It seemed like a very “handbrake on” performance. Slow tempo, not a lot of risks taken, a lot of horseshoe of doom passing, etc.
It’s the kind of performance that makes me wonder how it is that Arsenal is still in 4 competitions and leading in the league.
Arsenal had a comfortable win over Sunderland, an ugly win over Chelsea in the second leg of the EFL cup semi final, and a comfortable win over Leeds. That’s the last time there really seemed to be momentum. Other than the destruction of Tottenham, and a lower-league Wigan, everything since them seems like it has been very difficult.
At the start of the season, the defence looked impenetrable. Now the defence is good, but not unbeatable. Midfield used to be one of the best in the league. Now they look short of ideas and creativity. And the attack just looks blunt too often. Gyokeres works hard, but he’s not great at hold up play, not great at making his own chances, and good but not great at scoring in the box. Martinelli hasn’t had the spark he had a few years ago for a while, but he’s a solid 7/10 most weeks, and is very helpful defensively. Trossard started the season hot, but now he’s only fairly average. So, when Saka isn’t playing well, the attack is just unable to make anything decisive happen. Even the set pieces seem good but not great anymore.
It might still be enough to get across the line in the Premier League, but only because the only viable challenger is Man City and they’re having their own problems. It’s the cups that I’m thinking could be a problem, because when you have 1 or 2 chances to avoid getting knocked out, you can’t afford a bad day.
We got away with it. Honestly I’m not going to complain and there’s two legs.
Is it tiredness or scrappiness?
Looking at the hate watches thus far, maybe us and Sandcastle have done passably okay. That’s half time though.
It seemed like a very “handbrake on” performance. Slow tempo, not a lot of risks taken, a lot of horseshoe of doom passing, etc.
It’s the kind of performance that makes me wonder how it is that Arsenal is still in 4 competitions and leading in the league.
Arsenal had a comfortable win over Sunderland, an ugly win over Chelsea in the second leg of the EFL cup semi final, and a comfortable win over Leeds. That’s the last time there really seemed to be momentum. Other than the destruction of Tottenham, and a lower-league Wigan, everything since them seems like it has been very difficult.
At the start of the season, the defence looked impenetrable. Now the defence is good, but not unbeatable. Midfield used to be one of the best in the league. Now they look short of ideas and creativity. And the attack just looks blunt too often. Gyokeres works hard, but he’s not great at hold up play, not great at making his own chances, and good but not great at scoring in the box. Martinelli hasn’t had the spark he had a few years ago for a while, but he’s a solid 7/10 most weeks, and is very helpful defensively. Trossard started the season hot, but now he’s only fairly average. So, when Saka isn’t playing well, the attack is just unable to make anything decisive happen. Even the set pieces seem good but not great anymore.
It might still be enough to get across the line in the Premier League, but only because the only viable challenger is Man City and they’re having their own problems. It’s the cups that I’m thinking could be a problem, because when you have 1 or 2 chances to avoid getting knocked out, you can’t afford a bad day.