Arsenal post match 3-1

[Koke]

Bournemouth are now the only tean we haven't beaten since our promotion in 13/14. 

[MC Prussian]

9 minutes ago, suffolk fox said:

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.

Or it's because we were playing against a team giving us space and time on the ball for once, a team decimated to ten men, a team not fighting for survival in the Premier League and a team that still hasn't won an away match for five months now.

[foxy boxing]

it's been a long time coming! but it was fantastic to finally stuff the arsenal. a really great game and will leave fans asking rightly "where has that performance been the last few games"!

[yorkie1999]

Seems to me that it's all about not qualifying for the europa league.

[suffolk fox]

3 minutes ago, MC Prussian said:

Or it's because we were playing against a team giving us space and time on the ball for once, a team decimated to ten men, a team not fighting for survival in the Premier League and a team that still hasn't won an away match for five months now.

Or is it because the players turned up for once and put in the effort that has been lacking in the previous five games.  A team decimated to ten men deservedly so.  Are you a closet  Arsenal fan?

[RowlattsFox]

Our games against Arsenal are always quite open affairs, certainly recently. They just usually outscore us. They were perfect opposition for us to return to our most successful style of football, they offered no organisation whatsoever and have nothing to play for. For weeks we've struggled against sides who needed a result more than we did (Burnley apart) and we can't break them down. First goal was huge too, far too many times at home we've conceded first and allowed teams to defend deep.

 

Most of the Premier League is defensive and boring away from home and we've struggled with that this second part of the season. We've managed to beat Spurs and Arsenal at home, draw with United and Chelsea. This is not Puel problem, this has been a problem for a while and needs rectifying in the summer.

[MC Prussian]

10 minutes ago, suffolk fox said:

Or is it because the players turned up for once and put in the effort that has been lacking in the previous five games.  A team decimated to ten men deservedly so.  Are you a closet  Arsenal fan?

The effort has been lacking for way longer than that. The last great overall team performance was Chelsea away.

 

Why should I be a closet Arsenal fan? It was an entertaining game to watch, and even though they were down to ten men, at some point after the equalizer I thought the game was about to tip in their favour.

[Beechey]

3 hours 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. 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. 

Could have been respect for Arsene Wenger to be fair, they're really good friends and he possibly didn't fancy dancing around while Wenger's team was falling apart.

 

Or it could have been something else. Who knows.

Edited 10 May 2018 by Beechey

[Guest Electric Yetis]

35 minutes ago, Koke said:

Bournemouth are now the only tean we haven't beaten since our promotion in 13/14. 

Middlesbrough too if you're counting all of the teams we've faced since then in the league.

[ARTY_FOX]

So last night was brilliant. Like watching his first few games here again. Moved the ball well but quicker, always looking to really get at them when we had it rather than a labouring slow build up. 

 

Simpson was excellent but then so was  everybody else. Hamza looks a really good player for the future, had a very good game but as with chilwell he'll hit a rough patch at some point. Need to remember he's learning and not get at him as some do with chilly. 

 

Mahrez was pretty greedy but I think he just wanted a goal at what's probably going to be his last home game because he had a ridiculous phobia of passing the ball at times but lovely goal. Kelechi looked more settled and confident too. Nice finish and his hard work was rewarded. Jakupovic made some lovely saves, so unlucky for the goal for him. 

 

Dunno if anyone's mentioned it but diabetes touch was absolute filth the flashy bastard. Love it. Really wanted him to score but he's so unselfish. 

 

Puel got it spot on. Hopefully he's learnt his lesson and we'll play on the front foot more. If has then all credit to him because it was superb.

 

Only concern for me is we're very reactive rather than pro active in getting the ball back. We waited for them to decide what they wanted to do too much around our area rather than attacking the ball, but then N'didi usually runs all over the place doing that. Over all amazing to a man. 

Edited 10 May 2018 by ARTY_FOX

[Raw Dykes]

6 minutes ago, ARTY_FOX said:

So last night was brilliant. Like watching his first few games here again. Moved the ball well but quicker, always looking to really get at them when we had it rather than a labouring slow build up. 

 

Simpson was excellent but then so was  everybody else. Hamza looks a really good player for the future, had a very good game but as with chilwell he'll hit a rough patch at some point. Need to remember he's learning and not get at him as some do with chilly. 

