Ahhh well, fuck it.
It was fun while it lasted. Simple fact about football is it’s really tough to succeed at the highest level if you have no creative outlet. England decided to leave the flair at home, and when it came down to it, we couldn’t create enough clear-cut chances to put Croatia to the sword.
We’re also not there quality wise. Say what you want about how likeable the squad are, the cold hard reality is we still don’t boast the technical craft or confidence to play the way we want to play. Watching England crack under pressure, defend deeper and deeper, and fear the ball like it was foreigner walking into a UKIP pub was painful as much as it were familiar.
We made a semi-final. We had some fun. We felt true hope for a minute.
At the moment, that’s enough for me. Maybe the country can build on the progress when the next generation of youth World Cup winners start to break into Premier League teams.
One thing I was happy about, we lost on fair terms. There was no travesty of justice, no awful injury, no drama. We were just outplayed on the night by a team that boasts one of the best centre midfielders of a generation.
… and the silverlining is the Spurs and City players will be tired, injured and touch mentally jaded for the new season.
Onto the real stuff… Emery is going to oversee his first game for the club with our classic Boreham Wood match. It’ll mostly be a run out for the kids and a few of the senior players who didn’t make the international grade this summer.
There’s a pretty good transcript of his press conference. It’s so much fun reading through it, mostly because the words feel fresh, it’s not defensive, and it feels very progressive. On transfers, Emery had this to say.
“We signed the players who we needed and only if one player is a big opportunity for us will we sign them.
“Normally, we are thinking about the young players, the possibility of them staying with us or going to play on loan at another team.
“We are also thinking about the players who were with us last year and whether we need them to stay with us.
“At the moment, I think the squad is complete. We will only sign another player if there is an opportunity to bring in that one player, or two players.
“We will only sign a player in the next month if he’s a big opportunity.”
I mean, it has the familiar tones we’re used to from Wenger at this time of year, except this time around we’ve done all our business. The folk who thought buying players was akin to the complexities of enriching uranium really are choking hard on their stale loaf of Tesco’s bread. The club rebuilt it’s spine inside 6 months, bar a wide player of note, I’d be totally satisfied heading into the new season as is (providing we sign Rambo).
The manager seems pleased with the level of quality at the club, keen to impress the details he’s focusing on.
“First, they are working very hard. They are working with the ambition that I want.
“I think the quality is high here, and I think together we will work with this quality and the details in the tactics.
“They will go with my ideas and work with my ideas every day, and this will help them to do these things on the pitch.”
This bit about analysing oponennets reads like caviar.
“I looked at the Premier League in my career and also all the players here in the Premier League.
“Normally, we know it. To be here, to start to know directly and to work with our players here and also we are going to play against all the other teams, to analyse the players, to analyse their systems and their ideas.
“In general, we know and I think the Premier League is maybe the best competition, for the teams, in the world.”
… mostly because you know for once, this isn’t a lie. We’ve been a bit of a parked Ferrari when it comes to analysis over the past 10 years. The club hired in a lot of the right folk and have invested in tech, but if you have someone at the helm who doesn’t care for the data, or worse, doesn’t know how to turn it into insights that can be used for marginal gains and elite planning… you’re kind of fu*ked.
Emery will be trying to extract the maximum from the tools at his disposal, and if he’s really good, he’ll be empowering the analysts to bring new ideas to the table. I can’t imagine what the buzz is like with the backroom team, finally, a coach that takes your thoughts seriously.
The players all look pretty happy in training, the social media buzz seems very positive, so it seems the players are taking to the double sessions well and they’re excited about being competitive and learning. This is what the coach said of taking on Wenger’s tactics.
“I want to win. The performances, every day, for work on attacking, defending, is to be competitive in each match.
“My first idea is getting better day-to-day with our players and working hard with our players, to transmit my ideas.
“The system for me isn’t the most important.
“For me, the most important thing is to be and to create one competitive team. And then, we have the quality.”
