My Ever Changing Moods – In Ninety Minutes
Sep 13th, 2016 by 'holic
The timing of my latest ten day dry spell was a bit out. I should have started tomorrow, not yesterday! The team news pre-match didn’t help my nervousness. As last year Arsene Wenger put his faith in his squad. In goal was David Ospina, and a starting deep-lying midfield pairing of Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla surprised.
There was a start for out of form Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Alexis was preferred to French striker Olivier Giroud. Rotation didn’t work against Zagreb and Olympiacos last season, and the pundits (plus many on social media) were quick to pick up on that.
I turned Twitter off, put my hands together, and begged for divine intervention in the toughest fixture we will play in the group phase. In the opening 42 seconds however everyone’s worst fears were realised as Aurier ran away from Nacho Monreal and crossed for the unmarked Cavani to glance a header inside Ospina’s far post.
PSG 1-0 Arsenal
Before ten minutes was out we were indebted to Laurent Koscielny for a superb block to deny Rabiot after Shkodran Mustafi had surrendered the ball cheaply. Then Ospina had to head back towards his goal to prevent a DiMaria corner from catching him out.
The French side were treasuring possession and looked capable of opening a disjointed and unbalanced Arsenal team at will. We had to wait until the 22nd minute for Monreal to get clear down the left, cut in, and cross for Oxlade-Chamberlain at the far post to head back across goal to nobody in particular. Two unproductive corners followed.
Francis Coquelin collected his customary early yellow card in the 24th minute with a reckless challenge in the Paris half. I wonder if at that early stage Arsene ever wondered about bringing on Mohamed Elneny or Granit Xhaka, both sitting on the bench behind him?
The sight of Alexis begging someone to advance to meet the onrushing wave upon wave of blue was almost painful to watch. The PSG full-backs, with whitewash on their boots, had the freedom of the flanks. If one was looking for a positive as the end of the half approached it was that we were still only one down and in with a punchers chance of a miracle.
That we still were when Cavani took the ball round the onrushing Ospina and inexplicably drove it wide of an open goal was something of a miracle in itself. The whistle has rarely felt as welcome.
Astonishingly we started the second-half with the same disjointed and unbalanced eleven. To be fair we attempted to apply the early pressure but seemed unable to create anything clear cut. We were open to the break and when it inevitably arrived we could be grateful that DiMaria opted to throw himself to the floor in the box rather than look to go one on one with Ospina.
Coquelin, often our most advanced threat, produced our first meaningful effort from twenty-five yards that looked on target before it was blocked in the box. At least the travelling Gooners were being treated to a degree of effort sadly lacking in the opening half.
Hector Ballerin’s acrobatics denied the home side a greater advantage and that was the trigger for Olivier Giroud to replace the luckless Oxlade-Chamberlain just past the hour. It still required successive blocks by Ospina to thwart Aurier and Cavani. Credit the goalkeeper for those.
At last we saw Granit Xhaka summoned to replace Coquelin, but again Ospina was called upon to deny DiMaria. PSG too used their bench at this point, bringing on Motta for Rabiot. Not too shabby, I suppose.
From out of nowhere came PSG’s punishment for not wrapping the game up. Iwobi’s effort was saved but the rebound fell invitingly for Alexis who needed no second invitation to bury the opportunity. You had to credit the boys resiliance and spirit at this point.
PSG 1-1 Arsenal
PSG responded immediately. Cavani out-muscled Mustafi and looked to go round Ospina who again got a vital touch. It was end to end stuff as both sides sought the winner. Mustafi made a wonderful block to prevent Cavani getting a clear sight of goal. Iwobi tried his luck again at the other end and was denied for a second time by the ‘keeper.
With six minutes left Elneny was sent on for Ozil, presumably to secure an unlikely point on the night. Giroud, moody and snarling, talked himself into a yellow card. He and Verrati then saw second yellows and a red each for a little bit of handbags.
At the end of the evening the boss would argue that his selection was entirely justified, while his critics might counter that if the ten outfield players who were on the pitch when we equalised had started we might have beaten distracted and far from ruthless opponents.
