Giroud should have had a penalty early on as well, when Ayala wrestled him to the ground. Not a close match actually, Boro just had a lot of set pieces.
The heat-maps and the average player positions suggest it was a 3-4-3 when we had possession at least. Gabriel was noticeably wider than Holding despite both Chamberlain and Monreal hugging the touchline but the Chamberlain/Ramsey/Xhaka/Monreal combined heat map confirms they were playing as a flat 4 in front of a back 3. We didn't always look comfortable though I was pleased to see Chamberlain want to be involved despite criticism this season. Some players try to hide but he didn't. Alexis was probably our best player. His stats this season are incredible- 72 chances created AND 19 goals scored at a rate of 5.53 shots/goal. Guaranteed player of the year IF he were playing for the champions. :-( . Boro had a very good 2nd half and the 2 goalmouth chances they had are those which roll in when you aren't battling relegation. Wouldn't have argued against a draw based on chances created. We weren't at our fluent best by any stretch of the imagination but we got the 3 points somehow. Phew.
@SteveHyland Oxlade-Chamerlain was the best player here. Other than the FK and a few passes, Sanchez was not quite as good. Good performance from Ozil as well. Gabriel was much wider than Holding, and got forward much more, so basically this "back three" looks suspiciously like a back four.
@What4- You could definitely fit 4 across the back as they were lined up with Gabriel so wide. It was strange. Maybe it was a ploy by Wenger for Gabriel to give support to the least defensively able of the 2 WBs? Monreal could certainly cover more ground than the Ox on the other side which would make sense having Holding tucked in more. Also, Chamberlain was the more progressive of the 2- I would guess that was intentional too. I haven't heard anything either way. We never get to hear the reasons behind tactical decisions despite them being the most interesting IMO.
I think the rocky movie line defines arsenal its not about how hard you hit: its about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. its how much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Arsenal got their confidence shattered in bayern loss but they keep moving forward and winning, wenger got his confidence shattered but he keeps coming back to get top 4 spots in league.
hey guys listen to me very carefully...arsenal players wants Wenger out...like liecster city players done to Ranieri ..its same conspiracy...so arsenal players r doing the same and iam very sure of that 100%
@delpiero1100 Ranieri abandoned last season's tactics and paid for it. Wenger is tactically inept and his team selections are bad. His signings are bad. Wenger should go.
@MEHJones There are 3 possible results in a match. Not 2. I'd be more worried, as an Arsenal fan (which I am not), of the fact that Middlesborough are this seasons DRAW specialists and would settle for a point from this fixture.
Club should sack wenger since 2,3 yrs ago.But BOD didn't because they like money than trophy.Wenger is making money for them.I guess the only way to kick out Wenger is not to buy season ticket for next season,just watch from home for 1 yr instead of protesting.
Boro have drawn or lost 14 league games in a row, their last win was in December. I have absolutely no confidence in the team anymore. Even up until last season, I 'knew' we would win these type of games come April. A late surge to nick a top 4 place is what we do, but now I'm not even sure we will manage that. I would take a scrappy 1-0 Arsenal win but I can see this being a 1-1 draw or something equally unsatisfactory.
Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Arsenal If Arsenal don't get a result against Boro there will be a riot. The players look disinterested and are performing less than the sum of their parts - a clear sign that management isn't up to the task.
@What4 :It's called being battered in the Champions League 10-2 otherwise you'd have been playing at the weekend like Leicester. Poor performances have consequences.
Giroud should have had a penalty early on as well, when Ayala wrestled him to the ground. Not a close match actually, Boro just had a lot of set pieces.
The heat-maps and the average player positions suggest it was a 3-4-3 when we had possession at least. Gabriel was noticeably wider than Holding despite both Chamberlain and Monreal hugging the touchline but the Chamberlain/Ramsey/Xhaka/Monreal combined heat map confirms they were playing as a flat 4 in front of a back 3. We didn't always look comfortable though I was pleased to see Chamberlain want to be involved despite criticism this season. Some players try to hide but he didn't. Alexis was probably our best player. His stats this season are incredible- 72 chances created AND 19 goals scored at a rate of 5.53 shots/goal. Guaranteed player of the year IF he were playing for the champions. :-( . Boro had a very good 2nd half and the 2 goalmouth chances they had are those which roll in when you aren't battling relegation. Wouldn't have argued against a draw based on chances created. We weren't at our fluent best by any stretch of the imagination but we got the 3 points somehow. Phew.
@SteveHyland Oxlade-Chamerlain was the best player here. Other than the FK and a few passes, Sanchez was not quite as good. Good performance from Ozil as well. Gabriel was much wider than Holding, and got forward much more, so basically this "back three" looks suspiciously like a back four.
