Four things Arsenal fans know after our draw with Crystal Palace

Four things we concluded, Crystal Palace vs Arsenal by Kandy

1. Emery got his subs wrong.
As soon as I saw our final substitution it worried me a bit, if that’s not an understatement. First of all, the remaining players on the pitch don’t have, in my opinion, the ability or coherence to play with each other, especially when trying to see a game out, and well, at least not in that formation. Their link up play is not fluent or decisive, you have Torreira, Guendouzi, Welbeck, Ramsey, Iwobi and Lacazette remaining on the pitch, and with that final overall shape of the formation, you just knew that a goal for Palace wasn’t far off.
It’s a process and the coach is still trying out a few things, but with those players it’s evident that he should have at least changed the formation to 433/4321 with Ramsey, Torreira and Guendouzi in the midfield, the left and right central midfielders to help our fullbacks when Palace were attacking from the flanks. The threat they possessed was clear, our fullbacks were vulnerable. Iwobi wasn’t really helping at all, he was tired and he should have left the pitch for much fresher legs in either Mhkitaryan or Smith-Rowe, just to add creativity. Torreira did his job excellently.

2. We really need a speedy winger in January.
Honestly, I think we would have scored more goals if we had one coming off the bench to finish teams off in the last 20 minutes, it was evident against Palace and for most of the past games. A winger that will leave tiring defenders tired and wishing they had been subbed off. Oxlade was good at that, but he’s long gone. These games that Raul is trying to play about “we’ll see, if an opportunity comes, we’re gonna go in the market” should stop, a speedy winger would have increased our chances of creating goals by running at those tired defenders, we need one in January, and it should be a priority, not an “if”. Palace was a reality check and we were fortunate to leave with a point considering the chances they missed and build up to the second goal, glad it happened now rather than later. We have to improve our first half performances.

3. My boy Mustafi does like a sliding tackle, doesn’t he?
I really don’t have a problem with that, but his timing worries me at times, especially in the box, but hey, no need to lash out on the guy, he just got unfortunate, I think. He doesn’t really do well under pressure does he? But who does? Rob is solid so far, one would be forgiven to think that it’s Mustafi that’ll be dropped when Koscielny or Sokratis are ready to start.

4. Should Monreal and Bellerin have played for the entire 90 minutes?
I think we would have created more chances, with their overlapping runs and link up play with our forwards and midfielders. Xhaka’s movement was restricted, he couldn’t really go higher up because of Townsend’s pace and to be honest, he isn’t exactly the type of guy you want to see overlapping, although he does have good deliveries, considering that he is new to that position, he had a pretty decent game, and the strike, Looord. He should have grabbed an assist too from the cross that Ramsey somehow failed to make contact with, but overall it is what is. We’re out of fullbacks and we face Liverpool in a few days time, what more could be worse than that atm?

Kandy

28 Comments

  1. 1. Emery got his substitutions right. He wanted to keep the lead by replacing creative players with more high pressing players, almost worked but Xhaka did a mistake

    2. Arsenal need a pacey winger with excellent first touches and the one that is not afraid to do duels like Mo Salah, Adama Traore, Zaha, Sarr or Thauvin

    3. Mustafi and Koscielny are good CBs, but they are erratic and had their chances. Arsenal had better sell them both, get a new CB and give chances to Holding/ Mavropanos

    4. Bellerin could be our Dani Alves if he keeps creating assists. Monreal is getting slower and I’m not too sure about Kolasinac’s fitness, so hopefully Joel Lopez can take over in the future

    1. “Good but erratic?” So how does that work then? I would totally disagree that Mustafi is any use or good at all. Good players are NOT erratic. Erratic is bad and cannot also be good. You seem unable to criticise players you don’t rate, , so you call them “good” but still want them sold. I want Mustafi sold BECAUSE he is NO GOOD! I agree we need new and better CB’s and in the meantime would also choose Holding, Sokratis and Mavro as our only three who should ever play there, until Koscielny is fit again , at least. Mustafi is a Sunday league standard player, not a Prem player.

      1. Even Wenger realised how bad he was.I remember how people blamed Wenger for Mustafi’s deficiencies as a CB.I hope they remember it was Manolas he wanted.He even tried to replace him with the declining Johnny Evans.I’ve seen many bad Arsenal players of which majority were defenders but I’ve got to say that Mustafi’s defending is the most comical of them all even though he’s not the worst.He does things you’d think your normal professional footballer shouldn’t do.

    2. I don’t know the basis on which Emery plays Xhaka at LB but we should consider ourselves very lucky that the teams we played so far have not fully exploited that weakness else we would be been done for.How can a slow and defensively bad player with ok attacking abilities be asked to play at LB?Is Lichtsteiner that bad that Xhaka starts over him at LB?I was also very annoyed at the way Emery earlier in the season he kept playing Ramsey at AM and Ozil at RW causing them both to be more bad then they actually were.I would like to see Ramsey at CM and Ozil in the same team for once.
      He must also find a way to fit Auba and Laca in the same team because when Auba is at LW he offers zero penetration and doesn’t cover the fullback too.Iwobi is better at LW and just when he was gaining some form he was removed from LW to accommodate Auba.He can do far better at CF and as a “ball to feet” player that is his best position.Unai Emery must be given lots of time because to put everything into place and the players must stop being passengers in the first half.

