Here we are folks, the even of the most exciting season to hit these shores in over a decade. New manager, new philosophy, new players, new thinking and new hope for a fanbase that’s had a bland old ride.
The two opening games are against arguably two of the most exciting managers on the planet. Guardiola is the king, Sarri is a disciple, both are going to play expansive, direct, exhilarating football with players that are levels above ours. Unai Emery has a shite record against Pep, losing 6 and drawing 4 of ten appearances. Sure, he’s not exactly been blessed with the funds or quality the opposing manager has had for those games, but it’s still shabby.
The big question we have ahead of Sunday’s late game is whether he’s had enough time to instil any sort of rigour into the back 5, and the starting 11 overall.
“Defensively: first it is to be organised, recover the ball quickly. But in these two moments in the match we need to work.
“To say it here is easier than doing it on the pitch. We also need time, but now I am happy because I think the players are improving.
“We need two things: quality players, which we have, and then organisation. Together I think we can improve, to win in our way. I repeat: organised, then play.
“When we are thinking in an attacking moment, I want the goalkeeper thinking for that, he is the first.
“The same when we are thinking defensively, I want our strikers to be thinking: ‘We need to protect the goalkeepers.’ I want those two moments to feel the same for all players.
It’s great to hear a manager talk about the defensive as a collective issue, tomorrow will give us an insight into how good Emery thinks we are this season, and how he plans to make up the 10 points or more he’s going to need to to break into the CL. Are we going to be pragmatic tomorrow, accept we can’t play City off the park, and look for an attacking angle, or are we going to go another route?
“Our style with the ball is to be protagonists, to do things with combinations, to control the match with the positioning of the ball,”
“And then when we have the space, to be aggressive going forward.
You can be a protagonist like Wenger, where you go all guns blazing, or you can be a bit more strategic about it and invite pressure to hit with the counter punch. Our core strength in tomorrows game moving forward is going to be speed and finishing. We have enough players in our midfield who can find Aubamayeng if City overextends themselves, the question really though, will be whether we have the discipline and will to keep a rampant team at bay for 90minutes.
Who knows… what we do know if Petr Cech is captain this weekend. Apparently, number 1 is going to be Kos, number 3 Rambo, with Ozil and Xhaka filling the remaining slots. Seems odd that we’d blow so much on a new keeper only to have Cech as a captain.
For me, 5 captains is a bit of a cop-out. It’s confusing, it’s idealistic and it puts us in the same place we were with Wenger. Notable that all of the captains are from the last era. Interesting that you’d sign in Licht and Sokratis as leaders and opt for old guard? I think having lots of captains sounds good on paper, but like anyone who has worked in a flat hierarchy, it’s generall carnage. Humans need a leader. They’re not good at working with 5. Just my opinion, but hey, we’ll see how it pans out.
Right, that’s me done, see you in the comments!
Hello
2nd
3rd
4trophy
5 captains seems to be a strategy to placate the old guard (players) while the new personnel bed in. Rambo (if he signs) should be nominated the captain or in his absence Cech.
Top 10
I think he is playing safety in the status quo
By having captains spread out he will allow papa or lict to naturally develop into a leader.
I agree with Leno being eased in.
The press can kill careers remember fabiinaski called flappy handski in the press
Killed him at arsenal
But he is a good keeper.
Make Leno understand it ease him h8m to be perfect.
Only a few teams in Europe let alone the Prem will be able to outplay this current city team, even at home. I say we go for the counter. Which is why I want the lacauba combo.
Cech to start over Leno first match?
But how? But why?
This was a position that was the most important to get a signing in for.
Wasn’t it Dissenter?
This captain hullabaloo is not even worthy of all the hassle.
Good teams have leaders all over the field.. Every good team should have 4-6 strong personalities playing at any one time.
That’s what Emery is trying to promote. There’s no cop out.
He doesn’t want to grant any player automatic starts hence the multiple figures; everyone earns their place.
Rambo with the trophy!
