The Arsenal FC-Related News & Developments for 2016/2017

[Ebyboy]

I was gutted at the loss. Extremely disappointing. The team will require
a response at the Bridge on saturday. We know they are capable of that.

I won't blame any player. Wenger is at fault here. Clearly certain players
should not have started this game. But then, that is yesterday's issue.

Extreme focus and a much better tactical plan and selection would be
required for saturday. We shall see.

We still have a chance.

[Waffiman]

We as fans might want to be in the league title race - but our players keep by their performances letting us know they ain't 'bout that life. Pressure to this crew is human rights abuse.

A point at Chelsea will be a result - we cannot win over there!!!

Don't bet against that, there are 2 Arsenals.....the one with Giroud and the one without.

The fluid attacking Arsenal team minus Giroud can beat any team in the Country, anywhere.

No Ramsey is a likely plus as well.

Not all about Giroud. Why is he always a scapegoat? If Giroud had Bellerin, Santi and a Theo starting, a different game. Why? Different tactics, he gets the pass earlier and in space, lays off for runners from deep. His presence does not slow down our game.

Without Santi and Xhaka, teams push up, compress it and make very difficult. Not Giroud's fault we concede stupid avoidable goals like we did tonight.

Is it Giroud's fault Ramsey turned away from the ball and the ball hits his calf muscle for the deflection for their first goal? Or is it his fault Gabriel throws into the danger zone to a Ramsey who was under pressure and has a suspect first touch. Just look at the goals we gave away.

Waffi I hear you, not scapegoating Giroud at all the likes of Ramsey, Mustafi and co were poor as well infact the whole team was.....but there is a tendency for Arsenal to play without purpose and direction like this when Giroud is leading the line....do you really think it is coincidence that we score more goals on average when Giroud is not playing??!

IT is telling that when the team realised we were in a desperate situation 2-0 down, Giroud was subbed off. What that tells you is that his presence on the pitch does not represent the optimal set up to score lots of goals to put the opposition away.

That is my point.

Incorrect. We score as many goals when Giroud plays with Santi, who picks him with first time passes to a Giroud who has lost his markers dropping deep. We score as many with Sanchez, Ozil, Theo and Bellerin. When we lack pace and Santi, we play differently and Giroud then gets more involved with battles with CDs because we are looking to hit him with passes when tightly marked because of our slow build up. I actually put the goal stats here showing we focus score Justin's many when Giroud has these players in the team with him.

Giroud being subbed off when he was, tells you Wenger played him to keep him happy. Why play Giroud without a Bellerin? Wenger decided to keep faith with players who gave done well of recent. But the warning signs were there, he did not take heed.

The one player we missed in the 2nd half was Xhaka. His red card cost us today.

okay oh. well since Cazorla is out, can we now please park Giroud on the bench and only bring him in if we are still needing goals at the 70 minute mark.

Incorrect. This is not about Santi alone. We have seen this season already when Giroud had pace around him, Arsenal scored 2 goals or more and played fast free flowing football. This is not about one player, it is about the team and the tactics deployed.

I have showed here with team lists and goals that Giroud in a team with Bellerin, Theo/Ox, Sanchez and Iwobi without Sanchez scores goals playing fast attacking free flowing football. Before Sanchez arrived we did the same.

How can you analyse yesterday’s game and then blame it on Giroud. When Giroud was taken off, did we score the goals needed to win the game? So why is it always Giroud with you? Arsenal as a team yesterday failed to function for 90 minutes and it cost them 3 points.

[Waffiman]

Bielik goes away on loan

He was neither slow nor too big. Kid was just too committed in those challenges and kept on picking up injuries in that midfield. Decision to move him the CD was the best decision because we now have a very good CD with the skills and passing ability of a midfielder. He has really filled out and become a serious specimen as a player. Aniks and I have talked about how he has developed and we have both said it is only a question of time before he becomes a top CD for the club.

BTW! Bielik is just one of a raft of loan deals for the Academy. Chuba has gone to Brighton and I will be following his progress.

[Waffiman]

I was gutted at the loss. Extremely disappointing. The team will require
a response at the Bridge on saturday. We know they are capable of that.

I won't blame any player. Wenger is at fault here. Clearly certain players
should not have started this game. But then, that is yesterday's issue.

