via @Arsenal insta
Good gosh we have many items to cover today. Arsenal didn’t exactly cruise to a victory away from home against Cardiff, but we did rack up 3 delightful points on a day where Spurs lost to Watford. That was a huge positive, in a year where we’d only managed a solitary away win against Huddersfield.
Outside that, there were a lot of problems for Unai Emery when there shouldn’t have been. His starting 11 brought Mesut Ozil back into the fold out on the right, he persisted with Ramsey as a clunky #10 and he gave the fans the dream duo of Lacazette and Aubameyang up front with the Gabonese taking up duties wide left. Unfortunately, the addiction of starting Xhaka in midfield took hold again, with the Swiss taking up the double pivot with Guendouzi.
We started off strongly, our transitions through defence and midfield looked a little better than usual, but once again, we put far too much pressure on Petr Cech early on and he couldn’t cope. He made some erratic passes, capped with an awful moment when he tried to play the ball centrally through Harry Arter, forgetting to give his pass lift. The Irish international pounced on the blunder but blazed over.
Our possession gave us two early corners, the first was a smart front post move where Lacazette laid off to Ramsey who was coming in on the edge of the box, the shot was snuffed out well and the rebound was turned over by Mustafi. The German landed his second chance 11 minutes in, Xhaka finding his surging run, the header bulleted into the top corner. A really well-worked goal, Emery true to his word that he’d work on set-pieces.
Cardiff, a team that scored 69 goals last season were seriously lacking in confidence. Arsenal conceded 5 or so chances in the first half that were by no means a result of good defending. We were all over the place. The defence is painfully susceptible to almost anything. Long balls over the top, clever balls in behind, random crosses that somehow turn into chances. I don’t know how to calculate xG, but Cardiff were worth a lot more than they produced. I’d go as far to say they created better chances than us, outside the rasping shot that Lacazette hit the post with.
Our luck couldn’t ride out the first half, Xhaka, under no pressure at all, tried to spray a left footed cross-field ball 25 yards, when the simpler options was Guendouzi 10 yards away. The calamitous pass was intercepted. Our midfield pivot put next to no pressure on the attack, the ball was moved out wide left, Bellerin was slow to react, the cross made it into the box, our centre backs all missed it, Camarasa took his chance and fizzed his strike past Cech.
Real shoddy in-game management. I was watching a video doing the rounds from Pep G, he was explaining that he liked his full-backs to tuck inside because it shortens the length of pass. He believes that allows the ball to travel up the pitch quicker, and it reduces the risks associated with long passes. That sort of pass shouldn’t be happening when a player is under no pressure.
The second half brought a little bit more joy to our play. Mesut Ozil found his way into the game a little more, floating inside more often, with the hope of dictating play, whilst offering up our strikers more in the way of creativity. The German started the move for our second, finding Lacazette through the middle, the ball was played off deftly to Auba who was given all the space in the world to curl a 23-yard strike into the far corner. Thierry-esque.
Cardiff fought back again. Lacazette harshly adjudged to have fouled Arter about 30 yards from our box, I mean, the guy outright took a dive, it was embarrassing, I thought salt of the earth players didn’t play that game? The resultant setpiece was flighted into the back post, Rambo was swamped by Morrison who nodded the ball into the danger area where Ward was on hand to finish up.
A really sloppy goal to concede. The absolute basics of Sunday league are that if you’re marking a man way bigger than you, you fucking scream until someone of a similar size takes over. As a keeper myself, if you see that a small person is marking a big person, you shout at your defence until it’s rectified. It’s not like Morrison hadn’t been causing us major headaches before then. Monreal was in noman’s land when he should have been tracking Ward for his uncontested header. Really, really, soft. Our in game intelligence is still sub-par.
The manager decided to shake up midfield and bring on Lucas Torriera for Guendouzi. The decision was a masterstroke, because sad to say, a midfielder doing his actual job for 20 minutes earned him man of the match in my eyes. He can move the ball through the lines with ease, he clears danger and he gets stuck in. He was instrumental for our final goal, finding Lacazette with an incisive 10-yard pass through the right, Lacazette didn’t waste it, detonating his shot like an ICBM rocket at the keepers inside post. Woooah. What a strike.
