It's so nice to have 2 starting-caliber players at one position. Also, Nacho has been excellent in late-game sub situations as a winger.
No, you're right. If we lose and Dortmund win then we will not win the group. But if we draw we have it wrapped up.
Tiebreakers: higher number of points obtained in the group matches played among the teams in question; superior goal difference from the group matches played among the teams in question; higher number of goals scored in the group matches played among the teams in question; higher number of goals scored away from home in the group matches played among the teams in question; If, after applying criteria 1) to 4) to several teams, two teams still have an equal ranking, criteria 1) to 4) are reapplied exclusively to the matches between the two teams in question to determine their final rankings. If this procedure does not lead to a decision, criteria 6) to 8) apply; superior goal difference from all group matches played; higher number of goals scored from all group matches played; higher number of coefficient points accumulated by the club in question, as well as its association, over the previous five seasons. Tiebreaker #1: Points If we lose to Napoli and BVB win, then all three teams will be tied at 12 points. No determination. Tiebreaker #2: Goal Difference At present - Arsenal are +5; if they lose, this will be +4 maximum - BVB are +4; if they win, this will by +5 minimum - Napoli are -1; if they win, this will be +0 maximum Therefore, teams will be ranked by goal difference, and BVB takes first place in the group. If Arsenal lose by <3, then they take second. If Arsenal lose by >3, Napoli takes second. If Arsenal lose by 3, move to the next tiebreaker. Tiebreaker #3 - Goals Scored This tiebreaker would only apply if Napoli beats Arsenal by 3. Therefore, Arsenal will have 8 total goals (current) plus whatever they score at Napoli; Napoli will have 8 total goals (current) + 3 goal difference + whatever Arsenal scores. I.e. Napoli will win this tiebreaker. SUMMARY Arsenal take first if: - Arsenal win - Arsenal tie - Dortmund tie/lose AND Arsenal lose by 1 or 2 Arsenal take second if: - Dortmund win AND Napoli win by 2 or less; Arsenal lose to BVB in tiebreakers but beat Napoli (see above) - Dortmund tie/lose AND Napoli win by 3; Napoli wins tiebreaker by virtue of total goals scored - Dortmund tie/lose AND Napoli win by 4 or more; Napoli wins tiebreaker by virtue of goal differential Arsenal miss out if: - Dortmund win AND Napoli win by 3 or more; Arsenal loses to both BVB and Napoli in tiebreakers (see above)
And we should want to win the group. Right now the 1st place teams are - United, Real, PSG, Bayern, Chelsea, Atletico, and Barca. The 2nd place teams are much less impressive. Winning the group should give us a >80% chance to advance pretty easily.
Apparently, Giroud is the third choice penalty taker but he needs to be the man. Arteta and Ozil don't put much power behind their takes.
Great game; I was a little nervous that we missed so many chances for a second and was starting to get anxious that it would cost us. In fact I had literally basically just said that out loud when Ozil squared that beautiful ball for Super Jackie to smash home for the second. It may have only been two, but that was a complete demolition of that team, and could easily have been 4 or more we hung on them. At the same time, it shows the importance of a good and in form keeper, as Shez did have some work to do. I'm thinking in particular of that diving one handed save at the post going to his left that he made. That was a brilliant stop, and the boy is in brilliant form lately. 4 of our last 5 matches we have kept clean sheets in fact, only conceeding one goal in all 5 matches despite playing such teams as Liverpool, Dortmund and United.
Also, props to Nacho who played brilliantly today. Honestly I think it could be argued that we have 2 out of the 3 or 4 best left backs in England both on our squad. It's a great problem to have. It is also nice to be going to your bench at the 70th minute and pulling on names like Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott. Just imagine once we get Poldi and Ox back; if anything we are going to have trouble keeping all happy with their time on the pitch, but that is a good problem to have.
Ramsey and Wishere were class. Ozil and Giroud are both looking frazzled though. Ozil was subpar in the first half but improved greatly in the second and it was good to see him get another assist. Szczesny also continues to show just how good he really is, another clean sheet in the bag. They need to be careful against Napoli and guard against complacency, december as a whole could define Arsenal's entire season depending on how things pan out. City, Chelsea and Napoli will be serious tests.
To me, most everyone looks tired. The next 3-4 weeks are nonstop games and I'm hoping that Wenger will wring Gnabry, Walcott, Nacho, Santi, Vermaelen, etc dry in order to give the 5-7 players that have been run ragged a time to rest.
Napoli are going to have to come out and play an open game. When we beat them the first time, we scored early and they went to prevent defense so as not to be overrun. let's hope we have the composure to tear them to shreds if they have to come out and play.
Not just those ... our entire next month at Cardiff (who beat Shitty, and drew United) vs Hull (the one easy game in the next few weeks) vs Everton (tough match) mid week at Napoli (need points at a tough away game) at City vs Chelsea at West Ham (another we should win, but still a road derby match) at Newcastle There are only two games that you look at in that entire list that don't give you any pause for much concern. In particular that Everton-Napoli-City-Chelsea run is brutal. If we can come through this stretch still top of the league, then watch out.
You're correct, although as fate would have it, the relative goal difference is almost exactly the same between Arsenal/BVB/Napoli is it is group-wide. Therefore the summary turns out to be exactly correct, even if the goal difference and total goals numbers are off by a bit.
Hello lads, a win is a win at this point. Sitting nice with 12 points but really need to pull out a result in Naples to win the group. Avoid the Bayerns and Barcas of the worlds for a round. On to Cardiff, like to see Theo get a run out.
Was just thinking this. Shows how increible we've defended as a team. Everyone is playing very hard and it shows. Everyone said this was going to be a tough month but honestly I think we did a fanstastic job. The united game will be a blessing in disguise. Bring on Cardiff, should be exciting to see Cardiff Pele have a nice homecoming. I'll post the match thread tomorrow boys.
Arteta is a top penalty taker. I can only recall one miss from him since he joined AFC. He will keep this duty. Ozil's penalty was disappointing, he is usually spot on as well.
So, what do y'all think about Flamini's insubordination of tearing off his sleeves? I don't see anything wrong
Can't remember as many botched calls in one match as this... from ref and from AR's. Luckily the outcome of the game wasn't really changed by them. I pray for the day when video replay is integrated into officiating. We owned this match, right from that opener by Jack which was worthy of TH14. Nice to see him have a mini-breakout. But just like a few years back we weren't efficient in converting chances and were living dangerously at 1-0 for WAY too long. This match should've been 5-0 and that's no exaggeration. That would've given us much more insurance on our trip to Napoli. Onward... it's completely in our hands now.
We should send a nice THANK YOU card to Andre Santos for making this happen! We could even send him a couple of RVP jerseys to express our gratitude!
Wow.....Arsenal is in CRISIS....Sleevegate!!! LOL...This story is such a tempest in a teapost. I guess someone has to find something to write about.
"Wenger on Mesut Ozil penalty miss: 'That's good news for England" I can sense a book coming on Arsene "Wengerisms"