Good afternoon Positives,
I shall make it brief and, I hope, to the point. I admit the positives of the game today, though not impossible to find, are a little thin.
Let me however get the brutal bit out of the way.
We played today as a team lacking or short in probably two essential elements.
First, we lacked confidence that when we have the ball and we are in the final third of the field, with the white painted oblong things in sight, we are actually able to ‘do’ something with the football. We look so hesitant in our approach play as we move towards the opposition box we don’t seem to believe we will score.
I do not blame individual players and as individuals we have very good players. Jack for example for long periods was very effective in controlling midfield and winning us the ball. It is a collective failure to transform possession, and often good field position, into serious scoring efforts and to test the keeper. Begovic had bugger all to do today, and even that he messed up with Hector’s shot.
To what extent that loss of collective purpose is a consequence of missing ” star” players, through injury in Mesut and Santi’s case and by reason of the transfer shenanigans in the case of Alexis I shall let others decide.
Giroud’s absence is a gap that probably few Arsenal fans, me included, thought would be so significant. We have only young Eddie on the bench to change our attacking options, and that ain’t enough. Even so the players out there today should have coped far better with the Bournemouth challenge.
Second, the quality of our passing from open play and from the occasional dead ball we gained today was poor. Pass after pass went astray. I saw maybe one incisive, accurate ball ( for Hector’s goal). Add that to our tentative, nervy approach play and where the next goal is coming from I do not know.
And well done the Cherries. A deserved result in which what you had, as a team, you used better than what we had.
Right that is the sack cloth and ashes done.
Luckily, probably very luckily, our next two games are at home. Our record in front of the Emirates faithful remains impressive. Let us put our travel woes behind us.
Of our players today Jack, as I said above, I thought played well. He looks fit, and more important he looks as though his brain is back up to full PL speed. Subject to his physical condition remaining intact I think we can expect him to have a Summer in Russia. Another good effort from AMN. Very good going forward and the only AFC player to open up the home defence on his own, before clipping the bar. He was a little off it in defence first half but more solid in the second.
Off you go then – this is not Anfield.
Positively Arsenal 
Hear, hear sir, that’s pretty much it!
I suspect that the transfer window unsettles the Arsenal camp more than most comparable clubs. We have attracted world class players like Sanchez and Özil who then are tempted by big bucks and playing in teams with world class players in every position. It’s a hunch. I expect we will improve a bit, stabilise after the blood letting of his transfer window.
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And as I sit down and switch on the Ox rattles in the opener on Merseyside from 25 yards
I fucking give up
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had this on the other thread
wenger’s after game comments
On the result
Overall it was a tough game for us.
We were 1-0 up and then we made two very surprising mistakes. They weren’t forced errors, just lack of decision making.
We come out of the game and think how did we lose.
We looked a bit lacklustre in the final third. Not sharp enough to create chances.
Very frustrating, very disappointing outcome.
Wenger on Lacazette lacking confidence
It’s inevitable. When you don’t score, you get like that.
On a lack of team spirit
I’m not concerned about the spirit. I’m concerned when it matters we are not dangerous enough.
On Sanchez
If Sanchez goes, we need to replace him. When you look today we missed many players today. If he goes, we have to respond.
More on Sanchez
At the moment we try to use players who are completely focused on the club.
On Sanchez leaving
It could happen today, tomorrow or not at all. I didn’t want to travel with him and then he goes somewhere.
More on Sanchez
It will be decided in the next 48 hours. It was difficult for him because he was on standby a little bit.
On Ozil
Wenger asked if Ozil was left out as well because he is leaving.
No, he is injured.
On signing Malcom as a replacement for Sanchez
There’s nothing concrete there. It’s better that I don’t come out on any specific name.
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I think Arsene has picked up the main points ! Good man.
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i am still confident we will be good once our injured players are back. Though need to have Santi back to get us control the midfield better.
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what a goal by sane! how many times was welbeck in similar position today?
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Good hit by Sane – predictable he would lash it – he knew Karius was shite
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Arsène said that his contract situation had a negative impact on the team last season, and I suspect the same can apply to those of Özil and Alexis, and even Jack and Aaron to an extend.
So much uncertainty can’t be good thing as even we have no idea what our team will look like next season, esp with every pundit and ex Arsenal pros advising star players not to join the Gunners. All these stifle our performances.
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An admirable attempt to pick out some positives from that game, Anicoll, and all credit to you.
I was stunned by the inanity of our team performance with, as you pointed out, the inability of our players to kick the ball to a team-mate 5 metres away, or for the goal keeper not to kick the ball into touch or to the B/mouth players.
