Full time Thank feck for that. We finished the game well, created some great chances to steal all 3 points. Lo Celso's introduction gave us more control in the middle as Arsenal tired. The problems are glaring and there for all to see, but with a makeshift defense and the crap we've had over the past few weeks with the window still open, 2 pts from those two opening away games is an excellent return, especially given the way we've started the season. Come the other side of the intl break, I'd like to think Rose will give way to Davies or Sess on a permanent basis, Foyth will be nearing his return to training, Alli can come in for the totally ineffective Lamela, and Tanguy/Gio will be sharper and ready to start games. Ultimately, this was a game between two sides with technically poor midfields (Ceballos changed that for them though), dodgy defenses and attacking line-ups which frankly neither manager is getting the most out of. Both teams are miles away from Pool and City.
Start of the game I’d have taken a draw but going 2-0 up to then draw is just poor. Poor in-game management from the manager as per whilst the team’s mentality just cannot handle pressure when it gets tough. It’s a good point away from home but we’re just not progressing as a team and I’m really starting to find it frustrating.
Defensively we are shambolic. I'd give Dave a pass at RB if he hadn't been as bad at CB so far. Rose is a liability defensively and gives nothing offensively which was his only saviour. We need to find the solidity of the 2016/17 season and its no surprise that 3 out of the back 4 then were Toby, Jan & Ben. Need Aurier to step up.
Arsenal won countless freekicks by stepping across defenders closing down, Kane does it and it's not a foul. Once again Xhaka somehow escapes a red too. Draw was the right result on the balance of play but not on the balance of decisions... again.
I agree. 4 games in, and 2 of our hardest away games of the season done. - and we’ve not been beaten. The killer blow was last week. Not a 2-2 draw away at arsenal.
The penalty was an orange card and he should have been booked already. Him walking at that stage would have changed the game.
If Kanes shot had gone in off the post that would have been lauded as one of the great goals. Exquisite one-two.
Kane went looking for the penalty and made it far too obvious too. I wasn't impressed by that at all. But 100% Xhakahahaha shouldn't have been on the pitch long before he received his first booking of the game. Atkinson played to the gallery, giving everything the crowd asked him to give. Spineless performance.
He didn't have to walk for it, he just had to be booked, as it was we had players booked for little to no contact whilst Arsenal fouled and got away with it.
Personally I don't think it's a foul either, but Arsenal did it all game and got freekicks. If the attacker is allowed to step across and buy a foul then it should be consistent.
1. We would probably have taken a draw before the game. 2. If Salah goes down like that in the box, he gets a pen, absolutely no doubt. 3. Xhaka gets quarter yellow cards at a time, the card isn't shown until he accumulated a whole one. 4. People on this board complain too much.
Decent game in the end - Goons had more control and looked good in the final third though we helped them by being totally ineffective as defensive unit, but I guess looking at the match as whole thats cuts both ways. Positives Hugo (distribution aside) was excellent several very good saves. Lo Celso and Alli both made an impact from the bench, Kane had his best match for a while and Son was good for the first hour. Would have taken a draw at KO time but losing a 2 goal lead is ultimately disappointing but draws at the Etihad and Emirates in our first 2 away games is at least showing some resiliance.
That line up had no fresh faces in it, and we saw the same problems as last season, along with the Sanchez experiment on top! N’dombele can’t come back soon enough, and sess and Lo Celso needs to get up to speed ASAP.
I was really impressed with Gio’s cameo. Some nice little touches and helped us gain a bit of control in the midfield. Would love to see a fully fit Gio and Tanguy link with Eriksen, the footballing brain, skill and creativity between those three would be tantalising.
Liuverpool away is much tougher, this game was up for grabs and we didn't go for it until the end. Regardless of our record, we let them back into the game far too easily.
