A guest post for Tim, @foreverheady, a braver man than me.
I changed my seat at half-time. Pleased with the two goal lead I paused the TV, put the children to bed, made a cup of tea and then went back into the sitting room – and sat in a different place. I knew at the time I shouldn’t do it, but I thought it wouldn’t matter: the job was surely done, and I waited to be entertained. The Emirates crowd were of the same opinion I reckon: after Alexis’s wonder free kick the antiphonal chanting began: North Bank, Clock End. We are only those things when strolling to victory, when all worry is gone. When Oxlade opened up his body Thierry like to make it three the players’ celebrations told us that they thought it was over too.
Except nobody had remembered to tell that to the Sporting Gods – or rather, we had all forgotten the essential rule of Tragedy, that pride comes before a fall and the one thing that is guaranteed to irritate Fate is misplaced Hubris. Suddenly the players stopped doing what they had been doing so well, and showboated a bit: not much, to be fair, but enough for Anderlecht to take control of the midfield. Defensive duties were left undone as player after player sought to join the attacking party and feast on the adulation of the crowd. It seemed suddenly as if everyone and everything had forgotten their proper jobs, and as shape was lost so the chaos began. Attackers didn’t track back, midfielders forgot to challenge and mark, full backs and central defenders pushed forward worryingly, hamstrings abandoned their primary purpose, managers sat back when immediate action was needed, linesmen forgot to check for offside, London autumn turned monsoon and still the crowd partied as if it was, if not quite 1999, at least the last time we had bossed lesser European opposition.
Lear-like, Monreal stumbled, and this time the ref saw all too well: the keeper sent effortlessly the wrong way and suddenly, as clear as day, the third goal became inevitable. It is virtually impossible to take your foot off the pedal in sport and then reapply it at will: the mind-set has been changed irrevocably and momentum ceded fatally to your opponent. As far as the players were concerned they didn’t need to do any more: the game had already been won, except of course it hadn’t been and the fat lady was a long way from singing the praises of the greatest team the world had ever seen. And so the crowd’s heroes who were carrying all before them suddenly had feet of clay and became a group of anxious and worried young twenty year olds, all too aware of their own vulnerability. The only thing that surprised me about the game was that it ended in a draw.
And so the recriminations began, and the insults cascaded down on The Arsenal. Useless. Weak. Tactically naïve. Shambolic. Spineless. All the good things that happened in the first 60 minutes washed away by North London rain and the bitter tears of dashed expectations, replaced instead by anger and bile. But if in the Anderlecht away match you had thought that the result didn’t count because it was won in the last minute, and only papered over the cracks of a sub-standard performance, then how do you react to last night’s game? Only a draw, but that doesn’t matter because for large parts of the match the arsenal were very, very good? No, that would be absurd, because a match is a full match and needs to be played for all 90 minutes before the prizes are given out – and woe betide any team who think it is over before it really is. And if you as a spectator thought at any stage last night that you could chill because the game was safe, then to my mind you are as bad as any of the players who relaxed prematurely. And if you did worse than that, and changed your seat, or moved from your positon, or ignored any of those important rituals that the Gods think so important, then you really need to take a long hard look at yourself and realise that like it or not, we are all in this together.
Positively Arsenal 
Oimoi Oimoi feu feu
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Yep I think you just about nailed that Tim
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Nice one Tim but painful, painful watching. Really had assumed we’d sit back and pick them off at will as they committed more and more to the attack. Didn’t quite work that way, did it?
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I love Arsene but I’m afraid not buying back up for Per & Kos knowing Laurent’s acute tendonitis was well…..acute? was a mistake. With our luck & history recently regarding injuries we should have bought adequate cover,I think Nacho has done quite we’ll but he’s not a centre half is he? Anyhow,time to move on & look to the Swansea game,Jack returning will do us the world of good and in Alexis we’ve got best player in the PL.
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Much truth in here, FH. One point though, as AW noted himself, we defended very poorly the entire match. The complacency made it worse and was more baffling since Anderlecht were very dangerous from the start. Perhaps our team thought they would just give up after 3-0?
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Precisely LG – it was a sure thing that the Belgians would give up. Certain.
The odd thing is, if you think back, we actually went four nil up against Galastaray then let the Turks come on to us. Actually after a shocking start to the game they did pretty well and (arguably) could have got two or three goals in the final half an hour rather than the penalty they did get on 61 minutes.
Makes you think doesn’t it, whether last night was quite such a surprise !!
