After a week of starving out in the wild, picking through the bones of poor Danny Welbeck performances, scuttling around in the bin of international football like a mangy door mouse, today, daddy has come home with a bag of delicious Kentucky Fried Premier League football, along with that garlic dip you like so much.
Feels good to be back… let’s gorge.
Unai Emery is apparently REFUSING to roll deep with a translator in the Arsenal dressing room. The Mirror have reported this story without quotes, noting that the Spaniard has a translator at press conferences mainly to help him if he gets stuck. I did hear an amusing whisper through the grapevine that the reporters find Emery very dull and uninspiring over at Colney. Make of that what you will. You’ll find out how much they like him when the club goes through a nasty rough patch.
The boss has to be thinking about 4 very important games this week, we take on Newcastle who could be troublesome, then we have to deal with a Europa League game in Ukraine, followed by a very tricky game against Everton at the weekend, rounding off against Brentfordelona.
“After the Champions League, the Europa League is the most important competition. If teams cannot play in the Champions League, it is very important,”
“I have proven with my experience to know the best way to manage the players. Now it is very important for me to think first the match against Newcastle, we need to win the three points, and then think the same for the Europa League.
“My idea first isn’t to change 11 players for one competition and the next competition. Each match is giving us information for how we can play.”
Sure, Emery knows how to win the Europa League, but he’s only managed that in Spain. I think England is a different kettle of pescado, but hey, we have to give him a chance. I really hope we don’t see a repeat of the dark Wenger years where we throw the same 13 players at each match until they start breaking.
There are some people that come into a new workplace and take advice, some who like to learn the hard way.
‘If Dave from transport invites you for a beer in the warehouse, say no, ok?’
That’s where I’m hoping Darren Burgess has managed to wrestle some influence over his new boss, he and Shad will be able to advise the new coaches on workloads, the big question is whether the new fitness coach, Julen Masach, who has the ear of Emery will care to listen. If he doesn’t, we’ve seen plenty of times how the December injury pile up can decimate your season. We’ve been through the Tony Colbert years of TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, my pretties!
Players need to be rested is now an obvious thing to state. Additionally, you need to put game time in other players legs, firstly to keep them match fit, but also to keep them mentally in touch with the rest of the squad.
Players are just like you are in the office. If you see Jamal getting all the sweet spreadsheet duties, and you’re stuck there doing sandwich runs, you’re going to switch off after a while and feel undervalued. You need the squad to feel included so when the call does come, the players are flying out of the traps. You also don’t want to have to give squad players 6 games to get match fit mid-way through the season. Better to rotate bodies in at the start of the year, than in December.
The manager is focused on the now though.
“Now I want to win Saturday, I want to win Thursday, next Sunday [at home to Everton ], and against Brentford in the Carabao Cup [the following Wednesday]. It is the reason we are looking forward to playing every match and thinking every match about the best performance.
“I think each match if we can find the best performance with the first XI but with different players on the pitch.
“I am looking behind me on the bench for players who can also stay in the first XI and it will be a good moment, because we will be more competitive for each match.”
It really is of huge importance to start the second phase of the season well. I know the League Cup isn’t really that important, but with all those fancy kids we have in the squad, it’d be remiss not to use them. Smith Rowe really needs some games and it’d be great if the new setup could get us feeling like 2007 about a trophy we’ve not won in a very, very long time.
Today I’m hoping that Emery has had some time to work with the defence. I hope he’s had a deeper think about how to unlock creativity in the front 3, whilst giving some stability to the back, and I hope we see a much more fluid Arsenal. Things need to pick up in this phase of the season and we need to continue to chalk up the wins.
We have 13 games between now and the next international break. The big games really, are Everton, Liverpool, Watford and potentially Wolves. There’s no reason we shouldn’t be kicking around top 4 sitting pretty in all comps by then. The theme of this phase has to be about consistency. The manager needs to work out who is his best 11 is, and how he operates when he doesn’t need to go all guns blazing.
