I think a draw would have been fair on the basis of Arsenal's missed chances in the first half, a couple of which go in 9 times out of 10, but not on the basis of their play in the 2nd half. What we basically got was a bit of a spectacle between two teams with big flaws and managers months away from getting them properly drilled in new systems.
Cech made some solid saves, I can see the case for persisting with him rather than throwing Leno in straight away.
Looking forward to the Wham game - I won't be surprised to see Leno make a (competitive) debut; and Torreira start. And possibly Ozil on the bench... jeez we need a winger.
felt a draw would have been fairer.
A draw fairer?
Possession 62.3 - 37.7
Touches 891 - 605
Shots 24 - 15
Shots on target 11 - 6
Total Passes 719 - 427
Pass success 89 - 82
etc
https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1284754/Live/Eng...
Arsenal had more big chances, though. Chelsea were the better, more fluid team - but possession stats, passing stats etc. mean nothing considering we were purposefully sitting back and hitting on the counter (which would've worked if not for really, abnormally poor finishing)
Xhaka was better than Torreira. I thought Torreira was actually terrible when he came on and was the reason we lost all momentum in the 2nd half, when Chelsea were, honestly, absolteuly there for the taking. I was really disappointed in that 2nd half.
Yea looks like a classic case of reading stats and not watching the game there... we honestly should've had them dead and buried by halftime, tore them to bits, even while conceding twice. Cech made a couple of very good saves but a good portion of their shots were pots from distance, or regulation saves from tight angles, whereas most of ours were absolute blundering misses from right in front - I counted 4 which should've been nailed on goals.
felt a draw would have been fairer.
A draw fairer?
Possession 62.3 - 37.7
Touches 891 - 605
Shots 24 - 15
Shots on target 11 - 6
Total Passes 719 - 427
Pass success 89 - 82
etc
https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1284754/Live/Eng...
Ironic to be an Arsenal fan highlighting how little I care about possession and passing stats right now, but from these numbers:
https://arseblog.news/2018/08/chelsea-3-2-arsenal-...
Both sides were equal on expected goals of 2.02, and Arsenal edged Chelsea on expected win based on quality of opportunities.
Looking forward to the Wham game - I won't be surprised to see Leno make a (competitive) debut; and Torreira start. And possibly Ozil on the bench... jeez we need a winger.
This was a big issue from the summer. When it leaves us with the likes of Auba, Ozil, and Mhiki playing those roles it ensures our full backs completely exposed. Chelsea's first goal does my head in, Bellerin runs past Mhiki and goes inside to shut down a CM. Mhiki is caught between tracking the full back or sticking with the winger. A simple ball in behind and it's all over.
While Torreira wasn't helpful against Chelsea he's the kind of player I'm hoping helps cover the full backs in these scenarios. Ideally you'd play him with Guendouzi and Xhaka who can do the passing work in front of them.
On that subject, how good was Guendouzi again? 94% pass completion, 100% pass completion in his defensive third, only lost possession once, and hit some beautiful passes once again.
Guendouzi has been our best player, I don't think it's an exaggeration to suggest he's the first name on the team sheet based on performances at the moment.
I'm not fussed by our lack of wingers. The way we're playing with high fullbacks means we don't necessarily need them. Just need to sort out who is doing what when they are up the pitch and we lose the ball. Clearly mistakes have been made but it's also clear there is a plan for it. If we can get that working better we'll be ok.
Bellerin was excellent going forward but a bit weak defensively yesterday. I feel Lichtsteiner should come in for him. Lichtsteiner is decent going forward, we don't lose too much there, he does have some pace for an old fella, but more importantly he's a real handful defensively. The difference against City down that side when he came on was huge.
I would be dropping Ozil right now. I thought he was personally at fault for a couple of balls over the top yesterday - it was clear that the forwards were trying to press but he was metres from Jorginho every time, and it looked to me that the plan was that he should've been tight. With that high line it just exposed us badly. I think this is why Ramsey is playing so far forward - he's the best player we have at initiating and leading the forward press.