Extreme focus and a much better tactical plan and selection would be
required for saturday. We shall see.

We still have a chance.

I concur.

[Tunisian Gooner]

We as fans might want to be in the league title race - but our players keep by their performances letting us know they ain't 'bout that life. Pressure to this crew is human rights abuse.

A point at Chelsea will be a result - we cannot win over there!!!

Don't bet against that, there are 2 Arsenals.....the one with Giroud and the one without.

The fluid attacking Arsenal team minus Giroud can beat any team in the Country, anywhere.

No Ramsey is a likely plus as well.

Not all about Giroud. Why is he always a scapegoat? If Giroud had Bellerin, Santi and a Theo starting, a different game. Why? Different tactics, he gets the pass earlier and in space, lays off for runners from deep. His presence does not slow down our game.

Without Santi and Xhaka, teams push up, compress it and make very difficult. Not Giroud's fault we concede stupid avoidable goals like we did tonight.

Is it Giroud's fault Ramsey turned away from the ball and the ball hits his calf muscle for the deflection for their first goal? Or is it his fault Gabriel throws into the danger zone to a Ramsey who was under pressure and has a suspect first touch. Just look at the goals we gave away.

Waffi I hear you, not scapegoating Giroud at all the likes of Ramsey, Mustafi and co were poor as well infact the whole team was.....but there is a tendency for Arsenal to play without purpose and direction like this when Giroud is leading the line....do you really think it is coincidence that we score more goals on average when Giroud is not playing??!

IT is telling that when the team realised we were in a desperate situation 2-0 down, Giroud was subbed off. What that tells you is that his presence on the pitch does not represent the optimal set up to score lots of goals to put the opposition away.

That is my point.

Incorrect. We score as many goals when Giroud plays with Santi, who picks him with first time passes to a Giroud who has lost his markers dropping deep. We score as many with Sanchez, Ozil, Theo and Bellerin. When we lack pace and Santi, we play differently and Giroud then gets more involved with battles with CDs because we are looking to hit him with passes when tightly marked because of our slow build up. I actually put the goal stats here showing we focus score Justin's many when Giroud has these players in the team with him.

Giroud being subbed off when he was, tells you Wenger played him to keep him happy. Why play Giroud without a Bellerin? Wenger decided to keep faith with players who gave done well of recent. But the warning signs were there, he did not take heed.

The one player we missed in the 2nd half was Xhaka. His red card cost us today.

okay oh. well since Cazorla is out, can we now please park Giroud on the bench and only bring him in if we are still needing goals at the 70 minute mark.

Incorrect. This is not about Santi alone. We have seen this season already when Giroud had pace around him, Arsenal scored 2 goals or more and played fast free flowing football. This is not about one player, it is about the team and the tactics deployed.

I have showed here with team lists and goals that Giroud in a team with Bellerin, Theo/Ox, Sanchez and Iwobi without Sanchez scores goals playing fast attacking free flowing football. Before Sanchez arrived we did the same.

How can you analyse yesterday’s game and then blame it on Giroud. When Giroud was taken off, did we score the goals needed to win the game? So why is it always Giroud with you? Arsenal as a team yesterday failed to function for 90 minutes and it cost them 3 points.

All season when facing teams like Watford I have repeated the mantra if Arsenal defend competently they will win, not superbly, not elite, not worldclass defending just competently. Issue last last night was off the ball in the 1st half Arsenal were beyond dreadful, just beyond dreadful, they looked shocked that Watford were up for this game, that 1st half effort off the ball by every Gunner last night was the definition of a big time Charlie mindset.

Could AW have started a more dynamic line up..YES!

Should AW have made certain adjustments at 0-2 after 13 minutes...YES!


Let's not kid ourselves biggest issue with the team yet again is complacency. Last 4 years complacency is like a plague that can strike at any moment with this team, the moment they get any momentum and look set to make a legit challenge for PL title they lower their guard and drop points to likes of a Watford, Swansea, Sunderland etc etc etc.

Only remedy is a new voice, now we all know Stan needs assurances over his investment so come season's end move AW up to DOF and bring in manager who can cure the complacency plague that undoes Arsenal title aspirations season after season.

[amafolas]

We as fans might want to be in the league title race - but our players keep by their performances letting us know they ain't 'bout that life. Pressure to this crew is human rights abuse.

