I think we were really lucky in the Arsenal v Liverpool match. I thought going into the game, we would edge it and while it was a draw with both teams looking to attack, i thought that if we went behind, we would really struggle to break down a solid double banked Arsenal as we all have to admit apart from all the ‘Dark Arts’ nonsense, they are good at getting in position and defending their box when they need to.
Finally, I thought if we went ahead we would try to do similar, but could potentially concede with the momentum of the home crowd and Arsenal pushing, as they do have quality in their side.
So, basically I was wrong throughout. I think we started really poor for the first half pretty much. Robbo, yes was 100 percent at fault for the goal. Way too deep to begin and then if you are dropping that deep to give yourself a head start, you have to win the race and he didn’t. Midfield was absent, the poorest game from Maca in a long time and Jones and Gravy, while I don’t think as bad didn’t have any impact.
At half time, I thought Ibou and Diaz were the only ones that could hold their head up high. Great that we got a set pieces goal too as I really think we should be getting a lot more goals from them with the quality delivery we have, even with just VVD and Ibou alone, they could be defenders that get 10 goals all competitions each.
Then we did let them do the exact same free kick twice for probably what should have been 2 goals. My only thinking is that Arne Slot is more focused on style of play changes now and maybe hasn’t coached set pieces as much and that will be more in depth down the line, but it’s been a couple of years that we have been worse than we should in this department, but great delivery and Arsenal are great at set pieces.
Second half I was actually amazed. I could not believe how much of Arsenal’s inferiority complex was on display. Last week we got some stick for dropping a bit deep and seeing the game out v Chelsea, but dear lord, Arsenal were desperate to waste time from the go, optimised by going to the corner at around the 60 minute and then again at the 70 minute mark.
At home 11 v 11 that is borderline embarrassing. Sit a bit deeper and don’t commit as many men, sure, but I really thought that was almost a defining moment for Arsenal in terms of their mentality and why I think they won’t win the league.
After that, we had one minute of real quality and awful defending (was it the kid that was on at that stage?) and we suddenly had acres of space and punished with a good goal. Arsenal broke up play again after this and in the 5 minutes after, where maybe we could have done something, we didn’t and then both teams kind of thought, yeah okay – draw.
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You’d have taken the draw before the game just about and before the season you would 100 percent take draws away at your biggest rivals and try to win at home. So for the season, all in all a good result.
I do think partly we missed Dom’s running power. I know he has been flavour of the month for people bashing him, but having seen him live a couple of times. That boy runs and harasses everyone and perhaps a little bit of that was missing without him.
I think Harvey can do this better than curt can personally and if Dom isn’t in better form I think Harvey could make that position his by the end of the season would be my prediction.
Written by PickleRick October 28 2024 09:29:05
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