I don’t know how that question was asked, but it’s a bit of a childish question to ask the manager. You’re either trying to create a press war, or you’re asking a really f*cking dumb question. We’ve finally landed a coach who can talk football and we’re asking about transfers and Wenger, versus going deep on his system and philosophy for the club.
Right, I’m currently over the Rocky Mountain heading to Portland… I’ll be on it with the early morning posts this week, and I’ll be gearing up for the most exciting season of the past decade.
Buckle up, real football is about start!
SPOTIFY | STITCHER | ITUNES | GOOGLE | POCKET CASTS
Bankz is here for the Tr4phy again
1st
BOOOOOM
Tr4phy
4th
Nice!
Nice one groovedaddy.
You outsmarted me there
Cheers Banks!
Number 8…
Is that Rambo, or Andre Gomes?
Buzzing for the new campaign!!
We will only sign another player if there is an opportunity to bring in that one player, or two players Wouldn’t be surprised if Emery isn’t giving up on the Nzonzi and Caglar Soyuncu transfers. I’d say very much anymore business is dependent on can we get rid of certain players. Get rid of Lucas and Welbeck we’ll hopefully go for a winger. Mustafi goes a defender comes in. Probably haven’t even tried yet to sell some of the dead wood. At least that’s what I’m hoping for because there’s honestly fuck all point in bringing in Leno and Torreira… Read more »
Your Comment Here
It’s only a pre-season but I’m really looking forward to the Borehamwood game. Anyone else here going?
ADKB,
last post from the previous thread
Colney Gooner: Anyone here going to see Boreham Wood v Arsenal Saturday? I’ve seen most games over the last few years as was born there but we (Arsenal) mainly played the yoots. This time Auba and Mikki are confirmed as playing, can’t wait. BWood Manager is a life long Gooner and says he’s going to be the first manager to shake Emery’s hand before a game, quality.
Cheers Raptora!
Colney Gooner: Yes, I’m going. I’ve got a feeling we’ll get to see more senior players as someone mentioned here yesterday.
https://youtu.be/g8_Csf1G-Jc
Video of training. Look at the intensity of the coaching. When you have the manager and coaches that engaged on a daily basis at training (as long as it’s not Big Tone doing his miming!), it has to rub off on the players, especially when they know they are no longer protected and have to fight for their place at the club. I can’t remember seeing anything like that for a long time at Arsenal. Bouldy doesn’t know what’s happened!
Fingers crossed Ramsey signs on and we get one more quality addition.
Still need that left winger.
Elmo
That video made my week!
As you said the intensity, and also the quality of that coaching.
I’m completely impressed by what they have done from day 1.
Also loving the constant “go go go” to build the tempo of the players metronome so that they fight and press constantly.
So charged,
mario mandzukic
ADKB, I’ve got tickets with my family in the north stand and thanks Raptora for passing on my post. I’ll be the old geezer in the Arsenal shirt, likely Wrighty era.
Pedro
You are correct, England had ” no creative outlet”
At least Southgate has given us all some hope and a sense of a connection with the national team which we have not had for over twenty years.
I hope he gives the squad players a run out on Saturday.
As for Arsenal, it’s great to see Emery working the players in training.
Looking forward to a progressive season.
Wow! Imagine that.
It’s that attitude and attention to detail that is going to shape our season more than the new signings, exciting as they are
I’m holding fire on thoughts on our underperforming players that we keep until I see them back inaction in a team where everyone will hopefully know what they’re doing and where they should be playing
Even flounderers such as Mustafi and Xhaka could massively benefit and look worlds apart from the sorry figures of last year
Colney gooner
Aah yes.. Borehamwood.. The place where I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s.. Proper Arsenal area back then.
“It’s that attitude and attention to detail that is going to shape our season more than the new signings, exciting as they are”
Yep. No more waiting for 67th minute for subs or see the manager hiding in his sleeping bag/fumbling the zip.
I think Emery needs a few English lessons.
At his news conference today it is being reported that he rates Ramsey…..