A point at Chelsea will be a result - we cannot win over there!!!

Don't bet against that, there are 2 Arsenals.....the one with Giroud and the one without.

The fluid attacking Arsenal team minus Giroud can beat any team in the Country, anywhere.

No Ramsey is a likely plus as well.

Not all about Giroud. Why is he always a scapegoat? If Giroud had Bellerin, Santi and a Theo starting, a different game. Why? Different tactics, he gets the pass earlier and in space, lays off for runners from deep. His presence does not slow down our game.

Without Santi and Xhaka, teams push up, compress it and make very difficult. Not Giroud's fault we concede stupid avoidable goals like we did tonight.

Is it Giroud's fault Ramsey turned away from the ball and the ball hits his calf muscle for the deflection for their first goal? Or is it his fault Gabriel throws into the danger zone to a Ramsey who was under pressure and has a suspect first touch. Just look at the goals we gave away.

Waffi I hear you, not scapegoating Giroud at all the likes of Ramsey, Mustafi and co were poor as well infact the whole team was.....but there is a tendency for Arsenal to play without purpose and direction like this when Giroud is leading the line....do you really think it is coincidence that we score more goals on average when Giroud is not playing??!

IT is telling that when the team realised we were in a desperate situation 2-0 down, Giroud was subbed off. What that tells you is that his presence on the pitch does not represent the optimal set up to score lots of goals to put the opposition away.

That is my point.

Incorrect. We score as many goals when Giroud plays with Santi, who picks him with first time passes to a Giroud who has lost his markers dropping deep. We score as many with Sanchez, Ozil, Theo and Bellerin. When we lack pace and Santi, we play differently and Giroud then gets more involved with battles with CDs because we are looking to hit him with passes when tightly marked because of our slow build up. I actually put the goal stats here showing we focus score Justin's many when Giroud has these players in the team with him.

Giroud being subbed off when he was, tells you Wenger played him to keep him happy. Why play Giroud without a Bellerin? Wenger decided to keep faith with players who gave done well of recent. But the warning signs were there, he did not take heed.

The one player we missed in the 2nd half was Xhaka. His red card cost us today.

okay oh. well since Cazorla is out, can we now please park Giroud on the bench and only bring him in if we are still needing goals at the 70 minute mark.

Incorrect. This is not about Santi alone. We have seen this season already when Giroud had pace around him, Arsenal scored 2 goals or more and played fast free flowing football. This is not about one player, it is about the team and the tactics deployed.

I have showed here with team lists and goals that Giroud in a team with Bellerin, Theo/Ox, Sanchez and Iwobi without Sanchez scores goals playing fast attacking free flowing football. Before Sanchez arrived we did the same.

How can you analyse yesterday’s game and then blame it on Giroud. When Giroud was taken off, did we score the goals needed to win the game? So why is it always Giroud with you? Arsenal as a team yesterday failed to function for 90 minutes and it cost them 3 points.

There were other things wrong with other facets of the game which were more responsible for why we lost. With Xhaka and Caz out, I miss Elneny a lot.

But our non-existent attack in the first half didn't help. Also didn't surprise me. We were a fraction of the cross-bar away from scoring two goals in the second half. And we created far more chances. I very much preferred how we attacked. Around the web, I have lately noticed more people supporting my take my on Giroud using the Southampton goalfest as proof. That's a disingenuous argument. That's a bad example to use. I just want Wenger to park Giroud's butt on the bench for EPL and CL games, bringing him in at the 70th minute mark. Funny thing, start of last season, i was one of the people crazy mad at Wenger for trying Alexis in the middle.
Iwobi - Alexis - Walcott

if walcot is out as he is wont to do. make it
Iwobi - Alexis - Lucas Peres

If Iwobi is off-form
Ox/Welbz - Alexis - Walcott

Giroud starting from the bench. he can come in and help turn our 2-0 to 3-0 or turn 0-0 to 1-0.

[Waffiman]

Don't bet against that, there are 2 Arsenals.....the one with Giroud and the one without.

The fluid attacking Arsenal team minus Giroud can beat any team in the Country, anywhere.

No Ramsey is a likely plus as well.

Not all about Giroud. Why is he always a scapegoat? If Giroud had Bellerin, Santi and a Theo starting, a different game. Why? Different tactics, he gets the pass earlier and in space, lays off for runners from deep. His presence does not slow down our game.

