I think what really gets to me is that we obviously don't have a great haul of European trophies. And we were given a golden opportunity to change that, especially in a semi-final. On chances alone, we could have finished this tie off tonight. To play as well as we did and to be as comfortable as we were, yet still not win, that does grate on me. We are never going to be in a position like that again. Sorry for being so doom and gloom. I know it's still 1-1 and we can technically still turn it around (though I'm not holding my breath), but man, I'm just so upset It all could have been so different... But I guess that's been the story of Arsenal for too long...could have been...should have been...etc.
Their goal was a moment that summed up the second decade of Wenger’s time at Arsenal, ****ing heartbreaking really.
well the following people were knackered and not really running (well running hard): wilshere, welbeck, ramsay, ozil
Like I said to Bear. They had 10 men for more or less the entire game. We were giving everything. Despite us throwing everything at them, we only have one goal to show for it. That would have been respectable if we hadn't conceded. Yet we did. To go on their home turf and, at absolute minimum, win 0-1 or draw 2-2 (if we don't want ET/penalties), when the fans will be right behind them and with Costa back...you just know how this story is going to end. Yes, defence will be key in the second-leg. But I have no faith that they will come good when it matters. They haven't all season after all. Why expect them to now?
Nah, they were all playing well enough. Ramsey would have made it 2-0 but for that worldy from Oblak. It was the defence that cost us.
disagree, someone like klopp would have been at them all the time. your team had the ball but there was no intensity in it
For 9 minutes then Mate, unfortunately you blew it tonight. 81 minutes against 10 men and you go to a proper daunting stadium needing a win. They've hardly conceded all season at theirs and Costa will be fit. Conceded 4 all season in the league at home, I think? You should have wrapped the tie up in tonight's situation. Typical Arsenal I'm afraid. This is done and dusted unless you pull off a masterstroke imo. Shame for Arsene tbh.
You make a strong case here and, to be fair, most times your analysis is good. I'm mindful that football is a 'funny old game' and I don't think this tie is dead and buried. One of my heads says you are probably correct, but my other one is whispering "not so fast, Diego". We'll see.
not necessarily-ten men can become quite an effective defensive unit. I've seen many games when a well-organised ten men have carved great results
To be fair, if the scoreline stayed at 1-0, it wouldn't have been enough over the two legs. We definitely would have needed to score in the away fixture too. So I think Bobby and Skylarker are right that our attacking players were very profligate and we didn't up the tempo when we had their backs on the walls. Right now, he reality is that away goal could prove to be pivotal. We will need our attack to be ruthless and our defence to perform to the best of their ability. Call me a pessimist but I can't see it happening for us.
This game was a fitting farewell to Arsene as it is encapsulating his whole footballistic philosophy: "We are an attacking team, so we are bound to concede a goal or two.." The scenario for this match was written in the last 12 years and it has been played again and again. This match nevertheless has shown the glaring weakness of this philosophy clearer than ever before: we are willing to concede an easy goal to score two difficult ones. Wengerball is made to play, not to win, and it was sooo obvious today. We can not possibly play better than we did today. We played our best game of the season. We were so much better than them for 89 minutes. And yet we practically lost. And that is exactly why Wenger has to go.
Liverpool struggled to break up far weaker side that Atletico who sit back and defend in numbers not allowing space
As Sanj pointed out. That game last night encapsulated Wenger's second decade at Arsenal. So close, yet always managing to **** it up.
Can you Northern monkeys please take your spat about flat caps and whippets onto your own boards, thanks
He's more southern than you mate. He's from France. He's a clueless Man Utd fan. But is that you getting all moddy on my arse?