There was still time for high jinx, Granit Xhaka had a moment that looked akin to an epiletic fit on the edge of the box, giving Cardiff another dangerous freekick. Lucky for us, we saw the game out and protected those 3 very important points.
Concluding thoughts:
I don’t know what’s going on at StatDNA, I don’t understand what mysterious data points they’re looking at and I don’t understand how the insights they’re drawing can be so powerful that the coach can justify starting a player who gives away more major chances per game than any midfeilder I’ve ever watched at Arsenal.
The man is utterly awful. He has no in-game management, he’s slow, he switches off and he has consistently gifted goals to the opposition since he joined us. What does he have to do to be dropped? What will we miss without him? Not like he’s ever not playing, so we don’t really have a reference point to highlight over here. It’s quite unbelieveable.
Also, it’s hard to see how Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey can co-exist in the same setup. The manager either moves Aaron into the double pivot with Lucas Torriera, with Mesut in the #10 role, or, he drops one of them. Ramsey does not look comfortbale as our lead creator, he doesn’t have the refined passing repertoire of Ozil. However, the German doesn’t have the industry or the desire to do the role that is needed of him. Also, I hate to say it, but I missed having Mikhi out wide. He offers us a lot down that right, without him, Bellerin was utterly impotent today. Emery really does have a conundrum, the system he’s playing at the moment needs him to make costly decisions for the good of the play.
Maybe we need to move to a 4-2-2-2 type approach? I mean, it kind of looked like we were playing that way at certain points in the second half yesterday. The only way Ozil could be effective was when he floated inside to dictate play.
I really don’t know how the manager rectifies the problems he has in defence. I think Sokratis is starting to look like a good defender, but his leadership skills aren’t shining at the moment. I genuinely think there’s a psychological issue at hand with the way Emery wants them to play. None of the players are comfortable playing out of the back. Cech immediately puts frazzled nerves into the danger zone because he’s not built to play like Cesc Fabregas.
On top of that, the way Emery has decided to start the ball moving is a lot less intense than I’d have hoped. We give teams the time they need to regroup and gun for us. That’s fine when you’re rocking £200m worth of defensive talent, but when you have our players trying to deal with the pressure, it doesn’t work. We don’t transition the ball fast enough, and quite often, even when we do break through midfield, we lose the ball because our midfield is being tightly pressed. I think the manager is going to have to give the defence a stronger foundation, and that might mean dropping Cech for a keeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet. Alternatively, maybe the manager has to be more flexible about the way the defence plays.
They’re the golfing equivalent of someone who has come out of a lesson with 56 things to think about… their whole game totally collapses because they forget the basics in pursuit of the next level. Trouble for Emery is our defence didn’t have the basics right last season. So it’s a lot of learning to do on the job.
Overall, I’m happy with the three points, hopefully, the players can download what did work and continue to refine the bits that didn’t in training this week.
Next up, Newcastle away from home. I can’t fucking stand the Geordies. Let’s hope next Saturday is a good one for the greatest fans on earth.
See you in the comments.
G2301 I saw in the summer that Leicester were apparently offering £25 Million for him which is not bad, obviously Arsenal would pay more and with it being January you certainly pay more. If the player has fallen out with the manager though, that may reduce his price, he will almost certainly want to move to Arsenal as well. Mislintat has picked up a fair few from BvB but he did also spot Guendouzi and we were in for Torreira long before anyone was taking any real notice of him. That is Ligue 1 and Serie A. A lot of… Read more »
GOH
Captain Mainwaring!
guns I’ve been saying it since the city game.I want emery to get top 4. That’s the bare minimum. He doesn’t need to win any trophy this season. But top 4 for me would mean a successful season and when I look at the other top teams, I feel it’s achievable. We have so far had 2 tough games and against city (I didn’t watch the game ), I felt we deservedly lost cause they are the better team. Against chelshit we were unlucky with all the misses. Could have easily gone our way or been a 3-3 or 4-4… Read more »
Werder Bremen.
Question.
I know it’s early days, but just how good are Watford?
