Match Day Thread Chelsea vs. Arsenal Official Match Thread

[PINKIE]

Maybe it's time to play the OX in Wilshere's midfield place as well, far more stronger and direct than Wilshere, and he's defending is good too, made some good tracking and tackles.

and last time we did that at the bridge we got murdered 6-0 because there was no defensive shielding. Ox is not the player to put in the middle against those sort of teams, but I thought he should have started on the right, because that's where he can cut inside and run at LB/CB and pull the defence out of shape.

 

[Arsenal87]

and last time we did that at the bridge we got murdered 6-0 because there was no defensive shielding. Ox is not the ploay

We got murdered for a number of reasons that day.

 

[PINKIE]

We got murdered for a number of reasons that day.

True, but a big reason for that was because we had zero shielding midfielders because Arteta was injured and we played Ox through the middle.

 

[afcftw]

Maybe it's time to play the OX in Wilshere's midfield place as well, far more stronger and direct than Wilshere, and he's defending is good too, made some good tracking and tackles.

Oxocubes passing and positioning isn't good enough to play in the middle I don't think. Not yet anyway.

 

[afcftw]

True but there is more than one way to skin a cat. I know the team isn't set up to play route one football, so you need to then force an error from the opposition. We lack players than will take people on, eg. Hazard yesterday. Our team suffers from a lack of player who are willing to run at a man, force the defender to commit and thereby force the error that could lead to a goal. If you can't break them down from open play you must find other ways. Arsenal lack the resourcefulness at times to score against the top sides, not the quality. Football is a thinking game and we were outsmarted yesterday.

It seems Sanchez, wilshere and to some extent oxocube are the only players we have who are really willing to try and take on their man.

 

[Mantis]

It seems Sanchez, wilshere and to some extent oxocube are the only players we have who are really willing to try and take on their man.

One of my favourite moments from the game yesterday was when Koscielny tricked Eden Hazard into conceding a free kick (shortly after the concession of the penalty). Unfortunately we could not make the most of the resulting free kick but what I am saying still stands, sometimes you can be outgunned quality wise and still manage to come out on top. But you need players that will be willing to take the risk. I was disappointed not to see more of Sanchez yesterday because I thought, out of all the players we had, he would be able to impact the game in some way. However Chelsea marked him very close to the touchline, cutting off the angles, and gave him no space to run at the defence.

 

[afcftw]

One of my favourite moments from the game yesterday was when Koscielny tricked Eden Hazard into conceding a free kick (shortly after the concession of the penalty). Unfortunately we could not make the most of the resulting free kick but what I am saying still stands, sometimes you can be outgunned quality wise and still manage to come out on top. But you need players that will be willing to take the risk. I was disappointed not to see more of Sanchez yesterday because I thought, out of all the players we had, he would be able to impact the game in some way. However Chelsea marked him very close to the touchline, cutting off the angles, and gave him no space to run at the defence.

They kept Sanchez marked and closed ozil in double numbers every time he received the ball. They very much set out to stifle our key players and we didn't manage to deal with it. We did the same through the first half of the game, closing fabregas very quickly and doubling up on hazard.

I thought we gave a good physical account of ourselves yesterday but need to get better at playing the cynical game if we are to beat Chelsea.

 

[PINKIE]

Interesting to hear Maureen's opinion on Wenger's tactics.

The game was very difficult. They were very organised, with a different perspective. They changed their normal approach to big games and they gave us a very difficult match

 

[afcftw]

So now we have both wenger and mourinho agreeing with what I've been saying all morning, that we did change our tactics for this game, we did have a clear game plan and it worked well until they got there goal and took the advantage.

So now can all those who are talking absolute **** about how wenger didn't change anything and didn't use different tactics etc... Just stfu?

 

[Arsenal87]

So now we have both wenger and mourinho agreeing with what I've been saying all morning, that we did change our tactics for this game, we did have a clear game plan and it worked well until they got there goal and took the advantage.

So now can all those who are talking absolute **** about how wenger didn't change anything and didn't use different tactics etc... Just stfu?

Is that some sort of French insult? STFU?

 

[afcftw]

Worth mentioning that all of the commentary and punditry yesterday also spoke about how we had set up differently to what they expected and had approached this game in a different manner and dealt with the physical challenge well, not letting them power through us.

 

[Mantis]

Interesting to hear Maureen's opinion on Wenger's tactics.

