Cue the defence slating. Arsenal post match thread.

[st albans fox]

Few points

one of my partners (arsenal fan) commented afterwards that he thought RDL played well. he comes at this with no bias.

He also said that they hadn't played this well for a long time. (Once they got the luck where JV couldn't finish his header from a few yards out - (remember Newcastle last minute last year - it's not the first time ))

Okazaki was tripped by arteta but that's experience on his part. I hate it when players remonstrate with the ref whilst the game is going on. Nuge did it against Man U last season and missed his chance to stop Rooney feeding di Maria. If shinji had got straight up, he could have been in a good place to stop our left side being so exposed on their counter. Still, we weren't heavily committed forward so had enough. Just ball watching.

wasn't a pen on Ramsey and wasn't a foul on vardy. both 'racing incidents'. It's a contact sport.

Mertesaker held off shinji but he needed to appear stronger in his attempt to get past the arms. Then it may have appeared more obvious he was being held off his line of movement. Throwing yourself to the ground generally doesn't impress a ref when you are the 'small' team.

All in all, there was far too much space between our defence and attack if we are playing 4-4-2. Huge gaps for arsenal to find space between them. going 5 at half time was probably the right thing to do but we were screwed by the third. Generally holding our own at 4-5-1 though lacking enough up top to worry them. I presume the idea was to try and hold 1-2 and pinch a late equaliser.

We clearly have enough going forward to score a couple against most sides. the current formation doesn't protect the defence enough. I would like to see us try 3-5-1-1 (at home especially) in order to judge if it would work again. These 'bonus' fixtures are the perfect opportunity.

Worried by the managers approach a little yesterday. no rush to any judgement though.

[GaelicFox]

It's not at all. I didn't see many leaving the Villa game before the end. Wonder how many would have left yesterday if we'd been losing 3-2 and pushing for an equaliser.

Wasn't a 3pm saturday afternoon game but you make a fair point

[GaelicFox]

Few points

one of my partners (arsenal fan) commented afterwards that he thought RDL played well. he comes at this with no bias.

He also said that they hadn't played this well for a long time. (Once they got the luck where JV couldn't finish his header from a few yards out - (remember Newcastle last minute last year - it's not the first time ))

Okazaki was tripped by arteta but that's experience on his part. I hate it when players remonstrate with the ref whilst the game is going on. Nuge did it against Man U last season and missed his chance to stop Rooney feeding di Maria. If shinji had got straight up, he could have been in a good place to stop our left side being so exposed on their counter. Still, we weren't heavily committed forward so had enough. Just ball watching.

wasn't a pen on Ramsey and wasn't a foul on vardy. both 'racing incidents'. It's a contact sport.

Mertesaker held off shinji but he needed to appear stronger in his attempt to get past the arms. Then it may have appeared more obvious he was being held off his line of movement. Throwing yourself to the ground generally doesn't impress a ref when you are the 'small' team.

All in all, there was far too much space between our defence and attack if we are playing 4-4-2. Huge gaps for arsenal to find space between them. going 5 at half time was probably the right thing to do but we were screwed by the third. Generally holding our own at 4-5-1 though lacking enough up top to worry them. I presume the idea was to try and hold 1-2 and pinch a late equaliser.

We clearly have enough going forward to score a couple against most sides. the current formation doesn't protect the defence enough. I would like to see us try 3-5-1-1 (at home especially) in order to judge if it would work again. These 'bonus' fixtures are the perfect opportunity.

Worried by the managers approach a little yesterday. no rush to any judgement though.

Are your a Mormon ? Or a Sharia loving Muslim ? How many partners have you got ?

I can't keep one woman happy most of the time

Respect to you man always impressed by men than can juggle a few partners

[st albans fox]

Are your a Mormon ? Or a Sharia loving Muslim ? How many partners have you got ?

I can't keep one woman happy most of the time

Respect to you man always impressed by men than can juggle a few partners

My partners are more aggro than my missus and I can't work out the attraction of having more than one wife. You can only take a penalty with one player after all ...........

[Itsthejoeker]

Arsenal were completely untouchable after that mike dean debacle last week.

[st albans fox]

Last season we camped on the edge of our box and drew. yesterday we decided to be expansive. had we played like last season and denied them the space to get in behind us then we may have got something on the break. (Also had a quicker Liam Moore at CB)

Would you have preferred a tough tackling 1-1 or the spectacle you saw?

Yeah, me too. Maybe later in the season when we're safe.

[les-tah]

I'd honestly like to see benny back there.. Was really impressed with him against West Ham..

Edit.. Aswell as Fuchs aswell left back really impressed at West Ham game

[BlueSi13]

Felt ashamed seeing all those people streaming out before the end yesterday. Pathetic.

 

Why?  I personally stayed until the end but we'd just taken an absolute pasting.  Nobody booed or shouted abuse, they'd just seen enough for one day.  Didn't see the problem myself. 

[lifted*fox]

Because everyone else decided to stay and show the lads some support - even though we'd been well beaten (not really a pasting, imo).

