Arsenal vs Crystal Palace match thread

[Willo]

Arsenal, on paper at least are the best side not only in the Prem but also in Europe

Our right was always going to be a problem with Martinelli's speed and having Tosser as back up. Putting Canvot there was an error by Glasner. It could have cost us the game in the first half but sometimes the ball just won't go in.

Although Clyne's days as a wing back are over as a full back he still has it and that sub pretty much took care of that threat. Devenney was also a revelation replacing the hopeless Nketiah, it somehow allowed Wharton to start playing as well.

So as I see it, that 2nd half performance was there all along with the right team selection.

Don't forget the Arse failed to score themselves and even hitting 7 pens on the trot is pretty unusual. All a far cry from the Leeds game.

We seem to be linked with half the wing backs in the world so hopefully something will happen in that position.

It is not working out for Nketiah at our club. I believe the transfer fee was £25 Mill rising to £30 Mill.
I asserted on HOL prior to his signing that I had seen Nketiah on 'Loan' at Leeds and in my view he was far from impressive.
I recall having a conversation with an Arsenal devotee in a Public House,after we bought Nketiah, and he was less than complimentary about the player.

 

[kingdowieonthewall]

Ouch. Gored by a reindeer?

wife

 

[Eagle-Trucker]

spent the evening down A&E with a nut sack the size of a beach ball with an acorn sat on it.
Was a tad distracted.
sounds like we gave it some go though.
points on the board now required next few weeks.

Ouch , Crikey mate dont sound the best way to spend Xmas , hope you recover quickly. Merry Christmas

 

[Teddy Eagle]

wife

Yours or someone else's?

 

[PalazioVecchio]

in truth it was removing Nketia and Canvot that made the difference and we were more balanced. I should add Pino to the names I’ve mentioned who makes us weaker

the second half was a dramatic improvement from us. These cup games are a good opportunity to try out some tactics, players and formations. Keep our Prem starters strong.

 

[PatrickA]

I was at the game and the improvement in performance in the second half was notable after the substitutions.
Canvot may be a promising young centre back, but he's no right back/rwb.
His positioning and understanding of when and when not to challenge a winger is all at sea.
Clyne notably sealed up that flank when he came on and showed his experience and knowhow.
Nketiah is like a fish out of water in the number 10 role, particularly when our backs are against the wall.
He looks very out of position , which of course he is.
Devenny looked better just by virtue of understanding what was required in terms of doing the basics.

In general the team is functioning is quite well, but it can't be emphasised enough how much Sarr and Munoz in particular are being missed.
We have no thrust or energy down our right side and this has a significant knock on effect on our ability to create chances.
They can't return soon enough.

 

[beak]

One shot = one goal.

Get drunk, it happens at Christmas far too many amateur drinkers.

 

[Willo]

I was at the game and the improvement in performance in the second half was notable after the substitutions.
Canvot may be a promising young centre back, but he's no right back/rwb.
His positioning and understanding of when and when not to challenge a winger is all at sea.
Clyne notably sealed up that flank when he came on and showed his experience and knowhow.
Nketiah is like a fish out of water in the number 10 role, particularly when our backs are against the wall.
He looks very out of position , which of course he is.
Devenny looked better just by virtue of understanding what was required in terms of doing the basics.

In general the team is functioning is quite well, but it can't be emphasised enough how much Sarr and Munoz in particular are being missed.
We have no thrust or energy down our right side and this has a significant knock on effect on our ability to create chances.
They can't return soon enough.

Outside of HOL I consistenly expressed my concern about no backup to Munoz and received criticism for my incessant burblings on this issue. I might have been a 'Gramophone record stuck in the groove' but I believe I had a valid point.
On the left we have Sosa and Devenny who can deputise for Mitchell.On the right to replace Munoz we have Clyne and even Canvot was thrust into that position last night, neither of whom are wing-backs.
Last night when I saw the line-up and realised where Canvot was going to be deployed, I shook my head expecting the worst.

 

[crvenaeagle]

spent the evening down A&E with a nut sack the size of a beach ball with an acorn sat on it.
Was a tad distracted.
sounds like we gave it some go though.
points on the board now required next few weeks.

Why is Santa's sack so big?

Because he only comes once a year 🙂 🎁

 

[Willo]

Why is Santa's sack so big?

Because he only comes once a year 🙂 🎁

🤣 🤣

Lucky Santa. Some of us are less fortunate.
It used to be a case of once a month and the month is January but alas those days are in the mists of time.

 

[samprior]

Felt like we restored a bit of dignity last night after the Leeds embarrassment.

Canvot had a rough night but I'm not against him getting opportunities there until we get in an actual rwb. It'll improve his defensive understanding long term but to learn the position against the best team in Europe was a tough ask.

Pino and Nketiah in my opinion can't start together in the 10 roles, they offer absolutely no physical presence and looked like little boys out there at times.

But I'll stick to the positives Benitez was excellent, the defence and team under constant pressure defended much better than the last performance, and the second half we were much better. I'd like to see Uche get his first prem start against Spurs, I think he definitely deserves it and at absolute minimum provides a physical battle for the opposition.

Let's hope Father Christmas delivers a few extra squad members and we'll be able to continue to battle our way through 3 competitions.

