Post Match Arsenal (H) 1-0 31st Aug
- Thread starter dee
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
Despite it not being at all pretty, that was an awesome performance, summed up for me by a 50 50 ball that Ekitike went flying in for (fairly) with little regard for his own safety.
It shows weve really still got that spirit and credit to the team elders for instilling it, and for the recruitment team in nailing the no dick head policy.
The whole back 4 were great. Cody was our only threat for about 60 minutes, and that wasn't much, but my god he's got to start using Kerkez. It's infuriating and embarrassing in equal measure with Kerkez providing the overlap. The defenders don't bother to cover him as Cody doesn't even seem to notice.
Wirtz finally started to dictate play and get the weighting of his passes right as the game went on. The amount of slightly overhit passes he made was so annoying at the start and gradually he worked it out.
By God, Mo was shite today. I mean if you didn't know his history you'd think wtf is this? Ah this must be the guy they call the donkey. The amount of times his 1st touch ruined an attack. He needs to sort it out or he'll be benched.
All round though a battling, selfless, disciplined performance against a stifflingly physical team. Their press in midfield was unplayable with everyone coming and showing for the ball tracked step by step, and when you try to receive it with back to goal the defending player is allowed to push just enough to not allow the receiver to control it. I mean we did this too, gomez, ibou, slobbers and the rest. Its very hard to play when the game is reffed this way.
Looking forward to some games where we get a bit of time on the ball, and you never know, a game of footy might break out...
It shows weve really still got that spirit and credit to the team elders for instilling it, and for the recruitment team in nailing the no dick head policy.
The whole back 4 were great. Cody was our only threat for about 60 minutes, and that wasn't much, but my god he's got to start using Kerkez. It's infuriating and embarrassing in equal measure with Kerkez providing the overlap. The defenders don't bother to cover him as Cody doesn't even seem to notice.
Wirtz finally started to dictate play and get the weighting of his passes right as the game went on. The amount of slightly overhit passes he made was so annoying at the start and gradually he worked it out.
By God, Mo was shite today. I mean if you didn't know his history you'd think wtf is this? Ah this must be the guy they call the donkey. The amount of times his 1st touch ruined an attack. He needs to sort it out or he'll be benched.
All round though a battling, selfless, disciplined performance against a stifflingly physical team. Their press in midfield was unplayable with everyone coming and showing for the ball tracked step by step, and when you try to receive it with back to goal the defending player is allowed to push just enough to not allow the receiver to control it. I mean we did this too, gomez, ibou, slobbers and the rest. Its very hard to play when the game is reffed this way.
Looking forward to some games where we get a bit of time on the ball, and you never know, a game of footy might break out...
9 points after a tricky opening fixture list. An absolute barnstormer of a transfer window. Champions of England. Top of the league. A team full of proper ballers with fantastic attitudes and mentalities. Wirtz yet to come into his own. One of the best strikers around heading our way.
Just a suggestion, how about you lot try to enjoy this season instead of hand wringing and complaining for the next 9 months while we go on to win another title?
Just a suggestion, how about you lot try to enjoy this season instead of hand wringing and complaining for the next 9 months while we go on to win another title?
I thought Madeira was very nice but
- you deffo need to hire a car
- island has different weathers, check that out when choosing your base
- food is meh
Otherwise it's unbelievably beautiful
It's not just his touch. I mentioned it last season, his age is starting to show.
For me, it's his reaction speed. It's clearly a little slower than it used to be, and these young defenders he's playing against notice it and capitalize on it.
God bless your lucky shoes
Good cake and fortified wine?
We matched Arsenal's level of shit in the first half, but really stepped up and got a hard fought victory. We clearly put a lot of focus on being resolute at the back and forced Arsenal to only get chances from set pieces, which we have been working on a plan for since the start of the season by the looks of Newcastle and then this.
Some random player comments
Ali - looked incredibly reassured under crosses and coming off his line, as per usual. His ability to play like a third CB helped nullify their press.
Szobo - his athleticm is such a strength at RB as he never looked phased sprinting, then having to make a decision about his next move. Some really good 1:1 defending. We are going to have a problem around how we fit him in the team this season - for me he should be rotating with Wirtz but we are seeing he could switch at any CM position and now at RB.
Ibu - back on form and muscled Gyorkeres out of this one. Hope his injury isn't bad and he can just rest over the international break and be back for Burnley in a fortnight.
Virgil - he's started the season like a man on a mission. Title defence Virgil might be the best Virgil yet.
Kerkez - did brilliantly against Arsenal's main creative outlet. Didn't get beaten once, even with the pace offset against one of the quickest players in the league. I'd still like to see more of him going forwards, but he was solid as we could have asked for at the back.
Macca - looked like we rushed him back, but I bet his physical presence and leadership helped those around him. Still not up to pace this season though.
Gravy - brilliant performance, brings calm to those behind him and we saw some of his swagger in the middle too.
Wirtz - terrible in the first half, but things clicked more in the second. One thing I would say is that even when things aren't going his way he is everywhere, showing for the ball, harrying opponents etc. He doesn't go into hiding. I'd still be tempted to start Szob over him and use Wirtz as a sub whilst he gets into a PL rhythm.
Gakpo - did ok, but he's becoming predictable. Zero chance of him ever running to the byline to whip in a cross or even use his overlapping full back. However this has been useful so far this season.
Ekitike - some great hold up play and really battled. The area between him & Wirtz was the biggest challenge in the first half, and the pair of them have some work to do on this chemistry.
Salah - anonymous in first half, got more involved in second. Did some tracking back. He's not yet got going this season, but if someone deserves a few let offs it is Mo. However he does need to start showing hes a 400k a week player.
