Emery launches aggressive attack on Arsenal culture

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Monday night football is back and the G to the Nev is out there spraying truth bullets at anyone who will take them. He had a fairly interesting opinion on Emery that kind of backed what I was saying yesterday.

The main arc of his story was that Unai should double down on his system and he shouldn’t cave to the players by adapting to their whims. He focused evidence around his time at Valencia, saying that once he caved to a simpler vision of his philosophy, the players were lost.

I agree with this thinking, and how could you not. What I would say is that management of people is more complex than just telling them it’s your way or the highway. Sometimes it’s important to understand what’s come before and be sensitive to the new environment you’re in before you start dick swinging. Anyone who has taken a senior position at a new company will know that the folk that succeed are the ones that listen, the ones who think they know best straight away usually lose the crowd early doors.

Remember, Emery went hard at the PSG players in his first season and killed their vibe to the point where his expensively assembled mega-squad lost a one-horse race to Monaco. The second season, the players took over and he let them do what they fuck they like (you’ve read the interview). By the end of the year, he was out despite crushing the league.

So, I agree that Emery needs to stick to his guns, he needs to persist with playing out of the back, he needs to enforce strict pressing and he needs to make sure that players are kept in check if they fail to deliver on the job they’re assigned.

What he needs to be careful of is behaviour that can be seen as draconian or unfair and he needs to make sure the players believe he knows what he’s doing. As I mentioned yesterday, the players he’s gunning for are senior figures who have dressing room clout. Xhaka, Ramsey, Ozil have all struggled in the first two games. All have been publicly spanked in some way, it’s telling that John Cross is writing that the other players were shocked the Welshman was dropped, probably because they felt weaker without an engine like that in the side just from a psychological perspective… and look, you know I thought JC’s enabling behaviour in the Wenger era was fucking embarrassing, but if he’s writing stories like that, it’s because he’s getting fed by AR and his extremely arrogant/entitled agent.

Anyway, my point being: when you fuck with the big boys, you have to deliver results the other end. Especially if you’re going to take on 3 of them at the same time (possibly 4 if he drops the appalling Bellerin for West Ham). Now, I’m not saying those players don’t deserve to be subbed or dropped, all I’m saying is Emery needs to pay attention to the bigger picture because Arsenal are desperate for someone who can bring cohesion and belief back. There’s a real danger he fails to prioritize and attacks too many important issues at the same time. He should prioritize. Do the most important structural things first, then when everyone loves you, tackle some of the trickier issues.

That’s exactly what Sarri has done at Chelsea. He’s made training enjoyable again, he’s giving the players a freedom the aggressively disciplined Conte wouldn’t and he’s letting them express his sexy ideas on the pitch. It’s working, his team look far more at ease than Arsenal do and remember, he inherited a total shit show there. Now, don’t get me wrong, they’ll hit trouble at some point because there’s a steep learning curve to Sarri ball. But if the players embrace you as a person and believe in you, it’s easy to work through the tough times. Which is why Emery needs to tread the line of enforcing new principles, whilst also winning hearts and minds.

Ultimately, that’s where it’ll all fall down for Jose this season. His players hate him, his style, and his approach to management. If there were ever a manager who’d struggle without money, it’s that man. Only through the sheer force of their transf budget clout are they able to make 2nd in the league.

United under Poch would be a very big worry, but I’d take it to see Spurs try and replace the Argentine with their restrictions. The thing that saves Mourinho is the power of his personality, he has Ed Woodward under his spell, along with a majority of the press who think the free-spending Portuguese has been dealt a rough hand.

Anyway, enough chatter, I’m being contrarian because that’s what blogs are for. I’m very happy with the fact we’re having conversations that challenge us.

… also, Ivan is off to Milan. What made him move? Equity. The Elliott group are no doubt offering him the chance to grow another football club exponentially and make a fucking fortune. Good luck. Enjoy the fashion, wine, food, women, beers and casual right-wing fanaticism.

