How many players on the field today would you feel confident in striking a clean ball at goal in open space?
It was raining really freaking hard the entire match, but the skill on display was not good, from either side? It wasn't a bad performance (xG had it as 1.2 - 1.9, us with the 1.9), and this was the first match this season where a team had better chances than United? But, it just feels like this side has another gear, and it won't hit that gear with Emery. Emery is just too cautious and too reactive, and this isn't a team built to defend: the squad as constructed is at its best in all out attack and trying to blow teams away. Good examples are the comebacks against Villa and Sperz.
I was absolutely positive that FK in the 91st minute was going to be a goal. Thanks to Leno for making me wrong. I thought Chambers played fairly well. Great going forward, always providing an outlet. Yeah, he's not really quick enough to be a starting outside back for us, but he subbed in admirably today, IMO. I agree that Pepe wasn't good but -- man --- I think folks are writing him off way too soon. Henry, Pires, and Bergkamp were more experienced when they arrived and it still took them 8 - 10 matches to really start playing well. Also, as @mebeSajid noted, I wouldn't be surprised if he's just as confused by what Emery wants him doing as many in the squad seem to be. Overall, it's disappointing that we couldn't take all three points against a mediocre Yanited side --- but then with Emery's conservatism, a draw was the most I thought we could hope for. Sucks, but there it is.
Fabregras still follows the Arsenal, tweeting support for Saka, calling him a “player” “18 years OLD SHOWING GREAT MATURITY:”. . Senor Soler also said this: “Gotta love Guendouzi. Can play good or not so good but always shows up in difficult moments at such a young age. Big future ahead of him at @arsenal'” Meanwhile “He’s French, he’s quick, his name’s a porno flick” savaged Xhaka and Emery’s MF choices fo this game.
Interesting. Didn't know ex players like Manu were so publicly critical like this. But who's Senor Soler?
Pretty frustrating to watch, Arsenal created nothing. Is Emery's system just to hope for a moment of individual brilliance or a defensive ******** up? Can't see anything else, there's still no game plan over a year later. It seems if he could clone Luiz and Xhaka he'd play 5 of each with a keeper. For all the talk about how good Arsenal's attackers are/should be, it hasn't really shown up. There's no chance this team ever progresses under Emery, let alone making the top 4. United were just flowing through the midfield once Torreira went off.
Pepe didn't look great, but I feel like he has no idea what he's supposed to be doing. His first few appearances he came in, flew down the right side and dribbled passed people. Now he seems hesitant to dribble , takes a few cuts inside and then passes. Emery seems to only really want to attack down the left, so maybe Pepe is being told to came in and almost play as a second striker/false 9 when he's not that?
Well, I hope one of those d-mids shields the backline.... because right now, the other team just kind of walks through.
It's worth pointing out that Leno has been stealing points for the last year and a half left and right. He's done an absolutely superb job and comparatively didn't cost that much.
Aha! Thank you very much. I knew it rang a bell. I shoulda known that, or at least figured it out from the wording/context of the above post. Anyway I wholly agree with what Senor Soler said, and I like his positive support for the youngsters here now.
Emery really is stifling our attack That game was calling out for ozil Plus he’s gonna run auba into the ground
I just want to see Chambers and Holding playing together over the Christmas period. The squad is almost perfect for 3-5-2