Arsenal vs Sporting Lisbon

Second Half...

 

Ramsey has been awful.

Torreira now on for Elneny - we need some creativity.

 

Ramsey's far from alone believe me.

 

First half was like watching paint dry.

 

Away in Europe against your strongest group competitor, that isn't a bad thing.

 

Welbeck

 

11 wins in a row for the first time in 11 years

Emery seems to be the master of second half performances.

 

Much better in the 2nd half. 11 wins on the bouce

 

He certainly knows how to make tactical changes to affect games. Would like to see us start more brightly and with purpose. But as long as we're winning games, then Emery takes full credit.

 

Can we call this the perfect 11..... the little man Torreira unassumingly makes the difference when he comes on and that's 11 wins on the bounce now! COYG

 

Torreira gives our team such a good balance. He shields the back four, allows the other CM room to attack, makes crucial tackles and interceptions and on the ball makes some great short incisive passes.

Fabulous little player. Looks like we've bagged a bargain there.

 

Main down side today was Ramsey.

Given the creative role in the side and he failed to do anything of note again.

Torrreira is rightfully getting a lot of praise but Leno is looking particularly impressive IMO. He's a better keeper than I was expecting TBH.

 

Leno's been really good since he's come in. Looks very solid and assured. Makes good saves, good with his feet and excellent distribution too. He's ahead of Cech now imo.

 

Wasn't expecting a win in this game; I actually thought we would draw. So the fact we won AND kept a clean sheet is fantastic!

When you consider the last team to beat Sporting at home was Barcelona from just over 2 years ago, and we'd never won away against a Portuguese side before, I think we deserve quite a lot of credit for winning this game (and winning deservedly). Baring in mind we had Xhaka playing at left-back and they STILL couldn't score against us! In fact, Xhaka was barely troubled. An Emery masterclass if I've ever seen one .

That being said, I'm hoping we'll have any of Kolasinac, Monreal or even Maitland-Niles available for the Palace game, as I think Palace will definitely target Xhaka as a vulnerability if he continues in that position.

First half, we were very average but to be honest, they didn't really muster any real shots on goal. Guendouzi wanted too much time on the ball and kept getting dispossessed, Lichsteiner was getting beat too easily in 1-v-1 situations and Welbeck's ball control was poor.

I thought Sokratis was a little lucky to stay on the pitch after he misjudged the header and grabbed the attacker's shirt in a desperate attempt to get back (albeit the Sporting attacker went down very easily).

Second half, unsurprisingly, we were all over them. They dropped deeper, didn't press us on the ball and we were able to monopolise possession. Aubameyang and Welbeck missed two excellent chances before the latter capitalised on Coates' error with a clinical finish. Welbeck's got 5 goals already this season which, for a 3rd choice striker in October, is actually pretty good.

Torreira changed the game when he came on though. We had more bite in midfield which meant they couldn't counter attack us easily and he was always looking to play the ball forward so that we could keep the pressure on them.

For me, MotM was Rob Holding. Barely put a foot wrong, made some crucial interceptions and tackles, composed on the ball and dominated their striker.

11 wins in a row Let's make it 12 on Sunday!

 

Yeah I hope Emery keeps him in the starting 11 now that Cech is back and fit.

 

Cant be bothered to make a another thread so..

Second Leg.

Emirates.

Arsenal: Cech; Jenkinson, Sokratis, Holding, Lichtsteiner; Guendouzi, Ramsey; Smith Rowe, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi; Welbeck

Sporting: Ribeiro, Gaspar, Coates, Mathieu, Acuna, Nani, Miguel Luis, Gudelj, Bruno Fernandes, Montero, Diaby

 

Ramsey playing as a CM today next to Guendouzi.

Elneny cant even make the squad.

 

Wellbeck injured. Looks bad - may be a broken leg.

Aubameyang coming on.

 

Shame for welbeck been looking good recently..

 

Looks like a broken ankle. Ouch!