32 years of coaching. I do not want to answer these types of questions.

On Ryo’s performance…
He did well when he came on. My regret tonight is that he didn’t play long enough to show what he is capable of doing. He will get more opportunities.

on speculation regarding his future…
Whether I work here for the next 10 years or the next day here, I will give my maximum for the Club. I will let other people assess the situation. I focus on doing well for this club, that is all. I am not bothered at all by all this speculation.

I am completely focused on doing well. I can understand that people are unhappy and criticise but people are very quick to go overboard. I accept critics and I don’t say it doesn’t matter. I prefer it if people say I am good but I cannot complain when we lose a game and you are criticised. When we do well, we take all the plaudits so we have to take the blame when it doesn’t go well. But we have, on both sides, to take a little bit of distance.

Decent side

[Xhaka Can’t]

He was hardly going to say they were cack.

[Young Guns 11]

people who saw or went to the game, how were Park, Oxo, Ryo? Any first team potential (not much of a stretch these days)...cheers

Park was slow getting into the game, as was Oxo, but the 2nd half, Oxo came to life, he looks a talent.

Ryo made a few good runs when he came on, but nothing amazing.

Chamakh was appalling.

[Xhaka Can’t]

What was the attendance?

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

wenger says he's happy to stay on another 14 years.

i hope he doesn't.

[Fist of Lehmann]

on whether he will bring in a defensive coach…
I just completed 32 years of coaching. I do not want to answer these types of questions.

That'll be a 'no' then will it?

Sounds pretty touchy about it too.

[Marc Overmars]

What was the attendance?

Over 46k according to SSN. Not even a £10 ticket was going to fill this one up.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Thanks buddy.

Time for sleep - at least there should be no nightmares tonight.

[mkkreuk]

people who saw or went to the game, how were Park, Oxo, Ryo? Any first team potential (not much of a stretch these days)...cheers

I was at the game, so not privy to many replays but better placed to see movement. Park looked a little rusty, but he made some good runs which were not picked out by his team mates. He looked better than Chamakh who seemed to be constantly on the back foot.

Oxo was mediocre in the first half. Out of position way too often which almost cost us defensively. In the second half he got on the ball more and looked very lively. He looks like what we hope(d) Theo could/can be. He had lots of pace but most importantly he was taking players on easily (admittedly he was playing against Shrewsbury). Oxo was definitely the best player in the second half. He took the match into his own hands, whereas some players seemed to be jogging around.

Ryo didn't really have much time to impress but when he did have the ball he looked supreme. Boy has tekkers. His low centre of gravity made him look dangerous and the opposition defenders were not comfortable against him. No time to see what kind of vision he has in terms of passing.

I haven't read this thread in it's entirety to know whether this is a repeat of what's already been said.