Arsenal 2-2 Aston Villa | Match Report

Arsenal went 2-0 up thanks to Martinelli & Havertz but threw it away as Tielemans & Watkins pulled Unai Emery's side level...
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[@TheGoonerverse]

Onto the next

[@karlwilliams8625]

We want the win percentage for Partey RB. You can look good but not know how to overlap or cross

[@Adturbo8u]

@@karlwilliams8625this season it’s like 1 in 6

[@Imran-u2i2g]

Let's get real, this comment is weak mentality and small club mentality. KRONKE AND ARTETA OUT OF AFC!

[@CG-fx9bl]

The leak could/ should have been prevented long before the damage is done. Today might be looked back on as the day that we lost the league, but in fact today was the day that the saturated roof finally collapsed due to the ever increasing demands caused by the leak - if you get my analogy!

[@CG-fx9bl]

@@Imran-u2i2g Apart from Liverpool (Brendan Rodgers) give me an example when a team sacked a manager who finished 2nd, & went into improve that position in the next few seasons? Man United sacked Mourinho - they went backwards, Chelsea sacked Tuchel - they went backwards, Tottenham sacked Poch - they went backwards. Expecting more from the board is fair enough, although I don’t have high hopes of anything changing unless hardcore, lifelong supporters begin to protest. I’m on the fence with Arteta atm, but I’m just saying be prepared to go backwards if he does go - that’s the risk that we’ve got to decide if it’s worth it.

[@jfedererj]

"You don't 'get by' and win a title" - Absolute poetry. And like a lot of great poetry... depressing lol.

[@Admiral_Kekdog]

James is a poet

[@1million89]

Factual

[@NorthernSpartan]

@@Admiral_KekdogYes

[@Felzy3.14]

We got by and won numerous titles at man United. Even brought an aging Scholes out of retirement as a stop-gap cos cleverly and Anderson were dire. We played O’Shea in midfield, played carrick and Gary Nevill at centre back, Raffael and Fabio twins as wingers, etc and won titles

[@D333-p8u]

@@Admiral_Kekdog This is the type of guff nonsense fans come up with. James can string a sentence together without a 'you know what I mean', that is all.

[@Bolkiebasher]

Not a lack of investment. The wrong investments.

[@Jack_AFC]

Exactly!! We could’ve of sign Macalister and Kudus for about the same money we spent on Havertz during the 23 window

[@1972dsrai]

He focussed too much on the defence and defensive midfielders and the attacking signings have been thin and mostly an afterthought like Sterling being a last minute loan deal.

[@orangesloth2296]

100% people talked about Villa's depth. That's what happens when they spend 20M on Duran while Arsenal wasted 27M on Lokonga and 35M on Fabio Vieira.

[@yvung.slasher8451]

You are so right ​@@orangesloth2296

[@BoldFacedGrub]

@@1972dsrai see the funny thing he is if we focused more on the attack then we’d be complaining about not having enough in defence. This team had to be built from scratch, it’s normal for there to still be gaps in the squad, people keep throwing around this 700 million spent number, in the grand scheme of things to spend that much money in todays market to build a team from scratch it really isn’t that much money, 10 years ago or so it may have been a lot of money but the market was different then. Now could some of the money been better invested? Of course it could have, nobody no matter how good there are at recruiting will not get it right 100% of the time, spending big money doesn’t guarantee success either. Look at how much Chelsea have spent what are they achieving? Look at how much united have spent, what are they achieving? Arsenal still have work to do to fill this squad with the right kind of players with the necessary quality, especially in attack but even with all these deficiencies they’ve lost 2 games in the league this year, and most of the games they drew they probably should have won, people speak like they’re in relegation battles it’s crazy and over the top reactions filled with emotional outbursts

[@myeyeshurt5566]

i rate this team, solid unit. We’ve grinded out results in a highly competitive year. Edu, Arteta and the board fumbled massively in the summer window by not shrewdly investing in attack

[@1972dsrai]

Your first 11 is strong when everyones fit, but theres a lack of depth with the cover. Too much spent on defensive players and forwards mostly an afterthought like Sterling.

[@dicksonhagoi2849]

Correct, we need two elite attackers, we don't have options in attack, without Saka and Ordegaard our attack is blunt.

[@a.c.slater573]

Highly competitive with Man City Utd and Chelsea all flopping? It’s the easier season to win something since the Covid season we bottled it.

[@thisisliving700]

You rate a team that threw away a 2 goal lead against Villa?

[@TheGoonerverse]

Yeah we're far from a bad team, but in the summer we didn't give the group adequate help

[@Troffffy]

Any time Partey starts at RB, it's on Arteta. 1 win in 6 when he starts there. It's the same story every time

[@RedditGrapevine]

If he’d of started kiwior he would’ve cost us. It’s on Partey. A Sunday league defender would’ve covered that cross. Come on mate behave

[@gspianoguitar4369]

It's so simple isn't it Tierney centre back Timber rb Partey stays in the midfield. How is that complicated? how can any one keep putting Partey at rb when it just don't and never will work - it will always cost us always has. Arteta is a football theorist that's the be all and end all. He'll never be the right man. Sack him

[@karlwilliams8625]

@@RedditGrapevine Every time Calafiori starts for us it costs us but people want to make Kiwior a scapegoat. At least we have our best midfield back.