Lichtsteiner starts ahead of Bellerin
Leno stars ahead of Cech, that’s said the entry of a proper goal keeping coach has definitely benefitted Cech because he looks up for the challenge of pushing Leno all the way.
Ishola
The entry of a proper goal keeping coach has rejuvenated Cech who was dismal last season.
Why do you think clubs are dropping big money on goal keepers?
How long this GK coach been there?
Pedro
“Humans need a leader”
Yes but what if there is no natural leader in the team yet. Wenger didn’t encourage somethings in his era – he was the only music allowed to play. Galas famoulsy wasn’t allowed to let Gail Clichy and all the other babies know what they were.
It’s better to let the true leader emerge organically than to impose one on the group.
We didn’t sign up, the type of player who like to say their piece under Wenger, especially in the last 14 years.
The thing is really players should be picked on form and what Cech showed in that first half against Chelsea looks like it has got him the nod over Leno for the first match because it was more than Leno showed. The next thing will be if Cech shows good to decent form in the first few matches. If he does we could easily see Cech seen as No.1 still which would be hilarious seeing as there were posters that were telling us that GK position was the weakest in the team and the most important to replace and improve… Read more »
Well said diss on captains…
Ishola
Javi Garcia came with Emery. He runs the show now.
He’s assisted by Sal. Bibbo who has been around since 2017 but worked under the “great” Gerry Payton. He gives the British perspective
.
Good balance.
Got a funny feeling we may nick something out of tomorrow.
Stranger things have happened…
A draw on Sunday would be an excellent result for us and not beyond the realms of possibility.
However, that will need 100% concentration for the whole game. It will be down
to how we defend.
Gascoigne looks off his face on Soccer am.
Looking forward to tomorrow. Just want to see us defend diligently, play with a plan and be able to adapt to situations.
I would expect Cech to be buoyed by the competition too and be reinvigorated. If not, Leno is ready to step in.
Call me crazy bu I don’t understand why all this deference to City.
This is a new season and anything can happen tomorrow.
City had a lot of close wins in the first quarter of the season with last minute goals from Sterling. They even drew their first game against a pathetic Everton.
We can beat them tomorrow. Thiis is not the old Arsenal that turns up with the same stale tactics.
Our fans have had bilateral orhidectomies – they’ve been de-balled. They can’t dare to dream anymore.
Dissenter
So the GK coach has hardly been at the club for any time at all.
I take your point that a change of coach can see players invigorated and this straight from the off but I also remember you totally writing Cech off and branding him as the weakest link in the team.
Never agreed with you when there is a certain Swiss knocking about still.
Now let’s see if these new faces invigorate the Swiss man.
@Dissenter
They even drew their first game against a pathetic Everton.
___
No they didn’t. They won away to Brighton 2-0.
We have the highest-paid chairman in the Premier League. Our fans pay some of the highest prices in world football. Our support for our team and our admiration for what has been achieved remains strong. However, we believe fans are entitled to a full and credible explanation of what has happened this summer.”
For once not us, but the spuddies supporters trust.
Starting to question Pinocchio and why they aren’t winning trophies. Lol cracks starting to appear.
Up
That passage there can apply to us for the last few summers! Its almost uncanny.
Ishola
go easy on Dissenter. The GK situation has largely been taken care of and it was really very important. Good coaches are here, added competition is here, Cech is saving penalties and looks a new born.
You said if Xhaka plays in Unai team then he should be sacked or something in that light. Guess one of the 5 captains….oh yea “Xjaka”.
Your Comment Here
Dissenter I am with you that City could be beaten tomorrow. its a new season, new life. new everything. We have the X factor going for us too.
Leftside,
Let’s hope they continue to have as long a dry spell on the trophy front as we did, 10 years and counting!
Hopefully that stadium move will hinder them for a few more years to come.
No I didn’t say he should be sacked for playing Xjaka more probably along the lines that he would be a bit daft to see him as a shoe-in every week as he has been previously. It could lead to him getting sacked though in the future but you would think Unai would cut his losses with him if it got to this stage.
