I’m out in Oregon at the moment, without doubt, one of the most spectacular places in America. Highly recommended if you like being outdoors.
When I was out and about today, I had a realisation… I really have no tension point to riff off at the the moment when it comes to Arsenal. I’ve had ten years of being able to smash out content about how I’ve felt wronged by Arsenal, within 6 months, we’ve gone from 1800 word thought pieces on the demise of Arsenal, to having literally nothing to complain about at all bar an unsigned Rambo contract.
Not that this isn’t a good thing, it just feels really odd to come to the internet every morning and feel excited about something new that we’ve not seen before. The club is no doubt in full propaganda mode, but it’s the good kind of propaganda. This must be how the base feel when they throw on a bit of Sean Hannity… or how my dad felt when David Beckham got caught with his pants down.
Carcedo screaming at a player for playing a Mesut Ozil pass when he’s not Mesut Ozil. Absolute classic banter from someone who has spent 2 months on the language.
Watching the coach teach one vs one defending, then showing the players how that works tactically.
Seeing Petr Cech moving the ball short as the defence and midfield practice moving the ball out the back.
Just being able to see the training sessions feels so interesting. Apparently, Emery was the same when he was at PSG. He seems to be a very open manager. I can’t wait to hear him talk about his plans for the team when he’s a few months into the job.
I like that he’s been pretty blunt about Jack Wilshere not fitting into his plans.
‘It was a tactical, technical decision,”
“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.’
“I know this player is very important for the supporters, he grew up here with Arsenal. But I don’t give for him one post in the starting XI. It’s for that he chose to leave here and I respect this.”
I think Arsenal fans have lost their head over his departure and his omission from the England squad. The semi-final didn’t need him. This is a guy who has offered up nothing but average over the last 5 years for us and Bournemouth. Emery is right, he’s seeing the move through cold eyes and he’s made the right decision.
You kind of feel some sections of the press have a draft article titled…
‘What Arsenal miss is the FIGHT of Jack Wilshere’
… ready to roll when we get buried twice in the opening two games of the season. Seems weird that anyone is still asking questions about a bit part player from last season. If he were good enough for us, he’d have moved somewhere more interesting than West Ham.
Some things never change though, regardless of who the manager is. This is Emery on the next captain.
“My first idea is to have five captains in the team,”
“But at the moment, I don’t know the names. I need to know more and also, firstly, Koscielny is the first captain now and for me, I have respect for that.
“Then, we are looking at, looking for, who are the players whose personality is the best in the dressing room. We want to keep the respect for these players and to find the captain and choose very well the best player for that.”
Sooooo, the captain is a guy who won’t start the season. Been here before, amirite? Remember Wenger in 2008?
‘I don’t believe too much in leadership,’
‘I believe more in good passing than a guy who jumps around with the hands in the air and plays the leader.’
I can’t see past Ramsey myself. He’d also suit the mixer, always injured, a contract rebel, you know the deal!
Final piece goes to Mesut, who the manager has a plan for.
“We are here to help every player,” Emery said. “For us Mesut is a very important player. We want to help to be well, fine with us.
“Last year was a difficult year for all the team, not only for Mesut,”
“They finished sixth in the Premier League – not the position we want.
“Now it’s a new way. With all the players I want to give them confidence, to give them a chance every day in their work. With quality work it is very easy to arrive at the performance, individual and collective. Mesut is on holiday and I want him to be tranquil and calm.
“We want the international players to come back quickly and start practising hard with us. But it is also important for them to have holidays because the season is very, very hard and very, very long. They need holidays to come full of energy for the start and to give us this quality and this energy in the team.”
Hopefully, this time around, we’ll land all our international players back for the first game of the season, something Chelsea and City won’t be able to do.
Arsenal have also tried to quell my chat about language issues.
“For me and for my staff also, it’s very important, the communication with all of the club,”
“With Ivan, with Raul, with Sven, with the people who are working here and then with the players. The message is very quickly [to learn] and make ourselves very clear to help the relationship together and to communicate individually.
“Am I getting better? I think so, yes!”
