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
SPOTIFY | STITCHER | ITUNES | GOOGLE | POCKET CASTS
Pedro Post have been full of vim, lately. I’m not even made with you, either. Testing times for Emery; he’s got his work cut out, but he has a structure around him that he should look to. However, I’m not sure Saari is a fair baseline to use when discussing the challenge ahead for Emery. It’s not even nuanced, ffs. They’re literally polar opposites. – Saari has money and very good player. — Saari simply needs to help Morata find his feet. And work on establishing how a back 4 defends as opposed to 3 at the back that Conte… Read more »
Terraloon
“if you have a target of CL football you can’t realistically lose more than 7-10 games”
Since the standard became 75-76 points to finish in the top 4, the teams finishing in these spots lose 6-7 games max. You cant realistically lose 9 or 10 with the level of competition now.
We’ve already lost 2, so to compete for 4th we can lose a maximum of 4 or 5 PL games out of the remaining 36.
Hackney
In 2014, Bayern’s average salary was $7.7m and their total payroll was $192m. Arsenal’s average salary was $7m and their total payroll was $174m.
Don’t know what it looks like today, but we’re not that far off in the above.
(Apologies for the dollar amounts.)
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.
I mean 4 domestic trophies out of 4 he literally can’t do any better than that. You’re kind of suggesting that the only way someone can be successful at PSG is the champions league and that’s it.
Bamford
Shambolic, wouldn’t you agree?
If you widen the period he’s won 7 out of 8 domestic trophies with PSG.
Marko
The thing is mate, when you are talking about the super clubs, they have to be judged differently than the rest.
Real, Bayern, Barca, PSG, City, Juventus…all win their respective leagues easily. They also do the cups on a fairly regular basis. That’s a given.
However, when you are the billion pound clubs who are dropping £200m players and £300m wage bills, one comes to expect more…and that HAS to be the CL.
If PSG we’re happy with domestic domination, Emery would still have a job. They wanted to give Tuchel a crack.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/amp/football/top-clubs-with-the-highest-wage-bills-in-europe/4
According to this there’s only about 5 million in the difference between us and Bayern but it hasn’t taken into account this summer
The Champions League is it, I’m afraid.
This is where the superclubs do business.
Domestic leagues will cease to exist soon.
Again Hackney you’re saying the only way one will be successful at PSG is if they win the champions league otherwise they’re unsuccessful. Seems a bit ridiculous. Emery was successful at PSG. I mean Pep hasn’t come close to the champions league at City and he’s having a pretty successful time there
Thanks again Chas
Just a bleeding obvious thought here, but if Emery was planning to play the high line presser then why did he sign Sokratis who may be slower than me?
Hey wrong site. Howdee old hands
Delighted to see Emery move against Wenger’s underperforming untouchables after one game. Bellerin next? Yes please. Reckon we should give West Ham a spanking too, our attack are flat track bullies and they have been woeful so far.
What are the odds on Jack getting a red card?
Marko
No. I’m not saying he was unsuccessful, I’m saying that the superclubs are judged differently.
Celtic always win their league and the cups…so what?
City have the best manager in the world so I guess they can’t improve on Pep…but they obviously want the CL. City will continue trying to get the best players in the world to achieve that. PSG already has some of the best players in the world so they thought Tuchel would be a better bet than Emery.
Micky
“Just a bleeding obvious thought here, but if Emery was planning to play the high line presser then why did he sign Sokratis who may be slower than me?”
Sokratis will have been a Sven signing.
but yeah, we are having a baffling time of it at CB at the minute. strange decisions all over the place.
I’m rather a Sven out person than Emery out. Mikki and Sokratis are far from top notch and they are his signing for sure.
Ha ha. Sven out!!!
Sack the scout. Only at Arsenal.
Our club is absolutely broken.
We’re gonna need more than super glue, for sure…
Arsenal are making Peter Ridsdale look shrewd.
I guess we just have to sit back and watch the show.
Sokratis to Arsenal is Sven doing his former employer a favour. That said he hasn’t been the worst of our defenders.
Neville might be one of the better pundits, still doesn’t mean he isn’t mostly hot air and bluster. He is certainly more quoted than he deserves.
GoH,
If the players he recommends are mostly sh*t would mean that he is doing a bad job so why not ask for his head?! Sounds reasonable to me.
