First Half
Loads of possession – Mkhitaryan one-on-one and a Lacazette header perhaps should have been dispatched. Bate look a poor side but still had a couple of good efforts on goal. Simple goal for them when it came. Poor.
Second Half
Lots more possession with very little to show for it. The number of times there was a poorly weighted pass was ridiculous. Yes, it was a terrible pitch, but really?
‘Fancy coming back to mine?’
Auba came on with us needing a goal and then played in a withdrawn inside right position. Utterly ridiculous – get him hanging round the goal or leave him in his sleeping bag.
Conclusion
As fgg says, we should win next week by a few, so maybe this isn’t as bad as it seems right now, but playing against a team which isn’t even fit as their season doesn’t start until March, we looked toothless and almost completely ineffective. Oh, if only we had a player who can play that killer pass to open up the bus!
Ratings
Cech – blocked a couple – picked the ball out of the back of his net … 5
Mustafi – not really required to do a huge amount of defending – passing very average … 5
Koscielny – slightly above average in a poor team performance … 6
Monreal – again, not much to do against a team content to defend … 5
Maitland-Niles – saw a fair amount of the ball and didn’t really achieve much with it … 4
Kolasinac – his one decent cross found Laca marginally offside according to the lino – dreadful attempt at goal when the ball came back to him on the corner of the 6 yard box … 4
Xhaka – looked rusty – silly booking – didn’t add much … 4
Guendouzi – telegraphs his passing often leading to interceptions … 4
Iwobi – a game made for him but somehow he produced very little of note …5
Mkhitaryan – pretty anonymous when we needed him to take up the creative mantle … 4
Lacazette – Frustrated with the quality of chances created for him but lacked sharpness when half chances came – in some ways the elbow into the chin of the Bate player was for all of us – him missing from the second leg may work out ok if Auba gets a hat-trick … 5
Subs
Aubameyang – the lad is a striker not a withdrawn midfielder – no efforts on goal in over 20 minutes … 4
Torreira – we needed something different than the Terrier offers – his 30 yard effort at the end was laughable … 5
Suarez – at first sight looks a typical Wenger signing, lightweight midfielder – might have been better to have left plan A (the Wardrobe cut-back) on the pitch … 4
Manager
Emery – not the result he or the Arsenal supporters were after – having neither Ramsey or Ozil on the pitch seems even more ridiculous now … 3
chas
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Thanks Chas
Can’t comment on game as I didn’t watch, but most worrying of your observations is the Emery use of Auba. Waste
Then, if your attacking wingfenders are a bit toothless, and you don’t have three fit good CB’s, why not play a back four. At least there’s one less bad/average player?
That was exactly why I was suggesting the quadro pivot yesterday. As it means one more attacker on the pitch.
Even if they are shit.
I find it hard to believe that Emery told Auba to play that deep.
I’d rather imagine it was just that he was bollock freezing and wanted to warm up by being involved with the ball.
Chas
You don’t really believe Mesut behind Auba and Laca is shit do you?
What the fuck is a pivot, no matter many are doing it? 🙂
ps I . agree with your comment that the Mesut ya gunners tweets are the work of a pr team 🙂
Haha, an extra attacker on the pitch wouldn’t be Mesut, that’s for sure.
Apologies for mentioning pivot again – it was only for Fred.
On the plus side, at least I don’t have to update the Goals and Assists widget due to last night’s game, though I do still have the glorious win over Huddersfield to record.
Your ratings were Ok, except for the manager . Why would you give that man 3? I would give him 0 over 10 for the nonsense selection and tactics last night. Why in hell would he use a five man defense against a small club like Bate? And why is he always using Guendozi for ninety minutes in every match? There is nothing special about that guy, nothing at all . Imagine no play maker in that match, no thru ball passer . Why he left Ozil at home .Even if you hate the guy and wants to sell him in the summer, at least give him the chance to earn his keep till season end. Emery should better stop being sentimental, cos the fans are already getting tired of him. The second leg next week will not be easy, but I hope for Emery and the Fans sake, we scale through to the next round.
At least the sun has come out to rub our drooping shoulders!
Cech – 4
AMN – 3
Mustafi – 4
Kos – 5
Monreal – 4
Kola – 5
Xhaka – 4
LT – 4
Miky – 4
Iwobi – 3
Laca – 4
When the fm was manager he used stats to hid e his failure to win.
In the games against Hull long long ago,the gunners could have won by a massive margin but unfortunately they lost 2-1.
The y lost 3-1 to MU in the epl last season despit e having 90% possession and many shots at goal.
So to the present. Emery’s possession game is well known. So teams set to counter him with a sudden sneak attack or hit and run.
Until the gunners can play at afast pace in the attack they will continue to lose.
Emery’s teams always perform better in the second half; we will win the tie at the Emirates.
Best, worst ever…..it was shit. Half time, and that hopefully means a different team.
On the even more worrying front, Marc Overmars thinks Sanchez/Sanogo is set to make surprise return to the Arse!!! Hope that’s not comment because you are to become new Director of Football, Marc, because if so, I withdraw my support for you!!