Then I remembered that the spanish pronounce their h’s to sound like an r…(I hope)
And obviously Unai didn’t seek out advice from Wenger. He wants to be successful right
Azed
Lol – the bloody zip
Who will forget that?
Just love the fact we’ve got our incomings done early. The thought of starting the season with some impetus is really exciting. The bullshit of 31st August last minute shopping hopefully is long gone. Mind you if it all falls into place and a quality winger becomes available last minute, fair enough.
A few outgoings to build a kitty, next stage. Welbeck, Campbell, Ospina, Akpom.
Northbanker
Totally agree with you re: judging the players. Mustafi and Xhaka could come on leaps and bounds in a proper functioning tactic with specific roles and some rigidity to the defensive positions. I think Ramsey will shine particularly bright should he stay.
I do however still have my doubts about welbz ans iwobi. I do t think either possess the technical qbility required at this level.
And regarding England, I never got drawn into the hype. I went by what I saw with my own eyes which was zero creativity coming from the center. Kane was resorting g to the Rooney style of coming deep to find the ball leaving us woefully short up front.
Southgate stuck with that formation which really didn’t get the best out of sterling or alli.
Rash and sterling either side of Kane, alli in the hole. Flat back 4. I think that would have released Kane and sterling a lot more to do what they do best for their teams.
Colney Gooner: Yeah, I’ve got one for West Stand. Tempted to wear my new season home shirt but I’ll likely be in the 70-72 retro one.
Azed:
To be honest, I’ll miss THAT zip!
So Ornstein was right all along..#hestillknows
So Ornstein was right all along..#hestillknows
Was he? I mean the window is still open and we’ve plenty to ship out and Emery said “We will only sign another player if there is an opportunity to bring in that one player, or two players.” Doesn’t sound like he’s finished
Northbanker and ADKB
We are all going to miss that Zip and the “why do you look at me face” after a terrible loss to Fulham.
Need another attacker. A real goal threat.
Ill then say, wow, great work getting all this done early and a proper preseason.
Love to see Ozil face, when his mates are all fine tuned- fit and ready to go, and he huffs and puffs along-
Man has to pull his own weight now that daddy Wenger is gone
Has Jack wilshere got the no.10 shirt at West ham?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3SsM1RYdI4
So, we could sign 1 more player if there is a chance.
Martial is available as his agent said he wants to leave. Juve looked like they will sign him and turns out they wanted an ex manure winger.
Cant see him going to Spain or France. So,his only options are Bayern and the three London clubs. Not sure Bayern are interested or not, but the London clubs have all been linked heavily. If it comes to that, we do have a decent chance.
Or he could do a complete U-turn and stay in Manchester.
Pedro What you wrote is 100% my sentiments about England’s performance and the way that Arsenal are operating now. Arsenal have planned their transfer business well in advance of start of season. The five new players are a combination of experience and young potential and address the main issues that the club had last season. Personally I don’t see further additions unless a] Ramsey does not sign new contract and b] Emery feels that none of his existing centre backs are good enough for starting eleven. What is good news is that Arsenal will be properly prepared for the new… Read more »
Pedro’s best post for a long time. Nailed England’s limitation. I hate to say it but the perfect player for the Croatia game would have been a healthy Winks. Unfortunately, his career has taken a Wilshere turn through injuries. At least for England’s sake, let’s hope he comes through it. Also, Pedro is spot on about Emery (finally). He’s doing everything right so far, but if we start the season off badly then the knives will be out. Quick question. Will you be more nervous for our opener vs Man City as you were before and during our game vs… Read more »
Ornstein was right. As of today, we are done with signings except things change
Pedro
Another point where there has been very little reaction.
Arsenal have targeted 7 players in transfer window. Five wanted to come to us.
Adli supposedly changed his mind and stayed at PSG and Banaga wanted to stay at Seville. So no-one has rejected Arsenal and opted for another club in preference to another.
