Good Evening any Positive fans out there,
I am not man to spend an entire evening crouching behind the sofa so I thought I’d get straight to the post-match review, cauterise the wound with trite expression, lance the boil with the balm of language, suck deep on the f****** lemon of defeat. Please help yourself from the plate above.
A shocker of an afternoon, more so because with the return of Sanchez and of Kosc I rather fancied that as an attacking force we might be more penetrative, and across the back line the Frenchman’s experience would steady us in the face of the expected Liverpool onslaught. A little surprised at Welbz up front alone but I could see the sense of the set up.
As it turned out my expectations were not met, and in reality we very rarely looked as likely to get the white bouncy thing into the oblong post thing. Zero shots or headers on target in 94 minutes sums up the afternoon in that respect. In respect of our defensive attributes the return of Kosc provide no discernible improvement. In fact I thought Laurent played quite well as he has not kicked a ball in anger for eight weeks but his fellow defenders touch at times resembled that a skittish kitten, jabbing at a tempting ball of wool, all nervous and fluffy.
Fair play to Liverpool who in Salah and Sane had two decisive contributors, sure in possession, hungry for the ball and decisive in their finishing. We were rocking on our heels at 1-0 and Sane’s second delivered the blow to decide the afternoon. 4-0 was the correct score. No excuses.
Losing to a team in which Alberto Moreno plays though ………(shudders)
Of our lads I thought Hector put his back into it for 90 minutes. When Le Coq came on I thought we finally had energy in midfield that was missing in the first 45. Nothing Cech could have done more than he did. Laca and Larry ? Too late to save our balloon that had gone ‘pop’ long before half time.
That is it – you saw the rest of our players and you know. Barely recognisable from the crew that hammered Chelsea in the Cup final and as recently as just a fortnight ago stormed back to overcome Leicester. A sombre dressing room. I have no doubt eddy will update us with the words of the (ashen-faced) manager.
I suspect the starting line up against Bournemouth on the 9th September will have a few changes, both of personnel and, more importantly perhaps, of mind-set.E shall be back, stronger, faster, hungrier.
I am off to seek solace in a generally more reliable mistress of earthly pleasure. Enjoy your Sunday evening.
Positively Arsenal 
If you’re off to get laid, I’m envious. If you’re instead referring to booze, I’m many steps ahead of you.
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Sucking ur thumb andy? LOL one of those days…. can’t really understand what happened! cos the goals were almost identical so to concede 4 such were just too many
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Soon be 9th September.
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When asked what went wrong, Wenger replied: “Everything.
“From the first to the last minute. Technically, psychically – we were punished. The performance was not at the requested level. It’s very difficult to answer. It’s not acceptable. We were an easy opponent.
“The result is a consequence of our performance.
“We were not good enough. We were beaten everywhere physically, in the end I believe we made it easier for them, and the mistakes gave them a cushion.
“It was shocking (the goal before half-time) but our performance was absolutely disastrous.
“Not to become too emotional, we have to take some distance, and there are some reasons behind it, and the players now go on their international break.
“But we do have to take the consequences of our performance today.
“If you find a manager who is happy with that performance today, I wish you good luck.
“The emotions are negative, but it’s not the right moment to talk about that.”
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We’re 2-0 down Team, we start the 2nd half a bit more positively, push forward for a corner ………
Five seconds later three Liverpool forward bearing down in Cech’s goal with just two AFC defenders in hot pursuit.
Haul Salah over the take the red?
Not a pleasant sight was it.
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Thanks for your quick “report”.
I only saw the last few minutes so cannot comment about the game, except based upon what I have heard.
So 4 goals conceded to breakaways when we were attacking. It is so familiar as to be ridiculous.
I hope that AW tore into the players, although one might have expected his reaction at half time would result in an improvement, which it seems it did not.
Dare I say that we can only improve, or maybe mot.
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“Everything”
That covers most of it I’d say.
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That’s a first from AW.
It is an indication as to how he will be reacting towards the players.
If he says this in public, the players ears will be ringing.
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I shall repost my comment from previous post.
Haven’t seen the team this short of confidence in years, not even when Bayern trashed at. But I shall remain on the right side of the Arsenal support. What this team is in need of is our love and support.
Time away with their family and friends on international could just be the juice they need to get this season back on track in a fortnight’s time.
I shall chalk this down as a Sunday I hope to never experience again.
PS: really hope there’s no truth to the Mustafi rumours. Eddie comment on last post about him and his family gave me pause for thought. Next few days will be telling.
Thanks for the review Andrew. And hats off to you for getting it out of the way. I for one dont wanna remember this game come Monday
The next 2 weeks will be fun on twitter, so just like Shotta, I shall take a few days off. Twats on there can be depressing.
