Evening everyone.
Even a full day after the game I still cannot comprehend the result. Arsenal was clearly the better team yesterday and the fact that Tottenham fans celebrated a point like a win tells you a lot in itself. However, we went down the all-too-familiar road of not getting the most of our chances and hence the draw, which feels more like a loss. Let's start at the beginning, though.
The squad
All our senior defenders returned, while Chambers (understandably) kept his place for his first-ever North London derby. The Englishman did brilliantly, in my opinion, and could have scored an absolute screamer of a goal, but his shot went wide with Lloris stranded. Calum has, unfortunately, picked up a fourth yellow, but I quite liked it: Chambers committed a cynical foul in order to stop a dangerous attack, being fully aware just what exactly he was doing. Love this guy.
In midfield only Wilshere kept his place, with Ramsey alongside Jack, Arteta just behind.
This meant shunting Ozil to the left flank, but it was barely noticeable during the game. The German was constantly interchanging positions with Wilshere and so it was nigh on impossible to tell who played where.
The other flank was occupied by Oxlade and I've seen calls for Wenger's head for not starting Sanchez there. Not because the Ox was bad, far from it, but just because you shouldn't keep your second-best buy on the bench in a game of such importance. Personally, I don't find fault with this decision: Alexis completed 90 minutes in midweek and it was visible when the Chilean made his entrance on the hour. He wasn't as sharp or as quick, to my mind. Welbeck spearheaded the attack.
The first half
We dominated it, yet failed to turn this dominance into actual goals. There were a couple of shots from outside the box by Wilshere, Ramsey and Oxlade, but all were saved by Lloris. And only Chamberlain's effort (and his deflected cross) presented genuine threat.
Spurs, meanwhile, were happy to sit back and try their luck on the counter and had, in my view, succeeded. Adebayor (with this laughable haircut of his) failed to shoot when clean through, Chadli's weak effort rolled wide when he should have done better and Mertesacker nearly put the ball into his own net from a corner. Mercifully, Szcsesny was on full alert.
The real downside of the half, however, were our injured players (yes, in plural!) First, Arteta pulled his calf. Then Ramsey did likewise with his hamstring. In-between Wilshere received a knock on the ankle after a brilliant run. Mercifully, the Englishman stayed on. The other two were not so lucky, as a consequence Flamini and Cazorla were introduced to the proceedings.
The second half
We started it brightly with Ozil playing more centrally and Cazorla on the left. This allowed for more chances to be fashioned and the German himself nearly opened the scoring, but his shot was saved by Lloris.
Just as we were starting to really look on top, we conceded. Flamini classlessly gave the ball away near our box, Eriksen passed to Lamela and the cheaty Italian sent Chadli through. The Belgian slotted the ball away and celebrated by making this "I can't hear you" gesture aimed at the Arsenal fan sector. For which he was booked by Oliver. The first time I've seen a player being booked for such a thing, but, as it happened to Sp*rs player, I find it hilarious.
The scores should have been level seconds after, but Mertesacker's headed effort was cleared by Lloris. Goal-line technology showed there was no goal, but, as it didn't (and I suspect, for a reason) show the moment which caused the backlash, I'm not inclined to believe it. For me it looked a clear goal, for referees, unfortunately, it did not.
We carried on attacking, spurred on by Sanchez's introduction and almost scored the equalise through a wonderful effort from Chambers. Two minutes after that we finally scored.r
Cazorla's blocked shot fell to Welbeck, the Englishman swung his leg at thin air, but the Ox was on hand to smash the ball into the roof of the net. We huffed and puffed to try and score that winner, but it never came.
The aftermath
There are lessons to be learnt from that draw. Firstly, Flamini should never again be handed such an important role in the game of that magnitude. He's just not up to scratch. Simple as that. Play him, when the result doesn't matter, or if we are already miles ahead. In other instances play Arteta, Ramsey, Chambers, Diaby or whoever else at this position. Just not Flamini.
Secondly, we need to do something abouth these constant injures. Having Debuchy and Giroud out for the long term is bad enough. Monreal's and Walcott's absences are bearable to an extent, though it's not very good. Add Arteta, Ramsey and Wilshere to that list and we look screwed.
I do realise both injures to our Frenchmen are bad luck. Nothing you could to prevent a twist in the ankle or an unfortunate landing. Everyone else (bar, Wilshere, probably) is down with muscle problems. Monreal? Back. Ramsey? Hamstring. Arteta? Calf. Sanogo? Another hamstring problem.
How Arteta and Ramsey could have got injured is beyond me. Both had a week rest, both are not the smallest players on the team. Only incorrect preparation comes to mind. They are not being trained right, hence the injures.
Out of these two + Wilshere, only Jack stands a chance to play against Chelsea. All three are out of our midweek clash and that leaves us walking a tight line. These knocks sadden me infinitely more than the draw against Tottenham.
Don't know, what else to say. Guess I'll just call it a day and go to sleep. Things to do, people to see.
Back in a couple of days with the usual preview. Maybe earlier, if something of note happens.
