I have been out of the game for a few days, taking in some Tenessee. Amazing, that even when rocking the Smokey’s, you find Arsenal fans wandering around. We are truly a global powerhouse when it comes to fans.
So we’ve now dropped 3 games of preseason, and whilst it’s hard to draw aggressive conclusions you’re willing to die for, one thing can’t be denied, the team has changed.
Some early observations, it’s quite clear we signed Leno because he’s sharper and very good on the ground. We play out of the back much more frequently and it appears the hoof is only reserved for mega danger moments. That’s so refreshing to watch. The German has a nice range of passing, I get very nervous watching him play balls through the middle, but when the team is built around giving him options, it works.
That said, I felt that our transitions through the back were clunky at times. The team is still getting used to the pressure associated with a system and we’ll see unforced errors particularly in the beginning. But damn, when the players get it right, it’s a spectacle. Some of the movement was so fluid, real dream-like stuff at times.
The PSG game was fun to watch, but we were given space to run wild. The pressure test comes in the Premier League, where we’ll be pressed and rattled. That said, you can’t knock a great friendly result. 5-1 against the richest team in the world is not to be sniffed at. Could have been 10 if it weren’t for Buffon.
I thought Guendouzi looked very impressive. He isn’t shy, he wants to ball, and his range of aggressive passing through the lines is very, very exciting. What he has that Xhaka doesn’t is pace over 10m and bags of strength. I loved his work rate and I thought he looked far more experienced than his 19 years on this planet would suggest. Sven really has uncovered a gem there. Imagine that, 2 DMs in the side that want to play there?!
It’s also clear that however the backline works out this season, we have a disgraceful amount of talent going forward. Ozil looked very fit and focused. I’m expecting big things from Mikki. I’m hoping to see a lot of development with Iwobi and decision making. We’re also going to do some damage with Auba and Lacazette. Goals are gold, and Emery is very lucky to have such a potent force this season.
Final part of this review, because my hand is hurting… Smith Rowe looks a bit tasty, no? I love his leggy style of play, reminded me of Paul Pogba the way he’d control the space around the ball, turn, and he’d be away. He has bundles of creativity and that little bit of youthful fearlessness that sees him try the sublime (that goal). It’s early days, but he looks the biz, has the frame for it too. Oh, and it was great to see Eddie score. Imagine Emery bringing through an English striker?
Right, over and out. A great few days for the Arsenal!
1st
BAnkz is here for the Tr4phy again
BOOOOOOOOOM
Tr4phy
Tr4phy
Finally. @le-grove
Tro4hy
It’s mine today Bankz
Nice one groovedaddy.
You outsmarted me.
Top 4
Why is Sokratis body and head so disproprotianate…
Cheers Bankz.
Pedro
I’m all aboard the Guendouzi hype train. ESR too…
Guendouzi looks impressive.
Oh the joys to see something new developing.
So excited for the season
Aubameyang out wide is horrible.
Hope Emery bins that as soon as possible.
Agree, such a waste of a WC finisher
Your Comment Here
We really ought to play with both Auba and Lacazette upfront unless we sign a Dembele or a Bailey.
Play to your strengths, absolute madness to stick Auba out wide, especially considering he’s the better CF of the two and is arguably the best finisher in the league.
It’s a shame that our full-backs are pretty wank going forward because a four-three-one-two would be ideal, with Lacazette partnering Aubameyang up front with Mkhitaryan/Ozil in a free role behind.
WE
What would you play? A 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-1-2-1-2?
The only thing with the two up top is I think Bellerin would need to improve his attacking ability significantly and we would need to sign a LB who can attack.
‘It’s a shame that our full-backs are pretty wank going forward’
Haha.
Just asked that of you!
CA
Yep exactly, with that formation you are absolutely reliant on your full-backs to get forward and provide the width. Marcelo does this exceptionally well for Real Madrid.
I don’t trust Bellerin’s delivery into the box but he’s certainly got the stamina and pace to play this role, we would need to sign a LB to make it work though as Monreal doesn’t have the legs anymore and Kolasinac is piss poor.
WE
What do you think about Alex Telles?
Supposedly Juventus are interested, fee around £30-40 Million.
In 30 appearances last season he got 13 assists!
Certainly means we could take the team a different way, the way Spurs were so effective in the 2016/17 season with Walker and Rose and then a solid centre.
CA
Haha you have been reading my posts, love him. Would be up there as my first choice for LB in this type of system were we to play it. Was very good for Inter Milan and Galatasaray before Porto.
Grimaldo also looks a talent as does Gaya- Valencia seem to produce an endless stream of talented LB’s.
Cesc,
He’s off to Real it seems. Juve also interested. 40m RC.
Cesc I think your being a little overly optimistic about more signings. Maybe a wide player which I’d love but I really can’t see us doing much more. We’ve now got less than 2 weeks of the TW left, the only player the Spud’s seem to be linked to is Grealish and I’m not sure he’d improve them that much. City have added Mahrez and again whilst a good player not sure he makes a huge difference to how good they are. Mourinho is already moaning and saying with all the money Klopp has spent he needs to win the… Read more »
Emery on Özil being captain: “I think he can take the responsibility of a captain, but not forgetting Koscielny because he is captain as well. Petr Cech & Aaron [Ramsey] played as captains in friendly matches. I’m thinking maybe of one more player.”
Captaincy in football is not as important as in some other sports but 5 captains? Absolute joke!
Haven’t been able to watch any friendlies but lot of talk about Guendouzi online. Good enough to replace Xhakattack guys?
TR7
Cech is number 2 so won’t be playing much, Kos is out until the new year, Emery’s just being nice about Ozil. So he’s actually looking at choosing between 2 players not really a joke when he’s still getting to know the players.
The only joke is you getting wound up about something about nothing. Chill out a little.
TR7
Re Guendouzi – not sure he’s quite ready now but I’d put money on him beginning to edge Xhaka out during the second half of the season from what I’ve seen. Xhaka will be sold next summer, we’ll have Torreira, AMN and Guendouzi competing for the DM role I just can’t see a place for him as the season progresses.
Marc
Cheers!
The sooner we replace Xhaka and Mustafi, the better.
TR7
I’ve said before that I think this summers been about steadying the ship and that seems to be going well. Next summer could be amazing for us.
WE
The thing is we cannot just play two up front because we don’t have the team to do it without improvement from Bellerin and significant improvement from Kolasinac which I just cannot see.
Basically you’re looking at spending on a LB and changing formation or spending on a winger and keeping the formation a 4-2-3-1.
But Aubameyang at LM just doesn’t work for me.
Aubameyang and Lacazette up front could end up being something special but as we’ve said you then need a change in formation, improvement from Bellerin and a LB who can really attack.
Who’s off to Madrid Telles? Didn’t need to sign him up didn’t need to loan Theo Hernandez. Who might I add joined Sociedad today so Monreal is staying
Leno
Bellerin – Mav – Sokratis-Nacho/AMN
—-Torreira —-Ramsey—-
—–Ozil——-
Mikhi —Laca —PEA
Marko
Where is Monreal? He’s probably been our most consistent player over the last couple of years.
CA Yeah i mean we don’t currently have the team to make it work with our LB options, just an alternative thought and I think it would bring the best out of Mkhitaryan as well as he’d be given license to roam like he was afforded in his last season at Dortmund in a free role behind Auba, where they have a dynamite understanding with the three CM’s behind him. Leaving Lacazette out of the team is madness but so is sticking Aubameyang on the left flank so you’re left with a problem here unless you want to go big… Read more »
Aubameyang has to play centrally, massive waste otherwise.
He’s actually an incredible aerial threat as well as an insanely good penalty-box finisher, so having him languishing out wide makes zero footy sense.
Marcelo’s the guy at RM, Telles isn’t going there.
Maybe Juventus if they cash in on Alex Sandro.
PEA perhaps the only player in our team who can play out wide. We have little choice there. We can’t possibly be playing with no wingers.
Havent seen the game but did catch the goals.
Most impressive thing for me is Emerys comments. Says he wants to improve the tactics and pressing.
Imagine Wenger if we beat PSG 5-1, he would give the players a month off.
Leno had a bit more to do today he looked alright. The defence is still of major concern. Our full backs our CB’S I mean I know Rome wasn’t built in a day but I’d be concerned with just going into the season having improved with just Sokratis and Lichtsteiner added. That’s a lot hinging on Mustafi and Chambers improving
One thing I will say is the young lads seem to be enjoying it alot more now than under Wenger
Marko
I think it’s like any job – under a stale manager the day to day things become stale as well. At the moment everything must be a breath of fresh air, it will be interesting how the players react 3-4 months into the season once it’s becoming clear who’s in and who’s out etc.
Good time to be an Arsenal fan that’s for sure. With potential for it to get much better
Having Auba on the wings is not a problem. The coach has already said it, “when we have the ball the formation becomes like a 4 4 2, with both strikers in the front”.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6002967/Chelsea-ready-make-30m-Aaron-Ramsey.html
I’d probably take 40 million.
Chelsea can f**k off if they think they are getting him for that.
£40 Million for Ramsey, £50-60 Million to a rival.
United want £70 Million for Martial with one year left on his contract off the back of not a great season.