The only player who rejected a new contract with Arsenal is Wilshire. From
my point of view that decision was basically forced on him with a reduced contract offer and the lack of guarantee that he would be playing regularly in first
team.
Sanmi
Sorry just clarify for me “we are done with signings except things change”? So we won’t sign anyone else unless we sign someone else?
United after Maguire, was always going to happen. He is going to be a top rate CB.
Rebic also seems to have done well out of the World Cup, apparently a lot of teams after him so Frankfurt have slapped a £40 Million valuation on him, obviously.
Under the previous manager, when he said things like “We’ll make one or two signings if the opportunity presents itself…” most of us sighed rolled our eyes and despaired because we knew that was code for “I’m not signing anyone unless it’s a player I don’t have to fight for and at a valuation I feel is right.” In other words, we all knew Wenger was fobbing us off. However because the club has done its transfer business early, I don’t mind Emery saying this because to me there’s a ring of truth to it. Amazing how a little planning… Read more »
Exactly Leeds with Wenger when he said one or two if the opportunity arised you and I know that meant he was doing fuck all and if something fell in his lap then he might do something but with the current manager and team and the way they’ve gone about the summer you can believe when they say one or two if the opportunity arises means we’ve got actual targets and if a breakthrough is made they’ll move on it. Whether that’s Nzonzi or Soyuncu or Pavon or something you know that Sven and co are working this summer
Cesc
I remember we were looking at Maguire when at Sheffield united
Baulked at 5m
Now we have incoming
The tide will turn to out goings….
Whose first you say ?
How many ?
Bacray
Yes
Club b4 country 4 me
Opportunistic purchase under Wenger meant a big money purchase to help him save face because he has been doing anything but participating in the transfer market in a meaningful way — whether that would be punditry or playing beach volleyball etc…
Özil is an example of this. We needed a strong DM and a clinical striker before we needed a playmaker the year he came.
An opportunistic signing under Emery means a quality player in a needed area.
What’s the difference?
Planning, planning, planning.
Emery speaking about Wilshere
“It was a tactical, technical decision,” said Emery. “The conversation with Wilshere was a very good conversation. I explained to him my opinion and how I will want to create the team and not sure [I could] say to him he’s going to play in the XI”
What a straight forward man.
No bullshi*ing around.
With each interview and insight I like Emery more and more
It’s incredible the difference between how Emery saw Wilshere (not good enough to be in the starting 11) and how Wenger saw Jack (kept giving him contracts and compared him to Messi). I mean how much evidence does one need
Sounds like Emery is happy with the information on squad players he’s getting in pre season. Interesting to see who gets sold. I hope it is Ramsey & Xhaka plus the many mentioned here in the last 6 weeks. Wouldn’t be upset if we found Ozil a new home for wayward players either. Depends on what Unai wants to do and I’ll be happy to see where we are after 10 games. Then it depends on what Unai does to keep improving through the rest of the season. One thing for sure Groundhog Day is gone and this season will… Read more »
“Real Madrid fans would rather their club signed Eden Hazard than Neymar as they look to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, according to a poll in Spanish publication Marca. 200,000 fans were polled with Hazard taking 15 per cent of the vote, ahead of Neymar who claimed 14 per cent. However, the overwhelming first choice for Real Madrid was France and Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe who took 54 per cent of the vote. England skipper Harry Kane earned 10 per cent of the vote.” LoL at ‘arry next to Neymar, Hazard and Mbop. Guess that the French kid is proving to… Read more »
When Modric comes in front and says that English journos have to be more humble and respectful, you know that there was something wrong in their ways. They and the gash football showed by Gareth “THE REVOLUTIONIST” Southgate,made so many neutrals turn their backs on England.
this… I agree that the journalists in England are mostly arseholes. add to that they keep bringing in twats on TV as pundits…
hazard off to barca. well that’s chelsea focked then. utd, city, pool and spuds may be the competition we need to beat..
