I apologise that I have posted this on another thread but I feel as it needs saying here as well.
I have been to all our away victories this season and to all but one of the defeats (Burnley - on holiday). At the beginning of the season we purred, even when lost, but over the last few weeks we have lost some of out thoroughbreds, including Wilson and Brooke’s.
Losing good players affects the performance of the team and also confidence. That is what showing now. . From the start on Wednesday (and indeed in many of the other away ties) we showed a lack of confidence in all areas.
Boric - did reasonably well without any support.
Clyde - was under pressure because he always had two, very quick, players to mark who pulled him out of position.
Mepham - looks like he needs a few games to get up to speed. To be fair he looked lost for most of the time
Ake - made an error in the first minute, which Boruc cleared up, and this seemed to unsettle everybody. Played well otherwise.
Smith - played ok, except for his Danielesque suicide pass.
The point I am making is that the back four were never settled throughout, even when we went to a back three.
I thought that the midfield as individuals did ok in parts but, as a unit, were disastrous. They were too slow and allowed big holes to emerge. Ibe failed to provide enough support for Clyne, Surman and Gosling failed to stop the quick inter passing and Fraser didn’t seem to know where he was playing.
Up front both forwards chased and Mousset took his goal well, which was set up by a tenacious Gossling. Gossling (I think) nearly got a goal of his own when his deflected shot hit the bar.
It goes without saying that Arsenal were better than us but we were NOT rubbish, as some fans near me suggested nor were the players NOT trying. We were well beaten by an in form top six side.
I was very disappointed by much of the knee jerk response on this site last night. OK we were well beaten but we have 34 points with 10 points to go. We will NOT go down and will therefore spend a fifth season in the Premier League.
I may be classed as a happy clapper but I, for one, am very happy with our continued progress. Our first choice team is far better than that of the past three seasons and can live, at times, with the top teams but a team ravaged by injuries and a loss of confidence away from home cannot. Really that it not a surprise to anyone, is it?
To those who think we should be pushing for a European place should, perhaps, temper their ambitions and accept that, with fully fit team, that might be possible but when you lose half your team, including the thoroughbreds, it becomes a near impossibility.
Sorry for that rant but I truly believe that, for the time being, we are in good shape. For as long as we can keep this team together, and I know this will be very difficult over the summer, and Eddie and JT in place we will continue to enjoy Premier League football.