Another game, another loss, not surprising but very disappointing yet again, after hopes were high going into the game!
It was the worst possible start for our boys, and it was a shame to see that in such a big game that could define our season, that nobody stepped up to the plate last night.
But can we really blame the players for such a poor team selection and no clear tactics in the first half?
The team was and no doubt is, full of individually talented players, but one thing I don’t understand is why play Ceballos and Partey when you have the likes of Elneny, Martinelli and Aubameyang to name a few, on the bench, whom to be fair to Auba was not match fit but could have done a lot more given the chance!
April 29, 2021, Villarreal, Spain: Dani Ceballos and Mikel Arteta of Arsenal FC during the Europa League semifinal first leg football match played between Villarreal CF and Arsenal FC at Estadio de la Ceramica on Villarreal, Spain. Villarreal Spain – ZUMAd159 20210429_zia_d159_106 Copyright: xGerardxFrancoxApril 29, 2021, Villarreal, Spain: Artur Soares Dias referee and Etienne Capoue of Villarreal CF and Thomas Teye Partey, Pablo Mari Villar, Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal FC react during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final First Leg football match between Villarreal and Arsenal at Estadio de la Ceramica. Villarreal Spain – ZUMAs197 20210429_zaa_s197_073 Copyright: xXiscoxNavarroxMandatory Credit: Photo by Bagu Blanco/BPI/Shutterstock 11880465dt Villarreal Manager Unai Emery Villarreal v Arsenal, UEFA Europa League, Semi Final, First Leg, Football, Estadio De La Ceramica, Villarreal, Spain – 29 Apr 2021 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Villarreal v Arsenal, UEFA Europa League, Semi Final, First Leg, Football, Estadio De La Ceramica, Villarreal, Spain – 29 Apr 2021 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTXHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROMxBULxUAExKSAxONLY Copyright: xBaguxBlanco/BPI/Shutterstockx 11880465dtMandatory Credit: Photo by Bagu Blanco/BPI/Shutterstock 11880465db Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal celebrates scoring a goal 1-2 Villarreal v Arsenal, UEFA Europa League, Semi Final, First Leg, Football, Estadio De La Ceramica, Villarreal, Spain – 29 Apr 2021 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Villarreal v Arsenal, UEFA Europa League, Semi Final, First Leg, Football, Estadio De La Ceramica, Villarreal, Spain – 29 Apr 2021 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTXHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROMxBULxUAExKSAxONLY Copyright: xBaguxBlanco/BPI/Shutterstockx 11880465dbVillarreal CF v Arsenal UEFA Europa League Dani Ceballos of Arsenal FC reacts during the UEFA Europa League match at Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxCHN Copyright: xFocusxImagesx FIL-15505-0034Villarreal CF v Arsenal UEFA Europa League Etienne Capoue of Villarreal is stretchered off during the UEFA Europa League match at Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxCHN Copyright: xFocusxImagesx FIL-15505-0041Villarreal CF v Arsenal UEFA Europa League Bukayo Saka of Arsenal FC is tackled by Villarreal s Dani Parejo during the UEFA Europa League match at Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxCHN Copyright: xFocusxImagesx FIL-15505-0011Villarreal CF v Arsenal UEFA Europa League Raul Albiol celebrates with his team-mates after giving Villarreal CF a 2-0 lead against Arsenal at Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxCHN Copyright: xFocusxImagesx FIL-15505-0008Villarreal CF v Arsenal UEFA Europa League Raul Albiol celebrates after giving Villarreal CF a 2-0 lead against Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League match at Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxCHN Copyright: xFocusxImagesx FIL-15505-0007
Why did Arteta not go all out and go full attacking rather than lacking a striker and complete number nine on the pitch! We can’t attack and we can’t defend so he should have just taken a chance!
And I am sorry, but who told Partey he can continuously shoot from outside of the box, thinking he would score, when he just blazes high and wide, nowhere near the target?
Now I wouldn’t mind if he was getting closer each time he shot, but every time he tends to shoot he is way over target, not what we need in a game that is a MUST win over two legs, where minimal chances we have are being wasted!
I have not really warmed to Partey since his arrival and his shooting and even defending at times, proves me right.
He was brought in to shore up the midfield and create attacking options, but he can be rash and his creativity has gone to pot. He is making Granit Xhaka look world class at times.
Partey was off the boil last night, in more ways then one and even picked up a yellow card alongside Ceballos, and we all know what happened to him by the end of the night don’t we!
Now yet again we need to dust ourselves off and move on, hoping next week we win without conceding. A long shot no doubt given our defence but again we can pray, and we thank god we have that one away goal, which may play a bigger part at the end of next week than what we currently imagine!
I think everyone was puzzled by the tactics against Villarreal this week, and hopefully Arteta learned something from the experience.
