Today it was finishing. It seemed like our best scoring chances were all aimed at DeGea's silhouette, and you can't expect to score that way against a top Premier League keeper. Based upon everything else about those chances, Jack's shot (which should have been chipped), Alexis' header, and Santi's volley should rightfully all have been goals but weren't simply because of where they were aimed
I’ve defended Aaron Ramsey against so much vitriol the last few years, and I was so happy that he had the season he did last year, but he’s making things complicated for himself. In the lead up to Gibbs conceding the foul for the equaliser, Ramsey lost the ball high up the pitch. He seems to have become obsessed with scoring as many as he did last year, and this lack of discipline is costing us dear. As for Flamini, well the less said about his (lack of) positioning, the better - we can’t hope to challenge for the league with a player as indisciplined as him
I think Mertesacker hasn't been at his best all season - maybe he's permanently past his best. Flamini might be in the same boat. Monreal's best isn't really very good, especially in the middle, so I don't expect a lot. Szczesny's poor form has been slightly hidden by the lack of shots he's faced, because he's been letting in a large proportion of shots he does face. I'm not a Rosicky fan, I rather gave up on him years ago. Podolski made no impact, but was hardly given a chance to - once again Arsene's substitutions seemed to come at odd times, but obviously not as odd as bringing on Podolski to close a game out in the 80th minute
I was tempted to say Per, but that would be unfair because the reason we won was down to one man's energy and determination. Alexis Sanchez is World Class (my definition being they'd get into a World Squad of 25) and he is so perfectly suited to the Premier League. I actually saw an increased work rate from some of our players today and I think that is down to Alexis Sanchez leading by example. The media and Sunderland fans will probably be harsh on Wes Brown and Don Vito, but Alexis Sanchez accelerating at you at that pace will scare the best of defenders. When the free flowing football isn't working, the result will usually come if you get your head down, work hard and grind it out, and luckily for us Alexis has it all.
Definitely our attacking play, our defensive display has been absolutely shocking too though. However, defensively we did not have our strongest players on the pitch, instead we had 4 players who weren't used to each other working as hard as they could, most of then anyway. Attacking wise, we have incredible attacking midfielders and forwards, but they seem to have forgotten how to shoot and look obsessed with trying to pass and dribble the ball into the net
But Alexis was the big bright point of the game and I've a good idea that's what all the respondents will say in this article! His passing was a concern early in the season, often he was a tad careless with the ball which left us open to counter attack. But his completion rate was 82% v Chelsea and 86% yesterday. That shows he's listening and working on it. He's making better decisions now and his ability to beat players is such a boon against teams that sit deep like Hull. Quite simply, without him, we lose the game and probably don't muster more than a handful of shots.
Its odd because whilst we are more competitive today I don't see us being any closer come May. It seems there are too many things up in the air right now. We aren't sure of our best team, best formation, where to play our best players and that is disappointing given the solid base we had from last season and the confidence winning a trophy gave the club. I believe Arsene will fix all of this eventually but the dropped points whilst we adjust plus the 9 point head start has probably finished any chances we had of winning the title
Welbeck is the obvious standout performer of the night. To get his first ever professional hat trick and to do it on a Champions League night is no mean feat. His work rate was phenomenal tonight and his ability to run in behind is an asset we lacked when Giroud is in the side (and Walcott out). There have been several similarities drawn between the King and "dat guy" tonight. I'd suggest we don't get too ahead of ourselves, but its not hard to see why. I don't see Danny reaching quite that height, however you can't but be excited after a performance like tonight's. That run from the halfway line so late in the game showed some of the qualities this Arsenal side has missed going forward in the last couple of seasons
Overrated, waste of 40 million pounds and a player who’s nicking a living, Mesut Ozil was our best player on show without a doubt. He was like a puppeteer stringing passes left and right, opening up the defence and creating chances through out the game. He makes it looks so simple and maybe that’s why people don’t appreciate him much. I want to re watch the entire match just to admire his performance again
A cup exit, especially in a winnable competition, is always going to be disappointing. Some will try and play it off as ok as it's the 'least important' of the competitions we're in this season but I can't get on board with that attitude. If we're already struggling in the league cup, what hope for the tougher tests to come? They say winning is a habit and all that so writing off matches/cups etc is surely not something we should be doing.