Interesting quote if true. Doesn't echo the feeling of many fans on here (and in general). You have to wonder what his game is though. Very generous statements.

In terms of the physical aspect I was more than happy by how we fronted up to them. We managed to just about match them physically. We were better organised defensively. We didn't lose our heads when we went behind. All very positive aspects from the game.
However it means nothing if you can't threaten the opposition goal.

 

[afcftw]

Is that some sort of French insult? STFU?

It means Shut The **** Up.

 

[Arsenal87]

It means Shut The **** Up.

You're always insulting, let everybody keep that in mind before vilifying me.

 

[afcftw]

You're always insulting, let everybody keep that in mind before vilifying me.

I shortened it to stfu as it's an abbreviation used fairly often on the internet, it wasn't meant to make you feel really insulted. Just a "look, my point has been proved so can people now just leave it" type comment.

I rarely insult people on here. I occasionally drop in the odd, stupid or idiot, comment when someone is clearly being an idiot for the sake of it, or not bothering to read comments. Didn't realise you were such a flower

 

[PINKIE]

But you need players that will be willing to take the risk. I was disappointed not to see more of Sanchez yesterday because I thought, out of all the players we had, he would be able to impact the game in some way. However Chelsea marked him very close to the touchline, cutting off the angles, and gave him no space to run at the defence.

Chelsea knew they needed to nullify our dangerous players. Despite cini65 missing it in Maureen's post match interview he said that players like Ozil, Sanchez 'come inside and play behind the line', so they set up to squeeze their space, then create space for themselves on the counter. What that leaves us with is a need to take a few more chances, like Hazard did. Take players on and run at them with speed or take some first time shots on. That's why I don't mind seeing Chambers take on a shot.

I've said it on another thread, but I think Walcott will make a big difference to our team when he comes back as his game is all about making runs across the LB/CB position and trying to get round the back of the defence.

 

[afcftw]

And I think after the torrent of comments from you aimed my way, generally making things up that I haven't said and trying to argue with me for no reason and the consistent "oh what are the rose tinted bla bla going to say now" all the time, that asking you to shut up when you've been proved to be talking nonsense isn't that uncalled for.

Though I apologise if I upset you!

 

[Arsenal87]

And I think after the torrent of comments from you aimed my way, generally making things up that I haven't said and trying to argue with me for no reason and the consistent "oh what are the rose tinted bla bla going to say now" all the time, that asking you to shut up when you've been proved to be talking nonsense isn't that uncalled for.

Though I apologise if I upset you!

You have upset me greatly.

 

[PINKIE]

Interesting quote if true. Doesn't echo the feeling of many fans on here (and in general). You have to wonder what his game is though. Very generous statements.

In terms of the physical aspect I was more than happy by how we fronted up to them. We managed to just about match them physically. We were better organised defensively. We didn't lose our heads when we went behind. All very positive aspects from the game.
However it means nothing if you can't threaten the opposition goal.

Watch the post match interview, it's right at the beginning. I know we like to try and say it's all gone to **** when we lose, but the reality is that we actually played quite well, but as you point out it counts for nothing if you can't threaten the opposition goal.

There was a moment when Wilshere was put through 1-1 with Cech, but his first touch was too heavy, if he'd controlled it he would either have scored or squared it to Welbeck for an open goal. It's moments like this that make the difference in big games and we've been guilty for too long for not making the most of them.

 

[Mantis]

Chelsea knew they needed to nullify our dangerous players. Despite cini65 missing it in Maureen's post match interview he said that players like Ozil, Sanchez 'come inside and play behind the line', so they set up to squeeze their space, then create space for themselves on the counter. What that leaves us with is a need to take a few more chances, like Hazard did. Take players on and run at them with speed or take some first time shots on. That's why I don't mind seeing Chambers take on a shot.

I've said it on another thread, but I think Walcott will make a big difference to our team when he comes back as his game is all about making runs across the LB/CB position and trying to get round the back of the defence.

Wouldn't disagree with you on those points. I just want to see the progression of this team. I can accept that we would lose once in a while but we have to take what we did do well, and utilise that in future big games. We need to see development and not repetition of the same old mistakes. If we can defend well as we did at times yesterday and sort out the attacking issues as you suggested we can continue to improve. The game against United on November 22 will be interesting to watch.

Adaptability in football is key but the approach to these games should remain the same. The problem for me and Arsenal is that we take two steps forward and three steps back, every single time.