A poor performance away from home, comical defending, Auba saving our bacon, and the return of 4-diamond-2. Haven't we heard all of this before? It serves as a reminder that Emery probably was only part of the problem, and his sacking is not the solution to all of our problems.
Anticipation was high prior to kick off with what sort of line-up Freddie would pick, and eyebrows were raised even higher when the time came an hour before a ball was kicked. Some brave personnel choices is probably polite, and the return of 4-diamond-2 was less than well received it's fair to say.
When the game kicked off though there was renewed optimism. there was an intent about our play and a coordinated press that meant Norwich couldn't get out of their own third. Lacazette spurned a decent opening but the first goal went against the run of play. Chambers was caught too high and Pukki was afforded a free run at Luiz and Mustafi. Xhaka's attempts to get back were in vein as Luiz dropped off too easily and allowed Pukki to get his shot off, squirming it's way beyond Leno via a deflection off Mustafi.
The goal seemed to kill the confidence in Arsenal but they found their way back into the game with a big helping hand from VAR. A floated Ozil free-kick was handled by Zimmerman and VAR backed up the referee's call. Krul saved the initial effort, but a Norwich player encroached before the kick was taken and won the race to clear the ball. VAR correctly ordered a re-take which Auba buried.
Arsenal's confidence still seemed shot and they failed to shoot for the rest of the half, and right before half time Cantwell restored Norwich's advantage. A short cutback to the Norwich youngster wasn't closed down and he had plenty of time to open his body and pick his spot, curling an effort into the bottom right corner beyond Leno at full stretch. You'd have thought the Arsenal players would have learned their lesson after the manner in which they conceded both goals vs Frankfurt...
Arsenal didn't improve much after half time, the intensity of the first 20 minutes had dissipated entirely and they looked bereft of ideas, it was therefore of no surprise that our route back into the game was from a set piece. Ozil's delivery found it's way towards the back post to a waiting Aubameyang. He ruthlessly whipped the ball into the upper right corner to restore parity.
There were to be no other goals but if anyone was to go on to win, it would have been Norwich. Leno made several terrific saves to keep the score level, most notably within 5 minutes of the equaliser, springing left to tip a low effort from a 1v1 onto the post. As the full time whistle went, Ljunberg was visibly frustrated and unhappy with the draw, it's clear there is a lot of work to be done.
Ratings:
Leno - 8 (MOTM)
Comfortably man of the match without argument. Auba might have his name on the scoresheet twice but if it wasn't for Leno, Norwich would have been out of sight.
Chambers - 5
Just isn't a right back. Fine going forward, fine going back. But doesn't have the legs to get up and down to do both at the same time and conceded twice as a result of the holes he left behind. Bellerin was a huge miss.
Mustafi - 5
Unfortunate for the first Norwich goal but at fault for the second. Seemed paralysed when he realised he was in danger and refused to engage Cantwell who was shaping to shoot, if he closes the angle quicker he very well might have prevented the goal.
Luiz - 5
Just wasn't good enough, drops far far too much when on the back foot and doesn't engage with the attacker to try and stop the attack. A large part of the reason Norwich were able to open the scoring.
Kolasinac - 6
Showed a bit more about what he was about today. Looked a little more dangerous as an attacking outlet than he usually would, and a little more competent going the other way. Still managed to do remarkably little outside of the first 20 minutes having said that.
Xhaka - 7
Had a really good game as the anchor and looked happy to be back playing football. Was more sensible than usually when needing to defend and provided good support.
Willock - 5
Good in the opening 20 minutes and looked happy under Freddie whom he previously blossomed under. Went missing post Norwich opener however and ran out of steam towards the end. Will come good but needs to work on his fitness levels.
Guendouzi - 5.5
Used the ball a bit wiser and a bit quicker rather than dwelling on it. Worked hard for the cause but didn't offer much defensively and doesn't have the ability to pick the lock.
Ozil - 6.5
His set pieces were a threat all day and Norwich struggled to deal with them. From open play he struggled to carve a very stubborn defence open but continues to offer some sophistication and control in attack that we miss when doesn't play.
Aubameyang - 7
Showed strong character to convert the re-taken penalty after missing the first and was ruthless in converting the second opportunity. Exactly why he's so important to the team and has to be given the service he needs.
Lacazette - 5
Offered precious little and wasn't able to take his best chance of the game that would have opened the scoring in our favour, albeit hardly a routine opportunity. Needs to find his form again which might come in a better balanced team.
Torreira - 6
Helped screen well and one interception near the end that (with Leno's help to complete the defensive duties) proved EXACTLY why he needs to be the one that screens the back 4.
