UCL | Arsenal v Basel | 28th of September at 19:45 (GMT)

[Yousif Arsenal]

Here's ESPN FC talking Arsenal (10 min mark)

They not wrong with our team need to play like that the whole season and not bottle it in important months but oh boy these 2 guys setting beside gab are so bitter specially that guy with Liverpool accent still having a go at Sanchez he not interested to play striker? yeah mate 5 goals 5 assists in 8 games.

 

[Gooners Raj]

They not wrong with our team need to play like that the whole season and not bottle it in important months but oh boy these 2 guys setting beside gab are so bitter specially that guy with Liverpool accent still having a go at Sanchez he not interested to play striker? yeah mate 5 goals 5 assists in 8 games.

Exactly! If Liverpool or Utd had done the same thing, they would have been like where is the crisis. Even though they haven't even come close to our achievements in the last few years. I think criticizing Arsenal make the pundits look smart, regardless of what the reality is. If Arsenal win or do come close to the title, no one is going to pull up this and question the guy...

 

[carlito'sway]

Wonderful stuff. Don't remember the last time we played like that. It was like Arsenal of old. Ruthless but beautiful.

This team has something special. People saying it's a purple patch or that they seen this before with Arsenal are wrong. This isn't a fluke or a streak, you can see there is something there. The fact is we've had a great team for a couple of years but it takes time to get all the pieces right and for it to gel. Looks like we found those last missing pieces.

Couple of points on the game:
Mustafi is excellent. From day one he's come in and be superb. Really like him.

Xhaka will be a top player but he hasn't settled yet and looks to be playing very cautiously right now. Can't wait for him to open up.

Am I the only one who thought Santi didn't have a good game? He kept misplacing passes and slowed things down. He's normally great but thought he was poor.

What I love about the new Alexis is his passing. We that we know he can finish so not worried about the misses. But his passing was Özil like and has been all season. Considering his passing was pretty woeful when he came this is a huge improvement. He's become the complete player.

Oh boy, Theo. Ecstatic for the lad. He's hungry, aggressive and his finishing is great, especially for the 2nd goal. Calm and lethal. Surprised Wenger took him off actually because he was playing well (and had just created the sanchez chance).

Iwobi really is an unbelievable player and mature beyond his years. But he was off tonight. Made some good movement and was involved in a couple of plays but it's no coincidence that most of the play went down the right. He needs a rest.

I want to see perez at the weekend.

Xhaka had a good game. I don't think he has been necessarily more cautious though. That his the same way I have seen him playing before doe the Swiss Nati or in Germany.

Regarding Santi, I guess you may be among the few who saw him having a bad game. He was terrific. Look at his passing map and the team possession & passing networks, posted on this thread, that will show you a different pictures. The guy had a 90% pass completion last night. Here are his stats:

EPL Stat Man @EPLStatman

Santi Cazorla vs FC Basel
Passes 94
Completed 90%
Tackles 4 successful (out of 6)
Ball Recoveries 11
Chances Cr 3
Take-Ons 4/4

 

[carlito'sway]

They not wrong with our team need to play like that the whole season and not bottle it in important months but oh boy these 2 guys setting beside gab are so bitter specially that guy with Liverpool accent still having a go at Sanchez he not interested to play striker? yeah mate 5 goals 5 assists in 8 games.

That is Steve Nicol.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

That is Steve Nicol.

These sport channel's need to stop hiring Liverpool fans pundits they still living in the 80's their football knowledge is really bad.

 

[carlito'sway]

These sport channel's need to stop hiring Liverpool fans pundits they still living in the 80's their football knowledge is really bad.

 

[IchirotoV2]

Good to see Ox making good runs too, and not being absolute toss.

 

[NotAUserName]

BT really need to get better match directors. They must hire people will zero football knowledge as they always cut away on key moments on counters.

I don't understand how people can criticize Ox for that pass. The keeper positioned himself well between Ox and Alexis.

Ox's reaction on the other hand... I bet it's going to keep him up for several nights.