CA
Our season doesn’t start on Saturday. The defending had shocking moments in the first half, and we missed a few absolute sitters. Still put ourselves in a good position to get a point but Bellerin bombed forward, didn’t have the energy to track back, Laca turned it over and then showed some schoolboy defending, and we lost it late.
To not even get a point out of that game was massively dissappinting, and I think we absolutely get a point with Licht playing instead of Bellerin.
“We’ve already lost 2, so to compete for 4th we can lose a maximum of 4 or 5 PL games out of the remaining 36.”
Yes, but people are ignoring the difficulty of the matches we have played.
Our 2 games are in the 6 most difficult games we will play this season. I would be willing to bet that we arent the only top 6 team that loses these 2 games this season.
Raptora
Listen, I’m with heads rolling. It’s just funny that we are disintegrating as a club.
Sack the manager.
Sack the board.
Sack the scout.
Sack the grounds man.
Heads have to roll.
Ahhh, listening to the podcast and Matt and Pete are all on the “season starts now” nonsense.
“In 2014, Bayern’s average salary was $7.7m and their total payroll was $192m. Arsenal’s average salary was $7m and their total payroll was $174m.”
Caveat to that is Bayern has a complete monopoly over their league, that’s it’s not even funny.
I mean, I near past it Schweinsteiger left Bayern to join Utd and doubled his wages. Tells you all you need to know.
Let’s say they’re paying Goretzka e70k p/w, he’ll leave an get double that at any of the EPL’s top 6
I’m on board of the “god bless Emery played all of the stars/starters to show them and everyone how bad they are so that he holds all the cards when picking the team from now on”. I’m on board of the “the two losses could have the same effect as it had on Chelsea after they lost 3:0 to us”. I’m on board of the “short term pain, long term gain” re the two first games. We’ll see how it goes but I think that Emery is a smart bloke who will fix our mess. By radical moves. But not… Read more »
The Sokratis deal needs to be investigated by the FCA and the Ombudsman.
Such an odd signing, that one.
I actually see the difference in revenue of getting knocked out of CL in the round of 16 and being runners up or winning the EL at about £10M pounds. It’s no some huge windfall we’re missing out on… Yea there is the CL to entice top quality players but the revenue windfall argument falls short for me… I’d rather win Europa League and finish 6th or 7th in the league than finish 4th and not win the EL. I hope and believe Emery will prioritize the EL, especially as I see us being a bit off the top 4… Read more »
We ain’t winning the Europa league.
Top four is impossible.
Top six/seven is probably our limit this season.
Try and sell the dross either in jan or next year and go for a total rebuild. Perhaps a couple of pricy buys, a couple of dead beat loans and anything we can find in the dump.
So, how long does Emery get?
lol the akbs squirming already, relax, it’s been 2 games, 6 weeks. It’s like the akbs have one hand on the lever, ready to pull it at any sec, when they gave the dark Lord 14 years…
I think Emery has won more Europa leagues than any other manager currently. I’d be surprised if it wasn’t part of the thinking process in hiring him. It’s our best chance of getting into the champions league. The sort of rebuilding I keep reading about is simply not going to happen.
We are the Sevilla of the premier league, best to get Monchi in and get rid of Ivan.
Gons
That’s out of context. The question of how long Emery gets was a response to “he needs time”.
We obviously aren’t giving Emery 14 years.
His deal is four years…I wonder if he’ll see it through or go after say, two seasons.
His deal is four years…I wonder if he’ll see it through or go after say, two seasons
Why is he going after two seasons?
Marko
Two seasons is probably long enough to see if he has what it takes to make Arsenal competitive, wouldn’t you say?
One would like to think that he could implement his plans and ideas fully by then, no?
If not, we need to act like a big boy team and say goodbye and move into the next one. It works for everyone else.
I think we’ll drop points in more games than I’d like to admit, because we are far too easy to score against. So teams can shut up shop, maybe we still score one, but too often we’ll be conceding.
EL all the way, the league this first year is about gettin the boys ready for that competition, Emery learning/experimenting with the squad and the players learning Emery’s style.
I also would like to see Bamford’s 4-4-2
I see that Lyon have signed Jason Denayer from Manchester City for about €10m.
He formed a fantastic partnership with Van Dijk when they played together at Celtic. I suspect he’ll move on from Lyon in a season or two for a lot more than they signed him for. Would definitely have taken a punt at that price.
