Emery struggling to see past reputation

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PUMA

Well hello and welcome to what is, in fact, my Monday, because we all had a day off yesterday.

A lot of the chatter I was reading yesterday focused on Granit Xhaka, who is officially the new poster child of the collapsed Wenger apologist regime. Never has a group of people been so misguided in who they attach their loyalties to, but one thing is for sure, you have to hand it to them, their arguments always incredibly sound on paper.

The big fear a lot of people have at the moment centres around an isolated statistic call xG build-up. The definition of xG Buildup is comes from the very interesting Statsbomb site.

You’ll note, however, that for a lot of players, the values are still dominated by xG from shots and xA from assists. You get a little extra credit for your buildup play, and some unexpected players are still able to shine through. But the fun starts when exclude shots and assists from the possession chains, so we can concentrate just on buildup play. It’s okay if you ultimately make the assist or shot yourself, but you also have to be involved in the earlier parts of the move to get credit. I originally called this pre-xGC (pre as in pre-assist, you see), but the world knows it now as xGBuildup.

Now, the reason people have their panties in a twist is because Granit ranks pretty well for this statistic (play here).

Screen Shot 2018-09-03 at 19.04.11

The masters of this statistic and people that outrank Granit are midfielders like Busquets, Weigl, Alcantara, and Kroos. Iwobi, Ramsey and Mesut also score very well here, but it goes without saying, Granit, being a mainstay at the base of our possession-based approach is going to score well for this particular statistic.

The issue I have with internet stats folk (the amateurs) is the absolute lack of context they give when chucking out isolated numbers they’ve seen in a radar graph. Granit Xhaka is never critiqued for being bad at passing. He’s being taken to task by fans who actually watch the game with their eyes and spot the glaring weaknesses in what he offers the team holistically. Namely, he’s easily rattled under pressure, he makes at least one goal gifting mistake each game, and he lacks mobility in a system that requires an intense pressing philosophy.

We’ve been defending his errors for 2 and a bit seasons. During that time, he’s sat at the base of our midfield as we’ve been humiliated 10-2 in the Champions League. He’s been part of relegating ourselves to Europa League. He’s reinforced the idea that we’re soft through the middle and easy to bully in midfield. Is it all his fault? No. But you can’t doubt he’s a chunk of the reason we are where we are.

Unai Emery has an extremely unbalanced squad at Arsenal. He doesn’t have the basic component pieces you need to win a Premier League title, and the most frustrating challenge is the problematic parts are his most expensive. The manager is trying to ring in the new era playing his best players, not the right ones.

Granit Xhaka might be a formidable distributor of the ball from deep, but he’s a doughnut when it comes to defending, he makes unforced errors on the regular and his lack of pace and power make him a weak point to exploit.

Aaron Ramsey is a force to be reckoned with on the pitch and ideally, you’d have him leading the press, but in a more advanced position, he lacks creativity and discipline.

Mesut Ozil is the most precious of flowers, he needs to be correctly watered, manicured and fed to be able to exist in the modern system. Even then, he doesn’t like tough games away from him and he hides in games against the top 6. He doesn’t like playing out on the right and when he does it stifles our fullback, but when he’s playing in his favoured #10 role he can’t cope with defensive duties.

The manager also needs to make a decision on a keeper who rattles the defence. Seeing the Telegraph write things like ‘Ignore your manager’ is why the British sports press is dying. What needs to happen is the manager needs to make the tough decision, and it’s clear that Cech is not going to adapt to the passing game at 36 years old.

Emery needs to make decisive decisions that are going to look odd from the outside, one of them is going to have to be putting Xhaka on the bench and opting for a more mobile centre midfield. His challenge is that MG and LT would give us better cover, but they both lack experience and possibly the passing range Xhaka offers us. But ultimately, they’ll give us power, pace and the aggression we’ve lacked with Xhaka there. We could also operate with Aaron Ramsey playing a more central role next to LT, but Ramsey would need to do things like not bomb forward and play up front in the last ten minutes of a game you’re hanging onto by a thread.

