That Was Downright Embarrassing

It’s currently half time in the North London Derby, Arsenal are two goals and a man down. Here are my thoughts:

This is the Arsenal of old. If we win, we secure Top 4. If we draw, we would secure Top 4 with a win against either Newcastle or Everton. So to those of you who are new to this – Arsenal don’t win this game.

I’ve adopted this mindset over years of watching Wenger (in his later years) and then watching Emery. However, there was a different feel about this Arsenal team under Arteta – although we made it difficult for ourselves, we got the job done after Spurs dropped points, and that showed purpose and progress.

And we’ve gone and reversed all of it.

I’ve watched nearly every single Shkodran Mustafi game, every single David Luiz game and every single Shkodran Mustafi x David Luiz game – this Rob Holding performance is the worse of them all.

You could see the red card coming from a country mile away – Holding was getting to close to Son and knew he was going to get burnt if the Korean got past him. The yellow card came with zero surprise, so what does he do? Throws an elbow at Son because he was afraid he’d get onto an overhit ball over the top.

PA

THE

TIC

The decision not to put Tomiyasu at RB to counter Son completely baffles me. Saka has been physically bullied by no other than Ryan Sessegnon and Tottenham have just now knocked in their third. It’s the exact opposite of the first NLD of the season and the exact opposite of what any Gunners fan wanted to see.

These last 40 minutes should just be used as preparation for Newcastle. If we can beat them and Everton, we are guaranteed Champions League football.

Still though – I cannot believe we are being embarrassed in such a fashion after such a good season.