I’m very excited to see where this goes!
Catch you in the comments! x
Irritating game at the mo
Guendouzi close there
Instead of giving the aging Monreal a new contract, I’d rather we bought Chilwell from Leicester.
Seeing the formation and the way we’re playing,the question that comes to my mind is ‘Does Emery know what he’s doing ?’
Good save cech
Lolz
Mustafi continues to entertain. Bless
Seriously Mustafa?
Mustafi tripped by the invisible man !
“Emery is not improving us. This can be said clearly now, even though it’s still early days. Not selecting the right XI, not playing us in the right formation, not adopting the right approach (given the personnel available to him). No improvement to be seen in any aspect of our game. None. I challenge anyone to highlight some aspect of our play in which we actually look improved. This from someone who thought Emery was a reasonably good hire. He just isn’t getting it right at the moment, IMO.” Got to agree, Bamford. At least by now, there should have… Read more »
We can’t put together any type of buildup.
Emery is insistent upon using Ramsey as a #10/second striker with Lacazette/Aubaymeyang already higher up.. We need numbers in the middle third so we can progress the ball upfield.
Somehow I expected Mustafi to do just that. Seriously Emery is just inviting pressure with this line up. Mistakes galore.
I have no idea what Mustafi did just there. Did he see his shadow?
Major problems in defence. I genuinely feel sorry for Guendouzi he’s being asked to do so much. Cover for Xhaka defensively in midfield cover for Bellerin at RB and be available for a pass out from the back.
Lacazette looks like a donkey with the ball. Pathetic touch and control.
Thank you, Bamford.
I thought Pea was fast?
He just got done by a journeyman defender.
Laca looks like he’s back to his worst. Weak. Poor touch and limited.
There’s no cohesion and stability in midfield
Bamford10
Meanwhile, Ivan Gazidis, the man who was so keen on Emery, will exit quietly thru the backdoor and join Milan for more money.
Goh
Me and you called it after the city game …… He’s a dud
Bamford
How are you watching the game. It’s not on TV
As long as Emery keeps up this unbalanced confused lineup, there won’t be no improvements. Its too early for him to be so loyal to a few in his lineups.
High line with this defense is ridiculous.
Silly to even think about playing it.
Pierre, don’t align with Guns.
He’s a likeable troll/comedian.
Your a pathetic old man loyal to another pathetic old man who doesn’t know you exist.
Pierre
Damn right. I’ll stand my ground when arguing against Wengemery.
Five games in and a pre season and I have seen nothing to suggest Emery has a clue.
Pants start to this game. Emery why is Torreira on the bench????
Poor from Aubameyang
Good to read you again n5
Unai has to be ruthless.
Auba has had like 10 bad touches already I swear
He needs to do better. Big league. Big club. Big money. We need to shape up
We have yet to even threaten their goal (bar the free-kick where Laca put it in the side netting). We look like we are spending more time trying to pass from the bsck than actually trying to be a threat to Newcastle’s goal.
I have the impression that Emery is really trying to get this first XI to get used to each other, but I have a feeling this is not going to work out.
Dissenter
Google “Reddit soccer streams”
Leftside
Mate. This team is terrible. The players can’t play the system. So…
Emery either adapts or he goes out and spends £400m on a new team.
I reckon option one is the more likely, don’t you?
Dissenter
A stream.
And another corner for Newcastle. None for us so far.
Ramsey the clown
GOH,
We’re not a good side, and Emery isn’t using the best options available to him. I wanted a manager who would do what’s best for the team and so far he seems incapable of this.
Leftsidesanch,
Do you really buy Pierre’s story? I don’t, doesn’t add up.
More likely he’s a teenager with social disorder.
Mustafi is a total clown. I’d rather we just played a promising youngster and let them learn than we stick with Mustafi and literally guarantee that he’s shit forever
Ramsey ….. you mug !
Lolz Ramsay.
