Morning all.
I think this weeks European matches have highlighted just how poorly VAR has been used. It started on Tuesday when PSG played Bayern Munich when a Ousmane Dembélé’ cross struck the arm of Alphonso Davies, who had previously had his hands behind his back. Kompany didn’t like the decision but thems the rules. On Wednesday, the ball pinged up and hit Ben White’s arm which in the Premier League, any penalty claim would be waved away. Perhaps the worst decision of the week though came last night when Elliot Anderson crunched into the ankle of Ollie Watkins with his studs up. I didn’t watch the game but have seen the incident this morning and I really don’t know how Watkins played on. As for Anderson, well, he’ll be available for the second leg but he really shouldn’t be.
The result of the night came in Ukraine where Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1. Whilst they won’t be taking a place in the final for granted, barring a major cockup up at Selhurst Park next week, they should be there on the 27th May, just three days after playing Arsenal on the 24th. Should Arsenal reach the Champions League final, players will have six days to recover.
Yes, I hope they batter Shakhtar next week because it’s highly unlikely that any of their players will want to miss the final. Oliver Glasner might not even want to risk a few of his key players for that game which, should the Premier League title race go down to the final day, might help us. I know Palace have to go to The Etihad on the 13th but the final would still be two weeks away.
I know there’s a lot of “if’s” in there but we have to keep hoping things can go our way.
Arsenal’s job is to just make sure this league fight continues to the final day. Starting with a win against Fulham this evening. Right now, I really don’t care how we get a win as long as we get it because another slip up and the Premier League might as well hand City the trophy. City go to Everton on Monday night. Hopefully, six points behind us.
The battle between these two clubs back in October last year ended 1-0 to the Arsenal courtesy of a Leandro Trossard goal. Riccardo Calafiori had seen a stunning strike rifled into the net disallowed for an offside call and by the end of the game, a number of chances, good chances, had been spurned. Fulham too had their chances too but thankfully, their finishing was as ropey as ours.
Early in the second half, Bukayo Saka was brought down just inside the area by Kevin and referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot. VAR intervened and Taylor trotted off to the pitch side monitor and after watching a number of replays, decided that Kevin had got a toe to the ball before bringing down our player.
The game was as close as the scoreline suggests and I strongly suspect it will be a tough battle again tonight.
Adrian Clarke, writing in [the official matchday programme](https://programme.arsenal.com/product/arsenal-v-fulham-sunday-may-2):
_Silva’s stock formation is a 4-2-3-1, so we are unlikely to see any major surprises there. Fulham are happy to have the ball so while playing short passes through the lines is their preferred method, centre-back Joachim Andersen has made the second-highest number of long passes among all Premier League defenders._
_The Cottagers are more patient in possession than most top-flight teams, ranking fifth for 10+ pass sequences. Last weekend against Aston Villa, they pressed extremely well, especially through the industry of Emile Smith Rowe, but they actually have the fewest shot-ending high turnovers and rank last for pressing sequences, too._
_They are strong down the flanks, using their wingers and a pair of attack-minded full-backs to create 2v1s at opportune moments. Right-winger Harry Wilson is enjoying a fabulous campaign, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists, and three of the Welshman’s goals have been blockbusters from outside the box._
_Only us and the two Manchester sides have faced fewer shots on target than the west Londoners, but playing out from the back is a possible weakness. Only Burnley and Tottenham have conceded more high turnovers, so pressing with conviction could be a sound tactical ploy._
Mikel Arteta confirmed yesterday that both Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz will miss this one but he didn’t rule out Martin Odegaard.
He also spoke about carrying the ball forward:
> Penetration is one of the words we use the most, and taking players’ initiative and making things happen. Through the passes, obviously, it’s extremely difficult against a team that is so organised, so we need to find other ways and that’s the kind of thing we’re looking forward to.
Taking players’ initiative or does he really mean players taking initiative I wonder? If it’s the latter, there’s much room for improvement.
Perhaps that’s why I like Ebe Eze because as much as he can sometimes drift or not put in a big defensive shift, when the ball is at his feet he looks to do something special. Whether that’s by scoring or playing the ball forwards, it’s certainly better than his first thought to be looking for a safe pass. Of course it’s not always easy, especially against a strong defensive setup but that’s where moving the ball forward with more purpose can help.
Our last two matches has seen improvement but one we lost, the other drew. More of the same today and perhaps it’ll be just like our short corner routine against Newcastle, third time lucky.
Catch up in the comments.