Kante, Jorginho, Ramsey would be a great midfield especially with Hazard then playing as a forward.
Cannot let them have him cheap, or even for a reasonable fee.
Fortunately we have Sir Daniel of Welbeck coming back sort out the wide left issue.
Oh Danny Welbeck… sure
I think United are going to be the shock s**t team this year and Mourinho will end up sacked
Football is a dynamic sport. It’s not like Auba and Laca will stay static in one position for 90 mins. Of course I’m stating the obvious.
Guys on the last thread talking about £20M for el neny. C’mon guys this ain’t fantasy-land. Akilan mentioned inflation… Mahrez was mooted for £75M plus last January and went for £60M. We bid £90M for Lemar last summer and he just moved for a much smaller figure. You are smoking some sticky green if you think someone will fork over 20mil smackers for el neny. Be lucky to get £12M
Anyway I think he’s staying and most of you said that too, but be reasonable, he’s not a £20M player right now
If true, sell him and buy Bailey or Dembele:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6002967/Chelsea-ready-make-30m-Aaron-Ramsey.html
The friendlies we have played sofar do not reveal much about next season, because we have played against two teams without the bulk of their first team squads who were playing in World Cup. Realistically the only two players missing from our likely starting eleven are Torreira and perhaps Xhaka. No-one doubts that Arsenal offers some good offensive options albeit a winger might add more dimension. The real concern for me remains our back four as it has done for several years. Can they absorb pressure and maintain concentration after years of neglect under Wenger? There are some talented youngsters… Read more »
emery is not Wenger. he won’t directly strengthen a rival. also I think ramsey is staying this season. No time to get a replacement and fit him in the team…
ES
Why not make a statement and sell Xhaka and Ramsey along with Iwobi, Perez and a few others and buy another experienced and respected mid 20s CB as well as a winger.
Xhaka and Ramsey are not players we can win leagues with, so start the building now with youth and good coaching and game time to gain the experience they need to go on and win the trophies we want to legitimately contend for.
gonsterous Ramsey strengthen Chelsea? I’d be surprised if Chelsea was stupid enough to buy Ramsey, but if they were, then bite their hands off for their offer. There’s been enough debate on Ramsey here where his faults outweigh his few strengths for an injury prone player than only had one stand out season for us. Supposedly we have the right people in place who no doubt have a list of replacements to go after if the money is available. So far Sven is beginning to shine with 2 players he’s brought in; give him the chance to bring in more… Read more »
that*
“So far Sven is beginning to shine with 2 players he’s brought in”
Yeah, they’ve really aced a pre-season game.
You know who else did? Yaya Sanogo
Yaya aced pre-season games?
Could’ve sworn everyone with a brain on here knew yaya was shit the sec he stepped out on the pitch.
Him starting against bayern has scarred me for life
RR
Difference is Sanogo was bought when we had money to spend.
Sven has brought in young players with obvious potential when we had £70 million to rebuild the whole squad and having to find champagne players on brown ale budgets.
Whether Guendouzi & Mavs can realise their potential is down to the players and coaches.
As I said earlier, sell Ramsey and Xhaka and buy more with potential and experience because I don’t believe either Ramsey or Xhaka can improve to the level we need to win a title or CL.
Frost
Exactly!
Really ? You are comparing Sanogo with Guendouzi ?
Ramsey is staying and he’s been made as the captain. His agency hinted as much.
Still lots of work to do especially with two very stern tests to start off the season but glad to have what appears to be a thinker . Doesn’t mean he’ll work but trying to win and failing is 100x better than sticking with guaranteed failure.
Toby
yes, ramsey strengthens chelsea, if you can’t see that then it’s pretty obvious, that your whole view on football is just biased…
Aubermayang isn’t playing on the wings, he’s playing CF but slightly skewed to the left to accommodate lacazette. It will work as the CBs can’t concentrate on marking him.
He’s not needed to help defensively all the time, that’s the reason Emery is playing with double pivot. And I suspect Torreira will be tasked with covering the left side more.
Emery constantly did it with playing Cavani on the wings.
Definitely “a great few days for Arsenal”
Made a little report on Guendouzi when he first signed on here and Pedro then at a later time put up an article on him from some football writer that was virtually identical to the one I earlier posted. He is an interesting player. Covers ground well and always looking to make himself available. The doubts about him at this early stage of his career has been his temperament and concentration levels but this is mostly to do when he is playing deepest in front of the defence. Hopefully we never see a situation again at Arsenal such as the… Read more »
Interesting to read the comments made by Sokratis last Friday –
“With the new coach we work also on situations when we don’t have the ball and this is very important. A lot of coaches and teams now look at only how to play, not how to defend”
Another indictment of Mr Wenger? Of course it is.