Gons
I think Emery needs 3 transfer windows, at the very least.
2019 December/Jan. There has to be clear evidence of on-field improvement.
If it’s all looking LVG from afar then he’d have to get bombed off
I’m shocked there wasn’t a younger, cheaper and faster defender than Sokratis in world football?
There is the championship, right? And Scotland? Surely there has to be some bargains around.
Why loan chambers?
Is holding that bad?
Leno?
Damn, I could go to the park now and find a few dudes with more positional sense than Bellerin and Mustafi.
We are totally not Sevilla of the EPL.
Atleti of yesteryear more like.
Total number of EPL and FA trophies put us at Number 2 in the history of the league.
We belong to the very top.
And we will go there.
Not a Sevilla with 1 La liga in their history.
I get the comparison but we should be a top side if we put all things in consideration.
Sevilla shouldn’t.
Guns of H
“I’m shocked there wasn’t a younger, cheaper and faster defender than Sokratis in world football?”
I moaned about this when he was being signed…got shouted down.
What’s done is done though. Mislintat tends to go back to Dortmund way too much.
According to Forbes, we’re the sixth richest club in the world.
Third behind City and United and ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea and miles ahead of Spurs.
…and we only managed sixth in our own league?
Our value – spend – to success ratio is pathetic.
As many have inferred, Wenger was a terrible manager in the end but he was symptomatic of a fat larger problem affecting Arsenal.
I don’t really see anyone at Arsenal wanting to step in and actually making a difference.
4 year deal ? why would he leave after 2 seasons ? unless he gets sacked. But if the board has set up certain expectations, and he delivers them, why would he get sacked ? And no, there is no crazy expectation of “go undefeated for a season” or “win the league in the first season”…
We would have been better signing Socrates and they have been dead for 7 years or 2500 years. Depending on what one you fancy.
What’s happened to Mavromanous?
For what it is worth, I think Atid’s comments are spot on: We do not have the right defensive players (of quality and SPEED) to play out from the back and hold a very high line that Emery (as well as Pep by the way) seem to advocate. That system may well be more effective (and we might slaughter more direct and traditional approach). With a high line with central defender Mustafi & Sokratis both very slow ( for different reasons) is like commuting suicide. Absolute madness to me. For as long as we do that we will loose the… Read more »
£10m for Denayer. Fucking hell.
“when they gave the dark Lord 14 years…”
lol speaking about him that way, it’s was clearly obvious he looked like – and still looks like – Darth Sidious.
https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/latest-arsenal-news-lucas-torreira-15054135
B-b-but Xhaka…
“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”
Thank god, in that case, they still can count on Ozil!!
CC
Thanks for the link and having not watched the game live, it’s interesting to see Carcedo dish out (positive) criticism to Torreria.
However, I’m not sure what your angles is…
CC
Torriera is new to England. He is used to having more time in Serie A so it’s not surprising he made that error.
What excuse does Xhaka have since he’s in his 3rd season?
Carts Simply that some folk would do well to broaden their scope and not take lazy positions just because it suits. If Xhaka is “trash” because his errors lead to goals, then Guendouzi vs City and Torreira vs Chelsea ought to receive the same scrutiny. It’s a new slate for all under Emery, and the players should be judged exactly as such instead of this monotonous hounding of the same select few. Gary Neville was spot on last night, this season Emery will learn who can and can’t perform in his system. Prior to this summer doesn’t exist in his… Read more »
Dissenter
That’s a crock, I’m not concerned about him being caught in possession early days because he’s used to a slower Serie A. He didn’t track Alonso and we conceded, that’s the same whatever league you play in world wide. It’s poor, it has massive consequences.
Carts
Yea…..the above is my angle
Carts
There is only ever one agenda from Cheerleader Charlie,
Defend Xhaka at all costs.
These guys arent even Arsenal fans anymore, its gone way beyond that. They get attached to a few individuals within the team, and they are the only people they care about.
Its funny that pretty much every AKB also refuses to see any fault in Xhaka & Ozil isnt it.
@gambon
One day I fully expect Xhaka to score a 35 yard screamer then pull up his shirt to reveal a t-shirt that says “I AM CHARLIE”
Gambon
Where’s the defence of Xhaka? I said he was shit against City, same as Guendouzi…but others like you jumped in and said Guendouzi was mint for “trying” despite making errors leading to goals.