Mkhi looked unbelievably poor at the beginning of the match yesterday but then when he scored and we started to click, he looked excellent, fit the rest of the team like a glove. Hopefully Emery gets him playing like that from the start to finish.
And Iwobi, wow... just didn't have him even in the reckoning to start, but he was excellent. Pace, power and trickery, all of a sudden he's a real option to compete with the big boys for that starting role. Boy he has some quick feet.
I'm feeling for Lacazette right now. Nothing going his way. When he comes on he's very lively, real quality, he actually looks like he's in form despite not scoring. And in both the first two games he has had some absolutely rubbish fouls called against him when he's tracked back or pressed very effectively.
If I was Emery, and very brave (which he clearly is with those selections yesterday!), I'd be looking at a team like this next time out;
Cech
Lichtsteiner Mustafi Sokratis Monreal
Guendouzi Xhaka
Mkhitaryan Ramsey Iwobi
Lacazette
Mkhi + Iwobi screams defensive liability to me.
I was watching both closely off the ball and neither of them have any clue. Iwobi runs around like a headless chicken.
Mkhi + Iwobi screams defensive liability to me.
I was watching both closely off the ball and neither of them have any clue. Iwobi runs around like a headless chicken while Mhikitaryan walks.
Fixed.
Mkhi + Iwobi screams defensive liability to me.
I was watching both closely off the ball and neither of them have any clue. Iwobi runs around like a headless chicken while Mhikitaryan walks.
Fixed.
Very true. Just have to watch the first goal.
The less said about Mustafi making Morata look like Drogba, the better, too..
We should be in for Zaha in January.
Mkhi + Iwobi screams defensive liability to me.
I was watching both closely off the ball and neither of them have any clue. Iwobi runs around like a headless chicken while Mhikitaryan walks.
Fixed.
Very true. Just have to watch the first goal.
The less said about Mustafi making Morata look like Drogba, the better, too..
It's tough to make these assessments about who is doing what when we don't have the ball, the players are under strict instruction where to be at certain moments, and when to press or not press. When the players around someone seem to be working in unison but one guy isn't doing his bit, then it's obvious, but otherwise it's tough to know if they are following the plan or not.
It was clear to me yesterday that Ozil was supposed to be closing down his man a specific moments because the arsenal players either side of him were moving in unison to do that, but Ozil was ambling, 2-3 metres from Jorginho mostly, giving him a ton of time to pick a pass. I think him being hooked in the 2nd half had some significance. With another week under the belt I think he was probably capable of 90 minutes.
I wasn't watching Iwobi so much off the ball, but Mkhitaryan appeared to be moving with the team pretty well when I watched him, and when the others relaxed and stood off, so did he. He certainly didn't cover the fullback that well on occasion, but the way Emery gets players to move in and out from midfield/defensive positions makes me think that simply having the wide forwards covering for the fullback all the time is not the plan. Mkhi made a couple of awful touches in the first 20 minutes, and missed a sitter, but came good after that. I thought it was a pretty good game for him overall.
On Mustafi making Morata look like Drogba, LOL, so true... although if we've got the CF one-on-one with a CB then we already f*cked up! I know it's a bit of an apologist position but we can't be relying on CBs to defend those situations with regularity. A better defender might stop Morata but top quality forwards will finish chances like that against any defenders.
I'd say Xhaka/Guendouzi aren't doing enough to screen the back line. Mustafi/Sokratis aren't helping themselves setting the defensive line inside the Chelsea half. They have permission to add to the attack which seems to be more of a focus for them than their core role of being aware of the transitional play. Hopefully this is where Torreira will help. Also, I'd like to see us be more cynical there. Professional foul & yellow card is a lot better than chancing an opportunity.
