Gyokeres is so weak Can’t hold it up at all and our midfield is anonymous out of postseason Villa all over us and we’re so open
Fully deserved Villa win Should have been more. We’re are not champions material. We just have to accept that. Villa now 3 pts behind and should be considered more likely for the title than us. Time to admit Gyokeres is absolutely **** too. Has no strengths and is clearly championship level. Same with Zubimendi. Nowhere near PL level, let alone top 4.
FT. 2-1. Heartbreaking, gut-wrenching way to lose the game. To be fair, I felt the goal was coming as we looked shattered in the final 10 minutes, but was hoping we could hold on and we just couldn't do it.
It is gutting to be sure, but if we'd have come out of that with a point it would have been daylight robbery. Thats 2 points from 12 in 4 games where we have been against rivals we knew would be very tough - the 4 really big games. We have failed in ALL of them. We should focus on top 4, because I am calling it now, this team doesn't even remotely look like w title winning side. The issue is not fatigue - it's all mentality and guts. The team simply collapses under pressure. The heads go and the execution in key moments fails - the last moments defending was a classic example and the number of brain fart moments underlines it. That combined with some really poor signings this summer, bringing in lower level players, is now starting to show up on a regular basis. The only thing I can hope for is that we get out starters back quickly.
A draw would have been fortunate based on how the game was going, but that's what champions are meant to do - get points when you don't deserve it. I'm not giving up on the title, but we need to find a way to get through the next difficult patch of games. especially away from home. We also really need players back from injury pronto.
No one gives up until it's over, but we all know this team is not good enough. It's not even the pressure period in the season yet. There are no excuses for failing every time we have a massive game where we can really pile the pressure on others. It's not the occasional incident, it is every time.
The only silver linings I'm clinging onto here are: 1) We are still top of the league no matter what happens - even though that lead is likely to be cut short. 2) At least we have Old Trafford, Anfield, St. James Park, Stamford Bridge, Stadium of Light and Villa Park all out the way already. With the injuries we've had, I felt a result like this was coming. It's a huge shame and it's devastating to lose like that, but we're still in it.
Also, just want to point out. Arteta's come up against Emery 8 times in his career. He has 2 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses. Unfortunately, Unai seems to know how to get one over on us and his tactics appear to be our kryptonite. We actually play them again toward the end of the month. That game now is absolutely a must win. We need Saliba (and hopefully Gabriel) back for that fixture when the time comes.
I don't think it's tactics. We looked indecisive and passive until we went 1-0 down, then we really played well, equalised and then took our foot off the gas. The issue is lack of character and composure in too many players. Whether we beat them in a month will depend on how much pressure is on. If they continue to pick up points then the best we can hope for is a draw. They are better than us. That was really clear today.
We did just enough to beat Brentford but didn't raise our game for Villa which was fatal. I know we have injuries but I thought the 'stronger' squad covered this. Some players seem to go missing against strong opposition and we are still very inconsistent up front.
We don't have a stronger squad and the first team is worse. Other than Mosquera and Hincapie who I think are good backups, we've added crap to the squad - and we lost good players in Partey and Jorginho. There is even a good argument to say that Gyokeres is a downgrade on Nketiah. Nketiah scored more goals and got more assists. Nketiah 38 goals and 10 assists in 7000 minutes - Goal contribution every 146 mins Gyokeres 6 goals and 0 assists in 1130 minutes. - Goal contribution every 188 mins I include Eze in the 'crap' category too if he's playing out wide.
Shout out to Ben White, though - he's an outstanding footballer and was our best player today by far. Oh and pundits getting paid to big up players has been confirmed in my mind today. Odegaard was given MOTM by Keown. Hilarious. He was a 5/10 at best and as usual destroyed our fluency.
We need full guns blazing to get +5 to our GD next weekend. Rest loads of players against Brugge to focus on the league. Kepa White Hincapie Saliba MLS Norgaard Merino Madueke Nwaneri Martinelli Jesus