Me, I’m just going to try and relax with a cup of tea.
88 Responses to “My Ever Changing Moods – In Ninety Minutes”
Now that, ‘Holic, was faster than Giroud to a red.
Not sure what Giroud did but if he doesn’t pick up that ridiculous first booking then he finishes the game.
I’ll take a point all day. Fuck knows how it happened but I’ll take it. Cavani is still a top class striker and I’m glad he had a massive off day.
We got very lucky tonight but looked a lot better when we played with some shape
man, you’re quick, holic.
Cavani…our MOTM!
😀
but really any doubts of Ospina’s class should be dispelled after today’s performance.. doubt if Cech could have any better.
Alexis as always seems to deliver even if below par.
Not too bad all in all… on to the next game!
Up The Arse.
😀
‘holic. Faster than lightning since 1913
Excellent report H.
The team selection and first half were shambolic. We were all over the place and PSG could have been out of sight at half time.
The second half wasn’t a huge amount better until we made some changes and the side actually had some shape.
Ollie G clearly decided not to bring his brain cells through customs. God knows what he was thinking. Did he get a second yellow or a straight red?
Iwobi impressed at times. AOC didn’t. Le Coq was woeful. Ospina kept us in it.
A point today is a great point. It’s a daylight robbery but it’s a great point.
Keepers??? Play your number 1. I don’t care who it is, just play your number 1.
Raising a mug to you H. Milk no sugar.
I saw that! 🙂
I’d rather be lucky than good.
I’d also rather not have the US Champions League TV contract in the hands of the Rupert Murdoch empire. Not only did they not decide to show the Arsenal game on one of their two main channels, on which they planned to air Barcelona-Celtic and Man City-Borussia Moenchengladbach, after Man City’s game was postponed due to the weather, Murdoch’s minions decided to air the PSV-Atletico game instead, thereby ranking Arsenal’s game no higher than fourth priority, possibly much lower. Which they proved by not announcing the Arsenal score when they announced all the other of the day’s Champions League scores. Basket of nincompoops.
OG lost the plot and not for the first time he has shown he has anger issues there was no need to block Veratti if I have spelled that correctly. First half complete shambles we conceded after 42 seconds of play I really don’t know how Wenger motivates his team because they looked lethargic and not interested to start with. It really makes me wonder how he set his players. We have tons of tallent in the team so why game after game we look so shit?
And yes OG picked up a straight red last year two yellows means he’s only out for one fixture.
By the way great report governor I see exactly the same going
I think Giroud picked up a straight red…. must see that again.
A cup of tea sounds marvellous guys I shall have one as well ?
BB
It was two yellows mate definitely
Don’t get me wrong I’ll take a point from this game because frankly it’s a miracle ?
“holic on a hat trick! Arsenal’s three stars on the night: Ospina (apart from that near fatal giveaway prior to a save); Sanchez; Cavani
Cavani costs £55m…did not know that.. that’s incredible for all his perceived quality..wouldn’t rank him anywhere near any of our current crop.
😀
Great report Holic…we saw the same game. The result is OK but, overall, we are still lacking something. I think Cazorla, Giroud, Alexis, Ox…they all are struggling with form. Kos and Mustafi need games together, Monreal had one of the worst games in our shirt. I agree that the result is a small miracle but it could have been 1:2 if Iwobi scored that glorious chance.
Oh, Xhaka was pretty invisible.
@ATG
I stand corrected then, thought the ref reached for the red after mistakenly taking out the yellow initially.
That’s somewhat of a relief then…
😀
Shambolic first half. How bad must Arsenal play for Wenger to make a change for the start of the second half. We only came into the game once the changes were made. Sh.T for 45 mins and STILL Sh.T until the chages were made in the second half. What was he expecting to happen up to the moment that he changed the side ?
Before the game I would have taken a point. During it I would have bitten your hand off for it.