Michael
Let’s call it deuce.
cheers mate…
Xhaka is all about his physic. His physical presence in midfield helps with high balls
Charlie Just feel like most everything Xhaka did that could be deemed as a positive today was baseline level play for a top 6 side. Nothing special with the passing today. The assist from the corner is what makes a 3.5 or 4 rating harsh, so okay maybe bump up to a 5. But he is so replaceable. Guendouzi can move the ball around fine, play with two feet, and control the ball at his feet. Torriera can drop a shoulder, show some pace and go around someone, and also pass just as well as. Plus he’s intercepting and breaking… Read more »
“as an arsenal fan (which we all are here)”
most of us, that Steve fella is never an Arsenal fan in a million years, even stranger he spends so much time on this blog too.
xhaka has a lot of negatives but let’s take a look at his positives
1. long range shot (more hopeful than anything but let’s give him the benefit of the doubt).
2. Long range passing ( I know, I know, he fked this up yesterday. but it’s one of his attributes )
3. Nothing else.
defensively, he offers nothing so I want to see a matteo torreira CM and see how that plays. Torreira could be our santi cazorla. He’s quick with his feet and he reads the game well…
Next up, Newcastle away from home. I can’t fucking stand the Geordies. Let’s hope next Saturday is a good one for the greatest fans on earth.
————————————————
Pedro it’s not next Saturday but Saturday week the 15th. England play Spain this Saturday.
Zfree Right, but before I get into your question let me point something out to you. You got insulting towards me for rating Xhaka a 6/10 but now you’re being more rational you’ve settled on a 5/10 – which underlines barely any difference of opinion. That’s one of my main gripes about posters on here towards myself, and others who don’t kick and scream. So there’s that… Your question on whether Xhaka should start: For me I’ve said yes, but in a particular system that plays to his (and everyone else’s) strengths more. I’d prefer a more ‘solid’ CM three… Read more »
anyone else still ejaculating from yesterday’s winner ? what a thump by laca.
Leftsidesanch
What makes you think that @steve is not an Arsenal fan?
gonsterous
Yep, a really spiffing effort.
Lacazette is my favourite player.
If I was considerably younger, I’d be tempted to get a shirt with his name on the back.
Knowing my luck, he’d be sold the following week.
@M24
He’s a Tru Blue, they have a scent about them. I know a ton of apathetic Arsenal fans over the last decade – some who still feel that way but are now developing interest in Arsenal again.
But he’s literally happy whenever we concede/lose and is miserable when we win
For me Pedro its not so much what StatDNA is throwing up (or not) but why the manager seems incapable of seeing with his own eyes that every time Torreira comes on he demonstrates far greater ability, quality and assurance in front of the back line. The “performances” Xhaka has put in have been pisspoor. I can’t think of one other Prem side that would play him. He is a liability and if StatDNA isn’t showing what is obvious to everyone then it should be binned off. The other thing that concerns me is who chose and decided the signings… Read more »
Steve
If you’re out there, what’s your response?
Are you a “true blue”, or just one of the many Arsenal fans who have fallen out of love with the club?
Put your cards on the table.
M24
If I was considerably younger, I’d be tempted to get a shirt with his name on the back.
hahaha why not still get it ? Nothing more sexy than a middle aged man wearing an ill fitting jersey, sweating at the game with a pint in hand.
@M24 I think ArsenalTruth if you read his blog is one of the most strident Arsenal fans you can come across on the web but you can still see there is a supporter in there somewhere. Just wasn’t happy with the direction we were going in, and how we were/are being run but thats different to flat out pungency to everything Arsenal related whilst talking up other teams (noticeably Chelsea).
There were many seasons when Cech was comfortably the best GK in PL, perhaps in the world. He was not just good, he was great. He may not be quite as good now, but he is still the best we’ve had since Lehmann (or maybe Seaman.) You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. And why would Emery bother? After all, the big advantage that a GK has is that he can use his hands, not his feet. Cech’s so-called ‘jitters’ arise because the new boss insists he uses his feet. Well, Cech has a knack for throwing a football… Read more »
If I was considerably younger, I’d be tempted to get a shirt with his name on the back.Knowing my luck, he’d be sold the following week.
– haha i’m sure you’d be able to trade it in or refund in those circumstances
Charlie
Admittedly forgot for a bit that he assisted from the corner. I maintain that he’s complete trash though.
And I don’t think we would struggle with transitioning the ball from defense to attack with him missing. Torriera and Guendouzi with Ramsey/Ozil/Mikki ahead of them would do just fine with that.
