Would've been a more enjoyable match if both sides had tried to win, instead of just maintaining the status quo.
New FUTBOL thread since the pinned one is broken...
- Thread starter LesClaypool
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Yup, and Chelsea wonders why they have the reputation of fading at the end, and City has won their recent 2 titles at the end.
Chelsea was home and should have gone all out for the 3 points, even without Costa and Fabregas. City is very beatable on the road, Chelsea should have circled this game and played down the League Cup, especially after losing Costa and Fabregas. Top teams use the League Cup for top players coming back from injury and top 2nd team players, as well as the youngsters. I know they lost in the FA Cup, but the League Cup has very little value for CL caliber teams.
As a fan, I actually admire Chelsea's greed in winning trophies...I just hope it doesn't cost them in the pursuit of the biggest two by the end of the season
I understand that point, but Chelsea lost Costa and Cesc (and Felipe Luis) in the League Cup. I don't think Dave (Cesar Azpilicueta) would've started if Luis was available. He looked really leggy out there. Coming back from his groin injury he probably wasn't ready to go 90 yet, but hopefully will be by next weekend. Remy looked gassed when he was subbed on as well. This might be a strange comment, but I think Chelsea missed Yaya. Had he played City would've had more positives going forward, but there also would've been more room in the middle of the park as he doesn't track back as well as he used to (even last year). Perhaps we could've found a bit more room to run at the D in our counter attacks. With both Fernando and Fernandinho clogging the middle and Navas absolutely eviscerating Dave on the left (which forced Hazard to come deeper to help on D) we couldn't find any room to actually run an counters or even string together a few passes to set up an Offensive move. Biggest positive of the day (IMO) was Zouma showing the stage isn't too big for him. I think he stays in the first team at this point. Similar to how Varane took over for Pep under Mourinho while at Real (I love the "Pep's got a problem and his name is Varane" quote).
Another problem was with impending transfers (Schurrle and Salah) it really weakened the availability of players to choose from.
Just saw elsewhere, that for the last I believe it was 7 or 8 campaigns, whoever has been the league leaders at this point has won the title. The closest being 2012 when City was in 1st only on GD.
Being out of the FA Cup will help Chelsea a bit in the later months as that's one less competition to play for -> it helps this month as we get byes prior to each leg of the UCL against PSG.
While Chelsea still has more games (1 more) against "big" clubs the rest of the way compared to City, we also have most at The Bridge (only Arsenal away against Sky 7, and still have Liverpool, Everton, the Saints and United at Home).
And now it looks like The Arsenal suddenly have an embarrassment of riches up top. Wenger may have stumbled onto a really tight team, although it's certainly too little, too late. With today's result, and the North London derby coming up next week, Gunner supporters have something to get fired up about.
Did anyone else see where some Division 2 side who have an equally atrocious scoreless streak going has challenged Villa to a friendly to see who is really worse? Obviously, the Villains have no interest. Watching today, I really felt sorry for Guzman.
Did anyone else see where some Division 2 side who have an equally atrocious scoreless streak going has challenged Villa to a friendly to see who is really worse? Obviously, the Villains have no interest. Watching today, I really felt sorry for Guzman.
Yeah it was bittersweet seeing Guzan get his doors blown off today.
Ozil's flick on the opening goal was beautiful.
Coquelin and Bellerin w/another great showing. Very excited about those two.
Cazorla in the form of his life.
Need the Swans to take 3 puts off of Southampton who just won't go away!
Ozil's flick on the opening goal was beautiful.
Coquelin and Bellerin w/another great showing. Very excited about those two.
Cazorla in the form of his life.
Need the Swans to take 3 puts off of Southampton who just won't go away!
It was definitely a great showing today by the Arsenal. I was hopeful of a win since Villa has not scored in forever, but they typically have shown well defensively.
I am curious to see how Wenger handles the squad when Alexis is healthy. Does Walcott sit or does Ozil sit? How about when Wilshere comes back from injury in a couple months. These of course are good problems to have.