My fear is the manager is caught between a rock and a hard place. He’s hanging on the past with his starting line-ups, then ruffling feathers with early changes. He needs to go hard at what is right. As G Nev said the other week, don’t go half arsed and back your vision.

Let’s see where that goes.

See you in the comments where I’ll be giving you all xG ratings for agreeing with me.

x

 

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Bamford10

Alexander “What’s more worrying is that the club’s ownership seem to be content with Arsenal just muddling along.” This is complete and utter nonsense. Among other things, ownership has (i) dismissed Arsene Wenger, (ii) hired a Director of Football from Barcelona, (iii) hired a new head scout from Dortmund, and (iv) hired a well-respected manager in Unai Emery, the former manager of PSG. Ownership has also supported spending £53m for Lacazette, £60m for Aubameyang, £35m for Mustafi, £32m for Xhaka, £300k/week in salary for Mesut Ozil, close to £200k/week for Aaron Ramsey, and one of the largest wage bills in… Read more »

Valentin

Steve, you are right.
frank Rijkaard did promote him. I don’t know why I keep completely blank him from Barcelona’s history. Pep did inherit an already very good team, he made it great.

Champagne Charlie

“Why do you say we are miles off from top four. Just four games and you have reacted.” It’s the impression given from pre-season until now quite frankly, and I’m not saying for a second its concrete but the daily theme on here is centred around how we don’t have the players to compete. Well, Emery isn’t doing anything about that between now until Jan at the earliest so I’m struggling to see what expectations are to come of Emery with essentially a mismatch of a squad. You can paint it as 6 points from 12, or ‘should’ve beat Chelsea’.… Read more »

Champagne Charlie

“Why not Rui Faria then? Why not Buvac? Since all one needs to be a potential star is a stint as number two or three and some nice articles from your media pals based on nothing” Look you clearly have a massive chip on your shoulder regarding Arteta, but I’m not going to sit a pander to you because you want to try and be a smart arse about it. I didn’t put Arteta forward for consideration, that was done by the Arsenal uppers tasked with finding a new manager. If you’re so vehemently against that then write an email… Read more »

Champagne Charlie

“The anti-Emery passion being shown on here is pathetic.”

Who is anti-Emery?

NW9 gooner

Valentine Arteta was one of the players to stand up to AW . What rubbish. You talk as if you were there when it happened. And assuming that’s true , it makes him a great manager?

NW9 gooner

Aren’t you CC

Champagne Charlie

NW9 Am I against Emery? Not remotely, I’ve stated as much and even defended the criticism he got from his time at PSG. That’s the trouble with some on here willingly taking what’s said and producing another version. Not suggesting that’s you, but this whole Arteta nonsense has come about from a back and forth between myself and Vic. It was totally speculative then, and was largely addressing the muted expectations and excitement currently experienced at Arsenal. Somehow a select few have conspired to create a narrative of ‘Emery out’, ‘pining after Arteta’ blah blah. Total rubbish from my pov,… Read more »

Bamford10

Let’s be clear: I have some questions about Unai Emery, even at this early stage of things. I have questions about some of the decisions he has made so far, and I am not convinced that we look any better at the moment than we did last season. Indeed, I think an argument could be made that we look worse. I am also not persuaded that Emery has come to even a single correct conclusion about the players he has in front of him, the players he needed this summer or the best XI or best formation for this team… Read more »

China

Pep inherited the following players on day 1 before spending 88m in the same summer: Valdes, puyol, Abidal, Márquez, Yaya Toure, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Henry, Eto’o, Messi. Busquets was in Barca B so got promoted as well. He sold a handful of others and spent 88m on bringing in Alves, Hleb and a few others I think it’s safe to say pep inherited one of the best squads of the entire last generation. A squad dripping with extreme talent but also a lot of experienced veterans. The vast majority of the squad had won the league and CL before. This… Read more »

China

Hiring Pep was an out there decision, but the chances of him not competing for the league and CL with that squad and the resources he had to spend and make it even better we’re frankly low

Out there or not, in that moment he was not an exceptionally high risk appointment

China

Zidane walked in on day 1 with an entirely world class squad

It’s not all bad is it!