As you state, these are just opinions right now. Time will tell because I have to assume Emery will want to keep his job. And persisting with Xhaka in league games will see us dropping loads of points
The past few seasons, under Wenger, I also admit that I fell out of love with the club.
If Wenger had stayed I would have been down had Wenger bagged the occasional unexpected win. Infact I had reached that stage.
The effect this man had on many was indescribable.
Emery has changed all that for me.
Infact, Coco the clown would probably have had the same effect.
Pedro
Couldn’t agree more. Xhaka needs to be sat
So does Ramsey
So does Cech.
The team will be a completely different entiity with those 3 changes.
gonsterous
Thanks for the compliment.
Bloody hell, “middle aged”!!
Not too long to go for my bus pass.
I’m in the same boat, over the last two years I stopped going to the stadium, and I would watch halfheartedly – usually turning off as soon as we – well the same culprit(s) in particular would make a needless mistake gifting the opposition a goal. Wenger’s nauseating predictability and pathetic excuses ran thin with me too. Now I have a lease of new life, things aren’t great and probably won’t be for a long time but at least we’re daring/trying to be good now. Which is also why I can never harmonise with those people who have so much… Read more »
thanx to Wenger, when I went down to the pub with my mates, I was more interested in what’s happening in their lives than the game being broadcasted. I did enjoy supporting the local team here in Bern, whilst they won the league for the first time in 32 years…
The early signs aren’t promising, under Emery. It’s evident to me and many of us that he’s fallen short of really pulling the trigger on certain players.
I think he’s taken the *benefit of the doubt* route before he really decides turn the ante up. My guess is that January will be telling as to whether Emery feels certain players are cut out for the task ahead.
Like I said, it would be unfair to write off Emery so soon, having had Wenger as manager for so long. But Emery needs to get it right!
Three points in the bag – delighted about it! On our overall performance? Not too great, too many palpable mistakes and still a very questionable starting XI. However, this is a great result for us away from home considering… We’ve managed to see the partnership up front with Laca and Auba, but would rather want to see them playing up front rather than Auba on the right. Laca is looking extremely dangerous, I like that! Emery is trying to work his way around in to trying to find the perfect XI…his perfect XI. I will admit I am one of… Read more »
Come to think of it what I enjoyed yesterday was the battling performance and spirit of the team as a whole.
Sure we weren’t great in patches but I thought we didn’t cower like last season and just give up after the equalisers.
The lads kept going and seemed hell bent on getting the 3 points. I think overall, there has been a marked improvement in that regard with the installation of Emery.
We should definitely revert to three at the back with Bellerin and Monreal giving width without the need to shuttle up and down the entire length of the pitch ;Guendouzi and Torreira as the defensive pivot (possibly Ramsey.. If he can maintain discipline) ;with one of Ozil, Miki, (or again.. potentially Ramsey) , to function in the hole behind the two forwards. Xhaka should not be considered in any games other than The Europa League where he potentially gets sufficient time on the ball to play his particular brand of football (totally unsuited to the PL) . Cech should be… Read more »
Some people here are absolutely laughable. The sweeping statements and conclusions they have come to of Emery/side after 4……yes 4 games is pretty embarrassing.
This is real life. People take time to adjust to new methods especially when following something that has been in place for over 20+ years.
I for one am very happy for the way we fight back even though we re shit defensively.
Even in the citeh game we should have got atleast a consolation goal.
Against chelsea, lesser said better.
Just get the defence and the shape sorted and I think we may even land top4.
Well said Al.
After all, practice makes it perfect.
Al
Agree. It’s been 4 matches.
The stench of wenger on some players. Especially important players like Ramsey, Xhaka, Ozil, Cech. etc will take a bit to get rid of
Although I think Ramsey is too far gone as is Xhaka.
Ozil will be fine.
A new system. New players. Will take a few matches.
Think we will see torriera start after the break. Hopefully Leno too.
Replace Ramsey with mkhit. Not ideal but no other choice.