I'm looking forward to the trip next weekend to Shite Hart Lane to face the Spuds.
I am curious to see how Wenger handles the squad when Alexis is healthy. Does Walcott sit or does Ozil sit? How about when Wilshere comes back from injury in a couple months. These of course are good problems to have.
I'm looking forward to the trip next weekend to Shite Hart Lane to face the Spuds.
Swans did it!
Goons are still in 5th on goal differential, but Southampton's only got us by one goal in that column after the 5-0 win today!
Cmon You Gunners!!!
Goons are still in 5th on goal differential, but Southampton's only got us by one goal in that column after the 5-0 win today!
Cmon You Gunners!!!
I'd sell Wilshere while something can be had for him. He's not a number 10 and the Mid Field has been strong without him. Alexi raises the level of Arsenals urgency when he's on the pitch. Alexi, Santi . . . These are guys that are constantly in motion and will chase opponents down in defense. I wish Ozil showed more urgency . . . he's such a talent.
Ozil's lack of tracking back infuriates me. His offensive talent can't be denied, but he's such a huge liability on defense, I'm not so sure he's not a net loss to Arsenal when he's on the pitch against a good team.
I agree on most of your points. Wilshere definitely is not a 10 but for some reason Wenger wants to play him like one. The England National team is sitting him deeper almost like a DM. Wilshere even spoke to Wenger about playing a similar role with Arsenal and he was denied. A lot of people probably won't agree, but I would rather sell Ramsey than Wilshere
Ozil seems to be in a world of his own when on the pitch. His offensive prowess is unmatched by most, but he is almost invisible when it comes to defense. At times he tracks back, but it seems he does it just to look like he is helping out. I think that is one of the main reasons Podolski didn't play (he did the same thing), yet Wenger continues to play Ozil out on a wing. Maybe it is because they have so much money invested in Ozil.
I have mixed emotions about Ozil. I believe he's a true number 10. In some respects he could technically be the best player on the pitch. But his hustle on defense and general unwillingness to play defense is a liability for Arsenal. I'm hoping Alexi's non-stopness on the pitch will motivate Ozil.
Agree with all your points accept Ramsey. It seems to me that instead of moving Wilshere back to a holding position, Wenger has done that to Ramsey. How can Wenger do that to one of last seasons highest scorers? Maybe its because Ramsey has the pace to cover the whole field and Jack doesn't. Wenger baffles me sometimes. And if Wenger were to leave (he won't) I want Klopp. Dortmund is awful this season, but I think Klopp is the real deal.
Yup agreed Ozil refuses to play two ways at Madrid but he also struggled in the center of the park to see the whole field, maybe also work rate issue(3 straight teams have said he's not in great shape). IMHO not a 10 at all more a talented one way winger who's a better fit for German system, then again he's surrounded by world cup champs there. He was also a miserable finisher and his 6-7 goals a season the last several years prove that. I don't miss him at Madrid even if he was exciting at times. I still get nightmares of him cutting across the box and missing the frame entirely from 10 yards out over and over and over. He's just not self motivated to improve and will probably wear on arsenal by another season.
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Bama, what are your thoughts on Oxlade-Chamberlain? He seems to be played all over the place...left wing, right wing, deep next to the DM. I'm not sure Wenger knows where he wants to play him, or where the best place to play him is. Personally I like having him on the pitch when he is healthy because of his speed. I just don't know where he fits at this point. Maybe he is the deeper playing midfielder as opposed to Ramsey & Wilshere.
With everyone fit, Ozil shouldn't see the pitch, IMO.
I'd have sold him in January to the highest bidder and taken the loss on him. I'm just not a fan. Im especially not a fan of his in big games. That's where he REALLY goes silent.
Having him here at his exorbitant cost will force AW's hand to play him though, which is bad for the team. Everyone else sees the pitch b/c of their form and their effort. Ozil gets starts b/c he cost £42.5 mil.