Without Santi and Xhaka, teams push up, compress it and make very difficult. Not Giroud's fault we concede stupid avoidable goals like we did tonight.

Is it Giroud's fault Ramsey turned away from the ball and the ball hits his calf muscle for the deflection for their first goal? Or is it his fault Gabriel throws into the danger zone to a Ramsey who was under pressure and has a suspect first touch. Just look at the goals we gave away.

Waffi I hear you, not scapegoating Giroud at all the likes of Ramsey, Mustafi and co were poor as well infact the whole team was.....but there is a tendency for Arsenal to play without purpose and direction like this when Giroud is leading the line....do you really think it is coincidence that we score more goals on average when Giroud is not playing??!

IT is telling that when the team realised we were in a desperate situation 2-0 down, Giroud was subbed off. What that tells you is that his presence on the pitch does not represent the optimal set up to score lots of goals to put the opposition away.

That is my point.

Incorrect. We score as many goals when Giroud plays with Santi, who picks him with first time passes to a Giroud who has lost his markers dropping deep. We score as many with Sanchez, Ozil, Theo and Bellerin. When we lack pace and Santi, we play differently and Giroud then gets more involved with battles with CDs because we are looking to hit him with passes when tightly marked because of our slow build up. I actually put the goal stats here showing we focus score Justin's many when Giroud has these players in the team with him.

Giroud being subbed off when he was, tells you Wenger played him to keep him happy. Why play Giroud without a Bellerin? Wenger decided to keep faith with players who gave done well of recent. But the warning signs were there, he did not take heed.

The one player we missed in the 2nd half was Xhaka. His red card cost us today.

okay oh. well since Cazorla is out, can we now please park Giroud on the bench and only bring him in if we are still needing goals at the 70 minute mark.

Incorrect. This is not about Santi alone. We have seen this season already when Giroud had pace around him, Arsenal scored 2 goals or more and played fast free flowing football. This is not about one player, it is about the team and the tactics deployed.

I have showed here with team lists and goals that Giroud in a team with Bellerin, Theo/Ox, Sanchez and Iwobi without Sanchez scores goals playing fast attacking free flowing football. Before Sanchez arrived we did the same.

How can you analyse yesterday’s game and then blame it on Giroud. When Giroud was taken off, did we score the goals needed to win the game? So why is it always Giroud with you? Arsenal as a team yesterday failed to function for 90 minutes and it cost them 3 points.

All season when facing teams like Watford I have repeated the mantra if Arsenal defend competently they will win, not superbly, not elite, not worldclass defending just competently. Issue last last night was off the ball in the 1st half Arsenal were beyond dreadful, just beyond dreadful, they looked shocked that Watford were up for this game, that 1st half effort off the ball by every Gunner last night was the definition of a big time Charlie mindset.

Could AW have started a more dynamic line up..YES!

Should AW have made certain adjustments at 0-2 after 13 minutes...YES!


Let's not kid ourselves biggest issue with the team yet again is complacency. Last 4 years complacency is like a plague that can strike at any moment with this team, the moment they get any momentum and look set to make a legit challenge for PL title they lower their guard and drop points to likes of a Watford, Swansea, Sunderland etc etc etc.

Only remedy is a new voice, now we all know Stan needs assurances over his investment so come season's end move AW up to DOF and bring in manager who can cure the complacency plague that undoes Arsenal title aspirations season after season.

I don't know about the only remedy. I see a lot of remedies but it is times like this, one takes the holistic approach. The season is far from over, I wait till May to give my verdict.

As for complacency, again was yesterday's poor 1st half (the worst I have seen an Arsenal team play all season) performance just down to complacency? I beg to disagree. Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition. Watford took advantage of Arsenal weaknesses, they pressed high up, got in our faces, won the physical battles and forced the errors for their goals.

This has been coming, when we lost Xhaka, I made this point here. Xhaka is the one player who can control; a game from deep with his passing. When teams press, Xhaka opens them up with his passing by exploiting the spaces they leave deep with a long diagonal or a precise, incisive pass between the lines. With Xhaka, closing his passing lanes meant you opened up lanes for the CDs especially, if you close the CD lanes, they quickly gave it to Xhaka. Go study our passing patterns and combos when he plays, then make a direct comparison to when he does not play, the difference is night and day. Yesterday, Watford got huge help with the added loss of Bellerin, who always pushes the opposition's attacker deep because he gave a magnificent outlet with his pace. Watford had no fear of a deep lying controller or a Bellerin, so they over loaded with their pressing and got their rewards.

