look, chamakh isn't the answer, giroud isn't the answer... a guy like Huntelaar probably is.. but arsene won't go there. why did we sell Van Persie again?
These two Schalke matches po'd me. Anybody wanting to know what is the matter with Arsenal has only to look at both and write a long essay on our deficiencies. Nobody on these boards had any doubt that Schalke would score after we went up 2-0. Several posters said as much. I was thinking the same exact thing. This was just bad management. When the other side's chances at goal per minute reach a certain level it is time to change tactics.
And just ignore the individual talent? Look at how well organized Schalke was. They dictated the terms to A.Wenger when Wenger had players just as good as they did. Do you really think Schalke has somebody as good as Sagna? No. I could go down the list here.
Idk. They showed the faintest signs of a pulse for the first time since West Ham away. And in a vacuum it's a good result. I'm not ready to throw in the towel just yet.
I'm still trying to believe in this season too. Conceding those 2 goals was still frustrating though. On the bright side, at least we didn't see Santos until the end - he needs to go. Mannone as well (defend him all you want, I can't wait for Szczesny to be back).
I agree with this. I think we are severely underperforming with the talent we do have. Do we have enough to be title contenders? Nope. But I've been watching a good amount of football this year and you can't tell me teams like Swansea, Everton and Spurs have more talented players than us, yet they are consistently churning out more consistent, impressive performances.
EXACTLY. It makes no sense. You have to ask. Is it mentally? Are they exhausted? What is it? It doesnt make any sense. I was watching Swansea over the weekend and I envied their creativity and attacking play and we definitely have better players than them. It really doesn't make sense at this point. We all know how good Cazorla,Arteta,Wilshere is. Not to mention other players. Why do they play so badly?
how about midfield not closing down and two terrible plays involving the captain again. smh tv5 how did people ever think he was special smh
I didn't think it was a bad performance, but Theo should have scored at the end. And even if we finish second, the only true threat is Barca. We can beat Malaga or PSG.
it wasn't the worst performance (nor, obviously, the best). it had good and bad points but the most disappointing thing was sitting back in the second half and letting schalke right back into the game. overall it was a better performance than the last few matches. i just hope that improvement can be carried on, with each performance better than the last.
1. Lack of finishing talent 2. Poor integration of players responsible for carrying the offense. 3. Wengrous incompetence as coach and trainer. Add it all up, it's very difficult to generate chances and convert them.
That, and the fact that Mannone actually played pretty well and much better than we could have legitimately expected.