This scares me then, because who will cover them? We're perpetuating the same issues from seasons gone by reverting to a 2 - 4 - 4 on attack and being surprised when we get exposed down the flanks. In the scenario for the first goal Bellerin's either encouraged to follow the ball in field and press while Mhiki covers, or Bellerin holds while Mhiki presses. I'd love to know what Emery wanted to have happen in that situation to have a better understanding of our tactics. To Mhiki's credit he didn't let the miss get him down and kept plugging away.
Did anyone else hear the commentators commend Arsenal on showing some fight to get back in the game? Nice to hear that after a few seasons of the opposite!
Mkhi + Iwobi screams defensive liability to me.
I was watching both closely off the ball and neither of them have any clue. Iwobi runs around like a headless chicken while Mhikitaryan walks.
Fixed.
Very true. Just have to watch the first goal.
The less said about Mustafi making Morata look like Drogba, the better, too..
It's tough to make these assessments about who is doing what when we don't have the ball, the players are under strict instruction where to be at certain moments, and when to press or not press. When the players around someone seem to be working in unison but one guy isn't doing his bit, then it's obvious, but otherwise it's tough to know if they are following the plan or not.
It was clear to me yesterday that Ozil was supposed to be closing down his man a specific moments because the arsenal players either side of him were moving in unison to do that, but Ozil was ambling, 2-3 metres from Jorginho mostly, giving him a ton of time to pick a pass. I think him being hooked in the 2nd half had some significance. With another week under the belt I think he was probably capable of 90 minutes.
I wasn't watching Iwobi so much off the ball, but Mkhitaryan appeared to be moving with the team pretty well when I watched him, and when the others relaxed and stood off, so did he. He certainly didn't cover the fullback that well on occasion, but the way Emery gets players to move in and out from midfield/defensive positions makes me think that simply having the wide forwards covering for the fullback all the time is not the plan. Mkhi made a couple of awful touches in the first 20 minutes, and missed a sitter, but came good after that. I thought it was a pretty good game for him overall.
On Mustafi making Morata look like Drogba, LOL, so true... although if we've got the CF one-on-one with a CB then we already f*cked up! I know it's a bit of an apologist position but we can't be relying on CBs to defend those situations with regularity. A better defender might stop Morata but top quality forwards will finish chances like that against any defenders.
That may be fair; but either one in the midfield needs to drop back (i.e. Guendouzi or Xhaka) or Mkhi needs to track. If not, we will concede a hell of a lot of goals. Mkhi's tracking back is just lazy to me - he's such a weird player. I thought he was terrible for the first 30 mins or so and then he exploded into life out of nowhere, then he went back to being sharke again.
On Ozil; I thought he worked very hard, but it was possibly the worst offensive game he has ever played for us. He completed something like 15 or 17 passes (!) the whole game. That is absolutely insane for a player like Ozil who usually loves to get on the ball and try to create. I really don't think that Emery has figured Ozil out yet.
I watched the game again and Iwobi and Mkhi really tracked poorly. I just don't think either has the engine to get up and down the entire game, and if we're going to play with our full-backs as basically auxiliary wingers, then we really need that.
If you watch the Morata goal, we're sitting right on the half way line so we're basically begging for the ball over the top as it obviously isn't going to be outside with Morata running from inside his own half. Mustafi is the one who has a clear view of what is going to happen, while Sokratis is focused elsewhere. Any defender worth his salt would drop back a metre or two there. It didn't make any sense. I don't even think Morata did anything particularly special to get around him. Mustafi was certainly 100% culpable, though perhaps Emery's tactics were too - sitting right on the half way line when you have two defenders with poor recovery speed seems a little silly.
One thing I did like is the clear work on the training ground that has gone into crossing from wide areas, low into the box. On 4-5 occassions Iwobi, Mkhi and Auba made perfect runs and the cutbacks were similarly perfect - too bad about the general finishing.
I came on to try and predict the line up for West Ham. But I can't because Emery is making bold calls, and is only a few games in. I really like this unpredictability for a change :)
Yea it's virtually impossible... we got to know Wenger so well you sort of felt like you were inside his head at times, when it came to team selections anyway...
