Match Ratings Ratings vs Arsenal

[Mornstar]

Hebw

100%. Can’t believe there are people in the match thread criticising him today

He was great but I genuinely feel that a bit more awareness of players around him (very difficult given the speed he runs at) and he could've setup more chances....one darting run in the second half particularly jumps to mind when I think lamela was very well position to receive the pass

 

[Mornstar]

Hebw

100%. Can’t believe there are people in the match thread criticising him today

He was great but I genuinely feel that a bit more awareness of players around him (very difficult given the speed he runs at) and he could've setup some great chances....one darting run in the second half in particularl jumps to mind when I think lamela was very well position to receive the pass

 

[carpediem991]

A lot of positive here for Sissoko. I am a bit surprised about that. I had the feeling he offered so less for a CM. Passing/Shooting useless, defensively a mixed bag as I feld the Arsenal midfield was all over us and got at the end of nearly every second balls and had to much room to operate in the front of the box at times.

Son wasnt for me that good either. He was more lively and more of a threat than Kane or Lamela, but so frustrating running into defenders in very good positions.

Most of the game felt like a mess. Not high class from either side. Sloppy, not intelligent in key areas, no clear matchplan.

I probably should vote Lloris as MotM, but the fuck-up early 2nd half nearly resulting in a goal is stopping me.
Give it to Winksy, not too sure why though.
Decent cameo by Lo Celso.

 

[DannyNZ]

Yep should have watched full match. Maybe we could have gone 3-0 1st half..didn't see so can't comment.

2nd half though my impression was we were lucky to get away with it. The only positives in attack I could recall was Son's drive into the box (and losing it) and Sissoko's chance (which you kind of knew he would miss). I can't remember thinking or expecting us to score.

Another thing that concerns me is we somehow just set back and thought we could play on the counter and close it out; which is why I think Arsenal saw so much more of the ball and looked more threatening. You could see their players wanting to come at us. I watched Liverpool vs Arsenal and in the 2nd half of that game Liverpool did the same thing, which was why they didn't keep a clean sheet.

I felt this was the wrong approach against a team like theirs; Arsenal will do well in attack this season (I feel they are the 3rd best attacking-wise in PL this season, even better than us) but they can't defend for shit. Their fullbacks are rubbish and only Sokrtis is ok as a CB. We should have been more ambitious and play against their weakness.

And yet their full backs looked a big step up on ours today.

 

[stevenurse]

After looking really dangerous in the first half, and forcing Leno into two good saves, I was disappointed that Son kept getting to the edge of the area and then running into players without doing anything with it. He gave them nightmares but just lacked either confidence or composure in the final third which was a shame because other than that he was really good

 

[SpartanSpur]

To just add some counter points.

Sanchez. Yes he was a weakness all game getting exposed outside by the LB, but I think that was partially down to his instructions. His main task was to keep Aubameyang quiet while he was playing LW, which he actually did a good job of (He scored after moving to ST). Tactically I'm not too sure we should be allowing the LB to get so many crosses in though, one for Poch to look at. I don't think we'll see him at RB again anyway.

Son was electric first half (easily the best player on the pitch) but was guilty of overplaying second and started to tire. I thought it was poor taking him off but actually bringing on Lo Celso really helped us stem the tide towards the end, him and Dele helped us retain the ball a bit more and eased the pressure. We actually finished stronger IMO.

Winks MOTM for me. Beat their press so well under immense pressure and still kept a high pass completion %. Put in the kind of passionate display you expect from one of our own.

Those knocking the 2nd half display need to consider the circumstances. After conceding that unbelievably poor goal on the verge of HT it was always going to be a tough ask (just clear it FFS). They had the momentum and the home crowd on their side. We had a few counters to make it 3-1 but it didn't come off. They scored a quality goal but we hung in and almost nicked it at the end.

I think the game was a missed opportunity for both sides, but considering the circumstances its a better result for us and hopefully one we can build on after the international break.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

Sissoko is to shooting what Lloris is to composed distribution.

Sissoko is to shooting what Prince Andrew is to age appropriate sexual relationships: nonexistent

 

[Spurs 1961]

All in all a much better performance. We played the first half mostly on the front foot. When we went forward there was the old fluidity of movement from our front four and some quality. A little more confidence and match sharpness could have seen us three up. Sure we later got penned in but at last I saw us play some real football.

Played four and five points but last season we lost both away games so although we are one point down on like for like we have played away to two of our rivals and not lost which means we have denied them points. The season is looking might brighter this morning

 

[Shadydan]

And yet their full backs looked a big step up on ours today.

They didn't really though did they.

 

[SlotBadger]

I'm not the first to make this point but I cannot comprehend how Poch plays Lucas for 90 minutes versus the packed defence of Newcastle, yet doesn't give him a solitary minute against an Arsenal team constantly on the attack and leaving space in behind.

 

[DannyNZ]

They didn't really though did they.

The game I watched Rose and Sanchez were the worst players on display, just my opinion.

 

[Shadydan]

The game I watched Rose and Sanchez were the worst players on display, just my opinion.

Their full backs weren't much better though.

 

[SpartanSpur]

I'm not the first to make this point but I cannot comprehend how Poch plays Lucas for 90 minutes versus the packed defence of Newcastle, yet doesn't give him a solitary minute against an Arsenal team constantly on the attack and leaving space in behind.

I think his hands were tied somewhat vs Newcastle due to injuries/circumstances but I totally agree. We need to realise the best times for using Moura. However I do feel the introduction of Lo Celso late on actually swung the game back in our favour, so I'm not knocking Poch for that one.

 

[Bulletspur]

so I was surprised that Lucas didn't replace him as pace when turning their shambles of a defence was our best chance of getting a result.

I'm not the first to make this point but I cannot comprehend how Poch plays Lucas for 90 minutes versus the packed defence of Newcastle, yet doesn't give him a solitary minute against an Arsenal team constantly on the attack and leaving space in behind.

I totally agree with both of you as I too was wondering the same. This is why I question (and I am entitled to ) Poch's game management

 

[whitesocks]

Sissoko is to shooting what Prince Andrew is to age appropriate sexual relationships: nonexistent

Prince Andrew needs shooting.

 

[fortworthspur]

I'm not the first to make this point but I cannot comprehend how Poch plays Lucas for 90 minutes versus the packed defence of Newcastle, yet doesn't give him a solitary minute against an Arsenal team constantly on the attack and leaving space in behind.

Think he wanted to get minutes for Dele and LoCelso. Gonna be a nice problem to have if everyone stays healthy.

 

[Marty]

Think he wanted to get minutes for Dele and LoCelso. Gonna be a nice problem to have if everyone stays healthy.

But how is minutes for Dele and Lo Celso more important than what appeared to be the most logical tactic to try to win the match?

Neither Dele or Lo Celso did badly, certainly after the latter came on we immediately had more of a footing in midfield and stemmed the tide far better, but at the same time it was a tactical choice that did little to exploit Arsenal's most obvious weakness.

 

[spursville]

Prince Andrew needs shooting.

I think he's a good squad member. Worth quite a bit and his mum/agent is quite influential.

 

[Spurrific]

The game I watched Rose and Sanchez were the worst players on display, just my opinion.

Maitland-Niles got skinned about 50 times. The game you watched had those players as the worst, because some of our fans are only looking for faults in our own players.

 

[SlotBadger]

Prince Andrew needs shooting.

Let's just hope it's not Sissoko doing the honours...