Here we are people, one final game of preparation against Lazio before the new season starts.
I’ll be removing the AKB page in time for the new season. In a world of Gooner optimism, all relics of the past must be cast aside.
It’s all quite surreal. I genuinely feel a sense of hope about the start to a new season. There’s no nagging doubt about massive misses during the window. Outside Aaron Ramsey signing a new deal, and an imminent world-class wide player to replace Alexis… we’re pretty much where you’d hope any competent manager would want his team.
Lazio will give us a big clue as to how we plan to set up for Manchester City.
Ramsey will be out with his calf issue, which could be a Chelsea-dream-move issue, but who knows. Kolasinac is absent with an injury that’ll put him out for 10 weeks. I’m not sure who fills in for him, Monreal might be about for next week but it’d be early, so maybe AMN gets the nod this evening?
I’m hoping we get to see Torreira this evening. I’m interested to see who the final centre mid pairing is going to be. Does Xhaka start? Has Guendouzi done enough to merit keeping his place? What happens to BIG MO ELNENEY?
It’ll also be interesting to see how much love the manager is prepared to give the kids this season, like, Smith Rowe. Is he good enough to slug it out in the first team, or should we move him out to West Ham for a season? What are we doing with Reiss, Willock and Eddddiiiieeee?
I think the objective of the next 9 months is to reestablish what being a focused club is all about. Ground rules need to be bedded in, good habits need to be adopted, and the team needs to embrace the aggressive education blitz they’re being onboarded with. Ultimately, success this season is Arsenal making the #Top4. It’s going to be tough, in the end, every club pulled it together. The top 7 teams this season are all capable of putting on a winning run, all of them are capable of collapsing. The league is stronger than ever this year, but at least we’ve got a fighting chance.
Fingers crossed this evening is a breeze and we pick up no injuries.
See you in the comments. x
Michael
Nah.
If Salah hadn’t got injured…
I notice Mavropanos didn’t make a single mistake. He has good speed and team up well with Papastathopoulos. On the other hand, Holding still looks nerves.
My lot
Crch
Bel chambers papa amn
Torriea either of the curly boys
Rambo
Oxil aubs Lacs
Boom
Lnip
Two big bubbles at the back would be good
But ain’t mara suspended from that red card last game of season
Michael
If the Queen had been born a boy she would be king.
“If Chamberlain had stayed fit, Liverpool would have probably won the CL.”
Easy tiger! And errm………..Karius
I’m impressed with the way Laca and Auba pressed in the second half. Don’t get me wrong, It was nowhere near the levels of City’s or Pool’s pressing. But the first step is getting your forwards to work. Laca was working his arse off and soon Auba joined too. This is by far Mkhi’s best outing under Emery. Even Ozil pressed with purpose on a rare occasion. Thus is where Ramsey has got an advantage over them. He probably has the best engine in the team and has the legs to join the forwards to press. If the press fails,… Read more »
I knew that would ruffle a few feathers.
I’ve always thought Xhaka under Emery will end up being benched as the season went on but I never expected it to be because of some 19 year old from Lorient.
alexanderhenry
It’s a fucking stupid positive to find – what’s the point in being able to strike the ball well if you don’t score any goals doing it? It’ like me saying I can pick the winner of any horse race but I don’t bet.
I don’t think Xhaka is actually a terrible player I just don’t think he’s cut out for the PL. Maybe Emery will find a system that works for him – who knows maybe he’ll manage 2 goals this season.
Micheal24
If I hadn’t gone on the lash I probably would’ve been sober.
Marc
I’m not sure what your contention is- that Xhaka has a poor shot or not? Not that I particularly care either way.
Clearly, you’ve decided to go after me for some reason but if you’re going to do that, try and develop a more substantial argument as opposed to nitpicking.
alexanderhenry
My contention is your comment is stupid. A guy has a great shot but doesn’t score any goals – pretty fucking irrelevant how good his shot is then isn’t it? If you had said for a guy with a great shot he should score more goals it would’ve been a different story.
Look all you have to do is tell me just how deep that hole is and I’ll leave it alone.
