Having Coquelin back in there makes a huge difference
Having Coquelin back in there makes a huge difference
http://www.skysports.com/football/ne...amie-carragher
When will it end?
I don't have an issue with what is being said about Leicester right now - even if it is at our expense. They have been written off almost all season, then the media went into a patronising overdrive, so now they are getting their moment where they are being treated with respect by everyone but Michael Owen who reckons they'll get relegated next season.
I don't begrudge them their moment in the sun.
Welbeck is well good. Great result and I think having options from the bench makes a big difference and with players returning to fitness think this could be decisive as the season goes into the final stages.
We still have some really tough away games United, Spurs, Everton, West Ham, Sunderland and City. I see us winning all our home games though. Win 3 of those games on our travels and I expect us to do it.
What a result. Welbeck and Walcott coming off the bench to make a difference.... credit to Wenger for the subs.
Wasn't a great performance but the determination got us over the line. Something to be proud of.
The controversial moments....handball...wasn't a penalty. Ball kicked at you so close, would have been harsh and would have been pissed if a ref gave that against us. Only way to judge. Same goes for the penalty. If the ref waved play on, I'd be pissed. We've had them given and had them denied. I've been pissed when denied and agreed when we've won them.
The red was harsh but the yellow on Coquelin was harsh and the ref looked to be awarding cards for cynical fouls. But that Drinkwater tackle was disgusting and should have been a red.
All that aside.. .well done for Walcott for getting us back into the game. Fantastic head back from Giroud for the assist. We saw the best and worst of Giroud in that game. Ineffective when the game is stretched. Better when teams park the bus but that doesn't really bode well for the team on a whole when having to work in tight spaces. Great to see Welbeck get a goal as well. Would be nice if we could work out a two man strike partnership. We need the best of both worlds.
City I'm not fussed about because that's the penultimate game. If that still means anything when it comes around then we have done well. United, Spurs and Everton away as 3 of the next 5 will probably define our chances for the run in. Though I think these big away games will bring about some light relief, I think the players struggle under the weight of expectation at the Emirates. I was there yesterday and it can be a very suffocating atmosphere at times.
On MOTD2 they brushed it off as "he's not that kind of guy" type challenge. TBF, Danny Murphy and Tim Sherwood were being quite complimentary about us, they both tipped us to challenge to the end, they even complimented us on mixing up our play and using Giroud's aerial strength.