[@matthiasleiss4807]

Who you playing RB then? Injured Tomiyasu, injured Ben White or Timber and play nobody at CB???

[@tictacmac530]

How about rice centre back , timber right back,party midfield ..

[@topcat5553]

He is one of the few honest Arsenal fans on KZbin.

[@juicybear7696]

Lol

[@Freespeechmedia-r2x]

Being honest doesn't make you right!

[@imBonzarrr]

Agreed

[@joelmiranda241]

Hahaha he is the arteta fanboy

[@TheGoonerverse]

Appreciate the kind words!

[@ArsenalNews7]

partey’s marking on the 2nd goal…. unforgivable

[@BenjaminSam100]

Totally unacceptable. Don't care if you're not a defender... Follow the runner

[@SHUTUPNOWW9360]

School boy defending​@@BenjaminSam100

[@ArsenalNews7]

@@thedonsjester421 doesn’t matter, it’s basic marking from an experienced midfielder. shocking

[@SHUTUPNOWW9360]

@@thedonsjester421 atletico madrid. HE DONE SCHOOLBOY DEFENDING MATE...HE A PROFESSIONAL

[@charles9489]

I agree.

[@ebrimafaal8538]

I was angry last night I logged off social media and just called my girl and when out to a concert! Had a great time Just started listening to the match reactions it’s crazy how it is 19th January and we still haven’t signed anyone

[@TheGoonerverse]

It's CRAZY! But I'm glad you had a good time after the game!

[@deeray4637]

The reality is, if these owners cared, regardless of jesus getting injured, the funds should've been there at the start of the window. They don't care about winning the title. The sooner fans accept that, you won't get so worked about our lack of activity in the transfer windows. People that have supported Arsenal for a while, know what these owners are about.

[@YorkshireTracklists]

The problem is aftv and the other “fans” that are happy with mediocrity. Protests against the owners only work if the fans are united in protest.

[@robhans5]

@@YorkshireTracklists 21 years without a title and no UCL ever. THats a whole generation that didn't seen Arsenal as top club. most players were not born or toddlers where we last won the title. Let's be honest, for many fans Arsenal was never big, top club so for many this is this club ceiling and wanting more is seen as complete delusion.

[@1972dsrai]

If Arteta was looking he’d have players signed by now early in the window. He’s now struggling to find anyone who’s at the level and available because he’s only started looking after the injury to Jesus.

[@R18Y]

​@@YorkshireTracklists United protested the owners massively and all it did was further damage.

[@doctorjames4245]

Stfu, they HAVE invested in the project. It’s just you wasted the investment you mugs

[@Miceal.]

James, you're a logical thinker. Would you please try and drop the penny to everyone at AFTV that we are Not really dropping points. We're barely scrambling points or results together this season. We're accumulating points, not dropping them. We're not in a title race either. We're just second in the league. They shouldn't be 2 separate things but we're making it that way.

[@eddiebusey3652]

Essentially we're assuming the standards of last year apply the same way this year so to us everything is dropped points and we're out of the title race. When this year, it's a totally different scenario

[@jonrend]

January is not the problem it was as we all know the summer transfer window. We needed to step up to the next level, and Arteta went for Calafiori and Marino. Simply a waste of time.

[@malcolmpotter9528]

You really can’t be angry at the performance from the boys, I thought we played quite well

[@Martina-j2n]

I agree today, considering all of our injuries and the amount of games we have played in the last week I think the boys showed a lot of fight, we looked like the better team today and the stats back that up, just 2 defensive lapses cost us unfortunately

[@calebpowell9158]

Yea wish the media fans would be more realistic. Already down White/Tomi/Calafiori. Saliba gets hurt and now Timber is our only right footed defender. Like it’s either move Rice or Partey into the defense.

[@jamj8922]

​@@Martina-j2nThis is why Arsenal won't win anything. Standards are too mediocre and way too many excuses.

[@Martina-j2n]

@jamj8922 wanting a team to win and being realistic can sometimes be separate things, wanting us to win everything but knowing city are state owned and that they throw money at the best players is reality, Chelsea are doing the same, Liverpool have world class players from when klopp was in charge, we are coming from mid table when Arteta took over and have had to buy a new squad practically

[@1972dsrai]

You played well up to the second goal then sat back and allowed Villa to get back in the game. You only started attacking again after they equalised. By then they were almost as likely to win and came very close.

[@ebasski4958]

There appears to be an agenda against Partey, making his departure at season’s end the best outcome for all. A fresh start would benefit him, while the club can rebuild without distractions. Though parting with talent is tough, a smooth transition could lead to positive outcomes for both sides.

[@YorkshireTracklists]

We had 20+ minutes at 2-2 and did basically nothing to win the game

[@ferrm1992]

Trossard & Rice had shots that were just a bit wide. Merino scored but got ruled out and then hit the post. But to your point they were rushing the ball up-pitch and giving away short passes where Villa came to punish us a few times

[@1972dsrai]

He didn’t really have any attacking options on the bench tbf. Whose fault is that though?