£200k pw??? Fuck no!!!
Jokes.
RR,
Strangely I do, this site throws up all sorts of posters but he’s genuinely pathetic.
Great technical ability there by Ramsey. Looks like he recently got new legs and he’s only getting the feel for em. I think he was given two left feet though
Laca looks sharp and hungry. Guen looks fires up. Everyone else is shite
Ramsey keeps reminding us how shit he is…:really!
Pierre
Hope you haven’t broken something because of that Ramsey miss kick?
I guess Emery doesn’t get the benefit of “always tough after international break” like le fraud got?
Funny how all the excuses used for the last dozen years have vanished after only 4 matches for Emery.
Left
We both agree with each other. Good.
Lenny Emery looks panicked.
I thought we played better in the first 2 games we lost !
Ramsey stinking the place out as usual with his famous tongue gesture.
Auba can’t fucking pass/ hold ball / run with it at all.
Ramsey and Ozil doing wot exactly in 32 min?
Look at how shit Ramsey really is. As usual, no end product.
China
An expensive clown
35m
Harvey Weinstein has a better touch than Ramsay.
and so many used to give me shit on here when I said Ramsey was shit and the 6 month purple patch was an abberation and not his level at all.
This is his level. Bang fucke.ln average.
Just like wilshere was.
None for us so far.
—————
Ozil took one
Bang bang needs to play through the middle
Cardiff one up against Chelsea lol.
I’m not watching the game, but the comments here almost describe perfectly the game. Predictable vulnerable defense and uncomfortable Czech ball control. Bellerin probably miles forward and massive gaps opening for a lack lustre Newcastle. Benitez setting up a strong defensive unit.
WHO NEEDS LIVE COMMENTARY? haha
Gued is a player. I love that kid. A real trier.
Never shys away.
We need another 9 of him.
Wot a accurate long pass from Xhara! 50 yards back to Cech ffs.
Not anymore Up4Grabs
Arsenal are making Newcastle look like Holland c. 1974
Auba control the fucking ball !
Leftside if only we had a hazard.
“Hilarious. Did you take that remark to be aimed at you, Charlie? You seem awfully worked up about it.” I’m “worked up” because I responded to your drivel laden input? How’s that? Spurs XI is as good as anyone’s in the league and their back 5 is the best in the league. The criticism of their squad is that it’s XI deep, so a World Cup hangover where they nearly all featured until the final was inevitable – and blatantly obvious t date this season so far. I know you’re desperate to downplay them because in doing so you can… Read more »
Ozil isn’t even trying to find space. Sorry, but this is beyond a joke. Sack this lazy knobhead ASAP.
Great read by Papas
Guns I think arsenal are playing like 1974 arsenal
Up for grabs
They’re playing like they we all born in 1974.
Pathetic.
Much maligned Sokratis has actually been good today especially his tackling. Which is just as well when you play with Mustafi as your CB, Bellerin as your RB playing so far forward and have your midfielders giving the ball away so much
Whatever the result or performance..I’m still high on wengr being shown the door.
It’s early days for Emery….I take that as a plausible excuse for average-ness…. Remember Wenger gave us NO HOPE WHATSOEVER whilst he was here for the past decade. Remember Wenger’s results at Newcastle weren’t up to much anyway.
Please Lacazette…………
Blow the half time whistle please !
Worst game ever !
70% of everything good has come from guen today so far
The remaining 30% from laca and sok
Everyone else looks like west ham level
Bamford/Joe
Thanks
Guns
You have something against 40 year olds? 🙂
Lacazette looks like he has hoofs instead of feet.
Ramsey, Ozil …..wonder when we’ll just saybf@ck It! And bin both
Joe
No mate. I’m a forty something!
Dont wanna hear about early subs if that happens and it changes the game in our favour. How about just pick the right bloody team from the off?
What a great first half, not one shot on target………….
