Unsure what to think about that match, gonna have to see Field Tilt data before I come to any conclusions
And because we've been on USA a lot lately we get to see great in-stadium, post-match scenes... like tonight... priceless. I'm probably gonna rewatch that tonight and stick it on a DVD for posterity
we conceded 7 shots with 1 on goal while taking 27 shots with 10 on net. And only won 5-0. Time of possession was what really made it feel "off" - since "they" had 55% to our 45%. Their speed created their only good chances, and we managed to deal with well enough.
Trossard & White interviewed on the pitch post-match. Ben was asked about his 2nd goal and if he meant it. He paused, smiled and said "I'll leave that to others to decide". Leo promptly cut-in to say "he meant it, he meant it, take the credit son".
Man, I haven't been to the pub for an Arsenal match since last time we were in the Champions League. Slipping out of the office to watch weekday afternoon games used to be a tradition! Since COVID, all I do is slink down the hall and flip on the TV. How times have changed.
That profile is needed whether he stays or goes, because even if he stays, you cannot rely on him in way whatsoever. He's made 2 starts in in the league since August. Two! TWO!!!
We need a new LW. He's been disappointing this past season. I think he has hit his peak. Squad player level.
Apparently can't get enough of this match. Just finished watching 1T again, and some observations: Paid more attention to Partey. He was really good, barely put a foot wrong. Bodying his opponent, making important intercepts, progressive diagonal passes, etc. Playing his old 6 role and looking like his old self for the first time in I can't remember. Freeing Declan to be an even bigger part of our attack. Absolutely scintillating quick-passing by us, especially in first 30' At 30' there was a decent high diagonal pass to their RW and Tomiyasu just took it out of the air and killed their attack. Can't recall seeing Kiwior or Zinchenko do that this season. And at another moment (before?) he won a 50/50 with such confidence that there was no doubt who owned his zone. (Edit: later in 2T he had one or two clunkers) Saka, in the last 2 games, seems to be getting steadily livelier, and more vital to our attacks. Cortizone injection a week or so ago?
And now finished rewatching 2T... Scintillating stuff continued, e.g 83' Jesus to Rice to the post. God what confidence! What skill! Ode continues as our creative energizer bunny, kept it up for another 100' Kai with a great game, on both sides of the ball, and with his shooting boots very much on tonight. Seems pretty clear that we should keep him at 9 not 8, for as many of the 4 games left as he can start. Being able to be taken off at 70' could help Partey's 2T was a bit less impressive, with more mistakes. Maybe fatigue was a factor... he also came off at 70' (Tomi as well) Raya looking confident & commanding yet again. Not too much to do, but when called upon he did exactly what was required Big Gabby wins the passion & emotion award for the 2nd straight match. Note his roar when he ushered a ball out for a goal kick when we were 5-0 already! OK, CFC are not what they were a few years ago, but nor are AFC! Perfect performance and game management! And we should take maximum confidence to WHL (with a whopping 5 days rest) Oh, and LOVED how peeps stayed after FT to party, especially the fetching 20-somethings dancing to Hot Hot Hot Sweet dreams!
I disagree. He's been disconnected all season because of how Arteta wants him to stretch things and because we've never really sorted that entire left-side---constantly changing the left back and the left sided midfielder. It just doesn't have the same hive mind that the right side does.
From Barney Ronay's article in The Guardian on the match.... "Martin Ødegaard was sublime, such an odd mix of roughhouse pressing and wonderful surgical passing, like being hounded to death by a poet." https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/apr/23/chelsea-arsenal-football-premier-league
Think about Chelsea spending 237m euros on Caicedo and Enzo and 35m Odegaard does what he did to them