So I had to miss two days of a stag do because of work. I’ve arrived at what I ‘think’ is the destination, but no one is awake. I’ve let myself into a house with no number. So this could be the last you read of me if I’ve made a mistake and I’m camping out in some random MAGA fanatics house in Nevada.
Buuuut, while I’m here, why not pen a post?
Arsenal take on the mighty Chavs who were going to build a new stadium until their owner had his visa revoked. I mean, not that we can brag, our owner is currently prying shares away from Arsenal fans as he prepares to take the club offline as we move into the Silent Arsenal era.
I digress.
Big things to look out for today.
Cech: the manager stated he believes in his number one after a slightly erratic display on the opening day where he was pushed into taking the most touches of any keeper in the league (54 I think). Rumours are buzzing around the web that the club aren’t impressed with Leno, which is quite a sorry situation considering it was very well known he’d had a shite season. Anyway, it’s Pete at #1 again, let’s see how he rolls.
Midfield: Xhaka was pony against City, so were most of the midfield. Will Emery double down on his faith in that 11 or will we see some change? Torreira should come in, but who would move away? Guendouzi who we all forgave for school boy mistakes, or Xhaka who is absolute toilet?
There will also be questions around Ramsey, who was very ineffective outside leading the press. He was yanked on 54, will he get another chance tomorrow? If he does, will the manager rethink the role?
Strikers: Auba has tended to look a touch average against top teams. He’s easily nullified and he doesn’t have much of a hold up game. Will Emery persist with his vision of counter attacking football with one striker leading the line, or will he give us all Lacazette and Auba in an iteration of 4-1–2-1-2? We certainly looked more dangerous with two strikers than we did with one. We also probably look more dangerous with Ozil in at 10.
For me, anything above zero points would be nice. It’s too early in this project to feel hopeful of toppling an excellent Chelsea squad with a very good manager. Our main focus is how we take 24 points from the next 8 games. That’s our build up to a massive against Liverpool in November. By then we’ll have a realistic view of how good or bad our season is going to be.
It’s kind of odd how underwhelmed everyone is so early on in the season. The Wenger hangover is a three day one without doubt. That can either work really well for Emery, because expectations are so low, or it could go badly, because we’ll turn quickly. After reading around the web, it’s pretty clear that the one thing Emery lacks with the fans is an emotional connection. If results go badly, no one is going to fight the managers corner, which is why it’s incredibly important he gets some small wins in early and racks up a run. That might not come today, but it’s going to have to soon because the honeymoon feels like it finished at the airport.
Right, see you in the comments.
Good finish to the half. Chelsea defending like Arsenal being cut open. Defence is still a problem especially with Hazard likely to come on later. My question given how well we’re attacking Chelsea from the wings is why didn’t we actually sign wingers. We’d be flying if we did
You can see the confidence/mentality ebb and flow with the two sides.
Both unsure about their systems defensively, then get a buzz when they crest something.
Chelsea were like peacocks at 2-0 and then we scored. They’re fucking brittle
If you slag our defence, what about Chelski !
We’ve scored and we’ve created loads of chances. Second half should be fun. We’re going to get a cricket score against WHam.
What a game to watch.
Definitely more freedom under Emery. More variety in our play going forward, as well as more purpose.
Still as fragile as fuck, but refreshing to watch.
No surprise Ozil is the only clown not raising his game with the rest of them going forward.
the high line was suicidal.emery wasn’t kidding when he said he preferred to win a game 5-4 rather than 1-0
We were surely the team that deserves to lead. As bad as we looked in the first 15-20 mins, afterwards we just shish kebabed them.
We won’t keep missing chances to be honest
We will beat Chelsea with lots of goals in the second half
Problem is they can bring on Kovacic and Hazard.
We have Ramsey and Lacazette along with Torriera.
Your Comment HereTorry, Gwen and Elaine would be fantastic for the press…
Not even £60m can buy you an easy finish?!
Right now Mkhitaryan looks like the more effective CAM, so make a choice and then play someone wide who will actually track back.
You cannot play both Ozil and Mkhitaryan.
Might be an idea to take Ozil off and put Welbeck on if it stays this way and shift Mkhitaryan to CAM, then bring Torreira on as well.
Crazy speed in our attacks though. How did this happen? We absolutely made fun of them in the last 20 mins. Holy shit!
InsideRight
Yes. Eg 44″ 5 arsenals in/around 18 yard and Ozil dillydally and passed to a Chelski ffs
You just know Giroud is gonna score
Must’ve missed something because that was clearly Iwobi who missed that most recent sitter before half.
