Still Mentally Weak? Dan Smith
Unlike other away games against the so called top 6, we didn’t look scared in the North London Derby, which is something that could help us in the future. Yet again though Arsenal were cost by our weak mentality, something we have said too often about this group of players.
The line between good and great can be decided by small margins. If Auba scores his pen, we go a point behind Spurs, fail and we are no longer in the top 4. Of course, if VAR was used today, we would never have conceded a penalty. I can’t be a hypocrite though, having written about why I don’t want video technology. Saying Kane was offside before he was fouled should not be an excuse for Mustafi’s actions. If he doesn’t panic, he gives the official no decision to make.
Again, at the highest level, you need your defenders to keep their heads and show composure. You need your strikers to take limited chances when you’re on top, Lacca couldn’t do that early in second half, did the occasion get to him? This was another big game Iwobi did nothing and even though he was close to a famous win, Emery has still not justified why Ozil couldn’t do any better. Having done nothing wrong in midweek. would you rather Ozil or Iwobi in final third?
Most Gooners will wake up today though and find positives. There is something to build, play like that against United, we will go above them, while I’m not ruling out catching Spurs. For it to happen though we have show stronger mentality.
That’s the question mark that is still over us?
Dan Smith