 

Everybody wants to be the first to hang around when we're winning 3-1, 2-0, whatever - but as soon as the shit even slightly begins to hit the fan, people are pouring towards the exits.

 

What's the harm in staying an extra 5 minutes and clapping the team off the pitch, showing them that even though you 'can't win them all' the crowd is still 100% behind them?

 

If you've got transport to leave for, fair enough - if you're walking out because you can't hack seeing a significantly better team such as Arsenal put 3 additional goals past us, then you need to man up a bit, imo.  

[Fez of Mahrez]

Why?  I personally stayed until the end but we'd just taken an absolute pasting.  Nobody booed or shouted abuse, they'd just seen enough for one day.  Didn't see the problem myself. 

I just can't understand it. A lot of people were leaving with ten minutes left. That's not to say I thought we would get anything from the game but it irritated me and the sight of half empty stands at the end was embarrassing. I expected our players to continue to get the backing they've earned so far for the whole game.

[BlueSi13]

Because everyone else decided to stay and show the lads some support - even though we'd been well beaten (not really a pasting, imo).

 

Everybody wants to be the first to hang around when we're winning 3-1, 2-0, whatever - but as soon as the shit even slightly begins to hit the fan, people are pouring towards the exits.

 

What's the harm in staying an extra 5 minutes and clapping the team off the pitch, showing them that even though you 'can't win them all' the crowd is still 100% behind them?

 

If you've got transport to leave for, fair enough - if you're walking out because you can't hack seeing a significantly better team such as Arsenal put 3 additional goals past us, then you need to man up a bit, imo.  

 

Trust me, if the players had the opportunity to blow the whistle for full-time and head-off down the tunnel early they'd have taken it yesterday.  If it was boxing the trainer would have thrown the towel in.  No harm in being honest with ourselves.  Nobody likes to see their team take a whooping (especially considering the cost!) so I wasn't surprised to see fans head to the exits at 1-4....especially considering it could have easily been 1-8 in that second half!

[Guest MattP]

If we keep on with this back 4 we'll manage to overtake Sunderland for goals conceded in time.

The brilliant offence has covered for defensive ineptitude all season. I honestly wouldn't be against bringing Fuchs, Benaloune and Wasyl next game.

[foxes_rule1978]

Got to say I thought Arsenal were brilliant, but we were so unlucky to go in behind at half time... could have easily be winning at that point and then it becomes a different game.

I thought we played well and shouldn't be too down or be calling for major changes. Our approach will win us more games than not and we should continue in this vain

[Fez of Mahrez]

Trust me, if the players had the opportunity to blow the whistle for full-time and head-off down the tunnel early they'd have taken it yesterday.  If it was boxing the trainer would have thrown the towel in.  No harm in being honest with ourselves.  Nobody likes to see their team take a whooping (especially considering the cost!) so I wasn't surprised to see fans head to the exits at 1-4....especially considering it could have easily been 1-8 in that second half!

This is nonsense though, isn't it? We'd come back from behind four times in four games. Our team's mentality is to never give up and the reason we conceded the fifth is largely down to pushing for a third goal ourselves.

For me it wasn't so much that I thought we'd get back into it but the idea that you leave as soon as you think you can't get anything from the game. It's the sort of mentality that builds up in a club and translates onto the pitch. I've never liked it and I never will.

[Guest]

High line was suicidal but I watched De Laet closely during yesterday's match and I've never seen a defender with such poor decision making and marking ability. He was either charging out of the back line needlessly or if he was part of the back four he had no idea where Sanchez was and gave him the freedom to destroy us.

I know people dislike Simpson but he is a better defender and more suited to yesterday's game.

 

I have never seen any evidence that shows Simpson is a better defender than De Laet and on the attacking side there is no comparison.

 

We have to accept that Simpson was a terrible buy, get rid and get someone else in.

[cityfanlee23]

HUTH needs a pacy centre half beside him , The Belgian boat Richie has moments but he isn't good enough for a premier league team looking to Europe , and Schlupp just offers little when faced with the best attackers in the league , but then again he doesn't face them every week

Transfer window at Christmas should be about signing a class right and left back and a centre half with pace who reads the game if the quality isnt available then make them the summer priorities

Arsenal were like an efficient butcher yesterday they took out the boneing knife out and sliced us apart at will , but before the butcher had his knife in his hand we should have been 3-0 up , so all in all it was a schooling , we were nieve but no one will be loosing sleep

The first 30 mins was an amazing game

 

 

Agree with this, 

But what formation do we go to? If we sign a RB and LB we won't be playing 3 at the back, so what formation would you choose with a back 4?

 

Definitely need a pacy centre back who can read the game. 

I genuinely think Benalouane could be that man, but we still need more cover, Wasilewski could do a job this season as cover, but it just leaves us with another position to fill when he retires, and that player won't have time to bed in if we wait until then. 