      1. He didn’t have a choice for LB as all of them are out. The only way he could do this is with a 3-2-3-2 but you’d need exceptional wing backs or wingers to accommodate the space in midfield and provide the width needed. He’s probably tried this and found it doesn’t work as the midfield would be overrun. Realistically you need two players like Torreira in the 2 who can cover ground quickly enough and accurately enough along with two wingers/ wingback.

        1. That’s why I asked if Licht is so bad that Xhaka starts at LB over him.Do you know that it causes us to have two ticking time bombs in defence?i.e Mustafi and Xhaka.Before the Palace match you just had the feeling that something bad was going to come from those two or from Xhaka’s position.Lo and behold they both go and give away penalties either directly or indirectly.Hopefully this is the last time ever Unai plays him at LB.Our defence is already bad so no need to make it worse even if some players are injured.

  2. For all his theatricals Zaha is a very dangerous winger who would probably welcome a move to Arsenal.Roy Hodgson is a known admirer of Welbeck from his days with England so what about a swap plus a cash adjustment to the Palace.We could also throw in Mustafi for free.

      1. would rather us go for bailey reminds me of sane when he was playing at schalke the guy can only get better or hudson odoi over zaha anyday the kid is a natural he will just rot at chelsea and i’m sure it would cost less than 60-70 mil

        but a lb should be made a priority we can’t have them both injured especially Saed the guy who’s barely played since we signed him on a free if AMN plays there then why do we need the Bosnian? that’s my question to the 120 k that’s been spent since last year with little to show for, is he good enough yes or no i personally don’t see him making it, and if he’s a back up then that wage bill needs to be readjusted as some first team players are earning far less.

        i Say the guy needs to be shipped out ASAP here are the players earning more than him: Ozil, Miki, Laca, Auba that’s it…ship him out ASAP and don’t anyone say it’s not his fault he’s been with us over a year and most of you are critical of players who have played while this one has less then 10 games under his belt with nothing to show for for every bellerin lack of def comment ten should be directed at this guy but for some reason he gets a pass.

        we need full backs Benjamin Henrichs should be closely watched as he plays on both sides and with henry there we might get the nod ahead of others.

        1. Unfortunately,for us we will be priced out of a move for Bailey and the player even dreams of Chelsea.Callum Hudson-Odoi will not be allowed to leave atm let alone to us and we need a winger atm so that’s that.The good thing is Sven has been around trying to find some young and cheaper options so let’s hope it works out.
          As for Kolasinac,I’d like to see what he can do this season before giving my final judgement on him.The injuries are just too much for him but what I can say is in my book he does not fit Unai Emery’s style of play.He usually demands a lot from his full backs attacking and defensive wise and imo he’s lacking on both ends.I still feel there’s something about him and he can prove us wrong.

    1. actually i will take sako or Tompkins for mustafi in a free swap… we should go for Newcastle lacelles imo..

  3. I know 1 thing for sure we will get anialated by Liverpool on Sat will rip our defence to shreads and show how far behind we really are in challenging for prem and champions league!!

      1. Well we are the 2nd highest scoring team in the league with 24 goals after City’s 26. We have the league top scorer in Aubameyang. We are at home. I really don’t think it will be a bloodbath…probably a draw.

        1. Too many people on this forum drop their bundles too easily. I wouldn’t be happy having them as team mates.
          So Arsenal had a draw against Crystal Palace after playing 3 games in 6 days; it’s not the end of the world. There’s a long way to go in the season; lets take it one match at a time.

    1. Liverpool are at full strength. We are not. This upcoming match is in no way a reflection of our ability as we are handicapped with zero full backs and our preferred defence out.

    2. It’s a shame Unai Emery’s style of play is still yet to be fully implemented on the team.I know it will take time though.His teams are very hard to break down defensively.When the players catch it we will see an Arsenal that is very hard to beat.I still think anything can happen and I don’t think Liverpool we will be trashed by Liverpool.

    3. I don’t think so. How you be so sure. Will it not be better we give them the three points now if you we will get annihilated. We will score as many as they do. Our team is not that bad. The defence is bad but doesn’t mean it’s going to be a walk in the park. I will bet you that arsenal will beat them.

  4. this was the second time lacazette cost us points with his back pass this season… First against Chelsea….?

  5. I think emery is doing a fine job and tactics are there to be seen unlike wenger.. He just needs to find his best 11 that he must play to get best results.. Also in my opinion he needs some money to buy full backs, a top centre back and a proper winger that could terrorise opposition defences like guardioal who in his first season identified those problems and then bought full backs like walker and mendy winger like bernado goalkeeper like ederson that proved to be the main catalysts behind their successful and record breaking season hwere they clinced the title with record 100 points.. I think emery also needs to identify those problem areas which need to be adressed and i am pretty sure he is working on this.. COYG!!!

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