I think if we could get 30m for Mustafa n xhara losing 45 m I think the club would take it…
The last Wenger sting
Are there more to come….
No games until City now, interested to see if anything picks up at Arsenal in the transfer market now pre-season is out of the way and Emery has a better idea of who is useful and who isn’t.
Perez looks gone, Ospina looks gone if someone will actually pay his wages, I still think the club would like to get rid of Mustafi.
Still think we will get at least a draw next week
CA things could get very busy the next 5 days. I mean in general I have a feeling that if anything for us it might be a midfielder. Let’s be honest there’s nothing tangible by way of links to widemen. It could change quickly of course
We can easily beat them in that first game.
There’s not easy beating the champions. They will still be prepared for us. I’ll take a draw also.
Cesc
Apparently Welbeck has been told he’s surplus to requirements leading to a link with Everton (who seem determined to recreate Wenger’s Arsenal up north). Can’t see him going abroad so I reckon he’s got about 4 days to make something happen.
Samesong
If you offered me 5 points from our first 3 games I’d take it. Might not look great on paper but draws against City at home and Chelsea away plus a win at the Chav’s would do me.
Interesting game tonight. Lichsteiner comes in and straight away looks 100% better than Bellerin. Leno did well but was quiet. AMN can do a job at LB while Monreal is injured. Torreira was feeling his way back to fitness but probably won’t be ready to start next week. Elneny appeared sharper along with the impressive Guendouzi. Miki did his case for a start no harm. The youngsters looked a little out of their depth today as you might expect. By next week we need to sort the Ramsey situation and possibly sell Mustafi, Welbeck and Perez and buy a proper… Read more »
Marko I think top 4 is the aim this year. We cannot spend extravagantly and our players are so crap, our stature has been so destroyed by Wenger and we’re paying our crap so much that we just cannot sell to raise funds which means Emery is probably going to have to make do and will, unfortunately, probably play Aubameyang at LM. If just top 4 is the aim to then with UCL money, new commercials, improved value of players to sell etc spend next year then I would say Mustafi and others should be sold and we need to… Read more »
gazzap
That’s the thing we have a lot of options. It doesn’t seem that long ago when it almost seemed an issue putting together a match day squad on occasions.
Marc
I would have thought we could get £20 Million for Welbeck, but with Perez going for £4 Million and Besiktas refusing to pay £4 Million for Ospina because of his wages I don’t know anymore.
Laughable when people were saying what a great position we’ve been left in, absolute shambles to try and repair.
What is all this having five Captains all about ?
Wenger really did fuck up the club in the last 4 years
Who approved his signings ?
If it was gazifids
Then he should fuck off
RSPCA
The problem was there wasn’t a club like us out there, he was all powerful.
You see why he built his ivory towers and we hadn’t had another football brain at the club since Dein in 2006 because Mislintat arrived in November, Sanellhi in February and by April he was sacked.
Park
Erez
Campbell
Jenkinson
Welbeck
Mustafa
Still on the books
Marc
plus a win at the Chav’s would do me.
I think you mean a win against West Ham.
Hillwood
I think Unai wants to make sure that everyone gets shouted at to make sure they know what they are doing. But… considering that all players need to be taught and told what to do, I am hard pressed to think who these 5 captains are going to be.
Marko
I can only see a MF coming in if we sell Ramsey. How many options do we need? Torreira, Ramsey, Xhaka (on a new contract) Elneny, AMN and Guendozi for what 3 maybe even 2 starting places.
Next summer I expect to see a reshaping of the squad but there’s a limit to what we can do in one summer.
Cesc
He really was a dictator to the club.
Knew what he was doing paying inflated wages to keep in control
No wonder he ain’t been employed since
DB10
Ha – Sorry meant the other Chav’s! But yes a win at West Ham. Anything over draws at the other two matches is a massive bonus.
Hill mob
Papa
Crch
Papa
Rambo
Oxil
Auba
Cesc
I made a comment earlier about having two prices for players depending on where they are going. PL clubs are flush with money and mostly stupid so with the English “premium” (tell me any club outside the UK gives a fuck about that) £15 million for Welbeck should be achievable – if it’s Everton who seem to want to demonstrate how to piss money up the wall why not £20 million.
