Bloody hell!! by Peter Doherty
Whatever the outcome of this season we certainly cannot say we haven’t been entertained! Another rollercoaster of a game where the roles are reversed, and instead of conceding a two goal lead we managed to overcome one. The feeling in the stadium after the final whistle was deflation tinged with a hint of relief. The overriding sense is that; if you can’t dispense with the lowest ranked team in the division when at home then your chances of reigning supreme in the Premier League are greatly diminished. This game highlighted our teams brittleness as well as their resilience.
Strangely there may be a benefit from having to go to the Etihad and win. Going there with an aim to keep City at bay would probably have an unwanted outcome, whereas now we have no choice but to attack the game. One thing for certain is that the entertainment is going to keep on coming.
Here are my ratings:
Ramsdale (5) Set the tone after forty seconds with a dreadful error. The timing of this couldn’t have been worse as it gave Southampton belief. He probably should have saved Alcaraz’s effort after that as well.
White (6.5) Had very little responsibility for the goals and was constantly linking up with Saka in attack. Showed some lovely touches and didn’t let his head drop.
Holding (6) Although the team has conceded a lot of goals since his introduction he hasn’t been directly responsible for any of them, so it would be unfair to assume that Saliba’s absence is the cause. Got his head on plenty of Southampton attacks but does show a lot of hesitancy when in possession.
Gabriel (6) Got through another large amount of work, too large for anyone’s liking. Should have recognized that Walcott was going to make that run for the goal as it is very typical of the player.
Zinchenko (5.5) Does some great things in distribution but was also responsible for some loose passing, that changed momentum in a game when Arsenal were on the front foot. Switched off for the third goal and lost his man.
Partey(6) A mixed bag from the Ghanaian as he made a lot of his customary interceptions and incisive passing, but was also caught out of position, particularly in the first half when Alcaraz was on.
Vieira (4) I just don’t get it? Is my untrained eye missing something here? He can’t pass, can’t tackle, can’t dribble, can’t track and has a woeful first touch. What is frustrating is that Trossard and Smith Rowe are on the bench. Maybe he’s brilliant in training.
Odegaard (7) Tried manfully to make it happen throughout the game. As usual led the charge when closing down. Finally got his reward with his beautifully taken goal that sparked the comeback.
Saka (8) Tried every trick in his book to get a head of steam up for the side, and was causing the right side of Southamptons defence huge headaches resulting in two bookings. Just wasn’t fed enough of the ball to take advantage of that, but still managed a goal and an assist.
Jesus (5.5) It didn’t happen for him. Had a few lovely turns in the box that led to blocked shots. However, missed three very good opportunities and ultimately his job is to score them.
Martinelli (8) Was on a mission not to lose this game and created most of the best chances in the game. Took his goal excellently and laid in a few very inviting balls that weren’t finished. Laid a beauty on Jesus’s head. This one’s a warrior.
A strange evening with the disappointment mixed with relief. How did you rate it?
Peter Doherty
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My MOTM was Martinelli who doesn’t give up
On the night, Ramsdale’s error gave Southampton a leg up which is disappointing and his low score was justified.
Was Vieira the right choice to replace an unwell Xhaka? Not in my opinion and 4 is about right
Ramsdale should get lower rating than Vieira, because he single-handedly ruined the team’s plan with his atrocious decision. At least Vieira didn’t make any huge error
I’ll give Ramsdale 4 for his rificulous mistake. If he repeats his brain fart at the Etihad, Arsenal should bench him
Spot on Gai 👌
About right.
Mikel Arteta: 4 out of 10 for 3 consecutive weeks for team selection and changing the dynamics.
Martinelli and zinchenko for me
Odegaard Viera and Ramsdale shocking
Hi Dan.. hope you’re well
After taking our foot off the gas in the two games prior to last night and just about managing to hang on for a point, the last thing we needed was a howler so early on and it was something we never recovered from imo. Individual errors have cost us badly and it’s such a shame after how it was all going so well for such a long time. It’s now safe to say I’m dreading Wednesday!!