 

Mahrez was pretty greedy but I think he just wanted a goal at what's probably going to be his last home game because he had a ridiculous phobia of passing the ball at times but lovely goal. Kelechi looked more settled and confident too. Nice Finnish and his hard work was rewarded. Jakupovic made some lovely saves, so unlucky for the goal for him. 

 

Dunno if anyone's mentioned it but diabetes touch was absolute filth the flashy bastard. Love it. Really wanted him to score but he's so unselfish. 

 

Puel got it spot on. Hopefully he's learnt his lesson and we'll play on the front foot more. If has then all credit to him because it was superb.

 

Only concern for me is we're very reactive rather than pro active in getting the ball back. We waited for them to decide what they wanted to do too much around our area rather than attacking the ball, but then N'didi usually runs all over the place doing that. Over all amazing to a man. 

[STUHILL]

I'm also starting to buy into the theory that Puel knows he is gone, and the players let themselves off the leash last night. 

 

I understand some are mocking this theory in terms of when we lose, it's his fault, when we win, it's nothing to do with him - but you have to acknowledge all the facts and rumours and it does start to show a picture of perhaps something having changed in terms of his position. It's a stretch but wouldn't be a shock if there's truth in it. 

 

Puel looked unhappy the whole game and it was such a drastic change from what we have seen over the last couple of months.

 

I'm also not discounting the fact that Arsenal were down to 10 for most the match and played recklessly throughout, given us lots of space and time to break quickly. It was a great game to watch but I do think it flattered us slightly, as we were easily carved open by 10 men time after time and lets not forget this was a team that hasn't won away this year! 

 

I was still impressed with much of what we saw though. I thought Silva and Choudary were very good, and Fuchs showed that he really should have started more games this season. Vardy was sharp again and I think Diabate has a great future here. Iheanacho showed us that we should not give up on him yet either. 

Otherwise the same issues are there. We must replace Wes and Simpson and Mahrez still blows hot and cold but will still be difficult to replace. 

 

I'll be very curious to see what Puel's demeanour is like at Spurs. I assume the same team will play and lets hope we can at least match the intensity we showed last night.

[Raw Dykes]

3 minutes ago, STUHILL said:

I'm also starting to buy into the theory that Puel knows he is gone, and the players let themselves off the leash last night. 

 

I understand some are mocking this theory in terms of when we lose, it's his fault, when we win, it's nothing to do with him - but you have to acknowledge all the facts and rumours and it does start to show a picture of perhaps something having changed in terms of his position. It's a stretch but wouldn't be a shock if there's truth in it. 

 

Puel looked unhappy the whole game and it was such a drastic change from what we have seen over the last couple of months.

  

I'm also not discounting the fact that Arsenal were down to 10 for most the match and played recklessly throughout, given us lots of space and time to break quickly. It was a great game to watch but I do think it flattered us slightly, as we were easily carved open by 10 men time after time and lets not forget this was a team that hasn't won away this year! 

 

I was still impressed with much of what we saw though. I thought Silva and Choudary were very good, and Fuchs showed that he really should have started more games this season. Vardy was sharp again and I think Diabate has a great future here. Iheanacho showed us that we should not give up on him yet either. 

Otherwise the same issues are there. We must replace Wes and Simpson and Mahrez still blows hot and cold but will still be difficult to replace. 

 

I'll be very curious to see what Puel's demeanour is like at Spurs. I assume the same team will play and lets hope we can at least match the intensity we showed last night.

I agree. I'm convinced that everyone at the club is aware that Puel will be leaving at the end of the season. I'll be shocked if he's not.

 

There are too many clues for me to believe otherwise. Any one of them in isolation wouldn't be enough, but all of them together is too strong a case.

 

Exhibit a - The tactics.

Puel claims the tactics weren't changed. I think it was clear to see that we were more direct than we have been. If it was just this, I might believe that Puel had caved and tried a change to finish the season on a high.

 

Exhibit b - The performance.

Clearly much improved. Much more energy and spirit about us. This alone might lead me to believe that it was solely down to playing a team leaving more space for us and playing into our hands.

 

Exhibit c - Puel's post-match comments.