If he can't learn to track back (Santi has...he used to be a one-way player too), he can't play. He hurts the team too much, again, especially in big games. Being MOTM against an Aston Villa side that hasn't scored in SIX matches doesn't matter to me.
With everyone fit, I prefer Oxlade-Chamberlain to Ozil any day, w/Theo coming on at 60 minutes to blaze teams w/his pace.
4-2-3-1
Right now...
Ospina
Bellerin-Mertesacker-Koscielny-Gibbs
Coquelin-Ramsey
Ox-Santi-Alexis
Giroud.
Most games, I'd like to see Theo on for Ox at 60, and Rosicky for Santi, at 70-75. To me, that's the ideal game plan going into every match.
When Wilshere's fit, he and Ozil should be practicing harder than anyone else on the team to see the pitch. They aren't automatic to play at all, IMO. The others are (until someone's form dips).
Whoever made the comment about AW loaning out Podolski b/c he plays like Ozil (one-way) is totally right too. No one played harder on offense (except for Alexis), but simultaneously put in less effort on defense (except Ozil), than Lukasz Podolski.
I'd have sold him in January to the highest bidder and taken the loss on him. I'm just not a fan. Im especially not a fan of his in big games. That's where he REALLY goes silent.
Having him here at his exorbitant cost will force AW's hand to play him though, which is bad for the team. Everyone else sees the pitch b/c of their form and their effort. Ozil gets starts b/c he cost £42.5 mil.
If he can't learn to track back (Santi has...he used to be a one-way player too), he can't play. He hurts the team too much, again, especially in big games. Being MOTM against an Aston Villa side that hasn't scored in SIX matches doesn't matter to me.
With everyone fit, I prefer Oxlade-Chamberlain to Ozil any day, w/Theo coming on at 60 minutes to blaze teams w/his pace.
4-2-3-1
Right now...
Ospina
Bellerin-Mertesacker-Koscielny-Gibbs
Coquelin-Ramsey
Ox-Santi-Alexis
Giroud.
Most games, I'd like to see Theo on for Ox at 60, and Rosicky for Santi, at 70-75. To me, that's the ideal game plan going into every match.
When Wilshere's fit, he and Ozil should be practicing harder than anyone else on the team to see the pitch. They aren't automatic to play at all, IMO. The others are (until someone's form dips).
Whoever made the comment about AW loaning out Podolski b/c he plays like Ozil (one-way) is totally right too. No one played harder on offense (except for Alexis), but simultaneously put in less effort on defense (except Ozil), than Lukasz Podolski.
I love Ox! He is proof, that Wengers inexpensive, young finds, given enough time and experience on the pitch, are actually good players. The problem, you gotta get these guys a lot of time on the pitch. Three years ago, Ox looked like shite. Well, maybe not shite. However, in the BPL, there is very little time to learn on the job.
With that said, I like Ox in an attacking role. You said it . . . SPEED . . . and I think he thrives with Alexi on the pitch. Alexi's tempo is suited for fast attacks and even faster counters. Ox AND Theos speed are perfect for that.
Just my opinion
Les, I have felt that way about Ozil from time to time. But I'm of the opinion that its taking him time to adjust to the pace and grueling schedule of the BPL. I DO think he's a number 10 in the spirit that a 10 is your playmaker, not necessarily a scorer. Cesc didn't score as much as he made assists. I'm not ready to give up on Ozil. But he must get his head in the game.
He's fine, as a backup to Giroud, but when fit, I can't see him getting too many starts.
I also thought £16 mil was a bit much to pay for a guy who scores roughly once every 4 games, but he's young and theoretically could still come good over time, I suppose.
James Rodriguez broke his foot. He wasn't having a great first season but was improving, madrid lots of injuries heading into Madrid darby.
Ancelotti named that 16 year old from Norway Odegaard to champions league roster.
