y'know, andrew mangan of arseblog was joking before how cedric was so good that he was 3rd choice RB and 3rd choice LB . . . after these last two games he has been promoted all the way to 4th choice at both.
Yeah pretty bizarre. As I said above, I'd like to know what he did to get so deep into Mikel's doghouse. It doesn't seem like a decision based on form or merit. But if it is, it sure would be nice to know that!
If he has a big CL final and Chelsea wins, he is a HOFer. His failing is coming after RVP and Henry. We’d regard him higher if his career happened before those two.
for someone with a good bit of limitations to his game and a late start to his career, he's had an insane run.
We compared him to exceptional footballing talents that came before him. Dude was a just below elite forward.
The chances of scoring a goal from any individual opportunity are lower than you think, basically. Infogol has an interactive map where you can click on any shot attempt to see the xG: https://www.infogol.net/en/matches/result/english-premier-league/chelsea-vs-arsenal-2021-05-12/70769 The early Havertz chance added .35 xG, the Zouma header off the bar .04, and the Giroud shot off the bar .49. Smith Rowe's added .51.
Chelski shredded us in the first half and should've been up 2-1. But in the second half, they weren't that dangerous despite dominating possession --- until they brought big sexy on, then it seemed they ratcheted up the pressure again. I always liked (not loved) Giroud. I suppose a lot of polarization is a result of that ill-timed dry spell when we might've caught Leicester.
I agree about Chelsea. They were not a threat at all in the second half, even with the shots off the bar. But there is something to how we are playing. It feels like a Pulis/Allardyce side now.
wenger's pattern with giroud every single season was: someone else was better up front. giroud does well off the bench. whoever it was was either ineffective or injured. giroud comes in and does well. wenger rides him like a rented mule until he tires and becomes in effective. giroud is banished to siberia. again.
Sorry for the tardiness, but new thread's up... https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/palace-vs-arsenal-epl-19-may-2021.2115239/