Only 3 shots posted from both sides. None on targets
Other than corners, we seem to have the better stats../:/ our play didn’t reflect that though
Very average.
Arsenal looking very much like a Europa League team.
Newcastle competing well but lack real quality in midfield and upfront which is just as well because if they did decent chance they would be leading this game.
There were a few little signs from Arsenal when they got a bit of space and as the game carries on into the second half that they could nick the game for just having a few better individual players.
Overall very average though.
Genuine comment, and not a dig because I rate Rafa but….
Is Emery anything more than a younger Benitez?
I wouldn’t waste my words on this.
POOR!
We’ve got arguably the worst RB in the league I swear. Because he doesn’t play RB he literally does not play the position he has not got a clue how to play the position. Even when we’re playing out from the back he’s already halfway up the pitch while on the other side Monreal is more measured in what he’s doing. Total shame about signing Lichtsteiner because I’ve got no doubt had we actually signed a RB to challenge for the position instead of an obvious back up we wouldn’t be witnessing Bellerin
Looking at the sky and the clouds are moving faster than Xhaka, Ozil and Ramsey.
The slow, slow, one-paced tactic is self-defeating. The forwards don’t bother to make runs because the ball is never played more than 5 – 10 yards. And count the number of times the ball is passed backwards !
In this system Cech is a self-evidenty a disaster waiting to happen, the high line leaves the CBs horribly exposed to the ball over the top and the workload on Guendouhzi to cover for the lack lustre performance of Xhaka and Ozil is insane. Xhaka is playing two divisions above his natural ability.
Is Emery anything more than a younger Benitez?
I personally don’t think either’s style are similar. Emery is more attacking at the detriment of the defence while Benitez is more measured defensively
Unless Torreira is less than 100% fit there’s really no clear reason how xhaka gets in ahead of him
Another anonymous and irrelevant performance from xhaka again
Considering some on here like him you’d think he could make an appearance against Newcastle. Drop the fucker for torreira in the second half and let him rot on the bench
It’s finally sinking in isn’t it…
Emery is making wenger look like a tactical genius.
Get Ramsey off ,bring on Mhkitaryan.
Bring Torriera on .
China…
Are you criticising Emery ?
Even when cech plays an acceptable pass, I’m sure it’s not just me who notices how difficult and uncomfortable he finds it and he always leaves it until the last possible second for no obvious reason
I stand by my previous observation that cech is one of the top tiers least capable footballers on the ground of any player I can remember. A camel on ice. It’s painful
Pierre
It’s finally sinking in isn’t it…Emery is making wenger look like a tactical genius.Get Ramsey off ,bring on Mhkitaryan.
Bring Torriera on .
—-
A tactical genius who lost 7 consecutive away games.
We badly need wingers in this team. Just play one of Ozil/Ramsey.
Ramsey has had his only asset, positional indiscipline, taken away and he is really not offering anything. I still maintain he will be better in the MF 2. Just curtail his running beyond strikers and make him start arriving late from deep.
Really guendouzi off and xhaka stays ffs
Wenger IN !!!
Torreira on for Guen
Sure I am
And unlike you I criticized the previous guy too because my critical faculties didn’t magically appear when the great lord left us
Emery isn’t god. He deserves time and I’ll give him that but today he should’ve known better than to make some of the decisions he’s made. I accept him making incremental progress but today was the same as last time and that’s not progress
Marko
Disagree, I think Benitez gets a bit of a bs rap about perceived defensive style. Imo he’s simply a very very good coach tactically.
With good players he plays good football, and his defensive solidity would’ve served us well for a few seasons I think. Him and Emery are less fluid and more rigid in what they ask from players vs a Pep. Still surprised Benitez wasn’t a top candidate for us in the summer tbh
Emery is making wenger look like a tactical genius.
We know you’re on a constant wind-up and that’s what you do now and that’s why no one takes you seriously but please explain what it is that you mean? Honestly because all these obvious errors and mistakes that Emery is making Wenger was making for years and then some