Up the Arse! Goons Thread

[glenferry23]

The choice and timing of some of Wenger's substations has really emerged as an issue in the last year or two. Quite often, has changed the dynamics of the game and invited pressure.

Th e Liverpool game is the most recent that springs to mind but its been a bit of theme for longer than that.

 

[Shoei]

Our midfield from the 82nd minute onwards:

- Gibbs ------------ Ozil ----------- Ramsey -
------------- Coquelin -- Flamini -------------

Of all options on the bench, this is the single most ineffective midfield formation we could've put out given the circumstances. Bournemouth were killing us in the second half, so to counter this we choose to put a defender who can't defend at LM, and an impressive yet slow and tired Ramsey at RM.

What happened next? We had no outlet whenever we regained possession. Not only did we invite far more pressure than we should've, but we had nobody in midfield to lead a counterattack or to relieve pressure for more than 5-10 seconds. Bellerin was the only player capable of this in the second half (Ox, as you said, was anonymous).

Obviously we lucked out and didn't concede a goal, but our substitutions towards the end of games are becoming an issue. It cost us against Liverpool and could easily have done the same this morning. Campbell should've come on, Ramsey should've stayed central, and Flamini should've been dragged all the way back to France.

If it wasn't for Cech's sheer class and a whole ****ton of luck, we would've conceded at least once in the last 15 minutes. 3 points is fantastic, but on the whole the second half performance was shit and our subs would've cost us at least a goal if it were any other game. If it were Leicester it would've been more.

Looking forward to Coq starting soon so our subs don't look as ******* ridiculous as they have lately.

The formation doesn't sit like that though;

-------------Giroud
Gibbs---Coquelin---Ozil----Flamini----Ramsey
Nacho----Kos----Gabriel----Bellerin

When Gibbs comes on the team essentially drops into a deeper 4-5-1 to try and close the game out. Brining on Campbell for Gibbs wouldn't have made much difference as the team wasn't interested in going forward, more to keep shape and just not concede. You don't want players charging up the pitch trying to score that's why its better to bring on a more defensive minded player in Gibbs.

Arsenal aren't very good at defending under those conditions because it's not something we find ourselves having to do often.

Campbell is a better defender than Gibbs.

He isn't.

 

[bok_party]

The formation doesn't sit like that though;

-------------Giroud
Gibbs---Coquelin---Ozil----Flamini----Ramsey
Nacho----Kos----Gabriel----Bellerin

When Gibbs comes on the team essentially drops into a deeper 4-5-1 to try and close the game out. Brining on Campbell for Gibbs wouldn't have made much difference as the team wasn't interested in going forward, more to keep shape and just not concede. You don't want players charging up the pitch trying to score that's why its better to bring on a more defensive minded player in Gibbs.

Arsenal aren't very good at defending under those conditions because it's not something we find ourselves having to do often.

Exactly. Defensive shape/formation is different when you are actually defending. Most sides playing the 4-2-3-1 will play that formation when attacking while reverting to a 4-5-1 when defending.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

2nd half was poor but I suppose we take any win after 4 league games of failing to win, will need to be better to beat the Foxes though.

 

[Tomnat Tigers]

The problem I have is we shouldn't have to be making defensive substitutions when 2 nil up against sides like Bournemouth. Times like that are the perfect opportunity to push on and try and get another goal and improve our goal difference. Mind you thats not to say that I want our players recklessly abandoning their defensive responsibilities as thats when you can expose yourself to the opposition making a comeback. Just need to find the right balance and to be fair I think it would make a difference if everyone was available, especially Welbeck and Wilshere.

 

[PendlePie]

This weekend is our biggest "must-win" game since Olympiacos.

- Win = right back in it. Simple.
- Draw/lose = we're ******. Leicester keep or add to their buffer, Spurs likely ruin City and run away from us ahead of our trips to OT and WHL.

Worth mentioning that Leicester hit an easy run soon (and no cup competitions) while we contend with United (a), Spurs (a) and Barcelona (h & a) over the next month.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

This weekend is our biggest "must-win" game since Olympiacos.

- Win = right back in it. Simple.
- Draw/lose = we're ******. Leicester keep or add to their buffer, Spurs likely ruin City and run away from us ahead of our trips to OT and WHL.

