A hard fought win there and a big 3 points. We are now above Spurs and only 4 away from Manure. We went totally under the radar here.
Really really, I mean REALLY good win. It looked like we ran out of gas there toward the end, and the penalty was very soft imo, but all that matters is 3 points. We were pretty timid all game, and didn't create much if I'm being honest. Credit to us for not conceding though and staying in it. On other days we would have let one in and then collapsed.
We didn't create that much, but I thought our attitude was spot on. Closing them down when we didn't have the ball and always looking to go forward when we did. Got a bit lucky with the pen, but took our chance and got a massive 3 points.
Just seen the highlights. And people are moaning at.... What exactly? Clear push in the back, exactly like Monreals in the first half against Barnes (but he was offside). Standard penalty all day long. People only bitching because it happened last minute. If that had happened first half no-one would moan.
I've really not got any idea why so many (rival) fans are complaining about the penalty. I've watched the replay about three or four times now. Tarkowski quite blatantly shoves Ramsey in the back when he was about to go for the ball. Why he felt it was necessary to do so in the final minute of such a big game is beyond me. It was careless. Especially after such an exemplary defensive display overall. Notwithstanding that decision, we should have had one given for Brady's tackle on Bellerin where he got the man before he touched the ball. That one seems to have gone completely under the radar. Possibly because it looked like quite a 'clean' tackle, but it was still a foul regardless.
As for the game generally, it was an archetypal Burnley performance. We should have known what to expect. Away game in the north, freezing cold, home fans in good voice, against a physically imposing team. We weren't winning any of the second balls in the first-half and I still feel like we don't pass with enough urgency at times. Unsurprisingly, we didn't create much against a well-organised Burnley side. It also didn't help that they could read our play so easily when we were looking to attack. Equally, we didn't do much to switch it up either when it was obvious the tactics were not working. Wenger needs to be a lot more proactive in games like this because let's be honest. Had it not been for a shove in the back, we were 60 seconds away from heading back to north London with glum faces. 2 shots on target from 17 is diabolical. We were bereft of ideas and inspiration. On the balance of play, I think we can count ourselves fortunate to be walking away from Turf Moor with the win. But not many teams are going to have it all their own way against them. Given they have drawn away at Anfield & Wembley, beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, in addition to beating Southampton and Everton away as well, they are not a team that any side enjoys playing against. The big teams in particular haven't had too much luck against them. Had they won today, they would have been in the top 4, which shows just how well they've started the season. So we deserve enormous credit for getting the victory.
Im starting to think Xhaka is a bit of a problem, Watching him today he has all the ingredients technically but he seems to actually slow our game down. We should be passing with pace but he seems to take an age whenever he has the ball at his feet.
