Match Reaction to Citeh

[fakeyank]

I really hope Alexis' setback isn't a result of him foolishly over pushing himself to try and be ready for City. I mean, I love the guy's passion but sometimes he just needs to take it easily otherwise it's going to cost us in the long term. Going away to Southampton (who will be reeling after some bad results) without him is going to be very difficult ......... really wish he was available for it.

With Rosicky's death and Welbeck's setback and in all likehood the probablity that he won't play this season, we've at the moment got only one replacement (Oxlade-Chamberlain) for our front three attackers coming into a intense run of games which is not enough. Giroud has been working himself to the bone recently and could do with a rest and Theo has always been very brittle which makes the situation the ever more worrying.

I really think in addition to DM cover, we absoutely have to sign some attacking cover ........ either an experience hand on loan or splash the big bucks for a Marital type signing for the future. Worst comes to worse, recall Gnarby as he isn't getting minutes at WBA.

I wouldnt mind giving Giroud a breather in the next few weeks and play Theo upfront. Have a front three of Ox, Theo and Campbell.. that'd be a seriously fast front 3! We should also look to gradually give some rest time to the full backs whenever possible.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Ramsey seems to preoccupied with playing the killer Hollywood ball or getting forward and scoring. He's lost that simplicity to his play and I saw some suicidal passing yesterday. It's frustrating to watch. He can't control the middle of the park and it showed when Ozil went off. He needs to focus on controlling the game and not always hunting for glory. I slightly blame Wenger because he's been playing on the right encouraging that side of his game instead of trying to improve this obvious weak area. He doesn't have to always be on the score sheet or assist list to have a good game.

Yep. He needs to chill out a bit and realise the difference in responsibilities in this position compared to the right wing.

As you point out, we did lose control of the match as soon as Ozil went off. I do however think he has the technical qualities to dictate a game, it's more a question of attitude and mentality and in that regard it's up to Arsene and the coaches to work with him. Or he could learn a lot from simply watching Santi play.

I wouldnt mind giving Giroud a breather in the next few weeks and play Theo upfront. Have a front three of Ox, Theo and Campbell.. that'd be a seriously fast front 3! We should also look to gradually give some rest time to the full backs whenever possible.

Would love to give Giroud a breather but Southampton away and Newcastle & Bournemouth (on current form) aren't freebies by any stretch of the imagination. We absolutely need him, both for his goals and his work rate.

Not until the FA cup game most likely and even then with our depleted squad he may be forced to start.

[Power n Glory]

I'd actually encourage Ramsey to watch Coquelin as well. I never see that guy make careless risky passes that will put us in danger. If the pass isn't there he won't play his team mate in danger. Very comfortable just swivelling and protecting the ball to find a more suitable pass. It's simple stuff and that's all Ramsey needs to do. You'll see him win the ball back but then go for the harder through bakm instead of the simple pass that can help us mount a counter.

[Özim]

Didn't see the match but it's a great result, apparently we scored from our only two shots, pretty good ratio.

[LDG]

Didn't see the match but it's a great result, apparently we scored from our only two shots, pretty good ratio.

Only two shots in the first half.

We should and could have been five up in the second half apart from some poor finishing.

The finishes for our two in the first half were clinical as fuck. Just the type of bang bang moments critics would praise City / Chelsea for in previous years.

City were not poor either. We just outplayed them tactically.

[Coney]

Sorry to wee on the bonfire, but inept Management and injuries will cost us the PL.

Sorry to wee on your wee, but I can only go by what I see, not what pessimists think MIGHT happen. Why do some people only see our problems and not those of the other teams. The usual rivals for the title have not performed as well as we have. We have failed to win some games we should have but so have they. Why should you automatically assume that we will be doomed and they will not? Every heard of the concept of 'a supporter'?

[Niall_Quinn]

You have to hold the same opinion as the herd to be a "supporter"? What a concept.

FACT. We've had opportunities to win a title in the past 10 years. On each occasion we have fucked it. Pessimism relates to the history in the case of Arsenal, optimism is dreaming based on what has gone before. So when a fan comes along and says he thinks we'll fuck it he's merely stating the most likely (by far) outcome and how that makes him less of a supporter is a mystery to me.

We're positioned well but there's a long way to go. In the past we have been unable to sustain a challenge. This time might be different - it could be. Some fans will buy it, others won't. Come May we'll know. In the meantime we can all be supporters can't we? Just because some refer to the past and use it as a guide does not automatically mean they want any less for their club.

[selassie]

You have to hold the same opinion as the herd to be a "supporter"? What a concept.

FACT. We've had opportunities to win a title in the past 10 years. On each occasion we have fucked it. Pessimism relates to the history in the case of Arsenal, optimism is dreaming based on what has gone before. So when a fan comes along and says he thinks we'll fuck it he's merely stating the most likely (by far) outcome and how that makes him less of a supporter is a mystery to me.

We're positioned well but there's a long way to go. In the past we have been unable to sustain a challenge. This time might be different - it could be. Some fans will buy it, others won't. Come May we'll know. In the meantime we can all be supporters can't we? Just because some refer to the past and use it as a guide does not automatically mean they want any less for their club.

[Coney]

OK - but on this web site, there is a continuous negative grind even when we are doing well, almost as if some want us to fail so they can do the 'I told you so' crap. After a while, it kind of grates.

[Niall_Quinn]

OK - but on this web site, there is a continuous negative grind even when we are doing well, almost as if some want us to fail so they can do the 'I told you so' crap. After a while, it kind of grates.

Well that wouldn't be okay but I can't see any evidence that's the case. Sometimes you can be doing well, but not as well as you could be doing. If you see what I mean. I believe we're a better team than our results suggest so far this season. Particularly the screw-ups in the CL. We can be happy with the successes but it shouldn't mask the areas where things can be improved. Why not strive for even more? Strive for everything. Still plenty we can be doing to improve things, we aren't even top - right now there is a team doing it better than us so we know that better is achievable.