Another bad match management leads to late defeat by Konstantin Mitov
Arsenal lost away again this time at Old Trafford. And while it’s not a big surprise that we lost, the way we did it is what hurts. We didn’t draw it, because of bad match management, again.
We lack the players who will dig in and talk when we are under pressure. We couldn’t cope with Martial on the wing and the crosses were causing us a lot of trouble. The way Manchester United lifted their game after we scored showed the difference in character.
I thought Mavropanos and Chambers were alright, and actually I don’t think Mustafi and Koscielny would’ve been much better. Up front only Mikhi was on the level required. Aubameyang was really missing and Iwobi was his usual self so now’re going to Madrid on the back of 2 late disappointments.
This requires character which I honestly don’t think we have. And I am so happy Wenger will be gone as I just cannot stand seeing this for another year, but the candidates to replace him don’t give me a lot of confidence.
Allegri seems out of it, Simeone is unlikely, Ancelotti doesn’t seem likely either. The best choice left is Enrique, who has high demands which is uncertain that will be met, but also wants a lot of power, something the club is not willing to give after Wenger goes, which is a smart move.
We’ll likely hire a coach, not a manager, but he’ll also need to be a character that will be add steel to this mentally fragile group. Vieira is an option, but I don’t think he has the managerial pedigree to take us back to the top. And I really don’t want Arteta.
Now the character of this team faces it’s biggest test to suck up the punches and go to a team who has conceded 4 goals in La liga in 2018 at home while our away record is terrible.
The one good thing about going to Madrid at 1:1 is that we’ll have to attack. We couldn’t defend against a team who was happy losing 1:0 with 10 man. We failed today, we made it nervy against Ostersunds and against CSKA, it’s obviously not our strength. Still we need to go to Madrid and pull out a supreme away performance.
We are major underdogs, but this is when we usually are capable to either concede a humiliation or pull off a miracle upset. Hopefully we’ll do the latter but honestly I don’t trust the team not to concede on the counter. Something that Atletico are very good at.
The best thing about the season is Wenger leaving and the fact that it ends soon. Effectively on Thursday if we don’t get past Atletico. Hopefully though we’ll see some spirit for once. We have the quality to hurt them, it’s the mentality that worries me.
Konstantin