Anyway Dissenter has proclaimed Cech re-born because of the new faces at the club so let’s see if this applies to my fav the Xjaka man as well.
Dissenter
‘ Thiis is not the old Arsenal that turns up with the same stale tactics.’
Well we still don’t know a thing about the ‘new’ Arsenal.
2-2 tomorrow if we set up right. Just please no Xhaka.
City pace will be a massive threat, and as much as I’m hoping Emery can make a silk purse out of a stodgy defence, the last thing we need is Mr concrete boots in the side giving away the ball.
Ishola either ways working out the keeper situation was always more important than Xhaka. Glad it was taken care of, also looking forward to improved performances from Xhaka and the rest of the team.
Your Comment Here
Steve
Correction humbly accepted
My point still stands though.
We should be playing for the win tomorrow. Thats what I’m hoping for.
Maguire is quality on the ball though. Peak level confidence in moving the ball out the back and giving passes. He’s no nonsense in defence too. Won’t last at Leicester.
Mystic
“Go easy on dissenter”
Ishola fights with gel padded gloves.
He’s convinced Xhaka is the number one problem for Arsenal.
I said a goal keeper and a winger supersede all the baggage Xhaka brings.
Cech is looking super sharp.
That can only be from competition and a good goal keeping coach. People forget how bad Gerry Payton was.
“We should be playing for the win tomorrow. Thats what I’m hoping for.”
What changed? Thought it was all doom and gloom with you yesterday
The thing about City is they are extremely well coached, not only did they score more goals than everyone else, I think they conceded the least amountbgoals as well and I think it’s because of there high press game. And must take hours and hours of drills. And I think Emery is looking for us to p,at in similar way but it will take time as I thi k the players are used to playing possession football..
In terms of who will player :
Chek
Licsteiner Mustafi Sokritis ML
Tiera
Ramsey Xhaka
Abemyang Ozil
Lacezzette
mysticleaves
“either ways working out the keeper situation was always more important than Xhaka.”
How can you keep proclaiming this?
Dissenter thinks Cech has been invigorated by new coaching staff and competition.
We do not yet know if the same will apply to Xjaka.
I’m still calling you and Dissenter incorrect for labelling the GK position the weakest link in the team above Xjaka at this point and did do previously as well.
TR7
Actually we see signs of the new change. Emery showed up in person to watch City play Chelsea.. That’s due diligence because he could just have just watched the =video.
How many times did Wenger show up to watch domestic opposition in person?
Emery is known for extensive video reviews of the opposition and distilling individual and team approaches …in video.
The danger of Elmery is the opposite; he may overcoach the players not under manage them like the other guy,
I for one feeling a bit confident. I would actually fear a silva and yaya on pomp compared kdb and sane.
A good fighting performance is what i want from our players. Draw would be good enough.
It’s pretty clear that Wenger never studied his opission, it was go out and express yourselves, but the worst thing about it was we didn’t even play attractive football, it pretty boring in fact. It’s going to be very interesting to see a new style of play and a coach is very flexible and open minded, whomchange formation if it’s not working. Wenger stopped being a coach a long time ago
“Dissenter thinks Cech has been invigorated by new coaching staff and competition.” I think so too. I think the keeper position is the only position in football that can be treated as a stand alone case. If your Gk is bad no amount of organization and pressing and tactics can hide his flaws. And a lot of the flaws could be accumulated due to lack of proper training or lack of talent. All our keepers have had considerable talent lately except maybe Alumnia. Think it was clear that the coaching was the problem. It’s been solve this off season and… Read more »
I agree with Ishola
Xhaka is the weakest link in the team. Rather have El-neny playing tomorrow.
McClintock
O Leary
Adams
Vieira
Four captains that covered over 40 years. Since 2006 we must have had 500 come and go. Fucking joke.
New Arsenal is still the worst. Emery is another cunt.