[@YorkshireTracklists]

@@1972dsrai for sure not arteta’s. He doesn’t make mistakes in transfer windows.

[@RaZeyLWindBladE]

His initial starting lineup and tactics were all wrong. When the lineup came up, I was screaming to screen on why didn't he just put Rice, who has played CB multiple times there and has proven to be able to, at CB, keep Timber on the right, which meant he didn't break the rhythm Ø8 has with his RBs, and Partey can play his usual imperious game at centre (even if he did had a bad game).

[@tommyreazy]

Draw was a fair result

[@lifeafter40plus]

How there isn't any strong links to a forward player in this transfer window is absolutely disgusting and seems like a huge lack of preparation and ambition

[@TheGoonerverse]

Yup... not just a lack of action, a lack of preparation as you've said!

[@MK-mq6vy]

Havertz celebrating a goal off his hand the way he did sums us up right now.. Hoping to just get lucky somehow

[@jlirving]

Literally! He thinks it's the winning goal, he's celebrating the win can't blame him 🫠 but the lack of options and impact players is just rotten.

[@frasercliffe6617]

I just don't understand playing partey at RB and seemingly not making any moves in the transfer market. We need a striker. We need more cover in the wide areas, we need cover for odegaard. I just don't get it.

[@alexbrown975]

Because players cost alot of money and we can't do a Chelsea. We've been building from back to front, which is the logical approach. A team looks better with strong foundations. Attacking players are more expensive and carry a risk (e.g. Havertz, Jesus). You can get into the top 4 with a solid team and that would of been the owners and managers first priority. Now we are at that point I'm certain they will add depth to the attack like they have in the deeper areas. The only reason they didn't buy a striker is because Sesko didn't want to join and FFP meant they couldn't afford other targets.

[@SHUTUPNOWW9360]

Being RB ...doesnt mean MAKE SCHOOLBOY ERRRORS

[@frasercliffe6617]

@@alexbrown975 yeh but surely leaving our squad so thin after the summer was asking for trouble? We didn't need to sign merino, we didn't need to sign calafiori, we needed forwards and we didn't go and get them, we sold ESR,nketiah, loaned out nelson and Vieira and didn't replace any of them. It's just poor planning and short-sightedness imo. You can't tell me that it's a good idea to have a smaller squad with the amount of games we have in a season

[@alexbrown975]

@@frasercliffe6617 The summer window started well. We strengthened our defence with Calafiori and signed cover for Rice with the impending departures of Jorgino and Partay in mind. Then we sold 3 attacking players and didn't replace them. We banked on no one getting injured which is crazy! I honestly think they wanted to balance the books to prepare for a big spend next summer. Which makes sense if you can't afford your targets. It wasn't only Arsenal who didn't spend big. Plenty of clubs maxed their spend. You have to remember it was only last season we bought Rice for £105m. Arsenal don't have the money of City, United or Chelsea so have to be more astute. This summer's window will make or break Arteta.

[@malsmith1618]

​@@alexbrown975I hope you're joking I wouldn't trust him with another pound

[@TheKh65]

I am no manager, but when you make Havertz your marquee signing, that tells me you are tapped in the head. It stinks of arrogance.

[@garyfowkes8794]

For a player with so much talent Odegaard shooting is awful this season

[@shackzilla]

Everybody attacking the board for not spending but they have spent a lot of money. The money has simply clearly not been spent correctly. And let’s not forget the money they’ve lost on players arteta simply didn’t fancy. Blame Arteta for how he’s spent the money, not the people that have given him the money. To have the squad that we have after spending over £750m is unforgivable. Then again, blame the board for keeping him on despite all of that.

[@1972dsrai]

Arteta has done great with defensive players, but attacking signings have been few and mostly an afterthought. Didn’t really add anyone in the summer and relying too much on Jesus and Havertz just because they were decent last season without being prolific.

[@doctorjames4245]

I wish the fan base would stop with the owners not investing nonsense. They have spent ridiculous money.

[@SimonAfc-qb3gf]

It’s not fair to blame these players Partey this, Odegaard that. This group deserves applause, they have given everything they could while playing every three days. Without a top striker who can score goals and a quality left or right winger, what more can we expect from them? Let’s be real.

[@alexbrown975]

The players got too comfortable after earning a 2-0 lead and paid the price. The team isn't playing bad but you can sense a lack of belief and game changers. I honestly think with a striker, number 6 and a winger we can win the league. Injuries this season has exposed us and we punished ourselves with silly red cards.

[@TheGoonerverse]

I don't agree on the red cards but I agree a few more players and we'd be looking great for a title

[@hyperfrantic]

Glad you continue to call out the PGMOL

[@earlencollings2422]

Ødegaard created 10 chances against Utd, was our highest rated player against Spurs. Yeah he is going through consistency issues, but to call him cowardly is crazy. He's not far from being at his normal level.