It is no coincidence that they got most errors (plus errors for the goals) from the defensive right sided trio of Ramsey, Gabriel and Mustafi. The fact is, Coquelin is usually the one that plays as the top of that defensive trio, but Wenger moved Coquelin left side to accommodate Ramsey, Coquelin is a defensive monster on that right side and he gives balance to Bellerin's up field forays. The Watford coach saw this weakness and targeted it. TG, you are no mug, you understand your football, please study the game, analyse it objectively and dispassionately. If you do, you will not blame complacency?

I get to see a lot off the ball, including how teams organise and re-organise themselves. Arsenal got punked in 3 minutes, they were trying to re-organise when Gabriel committed the inexperienced school boy error for their 2nd. Once again, credit where it is due, they have seen Arsenal take that throw and they knew Gabriel was prone to that error and they were ready to pounce.

I saw Watford on the front foot playing it hard, it was a clear tactical plan. It is not the first time we have been pressed that hard but the key difference between Watford and Burnley was their Coach committed one extra man in the press and were far more physical. Do not forget Burnley too, forced errors when they pressed but we got away with it.

Our CDs usually compensate the midfield but Coquelin and Ramsey cannot play it between the lines with the precision and confidence of Santi, Xhaka or even Elneny, so they go backwards most of the time to the CDs. Watford were prepared, they over loaded and pressed Kos, Mustafi and Cech because they knew they had little to fear from Coq and Ramsey. Look at the foul for the first goal as proof of my analysis. The fact is our players failed to cope because they were not good enough to play from deep, this has nothing to do with complacency, they were harassed and harried into errors with led to goals.

I don't deal in intangibles like passion, complacency and all that rubbish. I leave that to Managers to make excuses in public for their players like we were not ready mentally etc. etc. I know, that today, during the briefing of the game, no coach plus Wenger will mention intangibles. They will focus on cold hard data and performance. You cannot put that performance by Arsenal down to complacency that will be the most complacent of complacent analysis.

[Tunisian Gooner]

I don't know about the only remedy. I see a lot of remedies but it is times like this, one takes the holistic approach. The season is far from over, I wait till May to give my verdict.

As for complacency, again was yesterday's poor 1st half (the worst I have seen an Arsenal team play all season) performance just down to complacency? I beg to disagree. Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition. Watford took advantage of Arsenal weaknesses, they pressed high up, got in our faces, won the physical battles and forced the errors for their goals.

This has been coming, when we lost Xhaka, I made this point here. Xhaka is the one player who can control; a game from deep with his passing. When teams press, Xhaka opens them up with his passing by exploiting the spaces they leave deep with a long diagonal or a precise, incisive pass between the lines. With Xhaka, closing his passing lanes meant you opened up lanes for the CDs especially, if you close the CD lanes, they quickly gave it to Xhaka. Go study our passing patterns and combos when he plays, then make a direct comparison to when he does not play, the difference is night and day. Yesterday, Watford got huge help with the added loss of Bellerin, who always pushes the opposition's attacker deep because he gave a magnificent outlet with his pace. Watford had no fear of a deep lying controller or a Bellerin, so they over loaded with their pressing and got their rewards.

It is no coincidence that they got most errors (plus errors for the goals) from the defensive right sided trio of Ramsey, Gabriel and Mustafi. The fact is, Coquelin is usually the one that plays as the top of that defensive trio, but Wenger moved Coquelin left side to accommodate Ramsey, Coquelin is a defensive monster on that right side and he gives balance to Bellerin's up field forays. The Watford coach saw this weakness and targeted it. TG, you are no mug, you understand your football, please study the game, analyse it objectively and dispassionately. If you do, you will not blame complacency?

I get to see a lot off the ball, including how teams organise and re-organise themselves. Arsenal got punked in 3 minutes, they were trying to re-organise when Gabriel committed the inexperienced school boy error for their 2nd. Once again, credit where it is due, they have seen Arsenal take that throw and they knew Gabriel was prone to that error and they were ready to pounce.

