City v Arsenal friendly post match thread

[jimharri]

I was pleased with the result until I considered that:

1) you are bedding in new signings - we aren't
2) we have to play a CL qualifier which would suggest our team is further down the line in terms of being match ready
3) City tore us a new one until Feo scored on the break - massive difference to the anti-football Mancini always played against us
4) 95% of the crowd appeared to be Finnish Arsenal fans
5) the ref didn't seem entirely oblivious to the fact the organisers and crowd preferred an AFC win over an evil oil money victory
6) friendly football is shit

You can't be a gooner; that's far too sensible a post!



Bring back Gooney!!

 

[gooner6729]

The balance of the support in the ground shows us how far we have to go. Arsenal have been shite for years, but the ground seemed full of Arsenal fans. Can't think they've travelled, so assume they are local.

As for the game - irrelevant in every sense. The result is to be ignored, much the same as if we'd won. Pre season knock about, no more, no less.

It's Scandinavia . Arsenal have been huge there since the 30s. It's not like Asia or America where you can build a fanbase in the space of a few years .

When we played you in China last season the crowd was about 90% Arsenal and 10% City. Assuming you continue to be more successful that will be 70-30 in 5 years and 50-50 in 10.

In a place like Finland the likes of City and Chelski will never catch a club like Arsenal. Finland only has 5 million people though compared to billions of success hungry new football fans in Asia and America. In short, I wouldn't worry about your lack of appeal in the old world.

 

[chanceathefarpost]

I've not had the chance to go through all of the thread but for what it is worth here's my thoughts on today's game:

Personally I feel that we played too high defensively today, but that is due to the tactic of pressing high against the opposition. Against some teams this is perfect as it forces those without the necessary ball quality to make mistakes/ concede possession and enables us to dominate both territorially and in possession. Looking at our opening fixtures this is how I envisage us playing against Newcastle, Cardiff and Hull. I don't think that such risky tactics will be employed against teams with the ability to break with the quality of arsenal. If anything, they are the team not to play that way against, but in terms of setting out a plan for the start of the season I feel this was the thinking behind today's tactics. I also feel that against the major teams we will revert to one up front (aguero) and play 3 in behind (jov / silva / navas) with yaya and ferny holding a little deeper and the back 4 dropping off 5-10 metres.
Therefore I would look at today with the next few games in mind; although we defended very poorly for the goals, I wouldn't expect Hull Newcastle or Cardiff to possess the ability to hit us with such quality (especially after chasing shadows for a large part of the game). Obviously, if this is THE tactic we wants to play throughout the season, I'd advise he look at AVBs Chelsea who went from defensive stability to being cut wide open with through balls and over the top balls put in behind their back 4. We shouldn't look to repeat these errors.
Personnel wise:
Silva looks sharp and though the partnership between yaya and ferny requires more understanding it's obvious that both possess great abilitties in winning and maintaining possession of the ball. For me, Garcia shouldn't be back up for either of these being absent; Milner, Barry and Rodwell are my preferred options for central midfield behind these two.
Nastastic is a miss. His positional sense and reading of the game are underrated qualities and there's not a chance the space between clichy and lescott would have been so vulnerable today with his inclusion. It s paramount that he is not rushed back so is ready to assume his partnership with Vinny for the rest of the season.
Negredo has impressed with his tenacity, movement and work rate; at the moment he is my preferred option to Dzeko to start if we play one out and out striker. He will become more clinical with games and can easily see him bagging 3/4 in the opening games; he takes up some excellent positions in and around the box.
Overall, don't be concerned about today's tactics / result etc... If he lines up like that against the better teams come the actual league matches, then yes be worried, but I think he's trying to get a across a high intensity, closing down tactic into his players which will enable us to make the necessary improvements to turn last seasons draws into victories.

 

[Rosler1985]

It was a friendly. Who gives a shit?

 

[Anonymous]

I was pleased with the result until I considered that:

1) you are bedding in new signings - we aren't
2) we have to play a CL qualifier which would suggest our team is further down the line in terms of being match ready
3) City tore us a new one until Feo scored on the break - massive difference to the anti-football Mancini always played against us
4) 95% of the crowd appeared to be Finnish Arsenal fans
5) the ref didn't seem entirely oblivious to the fact the organisers and crowd preferred an AFC win over an evil oil money victory
6) friendly football is shit

Arsenal certainly didn't play badly , your players actually finished all three goals quite well , and they even put the disallowed goal away with some style , but aside from the goals i didn't see THAT much between the two sides , and i expect both clubs to be in top four contention this coming season.

We had a couple of chances to add to the Negredo goal , but didn't .... but overall it was a useful workout for both teams , we both picked up a trophy for our efforts , albeit yours had 'winners' on it .... and it was better than either of us playing someone like Southend !

