How did that all happen Tuesday night? AFCB played magnificently for most of the match against Arsenal, but paid the price for defending deep and inviting Arsenal on to them. To some extent it appeared that AFCB had run out of steam, especially when they went down to 10-men, and when Arsenal saw a chance to recover they almost grabbed all three points.
In some games you see more than you will ever do in watching a team for half a season or more. This game was the polar opposite to the impact that the Liverpool match at Dean Court had when AFCB had the comeback, and while a draw was not a disaster in terms of points for the Cherries from the Arsenal match, it will be hard for the players to accept. It was the famous win that never was.
Arsenal will be pleased with a comeback but a point does not really do much for them either. So what do we make of this sensational game? It was either the opportunity lost for AFCB with a tiered Arsenal who were not at their best until the chips were down, or it was a courageous comeback from the Gunners to keep their title hopes alive. I favour the former, as the Cherries should have wrapped this game up when they are 3-0 up at home with 58 minutes gone. Arsenal are a strong team and cost much more than AFCB to put together, but the Cherries gave Arsenal the confidence to see that the comeback was on as soon as they had their first goal. The sending off gave Arsenal another lift and I'm not sure what Francis will say to his team-mates. He'll have to think about such situations in future when keeping players on the pitch is a must with a side in the title race coming at you. He's not been looked on favourably by disciplinary panels and while the three-match ban is being challenged, I can see the panel thinking Francis has history, which is totally unfair.
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| Another memorable game at Dean Court. |
Arsenal will be pleased with a comeback but a point does not really do much for them either. So what do we make of this sensational game? It was either the opportunity lost for AFCB with a tiered Arsenal who were not at their best until the chips were down, or it was a courageous comeback from the Gunners to keep their title hopes alive. I favour the former, as the Cherries should have wrapped this game up when they are 3-0 up at home with 58 minutes gone. Arsenal are a strong team and cost much more than AFCB to put together, but the Cherries gave Arsenal the confidence to see that the comeback was on as soon as they had their first goal. The sending off gave Arsenal another lift and I'm not sure what Francis will say to his team-mates. He'll have to think about such situations in future when keeping players on the pitch is a must with a side in the title race coming at you. He's not been looked on favourably by disciplinary panels and while the three-match ban is being challenged, I can see the panel thinking Francis has history, which is totally unfair.
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What I did see though is that AFCB tried to keep fighting and Harry Arter could easily have won the game right at the end. That tells me that AFCB are full of fight and that they will bounce back from this and in the end they will gain strength from knowing that they took Arsenal all the way. Giroud may have salvaged a point for Arsenal but the Cherries will think differently about this game in a couple of days time.
taking points off the top six is a bonus and everyone would have settled for a draw before kick off...and yes its disappointing...but a learning experience...and its easier to learn when you are ninth as opposed to nineteeth
ReplyDeleteNow the FA Cup.....Millwall is tricky..will the manager make wholesome changes ..and give playing time to MOusset /Mings/Smith but will he play Wilshere..who wants playing time....Ibe....Afobe and Fraser...we must go to the next round..no big risks like Preston
Genuinely think we'd benefit by hiring a defending coach instead of new players. I like our attacking football but so often we get the first goal then throw points away in the final half hour. We've got great individual defenders but the goals were conceded due to cohesive failures.
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