I will not put anyone through the pain of recapping such abysmal performance; but here are my concluding thoughts:
Team Set-Up:
See, I’m as clueless you are.
On the night, the team was clearly set up NOT to attack. After spending that (£85m?) much during the transfer window, you don’t approach an away game in the Champions League with such laxity. It was exasperating to see that the same problem we had last season still persists, really.
Even with improvement in personnel we are still invited to believe that nothing has changed. The way we set-up to play against these big teams has the sense of cowardice written all over it.
We all thought the new era had begun, the one that ushers into phalanx of the European Big boys. Last night performance certainly says we haven’t. Our defense has been shambles this season, and was, too on the night. Had Mkhitaryan had his scoring boots on, we’d be talking 6 goals here. We’ve conceded 9 in our last five matches now. That part of our team set-up needs sorting sooner rather than later
Arteta:
There was much talk of acquiring a new Defensive Midfielder during the summer transfer window. All came to nought when window closed without addressing our major need. Arteta’s performance last night underpinned that need. And for all the talks of Flamini’s deficiencies, we haven’t played that bad with Flamini in the team( this season) On the night, the Spaniard was a nightmare to watch. He was predictably awful against the Germans high pressing. It’s obvious to everyone but Wenger that his legs are gone.
Ramsey:
There are no words really. “Big players win Big games”.
Ramsey’s performances this season haven’t been justifying his big player tag. His game last night was characterized with misplaced passes and heavy touches. There was a time he went completely missing before getting subbed. For whatever reasons we haven’t seen last seasons genius. The Welsh man needs to kick start his season quickly, because Arsene and indeed Arsenal need him back at his best.
Welbeck:
In big games, chances don’t come aplenty. The few that you get, you take them.
Those chances are game defining.
In hindsight, we might have won the City game had Welbz taken his chance. Similarly, Welbz’ profligacy is chief of the reasons why we lost. On a night that Mario Balotelli, Ciro Immobile, Mario Madzukic, who were relatively available in the same price range, scored for their respective club sides, it’s hard not to question our transfer strategy.
We now have Welbeck, who a Man utd fan says was a grade C player given preferential treatment because he’s a local player. Based on what I’ve seen so far, I have no facts to prove otherwise. It feels he does have the ingredients -pace, work rate, movement, fairly good finishing- to be a good striker.
But he needs time.
And it does beg the question as to why it has to be Arsenal that gives him that time to develop at the expense of a Cavani type world-class striker. If anything, those missed chances(like last night’s) are something we’re going to have to get used to.
Ozil:
When big players experience dip in form, they at least show some flashes of brilliance, that will normally cover their blushes, like Ramsey did earlier this season. Ozil’s recent dip in form, epitomized by last night’s performance, has left barely any hope to cling on.
Is he being played out of position? Is he a victim of the new formation? Is he even fit at all? Those are questions that are in desperate need of answers. He needs his magic back ASAP for Arsenal’s good.
Koscienly:
Deeply disappointed with Le Kos’ performance, still trying to comprehend how he allowed Immobile to run 80 yards with the ball. Struggled to cope with Aubameyang’s blistering pace. Wasn’t helped either by the changes in our back four. He was a shadow of his normal self.
Bellerin:
Wasn’t the ideal debut for the youngster. The decision to send Carl Jekinson on a season long loan deal means he’s got the manager’s trust. Will he be the next Justin Hoyte? Or the next Daniel Alves? Of course time tell.
