For me it's too early to judge. Like you said we missed our chances. I completley agree with what Wenger said. Our players have to believe in their ability because if they don't they won't win and that's what we saw today. We can criticize Wenger all we want but we're better than 10 years ago and if we can't finish well that's life. Wenger said his job will be finished when we move to Ashburton Grove. Hopefully, well my hope anyways is that Wenger's prodigy Paul le Guen comes and takes over. Plus we spent 357 million pounds on the new stadium so for us to have spent on Hleb is actually a suprise... I for one would've been suprised if we won because from the tactical aspect Wenger and Mourinho both weren't risking. What does it tell you when you go with a 4-5-1 formation? Obvioulsy he would rather draw than lose and his plan was clear but the goal was pure luck. Henry should've finished but I love the guy too much. I still think we need another striker, because as we've seen nobody other than Henry scores and if he has an off game nobody can step up, be it van Persie or whoever. Where was Reyes? He should've been there. That is the only mistake I don't understand from Wenger. As for the lineup I would've put Cygan instead of Senderos because as bad as he is he won't get bullyed like a you know what. But it's only two games into the season let's see if we wil rebound. Because don't forget what happens to us when we lose big games... But I'm already looking forward to Chelsea-Tottenham, I believe the Spurs have something in suprise... If we beat Liverpool then I'll start to believe again. Hopefully we'll win the CL! I can dream
Much better view. Atmousphere was quite good as well. The away season ticket holders got the Upper Part and the other fans got Lower. Lots of singing and loads of people had signs of the crowd that Chelsea had in Feb 1992 - just under 8,000!!! That was funny. But to be fair, if I was a Chelsea fan who got moved to where we used to sit, I'd be pissed off. I don't know whether season ticket holders got moved, but it was certainly much better than the view has ever been.
Reyes wasn't suspended he just wasn't included because he didn't play last weekend and Wenger obviously didn't want to risk a question mark by his standards. Well that's Wenger for you. But to be real our players didn't produce... We can blame Wenger all we want but they just didn't produce...
Pires looked out of sorts all afternoon. I would have understood Wenger's decision to start Pires up front if we had a striker crisis or something. However, Robin was fully fit and available. He should have been partnered with Henry from the get go. In addition, I really believe that Dennis should have replaced Pires late in the match. He may have been able to provide that moment of magic that he is adorned for.
A draw would've been a fair result but just barely. We just didn't really do much all match to look dangerous.....and that was more disappointing to me than the result. I hate to be this pessimistic so early in the season, but I fear that this year might be somewhat re-building in the sense that our new/young players are going to take some time the mesh with our more experienced players. In the interim....there may be a few more bumps on the road like this.
Losing Freddie was detrimental for us. He presence would have likely forced Chelsea to spread out more on the their yard line, thereby freeing up multiple zones. It was mission impossible for Henry and Robin to single handedly open up Chelsea on their own. Recall that it was Freddie's "never say die" run that lead to Fab's goal two weeks ago. Heck, he even came within an eyelash of converting from his darting runs today. Love him. I hope he gets well soon. Totally agree with you about Pires. We have obviousely seen the best of him. However, it is interesting that despite his fluctuating play, he manages to score goals year after year. Oh well that is another issue. I really think that Dennis should have been subbed on for Bobby late in the game. He may have provided us with a much needed solution.
It's in the past. That's football for you. Let's concentrate on Liverpool. Chelsea will slip up. I think they will draw Spurs. Not to be a Spurs fan, hate that, but they're finally looking organized, top 4 is a possibility. For me they're better than Liverpool.
The reason we didn't get over run in midfield is thaat Chelsea bypass it with thier long balls, people used to take the piss out of Wimbeldon for those sort of tactics.
No. The reason you didn't get overrun in midfield, is because you fielded a 4-5-1 formation. We went with 4-3-3.
Bwahahahahaha. Take a look at the so called 'evidence' enlarged on our board. The whole goal end of the photo is so doctored even a kid can see it. The line for the 18 yard box and the midfield line are running at different angles. Classic.
If later in the game Arsenal was playing for the tie, then that's fine, I can understand that. But if they had a formation with only one striker (and we saw how well that worked in the FA cup) then it doesn't seem to me like they're playing to win. Also, where was the sub for Bergkamp late? Anything he did would have been better than Pires. I just wish Arsenal would shoot more. They did the same thing as last week- made one to many passes trying to get the "perfect" goal. I know it's not really their style, but why not throw it at the net a little and let your athleticism take over? At least make Chelsea's defenders move and react quickly. Also, how are the Spurs better than Liverpool right now? I'm a huge Edgar Davids fan, but one good game from him does not mean this team is all of a sudden top 4. They're dangerous though, and I honestly think they'll give Chelsea a run for their money.
Hey CT, from what I saw from Liverpool at Tyneside they couldn't finish, an aspect they've had since I don't know how long ago, hmmm ever since the Premier League started. Gerrard still can't finish, just watch. Ok maybe it was too much to compare them with Spurs but I can't see 'Pool finsihing in the top three.
They've only played two games! Gerrard will be fine, as will the team. I do agree with you, I can't see them being top 3, but if another team slips up I wouldn't be surprised to see them there at the end of the year. It's a long season though, so we'll just have to see...
That particular photo is not a good one to view. I watched it over a few times and he looked to be offsides, but it was pretty close. Still if anyone else scored I might not be as pissed, but Drogba again.
I wonder why no one at Arsenal yells or glares at Henry when he f's things up. On the French NT when the older gen of mf and strikers were there they used to yell at him. I remember Youri Djorkaeff in particular being a bit harsh on him at times even. Now at the French NT it seems Trezeguet's the only one left who yells at him when he messes up. At Arsenal it almost seems as if Wenger doesn't yell at him either. *edit x2: I know part of it is senior players, as per the French team circa 98-2002. But at Arsenal there seems to be not one person who even yells at him.
I think the reason no one attacks him when he has an off day or makes mistakes is that he doesn`t make them that often, rarely do you see Henry put a foot wrong in a game and even if he does, he quickly makes up for the mistake with a piece of individual brilliance, a spectacular goal or whatever and quickly the mistake is forgetten. may be another thing is that he is so influential that almost 50% of Wenger`s plans are directed through him. Personally i wouldn`t yell or criticize such a crucial piece of your puzzle, it`s like Barca players yelling at Ronaldinho or Juve with Nedved, Bayern with Ballack..
Late in the match when Henry took that shot from the 18 that went directly to Cech.....van Persie was wide left and looked over at him with him arms extended in "wtf" fashion.
even though i kinda hate his guts cuz he plays for you guys and i think he's a bit full of himself i admire him for his balls...
RvP was simply mimicking my reaction to Henry for most of the second half. Drogba's goal was crap. Senderos still kicks a** and Toure kicks even more a**. I like our back four and am not sure I would change anything about the way they played the game.
I was watching the game live on the Sky feed, and it was pretty clear. The first thing Andy Gray said after the goal was that, when the ball was kicked, he immediately looked at the linesman. When they showed the replays, it was confirmed that Gray was right and that Drogba was well off, even moreso than a couple of other offsides that were called correctly early. However, after sleeping on it and reading what Wenger had to say, I do agree that we fell asleep. Just like the first goal of the Community Shield, Senderos is the visible culprit, but others were standing around when the ball was kicked and left him alone with Drogba. It was a fluke goal on a chance that should never have been made that easy.