China

If arsenal can reestablish themselves in the top 4 and have a demonstrably better squad than now and if arteta can do well in any other managerial appointment I’ll be more open minded about him

Black Hei

At this stage, I think we have to be giving the experts the benefit of the doubt.

That their eye is better than ours, StatsDNA and all.

I think it is too early to do the quick clicks thingy, like Paul Merson and form a Emery-Out narrative on the sole basis that he picks Xhaka like his predecessor and we form an A = C connection.

Black Hei

I would support Bamford on the “give Emery some time” bit.

But not on the owner’s side. It is just relative. Compared to Liverpool and United, the American owners, Stan Kronke is a lot less ambitious.

Staying consistently in the black while sitting on a pile of cash is not ambitious.

Wenger is gone but the pile of cash is still there. What is Le Grove gonna say? Emery is deliberately NOT spending the cash because he wants to prove his style of football? Bollocks really.

China

I’m not sure how much cash we’re sitting on any more Anyone have any reliable figures on this? I’ll hold off judging our expenditures until I know this better I don’t mind us not spending big if we are trying to spend smart though – but a bit of both would be nice to improve the squad and invigorate the fans As we have seen, some of the empty seats vacated at the end of last season still remain empty. The only way that will change is when people feel our product is exciting and our trajectory is clearly on… Read more »

China

Under the previous management I eventually took little joy from blogging messy wins because it always just felt like we never learned any particular lessons from it

As long as we can see marginal gains from week to week then I’m more optimistic now and can actually enjoy these wins more

gonsterous

Pieere Unnai

I’m a dick for backing unai and not arteta ? I’m sure I was a grade A dick to you guys for not backing Wenger,right ?

gonsterous

the defence for arteta is so weak and pathetic.

1. Wenger and pep thinks he’s great.
2. pep and zidane succeeded at barca and Madrid.
3. There is nothing else that they bring up or can bring up.

WengerEagle

Lol, Messi finished 2nd in 2008 and 3rd in 2007 in the Ballon D’or voting before Pep even touched him. Forget about inheriting some youngster from Rijkaard, he was literally the 2nd best player in the world only to Ronaldo at the time of Pep’s arrival.

And Iniesta was a CL winner and multiple La Liga winner before Pep took over.

Agree with the main point that Pep made them a great team though, no doubt about it. Took balls to bin Ronaldinho, Deco and Eto’o all within the space of twelve months.

Black Hei

China

The answer to the “pile of cash” question is in limbo.

Truth is we will never know because Stan is pulling everything private which means he no longer needs to publish financial reports.

The latest report we have is for 2016/2017.

We however can only judge Emery based on next year’s figures, which would be 2018/2019, and those will not be published.

So the only yard stick are transfer figures.

We spent 79m euros on transfers this summer.

Liverpool spent 182m euros in the same window. 120m if you take Keita out of the picture.

China

Hmm well I think in this summer if we put 20m + an early window Ramsey sale we can afford an improvement out wide. Might not be a star name but I doubt that there’s no one affordable and good out there I really hope if not in January then next summer we can write off one CB position as well. A serious, quality player. If we have one top quality CB leader the entire back line will take a step up imo. If we have to burn half or more of our budget on someone to do that then… Read more »

China

This January not summer*

China

A top CB leader, Pappa and Kos next year + two young back ups like Mav and Holding and I think we’ll be defensively far better

Replacing Mustafi with serious quality is an urgent priority imo

Good god I miss sol Campbell. Peak Campbell would sort this entire shit show out

TonyD

Why would anyone want to listen to Wenger after the destruction he caused at Arsenal over the last 12 years.