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If you recall Ospina had a great half hour against the Turk – and yet we did not see the light
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Good point Anicoll about Galata. But worse was that Anderlecht had been playing well unlike Galata in the first half. Plus, away we more than had our hands full at their place.
One thing though from last post about the remaining two games which will be interesting certainly. But since topping the group is nearly out of the realms of possibility, we only need a point at most to qualify, making Galata pretty moot unless we lose to Dortmund at home. Previously if we had defeated Anderlecht I would have expected the greater chance of topping the group, even if Dortmund held an advantage, to have made the Galata game quite important. Well, I’ll be watching as I do love the CL nights. I would really love to go to Istanbul, but that is quite an expense, but perhaps I’ll find a Dortmund ticket.
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The nice thing about Jurgen Klopp is you know, you just know, he is going to send his boys out to win at the Ems because he is a long haired hippy.
Should be a corker imo
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Well said, foreverheady,
That is pretty much how I saw it too.
I loved the first half and I loved every other part of the game too, except…… well I will come back to that.
During the period when we were scoring goals and good ones too, I cheered and celebrated and bounced around pondering just how many we would get.
Deep in my subconscious, there was a part of me annoyingly thinking, these guys are very good on the counter and we had better be careful and tighten up — but what the hell, we are winning and – I love it.
Then came a couple of near misses which could easily have made it 4 or 5 nil to us, but still the niggle of these darned break-aways caused mainly by some sloppy passing.
And then – an offside goal for the oppo. Damn, I thought, that has spoiled our clean sheet. Oh well. Onwards.
Then the momentum swung away from us, and only some game clearances by our defense kept them out. This was becoming nail-biting, and incredibly exciting. I loved it.
Suddenly – oh, bum – a second goal given away by Nacho man, simply out of inexperience in an unfamiliar CB position. Yikes, this really made the old monicker thump away – but we have really good subs available to save the day, and we will all laugh with relief after the game. Won’t we? Still loving the cut and thrust.
On and on it went, and my finger nails were down to the knuckle (?) yeah, I know.
Then, the unbelievable happened – it cannot be true – shit, we have let the bastards get an equaizer – what was Mert doing allowing that — still time to get it right, and — then the bloody whistle went.
Going back to my first sentence, in many ways it was a nervy, edge of the seat finish after an enthralling first half, and I loved every minute of it…………except for that last very deflating equaliser……..
— and terrible disappointment aside, it had been a pulsating football match for the discriminating fan. Loved it – except for………..
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And LG you are not allowed to go to Istanbul – no
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Tim it was my fault too, I was late from work and so didnt go in the pub and deceided to forgo my traditional kebab and went to a cafe for a sit down meal. One of my mates had a go at me before the game and then made his dissapointment clear on the train on the way home. I was shocked to be honest I just couldnt see the fightback coming Arteta was signalling to the bench before the first goal I dont know if he had picked up a knock. when flamini came on, the ox seem to be playing more centrally leaving Chambers exposed, and seemed to kkep going over to the right. The whole side looked disjointed.
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Like all Gooners, especially those that actually go to games, u don’t choose ur club….but however u view the performance, u cannot, should not ignore our shortcomings.
I drove over 500 miles to see my boys and was very disappointed with the. Vs Anderlecht. It isn’t good enough to recognise our shortcomings AFTER a game….FFS we aren’t newly promoted rookies !!! Sort it out Arsenal
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An eloquent piece there Foreverheady, just about sums yesterday up for me.
Strangely enough, however baffled I may be with our performance my ManShitty neighbour, who must be on his way home from Eastlands as I write, must be just as baffled……
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Excellent post FH
“I love Arsene but I’m afraid not buying back up for Per & Kos knowing Laurent’s acute tendonitis was well…..acute? was a mistake. With our luck & history recently regarding injuries we should have bought adequate cover,I think Nacho has done quite we’ll but he’s not a centre half is he?”
I’m not sure I agree Mel – isn’t that why Chambers was bought? He is mostly filling in at RB at the moment because of the loss of Debuchy, but primarily he is in the squad to develop as a CB. As someone pointed out the other day, we are not going to get a top quality CB to sit on the bench – ask Vermaelen. It’s either going to be a veteran or an up and coming youngster.
I was pleasanty surprised by the murmuring in the crowd after the match. There was surprisingly little ‘everyone is shit, get rid of them all (including Doris the tea lady)!’ People seemed quite philosophical, although understandably disappointed. One or two were suggesting that if Arsene didn’t buy a defender in January… But no one seemed to acknowledge that we have 2 more than adequate defenders out of action at the moment. So what happens when they are available again? You can’t always buy your way out of difficulties as there are squad limits. Sometimes you have to suck it up and make the best use of the resources available to you. Defending is not just down to the defenders. If the whole team did their job properly as they mostly did last season, then last night might not have happened.
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I would just like to express my profound admiration for Anastastios Siridopoulos
His spotting of the dive by Aguerro was not far short of miraculous – yellow card – bang bang
Extraordinary
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Trust Passenal to excel at good common sense yet again….
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Now, the topic of this post was complacency was it not? How prescient of FH.
I’m just waiting for the media blow out against City and Pellegrini.
For a start, what were city’s tactics?
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A5
It looks the correct decision, after several viewings.
The two sendings off were correct too, just a shame Nasri didn’t join them.
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Yesterday,
Our midfielders stopped mid fielding after the captain in went off.
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DC, whatever way you look at it our team were disappointing in the end last night. I hope they have learned their lesson and we do not have to witness such a collapse again. I’m not sure that I will be able to be as philosophical about it next time! I might have to do my best ‘doomer’ impression and start spouting about all the players we need to buy and how crap all the current players are! Never mind about the rubbish manager, physios and tea lady!
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So after the back to back CL round us and Chelsea gathered in four points, against sides we both probably expected a maximum return from. Citeh managed the one point and were humiliated last night, no other word. Only Liverpool performed in line with expectations.
There is a message there for the PL.
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As much as I am enjoying City’s CL futility, Anicoll is right that the PL is suffering a bit–won’t be funny for us if only three qualify in the future. Between that and the new group seeding system, it could be a very different prospect. I hope no one is taking the whole CL for granted. I hear so many Arsenal supporters saying they are uninterested in the competition and so on. That’s part of some’s philosophical attitude–if it were in the league that we drew from 3-0 up there would be less resignation and more frothing at the mouth. Admittedly we have fallen into an unfortunate pattern of going out in the round of 16, but I love the European nights and always think that we could go on a good run .
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Anicoll, well it would be quite the away adventure! I speak some Turkish and have some family in Istanbul, so I think I’d be alright!
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Nice one Tim. On the money.
Like Pass, I do think Chambers is more than adequate CB cover.
Ditto Nacho who despite the slip has looked even more comfy at CB than LB.
To me, 3 things let the game drift:
Arteta going off injured
Ox & Welbeck’s concurrent loss of energy
AW’s substitution delay.
With Ramsey not yet up to speed, Arteta was the glue that kept things tight. Once he limped off, we were exposed.
Ox should have been replaced by Theo to keep their LB honest.
Acheampong immediately upped the ante once Arteta started struggling.
Podolski had no business in that game. Sanchez, though tired, was still on the pitch. TR for Welbeck + Walcott for Ox @ 70+mins should have seen us weather the storm methinks.
I’d probably had played Campbell instead of TR if he was on the bench for his ball retention ,d shielding capabilities.
Oddly enough the result didn’t depress me as it did most.
The quality of our early play was too uplifting to be erased by the draw.
AW’s propensity for letting his chosen youth learn from their mistakes, hovever torturous for fans, seems to be an unalterable pattern that I have learnt to live with.
Fighting & pressing spirit-Alexis has added another dimension to the team but even. Pep’s Barca had a hard time keeping it up for C0 mins.
We did not lose
We should still qualify.
The team is gelling.
The spirit is good in the camp.
Theo, Oz, Giroud, Kos, Campbell, TR & Rambo have not added their flavouring to the potpourri that sees us in 4th after 10 PL games.
The glass is clearly half full.
So much more to come.
I truly love this team
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The moment I got really anxious on Tuesday was immediately after our third goal. When the players gathered to congratulate Oxlade, Aaron Ramsey took an age to join the throng. Fair enough, as he was a long way from the action at the time – but, and this was clearly visible on the Sky coverage I saw, he looked absolutely terrible. Could hardly raise a smile, and his face was pained and etched with effort. He looked far from well, and at that moment I would have taken him off immediately as something was surely wrong. I am worried about him to be honest for he just doesn’t look as happy as he used to be.
I think Andy Nic is right: second place in the League is ours for the taking if we play properly and perhaps at times more pragmatically. And it is, of course, entirely possible that should we meet someone like Bayern in the Last 16 of the CL, that the likes of Ozil, Wilshere, Koscielny, Giroud, Debuchy and Walcott might think that they can add quite significantly to all that young Alexis has to offer. Just imagine what would happen if a side like City or Chelsea had to play a serious match with six front-line players missing. They might even lose or just scrape a draw against lesser CL opposition if they had been so disadvantaged for weeks on end.
