Mails: Just give Sanchez all of Arsenal’s money

Daniel Storey

Keep Saturday and Sunday thoughts coming in for two big Monday mailboxes. Send them to theeditor@football365.com…

 

Aguero: A proper d*ck move
Sorry to interrupt the usual man-love, and I agree he’s a magnificent player, but can we finally admit that Aguero is a nasty piece of work? He’s always been a bit trigger-hacky, and that was the worst foul I’ve ever seen in the EPL.
Ollie, London, fully in love with Conte

 

…Yes Aguero is that kind of player
Gaz, Sidcup (Willian, he hates Tottenham)

 

‘If that was Costa’ (and it’s a fair point)
Diego Costa has been on four yellows for five games in a row, meanwhile media darling Aguero has been sent off twice this season. Are going to see an Aguero Aggression video from Sky Sports?

This isn’t even the first time he’s lashed out at David Luiz.
TJ, Bangalore

 

Claudio Bravo is a fraud
A lot will be said about the Chelsea v City game and for this reason nothing will be said about just how awful Claudio Bravo has been. Yes he may be a good ball playing goalkeeper, however he is not a very good goalkeeper.

In my opinion two of the three Chelsea goals would have been saved by Joe Hart and all 3 would have been saved by a top quality keeper. So my question is, when will Bravo be found out?

This is not the first game he has been the reason for City conceding and will not be the last.
Dino (Bring Joe Hart back and teach him to pass)

 

And more extensive thoughts on City’s goalkeeper
Just finished watching the Man City vs. Chelsea match, and what a cracker! Chelsea were deserved winners for near perfect counter attacking play and efficiency in front of goal – but Man City played some sublime stuff too. I though Silva in particular has some incredible moments. Sullied a little bit by Aguero’s horrible follow-through on Luiz (although, I took rather shameful enjoyment in the fight afterwards).

However, I wonder how much City are suffering from having Bravo rather than Hart in goal. For Guardiola, clearly the speed of transition play is vital, and Bravo’s distribution is significantly better than Hart’s. I’m not sure it’s even possible to say Hart is better at commanding his area – he’s had a couple of clangers at Torino already stemming from his sometimes dubious judgement at set plays. Plus, we all know his awful form in international tournaments. But, even with all those caveats, Hart is undoubtedly superior in both one-on-ones and with reaction saves. He is especially good in big games against the best teams. In other words, he’s better at keeping the ball out of the goal.

The last two goals from Chelsea were revealing in just how poor Bravo is one-on-one. Willian’s goal I thought was really terrible from Bravo. It’s not like Willian dummies the keeper, his eyes are fixed on the ball and he just lets fly, admittedly hard and low but how is Bravo not diving for that? Maybe he wouldn’t have saved it, but it’s like he had no idea where it was going, or the shot rocketed into the top corner à la Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. In fact, Willian shot the only place it was logical for him to shoot and it apparently utterly bamboozled Bravo.

Hazard’s goal going in at the near post is maybe a different matter as he’s a tricky fellow. But still, with the top tier keepers (which includes the chap in front of the other net who consistently denied City’s forwards throughout the game), you never feel 100% sure in these one-on-one situations. With Bravo, I feel like it’s pretty certain the attacker will score unless a city defender gets back in time. You know that feeling you get when the team you support breaks away and gets an attacker beyond the defenders with only the keeper to beat … but it’s Buffon or Seaman or Schmeichel and they look so bloody huge and confident – it just seems inevitable the shot will be saved. This feeling is entirely absent with Bravo.

Long story short, most keepers can either save, or distribute – rarely both with equal skill. Guardiola no longer has Neuer with his supernatural goalkeeping powers. So he was faced with a decision between an excellent shot stopper and and very good distributor. I just wonder if he made the wrong choice – are City’s possession and quick turnover gains really enough to make up for shipping goals against the best opposition? Against the likes of Chelsea, there will inevitably be some chances for the opposition, however fantastic City are in possession. With Hart in goal, imperfect though he undoubtedly is, I feel like less of those chances would end up in goals.
Harry, Munich

 

More City vs Chelsea conclusions
1. There’s more than one way to play against Man City without parking the proverbial bus, and Don Conte showed it.

2. First, a token of appreciation from both managers for having the grace to be honest.  Conte for accepting Chelsea were outright lucky for 15 minutes in the second half not to be two or three down, and Pep for not blaming the referee and looking inward (rightly) for the loss.

