Early European Exit.

I put off writing about the Fulham game as I wanted to talk about how we would have advanced to the quarterfinals, but it just wasn't meant to be, eh? We've been dealt yet another early European elimination, as we're currently only competing in one of four tournaments. Given our current league position, should this elimination be viewed as a disguised blessing or a setback?

Arsenal eliminated from Europa.

Arsenal 1- 1 Sporting CP.

             (3-5)

Going out on penalties is undoubtedly among the most excruciatingly agonizing ways to quit a football competition. That specific night at the Emirates would not bother us as much as BAKU did, but in retrospect, we were merely unfortunate, which wasn't the reason we were booted out. Within the first 20 minutes of the game, two of our top players were injured, and our roof opened, allowing all of the rain to pour in. Bizzare.

I could sit here and write about how much better our personnel and tactical frontier could have been, but they clearly wanted it more.

Anyone watching the game would have figured it out; they were undaunted, pushed higher and harder, had more bodies on the ball, and defended as if their lives depended on it. They deserved it more and got something tangible out of the game.

Not a horrible performance, but lost at key moments. As for why we weren't at our best, match analysis in simple words:

They wanted it more.
And this one time, that is absolutely acceptable, considering what the Arsenal have given us this season. Time to finish the job. https://t.co/1hqmdNkZNc

— Nadeem (@AFC_Nadeem44) March 16, 2023

European dejection to EPL delectation?

It hurts to go down in a competition that we might have won comfortably the entire tournament, but seeing Manchester United advance stings even more. In hindsight, we are five points ahead of Manchester City, and if we could only focus on one competition and play once a week, we would limit the odds of injuries and player unavailability, and increase our chances of winning the league. Our latest outing cost us the muscle of two key players, and now we have the challenge of showing up to a few matches without our spine at the back.

The skepticism around Rob Holding slotting in is growing hugely. he started two FA Cup finals for Arsenal and came through when we needed him the most. He's more than just prepared to step in for Saliba for one game.

Maghaeleas' love affair with Fulham is still going strong, as we breezd through them with arrogance and hushed Craven Cottage.

11 more to go.

Eleven matches.

Eleven Sleepless nights.

Eleven days of heart stopping action.

Thirty three available points.

Trip to Anfield and the Ethihad awaits.

"We have 11 finals to go and that’s it, that’s the main focus now. It starts already now in the dressing room to recover well and change the focus, so that’s what we have to do."

                                                                             - Captain Martin. 

 

If I could just go through these eleven 90-minute hurdles, I'd be equipped for anything in life. I seriously encourage all Arsenal supporters to renew their medical insurances, and if you haven't already, go ask them out, because you might not live to see another day. It's game time.