[@The_Judge300]

When it comes to Odegaard, is it EXTREMELY obvious to me that he plays according to Arteta's instructions as he is far from being a risk averse player. But Arteta is a risk averse manager. He is clearly instructed to take as few risks as possible. This shows with how little he tries to shoot from outside the box as well. Something he has always done a lot through his career all the way till now. To me it looks like Arteta is ruining Odegaard as a player. You can VERY well see that Artea has changed his tactics to be VERY risk averse and naturally he has instructed his captain to follow that tactics to the tee. We all know that Arteta tends to overcoach and over-instruct his players his players and give them very little room for expression. His football this season is VERY much sideways forever till the other team falls asleep. I would not be shocked if Arteta is instructed that top 4 is the most important goal for the club/owners and that his job is safe as long as he manages that. That can very well be the reason for his total change in tactics and how he wants the team to play. The football has changed from fast pace and entertaining football to watch, to a long boring 90 plus minutes to watch for someone like me that is a football fan and not an Arsenal fan.

[@johnnyd1790]

The gut wrenching fact is: 1. Double danger Liverpool injury 1st goal and our 2-0 lead gone; 2. We didn't even play bad, we played better than against Tottenham; 3. Title fight is done, we'll be 2nd again; 4. Players mentally won't improve after this. There's only so much losing streak and nothing else one can take; 5. Partey was at fault in spite playing well on the ball, he didn't track down for the goal, same Merino; 6. I said before the game Calafiori needs to be CB when Saliba is gone and Timber back to RB, I guess he wasn't fit; 7. The refereeing agenda againt Arsenal is obvious, but we don't look good enough to win the league. We need be better and win in spite of refereeing; 8. Our best player was Trossard, those 2 goal crosses were brilliant. Skelly looked good as usual but was a bit overrun at times like for the of the post between their goals, although that wasn't on him as much as the whole defense; 9. Odegaard can't shoot for 2 years now, problem is the other aspects of the game dropped; 10. Havertz was 0/10 against Newcastle and United, 2/10 against Tottenham and 5/10 here, so hey, at least there's progress!😅; 11. Sterling -1/10, Mr Freeze must be happy because he's finally into the negatives😒; 12. I did some useful therapy with Jess last night, she's great help. Check it out James (or whomever else needs some) if you want to feel better!; 13. Better luck next season.😞

[@matthiasleiss4807]

At this point i think we should go for top 4 this season and build our squad properly in the summer... no need to overpay for 2nd place now.

[@Akatsuki75538]

In Arteta's hands, Arsenal will go nowhere. Just an entertainer, believe me.... #artetaout 👏

[@LarryEze-lt7kq]

Also blame Arteta for cosigning the decision to trim the squad, letting the players you let go with no replacement, especially after seeing the packed schedule for the season

[@tonygreen6185]

The house has no roof and arteta buys lots of taps and doorknobs The residents all day we need a new roof and arteta says we are always looking to improve the house.

[@RaZeyLWindBladE]

The roof is there alright, it's just leaking. 😂

[@R18Y]

Think it may be time to start thinking strategically rather than exhausting ourselves over the league. Its going to be very difficult to chase Liverpool down from here. I would prioritise the deepest run possible in the Champions League this year there is simply more money to earn than a simple place higher in the league. Then use that money for a fresh assault on the league the next season from a clean slate without the increduluos decisions and injuries Arsenal have already suffered this league season.

[@SHUTUPNOWW9360]

NO EXCUSES FOR PARTEY MISTAKE FOR 2ND GOAL...SCHOOLBOY DEFENDING

[@rashidkhalid3970]

Even the Tottenham game he was losing ball in critical areas giving ball alway only difference is they couldn't capitalize

[@YorkshireTracklists]

@@SHUTUPNOWW9360 schoolboy managing disrupting 2 defensive positions when the centreback you bought is on the bench.

[@simonoliver6393]

Never been overly impressed with him, few odd games he's been great, could say that about any player

[@DaveShortt]

No, it was a great strikers goal,,,,,

[@SHUTUPNOWW9360]

@ PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER DOING SCHOOLBOY DEFENDING...

[@coleymissions]

I don’t get why we just didn’t shift Gabriel to RCB and bring Kiwior in at LCB.

[@deepakkm8534]

Dare Arteta to keep playing Partey at RB.

[@simonmcpartlin6547]

First half 22/23 and second half 23/24 Arsenal were incredible. Played like champions. Combine those and you are looking at close to 100 points. This time last year I remember 6-0, 6-0, 5-0 and possibly all away from home. This season not even close to that but with a similar team. Start the planning and preparation to get 25/26 right. This is the regroup season and tbh anything over 80 points will be a good finish. The title isn’t happening this season but with the right tinkering it could do next.

[@shadowzz3402]

35 Million for Merino was peak Business from real sociedad👏💰

[@JayB948]

One thing I would say about Havertz, is that despite missing a few big chances in the last couple games he doesn’t actually take many shots. The fact he is our top scorer in all competitions without having salah amount of chances and no penalties isn’t actually terrible

[@JonathanOfori-s6u]

The only person who picked on up the red card for kicking ball away. Shocking wasn’t even mentioned on MOTD

[@tezza747]

We had a stronger team two seasons ago and playing beautifully. Why change? Xhaka was strong and he was Arsenal through and through.