ANYWAY, jump knee deep into our exciting podcast where we cover:

  • Chelsea
    • Starting line-up
    • Going a goal down after 20mins
    • Xhaka
    • Positive performances
  • Player troubles brewing
  • The principles of Emery ball
  • West Ham and the next 8 games

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DM

DM

DM

2

TallestTiz

here

DM

Tr4phy

TallestTiz

Damn it DM, aka Pedro

DM

All these guys who think I’m Pedro are gonna get a surprise when pretty soon (just like every year) I’m off here for a few weeks for all the Jewish hols coming up lol… those who been here long enough know the truth

TheLegendaryDB10

Good post Pedders. Unai can’t given in to player pressure otherwise things will turn to being even more shit (if that’s at all possible).

Time will tell.

(On a completely different note the time stamps for the posts are completely wrong Pedders. I don’t know at what time you actually post but it ain’t 9 am sharp. It was 9 am on my phone when it showed 9:03.33 when DM posted 4th. … Or is there something wrong with my phone?).

Guns of Hackney

Oh man…it’s that word cohesion again. Didn’t we just lose the “cohesion master” only a few months ago? I’ve been tough on old Emery and rightly so…I think. But, under my anger towards Arsenal FC (not Emery per se) lies my biggest concern: I’m not sure there is a manager out there who could sort this muck out – and that includes Pep. Look, the Pep man didn’t exactly take over a broken side, did he? He also has virtually unlimited funds to fall back on…couple this with his undeniable ability, City weren’t going to fail. I mean, they spent… Read more »

DM

TheLegendarydB10

It’s not your phone; the site’s time stamp has been a few mins out for months

Pierre

Watching liverpool last night was evidence of how to play 4-3-3.

The front 3 rarely, if ever tracked back.(defended from the front)

The midfield 3 were rarely, if ever in the opposition box from open play… They supported the attacks from midfield so consequently were in control of the game and rarely, if ever were caught out of position.

The full backs were rarely, if ever left exposed due to one of the 3 midfield players shifting across.

We have the players to implement that system, maybe not as well atm, but it can be done..

Ankit_gooner

Football is a game of attackers.Generally the team with the best attackers have the advantage in a game. Emery should identify his best attackers. Auba,ozil and ramsey. Play a system that can maximise their ability.That’s all. Rest can be system specific players. 4231/433 Lack the quick forwards for 433. Lack ball playing GK and defenders for 4231. If he wants to insist on playing out from the back,its obvious our back 5 lacks the passing ability to play out from the back. If he is going to insist on playing that way,its going to cost us many points. Problem is… Read more »

Guns of Hackney

Ankit

GK £70m
CB £75m

Defenders are starting the catch the attackers for price. As it was 20 years ago, a winning team always needs to be built from the back.

City spent £250m on their defence to allow the attackers total freedom.

It’s balance.

Leftsidesanch

DM lol we’re just winding you up

N7

Spot on Pedro. What was it that Nagelsmann said about the job of a head coach being about emotional inteligence first before getting your tactics across.

TheLegendaryDB10

DM

I thought so. … Who knows it will end up showing that it’s tomorrow’s date when it isn’t. Now that would be a bit of a mind fuck and make it a total head scratching moment. *Now I swear I posted this yesterday yet it shows 9:36 and I was in the shower at that time* oO

Pierre

Absolutely. That’s why I am still baffled when I see Bellerin playing corners when he should be with the rest of the back line waiting to soak up any potential counters.

shaun ellis

after reading your post why would you not get rid of Xhaka, Ramsey, Ozil the three of them are rubbish , Ramsey only looks ok when he plays for himself and it looks like ozil is done at the top level as he just gets shut down against the top teams and I mean completely shut down and I have no Idea why any one would offer XHAKA a contract to play professional football it just baffles me

El Gooner

emery is not the manager to take us back to being title contenders. He failed at PSG because he did not have the personality or the pedigree to handle the situation or install his beliefs. Valencia and Sevilla are two typical teams that generally finish 5th of 6th regardless of who is in charge (except a certain G Neville) and their fans are happy to make 4th and win a cup Fundamentally a manager who can help mid table teams overachieve. To put it in premier league terms he would be good for an Everton. We can insist on passing… Read more »

