Misfiring Gunners shooting blanks
By Flava
March 10 2025
I couldn’t bring myself to do these rating yesterday, I was so angry. A disappointing performance resulted in us coming away with a fortunate point. The suits decided our season in January when we were crying out for reinforcements.
After the high of the PSV game we came crashing back to earth with a subdued performance against a team who had a starting midfield of Casemiro and Erikson. We dominated the ball but were unable to create anything. The runners from all over the pitch which was so apparent against PSV were non-existent barring Declan Rice.
Once again we had to endure 90 minutes of the horse shoe of death. Odegaard dropping deeper and deeper to collect the ball from the centre backs. There was little to cheer about barring the return of Martinelli who at least looked threatening with one shot which Onana pushed around the post when a shot to the far post would perhaps have been preferable. I’m not going to criticise him for that because he did more in 20 minutes than the starting front 3 put together, Merino and Trossard in particular stank the place out.
The midweek PSV game is effectively a dead rubber but I doubt we’ll see as much rotation as we’d like. Unfortunately the PSV game is the outlier, this type of performance is here to stay for the rest of the season or until Saka is back.
I’ve never missed Havertz as much as I do now.
Raya 8 – Outstanding save at the end
Timber 8 – A great performance and did well for the goal
Saliba 6 – Played in second gear
Gabriel 7 – As above, thought he was better than Saliba on the day.
Calafiori 5 – To quote Gattuso “Sometimes good, sometimes sh.it”
Partey 5 – Too many touches, not progressive enough
Odegaard 5 – A promising first half but faded away
Rice 8 MOTM – The only player who looks like he’s on it. One great tackle and a great goal
Trossard 3 – Too many touches, ineffective, would’ve been subbed if there were any viable alternatives on the bench.
Merino 4 – Not his fault, he tries, got robbed in the final third. Fortunately Rasmus ‘The Future’ Hojlund needs 45 touches to get it under control
Nwaneri 5 – Not his day, not his fault!
Subs
Martinelli 6 – Threated once or twice. Good to see him back
MLS 6 – Ok
Tierney 6 – Made a chance for Trossard. Came on instead of Sterling, that tells you everything
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:03:12:17:35:14 by Flava.
Because it bloody was regardless what others think.
2,3,4 (people will differ) players that shouldn't be starting or in cases not be at the Club.
Ratings ok
Pleased you also made Rice MOTM
PSV was a fluke against a team that on the night just folded.
PSV game midweek.
PLEASE PLAY ONE OR TWO YOUNGSTERS WHO ARE FORWARDS.
"𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴."
Raya 7 - 3 great saves but the team became under huge pressure because of his freekick positioning
Theodore roosevelt - In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
I thought Raya was MOTM personally. Him or Trossard. I think Raya is actually probably our Player of the Year.
Gabriel has got a lot of goals but I also think we'll have conceded much more if not for Raya. He's a brilliant goalkeeper.
Quote:Jonny Bravo
Tierney was MOTM and our future at LW. Send Nwaneri out on loan he isn't ready physically, tactically or mentally for top tier football.
Tierney Trossard and Ferran front 3 next season. We can dream...
Quote:Jonny Bravo
Tierney was MOTM and our future at LW. Send Nwaneri out on loan he isn't ready physically, tactically or mentally for top tier football.
High expectation overwhelmed Nwaneri as proven at OT.
Mentally tough for a youngster trying to take on too many expectations and responsibilities.
Quote:Merlion96Quote:Jonny Bravo
Tierney was MOTM and our future at LW. Send Nwaneri out on loan he isn't ready physically, tactically or mentally for top tier football.
High expectation overwhelmed Nwaneri as proven at OT.
Mentally tough for a youngster trying to take on too many expectations and responsibilities.
Yet you're the guy always saying Arteta doesn't play the youth.
Can't have it both ways Merl.
"𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴."
Play the youngsters ... like Wenger gradually grooved Cesc into the team.
But managed their time so as not to drive them into the ground like he is overplaying Nwaneri with such high expectation from fans. Nwaneri started to wither now.
Can't you see his drop in performances from last 3 games (including PSV) with OT when he wa sin Dalot's pocket.
Next weekend against Chelski.
Will Nwaneri find joy as much as Saka against Cucurella?
"They've got Lewis-Skelly the same, two great talents. I think Nwaneri, you're getting a little bit of that inconsistency because he's only 17, he's not fully developed, whereas Lewis-Skelly is like a beast of a player, really strong, contact player, and he's learning the game and getting the right balance.
"He's been involved in a couple of situations that I'm sure he's going to learn from. So they probably could both do with a bit of a rest, it would have to be calamitous if we were to go out so it is an opportunity to rest key players."
[www.mirror.co.uk]
Agreed with Keown.
[x.com]
"𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴."