Arsenal naively give it away at the end by Konstantin Mitov
Well lovely Arsenal people. I am just disappointed at how naively we gave it away. There is literally a minute left and instead of clearing it, we continued the trend of the whole game which was sloppiness and ended up losing 1:0. Sure it’s a wonder strike but if we did the basics right we’d have never conceded.
The whole game silly passes, bad touches. It was from the entire team. Is the pressure of expectations too heavy on our shoulders again? I’m also extremely disappointed, because I expected it from Porto. Lying on the ground on every occasion, poor refereeing, trying to disrupt our play. Why didn’t Mikel know this?
You have to ask questions of the subs too, not that there was much on the bench anyway, but taking off Trossard instead of Havertz? I can understand any reasons, but I clearly remember 2 times Havertz can clearly reach a ball, and his half-hearted effort lets it get away. Add the awful touches, the poor header and I just wonder what he offers to the team really? I think we’re playing him, because the manager’s ego is too big to admit a mistake.
That said, the worst thing of all for me is that this performance reeks of Olympiacos, Villarreal and Sporting. I remember those ties very well, and just like every one of them we just didn’t turn up to our standards. These games have hurt me really bad and I kinda of had a feeling the occasion would get to us again and it did. This is why I’m not too confident we’ll just blitz em away at the Emirates.
1:0 is not the end of the world, but right now I’d take another trip to Dubai, because this performance reminded me of Fulham. We got beat by their experience and game plan, not because we are the worse team. No shots on target. We’ll see what happens at the Emirates, but we need a really long look at ourselves.
This is a poor Porto side with Pepe aged 41 at the back against a young and vibrant attack. I am worried. We need to show character and start to live up to the expectations of being the better team otherwise we will win nothing.
Konstantin
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The goal was about two foot off the ground when it crossed the line ,Rayas positioning needs to be questioned ,then again he’s on the small side which is why he looked like a 16 year old trying to save the shot .
We could have been 2 or 3nil down so got away with one but its Only half time so plenty of minutes to get it back ,but no shots on target is pretty pathetic in anyone’s book .
I disagree that we could have been 2 or 3 down. Porto barely created any chances besides the one that hit the woodwork. The goal they scored was basically the culmination of a costly error by Martinelli in giving away possession, Rice not getting close enough to his man and questionable positioning by Raya . I don’t remember Porto creating any clear cut chances. Even for the shots hitting the bar, it was more to do with Saliba not getting tight to clear the danger. I think 0-0 would have been a fair result, but the defensive errors cost us.
Arteta should have changed more.
With what(or whom)?
Did you see the bench?
That’s right little bank. Voor mij Jorghino for Havertz, not Trossard. Nelson, Smith Rowe, Vieira.
Porto did their homework and Arsenal’s general “Sloppiness” really made them struggle. It’s a shame. I guess 11 goals in 2 games takes it out of you a bit. Hope they can produce a stellar performance at home.
Trossard was far worse than Havertz and so was Odegard and that’s where I stopped reading.
We are one nil down at half time and I can’t wait for the second half!
This article sums up why some of us try to defend Havertz- the inevitable scapegoating. In a game where most of the Arsenal players were poor, it is him who is singled out for blame. It is okay to voice your frustrations but to direct it all on one man is diabolical. There were players such as Martinelli,Saliba,Trossard who did worse than Havertz. I’d say only Ben White and Gabriel Magalhãlhaes could walk with their head held high after that performance. It was not a great performance, but it’s not worthy of this meltdown. The focus now should be on Newcastle. COYG!
Fighting talk👍
it’s the xhaka thing on repeat mode. I am not a fan of Havertz but he wasn’t the worst last night. Even the likes of Saliba and Rice who are normally 10/10 were out of sort and the whole team looked disjointed. Porto did their homework and Mikel didn’t. Nothing more.
Totally agree and see Konstantmoan is back into basically slag the team off as usual. Calls himself a supporter, but writes articles to criticise, yes a few players had off nights but will the writer be back to congratulate us when we win the tie or, as I suspect, he’s praying we lose so he can peddle his usual negativity.
Totally agree Onyango.
I have to ask where you’ve been Konstantin, as you only seem to write articles that appear when we have a negative result?
I assume you’ve seen our performances during the last few weeks, including the toppling of liverpool?
Yet not a squeek of praise or positivity has been forthcoming – why is that?
We had a bad night I agree, but let’s wait until the two legged tie is over before the doom and gloom begins – I look forward to reading your thoughts when we know the full time result.
Great post Ken, he crawls out from under his rock to get the results and skulks back under it when we win, but when we lose then god help us real Gooners.
Well to me and to others, including yourself KEN if you are honest , the answer is thatwhy Konstantin ALWAYS and ONLY writes negative pieces, isas plain as the nose on our faces.
It is because he has NOT the language skills,nor depth of intellect to use perspective, context and proper analysis to write anything but CONSTANT moans!
If he ever left JA he would be missed about as much as AFC still misses say, Djourou or Silvestre, etc!!
I’m a little exuberant but when I read your comment I wondered that if YOU left JA? Which ex player or current would we consider which Arsenal player you were similar too?
Got to be Bedtner Pat – Jon will understand why I hope?!?!
Before you ask, mine would be George Eastham, always fighting for the underdog!! 😂
Doesn’t sum up the game I saw. We were probably a bit naive but a one goal margin isn’t the end of the world. I expect us to go through considering our form at the Emirates.
Havertz was Havertz but in this game he was far from the worst performer on the night. Trossard who I rate highly was nonexistent, Saka, Martinelli were simply poor, Raya if there was a reason for Arteta to drop him and give Ramsdale the chance to prove he is the better goalkeeper this is it. I am sure they will raise their game at the emirates in 3 weeks time.
Robert R
Ramsdale is a shadow of Raya. Raya is better
Do you forget the silly goals Ramsdale conceded against Aston Villa, Sporting Lisbon and Southampton?
Sorry Freddy I can’t agree, I have friends who coaches in the game at the highest level agree Ramsdale is the better keeper.
You are joking right? Raya has been protected by the solid defending of our two generals. Ramsdale is far more seasoned in parrying away shots from an Arsenal goalmouth. Raya is favoured because of his ball distribution.
A one goal lead isn’t the end of the world. We will play the next leg at home.
Maybe because we have a young team, the nerves got to them
But I believe we will turn it around
We cant play against a parked bus with his usual tactics. Porto only parked an 18 seater and we still didnt have a shot on target. There will be 3 parked buses at the emirates and you all think, we will score 2? They also have 2 speedsters, galeno and the that one on the right who tore strips off kiwior and i can see them scoring on a counter.
Please change your tactics, novice and attack and press from the 1st minute AND go for the 2nd goal not your usual of dropping 4 gears and play your short sides and back after going one up. Our turn to park A f…ing bus and hit them on the counter. I’d rather lose 3 nil than 2-1
I just hope it isnt a sporting deja vu and hopefully without the injuries. Parteys leaving so play him.
These wankers will drop if you so much as look at them so i cant understand why our team wasnt drilled on that fact. AND kiwior STOP your shirt pulling and tugging, its a stupid way to put pressure on the team