Well, well.
I’m back, fellas, and I must say, it’s a fun time to be an Arsenal fan. This is now my third Le Grove column for the 2018-19 season, and if you told me we’d be level on points with Chelsea and Spurs, sitting two points behind the leaders, I’d have called that the best case scenario.
(Not. bloody. likely.)
I admit, I’ve been optimistic since the beginning of the Emery era, but pretty-much-no-one thought we’d be sitting where we are, in the midst of a 10 game winning streak, so I won’t pretend I expected this.
It’s hard to offer commentary at times like this, because what can I say that yesterday’s game didn’t declare on global television: beautiful football is back.
If the Aaron Ramsey wonder-flick the other week piqued people’s interest in The Arsenal, Mesut Ozil’s technical masterclass put us back on the map, and has raised hopes higher than I was after my trip to a reefer dispensary in Boulder a few weeks ago.
Writing as I do from the American perspective, I must say that legal marijuana is the gift that keeps on giving. Why the rest of the world hasn’t caught on that Mary Jane is fun and beneficial is beyond me, but given the realities of Capitalism, you can bet the cash flow has fascinated the mega-corporations that will ensconce the weed industry in the 21st Century.
I was just telling someone in California last week that when they first approved the program in Colorado, they had completely different systems for in-state and out-of-state residents.
Different prices.
Different rules on how much you could buy.
It was annoying, and slightly discriminatory, as why would you want to soak the tourists bringing money into your economy?
There was little sense in the rules, so as they figured out what they were doing up there, (I live 35 minutes south of the border,) the system became more efficient, and now they’ve got it dialed in.
One price for all, (tax included,) and more types of THC delivery systems than there are languages spoken in London.
The tax dollars fund the school systems, the Denver metro area is booming beyond belief, and cool-kid-states like California are racing to catch up.
Sometimes, it takes a while for major organizations to figure out what the fuck they’re doing. Typically, once the money gets rolling, and the experience levels up, positive results will follow.
In this case, I’m using the weed industry as METAPHOR for KSE, the sports conglomerate we all love to hate. (Or used to, anyway.)
Honestly, in a multi-billion dollar sports industry, can you believe how many people lost their shit over the little $3 million fee that Stan and Josh were paying themselves for “consulting” a few years back?
They insisted they were willing to spend money, did the Kroenkes, (through their mouthpiece Gazidis,) only Arsene Wenger was too cheap to take what they were offering.
According to that narrative, our former, all-powerful, manager/General Manager had a point to prove, with respect to winning without money, but he no longer had the chops to pull his vision off.
I was dubious, and personally made fun of Stan et al many times in my previous column.
It was not as much fun as mocking Mourinho, sure, but between his silly mustache, and his whole “I married Walmart money, bitches!” attitude, it was easy to mock Stan.
Beyond everything, though, was the obvious mediocrity he seemed to support in his other major clubs, the “then” St. Louis Rams, Denver Nuggets, and Colorado Avalanche.
(The Colorado theme makes sense, right?)
But now it’s 2018, Stan’s “American” football team plays in LA, and is the best in the league at present. His stadium may be behind schedule, but once it’s done, not only will his team play there, but the now-LA-Chargers will too, meaning he’ll be making mad cash off of both teams in the 2nd largest market in the US.
Even better, after years of not-mattering-at-all, the Nuggets are ALL the sportswriters’ favorite trendy-team this year, and they just knocked off the 3x champion Golden State Warriors.
All of a sudden, within the span of two years, Kroenkes Sr and Jr went from laughing stocks, (who didn’t understand the connection between brand value and winning,) to progressive owners who’ve empowered grinder coaches to build winners from the ground up.
Sean McVay, the Rams coach, comes from a famous, multi-generational football family, and is known for being young, obsessed, and ahead of the curve with his ideas.
The team spent mega-bucks on several important players, (Aaron Donald, Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks,) and is the envy of the NFL.
As for the Nuggets, their coach, Mike Malone, is also a second-generation NBA coach, and looks like the kind of guy who sleeps on his office couch, in his rumpled suit, because he’d rather eat glass than stop working.
Again, this is all public knowledge. Look it up.