Ishola70

Decent podcast The problems regarding Sokratis and his lack of pace in a high line was acknowledged but skipped over very quickly. Probably a case of not wanting to put the boot in too early against a new player which is understandable. Also honesty about Licht on the podcast which quite a few posters on here don’t seem to want to grasp that being that he has stamina issues now and that is why we won’t see him starting that many matches. The actual words on the podcast were struggling now to get up and down the flank consistently. Everyone… Read more »

Biggles

Ankit_gooner, no, sorry, I think you’re wrong. Arsenal’s most successful years were always with a rock solid defence. Winning the Cup Winner’s Cup was done with Seaman, Dixon, Adams, Bould and Winterburn. The same defence won the double in 1998. And some of them were still there and playing dozens of games winning the double again in 2002. You realise we scored as many goals as the Spuds last season? Except we finished 14 points behind them because they conceded fewer. Liverpool have been scoring loads of goals for a few years now, but since they had a terrible defence… Read more »

Biggles

@El Gooner I hate to actually say it, but Emery helping mid-table teams overachieve is exactly what we need right now. We are mid-table now! He’s also a bit of a Europa League specialist, which we need, because that’s where we are now. If Emery can make us better for a couple of seasons and can help sort the wheat from the chaff with the squad, it might put us in a position where we can mount some kind of proper challenge in two or thee years. It’s going to take a number of transfer windows to get the squad… Read more »

gambon

Guardian headline:

‘Arsene Wenger enjoying life after Arsenal and yet to decide on next move’

Translation: No offers for the old fool.

El Gooner

@Biggles Ha! It did occur to me as I was writing that I was actually describing where we are at the moment! Still think we should go for 4th, Man U are imploding, Spuds are two serious injuries away from struggling and yes Chelsea did us at the weekend but think they will struggle, although it is a shame Hazard is staying. If we get into the cycle of accepting top six and cup run (in other words the last 10 years) I think we will struggle to get out.

Ishola70

We heard for most of last season that Man Utd were “imploding” on here but they still finished many points above Arsenal come the seasons end.

Let’s hope this talk of them imploding again this season turn out to be correct.

Dissenter

Comparing Emery with Sarri is just ludricious to the point of laughter
Sarri is taking over a club that has been drilled by a strict tactician and team that’s won two of the last four league titles. Sarri got the luck of the draw; they played a listless Huddersfield away and barely eked out a victory against us, a game we should have won in the first half

Only time will tell.
Let’s get our easier run of games and see how it goes.

Wallace

he’s had two games, one against the best team in Europe, and one against the other most successful PL side of recent times. those of you getting ready to can him are hilarious. i’ve seen sleep-deprived 3yr olds with more patience & understanding.

Pierre

I thought once kovacic came on chelsea looked a decent side.
They will surprise a few people I reckon.. They played with much more freedom and expression on the ball than Arsenal who, apart from a 15 minute first half spell, looked like we were in straight jackets..

Maybe the players forgot themselves for those 15 minutes and decided to play their natural game.

The half time break soon put a stop to that though didn’t it…. Back into their straight jackets and scared to express themselves.

Biggles

@El Gooner True, United could have a terrible season if the players do to Mourinho what happened to him at Chelsea in his last season, and yes, the Spuds are no stronger than they were with a transfer window that’s not yet shut in Europe. On the other hand, short of dropping £500m on replacing everybody apart from Auba, I don’t think we could really be fighting at the top this season. I don’t mean that in the I’m-happy-to-settle-for-being-Everton way, just realistic. We do need several transfer windows for Emery to go “good guy, good guy, wank, good guy, wank,… Read more »

raptora

Pierre negligent as always.

Emery’s sides are the perfect argument against what you are saying. Both Sevilla and PSG have been teams that defend well but are mostly an offensive side. Periods of time when they demolish their opponents, just how we almost did vs Chelsea. That’s his signature. His teams are emotional, attacking and good on the ball. His players have more than enough freedom to express themselves.