 

 

I still think we need another striker, 

Credit to Ulloa, he changes the game whenever he is on, but will he score the goals we need him to consistently? 

Kramaric looked lively and I think if he bulks up he could easily be a starter for us,

Vardy - Say no more.

Okazaki, Works hard, and links up quite well, but I'm skeptical about him, Doesn't add that real quality we need, 

 

Until vardy hit form we have a strikeforce of hard workers but lacking that clinical finish, thank god mahrez and vards have come good or we would be near the bottom again based on goals conceded v goals scored... Our record without those 2 would be goals for - 6 goals against - 14...

 

I don't know which I'd sell out of our strikers, 

 

But my main strikers would be Vardy, Kramaric, and a signing like Charlie Austin. 

I'll give Okazaki time, but so far I don't think he's added much to the squad personally, Someone feel free to show me different. 

[BlueSi13]

This is nonsense though, isn't it? We'd come back from behind four times in four games. Our team's mentality is to never give up and the reason we conceded the fifth is largely down to pushing for a third goal ourselves.

For me it wasn't so much that I thought we'd get back into it but the idea that you leave as soon as you think you can't get anything from the game. It's the sort of mentality that builds up in a club and translates onto the pitch. I've never liked it and I never will.

 

People did stay, until Arsenal went 4-1 up in the 81st minute (should have been even further ahead in reality), that's known as a thumping game over mate.  If people were watching on TV I suspect many would have turned over at that point.  It was pretty grim to watch at times but it happens.  Reset for the next match.

[iancognito]

Let's not lose sight of what's been a great start to the season and 6 months where only Arsenal and Chelsea have beaten us but Arsenal or not, we'd have conceded goals with that defence yesterday.

 

DeLaet is constantly ten yards away from any cross, he's never close enough to block or challenge and our accidental left back is becoming embarrassing. If all you had to do in this game was run, he'd be world class but he offers nothing defensively and rarely an end product going forward. Liam Moore was dropped and never seen again after he switched off for 3 or 4 goals last season and Jeff is never even switched on, just drifting in Jeffland. Fuchs is far more solid and I'm amazed after a MOTM performance on Tuesday he didn't even get on the bench yesterday. Huth and Morgan are crying out for cover from Benalouane or Wasyl. They look like two players who know their weaknesses.

 

Simply put, it HAS to change next week. Whether it's 3-5-2, 3-4-3, 4-1-3-2 or whatever he must find a way to shore up the defence but keep the attacking threat.

[jayfox26]

Don't want to get too down as we lost to a top team but we shouldn't concede 5 at home. We need a top cb in Jan and a new rb. De laet not good enough and Huth needs someone faster than wes next to him or go to 3 at the back. Schlupp is a winger so we need to get Fuchs in. Can't understand why Fuchs isn't playing. Still think we looked at our best with 3 at the back and Albrighton and Schlupp as wing backs

[HesNotGudjonsonn2]

It was Arsenal, we are not too bad and just need to tighten things up. Some pace in the central of defence and a right back that isn't out of position so often would be helpful. Maybe that is what happens with a pacey full back though, you utilise their pace in the attack which often leaves them out of position and struggling to get back. Wingers and strikers have pace too. Who knows but I am sure our defence will be improved upon.

[bridport007]

I'd much rather have watched this game than Yeovil away...which wasn't that long back.

Fuchs looked great against West Ham and deserves a couple of games, leaving Jeff as an impact sub...scary pace when the opposition are knackered.

Morgan is iffy in my opinion, so Benny or Waz with Huth for me.....probably Benny if you think of the West Ham game. RDL is probably the only option we have on the right, and to be fair, he looked okay in the first half, he needs help though.

Mahrez can be too greedy, but wouldn't want to see the flair coached out of him. If Albrighton is playing, then Leo may be the better option to Shinji,

At the end of the day, Arsenal are a class side who played very well yesterday, and though our tactics were naive,the game was better entertainment than if we'd parked the bus. We've had an amazing start to the season, and we're winning a lot of praise from those that had us written off,There can't of been many that looked at the fixtures and thought...Arsenal at home...definite 3 points.

COYB!!

[weller54]

Wasn't the fact we lost to Arsenal.. That's no shame.. But to concede 5 is, or could be confidence sapping!.. Lose to Norwich next week and then we face Southampton.. We could so easily be on a slippery slope.

[Guest]

Wasn't the fact we lost to Arsenal.. That's no shame.. But to concede 5 is, or could be confidence sapping!.. Lose to Norwich next week and then we face Southampton.. We could so easily be on a slippery slope.

 

Beat Norwich next week and then Southampton and Palace and we could be almost safe from relegation.

[weller54]

Beat Norwich next week and then Southampton and Palace and we could be almost safe from relegation.

To do that we need to stop leaking goals... Only Sunderland have conceded more than us...

Was, Wes and Huth need to play as a back 3...it's not rocket science!.. Will it happen?... Doubt it!

[Corky]

I think we'll start with 5 in midfield against the big sides from now on, Man United probably being the next one.