PSG must be wondering how they didn’t run away with that. But credit to the team for hanging in there somehow when everything was at sixes and sevens (that would have been about the first 70 minutes).
Good thing Cavani chose today to have one of those games strikers want to forget. But top marks to Ospina, who earned his corn and then some.
Sanchez is not a No 9. End of. The one cogent thing the Fox Sports commentator said was that when Giroud came on it was like Arsenal got two new players because Sanchez was freed to play in his best position. No defender is going to be worried by Sanchez with his back to goal; it is when he is running at them that their problems start.
NBN: I completely agree and hope that this is the end of the Alexis as #9 project. His strengths are totally negated as a #9, and he’s obviously not comfortable in that position.
We got out of jail again today. We’ve been saved by a couple of misfiring strikers (Cavani and Long) in the past two games. Kudos to Ospina as well. He was MOTM. Nice job Agent Edison!
I thought it was going to be a 1-1 draw before the game, but we surely rode our luck. It was a good point at the end. On to the next. COYG!
I wasn’t sure why Wenger picked that line up before the game and having seen it I have absolutely no idea why he did. Frankly I thought we were embarrassing defensively and had no rhythm going forward. We were better when Giroud came on but it was a game we could have lost by five or six goals. Ospina was excellent but Mustafi was utterly dire, one of the worst performances by an Arsenal centre back I’ve seen for a long time. He was trying to play offside and was hopeless.
I’ve not got into this season yet but I have very little optimism. Other than the first half at Watford we have not played well at all. What on earth is going on Arsene?
Was it 2 Yellows cards or a Yellow & Red card for OG? Ref pulled a Red card 1st and then a yellow card. I am confused.
Chelsea, City, Utd….
Play badly and don’t lose = The mark of champions !
Arsenal…
Play badly and don’t lose = Got out of jail !
___
Saved y’all having to buy a paper tommorow.
UEFA CL site is saying both Giroud and Verratti got second-yellow reds.
I presume AW chose that starting lineup because he expected PSG to hog possession and wanted pacy players to hit them on the counter.
Obviously, that game plan went out the window once we conceded 42 seconds into the game (fastest goal we’ve ever conceded in the Champions League).
The disheartening thing was that we had no reaction whatsoever to a spanner being thrown in the works. AW was content for the boys to ride their luck.
If not for Cavani’s ineptitude (how were we ever linked to him?), PSG would have been out of sight before half time.
Anyway, the point gained and manner in which it was obtained should hopefully build character. I just hope that one isn’t put through that kind of torment again this season.
COYG
TTG
worse than Ure. ? Blockley ? and a few more i could name.
Give the guy a break.
He had played half a game of football before he arrived,and is clearly under cooked,and backing up from a tough physical 90 minutes 3 days ago.
I remember a certain Dutch central defender going to Utd a few years back,who was so bad in his first few games,that the fans were baying for him to go back from whence he came as he was rubbish. !!
He went on to become one of the best centre backs in the World.
If Mustafi becomes half as good as the Stammer man,he’ll have a long career at the Arse,and might win a few trophies as well.
As to the game itself,we were backing up from a tough game on Saturday,with only a 2 day break,playing at the home of the French champions,who also had an extra day’s rest.
This early in the season with in Arsene’s words,the squad still not quite there physically,that’s akin to asking an Athlete who has run a marathon on Saturday,to run another one on Tuesday. !!
We were well off the pace,and got lucky.
A point away at our main rival in the group without playing well.
That will do me.
Brilliant Ospina. Cavani’s a turkey. Great result. We’ll murder them in London.
@27 – Sweeper knows. (He sees a black door and he wants it painted red). 🙂
Mustafi the new Senderos.
Discuss
🙂
Giroud’s 2nd yellow was just bad refereeing. Yes he could have stayed clear of the first one but he was pushed into a player…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcLFMxNO5-U
Good to see you are still with us BTM,
Now we just need to hear from our friend the Viking,and all will be right in the Bar.
