Arsenal vs Leeds United - Match Thread

[weasel]

Disappointed with the result tbh, we should've got something from it. As expected, the subs changed everything, from both sides.

Another reason why I have sympathy for City. Why should it be that Arsenal, Man U and 1 or 2 other clubs can bring on 3 subs that cost a combined £200m (comfortably more than our whole starting line-up cost). Why shouldn't other teams be able to catch up if their owners want to invest money? Why should it just be that the status quo stays the same for ever and that no other clubs can seek to close the financial gap? City being in a position now where they can be self sustaining and could even start making yearly profits.

[1964white]

Just gone back, it was Bogle

Thank you!

[SG90]

Stop being happy that we played well for 60 minutes!!! We were decent until we went 1-0 up then, as we’ve done so many times, we miss a chance to go 2 up then we capitulate once the opposition turns the screw!

Terrible attacking substitutions and Trafford had a bad game. Yes an improvement but a game we should not have lost.

What will the excuses be if we lose to Man U next? We still need a 10 and a 9..

Exactly. The overall ambition seems to be "not getting battered by a top team, so it's a good result". We definitely should've got something today, but it's the same issues. Don't take our chances while on top, poor subs, don't react when the opposition get on top and make subs. We can't keep ignoring the same mistakes forever.

[weasel]

We were very good defensively for the most part. Still don't rate Elvedi much but hopefully Rodon back soon

I think Rodon will replace JJ and Elvedi will move to the central position - which I think will suit him.

[PhoenixUnited]

without minutes or playing in a system that benefits from wingers I wonder when that will be.

Im not particularly advocating him, I just wonder why we have him in this setup.

I don't know what the answer is but Wilson thus far has failed to show up or make any difference on the occasions that he's managed to make it onto the pitch. When he got on today against Arsenal he was completely anonymous - as were all the substitutes to be fair.

[weasel]

I think we need more perspective. Trafford is a breath of fresh air. He’s very good!

He did a lot right today. His forays out of his box towards the end were due to us pushing for an equalizer. He was left hanging and didn’t have much choice.

First goal wasn’t his fault. Left a player free in defense.

Second goal was just good!

Hard to know whether he was at fault for the first goal. Yes once he gets his hand to it you expect a save but it was from very close range so likely more of a reflex and likely not enough time to get a full hand behind the ball.

[weasel]

Stop being happy that we played well for 60 minutes!!! We were decent until we went 1-0 up then, as we’ve done so many times, we miss a chance to go 2 up then we capitulate once the opposition turns the screw!

Terrible attacking substitutions and Trafford had a bad game. Yes an improvement but a game we should not have lost.

What will the excuses be if we lose to Man U next? We still need a 10 and a 9..

The equaliser changed the whole momentum. After the goal we were actually playing some good possesion football. Unfortunately the equaliser came out of nothing, rather than us being carved open. That gave Arsenal the impetus, the crowd woke up etc.

[SG90]

I don't know what the answer is but Wilson thus far has failed to show up or make any difference on the occasions that he's managed to make it onto the pitch. When he got on today against Arsenal he was completely anonymous - as were all the substitutes to be fair.

Some of our fans really overrate him tbh. He had one good season when he was looking for big payday, otherwise he's been a Championship standard player.

[PhoenixUnited]

Exactly. The overall ambition seems to be "not getting battered by a top team, so it's a good result". We definitely should've got something today, but it's the same issues. Don't take our chances while on top, poor subs, don't react when the opposition get on top and make subs. We can't keep ignoring the same mistakes forever.

There is nothing effective that we have to bring on IMHO. Today's subs were anonymous to a man and made no difference to the game. Perhaps we lost a bit of discipline on the hour mark and the substitutes buggered up the our set up plus Gonners brought on proper quality onto the pitch with their changes

[SG90]

The equaliser changed the whole momentum. After the goal we were actually playing some good possesion football. Unfortunately the equaliser came out of nothing, rather than us being carved open. That gave Arsenal the impetus, the crowd woke up etc.