Worth mentioning that Leicester hit an easy run soon (and no cup competitions) while we contend with United (a), Spurs (a) and Barcelona (h & a) over the next month.

At least for us we only have 2 more European games. I just don't think we are playing anywhere near well enough to win the Title thats the problem.

 

[PendlePie]

Yeah, it's concerning how we've been dominated for periods of most games since Christmas.

Getting our Coq out should help that. Should really be starting this weekend.

 

[Marc Murphy]

At least for us we only have 2 more European games. I just don't think we are playing anywhere near well enough to win the Title thats the problem.

Setting aside the improbability of beating Barca, would you actually be disappointed if we progressed?

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Setting aside the improbability of beating Barca, would you actually be disappointed if we progressed?

I wouldn't because if we somehow knocked out Barca Id have a lot more faith in this squads potential moving forward.

 

[windyhill]

Arse 4
Foxes 0
Seriously good bet Arsenal this week, we are just that sort of club. ( mental problems )

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Arsenal vs leicester & Man City vs Tottenham on Sunday night so it looks like I will be half asleep at work on Monday.

 

[bok_party]

Rumour has it Payet wants to double his wages at West Ham and we may pounce if that doesn't eventuate.

 

[PendlePie]

Rumour has it Payet wants to double his wages at West Ham and we may pounce if that doesn't eventuate.

Wenger wouldn't go for someone with such an inflated sense of self-entitlement. Especially when such self-entitlement comes after only half a season at his current club.

No way will Wenger sign Payet on 120k a week. Absolutely no chance.

 

[Tomnat Tigers]

1. If Payet wants his wages doubled then West Ham can easily do so given the money all clubs in the PL have at present.

2. We don't have a need for Payet given we already have Ozil and if we were going to sign a back up for Ozil there are far better options (Gotze/ Fekir) out there then Payet.

 

[bok_party]

Wenger wouldn't go for someone with such an inflated sense of self-entitlement. Especially when such self-entitlement comes after only half a season at his current club.

No way will Wenger sign Payet on 120k a week. Absolutely no chance.

To be fair, he's created the most chances in Europe last year and he's still be equally as great. He probably does deserve a payrise but not double his current wages.

 

[Cruyff14]

People forget that bigger leads have been thrown away.

 

[Benno_900]

Gabriel stat = 1 goal conceded in 9 PL starts

 

[PendlePie]

Nice that Arsene finally sees the benefits in playing him over Mert

 

[elhadjihenry]

Gabriel stat = 1 goal conceded in 9 PL starts

Although you have to say he is liable for the 2 for Chelsea after he was sent off against them.

 

[glenferry23]

Although you have to say he is liable for the 2 for Chelsea after he was sent off against them.

Was going to mention that. Too easily sucked into Costa's tricks.

 

[PendlePie]

Bellerin saved his ass too against Bournemouth (where he ****** the attempted interception and their striker got through).

He hasn't been close to faultless, but still a much more suitable option than Mertesacker.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Wenger wouldn't go for someone with such an inflated sense of self-entitlement. Especially when such self-entitlement comes after only half a season at his current club.

No way will Wenger sign Payet on 120k a week. Absolutely no chance.

Agreed he wont but its funny he pays that much for Walcott lol, 5 goals in 28 appearances Theo.

 

[PendlePie]

Wenger has interesting ways of contradicting himself sometimes HODGEYROAD

 

[Tomnat Tigers]

Bellerin saved his ass too against Bournemouth (where he ****** the attempted interception and their striker got through.

He hasn't been close to faultless, but still a much more suitable option than Mertesacker.

To be fair that play did get called back for a handball, although he definitely chose the wrong angle to intercept the ball.

You could say he has been quite average/poor since coming in for Per after the Chelsea game (certainly lacked confidence) but the reason I would stick with him is the potential of Gab/Kos if successful far out ways the current centre back partnership of Per/Kos, which is good but limited.

Agreed he wont but its funny he pays that much for Walcott lol, 5 goals in 28 appearances Theo.

Walcott has averaged a goal every 166 minutes for the past four seasons. A number which is very good for a wing player. He has been quite average this season, especially the past two months but like all players Walcott will have a strong period this season and will make up some of his numbers during that.

Also is one of our best big game players.