I've resorted to giving my personal preferences rather than trying to guess what Emery will do! The other thing is that he has suggested he likes to pick horses-for-courses lineups as well, so will be interesting to see how that plays out.
I like this Guendouzi kid more and more:
https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/1031199087612...
Gif: Matteo Guendouzi’s reaction to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s open goal miss vs. Chelsea in the first-half. [@NitwikFootball] #afc pic.twitter.com/XIck6yvs38
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 19, 2018
I like this Guendouzi kid more and more:
https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/1031199087612...
Gif: Matteo Guendouzi’s reaction to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s open goal miss vs. Chelsea in the first-half. [@NitwikFootball] #afc pic.twitter.com/XIck6yvs38
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 19, 2018
Yup he's been a bright spot for sure, props for emery for picking him.
I like this Guendouzi kid more and more:
https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/1031199087612...
Gif: Matteo Guendouzi’s reaction to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s open goal miss vs. Chelsea in the first-half. [@NitwikFootball] #afc pic.twitter.com/XIck6yvs38
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 19, 2018
I had a similar reaction.
Nice to get our first win! As Monreal said, we played worse this week and won compared to last week where we played better yet lost. I'm really liking Emery's willingness to make changes so early in the match. The Torreira for Goudnouzi one was the right call, and the turning point really. Lacazette must be knocking on the door for a start. Looking across the squad and you'd think that as bad as our defence is I don't think it's a change to the starters that fixes it. Bellerin's attack is making up for his being caught out, while Monreal's got no competition. Sokratis and Mustafi need a bit more time together, and with Kosc out I wouldn't think Holding is a silver bullet there. Ultimately I think Torreira's got to be the man in midfield who starts, and I'm not fussed by Xhaka or Gouendouzi partnering him. Out left he's got a real headache in Iwobi vs Lacazette, while Mhikitaryan and Ramsey are putting in such shifts I can't see Ozil justifying starting.
I'm holding out for Europa league and the cups to kick off to give us some mid week action, that normally shows us who is the first 11 and who make up the bench/back up.
My conclusion from that game is that Mustafi will never improve and we should've sold him when we had the chance. He's a complete liability. Sokratis isn't much better, but he's still an improvement over him.
Very interesting listening to the Arsenal Vision podcast - Tim Stillman says he trusts the ESPN reporters insight into the Ozil issue. My immediate assumption was that it was complete bullshark - but it really does sound like there was some truth around him having an argument with Emery.
My conclusion from that game is that Mustafi will never improve and we should've sold him when we had the chance. He's a complete liability. Sokratis isn't much better, but he's still an improvement over him.
I question where the better CBs are supposed to come from. United and to some extent Chelsea have the same issue with central defenders and both were after players over summer and failed. I just don't think there's that many real world-class defenders to go around.
My conclusion from that game is that Mustafi will never improve and we should've sold him when we had the chance. He's a complete liability. Sokratis isn't much better, but he's still an improvement over him.
I question where the better CBs are supposed to come from. United and to some extent Chelsea have the same issue with central defenders and both were after players over summer and failed. I just don't think there's that many real world-class defenders to go around.
Never mind world-class, how about someone who isn't a complete bomb scare every time they walk on the pitch?
I know Kroenke's buy out of Usmanov entitles him to do this under law, but given he had all the control he needed I'm disappointed but not surprised he's forced everyone into selling. Some of these stories are heartbreaking, people with genuine passion for the club holding onto their single share to pass down to their kids. The quote that nailed it for me
Isn't it compolsury for him to purchase the rest of the shares now he's over a certain threshold?
Isn't it compolsury for him to purchase the rest of the shares now he's over a certain threshold?
I don't believe it's compulsory for him, but rather he can request a compulsory sale.
sounds like Nelson is off to Hoffenheim. Mixed views on if it’s a loan or a perm. Hopefully the former.