The Kroenkes, seemingly out of nowhere, are building winners and brand awareness simultaneously. They’re hiring determined talent, at the player, front office and coaching levels, and entrusting them to make some fucking money.
Does this sound familiar?
I’ve already come out in favor of Unai, Sven and Raul, and I hate to repeat myself. I also pointed out last month that Arsenal now have 2 verifiable match-winners, and a newfound winning mentality.
We also have 2 midfielders who, if we had guys like that during the late-Wenger era, might have made the difference between 6th and 4th, or 2nd and 1st. (Yes, I mean Guendouzi and Torriera, both of whom I’ve name dropped in each column so far.)
Last month, I ended the blog by suggesting that after 5 wins on the trot, we’d know a lot more in a month.
Now, it’s October 23rd, (when I’m writing,) and the winning streak has doubled.
I wrote about the emphasis on development, and making players better, and we’ve had drool-worthy performances from Alex Iwobi, Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil, not exactly players who flourished in the previous, super-stale regime.
So now what? Where do we go from here?
Honestly, I don’t know. (We’ll have to watch and see what happens.) But it’s possible that KSE has finally figured out how to not just own clubs, but support them properly.
And even if Stan only cares about money, and figured out that winning brings more, who gives a shit?
All we want are trophies and beautiful football, and we’ve already got the latter.
Why not more?
Follow me at @jblauphoto
Team announced:
Leno
Lichsteiner
Sokratis
Holding
Xhaka
Gueondouzi
Elneny
Ramsey
Mikhitaryan
Welbeck
Aubamayang
Arsenal: Leno, Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Holding, Xhaka, Guendouzi, Elneny, Ramsey, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang, Welbeck.
Xhaka at LB?
Xhaka at LB again
Nemesis
At least I know how to write guendouzi lol
Good to have Sokratis back.
Xhaka at LB is interesting.
We cannot take Sporting for granted in the way we can other Europa League opponents, still a good team.
Cesc
Yes, Sokratis has been impressive.
Xhaka at left back again to cover for the injured Monreal and Kolasinac, thought he did well there Monday.
Karim
Where are the good old English names!
AFC Nemesis
Actually, I love Talksport.
Adrian Durham was always spot on.
Alan Brazil is, most of the time, under the influence, but still a great laugh.
Fancy a few goals tonight.
Sporting 2 Arsenal 3……..meaning 0-0!
No Ozil, no party.
He nose best, period.
And he became a fan of the “lolz”, the world has really turned crazy.
Nemesis
Gone with the weed
Xhara was ok at LB playing Leicester in the last 30 min.
Lack of pace may be less of an issue if he knows a bit about defending however would offer little flying down the left like Monreal does.
LT is due a rest and shouldn’t play at all if in travelling squad. He’s a PL starting 11.
Just hope we have enough creativity in there to score a couple. Guendouzi + Ramsey….will see…
After all, should still come away with the 11st win.
Wow
Laca rested. Aubu starting after being rested on Monday
Great managing by Emery
Yet there are posters on here who think emery has to “figure out” how to get them in the same team.
Emery doing a wonderful job rotating
Paul Hawksbee and Andy Jacobs are absolute legends.
Joe
Emery is applying logic and commonsense.
Good coaches tend to do that.
Joe
“Wow
Laca rested.
Aubu starting after being rested on Monday
Great managing by Emery””
Yeah,groundbreaking stuff there joe.
Joe and Graham
As Charlie would say( I think) ….get a grip of yourselves .
It’s Unai Emery who chose the team not Jesus Christ …..
He is doing very well and long may it continue but a bit of perspective please…
More interference being run by the usual suspect on Kroenke, I see one or two more have swept a decade under the carpet and are singing another tune. Oh the irony. Let’s outline exactly what a change of approach will look like from Kroenke: Arsenal competing and winning premier league titles year on year. Not bouncing back from outside the cash rich top 4 to jump back aboard the gravy train. Cesc Appeal, you’re claiming you don’t know what else Kroenke can do that he hasn’t this past year? Spectacularly missing the point are you not? Change was inevitable/unavoidable, and… Read more »
Pierre
A wee bit ott don’t you think?
