Dismal performance, win aside

[John Bunnell]

We have been playing this way pretty much consistently all of 2026 you all realise this right?

[Peter]

I've been saying since Jan he's our player of the season. I actually felt guilty for it - it was when I read an interview with Dec saying he's up for the ballon d'or and I thought "But he's not even the best player at Arsenal, Daveeeed is."

Seems now others are coming 'round to my opinion.

And in the spirit of Rich apologising to Vik, can I apologise to Kepa. I wanted you to start the final as I thought you'd deserved it. I was wrong. **** off back to Chelsea you ****. I'd rather have Alex Manninger or a 66 year old John Lukic for his third stretch. Why oh why oh why didn't we get Sir Chez? Loved him.

Everything finally went wrong for us when we got rid of Sir Chez for that Cech twunt.

But for Raya's thumb, we would have lost 1-0 last night. That late save from the scuffle follow up.

We were quite fortunate last night. Didn't deserve to win.

[PSRB]

But for Raya's thumb, we would have lost 1-0 last night. That late save from the scuffle follow up.

We were quite fortunate last night. Didn't deserve to win.

Gyokeres should never have been offside for the Zubimendi goal

[Peter]

Gyokeres should never have been offside for the Zubimendi goal

Agreed, and i think it was quite embarrassing that the linesman didnt give it. He was miles offside

I knew immediately and couldn't believe the flag didnt go up.

[PSRB]

Agreed, and i think it was quite embarrassing that the linesman didnt give it. He was miles offside

I knew immediately and couldn't believe the flag didnt go up.

I was a bit surprised they didn't have a look at the Havertz goal, it looked mighty close.

[Peter]

I was a bit surprised they didn't have a look at the Havertz goal, it looked mighty close.

They did. He was definitely onside. His leading arm made it look closer than it was.

[7sisters]

Was it playing badly though? I mean, I guess it depends on your benchmark for good and bad. It certainly wasn't free flowing, attacking football with the handbrake off. But if you think Arteta is going to play like that, with this team, at this stage of the season in a game like that, then you are setting yourself up for disappointment. I have no doubt that if Arteta wanted to go out all guns blazing, he could set the team up like that. It is a choice, and one based upon data and statistics that guides him to approaching games like this, or most games now at the moment, in a controlled manner with low risk. The more attacking you play, the more the risk increases and the more you fall into the hands of lady luck on the result.

If you think we're going to go to Maine Road in a few weeks and play ANY different to last night, you're dreaming. 0-0 all the way with the potential to nick a win. It's how he has approached all of the big games ALL season and it's how he is approaching basically every game now due to the importance at this stage.

That?s my problem with Arteta. He?s gone from fairly free flowing, quick on the break football to this pedestrian sludge in the space of two seasons, and with the added bonus of some expensive reinforcements.
Fully expect him to continue in this manner until the end of the season. He couldn?t change too much now, even if he wanted to. 3pts v Bournemouth gives us a 12pt cushion before City go to Chelsea on Sunday. Anything less than a win there should see us home and dry.
Not quite the victory procession run in of Champions past but we?ll all take winning ugly, as opposed to implosion.
As an aside. There was an abundance of unforced errors in that Madrid v Bryan game last night so I?m not completely giving up on big ears just yet either

[Peter]

That?s my problem with Arteta. He?s gone from fairly free flowing, quick on the break football to this pedestrian sludge in the space of two seasons, and with the added bonus of some expensive reinforcements.
Fully expect him to continue in this manner until the end of the season. He couldn?t change too much now, even if he wanted to. 3pts v Bournemouth gives us a 12pt cushion before City go to Chelsea on Sunday. Anything less than a win there should see us home and dry.
Not quite the victory procession run in of Champions past but we?ll all take winning ugly, as opposed to implosion.
As an aside. There was an abundance of unforced errors in that Madrid v Bryan game last night so I?m not completely giving up on big ears just yet either

I watched the highlights. That game was a ****ing mess!

I expect it from Real but was surprised at Bayern. I still dont think we'd stand a chance against them.

To expose defensive weaknesses you have to get at them. Liverpool have been a defensive disaster this season but in two games against them we barely managed a meaningful shot on target.

[Sir C]

I watched the highlights. That game was a ****ing mess!

I expect it from Real but was surprised at Bayern. I still dont think we'd stand a chance against them.

To expose defensive weaknesses you have to get at them. Liverpool have been a defensive disaster this season but in two games against them we barely managed a meaningful shot on target.

If we come up against Bayern, RM or Barcelona playing the way we are currently it will be embarrassing.

I don't even want to think about what's going to happen at the Etihad. Pep must be licking his lips.

[Rich]

Was it playing badly though? I mean, I guess it depends on your benchmark for good and bad. It certainly wasn't free flowing, attacking football with the handbrake off. But if you think Arteta is going to play like that, with this team, at this stage of the season in a game like that, then you are setting yourself up for disappointment. I have no doubt that if Arteta wanted to go out all guns blazing, he could set the team up like that. It is a choice, and one based upon data and statistics that guides him to approaching games like this, or most games now at the moment, in a controlled manner with low risk. The more attacking you play, the more the risk increases and the more you fall into the hands of lady luck on the result.

If you think we're going to go to Maine Road in a few weeks and play ANY different to last night, you're dreaming. 0-0 all the way with the potential to nick a win. It's how he has approached all of the big games ALL season and it's how he is approaching basically every game now due to the importance at this stage.

I fully agree. Think we played really well and unlucky not to be 2-0. They have won every game at home in the CL this season and have also won their last 17 there in all competitions.

Wd MA imho.