Arsenal vs Watford (16/17)

Theo coming on

Sri wrote:Do you also write outside GL? You said you (wanted to) do journalism right?

Yeah, but it's all unpaid stuff atm.

I have a policy of never using GL for promoting my own stuff so I don't bring it up much.

That's a commendable policy too.

PM me where I could follow your work, if you want. I'm sure I would enjoy it.

Wenger making an unforced substitution = shit getting real.

No retention what so ever.

2 solid saves by Gomes so far in the 2 half

3 solid saves ..

Not good finishing from Walcott or Ozil.

Much, much better though. Need a goal soon.

Iwobi pulls one back

There it is. Iwobi.

Keep this going and we'll have a chance.

It's his 50th appearance for Arsenal too, iirc

Why can't Ox play simple ffs

Perez on, Coq off

Arsene messed up with that sub, should have gone with Bellerin

Ox pulling something

Arsene is in the stands, not sure if Bouldie called the Perez sub

We're going to start Coquelin--Maintland-Niles in midfield against Chelsea lads

Yeah, moving Iwobi to the middle when he was getting so much joy down wide has narrowed our play. It's much easier for Watford now without width, especially with a back five.

Watford will see this out by the looks of things.

Perez off the crossbar, unlucky

And Watford see it out comfortably.

We really messed up after we scored. Had to keep width in the team to stretch Watford's back five. Put on the extra forward yet couldn't make anything and refused to put the ball in the box.

Chelsea will crown themselves as Champions on Saturday, undoubtedly.

So it's the FA Cup or bust.

Also how nice would it have been to sub Giroud on so we could actually go more direct if we needed to?

Alexis really has to return to the centre. Giroud was useless against a tall, physical defence and with Alexis and Iwobi either side we're not going to be getting the best out of him.

Jay29 wrote:Also how nice would it have been to sub Giroud on so we could actually go more direct if we needed to?

Alexis really has to return to the centre. Giroud was useless against a tall, physical defence and with Alexis and Iwobi either side we're not going to be getting the best out of him.

Didn't understand the Perez sub even thought he hit the post. It was another body in the centre clogging up things again. We had nothing on the right all game and with Theo moving to the centre all the time we needed width.

Also Gabriel and Iwobi on the right is even more puzzling, Iwobi should have at least started on the left where he is more comfortable

Was an unusual sub from Wenger as in such situations when we are chasing a game he doesn't like to change things when dominating.

Shows his desperation.

Keeping Gabriel on was strange as well. Coquelin would have been useful in recovering the ball, whereas Gabriel continued to offer nothing going forward and seemed reluctant to stay high up the pitch. We didn't even need a right back. Could have kept Iwobi wide left where he was going down the outside and taking people on, Walcott on the right flank and Lucas, Ozil and Alexis in the middle.

Of course, this ignores that utter travesty of a first half.

wengers terrible team selection cost us this game
knew he would gamble on someones fitness which went so badly
Alexis had to start up top and Giroud on the bench

Arsenal's next 6 fixtures:

Chelsea A
Hull City H
Bayern A
Sutton Utd A
Liverpool A
Bayern H#afc

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) January 31, 2017

Overall I am disgusted in the manner in which we tend to start or approach games nowadays. We always look so off the pace and unprepared. It's basically a lack of professionalism, I can't find any other words to describe such shambles. From the word go we looked off the pace in comparison to Watford who's attitude and approach was spot on. It's even more baffling when you realised most of the first team players were rested for this game.

Look at the goals we conceded for example, you wouldn't even see such sloppiness in the lower divisions to be honest. Sometimes it's not about ability, it's all about the mentality. We have too many days where we just wander on the pitch looking to play football without the right mentality. After this we will get the usual drivel in the interview about they how they must start better etc. Today is the day the season died, excitement gone. Only bit of excitement left is the cups to be honest. It's sad when the fans are more pumped for a game then the players