Catching Some Z's

Welcome back to another post where I am struggling between two openers/schools of thought. 

Option 1: Semi-finalists woohoo!!!!

Option 2: BORING.

Last night, I formed part of the 12th man again as Arsenal restrained Sporting C.P. to an uninspiring 0-0 in the second leg of the Champions League quarter final, which was enough to go through to the semi's 1-0 on aggregate thanks to Havertz's goal in Lisbon. 

For pretty much the whole season I have very much been in the camp of "I don't care too much about our style of play, just win". However, when the winning has stopped in recent times, I have taken issue with the style of play, level of performance and lack of results. That is the risk you run with our current style of play. 

Despite this, having paid a not-so-cheap sum of money to attend the game, my perspective has shifted slightly. I couldn't help but think that the way we are playing and the sheer lack of entertainment factor to our football matches is a lot more frustrating for the average regular match-going fan, who pays some of the highest prices in the country to watch those performances. 

I couldn't help but think I hadn't really got my money's worth, as whilst Arsenal were defensively sound once again and Sporting didn't really trouble our goal (partly due to their surprising lack of intensity in attack), we seemed to show no real urgency to attack and didn't seem to have the quality to score a goal.

The fans around me were really trying their best to support the team, shouting encouragement to go for Sporting every time we won the ball in transition, but kept being left wanting as we slowed it back down, passed it backwards or skied a shot from the edge of the box. 

If it wins us the big trophies I suppose my original point of view still largely applies, as we will all be dancing at the parade and these performances will not trouble our drunken minds. But I felt I had to share my overriding experience coming out of the ground and reflecting on it today. 

I think Mosquera looked a lot more assured at right back and I would definitely support him coming back into the side for Sunday. Similarly, I really liked the aggression and defensive intelligence that Hincapié gave the back four from his return to the XI. Both full backs start at the Etihad for me. 

Eze started brightly but started to fade out of the game before his substitution. I'm pleased we have him as a creative outlet for the trip to Man City, as his absence really told in the League Cup Final. He had some nice moments where he managed to ride challenges from their defenders and get some shots away, but they lacked an element of quality to trouble their keeper. One shot on target for each team tells its own story and we really need to find our cutting edge in the final third and final action of our attacks, or we will rue missed chances in more games to come. Well I say chances, I mean more chances to create chances if that makes sense. 

Zubimendi looked a lot better, which is encouraging, but I still worry about whether he can maintain that level consistently and if he is catching a strong case of sideways/backpass-itis. I saw glimpses of it from Max Dowman last night too which is very unlike his previous performances, which suggests a coaching instruction to me. 

That infamous front three started again of Martinelli/Gyökeres/Madueke, with the latter worryingly going off with some sort of injury in the second half. If Saka isn't back fit soon and Madueke's injury is a bad one then that could be a problem for our right wing depth during the run-in. Or alternatively, it could be a huge opportunity for a young Max Dowman to show the world what he can bring to the table, other than his school report and Match Attax collection. Do the kids still collect those? I hope so because that was a core part of my footie-mad childhood memories. In any case, that front three doesn't work and it needs to not be picked again. 

Regardless of Madueke's injury, if Saka isn't fit for the Etihad, I would be tempted to start Max Dowman on the right. I was so against this pre-Bournemouth, because we shouldn't be relying on a 16 year old in our position and it's a lot of pressure to put on him, but looking at the performance levels of our other right wingers I think we need what Max brings to the side. If Saka is fully fit, I'd start him of course. We need our leaders and top players to be playing, fit, firing and taking us over the line. Madueke's performance pre the injury was worrying and Gyökeres just struggled to be involved again as our wingers couldn't make the ball stick enough to play him in very often (or at all). 

The lights/fireworks/tifo show was cool but a bit strange for me as our performance didn't match the energy it seemed to command. Also, half of the players on the tifo weren't starting the game so that was also a bit strange, but I suppose that's probably because these things are planned well in advance, or maybe it just doesn't really matter because nobody except me cares about if the tifo includes many starters. 

As for our huge game this Sunday, I don't know what to think or feel any more. Did last night's performance encourage me much? Not really, maybe from a defensive solidity standpoint. Do I think we will get players back who will make the difference? No idea, Arteta is so opaque with his fitness updates and even if they do return how fit will they be to make a real impact? 

I have seen some people say we need to win, some say we absolutely don't, whilst some say it doesn't matter anyways because we will definitely lose. I think we can afford to draw the game but I would love to see us go out and try and win it. A Wiltord moment would go down a treat and really launch the club back into that positive feeling that we can get over the line. If we lose...I don't want to entertain that right now, there will be plenty of time for that if it comes. 

For now, let's back the team, enjoy the position we are in, and fight until the very end. Huge game on Sunday, can't call it easily, very nervous but the thought of winning there just seems incredible. COYG!