[@TheGoonerverse]

The Xhaka sale is looking like a mistake... but I never thought I'd say that

[@adeyemiadeleye9823]

You guys needs to let partey be. He’s not a right back but a midfielder. Arteta should play him in his natural position. He left natural right backs on the bench without playing them. And keeps trying to mess Partey up.

[@AshBeats693]

When it comes to that left 8 CM position,it seems arteta has made the same mistake he made with havertz again,instead of signing a left 8 that can create like odegaard, barella,de Jong etc. he has chosen to sign a midfielder who's biggest asset to us seems to be aerial duels,aerial ability and physicality in mikel merino. That's the same situation as kai in his first season, he gave us physicality but he didn't give us creativity in that left 8 CM position

[@brendonthomas2555]

Squad is too thin to navigate the multiple serious injuries and poor signings. Kiwior (error prone), Merino (slow, lacks physicality and presence), Sterling (has seen better days), Harvertz (useful but not clinical), Califiori (looks injury prone). That said, I must credit the fighting spirit of the team but we are simply too threadbare at the moment.

[@tom11mansfield]

Great vid. Thoughts on rice right cb, timber rb and partey in midfield? It wouldnt even change the starting 11

[@TheGoonerverse]

Yeah was definitely an option!

[@oliverheaney3379]

Here’s the problem.. 6 Points behind, an extra game played, worse goal difference and you have to go to anfield - the end

[@ChrisTtofari]

Doesn’t mean anything, they could lose their game in hand and we could win at Anfield. Not saying we will but football is crazy sometimes.

[@Khurram786-z7w]

@@ChrisTtofariyour going to lose at wolves next weekend never mind winning at Liverpool kid

[@KholarGass7833]

​@@Khurram786-z7w deluded arsenal fans 😂😂

[@oliverheaney3379]

@@ChrisTtofarihope is important when you’re a fan but Arsenal fans can’t focus on their own team … if they did reality would tell you different .. Liverpool are levels above Arsenal

[@LPVW04]

Glad you mentioned Lewis-Skelley because he’s just making the left back position his and tbh I think he could be in midfield if Calafiori comes back and starts performing well he’s that good on the ball and has the eye for a defence splitting pass, for me he’s better Nwaneri but it’s a pleasure to see them both coming through especially at the same time

[@iceprince3572]

Brilliant analysis James! 👏🏾👏🏾

[@TheGoonerverse]

Appreciate the kind words thank you!

[@senlac.86]

Need skelly to take corners odegaard doesn't have the whip required.

[@DaveShortt]

Should be pulled up for the time it takes you guys to take a corner!

[@jesuisahmedn]

James, what did you think about the argument that Arteta should have brought in Kiwior as a CB after we went two up and move Timber back out to RB to solidy the defence after we went 2-0 up?

[@TheGoonerverse]

Yeah definitely an option - could even have started Kiwior really

[@Qwerty-dq9xs]

You've defended merino all season for what? really can't understand it. He's been a disaster of a signing not too dissimilar to fabio veira.

[@DavidKeith-f9b]

I would even say that Fabio is better than Merino ESR so much better Lokongo so much better Elneny so much better.

[@TheGoonerverse]

I'm convinced he'll come through as a decent player, let's give it some time

[@Qwerty-dq9xs]

@@TheGoonerverse unfortunately decent will mean we will not win this title anytime soon. Far too many decent players martinelli trossard havertz jesus all decent. Mikel has squeezed the maximum out of these guys last year but quality ultimately will catch up no matter how good your system is.

[@EyesWall]

What's wrong with starting Kiwior at RCB and playing Partey in CDM? Why can't Arteta play players at their proper positions? He chickens out when the push comes to shove innit! Klopp and Pep played Bradley and Rico when needed. They didn't tweak the system which was operating so well but not our Intern Arteta. We are seeing the levels now.

[@1903Optics]

I’ll be honest. I don’t care about how we play until we get 2 attackers. And I don’t mean sterling level. I don’t care about what decisions mikel makes either. I’ll judge him when he has a viable squad and attack.

[@Mohammed_Gidado]

Merino is a Southampton Level player at Best

[@muhamadrozaimi2716]

Get Iraola next summer to replace Arteta...😂😂Iraola had improved a lot of crap players that's mean he's better than Arteta in term of experience managerial post ..😅

[@SimonAfc-qb3gf]

You will never see it no, no, no way! Like I have said for years, the root problem with Arsenal is the owner. Do you know why people call us "Next Season FC" or "Specialists in Failure"? It’s not banter it is jusg the reality. The real issue is the lack of ambition. How many of us have been saying to buy a top striker in the summer? Even rival fans said Arsenal could only win with a proper striker. But the owner is blind to this because there is no real desire to win. Only real desire can get us over the line. Again, With 11 days to go, get a proper striker and compete for the UCL, EPL, and Carabao Cup.

[@jordandavis3867]

If Calafiori cannot get back up to speed fitness wise to play in Saliba's position I want him sold in the summer.

[@TheTunde89]

I loved it, your correct don’t change keep up the excellent work James.

[@Jim_Milton29]

There is not a single conclusive angle confirming it's a handball. And I've seen all of them. And you have our own fans claiming 'Clear Handball'.

