Saturday, 21 December 2019 Goodison Park USA TV: NBCSN 7:30am ET Well, less than 9 hours to KO and I guess nobody else want to do this. And since it seems to me like a pretty bad idea to not have a thread for the first match of our new coach's reign, here it is... better late than never. I guess you could sort of say the same about our new appointee, since we didn't quite execute the change of the guard with the quick precision that our arch-rivals did, but at least we did a slightly better job than tomorrow's opponents seem to be doing with their new gaffer. So here he is doing a really competent and confident presser today... Obviously it's gonna take a lot more than that, and more than elite hair, to turn us around. But I suspect we might just get a little of that bounce we were expecting but missed with Freddie. The lads will be wanting to put in a good shift tomorrow for the "real" head coach. Even if he's not actually on the touch-line. (I have no idea what the plan is for that) It was a bold and fairly risky appointment. Now all us fans should, just like the squad should, just get 110% behind the new boss. COYG!!!
Whoa! Martinelli, Smith-Rowe & Nelson supporting Aubameyang. That's a big ask, at least for 2 of those 3.
So huge excitement before the game at the lineup One wonders how excited everyone is going to be if this team loses badly?
Gab gets his foot stomped on. Fvck. There goes our brightest OF player from the last game. Meanwhile they show Mikel in the stands flanked by Vinai & Raul. Seems pretty contrived. When was the last time we saw those 2 gents watching one of our away matches?
Must've been some words spoken at HT. We're a much better attacking team in first 5 minutes of 2T. Pray we don't give up a goal to a counter attack.
77' Laca coming on. Hopefully not too late. Auba's been largely ineffective. And with very very little service. Maybe we could try some long-ball, direct, crosses to a Laca header?
FT 0-0. That was DIRE stuff from 2 teams in need of some serious help. The stats say that we had 6 shots. That seems flattering. (They had 9) Few positives: The industry of Gab & Saka. Scrappier, tighter defense... leading to our first clean sheet in >2mos. Onward into the new era of Captain Black.
Well, that was drab. Two teams that showcased the level of play that earns mid-to-lower table stuff in the Prem. The positive for Arsenal is they didn't lose a road match while featuring a lot of youth. It was a disjointed performance but there was more hustle and effort than we've seen in some other matches. Hopefully the players are responding to the notion that change is afoot. Also nice to see the players and Freddie acknowledging the fans afterward. Display of camaraderie we haven't seen much this season. The bad was the passing and possession. Arsenal was decidedly meek in holding and advancing the ball, often looking less than confident when playing in the back. (To the surprise of no one.) No wonder the amount of shots was low given the ability to feed the offense was lacking.
I've grown used to not having Saturday kickoffs, so I forgot this was happening and I slept in. Seems I made the right choice.
Half of the way through the season and we have 23 points...that is dire. That being said I thought there were some bright spots today. Our attack was pretty bad but our midfield and defense looked more solid. Easily the least xg we've conceded in a couple months. AMN is probably better defensively than Bellerin right now. Saka Torreira Chambers and Xhaka all looked decent.
I thought Xhaka was really good today, but maybe the bar is low. He was probably nervous but Rowe showed absolutely nothing aside from falling down and having a terrible first touch. Not really into Nelson either. Saka is a better LB than Kola.
I thought we played through the press quite well today. Some of our combination play looked solid. Stepping stones and all that.
I just woke up (west coast time) and watched the match nothing much to say lol. Both teams were dreadful. We could have won it, but glad the boys managed to get a rare cleansheet. Special mention: I can't believe I am saying this but Xhaka played really well today imo. Freddie lineup was weird no Pepe and taking Aubameyang off when we need a goal ok lol. Ancelotti and Arteta faces in the stands said it all. Both sides need a total overhaul. A draw is a fair result.
I though the kids worked hard and contributed to the clean sheet, getting back on defense and covering for each other. But being kids, the attack never really came together. I think Freddie was probably hoping that Xhaka and Aubameyang would lead the way, but it didn't look like either one really cared to be out there.