I have to disagree! I thought we played well, they were better but they are better than everyone not named psg at the moment which sickens me to say! But we are not far off! And I actually thought fofana did very well today
You are a realist and it’s not being negative pointing out the blatantly obvious weaknesses. The midfield particularly. I thought the officiating was as usual inconsistent. The players are their own worst enemies as they continually fall over and feign injury without being hardly touched. I’m sick of it. Arsenal are much further along in their process but we could have got a draw. There were certainly positives but we will lose a lot of games because we are so open in midfield and defence. Neto is not a wing back and why send on Gusto in midfield and not Barco who’s a midfielder.
The difference in the match to me is year 8 vs. match 4 and one window. We competed well and gave them trouble in what will be our hardest fixture of the season and did so without 2 starters in Caicedo and Palestra. It is clear we have a way to go in organization at the back and patterns of play going forward. The squad also isn’t complete yet and will take more than one window, brining Gusto on as a CM sub is the clearest example of this. I think today we learned we have enough to get to where we need to go this season which is top 4. Overall disappointed, but encouraged by where this team can get to this season.
Agree about referring and general level of the team, but I don't actually think we're 'that' far off.
Lavia is garbage and I'm baffled by what people on this site/chat are saying about what we're watching. Never in a position to cover defenders, terrible at tackling, doesn't win headers and then offers nothing going forward a complete passenger at best.
Hato is better with the game in front of him at LCB, he's too easily bullied at wingback having to turn and defender far out wide, and doesn't offer much going forward at the top level.
I really don't get what people are watching with Fofana. He made a couple of mistakes today with a bad touch or so, but other than that he was really good.
Other than that I think we need to actually get the wingback system working because it's somehow not covering the defence reliably and attack only comes down one flank.
So probably 2 midfielders and a LWB for the first XI then depth across the pitch is what's needed.
Not exactly a question of being optimistic or pessimistic. But to analyse a game as such. A great game. Really beautiful. On this team I don't find devastating flaws but interesting prospects. You can see that it's a different and more modern football. What should I tell you, I don't agree with your analysis.
Disagree with a lot of this Si, sorry! Thought Lavia played well and we lost control or ability to get on the ball when he went off, that wasn’t really our problem. Is Moises better then him yes, but he is better then most midfielders in the world. Also thought the front line were ok, not great but it’s not easy against Arsenal but thought they still were all involved to a point, all had chances….
Reading the self-adulating bullshit coming from the SD’s at the end of the window was sickening. They further weakened our midfield while simultaneously strengthening United and City. Enzo was always leaving so they simply HAD to drop the bag for Scott or Wharton to replace him. To not even get another body in is unforgivable and unfortunately I think that decision has dramatically reduced the ceiling of our season. But in Xabi we trust!
Sorry but I am afraid I disagree Si. We weren't good enough? This was Alonso's first real test and he passed it with flying colours. We were very unlucky not to get a draw and we were certainly not outclassed. We made two mistakes; one because of Martinez not seeing the ball initially and was moving one way already before being beaten at his near post and the second a Fofana mistake allowing himself to be sold a dummy and letting it run for Arsenal to take the lead. Otherwise though we competed strongly against arguably the best side in Europe right now. I don't know what you expected? Superlatives? We have a long way to go before we are the finished article and yet we competed very well today. Sorry, not today Si, have to disagree. Also I agree with one prediction, we are more than capable of competing for top 4 this season at least.
You're more than welcome to disagree mate. But we weren't good enough, absolutely not. Our defence and midfield is not going to compete as it is. Sorry, but it won't. Everyone is always welcome to their views. I've given my views in this article, so I wont keep repeating them, nor will I change them :)
I am entitled to disagree because I believe you expect too much at this stage of the season and that is bearing in mind we had no Caicedo and an error prone Fofana. Otherwise Arsenal didn't embarrass us. They had moments of control but were never blowing us away this time and we could have had 2 or 3. I am not here to change your views. I am here to disagree and give mine :)
I know you’re not entitled to agree with me, nobody ever is. And I believe many people have been getting far too carried away with the Alonso effect. We have a LONG way to go and a lot of work to do. So we will leave it there mate and agree to disagree 👍🏼
It's because it's early days that is the reason why I think it's ridiculous to expect too much. You yourself said it's too early to get carried away and I agree. But outclassed? No. But we'll leave it there and agree to disagree as you said!
Gabriel should have been red carded but thats VAR issue rather than the referee per se. Chelsea list this because our midfield two were not up to the task of playing fast added to JP repeatedly refusing to test his pace against the wingers and fullbacks. I agree Forfana is mentally slow to see the picture around him and therefore reacts late. Like you I was shocked by the midfield substitutes choice but perhaps the natural choices are carrying “quiet” injuries. Good test for Chelsea.
My aim has always been top four and maybe a cup. Next season we should really be pushing on. No reason we can’t do that I really like how we’ve looked in recent weeks if we could tighten up at the back we will have a good season.
I’m not saying the PL are corrupt. When I say it’s a fact that there is corruption in this game, I truly mean it, that’s not my opinion, that’s me knowing it happens. I can prove it but I don’t fancy expensive legal battles. I’ll leave it at that. But this is not my opinion mate, I KNOW it happens.
I have to disagree! I thought we played well, they were better but they are better than everyone not named psg at the moment which sickens me to say! But we are not far off! And I actually thought fofana did very well today
You are a realist and it’s not being negative pointing out the blatantly obvious weaknesses. The midfield particularly. I thought the officiating was as usual inconsistent. The players are their own worst enemies as they continually fall over and feign injury without being hardly touched. I’m sick of it. Arsenal are much further along in their process but we could have got a draw. There were certainly positives but we will lose a lot of games because we are so open in midfield and defence. Neto is not a wing back and why send on Gusto in midfield and not Barco who’s a midfielder.