It seems to have gone under the radar but Ozil was totally off form and was a passenger for the duration of his time on the pitch. I hope whatever it is he has is not catching and he shakes it off before the next game, we need him at his best for this run of games.
*clears throat*
and spits
Guys, we need to stop complaining about the damn game. We could/should/would have lost but we didn’t. Its a point gained at what should be our toughest away match in the group. If this was any of the other top English clubs, I doubt they will be complaining like Arsenal fans are doing right now. We have not played well so far this season but its still early. We have the team to win a major trophy this season, it all boils down to Wenger changing tactics and get the team playing more disciplined.
Without Giroud we had no target man up front (just a fals(ish) No9 who was completely wasted for three-quarters of the match), and without Theo we had no speed on the wing (just the disappointing Iwobi and clumsy Ox). And without Xhaka and Elneny we had nothing in midfield to establish authority (except Coq who hasn’t the guile to camouflage his enforcing).
1 out of ten for team selection, AW. More ammunition for the Wenger Aht brigade.
That said I thought we did well (OspinO miraculously well) to stick to it and keep in the game until sanity prevailed and troops who should have started the game came on and finished it (or at least allowed Electrics to play his proper game and get one in to save the blushes).
All of which leaves us equal top in the group after what should be our most difficult game. Let’s try and forget the means and just be thankful for the result.
Characteristic sluggish first game to start off our CL campaign.
If a few factors weren’t up for consideration, I’d have brought out the same vinyl record to put on our old, broken gramophone.
a) New CB pairing
b) New CB Mustafi still getting used to playing with new teammates
c) Giroud not match fit at all to start
d) Coq being asked to do something slightly different than his usual role last season
Sorry, but I’m pretty impressed we got a point from this game.
With new players and new structures being implemented, we won’t see the best of our formation and tactics for a while yet. Have some faith.
Tim @ 31 above link proves that none of the 2 yellows were legit. OG was baited & then 2nd was a mild body check.
I do not buy the “Giroud not match fit at all to start”, especially if he can start for France (last week). In the past I have said that the manager doesn’t know how to manage a big team (big in terms of number of good players). I still believe so. See what happens when we have everyone fully healthy. How much in game coaching have we seen AW making compared to other managers?
Morning,
After a restless summer night of thought, I still feel that last night was a fair result under the circumstances.
The circumstances were, that Wenger did not start with his strongest side, but started with a more tactical formation. This decision cost us within the first 44 seconds, as Aurier caught Iwobi and Monreal cold. You could even throw Koscielny and Mustafi in to that mix as they underestimated Cavani’s reach to head the ball in, whilst Ospina was found wanting.
Sayind that though, credit to Iwobi as he held his own against the Ivory Coast international as he wore in to the game. As a result of his persistence, Iwobi’s shot rebounded for Alexis to fire home the equaliser after 78 mins. It’s hard to think that Iwobi is so young but seemed at home with the first team whilst his counter-parts were playing for the under 21’s.
This is the second game running, where the boss has made a questionable selection which can only be imagined are tactical decisions which have been touch and go. However, we have seen a result in both games. But one can’t help but wonder how long our luck will last as we have not exactly coasted through these last two games. Hopefully, things will improve.
The main thing is that, we have managed to get the points and we are now level with the strongest team in our group with every chance of topping it.
So with that and until our next fixture, all that I can say now is:
UTA!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
when we played Southampton I thought we were resting our best players with one eye on this fixture.. turns out we fielded our best 11. We might disagree about selection but surely we are all in tandem than xhaka can do better than le coq. playing sanchez as a striker, wenger needs to quit that shit. He two fit strikers for crissake.
let’s hope that the ghosts of this game keeps wenger up all nights till the next match
Fine account of a far from fine experience, Guvna. I don’t know how you survived it with a culpa rather than a drop or three of something stronger.
We have got away with Grand Larceny. Thanks to Cavani and Ospina.
I’m not sure that my nerves will survive a season of this strategy. I certainly won’t be relying on tannin to get me through it.
Luckily it is just for two weeks bath. I will be back in the saddle for Chelsea at home!