Marc
No worries. May as well as differentiate them as chav cunts for Chelski and chav wankers for west ham. At least we know who we are talking about then. 😉
Marc
And my contention is that you’re nitpicking. As you appear to be agreeing with me that Xhaka does actually have a good shot, there is no argument.
You’re digging your own hole.
alexanderhenry
Oh dear anyway you keep on making excuses for Wenger and his signings.
DB10
That’s as good a way as any I’ve heard. Maybe you should put your mind to the same for Mancs and Scousers!
Why leave it so late to tell Welbz that he can go? I could understand if he had several years left, giving him the option to impress the new manager in preseason, but we’re now in a position where we’re scrambling around to get rid of him at cut price within 4 days (there will be no international market for Welbz once the PL window closes, unless he wants to go to Turkey). We’re simply not in a position to let Ramsey and Welbz both leave for nothing, when any well-run club would be bringing in £50m+ for the pair.… Read more »
Marc
I have never suggested that because Xhaka has a good shot he should stay at Arsenal. I have said many many times on here that I think he was a bad buy.
Do we have to continue with this?
Next summer I expect to see a reshaping of the squad but there’s a limit to what we can do in one summer. People keep saying that and while it’s probably true it doesn’t have to be. I mean we should be able to address the defence better than one CB in Sokratis. We should be able to address the full backs more than Lichtsteiner. Haven’t addressed the lack of legitimate wingers in the squad. Granted we’re not totally minted but come on West Ham and Fulham are dogshit and they’re going nuts. My point is that we should be… Read more »
alexanderhenry
OK let’s finish this just answer me a simple question – what’s the point of a player having a good shot if he doesn’t score any goals?
Please enlighten me I’m begging because after supporting Arsenal for 30 odd years I just don’t get it.
https://youtu.be/8TXRFB7Ci60
Marko
£23 million for Leno
£22 million for Torreira
£7 million for Guendozi
Plus the £17 million for Sokratis, a couple for Mavropanos and £50 million for PEA in Jan.
West Ham are shitting themselves and Fulham are £100 million richer since promotion.
Red
I’m touched – you’re actually sticking up for me. Didn’t know you cared.
Marc
As I said before, I am not suggesting in any way that Xhaka was a good buy. I’d like arsenal to sell him. I’ve said this many times.
However, in the search for any positives to his game I merely made the observation that technically speaking , he strikes the ball very well and now and again he scores an impressive goal from outside the box. These rare events do not justify him being an arsenal player.
Now, either you’re winding me up or you’ve misinterpreted my original point.
I know who we signed Marc my point is that we need more. For example I guarantee you that we’ll have just as many downs as ups this coming season with the defence the way it is. Questionable if it was addressed at all and certainly at the very least not properly addressed. I don’t think a new manager and Sokratis is enough to address it
Alex I would say he has a powerful shot.
alexanderhenry
Fuck me you are hard work. I’ve never said you said or implied Xhaka was a good buy I just don’t understand the point of finding irrelevant pluses in a player.
If you’re trying to sell him to another club maybe but I don’t think any chief scouts head hunt of Le Grove. So again please tell me the point of a player with a good shot who doesn’t score any goals?
It’s like having a striker who doesn’t get beaten at the near post.
Marko
My point was the expenditure, I’m sure Emery would’ve like to have had more to play with.
I do think however you are overlooking the way our midfield left the defence exposed so may times last season, something that a combination of the signings and coaching will hopefully go a long way to correcting.
Marc
I was making an observation; an assesment or judgement if you like.
There is no real argument here. If I was suggesting that Xhaka was an asset and we should keep him, you’d have an argument, but I’m not making that point.
You’ve created an argument out of nothing.