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Against Bayern Labo we were playing a side full of the best players in Europe – at Anfield today we were turned over, and fully turned over, by the likes of Henderson, Can and Moreno.
Inexplicable.
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seen a close up of oxlade-chamberlain’s play during the second lfc goal, it was disgraceful, so little effort to get back and defend. I’m sure each goal we could show examples of similar on each goal. Mistakes, giveaways, lack of effort, just not doing their job. We can blame the players all we like, but when it happens so often, we have to ask why. Does anyone expect any repercussions for the players, will 4 or 5 or more be dropped for our next game, can’t see it. I do feel a few too many of the starters are too comfortable in the knowledge that they will be selected. I do fear that what we have seen so far in our 3 games this season is a team selection that has an element of appeasement to it with the selection of both Bellerin and Ox.
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And to think that we could have easily led. Given Welbz’s inability to finish perhaps not, but no two ways about it, his shirt was pulled as he was about to shoot. I don’t think Pawson could see it so no major gripe about no penalty.
This looks like a repeat of the dressing room problems that started early this year. If it’s player niggling, I really hope that AW sorts it out a bloody sight quicker this time, if that is the case.He (AW) mentioned there were some problems but really, ffs, players earning that sort of bread, really should be capable of putting in an effort.
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I feel that two or three big money signings are needed in the few days left of the window. We need more quality, we need to change the mood, we need to lift the squad, Wenger has often admitted that sometimes (not only the fans) but the players needs the “reassurance” of a big money signing. Also needed to that there is more reason for those selected to perform. As I said earlier, sometimes it looks like too many know they will be in the starting 11 regardless.
Of course signings are mostly cosmetic, if overall attitude and tactics are not right. I posted a tweet from gunnerprunner earlier, that basically said that there is something wrong with our defending/tactics/setup when losing the ball in attack so easily leads to letting in a goal. when we are not at our best we are too easily opened up, and that does suggest that the balance is not right, the balance of selection, the balance of tactics, the balance of attitude. It’s been happening that long now, that its hard to see it being fixed, cos as they say, if it was easily fixed, surely we would have done it by now.
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well gf60 as I said earlier, ox who is reported to have turned down £180K a week offer from us barely broke sweat as lfc broke down his side to score the second, he was going through the motions, maybe he did not want to upset a likely destination for him.
as for danny’s missed chance, yes there was a shirt grab, but only after Danny started to fall over, something he does an awful lot when about to shoot, I really can’t understand it.
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Karius is a bit of a lunatic – a lucky man today to face up with our dentures lost
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I stand by my initial post match comments:
“4:0! That was brutal. Poor in the 1st half, barely better in the 2nd. Our midfield was simply over-ran in the 1st half and it was barely better in the 2nd. So few chances created, no shots on target. Too many mistakes both in midfield and defence. Too many misplaced passes, errant combinations, so anti-Arsenal. We have got to get that midfield sorted asap. But since a certain player, whose name will not be called, went down injured last October, it has been a nightmare. Obviously that 3-4-2-1 was only covering the cracks. Unlike my blogging colleagues I don’t have the answers.”
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A5: As we have agreed elsewhere, Pawson is really a good ref. He was entirely consistent from the minute he blew the opening whistle. Call them as he saw them. Long may it continue.
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At least I watched that alone!
Well done Andy, good honest write up. There’s trouble down at’mill but it will be sorted…soon
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The board rightfully backed AW. Watching Ox, and Alexis today one cannot disagree with that decision.
It looks to me that Mustafi is gone. AW had to play Holding, with Shkodran on the bench to keep Inter on track.
The Ox looks to have taken his exit cue from Alexis c/o Alex Song to give 15% professionally with the whole world watching. This entitled generation raised on porn, twitter, selfies and lucre are being misled to shamelessly destroy many life-force giving institutions right before our eyes. Words escaped me for 2 hrs but not any more.
Arsenal fc will not be destroyed by these ungrateful weak spirits.
The solution to me is to let the bad apples go.
It is time round sell Alex is, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Shkodran Mustafa, and whoever else wants to make a mockery of Arsenal football club.
Let them go and win whatever it is money wins in this day and age.
Enough is enough.
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Well I’m lost for words. So best to say nothing.
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Although Wenger cautioned:
“But we have to not panic as well, just today was a dramatic performance. I have not seen us for a long time like that.”
It is useful to be reminded that the last time we got so embarrassed oop north in 2011, just prior to the close of the window, Wenger pulled the trigger on the following:
* Andre Santos (Deadline day deal)
* Mikel Arteta (Deadline day deal)
* Per Mertesacker (Deadline day deal)
* Yossi Benayoun (Deadline day deal)
He remarked that the technical level (as well as the physical and mental) was poor. I wouldn’t be surprised if he decided to be as dramatic this year.
