Arsenal (A) | PL | Post Match Thread

[Sky Blue]

Why are we still having to suffer Gary ‘Smug’ Neville during our games? He’s always been a tw$t but for a short period after he retired he was current and offered a modicum of insight into the modern game. That was now a long time ago and the game has moved on considerably.
His negativity towards City today was plain embarrassing. No balance was offered when reflecting on a City team running on fumes and his calls for Nico O’ Reilly to be booked late on were laughable. What a tosser ….

Couldn't hear him as I had my 3 yr old granddaughter mithering me to death. She speaks more sense though.

 

[blue whippet]

I like to think I exist in a reasonable middle. It’s more that these games always have comments that seem to exist on the extremes.

I'd like to think I'm in the more reasonable middle too although today I'd probably be a happy clapper as I thought under the circumstances we played well. I am gutted about the way we conceded and wished we'd kept Haaland and Doku on the pitch.

 

[55yr old teenager]

I am proud of the lads to work so hard and play a system that’s never been in their dna.

This could be helpful come cup games.
It shows Pep can be more pragmatic without the ball.

I was never confident in a win but we were so close. I think the last 2subs weren’t entirely correct.

The biggest errors in my opinion:
1. Haaland not passing to Foden for the tap in. 0-2 and we’ve destroyed all hope.
2. Savio and Tijanji no going to the corner in the 92 min.
3. Donnarumma coming off his line for no reason.

Pep taking out Khusonov makes no sense to me. If he’s still there his pace take cares of every issue. Especially when Dias won 1/5 aerial duels.
Nunes sub makes no sense since we didn’t attack. He was great but you asked him to do everything Khusonov can do to a better degree.
Taking off Foden was understandable but Haaland was the sub that was incorrect. He was our biggest outlet and the reason we won 2nd balls. He also was our reason why they never scored from corners. Bernardo should’ve been taken out instead.

We have to win 5-6 games in a row.

The team and tactics were impressive. They almost worked !

Doku and OR my standout players.


Tijanji should skip the next game. He’s really struggled since his first game. Great assist but my goodness the Serie A truly showed me how slow that league is. I still have faith in him

I think Nico G should come back to the side idc if Rodri is the one that plays higher up i just think Tijanji needs time off. Bobb at RW is needed.

Lessons learned ?
We can defend and be very disciplined.
Never take off Khusonov
Every game is a final to stay in touching distance of Pool.

I thought he was injured?

 

[Stoned Rose]

I've never been one to criticise us on here and regularly call out those who have, but I'll say it again, it's not our game. It's not how we have won 6 titles under Pep, or the treble, the Cl and everything else.

It might help you avoid relegation picking up the odd point here and there but teams who park the bus rarely manage to hang on, we've seen it time and time again and as I said elsewhere we were slating Arsenal for their lack of ambition after they tried and failed to do the exact same thing.

We have the world's best striker ever on the park, he's already scored then we decide to hang on for an hour and a half? Give me a break. They were always going to score, it was a case of when and how many. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with a point at Arsenal but not like that.

You’re conveniently forgetting the excellent chance we had to make it 0-2 and put those cunts to bed.

 

[FromPollockToSilva]

Honestly just delighted with the effort and attitude from the players. The humility and commitment of such great footballers to cede possession, run all day, keep their shape and just frustrate the opposition was incredible. You can see the team chemistry, the trust in each other really building on the back of a performance like that

That said, if we set up like that at home to Burnley then questions will be asked!

 

[waspish]

unless Liverpool drop of or stop being lucky fuckers they’ll win the league by 10+ points

 

[coolcity]

Micah Richards
Former Man City defender on Sky Sports
That is the poorest I have seen Manchester City on the ball for a long time.
clown.......considering we were coming into the last week 2 defeats on the bounce , we're on the right track with moosh and cherki to come back

Sorry but I totally agree with him and the 34% possession stat does too. We scraped a point today but given the number of times teams have come to park the bus against us and failed miserably should tell everyone that most of the time it's a tactic that doesn't work.

Thankfully they were devoid of ideas. Play like that at Anfield and we'll get murdered.

 

[Atypical]

More than happy expected a defeat. The lads will benefit from the minutes in the legs. Winnable couple of games ahead.
UTB

 

[Moss Side's Finest]

Keep shaking yours lad

Go support another team. Knob

 

[BlueMonkey79]

Thought that was shit.

It’s only a resolute shithouse defensive performance if it works.

It fucking didn’t. Again. Reijinders and Savio A fucking joke for that goal. Take it to the corner.

Didn’t even try to attack 2nd half. 2 points pissed away.

Fuming.

Calm down lar.

We got dicked here last year.

Arsenal by far the better team today. They will be more pissed off at the draw than us,!!!

 

[johnny crossan]

could have been a lot worse I suppose but doesn't feel like it atm, really disappointed by that late equaliser.

 

[SkyBlueFlux]

But apart from that…

If you look at everything through the lens of just doing better than last year, then things feel a lot more achievable than just expecting us to blow everybody away and win every game.

Our next 5 games, results from last season (assuming Burnley=Leicester)
Burnley/Leicester W 2-0, Brentford D 2-2, Everton D 1-1, Villa L 2-1, Bournemouth W 3-1, PTS 8, GF 9, GA 6, GD +3

By my logic above - we need 4 wins and a loss... which is hard but feels doable with 3 of them at home. If we do that, then Liverpool at home becomes effectively a free hit.

 

[coolcity]

True, except that we wouldnt get 7 mins, more like three, and the ref would give em every 50/50.

Oh, and if we equalised like that var would check for that foul and disallow the goal.