The equaliser came because Arsenal stepped up once we scored. We lost all momentum and they rose their game. You have to ask what happened there, but it seems to be a common theme.

[SG90]

There is nothing effective that we have to bring on IMHO. Today's subs were anonymous to a man and made no difference to the game. Perhaps we lost a bit of discipline on the hour mark and the substitutes buggered up the our set up plus Gonners brought on proper quality onto the pitch with their changes

I agree the bench is quite poor, but I would've brought on Gruev, as he is calm with the ball, and we'd given it away a lot. I'd have also brought on Bijol, as he is a good defender and we'd have had to deal with wave after wave of attack.

[weasel]

There is nothing effective that we have to bring on IMHO. Today's subs were anonymous to a man and made no difference to the game. Perhaps we lost a bit of discipline on the hour mark and the substitutes buggered up the our set up plus Gonners brought on proper quality onto the pitch with their changes

Farke gets slaughtered for not making subs early and slaughtered when he brings subs on. Perhaps the reality is that most of the times our subs are on the bench for a reason and our best XI are actually on the pitch.

[Cjay]

The equaliser came because Arsenal stepped up once we scored. We lost all momentum and they rose their game. You have to ask what happened there, but it seems to be a common theme.

I don't know what Wilson and Aaronson were supposed to do?

Wilson isn't as quick as Okafor so offers less threat on the break.

Aaronson isn't half the player Tanaka is and is almost the total opposite (ones good on the ball one isnt).

[weasel]

The equaliser came because Arsenal stepped up once we scored. We lost all momentum and they rose their game. You have to ask what happened there, but it seems to be a common theme.

I must have been watching a different match. They only stepped up after getting their fortuitous equaliser.

[Finnatic]

Hard to know whether he was at fault for the first goal. Yes once he gets his hand to it you expect a save but it was from very close range so likely more of a reflex and likely not enough time to get a full hand behind the ball.

50/50 for me.
Should’ve kept it out but the shot was miss-hit and bounced as Trafford was falling/diving.
Had it been good contact, Trafford might have saved it.

[Madron]

Farke gets slaughtered for not making subs early and slaughtered when he brings subs on. Perhaps the reality is that most of the times our subs are on the bench for a reason and our best XI are actually on the pitch.

Exactly.
People seem to think bringing on subs automatically makes you play better. and all problems will be solved.
Sometimes they can make you worse.

[PhoenixUnited]

Defensively we make far too many schoolboys errors. We may not concede many but look at what we have conceded? Most of them unmarked in the box

I trust my eyes not stats…

From what I saw it was our defensive line on the edge of the 6 yard box trying to keep them out and leaving the area of the 18 yard box free for their attackers.

[weasel]

50/50 for me.
Should’ve kept it out but the shot was miss-hit and bounced as Trafford was falling/diving.
Had it been good contact, Trafford might have saved it.

Yeah like you say mis hit shot, Trafford trying to read the expected shot, it is then simply a reflex action. Looks worse (looks saveable) because he got a hand to it but from so close....

[The Subhuman]

I think only two of us predicted a win today and that's where I am, I want to win every game rather than most here who seemed to be happy with not being thrashed.

Farke was superb today, can't blame him much for the subs. You don't make them when in front and playing well, he can't predict the error. They score their second irrespective of bringing on Aaronson and Wilson (his only real misjudgement tbh, neither sub made sense at 1-1) I don't see how they prevent it

We lack the quality off the bench we had last season imo. Stronger first team (just) weaker bench.

[PhoenixUnited]

Farke gets slaughtered for not making subs early and slaughtered when he brings subs on. Perhaps the reality is that most of the times our subs are on the bench for a reason and our best XI are actually on the pitch.

Agree. Farke has virtually no quality to call on off the bench. Bahoya could be quality but we have not seen anything of him.