Written by kirsikka
Same team out as last time to start, as Hill deservedly kept his place, but at least the bench saw the return of Lewis Cook. The midfield still felt rather makeshift.
It was honours fairly even early on as we had a first start, only for them to then take control. One moment saw Truffert easily skinned by Madueke, which should have been a warning for us to heed. Should have.
And then…
I’m not sure Christmas will ever come as early as that again. A mere 356 days before the big day, Gabriel gave our Brazilian a thoughtful gift. Under almost no pressure, he scuffed a pass across the area directly to Evanilson and with the keeper out of position. He simply struck it into the net. Thank you very much.
Man of the Match against Arsenal
Hill
Hill
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Evanilson
Evanilson
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Jimenez
Jimenez
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Scott
Scott
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Kroupi
Kroupi
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Cook
Cook
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Someone else
Someone else
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It didn’t last long. A mere five minutes, in fact. From a deep free kick, Petrovic punched it wide, where it was picked up by Madueke. He made absolute fools of Semenyo and Truffert before cutting it back. The first shot was blocked, but the second went in. The scorer? Gabriel. Of course.
What I absolutely loved is that we didn’t collapse or drop into our shells. You’d think this should be a team bereft of confidence. Forget that. You can still see the players believe.
They continued to give Arsenal a game and weren’t afraid to press high at well-picked-out moments. When we did, it created problems for them, and chances came our way on the back of that.
I’d also say we used the long ball much less, and that was a good thing. Those times we did hump it up, we almost always lost possession, and it came straight back. When we tried to work it forward then we were sometimes able to create openings.
There’s more risk in that. Given our manager isn’t afraid of taking chances, maybe that’s something we need to consider as a better option as our main approach for a while.
Our best opportunity was probably one that came to Tavs, where he tried to dink a low cross into him at the near post around the corner with his left foot. It needed to be taken with his right, and so went high and wide.
Half time reached with the scores level, and what that wasn’t is a backs-against-the-walls performance. It was a game where we more than played our part and were good value for the scoreline.
It’s important to remember the starting XI ran themselves into the ground at the weekend, and our bench looks very thin on options where we needed them. It looked stacked. So don’t forget just how well we did in the first 45.
We were more circumspect after the break, similar to against Chelsea, as Arsenal started the half dominating possession.
And then opportunity knocked once again for Brooks. A quick free kick sent him scampering through, but wide of the goal. He shot but didn’t get it on target, instead sending it beyond the far post.
They went straight up the other end and scored from something straight out of the League On playbook. An agricultural up and under saw their big man flick it on and from the bits and pieces that followed, it was laid up to be fired home.
It’s harsh, but when things aren’t going your way, sometimes you start pointing fingers at players who should do better with their chances. And, once again, it’s another Sliding Doors moment where Brooks has missed.
I don’t think it was the easiest opening. However, it was at least presentable, and he didn’t work the keeper. This is the rub. We’ve seen so many failed conversions from him of late, and it’s a problem.
Yes, it’s a positive that he’s getting in the positions – the run he made for the quick free kick was intelligent – but he has to do better with his end product. I’m not sure if it includes tonight, but when I had a quick look, the stats showed Brooks has an xG of nearly 5 so far for this season. He’s only scored one.
At 65 minutes, Arsenal made a triple sub to bring on players like Saka. That’s an insane level of quality to bring off the bench.
Meanwhile, we had Adli come on for Brooks.
He didn’t have the best initial impact. They played it around our left, and Adli was standing off his man, who was in possession, meaning Truffert had to face up to him. This allowed Saka to make a run on his blindside. The pass picked him out, he cut it back and boom, 3-1.
In a league like this, small errors can get punished. It’s another I’d like to see again, but from what I saw, I thought that was Adli hanging Truffert out to dry.
AI responded by twisting since there was nothing to lose. Cook, Unal and Kroupi coming on for Scott, Kluivert and Evanilson.
What do you know? Two minutes later, it paid off. A free kick was worked around the edge of their area and given to Kroupi in a little space. He absolutely rocketed it into the far corner. Brilliant finish and, maybe, game back on?
Sadly not. Having caused them problems with precise passing and movement, we reverted to a lot of long balls to try and make something happen, and the Arsenal back line gratefully lapped them up.
For the most part, I try to give players the benefit of the doubt and find positives where I can. Rarely, I will absolutely go for someone. However, I was embarrassed by Adli in injury time.
Running after a ball into the area, he bent down and headbutted an Arsenal player’s elbow and then tried to claim to the ref that he was elbowed. I understand and accept a certain level of gamesmanship. Not that.
It was also monumentally stupid. Did he really think there was any possibility of something coming from that in the age of VAR? I tried to say some positive things about him last time. I’m not defending that.