Now here is a new player, who has witnessed from afar, the obvious weaknesses of AFC.
Amazing then that some on here genuinely believe that Wenger is revered around the world.
It’s laughable.
Stop it Michael, Wenger blah, blah….done to death.
When will get rid of some players? Ospina probably off…need to get busy.
A continuation of Sokratis enlightening input –
“With him(Emery) all the players work on tactics. We look a lot at videos and what was wrong and what we have to do better”
Simple stuff……right?
Should be no surprise to anyone, with even half a brain, that Wenger never did this.
A basic prerequisite of any coaches remit, in any sport, at any level, is to discuss and review tactics…………be the players 6 or 86!!
Thanks Arsene!
Just highlighting the blessing obvious.
I had years of endless rhetoric to deal with.
Deal with it.
For those who jumped on Tuchel’s Europa league comment that wasn’t actually the fully quote. He was drawing comparisons with Conte’s first season when he did not have European football and went on to win the league. He said the number of first team players we already have training in pre- season will give us an advantage in the league.
He wasn’t making fun of anyone.
BobN16
Sokratis made the comments 48 hrs ago.
As this is an Arsenal blog, I’m only giving my interpretation and opinions.
That’s what it it’s all about.
No more boring than reading about what formations Arsenal should be playing.
4 3 3 / 3 5 1 ……….blah blah blah!
Worried about our defence; considering how much emphasis was put on suring it up with our tranfers; Sokratis was all at sea; Torreira will have to work his socks off.
N7
“Worried about our defence; considering how much emphasis was put on suring it up with our tranfers; Sokratis was all at sea; Torreira will have to work his socks off.”
Fullbacks are going to be tested out defensively as there is an onus on them to get forward and give the team width in attack. No true attacking width from players further up the field.
They will be tested out defensively right from the off against Manchester City.
Emery may have to think hard who he is going to have playing in front of the fullbacks in the Man City game.
Don’t want to see their inside forwards running rampage again at the fullbacks with no assistance from other players. No tracking back.
If our new Sideshow Bob is looking good, remind me why we signed the oil tanker turning motherfucker, Xhaka?
lul
Sideshow Bob.
Fans thoughts are that Xjaka is going to play further up this season at CM.
There is a lot more traffic at CM then there is deepest lying midfielder.
Will be interesting to see how it pans out.
Seems like Xhaka was a total waste of another contract. Arsenal never learn.
Okay.. Chelsea looking to sign Rmasey.. Time to bring Cesc back?!
@Michael –
“Another indictment of Mr Wenger? Of course it is.”
Sokratis never played under Wenger…
Jim, Wenger was responsible for WW2
@mysticleaves –
That would explain his time in Japan!
Fuck Ramsay. Sell the cunt ASAP and collect the cash. He’s a dud.
I wouldn’t mind a Zuma Ramsay swap plus cash.
actually I would still take cesc back in a heartbeat..
Cesc is done. Fuck him. He couldn’t wait to agitate a move to Barca. No dice.
Chelsea still have a couple of decent players. Let’s give them the Hollywood Dud and get something back.
Ishola Sokratis is for me a real concern. If in the system the two full backs get caught up field Torreira will either be forced to engage with any break or more likely he will drop to form a three. The trouble then is that should the point of the counter require Sokratis to take the initiative I can’t see anything much other than him being exposed for lack of pace or more likely he will revert to form and launch into the tackle.His timing would have to be 100% and I am far from sure he has that in… Read more »
Will never get over the heart break of cesc. what a prospect, what a talent. loved when he was in the side. sad it had to end this way…
Cesc won nothing with Arsenal. Nostalgia can cloud ones mind. The reality is, that as good as Cesc was…he wasn’t an influencer. Maybe it was bad timing or a combination of other things, but Cesc should have done better.
Terraloon
It’s a conundrum with Sokratis.
Whether people don’t like to admit or not he has lost some pace and gets caught out by nippy runners.
In many cases you would want him to be the more passive of the CBs the one that drops back and let the other CB most times be the more aggressive and on the front foot because of these weaknesses.
But of course this is just not how Sokratis plays. He’s an aggressive front foot defender.
“Cesc won nothing with Arsenal”
He won an FA Cup in 2005..
“he wasn’t an influencer”
Was probably the biggest “influencer” at the club during his time there.
“Maybe it was bad timing or a combination of other things, but Cesc should have done better.”
I wonder how Xavi or Iniesta would have got on playing alongside Song and Denilson for the bulk of their careers.
Jim
I’ll stand by what I said.
@Guns –
“I’ll stand by what I said.”
I’m not going to argue against that, its your opinion and you are entitled to it.