I’m fascinated to see if all these double sessions the team are doing will impact the team. We absolutely need to do them, because our players have a tactical IQ of a degenirate cave child and they need a lot of help to embrace the new ideas. The question is whether that impacts the injuries of the players. How will their bodies take the load? How good is the new fitness coach Darren Burgess reports into? Can those two work out a method that gives the coach what he wants without inflicting a 2010 like December collapse in energy?
We shall see… plenty to look forward to.
See you in the comment x
Ishola You call us ‘ex-pats’, TR7 calls us a ‘minority’. Hard to keep up when the waters are being muddied. If we could stick to the same terminology used by TR7, it would make things less ambiguous. Also, those ‘with money’ can act as they please in most countries, irrespective of whether they’re in ‘the minority’, ethnically, racially, or other. This is a separate argument, and one with which I probably agree. If you’re losing sight of what TR7 said, this is it once more: “there is not a single Muslim majority country where minorities are safe” “All these are… Read more »
I can cite you major religion based issues in Maldives, Malaysia and Turkey as well if that’s what it will take to further back my point.
Nevertheless I have no problems with Muslims per say. All men are born equal, it’s the religion which corrupts people’s mind.
TR7
For every ‘Muslim-based’ political issue you can cite in a Muslim majority country, I can cite a ‘Christian-based’ political issue in a western country which infringes on civil liberties.
Blanket statements are lazy, even worse when they’re presented as ‘undeniable and incontrovertible’. Sorry.
I have no problems with Muslims either; my dad was one, sort of.
Got about 20 mins before I head to the pub. No hard feelings if we end it here.
Jamie still wouldn’t have problems in Maldives if he visited next week but for the everyday Maldivian who finds himself opposed or in the minority to the current ruling regime times have changed from 15 years ago. Intolerance.
btw Maldives is being swallowed up by China. India losing their past influence there.
‘For every ‘Muslim-based’ political issue you can cite in a Muslim majority country, I can cite a ‘Christian-based’ political issue in a western country which infringes on civil liberties.’
I am not talking about one or two random incidents here and there but rather nation wide growing extremism. Abdullah Yameen and Erdogan have created nation wide religious fervor in Maldives and Turkey respectively.
Karim – thx, and good luck France. If i remeber correct, You are French?
Ishola
“btw Maldives is being swallowed up by China. India losing their past influence there.”
China is swallowing up all the neighbors of India except perhaps Afghanistan. It has spread its wings in Africa as well, running major infra projects in most African countries. Complete domination of geopolitics in Africa and Asia by China is a worrying thing.
TR7
All that is needed to falsify a blanket statement is a single example to the contrary.
The burden of proof falls on you qualify your statement, not me.
As it happens, there are many instances of ‘freedom and safety’ for ‘minorities’ in Muslim majority countries around the world. Is there also heinous oppression? Naturally, but that’s not what you wrote. Just saying.
Jamie
You cited the example of Maldives, Indonesia and Turkey but there is nationwide rising extremism in all the 3 countries. I am not sure how have you proved anything to the contrary.
This reminds me of how #NeymarGate started.
Bam made a blanket statement about Neymar and his failure to come up with the goods in big games. The statisticians among us dutifully presented several ‘big games’ where Neymar performed well, and all of a sudden the parameters of the argument start changing.
Debate is healthy, as long as it’s respectful, imo. We should all open ourselves up to being corrected every once in a while.
Last post, I’m out. Enjoy the game, team!
Ivan
Yes I am
Allez les Bleus !
Jamie
The point is, everything happening in a majorly Islam nation if it’s taking place in western countries you’d be shouting Islamophobia.
Churches are not allowed in any of them. Jewish synagogues are out of the question.
No christian refugees are allowed.
Vast majority of them do not accept direct flight from israel.
But for some reasons the left doesn’t see that, and will be nitpicking at a western leader for pulling out of climate accords..
For the first time in I would say about a decade or more I am excited about the start of the season!!
Players already in and working together preseason??! What madness is this!!
Looking forward to seeing a new approach to our play, I hope the football remains easy on the eye with a solid foundation so we don’t need to fear going away to City or Liverpool and be humiliated.
And a squad! Imagine being able to look at the bench and having viable options again!
Jim
Coupled with the fact that we play Chelsea and Mancs b4 anyone has the chance to settle. We could get 2 points from the 2 and I’d be happy
I mean this from the bottom of my heart you’re all cunts. A day and a half of complete bile and to what end? You boring fucks. I’m putting the blame on Sanmi who started it all and just kept on going. Good luck to you but you need to fuck off now.
