AuthorRachael Warham Rachael is back with an article on her beloved Arsenal and to say she wasnt impressed with Friday night performance is an understatement. Take is away Rachael: If there was a match that sums up the Premier League, this action-packed, end to end, exhilarating affair was it.
It ended 4-3 at the Emirates with Arsenal emerging victorious despite twice going behind. The Gunners had taken an early second minute lead but were pinned back by Okazaki and then a Vardy strike gave the away side the lead. Just on half-time Welbeck got the equaliser but rather than take the initiative, it was The Foxes who went ahead in the 56th minute through Vardy. However, it was all in vain as late on Ramsey and then Giroud made it 4-3. If Arsenal were wanting to fire a warning out to the Premier League that they mean business this season, then this performance wasn’t it, nor would it strike fear into their league counterparts. In fact, worryingly for gunners fans everywhere, their team were up to their usual tricks – as in forgetting that a game of football requires a some level of defending and going on all out attack – they looked like the same old Arsenal. Theo Walcott’s announcement on how much work the side had been putting into shape may have left you wondering what exactly these sessions involved, as anything tactical flew out of the window as soon as the referee started the match. Luckily for Arsenal, Leicester’s defence was equally as shambolic and guilty of evading their defensive responsibilities, which ultimately gave the Londoners the upper hand. The North London side’s injury problems were clear for all to see, particularly as Monreal was being used as a centre back for the evening. The Spaniard is barely a decent left-back so to use him in the centre was a desperately baffling act by Wenger and one that was never going to create a solid backline. Olivier Giroud’s winning goal showed just how important he is to the squad and rather than let him depart to another premier league rival, Arsenal need to keep hold of him - his influence and importance to the side is on a par with that of Sanchez. And so, it was the case that this looks like it could be more of the same again for The Gunners; with the incessant injury woes; the everlasting insistence on not adding to the squad where it is needs strengthening ; and Wenger continually making bewildering team selections, how could you be left to think anything different? It was, in short, a shambolic display and although it’s too early to stick the knife in, if this is a taste of things to come then Arsenal are in for a bumpy ride. |
AuthorsJust Some Fans Writing About Football. Archives
June 2018
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