were losing 1-0 in the 91st and Lacazette has been sent off. Thoughts? Are we still going to go through via the return leg? Pitch looks awful. So do we.
we lost 1-0. I can see us winning 2-1 or 3-2 in the return leg, which means we would be out. This is probably the first true embarrassing result in the Emery reign.
Considering the level of opposition and considering we fielded a full strength XI, that is definitely the worst performance and result of the season. Emery deserves a lot of blame for that, as the set-up and tactics were completely wrong. But the players we had out tonight were more than good enough to beat that lot. We needed the players to step up and none of them did. No cutting edge, intensity, speed or power. No-one willing to take players on or drive at their defence. Players were too static, no-one wanting the ball enough. No-one was willing to get into the box or be the link between midfield and attack. I still think we should beat them comfortably in the return leg, but this is not the result we wanted. We should have won this by 3 or 4 goals and then fielded the kids in the second leg. We're going to have to go strong again in the second leg. Based on that away performance, unfortunately, I think it is only a matter of time before we get knocked out against anyone half-decent. I know we have limitations, but Emery's starting 11 and tactics aren't working and the one thing that made him get results at the beginning of the season was his adaptability/in-game management. He isn't doing that anymore and is taking too long to respond to what's happening.
Didn't you bet them 4-2 and 6-0 last season? Maybe You believe top 4 is the best bet for getting into the CL next season rather thsn having to win the EL?
I still expect us to qualify FYI. If we play to even 70% potenial we can win the second leg comfortably.
the main issue is we WILL concede at least one. meaning we have to score at least 3. We can do that, sure, but scoring 3 to progress is not as straightforward as just winning a game.
The fact is, why are we even having the conversation about how many goals we may need to score at home to go through! The result was totally inexcusable and an embarrassment! I'm slowly but surely believing Emery does not have the guile to turn this team into something special, no great desire or urgency from any player tonight!
It was a **** result, and totally inexcusable. But I'm not going to start slating Emery yet, we're going through a tough patch, but I think he can still get us back on an even keel. It's in the summer we need to see the club back him to get the players in that he needs. There's far too many passengers in this squad.
https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/02/15/arsenal-unai-emery-going-wrong/ This blog pretty much sums up my feelings. Well written, too.
Piskie, I'm just observing similar player attitudes and commitments right now to what peeved us all off under Wenger. Why aren't we seeing the players ALL giving 110%, playing their backsides off!
I think they are. Statistically we run the furthest of any side in the league. We just lack organisation, leaders and defensive quality. The side is also very imbalanced. Guendouzi at just 19 is showing more leadership qualities than experienced internationals like Xhaka, Mustafi and Koscielny. (I don't think its helping things that Emery changes the shape/teams every week - even after a good performance)
Yeah, it is. Do you not think so? It's during rush hour so people will have to leave work early or commute from areas where it takes a long time to get into London if they live a bit further out. Tubes and roads will be manic. UEFA originally wanted it at 4pm, which would have been a farce too, but they were able to push it back somewhat to almost 6pm. It's still not ideal timing, though. To be honest though, whether we have a full stadium or whether there's 5 of us, we should be beating these bunch of farmers at home. We scored 6 past them last year with a worse team, so anything less than 3 goals scored would be a bit embarrassing (albeit not as embarrassing as losing to them).
4pm?! Shows what they think of the fans. I only posed a question, as I wanted to see what others thought. It's ridiculous. The bit about season ticket holders is down to the club, though. That's their policy, not UEFA's.
Geez glad you posted that!! Would have been tuning it at 19.45!! ffs Sounds like a logistical nightmare, does anyone have a logical reason why the kick off is at this time?
