Yes, they were the better team. But power shift? Haha..no. Last season, they finished above us, but then we won something. I strongly believe the same will occur this season. And they can cite who held the better season then….. Be assured that Juve won’t be as easy as Los Blancos, and City,
United, and Chelsea, are still in FA Cup contention.
That said, they were the better team. Kane is world class, and should be deemed such based on his current form.
Nonetheless, pertaining to us, the tactical preparation was fine. Whilst Spurs had a strong midfield, our game clearly was to contain them, and limit their supply to Kane. The idea was right, but the execution wasn’t. Moreover:
Whilst we could sport a strong attack, PEA didn’t get the service, and had an unfair offside ruling.
Bellerin had a decent game, and our game plan was to contain them. In the first-half, we did such largely.
The first-half was pretty much equal, with lots of tackles, hard challenges, and almost a cat and mouse approach. Mr. Calendar Year could have scored a goal from a header, and overall at half-time, it was OK.
The second half though…wow. It was completely different. They battered us, in fairness, and we lacked much attacking impetus. To use an irritating cliché, Spurs wanted it more.
Kane scored early in the first half, and from then Cech saved us, greatly.
We had some chances in the latter second half, but Lacazette spurned them.
Impressions/player ratings
So yes, they warranted their win indeed. We fell apart, and lacked the mentality to continue. As always, it was the same old mistakes occurring.
I won’t berate the manager here, but then it’s evident that the same pattern has taken place here.
Cech is still waiting for his 200th PL clean sheet, and we have to thank him for it not being more than just one for them.
Our defence was poor in the second half, and again due to our lack of organisation. I don’t see why this is so….well I do, but again it’s not the time to critique the manager.
Our midfield was poor in the second half also, and we didn’t maintain the defensive shape/structure to sustain this.
Our attack was limp and ineffectual, and we didn’t take our time to supply PEA. Ozil and Mkhi were not up to it, in my mind.
Cech 7
Bellerin 6
Kos 5
Mustafi 5
Monreal 5
Elneny 6
Wilshere 5
Xhaka 6
Ozil 5
Mkhitaryan 5
Aubameyang 6
Lacazette 5
Welbeck 5
Iwobi 5
Man of the match
Cech
We could have lost by more, if not for him. He didn’t get his 200th clean sheet, however losing to that lot by four or five is never on. Never. We have him to thank for this.
This game is symptomatic of how we’re not mentally primed. If we’re seeing the same mistakes continually, then this is a pattern evident of something deeper. Are we being coached? I doubt it. Is is more of the same? Yes. Do we have leaders? It’s a common cliché these days, and something not just cited at Arsenal. But then it’s clear that we need some central direction, which is lacking from Wenger.
Losing to that lot is never good. But then it’s the manner of how we lost. Our second-half performance was woeful, and it’s time for change.
So, power shift? Let them win things consistently, then we’ll talk. They should realise that once Wenger goes, and we change things internally, then we won’t be as bad on the pitch.
That said, they won, and good luck to them. We need to focus on the Europa League, and get a European trophy. They haven’t got one in over a generation.
We need to play the very big guns in Sweden, and it’s time that our great (albeit maligned) manager won a European title.