After essentially acting as a human punching bag at PSG for two seasons, Emery has had to open the season dealing with more blows, this time in the form of a brutal opening slate. Last week's game against City ended the way most predicted, and despite some bright spots the Gunners looking like a team with a lot of work to do. Unfortunately for them this week brings a trip to Stamford Bridge, where Maurizio Sarri has had an easier transition to the PL, helped by a squad that has for now retained its stars aside from Courtois.
City had terrible news this week as KDB suffered an injury during training that could keep him away for up to 3 months. Thankfully they're starting a very soft stretch of their schedule, with the next six games coming against teams promoted in the past two years. Because if any team deserved a break from the soccer gods, it was Guardiola's squad. Interestingly, there have been rumors that Pep could favor Gabriel Jesus over Aguero this weekend. Yet another good reminder to not be an idiot like me and never ever set your fantasy transfers and squad until the very last moment.
In a grieving Italy the season opens with the two Genoa teams postponing their games, while Lazio-Napoli will be the headliner. Ronaldo starts his Serie A career at tiny Chievo.
EPL Sat 18 Aug 2018 07:30 Cardiff - Newcastle 10:00 Everton - Southampton 10:00 Leicester - Wolverhampton 10:00 Tottenham - Fulham 10:00 West Ham - Bournemouth 12:30 Chelsea - Arsenal Sun 19 Aug 2018 08:30 Burnley - Watford 08:30 Manchester City - Huddersfield 11:00 Brighton - Manchester United Mon 20 Aug 2018 3:00 Crystal Palace - Liverpool
------------------------------ For the record, my teams: MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets
8. "This process is going to take awhile" In response to Reply # 0
We have multiple players out there who aren't comfortable at all on the ball, making constant decisions defensively, or putting in a high work rate defensively.
Chelsea's strategy is simple - runs down the left at Bellerin/Mkhi or runs off the back shoulder of the backline. In either case, there's zero synergy and connectivity in understanding who is going to close down and the strengths of the opponent.
--------------------------------- <--The drought is over
"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS
"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left." -Kobe speaking to investigators
12. "Fam, this game could be 5-4 at the half" In response to Reply # 10
We were good offensively last year as well but right now we are missing so many sitters...but defensively, it's still fucking porous and it's basic football too. 1-2 down the left and runners off the back shoulder....we aren't closing space down or communicating.
--------------------------------- <--The drought is over
"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS
"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left." -Kobe speaking to investigators
15. "If Torreira is fit, Xhaka shouldn't seen another min at DMF" In response to Reply # 0
Torreira has already done in 7 minutes what Xhaka was unable to do in 135 minutes - disciplined reading of the game, cutting out passes, actually communicating and relaying orders.
He can play Guendouzi's more CMF role but he cannot play that critical DMF role in this pressing system.
--------------------------------- <--The drought is over
"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS
"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left." -Kobe speaking to investigators
27. "The CB's are a problem but not the main one" In response to Reply # 24 Sat Aug-18-18 04:47 PM by LA2Philly
We are playing a high line so every team is going to bring runners behind their shoulders (that's basic 101 on beating the line) but they rely on the up front press to close down space and not allow the opposition to get easy balls in behind.
The CBs actually played an organized line but you saw in the 2nd half - once Torreira came on - how much better the defense got because everone in front of him (especially Guendouzi) was allowed more freedom to close down space since they knew Torreira would play a disciplined holding mid and protect the back 4. That was a boon for everyone else on the team.
I know it's hard to see after giving up 5 goals in 2 games but there's certainly a huge difference when it comes to organization and work-rate. The problem is a lot of this team either are terrible at communicating defensively or simply got used to not having to because Wenger never held them accountable for it.
--------------------------------- <--The drought is over
"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS
"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left." -Kobe speaking to investigators
40. "he did this shit at dortmund often during his final 2 yrs there. " In response to Reply # 18
he ain't world class.
he's still good. just not the savior some had probably hoped for. expect a few too many unexcused misses and very few if zero golazos. dude's raw speed masks a lot of flaws.
BrooklynWHAT Member since Jun 15th 2007 85068 posts
Sun Aug-19-18 11:03 AM
33. "Lindelof and Bailly having a nightmare. Getting outpaced" In response to Reply # 0
And ran around by the farmers BHA have up front. Jose will be rightfully livid at the half. Just a poor effort all around and no composure.
The one brightside is this team has shown that they'll actually give a shit when an embarrassment such as this is on deck. So if we get the next goal I think we'll win.
42. "i guess what i meant..." In response to Reply # 38
is that early in Klopps Liverpool tenure there were definitely stretches where he had no business being positive, and probably in his heart of hearts he was kinda pissed off or irritated, but he smiled in spite of the bad play.
41. "I disagree pretty strongly" In response to Reply # 35
players know when a system won’t work and react accordingly. The attacking talent on this team screams out for tempo. Get a guy who can install that system and they’ll play harder. Every game might end up 4-3, but effort won’t be an issue,
---- bshelly
"You (Fisher) could get fired, Les Snead could get fired, Kevin Demoff could get fired, but I will always be Eric Dickerson.” (c) The God
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