If Overmars takes over at Arsenal, our club will be focused on talent spotting rather than on acquiring confirmed players…This is good for business and long-term vision, not so great for short-term ambitions to win the EPL…In any case, in this position, the only other person that I would support is Leonardo from AC Milan. The guy just brings you players both promising ones and accomplished ones. He just joined AC Milan and he already brought Piatek and Paqueta and both are already performing well…
Regardless of other opinions to the contrary I firmly believe it was the worst loss of any game I’ve ever watched. It was deeply embarrassing and humiliating, the team looked disinterested and the passing was simply atrocious.
To put it in perspective we paid a reported 35M for Mustafi – the entire Bata team cost less than 10m.
It’s was too early for anybody to start an “Emery out brigade” but he has been in charge for six months and we have gone backwards and not forwards.
The last sentence was intended to read
It’s WAY too early for anybody to start an “Emery out brigade” but he has been in charge for six months and we have gone backwards and not forwards.
GN5
You are of course, right…..but I would instead say the poor quality AW players that we knew we had in the squad, have got “poorer”, not least because they do not have the ability to play the Emery way. There are often too many of them in the squad for the Emery endorsed players to move the team selected towards victory, especially away.
I believe spring shoots are evident, but too often at present are being stunted by hard frosts. Come the summer……
In an attempt to answer the question: why are we using Guendouzi for 90 minutes? I would say this it is due to an acute lack of alternatives, unless people or maybe that should be some people want to see more of Elneny?
LBG,
I cannot think of one aspect of our performance that I would consider to be a positive sign that we are moving in the right direction.
I just researched to current transfer value (UK pounds) of the two teams, Bate 8,236,035.00 Arsenal 587.355.000.00.
The most expensive Bate player is valued at 1.36m pounds.
Who ever said that it’s money that makes the difference?
GN5
Polite question: if we played Bate 10 times at the Emirates how many do you think we would win? I would go for a high number.
Casting my mind back to Chelsea at home which was not so long ago shows me that things are closer than they appear today.
I know I keep on banging on about this but it was the first time that Hector was back and suddenly we had a real threat from both flanks, since that day AMN, as hard as he has tried, has offered nothing and as a result we have been too easy to contain, this to me is simple fix.
I see nothing wrong with Elneny and cannot see that he brings any less to the team as a whole than Guendousi.
I agree that the latter does a lot of running around, which seems to be what UE wants his players to do, but surely, it is what he does with the ball is important and the answer looks to me to be not much other than passing it to someone else.
Guendousi seems to epitomise what UE is looking for and I agree that many of the skilful players brought in by AW simply cannot do it.
Will there be enough money in the kitty to replace all the AW players with what EU wants? I doubt it.
Also LB
Guendouzi has enormous potential at age 19
Elneny has none
LB,
A polite response.
The Chelsea game was only a month ago and it was a good win but since then we have seen just how poor the Chelsea team are and the 6-0 defeat by Man C showed that very clearly.
It is indisputable that we miss Bellerin but he is more of an extra attacker than he is a solid defender – he goes on to many walk about missions for my liking. But the fact that he missed talks volumes about just how poor we have become.
I am not an Emery out man but in my opinion he has done sweet FA to improve the team.
Take Torriera as an example – when he arrived he was a tiger prowling about in our midfield and immediately took command, he was simply everywhere, now he seems to have become a tamed pussy cat who has lost it’s energy.
Guendouzi runs around aimlessly while Elneny is basically ignored.
The best player in our team Mesut Ozil is being made to pay penance for some unknown reason it’s a travesty that he is not playing.
Lol thanks for the joke chas God knows yesterday was the worst Valentines ever
Even if Guendousi has potential, that is for the future and takes training, education and nurturing.
We are interested in the present and Elneny may be a better bet as he is now, although having been rejected all season, his confidence, like so many of the other players, must be well and truly shot to pieces now.
Am holding you to that LB
GN5
Inclined to agree with your first sentence to me regarding last night, but you seemed to indicate no forward movement in the six months, Dick has been in charge!
I am more positive, and certainly think in relative time comparison, Dick is racing ahead compared to the “years” of stagnation under AW.
Until we have the money, (if we ever), I still believe youth, slowly but consistently introduced, is the key to forward progress.
Am disappointed at the negativity towards Ouzi still, and certainly feel his normal offerings (sure, not last night) are considerably superior to Elneny.
GN5
I do agree there is a lot to be desired.
Fred
There is plenty of room on this straw to cling to 🙂
Emery is doing a great job at making it easy for Arsene to return at the beginning of June. So well done Unai for giving Arsene such a fine hiatus.
Let’s face it, we don’t like playing on Spursday, especially away. And there is not much doubt that we will turn it round in six days time, but that was a poor performance by Arsenal and further evidence that Emery is losing control over the way we play and his tactical impact.