Arsenal have spent already £70 Million net on 5 new players. This is parallel to the sponsorship packages of Emirates, Puma and Visit Rwanda. I still think that Arsenal could if they want spend up to £50 million extra if they needed to without burning a hole in their balance sheet. 1. We made last season sales over £100 million not including exchange of Mkhitaryan and Sanchez. Lacazette would have been covered by last year’s sponsorship package and therefore the only purchases would have been Aubameyang and Mavropanos so there is technically £40 million left over to spend. 2. I… Read more »
English journalists are driven by two things…… Sensationalism and a desire to outdo one another.
Watch the Sunday supplement.
It’s embarrassing.
I hate the English Press.
ES
Your 20:52 post last night, in which you highlighted Wengers moronic decision to play both The Ox and Sanchez in the game against Liverpool, when he knew full well they were both leaving, served one purpose for me personally.
It made me realize that Wenger was a complete an utter asshole and had no idea what he was doing.
From this
To this
?strip=all&quality=100&w=1200&h=800&crop=1
Wtf went wrong?!?!
M24
“English journalists are driven by two things…… Sensationalism and a desire to outdo one another.”
You in Vegas?
It’s a cutthroat world being a hack. Bottom feeding and duplicitous natures are needed to survive.
Feature writers are those that survived the trenches, but still harbour sub & editor aspirational dreams, so will be honed in the Machiavellian arts of back stabbing survival.
I saw it all close up in the 90s. Can’t think it’s changed much since then.
Raptora
Maybe he’s just confused and in the closet?
Emery should post the middle picture in the dressing room. Wonder what his team mates would think?
Maybe he should stick to modeling because he’s a shit footballer right now.
Bellerin is another who will massively benefit from more rigidity and purpose ; not to mention the shadow of Lichsteiner
I do wonder if he is a possible wide midfielder given his speed albeit his crossing would need to improve (practice drills from Emery could do wonders)
If only was possible to have Steve Bould’s honest opinion on the difference in training methods between Wenger and Emery….
“I mean, it has the familiar tones we’re used to from Wenger at this time of year, except this time around we’ve done all our business. The folk who thought buying players was akin to the complexities of enriching uranium really are choking hard on their stale loaf of Tesco’s bread.”
lol
Pierre
Aah yes.. Borehamwood.. The place where I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s.. Proper Arsenal area back then.
fking hell. the amount of shit you post, I thought you were a teenager…
Gonsterous
Flattery will get you nowhere.
TonyD,
I hope Bellerin does well under the new regime. I think that if he keeps being a passenger on the field more often than not, Emery would not put up with him for long. If he doesn’t add focus to his defensive game and end product to his offensive, it will be his last season for us.
Northbanker,
Big NO for Hector as a wide midfielder. Guy has no dribble but the move where he slides the ball past an opponent and tries to reach the ball first lol. Extremely bad crossing abilities, non existent shooting skills.
pieere
happy 60th my friend 🙂
Pierre
Happy 60th.
Now you get all those fringe benefits in life.
Gonsterous
Thanks but that’s gone mate..
Will retire soon and qualify for pension in a couple of years.
Every day on the golf course.. Perfect.
Football aside for one minute.
Whether you love him or hate him, Trumps remarks on Brexit and Sadiq Khan are 100% correct.
Can we hire him out for 6 months to sort this country out?
Yep, we have the lunatics fully in charge of the asylum now.
TonyD,
“One thing for sure Groundhog Day is gone and this season will not be repetitious and boring”.
Amen to that.
Pierre
Where do you play your golf?
Had the pleasure of meeting Mr Khan last year up in Muswell Hill.
Excuse my English, but an absolute fudging plonker.
Little p,
“Every day on the golf course.. Perfect.”
Does this mean you’ll only have enough time to post on untold ?
Michael 24
Live on the coast, like yourself…. South east..
Nice little course on the sea (not literally).. Love it… Keeps you fit and healthy.. A drink in the bar after.. A great way to spend 4/5 hours.
Do you play.