I saw Watford on the front foot playing it hard, it was a clear tactical plan. It is not the first time we have been pressed that hard but the key difference between Watford and Burnley was their Coach committed one extra man in the press and were far more physical. Do not forget Burnley too, forced errors when they pressed but we got away with it.

Our CDs usually compensate the midfield but Coquelin and Ramsey cannot play it between the lines with the precision and confidence of Santi, Xhaka or even Elneny, so they go backwards most of the time to the CDs. Watford were prepared, they over loaded and pressed Kos, Mustafi and Cech because they knew they had little to fear from Coq and Ramsey. Look at the foul for the first goal as proof of my analysis. The fact is our players failed to cope because they were not good enough to play from deep, this has nothing to do with complacency, they were harassed and harried into errors with led to goals.

I don't deal in intangibles like passion, complacency and all that rubbish. I leave that to Managers to make excuses in public for their players like we were not ready mentally etc. etc. I know, that today, during the briefing of the game, no coach plus Wenger will mention intangibles. They will focus on cold hard data and performance. You cannot put that performance by Arsenal down to complacency that will be the most complacent of complacent analysis.

Complacency I'm speaking of is the finer details of, ability to execute basic off the ball duties, focus and attention to one's basic obligations.

1ST goal Gunner turns away from Kabul FK, which is followed by a deflection off Ramsey and it's 1-0 Watford, simple basics detects you don't turn away from FK.

2nd goal absurd thrown in by Gabriel, leaves Ramsey horribly exposed, Coq refuses to take a professional foul on Capoue and rest is history.

Goals Arsenal often concede are down to sheer lack of focus, always a player or two who's not switched on.

Let's not act like this is a one off, last 4 years I can list a litany of games which followed this exact template, the mental, tactical and physical aspect of football are interconnected, to pretend otherwise is disingenuous.

[Waffiman]

I don't know about the only remedy. I see a lot of remedies but it is times like this, one takes the holistic approach. The season is far from over, I wait till May to give my verdict.

As for complacency, again was yesterday's poor 1st half (the worst I have seen an Arsenal team play all season) performance just down to complacency? I beg to disagree. Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition. Watford took advantage of Arsenal weaknesses, they pressed high up, got in our faces, won the physical battles and forced the errors for their goals.

This has been coming, when we lost Xhaka, I made this point here. Xhaka is the one player who can control; a game from deep with his passing. When teams press, Xhaka opens them up with his passing by exploiting the spaces they leave deep with a long diagonal or a precise, incisive pass between the lines. With Xhaka, closing his passing lanes meant you opened up lanes for the CDs especially, if you close the CD lanes, they quickly gave it to Xhaka. Go study our passing patterns and combos when he plays, then make a direct comparison to when he does not play, the difference is night and day. Yesterday, Watford got huge help with the added loss of Bellerin, who always pushes the opposition's attacker deep because he gave a magnificent outlet with his pace. Watford had no fear of a deep lying controller or a Bellerin, so they over loaded with their pressing and got their rewards.

It is no coincidence that they got most errors (plus errors for the goals) from the defensive right sided trio of Ramsey, Gabriel and Mustafi. The fact is, Coquelin is usually the one that plays as the top of that defensive trio, but Wenger moved Coquelin left side to accommodate Ramsey, Coquelin is a defensive monster on that right side and he gives balance to Bellerin's up field forays. The Watford coach saw this weakness and targeted it. TG, you are no mug, you understand your football, please study the game, analyse it objectively and dispassionately. If you do, you will not blame complacency?

I get to see a lot off the ball, including how teams organise and re-organise themselves. Arsenal got punked in 3 minutes, they were trying to re-organise when Gabriel committed the inexperienced school boy error for their 2nd. Once again, credit where it is due, they have seen Arsenal take that throw and they knew Gabriel was prone to that error and they were ready to pounce.

I saw Watford on the front foot playing it hard, it was a clear tactical plan. It is not the first time we have been pressed that hard but the key difference between Watford and Burnley was their Coach committed one extra man in the press and were far more physical. Do not forget Burnley too, forced errors when they pressed but we got away with it.

