re: Arsenal 2014/15 Season Long Thread

wilshere!!!!!

was just about to say hes the only other player that has played well for me.

Zonal marking is such bullshite. I'm starting to think that Arsene has really lost his way. We didn't get enough cover in the back, our #10 looks awful playing on the wings, we're always susceptible to the counter, we switch off defensively at times, and we have no game plan but tiki taka on the edge of the 18 and hope for the best. This team has the potential to be so much better, but in the meantime I find watching Arsenal to be a frustrating more so than a rewarding experience.

yeah i didnt think city were much better other than kompany is a freaking boss. It's the tactics. We have enough talent, decisions like not taking ozil off earlier, he was in positions that another player like santi or fricking rosicky could have done better.

And the injury bug strikes yet again.

Debuchy's looks serious.

I worked late last night, anyone want to summarize the match for me? Or give a link to a good one?

This Ozil nonsense is really getting frustrating. His languid style and demeanor certainly don't seem to help either. Somewhat frustrating result but I think most of us would've taken a draw going into the match.

Alexis is awesome, his work rate is insane and that goal was beautiful. Only thing negative perhaps is that he needs to realize he can't dribble through defenses as much in the PL.

Jack has been fantastic this year, great performance out of him today. Was that Flamini's longest stretch ever without a booking? He was so overdue.

Positives:

- Even without the goal and assist, Wilshere was brilliant today. Strong on the ball and in the tackle, tidy in possession, crafty and clever. He has been our best midfielder this season.
- Alexis is awesome. He still holds on to the ball too long at times, but it's gettin better, and he works his arse off. Add in his skill, pace, and scoring, and he's perfect for us. Thrilled to have him.
- Welbeck is going to be so good for us. Everything United fans said when we got him proved true today. His work rate to win the ball created us chances, he's strong, and he was unlucky not to score. He's not technically brilliant but can only get better. I like him a lot.
- We have one of the best CBs in the league in Kosc.

Negatives:
- Ozil. God dammit it's hard to watch him flounder on the left. He tried to get more central in the second half, but was just off. Not sure if it's a bad run of form or he gets disinterested when isolated on the left, but it's not just that he's not influencing the game -- he's actually hurting us. If we're not playing him centrally I understand if he struggles. It's stupid. We have 5 No. 10's and our formation doesn't have a No. 10.
-Formation. Extension of above, but this 4-3-3 limits us more than it helps. If it's designed to help us defend counters, it failed today.
-Per/Flamini: these two guys severely limit what we do. Flamini came on a free for a reason. He's fine for games we will dominate but is exposed in big matches. Per, I know he's the BFG and we all love him, but he's an absolute liability any time were on the back foot. There were many times today he was just absolutely skinned and was bailed out by a last minute challenge. And both Per and Flamini were at fault for the first goal.
-Ramsey. Probably shouldn't have played but regardless his form has dipped this year. Hopefully he gets right. Other than the goals to start the season he's been off. Sloppy passing, indecisive. He did play well defensively which was good.


ETA: And defensive depth now bites us in the arse.


Decent result though.

Thought Welbeck played well today, especially early. It'll be great having him up top while Giroud out so Sanchez can play back in his natural position.

Would have been nice to get all three points, but not upset with the results.

The thing about Ramsey is you can't underestimate his ability to be everywhere and do everything, even if he's not doing it particularly well in said game. At his worst he's Jordan Henderson. He wasn't great today but he still had an assist and was unlucky not to get a goal

Also time to call Jenkinson back.