@What4- You could definitely fit 4 across the back as they were lined up with Gabriel so wide. It was strange. Maybe it was a ploy by Wenger for Gabriel to give support to the least defensively able of the 2 WBs? Monreal could certainly cover more ground than the Ox on the other side which would make sense having Holding tucked in more. Also, Chamberlain was the more progressive of the 2- I would guess that was intentional too. I haven't heard anything either way. We never get to hear the reasons behind tactical decisions despite them being the most interesting IMO.
@SteveHyland More interesting than reading the BBC report. :)
@MEHJones- Thanks, although the BBC can make jumping out of a plane sound boring. Lol
I think the rocky movie line defines arsenal its not about how hard you hit: its about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. its how much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Arsenal got their confidence shattered in bayern loss but they keep moving forward and winning, wenger got his confidence shattered but he keeps coming back to get top 4 spots in league.
@RemyLebeu are you talking about the same team that lost 3-0 last week to a team in 15th??
it seems evry epl club is experimenting with a 3 man back line.
It's not a back three, Gabriel is playing at RB, it's the normal 4-2-3-1.
BENCH: Martinez, Bellerin, Gibbs, Coquelin, Elneny, Iwobi, Walcott.
OFFICIAL (3-4-2-1, seriously): Cech, Gabriel, Koscielny, Holding, Chamberlain, Ramsey, Xhaka, Monreal, Oezil, Alexis, Giroud.
@SteveHyland Interesting line up by Wenger for once
WENGER OUT
The game with bayern destroyed arsenal confidence
@shakes- It started before then. Every team loses but the home game against Watford, and the manner of the loss, starting alarm bells ringing.
@SteveHyland I agree. Bayern Munich finished Arsenal off though this season
A draw is possible. But I think Arsenal will win, I am goign to predict Arsenal win. However, I will laugh if they don't win.
Arsenal are capable of finding a way not to win this game
Necessery more transfers for Arsenal,left defender,defensive midfilder,forward..
anyone who watched arsenal last 3 matches there is something going wrong...so that proof my point
hey guys listen to me very carefully...arsenal players wants Wenger out...like liecster city players done to Ranieri ..its same conspiracy...so arsenal players r doing the same and iam very sure of that 100%
@delpiero1100 Ranieri abandoned last season's tactics and paid for it. Wenger is tactically inept and his team selections are bad. His signings are bad. Wenger should go.
Middlesbrough haven't won in the league since December and haven't scored in 6 of their last 8 matches. Surely Arsenal will win this one.
@MEHJones Middlesborough shouldn't have sacked their manager. Karanka is a good tactical manager and Middlesborough have poor players.
@MEHJones There are 3 possible results in a match. Not 2. I'd be more worried, as an Arsenal fan (which I am not), of the fact that Middlesborough are this seasons DRAW specialists and would settle for a point from this fixture.
@Red_Card I never said that it couldn't be draw?! A narrow win for Arsenal doesn't surprise me and away from home that should always be good enough.
@Red_Card or at least if Arsenal didn't win that it would only be an Arsenal loss?
Club should sack wenger since 2,3 yrs ago.But BOD didn't because they like money than trophy.Wenger is making money for them.I guess the only way to kick out Wenger is not to buy season ticket for next season,just watch from home for 1 yr instead of protesting.
FT 1 - 1
Arsenal should see this one off with a slim victory. 2-1 for arsenal
@bestvsbest spot on mate
#WengerOut. Even the players are beginning to play against Arsene. Can't wait to see him kicked out of our darling club.
1-1, Wenger really needs to go but as a Liverpool fan it's hilarious to watch them tumble the way they are.
Boro have drawn or lost 14 league games in a row, their last win was in December. I have absolutely no confidence in the team anymore. Even up until last season, I 'knew' we would win these type of games come April. A late surge to nick a top 4 place is what we do, but now I'm not even sure we will manage that. I would take a scrappy 1-0 Arsenal win but I can see this being a 1-1 draw or something equally unsatisfactory.
parent clubs=both to score 100%
@koziol.mutant Just like in the first game between the two, right?
Arsenal win
arsenal will win by 3 or 4 goals
Wenger out!
Adama Traore 8+ dribbles(If he plays);))
Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Arsenal If Arsenal don't get a result against Boro there will be a riot. The players look disinterested and are performing less than the sum of their parts - a clear sign that management isn't up to the task.
Why do they keep making us play on Monday night? Some of us need to get up at an ungodly hour the next day.
@What4 :It's called being battered in the Champions League 10-2 otherwise you'd have been playing at the weekend like Leicester. Poor performances have consequences.