Our CDs usually compensate the midfield but Coquelin and Ramsey cannot play it between the lines with the precision and confidence of Santi, Xhaka or even Elneny, so they go backwards most of the time to the CDs. Watford were prepared, they over loaded and pressed Kos, Mustafi and Cech because they knew they had little to fear from Coq and Ramsey. Look at the foul for the first goal as proof of my analysis. The fact is our players failed to cope because they were not good enough to play from deep, this has nothing to do with complacency, they were harassed and harried into errors with led to goals.

I don't deal in intangibles like passion, complacency and all that rubbish. I leave that to Managers to make excuses in public for their players like we were not ready mentally etc. etc. I know, that today, during the briefing of the game, no coach plus Wenger will mention intangibles. They will focus on cold hard data and performance. You cannot put that performance by Arsenal down to complacency that will be the most complacent of complacent analysis.

Complacency I'm speaking of is the finer details of, ability to execute basic off the ball duties, focus and attention to one's basic obligations.

1ST goal Gunner turns away from Kabul FK, which is followed by a deflection off Ramsey and it's 1-0 Watford, simple basics detects you don't turn away from FK.

2nd goal absurd thrown in by Gabriel, leaves Ramsey horribly exposed, Coq refuses to take a professional foul on Capoue and rest is history.

Goals Arsenal often concede are down to sheer lack of focus, always a player or two who's not switched on.

Let's not act like this is a one off, last 4 years I can list a litany of games which followed this exact template, the mental, tactical and physical aspect of football are interconnected, to pretend otherwise is disingenuous.

The inability to execute basic off the ball duties, focus and attention to one's basic obligations is not just down to complacency. I have read many a coaching book or manuals, I am yet to see what you described above as being complacent. There are so many other factors for what happened last night and I deal in tangibles which can be proven. To accuse someone or even a team of being complacent is an accusation based on feeling. There is nothing scientific or evidence based about it. It is just how you felt watching that performance. This is fair enough, but I disagree because of what I saw in that pitch. E,G. What about your opponents having a better defensive plan like Watford did? Being quicker, stronger etc etc. What have these players got to be complacent or smug about? It makes no sense to me, so I deal with cold hard data and performance. You notice Managers always use intangibles as excuses in public for bad performances. Why? They obviously do not want to reveal the main reasons for defeat. But in private, the analysis are there in the video and the numbers.

There is nothing complacent about Ramsey turning his back on a free kick, that is not complacency, that is pure cowardice.

Gabriel's throw is borne out of the play of an inexperienced FB, plus Arsenal's inbred of playing from the back. Doing stupid is not being complacent. It is being stupid.

90% of goals scored are down to human/player error. It is a statistical fact in football. The two goals were mistakes forced by Watford.

Every team has weaknesses and strengths, Arsenal's system without the right personnel is prone to the tactics Watford employed yesterday. It is part of our game and a calculated risk.

[kajifu]

Can this team beat Chelsea to likely go second and cut it to 6 points or we will lay another egg drop points and drop from top 4 and out of the title race?
Saturday game will be very important for our season.Best of luck but I will not put my hope up and get hurt....

[Tunisian Gooner]

Can this team beat Chelsea to likely go second and cut it to 6 points or we will lay another egg drop points and drop from top 4 and out of the title race?
Saturday game will be very important for our season.Best of luck but I will not put my hope up and get hurt....

The CM issue is a grave concern, Coq and OX vs Chelsea.....

[danfo driver]

Bielik goes away on loan

He was neither slow nor too big. Kid was just too committed in those challenges and kept on picking up injuries in that midfield. Decision to move him the CD was the best decision because we now have a very good CD with the skills and passing ability of a midfielder. He has really filled out and become a serious specimen as a player. Aniks and I have talked about how he has developed and we have both said it is only a question of time before he becomes a top CD for the club.

BTW! Bielik is just one of a raft of loan deals for the Academy. Chuba has gone to Brighton and I will be following his progress.

I see the waffled tongue has changed his mouth he told us this boy will be the next Vieira and now, that is no more. He is now telling us that the boy is the next "best CD" Kai!! Arsenal fans are so gullible and sooooo dumb! The way Wafflemouth has been toying with their head for decades and they continue to eat from his lap. The man must go home every night, loosen his belt to allow air into his fat tummy and just laugh at how he has pent the whole day toying with these bunch of morons.

[danfo driver]

Can this team beat Chelsea to likely go second and cut it to 6 points or we will lay another egg drop points and drop from top 4 and out of the title race?
Saturday game will be very important for our season.Best of luck but I will not put my hope up and get hurt....

