Season starts again

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The real season starts here people. We had a nightmare opener, the worst in 20 years, and don’t kid yourself, Wenger wouldn’t have come away with anything more impressive than Emery.

We now have 8 games to find our stride. Work out who can do what. Find the best 11. Search out missing form. Rack up 24 points. Go into the Liverpool game living our best damn lives.

Well, that’s the plan. If we can achieve 21-24 points, that’ll have us within spitting distance of the top 2 or 3 teams and it’ll give us a tremendous platform to push through into the dark months of November and December.

Emery has a few very important jobs to do in the next few months.

Firstly, he needs to establish who is first choice centre midfield. I appreciate he’s mixing up his formations, but I feel like we need to find a bit of consistency. If the problem you’re seeing is the problem that’s been at Arsenal for the last 3 years, just nix it. I think LT and MG are going to be a solid choice. I also think Emery has to give up the idea that Ozil is going to be able to do the defensive side of playing as a modern #10. He can’t do it for Germany, he won’t be able to do it for Arsenal. Put him out on the right.

Up front, it seems like he’s settled on Auba. Lacazette is a lethal finisher, but he doesn’t allow us to stretch teams because of his lack of pace.

I’d imagine he’ll continue to play Petr Cech who has done nothing to suggest he’d be dropped tomorrow. I also think the defence is settled until Koscielny comes back. Under any normal circumstances, Bellerin would be dropped, but I struggle to see how the manager can roll with a 34-year-old in the Premier League. We’ll see though.

It’s a big game tomorrow. West Ham have a very good manager, he’ll have made the right changes in the week and they’ll come all guns blazing tomorrow.

Hopefully we tear them a new one!

Right, last chance on the podcast. See you on the other side.

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Jim Lahey

Match is on Sky for the guys from the Free State.

Dissenter

I like the Ramsey vs Wilshere match-up in the middle.
Ramsey wins that every day

gonsterous

Apparently Ozil had a training ground bust up with Lichsteiner and Emery on Thursday. He was dropped over that.

is this fake news ??

Champagne charlie

Some of you need to make your mind up with Ozil.

Thought he was going to pad his stats against a shit side at home? Now he’s hiding? Get over yourselves ffs.

karim

« I’m starting to worry about Torreira, if he can’t dislodge Xhaka something is wrong there »

Hope it’s not Xhaka’s price !

Radio Raheem

Cech has been good but seriously Leno should have nailed that position in pre-season.

Dissenter

CC
‘”Some of you need to make your mind up with Ozil. Thought he was going to pad his stats against a shit side at home? Now he’s hiding? Get over yourselves ffs.”

It doesn’t have to be either of the two. It could very well be both.
Today’s game is a pressure game so he’s in hiding.

Zfree

Jim Lahey

That Freddie Mercury line had me dying. Well done

Dream10

Karim

Think Torreira hasn’t adjusted to the PL pace yet. His error against Chelsea wouldn’t have happened in Serie A. Likely that he makes the XI after the int’l break. We have Europa, league Cup matches in September, so he’ll probably start those

Frost

Really disappointed with Emery here. The fear with him both in spain & Psg has always been that he lacks abit of balls, and he’s showing it here with his team selections (screw that oh I made a mistake again & i’m gonna rectify it with the right sub at halftime bollocks that he does). If a player like Xhaka shows you, time & time again that he’s not up to par, you don’t keep making the mistake of starting him, you fucking drop the dumpty till he learns. Especially considering you have a better player on the bench in… Read more »

Michael24

I sense that this will be last chance saloon for some today.

Emery has seen them against MC and Chelski.

Now the pressures really on.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Any links for the game or is it the wireless for me.

TitsMcGee

Ozil our sick huh? Lol

TitsMcGee

Out*

Cesc Appeal

Fingers crossed it is true that Ozil has been dropped, he needs a bitch slap from reality.

Paulinho

Just think Torreira in a two is too much too soon. He needs to be bedded in with a midfield three.

Not expecting much from Ramsey if he plays high again. He doesn’t seem to have the right mindset either.

Champagne charlie

Dissenter

Literally makes no sense. Two opposing opinions have been used to beat him with. It’s tiresome.

If he’s not up to it Emery will get rid, that simple.

Ishola70

Should win this of course but what an uninspired line-up.

Xjaka still knocking about and one up top against West Ham.

Bellerin the abomination retains his place. Licht really must be a 45 minutes max player now.

Champagne charlie

“Not expecting much from Ramsey if he plays high again. He doesn’t seem to have the right mindset either.“

Good lad, set some foundations for an excuse later should he produce another wank performance..

Frost

After seeing that lineup, Guen is literally the only reason i’m watching this match tbh. Him & Auba.

Dissenter

Bellerin will have a LOT of problems this game. I expect him to leak goals from his end.
It will be a high scoring victory fronts. A game for neutrals.

G8

Ozil is an embarresment to AFC and sport in general..what a whimp!
Hammers will target Bellend side and cause problems..
Hope we win ,but expect a draw which is not good enough !