So cut the agenda down. Thank you.

Biggles

@Wallace

I must have missed us playing Real Madrid. What was the score?

Pierre

Goh
“What I’m saying is, I genuinely feel for Emery”

Me too.. He doesn’t exactly exude confidence from the touch line does he.

Most of the time the expression on his face looks like he has just had a message telling him his best mate is shagging his wife.

GOONER 4 EVER

Pedro,ONE SIMPLE QUESTION.Why are We keeping Ramsey and Xhaka?We shall get rid of Xhaka rightaway,and if the BIG HEADED RAMSEY DID NOT SIGN A New Contract We should BENCH HIM FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON.,

Paul Mc Daid

Wenger really left us in a hole with inflated contracts and bang average players, Will take years to get rid of his stench .

raptora

Wallace, Speak some words to Pierre, your friend. He is the biggest Emery offender up to date. Hilarious as he was the biggest Wenger defender and lambasted anyone who would speak a word against his god. As for me – I have all the time in the world for Emery. I hope he does great and I think he will do decent. I’m going to say when he fucks something up, but he has the excuse to make a mistake – new league, new language, a team in pretty bad state… It will need some learning curve. Our team is… Read more »

Pierre

Raptora
I was as disappointed ted as anyone that we didn’t come out with the same attitude in the 2nd half after that excellent 15 minutes in the first.

As the 2nd half progressed I became more and more deflated at our inability to get on the ball..was it the players fault or was it Emery’s tactics.
To me, chelsea looked in control for the whole of the second half.

Dissenter

Pierre Put Wenger ahead of Arsenal, we all saw that.
He’s just taking his grief out on the new man.
What was that stupid joke about wife shagging?
At least Emery is not sitting on his ass twiddling with a long coat or attacking the fourth official while his team is do8ng poorly.

Dissenter

“On the other hand, short of dropping £500m on replacing everybody apart from Auba”

If you’re going to do something so draconian, why leave out Auba?
He’s cost us three points already with his missing if guild edged chances.
The only thing he’s supposed to do excellently is be an excellent poacher and he failed to do that on Saturday.

gonsterous

actually I don’t see any manager helping us win a title. But we can be hopeful. We don’t have the financial backing to win a league, may be if we managed to get some very good youngsters, or reach the CL semis a couple times or come 2nd a couple times in the league, we could generate revenue to push for the title. Long way to go really. So all those optimistic that we are going to win a title with another manager are in for a real shock…

DD Gooner

In Emery’s first season he came up against a great Monaco team. These things happen look at Leicester two years ago

Dissenter

Gazidis has always been a snake oil salesman. I’m not surprised at all now that he’s bolting the first chance he gets
He hid behind Wenger for so long and knows the spotlight is now on him.

I expect him to try and entice some of the new arrivals in the back room to leave with him. The lure of Milan is great.

Atid

Fact is the back 4 is too slow to play the high line. If we had bellerin chambers koscielny and kolasinac it would be quicker, but 2 are injured, one has been pushed out on loan and the youngest and quickest is poor at his defensive duties, whilst rarely adds anything to the attack. The club went out and signed a 30 year old centre back who is over than the other 3 we had and a 34 year old right back. They then signed a 20m keeper who the manager didn’t really want and two kids for £34m, which… Read more »

Guns of Hackney

Pierre Perhaps Emery is getting used to the library we play in…but yes, he looks like he’s just realised that the club is in total disarray. I’ve been harsh on Emery and taken some real abuse for it, but I’m of the opinion that if you’re getting £6m to pick a team, you’ve put yourself up for critique. It’s amazing that Emery can keep making mistakes for ????…Well I don’t know what the arbitrary time period anyone has set for him is. Can you imagine a surgeon losing patient after patient and people saying “oh he/she needs time”. Emery is… Read more »

