Arsenal post match 3-1

[reynard]

Perhaps the most frustrating game of the season. A great result but a night which asks more questions than it answers.

We played a bit like we did when Puel first came. We actually pressed their defence and midfield, we dind't stand off tackles and we moved the ball quicker then the last few months. We used the option of the ball over the top but some of the stuff we played was good. Ok it was against 10 men but you still have to do it. So though Puel denied the change in style it was obvious to everyone else. So who took the decision to move away from the dull slow sideways stuff we have seen of late?

Was this a last hurrah from several players? Fuchs looked so so much better than Chilwell and he can actually cross the ball. Mahrez, big effort and simply great goal. Simpson worked hard and gave us the solidity at right back we have sorely lacked in the last couple of games.

Credit to Arsenal for giving it a go, they have some seriously talented attacking players and can't believe anyone wasn't entertained by that match.

Credit too to the fans. Good atmosphere last night. Felt a bit like we had our team back, a bit late in the season but better late than never.

[Raj]

One question....how????

[ARTY_FOX]

Shock. He let's them off the leash and we actually looked decent. I think it's glaringly obvious to everyone now surely that it HAS been PUELS football up to this point now. I really really hope he's learned his lesson and is going to play abit quicker and get rid of the super slow motion build up play. One can hope. Looked great last night. 

[Guest ttfn]

I’ve always been a big “Puel in” person but don’t underestimate how much of yesterday’s performance was facilitated by Arsenal actually turning up looking to play football.

 

Our last 7 home games before this have been Huddersfield, Watford, Swansea, Stoke, Bournemouth, Newcastle and West Ham - all struggling sides content to sit with a deep back 4 and another block of at least 3 players sat not too far in front. This is the first home league game against a top side since December (at which point we were playing fine).

 

Thats not to take anything away from the team’s performance yesterday - the intensity was much better as was the speed of passing but Puel (or whoever comes in to replace him) still has to find a way to break down the obdurate sides which will come here and do the same again next season.

[Foxhateram]

Frustrating thing for me is that Puel didn't seem to enjoy it. Everutime the camera panned to him, he looked like a slapped arse. I wonder if the players (especially as it was mostly the old guard back) just took it upon themselves to play it their way. 

 

 

Fuchs was vital last night and Simpson was also very good. Having the wings covered gave us more freedom and gave our attackers the confidence to bomb forward. Fuchs was also putting in some cracking balls. 

 

Now the leash has been let off. We need to ensure we continue to take it to teams, press high and penetrate quickly. That is our game and we need to continue to play it. Don't change for the opposition, make the opposition fear you. 

[Guest Cujek]

8 hours ago, Merging Cultures said:

Wenger out blud. You get me fam.

 

Wot u mean hez steppin down? Nah fam, fire him blud.

All of those damn cockney gangsters on them videos are ridiculous.

 

I say we Build a wall around London, let them all fight it out amongst them selves. Self important load of arseholes. Literally can think of nothing good there.

[Foxhateram]

1 minute ago, ttfn said:

I’ve always been a big “Puel in” person but don’t underestimate how much of yesterday’s performance was facilitated by Arsenal actually turning up looking to play football.

 

Our last 7 home games before this have been Huddersfield, Watford, Swansea, Stoke, Bournemouth, Newcastle and West Ham - all struggling sides content to sit with a deep back 4 and another block of at least 3 players sat not too far in front. This is the first home league game against a top side since December (at which point we were playing fine).

 

Thats not to take anything away from the team’s performance yesterday - the intensity was much better as was the speed of passing but Puel (or whoever comes in to replace him) still has to find a way to break down the obdurate sides which will come here and do the same again next season.

After they went to 10 men, they did sit back a lot more. But their back 4 hated the ball and pur high pressure game meant that they couldn't play the ball out as quickly as they wanted. We frustrated them, to the point where they just lost it. The red card (was harsh as he wasnt last man) was a direct result of us never giving any of their players an inch of space. A stark contrast to our recent zonal marking system and awful attempts at tracking, rather than early tackles.

