Up the Arse! Goons Thread

[glenferry23]

We seem to be willing to take risks in our own six yard box playing out but once we get to the opposition box, we are so afraid of losing it that we just recycle it constantly. Crazy.

This was a very good read on it. We don’t have the technical expertise with so many key players missing to sustain this way of playing. We couldn’t get out, very little outlet on the wings however none of this is new information. That front 3 has been deficient in this regard almost everytime they’ve played together.

But when your squad depth becomes your main starters because of the recurring injuries, this shit happens.

How Arsenal’s technical shortcomings prevented them and David Raya from playing out

Arteta said Arsenal did some basic things 'extremely badly' on Saturday. Their dreadful attempts to play through Bournemouth was one of them

www.nytimes.com

2 standout moments I remember when we actually beat their 4 man press. Raya played a brilliant ball through the middle to Havertz to open them up, sadly though his pass was then very poor and gave it away immediately in looking for Martinelli.

Secondly the offside goal for Gyokeres, the chance was there to play that pass earlier. He was onside due to one Bournemouth defender hanging back for a fraction too long, the earlier pass could have meant the goal stood. But that slight delay in playing the pass, the lack of the incisive touch, makes all the difference.

 

[glenferry23]

After all that pushback of Arsenal players not being involved during the international break, seems there have been a few concerning injuries. No sign of Saka or Timber since. Odegaard again not sighted training.

 

[glenferry23]

Same front 3.

Mosquera and Hincapie start. Eze back.

 

[glenferry23]

Just a much different energy and feeling already.

 

[glenferry23]

They worked that so well to the back post. Luckily it then hit the post. Sporting sensing something now.

 

[glenferry23]

Started very well that half, Zubimendi been much better and Eze good in moments. Excellent defending from Martinelli to get us out of trouble on that break.

As the half went on though similar issues became apparent. Very low on confidence, ball retention almost non existent with this front 3 and it just rebounds back when played up to them.

Just need our best players back. Not sure when or even if that will happen this season. But the technical quality of Timber, Saka, Odegaard, Calafiori etc you just can’t replace no matter what squad depth you have. Frustrating.

 

[glenferry23]

Surely Martinelli had to take that shot. Not leave it for Madueke.

Havertz on.

 

[glenferry23]

Ridiculous to not even give a foul for that. Not only obstruction but worse than that it looks like a knee injury for Madueke. Classic clash of knees that wouldn’t surprise me if that’s ligament damage. Damn.

Dowman subbed on straight away.

 

[glenferry23]

He’s had what, 20 fouls in this tie? And now Araujo gets a yellow

 

[glenferry23]

Semi finalists again. Wow those last few minutes I could have done without though.

 

[beside the seaside]

We played better. I hope we have no fear against City, there'll be opportunities and if we can take them we can win and set up the league victory.

Semi finals of the CL is huge and facing Athletico is a massive opportunity.

 

[glenferry23]

A stat that I didn’t know until now, Arsenal have only ever made it to the semi finals of the champions league 4 times in the history of the club.

2 of those occasions have been last season and now upcoming against Atletico.

 

[glenferry23]

 

[Cruyff14]

We might be in a semi, but it's hard to be inspired beyond that. We have looked ordinary for so long and we seem to play to not lose now, rather than to win.

I said this to a mate "Do we even get past Atletico? Heartbreak in the final surely if so with the way things are"

I got a three and a half minute rant back about "support the ****ing team. I am sick of ****ing campaigners not backing the team. We're in a ****ing semi final for the second year in a row and campaigners are just negative" and words to this effect.

You can still support a team and be critical. I stand by my initial comment. I don't hold much confidence at the moment, and I do think City will beat us. And if that makes me a bad supporter, then such is life.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Yet another uconvincing performance at home, which only adds to the pressure, nervousness and tenseness around the club. It feels like the club will explode at any moment.

A big convincing performance would have done us wonders, but instead we now we go to face City bereft of confidence.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

We might be in a semi, but it's hard to be inspired beyond that. We have looked ordinary for so long and we seem to play to not lose now, rather than to win.

I said this to a mate "Do we even get past Atletico? Heartbreak in the final surely if so with the way things are"

I got a three and a half minute rant back about "support the ****ing team. I am sick of ****ing campaigners not backing the team. We're in a ****ing semi final for the second year in a row and campaigners are just negative" and words to this effect.

You can still support a team and be critical. I stand by my initial comment. I don't hold much confidence at the moment, and I do think City will beat us. And if that makes me a bad supporter, then such is life.

"Just support the team" nuffies are infuriating. You can he honest about things whilst still supporting the team.

 

[Cruyff14]

"Just support the team" nuffies are infuriating. You can he honest about things whilst still supporting the team.

Apparently I am "always critical".

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Apparently I am "always critical".

Always honest, more like.

Some people are just wired differently, I'm personally like you and more pragmatic and others are more hopeful.

 

[TY24]

Nice to be in the last 4 again.

I feel this game against City can be a real catalyst for us. If we shake the demons we've got now and put in a good performance, that will set us up to finish both competitions strongly.

Hard to see us beating PSG or Bayern if we make the final but it's amazing what confidence (or lack of) can do for a group. Go to the Etihad, stick the flag in the ground and remind everyone what we can do, and you never know what might happen.

 

[glenferry23]

 

[giantroo]