Marc your fixation on someone saying Xhaka has a good shot is getting weird at this point. It’s such a throwaway comment I don’t know why you are still on it. I mean I’m not sure I’d agree with it but at the same time a player can have a decent shot on him without being prolific at scoring
I do think however you are overlooking the way our midfield left the defence exposed so may times last season I’m not overlooking nothing. In fact I think it’s people that say stuff like that or about how they lay all the blame on Wenger that overlook the facts that some of the individuals we have in defence are not up to scratch. And also I like Emery and I think he’s a good appointment but there’s nothing to suggest that he’s the type of defensive manager that can work miracles on shit. Truth is our hopes on the defence… Read more »
Marko
With regard to alexanderhenry I’m conducting research on just how long someone will keep defending a moronic comment by what ever methods they can come up with without saying “whatever we’ll agree to disagree”.
So far it’s not giving the species much hope of survival!
But I wanna be hopeful for the season so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that in what remains of the window something happens with regards to the defence. I’m not hoping for Vida but I dunno hopefully something happens
Marc
Well we have pool of piss for Liverpool and Man cheat scum United for Manure (can’t be arsed to write their name, particularly when you have a dirt bag like Maureen as manager.)
Marko
Remember we have am owner who gates to spend. Taking/ making money is not a problem but actually spending it (unless there are guaranteed returns) is a very different ball park for Kroenke Sr.
Marko
Well we’ll see, I don’t expect instant miracles but come mid October / November if we’re still conceding the cheap goals etc I’ll be happy to say our defence is shit, well not happy but that’s not because I won’t admit I’m wrong but that I don’t want us to be struggling and having another season of same old same old.
What is funny I’ve noticed is that players, commentators, journalists etc even the commentators on Arsenal Player are all suddenly criticising what had been before. Little statements like, things had stagnated, lack of leadership, lack of ruthlessness, inability to defend, too comfortable etc. Pretty sure a lot of these were the be careful what you wish for, respect him, just support them crowd. I laugh every time I hear something like that, where were you all, because all it can mean is you were deliberately lying to support a regime that you therefore knew was dysfunctional and harmful to a… Read more »
DB10
Last 5 years we’ve been the 3rd highest net spenders only behind City and Utd. This Kroenke won’t let us spend is just plain wrong, he might not let us spend beyond our means or put his own money up but he has allowed us to spend.
@Marc
You’re clueless. The game against West Ham is at home.
Sky are reporting Chelsea will pip pool to Ramsey and he will be gone by weds. Do we go all out for dembele or bring in Nzonzi ? We can’t be paying Ramsey 250 a week he can do one
Cesc
Nearly everyone working in the media in football tows the accepted line – the number who will comment against the tide is pitiful. The tide ahs turned and low and behold the pundits have changed their tune.
Biggest problem are the idiots like Collymore who make the claim that they go against the tide hence why they don’t get the big Sky gig when they are wife beating, Brummie, sexual deviant pricks who talk bollocks about football.
Marc
Conduct away.
There was nothing ‘moronic’ about my comment. It was just an observation.
Despite all the hot air and bombast , you’ve revealed yourself to be a bit of a prick.
Enjoy the season.
steve
I know I have a ticket – check the comments I meant the other Chav’s are away. Already had a joke about it on here.
alexanderhenry
And still you can’t say we’ll agree to disagree.
Being called a prick by a twat doesn’t really cut to the bone. You need to try better.
steve
Checked back on my earlier comment – fair point it was a typo. I know we have Chelsea away followed by West Ham at home.
But I’ll still be there – will you?
Marc
It is pitiful.
If Ramsey goes there will definitely be another arrival
Cesc
Agree but winger or CM? I’d love both but the later it goes the less chance I see of more than one signing.
@Marc
You said “a win at West Ham” implying the game was an away game.
steve
I know I checked back on the comment and already acknowledged it. I meant a win against West Ham hence my last comment.
You haven’t commented on what you’d take from our opening games?
@Marc
4 points. Draw to Man City, lose to Chelsea and beat West Ham.
Will Liverpool or Chelsea actually pay Ramsey the wage he desires or is he just leaving to paint himself as an ambitious lad deserting a sinking ship as the media like to portray it.
