We took a point against Liverpool at Anfield. I had been complaining in the past about our lack of goals from headers and set pieces but the team has turned it around lately. It was the 11th goal from set-pieces, not counting penalties. We were almost levelled in possession (49-51), had equal number of shots (13) and only one short of shots on targets compared to those scousers (2-3). It was an intense first 30 min and some very good football from both sides.
Not-so-much-positives – Zinchenko. I know Salah has cooked almost every left back in the league on multiple occasions but we knew from the beginning Zinni wouldn’t be able to cope up with Mo. It was a shame Tomiyasu is out injured or he would have started ahead of him. I’m pretty sure Mikel knows about this and that’s why we went and brought in Timber. We didn’t have options left, Kiwior starting against Pool at Anfield? No. I would have gone with Zinni too.
Playing a high line and aggressive football comes with a problem – you are open to counter attacks against a fast paced team. We saw in the 71th minute how within few seconds, Raya and Declan Rice were up against 4 of the Liverpool players, with Salah doing what he does best with the ball in his feet. We were lucky, Trent’s shot hit the bar. On any other day, it was a beautiful counter attacking goal.
Did you notice the pitch? They certainly had watered it down more to suit their long balls and slow down us. Martinelli slipped or that would have been a goal. Saka slipped and Tsimikas picked up an unfortunate broken collarbone injury (karma!). Liverpool direct style of play and long balls gives them an advantage in such cases. They had done it against Ream Madrid in UCL earlier, they did it against us.
Good. We need the teams fearing us.
Away from the Premier League football, the European court of justice has ruled in favor of Super League, not allowing the UEFA to maintain a monopoly on football. Every Premier League club has re-iterated their stance of not interested in joining them, but lets not forget the top 6 had it signed previously before the fans took over. Lets not forget football has become more of a business for the recent owners. If you haven’t noticed yet, Sportbible is already running stories about the new format suggested by A22 – the company behind the new Super League and how the format has changed based on merits now. Pretty soon, the internet will be filled with such articles and we would be made to believe that it is probably not a bad thing.
Global followings for every club has grown in recent years. With internet and cable, anyone sitting in America or India can watch a game live, order a tshirt from the official Arsenal store and receive it within a week. This extra revenue allows the club to spend more which in turn gets you trophies and more international followers. It’s a vicious cycle.
I have been there and lived the atmosphere for about 3 years. I understand the soul of football. However, ask any overseas fan and they would love a competition where Arsenal or Manchester United plays against Read Madrid or Bayern on weekly basis. There will be supporters of it, and sooner or later the British audience will have no other options than to participate.
That’s my prediction. Not today, but in 5 years things are going to change. Is it a good thing? No! Will it happen? Most likely.
Liverpool has overtaken us in the league but we are playing West Ham at home tomorrow and we are going to reclaim our top of the league position. I would love to hear what you have to say for our state of play, the pitch saga, and the Super League in the comments.
Right let’s keep the lead
Simple way to beat a low block quick transition and few touches before the shot
Hi KP
As good as it can be here considering.
Not sure about this game other than we have to get all 3 points.
Fulham can be tricky and are home, so we’ll hope for the best.
Kiwior so slow getting tight
We’re going to need a second goal here – they’ve threatened a couple of times get one right and we could start to panic.
Just beat me to it I was thinking they could easily nick a draw
And there it is
Poor play in midfield by us as always because Rice can’t pivot on his own. Lost on Mikel, though.
No surprise there at all.
Tony
The grumblings around me in the ground are all about the lack of urgency and quick play in getting forward.
That and trying to walk the ball into the back of the net.
Asleep.
Fulham deserved their goal that’s what fucking stupid. Like we just try to play pretty football and nothing else. All foreplay and no penetration
Kroenke
Well wake up then!
Current passage of play sums up everything that’s wrong with Arteta’s Arsenal.
Someone take a fucking shot for the love of God – fat Frank made a career out of getting double figures in deflected goals.
Same as us here Marc, we all see it except MA and his back room disciples and Pedro driven fanboys.
Spuds winning as well
Perhaps we need treble digit touches in their box, Marc, 130+ maybe?
Tom Cairney looks a decent player for Fulham.
Hard to call it for us and depends on our Subs. ESR is required in place of Havertz
Thoughts for the 2nd half lads?
The first half has been typically boring from us bar the goal.
We must be the best PL team for back and sides passes
We’re going to need to get a couple more goals – Fulham have two ex players outfield Sods Law tells you one of them will get a 30 yard screamer.
Tony
Is it me or is Ode slowly the game down every time he gets possession?
I can understand the element of control when slowing things down on occasions but he seems to do it when we’re on the break as well.
Switched ON just now the scoreline doesn’t look flattering. We had a scrappy goal, they had a good one. If we drop points here, that would be the end of it I’m afraid.
Ambarish
Hi mate – our goal was a quick break down the left by Martinelli who then cut inside and shot across Leno who palmed it out for Saka to (a bit clumsily) tap in.
They’ve cut through us a few times and the goal was more when than if.
Hi Marc,
Hope you are well. I am hearing it was the worst half from us this season. 1-1 and we need to win, lets see how much Mikel motivates the lads since the title is on line here.
That’s always been his biggest concern Marc. He stifles games as much as he creates
Fulham will be happier for a point.
Hence low block and counter football for the cottagers.
Watching paint dry football from us.
Without Saliba this team is mid table.
Why is Solanke playing for Bournemouth?
If it stands can’t say it wasn’t coming?