I usually wait until the morning after before I write a match report, but tonight I’m not. The starting line-ups would suggest that victory for Man City was inevitable, and it happened. Two good goals saw to that, but the poor defending, lack of tracking back by senior players and poor passing were the main culprits for our loss.
In the last 3 domestic games we have conceded 7 goals, scored 0. Are we missing van Persie that much? Alan Smith, who usually as a pundit seems to try and be as neutral as he can, tonight was on the side of the Arsenal fans. I think he shares our frustration. How long will things continue like this, the fans whilst seeing great football are not getting the feeling of winning a trophy.
After the game Arsène didn’t shake Mark Hughes’ hand, to be fair I wouldn’t want to either, but despite how much of a bad loser you are at least be courteous. Is this hurting Arsène as much as it is the fans? I am begining to question him, is his love for the club or his project?
This last week or so has been difficult as a fan, as annoying as Sunderland was a defeat like that was going to happen. But Chelsea hurt much much more, then tonight the team that was put out had no hope of winning. I’m sorry I want to see Arsenal win, not see some exciting prospects who might make it playing for us in a few years. I want a trophy, I want bragging rights at work.
I, as a fan of Arsenal, want to see us at the top of the league. Being one of the best teams in Europe. Not a team that can be said play beautiful football but never win anything. I would prefer a bit of efficient football at times, a bit of boring 1-0 victories, if they result in a trophy.
If I am truthful I didn’t expect us to win tonight, but that doesn’t make the disapointment of losing any less.
I share your sentiments Dave but I’m trying to block it out because I keep thinking the next game we’ll get it right. They say 3 is the magic number but it certainly isn’t in our case. Two games where we’ve lost 3-0 and 3 defeats without scoring.
Agree with you, the senior players let us down badly, especially in the 2nd half. The youth actually did okay. The Chelsea defeat hurt me most as we lost on our own patch and the scoreline reflected a humiliation when in effect we were done on the counter and a combination of bad defending.
Who knows, maybe Arsene will tell the full backs (all of them) to be a lot more defensive. All but one of the goals in the last 3 matches has come because of the full backs cocking it up. Don’t want to hold them as scapegoats but it is the reality of it.
But hey, at least chelsea lost and they wanted to win the quadruple. Maybe their bad run has started or will start in January anyway.
Also dude that was City’s first semi-final for like, ever. They might still not win anything and miss out on the top 4 place. Just think we need a bit of perspective now and then, although being disappointed and angry is more than justified. Especially when Wenger says the Carling Cup is not a priority, that smacks of arrogance. We aren’t bigger than any of the competitions to say things like that. But still, perspective (some amount of positivity to join me otherwise I’m in danger of being delusional lol).
Yeah, in the morning (with a slightly sore head) it isn’t the end of the world that we went out to a full strength City side. But defeat after defeat, this must be what it’s like to be a Sp*rs fan! We need to get back to winning ways. I also question playing Song (now he will miss the Stoke game with a ban) and Traore, injuries could have been easily picked up by either then where would we be?
A victory in the next game will be crucial, otherwise the anniversary of boo’gate might become boo’gate 2!
I thought Arsenal would come out guns a blazing. They didn’t. The first half was pretty much even steven. The second was a disaster. It was horrible. The Gunners stunk the joint out.
They just quit. I listened to the match on BBC 5 Live. Here in the states it wasn’t on the tube. Wenger didn’t shake Hughes hand. The BBC announcers made a big deal out of it too. Class-shake his hand and go. There is lots of trouble brewing in Gunner land.http://bobbygee.wordpress.com/
Hughes was being an arse all game, baiting Wenger and there is a lot of history there. I think Hughes knows that it wasn’t a massive victory to dwell on (he beat a team of kids with a few regulars in it) so he needs to focus attention on something else. A defeat at the weekend for him might mean his job remains in danger.
I think we need to get back to our pre-international break play. That impetus we had is missing and we need it to return, badly!
Was surprised to see Song there. Actually even Eboue. Maybe Wenger is punishing them as they will miss most of January? Might as well get every game out of them while he can. But yeah the plan backfired as not only did we lose, Song will miss the game against Stoke. As much as I like Denilson, he will need support in midfield against the basketballer physique of Stoke!
I think we will notice the lack of Song on Saturday, although it may be a blessing in disguise and force Arsène to do something about it as by the time the ACN is here it will be too late!