Hey Sue ,very long time no see 👍
Hope you’re well ,Where you been ?or just taking a long break from all the arguments on here 😂
😂 yes those intolerable arguments – I bet there have been more than a few!
I was at the game last night, still trying to get my head round what I witnessed!!
You back or just a passing visit ?
There’s been a few arguments since you left 😂been a lot better recently though .
I had the chance to go last night but passed it up again ,just a rush from work then a 3 hour each way drive and had a golf comp at 7 this Morning so just watched it on TV again 🙄
Had the chance to go half a dozen times this season (mates dads ticket )but always find an excuse.
Probably just passing, Dan. I’ve only been 3 times this season (ticket transfer, as there’s nothing on the ticket exchange). I don’t blame you, 3 hours each way is a lot of driving and on top of a dodgy result would make for a thoroughly miserable trip home. How did the golf go?
About as good as the football last night 😂
Oh dear 😂😂
It’s funny we all see things differently as it’s Martinelli, Ødegaard and Saka for me with Zinchenko, Vieira and Ramsdale shocking.
Saw it the same. Vieira was worst on the pitch by far, and Ramsdale and Zinchenko were very poor also.
Thought Zinchenko replacing Xhaka, Tierney at LB, and Trossard as a 9 was a better lineup, but Arteta felt differently.
Shocked Vieira keeps getting picked recently, flashbacks of Willan’s shocking selections and poor displays; Vieira needs a loan
Why how much does he want to borrow? 🤣
I agree that Ramsdale’s mistake cost our team dearly, but Vieira’s lineup cost us much more, I don’t know what he has to stay in front of Smith-Rowe, Jorginho or even Patino…. even even putting Zinchenko in Vieira’s place and Tierney in LE. I think Vieira should have borrowed to be able to reach a faster pace
Viera was not to play at all. I consider buying him a waste of money. At best, he should be loaned for two seasons. Whether we believe it or not, injury to saliba is greatly affecting arsenal. If he doesn’t play the next match we should as well forget about the league cup.arteta mustn’t use viera again. Poor decision is affecting us.
For the life of me, when we need mdifielders we seem to be relying exclusively on Odegaarde. What’s the problem with Smith Rowe?? He’s fit, willing and able and a hell of a lot better player than Vieira.
Got to agree with the writer about the mystery “qualities”that only MA and Edu seem to see in Viera.
Unless he moves on this summer, I can envisage him becoming really loathed with Gooners, IF he plays into next season.
I say move him on and accept he is physically and mentally unsuited to physically tough Prem football. I doubt many will think otherwise too.
Is it just me or are we throwing away our big chance to win the league because of not resting or dropping players out of form.to keep it fresh.no point bringing players in if there not trusted to stand in.why on earth did we let cedric soares go to.if he was right back we could of played Ben White centre back to cover saliba then I’d put Tierney back at left back better defender move zinchenco to midfield to take xhaka place.we should rotate partey and Saka martinelli abit with the new boys.
Phil, unfortunately makes too much sense.
Ramsdale 3
Gabriel 4
Viera 3
Partey 5
Jesus 5
RIGHT WITH YOU MATE Vieira (4) I just don’t get it? Is my untrained eye missing something here? He can’t pass, can’t tackle, can’t dribble, can’t track and has a woeful first touch. What is frustrating is that Trossard and Smith Rowe are on the bench. Maybe he’s brilliant in training. IT WAS FUNNY THAT I WAS CALLING FOR HIM TO BE SUBBED WHEN ARTETA DID JUST THAT!
We cant really be wishing for cedric back.. viera was bought for around 40M euro this Guy is not worth half of willock left leg to be nice to viera
I dont do ratings but giving Viera 4 is a joke, he was a 1 at best.
Massive error starting him last night, HUGE!!!!