That aside, I’ll simply say that there’s no way a Sky Six team has the final whistle blown when the ball is in that position, and they’re trailing by a goal. Refs always wait for the ball to be cleared to a neutral area. Sigh.
Eleven matches without a win for us now. Yet, this isn’t a defeat that should leave you feeling downhearted. There was a lot of good out there.
I know we conceded another three. However, I feel like the four we started in defence are beginning to form a unit, so I hope AI resists the urge to tinker with them next time out.
A match where we have the opportunity to get another manager sacked. I wonder if he thinks time is ticking on him?
Selected Player Watch
—– Hill —–
As against Chelsea, I think he did pretty well out there. Definitely looks like it’s his shirt to lose now.
—– Kroupi —–
Assuming Semenyo goes, then AI’s challenge is to try and find a way to accommodate this young man. He just has goals in him. There are a lot of other areas of his game that need work, but in a team that’s conceding so many at one end, you need someone putting them away at the other. Brilliant finish.
—– Truffert —–
A mixed night. Left for dead on more than one occasion, but also dealt with his winger well on others. Up against world-class wingers, he’ll have matches like this. That’s the Premier League.
—– Brooks —–
Brings a lot to the team, but woeful finishing this season and it’s costing us at key moments.
—– Tavernier —–
Worked really hard and played a big part in why we did so well out there. Another that needs to work on his finishing.
—– Semenyo —–
If Pep thought delaying the transfer so he could play against Arsenal might help Man City, he was wrong. On the night of his 100th PL appearance for us, he was probably the AFCB player the least involved in proceedings.
AI and Tactics Watch
With seriously depleted resources, the plan looks obvious now – go at the opposition in the first half and then try and contain them in the second. We didn’t get the point, but we gave them a game and could easily have snatched something.
The trouble is, we’re too often turning our noses up at the moment when we need to stand tall. That’s an issue with individuals rather than the manager.
It isn’t a question of having no complaints with the approach from AI. I’m full of praise for it. Even in defeat. The thing to remember is, with more availability in the squad, then the way we approached the first half would be the way we approach the full 90.
A classic AI performance has wingers busting a gut for 60 minutes and then fresh ones coming on to do more of the same. Instead, Tavs has been lost to the centre due to injuries there, Semenyo is starting to coast a little until his big move closes, Brooks has forgotten how to finish, Gannon-Doak is injured, and Adli is… well, let’s not go there.
That’s such a fundamental part of the basic tactical setup from which he builds a performance; you can’t help but feel sorry for the guy.
I don’t want Semenyo to go, but if it’s inevitable, then let’s get it over the line asap and bring in his replacement. Better they get as much time as possible to adjust and learn AI’s system rather than hope we’ll get one final cheer from Antoine before he departs.
Given we probably won’t see Gannon-Doak for at least two months and the form of others, the need is urgent and requires decisive moves from the transfer team.
I’d also say the Christie thing worries me. Essentially, it’s now about ten months since he was fully fit, and he’s back struggling again. I don’t think we can carry another permanent senior pro in that position, so I hope we move for a loan.
Transfer tattle aside, take tonight for what it was. A good performance that, on another night, would have got a point or even three. Against a side whose bench was insane. There won’t be many stronger benches seen anywhere in world football this season, and it was always going to impact things against a tiring AFCB team.
There’s no doubt it’s been a tough run of results. Close on many occasions, but we’ve never quite managed the three points. No final whistle, punch the air in “America! **************** yeah!” style. So, on a day where Team America: World Police is starting to look prescient rather than ridiculous satire, I can’t say this match saved the motherfuckin’ season. Yeah. But it does leave me feeling like a good run is coming.
Matt Damon.
Your say…
Blandford_Cherry said…
Did anyone expect anything from this game, realistically? No.
We gave them a decent game. I was really disappointed with Semenyo in the second half, just looked like an onlooker at times. AI needs to decide if he’s actually worth starting on Wednesday or time to leave him out.
Cook – 3 awful set pieces, including a corner that didn’t even make it onto the pitch.
Didn’t have a good view of the Arsenal 3rd, but some saying it was Petrovic being indecisive?
Kroupi, what a goal.
Why oh why did the ref blow up then? You never ever see that, about to stick another ball in the box, ok, unlikely it would have come to anything, but we had Petrovic up, so an extra man in there. Ridiculous. – To join the conversation, please click here.
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DJ
I have been a writer and website administrator on the largest AFC Bournemouth fan website for almost 25 years. Previously on a now defunct fan network and since 2005 on vitalfootball.co.uk We have been nominated for various fan website awards down the years, however we have always been the bridesmaid…