What's to say that hasn't been said several times before in the last year, seven months and nine days? It was another drab performance lacking spark and energy that almost put our Europa League aspirations into serious doubt at the group stage, yikes.
Those times are hopefully now behind us given the news this morning, but that's for another article. Reflecting on the football and the first half was comfortable even for us, a timely reminder we're not the only team with problems.
Without being terribly dominant, we were at least the team that had more efforts on goal and that took it's toll on the Frankfurt goal in the end courtesy of Auba (For the umpteenth time). Martinelli found himself on the right hand side, his cut back found Auba who's effort was almost saved by the Frankfurt 'keeper only to bounce on the underside of the bar and the right side of the line.
Frankfurt made 2 half time substitutions and woke themselves up and it made all the difference. Whilst being still rather ordinary they at least took the game to Arsenal and were duly rewarded, Kamada scoring his first two goals for Frankfurt. With the first he picked up the ball on the edge of the area, and despite being surrounded by 3 men. He was afforded plenty of time to get the ball out of his feet and lash a low curling effort into the bottom left of Martinez's goal.
Less than 10 minutes later and Kamada scored again to put Frankfurt ahead. What felt like every one of Arsenal's 11 players going for the ball swung in from a corner, the header reached the edge of the area. No one was close enough and no one tried hard enough to close the angle, giving Kamada again all the time in the world to pick his spot and lash the ball into the bottom left hand corner. 1-2, game over.
Ratings:
Emery - N/A
Probably a little harsh to rate him in light of recent events frankly.
Martinez - 6
Can't be criticised for either goal, the power in both efforts gave him no chance. Made one very good save that lead to the corner from which they scored the second, his ability on the ball was back on display too.
Chambers - 5
Had a great first half containing the most dangerous player in Costic. Rarely ventured forward as a result but when he did there were some nice combinations with Martinelli. The second half however was a different story, seemed lost at sea and couldn't handle Costic.
Mustafi - 7
Comfortably the best defender in the side today. Without checking the stats, I'm sure he won every single header he competed for and was good on the ball. Can't believe I'm saying this, but played with a cool and sensible head.
Sokratis - 4
Very poor display, rash and not up to the speed of the game, which is worrying when it was a rather dull affair. Constantly caught out and looks increasingly uncomfortable on the ball.
Tierney - 5
Defensively sound but didn't go forward once I don't think. Not sure if that was his or Emery's choosing, but it wasn't good enough in all honesty.
Luiz - 6
Was having a good half in holding midfield before he was injured. His passing range was there for everyone to see and his natural defensive instincts meant Xhaka wasn't having to screen the defence on his own.
Xhaka - 6.5
Good display on his return to the side, very very harshly booked at the end for what was good defending and awareness. Unfortunately slipped with his opportunity at goal in the first half that would have sent us into the break 2-0 up.
Saka - 5
Saw some moments that show he's got one heck of a footballing brain with the ability to match. Those flashes were very few and far between though unfortunately and it wasn't happening for him.
Willock - 6
One of the brightest players on the day but couldn't find his finishing range with the opportunity or two he had. Just isn't a number 10 and is better when used elsewhere.
Martinelli - 6.5
Quite why he was hooked after an hour is rather beyond me. Was the best outfield player going forward and if anything was going to happen, it was gonna be through Martinelli. His energy and hunger going the other way to help his team out is just incredible.
Aubameyang - 5.5
Largely lived off scraps and had little to no service yet again. Beggars belief how he keeps up such a great scoring record when you consider this is what he's had for months now. Could see it in his game though that this isn't good enough for him as he popped up everywhere except the width of the goal posts in the second half.
Guendouzi - 5
Not a good day when he came on for Luiz in the first half. Poor for both goals and just does not have the defensive awareness to sit in front of a defence.
Ozil - 5
Not a great performance when he came on in all honesty, hardly featured and couldn't get hold of the ball to give us some control. Not easy when he had to battle with Willock to be in the middle of the pitch and that left the side imbalanced.