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Ancelotti named that 16 year old from Norway Odegaard to champions league roster.
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Well, that's that for The Arsenal for this season. More of the look for a stretch, then collapse ineptly in a big game.
I hate losing to those Peckerheads.
I hate losing to those Peckerheads.
Goons got outplayed from the get go. Tottenham deserved all 3 points and then some.
Very disappointed.
Very disappointed.
Spuds played very well, maybe their best match ever. Wenger can't put Welbeck and Giroud up top in the same lineup if Alexi isn't there. Girould plays little defense and Welback doesn't track back like Alexi does. Arsenal were trying to play like they dd against Man City, but not getting pressure on Spurs. Spurs were never on there their heels.
Arsenal tried to duplicate their performance against City. However, Sp*rs took away the wings and wouldn't let Arsenal counter the same way. Then Wenger put a winger (Walcott) on the pitch with the hopes of opening up the outside, but it backfired...Walcott had 6 total touches after he entered the game. Instead they should have tried to pressure more and counter down the middle.
In addition, Ramsey didn't have a good game. His passing was lacking (I believe he only completed 70% of his passes, he committed too many turnovers (especially in his own half), and he had the defensive lapse which gave Kane the chance at the first goal.
Overall, Sp*rs had a good gameplan knowing Arsenal wanted to duplicate the City performance, and as usual Wenger didn't adjust. If Alexis played I believe the game would have been different, but he wasn't available.
In addition, Ramsey didn't have a good game. His passing was lacking (I believe he only completed 70% of his passes, he committed too many turnovers (especially in his own half), and he had the defensive lapse which gave Kane the chance at the first goal.
Overall, Sp*rs had a good gameplan knowing Arsenal wanted to duplicate the City performance, and as usual Wenger didn't adjust. If Alexis played I believe the game would have been different, but he wasn't available.
Nice win for the USMNT against Panama today. Very chippy game; Panama is really a dirty, dirty team.
Dempsey is sure to get a fine for his actions.
Dempsey is sure to get a fine for his actions.
Hate it for Rambo. When he's on form, he's dynamic. Bring on the Ox. And give Akpom some time. He looks good.
Not surprised that WB won, as there have been a ton of upsets this year, but with a lot of heavyweights already out, West Ham had a great chance to get to Wembley and losing 4-0 is a surprise.
Second tier Blackburn smoked Stoke, 4-1.
Reading beat Derby in a battle of Championship teams, 2-1.
Crystal Palace hosts Liverpool in about half an hour, Go Eagles!!!!!
Second tier Blackburn smoked Stoke, 4-1.
Reading beat Derby in a battle of Championship teams, 2-1.
Crystal Palace hosts Liverpool in about half an hour, Go Eagles!!!!!
I think there's a limit how many times a team can be on. Must be. Every dog gets its day.
The Arsenal with a simple and easy dismissal of Boro 2-0, and the Fighting Minnows of Bradford continue to be a pain in the arse to everyone they play in the FA Cup. YOu gotta love it.
Do yourself a favor and Google "Luis Suarez bicycle kick Levante." If I post a link it will just be dead by the time you click on it because I'm sure La Liga will take it down. But absolutely look it up. It was a thing of beauty.
It WASN'T a bicycle kick, per se, but that's what all of the links are calling it. Was more of a volley/scissor kick But whatever you want to call it it was effing incredible! I saw it live and about jumped out of my seat.
And oh yeah, Messi had ANOTHER hat trick - the 23rd of his career. TWENTY-THIRD! (Ronaldo also has that many.) Ridiculous.
It WASN'T a bicycle kick, per se, but that's what all of the links are calling it. Was more of a volley/scissor kick But whatever you want to call it it was effing incredible! I saw it live and about jumped out of my seat.
And oh yeah, Messi had ANOTHER hat trick - the 23rd of his career. TWENTY-THIRD! (Ronaldo also has that many.) Ridiculous.
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