94: LU Arsenal Brigade

[Macca_]

Just before we kick off... Mickey Mouse Cup draw -

Blackburn v Arsenal

Good tough trip for the young guys.

Other fixtures -
West Ham v Everton
Man City v Spurs
Chelsea v Liverpool

 

[NK Arsenal]

Walcott on the bench is a gamble but God knows what he is doing.

 

[NK Arsenal]

Just before we kick off... Mickey Mouse Cup draw -

Blackburn v Arsenal

Good tough trip for the young guys.

Other fixtures -
West Ham v Everton
Man City v Spurs
Chelsea v Liverpool

Where's Man Utd? Oh wait, they lost 1-0 against Coventry City :lol:

 

[Macca_]

A gamble which way though?

His form has been great, he has to be there somewhere.

Would have been a gamble to start him, but he deserves his spot on the bench.

 

[NK Arsenal]

A gamble which way though?

I meant that he should of been starting in a 4-4-2 formation with him and Adebayor up front, Hleb at LM and Eboue on the bench.

 

[Macca_]

Down the goal at the half so unless we pull one back in the first 10-15 we'll see 442 with either Theo or Eddy.

Neither team really getting the chances in front of goal, so will be a frustrated dressing room after that lucky goal. Of all the places it could have went after hitting Gallas! Probably should have been our freekick when Hleb was shoved over 2 passes before it.

All to play for, just need to keep it tight at the back. Which will be tested in the second half as we chase the goal and keep a higher line.

 

[Tom Shines]

You've got Rovers away in the cup.
We have Sp*rs at home.

:LOL:

 

[Macca_]

You're late mate, it's on the previous page

Congrats on a semi final birth in the CC.

 

[Tom Shines]

Thanks mate, I know that.
I was just LOLing at the fact we play the Spews.

 

[Macca_]

Undefeated record in tact. 2-2 at full time, Billy in stoppage time.

Geez this side can dig in. Went behind at Anfield last weekend and came back and then again, in the biggest game of the season we come from behind twice.

Draw a fair result, both teams played well and neither deserved to lose.

Holy crap, just saw the finish from Gallas from the reverse angle. Great finish son!

So, still top of the league. Off to Prague we go.

 

[CC_Eagle]

Great game.

Gallas owed us a goal, the OG and the sitter he missed last week!

 

[CC_Eagle]

Walcott on the bench is a gamble but God knows what he is doing.

A good gamble at that.

:lol:

Is it just me, or was Hleb really average? Tomas needs to see more ball as well.

 

[Stonecutter]

A good gamble at that.

Is it just me, or was Hleb really average? Tomas needs to see more ball as well.

I thought Hleb was good tbh. Set up one of the goals in the second half with great footwork and a pass. Needs to focus on shooting more when he gets the chance.

Rosicky was great. Played so much better when drifting into the centre.

After last weeks shocker, I thought Eboue played some great balls and got around defenders well.

I also think we played far too conservative. Should've played a 4-4-2 with Dudu up front with Adebayor imo. He (Ade) got into a lot of open space but had to hold it up with no-one else in support.

 

[Phillips]

i'd bring in Lehmann for our next game personally..

 

[NK Arsenal]

i'd bring in Lehmann for our next game personally..

I agree. Almunia didn't keep a clean sheet today/yesterday so it is time to give Lehmann a chance. If he f**ks up, he's goooooooooooooooooooooooone

 

[ByRd]

I disagree, i still dont think Almunia has done anything wrong and the goals conceded last night were not his fault and he could have done nothing to stop them, they were defensive errors so i say he should keep his spot.

 

[CC_Eagle]

IMO he made an error coming to ball before the second goal. The chances of that actually being successful were next to none, plus leaving an open goal.

 

[Macca_]

Yeah he played his part in the second goal (Almunia) but I don't think it warrants being dropped. The guy who would replace him has cost us 2 goals this season...

Theo and Sagna as much to blame for their second goal though. Both players watched Evra make his run in behind and thats just not on in defence. It was a good ball to find him, but first rule as a defender off the ball is to be with your opponent. Neither picked up the run, it could have been stopped there if they did.

Re Hleb, he was much better in the second half. Going behind really bought us out to play. Whilst I kind of agree it was a bit conservative going 451, we've used that a number of times and it does suit how we play. You also need to use tactics based on your opponent. Would 442 have made a difference, would we have won or perhaps lost, will never know.

All in all, a good game which neither team deserved to lose. And I think it's the last nail in the coffin for those that were writing us off as also rans at the start of the season. Those that had out struggling to make the UEFA Cup even are scratching their heads!

 

[ByRd]

I also think Toure sort of backed off a bit in that second goal when running down Saha, he just gave him that lil bit of extra room but it was a bad read from Sagna, and yeh Almunia didnt have to commit but he has been good and does not warrant being dropped unless he does something real stupid

 

[Macca_]

I guess what Toure did was correct had his team mates done their job and picked up the runners. He held Saha up but didn't get the back up.