I believe under football rules, a forfeit is 3-0. Isnt it responsible for Wenger and the boys to remain at home and lose 3-0, than to show up an be dragged from pillar to post and humiliated 7-0?

[Waffiman]

The CM issue is a grave concern, Coq and OX vs Chelsea.....

I'd take the kid Niles over Ramsey or Ox.

[Tunisian Gooner]

The CM issue is a grave concern, Coq and OX vs Chelsea.....

I'd take the kid Niles over Ramsey or Ox.

Ramsey is out with calf strain, so it's OX and Coq @ Chelsea....The Xhaka red card vs Burnley may very well have crushed Arsenal PL title aspirations

[Chief Ogbunigwe]

Complacency I'm speaking of is the finer details of, ability to execute basic off the ball duties, focus and attention to one's basic obligations.

1ST goal Gunner turns away from Kabul FK, which is followed by a deflection off Ramsey and it's 1-0 Watford, simple basics detects you don't turn away from FK.

2nd goal absurd thrown in by Gabriel, leaves Ramsey horribly exposed, Coq refuses to take a professional foul on Capoue and rest is history.

Goals Arsenal often concede are down to sheer lack of focus, always a player or two who's not switched on.

Let's not act like this is a one off, last 4 years I can list a litany of games which followed this exact template, the mental, tactical and physical aspect of football are interconnected, to pretend otherwise is disingenuous.

I wanted to go on and slap Coq for jogging lazily beside/behind Capoue. Coq was a good stop-gap solution when we allegedly were too poor to purchase quality in the position. He is at best a squad player like Gibbs. His decision-making is too poor for my liking. He bombs forward, and doesn't know what to do with the ball...

we are who we are...

[Waffiman]

The CM issue is a grave concern, Coq and OX vs Chelsea.....

I'd take the kid Niles over Ramsey or Ox.

Ramsey is out with calf strain, so it's OX and Coq @ Chelsea....The Xhaka red card vs Burnley may very well have crushed Arsenal PL title aspirations

I don't want Ramsey there, so if he is out or not, it makes no difference. He cannot play with Coq, he can play with Xhaka and I have explained why on this thread.

To me, Niles will be a better combo with Coq than the Ox. I got a glimpse of the Ox and Coq, it was a risky game. We need a deeper ball passer, we need someone who can pass between the lines. But I can understand why Niles is ignored because he is inexperienced.

As for the Xhaka red card costing us, we can still do better with team selection. Pace will give options and it will help the 2 in CM positions. This is why I am really peeved with Wenger. Look at the difference Theo made. Just one Sub.

[danfo driver]

The CM issue is a grave concern, Coq and OX vs Chelsea.....

I'd take the kid Niles over Ramsey or Ox.

Ramsey is out with calf strain, so it's OX and Coq @ Chelsea....The Xhaka red card vs Burnley may very well have crushed Arsenal PL title aspirations

Dude! You should thank God that chaka chaka is not available. As useless as he has been, Kante and Matic will dismantle him into retirement.

[anikulapo]

The CM issue is a grave concern, Coq and OX vs Chelsea.....

I'd take the kid Niles over Ramsey or Ox.

Waffi how was Etienne yesterday

[Waffiman]

The CM issue is a grave concern, Coq and OX vs Chelsea.....

I'd take the kid Niles over Ramsey or Ox.

Waffi how was Etienne yesterday

Where was he when Xhaka destroyed him and his team when we beat them at Watford?

He was average at best.

[ojafranpa]

The CM issue is a grave concern, Coq and OX vs Chelsea.....

I'd take the kid Niles over Ramsey or Ox.

Waffi how was Etienne yesterday

What did he do yesterday, just that one play? He's average at best.Little wonder he's at Watford.

[kajifu]

Reading the thread is like everyone has little hope against Chelsea.So what really change after summer transfer when we were singing this is a complete team wenger had for the first time?I mean we are now talking about kids like Niles over Ramsey and blah blah....I have to say if we don't win Saturday then we might be even in trouble fighting for top 4th.
Looking at Bayern game again coming up in few weeks time,i don't know if we can keep the tie open before second leg or we will blow it in Germany.
God help us this time around.

[kajifu]

Also I want Egypt to be out today and El Neny head back to emirate