courtesy @allthatchas
Big game today, Arsenal face Neil Warnock’s Cardiff City away from home. For the Bluebirds, it kicks off a trio of nightmare games for them, with Chelsea and City following our visit. It could be a gloomy run for them if Arsenal bring some of that destruction football we’ve yet to see land season.
Unai Emery has his own batch of issues to deal with. Firstly, he hasn’t won a single game away from home. No big deal, he’s only played one, but when you put the issue against the backdrop of our woeful away record in 2018 (we’ve lost 8 of our last 9), it could be a problem if he doesn’t bag three points today.
The main theme of the day will no doubt be Mesut Ozil and the drama he’s faced over the past few weeks. The manager has gone to bat for the German, stating he was in fact, very ill. It took a week to concoct an excuse deeper than just ill, then when it landed, it was stated that he had a highly contagious disease (with the club curiously allowing him into the dressing room). Our manager had this to say on the matter.
“For me that is one thing; I don’t stop during my career for everything that the news says about me or the players. But in this situation with Mesut Ozil it is clear, he is OK, he has the commitment we want, he is a very important player for us and we want to help him to give us the best performance in each match and each moment.”
Regardless of what the real story is, this is a chance to see what Emery does with a fully fit Ramsey and a fully fit Ozil.
Does the Welshman continue to play as a number 10? Does Ozil find himself moved out wide right like he is for Germany? I’d hazard a guess and predict yes to both questions. The modern #10 needs to work hard for the team, and in Emery’s 11, you have to be able to deal with the tasks that you’re handed. Admittedly, Ozil isn’t going to be tracking the sublime Jorginho today, but he’ll still have to do a job. If the future is Rambo at #10, let’s start building muscle memory by positioning him where he’ll play for the Liverpool game in a 7 games time.
Additionally, Emery needs to settle on a midfield he can keep on the pitch past 45minutes. We should see a start from Torreira, and I’d say he’ll likely continue with Xhaka in the starting 11. The Swiss isn’t my favourite player, but it can’t be denied that he looked far more effective when he had a real DM sitting behind him doing the dirty work.
We’ll also have some interesting decisions up top. Does the manager continue with Auba through the middle? Does he bring the sparky Lacazette back into the fold? Or does he just admit he made a huge mistake with his strikers and go with Danny Welbeck.
The dream for tomorrow is that the defensive methodologies start to sink in. We haven’t looked comfortable at the back since preseason began, and it’s unnerving quite how poor we’ve been, even against West Ham. No team has conceded more shots on target than us, clocking an incredible 24 thus far. Cardiff hasn’t managed a single goal so far this season, meaning we’re absolutely ripe to go a goal down after 9 minutes. We’ve conceded 4 goals this season before 30minutes has played out, we need to make amends today and start building confidence. Emery just need to go classic Sunday league…
‘Lads, keep it fucking tight for the first 30, then let’s build from there. Tommy, stop smoking, and please don’t call the ref a fat c*nt today.’
Finally, before you go. How’s this article for making you feel a little ill.
The signing of Aaron Donald to the richest defensive contract in NFL history Friday was a triumph of the Rams’ greatest force.
That force is the guy who will pay him.
In capping off a wallet-purging offseason that has cemented the team’s championship hopes, Donald was guaranteed $87 million as part of a $135-million deal that celebrated the Rams’ most valuable player.
That MVP is owner Stan Kroenke.
In his three years since moving the Rams back to town, Kroenke has made an impact larger than the giant defensive tackle himself, larger than all the stars he has made rich, as big as any Los Angeles sports business leader since Phil Anschutz stuck a shovel in the ground that Staples Center sits atop. Kroenke has not only been the Rams’ biggest force, but a force on the entire local sports landscape, spending, building, growing, committing.
He gets Los Angeles. He understands its fans. He knows what works, and, man, he’s been working it.
Shame when he bought Arsenal, he did nothing of the sort. He let us flounder in the mud with zero investment. In the U.S., it seems he’s found his mojo, inking massive contracts whilst dealing with the $3billion the Inglewood stadium cost him to build.
Listen to this carry-on.
He said he would build the Rams into a team that will compete for championships. That is also happening. With Kevin Demoff, the chief operating officer and vice president of football operations, and general manager Les Snead working the controls, they have put together a team favored by some to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
“It all starts with Stan, he has the vision,” said Snead. “He empowers us. He expects us to bring that vision to fruition. Then he steps back and lets you do your job.”
Donald was only the finale of a string of big contracts and acquisitions that filled the summer. Not only do the Rams now have the highest-paid defensive player in history, they also have the highest-paid running back in Todd Gurley. When you throw in the signings of receiver Brandin Cooks and tackle Rob Havenstein, Kroenke agreed to pay $198.7 million in guaranteed contracts that could wind up being a $306-million payout.
Stan empowered absolutely NOBODY at Arsenal for 10 years as he fawned over Arsene Wenger like a teenager put in a room with peak Thierry Henry. Absolutely disgusting that finally, Stan has realised how to become a ‘franchise owner’ and the club he’s dishing out the 20/20 vision to is based in L.A.