The difference in the match to me is year 8 vs. match 4 and one window. We competed well and gave them trouble in what will be our hardest fixture of the season and did so without 2 starters in Caicedo and Palestra. It is clear we have a way to go in organization at the back and patterns of play going forward. The squad also isn’t complete yet and will take more than one window, brining Gusto on as a CM sub is the clearest example of this. I think today we learned we have enough to get to where we need to go this season which is top 4. Overall disappointed, but encouraged by where this team can get to this season.
Agree about referring and general level of the team, but I don't actually think we're 'that' far off.
Lavia is garbage and I'm baffled by what people on this site/chat are saying about what we're watching. Never in a position to cover defenders, terrible at tackling, doesn't win headers and then offers nothing going forward a complete passenger at best.
Hato is better with the game in front of him at LCB, he's too easily bullied at wingback having to turn and defender far out wide, and doesn't offer much going forward at the top level.
I really don't get what people are watching with Fofana. He made a couple of mistakes today with a bad touch or so, but other than that he was really good.
Other than that I think we need to actually get the wingback system working because it's somehow not covering the defence reliably and attack only comes down one flank.
So probably 2 midfielders and a LWB for the first XI then depth across the pitch is what's needed.
Give it 10 games with all the weekly coaching and we will have a better idea of the team weaknesses and where we need reinforcements/replacements.
Not exactly a question of being optimistic or pessimistic. But to analyse a game as such. A great game. Really beautiful. On this team I don't find devastating flaws but interesting prospects. You can see that it's a different and more modern football. What should I tell you, I don't agree with your analysis.
Disagree with a lot of this Si, sorry! Thought Lavia played well and we lost control or ability to get on the ball when he went off, that wasn’t really our problem. Is Moises better then him yes, but he is better then most midfielders in the world. Also thought the front line were ok, not great but it’s not easy against Arsenal but thought they still were all involved to a point, all had chances….
Guess it’s a game of opinions!
Reading the self-adulating bullshit coming from the SD’s at the end of the window was sickening. They further weakened our midfield while simultaneously strengthening United and City. Enzo was always leaving so they simply HAD to drop the bag for Scott or Wharton to replace him. To not even get another body in is unforgivable and unfortunately I think that decision has dramatically reduced the ceiling of our season. But in Xabi we trust!
Couldn’t have put it better myself.
Sorry but I am afraid I disagree Si. We weren't good enough? This was Alonso's first real test and he passed it with flying colours. We were very unlucky not to get a draw and we were certainly not outclassed. We made two mistakes; one because of Martinez not seeing the ball initially and was moving one way already before being beaten at his near post and the second a Fofana mistake allowing himself to be sold a dummy and letting it run for Arsenal to take the lead. Otherwise though we competed strongly against arguably the best side in Europe right now. I don't know what you expected? Superlatives? We have a long way to go before we are the finished article and yet we competed very well today. Sorry, not today Si, have to disagree. Also I agree with one prediction, we are more than capable of competing for top 4 this season at least.
You're more than welcome to disagree mate. But we weren't good enough, absolutely not. Our defence and midfield is not going to compete as it is. Sorry, but it won't. Everyone is always welcome to their views. I've given my views in this article, so I wont keep repeating them, nor will I change them :)
https://x.com/All4footballl/status/2096657452871618688
I am entitled to disagree because I believe you expect too much at this stage of the season and that is bearing in mind we had no Caicedo and an error prone Fofana. Otherwise Arsenal didn't embarrass us. They had moments of control but were never blowing us away this time and we could have had 2 or 3. I am not here to change your views. I am here to disagree and give mine :)
I know you’re not entitled to agree with me, nobody ever is. And I believe many people have been getting far too carried away with the Alonso effect. We have a LONG way to go and a lot of work to do. So we will leave it there mate and agree to disagree 👍🏼
It's because it's early days that is the reason why I think it's ridiculous to expect too much. You yourself said it's too early to get carried away and I agree. But outclassed? No. But we'll leave it there and agree to disagree as you said!
Gabriel should have been red carded but thats VAR issue rather than the referee per se. Chelsea list this because our midfield two were not up to the task of playing fast added to JP repeatedly refusing to test his pace against the wingers and fullbacks. I agree Forfana is mentally slow to see the picture around him and therefore reacts late. Like you I was shocked by the midfield substitutes choice but perhaps the natural choices are carrying “quiet” injuries. Good test for Chelsea.
My aim has always been top four and maybe a cup. Next season we should really be pushing on. No reason we can’t do that I really like how we’ve looked in recent weeks if we could tighten up at the back we will have a good season.
I'm sure I'm im the minority but all the corruption calls do my head in...
We competed well against the best team in the country. We are still short handed. We are getting better. We will beat them soon.
Onto Leeds.
I want to be clear that I am saying I do not believe there is corruption and I am sick of people throwing the word around 😂.
I realise it reads like I am saying there were corrupt calls
I'm happy that you clarified that mate 😂 I know for a fact that corruption has been in football forever and is absolutely there now too.
You know I love you Si, I just don't agree here.
If anything it would suit the PL to have more contenders rather than Arsenal winning every week home and away.
I have seen plenty Arsenal fans calling corruption in our favour today as well and no one on either side makes sense.
I'm just sick of the whole referee discourse!!
I’m not saying the PL are corrupt. When I say it’s a fact that there is corruption in this game, I truly mean it, that’s not my opinion, that’s me knowing it happens. I can prove it but I don’t fancy expensive legal battles. I’ll leave it at that. But this is not my opinion mate, I KNOW it happens.