Arsenal (A) | PL | Post Match Thread

[surprisedbygrass]

Exactly
We had a couple of last minute wins in 17-18 v Southampton and Huddersfield and I'm sure our nearest rivals were bemoaning our good fortune, especially after the Southampton game, which felt like a huge psychological lift.

They were probably expecting our luck to run out, but instead we accelerated away from the pack.

Oh, happy days . Raheem Stirling not dithering for either goal against a packed penalty area Maybe one of the reasons Pep played possession football was because Sterling was so useless on the counter . Watching Haaland on the break is sublime . We need to utilize him at Avery opportunity .

 

[bluemoon32]

Pretty much everyone in the office, fans of many teams, reckon we were absolutely terrified of Arsenal, hence the negative tactics

 

[goater1985]

Just watched the highlights back from MOTD, Arsenal didn't create a single good opportunity really, 2 snap shots from Eze and Madueke. That was it. Their goal has been dissected to pieces already and clearly one we could/should have relatively easily avoided.

Now this wasn't a typical City performance over the last few years but we aren't that side anymore. I was absolutely chuffed with it and took more confidence from yesterday than the previous 2 results/performances. We know we can dominate the ball when we need to, we know we can create and finish chances and if we can show that solidarity, battle and spirit, we won't be far off.

I've felt for a year or so, we may lack enough heart and players who seem to give a f**k but whether it's Donnarumma's influence or the fact the players want to get back to the top, we seem to be finding it.

Fans moaning saying 'accepting 2nd best isn't Manchester City', that's entitled for me. Arsenal right now are in a better situation than us and Pep adapted pre game and in the game and it was justified, brought a good point and but for a lapse in concentration/free kick not given, would of brought a very good 3.

Loads to build on yesterday, players look hungry and now let's wrack up some points over the next 6 weeks, if the gap is less than 7 by the time we play Liverpool, we have a opportunity at home to pull ourselves into a title race I certainly didnt (and still dont currently) expect us to be in.

 

[dadnlad]

looks like few sleeper cells have woke up now rags on march

 

[Father Paul]

I can understand and have to accept the reasons why we played this way, but why has it come to a situation where we felt we had to do it.
We have been so critical of teams who have parked the bus against us (including Arsenal) and now it's become acceptable for us. But to some, its being lauded as some sort of tactical awakening from Pep. Even Steve Nicol was singing Peps praises and that confirms how far we have fallen

We are playing to our current strengths. Haaland looks energised and involved and defensively we are more organised and solid. Liverpool and Arsenal have assembled squads which are as good as, or better than what we have. We have lost key influential players and are in the process of finding a new identity.
I have stated many times that we are 3 or 4 top quality players short of what we need. If we can purchase and integrate such additions I think we will become a dominant force once again.
On balance the performamce yesterday showed a high degree of resilience and endeavour against a side playing at home who have spent years and a lot of money trying to win the league. The performance was more a defiant statement than a representation of how far we have fallen.

 

[Man_City_Loyal]

Anybody who wants to manage us playing CA football, plenty of candidates home an abroad.

We all have different views on the state of our current team and my view is this is the most un-Pep team we ever had, so I have right to ask myself what is the point of sticking with Pep and going through all this contract extensions.

Unless I follow ever more prevailing attitude here that after 18 years in management he is turning into prime Mourinho or Conte at the end of his City career.

Didn't he say himself that one of the reasons he extended his contract was because he didn't want to leave when we were in such bad form.

Mental. just mental

 

[Kinkys Left Foot]

Fantastic interviews post match from Pep...and Dias

Pep's Post Match Interview v Arsenal

Dias's Post Match Interview v Arsenal

Pep gives the away support a big chapeau and explains the reasoning for the set up and changes.

I liked the fact the weakness that was present last season is mostly gone and the players are adapting to the newer team members who are starting to understand what's required. More individual brilliance shown from Jezza and big Erl. It feels like were growing as a team and it was a tremendous defensive effort versus Arsenal who are in their pomp currently, yet we came very close to turning them over much like they did to us last season at our place.

We are clearly in the middle of a rebuild whether you like it or not however I genuinely believe there were signs yesterday and versus united and Napoli its starting to come together. Once Marmoush, RAN and Cherki are back we will have more creative options. Its a good sign that even at this stage of the team transition that we can nearly beat the "arse" at their gaff. Of course it was not in the fashion any of us would want, Pep neither, but needs must. No doubt we will have regressive games where its not quite as "together" as the transition continues but I suspect they will get fewer and fewer as we progress.

Anyway on to Huddersfield, lots of changes for this one and a look at a few up and coming young blues from the EDS or Academy from the bench as well as players who need minutes like Trafford, Nunes, Nico G, Ake, Lewis, Savinho, Stones. Looks like young Nico and Khusanov have picked up injuries and will likely be out along with rest for Jezza, Haaland and those who have had 3 x performances in the last week like Silva, Rodders. It will be a test for the squad as Huddersfield have had their best start to a season for some time and are going well in 5th in League 1. They're unbeaten in 5 at Home but have lost some ground away recently.

 

[bridgeno1]

I find it a bit odd how some of you seem to not rate your team. Dissecting it - the goal you scored (fabulous play from Haaland initially to win the ball and slip in Reijnders against the best defence in the league) - who else scores that in the PL? Maybe the Dippers.

Then to pretty comfortably hold the back line together and blunt Arsenal's attack for most of the match - who else does that in the PL? At a push Newcastle might - Liverpool would have conceded at least 2.

So overall it was a really good, 'needs must' performance and Arsenal would have won that match against virtually every other team in the PL with that performance. I'm pleased with a point and I don't think the league is close to being done - not with our run in and Liverpool usually shitting the bed once April comes. And it isn't done for you either- we all know what happens to City once March rolls in. Well at least I do, some of your fans would do well to remember what City at the end of the season is like. Even last season your finish was better than any other team.

 

[Manc Born & Bred]

Interesting stats from the weekend's games. Dippers played less than five minutes injury time across both games, we had nearly 15! But isn't it time the debate about timekeeping happened and how it should be like rugby. Two periods of 35 minutes each with an independent timekeeper with the ref stopping the clock everytime the ball is out of play with keepers / players spending an age taking corners, free kicks etc

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

Pretty much everyone in the office, fans of many teams, reckon we were absolutely terrified of Arsenal, hence the negative tactics

And do we give a shit, seeing as the opinion of " fans of many teams " are irrelevent ?

 

[IrishBloodEnglishHeart]

We played against 12 and still got a result.

 

[cleavers]

There’s been a lot of pompous, deeply pretentious, precious nonsense posted on here since the end of the game yesterday, which does no-one any favours.

And a lot of shite, like you highlighted.

 

[mancboy]

Pretty much everyone in the office, fans of many teams, reckon we were absolutely terrified of Arsenal, hence the negative tactics

Whats it like working in an office full of idiots?

 

[cleavers]

and also Ange is at Forest!

Where he continues to fail to win.

 

[TFC]

fuck me, may aswell have lost with some of the whingy posts in this.

can never win.

Blown away by some of the shite I've read since logging on this morning.

 

[mancboy]

I find it a bit odd how some of you seem to not rate your team. Dissecting it - the goal you scored (fabulous play from Haaland initially to win the ball and slip in Reijnders against the best defence in the league) - who else scores that in the PL? Maybe the Dippers.

Then to pretty comfortably hold the back line together and blunt Arsenal's attack for most of the match - who else does that in the PL? At a push Newcastle might - Liverpool would have conceded at least 2.

So overall it was a really good, 'needs must' performance and Arsenal would have won that match against virtually every other team in the PL with that performance. I'm pleased with a point and I don't think the league is close to being done - not with our run in and Liverpool usually shitting the bed once April comes. And it isn't done for you either- we all know what happens to City once March rolls in. Well at least I do, some of your fans would do well to remember what City at the end of the season is like. Even last season your finish was better than any other team.

Also people seem to forget we are missing two attacking players and our left back , we have rodri who is literally just back from a 12 mth injury and has played 3 games in a week,2 of which we won but that doesnt suit the narrative now does it.

 

[mancboy]

Blown away by some of the shite I've read since logging on this morning.

purlease you have been on here long enough to know that this nonsense is pretty much standard, most of the shite on here this morning (and it is shite) doesnt crack the top 50 of the most ludicrous things said on this forum.

 

[bluemoon32]

Whats it like working in an office full of idiots?

Hard work mate ha.
In fairness, plenty on here say the same thing when we come up against 10 man defences

 

[Gone for a Burton]

I understand where we are as a club, I'm just bemoaning the fact that why are we in the middle of a complete rebuild?
We are Manchester F@*king City and we shouldn't be settling for 2nd best in any aspect. I feel that the club has dropped the ball and now we are playing catch up.

The ball was dropped 18 months ago when we were Champions and didn't plan for or purchase elite players.

Strengthen while you're on top and do things when you can, not when you MUST!!

 

[There is a Light]

I find it a bit odd how some of you seem to not rate your team. Dissecting it - the goal you scored (fabulous play from Haaland initially to win the ball and slip in Reijnders against the best defence in the league) - who else scores that in the PL? Maybe the Dippers.

Then to pretty comfortably hold the back line together and blunt Arsenal's attack for most of the match - who else does that in the PL? At a push Newcastle might - Liverpool would have conceded at least 2.

So overall it was a really good, 'needs must' performance and Arsenal would have won that match against virtually every other team in the PL with that performance. I'm pleased with a point and I don't think the league is close to being done - not with our run in and Liverpool usually shitting the bed once April comes. And it isn't done for you either- we all know what happens to City once March rolls in. Well at least I do, some of your fans would do well to remember what City at the end of the season is like. Even last season your finish was better than any other team.

Not losing was important for us yesterday.

While I don’t think we will mount a serious title challenge, losing three matches in the first five would have been a hammer blow.

Think we can take great confidence from yesterday as realistically Arsenal have surpassed us in terms of quality in the last year, I think most people would concede that.