Arsenal’s exit from Europa after losing penalty shootout

Like most football fans

I woke up early at 4am Singapore time to catch the Arsenal vs Sporting game.

I’m unsure how other football enthusiasts across the globe enjoy their matches, but personally, I prefer to watch mine on my iPhone with earphones.

I curled up comfortably on my sofa, with a throw pillow to cushion my head and neck.

Being an Arsenal supporter for the past two decades has been challenging, but lately, it’s been refreshing to witness the team’s last-minute comebacks that have instilled a newfound faith in us fans.

Regarding the Arsenal vs Sporting game, I noted a few observations which I’ll share below.

Thomas Partey (didn’t start the game)

To replace Thomas Partey, we must find a world-class midfielder. Our team’s ability to maintain possession and secure victories seems to be in jeopardy when he is absent.

It’s important to note that Jorginho is simply a substitute who can provide relief after we’ve established a lead.

Having both Jorginho and Xhaka in midfield results in weaker possession and reduced fluidity.

Partey’s presence elevates Xhaka’s performance. It’s unclear whether Jorginho or Xhaka is the issue, but Partey deserves recognition for his contributions.

In all honesty, players like Caicedo or Rice are unlikely to have the same impact on our team as Partey, and this is a major concern.

Tomi oh Tomi (hobbled off after 9mins)

Tomiyasu’s impressive display in the Liverpool game, where he was deployed as a left-back, earned him hero status for successfully containing Salah.

However, it’s worth questioning whether Tomi has reached his peak and if his recent injuries are impacting his performance.

As an Asian myself, I hold no bias towards Tomi.

Despite his exceptional aerial skills, he seems to lack composure on the field while playing for Arsenal.

While we appreciate his versatility across all defensive positions, it may be worthwhile considering an upgrade if we have the funds available.

Xhaka’s contract extension

During the Sporting game, Xhaka scored a goal after the goalkeeper saved Martinelli’s strike, and the rebound landed right in Xhaka’s path.

To be honest, it was a relatively easy goal to score, and I believe that eight out of ten players could have converted it.

Aside from this goal, Xhaka played sluggishly, moving slowly around the pitch and taking too long to make decisions.

It’s clear that he’s only comfortable using his left foot, making him an easy target for pickpocketing. If Xhaka continues playing for us, it will be impossible to advance in next season’s Champions League.

Perhaps it’s best not to even consider the Champions League; retaining Xhaka could make it difficult for us to replicate our league performance this season.

Ultimately, we require skilled players who can perform the job efficiently.

An average player with exceptional leadership abilities is simply not useful.

I hope that Arteta isn’t pressured into extending Xhaka’s contract.

Fabio Vieira and his protein shakes

Fabio Vieira’s skills would be better suited to a league that is less physical, where he would have more time to unlock defences and pick out runners.

However, when he is crowded out by opponents from all directions, he tends to make poor decisions.

I’m not sure how to improve him as a player, but perhaps we can begin by sending him to the gym to bulk up.

With some added muscle mass and extra confidence, he could become more physically imposing on the field. It would be fantastic if he could evolve into a player like Iniesta or Bernardo Silva, who possess an incredible ability to create a magical impact on their team.

While it might be naive to compare Vieira with these greats, we have to start somewhere in our efforts to help him develop as a player.

Ramsdale and the penalties he saved during the game

I remember the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals between Netherlands and Costa Rica, where Tim Krul was brought in as a penalty-saving specialist in the last minute of extra time.

He went on to save two penalties, helping Oranje advance to the semifinals.

During Arsenal’s penalty shootout against Sporting last night, I understood why Ramsdale hasn’t been able to displace Pickford as England’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Although Ramsdale is more comfortable with his distribution and was in excellent form for Arsenal, Pickford might be a more composed and better penalty-saving keeper.

When Ramsdale attempted to save the penalties against Sporting, he appeared too nervous and lacked authority in the penalty box.

Even when he correctly guessed the direction of the ball, he was unable to stop any.

It’s not a significant issue for Arsenal since the English Premier League doesn’t operate like a knockout tournament.

But it would be great to have a penalty saving specialist to be our 2nd keeper.

Anyway, I do hope young Ramsdale can reflect on this experience and develop the necessary skill set to become a better goalkeeper.

GunnerBanana’s POV

The upcoming fixtures in April appear daunting, and the memory of our collapse in the same month last year, resulting in us losing our top 4 spot to Spurs, still lingers.

Perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise that we’re out of Europa, as we should focus solely on the League.

Let’s aim to consistently stay within the Champions League bracket for many years to come.

COYG!