 

[Mark Tobias]

These sport channel's need to stop hiring Liverpool fans pundits they still living in the 80's their football knowledge is really bad.

Couldn't agree more. Their blatant bias is nauseating!

 

[Mark Tobias]

Exactly! If Liverpool or Utd had done the same thing, they would have been like where is the crisis. Even though they haven't even come close to our achievements in the last few years. I think criticizing Arsenal make the pundits look smart, regardless of what the reality is. If Arsenal win or do come close to the title, no one is going to pull up this and question the guy...

IMO it has to do with our unbeaten season. It made the rest of the football community jealous as hell and they're struggling to get over it!

 

[redanddread]

Stevie Nichol is

They not wrong with our team need to play like that the whole season and not bottle it in important months but oh boy these 2 guys setting beside gab are so bitter specially that guy with Liverpool accent still having a go at Sanchez he not interested to play striker? yeah mate 5 goals 5 assists in 8 games.

a miserable cnut even when he's not- he can't help himself. His accent's Scottish Yousif...

 

[Token Yank]

Mustafi, Iowbi and the new Theo have transformed this team.

 

[Finesse]

Mustafi, Iowbi and the new Theo have transformed this team.

You are right but I think it is more to do with the changes in personnel and set up. We have added a pacy and quick footed striker to head the attack. The pressing game and ball winning from the opponents half is amazing. The runs into space from the front 3 is amazing. Arsenal is playing to its strenght. The defence is quick and committed. The midfield is very comfortable on the ball and aggressive enough in a tactical set up. We are controlling games today and our possession is very FLUID.

Bring Giroud to head the attack and we lose all the above and have to play to his strenght. Crosses into the box from wide and less use of space and runners into the box.

The onus is for Arsène to define how we play with Giroud. We cannot play thesame with Giroud as we do with Alexis. It will not work and it is why we have been frustrating and inconsistent in the past. Both players have different qualities and whoever is a focal point of the attack greatly impacts on how we play.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

Stevie Nichol is

a miserable cnut even when he's not- he can't help himself. His accent's Scottish Yousif...

Ah I thought it was from Liverpool look similar

 

[amirkat]

Very comfortable game.

Never seen Alexis miss so many chances.

 

[celestis]

Listened to two mins and closed it. What a ******.

Espnfc tv is light entertainment at best , Steve Nichol is the epitomy of lazy analysis although Gab Marcotti is a well respected journalist .

 

[tap-in]

Back from hols last night, watched the game this morning without knowing the score. What a performance, no way is Giroud getting back into our attack when we play at this pace. I've never been a fan of Alexis as our lone CF but he plays so well in that position with those around him, you cant really argue for playing him elsewhere. Also with Walcott and Iwobi on either side doing so well, we just have to keep this formation.

Having said that, there will be games where we need to rest players, that's when Giroud, Perez, Ox, Elneny & Gibbs will be starting. At some point we need to be resting Bellerin as well.

Its still early days but it is a long time since we have been so good to watch, and currently we are doing it regularly. More of the same please.

 

[Gooner Zig]

Espnfc tv is light entertainment at best , Steve Nichol is the epitomy of lazy analysis although Gab Marcotti is a well respected journalist .

Nichol is probably the worst out there.

Gab is quality.

 

[redwhiteAustrian]

We've seen a steady increase in the quality of our performances recently, finally we started our season. I don't know why, but I doubt this is just a purple patch, we don't seem to be overly lucky but force our "luck" by performing up to the required standard.
Just a few things, based on the last month:

• Our midfield works.
• Our defense works.
• Our attack works.
• We're unpredictable.
• We're performing well right from kick off.
• Our new signings looks very good so far.
• Players are stepping up.

IF we go through November unscathed, I'll be starting to get my hopes up.

 

[Gooner Zig]

Very comfortable game.

Never seen Alexis miss so many chances.

IMO - Alexis didn't "miss" a whole lot of chances - their keeper made some saves where on another day, the ball just goes in. It's really that simple.