It’s nothing to do with Xhaka as I’ve already explained to you. It’d be no different if the whipping boy was Elneny, Lacazette, Mustafi etc. Just impressive how Xhaka can get castrated for previous seasons errors that lead to goals, yet his new competition in midfield get praised for running about despite making those same errors.
Spade is a spade, unless it’s you of course.
If Xhaka is “trash” because his errors lead to goals, then Guendouzi vs City and Torreira vs Chelsea ought to receive the same scrutiny And they did…in those two games. Xhaka has been costing the team for two seasons now. He didn’t track Alonso and we conceded, that’s the same whatever league you play in world wide. It’s poor, it has massive consequences. And this is rich I seem to remember Pogba scoring against us last season when shock horror Xhaka just let him waltz past and didn’t track him and excuses you had for him that day my god.… Read more »
It’s funny you keep bringing up Guendouzi’s performance against City and Torreira’s against Chelsea when you do realize Xhaka was shite in both those games too
“And they did…in those two games. Xhaka has been costing the team for two seasons now.“ Absolute bollocks did they. Guendouzi got praise put the arse against City, Pedro even noted HE and others went full on defence mode just because he was constantly wanting the ball. Same with Torreira against a Chelsea, all the talk was how much more solid we were second half etc yet when it comes down to it Torreira fell asleep and let a player run past him to score in the last ten mins. We lose. You’re talking about when Xhaka slid to block… Read more »
CC
I’m sure you know that often quoted aphorism ; it takes time to adapt to the English game.
Torreira was sleeping re the Alonso goal no doubt. Alonso initially made his run of Lacazette though and Laca should have followed his run in to the area. Emery after all supposedly wants to see all players defend when needed. Instead Laca made the wrong decision and closed on another player when there was no need to because there was another player close to who Laca decided to close down. That was the point that Alonso crept into the Arsenal penalty area. Torreira should have done better no doubt. Bellerin did nothing in the play. Neither picked up the Alonso… Read more »
Dissenter
Obviously, but some aspects aren’t a question of time they’re a question of quality. Being in possession in Spain, Italy, England is different for a myriad of reasons.
But please offer up a good reason why Torreira didn’t track the run of Alonso for their winner? Go on, explain how that can be traced back to Italy…
Your Comment I remember that vividly thanks, because it was a classic case of Xhaka getting the full treatment despite two CBs failing to take part when a cross came in. I also said Xhaka was an idiot for going to ground and should’ve stayed on his feet so exactly what you’re talking about I’ll never know. Just more revisionist bullshit that you’re famous for at this stage. You forget about how he didn’t track the runner a midfielder no less. Walked back if I remember correctly. Got absolutely roasted for it because he’s making an career out of it… Read more »
@ Marko Thats the issue, we Arsenal Fans like to look at “Success” under the premise of our own eye….thats why I suggested that the PSG ownership and most of their fans would say he wasn’t based on what they expect (realistically or not). Same reason I mentioned for Karim to give his perspective as we just watch Ligue Un through the telly and he might have a clearer understanding on the pulse of how they felt. I also said there was no shame in that and for the record I don’t undervalue his achievements there in anyway, but as… Read more »
https://youtu.be/7sE774CZWMs
Alan Shearer is such a jackass
” ‘Sergio Aguero is now on nine Premier League hat-tricks and only two behind me,’ said Shearer. ‘The best foreign player to ever play in the Premier League. A great centre-forward with no weaknesses.’
How can anyone even suggest that Aguero is anywhere near Henry’s quality.
What a bitter man. He’s probably so envious of Henry strolled into the pundit job to make more than him and is now about to get the Bordeaux job.
https://youtu.be/6Jrcovb6-88
Marko He was on his arse after going to ground, but Pogba didn’t waltz past him and shoot to score. He played it wide and then neither CB picked him up for an easy header. You and the rest of your lot dismissed that input and instead made it all about Xhaka going to ground. Aided by the strength of Souness coming out with another sky sports soundbite. Again, not sure where the excuses are given I said he was an idiot for going to ground. You just hate to get held accountable to your vitriolic bullshit. Biggest irony of… Read more »
CC
“But please offer up a good reason why Torreira didn’t track the run of Alonso for their winner? Go on, explain how that can be traced back to Italy…”
No excuses offered an I believe he was openly lambasted b the assistant manager right after the game.