David Luiz in a back four. Jesus christ what a disaster.
To think there were quite a few here hoping we would sign him,.
We were too hard on Emery in retrospect
Those defensive errors will be dealt with easily because they are s fundamental.
Gwen is fantastic though, his balls have been perfect and he hasn’t been bad getting back to defend
Let’s not all start waxing lyrical about emery just yet
We have a big 45 coming up with literally the worst arsenal side since Brice Rioch
Please god let’s out these chavs to the sword
Convert me UNAI
Like Marko said, with a proper defensive organisation and a decent winger, we’d be flying !
Criminal !
Yeah, Guendouzi deffo a player. I’m excited that we got someone like him at such a young age. Might shape up to becoming a world class player for us. Would be a sight and a half.
Kepa at 71m couldn’t keep those balls out
It was quite something how the game suddenly turned and Arsenal just looked totally superior.
We cannot give them anything at the start of the second half and we have to be ready for Hazard and Giroud, because they will just look to whip in for a header to goal or a knock down to Hazard, Willian, Barkley etc on the edge of the box, that is where Xhaka will be a problem.
My Guendouzi weighs a ton !
Let’s not all start waxing lyrical about emery just yet
We have a big 45 coming up with literally the worst arsenal side since Brice Rioch
Please god let’s out these chavs to the sword
Convert me UNAI
Agreed!
Mikhi is an absolute gun when it comes to the final pass or shot. Lacking in deeper areas but arguably should be ahead of Ozil on final third efficiency.
If only we were playing the right personnel
Hazard’s gonna rip us to shreds if we keep doing this high-line crap.
“We have a big 45 coming up with literally the worst arsenal side since Brice Rioch”
That’s nonsense along with your Trump babble
Where were you when we had Chamakh leading the line with Almunia in goal.
Yeah, Kepa for so much money should have saved Mikki’s shot and if he does it’s a different game.
We could have been leading by 3 goals though. Electric in attack. We could shred the lower teams to pieces if we attack this well. Can’t remember the last time we had this many chances not for a half but for a whole game vs a top team.
Auaba has been very poor
He blew two sitters
Kante was just ball watching for our 2nd a la our own xhaka.. Lol
‘Must’ve missed something because that was clearly Iwobi who missed that most recent sitter before half.’
Did you miss his goal earlier on?
Thought Emery tactically was gona sort out our defence but we look even worse..
You cannot play both Ozil and Mkhitaryan
This!
Frankly both defence looks inadequate. Who can grab the half chances would kill the game! We missed 2 sure goals and 2 should be. Can this repeat in the 2h. Hope so but doubt it.
Will see Hazard on for Pedro or Jorhinho.
Don’t want Ramsey on the pitch at all.
Ozil and Xhara off. Laxa and Torreira on asap.
Laca grabs chances better I feel.
“You just know Giroud is gonna score”
EFFIN THIS
WE 3 2 DOWN ALREADY HOME BOYS!!!
WE NEED 2 GOALS RITE NOW!!!!
Positive is we’ve created multiple clear cut chances away from home against decent opposition. Probably hasn’t happened since Liverpool away (3-3) in Jan 2016.
Lacazette, Ramsey & Welbeck should be warming up
Auba is just lolz today. He should quickly pick himself up. Thank god we have Laca on the bench.
We are open under Emery but it’s that’s what happens with high risk high reward football.
He backs his teams to land the punch first.
Only ignorant pundits thought he was going to turn us into a George Graham side.
Bring Torr on for Xhaka (if fit enough) was there an injury concern or just fatigue lingering from the Cup? Swap Ramsey for Ozil and slide Mikhi inside, last but not least Lich for Bell.
Looks like Torreira is coming on.
never liked mhiki but he looks like his old self here. like back in the Dortmund days.looking forward to the next 45 mins…
@london gooner
your mad if you think xhaka has been good today. He is bypassed so easily even a ghpst wpuld put up a better fight than him. a bit of dribbling or 1 pass and he is out of the game. torreira and lichsteiner should have started. throw in lacazette aswell instead of ozil!
I feel we’re making the same mistake as Mou when he had Mhki, asking him to track back on the wings. Remove Ozil and put Laca on, Auba on the wing
@Paulinho
TBF klopp, sarri, pep are all similar arent they? Moaureen is the odd one out now.
Dissenter,
I was referring to the people complaining about that missed hit from around the pk spot by Iwobi. Sounded like they were blaming Auba again.