God! I’m literally choking on my rage.
Boomslang “Xhaka is the weakest link in the team. Rather have El-neny playing tomorrow.” It’s unlikely Xjaka will be dropped from the first match. Most managers go for the established players from the off and Emery unlikely to make such a decision straight away. If he was dropped though from the start would rather see the kid thrown in Guendouzi. He may be alright from the off given that he seems to be on a bit of a buzz since joining the club. Elneny in pre-season has ranged from looking a nothing player to not up to scratch. His first… Read more »
I don’t get it. Why do some people expect every player in the team to be fast. The main focus a player must get is positional discipline and ability to read danger.
How fast was/is Pirlo, Alonso, Busquest? They ain’t fast but they were/are positionally disciplined.
Enough of this fast issue.
Not all of us can board a Ferrari. some will go buy bus but at the end we reach our destinations unscathed!
Guendouzi deserves the start tomorrow. Let’s see if Emery is ballsy enough to do it.
Ishola
Forgot about Guendouzi. The kid looks confident, and he’s had a good pre-season. Already looks a better player than Xjaka.
I expect Xhaka to improve on his position and tackles. But I think the guy made some improvement late on last season. I pray he comes good this season.
Guns, I get your frustration. Be positive for once.
Torreira, Guendouzi, Ramsey as a midfield for me tomorrow
Boomslang
“Forgot about Guendouzi. The kid looks confident, and he’s had a good pre-season. Already looks a better player than Xjaka.”
Well could get away with him straight from the off because he has looked like he is really on a good buzz since joining.
But I think we will see errors from him if he played a prolonged period. Defensive errors.
He has to go through a learning curve.
‘But I think we will see errors from him if he played a prolonged period. Defensive errors.’ This is true. Guendouzi does hold onto the ball for too long sometimes and he was tackled in dangerous areas in pre-season because he was dawdling. That said, Xhaka will commit a lot of errors also, we all know that. Therefore I’d be more willing to go with a faster, younger player who receives the ball and can turn out of pressure before starting a move off. I think he’s already a better passer/dribbler under pressure than Xhaka is which has always been… Read more »
Cech
Lich,papa,mustafi,amn
Torreira, Guendouzi, Ramsey,
Ozil, Laca, Auba.
4222, and force city narrow as much as possible.
Up4…’force city narrow’
Your line up would encourage the opposite. Guardiola likes his wide men to hug the touchline.
Regarding Cech I feel it’s a combination of factors , he has been top class for a number of years and last year was the worst in mistakes made leading to goals. So his ego would have been hurt, he has put in extra effort during the off season and with new people around is hopefully near his best. It’s good for the team.
Bob,
That’s what I think,it will be, not what I want.
I`d prefer 352. And would have had chambers in the back 3 and ozil on the bench.
Everthing else the same.
The decision to loan chambers, keep holding and bring in no one still is one of the craziest decisions especially with koz out till january.
Jack wilshere interview on football focus
“Was ready to sign then Arsene got sacked”
Sacked? Hmmm thought it was mutual consent.
I’d think City doesn’t exactly prefer to play Arsenal in the opening game either. They still remember we had played them off the park, and with a stroke of luck or moments of brilliance, it may happen again!
Duck me that spuds kit is worse than our 3rd kit
3-3 tomorrow.
Go on the Geordie boys.
Lol without wenger jack knew he’d lose protected baby status
Your Comment Here
E54
Everyone who’s anyone knows that Wenger was sacked.
Still sticking to my oredraw prediction for tomorrow.
2-2.
Not great defending in this game. Great crossing though.
Awful defending 3 goals in 17 mins
5-0 city tomorrow.
Scoredraw
GOH
5-0 to City!
Why?