Dissenter

Frost,
‘After seeing that lineup, Guen is literally the only reason I’m watching this match tbh. Him & Auba.”

LOL
You’re looking forward to seeing Auba brushed off by defenders like a gnat and then miss sitters

Paulinho

Charlie – As I said last week, the contract situation is a big issue, which Emery confirmed with his press conference this week. So your scoffing of me a making a big deal out of it turned out to be like most of what you say: Absolute bollocks,

raptora

On paper Guen, Xhaka, Ramsey looks a decently balanced midfield versus a supposedly weaker team at home. Torreira is by all means a more defensive player than Xhaka and we still don’t know how good is he in the build up play, moving the ball around etc. I would have liked to see him as well but Emery probably weighted things up like LT is new, he needs a win and a bit Arsenal’s usual performance to beat WH so in the end it was a marginal 48% for LT to start to 52% for Xhaka and decided to go… Read more »

gonsterous

I thought we were shit when xhaka left the field against chelsea. oh well, it’s not Like we have a whole lot of options in MF…

OleGunner

Rumour on Ozil is from Robbie on aftv when they live streamed the lineup.

He says it’s no surprise considering what he heard a couple days ago and he’s out the squad.

Obviously take all this with a grain of salt.

Dream10

According to SFR (French channel), Arsenal main defensive issues are coming from the fact:
We want to keep a high defensive line
Sokratis and Mustafi have trouble anticipating when the opposition has the ball and is not pressed

raptora

Yeah I think LT will need Europa to get used to our game and lifestyle as a whole. Xhaka maybe looks the safer and better choice.

I’d put Licht in Bellelrin’s place though. 100%. Emery might have some hopes for Bellerin hopefully if he keeps playing him. At current form Licht is mich better than Bellerin.

Dissenter

Difficult banana skin game, this one
Westham spent well in the summer and just need that one good result to get going.
Fabianski always saves his best games for playing against us.

jwl

And it’s Arsenal,
Arsenal FC,
We’re by far the greatest team,
The world has ever seen…

Ishola70

“I thought we were shit when xhaka left the field against chelsea. oh well, it’s not Like we have a whole lot of options in MF…”

Probably more to do with Emery instructing his team to sit back deeper than they did in the second half than anything to do with a singular player. You don’t noticeably sit back like that without being told to. Emery was probably frightened the game if it continued like it was would become a kids park football score line 6-6 or 6-5.

Rambo Ramsey

Mmm.. Imagine if we manage to offload Ozil for some heavy $$$$$.

What a brilliant end to the transfer window that would be

VicVic

Dissenter.

Press checked.

£350,000 every week being a major factor in keeping miss Turkey in shape.

Dream10

We had to watch Kompany wear the armband on the right arm. What a disgrace.
Big Petr is gonna do the same isn’t he?

Confidentgoner

Again, an unbalanced line up. May do well today because Hammers are a poor side, but good teams will target our right wing with Mikki always going central and leaving Bellerin exposed. Not a done deal yet, Hammers may punish us from that wing.

Frost

All strikers have off days Dissenter. And yes i’m always looking forward to seeing the only player I actually rate in this squad play.

Ishola70

Don’t understand why anyone wouls build up this West Ham team.

They were awful at Liverpool and lost to Bournemouth at home for gods sake.

Dream10

Ishola70

Emery has a reputation in Spain for playing risk averse football. Hope we don’t see us sitting back to hold on to points because we’re not built for that

Frost

Only took Xhaka 1 min to commit a stupid foul. This should be fun.

TheBayingMob

Jack Wilshere = PASSION!! Run around a lot. Jump into challenges. Act hard. Act hard done by. Front up other players. Run some more. And a bit more with no end product. This is what English football want to see, this is what impresses them … I think most football fans in the UK would be more than happy to watch cross country running in the rain and mud as long as there were a couple of runners fronting each other up or, even better, a few fights a long the way …

leftsidesanch

any links, my usuals arent working

Champagne charlie

Paulinho

Funny, because you’ve previously dismissed comments about Xhaka getting subbed because he’s on a yellow – despite Emery stating as much. So why are you suddenly so keen to profess Emerys commentary?

I didn’t see the transcript but from what I gather it was nothing more than Emery saying Ramsey needs to focus on football AKA not use the contract situation as an excuse for poor performance.

I’ll let you provide the quotes that state otherwise however as you seem to be suggesting Rambo has a pass for playing shit because of a contract battle?

gonsterous

kick off.. COY dicks.
3-0 to the arse.
Up the arse and at em…

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Cmon you reds

leftsidesanch

crisis averted, got one

TheBayingMob

Does Xhaka have PASSION tho!?

Marko

Hector Bellerin needs to be beaten up outside the head. He shouldn’t be getting caught ahead of Mhiki every single game. He’s stupid af

useroz

Ramsey and Mikki worse than our 19 yo ffs

raptora

I imagine Licht dominating the wing against shittier teams. Winning mentality as well, used to demolish teams in the Seria A, has that arrogance in his game also.