Very odd. Says result easing pressure on him is none of his concern, and praising players for 'ingredients.' On its own, I might put it down to his poor English skills.

 

Exhibit d - Vardy's post-match comments.

Says the players didn't see the point in sideways passing at the back. Alone, I might believe the players had convinced Puel to abandon cautious tactics.

 

Exhibit e - Puel's mood.

Looked fed up the entire match. To be fair, I genuinely can't remember how he reacts to a win or even a goal, but there's no way anyone looking at him would know his team had just scored against or beaten one of the top English sides. On its own, I might just think he's a grumpy sod.

 

Exhibit f - Owners' vote of confidence.

Only mentioned the final few games of this season - nothing about the summer or after. Alone, I might just think nothing of it.

 

Put all this together, and I find it very difficult to believe that Puel will be here long after Sunday's match. I think the owners may well have put Appleton and/or the players themselves in charge of last night's game.

[ARTY_FOX]

35 minutes ago, Raw Dykes said:

Was it you I promised to never make that mistake to again last time I didn't check the auto correct? 

[Gazza3]

Maybe they were told that the new manager was watching so made more effort

[FLAN]

To the comment everyone was brilliant. Just watch their goal again and see who leaves the scorer alone (following ball like a moth to a light). Ends up on his arse (again) as the goal is scored. Not my idea of brilliance and one of a long line of poor decisions this season 

 

[Raw Dykes]

Just now, ARTY_FOX said:

Was it you I promised to never make that mistake to again last time I didn't check the auto correct? 

Possibly. I really can't remember.

[ARTY_FOX]

40 minutes ago, Raw Dykes said:

Possibly. I really can't remember.

If it wasn't then I will really really try to remeber to check what I out when typing on my phone! If it was then BACK OFF!! 

 

P.s best moment of the game has to be when everyone was screaming for kelechi to pass it to Vardy who would have been clean through and he shot from the half way. Must have thought everyone was yelling shoot

Edited 10 May 2018 by ARTY_FOX
Actually forgot to check auto correct in a post about auto correct

[Guest]

What a great match to watch last night. Really entertaining.

 

So much for those fans who said the players weren't capable of playing the way Puel wants them too. They made the effort and we looked great. Isn't it nice to see us attacking and making shots on target?

 

Jakupovic made some excellent saves and couldn't be faulted for their goal. Great game. Why have we played Hamer? 

 

Simpson was our weakest link as always, defensively he gets so narrow that he's out of position and how he didn't get 3 yellow cards is beyond me. At least he didn't attack too much. Thanks for the past Simmo but I really hope not to see you play a minute for us next season

 

Morgan was okay, he isn't one of our best two CBs but he doesn't play badly defensively, what frightens me is when people pass him the ball ----PANIC----- He's a player of an older generation and he should move to a championship team in the summer and prolong his career for 2 or 3 years.

 

Maguire - Majestic, I was frightened for him when he went down early on but he had a great game both defensively and offensively. He really is a great long passer and cool on the ball. England are lucky to have him.

 

Fuchs - He did alright last night. He was out of position a few times defensively and I'm not sure what he was doing for their goal but he did well on the attack and those throws are always great.

 

Choudhury - absolutely monumental. He is going to be a big star in the prem. He's intelligent and has a great motor. her can also ping a pass. My player of the match again last night.

 

Silva - his best game for us so far. some great passing without the bad passes and he mixes it on defence, still a little game slow for the prem but it's coming.

 

Diabaté - got to love his energy and his skill, he has a lot to learn and he's rough around the edges but hopefully will progress over the summer and be that much better next season. hopefully good enough to hold a starting spot.

 

Mahrez - the only other disappointment apart from Simmo. Was more involved than recently but far too selfish and he lost the ball so many times. At last he didn't take one of the Free Kicks and it was a good one by Silva. His goal at the end will fool FTers into saying he had a good game, he didn't and the goal was unimportant. Beautiful bit of skill to wrong foot Cech though.

 

Iheanacho - This is who I thought we were buying. he has talent and a nose for goal. I think he can become a great link with the midfield and Vardy. Possibly the second or third best player on the pitch last night.

 

Vardy - great work, good game, fantastic penalty which handed us the match. Unusually caught offside so many times when it looked like he could have got a hat-trick at least;

 

Dragovic - came on and did what was needed.

 

Gray - earned the penalty and did more in that one attack than Mahrez had done in the match until that point. Still a long way to go though.

 

Barnes - well he got on and ran around a bit. I'd have liked to have seen Thomas but understand why Puel didn't put him on.

[Corky]

That's all we wanted. Some entertainment, some intent and desire to put the opposition under pressure. Yes it was against ten for 75 minutes and not their strongest side but even before the goal and red card we looked streets ahead of previous games.

 

In the wider scheme of things it was a meaningless game and the result (despite finally ending the Arsenal drought) will pale into the background in time but we actually answered the questions not through Twitter or Instragram "apologies" but through actions on the pitch. And the crowd responded.

 

It doesn't make up for the past six home games but it gave us some much-needed enjoyment for 90 minutes. Well done to the team and especially the youngsters in Diabate and Choudhury who were excellent. 

[Blue Ed]

2 hours ago, Raw Dykes said:

I agree. I'm convinced that everyone at the club is aware that Puel will be leaving at the end of the season. I'll be shocked if he's not.

 

There are too many clues for me to believe otherwise. Any one of them in isolation wouldn't be enough, but all of them together is too strong a case.

 

Exhibit a - The tactics.

Puel claims the tactics weren't changed. I think it was clear to see that we were more direct than we have been. If it was just this, I might believe that Puel had caved and tried a change to finish the season on a high.

 

Exhibit b - The performance.

Clearly much improved. Much more energy and spirit about us. This alone might lead me to believe that it was solely down to playing a team leaving more space for us and playing into our hands.

 

Exhibit c - Puel's post-match comments.

Very odd. Says result easing pressure on him is none of his concern, and praising players for 'ingredients.' On its own, I might put it down to his poor English skills.

 

Exhibit d - Vardy's post-match comments.

Says the players didn't see the point in sideways passing at the back. Alone, I might believe the players had convinced Puel to abandon cautious tactics.

 

Exhibit e - Puel's mood.

Looked fed up the entire match. To be fair, I genuinely can't remember how he reacts to a win or even a goal, but there's no way anyone looking at him would know his team had just scored against or beaten one of the top English sides. On its own, I might just think he's a grumpy sod.

 

Exhibit f - Owners' vote of confidence.

Only mentioned the final few games of this season - nothing about the summer or after. Alone, I might just think nothing of it.

 

Put all this together, and I find it very difficult to believe that Puel will be here long after Sunday's match. I think the owners may well have put Appleton and/or the players themselves in charge of last night's game.

Vardy is quoted here which sounds quite different.

 

"We have got to look at ourselves and the way we have been playing, and it hasn't been good enough. He wants us to move the ball quicker and we did that tonight."

 

However I still think he'll be replaced in the summer. Purely for making the double substitution on 90 minutes when 0-0 against Southampton

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

Well, I did say we would beat Arsenal. I just wonder if the result would have been different had they kept eleven on the field.

[Guest Col city fan]

1 hour ago, DANGEROUS TIGER said:

Well, I did say we would beat Arsenal. I just wonder if the result would have been different had they kept eleven on the field.

Good call DT.

Did you dare a little flutter?

[Legend_in_blue]

I still believe the lack of results is more down to the players not putting a shift in rather than the manager making bad calls.

[MC Prussian]

2 minutes ago, Gerbold said:

But still - City were finding space from the off - given their lacksadaisical attitude over the past x months your analysis, although very pertinent, doesn't explain the renewed vigour we saw last night. Mahrez does like grandstanding against the clubs he feels he ought to belong to but his heightened involvement wasn't the only reason the team clicked. Silva was very influential last night and (I've stated it before) Diabatay and Iheanacho do seem to click. Would we leave N'Didi out on Choudhury's performance last night? He was monstrously committed. Maybe City've found a home grown star-in-the-making.

Mahrez, although more active than in previous weeks, was pretty much ineffective up until his goal late into the game.

Can't recall a single shot of his on goal before that. It was usually just too much effort wasted on cutting inside and trying to come up with his usual trickery. By then, the Arsenal back four had gathered.

 

Choudhoury did very well in the second half in particular, but I wonder whether he'll get that much time on the ball in most other PL matches to come. We're not going to play against ten men that often.