23 Jan 2023 06:17:17
In the cold light of day, reality is we did alright, have some fighters now but are not title challengers.

Keane made good points, at the end of the game the same players that were not good enough previously formed the majority of the team. Good coaching can't hide what AWB did for their first goal, watch and not attack a crossed ball, not dither when in possession. It can't hide Shaw reversing backpedaling like I haven't seen a fullback in years, ridiculously, every time Saka had the ball, to the point of encouraging him. Malacia was bought yet Shaw was left on. Keane was also right demand help, where was the left sided MF, Rashford? We can't hide McTominay being substandard or Fred being Fred.
At the beginning of the transfer window we knew we needed a CM and a CF. As soon as Casemiro was out we dropped a level. Weghorst laid off the ball quite well, yet never threatened, never showed pace because he hasn't got any and didn't score. We now have Peter Crouch up front. We know the problems of years of incompetence, we know that the club has been bled dry and the leeches are trying to sell, or worse get investment and stay, so it manifested in what we have done this window. Need a CM, tough, need a CF here is a very cheap loan, therefore whilst Keane was right in his assessment, it is hardly surprising where we are. We will have to fight for top four, hope Casemiro stays fit and motivated, try to win a cup. United in the eighties.
The positive was they fought or more accurately some did more than others and tactically we were solid. I thought ETH got the subs wrong though, with 20 to go we were under the cosh but there was no out ball, sat deep there for a break yet Wout stayed on.
We have improved, gave in form Arsenal a good game but the players who let us down when it really matters still form too many of the team and subs. Onwards until we have new owners, this window wasted. At least we can see we are coached properly.

1.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 07:28:06
Red man,

Once we equalised, Garnacho and Fred should have come on. We lacked the pace to stop Arsenal and need to turn the tables.

We missed Casemiro, but I felt Ericsson was a passenger yesterday and he struggled with the pace of the game. He probably needs a rest.

Arsenal are easily the best side in the league and one of the best in the world. It was a good test for us, we got more out of thsi game than most teams do against Arsenal.

2.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 07:39:35
I would disagree that we were good or gave them a fight. especially second half. we started slow in the first half but that was expected. we then grew into the game and played possesion football and we were actually good at it. we almost were better than them for a few first half minutes. but that's it. i really don't understand why we always play like an underdog team like sitting in 20th position and trying for counters. Yesterday the counters were almost non existent. My question is why play on the counter when we were actually good in possession football? Subs obviously have been questioned and my points are same so nothing to add there. All in all we got exactly what we deserved. We played negatively and deserved to lose.

For once i would like our team to actually play like they are able.

3.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 08:01:17
The gaps in our squad were exposed yesterday, but I think we played relatively well. They showed a bit of character to come back and hang in for decent periods. Great goal from Rashford and while we conceded 3, I felt Martinez and Varane were solid.

Casemiro was a huge miss, as expected. We were playing a really good side, however, the midfield gaps were clear as day and McTominay is nowhere near the level required. Eriksen also looks an inferior player without Casemiro alongside as he has to do more defensive work and it isn't ideal.

De Gea's distribution is very poor and the play out from the back was reminiscent of early this season when we were playing ourselves into trouble.

Arsenal were very good and have been playing out of their skin this season. Odegaard and Saka in particular are top class.

4.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 08:40:08
Last year we were dire, this year we are comfortably in the top 4 and still in all the cups, and yet still people moan. We were never going to be title contenders this year, it takes more than 6 months to change a culture and a squad's quality.

We have been on a great run since the first City game and whether you agree or not, we gave Arsenal a game yesterday, other than the last 15 minutes.

We have made huge steps this year, the main one being I actually enjoy watching us play now.

We have bought well (mostly), we have a Manager that takes no nonsense, we have moved some on, we look like a team, and there is good felling around the squad.

Of course there are issues, but there are a lot less than there were, and if, at the start of the season, we had been offerd a solid top 4 finish, a cup (s) win, and enjoyable games, I think most of us would have happily taken that.

I am happy with the progress I am seeing.

5.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 09:38:13
We did give the in-form team a game in their own back yard, lots of positives to take from our progress this season. For me I think Eriksen played well but McTominay didn't, our pressing is getting better and it was a great game to watch but the result obviously hurts a fair bit.

I think with a bit more belief we will start to control the big games better rather than relying on the counter. I'm certainly looking forward to the rest of the season, as we are not far off being a top team with ETH in charge.

6.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 09:42:39
I thought the result simply shows us where we are right now. Improving but not yet at a level where we can compete with the top teams for the bug prizes.

Although we fought hard, we didn't have the quality and came up short. I never expected us to challenge for honours this year, however I firmly believe that we have the manager over the next two seasons can get us backs to fighting for honours.

7.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 09:42:50
AJH

I for one am not moaning just commenting on what I saw. Not sure I enjoyed the second half and definitely not the last 20 mins where we didn’t change. I think a couple of purchases in January, at the beginning of the month would have made a difference at Palace and yesterday where we should have got a draw.

Yes acknowledge improvement in areas, substitutions needs to improve through. We paid yesterday for not having Cas, should have rested him on Wednesday, that was a game to let McT play and yes I said that before the game.

Top four and a cup would be a good season, just feel with a couple of good Jan recruits we could have pushed the top more.

{Ed014's Note - I’m not sure how you think you should have gotten a draw, you scored from a corner and a great individual goal.

Your expected XG was 0.33, we had the highest recorded touches in the opposition box of anyone.

Yes you huffed and puffed but did you really produce anything of note.

There wasn’t any moment in that game that I thought we’d lose.

8.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 09:59:44
Ed14. I agree with your comments, however, the first and last Arsenal goals should've easily stopped.

{Ed014's Note - once you get better quality mate that’s when you’ll see the fruits of ETH’s labour.

He’s clearly a class act and is working wonders with what you have and he’s only been there 5 minutes.

9.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 10:06:31
Not sure there can be too many complaints about the result. Arsenal played well and deserved the points, and was a great match to watch. We did ok, and all the result did yesterday was keep our feet on the ground and highlight where we need strengthening to make the next step up. All this ETH already knows of course.

Brilliant progress, decent season so far from us, and we should make top 4 quite comfortably in my opinion. Hate to say it, but when Martial doesn’t play we don’t look as good up front. And Casemiro clearly would be missed by any side. He’s incredible.

10.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 10:07:50
Ed
At 2.2 with 89 on the clock having held out after been really battered for 20 mins we lost concentration, we should have held the last couple of mins for the draw. Second time in a week conceding late goals. Arsenal deserved to win for sure.

{Ed014's Note - I get that thought process mate, Newcastle did much the same but better.

11.) 23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023 11:01:58
Eric 79 I agree about Martial. He annoys me at times but think he puts in a fair bit of work pressing and coming deep to move opposition defenders so other have space.

I think we are a lot better when he plays and hope he is fit soon.