Europa league draw is tonight; while we’ve landed Brentford in the Carabao Cup 3rd round. Liverpool play Chelsea this round so should get another contender out of the way early!
Brentford are my 2nd team so I'm in a win win situation. Will be a massive night at the Emirates with a great travelling support. Brentford played a largely 2nd string side in the last round and should also see the return of Nico Yennaris. My cousin in London is a life long Brentford fan but he'll either be too drunk to go or won't be bothered making the trip from South London.
Sporting Lisbon
Qarabag
Vorskla
Should be as comfortable as last year really.
Sporting Lisbon
Qarabag
Vorskla
Should be as comfortable as last year really.
Looking forward to seeing the second stringers getting it done.
I’m guessing we might expect something like:
Leno
Liechtensteiner Holding Mavropanos ???
Guenoudzi Elneny
Iwobi Ozil Nketiah
Welbeck
Allison’s transfer fee was already an insurance policy in case of Leno’s failings, but today’s mishap from him has strengthened the cause!
Wow, what soft defence in that game. We looked better at set piece and Laca played well, but the organisation of the back is non-existent. oh and add playing out from the back to that as well. They looked lost back there.
Lovely link up for Aubas goal though. Maybe there is a future of Auba and Laca and Ozil in the front 3.
We were mostly frail from set pieces, I thought.
two wins in the bag, though, and Spurs lost - so it could be worse. I'll take any win at this point.
On the plus side, Laca was fudgeing fantastic. Auba, not so much, but a very good goal from him in the end. (think it was his first from outside the box in 70 goals or something? A real collectors item)
Next games is Newcastle away on the 16th; with how we're both playing, I can't see us winning that. Newcastle have been playing some decent stuff lately.
Few thoughts;
1) Lacazette's really made his case for why he should be leading the line. He brings the midfield into the game, which isn't something Auba does.
2) I was suprised Emery dropped Mhiki. Given he's been so dominant down the right with Bellerin it showed that it was detrimental to our right wing attacks, but not necessarily to our overall game play.
3) Ramsey's yet to sign a contract, but hasn't been sold. Will be interesting to see what happens here.
4) Ozil's really a bit of a mystery for me. He's useless out wide, but we can't really play him ahead of Xhaka/Guendouzi.
5) Cech's 100% riding his luck at the moment with his foot work, hopefully he keeps getting lucky but it'll invariably go wrong soon.
6) Defensively we looked average on the set pieces, which given we defend in a such a zonal way it's not surprising when we're coming unstuck on the multi-phase set piece. However I thought today we were a bit better than in previous weeks in open play. More cynical in our fouls, and more support from our midfielders tracking back.
On no.4 there Brumbys, I thought it looked like Ozil was in a 10 role ahead of Xhaka/Guendouzi, but interestingly when we didn't have the ball, he often went right and Ramsey came central and led the press. That's not a bad option really, as Ozil is not a press-leader.
And it does seem to be clear to me now that it is not the responsibility of the right sided attacker to track back and cover Bellerin. Our central midfielders are tasked with this, or the backline slides across and becomes a 3, provided Monreal is not also up high at the same time.
It seems quite obvious to me when watching. So that is why Mkhi and Ozil and whomever is on the right is not coming back to help - they aren't supposed to. It's weird how so many people give them crap for dawdling about instead of covering for Bellerin, with no knowledge of the actual game plan. It's pretty obvious that that is not what's supposed to be happening.Watching Liverpool, they play very similarly. You see the midfielders getting out to cover for fullbacks, Mane and Salah are certainly not expected to get back into those positions very often at all.
I think this morning's lineup looks like our strongest right now, perhaps save for Torreira, who is probably in a battle with Guendouzi for one starting spot. Xhaka seems to be going quite well under Emery with a bit more technical direction, even if he's still prone to the odd error.