Amidst the natural doom and gloom, I think it’s fair to recognise the fact that we scored 3 well taken goals which ought to be sufficient to win any game regardless of the opposition.In truth we are shipping goals at an alarming rate which highlights to me our lack of defensive nous in midfield and at the back, where only White has been consistent.A DM like Rice is badly needed and it is time we recognised the frailties of certain members of our back four who have been overhyped to an unjustifiable level.I’m afraid neither Ramsdale nor Gabriel are entirely convincing both being prone to making errors which invariably cost us goals.Gabriel may be capable of handling the physical demands of this League but he simply does not have the positional intelligence to spot trouble and take steps to cut out direct routes through our lines.I very much doubt if he ever will be top quality which is why he did not make the Brazilian world cup squad ahead of an ageing centre back who has struggled this season with Chelsea.As to Saliba, he has the potential to be a top quality CB but unfortunately he tends to be complacent at times and tries to be clever when a simple ball will suffice.As a duo they have done reasonably well this season, but when the going gets tough Gabriel in particular loses composure and makes bad decisions.To be successful the spine of a team needs to be strong physically and mentally but the fact that we will probably fall short in terms of winning the League this season suggests to me that there is room for improvement in certain areas including GK and CB.
Grandad, to score 7 goals yet only earn 3 draws for 3 points, while topping yhe table shows a collapse in the teams regimen, concentration and discipline.
Forget the blame game!
We, ARSENAL, have a fabulous young team and ALL deserve wholehearted support! Is there another side this year more watchable, more entertaining, more dramatic? Look where Arsenal are under a great management team. Am I alone in my excitement? Of course not;! Arsenal are world renowned; and have been for many more years than most!
Who wants to listen to the “ex footballer” pundits; especially those who have no affiliation with Arsenal, (and more than likely carry an underlying negative bias) giving their “expert” analysis; professing to recognise immediately all the answers; whilst having limited, if any, first hand, real, top level management knowledge!
Maybe, just maybe, there is, currently, a slight negative shift in the overall team balance and dynamic? What was the trigger for this shift of fine-tuned team balance? Maybe, just maybe, this could be rooted in the unfortunate loss, for the time being, of a single key element:- William Saliba? The ripples and repercussions, from a central position; even should these be very slight at this exalted level, might fundamentally trigger a flaw in the flow and link up of play in all departments: defensively; midfield; attack. What might once have been instinctive may now require a fraction more construction of thought, and resulting execution!
The subliminal “team” understanding, and confidence levels, in exacting movement becomes marginallly less watertight, less consistent, less fluid, less accurate! After all Arsenal promote a particular level of team play as if on a high speed chess board! Some of the individual “pawns” do on occassion, fall over. Arsenal, never-the-less are still leading the field!
Let us be clear, particularly at this critical point of the season, the whole team would really be best supported with “the twelfth man” fully behind them!
Forget the pundits and the media doomsayers! We are THE ARSENAL: a truly great club; whom City, for much of their own history, would have dreaded to play home or away!
Young, talented, fearless , let Arsenal turn up on Wednesday, showing all the right attitudes! There is no other side remotely in the challenge with City for the premiership trophy!
Are Arsenal ready to gift City dominance without having a say in the matter? No way!
I must say I did like the efforts from Trossard and Nelson . Nelson showed so much heart and urgency in his brief time. You could tell he was annoyed with himself when his deflected shot didn’t go in . That kind of passion and effort is what fans appreciate and it should be the bare minimum from all our players
Zinzencko makes things difficult for BIG GABBY. GABBY covers the acres of space vacated by Zinny. MA should rethink the role of Zinny. He can’t continue to leave his primary role as a defender to form part of the midfield and attack.
Kiwior Will find it extremely difficult to be effective in such a certain
Against City we need to keep it tight at the back and hit them on the break, playing zinc at LB is not the answer and playing xakai in midfield he’s too slow we also need trossard in the team here’s my team…
Ramsdale
White. Hold. Gab Tierney
Partey jorg
Saka. Ode. Martinelle
Trossard