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The same set of players have beaten Bayern United City Chelsea Liverpool over the last 3 years in league and cup competitions.
I am sure Wenger and the team will get it right sooner than later.
Remember we had a poor patch last year as well but the players came back to finish the season well and won the final too.
Coyg.
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The only consolation I take from this game is that I don’t see being this poor again- we simply cannot to be this dire.
I will keep positive in true spirit of the blog but we do need a one or two players being shown the door if they don’t want to give 100% on the pitch. Ironic as they always say they want to play but given a chance barely make the effort.
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Yes, I remember how Per and Arteta steadied the ship at the time Shotta.
Still have per of course.
I have no idea what we will do, if anything in the window, but wholesale selling of centre backs, at least without replacement doesn’t seem to sound an idea, to me at least at the moment.
Wenger also hinted, there was something else going on to explain the performance, but didn’t elaborate.
Clearly something that needs fixing and quickly, for all concerned.
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Guess is Wenger either : believes it too big a jump (from our main approach, philosophy, strengths, and competencies) to try out a seriously defensive mode even for periods of games; doesn’t believe we have correct personnel for it; or is determined not to go down that route/ join the club. That, or the players are ignoring clear instructions. Perhaps a mixture.
My guess is that vast majority of teams are, amongst all the other defensive stuff, drilled to try imagine the worst whenever they have the ball in a remotely dangerous position. While for us any instructions of that nature are not near the top of the list of instructions/guidance of how to play. In a similar vein, so much of their work probably converges on not conceding first, and deploying all sorts of strategies and guidelines in line with that.
Makes the possibility of a day like today far more likely than I’d like it to be, but I don’t know the remedy.
It is surely so bold how we try to do it, and I’ve no doubt the game desperately needs those willing to show boldness and not go safety first. Today brutally exposed the risks for us though.
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I really think something needs fixing. this performance was seriously weird! Under performed… no other way of putting it.
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sounds like ox and mustafi could leave by end of the window
Arsene Wenger was understandably deeply unhappy with his side after their 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
The Arsenal manager admitted in his post-match press conference that he did not see that sort of display coming.
This is what he said:
on what went wrong…
Everything. I think from the first to the last minute we were not at the level requested for such a game and not physically, not technically, not mentally were we at the level and we were punished and that’s basically it. You can of course analyse the chances we gave away, but I just think overall that the performance was not at the requested level.
on why the team played like that…
That’s a question that is very difficult to answer straight away after the game and there are some reasons, but I don’t think I have too much to come out on that now.
on him saying the uncertainty over his future affected the team last season…
But last season I said that after 30 games, now we have played three games. We have played one home game and two away games. I believe in our two first games we were quite good, our performances were good, but today the performance was not acceptable at that level.
on whether his team have been so comprehensively outplayed before…
My memory is not big enough, but it’s true that today we were an easy opponent for Liverpool.
on the Ox’s future…
That’s not the kind of question I can answer after a game like that. I think we are focused on the game, what will happen on the transfer market in the next three to four days I don’t know.
on Shkodran Mustafi…
Similar question, similar answer.
Copyright 2017 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source.
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/our-performance-was-not-acceptable-level#5WhMo2fEcPyaGf5h.99
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/our-performance-was-not-acceptable-level#cOkAVG3ZRcdS7iPZ.99
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Sunday’s performance against Liverpool was disappointing for everyone connected with the club – and Arsene Wenger admits to being shocked by the display.
“I’m deeply disappointed because we were not at the level – not physically, nor mentally, nor in the fight,” the manager told Arsenal Player.
“It’s very difficult to find reasons today for such a poor performance. It’s a long time that we haven’t had that and it’s very difficult to explain.
“I think we have to not go into the conclusions from today’s performance that the players are poor. The players are quality but today we had a poor performance. I think these players will come back in a different shape after the international break and hopefully we have not many injuries and then there is still the transfer market that we have to deal with until Thursday.
“But we have to not panic as well, just today was a dramatic performance. I have not seen us for a long time like that.”
Copyright 2017 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to http://www.arsenal.com as the source.
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/im-deeply-disappointed-we-cant-panic#Sh0uUbZUJfLrbwLI.99
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/im-deeply-disappointed-we-cant-panic#BzVEfUi6L7wClH9U.99
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Proud of Ozil for that response… well said… that is the approach cos they are absolutely capable of better performances! That’s just it. They are better than this and can only get better
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i’m short of words
but i hope wenger reconsiders his decision to only play fringe players in europa league. as things stand if we are to be realistic, that might be the easier way to champions league this season. we cant afford to put all our eggs in one basket. we need to be sure we are close to making the champions league through the league before concentrating on the league alone. another thing is that we need to start playing giroud ahead of welbz. we can put all the blame on the defence but if we continue playing a player that will not take chances being created, sooner or later we will concede. we had chances to score even before liverpool so no need to complain. giroud and lacazette guarante goals than welbz. even walcott will give you goals.