Either way he should get a move on its getting boring
Marc I know. The real problem was that AW did not spend to make the team more competitive. He was only after players who who were weak minded enough to accept mediocrity in exchange of a huge paycheck. Our problem now is that we are in a tough situation where we need quality upgrades across the park but do not have the spending power (due to Kroenke being a miser and our philosophy of spending within our means). I am not against being sustainable. It is feasible except it will take us years to get back where we should be.… Read more »
If we get 5 points from the first three matches I will be disappointed in truth. We should be beating City considering the circumstances and also West Ham. I think 7 points should be the aim ….make people sit up and take notice
steve
I prefer my “prediction” but at the moment who knows.
We should be beating City considering the circumstances
What circumstances? They’re a great team and we’re a work in progress. We always start the season poorly too so 5 points from the first three games would be a decent return all things considered
Of course I be very happy with Recedings!
Hard to read too much into pre season, looks like some wengerisms still there, and the Diana Ross school of penalty taking, but hopefully some things to build on.
Must be strange for the players , actually being coached and instructed
Marc why are you so acerbic towards AH he did not support Xhaka and you seem to go ballistic
We shouldn’t start Guendouzi ahead of xhaka because he will cost us some points? Xhaka already did… a lot.
Xhaka is a mid table footballer. Zero exceptional qualities, several weaknesses and individually responsible for a lot of important errors
I think people like the idea of what he stands for as others have said but he’s a CM, the most influential position on the pitch and yet how many MOTMs or even dominant displays as he put in? I literally can’t remember any.
Drop him!
How many times has any one ever said ‘thank god for xhaka today’
Marc thinks he is being clever but going by his earlier comments he has confirmed that he really is as thick as shit.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6026947/Arsenal-2-0-Lazio-Reiss-Nelson-Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang-net.html
watching the highlights, I have to say Leno needs to work on his positioning. It was woeful last night and a better strike force would have punished him. If he does that next week, city will demolish us…
The new kid continues to impress, for the life of me I can’t learn his name. Licht did every thing that bellend can’t. hope bellend learns from him and quick…
sell ramsay and be done with it. get in a proper player and let’s get the converted 4th trophy…
We had a good preseason against decent quality opposition.
Our youngsters look hungry and sharp. Our experienced players appear ready to go too.
It looks like for the first time in many years our first team will be ready for their opening match of the season versus City.
Lots of positives.
Time for the real action to begin… can’t wait!
Shame for Kolasinac, hope he makes an impact this year on the pitch.
Best XI at the moment, IMO, would be:
___________Cech
Lich___CB_____CB____Monr
____Torreir____Guendou
_________Ramsey
__Ozil______Laca_____Auba
Or as a 4-4-2:
___________Cech
Bell___CB_____CB____Monr
_________Torreira
___Ramsey_____Guendou
___________Ozil
______Laca_____Auba
No idea which CBs should start, and not very confident in our defense.
Leeds,
I think it’s a blessing in disguise. AMN is an excellent prospect at the FB and he can make it his own.
Licht is quality, irrespective of age.
Bellerin needs to up his game big time.
Marko Arsenal are playing a City team who are behind in terms of preparation. That is the circumstance. I would have thought that was obvious.
Spurs are selling their 29 year old contract rebel for 60m.
Bamford 10 Arsenal’s problems going back a long way is a failure to build a solid and fit for purpose defence. We have a lot of centre backs on our books who are individually not bad players but unfortunately have not gelled well together. To put it in perspective Gabriel left us last summer and has improved immeasurably at Valencia since his arrival there. Emery needs to decide on his best combination and then stick to it next season. The uncertainty regarding the future of Ramsey needs also to be resolved quickly. If the player wants to leave or more… Read more »
Really looking forward to the season. That win against Lazio was really enjoyable. For the first time in a long time it feels like we’re a football team again. I like it how Emery took Ozil arm over shoulder just before he came on, giving instructions – even in a friendly. It’s brilliant. I have high hopes.
Rumors West Ham want Perez for 8m. They seem to want every available player.
Good that people are finally realizing that Auba needs to play wide and Laca through the center.
As for center backs, I want to see Mavrapanos being given an extended run. That Mustafi is not good enough is pretty much clear.
ES
No club in the history of Association Football has gone into a season like Asenal did last year with so many question marks hanging over the club.
The Sanchez saga was shambolic and embarrassing, whilst Ozils contract renewal just beggars belief.
This will never happen again.
Arsenal