Rocky7

Ozil is only any good as a substitute nowadays . Had he been coming on to replace Ramsey at the weekend , we may of already been a couple of goals up ( as much as I don’t rate Ramsey , as Sean said earlier he only any good when playing for himself ) AR woulda most likely grabbed a goal when we really needed one in the first half when the ball was being pulled back into the box… back to Ozil . A fresh Ozil can be an impact player especially against tired legs . That’s my opinion… Read more »

Champagne charlie

Raptora

You’re spot on about Sterling, I’d say him and Zaha are at the same level albeit Raheem has youth and proven performances for a top side. Totally forgot about him, fucking City with 3 players that feature among the very best in the league…typical

Guns of Hackney

Dissenter

Is that you giving one of our players the business?

Jeez, when I do it I have the internet coming down on me.

DM

————————————-Leno————————————– ————–Sokratis——————————-Mustafi————— ———————————–Torreira———————————— ———————————————————————————– Bellerin———— Guendouzi———————————Monreal ———————————————-Ramsey————————– ———————————————————————————– ———————————–Mkhitaryan——————————– ———————Lacazette————–Aubameyang—————– Not sure how well this will come out on here (they never show up very well), but here’s my experimental formation, with Torreira sitting a tiny bit in front of the back 2, to form an almost-back 3. Guendouzi sitting deep, with Ramsey slightly ahead in the box-to-box role. Mkhitaryan given the opportunity to play the Özil role properly for a change (worth a try), and Laca and Auba both on together. I realise we lack a little width and we’re relying heavily on Bellerin and Monreal to constantly push… Read more »

Dissenter

I wonder what the effect is having a new CEO , new DoF, new chief scout, new manager and 100% Kroenke ownership will be?
All this in the middle of a very delicate transition.

For the first time,I’m really worried about the state of Arsenal FC. There are too many deadly blows at the same moment.

Guns of Hackney

Dissenter

Welcome to the bleak world of Guns of Hackney. In my world, Hitler is the light entertainment.

Trust me…it’s a void in here.

Dissenter

Guns of H
I want given Auba the business
I was merely replying the silly notion that a total, overhaul will be necessary except for Auba.
My point is why don’t you sweep him up in the Alice-in-Wonderland fantasy as well since he’s not infallible himself. He’s missing tap-in that my nanny would have buried.

Cesc Appeal

It is true that Sarri walked into a bit of a mess, but not really, this is a team who won the league the season before last and then finished 5th last year. He has players like Kante, Hazard, Willian, Fabregas, a good defence and was able to bring in a player like Jorginho. A team full of talent that is worth a fortune. I don’t really think it is comparable to what Emery has walked into. A team that finished 6th last year having finished 5th the year before and a side that has been slowly deteriorating for years.… Read more »

Dissenter

Guns of H
Nope
I’m not in your world
I’m on mount Olympus dining with Zeus and you’re slumming it with Sisyphus , condemned to a life of Arsenal moaning and misery.

Guns of Hackney

Dissenter

You’re preaching to the choir. PEA is shit.

Guns of Hackney

There are plenty of jerks on here coming around.

I quote “For the first time,I’m really worried about the state of Arsenal FC. There are too many deadly blows at the same moment“

Bleak, I’d say ha ha.

Don’t worry Dissenter…let the darkness sweep over you.

Pierre

Atid
“Fact is the back 4 is too slow to play the high line”

So why play the high line… There is only one person who makes that decision

Dissenter

Guns of H
Seems you’re trying to take me down with you.
It’s not going. to happen mate.

I’m in top of the world and I’m not going down with ya to your dark miserable place
https://youtu.be/w5tWYmIOWGk

Dissenter

We have a good run of games against teams that are beatable
I’ve alaways thought the first half of the season ought to be that we are better than every one not in the top SIX.
The second half of the season will be to start getting points off teams that finished above us last season. and keep beating everyone else.

Guns of Hackney

Dissenter

Too cheery.

The Smiths and Joy Division. Ah…the sweet sound of misery.

So, if we fail to beat West Ham…then what?