 

[LongsightM13]

I've not had the chance to go through all of the thread but for what it is worth here's my thoughts on today's game:

Personally I feel that we played too high defensively today, but that is due to the tactic of pressing high against the opposition. Against some teams this is perfect as it forces those without the necessary ball quality to make mistakes/ concede possession and enables us to dominate both territorially and in possession. Looking at our opening fixtures this is how I envisage us playing against Newcastle, Cardiff and Hull. I don't think that such risky tactics will be employed against teams with the ability to break with the quality of arsenal. If anything, they are the team not to play that way against, but in terms of setting out a plan for the start of the season I feel this was the thinking behind today's tactics. I also feel that against the major teams we will revert to one up front (aguero) and play 3 in behind (jov / silva / navas) with yaya and ferny holding a little deeper and the back 4 dropping off 5-10 metres.
Therefore I would look at today with the next few games in mind; although we defended very poorly for the goals, I wouldn't expect Hull Newcastle or Cardiff to possess the ability to hit us with such quality (especially after chasing shadows for a large part of the game). Obviously, if this is THE tactic we wants to play throughout the season, I'd advise he look at AVBs Chelsea who went from defensive stability to being cut wide open with through balls and over the top balls put in behind their back 4. We shouldn't look to repeat these errors.
Personnel wise:
Silva looks sharp and though the partnership between yaya and ferny requires more understanding it's obvious that both possess great abilitties in winning and maintaining possession of the ball. For me, Garcia shouldn't be back up for either of these being absent; Milner, Barry and Rodwell are my preferred options for central midfield behind these two.
Nastastic is a miss. His positional sense and reading of the game are underrated qualities and there's not a chance the space between clichy and lescott would have been so vulnerable today with his inclusion. It s paramount that he is not rushed back so is ready to assume his partnership with Vinny for the rest of the season.
Negredo has impressed with histenacity, movemennd work rate; at the moment he is my preferred option to Dzeko to start if we play one out and out striker. He will become more clinical with games and can easily see him bagging 3/4 in the opening games; he takes up some excellent positions in and around the box.
Overall, don't be concerned about today's tactics / result etc... If he lines up like that against the better teams come the actual league matches, then yes be worried, but I think he's trying to get a across a high intensity, closing down tactic into his players which will enable us to make the necessary improvements to turn last seasons draws into victories.

Excellent post, as was Gooner Matty's. Perspective over knee-jerk stupidity.
Wasn't bothered about pre-season victories, not bothered about pre-season defeats.
Let's see how many Arsenal fans are crowing in May. Not many is my prediction.

 

[gooner6729]

I was pleased with the result until I considered that:

1) you are bedding in new signings - we aren't
2) we have to play a CL qualifier which would suggest our team is further down the line in terms of being match ready
3) City tore us a new one until Feo scored on the break - massive difference to the anti-football Mancini always played against us
4) 95% of the crowd appeared to be Finnish Arsenal fans
5) the ref didn't seem entirely oblivious to the fact the organisers and crowd preferred an AFC win over an evil oil money victory
6) friendly football is shit

You can't be a gooner; that's far too sensible a post!

I wouldn't go that far. I enjoy being abusive to opposition fans, dishing out vile abuse and threats to former players, booing our own players, talking about history, complaining and gloating about good away support. I've also been banned from this forum for making reference to elephant washing songs and I genuinely believe Arsenal to be the greatest and classiest club in English football history ahead of the common Munichs and Bin Dippers.

On the other hand I neither own a sovereign ring, white Reeboks or use the expression faaakkin caaant in every sentence.

COYG

Bring back Gooney!!

 

[Blueband Brother]

It was definitely a disappointing result and it does not feel good to loose like that. Although people should not really dwell on the media and what they say about us but I cannot help but anticipate more media attacks as this will just serve to fuel their fire.

But unlike the media we have to be reasonable and accept that it was a positive decision to play a team like Arsenal with their pace and quick play on the break. Arsenal were uncharacteristically sharp, precise and decisive and capitalized on all their chances. This may sound odd but this is actually the perfect simulation or scenario to be in before the start of the season because it allows us to access where we stand defensively in this sort of situation or adversity .It is clear that there is still some work to be done and I am sure that Pellegrini and the players will sort it out for the start of the new season.

It is still obvious even from this match that we are in a higher level than Arsenal and we are going to have a great season.

 

[Dzekolol]

Why did Pelle take Dzeko off?? he's killing his confidence.

 

[LHarper]

Why did Pelle take Dzeko off?? he's killing his confidence.

Are you being serious you sex case?