We’ve done this 11 times in a row. It’s taken me some time to get used to but, I like it. The players seem to need a bit of rest though. [su_divider top=”no” divider_color=”#e10115″ link_color=”#d00607″ margin=”10″]
It was tough playing our game in the first 45 minutes. Emery-ball didn’t seem to flow with the ease it did against our last two opponents. And though the Portuguese jinx – we haven’t won away in Portugal in our previous six attempts – has been broken, we seemed to struggle a little trying to break down Sporting CP.
We saw Granit Xhaka play left-back yesterday. Though this wasn’t his usual position, he had a decent game with only a few lapses.
I know Lichtsteiner is only a stop-gap but, we need a defender who can play right-back and left-back if Carl Jenkinson isn’t in Unai Emery’s plans. I know this is not Football Manager where you can find those sort of players for days on end but, we need a utility player in that position if Jenks isn’t in the plan.
We also had one incident where we played the ball atrociously from the back. If that were Manchester City or Liverpool, we’d have paid dearly.
Guendouzi gives me hope for the future.
Now, I didn’t say he was perfect, but the fact that he plays unafraid gives me the audacity to hope. If we can make him stronger, we have another Patrick Viera on our hands. His passes were pretty accurate, and he fought. This fighting spirit is what I love about what Emery is building.
Ramsey did well as did Torreira and Elneny.
[su_box title=”4 Arsenal Goals in Best Team Goals in History” style=”glass” box_color=”#ab1118″]According to 90mins, Arsenal have 4 slots in the top ten team goals in premier league football history. Goals from Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and most recently, Aubameyang make the cut. Read the countdown here. [/su_box]
There were many limp shots from Aubameyang and, while he’s no Lacazette as per his long-distance shots, Welbeck seemed to have more bursts of speed than he did today. At some point, you can see Aubameyang shaking his head like he was exasperated.
Welbeck missed a sitter from Guendouzi’s pass but that’s okay, it’s Welbz, and we’re used to him missing sitters and scoring from mistakes. He, however, redeemed himself and won us the match.
I think we should renew his contract not only because of his versatility but because of the strength and speed he brings on the left. Plus, he’s a threat in the air, much more than Lacazette and Aubamenyang.
Overall, I think the boys need some time off. At least our key players. There’s no need risking injuries to the core team to the detriment of the game against Liverpool. We face Crystal Palace next and I’d rather we draw the game and have a fit, spritely team against Liverpool than an exhausted bunch of players.