Great to see BtM and Steve-o in again. I hope you are both in great shape. ?
Holic, Scruz, bt8,
Thanks all for the great advice yesterday and the wonderful account H.
I’ll take any points from any opposition at this level in the CL when we play this poorly. It kind of consolidates the point Wenger makes so often in that integrating players is not always an easy task. But we’ll improve as the season progresses and we can only hope we don’t loose too much ground to citeh or chelski in the process.
As a golfer yourself Holic you’ll appreciate how influential live alligators in the water hazards can have on your general game should you ever decide to opt for a golfing break in sultry and beautiful SC. I’ve never been further from water on any other golf course in my life ?
I have now had time to reflect and review last night’s performance. I have also gone through the drunks. What I must say is that my initial thoughts have not changed and my concerns are clearly shared by others.
The team selection? I really do not get our starting 11. Surely for our toughest game in the group stages of a competition that we have spent a season trying to qualify for you play your strongest side? Cech/Ospina? Both keepers are top class. Personally I think that Cech is the better keeper. AW would appear to think the same as he has again started the season as our number 1. So why the change? Especially when we are trying to bed in a new centre back pairing. Surely we play our best keeper and look to build some consultancy?
Le Coq/Granit. I’ve said it before but Le Coq is not good enough at this level. I don’t know if Granit is but at £35 million you would hope that he is. From what I’ve seen he is well ahead of Le Coq.
Sanchez as a striker? I would have thought that recent games would have told us all that the striker role is not for him. Why play one of our only top qualities players out of position? Especially when there are two more natural striking options on the bench? It was no surprise to me that when Ollie G came on that the side instantly had far better shape.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m more than happy with a point out there. But as Bath and others have alluded to, it was more of a robbery. At least Dick Turpin had the decency to put a mask on. We just turned up as bold as brass.
It was interesting reading those comments above about how rubbish Cavani is? We must give major thanks that he had a major off day in front of goal. We should also be thankful at Ibrahimovic called it a day in Paris. I dread to think what he would have done having been presented with those chances. For those still thinking that Cavani is not a player then I suggest you watch the game again. His movement was exceptional at times. If only we had someone who had that mobility?
In my opinion we have not started the season very well at all. We still seem to be in a bit of a mess at the moment. We need to find some form and some consultancy, and quick. I very much agree with Bath’s comments a few posts back where he said we are one of a cluster of sides fighting for 4th. At this stage I would say that if we finish this season in the top 4 then we will have done very well indeed.
I’ll put the kettle on.
I have also gone through the drunks.
Some of the team are playing like pissheads but I don’t think they actually are 😉
Clive
Your point is well made although I saw Ure play ( on occasions) a lot better than Mustafif. It was a new partnership playing at a high level against a good team but it was an alarming performance. Pat Howard, Terry Mancini and Blockley were pretty bad and I’m sure Mustafi will improve but they really do not to work on the offside trap which was chaotic. I’m in danger of the knee jerk criticism I revile others for but I am struggling with some of the early team selections.
Obviously he kept Ospina by promising him CL football and last night it worked. But against Galatasaray it was not such a clever move last season .
I will be interested to see how it settles down and especially what midfield two emerge as first choices . The Warfird performance suggests it should be Xhaka and Cazorla but I am a big fan of Elneny too. With Xhaka on from the start last night I think life might have been easier.
Cynic. Ha ha. It’s all the talk of a bloody cup of tea!!!
Steve T, Your points are all very well made as usual and not having seen the game, between the drunks and ‘holic the picture is painted oh so well of a disjointed team trying to find its bearings and perhaps some real consistency to go with it. By the way, are you aiming for a consultancy by any chance? 😉
My not having seen the game, I mean.