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afcstuff @afcstuff 2h2 hours ago
From the 8 PL goals conceded by #afc this season, 6 of them have been within 10 seconds of losing the ball while 5 have been from crosses.
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layksite I don’t know where you got the idea that Wenger has said that the EL is for fringe players only, he said yes the BPL is main objective, but who is included in EL games will depend very much on who we have in the draw and what the injury situation is etc. He also said it depends on how BPL form is too.
anyway after today’s performance, we might be better off with the fringe players and best of the youth in the team, they couldn’t be any poorer that what we seen today.
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Struggling for positives.
When Chelsea lost 0-3 to us last season, it gave Conte a reason to make tactical changes which did them well for the rest of the season.
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We can expect Arsene Wenger to be busy next week with transfers.
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Ed, 9.51, that is shocking.
Not sure it is wengers thing, nor am I sure the main man especially likes big changes, but he really has to do something here for the sake of the team.
If this carries on, there is a vicious crowd in our fanbase just waiting for this kind of thing, Wenger sadly does not have a lot of credit in the bank with many. Unconditional Support from an owner won’t heal a toxic atmosphere that can damage the team
Wenger either needs to sort out issues with defence, giving the ball away, getting caught on breaks, or delegate to someone who can. the consequences of not doing so will not help this team at all, on any front. It will kill fragile confidence.
I know Arsene can do this, the question is, is the great man willing?
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We have a large and highly experienced squad of first team footballers – unless we are ravaged by injuries our Europa League sides will consist of 8-9 senior players at least
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Mandy: I wouldn’t doubt Wenger making/taking strong decisions/actions. Unlike other managers and amateurs he doesn’t panic and make premature moves. He gave 3 at the back a run; keeping Ozil, Sanchez and Chamberlain into final season; not rushing Lacazette and Kolasinac etc. If he finally concludes some of this group are not willing or able, I have no doubt he will make the necessary moves.
This is not a businees for weak-willed, flaky emotionally reactive managers. That is why Wenger has been so successful for so long.
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In the EL I would expect the 7 subs from the previous BPL game to be in contention to start, and then the next 3 or 4 closest to the first team. I would say the one or two youths in and around the first team squad are most likely to be subs at best. Nelson might be able to force his way in as a starter, but other than that, I can only see AMN getting any sort of game time in EL. This notion that we will field the u23’s is madness, its not the intertoto cup, its a route into the CL.
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Wenger on reason for the poor performance “there are some reasons, but I don’t think I have too much to come out on that now.”
Added to him saying he does not know what the next few days of the window will see happen with OX and Mustafi is a worry.
If there is that much doubt over those two players, then for me neither should have been in the squad today.
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Eduardo, I’m sure the manager would expect the players to be professional and play to the best of their ability, given that AFC are currently their employer
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Performances like today’s are down to uncertainties in the camp. I speculate that this is down to the upcoming transfer deadline. We will recover after the international break.
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96 hours of the transfer window left to, likely endure, several players expected to leave, it remains to be seen if we will sign any. the big questions of out goings are Mustafi and Ox, with still some doubt about Alexis. Chambers also has some question marks over his future here.
A busy few days lie ahead, full of media guesses, and wild rumors.
No game for 13 days.
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Winter is here
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sadly passenal it looked like the manager’s expectations were not met.
I fear that the current selecting of both bellerin and ox is an appeasement measure, that for me should not be happening. Make a choice, if its 3 at the back pick the best option at RWB, leave the other player in the subs, if its 4 at the back pick the best RB and leave the other in the subs. Don’t be shoehorning both into the team in case it upsets one of them and they want out. I have seen nothing from either Bellerin or Ox as either left back or left wing back to suggest either are better than Kolasinac or Monreal in those roles.
I just don’t see the purpose it serves other than, if we are going to sell Ox, of putting up his price as we can say to interested clubs, he is in the team so if you want him you pay big.
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ha ha ha, “Man City to offer £70M + Jason Denayer for Alexis”
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Who is he – the Uber bloke ?
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Denayer is a 22 year old Belgium international Centre Back who joined city 4 years ago and has not played a first team game for them, he has been out on season loans with Celtic, Galatasaray and Sunderland.
He made the Belgium squad for the 2016 Euro Championships
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Not the Uber bloke then
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Wenger said to a French channel after the game today on players futures that “there is a lot of uncertainty in the squad”
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