[@rickydawson7388]

Arteta had every chance to switch tactics after going 2-Nil up. I was telling the people around me that Arteta will drop points because just before the goals went in. I knew because any other manager, after leading by 2-Nil and 60 minutes in, would make defensive subs and switch the formation. Odegaard and Havertz had no business on the pitch after 60 minutes. Tierney and Jorginho should have been brought on. Two banks of 5 in defense and 3 at the back in offense with Timber, Gabriel, and Tierney. Arteta learned nothing from his defeat to Newcastle. Eddie How changed tactics as soon as possible after going 2 goals up. We could have had all 3 points in this and other games. It's not that the players aren't good enough. The manager isn't good enough.

[@edwardssekalo7938]

Teams win titles because they: 1) have the most quality (Bayern/PSG), 2) show exceptional character (sheer will to win) or 3) find amazing form/momentum (Leicester-2016, Liverpool-2020, Leverkusen). Having watched Arsenal this season, I held onto hope that the sheer will to win would see them get over the line, since it has been clear they can't muster any of the other 2 traits. Alas, I think was too hopeful.

[@Nathansss365]

Edu gave us a cup tied keeper , an injured left back a rotation cm and a sterling who loves KFC to much , then sailed off into the sunset having trebled his wages . That’s where it all went wrong.

[@surabaya5927]

That's a weird interpretation of what happened. No transfer happened without Arteta's approval.

[@mikeadams7904]

It all went wrong when we left highbury

[@surabaya5927]

@mikeadams7904 come on now. You can't be serious. What was the capacity at Highbury? It was 30something thousand, right? It's double now. The basic idea Wenger had was spot on, but what was made of it was anything but spot on.

[@NTX_Dad]

Their goals: - stupid foul by Trossard on touchline - we don’t clear lines, cross from Digne - Partey tries to play offside line, Kai just short of header and killer finish. We played well, goals from open play; how Merino is still inn after 45 minutes of nothing is criminal. Bring Tierney > Merino; and move MLS in front of him and game is done. The urgency after they equalized was poor; and again Merino getting 97 is absolutely diabolical

[@vman99]

Watkins didn’t do much be scored. Havertz is like the complete opposite. Does everything else but score convincingly (despite scoring today)

[@MK-mq6vy]

Get havertz out my squad please, a pro football player on higher wages than some of our best players who can't even run a meter with the ball. It's time we are honest

[@YorkshireTracklists]

@@MK-mq6vy but he scored a goal so that justifies his selection for the past 4 games

[@GenericMedusa99]

next game watch arterta play partey RB cuz he enjoys not winning :)

[@dellsun3678]

Hesitant of rice to right back but 100% we need to keep partey in the midfield. Should have put Kiwior at back and deal with the consequences

[@RaZeyLWindBladE]

Rice could have played CB, it would have been natural to him since he is usually the most deepest No 6 among the ones we have. Partey could have played at his most comfortable position while Timber continues his excellent form on the right. Arteta lost it the moment he set out that team.

[@amn001.1]

I like your content and your analysis and I don't think I've commented on any of your videos before but when I heard the Rice at RB shout again I couldn't hold myself lool Partey has had some good performances this season but I don't get how you're not seeing how much his lack of athleticism and defensive awareness has cost this season and it's happened many times this seaosn, lost his man yesterday, should have marked Son last week and was also jogging in the build up to Spurs's corner, left Pedro Neto open to have a shot which was a great strike but he should have closed him and there are many other examples just this season, the negatives outweigh the positives for me and that's not even mentioning his off the pitch issues, and as much as Rice has some limitations on the ball, he's BY FAR the better 6 for us because of how much teams focus on transitions against us, Rice had a great game yesterday and has been very good for a while now and moving him to either RB or CB yesterday would have no sense IMO because Kiwior could and most likely would have done a job there.

[@jaymuller1369]

Everyone can see Partey at RB unbalances the whole team 1 win in 6 with him there says it all but Mikel knows better?

[@darryldavid1987]

If merino was playing 6 then im blaming arteta coz rice could have protected that goal...merino is not a cdm and rice is not a cm 😢

[@FreeVortex-py4oo]

When are we going to admit that Arteta is not good enough. He is abysmal in the transfer market We are woefully short in tje attacking department RW, strikers AM it's BS. Merino is a flop and wasn't even needed

[@Gunnercoops]

Totally agree just hoping to win isn’t enough, it takes elite level planning and performances! You have to say players such as Tommy Calafiori Sterling Merino Martinelli Trossard Jesus Jorginho are not of sufficient quality or availability to win a league and missing White Saka for such a long period has ensured we are having a season of decline. Surely nobody can be surprised 😳

[@Nate-qr4xj]

Good vid james. Brutal honesty.

[@sadgunner7798]

Curtis calls Martin, "Pilow Foot" cause he can't shoot 😂😂😂😂😂

[@esclad]

In the game of chess, "checkmate" is a position in which a player's king is in a direct threat of capture (in check) and there is no possible legal move to escape the threat. When a player is checkmated, the game ends, and that player loses. Essentially, it's the final, winning move in a game of chess. 🏆

[@TheGoonerverse]

Yeah what I mean is, if you can’t put yourself in that position, you move something else in the hope you get there eventually. Arsenal feel like they’re just waiting for the game-winning moment to come to them… shit analogy really

[@guyfawkes3181]

And this is why rival fans like myself don’t believe you’ll win the league or anything for that matter. As u said, if u don’t fix the leaks, it’s going to keep happening. Beating Spurs to some was like winning a trophy. It never meant u were back to your best.