Your paranoia is getting the better of you.
you can tell joseph just found Arsenal, footy and and blogging in the recent years past….bless the little boy
Pierre
It’s not groundbreaking stuff
Too bad the cunt wenger wasn’t smart enough to figure out how to do it
And we still have posters like Bam and ES saying Emery has to “figure out” how to get both of them in the same team
It’s great seeing a proper manager at the helm at Arsenal.
Nani still playing ?
this post timing was so bad we have a match today for crying out loud
Da
Beenz watching da Arsenalz for yearz bruv,
Probz longa deb youve beenz alivez innit da goonerz
Da
Tell us again how shit Ozil and Bellerin are?
Go back to school son, your teachers are probably worried about you
Mixed bag in first 10 min. Still to gel with rotation.
New LB doing fine and better than RB tbh..
Lack MF creativity
A triumphant return of Batman and Robin tonight would do us nicely… and a win of any description would be brilliant.
A clean sheet without any injuries with be superb… but very surprised that ESR isn’t playing.
I hope this means that Joe W.illock, Eddie Nketiah and ESR will be given game time in the cup versus Blackpool in a few days.
Not happy we aren’t attacking their box much at all.
The MF and forwards largely disconnected.
Emery firms his view on why Elneny and Ramsey ought to leave asap.
Both these guys still playing Wengerball… dilly dally a bit followed by then side/back passes
Ramsey starting as captain?
Interesting.
Could this be a sign of rapprochement between the club and the player? Ramsey isn’t world class but he is still a very dependable consummate professional and an asset to the club. Slim chance though… Ramsey will be probably seeking a mega deal in the summer.
I wouldn’t want to keep at all costs, but in the same way it would be silly to lose him for nothing.
Joke defending just when we were starting to dominate
Red card Sokratis ?
Holding shocker passing out to Nani
Papa was lucky as the last defender. well both pulling each others
Wake up… not cool
Defensively looking ragged again, and riding our luck.
Ramsey bloody turning like a tank and killed our pace in attack
Anyone with a working link to the game?
I’m sorry but why give the armbrand to the welsh money sucker ?
Ramsey, I thought would have been more up for this, considering he’s found himself on the bench recently.
Nani looking lively and dictating the play.
So that you can open that silly mouth of yours.
You are welcome
Compared with Laca, Auba has poor touch and passing. Fine if he keeps tapping it in.
Let’s look to the 2H Emery magic.
Ramsey is one of those who wants 8 touches when 1 or 2 would do. Slows us down so much.
It might be an idea to bring Bellerin on and have Lichtsteiner at LB moving Xhaka into central midfield.
We’re getting some breaks down the right and Bellerin’s pace could be useful.
If it goes on like this might as well take out Ramsey and Elneny and bring Iwobi and Lacazette on for 20 minutes or something and just go at them.
just got inside a ball house didn’t know the match was this early
CA, no Bellerin tonight!
Missed the first half. Sounds like we haven’t played well in the first half. Did we have any good moments?
Bob
Is he not on the bench?
I swear I saw pictures of him and Torreira out on the pitch looking around before warm up?
Scratch that then, I don’t want Jenkinson on.
We are limited by having Lichtsteiner and Xhaka as full backs though. It is clear Emery is trying to get through this in anyway possible while giving rest to a lot of the players.
Not the easiest fixture in the Europa League though.
I don’t see us scoring if we keep playing like this. Mikhi, elnenhy, gendouzi, welbeck, litch all have zero pace and even zhaka hence the tippy tappy useless football we have been playing in first half. No one is driving the ball forward through the middle or from the flanks
Both teams are on 6 points and are competitive domestically which can explain they’re not giving it all
Rotation shows too
Still confident we will win this
Wots the yellow for. Holding got the header clean.
Auba should have scored with the chip. A bit casual?
Treading good though. Two shots in 2 mins…keep it up its a stats game
Ffs welbeck. Got to hav scored th.
RVP to retire at the end of the season. A shame that he was unable to do this with us.
Donkey Welbeck and Xhaka the Wanka.
Somethings just don’t change
Cmon u reds
Would ubtakeva 0 0
Corners have been completely wasted tonight so far
LT on for Elneny. Should shore up our defence.
Ramsey still on the pitch tho
Pedro
Why urvblog not retain login stuff
Not happy with Torreira coming on. Should have kept Elneny on and not risked Lucas. Happy with the draw.