Laughable at best.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6131007/Jose-Mourinho-spearheads-managers-summit-Arsene-Wenger-Rafa-Benitez.html

China

Does anyone else remember that game circa 2006 when Henry and co were all having a bad day against Portsmouth. We were making a huge mountain out of playing them away and nothing was going right. Then in about the 75th minute Campbell bursts forward randomly beyond the halfway line, receives a back pass from the left wing and just smashes it it in from 30+ yards In that same game their full back went for an overhead clearance by the touch line and Campbell charges in out of nowhere and shoulder bathed him whilst the guy was in mid… Read more »

Black Hei

China

Sadly, I doubt Stan will break the bank for a top quality CB. Look at the prices for Virgil Van Djk

Truth is we need reinforcements in quite a few spots.

Kos and Monreal are not getting younger. Even the Lich is pushing it next season. And there are big doubts on Kolasinac.

I think Emery will just have to dig deep into his coaching hat and pull some magic trick and grow us some young talent.

I am willing to give him a shot even if it means suffering some results.

TonyD

Off topic for a moment; I feel sorry for our US gooners:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/04/bob-woodward-book-fear-donald-trump-white-house

UK author Tom Bower is similar to Woodward and worth reading for those who enjoy uncompromising reads.

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=tom+bower+books&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjA5KzoiKPdAhXGXCsKHQEQBAYQ1QIIfigC&biw=2228&bih=1271

gonsterous

As good as pep is, even he would need a couple of transfer Windows to sort the shit show at arsenal. Restrict him the money and I don’t know, Simeone is looking a better manager.

Receding hairline

Charlie you just stated that Arteta is revered by all who have come in contact with him…which is an outlandish statement

You hace

Receding hairline

You have not yet answered the question why despite the numerous jobs available in the premier league and in Europe no one else offered him a job..or why despite being a front runner for the job if the press are to be believed he was overlooked by Arsenal. Everyone keeps mentioning Pep to support their Arteta point …that makes no sense. You want to know why Arteta annoys me? Read posts from Valentin..the troll keeps disrespecting a manager with bags of experience while bigging Arteta up with nothing but lies. As for the Charisma talk, well we have had a… Read more »

Michael24

It’s only because Arteta wore an Arsenal shirt, that so many fans pine for him.

Pierre

Morning Michael….keep up the good work of supporting the Manager ,I’m sure, deep down, you must be slightly baffled by what we have seen so far ,but early days yet so maybe he will do a Conte and find the magic formula.

I noted that you have been having little digs at my love for playing golf ….was just wondering how you spend your leisure time and the favourite has to be ……

Line dancing in Brighton ….I should imagine that you are quite partial to the gay Gordon (that’s the name of a dance in case anyone takes offence.)

gonsterous

Pierre

calm down, why do you sound so bitter ?

China

Pierre I respect that you are giving emery a fair crack

Despite what some on here claim, it seems like several of the guys who liked wenger up until recently have been far quicker to find reasons to criticize emery beyond the extent they ever did wenger

You defended wenger a lot but you’re giving emery a fair chance. You’re consistent which is worth a lot

Up 4 grabs now

Morning chaps, Michael carrying on from last night, if you think Psg and all the club’s propped up by oil money aren’t bigger than arsenal. Why are all the best managers and players at those clubs? Real Madrid have been propped up by banks over the years not oil money but it’s the same thing. Valentin commented about historical clubs, Preston went unbeaten the whole season in the league for 16 games, does that make them as good as the invicibles 49 game run? Are they as big as arsenal? Chelsea have no history before 2005 are they smaller than… Read more »

Leftsidesanch

At what point do you ask if these guys are Arsenal fans or fans of Wenger.

I remember one of the main Wenger protagonists championing him as a humanitarian on here…give me a favour.