Ole agreed
Dare I say it, we don’t look like a great team right now but we do look hungry and with a little ‘mental ztrength’
A couple of people here yesterday were misrepresenting how our new manager-DoF-head scout arrangement works when it comes to signings — i.e., they were saying the manager has little to no input, something that is totally false — so I thought I would correct the record. Our new arrangement is in keeping with the model that is now used at almost every top club and which is described in the quote below. Far from having “no say,” the manager provides a list of needs and players he thinks fit those needs; he also usually has veto power over any final… Read more »
Michael 24 Was never a Per fan i saw many of those traits in him but maybe not to the levels you saw. I thought he read the game pretty well probably through necessity because he had no speed. What i would say is for a guy of his height he couldnt jump. And his statement about preferring to sit on the bench rather than play when he was drawing a salary was totally disrespectful in my view. How he was made academy coach having set that example i dont know. I understand others may think he did a good… Read more »
I think I was on the money when I predicted that this ‘easy’ run of games would be much more of a slog than most people expected I do think we are actually moving in the right direction but as I expected I think it’s happenibg much slower than we’d hope As far as I’m concerned emery still has several issues to solve but he’s made some small positive tweaks in each game. Not enough to make us competitive but if he continues then I do feel like we will see quite a lot more out of this squad in… Read more »
Lest we forget we had a thousand games under the previous boss where we dominated games, played beautiful football and left the match with a draw or worse The cesc era team was terrible for this as hleb and chums we’re playing triangles around the penalty spot rather than shooting. Very fucking annoying I’d love to have that kind of football again but if emery can blag us a top 4 points tally during this obvious work in progress season then I won’t be complaining too much if it’s ugly As well, if he doesn’t majorly fail and get sacked… Read more »
Your Comment Here
Sorry, but Unai Emery has been at Arsenal for three and a half months now, not three weeks. While it remains early days, one can definitely begin to draw conclusions about what progress, if any, seems to be taking place. At the moment I’d say there are few to no positive signs — and I say this as someone who wants Emery to do well and who viewed his appointment as a reasonably good one. Yes, we are only four games in to the PL season, but yesterday was actually Emery’s ninth game at the helm if you include friendlies.… Read more »
Can the record get corrected over the idea Lacazette should be sold? Waiting on that one…
Bamford
Good one. But Emery out. As you said, conte did it and so has Sarri to some respect. Chelsea are a stronger club than us but still…Emery’s honeymoon period is well and truly over. Must do better fast!
CC
Laca is ultimately an okay player but definitely better than PEA this season…so far. Both are not world class.
Laca can stay for a bit. Sell him next season.
A1
Well said.
I also think Emery planned for the international break.
We may see a few changes in two weeks time.
Torreira and Guendouzi together. Lacazette and Auba a permanent fixture. Ozil read the riot act. Leno to show his face and Bellerin benched until he learns to defend.
Anyway it’s exciting times and I’m prepared to give Emery the time and space to work things out.
As we all should.
I’m as worried as the next bloke about the defensive ineptitude on display but tbh two wins from our first four matches is a decent start considering Citeh at home and Chelsea away were the opening two fixtures. Citeh are just world’s apart in terms of quality and were always going to win that opening match and even though the Chav result was disappointing, at least we played with real verve and purpose for spells and showed something, an improvement on the Wenger days. Likes of Ozil, Aubameyang, Bellerin can hardly play any worse than atm either which I suppose… Read more »
To think of it against Chelsea we could of beaten them. So all in all (Defensively frail) but ultimately its the points that is the most important thing. The most concerning is the amount of goals we have leaked in only four games.
Samesong
To me our attacking play has actually been encouraging, we put three past Cardiff and West Ham missing chances, we should have put at least four or five past Chelsea with Aubameyang seemingly on a mission not to score and even against Citeh we had a couple of decent scoring opportunities with Laca and Bellerin springing to mind.
So we have two players in Ozil and Xhaka who don’t (or shouldn’t be asked to) defend. Ramsey’s always in and around the opposition box, same with Auba and Laca. Then we have the issue of our fullbacks pushing forward at the same time. No wonder teams waltz through our midfield. THIS! Is there anyone on here who believes that it is in the teams best interest for Ramsey to be playing as a striker in the last ten minutes when we are defending a slender lead whilst we already had welbeck, aubamayang and lacazette on the pitch. THIS! Spending… Read more »
WE
So I guess we’ll lose our games 7-4 then? Or win 3-2?
Defence is, was and always will be the way teams win games. Pep knows this and that’s why he spent £250m on improving it.
