Until yesterday I hadn't twigged that the Fulham game was midweek and not next weekend. Pleased that we have a chance of a win so soon after this match....I think.
Alright lads, hope you're all well Just thought I'd come over and give you an update about how us Gooners are feeling at the moment. We're a bag of revels at the moment We've lost 7 of our last 15 matches and the football that was previously quite entertaining to watch has recently become a bit dull and pragmatic. We seem to be having no luck with injuries at all, with 3 promising players this season out for the entire season, 2 of whom were our standout players in defence (Bellerin and Holding), whilst Koscielny, who has actually performed well since his horror show at St. Mary's, is anticipated to be out for this. Their absences have been huge blows because the players deputising for them haven't been great for the most part. With all that being said, we are still only 1 point behind 4th spot and are 3rd favourites for the Europa League according to the bookies, so in that respect, we're not in a completely disastrous position. However, our inconsistent form is concerning as we enter a very critical stage of the season. Also, there haven't been any performances we've had of late (bar Chelsea at The Emirates) that has really inspired any of us to believe we're going to go on a good run of form. In terms of problem areas, well, we have problems in attack and defence! Our wingers aren't good enough. Iwobi is a talented dribbler, has great technical qualities and is a powerful runner, but his lack of end product is extremely frustrating. It's getting to a point where I wish we could drop him, but we have very few other options to provide natural width. Mkhitaryan, likewise, suffers similar issues. Good pace, useful on the counter but makes terrible decisions in the final third. He also goes missing for certain periods of the game. This is a huge issue though because the way Emery wants us to play relies heavily on wide players stretching defences or making runs in behind the fullback - and we've just not been doing it. This means the likes of Aubameyang/Lacazette has had to go on the flank or drop deeper to collect the ball (which they shouldn't be doing). We also lack creativity through the middle. Although Guendouzi, Xhaka and Torreira are all solid players, they are not creative. So we have minimal attacking threat in central areas. Defensively, this is probably the worst Arsenal team in my living memory. It's unbelievable that we are this bad defensively. Anytime an opposition side is attacking us, I am never confident. So that should be a huge bonus for you. As someone said earlier, we are vulnerable from early passes into quick players and, due to our fullbacks playing so high yet lacking any meaningful speed, there will be room to manoeuvre on the flanks. You should be looking to exploit this. As for the game itself, I think a lot of us are wanting us to win, but would not be surprised if you lot turn up and spoil the party as you seem to have a habit of doing. I seem to recall you guys laughing off my suggestion that you'd get something from us at St. Mary's and you end up scoring 3 goals and winning the game from a Shane Long assist to Charlie Austin. But the one thing going in our favour ahead of this game is our home form. Since losing to City on the opening day, we've not lost to anyone else since then at The Emirates (in the league). That being said, no matter how indifferent your form is, you always seem to turn it on against us. And whilst I am glad Ings is unavailable, I am under no illusions Long and Austin will probably play/come off the bench to score a late equaliser/winner. Hope you stay up though, wish you all the best for the season (Apart from tomorrow obviously!)
I do think we'll score on Sunday it's just a question of how many you'll score. We haven't done too badly at the Emirates - we've won there twice in the league cup and apart from our very first trip there when we lost 6-1 we've made a game of it, only losing by the odd goal and getting a 0-0 one time.
Before Ralph, I felt that we would never win a match again....and with good reason. Now...it is possible that we can win a game.....which is an improvement of sorts. I am desperate to stay up for the usual reasons, but also because I feel we have a manager that could do well with us given a few players that suit him....we are a bit short of that at the moment.
As you said about Mkhitaryan, we also have players that go missing during the game. Usually about ten. I'm expecting a drubbing but hoping for a surprise. 3-3 Jack Stephens hattrick.
Redmond talking on Sky still has belief...thank goodness. Talked about his poor phase before Ralph came...takes some responsibility as he says he wasn't buying into previous managers and that just wasn't good enough. Says Ralph has said what he is doing well (which he says all managers have done) but he also tells him what he is doing wrong. Ralph has told him and several other players not to stand around in the toilet position....keep moving and creating.
I'm surprised how few people have Armstrong in their line-up to face Arsenal. His creativity and ability to be a playmaker was absent against Cardiff - albeit I imagine Arsenal will leave more gaps!
Agreed, I rate Armstrong and he links really well with Redmond. I’d be tempted with something like this: Big Mac Valery Bednarek Yoshida Vest Bertrand Jwp Romeu PEH Armstrong Redmond
The problem though is that it's difficult to get a no.10 in when playing a back three. Even more so when we're also then got three CMs to get in, none of whom really deserve to be left out. Either Amstrong plays as a second striker, with Redmond the main striker (but I'd suggest that is both of them playing one place too far forward), or JWP plays RWB with Armstrong sat just in front of a midfield two. The latter option though should be more for the Cardiff-type home games, than the Arsenal-type away games.
Not bad, but prefer a 10-0-0 formation when we haven't got the ball, with a dashing 9-0-1 when we have. Well it worked for Ted Bates when Channon was a young whippersnapper. Let's see what young Nathan is made of.
I guess you could say all three central midfielders could be left out after the Cardiff game! I think it is a toss up between Armstrong and Ward-Prowse.
I'd prefer us to do the opposite. Can't stand it when we sit back and invite the inevitable. Attack attack attack. Run Shane Run!
Poor results for us everywhere else today. It really is between us and Cardiff. I think sadly it's us
Saturday morning was looking like a good weekend without kicking a ball. Saturday evening not so. Fluke a win (huge fluke), and it is a good weekend after all. #positivethinking #inralphwetrust