AW said their two goals were surprising, and not based on their pressure, which is true, and that makes it all the harder to bear. Their first goal was the result of 4 of our defence being sucked over to the wing to defend against a solitary B/mouth player, leaving a one on one when the ball was crossed into our area, where the remaining defender and the keeper made an embarrassing horlicks of it.
You saw the build up to their winning goal and frankly “schoolboy” and “error” sums that up – not what is expected from professional players.
There is no pleasure or point scoring in saying that, even though it has happened on a number of other occasions in the earlier part of the season — no, it has left me gutted, and upset and frankly bemused that we have fallen into such a trough, and with our two, or three, best players looking likely to leave, I can see no major upsurge in our performances in the near future.
I am aware that others will cast that game, and the inevitable transfer activity, in a more favourable light, but no lifelong fan can be happy tonight.
Watching the ‘Pool v Citeh game it is magic — the sheer class displayed by players from both teams, with ‘Pool beginning to look absolutely tremendous, with a goal from the Ox, and now an assist for Firmino from him — entertaining and played like a superior chess match — just like we used to play.
Sorry — but I am hurting.
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The suggestion that Sanchez and Ozil could keep up their standards of play goes against history.
We have seen it many times that a player’s game suffers when there is a contract negotiation.
The prime example was kanu.
Sanchez has been poor until now and Ozil patchy.
The only recent exception is Jack as he is playing for a contract as he seems to really want to stay.
This is a confidence game and, for the moment our team’s confidence is on a downward spiral
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looks like we are going 8pts off 4th with lfc 3-1 up v city
but on a brighter note, it looks like the media dream of someone else, anyone else, going a bpl season unbeaten has lasted 23 games.
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I mentioned it here on PA during the game, but once again the sight of Bellerin just jogging back towards our half or our area when AFCB were on attack really annoyed the fuck out of me, it really is unacceptable, what ever the reason, he really looks like he could not be arsed. that bust a gut attitude was sadly missing from so many today, and in so many of our poorer displays this season,
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Now 4-1 Men against boys at the moment
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lfc 4-1 city
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i’m really dont understand why we have to wait till alexis is sold before we can replace him especially if he is not being used because he would be sold. the only justifiable reason is if the calibre of his replacement will depend on how much we get from his sale. and if that is the case, then i fear where to get the money to replace him if he leaves for free in the summer.
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ed
palace cud have ended city unbeaten run had they converted from the spot.
Good for Arsenal being the only unbeaten team in the PL for a full season.
coyg.
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invincible isnt a child’s play
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Andy Nic is spot on. We looked very tentative in the final-3rd and our defending for both goals was simply not good enough.
I know it is fashionable to say Arsenal is in crisis but form is temporary, class is permanent. Big players heading for a big payoff elsewhere is nothing new. We will rebuild and come back strong as ever. I am not panicked in the least.
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Sanchez unsettling City before he’s arrived at their training ground!
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always a bright side to every ugly situation.
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Arsenal WomenVerified account @ArsenalWFC
….that’s the final whistle! WE’RE GOING TO THE FINAL!
Full-time: Reading Women 2-3 Arsenal Women
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The gloves are OFF
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fins I doubt alexis will go to city, all the noise is that utd have offered him more, and so that is where he is going. Maybe city losing will see them up their offer now.
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what does that mean anicol
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If alexis had been in a city shirt he’d be doing his nut now and chucking his gloves on the Anfield turf
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4-2 – the comeback is on
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st etienne have made a move for Debuchy
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4-3
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Well I enjoyed that – in a neutral sort of way
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reports that Malcom is in Paris this evening sorting out work visa/permits for move to England
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Very poor. we really do not respond well to setbacks, and unlike others, dont do dogged defence, unless its Chelsea .
There are mitigating circumstances, injuries, squad balance, players leaving, a bad run of form, maybe even other things going on we do not know about
but i suspect this will not be a great week for Arsenal supporters. not least one of our best players going to play for a manager who is extremely disrespectful of our own.
It would appear the club and manager have work to do, city are one thing, but we should not be falling behind some who are currently above us. Lets make this a blip, not a decline, away from the cup, we have not been great this season or last
still, on a positive note, happy invincibles day
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The AAAs were so much against Giroud but i wud say he bring goals to the team before Alexis was the main man.
Definitely Giroud is better than Laca imho. Atleast the French national coach knows better.
Giroud has scored so many winners for us over the yearz and i hope he continue doing so.
We need to play him in first team for sure now.
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some manchester based journos saying AFC and MU have discussed 4 utd players as possible part of alexis deal. Seems AFC want Martial, but utd willing to part with one of Mkhitaryan, Herrera or Smalling.
