Good game. Defensively we were excellent though there was a small period in the 2nd half when Stoke threatened but even then they couldn't create anything clear cut. Much better in midfield today as well, controlled the tempo (played at a faster tempo than the pedestrian one at Newcastle), and prevented Stoke from bullying us. Up top it was an interesting gamble by AW to start Theo as I, and probably many others, would have expected Stoke to sit deep but they didn't play as deep as teams normally do against us and that led to some devastating counters that Theo nabbed a goal for Theo. Giroud also scoring is great for the confidence and the nerves. Finishing still needs improvement though I'm sure we'll get better as the season progresses. Butland of course turning into prime-Yashin (as most away opposition GKs do against us) and the woodwork also prevented this from being a drubbing. 2-0 a good result but really could have been 5 or 6-0. Time to take momentum to the CL game and then beat the Chavs next week as well.
Couple of tricky games coming up for us. Dynamo away and then away at Stamford Bridge 3 days later. If ever we needed some momentum, it's definitely now
We do better away from home anyways For real though. Not going to be easy at all. But Chelsea look vulnerable, and we should be beating Zargreb. Wonder how we're going to rotate.
Would be nice to win at the Bridge again. IIRC correctly last one was the 5-3 madness where Andre Santos of all people scored It would be poetic seeing as how Jose's slip into madness began after Wenger snubbed him at the Community Shield for Arsene to be the one to destroy him once again at the Bridge.
I hate to be cliche but this upcoming Chelsea match will really be a turning point. If we can beat them at the Bridge, I will genuinely feel like Arsenal could contend for the title. Augero missing as well as Silva (not sure if it's long term) will really slow them down. This is a mental block over Maureen Wenger needs to get over. Yes, the community shield victory was great but that was on neutral ground. Dooming Chelsea to being pretty much out of the title race whilst giving us impetus will be a huge turning point for either team. Dare I say it, an Arsenal win will put Maureen one step closer to the edge of the plank.
Agreed! Jose is still reeling from the Community Shield loss but I feel he has lost his dressing room due to his antics with the club doctor. I did state at the start of the season that his loss to Wenger in the community shield would have an adverse affect on his confidence. It's one thing to lose but it's another to lose to someone you have little or no respect for. Jose has some soul searching to do, he knows he cannot just jump ship as he created the mess Chelsea currently find themselves in so this will be the toughest test of his character in his career. Personally I don't think he will be able to cope and a couple more losses between now and Christmas could spell the end of his tenure as Chelsea manager. Maybe a lesson will be learnt that you can fool Chelsea fans most of the time with his faux siege mentality that served him so well in the past but the rest of the league just think he is a prize ****.
Agreed with that but I think he does have respect for Wenger deep down inside, hence why he's always trying to get a mental edge by bad mouthing him. Problem now is Arsenal are a stronger proposition, with head to head games becoming a lot closer. But he's now faced with multiple threats in the Prem and this could prove to be a tipping point for him. I would be disappointed if he upped and left if he felt the competition became too much. He certainly has the team to compete for the title.
True Laz but a great team is nothing without cohesion and confidence. All the great teams thrive off the confidence and temperment of the manager and if this is missing it doesn't matter if you are Bayern or Barca you will fail. Jose had the perfect formula of team spirit and a great squad last season. The truth is his ego is bigger than any club he manages so when that ego is damaged this often filters down to the performance on the pitch. People think the guy is some kind of enigma when in fact he is as simple and transparent as a pane of glass.
It looks like it doesn't it. I think it is in part to do with him not being able to get the players he wanted in, namely defenders. The main part of his strategy is having a very strong defense, but it's one of the weakest points in his current team. As you've stated, a confident manager will transmit that to the players and make them play better. He doesn't look so confident at the moment and its translated to his teams performances.
On paper Chelsea are still a very good team but as we can see they have made a shocking start to the season. I do think they will improve and get it together soon which is why we have to be on top of our game when we go there. Against Stoke we made loads of chances and again struggled to put them away, I can't see us getting that many chances against Chelsea so we will have to be a lot sharper.
