Have Arsenal blown their chances?
Taking Stock
![IMG-20200223-WA0020[2450].jpg](https://images.hive.blog/DQmZ2eYVwEtJaZVS4XpwuF51pjTwSi5Pvqf73RjfigKkBsc/IMG-20200223-WA0020[2450].jpg)
Ordinarily I'd be pretty happy with taking a point away to Liverpool at Anfield and a point away to West Ham while not fantastic, would usually not be the end of the world. However in Arsenal's two recent games they gave up two goal leads in each of them and that is the really worrying fact coming into the closing stages of the season.
I'm a glass half full type of person though, so the positive I take from it is that we didn't lose either these games. In seasons gone by we would have most certainly lost one, if not both of those games where they were in the melting pot going in the closing stages. Away games in the premier League are never going to be a picnic but when you take a two goal lead you really need to kick on and win the match. Had City taken a two goal lead in either, they would have won comfortably, but Arsenal almost need a 3 goal lead to look comfortable. The recent injuries hitting their back four is really costing them at the moment, especially Saliba who had formed a formidable centre back partnership with Gabriel.
Back to giving up two goal leads. That worries me to be honest. We need some of the senior players like Xhaka and Thomas Partay to step up to the mark and lead by example. This is a team of youngsters in the main who needs senior players to guide them in these last seven matches. It's been an unbelievable season, no doubt about it, but there is a Premier League title on the line here and it may be a while before we can get this close to winning one again. So we really need to give it everything in the last seven matches to get over the line and that is not just skill and ability but the dark arts also winning ugly when it needs to be done. At 2-2 yesterday, we had no plan B and persisted with the short little passes out from the back, right up to the last minute. Why not bring on a few big men and try some direct balls forward on occasion?
Run In
On paper we have the tougher run in with games against some relegation contenders in Southampton and Notts Forest. We also need to play Chelsea, Brighton and Newcastle who will give us a run for our money, especially Newcastle and Brighton who are enjoying their best seasons in years, both with eyes on European Football next season.
Then of course on Wednesday April 26th at 8 p.m. we play Man City at the Etihad and that game really I think will decide where the Premier League title will go this season. I believe if Man City beat us, they will win the league but if we somehow win that match or even get a draw then we still have a chance to end that almost 20 year drought of Premier League victories.
Something that struck me while watching yesterday's match was the indecision around who would take Arsenal's penalty when they were 1-2 up and rewarded a penalty for handball. There should have been no discussion it should have been decided before the game who would be the penalty taker. It's a lot of pressure to put on a young player like Saka in my opinion. I believe a senior player and a striker and a very good one at that in Jesus should have taken their responsibility stood up and took the penalty and scored it. That would have put us 1-3 up and we would have gone on to win the match comfortably. Those are the margins that this level and I also was shocked to see Jesus taken off, I would have played him for 90 minutes, as he was our most dogged player in my opinion. Perhaps it was because he was on a yellow card?
So let's have a little look at those run ins again shall we...
Arsenal Run In
This is what Arsenal's run in looks like and although I'd like Arsenal to have a chance of a double or treble, the lack of FA cup or European football might well play into our hands. Manchester City will have eight competitive games to play in April, while Arsenal only have six. Then May will see Arsenal play four times, with City potentially playing much more if their FA cup and Champions League runs continue. That could be a factor.
Man City Run In
As I was saying Man City have one eye on Europe this year and I fully expect them ro make it to the final and to be honest as a Gunner, I hope they do, as the extra games will take more out of them and Pep will be forced to rest players with so many matches on all fronts.
It's all to play for
Even though Arsenal are four points clear, Man City have a game in hand and they are purring like a well oiled machine at the moment and it seems noone can get near them. Sometimes though one shock result can rock the boat and I'm really hoping that this happens with City this year.
There are only seven games to go for Arsenal and as things stand, things are still in their own hands, we need to go out now on Friday and beat Southampton handsomely and regain some poise and composure. Then we can travel to the Etihad with a 7 point margin. That would be significant, as games in hand still have to be played and won and no game in the Premier League is a gimme, even for Pep's City team.
What I would like to see though is Arsenal rough them up on Wednesday. Get stuck in from the first tackle. Win every ball. Win the dirty second ball. Play with desire commitment and drive and show how much they want this. Don't let City settle and press them high up the pitch.