3. That said, there were Pep’s footprints all over last game.  No, not the tiki-taka or the attacking football.  It was the dark arts.  His Barcelona always got away scot-free when Jose was the villain, but nevertheless when the games were not going in their favour, Pep’s Barca (and then Bayern and now City) kick, foul, play-act and do anything to bring the momentum back and arrest opponent’s momentum.  This is one part of Pep’s whole footballing idea I’ve detested and condemned.  Pep got away easily so far in the PL getting soft penalties each game when they ran out of ideas.  Not last night.  Lets see what Pep is made of now.  Not the biggest bully in town, and a team with a soft under belly.  Real managerial test.

4. Let’s talk fouls, right from kick-off, from Aguero (more on him later), Fernandinho and co. were hell bent on kicking and stamping on the heels of any Chelsea player in visibility.  If only Mike Dean were the referee, it would’ve been fun.  I hated it but seemed part of Pep’s plan.  For our part, we didn’t hold back either, but I felt City’s rashness was crossing the line and they were lucky to not have 3-4 early yellows.  

5. Now on Aguero, he’s not that type of a player.  Phil Neville and the band of idiot pundits are a joke.  To me, Aguero is as bad as Costa when it comes to dark arts.  The media fapping and the fact that he’s a flair player unlike Costa means he escapes all the time.  He jumped and stamped on David Luiz in 2013 FA cup semi-final and was totally let off as Luiz was another media targeted player.  His desperate late plunge was disgraceful and could have threatened Luiz’s career.  I’m going to make a statement here.  Costa when he has a bad day can be a disgrace too, but I’ve not seen him attempt to injure a player.  So, to me now Aguero is worse than Costa.  Please pep, don’t say it was unintentional.  When Aguero does it to the same player a second time, there are no coincidences.

6. Fernandinho – another player I like.  But has a knack of making red card worthy fouls and escape scot free as he’s smart to know how to make them.  He should’ve been red carded last season at etihad against Chelsea for a nasty elbow on Costa, but hey you see when Costa is elbowed, it was Costa who showed his face and asked for trouble, so they let Fernandinho off.  Fabregas is a cunning chap, not the first time I’ve seen him start a coup (that 2006 league cup final against Chelsea comes to mind), but Fernandinho’s reaction was absolutely unnecessary.  And likely to join Aguero with a lengthy ban.

7. Now, let me touch on the game.  To me, unlike Manchester (both clubs), Chelsea did not get the manager what he wanted.  Forget the sum spent, but the profile of players Antonio Conte wanted.  And despite that he’s won them the biggest game of the season against the most toughest opponent making the sum of 11 players greater than their parts.  Imagine if Conte got his wish i.e. an upgrade in defence (Cahill) and midfield (I like Matic but I’d like a slight upgrade).  And a proper back up in left wing back (Nathan Ake, Kennedy or anyone else).  A team without some key ingredients is killing it for now, and I shudder to imagine what Conte may make of things should his wishes be granted.

8. The injury of Matic was a blow.  Given my dislike of Cahill for lack of technical proficiency and also my belief that Alonso struggles against pacy wingers, I feared the worst.  Fabregas, a player easily dribbled against, Cahill and Alonso.  Pep didnt disappoint.  We were over run in midfield, and were knackered on the left side just as I was worried when I looked at line up.  Gary Cahill was in an absolute misery.  His own goal was a culmination of his brutal weakness as a player.  Was an absolute miracle that kept us 1-0 till we equalised.  Please upgrade Cahill, Chelsea.  For his sake and ours.

9. Despite Fabregas’ orgasmic long ball to Diego, I’d have still preferred Kante and Chalobah to start with.  Chalobah is a superb prospect and later on when he came on, I felt so comfortable.  He has amazing technique, can spot a pass and has general awareness.  And can do those powered sprints that Fabregas cannot.   Maybe next time.

10. Who was your man of the match? To me two Brazilians stood out.  At both ends of the pitch.  Diego Costa and David Luiz.  But given Luiz could’ve easily been sent off (see, Aguero didnt help himself by theatrically going down to a feathered touch), I’m going with Diego Costa who is by far the best Chelsea player this season and perhaps league’s player of the year.  If he stays for 5 years I’m afraid he’ll break Drogba’s legacy.  Loving him each game.  Otamendi must be crying somewhere today.  He single-handedly brought us back and won us the game through sheer will, attitude.

11.  Finally, a hymn of praise for Antonio Conte.  First, to find a solution and then motivate the team for two games in a running while a goal down.  I don’t know whether we’re title contenders yet, but we’ll be there.

12. Our next games before new year are against three relegation battlers.  I’m more worried for next five games, which theoretically must get us 15 points.  But we have a history against these teams and our title credentials would be decided at Stadium of light, at Selhurst park, against Pulis at home, against Howe at home.  

