Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace League Cup match thread

[PatrickA]

When we are on the 'Front foot' and controlling a game, Eze performs with aplomb.
When we have our 'Backs against the wall' and are being dominated he tends to disappoint.

I think there is validity to this point.
Eze is a player of great talent, but he has a tendency to go through spells where he makes minimal impact on games, bar one or two nice touches.
As our form improves, I would hope that Eze would improve too. This seems more likely than him alone being the catalyst for our improvement.

 

[Spiderman]

I think there is validity to this point.
Eze is a player of great talent, but he has a tendency to go through spells where he makes minimal impact on games, bar one or two nice touches.
As our form improves, I would hope that Eze would improve too. This seems more likely than him alone being the catalyst for our improvement.

He needs Wharton playing just behind him

 

[Palacesince64]

IMO the worst thing we could have done is score in the first 5 mins. We went into a hodgeson shell and had no forward momentum.

Jesus is such a miserable sod. I hope they keep playing him to finish 4th. Congrats on all that money spent.

On to Saturday!

No chance of MG putting that in his captain’s arm band!

 

[Plumpton eagle]

When we are on the 'Front foot' and controlling a game, Eze performs with aplomb.
When we have our 'Backs against the wall' and are being dominated he tends to disappoint.

I think that sums him up really well at the moment. The really great players are more consistent and exert greater influence when under pressure. If he can add that to his game, the really big clubs will come calling.

 

[Lanzo-Ad]

I think what that performance showed is that the Wing backs are, IMO, the most important position in the team in Glasners Formation, so you need two of each, it is probably the hardest role physically, so in the Jan window, A top LWB is vital, and a back up for Muñoz, possibly loan with option, until we see if Imray is suitable for Muñoz back up next season.

 

[Painter]

I think there is validity to this point.
Eze is a player of great talent, but he has a tendency to go through spells where he makes minimal impact on games, bar one or two nice touches.
As our form improves, I would hope that Eze would improve too. This seems more likely than him alone being the catalyst for our improvement.

Eze gives Glasner a conundrum to solve, without him there is little creativity, but when on form can change games. How does he gets consistent performances from him?

 

[Hrolf The Ganger]

What a horrible team Arsenal are. As for Maddley, happy for each throw to take nearly a minute. 2nd goal offside but hey Ho, the organisers have what they wanted

The ref was appalling, as was that linesman.

What really bugs me though is the new rules on substitutes that basically hands a huge advantage to bigger clubs. I'm not saying that Arsenal's best eleven couldn't beat ours more often than not, but allowing so many subs shifts the balance heavily in their favour.

It's anti competitive.

 

[NMPalace]

We were well organised, competitive and did pretty well tactically. We lacked a bit of creativity. He’s probably our most gifted player but Eze was poor again tonight. No comparison between him and Oedegard. When he’s not playing well with the ball he’s a luxury given he’s not great defensively. If he wasn’t capable of a moment of genius I suspect he might be dropped at the weekend.

a good summary - i thought OG got the tactics spot on 1st half and the defending from corners with 3 left up front was great (not sure why more teams don't do this) as it stopped Arse from standing on Hendo.

However, the moment Arse put on 1 or 2 better players we immediately struggled and seemed unable to hold the ball. This was poor.
Have to say the goals Jesus scored were all well taken but Chalobah must be criticised for the 1st and 3rd. The 1st he tracked him well but missed the tackle. As a defender just stay with the man if in doubt, there was no need to dive in. For the 3rd with defenders pushing forward Chalobah was our deepest defender but was in dream world and nowhere near Jesus. They only played 1 up front so it was pretty obvious who he should have been covering. As a general note Jesus found loads of space in the 2nd half so our 3 man CBs still have a lot to learn.

Re the subs not sure what else OG could do - it worked on Sunday. Funny how people have such short memories

 

[doombear]

I think what that performance showed is that the Wing backs are, IMO, the most important position in the team in Glasners Formation, so you need two of each, it is probably the hardest role physically, so in the Jan window, A top LWB is vital, and a back up for Muñoz, possibly loan with option, until we see if Imray is suitable for Muñoz back up next season.

