1-1 Away is normally not a bad result. Why so serious?
I apologize to the joker for stealing that quote but it fits in well with this mini review of the match against AZ Alkmaar.
We’ve now played three games and collected 7 points. Most often than not, 9 points usually does the trick with regards to qualification. We have two home games, one against Alkmaar and the other against Liege. We should win those two and go through.
That the goal came in the last minute is frustrating. That it was Alkmaar’s first shot on target is even more frustrating. But had we scored a last minute equalizer we would have been relieved. It is still the same scoreline, so why so much anger?
Yes we looked strangely subdued in Holland. There wasn’t the energy we showed in our last two games against Blackburn and Birmingham. Maybe it was fatigue and/or sooner or later an average performance comes along.
Up until Alkmaar’s equalizer we looked so comfortable in defence it was unreal. You can blame Diaby for his inability to jump quickly and head the ball. But David Mendes’ volley was well struck and deserves credit. Had we scored a goal like that we wouldn’t have pointed out the defending in that much detail.
As an attacking unit we didn’t create many chances. I’m not going to question the substitution of Van Persie. Like I said in my Alkmaar match preview, we have two London derbies, which for me are miles more important than today’s match. And you know derbies at best are unpredictable games.
The problem with subbing Van Persie meant we didn’t have someone worthy to play in his place. Vela came on but struggled to make an impact there and Arshavin was then transferred in the central forward position. But that is neither here or there.
We should have had a penalty but the challenge on Vela wasn’t deemed serious enough. On another day, if that decision is replicated it could and will prove more costly.
1-1 against Alkmaar it finished. Koeman’s run against Wenger continues. But it isn’t the worst thing to happen today. A couple of teams by the names of Liverpool and Barcelona have 4 points and are closer to elimination than qualification as it stands.
Still not feeling better? Well I’ve done what I can. Leave your thoughts on the game and anything else football related.
think you’ve got it spot on.
You are havin a larf mate, if you are excusing yesterdays poor performance. How the f… did we let those mugs get an equaliser when they needed one. It was f….. embrrassing to see a poor passing from the likes of Fabregas and Van Persie scuffing chances after chances.
We were outpassed and occasionally made to look foolish. I’m totally unhappy with Gallas and hope Wenger should replace him coz he is a liability.
fair enough goonerbell. We should have closed it out but it happens..CEsc n RVP didn’t have that many chances dude, in the whole game there weren’t that many.
For a much smaller club I think the story is AZ played well. Wenger and his followers will always say we played better and deserved to win that’s a given, but they were tough on the night at home. What happened to Barca shows what can happen against any determined side though and I think we still come in a bit too soft at times. I don’t think we played poorly though, we’re just a bit soft defensively as a team, and at times it bites us.
I totally agree with you dan!