Jones - changed the game when he came on with his directness and energy. Won the foul for the FK from running at his man in a dangerous position.
All in all, a great result, a clean sheet and lots of decisions around key parts of our line up once the window closes and we prepare for Burnley away.
Some random player comments
Ali - looked incredibly reassured under crosses and coming off his line, as per usual. His ability to play like a third CB helped nullify their press.
Szobo - his athleticm is such a strength at RB as he never looked phased sprinting, then having to make a decision about his next move. Some really good 1:1 defending. We are going to have a problem around how we fit him in the team this season - for me he should be rotating with Wirtz but we are seeing he could switch at any CM position and now at RB.
Ibu - back on form and muscled Gyorkeres out of this one. Hope his injury isn't bad and he can just rest over the international break and be back for Burnley in a fortnight.
Virgil - he's started the season like a man on a mission. Title defence Virgil might be the best Virgil yet.
Kerkez - did brilliantly against Arsenal's main creative outlet. Didn't get beaten once, even with the pace offset against one of the quickest players in the league. I'd still like to see more of him going forwards, but he was solid as we could have asked for at the back.
Macca - looked like we rushed him back, but I bet his physical presence and leadership helped those around him. Still not up to pace this season though.
Gravy - brilliant performance, brings calm to those behind him and we saw some of his swagger in the middle too.
Wirtz - terrible in the first half, but things clicked more in the second. One thing I would say is that even when things aren't going his way he is everywhere, showing for the ball, harrying opponents etc. He doesn't go into hiding. I'd still be tempted to start Szob over him and use Wirtz as a sub whilst he gets into a PL rhythm.
Gakpo - did ok, but he's becoming predictable. Zero chance of him ever running to the byline to whip in a cross or even use his overlapping full back. However this has been useful so far this season.
Ekitike - some great hold up play and really battled. The area between him & Wirtz was the biggest challenge in the first half, and the pair of them have some work to do on this chemistry.
Salah - anonymous in first half, got more involved in second. Did some tracking back. He's not yet got going this season, but if someone deserves a few let offs it is Mo. However he does need to start showing hes a 400k a week player.
Jones - changed the game when he came on with his directness and energy. Won the foul for the FK from running at his man in a dangerous position.
All in all, a great result, a clean sheet and lots of decisions around key parts of our line up once the window closes and we prepare for Burnley away.
Just wanted to add Arsenal rarely provided a threat, by part due to the excellent back 4, and the fact that they were shite, they were rarely adventurous. Set pieces were all they could mustered and we defended them beautifully.
It's still the same Arteta all those seasons ago and they came for a draw as usual and got norhing. If City falls off, i don't think this lot has the mentality or the manager to beat us.
It's still the same Arteta all those seasons ago and they came for a draw as usual and got norhing. If City falls off, i don't think this lot has the mentality or the manager to beat us.
Banging their kick off straight for a throw so they could try and box us in shows they only know how to play one way.
We love it. The first week is with the wife and the second I'm staying on for another week for mountain photography and hiking.
Definitely need a car to get around (only need a small one for mountain roads and parking) to free yourself from tours and public transport (they're are buses but restricted numbers) otherwise you'll be restricted. Parking is generally easy - especially in Funchal centre (multi storey car parks) and cheap (about €1 an hour). Though they're is Bolt and Uber if you prefer.
Not a place if you have mobility issues as even in upper Funchal the roads can have a 30 degree incline !
Whale watching is popular - nice catamarans.
Food is excellent everywhere. And cheap compared to the UK.
Plenty to see and do for a week and if you hike then there are hundreds of mountain hikes to keep you occupied for months (the majority are mostly lateral but a few have huge incline / declines so check the trail info carefully).
Return flights are quite cheap but hotels seem to be above average. We're in an adults only hotel costing about €230 a night for a small suite. Probably more at Xmas!
A couple I sat next to on the flight over were on their 25th visit! A guy in a photography forum came here and stayed for 8 years!
I'll be putting photos up on my IG over the next few weeks.
Highly recommend.
Log in • Instagram
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to see what your friends, family and interests have been capturing and sharing around the world.
www.instagram.com
View: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/1n5hn48/szobozslai_covering_200_meters_in_a_single_print/
Please don't break this guy, Slot.
A much-needed win topped clean sheet despite LFC weakened squad due to many players departures and newcomers players that need to fit into Slot's system of play, the team has defended excellently to combat Arsenal's new style of play (Wimbledon long ball and set-piece). I just hoped that king Salah (useless) didn't take the free kick, he would have wasted it? Szoboszlai's match winner was a fabulous goal, he has played very well at right back, however, he is much needed in midfield right now. We very much need now a top striker, and another CB, and we could utilize the squad properly to deal with a tough season. Good Luck
Send a copy of this to Trent. That is what a real FB does.
They're posers, that's what - posers who can play, but posers all the same. It stems from their manager and IMO until he goes they are not going to win the title, still less the CL.
I usually don't post that many youtuber clips here (headache prevention), but I just have to this time.
Those two Liverpool fans cooked them 🤣🤣🤣
View: https://youtu.be/r3gMnlwaR4k
Those two Liverpool fans cooked them 🤣🤣🤣
View: https://youtu.be/r3gMnlwaR4k
What a fucking engine this guy has.
HA HA "I saw Arsenal play better football with players like Gervinho" ... ha ha long time since I heard anyone mention the forehead.
Tbf I think we'd be seeing it more often if madueke weren't wearing a bandana
I still love that joke about Gervinho going into an all you can eat buffet for £10 a head and getting charged £50
Nah
Ya Nah as they say down under.