Until then
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)
Even a full day after the game I still cannot comprehend the result. Arsenal was clearly the better team yesterday and the fact that Tottenham fans celebrated a point like a win tells you a lot in itself. However, we went down the all-too-familiar road of not getting the most of our chances and hence the draw, which feels more like a loss. Let's start at the beginning, though.
The squad
All our senior defenders returned, while Chambers (understandably) kept his place for his first-ever North London derby. The Englishman did brilliantly, in my opinion, and could have scored an absolute screamer of a goal, but his shot went wide with Lloris stranded. Calum has, unfortunately, picked up a fourth yellow, but I quite liked it: Chambers committed a cynical foul in order to stop a dangerous attack, being fully aware just what exactly he was doing. Love this guy.
In midfield only Wilshere kept his place, with Ramsey alongside Jack, Arteta just behind.
This meant shunting Ozil to the left flank, but it was barely noticeable during the game. The German was constantly interchanging positions with Wilshere and so it was nigh on impossible to tell who played where.
The other flank was occupied by Oxlade and I've seen calls for Wenger's head for not starting Sanchez there. Not because the Ox was bad, far from it, but just because you shouldn't keep your second-best buy on the bench in a game of such importance. Personally, I don't find fault with this decision: Alexis completed 90 minutes in midweek and it was visible when the Chilean made his entrance on the hour. He wasn't as sharp or as quick, to my mind. Welbeck spearheaded the attack.
The first half
We dominated it, yet failed to turn this dominance into actual goals. There were a couple of shots from outside the box by Wilshere, Ramsey and Oxlade, but all were saved by Lloris. And only Chamberlain's effort (and his deflected cross) presented genuine threat.
Spurs, meanwhile, were happy to sit back and try their luck on the counter and had, in my view, succeeded. Adebayor (with this laughable haircut of his) failed to shoot when clean through, Chadli's weak effort rolled wide when he should have done better and Mertesacker nearly put the ball into his own net from a corner. Mercifully, Szcsesny was on full alert.
The real downside of the half, however, were our injured players (yes, in plural!) First, Arteta pulled his calf. Then Ramsey did likewise with his hamstring. In-between Wilshere received a knock on the ankle after a brilliant run. Mercifully, the Englishman stayed on. The other two were not so lucky, as a consequence Flamini and Cazorla were introduced to the proceedings.
The second half
We started it brightly with Ozil playing more centrally and Cazorla on the left. This allowed for more chances to be fashioned and the German himself nearly opened the scoring, but his shot was saved by Lloris.
Just as we were starting to really look on top, we conceded. Flamini classlessly gave the ball away near our box, Eriksen passed to Lamela and the cheaty Italian sent Chadli through. The Belgian slotted the ball away and celebrated by making this "I can't hear you" gesture aimed at the Arsenal fan sector. For which he was booked by Oliver. The first time I've seen a player being booked for such a thing, but, as it happened to Sp*rs player, I find it hilarious.
The scores should have been level seconds after, but Mertesacker's headed effort was cleared by Lloris. Goal-line technology showed there was no goal, but, as it didn't (and I suspect, for a reason) show the moment which caused the backlash, I'm not inclined to believe it. For me it looked a clear goal, for referees, unfortunately, it did not.
We carried on attacking, spurred on by Sanchez's introduction and almost scored the equalise through a wonderful effort from Chambers. Two minutes after that we finally scored.r
Cazorla's blocked shot fell to Welbeck, the Englishman swung his leg at thin air, but the Ox was on hand to smash the ball into the roof of the net. We huffed and puffed to try and score that winner, but it never came.
The aftermath
There are lessons to be learnt from that draw. Firstly, Flamini should never again be handed such an important role in the game of that magnitude. He's just not up to scratch. Simple as that. Play him, when the result doesn't matter, or if we are already miles ahead. In other instances play Arteta, Ramsey, Chambers, Diaby or whoever else at this position. Just not Flamini.
Secondly, we need to do something abouth these constant injures. Having Debuchy and Giroud out for the long term is bad enough. Monreal's and Walcott's absences are bearable to an extent, though it's not very good. Add Arteta, Ramsey and Wilshere to that list and we look screwed.
I do realise both injures to our Frenchmen are bad luck. Nothing you could to prevent a twist in the ankle or an unfortunate landing. Everyone else (bar, Wilshere, probably) is down with muscle problems. Monreal? Back. Ramsey? Hamstring. Arteta? Calf. Sanogo? Another hamstring problem.
How Arteta and Ramsey could have got injured is beyond me. Both had a week rest, both are not the smallest players on the team. Only incorrect preparation comes to mind. They are not being trained right, hence the injures.
Out of these two + Wilshere, only Jack stands a chance to play against Chelsea. All three are out of our midweek clash and that leaves us walking a tight line. These knocks sadden me infinitely more than the draw against Tottenham.
Don't know, what else to say. Guess I'll just call it a day and go to sleep. Things to do, people to see.
Back in a couple of days with the usual preview. Maybe earlier, if something of note happens.
Until then
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)