Micheal

Any streams please. Usual suspects not working

Dissenter

Guendouzi is a very busy bee
He covers the entire length of the field and has an excellent engine.

Samesong

This game looks like I said it will go the other day counter attacks both teams pressing.

Guns of Brixton

Xhaka just existing atm is vexxing me loooool

Dissenter

We need an early goal to calm things down.

Ishola70

No control here again.

Emery wanted control well there isn’t any so far.

Bellerin got done by Antonio guy

Ishola70

All a little but frantic………

Against West Ham

Marko

Mmm.. Imagine if we manage to offload Ozil for some heavy $$$$$.What a brilliant end to the transfer window that would be

Would love it

Samesong

Had Auba even touched the ball yet.

useroz

Bellerin sucks. Useless going forward and helipng west ham to counter

Bamford10

Iwobi is gash.

useroz

Wow…. Ramsey scored an offside goal.

Marko

Funny, because you’ve previously dismissed comments about Xhaka getting subbed because he’s on a yellow – despite Emery stating as much. So why are you suddenly so keen to profess Emerys commentary

Agree. Ramsey isn’t being subbed because of his contract situation and Xhaka wasn’t being subbed because of a yellow. They were just that bad

Dissenter

Ramsey has no idea how to manager a game from the middle. all he has is an eye for is the goal.
Bellerin is sill shittier that ever

Bamford10

Why is Xhaka playing? Shouldn’t be in the XI.

Ishola70

Huge break down in defence with Arnautovic missing a good chance.

Concerning

Rambo Ramsey

How do you expect fluent attacking patterns with poddlers like Mkh and Iwobi running the flanks.

Dissenter

Hector Belleshit

Samesong

It’s only West ham lads!!!!

Marko

It’s quite incredible how bad defensively we’ve been for years.

Rambo Ramsey

Our squad is utter shite.

No manager can do much with these assorted donkeys.

Ishola70

Mhiki loses a lot of 50/50 challenges

Dissenter

Ramsey sold that pass short

Marko

Every single attack and Bellerin gets caught out high up the pitch. Brainless idiot of the highest order.

Samesong

Left back is an issue this season two crocks.

Ishola70

lol wanker Wilshere

Held onto the ball far too long when he had multiple runners ahead of him running on goal with Arsenal all over the place defensively.

I’d be calling him a cunt if I was one of those players not receiving the ball

Ishola70

This is shite.

This is sub par Europa League stuff guys.

wtf was that by Big Papa just a moment ago

Dissenter

Off the ball…Auba is plain useless
It’s like playing with 10 men.

Bamford10

Very uninspiring from us so far. Poor selection. Torreira should be playing and we should have Laca and Auba up top in a 4-4-2.

HighburyLegend

Things could turn ugly for Emery sooner than expected. Thanks again to lord darth sidious, there is almost nothing left to be saved in our club.

Paulinho

Charlie – He said when asked whether situation was affecting Ramsey “I don’t know”. Which is as a big admittance as you can get that it is.

As I said, Xhaka being hooked for being on yellow was hilarious. Shows how little faith Emery has in him. Can’t remember any other top midfielder being hooked that early for a yellow, so either Emery has no faith in him being sensible and not getting a yellow, or knew he wasn’t missing much.

Frost

Guen is sort of trying to do everybody’s job atm.

Think I prefer when he just sits. Ramsey should be the one doing all that.

And ffs Bellerin track Antonio.

Ishola70

Making West Ham look half decent.

Still defensive problems in the team appearing and not bossing offensively at all.

Dissenter

Bellerin can beat a man in attack and he can’t defend to save his life.
WTF does he do?

useroz

Fuck off

Danny

….and there you have it

Marko

This defence needs a 100 million invested in it. A free 34 year old RB and a 17 million pound 29 year old just isn’t going to be enough.

1-0 West Ham. Defence is unbelievable

Dissenter

What was Cech doing so far from the line?

leftsidesanch

goodness me

Rambo Ramsey

What the fvck has Emery added to this team you gotta wonder.

I don’t see improvements in our pressing
I don’t see improvements in our defense
I don’t see improvements in our attack

MuddyGooner

Shit

Samesong

Lol so predictable.

Freddylekgunner

Emery is shit. Yeah I said it.

Bishop

Selection is what would ruin Emery….He seems worse at even picking a first 11.

Ishola70

Unacceptable.

So weak defensively in front of the penalty area

Jim Lahey

We are fucked

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Lthe whole defence needs changingget the young bubble on

TheBayingMob

First two matches were a bye really, but You-Nye is going to get slaughtered after today. We look ordinary as a team and a squad. Thanks Arsene …

Paulinho

As I said a few weeks back, wonder how long he waits until he puts Ramsey in a midfield two to save himself.

Dissenter

Unbalanced selection and very crappy play.
Ramsey in the middle is just a give away to the opposition but all people will see is Xhaka.