[st albans fox]

8 hours ago, RODNEY FERNIO said:

It also helps when your right back position is filled by a right back and your left back position is filled with a left back.

Call me old fashioned.

 

Which won’t happen on Sunday unless it’s with an U23......

 

drago isnt a RB and Benny is desperate to leave with a Wembley red card !

[CarbonVirtine]

39 minutes ago, Foxhateram said:

Frustrating thing for me is that Puel didn't seem to enjoy it. Everutime the camera panned to him, he looked like a slapped arse. 

Maybe he saw stuff he didn't like?

 

As thrilled as I was to see the 'zing' back in the performance, I do think Arsenal played a big part in their own demise. It was an open game, mistakes by both sides, with scoring chances at both ends. A game that fans and commentators may have loved for its entertainment value but I could well believe that both managers might have been thinking at times 'wtf are we doing?'

 

Or maybe Puel was bemused (like some of us) as to where his team had been hiding.

[CollinsLCFC]

It amazes me, that despite the 3-1 win and performance. People are still desperately trying to criticize Puel.

'oh the players ditched his tactics, oh he looked grumpy'..

 

Yes, the football has been dire previously but we've got to give credit where it's due. 

[AlloverthefloorYesNdidi]

From kick off you could see the players were at it.  Against 11 men if things had carried on as they were we were in that game with a chance of winning

Could it be that for a few in the squad getting a win against this Arsenal was something that needed ticking off for this team?

As @babylon has mentioned, Puel has complained before about the lack of intensity at the start of games

Seems we turned up for this one.  Dont really know what to make of the club situation, but it is suspect

 

Great game though, really a joy to watch, particularly the first half. Goes to show how well we can play.  Players like Silva and Iheanacho showing their quality and why we bought them.  Hamza looking like a great prospect.  I think he will be the jewel in the academy's crown.  Better than Chilwell.  We are sound in CM

 

So so sorely need a RB and a quality winger/number 10

[RumbleFox]

Enjoyed that.  X

[AlloverthefloorYesNdidi]

3 minutes ago, RumbleFox said:

Enjoyed that.  X

Honestly one of the best games i've watched all season for its action and open play.  Was gripped from the off and its almost a shame they went down to 10 as i fancied us.

 

Don't know if it was the spliff I had pre match but I felt nervous and excited and anxious, in a good way, like i havent felt watching us in a while

 

Made me sad though to see Puel looking so miserable on the sidelines

[RumbleFox]

1 minute ago, AlloverthefloorYesNdidi said:

Honestly one of the best games i've watched all season for its action and open play.  Was gripped from the off and its almost a shame they went down to 10 as i fancied us.

 

Don't know if it was the spliff I had pre match but I felt nervous and excited and anxious, in a good way, like i havent felt watching us in a while

 

Made me sad though to see Puel looking so miserable on the sidelines

Yeah it's funny when you actually enjoy a game.  The Puel thing is weird, I am not usually one to try and work things out from manager's or player's body language but he didn't look quite right.  et's hope we stuff Spurs next week and end the season on a high.  X

[Guest Col city fan]

40 minutes ago, CarbonVirtine said:

Maybe he saw stuff he didn't like?

 

As thrilled as I was to see the 'zing' back in the performance, I do think Arsenal played a big part in their own demise. It was an open game, mistakes by both sides, with scoring chances at both ends. A game that fans and commentators may have loved for its entertainment value but I could well believe that both managers might have been thinking at times 'wtf are we doing?'

 

Or maybe Puel was bemused (like some of us) as to where his team had been hiding.

Are you surprised?!

There we were, beating the Arse 3-1 and comfortably so, when our lot started singing ‘one Arsene Wenger’ (and NOT singing one Claude Puel).

That’s gonna make him full of the joys of spring isn’t it.

#footballfansarefookinfickle.com

[coolhandfox]

Better performance, player seem up for it.

 

However, Arsenal let you play and have space, unlike the majority of sides who we have struggled against, their a soft touch especially away from home and only had 10 men.

 

Nice to enjoy a game at the KP for a change.

 

 

[foxinsocks]

Look i am glad we won 3 1

But its wasnt like we were rampant or dominant agaist 10 man arse.