We spent the equivalent of a pack of peanuts and we got monkeys.
I don’t actually foresee it working out for Emery here tbh, hope I am wrong but just don’t get that special vibe off of him that all of the managerial greats have. Would love to be proven wrong on this but his stint at PSG would worry me that he hasn’t it in him to handle the egos/garner respect off of the elite talent which is ultimately where we want to return as a club. If he can get us back in the CL and improve the personnel that would be good enough for me as a stop-gap to begin… Read more »
GOH Preaching to the choir there mate, was vocal in being against the Sokratis signing and Soyuncu who I’m glad we passed on as he wasn’t worth the dough being discussed and given his age we’d be stuck with him for the foreseeable. Beyond me why we didn’t sign a LB and a CB that’s not over the hill despite only being average in his prime. Sokratis screamed of cheap and easy as well as lazy. Sven had plenty of dicks hard with his recruitment history at Dortmund, nobody was looking into how it tailed off pretty dramatically and coincided… Read more »
B10.
You cannot be serious!
Comparing Conte to Emery is illogical.
Conte inherited a set of players that were flexible and capable of adapting to change. They also had a winning mentality.
Emery has inherited a core of players that have little or no concept of change. On top of this he has a structure and systems around him, built by Wenger, that need to be completely dismantled and rebuilt brick by brick.
Also, remember one simple factor in all of this.
Arsene Wenger!
WE
You did a far more eloquent job of describing the situation!
Monkeys and peanuts was my limit.
Cardiff are the odds on favourites for relegation.
Seems to sum up how dire we where.
As regard Pedro’s remarks about Socrates seem
wide of the mark.
This guy is playing several levels above where he should be
he will be seriously found out against better sides.
WE What is worrying is that we all know he is a very smart manager, fastidious with his preparation and knowledge. He wants to play 4-2-3-1, again, most everyone knows that. But then he serves up totally unbalanced and in fact almost suicidal starting line ups. Take City, Mhkitaryan and Ozil out wide, the former doesn’t really do defence and effort and the latter couldn’t spell those words because it’s too much effort. He is playing a really high line with CBs too slow to do it but then leaves out Torreira who could shield them in place of a… Read more »
Arsenal’s recruitment policy does seem really weird. There are no other ways to describe it. Buy a 30 slow as sin cb and try to play a high line. No. Buy a 26 year old keeper who call ball with his feet and not play him while you try and implement a out from the back tactic. Ludicrous. Play an over the hill 36 year old who can’t ball. Play him in every game and watch his confidence be destroyed. Xhaka. The worst midfielder in living memory. Play him every minute and give the SOB a new contract. Ozil. Just… Read more »
352 is the way forward.
if we played 442 we would still have the same problems, fullback playing so far forwards and out of position.
We don’t actually have any wingers either, so it would be two from iwobi, Ramsay Welbeck, miki, ozil or a makeshift Bellerin with the litch behind him,
No thanks
Can the record get corrected over the idea Lacazette should be sold? Waiting on that one…
Can the record get corrected that Xhaka is a top 1% footballer. Waiting on that one…
Also waiting on Greizman and who did your “friend in the know” tell you who was going be manager for us that you put money on? Hahaha
Too good.
Up 4 Grabs
Agreed.
Three CBs seems the only way right now.
We looked like equals playing West Ham and Cardiff aside for a few minutes where we clicked in attack.
If you watched those games you would have said a win for either side or a draw were all acceptable results based on the performances.
For those ten minutes against Cardiff when Aubameyang and Lacazette clicked it looked good, both passing and movement. We didn’t sell Lacazette and buy a winger that would have helped the 4-2-3-1 so now we need to do what we need to do.
GoH
I have no idea why Cech is playing. Hopefully Leno gets to start after the break and we see the end of Cech
We desperately needed a winger or two this summer.
Hopefully Jan they bring one in.
The good thing with it being international fortnight means Emery can work on the training ground a bit with the players still there. They can assess the first four games and hopefully learn from them. Torriera should be ready to start, and guendouzi can have a little rest before going again, unless Des champs shocks everyone, and calls him up? The good thing with the run of games that we’re in now, means we can build some momentum before playing the bindippers. if we could get a point from them, then a few more games before spurs and man utd… Read more »
Up for grabs.
Europa should be easily navigated. Play all the reserves including Ramsey and Xhaka and Cech.
Shouldn’t affect our PL matches
Cesc,
the thing is who plays as third centreback?
if its Monreal then its lich as a left back or Danny Wellbeck!
if its mavropos he will get a few games coming up with the Europa and
Hi caramba cup coming up, or whatever its called.
Holding should have been sent on loan and kept Chambers.
playing chambers in all those pre season games then loaning him out is another weird decision?
Joe,
I get what you mean mate, it should be easy, but its Arsenal you know we’ll probably make a meal out of it.
and when you look at our bench for bringing players in it doesn’t look great.
xhaka and elneny in midfield
holding and mavropos as centrebacks.
Welbeck and eddie as strikers.
and fullbacks are all busted its not great.
Up 4
It is all very difficult, this is such an unbalanced squad with so many issues. We need to get in the UCL this year and then spend bout £250 Million on this side obviously selling a lot as well over the next couple of summers.
The Chambers thing is weird, that smacks of something financial. New contract, told he would be a big part of Emery’s plans then suddenly out of nowhere he’s gone.
CA Re the wideman I am not buying for a second that one wasn’t available, take Felipe Anderson even, he tore us a new one at the Emirates at times and has made a really good start, a name I floated on here a while back. Guedes moved, Malcom, Fekir is marooned at Lyon and clearly wanted out, Lemar, etc. We didn’t even try for any of these. Which boggles the mind considering he’s having to shoehorn Aubameyang out left where he clearly struggles to influence the game and impose himself. Our recruitment for me was disappointing, I know it… Read more »
Cesc,
Champions league is a long shot, but possible, do you throw all your eggs in one basket in the new year at some point, and go all out for the Europa league
Like man Utd a few years back?
your right about 250 million, I think that’s just to compete again, not even guarantee winning the league.
the problem is I cant see Stan loosening the purse strings for that type of money.
Look, I think guys are forgetting something emery said. The man wants to wind by 3-2 than 1-0.
If we can win 3-2 most games I’ll take that over loses and draws.
kay Boss,
3-2 wins are great, but we struggled against a piss poor West ham And Cardiff side.
how about a Watford, Everton, or Leicester even.
and that’s before we look at the five clubs that finished above us last season.
Weagle Emery needed more substantial backing this past summer imo, the whole hiring process started too late given it was a WC year. We were still dragging feet out of “respect”, which was a total cop out because patently we just didn’t have a very good plan in place. Emery has the ability, just think he and us have been sold short for this season. Unless a proper Jan arises you can pretty much write this one off as it appears to be a very, very laborious process. Has he been given a season to judge everyone, with promises of… Read more »
Cesc
“We need to get in the UCL and then spend £250 million”
Really?
No pressure then.
Poor CC getting his panties in a twist because he’s getting called out on being a “in the know” with his “mate at the club “ hahaha. Laughable.
Charlie.
Tell us how great Xhaka is again. Please!
Top 1% innit.
WE At least Torreira looks good. Was very impressed with him when he came on against Cardiff. I’m struggling with Emery at the moment, I’m trying to cut him slack in my mind and I’m thinking he is trying things before he arrives at his preferred line up. You know I completely agree on the winger. It seems as if Bailey was available for a reasonable amount, he’s signed a new deal now, there was a host of players out there, I even don’t mind Traore at Lyon. It’s like there wasn’t a meeting between Mislintat and Emery, or that… Read more »
Compete for top 4 would be a step forward.
As for the Europa League, maybe a small step forward can be achieved.
Let’s just enjoy the ride.
CC
You have a lot of fantasies about me riding a pole
Whatever gets you through the day I suppose.
Want me to send you a pic of me
In my fire outfit.
Keep you going for days 🙂
‘No pressure then’
This is elite level sport, pressure is constant, love it or leave.
For too long no pressure, no expectation and no accountability at Arsenal.
Joe, Cant wait for these six days, with a trip away to Portugal as well.
Squads not that big mate so some of the first team will have to play.
Monday 22nd October
Premier League
Arsenal V Leicester City
Thursday 25th October
Europa League
Sporting Lisbon V Arsenal
Sunday 28th October
Premier League
Crystal Palace V Arsenal
Maybe our away form will have improved by then?