Poor team selection and the boss takes the blame. The team was atrocious in the first half and only improved slightly in the second. How chamberlain continues to start is beyond me. He has been so poor in every game he has played this season and does not even give an impression of improving. Xhaka and elneny is a far better pivot than coq and santi in away games and it was apparent even more yesterday as santi was tired beyond measure. Sanchez as a striker wont work and Ozil seems to be in deep slumber. The only ones who can hold their heads up were bellerin, kos and ospina although ospina tried spoiling it with some of his distribution attempts. Mustafi needs time and Iwobi some defensive brains. Talking of brains, Giroud just finds ways to lose it.
Very lucky point but one we would have taken eyes closed before the game. Arsenal havent started off the season still, yet have garnered points which has to be interpreted as positive. Yet the fear remains that we will be found out bad soon if we do not wake up and smell the coffee.
It was an even better point with the other game ending even too. That would suggest Ludogorets are not a complete pile of shite
Vinay smelling the coffee. ‘Holic on the tea. What next? Professor Elemental?
https://youtu.be/eELH0ivexKA
And he tells us Giroud is undercooked. Fairly boiling over more like, chomping at the bit. i like him (not in that way). Wenger’s just twiddling around with another experiment, a la Theo at CF. It must wreck Alexis’s head tho. Can’t agree with Mustafi looking like Ure or Senderos. A subtle blend of Cygan and Caesar I’d say, so far. In fairness, he wouldn’t be playing at all but for the emergency, given similar 30 mill + Xhaka gathering splinters on his arse and he with the preseason. Mert would have been shredded last night too, utterly. But hey, look, we have a big squad at last and any 11 we put out should be pretty damned good. I’m being grown up and patient about this season. Personally I would have shipped Theo, Ox and Le Coq off on south coast hols too, to Portsmouth, or Exeter maybe. They’re so sub standard for this level. Wonder what Elneney’s done wrong too ? Can’t play ’em all I s’ppose. Breathe in deeply, exhale, repeat. It will be alright, won’t it ? COYG.
Poor old Spuds.Fluffing their big night at Wembley
Tottenham’s opening Champions League match ended in defeat as they were beaten by Ligue 1 side Monaco before a record 85,011 crowd at Wembley.
—————–
😀 😀 😀
selection shite
bizarre
though am running off with a point and not looking back
mind you
pinted with a loada psg fellas
bit of a while back
fuckin brilliant
mental as fuck
ultra nice
the g is silent
woo hoo
Hawaii Six-O
must stop watching Mr Benn
bullshit shines through
” gone through the drunks ”
work of genius whether intended or sausage fingered
steve T ?
brilliant
is this place a ghost town
or
are all you storekeepers an victuallers
all behind store bought curtains
tooled up
marshalled into action
by a maverick humpy fella who articulates poorly
waiting to blast me to the life ever after
with the guns
ye shoulda used in the first place
?
*shoots at church bell*
Tottenham firmly in last place in the group.
HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. And HA.
*pushes cackling bt8 into horse trough split second afore bullets ricochet*
soz
carry on
ye were on yer 23 ha
an no low down hornswagglin sidewinder
will blast you from 24
*holsters*
TTG
To be fair,Mustafi and Kos were afforded no defensive cover at all in the first half,Coq seemed to spend more time in the PSG half of the field than ours.
So yes we had a bad first half,but as with the Soton game,we were vastly improved in the 2nd.
Yes PSG had chances in the 2nd half as we pressed for the equalizer,but credit Nacho for just doing enough to worry Di Maria into losing control when through on goal,and also Hector for doing the same when Matuidi looked like scoring as well.
Ospina bailed us out a couple of times as well,but that’s what he is there for.
The Ox only played because of Wally’s late injury,and is a player bereft of confidence and shouldn’t be anywhere near the first team.
I have to say i thought Iwobi deserved immense credit last night,he ran his socks off,never hid or let his head drop if a pass didn’t come off unlike the Ox,and his calmness and technical qualities were there for all to see in a very hostile environment and up against a team of seasoned Intl players.
He was in the right place at the right time in the lead up to our equalizer,and he was again, for what could have been the winner but for a full stretch save from their keeper.
He is still very young but shows great promise for the future,and it’s a sign of Arsene’s trust in him,that he wasn’t subbed when changes were needed.