This morning certainly looked like our smoothest possession game so far. The passes were sticking a lot more. And I agree on Lacazette Brumbys, he has that Giroud side to his game where he drops into midfield and makes one touch flicks to the other forwards, before turning and running again. But unlike Giroud he's also got pace and dribbling ability, so more of a full package. It was really exciting to see him playing so well this morning, and with Aubameyang seemingly happy to play from the left with his pace.
I'd like to see the same 11 when we come back from the international break.
Few thoughts;
1) Lacazette's really made his case for why he should be leading the line. He brings the midfield into the game, which isn't something Auba does. Agree, he was really impressive. Looked lively all game, took his goal brilliantly.
2) I was suprised Emery dropped Mhiki. Given he's been so dominant down the right with Bellerin it showed that it was detrimental to our right wing attacks, but not necessarily to our overall game play. Emery is still figuring things out tbf. Think it will take some time before he finally settles on a 'standard' lineup.
3) Ramsey's yet to sign a contract, but hasn't been sold. Will be interesting to see what happens here. Thought he had one of his better games against Cardiff. Maybe he is only good in the hole. Still not overly bothered if he signs or not.
4) Ozil's really a bit of a mystery for me. He's useless out wide, but we can't really play him ahead of Xhaka/Guendouzi. His position is where Ramsey was. Completely anonymous out wide. Could play deeper in the middle though, has a better passing range than any other midfield option. Might be to the detriment of the team though.
5) Cech's 100% riding his luck at the moment with his foot work, hopefully he keeps getting lucky but it'll invariably go wrong soon. He blatantly cannot play out from the back and needs to be dropped for a keeper we have spent 20m on specifically because he can play this style of football.
6) Defensively we looked average on the set pieces, which given we defend in a such a zonal way it's not surprising when we're coming unstuck on the multi-phase set piece. However I thought today we were a bit better than in previous weeks in open play. More cynical in our fouls, and more support from our midfielders tracking back. We gave up several really good chances but Cardiff's lack of ability or composure in front of goal saved us. Their equalizer on half time was just brain dead from both Xhaka and Bellerin. 8 goals against in 4 games is a real worry. Emery needs to get working on it asap because we aren't going to win 3-2 every week.
Agreed on Laca - he was fired up the whole game and pressed superbly at times; something Auba hasn't done. He suits our system better than Auba at no.9 and needs to start.
Ozil and Ramsey should never play in the same team, and I honestly think Ozil has become a dead weight dragging this team down. I love the guy, but for 70 minutes he was anonymous. Of course, once he drifted back into the middle it made quite a big difference and he was actually the catalyst for the win in the end - but if we continue to play this system with Emery, he's a huge liability.
I also thought Ramsey had a torrid game.
Re: Cech; I feel like Emery realises our defence is exposed right now while we bed into the new system. I don't think he wants to throw Leno to the wolves just yet. It's a fair enough call, and despite Cech's mishaps, I think he's played very well in every other department.
As a keeper myself all the farting around with the ball in our own box is giving me nightmares. Don't care who the keeper is, it's inevitably going to cost us eventually and the way these things work is it will probably end up being the decisive goal in a Europa knockout tie or some other huge game. The opposition can't score when the ball is up their end so when you're under pressure around your own penalty area you hoof the ball up the fudgeing pitch and then you at least have the opportunity to get into position to defend
As a keeper myself all the farting around with the ball in our own box is giving me nightmares. Don't care who the keeper is, it's inevitably going to cost us eventually and the way these things work is it will probably end up being the decisive goal in a Europa knockout tie or some other huge game. The opposition can't score when the ball is up their end so when you're under pressure around your own penalty area you hoof the ball up the fudgeing pitch and then you at least have the opportunity to get into position to defend
It's not really an either/or type thing, is it though? I mean, there are clearly times when discretion is the better part of valour, but equally, just automatically looking to lump the ball as far away as possible can lead to trouble too, especially if your team hasn't had the chance to get into shape, or if in the haste to lump it you don't make the kind of contact you were looking for.