Saka - N/A
Martinelli - N/A
@groningergooner
Anticipation was high prior to kick off with what sort of line-up Freddie would pick, and eyebrows were raised even higher when the time came an hour before a ball was kicked. Some brave personnel choices is probably polite, and the return of 4-diamond-2 was less than well received it's fair to say.
When the game kicked off though there was renewed optimism. there was an intent about our play and a coordinated press that meant Norwich couldn't get out of their own third. Lacazette spurned a decent opening but the first goal went against the run of play. Chambers was caught too high and Pukki was afforded a free run at Luiz and Mustafi. Xhaka's attempts to get back were in vein as Luiz dropped off too easily and allowed Pukki to get his shot off, squirming it's way beyond Leno via a deflection off Mustafi.
The goal seemed to kill the confidence in Arsenal but they found their way back into the game with a big helping hand from VAR. A floated Ozil free-kick was handled by Zimmerman and VAR backed up the referee's call. Krul saved the initial effort, but a Norwich player encroached before the kick was taken and won the race to clear the ball. VAR correctly ordered a re-take which Auba buried.
Arsenal's confidence still seemed shot and they failed to shoot for the rest of the half, and right before half time Cantwell restored Norwich's advantage. A short cutback to the Norwich youngster wasn't closed down and he had plenty of time to open his body and pick his spot, curling an effort into the bottom right corner beyond Leno at full stretch. You'd have thought the Arsenal players would have learned their lesson after the manner in which they conceded both goals vs Frankfurt...
Arsenal didn't improve much after half time, the intensity of the first 20 minutes had dissipated entirely and they looked bereft of ideas, it was therefore of no surprise that our route back into the game was from a set piece. Ozil's delivery found it's way towards the back post to a waiting Aubameyang. He ruthlessly whipped the ball into the upper right corner to restore parity.
There were to be no other goals but if anyone was to go on to win, it would have been Norwich. Leno made several terrific saves to keep the score level, most notably within 5 minutes of the equaliser, springing left to tip a low effort from a 1v1 onto the post. As the full time whistle went, Ljunberg was visibly frustrated and unhappy with the draw, it's clear there is a lot of work to be done.
Ratings:
Leno - 8 (MOTM)
Comfortably man of the match without argument. Auba might have his name on the scoresheet twice but if it wasn't for Leno, Norwich would have been out of sight.
Chambers - 5
Just isn't a right back. Fine going forward, fine going back. But doesn't have the legs to get up and down to do both at the same time and conceded twice as a result of the holes he left behind. Bellerin was a huge miss.
Mustafi - 5
Unfortunate for the first Norwich goal but at fault for the second. Seemed paralysed when he realised he was in danger and refused to engage Cantwell who was shaping to shoot, if he closes the angle quicker he very well might have prevented the goal.
Luiz - 5
Just wasn't good enough, drops far far too much when on the back foot and doesn't engage with the attacker to try and stop the attack. A large part of the reason Norwich were able to open the scoring.
Kolasinac - 6
Showed a bit more about what he was about today. Looked a little more dangerous as an attacking outlet than he usually would, and a little more competent going the other way. Still managed to do remarkably little outside of the first 20 minutes having said that.
Xhaka - 7
Had a really good game as the anchor and looked happy to be back playing football. Was more sensible than usually when needing to defend and provided good support.
Willock - 5
Good in the opening 20 minutes and looked happy under Freddie whom he previously blossomed under. Went missing post Norwich opener however and ran out of steam towards the end. Will come good but needs to work on his fitness levels.
Guendouzi - 5.5
Used the ball a bit wiser and a bit quicker rather than dwelling on it. Worked hard for the cause but didn't offer much defensively and doesn't have the ability to pick the lock.
Ozil - 6.5
His set pieces were a threat all day and Norwich struggled to deal with them. From open play he struggled to carve a very stubborn defence open but continues to offer some sophistication and control in attack that we miss when doesn't play.
Aubameyang - 7
Showed strong character to convert the re-taken penalty after missing the first and was ruthless in converting the second opportunity. Exactly why he's so important to the team and has to be given the service he needs.
Lacazette - 5
Offered precious little and wasn't able to take his best chance of the game that would have opened the scoring in our favour, albeit hardly a routine opportunity. Needs to find his form again which might come in a better balanced team.
Torreira - 6
Helped screen well and one interception near the end that (with Leno's help to complete the defensive duties) proved EXACTLY why he needs to be the one that screens the back 4.
Saka - N/A
Martinelli - N/A
@groningergooner
Comments
Post a Comment