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Arsenal have picked up just 13 points after 12 Premier League away games (W3 D4 L5) – their worst record at this stage of a season since 2005-06 (12 points from 12 games). (via @OptaJoe)
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the can give us the trio and take alexis and his two dogs.
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now we are being linked with a move for Aubameyang
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When your confidence is low you have to do the basics right. 0-1 up away from home in the second half means you drop deep play on the break and work to keep a clean sheet or a second on the break.
Playing such a high line and not going with players off the ball are just so basic errors and when I was a CB if the keeper didn’t let me deal with the ball and then didn’t make it I would off been livid with him.
I always thought February was a bad month for us but so far this January has been pretty bad so far.
Of course two home wins and a couple of new players and things will be looking a lot brighter
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This team and manager have become the gift that keeps on giving to the critics sadly.
Too many of these type of performances this year, surely they can change things up a bit without going as far as changing the manager?
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In the past I have seen us play worse than this and still walk away easy winners particularly when Van Pursestrings and his pal Alex Song were together. It was apparent they both decided which teams were there for the taking. A dead-eye goal scorer can cover up a lot of sins.
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wenger on any incomings…
We cannot let the players go and not strengthen our squad. We have seen that today. It’s important that first of all, we get the players who are injured back and as well that we get some more offensive power in.
on if that could be soon…
It’s difficult always to say if it’s soon or not, but it has to be done.
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/latest-alexis-and-transfers#D4fDIW5TvbcWKjyU.99
Read more at https://www.arsenal.com/news/latest-alexis-and-transfers#VGcS1WmGQPeaw2TG.99
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Anyone who thinks they can bury us, the Arsenal AND Arsene Wenger has another thing coming.
The next few days (could be all 16) will validate these words.
AW gambled on Alexis till the very end and lost.
The Ozil gamble could be the next “greatest” gamble he’s ever made.
My faith remains strongly behind our gaffer.
Till the “very end”.
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Aman: He has to gamble. Good players do not grow on trees. They are scarce and very expensive.
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We have lost at Watford Stoke and Bournemouth this season , that really is not good, on any level, an honest and non leading question but wtf has gone wrong? Injuries? Refs? Other teams having more money? Depth of squad? Wantaway players? Confidence? Coaching? Manager? Stan ? Vic Ackers?
Something cyclical? Transition? Something behind the scenes?
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“#Arsenal in #crisis.” #Wengerout. It never fails and we never learn. I remember when we were 10th in the league in February 2011, wracked by injuries. Everyone wrote us off including the same tweeters now weeping and wailing.
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Wenger, yesterday and again today totally supported Alexis, when we know most other managers in the top 6 would have thrown him to the lions. Wenger always supports his players, even after so many of them have let him down.
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Ozil and Ramsey are quite important it would seem?
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Why am I so irrationally pleased that ManC have not succeeded in buying an invincible season?
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well Wenger made it clear today that if/when we lose Alexis we have to buy in quality for our attack, he basically said that today’s performance showed we need it, and although Ozil is to come back in, Alexis is quality, and if quality leaves, you have to replace it with quality.
It seems we might know tomorrow or Tuesday the outcome of the Alexis transfer saga. the sooner the better, then we can get in a replacement and go from there.
For me its simple, any player who no longer wants to play for AFC, should be sold if we get suitable offer, and I don’t care who the bid is from, even spurs,
I see we are being linked with any 2 from Malcolm, Aubameyang, Lemar and Mkhitaryan. I do find it odd that Mahrez and Draxler are not targets, but then maybe they are.
It seems too from AW’s words, that we want a CB too, we’ve been strongly linked with Evans, and now Smalling, for me both fine defenders, but not sure if they are more talented defenders that what we have, although they both have the experience Chambers and Holding are lacking, and if either signs I would welcome them.
I really don’t know what to make of all the transfer stuff this window, Wenger is not shutting down the idea that we could sell 3 or 4 players and buy as many too. Which is very unlike us and him. but maybe needs must, after all, it might be what we need to persuade Ozil, Jack, Ramsey to sign the contracts we are offering them.
But can we really see Arsenal doing something like this over the next couple of weeks
alexis, coquelin, theo, debuchy all sold
aubameyang, evans, malcolm, mavrapanos all bought
ozil, jack and rambo all signed to new deals.
and if we did, would it give the squad the feel good factor.
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merlot, the ones I feel sorry for, are the media, they had really banked in this greatest team and manager ever seen, finally ridding them of Arsenal’s unbeaten season.
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