Typing this right after the Liverpool v Leicester City game and at 6am in the morn! but thought to do it as I won’t have the time later on.
Another win, top of the league!
A game of somewhat 2 halves:
1st half, very unlucky but finally got the goal we deserved
2nd half, after going ahead early, Leicester didn’t hurt us at all and it soon became a practice match honestly. They probably put everything in the 1st half and have nothing left in the tank in the 2nd half
Alisson – not much needed, at one point I was worried about him getting injured if he needed to pull something out in the 2nd half but they did not trouble him one bit
TAA – some good crossed buy his set pieces were really poor that Mac took over in 2nd half. Thought he was partly responsible for conceding as he could have ran back faster to make it 2 v 1 defensively after he didn’t cut out the initial pass.
AR – generally sound game with his aggression, winning the ball back, supporting the attack, some nice crosses and hit the bar. but shouldn’t have tried to use left leg to nick the ball that led to us conceding, probably could have been a block in if he just waited for the right moment after the player turned for the shot
VVD – dominant as usual but could have done better to prevent the goal. thought he got too focused on Daka, if he was in line, he probably cuts off the cross
Gomez – thought he was defensively very good, a couple of poor passes but otherwise, he covered TAA well but didn’t have as much to do in the 2nd half. am so glad we have such a good and versatile defender like him around.
Gravenberch – his usual self in winning the ball, spraying it forward, am just glad he has found his spot and playing well.
Jones – will he be our Lampard (albeit he scored more at the edge and Jones is in the box)? seems to have a way of finding the right finish for cutbacks in the box and took his goal well.
Mac – when he stays on his feet, is aggressive, he’s a very good player. was much better at set pieces than TAA. thought he was a little lucky to not be booked for his many fouls given how the ref was dishing it out.
Gakpo – very good game and what a great goal. Him and Salah’s goal are carbon copies on opposite sides, with his being more about power.
Nunez – always working hard but somehow not clicking for him in front of the goal
Salah – unlucky in the first half, but what a goal in the 2nd. If Gakpo’s was about power, his was about grace. And another assist. Could probably have had more goals and assists to be honest.
Sobz – thought he was unlucky to get carded for what I thought was a little bit of a dive from the Leicester player
Endo – give him some mins, and he will win you some tackles. guess we will seem him more next few games in League and FA cup
Elliot – with Sobz suspended, I’m hoping we see more of him next game
Tsi – game was well and truly over by the time he came on but I expect him to play more. AR seems to be play better when he gets rotated this season, probably the way to prolong his time with us
The visibility in the 1st half made it look like watching a match on TV in the 90s. hardly can see the ball, at times but somehow the game is going on. a throw back.
As for the ref. mixed game at best. He let Leicester get away with a lot of time wasting, diving, and issued cards that I thought was harsh. Also didn’t know what on earth VAR was checking for our 2nd goal that it took them 3 mins. Apart from possible Salah offside, the continuation to hunt for something on live TV was just tiresome to watch. It was almost like VAR of old – 3s to score a goal and 3 mins to check if its on or off.
Here’s to Ipswich springing a surprise on Arsenal tomorrow. Very unlikely, but who knows in the season of giving.
Written by sgynwa December 26 2024 23:17:55
