Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory against Fulham, but doubts remain about their capability to challenge for the Premier League title, having once again scored from a set-piece.
Additionally, there are discussions surrounding Manchester City, Asterisk Postecoglou, Liverpool’s issues before their clash with Manchester United, some audio troubles, and a mention from Stewie.
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Arteta: The New George Graham
Watching the nearly 100-minute match between Fulham and Arsenal was hardly thrilling. I find myself agreeing with Matt Stead’s assessment. Although there were flashes of skill, it was the “big men” who made the impact, reminiscent of the days of Adams and Bould. In those times, we often won through sheer determination, knowing our defense could handle even the best attackers.
As for the match itself, Calafiori was a fantastic throwback player. Fulham’s strategy involved keeping their shape while our defenders struggled to pass effectively until the game’s final stages. They easily broke through our high press.
Penalty Controversy
The penalty decision may go unnoticed due to our win, but it was a poorly executed “process.” From the live view, the referees might miss such calls as their focus tends to be on the ball rather than players’ interactions. However, VAR clearly shows that the defender fouled Saka. Though without VAR it’s a close call, it raises questions about the lengthy review process. Watching the replay, one clearly sees the defender make contact with Saka’s knee.
Finding a Rhythm
Another tense win for Arsenal, but accusations of being a “boring” team are becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy driven by opposing teams. It feels like every opponent has adopted tactics aimed at exploiting our previous shortcomings. Set pieces seem to define our games at the moment, as we struggle to break through defenses actively denying us space. Arsenal’s performance has shown vulnerability when teams test our defense. It proves that sustained pressure can lead to mistakes, yet few teams take risks against us.
Ponderings of a City Fan
I’m a City fan reaching out after a while—hope everyone is well. A disjointed first half from City, where I thought Ndiaye played exceptionally for the Toffees. While not convincing, we managed to get the job done. I’m left contemplating Arsenal’s adequacy as well, wondering how a United win would put them just two points behind Liverpool. It’s shaping up to be a tight title race this season.
Understanding Liverpool’s Challenges
Am I alone in thinking the solution to Liverpool’s woes is evident? They have key issues to tackle: Firstly, Wirtz’s positioning breaks up an effective midfield. Secondly, our full-backs are underutilized, needing more attacking opportunities. Third, there’s a lack of speed on the wings, and lastly, how to cohesively include all forwards is challenging. It’s time to reconfigure the setup, potentially deploying Wirtz as a false 9 to maximize the squad’s strengths.
Audio Issues During the Match
During the US broadcast of the Fulham-Arsenal match, NBC acknowledged audio issues but failed to resolve them, allowing commentator Peter Drury to continue his often criticized rambling. Many viewers share my sentiment—his commentary detracts from the viewing experience, with a mix of jarring shouts and cringe-worthy phrases, making it hard to enjoy the match.
