Arsenal (H) - Post Game Thread

[Tolmie scores]

If we'd gambled City were far more likely to win. I think also that's why City didn't gamble as they know Arsenal are a threat on the break so needed to keep Rodri back to shut that threat down.

I know a lot of folks on here sometimes talk like City have suddenly metamorphosed into Burnley but we know City are the best team in the league and a point at the Etihad is huge for us - we've had our pants pulled down there so many times. If you've won some money at the casino, sure you can go on the roulette wheel to try and make even more but more times than not you'll lose the lot!

Also I'm not sure about some of the comments that with City drawing Liverpool will run away with the title because they'll win all their matches. Even if City had won today, you'd still need Liverpool to drop points so it's not a huge difference- you just need to give a side a good hiding to get that goal difference back and City are more than capable of that.

I'll make a prediction that City will finish above Liverpool. Everyone thinks the Dippers fixtures are easy but they really aren't and also Liverpool don't look all that polished either. I can easily see them coming unstuck at the Rags or at Villa Park and also they'll play some relegation threatened teams (including Everton!) who will give them a tough match.

Likewise we are highly likely to enter the gates of hell when we visit Spurs - they'd rather see ISIS win the league than Arsenal!

Nearly a quarter of the season left. No medals handed out today!

agreed nearly quarter of a season left

 

[nmc]

Arsenal got 2 yellow cards.

Both for time wasting.

 

[citymad]

I personally didn’t think it was a ‘huge’ performance by Arsenal.

It was if it meant keeping us out. It was relentless from us in that second half. Going forward they were toothless and lacked ambition.

 

[SWPISHOME]

I think you’re underestimating him slightly but it’s no wonder he didn’t want to come to City - not a cat in hell’s chance he gets in the team if Rodri’s fit.

I could well be, I just don't see it with Declan Rice I genuinely don't get the hype.

He has really good energy and making interceptions that's something he's really good at, Other than that I just don't see the big deal with him. For £105m you'd want much more than a work horse.

That's just my opinion. As you said it's no wonder he didn't join City because not a chance he'd get anywhere near Rodri.

 

[ancoats]

This set up didn’t win a treble last season, and even if it had, the opposition and their tactics change so that’s not really a defence.

Mourinho is still doing what won him a treble and that’s why he’s unemployed.

We’ve not won a league game by more than 2 goals all year, conceding too many cheap ones and all our forwards are our for form except Foden when he plays in midfield, not as a forward.

I’m pretty convinced Peps going to have to change something fairly drastically , which is fine because he’s done it a few times before, but this is much, much later on in the season.

Maybe it's all about the fitness levels of the players and having played far to many games for a small squad.
Burnout hits players at different points of the season and how many are playing carrying knocks or injuries

The setup depends on who you are playing and also home or away.
Yes other teams and their manager learn how to play against us and we struggle to break teams down when they just park the bus, Also the match officials play a major part and loads of teams are allowed to kick us off the park and unsettle and control the tempo.

For me, Pep does not need to change his views on how to play or his setup, But Pep needs to change his views on squad size and get more first-team players, 17 players is not enough to go full-on on all fronts in everything.

We need a couple of new left-backs and right-backs, That can come from new signings and maybe youth players
Also, stop blocking progress with bench players like Gomez Phillips Nunes, Then 100% questions about KDB and the future of Stones Walker,

Look Pep will never be questioned by me and most City fans and rightly so, But we all know time is running fast and Nobody ever thought Pep would be still around after 8 years, SO A VERY BIG SUMMER AHEAD for everybody and with or without any more silverware we all will be Blues till we die and Love our Fantastic Clubs

 

[supercity88]

Toothless. Sideways passing and no attacking intent at all in wide areas. All our creative players tucked in and full backs ending up with the space.

Considering our domination, the fact we barely mustered a single chance is pathetic. De Bruyne just couldn't get a sniff today, I felt like we should have taken him off rather than Foden.

The dippers will drop points, I am sure of that. But it's going to require a hell of a lot for us to win the league because we still don't look like we really want it.

The shape wasn't quite right today. We definitely missed Stones who could have tucked in and let us be a bit more adventurous in attack.

 

[grant1977]

I’m disappointed after today like most. It is what is is and we cannot win everything all
Of the time. We are not the same team as last year by a long stretch. Today the advantage was passed to them shithouses on the left hand side but it can all change. Do I think it will? Not sure, but one thing is certain we will enjoy them fuckers enjoying mid table mediocrity next year

 

[unicorn]

I know I’m in a minority - but I quite enjoyed that. It was a competitive match between two teams who were each looking for the moment that would make a difference ~ neither managed it and in the end Arsenal we’re needing to defend much more than us ~ but there was always the potential jeopardy of a breakaway and a couple of moments where they almost managed it ~ but our defending was good enough to snuff that out. I’d much rather the tension of a game like that than an easy 5-0.

Our attacking wasn’t as fluid as normal - but part of that was Arsenal’s ability to mark closely and close down the passing channels. We tried to pull them out of shape but they rarely were and when the ball broke loose it never quite did in a way that allowed us to take advantage.

Referee was strange, he saw and gave the fouls, he didn’t fall for most of the dives -but he was clearly determined not to book anyone and that meant Arsenal could continue to foul without fear of further jeapody. But he was consistent so City players who on other occasions might have been booked, also weren’t.

So, yes disappointing not to win - it certainly gives Liverpool a big advantage and we need both to slip up without doing so ourselves - if we can manage that it’s going to be great end on season.

I enjoyed that too. Really tense top-of-the-table match. They hardly a shot despite that jeopardy and I thought we turned up the heat 2nd half and might have nicked it like they did at Emirates.

 

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

The forum rules are pretty clear that opposition fans are allowed, if you’ve got a problem with that then take it up with @Ric or report any rule breaking comments, don’t think you’ve got carte Blanche to be an abusive twat to someone just because they support a different team to us.

It makes you look a lot worse than the Arsenal fan for a start.

As far as I'm concerned mate you are welcome here.

 

[SWPISHOME]

Toothless. Sideways passing and no attacking intent at all in wide areas. All our creative players tucked in and full backs ending up with the space.

Considering our domination, the fact we barely mustered a single chance is pathetic. De Bruyne just couldn't get a sniff today, I felt like we should have taken him off rather than Foden.

The dippers will drop points, I am sure of that. But it's going to require a hell of a lot for us to win the league because we still don't look like we really want it.

The shape wasn't quite right today. We definitely missed Stones who could have tucked in and let us be a bit more adventurous in attack.

I agree with De Bruyne, I thought Foden should have stayed on and played centrally. De Bruyne doesn't look fully fit either that or injuries have caught up with him plus he is 32 now.

I don't agree with the "still don't look like we really want it" part. Personally this was always going to happen as in tiredness and looking really leggy. We've played so much football over the last few seasons getting to the latter stages on all competitions nearly every season and being pushed all the way by the dippers on numerous occasions. I think it's eventually caught up with us, For us to be 3 points off top spot, Champions League QF and FA Cup Semi Final this season is an achievement in itself after winning the lot last season.

I can assure you, If it's anyone who wants it it's certainly this group of players they'll give all they have even if tiredness is creeping in.