09 Mar 2015 23:26:03
Disappointing but we lost due to a horrendous mistake when the game was fairly level and could have gone either way. Di Maria did show flashes but doesn't track back and became more frustrated as the game went on. The one he got booked for looked a dive but there were several fouls before that which looked like fouls but were not given.
Our starting line up was wrong, I don't get the obsession with Fellaini. Now the first half was a good cup tie quite enjoyable but then LvG made 2 substitutions, I have to ask why? If it was tactical then it was a diabolical decision. Herrera moved around well and Shaw looked fine to me. At half time my thoughts were that LvG must have thought Herrera particularly left us too open and he wanted Carrick to hold, what we got was a stodgy slow midfiekd and it looks to me like Carrick has lost the pace of the game. I would really like to know the cause of those substitutions and hope it was injury related. Then chasing a goal we go long to Fellaini who was clumsy to say the least and bring on a winger leaving Falcao on the bench, strange.
We showed spirit but the substitutions were baffling. It was a horrendous error to lose to but if you continually pass back it will happen eventually. Opportunity missed and we now need to win league games.
10 Mar 2015 00:11:40
Some very odd game management I must say.
It's also worth noting I think the game was entertaining but lacking in any quality for both at various times, there was only patches from both. Herrera was our only central midfielder and possibly the only one on the pitch that looked to penetrate the game through the middle.
Quite how Fellani and Valencia stayed on was unbelievable. Blind also looked like he lost the pace of the game at times.
Smalling spent so much time covering Valencia I thought he was playing RB at some point in first half (Honest).
It was a game where a case could be made for both if either had won, it was arsenals day for a change and time to suck it up. I'm pretty confident they won't be to frequent.
10 Mar 2015 00:38:22
I really really don't understand what goes through LVG mind at times. Its a no brainer that Rafael should have played RB and not Valencia. AW exploited this and most of Arsenals play looled to come down that route. He has got so bad that the Barman now serves a drink in honour of him called 2 Shimmy's & Dash to the right.
Taking AH off affected the pace of our Play as MC is not 28 anymore and him and DB Are far to slow for a fast ball playing Arsenal team.
Why could LVG not put Jones and Carrick together in Defence pushing Rojo/DB out to LB and push LS up to Midfield as Young was loosing Stamina. Rafael would have done a job on the right and i'm quite sure Mata would have put in 110% and had more of an Impact in the game. maybe alongside AH our play may have been quicker with ADM cutting in. Any fool Knows Arsenal play high tempo football and burn out early in the 2nd . I think Falcao deserved a Start in the 2nd period but LVG chose not too and we have to except that.
We seriously need to beef up our Defence and midfield if we want to stand a chance of staying a top 4 team. We do have skillful Mid players but their pushed off too easily