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.
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?
Subs?
We’re 15 minutes into the second half – the Tomi change hasn’t made any real difference, we still look blunt going forward so when will shit for brains make changes?
My guess is 70 odd minutes – its like watching latter day Wenger without the decent football.
Still no ESR.
You guys haven’t commented on the second Fulham goal ?
Is 2-1 now off a scrappy corner set piece
Everyone will be ventilating about who to buy ” to complete the squad ”
Does it not occur to the Kroenkes after such arguments for last 4 years it is cheaper to just out Fraudeta?
A worrying stat is we have only conceded 6 fouls and we’re losing.
Can always count on wisdom from you Hoopah. 🙂
Finishing 5 is looking 👀 tricky at the moment.
We’re like old men
Son on Song spuds winning 2:1
Pereira for Iwobi. !
Fulham going more aggressive
Williams is playing old Chelsea level.
Maybe better to prove a point since he could not speak in terms of Contract cancellation at Arsenal.
Fulham USP today is going at the ball at all times. This is a spanner in the works of a ponderous moves STRICTLY as dictated by dictator
Hoopah
I’m not sure they’ll be much money to spend in Jan – we had to loan Raya to stay within FFP rules I can’t see that much has changed on that front since the end of August.
Tony – ESR will be sold sorry mate but if Arteta rated him he’d get minutes at some point. I think we’ll also see Partey sold if there’s an offer.