Fuck NFL. It’s going down the toilet anyway. Who the fuck is going to put their kids, as young as 8, on the path serious injury, and maybe even death? Real football is the future, and that’s a fact I just made up.
Imagine if Stan had the same passion for making Arsenal great 10 years ago? What a different story our football lives would have been…
Right, enjoy the game, I’ll see you all in the comments.
x
“I hate the way things are.” what a new manager trying to get us back into top 4 with a Europa league budget? I can see why fans criticise an individual player performance but not the current running of the club. the problem was letting Wenger continue for so long. lets just be happy he has gone. Sure Kroenke is a problem but he isn’t going anywhere so you either accept it or go and watch a different sport.
Take off Ozil and bring on Torreira.
O dear
Here comes the towels for throwing
That’s how you know agricultural clubs.
TR7
“Lacazette showing why he is better than supposedly world class Auba.”
Care to update us on this take, mate?
Ramsay wants £200k a week. Does he look like a 200k a week player playing against a poor Cardiff team
What a surprise.
I said yesterday set pieces against us.
Wenger out….???
suck a bumb. bunch of fkers…
I’ll repeat it…we will need at least three goals to see a match out.
Aubameyang stupidly gave the ball away.
Make more fouls against a team living for set pieces… Fuck my life… Ramsey vs the tallest player on the pitch. What a dumbfest….
lol
Gazzap why accept it? Did Liverpool fans accept Hicks and Gillet
Hahaha
Berg
Spit on
Lacazette and Ozil with absolutely useless fouls for no fkin reason
Berg
Spot on mate. He’s atrocious
8 goals conceded in 4 games so far.
Cardiff hadn’t scored until today.
Something very very wrong at Arsenal.
Dumpster Fire Defense. Too many ballwatchers.
how good is toreira in the air ? And why are we being dominated by fking cardiff.
Pathetic… When cech got the ball from the last sequence he should have bloody well hung on to it, not throw it out for a failed counter and put us right back under pressure again.
They are beating is for effort and sheer energy.
I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve resorted to holding.
Anyone care to remind me again about Emerys credentials?
A whole summer and pre season and this is what he came up with?
The mighty Cardiff are going toe to toe with us. Let that sink in, even at our reduced level we should have too much for them.
That’s on Monreal not tracking his man and Ramsey being limp in the challenge. Also that’s 8 now for Cech. If he starts the next game serious questions have to be asked of Emery.
Oh here’s our new number 11 to plug the gaps in a game we should win against shite. Maybe our board just don’t back the managers? Maybe they sign players the manager doesn’t want. Might explain LT and LENO on the bench?
Is this what Emery meant by being the “protagonist”?!
This going to be a fun season:)
I need my weekly 3 points please Arsenal !
At this point. We can’t blame the players. If the fucking manager keeps pissing about with the formation system and line up. We keep droppimg points. Its his fault.
Still time. But from literally this point. Its all on emery
GOH @ 14:32
Haha! F**king comment of the year!
Emery sees Guendouzi as the same player as Torreira and he refuses to play two defensive midfielders – even though that’s exactly what we need. we’re so poor defensively we need all the strength we can get. I am getting fed up with Xhaka though. didn’t he just sign for 5 year?!! I can’t bear watching him for 5 years!
This situation with Cech’s decision making is creating uncertainties with the defense.
That’s a key part of why we’ve looked shaky when the ball is played out.
Can’t stand Anthony Taylor. Terrible referee. First card for Cardiff
The moment Emery takes a lead, he wants to sit back. Hasnt learned his lesson
8 goals. This isn’t a stat that wins games.
Bizarre recruitment. Bizarre tactics.
What a dumb foul by Laca just like Ozils. Team feeding of set pieces…
Oh dear, this is another stinker of a game
Wasn’t a foul poor refereeing. We should have defended better though.
well i think we can safely say that with our spending policy in the summer
6th – 12th every season for at least next 20 yrs under kroenke
Just embarrassing to watch. Poor tactics, poor technique….poor manager. If he couldn’t anything of significant with PSG’s millions what makes you feel he will achieve anything with few millions? We are a bottom table team as it stands and it will take a miracle with this team and this manager.
but same as last season stick a high ball somewhere around our box and its about evens chnnce you’ll get a goalscoring chance from it.
raptora
That was not a foul by Laca on After for the goal. Terrible call
Cardiff have had two shots on target .. lol.
Cardiff are bullying us. Faster, harder and more committed. They want to win this match, Arsenal are scared to lose it.
Stick on that donkey, Welbeck. He might get one in off his arse or elbow.
Get Mkhi on for Xhaka.
Quick
E54
you can’t blame the players ? look at all the goals we conceded *. all mistakes from players. sure it’s the managers fault…
This is just Wengerball. You can dress it up however you like but we’re trying to score the perfect goal with pinpoint passing all the time with no variation.
