Fair to be a bit glass half empty but I’m not so downbeat. I know a team ‘wanting it more’ is highly non-analytical but mentally both teams were in very different places - subconsciously or otherwise Arsenal were far less concerned about this match/competition than Sporting and you could tell. That gives me some comfort because I don’t think there is a collective trend to find for the rest of the season, it’s just a bad result.
On individuals, I know you guys have been very positive on Vieira but I’ve yet to see it and last night was more of the same. Aside from his lack of athleticism and willingness to put his body on the line, sometimes his choices are bad and then badly executed. It might improve with more familiarity but I haven’t got much hope to cling to.
And can I also throw in Ben White’s fitness / stamina. Would love to know if he’s running way more than others but the guy looks completely spent after 60 minutes as a starter. He lasted into extra time last night but again was wrecked. With Tomiyasu seemingly out for a while, it’s one that makes me nervous.
Totally agree, we simply don’t have the squad to compete on both fronts. The demands on the team if they are going to win the PL are demands only 2 players in the squad have experienced and even they haven’t experienced it the way the Arsenal team will as City had a much much deeper squad.
I don’t like the “blessing in disguise” narrative, however there is some truth in it in this case. The drag on PL football from European competition stats, which shows a slight improvement in form, isn’t in my view representation of the position Arsenal find themselves in.
Largely because it doesn’t or rather can’t factor in that Arsenal are challenging for the PL not trying to get into or stay in the top 4. The pressure to be at your physical and mental peak to hold off a team like City is new territory for this young side. Our squad, whilst better, is not good enough to win both.
I would caveat my next statement by saying any new player in the PL needs a season to adjust and find their way, with the exception of the truly elite players, Casemiro, Haaland etc. However Viera last night was truly awful, in every aspect of the game. Jorginho was constantly pointing to him and telling him where he needed to be. His positional play, spacial awareness, physicality and distribution were simply terrible. He needs time but he hasn’t shown me enough yet for him be a contender to Ødegaard. Nelson was also poor and Ben White far too casual.
Ødegaard made the difference when he came on, the gulf in class between, Nelson, J20, Viera and Partey, Saka and Ødegaard is cavernous. No one likes to lose a game, but there is no way we win the PL with a long run in the Europa League. Champions League is virtually assured. No having reflected for a day or so, Mikel did the right thing, and I’m relieved we can now focus on the PL we will need the weeks rest in between games to recover and be at our best in each game.
Fair to be a bit glass half empty but I’m not so downbeat. I know a team ‘wanting it more’ is highly non-analytical but mentally both teams were in very different places - subconsciously or otherwise Arsenal were far less concerned about this match/competition than Sporting and you could tell. That gives me some comfort because I don’t think there is a collective trend to find for the rest of the season, it’s just a bad result.
On individuals, I know you guys have been very positive on Vieira but I’ve yet to see it and last night was more of the same. Aside from his lack of athleticism and willingness to put his body on the line, sometimes his choices are bad and then badly executed. It might improve with more familiarity but I haven’t got much hope to cling to.
And can I also throw in Ben White’s fitness / stamina. Would love to know if he’s running way more than others but the guy looks completely spent after 60 minutes as a starter. He lasted into extra time last night but again was wrecked. With Tomiyasu seemingly out for a while, it’s one that makes me nervous.
Totally agree, we simply don’t have the squad to compete on both fronts. The demands on the team if they are going to win the PL are demands only 2 players in the squad have experienced and even they haven’t experienced it the way the Arsenal team will as City had a much much deeper squad.
I don’t like the “blessing in disguise” narrative, however there is some truth in it in this case. The drag on PL football from European competition stats, which shows a slight improvement in form, isn’t in my view representation of the position Arsenal find themselves in.
Largely because it doesn’t or rather can’t factor in that Arsenal are challenging for the PL not trying to get into or stay in the top 4. The pressure to be at your physical and mental peak to hold off a team like City is new territory for this young side. Our squad, whilst better, is not good enough to win both.
I would caveat my next statement by saying any new player in the PL needs a season to adjust and find their way, with the exception of the truly elite players, Casemiro, Haaland etc. However Viera last night was truly awful, in every aspect of the game. Jorginho was constantly pointing to him and telling him where he needed to be. His positional play, spacial awareness, physicality and distribution were simply terrible. He needs time but he hasn’t shown me enough yet for him be a contender to Ødegaard. Nelson was also poor and Ben White far too casual.
Ødegaard made the difference when he came on, the gulf in class between, Nelson, J20, Viera and Partey, Saka and Ødegaard is cavernous. No one likes to lose a game, but there is no way we win the PL with a long run in the Europa League. Champions League is virtually assured. No having reflected for a day or so, Mikel did the right thing, and I’m relieved we can now focus on the PL we will need the weeks rest in between games to recover and be at our best in each game.