I’m also waiting for the usual October injury pile up that befalls us every year, maybe with Wenger gone it might not happen?
For too long no pressure, no expectation and no accountability at Arsenal.
well put Cesc.
hopefully things will change, especially once a new Ceo comes in, sponsorship money should be top of the list for getting more money in if Stan isn’t going to throw us a bone.
im off out fellas, good talking with you all.
Joey you’re not “calling me out” you’re classically being that thick twat we all know. As I say, not going to waste my breath explaining what’s been discussed to death previously. If you couldn’t follow then you won’t be able to now.
Fantasies? Lol you seem to think being a fireman is like being a rockstar haha maybe nobodies told you….it’s not mate. Your mum lied to you
Your Comment Here
Don’t care how we win this year. This season is all about setting foundations for Emery’s system
Let’s just get into the CL anyway we can. Europa or top 4.
The style can come later
Let’s just hope he sorts out that Xhaka, Ramsey and Cech need to be relegated to the Europa group stage squad. And to the bench for pl matches
The only way playing Cech makes sense is if we are trying to sell him in January and putting him out there. Same with Xhaka. Still seems stupid as their value will only go down with more exposure. They will also together cost us about 20 points by Xmas.
Cesc
Pressure is good, not disputing that.
This though goes far deeper than expecting players to adapt so quickly.
Pressure on the training ground will eventually lead to dealing with it, in a competitive situation, on the field of play.
Conte got a team with championship pedigree.
Emery inherited a team with “loser wenger” pedigree.
Not fair to compare them
Or the situation
Yeah.
Conte took over a team that finished 10th because or Mourinho issues, but it had finished 1st the season before.
Sarri took over a side that finished 5th because of Conte issues, but it had finished 1st the season before that.
Emery has inherited a dog shit side relatively speaking that finished 6th last year and finished 5th the year before, steadily declining as opposed to a collapse season after success.
Michael24
This was always going to be a bit of rough season.
I guess the problem is because we put up with Wenger for so long and could see the mistakes he was making that would have long term pain there is just no patience.
Being told to wait is hard if you were in the boat that wanted Wenger gone for years precisely for this reason.
4 games gone and people talking of a rough season lol
Cesc
I didn’t put up with Wenger. I made a conscious decision to not trust him after 2008.
I stopped going to games 6 years ago and had no desire or interest to go and watch Arsenal after this time.
What’s the problem with waiting for a couple of years for Emery to steady the ship.
I’m prepared to be patient.
Lacazette and Auba can guarantee us 40+ goals this season.
No problem.
I like Emery and am prepared to give him some time but he definitely needs to play Torreira and Lacazette now. Don’t know about Leno and Licht but they can’t be less reassuring than the ones playing in their positions if you follow me.
If he takes the right decisions within a month, top 4 is definitely achievable imo.
Europa League is a bonus and we will have have gelled ( one can dream ) as a team when it will really matter.
So yeah, no need to go panic-mode for the moment.
M24 Emery will get time, without doubt, but he has to start putting his stamp on this side. Right now it feels like his tinkering but it reeks of Wenger still. To be expected in a way after all that time with him as manager, but Emery’s selections have been disappointing and far from recognising our problems game to game and trying to address them he seems to just be leaving them and asking for more effort. It is early doors yet, maybe over the break he will look at things and try to work them out, obviously it is… Read more »
Karim
What do you think of Sanson and Traore as a Ligue 1 watcher?
Cesc
What do you think about putting in a cheeky bid for Alderweireld in Jan?
He’s looking for wages the Spud’s won’t / can’t pay and he wants to stay in London we might be an easy option.
Cesc
I’ve noticed you mentioned them both and I agree they’re both good, like them two a lot to be honest.
Sanson has stepped up a gear since he joined Marseille after all these years in Montpellier where he was a bit timid.
Much more consistent now.
Traoré is not disciplined enough to play for a huge team yet but boy, what a magician. Just love him !
3-5-2 might actually be the way forward for Emery considering the type of players we have, Wenger struck gold with it last season in a period were we became solid defensively and still carried a bit of threat moving forward.ofc it all depends if he’s flexible to a change of formation because going by his history in previous clubs he hardly budges from the 4-3-2-1