Onto football France win today. West Ham dropping 42 million on a player while being shite is hilarious when you consider if Pelegrini fails the inevitable mass exodus that’ll ensue. Also as good as a summer we’re having we still need another CB and a winger.
OK guys, can we talk football now?
Jeez
I was gutted when Zidane’s France lost to Italy in 2006 despite being the better side but today I will be cheering for Croatia. We need a new world champion.
Why don’t you all take your silly views to right wing web sites and let’s just do football.
For a while I thought I was on the comment section of the daily mail, Fox News or infowars website.
Marko
You did take the bait too though. You let him lead you into the gutter.
Sanmi comes here to drop a lot of right wing extreme views, that’s his M.O.
@Samni
I would also be happy with two points from those opening games.. The greed in my wants four though!!
Would a 3rd place finish be out of the question this year?
Is WE about??
Smith Rowe… They referred to him as “Irish” during the game yesterday, but he was born in London, do you know anything about that?!
Thought he looked very good on the ball yesterday!
Dissenter I also left for 20 hours came back and it was still going on. Anyway need at least another CB and a winger. I do not like Aubameyang out on the wings. He’s clearly too good out there clearly good enough to score wherever so it stands to reason he’ll get way more goals centrally with the front 3 built around him. It shouldn’t be a Lacazette and/or Aubameyang argument but rather play players in their natural positions for the betterment of the team. Auba is capable of getting 30 goals this coming season so let him
Croatia have played three consecutive 120 minute games. That’s like playing one more game than France.
Surely they have to run out of gas at some point, especially facing a team with a midfield as good as theirs, team with pacy attackers that will run them ragged.
I like to rout for the underdog but just think France will win.
I did think England will “easily beat Croatia” so …
Guedes on loan and a Pavon or Lozano either side of Aubameyang and we stand a better chance of challenging
Marko
I agree that we shoudl get a very good winger on loan with an option to buy next season for a fixed price
Barca were trying to sign William and may have to let Dembele leave if that William deals goes through.
What has happened today ? To my mind it appears most immigrants do not try to integrate. By this I mean try to adopt customs of their new country so they stick out like sore thumbs and it is more painful to the others. For the immigrants this differentiation is like a badge and drives them to greater extremes than in their country. For women looking different is getting noticed ,a classic subconscious mating ethos maybe. So we get bureaus and saris, etc. Solution is perhaps initial counseling before entry by host nations and a clear indication that if they… Read more »
a big, commanding CB to replace Mustafi, and maybe a winger, although if Emery thinks Nelson should be given a shot at it i’d be good with that. otherwise, happy with where we are.
can’t see how Croatia can win or cause an upset today. France players should just quit football if they fail to win tonight.. worse than losing to Portugal 2 years ago..
Paul Merson:
“France’s front three is probably around as good as England’s based on the way they have played at this tournament and the midfield is better without a doubt. ”
He meant Croatian front three I hope?
We still debating this???
Good God.
Aaa…The blame game. That movie Crash was so true.. We live in a world full of suspicion, paranoia, and stereotyping .. Any act of crime made in the name of any religion or ideology is simply a crime and those who commit it are criminals.. Being a Muslim ,jew , Christian , communist or whatever don’t make you a criminal, it’s your wrong taking of those ideologies that does.. History is full of criminals with all above believes and ideologies .. We all seen and told about slavery and apartheid Middle East conflicts to control oil wealth.. I volunteered in… Read more »
I hope France beat Croatia Like they committed a Crime.
A proper Beatdown.
A utter One Way Domination.
A TKO.
I want it to be so bad that the ref throws the towel in and Pogba is crowned the heavyweight Champ and imprisoned at the same time for beating Modric so bad.
So yh.
Cmon France lol
i think aubermayang will be played on the wings. saw his role yesterday, I am pretty convinced it wont diminish his goal scoring.
In away games against strong opposition, Lacazette will be dropped and auba will be thru the middle
i am supporting croatia today. Palcing my bets on them. The odd is at 4.40
Come on Congo, Cameroon and Guinean expats! Win it please
I’m backing Croatia today. They have deserved the shot at winning the trophy and given how amazing this World Cup has been a first time winner would only cap it off.