Having reservations on Emery is fine, he isn’t without fault but afford him the same patience you gave Wenger.

Up 4 grabs now

Leftside,
Your 100% right,
Wenger left the club in a mess, it’s going to take 2-3 transfer windows and a hell of a lot of money to put right to make us
Challengers again.
It’s 4 games, not even 4 months and people are banging on about him being the wrong guy. If we are sat 10th in the league in January then start to worry!

TonyD

I wonder what goes on in some poster’s minds here. Top 4 finish this season was always a huge ask considering the squad levels and transfer budget together with Unia coming in. Just compare like for like, position for position our starting 11 with City, Pool, Spuds, Chelsea and United. Then look at their subs benches. It also depends on how these other top 6 clubs perform being more stabilized, having more balanced squads with the possible exception of United under the unstable Jose, but they still have a better starting 11. Yes, selections have been bizarre for the first… Read more »

Un na naai

Tony D

Why? Their economy is growing faster than it has for 13 years after just 18 months of trump with more growth imminent? They’ve created more jobs, bringing manufacturing back to the middle states and the average wage is now on the rise with black unemployment at an all time low since records began.

However he conducts himself he’s getting results.
This isn’t sport. People vote for their own self interests and right now trump is improving life for Americans.
I’d save your pity for Europeans.

Pierre

China I do believe that we shouldn’t be writing the season off and I also believe that our team/squad are not anywhere near as bad as some are saying. We have top quality strikers and playmakers ,we just need a system that will help them thrive … It would be good if we can provide a solid base ,I believe that is the area that needs to be addressed before we continue with the high press up front ,the high line at the back or the playing out from the back …. That can all come later but first let’s… Read more »

Un na naai

Tony

I didn’t back arteta, I simply made the case that it’s impossible to dismiss him as he’s an unknown quantity. Nobody thinks he would sweep the board but maybe he has the ability to drastically improve us to the point where we begin to play good football again, beat some rivals and make the top four with some comfort.
We don’t know do we? And emery’s Appointment is no guarantee either. The proof is in the pudding for any appointment

gonsterous

I have this feeling that if emery fails to get any thing other than 3 points at each fixture before the liverpool game, everyone is going to get the pitchforks out. There is no chance for a “fall before you walk”/ “walk before you run” moment here at le grove. It’s just, Sprint from the get go to the finish line… My personal opinion and I’ve stated this numerous times. I’m willing to give him till the end of the season before I have a full on judgement about him. But the minimum is top 4. Don’t have to win… Read more »

Up 4 grabs now

Pierre,
I agree if we drop the pass backs to cech and switch to a 352 system the attack and midfield takes care of itself (just no xhaka) the defence is still a problem.
Top four is still a Longshot but not impossible and maybe if we strengthen the defence in January anything is possible.
Bindippers and city will take top two but everything else is up for grabs.

Guns of Hackney

For me, wengemery is doing exactly the same thing the original did: double down on team selection. He has basically picked the same team four times hoping that it clicks…this is what the original did. There is no justification to play Xhaka or Ozil and yet…is this really all we can muster from our squad? Wenger was a gambler, and like most gamblers they only tell you about the wins, not the losses…with wengemery doing the same doubling down tactic, alarm bells should be ringing. After Arsene we should be on high alert for bullshit and the first four games… Read more »

Up 4 grabs now

Gonsterous,
That’s what makes me laugh, we have 6 games in the league that are all winnable.
I’m not saying we’ll definitely win all six but can you imagine if we get to ten games into the league with 24 points from a possible 30 before we play the bindippers.

We got to the europa league semis last year under Wenger and virtually the same players we have now, I’d fancy us in the latter stages again and that’s a route into the champions league as well.

gonsterous

up4grabs

24 out of 30 would be a dream. And it’s all winnable but taking it one game at a time would be more healthy.