El neny is really shambolic isn’t he.
Waste of squad space. The space should go to a good youth team player.
Ramsey stinking the place up
Ramsey and Welbeck, pair of clumsy players. Ramsey always looking for self glory
Joe “Yet there are posters on here who think emery has to ‘figure out’ how to get them in the same team.” Don’t get me wrong, I think Emery is mananaging his personnel and their playing time well, but are you suggesting that our best XI is not one that has both Laca and Auba in it? Given they’re our two best strikers, and given that we spent 60m on Auba, most would say our best XI should have them both in it. Maybe not, though. Maybe Auba is a sub in our best XI. I do find it funny,… Read more »
Two Wenger boys Welbeck and Ramsey managed to fuck it up.
Welbeck did score. Was not be foul. The defender slipped not pushed. Cheated of a goal.
Wanker ref
Unlucky Welbz
Elneny should have stayed on, Ramsey isn’t adding anything either. Of course he’ll score now…..
Fuck that! That’s not a foul. The dickhead falls to the ground.
Defender very lucky. He fell over but Welbeck’s arms were out and made it look like a push
Chance for Xhaka to do something useful.
Bam
We play 3 matches this week
We scored 3 on Monday.
He rested aubu Monday
Laca today.
If he plays both every match they will burn out and could get hurt.
Maybes hea rotating to keep them fresh to play Liverpool and spuddies in a few weeks where he intends to play them together.
Or he could do as you say. Play them together every match so maybe they burn out or get hurt.
Whatever he is doing is working.
Maybe you need to figure it out and not Emery.
Hope we can move Mkhitaryan on next summer somehow
Bloody hell SPO players now dropping like flies and time wasting and disrupting our ascending rhythms. Poor.
Christ, I hate stewart robson.
Voilà Danny
This Portuguese team should change their name to Unsporting Lisbon.
Cvnts
I think you could say something mildly aggravating to a Sporting Lisbon player and they would need 6 minutes of treatment
Fuck u time wasting dirty SPO.
We got our goal.
Keep a bloody clean sheet and come home!
The Emery train marches on
Finally!!!!! Phew!!!! Go on Welbzzzz!!!!
Great finish from Welbeck
Danny Welbz!!!!!
Donkey Welbeck
Excellent Welbz
Wellbeck is an #ekb!!
Someone needs to pull Welbz to a corner and ask him if he is comfortable being the third striker on rotation.
He’s settled in nicely being behind Auba and Laca on the squad rotation.
His wage demands can’t be that much I suppose.
Wow Emery wanted to punish the play acting SPO boys…
Laca on for Welbeck!!!
C’mon
Alexanderhenry
Robson is awful. He’s still angry at being fired from arsenal.com
Think he use to do co-commentary
Surprised at that, thought it would be Aubameyang.
Suggests he will start from the bench again at the weekend.
Bam
Yes they are included in our best 11
BUT no good to us if burnt out or hurt
If we can’t rotate v Leicester and Lisbon then who can we.
Better rotate now and play both v Liverpool
Don’t ya think?
Emery knows how to keep his squad happy.
Everyone gets a little piece of the pie
What to do with Welbeck now. Will he get a contract? I think he’s off regardless
Dat guy Welbz
Deserves it
Iwobi on for Auba
Better chasing back I suppose.
Ok game for Auba. The chip could be better.
Isn’t it ironic that Auba didn’t threaten as much in the absence of Laca?
DaleDa Gooner
“What to do with Welbeck now. Will he get a contract? I think he’s off regardless”
I think so but we may be better off keeping him because it’s hard to get a third striker of his pedigree with attributes for the English game.
Provided he’s not caught the Ramsey-wage demand bug, he’s better with a renewed contract.
Ramsey only wanted to score than finding his team mates…
5 min fergie time
Boys try to score don’t fool around
Ramsey isn’t worth it!
That was a stupid foul from Ramsey, reminds me of the Arteta fouls late in games
Ramsey with the unnecessary.
Cunt Coates
Licht with a crafty time wasting. Truly chaotic evil stuff there.
Ramsey again! He needs to be sold in January! Or made to sit out the first team
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