He (Arteta) seems like a smart guy to me and has the ability to learn & adapt, so I still have faith that Arsenal can come back stronger from all the problems this season. Obviously the current player portfolio is not a match for the intended playing style and still requires transfers/etc. Also some players (EG. Partey) are still adadpting to the EPL. and it’s unsettling with other key players being on loan (Odegaard, Ceballos) and others probably at the end of their Arsenal careers (Luiz, many players out on loan)
Evrn if we get through to the EL final, Man Utd are on great form and would certainly be favorites to lift the trophy. Their rebuilding process is way ahead of ours, and as much as I’d love us to win the EL. if we don’t, I think a season without European football would actually do some good in the long run.
The manager of a team is the glue of unity, who makes it work by synchronizing the players into a confident and effective unit. Arteta creates discord not unity. He plays Ceballos who is leaving, so does not care and Arteta has no tactical ‘Nous’. He just doesn’t know! He is the authentic ‘Rookie’ who hasn’t got a clue. What a mistaken appointment! Who allowed it?
What happened at Villareal is what has been happening all season but because of events happening how they did, it showed up all Artetas failings. This season is entirely down to his inability to coach and get a tune out of a team of footballers. Our football is sterile and weak. We are so intent on trying to keep the ball, we lose our shape, focus and strength. Arteta is in this way over his head.
Partey has had a stop start season in a new team and new league so many fans need to get off his back and give him time.
Much of the criticism of Arteta also lacks merit. Some are going on as if he left a Ronaldo and Modric on the bench.
Many of the players being clamoured for have hardly put in great performances when they have played.
There is no doubt Arteta could have started with a different starting line up or formation. But given what we have seen this season and the squad’s weaknesses it is understandable that Arteta wanted to try something different.
Auba- scores 20 + goals in the past 5 seasons.
Pepe- One of the best players in France before leaving.
Laca- Consistent performer
William- Created the highest number of chances in the last season before leaving Chelsea
Odegard- Most creative passes in the top 5 league season 19/20 only behind Messi, de bruyne and neyman
Gabriel- Was regarded as a top defender and even helped Lille in finishing 4th
Saliba- More talented than Wesley Fofana in France but while Wesley Fofana is playing so well for Leceister, Arteta keeps loaning saliba
Martinelli- Klopp called him Talent if the century.
Saka- I don’t need to remind you
Partey- A top performer in a better team than ours.
Tieney- Our Warrior.
If Arteta cannot bring the best from the talent at his disposal then he needs to go.
Now who can argue with that Alex. Trust the process.
I think everyone was puzzled by the tactics against Villarreal this week, and hopefully Arteta learned something from the experience.
He (Arteta) seems like a smart guy to me and has the ability to learn & adapt, so I still have faith that Arsenal can come back stronger from all the problems this season. Obviously the current player portfolio is not a match for the intended playing style and still requires transfers/etc. Also some players (EG. Partey) are still adadpting to the EPL. and it’s unsettling with other key players being on loan (Odegaard, Ceballos) and others probably at the end of their Arsenal careers (Luiz, many players out on loan)
Evrn if we get through to the EL final, Man Utd are on great form and would certainly be favorites to lift the trophy. Their rebuilding process is way ahead of ours, and as much as I’d love us to win the EL. if we don’t, I think a season without European football would actually do some good in the long run.
The manager of a team is the glue of unity, who makes it work by synchronizing the players into a confident and effective unit. Arteta creates discord not unity. He plays Ceballos who is leaving, so does not care and Arteta has no tactical ‘Nous’. He just doesn’t know! He is the authentic ‘Rookie’ who hasn’t got a clue. What a mistaken appointment! Who allowed it?
What happened at Villareal is what has been happening all season but because of events happening how they did, it showed up all Artetas failings. This season is entirely down to his inability to coach and get a tune out of a team of footballers. Our football is sterile and weak. We are so intent on trying to keep the ball, we lose our shape, focus and strength. Arteta is in this way over his head.
Partey has had a stop start season in a new team and new league so many fans need to get off his back and give him time.
Much of the criticism of Arteta also lacks merit. Some are going on as if he left a Ronaldo and Modric on the bench.
Many of the players being clamoured for have hardly put in great performances when they have played.
There is no doubt Arteta could have started with a different starting line up or formation. But given what we have seen this season and the squad’s weaknesses it is understandable that Arteta wanted to try something different.
Auba- scores 20 + goals in the past 5 seasons.
Pepe- One of the best players in France before leaving.
Laca- Consistent performer
William- Created the highest number of chances in the last season before leaving Chelsea
Odegard- Most creative passes in the top 5 league season 19/20 only behind Messi, de bruyne and neyman
Gabriel- Was regarded as a top defender and even helped Lille in finishing 4th
Saliba- More talented than Wesley Fofana in France but while Wesley Fofana is playing so well for Leceister, Arteta keeps loaning saliba
Martinelli- Klopp called him Talent if the century.
Saka- I don’t need to remind you
Partey- A top performer in a better team than ours.
Tieney- Our Warrior.
If Arteta cannot bring the best from the talent at his disposal then he needs to go.
Now who can argue with that Alex. Trust the process.