Xhaka keeps making errors game after game. Maybe there was no one holding him accountable under Wenger but he didn’t seemed to learn from his errors.
Lets see if Torriera steps up and covers every blade of grass likes he’s paid to do.
There are so many Xjaka defensive bad plays since his time at Arsenal that I think it is unlikely Emery can wave a magic wand and make him less of a handicap to the team and in whatever system.
There are always games for Xjaka though where the opposition is less demanding offensively themselves and his weaknesses become less exposed and less of a hindrance but saying that he can switch off defensively at any time against most opposition which could be costly even if he errs once in the game.
How can anyone even suggest that Aguero is anywhere near Henry’s quality.
What a bitter man. He’s probably so envious of Henry strolled into the pundit job to make more than him and is now about to get the Bordeaux job.
Sorry but this is all wrong. I think he’s more addressing the fact that Aguero has more hattricks and is close to his record. And who can disagree with what he said. Henry 174 premier league goals and Sergio Aguero 146 and still going
Dissenter
You immediately stated his error was ok because he’s still teething after coming from Italy. Backtracking now?
It remains to be seen how any of the players respond and develop under Emery. Just be nice to see some measured commentary instead of the usual scapegoats and faves.
He was on his arse after going to ground, but Pogba didn’t waltz past him and shoot to score. He played it wide and then neither CB picked him up for an easy header
How long does it take for him to get up and track his man. He got up and did…fuck all. Same with the Sam Clucas goal at Swansea
CC
Ok fair enough.
But I’m on the side of Xhaka not doing what he’s supposed to do having been at Arsenal for 3 seasons now.
Not to excuse Guendouzi or Torreria, but they shouldn’t be grouped with Xhaka, if we’re to be entirely honest.
Midfielders with most errors leading to goals, last 2 seasons:
Granit Xhaka – 5
Eric Dier – 3
Leroy Fer – 2
Yohan Cabaye – 2
Georginio Wijnaldum – 2
Charlie Adam – 2
Tiemoue Bakayoko – 2
Really good player that Xhaka is.
A defensive midfielder who cant run, cant tackle, and makes more mistakes than any other midfielder in the entire league.
Xhaka on Lingard’s second oh my
https://youtu.be/ZwLZg4olcsY
Gambon
He’s not a defensive midfielder, never has been. Only is when you want to castrate him for not being Kante. He’s a playmaker that links defence and attack, we build through him and he dictates the tempo of our game.
Carts
I disagree, I think everyone is in the same camp with how much change we’ve gone through. It’s a clean slate under Emery and this season will be the judge of whether you’re part of his plans or not. That goes from Jenkinson to Auba.
Carts “But I’m on the side of Xhaka not doing what he’s supposed to do” What is he supposed to do? He’s a regista that is not very good defensively it’s as simple as that. Jorginho wil cost Chelsea goals this season because he also is a regista that is far better on the ball than off it and defensively but the difference being between those two being that Jorginho is far more influential on the ball than Xjaka. What it really boils down to is that Arsenal have an average regista. If you want to go regista then that… Read more »
Xhaka keeps making errors game after game. Maybe there was no one holding him accountable under Wenger but he didn’t seemed to learn from his errors.
Very true. But Charles maintains that he’s critical of Xhaka when it’s warranted
Just be nice to see some measured commentary instead of the usual scapegoats and faves.
Again just the two games for Guendouzi and Torreira if they keep fucking up over a two season period I’m sure they’ll be routinely criticised like Xhaka. But I’m confused don’t you want us to give the new signings a chance?
I think Charlies homosexual thoughts towards Granit are the issue here.
Ishola
“He’s a regista that is not very good defensively it’s as simple as that.”
There you have it.
Lacks pace, reaction time, card whore and positional awareness
“Very true. But Charles maintains that he’s critical of Xhaka when it’s warranted“
And you continue to lie and give it the “i remember last season…”, when in fact you’re pulling stuff out your arse. What of it?
I called Xhaka shit vs City but still you and Gambon want to pile in and claim I’m defending him. Clueless
He’s a playmaker that links defence and attack, we build through him and he dictates the tempo of our game
He doesn’t dictate shit. Same shite that’s been regurgitated for two years justifying his place in the team.