Bamford10

Pierre

Good post re the right approach to 4-3-3, except for the bit where you say we have the players for that system. We really don’t, because we don’t have three good strikers. We have two good strikers and are better-suited for a 4-4-2.

Also, someone yesterday said they could only think of two teams who deployed 4-4-2 successfully last season. They forgot to mention that both Madrid and Barcelona deployed 4-4-2 diamonds much of the year.

Biggles

@ Dissenter You’re kind of taking me out of context. My point was that if you took the squad as it stood at the end of last season, of our starting 11, 10 of them were nowhere near good enough to challenge City for the title. The only exception I gave was to Auba, on the basis that he scored 10 goals in 13 league games last season. If Emery had come in and dropped £500m replacing each of the other 10 with £50m players, you’d probably have been able to sign enough quality to challenge City. Not feasible in… Read more »

Marc

Whilst I mostly agree with what Pedro has to say one thing I would pick up on is re Ramsey. He now has less than a year left on his contract he’s in no position to take any sort of moral high ground.

Bamford10

Emery should adopt an approach that suits the players he currently has. Pressing and a high line does not suit the current bunch, especially if Sokratis, Xhaka or Ozil are in the XI. This is also true if he isn’t confident in Leno, as Cech is not a “keeper/sweeper”.

Until we have the right personnel, we should probably sit deeper and counter. Nothing wrong with this approach and it actually allows players to expend less energy when not in possession, an approach that would suit a number of our players.

gonsterous

yes I agree why play the high line Pierre
emery wants to press high and the whole team has to push high but why against man city and chelsea. 2 teams that have to be contained not pressed. But as I said the weaker teams will be blown away if the players play like they Did for that brief 15 mins against chelksi

Zaco

To Pedro and those that keep telling us that Emery failed at PSG could you please tell us what your really mean by failure, is it by winning everything apart from champions league just like Pep, mourinho and every other manger in Europe apart from zidane, or by not winning the domestic league is the first season like like pep at city, mourinho at UTD, klopp? You can criticize Emery for all I care but he was Huge success at PSG.

Guns of Hackney

So, how long does Emery get?

As Peter said, the new manager good feeling won’t last long.

Lose to the Hammers? Emery out?

Or will the flacid arsenal fans sit back and embrace Wenger no.2 for four years?

Guns of Hackney

Zaco

Fat Sam would have won the league with PSG.

There’s your answer.

Crusaderrabbit

DM – in regards to your formation I think this has a lot of potential. Something like this is closer to Emery’s Seville setups, rather than PSG, which I think is what we should be aiming for. You would need both AR and MG to pull wide to fill in for the attacking fullbacks something I think they would be capable of. My alternative would be something like this (so forgoing a second striker for an inside forward basically). Its more solid defensively but would be more approriate against big six teams and help build from the back (apologies if… Read more »

tayo

Pedro’s post is proof we don’t want to move forward. Who are these figures you’re talking about? Players who haven’t taken us to the next level. Go and find out how Pep made his name in Barca. He moved the ronaldinho, eto and the big boys ON. Same thing Pep did at city , sold some bunch off…City is on fire atm. This arsenal squad lacks quality, the likes of Ramsey , Ozil, Bellerin, Mostafi, Elneny, Kolscieny, Xhaka should be moved on gradually. This is no sentiments birthday party. All the big boys we sold, how did most of them… Read more »

Cesc Appeal

We’ve got a run of games now where Emery should be able to really get his ideas across because we are not playing superior opposition.

It has been a frustrating fortnight because we’ve played teams that are a lot better than us, both losses have to have a caveat that Emery has taken over an appalling situation at Arsenal and played one of the best teams going right now in City and then a very good Chelsea side who were champions twice in the last 4 years.

It is hard for Arsenal fans because our season really starts on Saturday.

