Napoli v. Arsenal EUROPA LEAGUE Thread Thu. Apr 18 2019 at 3:00pm ET

Discussion in 'Arsenal' started by ArsenalJake, Apr 16, 2019.

  1. Shen-O

    Shen-O Member+

    United States
    Jul 26, 2005
    Los Angeles
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    @Super Llama guys the only reason we won is because we did not wear those "I've been drinking AMFs for 3 hours and just threw up" kits. The most non-Arsenal kit ever. I could not be more relieved when I saw today's kits.
     
  2. Super Llama

    Super Llama Member+

    May 21, 2006
    Seattle
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    I'm just looking forward to seeing the back of this Puma deal
     
  3. casoccerdad47

    casoccerdad47 Member+

    Mar 31, 2006
    If Napoli could hit the side of a barn it would have been a completely different game. Napoli had 20 shots, some in very good positions, but only two were on target. In addition, while Arsenal benefited from several offside calls, at least two of those calls were marginal. Arsenal rode their luck. I'm happy they progressed, but I'm far from impressed with the tactics.
     
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  4. cooper7d7

    cooper7d7 Member+

    Feb 7, 2001
    CT
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What was xG difference?
     
  5. yossarian

    yossarian Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jun 16, 1999
    Big City Blinking
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    First leg - Arsenal xG was 2.36; Napoli was .85
    Second leg - Napoli 1.7; Arsenal .7

    Both of these are courtesy of @oh_that_crab who does the stats articles on Arseblog. He (Scott) further noted that on target xG was even more in Arse's favor over the two legs.
     
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  6. casoccerdad47

    casoccerdad47 Member+

    Mar 31, 2006
    I, like a lot of Arsenal fans on big soccer, have criticized Mourinho's teams when they play like this, I can't turn around and praise Emery for doing the same thing.
     
  7. yossarian

    yossarian Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jun 16, 1999
    Big City Blinking
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    We out xG'ed them over the course of the tie. What are you saying we did that resembled a Mourinho-managed squad?
     
  8. casoccerdad47

    casoccerdad47 Member+

    Mar 31, 2006
    I'm not referring to the course of the tie. Arsenal played well in the first game. I'm referring to yesterday's game. Yesterday's game resembled a Mourinho coached team, without an effective counterattack, especially in the second half.

    The xG for yesterday's game would have been significantly less than 0.7 if Mhiki hadn't nicked the ball off a Napoli player and provided a cross for a big chance that PEA skyed over the cross bar. After Ramsey subbed of injured there was no build up play and wasn't an effective counter attack at any time during the game.

    When you have to defend for most of the game, you are always in danger of mistakes leading to goals. While Arsenal were probably fortunate that Mustafi wasn't on the field, they did make some defensive mistakes that might have been punished by a better team. Napoli's counter attack that led to Cech's kick save comes to mind, and there were others.
     
  9. NorthBank

    NorthBank Member+

    Arsenal; NYRB
    United States
    Mar 29, 2006
    Connecticut
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Still haven't been able to watch anything but some brief highlights. But one of the most notable moments came from the celebration after our goal. Laca runs over to midfield, along with a few giddy teammates, then joins the subs in a little scrum while they whoop it up a bit like teenage girls at a sleepover. And sometimes we think these guys are grown men! ;)
     
  10. yossarian

    yossarian Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jun 16, 1999
    Big City Blinking
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    They're playing a game. What's the point if you can't have fun while playing? And I know you're not saying otherwise, I just wanted to add that.
     
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  11. NorthBank

    NorthBank Member+

    Arsenal; NYRB
    United States
    Mar 29, 2006
    Connecticut
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yeah, that was basically my point. It's a game. Winning is the thing. And they're often closer to young boys than old men.

    Plus the fact that they knew they had probably just earned semifinal spot.
     
  12. AEAAFC96

    AEAAFC96 Member+

    Mar 27, 2006
    NYC
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Just wanna put it in for the record:

    I was willing to give Unai Emery 2 or even 3 seasons to put together a team to challenge for the title.

    With this defense, if he were to achieve 3rd in the league AND win the EL, it would be miraculous IMHO.
     
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  13. casoccerdad47

    casoccerdad47 Member+

    Mar 31, 2006
    If continues playing Mustafi in this defense it will be a miracle.
     
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