Arsenal went for a combination of second string, third string and youth with a couple of players who get regular game time in the first team and it showed with how disjointed we looked going forward until later in the second half. One of the key issues though was our midfield combination of two Defensive Midfield players who don't have it in there locker to go forward with the ball. When Xhaka came on we had far more ability to go forward from midfield and recycle the ball quickly. Given our recent run of fixtures and fixtures coming up, coupled with our current injuries we didn't have much choice but to play a very weakened team. I agree we don't rotate as much as we probably should in our league and CL games but I think the lack of balance to today's team was more important in terms of how we performed. There's also a different level of expectation to get results at Arsenal so it can be difficult to rotate and leave out star players, particularly when it's so tight at the top of the league at the moment. I was really pleased we left our first team at home today and gave them a chance to get a rest as otherwise certain players are having to play way too often and we can't risk any injuries affecting our league form when we already have a handful of important players injured.
This could be really important as if Liverpool are still in the mix for the league they really won't want to risk injuries or not being properly fit for those games
Also better to play Utd in the final than over two legs given its Mourinho and his negative cheating football at Utd. It works better in two legged ties. Plus maybe Hull will get a win!
One of my favourite moments which I doubt was seen on a stream was afterwards when the players came over to us Virgil was waving his arms in a 'come on!' way. A few vids of it will probably surface. I ****ing love that man!
What you are suggesting then is that, relative to the expectations, Arsenal's squad is thin. I agree, and it has been too thin for years. Of course, from the opposition viewpoint, I'm very pleased that Arsene doesn't see this is the case.
I think Arsenal have probably got the most quality depth we have had to our squad in years actually! Just that the league cup is a low priority and always used as a chance for youth players to have a chance. I think we have the depth to compete in the three main competitions over the course of a season. This game though came when we have some injuries, an important fixture list and need to keep others who are covering in the first team fresh.... Plus it's the league cup
Yep, Boufal will miss the second leg for us BUT.... Mane will miss the second leg for them for the same reason, and Coutinho will still be injured when we play the first leg. There are some positives. Now if only somebody can crock Firmino in the meantime.....
I agree, Arsenal have finally got a deeper squad after many years, but it still relatively thin for a club that likes to think it competes on all fronts. Also, for a so-called 'glamour club' there really aren't any true glamour players. A few of the of the other clubs have players who would be first choice in a combined PL side. Arsenal have Sanchez, who is head and shoulders the best player Arsenal have, in my opinion, and even he might not be in a PL first eleven. Rather odd that. As far as the Lge Cup is concerned, I don't think any PL club views it as a priority, but that it certainly becomes one if they get within sniffing distance. I guess the semis qualifies as 'sniffing distance'.
I didn't realise you'd just played Tottenham, Utd and PSG in a row and had a CL fixture coming up In all seriousness though lots of that does of course apply to you as well
If you mean FFP rules, you must be Man City to have the rules waived. Perhaps Liverpool don't have enough money going in the right directions.
It depends what you mean by glamour players. Sanchez and Ozil would play at any club in the league comfortably. Sanchez is a real fighter, has a good finish and talent with the ball at his feet. Ozil has vision better than any player I've ever seen at Arsenal and the ability to do the absolutely amazing. If we are talking players in non attacking positions then Bellerin is a very, very good RB which is why city and Barca have enquirer about him prior to him signing a new contract. Blistering pace, good defensively, good offensively, still very young. Don't think there are many in the league who are on a similar level. Koscielny is one of the best CBs in the league without doubt. Cazorla is one of the most talented players in the league and is probably the player we miss the most when he is injured. Others are all arguable and probably don't fall into the glamour category. Agreed on the league cup, most prem teams rotate a lot until the late stages and even then some managers keep using a rotated or youth team. Mourinho doesn't count as he loves the competition. And in Derby games it sometimes encourages first teams to be played.
Bellerin is probably the best RB in the league. With ~5 "glamour teams", having two nailed-on starters in a combined side and a couple -- Ozil and Cech -- who have an argument isn't exactly bad.
Without wishing to appear like a smug git (although clearly I will appear like one), can I draw your attention to my post #273? Hey, what the hell, we won, let's make sure everyone knows!
Agreed, they are very capable players indeed, but Sanchez is the stand out. I could give reasons why I would suggest that the rest are not the very top of their tier. Koscielny, for example, can quite easily be exposed [Saints have done it on several occasions], and he has a potential red card in him every game because of that, despite the fact that he is a very good defender indeed. My criticism of Ozil is that he can 'go missing', and the very best players don't do that. What I'm saying is, although they are extremely good, they are not the best. Sanchez is about as good a player, of his type, gets though. I'm a fan of his ability.