Let the Bet run
Last time I posted about Arsenal, Paddy Power was offering me the below cash out option on a bet I placed at the start of the season.
Worryingly the bookies have now shaved €100 off that cash out option, but I'm still going to let it run for the shits and giggles.
It's going to be an exciting two months to see if my €20 can morph into €520 and also more importantly see if my beloved Gunners can reclaim the Premier League title after a long long wait.
Thanks as always for stopping by everyone.
Peace Out
Greetings bruv, who are the big men on the bench for your plan B? None.
The team just behaved very childish when 2 ahead. Like you said, the senior players have to come to the fore now, Partey was shocking,Xhaka was just there, at least better than Partey.
But this is where you also need the most senior player–the coach– to step up.
It was baffling that he left Saka on the field, if Partey deserved the sub, Saka definitely did. This boy Saka has been used way too often by Arteta, infact last season, it's a small miracle how Saka didn't cop a career threatening injuring due to overuse. This game was crying out for a Saka to exit the pitch, early. Trossard can play there, Nelson too. There is no time for favoritism or something, even against Liverpool Saka wasn't at his best. The boy is tired, it's not his fault, he needs a recharge.
When Saka is not up to it, it affects a phase of Odegaard's game because, he hurts the opposition by dovetailing beautifully with Saka. Gabriel Jesus could have been left on the field for much longer.
I always say that, Arteta is a fast learner because that's what I see all the time. We hope he does the trick again, that bench is rich enough to ammend errors on the pitch.
Cheers man.
THIS IS ARSENAL
Push either Gabriel or White higher up the pitch, both are well over 6 feet and Eddie Nketiah is just shy of 6 feet. They were trying to walk it through 2 banks of 5 players and were not quick enough on the counter, always opting for short little passes, even deep into injury team. Very frustrating, they scarcely produced a chance after it went to 2-2.
Exactly, well said... Need the senior players to lead by example. To be fair to Jesus he was doing well, but was subbed.
Interesting points about Saka and overplaying him, I hear you. On the other hand, had he started him on the bench, lots of questions would have been asked too.
Smith-Rowe can't seem to get a look in these days too, which surprises me.
Greetings bruv, yeah let questions be asked. Pep, Ancelloti, Zidane and the top guns don't care about those questions, that's why they are where they are. That's where Arteta needs to improve, in his craft.
Then when you say they are well over six feet as if they are even up to 6ft 3. Secondly, push them forward and be susceptible to the dangerous counters by West Ham?
See, you can hardly see any pure blooded possession club(eg Barca or Man City), ever go for that system you are suggesting.
You revealed something telling there, when you spoke of Arsenal not being quick enough on the counter. That comes back to my point; I said the bench is rich enough to solve such an issue– Saka at least. If the issue was solved you won't even think of this your plan B.
Smith Rowe is more direct and quick through the middle, you ought to be surprised he isn't getting much time. So it's basically on the coach, for me I've known this about him long ago, but he's a fast learner and he has improved massively with regards making proper and prompt changes.
Cheers
Yes, it's a good point and I had thought of it, but City are so strong at the moment that dropping 4 points at this stage of the season is potentially unforgivable. To take a positive though, it is still in our own hands and all to play for.
You make very good points, but I still think a plan B is necessary for any team if their usual system is not working and ours clearly wasn't in the second half. You catch the other team unaware as well as they are drilled to defend against your system, so occasionally opting for plan B makes it tougher to defend, quick crosses, some longer more direct balls out of defense.
You're right though Arteta is a quick learner and I'm delighted with what he has done with this group of players so far, and he's only getting started.
Yeah I understand the crucial nature of these last matches, but I'll have to repeat that, you can hardly find any dedicated possession side with such a Plan B. A Liverpool(under Klopp), Roma(under Mou),Bayern(under Tuchel) even Real Madrid(under Carlo) and several others would have such a plan B, but you would rarely catch City, Barca or Sarri's Lazio ever have this kind as a plan C, even.
This might be something of interest for you @klye perhaps you are another Arsenal supporter.
Now, the latter three sides mentioned, play a dedicated possession game like Arsenal, highly unforgivably systematic in their processes. They see football a whole lot differently from other coaches.
Also, those sides I listed who can engage your said Plan B, have also practiced it at one time or the other on the training turf, so it is less risky for them to engage it, but a far riskier option for a Pep or Xavi team to engage in, something they don't practice.
