Sloppy mistakes, but we got the points! by Konstantin Mitov
Okayyy, this was far more nervous that it should’ve been but it’s three very important points! As Spurs and City dropped points, we’re sitting next to the Citizens at the top and it’s 6 straight wins in a row. There were a few signs that we might do something big, and a few things familiar of previous seasons.
We looked like we’re cruising at 2:0 and 3:1 and we let Swansea back in the game. Xhaka had an awful game. First he should’ve just cleared the ball at the first goal, then he got a red. It’s a harsh one for me, but as soon as the foul was done I just knew the ref would sent him off.
But I can understand why he fouled him. Monreal was being destroyed at left back yet again. PSG game he had a shocker, but the problem is I’m not sure Gibbs will do good as a regular starter, but his inclusion to the game gave us a much needed stability down our left flank.
To be honest the subs were spot on this time. All three brought energy, and did their job well. Gibbs plugged the hole we had on the left, Coquelin stabilized midfield and the Ox provided Theo with a golden chance which I can’t understand how he missed. It was to see we had bodies on the bench ready to come up and do a job. There were years where, bar our starting X1, we didn’t have any cover and now we’re looking solid.
At the end we did hold through. It’s a game after the internationals, we were down to 10 and despite the fact they had 2-3 really good chances, we saved all three points and that’s all that matters. Mesut Ozil’s goal was fantastic and Theo looks so different from last season. He fights, you could see he cares, he tries to help defense and should’ve scored four really.
Such misses though could cost us and even more when you are down to 10 men. It was classic Arsenal how we let a game which was in our hands slip to a dangerous position and that’s the only thing that really worries me. We have an easy fixture list coming up. Hopefully we’ll continue our run and see where it goes.
Konstantin
I think we were close to having a terrific game, Xhaka trying to please fans when he had Mustafi Cech or an up field ball was stupid. We all have our opinions about the red but it made us come together and dig it out in the end. Swa had the time for planning and practicing while most of our team were all traveling and playing, you have to take this into account, and even before this Arsenal play more games than Swa. So we were close to being dominant only for some tired minds to almost come a cropper to some fresh minds. I look forward to seeing some players get a rest in midweek, if I don’t see it I will worry about needless injuries ruining our season.
I agree. We definitely need more rotation to stop our best players burning out. For the first time we have real depth to the squad but Wenger is scared to change a winning team. Okay we do have six wins in a row but we could have won them as well with just a couple of changes per game.
The big worry now is that Wenger will make 9 or 10 changes against Ludgorets, and we know the risks involved there.
I hope to see Perez play soon.
Surely Lucas must play in midweek. It certainly won’t be Giroud!
When you say “easy games” I wonder which is easy to beat. You only win when you take your chances,defend well and hold onto a lead if you can’t add more