Torreira - 6
Did his job screening a back 4 but didn't have much chance to get into the game and effect it going forward.
@groningergooner
Those times are hopefully now behind us given the news this morning, but that's for another article. Reflecting on the football and the first half was comfortable even for us, a timely reminder we're not the only team with problems.
Without being terribly dominant, we were at least the team that had more efforts on goal and that took it's toll on the Frankfurt goal in the end courtesy of Auba (For the umpteenth time). Martinelli found himself on the right hand side, his cut back found Auba who's effort was almost saved by the Frankfurt 'keeper only to bounce on the underside of the bar and the right side of the line.
Frankfurt made 2 half time substitutions and woke themselves up and it made all the difference. Whilst being still rather ordinary they at least took the game to Arsenal and were duly rewarded, Kamada scoring his first two goals for Frankfurt. With the first he picked up the ball on the edge of the area, and despite being surrounded by 3 men. He was afforded plenty of time to get the ball out of his feet and lash a low curling effort into the bottom left of Martinez's goal.
Less than 10 minutes later and Kamada scored again to put Frankfurt ahead. What felt like every one of Arsenal's 11 players going for the ball swung in from a corner, the header reached the edge of the area. No one was close enough and no one tried hard enough to close the angle, giving Kamada again all the time in the world to pick his spot and lash the ball into the bottom left hand corner. 1-2, game over.
Ratings:
Emery - N/A
Probably a little harsh to rate him in light of recent events frankly.
Martinez - 6
Can't be criticised for either goal, the power in both efforts gave him no chance. Made one very good save that lead to the corner from which they scored the second, his ability on the ball was back on display too.
Chambers - 5
Had a great first half containing the most dangerous player in Costic. Rarely ventured forward as a result but when he did there were some nice combinations with Martinelli. The second half however was a different story, seemed lost at sea and couldn't handle Costic.
Mustafi - 7
Comfortably the best defender in the side today. Without checking the stats, I'm sure he won every single header he competed for and was good on the ball. Can't believe I'm saying this, but played with a cool and sensible head.
Sokratis - 4
Very poor display, rash and not up to the speed of the game, which is worrying when it was a rather dull affair. Constantly caught out and looks increasingly uncomfortable on the ball.
Tierney - 5
Defensively sound but didn't go forward once I don't think. Not sure if that was his or Emery's choosing, but it wasn't good enough in all honesty.
Luiz - 6
Was having a good half in holding midfield before he was injured. His passing range was there for everyone to see and his natural defensive instincts meant Xhaka wasn't having to screen the defence on his own.
Xhaka - 6.5
Good display on his return to the side, very very harshly booked at the end for what was good defending and awareness. Unfortunately slipped with his opportunity at goal in the first half that would have sent us into the break 2-0 up.
Saka - 5
Saw some moments that show he's got one heck of a footballing brain with the ability to match. Those flashes were very few and far between though unfortunately and it wasn't happening for him.
Willock - 6
One of the brightest players on the day but couldn't find his finishing range with the opportunity or two he had. Just isn't a number 10 and is better when used elsewhere.
Martinelli - 6.5
Quite why he was hooked after an hour is rather beyond me. Was the best outfield player going forward and if anything was going to happen, it was gonna be through Martinelli. His energy and hunger going the other way to help his team out is just incredible.
Aubameyang - 5.5
Largely lived off scraps and had little to no service yet again. Beggars belief how he keeps up such a great scoring record when you consider this is what he's had for months now. Could see it in his game though that this isn't good enough for him as he popped up everywhere except the width of the goal posts in the second half.
Guendouzi - 5
Not a good day when he came on for Luiz in the first half. Poor for both goals and just does not have the defensive awareness to sit in front of a defence.
Ozil - 5
Not a great performance when he came on in all honesty, hardly featured and couldn't get hold of the ball to give us some control. Not easy when he had to battle with Willock to be in the middle of the pitch and that left the side imbalanced.
Torreira - 6
Did his job screening a back 4 but didn't have much chance to get into the game and effect it going forward.
@groningergooner
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