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No ‘heady. Not possible. Any blog warrior will tell you how easy it is to win routinely in the CL. You just need Pellegrini as manager. . . . or Maureen. . . . or Rogers.
One random thought occurs to me. I haven’t looked at the stats, but there don’t seem to have been many minutes during matches this season when we have been comfortably ahead. (Not too many when we were ahead at all.) Perhaps this experience – in a match whose outcome probably won’t affect the placings – will prove timely and salutary.
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Rambo didn’t look so great after the knee in the back, losing Arteta was a double blow in the game. On top of that he’s had a virus, same as Wilshere.
Hopefully Ramsey, Welbeck and Chambo who both hobbled off will be good for the trip to Wales.
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Passenal,Chambers our back up centre half who Arsene himself has said is as a DM? He’s playing at right back while Nacho is forced to play in a position he himself said he’s never played before,sorry,but Arsene got this one wrong and if you asked him privately himself,I bet he’d admit it. I also don’t buy the argument about players not wanting to come to be Per & Kos’ back up,there are plenty that would like to come to Arsenal and challenge them for their place,I know this is Positively Arsenal and we back the manager but saying we’re not short at the back in numbers especially at Centre Half? It is alright to question the manager,he makes mistakes,we all do,Christ knows-I have.
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FH, can you elaborate further on your interesting but puzzling observations on Ramsey? Do you think he doesn’t feel fully fit and is suffering from coming back rather quickly? Are you thinking he doesn’t look happy with himself, with the team? He certainly looks like he is trying to capture his goal- scoring form of the first half of last season rather than getting back to basics and letting the rest develop naturally as he comes into form. Generally, the one thing you cannot fault him on is his effort and attitude. But it sounds like you think something is going on there, so I’d like to know more about what you are concerned about and if you can clarify further these impressions.
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Limey
Sorry to report but I heard some brave and gallant podcastateers banging the “one man team” drum on Sunday. (IBSF) we’ve seen it before. Hilariously these same ginormous football brains probably groaned at Van Stapleton’s* “glass ankles” for ages. You couldn’t make it up, except they do.
*Rumours of a bid by Fener for the grey skunk? Heh
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Limey
Ramsey had a knee in the back.
Niggle plus virus = no mystery
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Chambers does me fine as third choice, think he’s been amazing at CB, not that I can really comment. But you could also argue that after a WC that you need four in the squad. Which means I agree with everyone above. Sorry.
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And I also like what I’ve seen from Hayden.
Against Southampton I felt he had the steadier game, Chambers was understandably a little more nervous against his old team but both played well and weren’t at fault for the goals scored by the impressive Saints, Pelle etc.
I wouldn’t have a problem seeing the two start together again but obviously you do need a little bit of experience in there! Which reminds me of how well Debuchy had settled in.
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Good info Fins–perhaps that what FH was alluding too. I feel very protective of Rambo. I really hope he can get back into form and don’t want him to push too hard to get in the goals–that is a natural part of his game that will return when the rest of his game rounds back into form: the interceptions, tackles, pass completion, key passes, dribbles, and assists. He was a leader in all these things-the goals were eye-catching but not what made his half season so fantastic.
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As far as the podcasters on the one man thing–we heard the same as you allude during the little Dutch boy’s scoring explosion. But by and large I don’t think we are seen as a one man team but perhaps as an underperforming one right now. I think the return of Walcott will put to bed the scoring question. He looks strong and lively. I think he might score v. MU.