Ufraud
They are all too nice on untold… I prefer the banter of le grove.
As G62 speaking, since my recent hip operation, playing golf is out of the question. Twisting aggrevates things.
I have dabbled in it here and there but tennis has always been my main sport.
Have coached on and off professionally, for nearly 40 years.
Agreed Raptora. Bellerin needs to find his early form and improve on that, especially defending and final balls into the box to go with his pace.
Wengers gone, why not be civil?
Shite, no responses on Trump!
Just for some banter, has to be more interesting than talking about Bellerin.
Just gone out in the garden.
The weeds look wonderful.
Ufraud I take it that you will be using your season tickets this year. How do you think the season will go… personally I think the first 6 matches or so are crucial to get the fans behind the team and create a good vibe in the club. A bad start will create doubts within the fan base… Its all set up for Emery to hit the ground running due to the other top sides being under strength due to the world cup. Would still like an nzonzi type player as I feel we are lacking in height and physical… Read more »
My garden shed resembles “The Shed”, at the old Stamford Bridge.
Dilapidated and full of shite that doesn’t function properly.
Amazing how some things never change.
“A bad start will create doubts within the fan base…”
Not necessarily, I would say…
The fans are not stupid – I’m not talking about the akbs – and knows that it may take time for succeed for a new manager who just arrived, especially with the mess left by you know who…
Plus the new players have to find their mark on the pitch with their partners, which might also take some time.
Michael 24
You’re not wrong….. Fa cup semi final v orient(3-0) up the shed end in the late 70’s was the only time I felt welcome at chelsea.
Graham, Top game later today between Rafa and The Joker. The Serbian has been been living a nightmare for a good two years now. Jesus Christ, between 2011 and 2016 guy has been on 18 finals out of 24 played Grand Slams and on 5 finals out of the 6 played Year-End Championships. That’s absolutely extraordinary stat. From this superb consistency, he went to regularly losing in the first rounds. How fast things change in sports. Anyways my fellow countryman Grigor Dimitrov is supposedly good at the game. I don’t like him. Guy is a bottler and a half. With… Read more »
Agree with raptora about Dimitrov, such a waste…
And by the way, a word to the Wimbledon’s gardeners, if they read us : BUNCH OF MORONS, your work is disastrous for years, this is not grass anymore!! You are killing the greatest tournament on earth, and for what ?? Making the grass more and more slow for allowed Murray to lift the trophy ?? And you wonder why Nadal (aka Dr Fuentes’s best pal) will win this year ??
This was the tennis blog of this friday lol
Arteta being the favourite to take charge seems such a long time ago. COYG!
Raptora
” dated Sharapova for years, has now been dating Nicole Scherzinger from the Pussycat Dolls, ex girlfriend of the mug Louis Hamilton. Grigor doesn’t look like trying to leave his name in the history. What a waste. And for what? For women? Bloody idiot.”
So I suppose if he was dating theresa May that would be ok then….
Looking forward to Rafa vs Nole game today. I agree with Highbury on slowing pitches in Wimbledon.It has taken the charm away from what was once a great tournament. Baseline slogging is what we see in all the 4 grand slams these days.
Raptora,Dimitrov and Safin have massively underachieved given their talents. Safin was an outrageous talent but too casual to consistently win grand slams. At least Dimitrov has a valid reason :p
HL, Lol at dig towards the Wimbledon gardeners. Perfectly well-grounded observation. Andy Murray is another English mug. Dunno man. I swear to god I’m perfectly neutral when I pick my favorites in sports, but why are English dudes like Hamilton, Murray, Kane list is long. Why are they so, so, so unpleasant with their look full of contempt towards the rest and their narcissism? And I know I’m not alone in my opinion. With Rafa and Fed both old and weary new generation has been absolutely stale and uncapable, or probably more than anything – LAZY. Same goes for football… Read more »
Raptora
“. Andy Murray is another English mug”
From Scotland actually but if you hate England and English people so much then why do you “support” an English football team.