Bellerin didn’t do well in pre season games. I’d rather have the. old fox, hard man Lichsteiner starting. If he really isn’t up for it, put Bellerin on. Reckon it can’t be worse. Also, Lich has a few good passes in him too and showed he’d get out of tight situations. When did Bellerin last do some good work going forward? Is Ramsey really fit? Can’t afford to waste a bench sub after 15 min, which happened before I I recall correctly. Whoever plays rest of MF, no Elneny please. Should have left by now…a nothing player @Afc an PL… Read more »
Michael 24
Why? Because they have a better attack, midfield and defence. They also have the best manager in the world and are the reigning champions.
We are a makeshift outfit with a creaking defense, shit midfield and an untested manager.
GOH
Why so much anger towards Emery?
GOH
How would you feel if Wenger was still at the helm?
M24
It’s not anger. I just feel he wasn’t the right appointment. I think he may be getting set up for a fall.
My concerns are we ultimately are the same shit squad we were, bar a couple of exceptions.
I do not believe we have done enough to warrant us finishing higher than last season. So…why bother?
So no positivity from you then?
M24
That son of a bitch needed to be routed in 2008. Trust me, I do not and did not want him anywhere near arsenal.
if we do lose to city, hope it’s by a respectable margin… can’t see how any team can be prepared to best city. They have the clearest strongest team in the league…
Sorry you feel so down.
You do realise that it’s going to take time to sort things out?
Who would you have chosen as manager?
Guns is there no optimism? I wanted Don Carlo but will see what emery can do. Without Wenger it’s a whole new ball game.
This season certain teams will be set piece masters.
Guns is trolling ya’all
Guns can’t wait for the lads to smash city tomorrow.
I agree with your 2008 assessment. That’s when I started to give up on Wenger.
Were you expecting wholesale changes?
I have a feeling you may be pleasantly surprised by tomorrows outcome.
City will be wary of us and although they are clear favourites for the EPL, I reckon we can run them close in this one.
Have a little faith.
Michael Tuchel or Arteta. I was really excited about Arteta. I know, I know…experience etc but for some reason, he was my man. Up for grabs I do have optimism and I think we are probably a bit better than we were but I 100% think we missed a few key targets and areas we should have strengthened. Why a new contract for Ramsay? Where was the winger? Where is the LB to challenge Monreal? Why a 34 year old Lichtsteiner? A 30 year old, Sokratis? Why has Iwobi got a contract? Why is Elneny, Cambell etc still in the… Read more »
Michael24,
“GOHWhy so much anger towards Emery?”
He was one if the most voiceferous pro-Arteta posters here in June.
He is just mad that baby-Pep didn’t get the nod.
Dissenter
Baby pep. I like it…however most people on here thinks he just puts out cones, right?
I have nothing against Emery. I hope he can pull something out, I really do but honestly, it’s like Stan etc wants this guy to fail.
Yeh, but Arteta is history.
Just rejoice in the fact that there’s no Arsene Wenger overseeing things.
Your lengthy list of concerns will only be relevant once we’ve seen what materializes over these next few months.
Let put it this way – If we manage to draw or win against City with Mustafi,Papa,Bellerin and Xhaka starting ,it will be nothing sort of a miracle. May be we can beat Chelsea but City will be too good for us.
GOH
You have nothing against Emery?
At 11:19 you stated ” Emery is another c##t”
Emery OUT foundations being Rooted in by GOH
For all your concerns, remember one thing.
Wenger has gone.
I repeat, Wenger has gone!
A lot of clubs hired managers this season including Everton. I mean if Arteta isn’t good enough for them who he actually played for longer why should he be good enough for us
Unai Emery has managerial accomplishments that neither Sarri nor Pochettino have yet he is considered inferior to them by some on here
Its almost like facts don’t matter just opinions
Guns you have some valid points, but
I think the board wait and see who we could shift out with the deadwood, and how emery gets on, then in January if we are there or there abouts for top four he gets funds to strengthen again.
First New manager in 22 years, he could be fantastic or he could be awful which is why the board are cautious. The thing in emery favour is, he doesn’t have to win the league he just has to be two places better off than last season, anything else is a bonus this year.