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I thought Chambers was bought as a backup RB when Jenks was sent on loan with the idea that he might develop into a defensive midfielder. He played centrally in pre-season in defense as we were thoroughly short and did pretty well. I think it is a lot to ask of a 19 yr old to be playing at least two different positions, one of which he never played before and requires experience and good decisions/judgment more than most. The other option of Monreal as 3rd or 4th CB is also a stretch–Sagna was more versatile as a fullback and was a good 4th option, but at least Monreal is backup LB to Gibvs and doesn’t weaken us there when he moves in. However, Gibbs does get injured very frequently, so it really makes sense with your starting CB suffering persistent tendinitis in both Achilles to have another CB to count on before turning to players like Chambers and Monreal. If squad numbers is the issue, a player like Diaby can be dropped from the squad until his fitness is really established at the U21 squad or a player like Miquel could have been kept–under 21 at the start of the season and doesn’t count against the squad limit and has played first team football with Arsenal. I think AW was looking for a genuine replacement for TV and for whatever reason gambled on us being alright at least to January but then Debuchy went down. Not all our defensive woes are down to a dearth of experienced CB’s, however. Even with Kos playing we haven’t been as good, though his Achilles might have hampered his performances. I think we miss Sagna’s experience, leadership and familiarity with our play. Debuchy fit in well but some continuity has been disrupted and we haven’t been as organized as a team and solid in midfield. Rambo has been underpar, Wilshere just coming back, Arteta slowing down and now injured, Flamini declining a bit too, and TR is not quite the same either. We really needed an injection of dynamism, energy and physical strength in there, I think. Hopefully the players and coaches will adjust and find some collective solutions–we can certainly defend better as a group with those already here–and then some reinforcement will be possible in January. If our British Core can play up to their potential now, we should do well through the festive season with reasonable fixtures and be set up for a strong second half with injury returnees and hopefully some quality additions. Mel may have a point but with two months ahead, this AW and the players will have to find internal answers. Hopefully quickly. I do think the MU match is very important for this group and its confidence this season. A victory is really quite important.
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LSG, it’s his all round game at CB that blew me away with Chambers. Brilliant in some key early games, Besiktas etc. he impressed me much more there then at RB where he’s been a little bit more inconsistent, as you’d expect from a normal teenager. Maybe we’d have seen that if he’d stayed at CB, but he’s looked very very good there.
I wouldn’t mind Bellerin playing – he’s even more raw and green then Chambo (Chambo had 22 apps last year I think), but, well, he is quick!
One recovery against the slippery Southampton No.10 was an outrageous bit of defending after finding himself slightly out of position. Young defenders may make errors but they can recover too!
Rather see both of them play football then the 23 year old thirty mill third party mule Mangala.
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I am pleased to hear that LG – it would not do for your first away game to be your last.
Aaron seems to me to be suffering from a classic case of disruption. After a long break for injury last season he gets back in April, really gets up to speed by the Cup Final then wallop – the season is over.
Being Welsh he has no World Cup so trains with the club. He has a full pre season but a few games into the new campaign again he is injured, another few weeks break and the cycle begins again.
The most important thing imo is that he plays regularly, avoids any self inflicted injury and gets his confidence and his full fitness back.
Sometimes being patient is difficult
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“A braver man than me.” No truer words have been said. I didn’t see the match as a combination of very bad weather (rain fade on my dbs system) and an internet outage conspired to prevent usual viewing options. But I was following on twitter while busy at work. To be frank at 2:0 I hought we home and hosed. Trying to avoid the over ebullience on twitter I made it back when I thought the game was over. WTF, a 3-all draw. The bitter bile of twitter was not something I was willing to endure. Not seeing the game, I felt it best to keep schtum, my dissappointment so raw and overpowering. Today I decided to raise my head above the parapet. Thanks Tim for putting all this in perspective.
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Fernandinho earned the rare distinction of two yellows after coming on as a half time substitute. Fernando is no Mascherano. Are City D**Med?
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Mel, we’ll have to agree to disagree. I have many questions for Arsene, but this isn’t one of them. Yes, he suggested Chambers could be a DM, but it’s interesting that he has never played him there. It’s possible that he has changed his mind and is developing the player as a CB. Thomas Vermaelen was certainly not prepared to compete with the first choice pairing, so I’m not sure that finding a top CB who would is that easy. Also, how do we know that he didn’t try and fail to secure a target in the summer? There were rumours about different players and I think even AW suggested that he was looking for someone who could cover both CB and DM.
Andrew @ 7.01 am – good point about the PL. Some countries help their teams to compete in the CL with considerate scheduling of their domestic games. Here, the primacy of the PL over rides all other considerations and they don’t seem to mind risking the success of British teams in European competitions.
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Looking at the CBs bought this Summer by various clubs, all over the place, has Chambers had some of the most impressive performances in the position of any of these signings? Of any age? The Besiktas games etc.? Biggest error he made at CB was when he dived in at Everton, in my expert opinion! Not bad at all.
We all thought initially he might develop into a CM, but then Le Gaffer made those early comments on the rarity of CBs with his skillset. Mascherano is still playing CB for his club even though we all saw he can still play in CM. So, there seems to be a shortage out there of this type of player at the top top level.