Love to see Mbappe score the winner and take his winners medal to show Neymar when he’s back at PSG.
lol Will Smith
Who the fck let Will in there to stink the place out??
Who should win player of the tourney..
Modric or Mbappe?
Modric all the way.
Mbappe showing some disgusting Neymar antics
Impressed by Rebic this WC. Very pacy, skillfull and full of grit
https://www.givemesport.com/1353962-unai-emery-made-arsenal-players-do-something-very-unusual-after-beating-boreham-wood?autoplay=off
Love Emery’s approach. He’s no soft touch.
Yeah ,Rebic has impressed also,very hardworking along with a decent technique expect him to make move this summer,
Would have him at arsenal all day
emery over doing it a bit with the extra training. why not give the lads the day off and ask them to come in the next day. but I have a feeling they didn’t train on the day of the bore ham game. if they did, it was a bit unfair…
France really should win this comfortably.
France have the better squad and easier run in so is clear favorites
cmon Croatia!!!
Louvren is a cnut thou!
Won’t be surprised if Giroud gets his first goal here and brings out the tongue
Where do this Croats get their energy from?
They look so much energetic than France already.
Croatia with the better start so far, lovely to see they not parking it in
Croatia has already taken over the middle of the field, with energy and graft.
They are first to every damn 50-50 ball.
Brilliant press by Croatia
Croatia seems to have better prepared. But France has more talent. Only thing holding back is Deschamps superstition regarding Giroud
France look slow and nervous.
Pogba and Kanté outnumbered in the centre. Griezmann has to shadow Rakitic.
Your Comment Here
Croatia expecting to win. Girls not wearing bras. ( Watching match )
France have it in them to be set piece merchants like Southgate’s men.
France once again with soak the pressure and rely on individual talent to win the game strategy.
Perisic should have taken that on and cut inside and had a pop at goal instead of the centre. Player was well covered.
Great start by the Croats
VAR should step in and give Griesmann a yellow
Griezmann dived to win the fouls..and France scores
What a cruel game.
Griezmann dived !
And goal headed by…. Manzudic
Cheating leads to the first goal, disgusting
keeper should have done better…
Wow France ahead through Greizmann cheating, good job
Manzukic will never score a better goal…agaisnt his own team.
Now France will sit back and play on the counter.
Shame VAR can’t review that clear and flagrant dive
I hate cheats, especially in big games
France been lucky all along, a dive and own goal.
OG
France outplayed first quarter survived it and take the lead.
English type goal lol
Hmm weird that it counts as an own goal. The ball was going on target.
Was Pogba offside for that goal?
@qna
Thought he looked offside as well. What a joke now when we have VAR.
Was Pogba offside for that goal?
How could it have been offside when it came off Manzukic’s head
Allez Les Bleus!
Mbappe control let him down.
Otherwise through on goal
Griezzmann dived for the foul
Unlucky Croatia
Mandzukic OG
12th OG of the tourney WTF ,small. wonder Giroud didn’t bring his shooting boot.lol
Absolutely Steve. If that turns out to be the case then this whole competition is a crock of shit. Cannot allow that to stand if VAR can prove he was offside and then was touching Manzucic when he headed that ball. We will see.
The Ref his losing control of the game very quickly.
YES! Good goal!!
Great goal, quality player
@steve fair few on Twitter asking the same question as you and me. Including Tancerdi Palmeri.
Yessssssssssss
Deserved equalizer
Great even!
Good goal
Fuck the cheating cunts, 1-1
What a hit from Perisic! Wenger Eagle screaming in delight somewhere lol
Good!
Perisic so underrated
Great goal.
Taken with aplomb.
No more than the Croats deserve
It took a deflection off Pavard it seems. it doesn’t matter though.
France need young Ousmane to come on asap early in 2nd half. need to stretch play
Took a deflection it seems.
France with all the talent is a set piece team.
Deserved!!!! Croatia are the master of come backs
Unsuitable are u watching? sign that man up!!
*Unai… lol
It loos like the game is too big for this French team.
It they fall behind then it could be over.
TR7, what do you expect? Full flowing football? Christ man, this is the internationals and its the Finals. Even club football finals are scrappy affairs.