Also we finished 13 points off top 4 last season. I think Emery can get that 13 points or can better it…

Pierre

Up4grabs
I too would like to see a 3-5-2 as it solves the problem with the full backs bombing forward.
It would leave a minimum of 3 at the back at all times ,could bring in mavropanos to give us the much needed height ,Lacazette and aubamayang up top and 3 in midfield …we would have a much more solid look as a team .

If we are under pressure defensively then bring back the 2 wingbacks to give us 5 at the back.

Up 4 grabs now

Guns,
Chill brother, he dropped, Ramsay, he dropped Ozil, he brought in lacazette for the last game, so he makes changes.
Like I said see where he is after 10 games, we all put up with Wenger for years we can give emery another 3 months can’t we?

Guns of Hackney

Up 4 grabs

…but I’ve already sharpened my pitchfork and rounded up the villagers. Those burning torches and dunking stool won’t manage themselves.

The people have demanded a sacrifice. Wengemery has to go.

Up 4 grabs now

Gonsterous,
Yes one game at a time is right, I think emery can make up that gap as well. There’s no way we will lose as many away games this season as well.

Guns of Hackney

I see a Wicker Man type ending for Wengemery.

The Arsenal fans WILL have a good harvest.

Up 4 grabs now

Lol guns

Up 4 grabs now

Pierre,
Playing with a flat back four with no wingers we always end up pushing the full back up for width.

Every team that plays against us sees thats one of our weaknesses, so when we get hit on the break where does the ball go, left or right flank.

With three at the back one of the center halves can move across to stop the attack if our defensive midfielders can’t deal with it.
It also means laca and Auba can play together.

Un na naai

GunsNic Cage or Edward Woodward?

Pierre

The Newcastle forwards are probably already licking their lips at the prospect of closing down cech if we continue with the policy of playing it around at the back .

Emery needs to abandon this tactic until the team has a more settled look …all we are doing is giving hope to the opposition fans and players especially away from home.

gonsterous

May be the 4-4-2 should make a come back to arsenal.

raptora

Valentin:”Pep did not inherit a a great Barcelona team. He made it. He promoted Messi from the youth team. I think that Iniesta was a fringe player.” Pep started managing Barcelona’s A team in 2008. Messi: 2005/06 – 25 (17 in La Liga) apps, 8 goals, 2006/07 – 36 (26) apps, 17 goals, 2007/08 – 40 (28) apps, 16 goals; That’s a 18 yo Messi at the start of it don’t forget. In 2004/05 he was still in Barcelona B team. Iniesta: 2004/05 – 46 (37) apps; 2005/06 – 49 (33) apps, 2006/07 – 56 (37) apps, 2007/08 – 49… Read more »

Up 4 grabs now

Gonsterous problem with 442 is we don’t have pacy wingers to play it.
And would still see the fullbacks being pushed to far up.

gonsterous

raptora

best to ignore valentin. Guy came from no where and hasn’t contributed positively to any conversation as far as I know. Just plucks things up like, everyone who comes into contact with arteta claims he’s great or the famous, only arteta stood up to Wenger Bs

DivineSherlock

Emery sees something in Xhaka that no other player has , Passing range . Problem is that he is slow , painfully slow. He is explicitly not a DM . That is why we have Guendouzi covering his ass. Ramsey lacks discipline in the no.8 role. This January we need a pure no.8 , someone like Cesc was back then . Torreira as Dm ,new no.8 plus Ramsey/Ozil would be a great midfield.

Guns of Hackney

Un

Woodward version all the way. Genuinely one of the more creepy movies ever made.

The Nic cage version was so hammy! Cage chews the scenery in every shot.

Up 4 grabs now

Gonsterous,
Every time we won the league we played 442 with wingers, what I would give for a Freddie, overmars or limpar right now.
Even a marwood or perry groves!

Guns of Hackney

Pierre

Let’s not change system…let’s play our new ultra shitty GK. What a novel idea.

