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The 2019-2020 Football Thread
- Thread starter Lord Blackadder
- Start date
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And all away wins, too.
Crystal Palace defeat Manchester United (who missed another penalty), at Old Trafford, despite United equalising at the 88th minute - when, to be honest, I thought to myself, "that's it - they've equalised and claimed a point"; at that stage, I never thought Palace would snatch a winner.
Other away victories include West Ham's victory (3-1) over Watford, Leicester defeating Sheffield United by 2-1, and Southampton overcoming Brighton 2-0.
Earlier, Chelsea had claimed victory over Norwich, 3-2.
But something inevitable about the direction of some of that one way traffic.
Liverpool now lead by a goal to nil, and I can't say I am not surprised.
Worse.
Three down.
Arsenal's forwards are well capable of scoring, but our defence still leaves a lot to be desired.
However, Liverpool are the European Champions, (and were finalists the previous year), and lost the Premiership by a single, solitary point last season to an outstanding Manchester City team.
In other words, they are the best, or second best team in the PL at the moment, and are going to be very hard to beat.
Last season, they were defeated once.
While Arsenal - clearly - have an awful lot of work to do, - and they are a work in progress, slowly improving progress, they are being destroyed by the European Champions who are a superlative team.
A consolation goal, yes, - even one takes the bare look off that score-board - and could, perhaps have even claimed another if our strikers were on target.
Candidly, I never thought that we would (or could) win; a draw would have been really terrific result at Anfield.
Mind you, the corresponding fixture for the past few seasons has been dismal (to embarrassing) from an Arsenal perspective.
We were out played and outperformed by a better team, but at least we didn't collapse as had happened all to frequently in the late Wenger years, but, instead, fought to the end. I'll take any improvement where I find it.
Liverpool are the only team with a 100% record left after 3 games. Looks like they are the team to beat this year.
That struck me, as well.
Look: They are Champions League holders, (and were runners-up the previous year).
That is no mean achievement.
And, bear in mind that last season, they had the third highest number of points ever achieved in the PL (a points total exceeded only by Manchester City last year and the previous year) - a total that would have allowed them to win almost any year other than the previous two.
They are an outstanding team, one, moreover, that are currently without their first team goalkeeper, who is injured.
My closest Arsenal-supporting friend is very anti-David Luiz. This match will not have calmed his concerns about that player.
Liverpool have a very good record against Arsenal at Anfield in the last ten years, though it was crazy to see how much room Arsenal gave Liverpool's wingbacks - I though that was a crazy tactic. The late consolation goal suggests that while Arsenal were beaten they did not collapse, and they created some solid chances that could have made things tighter had they finished them.
OGS and Bruce are surely leading the sack race. Man Utd probably should have had a draw, but you simply cannot afford to miss penalties when you are awarded one.
Liverpool have a very good record against Arsenal at Anfield in the last ten years, though it was crazy to see how much room Arsenal gave Liverpool's wingbacks - I though that was a crazy tactic. The late consolation goal suggests that while Arsenal were beaten they did not collapse, and they created some solid chances that could have made things tighter had they finished them.
OGS and Bruce are surely leading the sack race. Man Utd probably should have had a draw, but you simply cannot afford to miss penalties when you are awarded one.
Yes, I think that David Luiz (the action that gave rise to the penalty was beyond ludicrous), is going to be one of those "Marmite" players, loved or hated.
I suspect that he will be rather erratic - gifted and gaffe prone in one Arsenal package.
However, the team's attitude does seem to have improved; Liverpool were awesome, and (with the obvious exception of matches such as yesterday's, when they play Arsenal), I would love to see them take the Premiership title.
Remember, they won this match convincingly without their first team goalkeeper, and I thought that Arsenal might have targeted Adrian more than they did.
Re Bruce and OGS: Newcastle had an excellent manager, in Benitez, and failed to offer him improved terms, let alone an improved budget for signing what was needed - in fact, the contempt with which the owner treated Benitez - who played the poor hand he had been dealt exceptionally well and with dignity and decency - as was clear from the fans reaction when he signalled that he planned to depart - was striking.
Re OGS, I suspect that some of the players may be less than supportive; Manchester United have some gifted players, but they are not playing as a team, and I suspect that some of these gifted players have egos to match. They are ore used to being coddled than challenged.
My goodness, Liverpool attacked us from start to finish.
I was rather disappointed. And, honestly, not sure why Unai did not make substitutions earlier in the game.
Yes, before anyone says it, there is a lot we can learn from this game. Alas, I want Arsenal to go from strength to strength this season. I want players to gel quickly and get on with it. Certainly, this might not be a practical request. But, it is my request...
I was rather disappointed. And, honestly, not sure why Unai did not make substitutions earlier in the game.
Yes, before anyone says it, there is a lot we can learn from this game. Alas, I want Arsenal to go from strength to strength this season. I want players to gel quickly and get on with it. Certainly, this might not be a practical request. But, it is my request...
Agreed, lots to learn,
Unfortunately, the "diamond formation" didn't really work in this instance; while I suppose it was designed to address Liverpool's high pressing game, it allowed Liverpool the run of the flanks, and a lot of space, and thus, placed the Arsenal box (and goal) under constant pressure.
At least the team didn't wilt, and didn't succumb, and perhaps, yes, substitutions could have been made earlier; but, substitutions alone would not have sufficed, for I suspect that the actual shape of the team was not really remotely suited to the task that had been asked to it (to contain Liverpool).
That team of talented individuals are still not playing as a team. And I am not sure that they are fully loyal to, or supportive of, OGS, who is a decent and dignified individual.
Surprised at the Spurs result. Definitely three points dropped. Good result for Newcastle. They needed it.
have a suspicion that Harry Kane isn't quite the player he was two seasons ago.
What is interesting is that nobody has suggested that Newcastle were lucky, or Spurs unfortunate.
Newcastle had a plan and held their shape and took their chances.
Columbus get the upper hand in the latest edition of the Hell is Real derby, turning Cincinnati over 3-1. It would have been a 3-0 spanking but for a late consolation goal that left Crew keeper Eloy Room furious. A chippy derby match with 9 yellow cards, but Cincy were never in it.
Away wins are always good. Away derby wins are sweet.
It's a still an odd result. I do not expect Newcastle to have much to cheer about this season, because Bruce is really a Championship-level manager. But Spurs stumbled today in a match few would have expected them to lose.
Away wins are always good. Away derby wins are sweet.
It's a still an odd result. I do not expect Newcastle to have much to cheer about this season, because Bruce is really a Championship-level manager. But Spurs stumbled today in a match few would have expected them to lose.
Agreed, and while Newcastle fans are still mourning the departure of the revered Benitez, they will take that bit longer to accept Bruce.
Elsewhere, the sometimes stark inequalities of modern football continue with the threatened liquidation of two ancient clubs, Bury and Bolton Wanderers.