Can we look at Chambers as potentially AW’s English Thuram? Hold onto your vomit bags, a non-annoying Gazprom fan described Chambo Mk II as a right footed Terry who can run (not slow!). Thuram played both RB and CB, though I’m not sure at what age he started to play CB. We do know that AW was conscious of playing Thuram at a young age, because he said so in some comments I once read!
The game has changed. Top clubs need CBs who can play. Martinez went in and has got the Everton CBs pinging the ball around (has cost them one or two goals).
The question for me at Arsenal at CB has been- will Chambers take the BFGs starting berth off him this season or next? Could be the wrong question. Even a stupid question. But it’s kept me entertained. I think Chambers has played more then Bellerin for the reasons given above and I believe that the plan with Jenkinson is to recall him next year and to send out Bellerin on loan next season, with both then having the experience to take over from the senior and impressive Debuchy when required.
Slight tangent but we could see AW return for a cheeky bid on Debuchy’s old teammate Cabaye if the gas guzzlers will let him go (no Webster ruling is possible after he only moved in Jan.). Who knows. How the Groaners can ignore the impact of the petro-clubs on the game, I don’t know (please refer to the mule Managla and the dearth of good CBs).
Swansea Away will be another good game of football between two good teams that like to play good football. The CB Bartley hasn’t been able to earn a starting berth since his move but he should be on the bench for the Swans. He’s a decent player and like all youngish players he just needs the opportunity to play.
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Chamberlain seems to be getting over the disruption caused by his first big injury trial, going to the World Cup when not fit etc. He said himself he wasn’t fully fit at the start of the season, took a few weeks but he looks in the he groove now. I hope he’s ok and good to go again on Sunday.
Poor lad looked so disappointed walking off on Wednesday. Jaw dropping brilliant skill at times. You need a bib to watch this kind of football. And his development has got to be encouraging for Arsenal fans. Look at the response from Chamberlain to playing alongside Sanchez, fantastic. Walcott will be the same, because they’ll both adore Sanchez’s style of play (whereas Zelalam and the younger AMs have been watching videos of Özil before he was even signed). If they can all stay fit, touch wood, fingers crossed, we’re in for a treat.
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Fins, I certainly agree with your impressions of Chambers so far–he really looks a player with physical presence, talent and skill and a great fearless attitude. The youthful judgment that has led to some quick yellows and the expected inconsistency are the only questions I have about relying so much on him–especially as Kos’ condition seemed known this summer. I’m delighted Chambers has come in. I also think Bellerin has been really terrific overall and hope he gets more time in some of our home fixtures against the Burnley types who might not be able to target his side like a top6-7 side might be able to do.
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Passenal,your right,we’ll have to agree to disagree,we might get away with it if there are no more injuries,I saw Bouldy warming up on Saturday..:)
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Think those cards have more to do with his shirt then his rookie status. Check out the Arsenal foul to cards ratio in the PL – they are disturbing numbers Limey! Twenty two appearances as an even more green rookie for the Saints last year, not one yellow. Just a little smelly. It is, what it is.
If Kos has tendon trouble then you don’t want any old Manolas as cover. With Chambers coming in, preferably a leftie? Jeremy Wilson said there was a late bid for a CB this summer. Fortunately it wasn’t for Mangala haha! We’ll see what happens there.
I have high hopes for Hayden too. And he’s happy to play in CM. Played well on his debut there for the first team against West Brom, who had a recent midfield. But obviously he’s a rookie too.
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Theo back in the England squad after 10 minutes action. Chambers, Gibbs, Wilshere, Oxlade-chamberlain and Welbeck also in the squad.
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Fins, I was about to write almost the exact post–sans your inimitable style!–on the Ox and how that goal was a real Sanchez style pure determination and pacy skillful strike behind. I do think Ox has picked up a little to his approach recently playing with Sanchez. I had been thinking that he hadn’t quite progressed as much as we might have wanted early this season, for the reasons you point to. But the last couple starts–Theo coming back certainly focuses the mind?–he’s shown more clearly what he can bring to our attack besides being an impact sub. I don’t think Theo will get an automatic start v. Swansea with this sort of form the Ox is in. And I think that’s great that Theo be brought back in more slowly to make sure he is recovering and gaining match fitness and sharpness without a lot of pressure this month.
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Arsenal are 5 points behind Manure in UEFA’s club co-efficients – since they can’t garner anymore points this year, I’d dearly love to overtake them and become a top 8 seeded club, shame if it might count for bugger all next season in Europe.
It also vexes me that the spuds get the same points for the UEFA cup games – despite only playing against part-time hairdressers and bricklayers.
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