But even if one were to engage a plan B, come on, he must exhaust his plan A first. Arsenal hadn't even go close to exhausting it's plan A, there were solutions on the bench! It's not the first time though, it's a learning process for Arteta.
For example I once said in February, "Must Nketiah play 90 minutes? There were times last season Saka needed a rest, but Arteta kept flogging him for 90mins even when there was a sub for him. This guy,Nketiah,just began starting matches after the World Cup please help him by substituting him at times. If a Mahrez can be taken off, De Bruyne can be taken off, what's wrong with taking off your precious striker when the going gets tough(and even when it isn't that tough) to give him a breather?" This is contained in my post here.
Well, I still hang unto my conclusion in that my post—
Best regards mate.
All very good points and well made, but I do still believe in having a plan to fall back on in exceptional circumstances, however you too are right that there were solutions on the bench, we are lucky enough now to have some strength in depth on the bench to come on and change a game. I have been very impressed with Trossard since he came and he can really make an impact off the bench or in the starting team.
Trossard? What a fella. When he moves with the ball, it seems like a Smith-Rowe moving, but again when I look as he moves, shimmies and does his thing, I remember the genius– Santi Cazorla! Great buy 👌
It’s going to be fascinating to see how Arsenal approach that game against City. I don’t really think they don’t have the players to sit back and just look to hit City on the break so they’ll have to believe that they can go toe to toe with them from the start.
Of course as a Spurs supporter our season can only be made worse by Arsenal winning the league
!BEER
If they sit back and try to absorb City, they'll get beaten. They need to high press City and pressure them all over the pitch and try make it a dirty game. Upset them. Get in their face. Play just within the rules. Be attack minded and just have a right to. They are capable of beating City if their attitude is right.
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I am sorry to say it does not look that great now and only have themselves to blame. Newcastle and Brighton are the key games as if you lose any of those you are toast. City just seem to have what it takes in abundance and think they will win the League comfortably before the last game is played. Against Liverpool you were lucky and could have lost that by a couple of goals. Against West Ham same again with the crossbar saving 1 point in the final few minutes. Maybe next year the team can grow as they are still very young and this is a good experience.
I hope you are wrong, but it has to be said that City have given us plenty of chances by dropping more points than in previous seasons. It is up to Arsenal now to make it count. There is only seven games left and it is in Arsenal's hands at least. What we have to make sure of is that we don't lose to City, a draw there and we still have a chance. I am a glass half full person, so I will keep the faith. I agree that in both Liverpool and West Ham games, we were lucky to get away with a point and who knows, them points could prove vital in the end. Points in the bank are what we need, so get three against Southampton now on Friday and we will travel to Manchester with a 7 point lead, albeit with 2 extra games played.
Honestly, we blew it against Liverpool not West Ham. As far as the West Ham game goes, it's the same result regarding what we need to do against City as we still need to either win or draw to remain on top of the league.
Overall, whatever way this goes, I am very proud of this team and I think we have a bright future ahead.
Yes, 100% agree, and Champions League football next season after such a long wait will be very sweet indeed.
I actually believe Liverpool blew it...
Like Salah been missing penalties like he's practicing it now😭😭😭 yet he'll go and score a wonder goal against 4 defenders🙂
Even though city has some pretty cool fixtures but I think this seasons league title is just meant for Arsenal. The only game that will determine who wins this season title will be City against Brighton. I say this because they are really in a good form and the game against them will be played at their home which gives the Brighton team an advantage
That Brighton fixture is to be rescheduled too, so will come a bit later and yes that is one where City could potentially drop points, but Arsenal have to play Brighton too and of course they have to play City next week which is a massive match.
Arsenal let their guard down and it will cost them the league, like I have always said I don't see them winning the league this season, and knowing Manchester City love chasing down their opponents, they did it with Liverpool last season and would do the same again Arsenal this season.
I hope you are wrong, but you may well be right. I will however keep the faith. Go and beat Southampton on Friday and bring the right attitude to the match against City and we might just cause an upset.
Hoping arsenal would win this season though 😗, one team, I think they should be looking out for is Newcastle though, they're on fire recently 🙂
Just a Bullish Premier League season
Ya Newcastle and Brighton fixtures are both very dangerous and for me we need to beat City if we want to win this league title.