There is literally no point even going out for the second half. Pity this isn't cricket - could just declare, take the loss and go to the pub.
The only positive that can come from this 5hite-fest is that Arsenal may get over-confident and believe themselves to be better than they are, and get hammered next match.
The midfield is a our biggest concern. Hudd is as popular with me as a fart in an elevator... just haul him off now! I'd rather have Livermore on and that's saying something!
Nothing to do with deluding myself. Anything can happen in football and 45 minutes is a long time. Will we get something out of the game? Obviously it's very unlikely but stranger things have happened so I live in hope
Which is why I have serious doubts about AVB. Everybody but him can see that. I'd get rid of the lazy **** in Jan. assuming we can find somebody stupid enough to pay good money for him.
In fairness, we've been screaming for 4-4-2 at home games. 4-5-1 makes total sense in away games and keeps us solid. We are far too open to play 4-4-2 away. AVB has got it totally the wrong way around!
In some ways 4 or 5 might make a point to levy. Losing to arsenal hurts and we're going to lose today, no doubt in my mind about that. Had we made sure we got all the players we needed, we wouldn't be faced with such an injury dilemma and tactically we'd have more options. Now we face not having ade for 3 games which means Defoe has to play every game and we go back to the dross of a 4231. It's going to be a painful few weeks. Only saving grace is Lloris. He's done we'll, but has been under far too much pressure.
Well it's plainly obvious that we haven't learned from last season either We went to the Emirates with 2 up top (Ade and Saha) - went up early and then got over-run. It's the same thing. You do not play Arsenal at their own game and get away with it unless you have top quality all over the pitch - something we really do not have.
As stated though lloris has been immense...don't mind friedel though if he isn't going to play much after this we can take him off your hands for a bit!
There needs to be a sin bin. 10 minutes in a sin bin would have been about right for Ade. Sending Ade off has ruined this match for the neutral. 5 years ago that would have been a yellow.
I am not joining this chorus of attack on Ade. I think the Red was very harsh, maybe that is the modern interpretation of the rules but it has totally spoilt the game for millions of people watching. Ade I expected to be up for this game and he was trying to win the ball right or wrong. Red cards should be for intent and that should have been a yellow. Great pity because I think we have the beating of this Arsenal team and I think we have enough to finish above them this season. AVB has shown his flexibility and played 4 4 2 this increases my confidence in him by a huge amount. I take hope from this game, believe it or not and if you don't stay for the second half to see it out then that is pretty plastic in my book.
Please... don't turn our beloved games into some nasty US influenced garbage. Sin bin just sounds hideous!
OK since when was a one footed challenge now considered a straight red?? ffs football for ****s! Both their feet were up aiming at the ball, its not as if he hit the mans standing leg, or did a scissor tackle, the way the rules are being applied soon its going to be looking hard at a player will be considered a straight red!
Agreed. It works in Rugby - but that's a yellow. Unfortunately, this isn't 5 years ago, and that idiot Ade must have known what was coming. You just can't make any kind of high challenge nowadays.