 

[ian_marshall]

11 minutes ago, RumbleFox said:

Yeah it's funny when you actually enjoy a game.  The Puel thing is weird, I am not usually one to try and work things out from manager's or player's body language but he didn't look quite right.  et's hope we stuff Spurs next week and end the season on a high.  X

Reading the BBC match report I think he's gone looking at the rather odd comment at the bottom of the article:

 

Asked whether the result may ease the pressure on him, Leicester manager Claude Puel said: "No comment. It is not my concern, it was just a win for the players and they wanted to give a reward to the fans. Congratulations to my players because they put in place all of the good ingredients to win the game."

 

I might be reading too much into it but it seems like an odd statement using phrases like 'it is not my concern', and 'they put in place all of the good ingredients to win the game'. Coupled with his body language yesterday, I'm wondering if he already knows his fate, and the player's colluded behind his back to formulate that performance to save face with the fans. 

[BoyJones]

Two up top forcing errors, two proper full backs, nuff sed. 

[rachhere]

What a match! Totally unexpected. 

 

I really don't know what to make of it in terms of Puel's position. It was a complete transformation of style. I am really buying into the theory that someone else was calling the shots that match. But regardless the fact that the team managed to return to that style so effortless was so reassuring for me - I was worried it would take weeks of undoing of damage. I don't remember one unnecessary back pass all evening!

 

It really highlighted to me how much lately we have effectively been playing with 10 men... Vardy isn't just about getting the goals, he's a proper team player - if you actually bring him into the match. 

 

Great to see this seasons signings performing so well. Silva was brilliant for me and really showed what he can offer to the team. Great performance again from Nacho and fab that he got another league goal. I think Diabate is better than he thinks he is - needs more confidence to go for goal, but hopefully pre-season and a few cup games will help iron that one out. Loved the chants of "sign him up" for Drago - couldn't agree more!

 

Fuchs had a great match - he still has something to offer. 

 

I guess now we wait and see whether Puel stays or not... 

[st albans fox]

17 minutes ago, ian_marshall said:

Reading the BBC match report I think he's gone looking at the rather odd comment at the bottom of the article:

 

Asked whether the result may ease the pressure on him, Leicester manager Claude Puel said: "No comment. It is not my concern, it was just a win for the players and they wanted to give a reward to the fans. Congratulations to my players because they put in place all of the good ingredients to win the game."

 

I might be reading too much into it but it seems like an odd statement using phrases like 'it is not my concern', and 'they put in place all of the good ingredients to win the game'. Coupled with his body language yesterday, I'm wondering if he already knows his fate, and the player's colluded behind his back to formulate that performance to save face with the fans. 

 

Perhaps but I wouldnt take too much from his grammar - his eengleesh isn’t good enough ...... I got the feeling he was congratulating the players for putting in a performance and getting the reward for doing so 

[ramaiya2]

Does this mean that Peul has bought himself some time

[v6rat]

32 minutes ago, ramaiya2 said:

Does this mean that Peul has bought himself some time

If the management team have been seriously looking and contacting other possible managers then probably not, if on the other hand they’ve haven’t made any moves yet, then yes I would say he’s staying a while longer.

[suffolk fox]

12 hours ago, Kitchandro said:

Let me guess - we attacked with tempo and forced Arsenal into mistakes? 

 

Can’t wait to go back to possession football when Puel isn’t desperate to keep his job.

 

Call me cynical but isn’t it funny how the managers principles change when he realises winning football games is important. Is he thick, or is he usually just too scared or arrogant to try and play to win?

or is it the case that the players want to be up for it against top teams but cant be bothered to play against little West Ham and Palace etc.

[suffolk fox]

11 hours ago, Donut said:

To the players who are deeply confused and cant understand Claude Puel.....

If youre capable of THAT, under a manager you supposedly find confusing, dont ever give any of us any of your horseshit excuses for not giving us that on a regular basis.

Stop hiding behind your player power and piss weak excuses, and do THAT.


People enjoyed the game and reacted positively to what you did.

Youre all more than capable, as youve proved tonight.

Including Puel.

this.  top post fella.