Match Ratings Ratings vs Arsenal

WhiteStripe said:

Never let an agenda get in the way of an honest opinion!! Worst of the day? Wind your neck in. Did you watch Aurier?

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Gareth88 said:

Anyone remember the last time we scored from a corner?

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JME-9 said:

Imaging trying to defend aurier he was horrendous today even a few arsenal fans I know couldn’t believe how bad he was one saying they can’t believe he is a professional lol right back is a must this next window

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zime said:

What I've said from very early on - he is a poor player. But there are still people out there that rate him or think he will come good. He won't.

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Stamford said:

You could say that about many players Sissoko being the obvious candidate

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Mr Pink said:

Sissoko fulfills his role a lot better than Aurier does his imo.

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Stamford said:

Yep but he's still not very good. If we want to push on we need to get a much better CM

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Mr Pink said:

I'd use him for some of the bigger games where his discipline and industry would help us cope.

But against teams we should be beating I agree we need more quality.

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Marty said:

Somebody mentioned yesterday that they want to see Sissoko used the way Ferguson used Park at Man United. Throw him in for the big games where his attitude and application shuts down our opponents, but under no circumstances play him in games we should be looking to dominate. I like that theory.

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Marty said:

Birdie - Toby, Lucas, Lloris, Son
Par - Sissoko, Sanchez, Davies, GLC, Winks, Kane
Bogey - Aurier

Toby was commanding at CB in addition to the goal, we do look so much better when he's on the pitch and he makes the one he plays with of Sanchez and Dier look better too.

Sonny scored and assisted but pissed away the ball so infuriatingly many times, whereas Lucas had his best game for months (dare I say since Ajax?) despite not getting a goal.

On the other end of the scale, Kane strayed too far into selfishness trying to keep his derby record intact, Winks was a little too ill-disciplined and should've gone in the book long before he actually did, and Aurier had one of those days where he couldn't trap the ball if his life depended on it. It's impossible to feel safe when he's on the pitch and you can see from the first minute that it's one of those days, it cost us a goal (yes it's a wonder strike but if Aurier does his job Lacazette never gets the ball) and could've cost us more.

But the performance overall was far more encouraging. I admit I despaired when the team sheet came out, but the switch to a 4-4-2 worked very well, it clearly was something Arteta wasn't expecting and we had a lot of joy (and they made a lot of mistakes) in the first half. The second half was pretty awful before the drinks break as we dropped deep and struggled to get out (to put it mildly, possession was 20-80 in the first 20 minutes of the half), but we asserted ourselves after the break, created the bigger chances and based on chance creation alone the win was deserved.

Now I beg of the players, please don't ever drop to the levels of the three matches preceding this one ever again, and I might start to believe in the Mourinho project.

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Mr Pink said:

Davies is a better all round footballer/defender than Aurier will ever be.

I actually like Davies. He's a competent full back. Could we do better? Sure...but a decent option.

Aurier is a liability defensively. Yes sometimes he has some bright moments and you think there's some light at the end of the tunnel and then he does something absolutely baffling moments later.

He gets into decent positions when attacking but he's extremely wasteful. So very erratic in the attacking sense.

Defensively he's just not good. Lacks concentration, lunges in...makes poor decisions and all round has poor defensive judgement.

I've never been so critical about any of our players but he absolutely is the weak link in this team.

That tackle he made on Aguero back in February sums him up to a tee..and VAR awarded the pen two minutes later.

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Peters said:

When you are trying to prove a point about the how much Aurier detracts from the team, why quote a mistake in a match that we won?

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punkisback said:

442 always trumps 342 I feel. Double overload on the FB and no real extra man in CM; was very pleased that we switched to that to counter them.

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Mark_147 said:

Funny thing is trippier got the same stick last season playing in the same position, so maybe if we concentrate on identifying all the weak areas that expose other players on the pitch instead of scape goating one player that would be more constructive.

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TEESSIDE1 said:

Scapegoating ? He’s not good enough and neither was Trippier. Walker and a prime Rose weren’t that good with their final ball either but they were up and down the pitch all game, timed their tackles, they didn’t recklessly slide in, created space for our attackers and worked their arses off for the team. The gulf in class between Walker, prime Rose and Aurier and Trippier is astronomical.

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zime said:

Yesterday.

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ultimateloner said:

Neither team could break down each other and the goals all came down to individual errors or moments. Our defence edges theirs and that's the difference in the end (due to better experience than ability as well IMO).

For me the team showed desire and resilience, particularly in the last 5-10 mins. Stand-out moments/individuals for me:

Sissoko: what he lacks in technique (seriously one of the worst footballers i've seen at this level) he makes up for with drive, stamina and determination in games like this. 85 min + he dribbled down the right to draw a yellow card from Saka. He was knackered. What more can you ask for? (fine better technique, but it's not his fault that he is not gifted)

Son: pressured their defence all day and stole the ball or took up good positions high up the pitch on many occasions. Good effort. My MOTM.

Lo Celso: Keeps the ball well under pressure and doesn't give it away. Also has good work rate in defence. Key player.

Lucas: can't fault his effort...make mistakes yes, cant pick a pass yes, but the running and determination is worthwhile.

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olliec said:

Actually thought Lucas picked quite a few decent passes in this game. Very different from his usual game.

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