Villarreal (a) - Instant Reaction

Someone at the club has to become a balance to Arteta and his experiments, he's trying too hard for the smartest manager in the world award and its failing. I no longer trust him or whatever process he thinks hes working on, the guy is not humble enough to learn and unfortunately that attitude is destined to fail.

I think the squad management decisions are really playing out. A back 4 with Chambers, Holding, Xhaka has no right to win any game. But then we should be asking why that back 4 doesn't contain; Bellerin, Cedric, Maitland Niles, Gabriel, Kolasinac, Saliba....why have some of these players been bought/kept and not played, why have others been let go. Same with midfield - Ceballos, Elneny, Willock, Guendouzi and Torreira.

Jake Walker

I think Arteta expects too much from the players. Our players just aren't as flexible as he thinks they are. Playing Auba on the right a few weeks ago, today playing with a false nine, etc. Except for Saka, our players are just not that dynamic. They need to play in places where they are comfortable. Partey cannot continue to be a one-man midfield, he needs support. Why are we trying to over complicate everything?

The False 9/Xhaka at LB experiment for me is the equivalent of using Torreira as a 10 by Emery. Really has shaken my confidence in the Arteta project and don’t see how we won’t concede at one point in the home leg.

Agree that Arteta allowed ego to get in the way with his tactics and should have kept it simple. Lets hope he lerans quick and we can get better structure next week .

I have had enough of Arteta trying to ape Pep. Pls somebody should talk to him and tell him to lay off. This overthinking of tactics and leaving our midfield exposed is madness. There was just no shape and no control. You are still in the tie even after getting absolutely battered it shows that you put a decent shift and maintain your shape you all chance against any team. Arteta has failed as a coach as one of his fundamental duties is to get the team ready to put a shift for a semi finals. If you cannot perform decently in a Semi finals I don't know when you will. We don't need extraordinary performance just a decent one to remain relevant. Pathetic display and no hiding we didn't deserve to get a goal.

i like Arteta, but if he goes, Arsenal should get Clive as next manager

The commentary that made the most sense was all about trying to be clever at coaching tactics. Leno Cedric, Gabriel, Holding*, Bellerin Xhaka, Partey ESR Pepe, Martineli, Saka *Only because Luiz is probably not 100% Sometimes the most straight forward style is the style you need.

Xhaka at LB is a disaster waiting to happen.

Agree with the sentiment of the off ball lack of structure and fear. Infuriating!!!

This. So this. This is the state of Arsenal we watch and root for. Never would I have thought that.

Our least enjoyable performance since idk, Emery x Watford probably.

3rd and 4th choice CBs, third choice RB, a DM at left back and no striker - we got away with that one

Cai

Also maybe Bellerin should have started .

Needed to make a change at half time. Dani who was probably the best player In the first half after that yellow should have been swapped out for elneny

Arteta got lucky tonight