Dominant 1st half, battered 2nd half but we got through it.
Safe to say Ozil is by far our best player we couldn't spring consecutive passes together whatsoever without him. Santi needed a rest was horrific even in his best position.
Also Chambers case is concerning. Wonderful talent those with long enough memories will remember his early season form but I feel his best performances have been at the heart of defence.
I don't trust him there yet but we need to nurture him into the roll, he is not a RB for me or not good enough there anyway.
Giroud is on top form but will always highlight why he will never be 'top' bracket, he's still never scored a hat-trick for us and has had numerous occasions to do so, once he gets his goals in quick succession he slowly fades away and his contribution decreases big time.
He was superb first half and goals won us the game so can't fault him but just for those that don't think we can do better, we need an Aguero/Suarez type who will murder the game off completely in the first half.
Day to forget for Coquelin, Ospina flat footed on our goal but great save late on in fairness.
No involvement for Theo, think he's done here unfortunately
Anyway current 4 points off Chelsea as we speak. We're showing a champions mentality after disappointment in midweek, proud of the boys #Arsenal
Win Grinding - Stuff Of Champs
posted on 21/3/15
"The problem with all this self congratulating for hanging on is that Liverpool and Man Utd are still lurking. We don't have a comfortable gap.
It only needs a couple of poor results and we will be out of the top 4."
Agreed. Liverpool, in particular, look very good at the moment.
"Wenger really seems dead set on showing Walcott he's not as important to us as he might think he is. Think that one is only heading one way..."
Yeah, something does seem strange. If that's the case, then I fear it may backfire if today's anything to go by.
posted on 21/3/15
I don't think Coquelin had a bad game at all. He switched off a bit for their goal, but otherwise, there wasn't much he could do to stop Newcastle's incessant pressure.
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I felt it was when he came back on the pitch after injury his distribution was pretty poor gave the ball away cheaply quite often but defensively was okay, seen better days.
Think we should really groom Calum into the central role quick wide players can get at him with ease he doesn't have the mobility imo
posted on 21/3/15
The fact that United and Liverpool are lurking is probably why we have found a way to hang on.
Some people are trying to find ways to he hysterical about a nervy second half away to newcastle with 50k fans backing them.
To the city fan pointing out how panicky we are, it certainly is better than collecting 0 points away at burnley.
We had the same kind of performance at palace. When we score early goals we effectively make it hard for teams to beat us. Granted we are still learning to score the 3rd or 4th goal that kills of the tie but at least we score the first goal or 2.
City can't do that.
posted on 21/3/15
Missed Özil today.
Me as well. So much more structure with him in our game.
posted on 21/3/15
I always miss you, Gt
posted on 21/3/15
Op if liverpool or United win tomorrow do you consider them involved in the title race like you do Arsenal?
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Nope, if Chelsea win tomorrow they're 7 points above us with a game to play against us we can catch them within 2 matches and make our game decider.
Liverpool will remain 10 points behind that's at least 4 games to catch them can't see Chelsea slipping that far behind.
United maybe but can't toughest run-in in the whole top 6 can't see it.
City look like they're awake again so who knows but ourselves and them are the biggest threats for me.
Not caring about Chelsea's game in hand till it's played btw
posted on 21/3/15
"I felt it was when he came back on the pitch after injury his distribution was pretty poor gave the ball away cheaply quite often but defensively was okay, seen better days.
Think we should really groom Calum into the central role quick wide players can get at him with ease he doesn't have the mobility imo"
I can see what you're saying. I think he did try to do too much at times, and I noticed he went for the killer ball on a number of occasions which got cut out. But I guess the counter-argument is that we were getting pressed so intensely that our short-passes would have been playing into trouble.
It's a bit of a conundrum, but nevetheless, I agree with you that his passing still needs a little bit of refining.
Completely agree on Chambers. There's really not much that can be done to develop pace a great deal at this level. I think in an ideal world, we'd keep him mainly on the bench and in the reserves whilst he developed his tactical awareness at CB; however, it seems the Debuchy injuries have made Wenger inclined to play Chambers at RB on occasion to provide us with a bit more aerial prowess at the back.
If we can keep Debuchy fit, then hopefully Wenger can focus on developing Chambers in a more central role.
posted on 21/3/15
Grinding out wins is fine if it doesn't happen often. It's happened way too many times this season. This team is simply not playing well, we are getting results, however. I'll excuse today due to our efforts on Tuesday, but that second half was an abomination.
posted on 21/3/15
comment by Lexington Sanchez 125.2 (U8879)
posted 3 minutes ago
I always miss you, Gt
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posted on 21/3/15
The fact that United and Liverpool are lurking is probably why we have found a way to hang on.
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Have we? Not so sure. In the past we have absorbed pressure and got a third to kill the game. This is why we are so behind Chelsea. Personally I don't care for the fact we can get second because it is obvious that Man City have quit on their manager. There are already reports that Ancelotti has been contacted by City. But they will turn it on again if their top 4 status is threatened.
This is Newcastle we are talking about. They have nothing to play for and still ran at us after simply changing tactics and pushing up 2 yards thereby denying space to Santi etc in playing the ball out. This isolated Giroud who dropped deeper and deeper trying to get the ball back.
I personally don't want to travel to Old Trafford at the end of the season to play a meaningful game to stay in the top 4.