Where did our Arsenal go?

Here’s a few quick thoughts on Monday’s game.

After a beautiful day among the colorful trees in northern Virginia this weekend, I settled down in our hotel room to watch the match. My anticipation for a great performance was high. Man, I was so pumped up…and then I saw the team sheet.
Oh my…what a let down. Now this is not a knock on some of the men Emery chose to start. It really isn’t. I like those guys, but I was expecting the likes of Tierney, Bellerin, Ceballos and Holding in the starting XI. I was even more surprised to see Ozil completely left off the traveling squad…again! I really thought he might get a shot on Monday.

We knew all along that Sheffield United would be a tough match. They are organized, talented, dedicated and well-coached. From the first whistle until the last, the Blades wanted the game and the 3 points more then we did. Third place was within our grasp. What more motivation do you need? We have witnessed several lackluster performances this season, but somehow we are 7-3-2 in all competitions. Does it really seem our season is in disarray…again!

Several things stood out as I watched the match unfold…
1) Playing out of the back was not working. Our lads spent too much energy trying to play this style of football.
2) There was no midfield creativity. How can you have one of the league’s strongest front threes and still get shutout? They just didn’t get the service required to score goals.
3) Where was Pepe? The honeymoon will soon end for the Ivory Coast star. He blew a golden chance for goal on Monday, then seemed to disappear into the Sheffield night except for a few glimpses of what we thought we had bought in the summer transfer window.
4) The officiating was not good…say no more.
5) Guendouzi had more backward passes then forward passes.
6) Aubameyang needed to stay in the center of the front line where he was more dangerous then on the flank.

The bottom line…it’s hard to determine what Arsenal’s style of football is this season. Our offense is too predictable, we try to walk the ball in to the net too many times, and only in rare glimpses do we see the beautiful style of football that has been Arsenal’s trademark for so many years.

Where did our Arsenal go?

With all of that said, where is this team going under Emery? It seems we are just hanging on by a thread in the league. The only hope we have is that the likes of Man United and Tottenham continue to struggle, too.

For everyone’s sake and psychological well-being, this rollercoaster ride has got to stop. Let’s get our best XI on the field and let them play together…a lot! And, please
give Ozil another chance. Who knows he might surprise all of us, even you Mr. Emery.

For comments please click on the date at the top of the post or email me at yankeegooner1953@yahoo.com.

Cheers. Gunner1953