1 shot on target = 1 goal = 1-1 draw in Portugual

I’m sick and tired of writing cynical posts about the Arsenal Football Club. No, I really am. I have a deep affection for the north London side, but lately frustration has gotten the best of me. So here we go again..another cynical post.

If you had the unfortunate opportunity to watch today’s game against Vitoria you probably feel the same way. Yes, the weather was miserable, but both teams had to muscle through the same pouring rain for 90 plus minutes. It seemed Vitoria was able to cope better and stayed on the front foot the entire first half. They attempted 10 shots with 3 on goal. The Gunners, on the other hand, attempted 2 shots with 0 on goal in the opening 45 minutes. If not for the goaltending abilities of Emiliano Martinez, the lads could have been down 0-3 at the break.

The second half was much the same for Arsenal, however, the home side seemed to tire and lost momentum as the half progressed. Actually, the game got pretty sloppy on both sides.

Finally, in the 80th minute a game broke out at the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques. Shkodran Mustafi headed home a free kick from Pepe to put Arsenal in front 0-1. Then, at the 90+1 minute mark of stoppage time, the Gunners’ defense feel asleep. Vitoria scored the equalizer, and that’s how it ended…1-1. Yes, Arsenal blew another lead, again! When all was said and done, Vitoria had 7 shots on target, Arsenal had just 1. Arsenal had 65% possession of ball but could not muster a single shot on target in open play the entire game! Even the substitutes, Lacazette, Guendouzi and Torreira were unable to provide any spark. The Gunners’ passing was poor, there was a lack of communication among players, their defending was sloppy, and once again, there was no creativity in the final third.

Now remember, Vitoria is a 5th place team in the Portuguese Liga. Arsenal is a 5th place team in the English Premier League. At times today, except for the color of the jerseys, it was hard to tell one side from the other. There was a real lack of quality in this game, however, Vitoria deserved their point. To be totally honest, they deserved to win. Even though their overall play was erratic at times, Vitoria played with more intent, more focus, were better organized in the back third, and had 6 more shots on goal in the front third than Arsenal. Escasping with a 1-1 draw today was a very fortunate result for AFC.

Next up for Arsenal are the Foxes of Leciseter City who are hotter than a firecracker. Unfortunately, the game is also on the road in the King Power Stadium.

An away match against a current powerhouse in the Premier League will be yet another tough test for Unai Emery and his squad.

In my opinion, this weekend will tell the tale of the Arsenal football squad for the rest of this season.

If you have a comment please click on the date at the top of the page, or email me at yankeegooner1953@yahoo.com.

Cheers. Gunner1953