Seriously, how bad must Leno be???

gonsterous

up

We could try playing bellerin RW and welbeck LW. Only problem, they are too one dimensional. positive, they got pace and can help defensively.

Up 4 grabs now

Guns,
Hammy acting is pretty much Nicholas cages whole career!
Face off and con air were two of his best though. Great films.

gonsterous

divine

xhaka has got passing but he’s reading of the game is shit. Doesn’t know where to be or when to pass…

raptora

Don: “Oh you mean like arteta did when he was at arsenal? You don’t think he’d have taken a similar philosophy to Wenger and improved upon it? pep reinvented Barcelona and created completely unique brand of football. Tika takka was his.” The roots of what would develop into tiki-taka began to be implemented by Johan Cruyff during his tenure as manager of Barcelona from 1988 to 1996.[13] The style of play continued to develop under fellow Dutch managers Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard and has been adopted by other La Liga teams.[13][14] Barcelona’s Dutch managers made it a point… Read more »

Guns of Hackney

Up 4 Grabs

Face off! Con air!!!!

What about the: Ghost Rider?

Nic cage is bizarre but would definitely not pick Xhaka and Ozil.

Up 4 grabs now

Gonsterous,

It might work for a few months until the window reopens, you need your wingers to weigh in with some goals and the problem with welbz and bellerin is there not exactly great at that.
Maybe as wing backs in a 352?

Guns of Hackney

Let’s go with a

1 9 1 formation. Grind some results out.

Up 4 grabs now

Guns it seems only emery and Wenger would pick xhaka! Even nic cage ain’t that mad.
I was always partial to the rock with Sean Connery as well.
He had a spell of good films, then just everything he touched turned to lead!

Up 4 grabs now

New post

China

I’m not sure how he can be called wengemery when within 4 games he’s been willing to haul off underperforming big names, he’s had a reported bust up with ozil and he’s changed his starting 11 to include laca and auba despite his initial reservations I don’t know what’s going through his mind and I strongly feel he needs to do more on the team selection front but we also must be aware that if on day one he dropped ozil, Ramsey, Xhaka and Cech he would more than likely be sowing the seeds of major discontent in the dressing… Read more »

China

He also may be trying to give the players a ‘fair’ chance to prove themselves We’ve been saying these guys suck for years but he probably hasn’t watched every minute of football we played over the last 3 years. He probably just focused on the last 6 months and may feel he can get more out of our biggest ubderperformers before giving up on them You and I say it’s hopeless but he may or may not be on to something and he may or may not simply be working to a different timeline of what constitutes a reasonable chance… Read more »

raptora

Guardiola recalled the first coaching job of his career. After losing his first friendly on a small artificial pitch against Banyoles, his Barcelona B side opened up with one win from their first three matches in Spanish football’s fourth tier. The whispers began and the Catalan media were not the only ones wondering whether he was cut out for the job. “On Monday I thought I had to change because we could not play in that way,” he said of the week that followed the third of those games, a 2-0 defeat to a tiny Manresa side who were relegated… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

Personally I am not bothered whether Gazidis stays or goes. Paid management and staff in football always move on either for a fresh challenge, for promotion or for the money. There is no shortage of people in the market place that Arsenal can recruit if Gazidis leaves. Frankly I don’t think that he is indispensable. Gazidis arrived at Arsenal when there was a very small management team at the club and most of the decision making was handled by Wenger. That is no longer the situation with much better delegation than in past. The only concern would be if there… Read more »

Un na naai

Up for grabs

He was great in family man though and kick ass

Guns

Yeah mate. Love the old version. Modern horror makers should take note.

Saying that I thought there are some truly horrific elements to American horror story. Shame that it lets its buddy the vampire slayer story lines get in the way too often

Doublethink

Hereditary is a pretty good modern horror.

Edd

Diversherlock,the solution to the number 8 problem is already in the squad though injured at the moment. Come forward AMN.

PhD2020

hi

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