the blue panther
Well-Known Member
Just a slightly different slant - Arsenal were misguided in thinking that they could turn up at our place and expect to play their "A" game, with their normal formation. It's easy in retrospect but, Arteta's already lost against City twice this season, and they were badly beaten at the Emirates. He wouldn't blink - if he had, he should have changed the starting formation and had the bollocks to leave out any one of his forwards, so he could have tightened up elsewhere. By the time he realised what City were doing, and that the big boys had brought their own "A" game - and it was a lot better than his - it was too late. He had already played into Pep's hands.
The fearsome Saka and Martinelli didn't get a sniff all night; both subbed off well before the end. Jesus virtually anonymous, but he's so hardworking, there was a strong case for him to start. If they'd parked a bit more of a bus and spoiled the game for an hour or more, any of those three could have been introduced later, possibly to greater effect.
Arteta drastically underestimated City and was a victim of misplaced self-confidence in his and his team's abilities. They've had a poor run of form; City a superb run of form. Why put out a team that relies on confidence - when going into the lion's den - when that confidence has been missing lately?
City were fantastic all night and made them look shite, which they definitely aren't. But, I think their manager's overrated, after seeing that effort last night. He was clueless to intervene. He needs to step up that "A" game - or find a new one in future. Pep adapts all the time, and it works for us 99% of the time.
Arsenal were drawn in by their own hype about how great they are; they've truly seen how great this City team is now. We're up several levels from that performance at the Emirates. It's the best I've seen in nearly 60 years of following them. Drink it in blues, and - guess what? I reckon there's better to come................
The fearsome Saka and Martinelli didn't get a sniff all night; both subbed off well before the end. Jesus virtually anonymous, but he's so hardworking, there was a strong case for him to start. If they'd parked a bit more of a bus and spoiled the game for an hour or more, any of those three could have been introduced later, possibly to greater effect.
Arteta drastically underestimated City and was a victim of misplaced self-confidence in his and his team's abilities. They've had a poor run of form; City a superb run of form. Why put out a team that relies on confidence - when going into the lion's den - when that confidence has been missing lately?
City were fantastic all night and made them look shite, which they definitely aren't. But, I think their manager's overrated, after seeing that effort last night. He was clueless to intervene. He needs to step up that "A" game - or find a new one in future. Pep adapts all the time, and it works for us 99% of the time.
Arsenal were drawn in by their own hype about how great they are; they've truly seen how great this City team is now. We're up several levels from that performance at the Emirates. It's the best I've seen in nearly 60 years of following them. Drink it in blues, and - guess what? I reckon there's better to come................
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