Arsenal 3 Villa 1 post match thread

[paul_e]

First half: 14-0 on shots.
Second half: 8-10 on shots.

Sums it up really, nothing was right in the first half: overloaded out wide, 3 CBs didn't know whether to play tight or spread so they were constantly out of position, Buendia was bullied and chasing shadows leaving them as 3 on 2 in the centre far too often and we couldn't get the ball to the front pair so they were anonymous.

The change in shape helped, still looked like 2-3 players were square pegs in round holes but most knew their job. Their 3rd was a bit of a sucker punch but still came from the midfield being off. When Ramsey came on we took over in the middle and made Partey and Lokongo look slow and cumbersome.

Smith got it badly wrong tonight and everything I dislike about 3 CBs happened, I'd just about let him carry on but next game has to be a win and has to be a back 4, anything else and it'll show that he can't see why we deserved to get a kicking tonight.

[KRS]

Just threw the players under the bus in his post match interview and make it clear that the system wasn’t to blame. Totally in denial.

[The Charmer]

This wasn't about Villa. This was about Smith.

Set us up well and we have a chance. Get it badly wrong as Smith did and we have no chance.

That first half was the worst since the relegation season.

We have a good team and an average manager.

A change will be made.

This, unfortunately!

I find it really difficult to comprehend what someone like Dean  -  a Villa man, a thinker, an experienced coach - is thinking when he makes decisions like tonight.
I just can't get my head around how the other members of the coaching team seem to have no say.
They can't have or at least one of them would have pointed-out the glaringly obvious.

[nick harper]

It should be Ings OR Watkins. Not both.

It was fundamentally the wrong signing for us. We needed a striker to put pressure on Watkins and provide cover, not replace him. It’s just resulted in muddled thinking and a team that’s lost it’s way.

Smith needs to make some brave decisions but it may well be too late.

[Percy McCarthy]

I think net zero spending and an average manager was never really going to see us do anything much this season.

We’ve spent £200m mate.

He’s still correct.

[TonyD]

Gary Neville just explained it all. 

[steamer]

I am 65 and having been supporting since I was old enough to know what a football was.
I am beginning to come to terms with the fact that I will not witness our world domination.
too many false dawns
Today was another typical "one of those days" fuck knows what strategy we had going into the game.
The first half was abysmal , second half, three up Arsenal did not push on. Only Emi and the two subs have any credit
Really beginning to think Dean has reached his level
To move on we need someone who has won things and understands tactics and systems
Midtable at best and thank fuck for ,watford , Norwich and ??

[London Villan]

Its buggered up watkins confidence too.

[David_Nab]

Just threw the players under the bus in his post match interview and make it clear that the system wasn’t to blame. Totally in denial.

Not the first time he has done that and its the same bollox that Bruce used to pull ..

[PaulWinch again]

It should be Ings OR Watkins. Not both.

It was fundamentally the wrong signing for us. We needed a striker to put pressure on Watkins and provide cover, not replace him. It’s just resulted in muddled thinking and a team that’s lost it’s way.

Smith needs to make some brave decisions but it may well be too late.

I think Ings is a fine signing and is high level competition for Ollie. Trying to shoehorn the both in is the problem.

[London Villan]

Gary Neville just explained it all. 

Can you summarise?

[Legion]

https://www.skysports.com/football/arsenal-vs-a-villa/report/446368

[LukeJames]

Tonight is the first game in years where it was embarrassing.

Did you miss the last 10 minutes of last week?

[brontebilly]

Gary Neville just explained it all. 

Can you summarise?

Need to get back to basics, set up similar to last year. Thinks Villa will be fine (assume not in relegation trouble!). Didn't agree regarding lack of application being the problem (as per Smith).

[nick harper]

It should be Ings OR Watkins. Not both.

It was fundamentally the wrong signing for us. We needed a striker to put pressure on Watkins and provide cover, not replace him. It’s just resulted in muddled thinking and a team that’s lost it’s way.

Smith needs to make some brave decisions but it may well be too late.

I think Ings is a fine signing and is high level competition for Ollie. Trying to shoehorn the both in is the problem.

Indeed, but at 29, I don’t think Ings came to spend half the season on the bench which is why Smith is finding a way to keep both in the side.

He’s changing the philosophy and formation he’s always believed in to accommodate a signing that was designed to soften Grealish going.