Arsenal Post Match

[Darkon]

The whole second half was Arsenal pressing on for goals, with us desperatly hanging on an countering when possible. Even that was hard, as no players were there to play to, and the forwards conceeded a lot of easy possession because of it.

It shows we are still in trouble when defending a high pressing team. We want to play our way out of it, but can't really and then the team doesn't really seem to have a plan b. Perhaps that will be build later, but it's frustrating to watch us getting dominated like that, and having such a hard time getting back in control.

That said, Arsenal is a good possession team, and hard to get the ball from when in their groove. And 2-2 at Emirates is a good result for any team tbh, and we are still in the race.

We also made it diffucult for ourselves around the backs where particularly Wisdom, but also GJ were played around far far to easily the whole second half. And Sturridge stood still up front for long, same with Suarez, leaving to many wholes. It was a good call throwing Enrique on to help defending.

[Fredo]

I hope we strengthen the midfield in the summer.

But that would mean a tactical reshuffle because we play with 3 in the middle. Either we revert to a straight 4 4 2 or lose one of our forwards. We need to defend better and keep the ball better away from home. We didn't keep it well yesterday.

[Fredo]

And I thought Wisdom played very well. I don't understand the criticism of him. Johnson was under more pressure on that left side.

[Gibbo]

I think people are misunderstanding the "undone by two minutes" bit of my opening post.

I mean that's when they managed to break out defence down and get their goals. Other than that we kept them at bay.

[Shaggy]

Did sky **** the Classico for you an'all?

Nope - must've missed been talking and missed that.

Sky morons

[Lecter]

I thought some of our pressing and condensing of the play was very good at times last night

Unfortunately we couldnt sustain that tempo and inevitably we dropped off and that put us under pressure

Thought Henderson in terms of his work off the ball was great all through the game

I didnt think we passed it that well though even in the first half I thought our passing was off

Disappointing result though in terms of being 2-0 up and squandering the lead but I'd have taken that prior to the match

My one concern is Suarez being put out wide. Although he was ok I think having him track back so much takes away from his game. IMO hes much better inside and having the option to drop into pockets of space out wide before he attacks. He looked too isolated at times out wide and Sturridge also looked the same. Maybe it was just an "off day" for both of them but it didnt look comfortable or fluid like it has in the past

We are dreadful from set pieces though, but that is nothing new. It has been a flaw in our game for sometime now

Still there was at least some positives

[chadrtc]

[Sarb]

I thought some of our pressing and condensing of the play was very good at times last night

Unfortunately we couldnt sustain that tempo and inevitably we dropped off and that put us under pressure

Thought Henderson in terms of his work off the ball was great all through the game

I didnt think we passed it that well though even in the first half I thought our passing was off

Disappointing result though in terms of being 2-0 up and squandering the lead but I'd have taken that prior to the match

My one concern is Suarez being put out wide. Although he was ok I think having him track back so much takes away from his game. IMO hes much better inside and having the option to drop into pockets of space out wide before he attacks. He looked too isolated at times out wide and Sturridge also looked the same. Maybe it was just an "off day" for both of them but it didnt look comfortable or fluid like it has in the past

We are dreadful from set pieces though, but that is nothing new. It has been a flaw in our game for sometime now

Still there was at least some positives

Have to agree with the majority of that. I think you're right on Suarez too. He was shattered when he moved up top on his own. Hopefully he won't be there for every game. I guess it will be against the 'bigger teams' away from home.

Set piece defending is shocking. I think both their goals were avoidable. I just don't understand why we cant clear a cross, free-kick or corner adequately. Has nothing to do with set-up, just lazy individuals.

I think having Johnson and Wisdom playing out of position is doing a fair bit of damage to us and making us weaker defensively. They both seem to cut in and allow runners to ghost past them pretty easily. I know Wisdom is a CB and that is probably the reason. Hopefully Johnson back onto the right and Enrique left will shore things up a bit

[Sarb]

And I thought Wisdom played very well. I don't understand the criticism of him. Johnson was under more pressure on that left side.

Think he gets caught out of position quite often. That's the only issue with him. But he is young and doing a job out of position, so can't complain too much.

[Fredo]

Think he gets caught out of position quite often. That's the only issue with him. But he is young and doing a job out of position, so can't complain too much.

The out of position issue is understandable for such a young player though. Then he does offer something going forward, so makes his job even harder.

It's an expansive type of football that Rodgers wants us to play and it will take time for everything to fall into place.

[Sarb]

The out of position issue is understandable for such a young player though. Then he does offer something going forward, so makes his job even harder.

It's an expansive type of football that Rodgers wants us to play and it will take time for everything to fall into place.

I agree. Was initally very disappointed with result last night but I think we're slowly moving in the right direction. Always sad losing a 2 goal lead. Think and hope it will come good

[Alex]

He was booked for that wasn't he?

[Chazza]

Yep

[Muddled]

And Wilshere took a tumble too.

Y'know, when 'the ball tackled him'.

[Pablo]

He was booked for that wasn't he?

It wasn't the dive that bothered me, everyone does it these days. It was his reaction afterwards. He went mental, as if he'd been chopped in half. What a ******. Just admit you made a tit of yourself and carry on with the game you bellend.