I agree, Lanzo. The 3-4-3 and 3-4-2-1 formations are dependant on the quality of wing backs (Ideally those who are equally good going forward as defending - but how may of those are there?). If we can get a LWB who is better going forward than defending and a RWB who is better defensively then we'll be well set-up.

 

[Eaglecoops]

I agree, Lanzo. The 3-4-3 and 3-4-2-1 formations are dependant on the quality of wing backs (Ideally those who are equally good going forward as defending - but how may of those are there?). If we can get a LWB who is better going forward than defending and a RWB who is better defensively then we'll be well set-up.

Absolutely, I have always advocated the same myself. There are a few about, but it is Dougie’s conundrum not ours. I’d be more than happy to go and find them myself if they pay me his salary.

 

[dreamwaverider]

As the picture above shows, shirt pulling is one of Arsenal favourite cheats. Time wasting, faking injury, moaning all the time at the ref and generally ruining the game seems to be their way.
It doesn't help when the linesman and ref is clearly on their side, especially when an ex Arsenal player pundit talks rubbish all night on Sky. Alan Smith.
He admitted Jesus was off side and laughed about it. For him and Arsenal it was a great night because their lousy style paid off.
Nketia clearly on the up. Keep him going in that role and he will really start to fire on all four. That header was top draw.

 

[palace chick]

a good summary - i thought OG got the tactics spot on 1st half and the defending from corners with 3 left up front was great (not sure why more teams don't do this) as it stopped Arse from standing on Hendo.

However, the moment Arse put on 1 or 2 better players we immediately struggled and seemed unable to hold the ball. This was poor.
Have to say the goals Jesus scored were all well taken but Chalobah must be criticised for the 1st and 3rd. The 1st he tracked him well but missed the tackle. As a defender just stay with the man if in doubt, there was no need to dive in. For the 3rd with defenders pushing forward Chalobah was our deepest defender but was in dream world and nowhere near Jesus. They only played 1 up front so it was pretty obvious who he should have been covering. As a general note Jesus found loads of space in the 2nd half so our 3 man CBs still have a lot to learn.

Re the subs not sure what else OG could do - it worked on Sunday. Funny how people have such short memories

Totally agree about Chalobah last night, thought his defending, and especially the jumping in rather than blocking Jesus for the first goal cost us. Certainly wouldn’t pay more than 15 mil for him if the chance to sign comes up. Think there’s a good player in him but prone to making costly mistakes at the moment

 

[Willo]

a good summary - i thought OG got the tactics spot on 1st half and the defending from corners with 3 left up front was great (not sure why more teams don't do this) as it stopped Arse from standing on Hendo.

However, the moment Arse put on 1 or 2 better players we immediately struggled and seemed unable to hold the ball. This was poor.
Have to say the goals Jesus scored were all well taken but Chalobah must be criticised for the 1st and 3rd. The 1st he tracked him well but missed the tackle. As a defender just stay with the man if in doubt, there was no need to dive in. For the 3rd with defenders pushing forward Chalobah was our deepest defender but was in dream world and nowhere near Jesus. They only played 1 up front so it was pretty obvious who he should have been covering. As a general note Jesus found loads of space in the 2nd half so our 3 man CBs still have a lot to learn.

Re the subs not sure what else OG could do - it worked on Sunday. Funny how people have such short memories

My view entirely.
Chalobah went to ground, didn't win the ball and allowed Jesus a free run at goal.
Lacroix also never covered himself in glory, advancing forward to confront Merino, leaving Jesus to run into space and receive the ball.
I am not totally 'Sold' on Chalobah.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

As the picture above shows, shirt pulling is one of Arsenal favourite cheats. Time wasting, faking injury, moaning all the time at the ref and generally ruining the game seems to be their way.
It doesn't help when the linesman and ref is clearly on their side, especially when an ex Arsenal player pundit talks rubbish all night on Sky. Alan Smith.
He admitted Jesus was off side and laughed about it. For him and Arsenal it was a great night because their lousy style paid off.
Nketia clearly on the up. Keep him going in that role and he will really start to fire on all four. That header was top draw.

Yes to all of that. Particularly Eddie's header when he really did seem to hang in the air and generated a lot of power. Hope it boosts his confidence; it would make such a difference if whoever started from him and Mateta could be replaced with someone equally as likely to score.