Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Arsenal in the chambers, again

0-2.

Yup, that’s Arsenal for you. So much hype and talk that “we have a chance”, but 80% of ‘non-delusional’ fans knew that as much as we support a good fight against Barca, deep in our hearts we are prepared for another despairing night. And voila, what else but (yet) another loss. At home.

“We have a winning formula” – declared Gabriel, before the game.
“They are not unstoppable” – many suggested.

The higher chances of a positive result you claim in the media, the larger the disappointment. What winning formula? Of not losing 3-0? Or not getting a guy sent off?

Arsenal played like Arsenal as we know them of recent years – immature, naïve (that Wenger himself said), nervous, lack of creativity. How many players did not step up to the challenge – Sanchez was full of energy but tried too hard to create things by himself; Giroud was not imposing; Walcott was given a run as a sub but delivered no impact. Heck, I waste my breath on Chamberlain who wasted a fine chance in the first half – WHY DID WENGER EVEN START HIM? His last few games were mediocre at best. Browsed a few comments on soccernet and some fans preferred Campbell to Chamberlain. I wouldn’t veto that. Campbell is pacy and can surprise opponents with his keen eye for a pass; on the other hand Ox is a one trick pony (always running down the flank) and when he tries not to, he makes the wrong decisions.  I have no comments for Ramsey tonight, he was okay but leaves gaps in midfield when he surges into the box, not an individual lapse but the effect of playing the formation.

When they were a goal down with 10 mins to go, Wenger replaced Coquelin with Flamini. WHAT? Does that mean he wants to hold out the result? Regardless, the latter’s first touch was a foul in the box which led to a penalty. I wasn't in disbelief; in fact I ALMOST LAUGHED OUT LOUD, AT 5.30AM. I think my weekly soccer friend can do an equally good job as Flamini. He has been very poor the last few games. Flamini, the only way you are useful to Arsenal is if your side line makes you a billionaire and then you buy over Arsenal. Other than that, out you go.

Another point to note: Messi has never scored against Petr Cech all his life. Suddenly, he puts two past him. The difference? Goalie is now playing for Arsenal. Lame, uninspiring, predictable Arsenal. Henry rightly pointed out earlier this season that Arsenal can’t win the league when non world-class players are main stays (Giroud, Ramsey, Ox the major culprits). I’ll say again – Wenger’s time is over.

My favourite comment seen on insta:

“I’ve always said this, Chamberlain and Flamini are not football players, one is a sprinter and the other is a f***ing idiot. They cost us the game tonight.”

Funny but damn, how honest the truth is.



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Random notes from Ye

On 2 separate occasions, I was working at my home desk when Ye sat beside, doodled on a post-it and passed it to me: