I think we need to perhaps recalibrate our reality if we think a a side who finished with 70 points are a nothing team. Not as good as they were, undoubtedly, but let's not be daft.Equally, a very average West Ham, who beat Man United today comfortably and have about £150 million of forward players.
Thought we were desperately poor early on. AEG failing to track the full back in the first min should have led to an Arsenal goal. As expected, they were as nervous as we were and first goal was going to be crucial. Credit El Ghazi for the cross and McGinn for making the run, untracked by Ghendouzi. Thought Maitland Niles second yellow was harsh but he shouldnt have been diving in like that when booked already (good run from AEG drew the first yellow). You would think after Monday night, we would be a lot better off for the experience of playing with an extra man. Especially against an Arsenal midfield badly lacking mobility (Xhaka and Ceballos were hopeless). Smith's go to attacking change bringing Elmo on the right didnt have the desired effect to put it mildly. But the crucial subs were a few minutes later, Emery, possibly facing the sack, went for a double change in midfield and immediately Arsenal took charge, Ghendouzi hit the post and it seemed they had the extra man. Villa at sea on the pitch and on the sideline. Penalty was harsh enough I thought, Engels had little option with the ball, Trez hid from the pass, good run but wasnt much contact I thought. Grealish finally produced a moment of quality a few minutes later but we never seemed comfortable even at 1-2. Again Smith badly found wanting. Diabolical second goal conceded, AEG not tracking the run (trademark), Mings not clearing his lines, Taylor glued to the spot. Third was brutal too, shot wasnt even in corner, poor wall and Grealish poor again. Bit unlucky not to get a penalty from Hourihane's shot but we didnt deserve anything.Heaton 5- needs to take a share of the blame for the hologram of a wall for the winnerGuilbert 6 - bit lightweight but his pace gives us options, needs to use ball better and his crosses were both unnecessary and predictableEngels 6 - our best player for most of the game but at fault arguably for two goalsMings 7 - dominant for most of it but crazy decision to head towards Taylor cost us a goalTaylor 5 - thought he was solid enough for most of the game, after second goal went in he lost the plotNakamba 6 - solid enough and looks a decent addition, didnt do enough to keep us playing with an extra man thoughMcGinn 7 - deserved the goal and a danger throughout but not managing his energy properly nor contributing enough to keeping the ballGrealish 5 - provided the best moment of quality in the game but that aside his performance was unacceptable, he should be thriving against 10 men but rarely took responsibility in or out of possession. question mark over captaincy for meAEG 5 - like Grealish in that a single assist cant paper over the cracks of his performance, without the ball a liability as proved for the second goal and numerous poor decisions with it. Frustrating as clearly has talentTrez 5 - worked hard without the ball but precious little quality with it. His pace is useful but a very limited player Im afraid. Poor for the first goal.Wesley 5 - The goal added about 2 marks to his score, really poor in general play against a pair of centre backs that have been in poor form. Like most was hoping he would have been taken on at half time.Elmo 4 - horrible but not his fault, reminds me of McLeish playing Hutton right wing v SpursHourihane was lively when he came in, Lansbury seemed to be brought on at left wing!Smith 3 - Another Dean Smith tactical horror show Im afraid. We have had 80-90mins in the last two games with an extra man and been genuinely clueless. Subs and timing of them a huge problem now.
On the subject of the Arses. Their fans are the most pathetic, whining b-stards out there. They forced Wenger out, when he had given them more than they deserved. Today all through the game on tw-tter they were calling for Emery to be sacked. They really are a sad shower of self entitled pr-cks.
Quote from: Ads on September 22, 2019, 07:55:46 PMI think we need to perhaps recalibrate our reality if we think a a side who finished with 70 points are a nothing team. Not as good as they were, undoubtedly, but let's not be daft.Equally, a very average West Ham, who beat Man United today comfortably and have about £150 million of forward players.Am glad you said it, I felt dirty complimenting either of them!
I just can not understand how he watched them tear through us without doing something about it.