Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to 13 games with a routine win against League One club Blackpool FC. They sit 12th in the third tier at the moment vs Arsenal who sit in 4th in the top division. It was by no means a convincing victory, in which they only beat the visitors by the narrowest margin in the end. Having worked their way into a 50th minute two goal lead, youngster Mattéo Guendouzi saw red for a second bookable offence. Having earned a yellow for a foul on Thompson in the first half, he doubled up in the second half for pulling back the same player.
Turning Point
It proved to be a turning point of sorts, as Blackpool took advantage of their numerical advantage by halving the deficit. Irishman Paudie O'Connor who is on loan from Leeds United was the hero for Blackpool as he swept in a 66th minute goal. With the game poised at 2-1, Blackpool were now very much in a match. Then Paudie went from hero to villain 18 minutes later, as he misjudged a tackle on Arsenal ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The ref went for the top pocket and the crimson coloured card was brandished and young O'Connor was forced into the walk of shame and an early shower beckoned. This put an end to Blackpool's extra man, and their fight soon faded out.
Emery rings the changes
The Arsenal team that took to the pitch was much changed from the one that drew with Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon. There were two very experienced players in the Arsenal midfield in Aaron Ramsey and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. I'd have expected better from both of them, and in the end neither really impressed. Ramsey is now essentially in the shop window, having been informed that he is now surplus to requirements and will not have his contract extended when it expires at the end of the season.
Petr Cech's lacklustre display in goals really highlights the need for Arsenal to sign a keeper in the January transfer window, as Bernd Leno is not exactly a rock at the back either. You look at De Gea at United, and you can easily say he saves them 8 to 10 points a season. Looking at Cech and Leno, and you could make a case fro them costing us points, rather than saving them, in their current form. Yes, we are on a great run of results, but he have rode our luck at times, and the keepers haven't exactly been outstanding during this recent run.
Quarter final draw
After last nights matches, the draw for the quarter finals took place, and we have set up a mouth watering North London Derby with fierce rivals Spurs. The match is scheduled for December 17th and means the Gunners will face Spurs at least 3 times this season, with a meeting in the Europa league also a possibility, assuming Spurs can come 3rd in their Champions League group.
Can we go 14 in row unbeaten?
Can Arsenal football club extend our unbeaten run to 14 matches? Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool might have something to say about that. They will be the visitors to the Eremites stadium this Saturday evening and they are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League alongside Man City at the moment. They have not been playing at their best, yet find themselves in a very healthy position. Arsenal too have not been firing on all cylinders, but have managed to grind out results in recent weeks.
If Arsenal can come away from this match with at least one point, it will be a big step forward and it will help garner further confidence in this group of players. If we can keep Liverpool out, we are well capable of scoring a few goals here, but I would be very surprised if Liverpool didn't score at least one goal. With that said, my prediction is as follows.
Prediction
Arsenal 2 - 2 Liverpool
Thanks as always for reading my post.
Peace Out.
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