13. Finally, who’d have thought Costa would be separating players from fights and Aguero starting them? Talk about narratives.
Aravind, Chelsea fan

 

* When Antonio decided to use the last 40 minutes of the Arsenal game to test out the 3-4-3 system, I wrote in criticising him for giving up on that game. Seeing how well that decision has worked out since then, if you’re reading this, I apologise to you, Mr. Conte. That is why you are a world-renowned tactician and I’m an armchair pundit.

* All of the pundits and fans that criticised David Luiz’s return to Chelsea should publicly apologise to him… now!

* I never ever thought I’d ever let out a nervous gasp if I see a Chelsea teamsheet with Fabregas replacing Matic but that is exactly what I did. Fabregas did try his best to replicate Matic’s work rate in midfield but he might be better suited to one of the no. 10 positions. But his assist for Costa’s goal? Just wow! That’s a pass Matic can never give. Can we morph Fabregas and Matic into one player? Fabretic, anyone?

* The game was as entertaining as it was tactical. Guardiola succeeded where Koeman failed in mirroring Chelsea’s system. Both teams really cancelled themselves out and couldn’t really create any clear-cut chance until the own goal. Thereafter, City tried opportunity to take advantage of Chelsea’s desperation to equalise until Fabrepass happened.

* The comparison between Aguero and Costa occurred before, during and will continue long after the game but Costa bossed this round by a margin. He scored with his second shot, he had an assist and displayed some skills that made me think Hazard wore the no. 19 shirt. Guardiola should lock Aguero in a dark room and make him watch Costa’s display.

* Marcos Alonso had a really nervous game, didn’t he? City sensed this early and gave him hell.

* This was a game that I should have watched in the peace and quiet of my home. I viewed it in a very noisy and nervous public hall. The nervous of both set of fans detracted from what was an excellent controlled display by Chelsea. I thought the game management was excellent especially after going 2-1 up.

* Chelsea’s nice control was best exemplified by Fabregas in the closing stages. He wisely refused to let Fernandinho bait him into a foolish reaction. Give that man a medal! I mean Fabregas just in case you…

* On that incident, I thought that was a very foolish lunge by Aguero. If that is the new and aggressive Aguero that Pep is all about, then bring back the old Aguero – preferably without the beard.

* My final thoughts has to go to Anthony Taylor. Cheers for not letting the crowd bully him into hasty decisions. I shudder to think what if he was the fourth official and The Fourth Official was the referee.
Franklin

 

Alexis Sanchez: WE LOVE YOU
Dear Arsene,

Concede to all his demands and do whatever it takes to keep him in the North London red and white.  He is just sublime.

That is all.

Yours faithfully,
Evan, Geneva

 

Arsenal should sign Payet in January
I think I have got a transfer that makes a lot of sense. West Ham have been very poor, and world class players do not want to stay at a poor performing team. Dimitri Payet is a world class player in great form approaching his thirties. He surely has one big move in him and from what I have read has agitated for a move from West Ham and was likely to move in the summer.

Wenger loves a creative wide forward. This is why he tries to fit Ramsey in there. Iwobi is a creative forward who is young and understandably is showing inconsistency, but is clearly someone who Wenger thinks can bring something to the first team. This does not mean he should be a guaranteed starter and the Ox should be pushing Walcott for a place on the right as they have a more similar style of play. It is also obvious that Arsenal have been a bit toothless in attack, not creating anywhere near enough chances in games.

This is why I think Arsenal should do everything they can to sign Payet in January. It would not be easy, bigger clubs will want him and West ham will obviously not want to sell but imagine the lift he would give Arsenal. A front four of Payet, Ozil, Walcott and Sanchez is pretty bloody sexy and would surely improve Arsenal significantly, and give us a much better chance of keeping up with City/Chelsea/Liverpool. He could even be Wengers leaving present like Van Persie was to Ferguson.

As I said this would not be easy to complete and I don’t think it would actually happen but a man can dream right?
Dave (he would also help replace some of Santis now missing creativity) Sutton

 

Unfair rules
In Swansea’s shambolic loss to Tottenham there was a moment where Neil Taylor’s foot found Kyle Walker’s face.

Surprisingly Taylor was not shown any card, and Walker received treatment on the field before being moved off the pitch. Tottenham proceeded to play a man down for a couple of minutes, during which, to the shock off everyone, Swansea didn’t score.

My question is at what point do the rules finally change to where the offending player must sit out during the entirety of the treatment? Any other rules that could really use tweaking?
Dave in Chicago (we are a Gylfi away from utter and complete implosion)