[@1972dsrai]

Now with Saliba out I don’t see them not dropping more points.

[@GummyMelatoninGibson]

Yeah, it's sort of obligatory to celebrate a derby win as such but you're spot on. And as you say, the goddamn "leaks"; as James said, we weren't bad today, but we got luck offensively and punished for lapses defensively (to take nothing away from Watkins quality). Ik you're a rival fan so you're not part of this "we", but we don't look, collectively, look any better.

[@guyfawkes3181]

@ Yhyh celebrate derby wins for sure, but don’t forget the context of the current position, which i feel some did. Apart from that, couldn’t agree with u more

[@ThePundit99]

I am told Real Madrid scouts were coming to watch the villa game, we had to hide Saliba.

[@arjanndoj4444]

Injuries have ruined our season.

[@TurdFurguson97]

Enjoy your commentary and perspective. Feel like you are slowly falling into the over reaction vortex. Unfortunate. Hope you get back to being a positive voice and not a guy who just overreacts to every “bad” result. 2nd in the league and Saka and Odegard have played together in 1/4 of our matches.

[@patrikcarlsson8975]

In the both Villa goals we could have done more before the crosses came in. We were too passive in their build up.

[@russellfox8278]

As a villa fan we haven't addressed our defence issue. We were lucky.

[@intellectual_honesty5961]

Kamara doesnt kick the ball away. He kicks it back to where the actual offense took place. Which is why the ref didnt do anything. The ref had a decent game. If anything, he was a little more biased towards Arsenal and more 50-50 decisions went your way.

[@TheGoonerverse]

I said the ref had a good game but he missed the Kamara one, if I remember it rightly he didn’t kick the ball to where the offence was cos the players had to get the ball and move it somewhere else but I might be wrong

[@intellectual_honesty5961]

@@TheGoonerverse To be fair, I've just watched it back again and the truth is in the middle. The foul (albeit a bit of a soft one Duran on Partey) took place on the edge of the Arsenal D. The ref blew for a foul as one of the Villa players was kicking the ball out of the air to Kamara. Arsenal players tried to get it off him and he nudged the ball back, but wide of the foul location admittedly (in the direction of Gabriel who picked it up). The foul location was nowhere near where Kamara was at the time, so Arsenal weren't in a position to take a freekick there, so it wasn't considered delaying a restart, as the ball had to get played back to Raya anyway, who actually took the freekick 5 yards ahead of the offence and his first pass was to Gabriel anyway (the person who Kamara's nudge went to).

[@intellectual_honesty5961]

You're a fair Gunner in general, and whilst I appreciate you feel hard done by, by the "delaying the restart" red cards, the truth is EVERY season the refs crack down on something at the beginning of the season and then walk it back after everyone complains about it. Due to the nature of this, a few teams always get burned at the start of the year due to this directive change. It just so happened to be Arsenal. In years gone by others have suffered from directive changes early. Rice nudged the ball OUT of play, when he Veltman was in the right position and swinging his leg to take it. Harsh, but a yellow card. It's not the same as every other situation (such as Kamara) Arsenal fans seem to be upset about. Where I do have sympathy is the Trossard yellow card, where he was in motion kicking a ball as the ref. That's a fair complaint Arsenal fans have. Poor refereeing combined with City players pressuring the referee. One thing I haven't seen you/AFTV address is Mikel Arteta's mismanagement of the squad. Yes, Mikel is a good coach and a good tactician, but his man management skills need improvement. Can you really say he's kept everyone in your squad feeling happy/involved? Has he given the likes of Sterling, Tierney, Jorginho, Kiwior, Zinchenko enough game time to feel involved/happy and part of the squad? Fergie was an expert at keeping the likes of Rafael, Wes Brown, Darren Fletcher all feeling important/involved, and so when injuries came, they were ready to step up/in. I'm not sure I can say the same for your bench players yesterday, which is why he only made 1 sub. Which then has the knock-on effect on meaning your current players play more minutes and are then more likely to get injured.

[@makas01217]

Let’s be real, we were just lucky in many games last two seasons. We are where we are when luck is not on our side. After all, we are not good enough

[@MAT-wn5fr]

Trossard deserved the red card. He ran right through the player with no attempt to win the ball and then kicked the ball away.

[@michaelhuggins8513]

The fact that you’re moaning about a player kicking the ball away really says everything at the state of Arsenal at this moment

[@R18Y]

It's a good thing that it is not being swept under the carpet.

[@TheGoonerverse]

You know this is a 23 minute video, where I review the game? I spent maybe 2 minutes on the Kamara incident, and 21 minutes on the rest of the game. When Arsenal have had two of the most unjust red cards I’ve ever seen, I expect the referees to hold that standard across the campaign, and they haven’t. Havertz’s handball was correct and I praised VAR & the officiating

[@emperorpalpatine4681]

13:49 ‘ride a defenders tackle is crazy’

[@Crypteass]

That entire right side disappeared in the 2nd half. They were so good the in first but I guess they forgot there's 2 halves to the game.

