Gatehawk
New member
Probably one phrase describes that match. Arsenal showed promise. It's still a loss, and I'm still disappointed and upset at losing. However, last season Arsenal were dead and buried within 20 minutes, this season Arsenal weren't truly out till Costa's goal. And Szczesny hesitated badly on that 2nd goal and it helped Costa's chance. That match was as even as can be and the difference was within the finest of margins. I do feel that the entire outcome of the match hinged on that decision to give Cahill a yellow and not a red despite the challenge being nearly identical to the one by Felipe Melo on Wednesday.
Arsenal did set up pretty well. They didn't go all out like they did last season in those 3 away games. They ensured Chelsea didn't break them down too easily. It really came down to who actually put away their chances and that, unfortunately for Arsenal, that was Chelsea. If Arsenal can just fix their play in and around the 18 yard box, they might have a chance to truly challenge for the title(yes I know they have to sign a DM, I'm beyond sick of hearing that by now). As someone said a few weeks back, Arsenal too often looks for the perfect goal. Just shoot it or try to run into the box, that's all you really need to do, yet Arsenal try to pass it all over the place.
Honestly the thing that annoyed me most was Martin Atkinson. He was inconsistent with his decisions all game. I won't argue the penalty decision, it was a mistimed challenge by Koscielny. But not sending off Cahill, booking Gibbs for a challenge that was identical to one by Oscar just seconds prior, and then not booking Oscar till the 85th minute(in my mind 40 minutes or so after he should've been), was really irritating. Probably should've booked a couple other players on both sides as well.
Arsenal did set up pretty well. They didn't go all out like they did last season in those 3 away games. They ensured Chelsea didn't break them down too easily. It really came down to who actually put away their chances and that, unfortunately for Arsenal, that was Chelsea. If Arsenal can just fix their play in and around the 18 yard box, they might have a chance to truly challenge for the title(yes I know they have to sign a DM, I'm beyond sick of hearing that by now). As someone said a few weeks back, Arsenal too often looks for the perfect goal. Just shoot it or try to run into the box, that's all you really need to do, yet Arsenal try to pass it all over the place.
Honestly the thing that annoyed me most was Martin Atkinson. He was inconsistent with his decisions all game. I won't argue the penalty decision, it was a mistimed challenge by Koscielny. But not sending off Cahill, booking Gibbs for a challenge that was identical to one by Oscar just seconds prior, and then not booking Oscar till the 85th minute(in my mind 40 minutes or so after he should've been), was really irritating. Probably should've booked a couple other players on both sides as well.