COYP and Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[Badger11]

First half was awful due to team selection. OG fixed that at half time and Devenney showed us the virtue of having a player who may not be the most talented but gets stuck in and plays multiple positions.

2nd half I was proud of the lads, despite the Arse bringing on super star subs, we were in the game and a little unlucky with the own goal. I feel for LaCroix it wasn't his night. Devenney did well to win the free kick and then the goal machine struck, we are going to miss him.

The penalties were all good by both sides and Lacroix's wasn't the worst I have seen.

Let's hope this spurs the lads on. In the meantime we need another striker with a bit of muscle about him, Eddie just doesn't fit our team.

 

[Hrolf The Ganger]

It is not working out for Nketiah at our club. I believe the transfer fee was £25 Mill rising to £30 Mill.
I asserted on HOL prior to his signing that I had seen Nketiah on 'Loan' at Leeds and in my view he was far from impressive.
I recall having a conversation with an Arsenal devotee in a Public House,after we bought Nketiah, and he was less than complimentary about the player.

Nketiah at that price was a puzzling signing.

I would move him on in the Summer, although no one will pay 30 million for him now.

 

[maddog]

Outside of HOL I consistenly expressed my concern about no backup to Munoz and received criticism for my incessant burblings on this issue. I might have been a 'Gramophone record stuck in the groove' but I believe I had a valid point.
On the left we have Sosa and Devenny who can deputise for Mitchell.On the right to replace Munoz we have Clyne and even Canvot was thrust into that position last night, neither of whom are wing-backs.
Last night when I saw the line-up and realised where Canvot was going to be deployed, I shook my head expecting the worst.

The back up for Munoz is Cardines. Unfortunately he too is injured currently so OG had to try some other options - the first of which didn’t come off so he went for the 4th option, Clyne which worked reasonably well even against the best team in Europe.

 

[Eaglecoops]

Nketiah at that price was a puzzling signing.

I would move him on in the Summer, although no one will pay 30 million for him now.

I agree 100%. If we get £15m I’d take it and look to bring in someone else.

There is a striker in there somewhere (he can on occasion finish), but he can’t hold the ball up, he has no electric pace like Sarr, he is weak in the challenge and is always half a second too slow on the press. He quite simply does not suit our style of play.

 

[Eaglecoops]

The back up for Munoz is Cardines. Unfortunately he too is injured currently so OG had to try some other options - the first of which didn’t come off so he went for the 4th option, Clyne which worked reasonably well even against the best team in Europe.

Not sure why he didn’t start with our best full back (Mitchell) against Martinelli and start Sosa in his normal position. Clyne did ok but he was never going to be a 90 minute option against the league leaders.

 

[mtp1958]

Arsenal, on paper at least are the best side not only in the Prem but also in Europe

Our right was always going to be a problem with Martinelli's speed and having Tosser as back up. Putting Canvot there was an error by Glasner. It could have cost us the game in the first half but sometimes the ball just won't go in.

Although Clyne's days as a wing back are over as a full back he still has it and that sub pretty much took care of that threat. Devenney was also a revelation replacing the hopeless Nketiah, it somehow allowed Wharton to start playing as well.

So as I see it, that 2nd half performance was there all along with the right team selection.

Don't forget the Arse failed to score themselves and even hitting 7 pens on the trot is pretty unusual. All a far cry from the Leeds game.

We seem to be linked with half the wing backs in the world so hopefully something will happen in that position.

That's 90% of picking a team but at times can be hard to find it ,

Disappointed but happy we showed we can defend and get back to the high standards we have set ourselves squeaky bum at times ,
not been to well with a double ear infection so was falling asleep and waking up , so didn't see the complete game woke up when they scored , watched pens upto 5-5 then fell asleep lol ,
Of all people to get that awful tag of costing us the game , Maxence he is becoming in my eyes mr Crystal Palace , he believes in the club loves the fans , and was a steal when we got him , yes I know not alot he could do about the goal and the pen was well stuck just nice height for the keeper always say well saved ,

So spuds next we play a little better first half we will beat them

 

[Willo]

The back up for Munoz is Cardines. Unfortunately he too is injured currently so OG had to try some other options - the first of which didn’t come off so he went for the 4th option, Clyne which worked reasonably well even against the best team in Europe.

Indeed but he is vastly inexperienced and it is a demanding role.

 

[ex hibitionist]

a sterling effort, echo all the points made, and those pens were amazing - I didn't fancy Hughes, Lerma or Wharton when they stepped up but they finished with aplomb - it says something about the mentality and culture of the team created by the manager. Showed great character esp in light of the Leeds performance. I know we have so many missing players but I fancy us to tonk Spurs on Sunday.

 

[park the bus]

After a period of being able to go toe to toe with any team in the country, we have, through a set of circumstances of our own making, devolved back to Royball, that is, defending and hoping for a lucky break. The wheels are falling off the cart, and despite the heroic effort yesterday it is quite apparent how lacking this configuration is. The manager has one way of setting up and without his key lynchpins he appears at a loss of how to alter the gameplan. Up front he continues to deploy a player who is likely carrying an injury (looking at how laboured his movement is) and is totally ineffective. Ally that with the totally useless Nketiah an it's clear we have a big problem up front. Midfield often outnumbered owing to the 2 man system, illustrated as Arsenal swept forward time and time again.
The system doesn't work anymore. The catalyst? European competition, too much too soon.
Change required.