• The Arsenal

  • Arsenal vs Tottenham | Wednesday 15th January | 20:00 UK Time.

Delighted with the result. Thought it was curtains when they scored as couldn't see a way any of our players got the ball in the net.

Attack, or goal scoring ability still obviously a concern. For all the dominance on the ball and “touches in the opposition area” we didn’t exactly pepper the goal and still needed some good fortune to score with an own goal deflecting off two Spurs players and a shot the keeper should have saved. At least it was a genuine shot on target which is a start! Otherwise don’t think the keeper had a real save to make.
A win is a win, especially in the NLD but still not confident of scoring enough goals with only who we currently have. But will enjoy today at least.

    MLS has a lot to learn defensively but my word is he a talent. Reminds me of Essien.

    • Qwiss

    • Post #253

    Dom I can also see why Man Utd wanted Timber as CB. He offers absolutely nothing in the final third. I deeply miss Ben White's slithering runs, the cheeky one-twos and the devlish dinks.

    I thought Timber was good with the ball, not as much without it. He dribbled well, his passing was sharp. Not sure what more Ben White would have given us in attack.

        • Qwiss

        • Post #254

        invisibleman18 For all the dominance on the ball and “touches in the opposition area” we didn’t exactly pepper the goal

        We'd 11 open play shots. 2.26 xg. I think we created well last night.

            Qwiss it's moreso the fluidity between him, saka and ode. timber hasn't got to that level yet but may do with time. in this match, white probably wouldn't have changed much

                • Qwiss

                • Post #256

                Gazza M its all a bit disconnected anyway without Saka. Right hand sides never going to look as fluid.

                  Qwiss how many of those shots forced an actual save that wasn't straight at him? I guess creating the opportunities is not the issue, but we haven't got a finisher. I expect more games like this that end 1-1 or that we don't manage to equalise in.

                    • Tam

                    • Post #258

                    I think White stretches teams a bit more offensively, challenges more physically, and is a bit more varied in his approaches than Timber.

                      Tam tbf to Timber, I think he is also now suffering from where Benny Blanco got to, which is that he is having to play all of the football - and it's probably quite physically demanding. Especially off the back of his ACL. I remember commenting a few weeks back that he seemed like a Rolls Royce footballer - but if you keep driving a car to its limits, eventually the engine breaks.

                      That's the end of the analogy, you'll be pleased to hear.

                        Tam
                        I think Timber is probably a better all-around footballer than White, but I think our play is more dynamic with White. One of the things we've been missing with him out is the big crossfield switch, for example.

                        • Tam likes this.

                          Timber is just knackered. He has been playing at 60% of his ability lately.

                          Just watched this finally. I love Gabriel. Happy with the result but not the performance.

                          We look shit but if we get even one point closer to Liverpool, the league is well and truly on. Time for a jet off to Dubai.

                            • JazzG

                            • Post #264

                            I'm sure the refs will be pushing to change the rules of VAR so decisions like this can be overturned in the future.....

                            • Qwiss

                            • Post #265

                            I can't believe how much of a big deal they are making about a possible wrong corner call. These things happen in nearly every game yet when it benefits us its a massive issue that needs to be fixed or its an awful shame or whatever. They gave us a corner not a penalty or a red card for Spurs.

                              • JazzG

                              • Post #266

                              Qwiss They'll be a full investigation into this, Arsenal can't be allowed to get away with this. Sky Sports will probably run a special on this decision and how they are going to make sure it can't happen again.

                                Qwiss I can't believe how much of a big deal they are making about a possible wrong corner call.

                                Whenever Arsenal is involved the producers will very, very often seize on any available controversy and spin it against us because it maximises engagement.

                                  Burnwinter what you mean one point?

                                  If we can beat Villa, sign 1/2 players this window, go to Dubai then I think things will look more promising.

                                      Sicario2 - Tier 1 I mean we're already close enough to challenge them, and if we get even one point closer that'll be fully apparent once more.

                                        • Dom

                                        • Post #270

                                        Qwiss

                                        Timber's a great defender and has far better close control than Ben White but he doesn't have his pace, overlaps or crossing ability. Even with Saka playing ahead of him I haven't felt that Timber knows what to do in the final third beyond safe passes or cut backs that rarely beat the first man.