The boss has a big puzzle on the Table in his Office,it’s about 85% complete,to finish the other 15% is still a work in progress, to identify where the final pieces fit together.
I am confident that will happen over the next few weeks.
Food for thought … not that the “walk it into the net” brigade needs more convincing.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3789822/Malcolm-Macdonald-shooting-sight-Players-today-don-t-chances-trained-pass.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
Bad luck on the hat trick, Holic ?
Is it safe to come out now – from the match or the post match drunks ?
I thought we were looking for a new style midfield, having signed Elneny and Xhaka but the old familiar faces were re-installed, even if Coquelin was experimenting with a new role, playing just ahead of the main striker !
Main striker, you say ? Ah yes, that will be Alexis or, as the Emirates stadium announcer now likes to call him in true boxing stylee, “Errrrrrrrlexissss!”
That is an experiment that should not be repeated.
Team selection was a mystery, as has been said quite enough. Ours IS to reason why – in here, anyway.
I can’t. Onwards and hopefully upwards.
And if you check out the pictures you will see he has a cute dog too.
supermac
hotshot hamish
roy of the rovers
we had em all
Just a matter of time until some start demanding strikers and sundry other upgrades in the January window.
Have faith ye of little of it.
Chris
I’d settle for the signings we have made actually playing.
Granit Xhaka has a beautiful fiancée , certainly someone you’d be happy to spend down time with but that’s mainly what he seems to be doing at the moment, wandering around London all lurved up on Snapchat. Give him a start Arsene. I think he’s made one or possibly two so far .
Clive is right that the centre backs had no cover yesterday . I thought Xhaka was bought to supply that . I’d like Xhaka and Elneny in the centre and Santi playing wide instead of the Ox .
I agree Iwobi did very well. He didn’t afford Nacho much cover but going forward he worked incredibly hard and helped set up our goal.
Perhaps this week we could train together and play some practice games.Its a bit of an outlandish thought but might be worth trying?
I’m not 100% convinced that AW knows exactly what his best team is at the moment. That may be part of the problem. His stubbornness means that he needs to persist with certain plans. That needs to stop for the good of the team.
Clive. I think we are a way short of the picture being 85% complete.
One final point re Mustafi. If Per and Gabriel had not got injured, would he even be at the club? I would suggest that he wouldn’t. That may explain some of the problems in trying to integrate him into the team.
Not sure we want two deep defenders, TTG. Either one of Xhaka or Elneny with Santi, Jack or Rambo would do me. I’m not particularly worried by our CBs. Mustafi is quality imo, and will fit in nicely when he settles. Kos goes without saying and Per, Gab and Nacho can all cover if the physio room calls.
I’m more worried about our inability to score, especially when Sanchez is wasting his talents in the middle and OG his on the bench. Alexis is small at the best of times (actually at all times since he hasn’t put on an inch of height since joining us!) and just gets dwarfed by even average CBs.
Not convinced by Perez, but haven’t seen enough yet. I still believe our best front two are OG and Theo, Ollie knocking them down for Theo to run on to (Toshack and Keegan anyone?). But it’s been either/or for so long now I despair of ever seeing them together.
BT8. Not just yet but perhaps I will send the club my CV??
CBA. Genius you say? Along with Hotshot Hamish? Can’t argue with any of that.
“I’d like Xhaka and Elneny in the centre and Santi playing wide instead of the Ox.”
TTG. All I can say to that is Glory, Glory Hallelujah.
It does feel a bit odd to be reading about Flamini as a Palace player.
http://www.cpfc.co.uk/team/player-profile/mathieu-flamini/4
Clive@72: Good points all.
Neymar reportedly offered a private jet and his name on a chain of hotels to sign for PSG in the summer. Unless that is his agent spreading stories to get Neymar a better deal at Barca, the world gets madder by the day.
http://www.espnfc.co.uk/barcelona/story/2950309/barcelonas-neymar-held-meetings-with-psg-over-summer-move-agent
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>