Zaco

GOH, That I sent not true, don’t forget the Monaco team had players who sold for over 100m pounds (mbape) and more than 5 others who sold for between 45m to 70m so it was not as if the rest of the league1 was full of average players, don’t also forget that it was the same Monaco side that sent Pec and city out of CL on their way to the semi final stage, so if you think f-SAM could have done better than a team that went all the way to the last four of CL then I must… Read more »

Crusaderrabbit

The other thing I should add, is if you go back through Emery’s past teams/formations and playing styles (and ignore last years PSG because they were on another planet to everyone else in their league and to our current setup) – I cannot see any place in those teams for a Xhaka type player, or an Ozil for that matter. Ramsey could be a fit in those past set ups, but not ideal and given his contract situation Emery may also see a better long term option for how he wants to play.

DM

Crusaderrabbit

Yep, I see what you’re going for. My main thing was to try to get laca and auba on at the same time to see how that works out, and also to drop Torreira VERY deep so that he’s basically a 3rd CB, but offers more of an outlet than a traditional one. I really can’t stand Iwobi, though I must admit that (based on highlights only) he seemed to have a good game against Chelsea. But it’ll take a hell of a lot more of those to convince me on him.

Bamford10

Crusader

That selection favors putting Iwobi or Welbeck in the XI ahead of Lacazette. I don’t think that makes sense. Lacazette is a more effective attacking player than either of those, and I don’t know that it makes sense to leave 50m on the bench – not given our dearth of attacking talent.

If we go with three attacking players, then I think those three should be either (i) Mkhi, Laca and Auba or (ii) Welbz, Laca and Auba.

Otherwise I think we should switch to 4-4-2.

Biggles

@ Cesc Appeal

Whilst I think on paper we should beat West Ham on Saturday, it is still August. So it’s basically just a pre-season friendly.

Terraloon

But as I said the weaker teams will be blown away if the players play like they Did for that brief 15 mins against chelksi Therin lies a major issue and indeed concern First off teams like say Burnley won’t allow their fullbacks to remain so high up the pitch they will see their priority as defending and will retain a far more rigid shape both at the back and in midfield Second when Chelsea scored their second Arsenal as a team were pressing forward and a simple clearance ball into the space behind the advanced Arsenal back four created… Read more »

raptora

The Monaco team was a special one. You wouldn’t be embarrassed losing the title to this team because they just happened to have a monster of a team, full of extremely talented players at the same time. You see what Mendy is doing at City with 4 assists in 2 games. Bernardo Silva as well. Mbappe lead France to winning the WC. Lemar got a super transfer to Atleti. Fabinho and Bakayoko moved to Chelsea and Liverpool. Falcao one of the best goalscorers in the last 10 years. They proved they were a team to be reckoned with by reaching… Read more »

Crusaderrabbit

DM. Agree – in my formation the weak areas are the inside forwards (compared to say Lpools , Chelseas, and Man City’s options there) and would need a good upgrade in personel. I would just worry about having two forwards and being too isolated up front against bigger/better teams. Think both would be solid options and akin to Emery’s past set ups. Whatever formation I comtemplate tho – even a more traditional 4-4-2, or a 3-5-2 – Ozil and Xhaka just seem like square pegs in a round hole

Crusaderrabbit

Bamford – in terms of personnel and attacking quality I completely agree. However my concern would be the pressing abilities of those three – whilst Welbeck and Iwobi are much more limited players, they probably offer more pressing/defensive discipline. I would cut my cloth accordingly and play it safer against big teams with mine and go for either your or DMs suggestion the rest of the time.

Pierre

Bamford
” – not given our dearth of attacking talent”

Aubamayang, lacazette, mhkitarayan, ozil plus welbeck, iwobi, nketiah and nelson isn’t exactly a dearth is it.

That dearth were 3rd highest league scorers last season and managed something like 120 goals last season or thereabouts

Pierre

May as well put ramsey to that list as he spends half his time in the box

Guns of Hackney

Most of you know I was a voracious Wenger out for years but…

…is this team worse than the one Wenger left? And…

…would Wenger’s team performed as badly against city?