“I think Charlies homosexual thoughts towards Granit are the issue here.“
There he is, intellectually inferior gumbo who likes to mud sling in desperate insecurity.
Usually it’s hitting Pierre with incest quips, now I’m a homosexual? Does anyone see a pattern emerging….
Just how much bonding was there on those long fishing trips with dad and grandad? You can share here, it’s a safe space.
CC
I also disagree, but that happy to leave it there.
I have no further questions, your honour.
CC I agree with you that there are double standards on people criticising Xhaka and not other players. Personally i think its a bit pointless at the minute to single out too many individuals while our new managers methods start to sink in. But i would like to point out that Pogba didnt score a header, he tapped it in after sanchez headed it against the post. And yes Xhaka went to ground, but it was a pathetic attempt at a slide tackle, reckless unnecessary and miles away from getting near pogba. He then stood up pulled up his socks… Read more »
I called Xhaka shit vs City but still you and Gambon want to pile in and claim I’m defending him. Clueless Exactly my point. He’s been average to just plain dogshit for two seasons TWO and yes I agree you did say he was shit against City and that’s probably about as critical you’ve been in the two seasons he’s been here. Everything else is deflect and excuse try to convince about what he does for the team. You were way more critical of Guendouzi and Torreira after two games than Xhaka after two seasons. You were significantly more critical… Read more »
We must send Ozil to china.
And make a special Christmas package with Xhaka – for free.
Pat I’m fully aware people will have less tolerance for some players than others. But I’ll draw the line at the same shit being regurgitated when the evidence for it isn’t even here. I mean Xhaka has had a nothing two games but is being talked about like he’s caused two defeats – it’s boring. Marko There’s no deflection of any sort, there’s a call for the same scrutiny and judgement across the board. Xhaka gets a 10 yard pass intercepted and he’s dogshit, Torreira doesn’t track Alonso (who scores) and we’re more solid for not having Xhaka!? Let the… Read more »
But i would like to point out that Pogba didnt score a header, he tapped it in after sanchez headed it against the post. And yes Xhaka went to ground, but it was a pathetic attempt at a slide tackle, reckless unnecessary and miles away from getting near pogba. He then stood up pulled up his socks and stood still, he even had time to nonchalantly swing his leg in the air. You questioned the centre backs in this situation but how did this goal come about, Xhaka. The worst part about it is the fact he didnt even try… Read more »
Evening people,
If xhaka is a playmaker, I’m brad Pitt.
Can’t run, can’t tackle, doesn’t assist, what does he do?
Not concerned about the start we made.
We didn’t have a cat in hells chance of winning the first two games, although if we took our chances we could have battered Chelsea.
Judge emery after ten games, the next 7-8 are all winnable.
I’m not saying we will, but if we get 24 points from them were probably sat in the top four.
Charlie You are having a different conversation to the rest of us, the main point of many here is that Xhaka is not good and has not been good for awhile, maybe even never for Arsenal. Your point, though, is not that Xhaka is good, it’s that he gets unfairly (your opinion) criticized compared to other players. And that’s all fine, but you really can’t expect Xhaka and someone like Torreira to be judged on the same scale right now, can you? Especially 2 matches into a new season? One has lost the faith of the fans – whether that’s… Read more »
Pierre and Charlie boy are just another attention whores.
They post something exquisitely stupid and chew on their chips reading 10 posters type in anger.
Wind up merchants and nothing productive in their posts.
Stroll on.
I would love xhaka to be a big player for us, you have to support your team and players to a point.
Unfortunately that point has come and gone.
Guendouzi has been our best player these first two games.
He wasn’t perfect, and made errors but he’s had two games, xhaka is in his third season.
As the season goes on the players will get better as they adapt to a new system and manager.
I still think top four is an outside chance, but apart from city and the bindippers nobody looks nailed on for the top four.
Utd were shocking against Brighton.
Sancho Not sure why you’re suggesting I’m seeking to be contrarian. Makes little sense why that’s a position to take just for the hell of it, you’ll need to explain where ego fits in. I have a view that football judgement isnt reserved per the individual, it’s in the act itself. Don’t care if a player has been here 10 years or 10 mins, if he makes a stupid error I’ll be irked by it. The difference here seems to by my willingness to mark the slate clean under Emery, whilst many want to bring Wengers era over in some… Read more »
Raptora
Exquisite input as always, notes being taken as we speak oh divine poster.