There is still hope that Arsenal will get back to good performances but that would need to take the following into account imo:
1. Xhaka and Torreira together is more than the sum of its parts in the double DM pivot; split them up and either of them looks exposed;
2. Guendouzi looks good when running forward with the ball – midfield play is a lot more than looking pretty, though, and I would play Elneny anytime ahead of Guendouzi. There is talent but there is also a hell of a lot to learn – and the man really has no idea about defending whatsoever. Leaving either Xhaka/Torreira, Ozil or Elneny on the bench for Guendouzi is madness at this stage of the season.
3. But of course it is Mesut who should start each and every game – enough has been said about that already
4. Fully agreed with other AAers re missing Bels on the right
5. Defence will look different once Big Sok is back (as long as Koz stays fit of course
6. Play 4-2-3-1 with Ozil in the free role (wherever that would be in the ‘3’)
7. Don’t combine Laca and Auba until there is space, defensive tiredness for them to exploid together
8. Continue with Iwobi and Mkhi on the ‘wings’
Unfortunately TA too many people wanted rid of AW – I was not one of them. I think it may be a bridge to far for him to return – why tarnish what little the neer do wells left of his reputation.
For me he was the best I’ve seen at Arsenal and I would have liked to see the club to have been more gracious with him and allowed him to leave on his terms. After all he had done for the club it would have been the right gesture.
An opinion not shared by many.
But I think Emery needs to be given a chance to succeed.
Great comment at 7:58 TA.
I’m off – the wife wants to play scrabble to get me away from the keyboard.
GN5, i agree
Thanks GN5, hope the scrabble is doing the trick! 🙂
Arsene needed to take a break but he hasn’t gone anywhere as yet. Would not be very surprised if he made a return at Arsenal – just a feeling I admit…
.
WOT….no Arsenal or rugger?
Have you seen the FA Cup fixtures as well.
Like a list of Second or Third Division games.
Are you still buzzing from the CBD oil?
Any ideas for a post?
I was thinking ‘ What the fuck is going on at Arsenal?’
Mesut seems to be winning the online “popular vote” against Dick and his high stakes poker game.
” Be patient, you can outlast him. Your time will come” is the view of many.
Without entertaing results, Dick, you may be in danger. As we know only too well, Arsenal supporters themselves are not a patient lot!!
CBD oil?…wow, now there’s a discussion
I know two people who have beaten cancer with it, and have now witnessed at close quarters the incredible effect on one of my children
BUT…there’s no buzz
Ideas for a post? Yes, no problem, will do
No rush though, still on 1st coffee
Superb news about the CBD.
And a little postage from MDI89. 🙂
Morning LBG.
I won’t reply to your comment in case it treads on the toes of Micky’s post.
How’s Brady? Got him trained yet? 🙂
How long have I got before the site leader goes out and won’t be around to push the relevant buttons?
I’ll respond to LBG
I bet the “impatient” Arsenal fans calling for Mesut to play, are the same people who demanded he didn’t a few months ago 🙂
As long as you like, Micky.
Ah, Mesut back on the menu for discussion.
Definitely, the entitled generation are starting to stamp their feet.
It seems such a long time ago that the Arse fans were singing ‘We’ve got our Arsenal back’ at Craven Cottage.
All that crap I was putting up on here about Arsenal strikers beating the xG with their lethal finishing in our long unbeaten run is now coming home to roost with poorer finishing and low chance creation numbers.
I know we’re not very far into 2019 and, of course, Mesut hasn’t played a significant number of minutes but perhaps it shows how the Wardrobe cutback has become plan A.
Lucky Mrs Big Ron 🙂
Hee hee – the sponsor ‘s name ‘Spray Breaker’ made me laugh.
Morning Chas
Amusing story regarding my well disciplined dog yesterday!! Popped in to junior school over the road from our place to hand in some kind of “game boy type control” picked up on my morning walk with the prince of Labradors.
Ignoring the puzzlement of Secretarial staff at muddy booted member of public in their school, had my work cut out stopping my boy jumping up and putting his own muddy paws on the “signing in book”! Managed it three times, but my boy is nothing if not a Terrier. Fourth time two perfect paw prints, on each pristine page of the open book. Having done my neighbourly duty, I left with my tail between my legs!!
Non Arsenal topic for post. Ashley Cole, the only member of the so called “Golden Generation” who would have consistently got into a World best eleven. Discuss.
Would we be pleased if he won the Cup this year with Derby and became the most ever FA Cup winner?
Haha, love the doggo story.
Time has diminished my loathing of Cashley. I’m not really bothered if he wins the FA Cup or not, though I would love Derby to win it.
Can’t see it unfortunately.
In the pub last night Nick said that this dog looked a bit like Ant. 🙂
This was Ant’s re-creation……
post sent
Perfect likeness!
Perfect likeness! Poor Ant
I’ll get on the post, thank you very muchly
Sorry it took some time, for some reason when I copy text from Nuts, it puts in all kinds of ridiculous html formatting which makes the post look shite and bunched up.
NEW POST
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