Marko

Completely agree with Neville how will you know if the likes of Ozil and Xhaka and Ramsey and Mustafi and Bellerin can adapt to your style unless you try it and then if it doesn’t work you don’t go back to something that they’re used to that let’s be honest failed. Emery needs to keep doing what he’s doing and if certain players can’t adapt and change then they’ll be gone in the next transfer window or next summer. They change for the manager not the manager to them

Leftsidesanch

Tayo, abit strong to say a man who has been a fixture in a team that won 20 honours during his time there knows nothing about ‘soccer’.

We call it football round here too.

Zaco

Raptora

That’s exactly my point, saying he was a failure based on not winning the league to that Monaco side in his FIRST season is being unfair to Emery

Marko

…is this team worse than the one Wenger left? And……would Wenger’s team performed as badly against city?

No and yes.

Leftsidesanch

GOH

No
Yes

Guns of Hackney

Marko agrees Wenger shouldn’t have been sacked.

“Give Arsene another 5 years”

There you have it.

Wenger back in.

Marko

In saying that I can see Emery adopting a certain different approach going forward in the big games away from home. It’s unfortunate that our first games were against who they were he’ll probably know better now going forward say away from home against Spurs to do something different. I’m basing this purely on the slight improvement from game one to game two.

Guns of Hackney

So does Leftside

Wenger in!

The messiah will rise again.

Marko

This team isn’t as bad as the one Wenger left and are we forgetting Wenger’s recent results against City? Good riddance and should be barred from the Emirates

loyika

Funny how we all say Fans will be patient? What/which fans? Those of us that type on blogs or the “Paying Punters” that go to the matches? Seems we are taking the behaviour of the Stadia going fans for granted. My belief is the sooner we start winning games the better for Emery to catch a break. Losses or draws in the next 5-6 games and we will see if this so called “Patience” lasts. Only thing anyone can guarranttee in life is their own individual behaviour, one cannot say how others will behave. Same way no one could predict… Read more »

Marko

I would also consider Marchisio. He can’t be that broken if Monaco and Everton are interested in signing him. And god knows he’d be a better option than a certain Swiss midfielder currently in our team

Marko

We’ll beat West Ham on Saturday. No doubt

Guns of Hackney

“Same way no one could predict Ivan G would walk at this transitional moment at the club“

£3,600,000 per annum.

Predicting shit is easy when cash money is on the table. 99% of the time, the biggest number wins.

HighburyLegend

“and casual right-wing fanaticism.”

Any Italian from Milan on Le Grove ??
lol

Terraloon

Marko. Neville talks very much through his Man Utd eyes. It’s all well and good suggestions that you just move players on but to do that comes with a cost Arsenal as we know can’t operate in the same way as Utd, City,& Chelsea do and take a significant financial hit when moving a player on. Ramsey doesn’t appear to be any closer to signing a new deal so could well leave sooner or later but shifting Ozil and Mustafi whose contracts run for the best part another 3 years, Bellerin 4 years and Xhaka 5 years is highly unlikely… Read more »

HighburyLegend

“The messiah will rise again.”

He’s a f*cking vampire, so I have no doubt he will be back to haunt us someday.

loyika

As for how Emery did at PSG? I believe if you asked the owners and most PSG supporters I presume they won’t consider his tenure as being successful.

Probably Karim can give us more insights on how he was percieved.

Having said that, there is no shame in that, as teams like PSG, Citeh, Chelsea and co with their driven owners set a high bench mark for what they consider success.

Guns of Hackney

Remember when Gazidis once said we’d be as big as Bayern Munich?

How long have Arsenal been bantering the fans?

Bamford10

Pierre

Iwobi is an attacking talent? Ozil is an attacking talent? Please. He’s a shade of his 2010 self, and even then he didn’t have a shot. And Nketiah, whom I like, is still a child.

My point is we don’t have a third genuine striker, which is what you need if you’re going to play 4-3-3.

As I’ve said, if he’s going to stick with 4-3-3, then he should play Mkhi or Welbeck wide right. But the notion that we have a front three comparable to Liverpool’s is ridiculous.

Guns of Hackney

HL

For the record, that was a wind up!

…guaranteed some arsehole on here calls me out on that statement as fact.

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