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Post by mamampira on Jan 19, 2015 22:31:49 GMT -5
In your opinion, how was it that Arsenal was able to get a victory against Man City, something they have not been able to accomplish in the last few years against the top teams in the EPL. What were key elements that led to this victory?
Was it is case of arsenal having a Plan B? Wenger finally coming to the realization that sexy soccer is not always winning soccer. Has Wenger finally taken a page from Mourinho's book by putting defense first?
Has Arsenal finally found a holding midfielder in Coquelin. A player who has been on loan for a second or third division team, if you can believe it? And if it was not for the various injuries on the squad, he most likely would not be playing - he'd still be locked somewhere in the pecking order? And with his play being nothing short of a revelation, what does that say about Wenger's ability to spot talent and make use of it? What does it say about the Joe Campbells on the current squad who are not getting enough minutes?
Going forward, will Wenger keep going with the practical football or will he go back to his old ways of attacking with no steel in the back?
We are about twenty matches in and Chelsea is still on top of the league, with a five point lead on Man City. At the end of the month Chelsea meets Man City -- any predictions? Will this match be title decider, bearing in mind that a victory for Chelsea will lead to an eight point lead and a victory for Man City will bring it down to 2 point lead.
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Post by zizou on Jan 19, 2015 23:30:12 GMT -5
From my perspective, this one is easy:
1. No YaYa Toure for Man City.
2. Santi Cazorla was an absolute BOSS in midfield. Man City could not get the ball from him. He was like some high level demon. Very impressive. He seemed to be playing more of a holding role. Interesting. The Gunners can do this because of their depth of attacking midfield talent.
3. Pellegrini was massively out-coached. Where were City's penetrating runs through the middle? Silva and Aguero were both man-marked right out of the game (did Aguero even touch the ball more than 3 times?). This was made easier for Arsenal because of City's continued insistence on going wide and letting Navas hit mediocre after medicore cross (I know Man City are big on statistics and Pellegrini must know that the average Premier league side scores only about 1 out of every 100 crosses in open play, or something like that. Why keep doing it?).
There you go!
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Post by reinalocura on Jan 20, 2015 11:36:01 GMT -5
2. Santi Cazorla was an absolute BOSS in midfield. Man City could not get the ball from him. He was like some high level demon. Very impressive. He seemed to be playing more of a holding role. Interesting. The Gunners can do this because of their depth of attacking midfield talent. SANTI!!! I really enjoy watching him do his thing and when he is ON he is ON! |
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Post by jack4343 on Jan 20, 2015 15:34:44 GMT -5
I'm a new fan to the Premier League this year and I've seen all of Arsenal's games this year and this was by far their most complete overall performance. I agree fully with zizou that having Toure out meant we had a great chance to rule the midfield and boy Santi and Coquelin did. I figured Ozil would play a factor in the game but we didn't even need him. I would've never guessed that. For once it did seem that Arsenal adjusted their tactics to their opponent and didn't throw everything at Joe Hart and it looked great. Of course, Man City was missing Toure, didn't have Wilfred Bony and Aguero and Kompany have just come back from injury so they played them at probably the best time in the season. All that being said, Arsenal usually finds a way to blow it so I was a happy camper. They laid back a bit, conceeded cross after cross and gave up many corners but just seemed to be much more relaxed in the back than I've seen all year. Sure is more fun than the train wreck game against Southampton. Heck even Mertesacker showed off a little skill in the midfield.
Love Carzola's dance after the free kick too!
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Post by mamampira on Jan 20, 2015 21:54:30 GMT -5
From my perspective, this one is easy: 1. No YaYa Toure for Man City. 2. Santi Cazorla was an absolute BOSS in midfield. Man City could not get the ball from him. He was like some high level demon. Very impressive. He seemed to be playing more of a holding role. Interesting. The Gunners can do this because of their depth of attacking midfield talent. 3. Pellegrini was massively out-coached. Where were City's penetrating runs through the middle? Silva and Aguero were both man-marked right out of the game (did Aguero even touch the ball more than 3 times?). This was made easier for Arsenal because of City's continued insistence on going wide and letting Navas hit mediocre after medicore cross (I know Man City are big on statistics and Pellegrini must know that the average Premier league side scores only about 1 out of every 100 crosses in open play, or something like that. Why keep doing it?). There you go! Good points. I agree with your analysis! If Yaya Toure was present he would have probably smothered Cazorla and provided balls through the middle too. Yes But Carzola was the BOSS!  |
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Post by special1 on Feb 22, 2015 22:22:27 GMT -5
You can only love Mourinho post match interviews. The game vs Burnley was very bad officiating at all levels.I wonder if the FA will fine him for pointing out game changing moments? This time he said the truth without mentioning any names, so how can they go after him? Reminds me of fantastic comments he made about some referee last season. He said ref did a fantastic job and they came hard on him.
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Post by special1 on Feb 22, 2015 22:23:11 GMT -5
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Post by special1 on Feb 22, 2015 22:26:17 GMT -5
Everyone is playing well in the EPL as of late, so its going to be fun to watch the next couple of weeks. I agree there is a campaign against Chelsea this season.
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Post by special1 on Feb 22, 2015 22:47:25 GMT -5
In your opinion, how was it that Arsenal was able to get a victory against Man City, something they have not been able to accomplish in the last few years against the top teams in the EPL. What were key elements that led to this victory? Was it is case of arsenal having a Plan B? Wenger finally coming to the realization that sexy soccer is not always winning soccer. Has Wenger finally taken a page from Mourinho's book by putting defense first? Has Arsenal finally found a holding midfielder in Coquelin. A player who has been on loan for a second or third division team, if you can believe it? And if it was not for the various injuries on the squad, he most likely would not be playing - he'd still be locked somewhere in the pecking order? And with his play being nothing short of a revelation, what does that say about Wenger's ability to spot talent and make use of it? What does it say about the Joe Campbells on the current squad who are not getting enough minutes? Going forward, will Wenger keep going with the practical football or will he go back to his old ways of attacking with no steel in the back? We are about twenty matches in and Chelsea is still on top of the league, with a five point lead on Man City. At the end of the month Chelsea meets Man City -- any predictions? Will this match be title decider, bearing in mind that a victory for Chelsea will lead to an eight point lead and a victory for Man City will bring it down to 2 point lead. City is a different team without Toure. Coquelin is good in the midfield but I doubt he is the answer as far as holding midfielder is concerned. Arsenal have problems in the back but they can be lethal upfront. I don't see Wenger adopting that style of practical football just because he is stuck in his ways already. He will try it once in a while. Spurs are on fire right now, so is Liverpool. I think United are boring and as far as Chelsea Mourihno is on his pragmatic ways right now so they aren't exciting or boring too watch, just doing what is needed to win the next game. |
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Post by stevieg on Feb 23, 2015 7:09:20 GMT -5
And who was the only team to win this weekend who also played in Europe during the week?
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Post by special1 on Mar 1, 2015 7:34:14 GMT -5
Intense game at Anfield so far has lived up to the hype. Ref is facilitating well
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Post by special1 on Mar 1, 2015 7:42:35 GMT -5
Ref(s) rather. I wonder why BR doesn't have Sturridge, Balotelli or Sahko in the game
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Post by special1 on Mar 1, 2015 8:33:49 GMT -5
Wow Coutinho! Spectacular strike man of the match
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Post by stevieg on Mar 1, 2015 10:42:22 GMT -5
Ref(s) rather. I wonder why BR doesn't have Sturridge, Balotelli or Sahko in the game Sakho is injured and Sturridge is being managed due to the injury (he sucked Thursday too). Great win! You're welcome. COYS (LOL) |
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