Then post game sky would be carving us up for not winning, probably lauding arse for their persistence.

Anyway, I think we would have beaten us in that situation..........if that makes sense.

I think we clocked a total of SIXTEEN added mins between the two halves, probs at skys behest.

Time for a game clock methinks, play stops, clock stops, no need for added time.

They wont of course, as it removes some control of the game proceedings from pigmol and their bosses.

Sorry if Im ranting, just endured the longest 50 mins in footy history with no reward at the end of it.

Should have had an independent timekeeper years ago. No reason not to with all the tech they have these days.

 

[Betterdeedthan red]

On another note that was the bentest referee performance since the last bent one, doku got nothing but breathe on saka and it's a free kick, and where they found seven minutes I will never know

BEnt bastards

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Donnarumma - At fault for the goal and flapped at a few corners, but once again did a great job as a shot stopper. Will get more pressure as the season unfolds unless he improves his feet.

Khusanov - How can you not love the lad? Just hope it’s only a knock, but it looks like an ankle sprain, at least, because he’s a brilliant defensive cover and could make RB his own.

O’Reilly - Difficult job today, but managed it very well, especially when he got some help from Bernie or Doku. Solid performance and while I wouldn’t say he pocketed Madueke, he did as well as anyone else will do this season.

Dias - Solid again, apart from the almost disastrous “You got it” with Donnarumma.

Gvardiol - Got done by the blindside run of Martinelli for the goal, but I think it’s easier to blame Ake, if there’s any blame to go around. It was a well-timed run and lovely dink.

Bernardo - Not sure, but I think they just change his Energizer Bunny batteries before every game. Nothing special, just constantly knitting the game together, relieving the pressure and helping organize the middle of the park. Was fortunate, I think, to not get a second yellow for throwing the ball at Trossard, even though Trossard was the one who made something of it. Stupidity to walk that kind of line for the Captain!

Rodri - The glue that keeps us together is starting to stick. Good to see him get 90 mins in his legs. Put him in cotton wool for the next few days. Getting back to his old self, one game at a time. He should be at home while the team are at Huddersfield!

Reijnders - Excellent interplay, run and release for the goal. Always looked like he was looking for that out ball, either for him or from him, but when you’re under the kosh, it often turns into a grind…and he knows how to grind.

Foden - Quiet performance after a scintillating start to the season. Right midfield isn’t his preference, but today it was a case of “if you want to start, needs must.” Tbh, I would have started Lewis in RM today and saved Phil’s legs for later in the game in a more attacking role, but…

Doku - MOTM performance. Always dangerous, looks a different player from last year. Doing a lot of dirty work, but still roasting his full back on a regular basis. Onwards and upwards, hopefully.

Haaland - Took his goal beautifully, after leaving Gabriel for dead on the knock off. Too bad he couldn’t finish his other good opportunity. Not sure if the pass to Foden was on, and whether Foden was onside or not, but when it’s on his left in the box, it’s hard to ask the world’s best striker to try to cross it! And, if it had been blocked by a defender, we’d have all screamed at him to shoot!!

Subs:

Nunes - Solid after a few slips. He needs to see the boot man, because he is on his arse far too often! Some excellent back post headers by tracking the third ball runner.

Ake - At fault for not following his runner or alerting Gvardiol to him early enough, but other than that…!!!

Gonzales - Still looks like an Academy lad we are giving minutes to gain experience. Bounces around, but seems to ignore the danger sitting in the space between him and the defenders. Finding his feet and pass timing a lot better, but still technically not up to the standard of a City midfielder.

Stones - Wish I could say I saw anything he did, or didn’t, do. I think he had a headed clearance, maybe?! Just good to see him back on the field. Maybe RCB with Ake at LCB midweek will get him back into the groove?!

Savinho - Tough job to lead the line alone against a team of expert passers and ball players, so I’m not going to fault him for that, but a bit of nous would be nice! No flicks, just keeping possession and putting their defenders under pressure when you can doesn’t seem like a big ask. Be nice if he answered once or twice.

MOTM: Doku
Honorable mentions: Dias, Rodri, Reijnders and Bernardo.

 

[coolcity]

If you look at everything through the lens of just doing better than last year, then things feel a lot more achievable than just expecting us to blow everybody away and win every game.

Our next 5 games, results from last season (assuming Burnley=Leicester)
Burnley/Leicester W 2-0, Brentford D 2-2, Everton D 1-1, Villa L 2-1, Bournemouth W 3-1, PTS 8, GF 9, GA 6, GD +3

By my logic above - we need 4 wins and a loss... which is hard but feels doable with 3 of them at home. If we do that, then Liverpool at home becomes effectively a free hit.

Makes more sense than 99% of the posts on here.

 

[hilts]

I think we have the quality, just need time to gel and get a bit more belief in the side but we need to start playing again and stop hoofing it around. We have the world's best striker on the pitch and we're playing for a draw for 90 minutes after going in front?

Yeah we were low on quality with the ball today especially in midfield.

 

[Manc Born & Bred]

What a fucking performance, we are on a way back and the league and Europe better watch out. Disappointed to concede when we did but plenty of teams will find Stoke away a tough place to go.
Would have snatched your hand off for two home wins and away draw from last three games. Rotate for Huddersfield, wrap Rodri in cotton wool and go again next week.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

Being glad with beating utd, Napoli, drawing at Arsenal is happy clapper? I'd call it being pleased with your team or club.

Very well - enjoy!!
No need to be analytical, gets in the way of the "gladness".

 

[willipp]

I thought he was injured?

He had to be. No way he came off for tactical reasons.