[@optikqualla1550]

I'm also not that disappointed. After we had the 2-0 advantage I caught my self saying: this is not fair. This was just due the advantage in individual class. The match plan was not superior at all. They looked clumsy and lucklustre once more. There's no passion. No willingness to take the fucking ball and do something surprsing. With this mindset you can win anything.

[@steve13191]

assna fans are peak hypocrisy. Just like when they worship sol campbell and called ashley cole snake, rattled when chelsea spent 100 million but then paid 110 million for rice. Talks about referee every single game but was quiet after united game now some fools on aftv think havertz goal should have stood. Insane fanbase.

[@orourkedafootball]

Spoiling the fun of any arsenal fan is tremendously satisfying.

[@sperrotta91]

Whatever happened to F it, I'm not giving up?! I think we've all seen enough with Arteta as regards trophies. 1 FA Cup in 5 years... and that accomplished with a side that he inherited. No proper cup final since then. He might yet win another domestic cup but he is too wedded to his system, too unaccommodating of actual flair and too unambitious with the forward line to attain the most coveted prizes. Either he doesn't quite know what he wants in the offensive department or he grossly overestimates his personnel. Jesus, Trossard and Willian represent all transfer incomings in the Arteta era explicitly earmarked as forwards. Not great. Apart from that, he was willing to go up to 90m for a talented but flawed Mudryk in 2023 and half-heartedly courted a raw prospect in Sesko (yet another project signing) last summer before entirely abandoning any attempt to sign an additional CF or WF. Unless you count the utterly desultory Sterling loan deal. All low hanging fruit, spur-of-the-moment market opportunities and luxury aisle punts. No real bite. Even the failed signings probably would have been questionable. It's a legit blindspot (perhaps even a fear) of his and it's one of several things that will be his undoing at the club.

[@jonathandrake5257]

A thing that is driving me mad, is we was waiting to get the difficult away games, out the way and then as soon as we get (supposed) easier games at home, we loose Saka.

[@questforreality]

I like you James but it’s cringe for you to be talking as if you’re in a title race. Arsenal haven’t had a realistic chance at a title since they last won one, mate.

[@clew6519]

I’ve said this all along, put any defender or your most defensive 6 in the fullback position. Forego the fullback getting involved in the attack and play safe for the rest of the match. Hold on to the 2-nil lead.

[@tobywoolgar9517]

With all the injuries and not enough money spent on a attacking players in my opinion, I think we've overachieved this season and could easily be third or fourth, maybe even fifth. We didn't have no plan b basically in attacking areas which is criminal and has cost us big time.

[@JoePizzeria007]

Ur overperforming by running on pure desire to win the league but with this weekend going back to 9 points behind and the way in which liverpool won and u drew, I can see u starting to slip now

[@DeeDeeDanone]

It’s not all gone wrong. This is how football has always been, sometimes the other teams are really good too. No team has a defined right to win every game, football is a competitive sport not a procession. The digital/social media age has created weak minded, fickle fans that are either 100% up or 100% down. They are incapable to enjoying the journey, it must be gratification every match. Look how many games the Invicibles drew, fans back then didn’t lose their mind at any given occasion.

[@deepankarsharma926]

I think Ødegaard is playing timidly because he doesn't want to get injured (maybe instructed by Arteta), because if he goes out now we'll end with a proper injury clusterf**k!!

[@Anonymous1er1889]

Its not just lack of attack. Its composure and control when having a lead. How many times now arsenal scores first just to have the game end in a draw. Happened against brighton 2x, chelsea, liverpool and now villa.

[@Jim_Milton29]

The brilliance of Martin Ødegaard

[@Marshalls94]

James shitting himself at 13:39 was the only thing to bring a smile to my face after this game. Out of 3/4 cups now, trophies looking a distant memory

[@1972dsrai]

All they can win now is a top four spot and even that won’t be easy with Saliba now out for at least a few games. City snd Newcastle are not out of it.

[@AnkitTiwari-ks8fl]

These dropped points are down to defense... But our captain has been hiding for past 5-10 games. His delivery from corners is also worse compared to Saka and Rice.

[@RaZeyLWindBladE]

It was wrong from the start. How did we not use Rice as CB, which would have allowed Timber to be at his natural position and Partey to control the midfield like how he always does. Instead we have Timber at CB, Partey at RB and Rice dropping deep from CDM. Merino was good but he isnt a blockbuster. Kai was toothless, even the goals we scored was lucky. We cant just keep riding our luck like that and expect wins to come our way. Our defence is fast becoming like our attack; the chopping and changing has made the chemistry lesser than it could have been. Not only that, we now have not made ANY moves in the market that might excite the fans, especially with the way we are performing on the field. While anything can happen from now till May, we have not banked any experience in chasing the top spot while hampered and disheartened. We are not Man City and Liverpool is not Arsenal. I hate it, we hate it but we truly are bottlers. Arteta is slowly losing the plot, like how Wenger used to back in the day.