03 Feb 2026 22:19:03
I understand Roseniors logic, keep things tight for an hour and make sure we stay in the tie. If we were too aggressive early on we could’ve easily been 2-0 down on the night and out of the tie by half time.
Frustrating that once we changed shape we still couldn’t really get in behind. Pedro did well but I can’t really remember a proper chance we had all game.
03 Feb 2026 22:41:33
I don't recall a really good chance either. They let us huff and puff and AFC hardly has to get put of second gear. A pity that two GK blunders at the Bridge meant we went into this one a goal down. But realistically Arsenal for now at least have a better squad and the result will have surprised nine of us. But we were still hoping for a surprise!
O e for me was seeing Estevao back from Brazil and that's something!
03 Feb 2026 22:49:20
RVD, we will never know what could’ve happened if we had all guns blazing from the off. I thought our approach made sense, others will say “we had to give it a go. ” When you don’t get the result, you are generally wrong in football. If that makes sense!
04 Feb 2026 07:39:42
I think it was the right tactical approach, felt a lot of our players looked exhausted last night.
Like others said we left ourselves with an uphill battle losing at home in the first leg.
Were Reece and Neto injured yesterday?
04 Feb 2026 08:32:27
Whitey, yes I think both James and Neto have slight injuries.
04 Feb 2026 09:12:19
Supposedly had slight issues, whitey. Both put their hands up to play but was deemed an unnecessary risk.
04 Feb 2026 09:25:12
I believe the tie was lost at SB.
Not fussed about the late goal as we were pushing forward although passing side to side probably does not count as pushing forward I suppose.
04 Feb 2026 09:43:01
I think tactics probably right if only because as you say whitey97 some of our players looked exhausted inlcuding Caicedo. Many others who have carried the team and been real strength of it like Cucu and Enzo must have been too.
I think Reece and Neto may have had knocks/niggles and can only hope they are not serious. But LR also has concern of trying to keep some players fresh - and fit - for EPL games to come. The next three - Wolves away, Leeds at home (next Tuesday) and Burnley home - should be eminently winnable and have to be in terms of ECL qualification.
But we have to worry that last night's game will have sapped energy for many key players going into these (plus there's a cup game away v Hull weekend after Leeds game) .