We should keep targeting Alonso. He’s been dire defensively
Jorginho is shit. Yes!! Torreira
Emery’s teams have always been rising from the dead.
I think that Emery is a freaking Vampire. His skin is pale, he’s tall, his hair is just what you’d expect of a Vampire also. His teeth look sharp. Guy is immortal.
Sevilla turned the Europa league final vs Pool on it’s toes, barely surviving in the first half at 1:0 for Liverpool,which could have been 5:0. Second half was a different team and DESTROYED pool to bits. Emery has the wild card in him. Just like when his PSG destroyed Barca and then lost miserably at Nou Camp.
Xhaka hooked off unceremoniously.
I think Unai will probably do like vs Citeh and put on Licht, Torreira and Laca.
Half time sub.. WTF
You cannot play Ozil and Mkhitariyan 100% agree. But add Auba to that and it’s even worse.
Love the half time move by Unai.
Hopefully we see Ozil come off soon too.
We absolutely can not keep playing a high line and play out of the back with our inferior personnel in this department!!! play more safe ffs….direct..hoof it and start pressing!!!
yes…Torreira on the way atleast
Emery is quick to make changes
He’s not taking chances with that yellow card for Xhaka
Yes fuck off xhaka
Come on Arsenal make my day !
torreira coming on.. nice. I think emery thought hazard would start the 2nd half, so he sent him on…
Well looks like Torreira is coming on!
Lool Xhaka
Torry is coming on
Good to see Torreira on and Xhaka going off again. Charlie was saying Emery subbed him off in the last game to save him for the next match
Mikhi should be behind Auba & Ozil to Rw simply because of his goal threat.
Kay – Yep, it’s the way the game is now.
Wenger teams were weak defensively and bottlers going forward.
Btw Guendozi is doing well in
Torreira on for Xhara who can leave for the airport Find a club in Europe and don’t come back.
Xhaka off. Thank fuck. Now perhaps that fucking idiocy about him being a captain can go back down the drain it came from.
Nice proactive changes being made by Emery, we go down to 10 men and it’d have been unforgivable.
Would give Ozil 15 mins before sending Ramsey on, he’s been quiet
Danny
Bro its just my opinion.
Xhaka shit player who I want out of the squad but he has played well.
Hasn’t really been bypassed as Chelsea have carved us from the wing positions. It’s bellerin and Mkhi who have been bypassed tbh.
Torreira on! Thank you Emery.
Lol Raptora great analogy
Win or lose I want to see a dog fight
Auba looks like he’s worked on his upper body a lot
Xhaka has been very bad defensively but let’s hope we don’t miss his sweeping paases to the full backs.
For the last 10 years defence has been nothing more than an afterthought. You can’t change that overnight. Give it time!
Torreira on for xhaka. Nice. Xhaka’s days are numbered.
Torreira has already done more in 2:20 than Xhaka did in 45 mins.
“Charlie was saying Emery subbed him off in the last game to save him for the next match“
I said nothing of the sort you melt. Said he was poor AND on a yellow. Wtf are you talking about?
Pea will score it will happen
This keeps up gonna be heart attack season every game depending on which half which team shows…shit defence..welbeck shots..then brilliance…
We need a 3rd before Hazard comes on.
Auba did well to cross but Ozil and Mikki didn’t sprint into the box for a tap in…Auba waited tbh…
C’mon boys!
Hook ozil, he’s done nothing.
Xhaka goes off and we’re pressing
Is Ozil on the pitch?
Early minutes but midfield look a lot mobile
It’s obvious xhaka and ozil are wrong fits for this system. I think with time, we’ll see them eased out of the starting xi
we look 200% better with Torreira
I’m tempted to say man-mark Hazard.
Ozil is such a Wank. Can we please do away with this loser?
lol..and they almost score!!
Iwobi done more than Ozil…::he’s not good enough. Critics have been right about Ozil
Love Gwen’s motor. Kid is endlessly relentless. Younger Kante in the making.
Missed the first half. So far we’re looking quite good. Very open game though.
So is Ozil undroppable?
He’s once poor once more
Emery’s playing out from the back makes me ill just like Wenger’s tippi tappy.
Sit down Sarri you fascist wankstain.
Sarri is sch a fool…he wanted a penalty there.
Idiota
How many chances has Ozil created…?
Emery, do the right thing, hook Ozil and bring on Lacazette. 4-4-2
Sub Ramsey/Lacazette for Ozil quick
Ronaldo having a bit of a mare on his debut