The beautiful game eh.
Why did he leave Xhaka on?
Our defense is shocking fucking shocking that should of been a goal
Bam
Laca is clearly a better suited striker than Auba. Even for the goal that Auba scored, it was Laca’s great flick which brought him in to play. One goal doesn’t change my stance. Auba is a very good finisher, that’s never been under any doubt but you will see numerous matches including this game where he will be largely anonymous for large parts of the game. Laca on the other hand is invariably involved in every attack.
gonsterousSeptember 2, 2018 15:11:36
E54
you can’t blame the players ? look at all the goals we conceded *. all mistakes from players. sure it’s the managers fault…
/
Mate, did you read my entire comment with its context?
Remember this. Emery gave Xhaka a new improved contract. He wants to keep Ramsay on £200k.
Banter.
Wow.
Get in you fuckers !
Lovely goal.
Now don’t drop back!
Never ever ever play Ramsey or ozil again
Ever. Two completely holes in our team
Watch Emery bring on Elneny instead of Mkhi and Welbeck. He’ll play for the draw.
Laca with a worldie. God fkin bless. Still time left.
Another obvious mistake Emery keeps making is by playing Xhaka because we all know that we are poor defensively and you don’t address this by continuing with him in midfield. He’s a major problem.
Lacagoal
Go on and win this damn game.
Torreira to Lacazette!
get in laca
forgiven for the chelsea mistake…
Wonderful patience from Ramsey. Didn’t just sling in the cross, waited for Torreira.
Great frickin’ goal. Good on Lacazette. Good pass from Torreira.
Poor keeping. Good shot and goal. Laca has been good today. Busy but not world class. Easily nullified by a better defense.
Torriera showing his class.
Torreira with an assist. Better defensively than Xhaka and he’s shown he’s good on the ball. Playing Xhaka instead of him is going to keep costing Emery
Watch Emery bring on Elneny instead of Mkhi and Welbeck. He’ll play for the draw.
stupid comment. stupid is as stupid does, I guess…
Whew that was some strike from Lacazette.
Great sub.
going forward we are good. I am positive about us attacking wise. But defensively – still in the worst 5 teams in the league easily. Emery must not keep picking the same defensive players every game!
You see.. ramsey could’ve played that ball to laca.. he passes it.. and torriera takes the responsibility to create and pass it in to the striker.
Ramsey for 250k pw would be embarrassing.
Yes!
Nice pass Torreira.
Keep going and don’t sit back. We’re not capable of absorbing pressure
Can we please get Xhaka on the fucking pitch before he fucks up again
Ozils eyes are near his ears.
Wonderful patience from Ramsey. Didn’t just sling in the cross, waited for Torreira
Oh the transparency
Welbz should have started
So should Mkhitaryan
Ozil and Ramsey out
Crushed that one, son!
Now he scores too Bamford. Too many people here massively underate Laca.
Ramey is just a toiler, regardless of what his fan club tells you.
Nothing special there.
ramsey lost the ball about 3 times in 30 sec. why is he still a part of arsenal FC ?
And we’ve dropped back again…….
That’s off not on the pitch
Been watching Torreira. Persistent , accurate with passes , quick touches.
So what is wrong with Prick Emery ?
Does not like South Americans , looks like.
Will wait how it pans out with Ozil out and Miki coming
TR7
“Laca is clearly a better suited striker than Auba.”
No, this is false. Both offer different things. Lacazette is better with his back to goal, better when played to feet, but Aubameyang has more pace, is better in open space, is better in behind.
Both scored good goals today. They should be played together through the center.
But if he sticks with 4-3-3, then one should start through the center and the other should sit. Auba is not a wide player and we’d be better with someone else out there.
Wow. So lucky we sacked the senile and rudderless Wenger. We would undoubtedly lost this game under his dementia tinged in game management …
Ok
So we win and Lacazette and Aubameyang both score
Win win win win win. Fuck ozil and Ramsey
How many of us thought couldn’t get worse when Wenger got the boot?
what did ozil offer today ? hardly saw him do anything in the attacking third.
Emery is cursed.
The ball just keeps dropping like a magnet to those cunts.
Someone has to take Cech out of this side.
Auba and Lacs been doing good together.
Auba removed instead of either clowns Ramsey or Xhaka.
Looks like Prick Emery is going to fuck up his own arse
GoH has gone very quiet. I’m sure he’ll come back when we are losing with his “Arteta would have been the next pep” talk…
Ozil I. Proved somewhat in second half. Agreed not good enough to out half a shift in for 350 aweek
Sometimes things have to get worse before hey can get better. Most of the issues this squad have are reversing the ten year plus senile decline of the old scrote … I’m glad he’s gone. I would have preferred his sacking be more public and humiliating tho.
*improved
Cech. Ramsey. Xhaka.
All of them need to be benched starting next match.
Oh oh.
Oh my god. Xhaka just never ceases to amaze.
Torreira Guendouzi Ramsey and we’re good to go