Happy Fri-emery? Or just Friyay? Or just Friday? Whatever you fancy. There’s a big game this weekend and I am PUMPED.
Liverpool come to town. Emery has a chance to fire up the troops and take his first ever top 6 scalp. Liverpool are favourites, and I think that’s a positive for us. I’m not sure any of us expect to come out of this alive, even at home. That puts us in a good position of being grateful for anything more than zero points.
There are many things for us to be looking out for.
Selection:
There are a lot of questions ahead of this game. Firstly, I think he should stick with Leno, Cech didn’t look great against Blackpool and Leno has been pretty good.
The big fear is Lichtsteiner and Xhaka as fullbacks. We’re going get absolute spanked if that’s the case. Might as well pack up and go him, give Xhaka his red card already. Trouble is, we’ll likely have to risk a players recovery to get anyone back into the mixer, and Liverpool doesn’t feel like the right game to be taking punts like that.
Midfield kind of picks itself… dependent on Xhaka. Will Ramsey come in next to LT? Will Ozil occupy a central role?
Up front is also interesting. VVD is a monster, and he’ll eat Lacazette alive. So do we opt for someone like WELBZ to bully? Or do we just have a blended front three and see what happens?
Tactics:
If this were Arsene, we’d be going toe-to-toe in a ‘who has the biggest toe’ competition. I’m not sure Emery will be so reckless. The challenge he has is the team aren’t exactly reliable when it comes to defence. Are we equipped to absorb pressure? Do we have the discipline to run a deep block. Do we have the intelligence to stop Liverpool from playing at high pace?
The real worry is if we go into this game playing a high line. Especially if we have two slow full-backs in play.
The last time Emery played Klopp was the Europa League final. From what I remember, he let Liverpool exhaust themselves in the first 60, then picked them off when their legs were gone. I think the Liverpool team is a touch more sophisticated in 2018, but at least our man has the winning record here.
Psychology:
I always felt an Arsene Wenger side was beaten 3 days before the game. How is Emery going to change that? Are we going to be in the fight? Will we see a difference in the way we approach the game? Will the team look like they believe they can win?
These games are acceptable to lose if the team looked like they were in it. I don’t want to come out of this weekend thinking we were bullied. I don’t want the game plan to be out the window after 6 minutes. I want to see 100% agression for the whole game, Liverpool need to feel like they’re in a game.
Right, that’s me done. See you in the comments! x
Poor from our 50 million+ strikers, again, in a big game
Playing well at mo, creating plenty of chances….none of wengers tippy tappy bollocks around the box…
Mhyki is such a lazy ass
He had the view of the backline but is just too lazy to return back in time.
Why is Rambo having a go at Mikhi ? He has been decent so far.
Great atmosphere.
Shane we aren’t up at HT…
FFS Leno. U came out and missed it
Possibly our best first half, even though we haven’t scored yet.
That’s more an indictment of how bad we’ve been starting games.
Second half will be better.
…”players to batter Liverpool”
Biggest laugh of the day from CC
Leno ….. you’re a good goalie but the walkabouts in the wilderness out PLEASE !
Very good first half from us. Best all season.
If we had played with that tempo for even half our games people would be talking a lot more favorably about us.
Ozil needs to step up.
Mkh needs to step up off the ball but he’s actually been quite decent for us on it.
Xhaka has been really good, improving and looks faster for some reason.
We’ve really pressed them well, had a 10 minute spell where they could only hold onto possession for seconds.
What A Game! Literally couldn’t breathe for 45 minutes.
Keep it tight, don’t concede before half time. A decent account by our boys, Liverpool being shown to be mortal.
We were the better team but I can’t help but feel lucky we aren’t going into the break a goal down
I can’t believe that we are 0-0 vs the bin dippers. Thst surely is a sign of some progress?
Can we expect our usual 2nd half rocket up the arse from Unai and score the first goal?
Really good first half by our standard
Great game to watch with several “ooh shit!” moments
What a half.
Let’s do it boys, what a boost it would be to win that game !
Very good showing so far.
I’m don’t think Mkhi and Özil should finish this match
Good opening half, we look assured and everyone aware of their responsibilities.
Both GKs showing the line is thin between quick off your line and wtf are you doing mate?
Arsenal have had the meatier opportunities, if one goes in you sense we could find another gear. Kolasinac struggling, but that much was on the cards given he’s played 18 seconds of football this season. Needs to stay calm and focused
We look like we have a plan, refreshing to see.
“Literally couldn’t breathe for 45 minutes.”
If only that were true.
Why was it so difficult to find a player like Torreira for 13 long years.
See how we look so different with a DMF that counts.
We turned up and played better. Pool a bit more goal threat tbh and hit the goal at 45″.
If most good chances taken could be 4 – 4!
Ozil turned up esp considering a big game.
I think all played well. Of course, if either striker was a tad quicker/ sharper, would have a couple. Mikki headed 9mm wide of an empty net was the miss of the half.
Pool hit post twice though.
So a fair result.
Emery doing his HT magic atm…
Need to say I have been impressed by the display, leno just needs watch his adrenaline rush,,,, jeez that final VD ball could have gone in, maybe leno somehow was responsible for VD not having a clear heading at goal but that’s just uncalled for. I hope we won’t give Liverpool chance on the ball in second half. Good display so far
Saying that Liverpool have had two or three clear chances and legit goal ruled out 🙂
I would love a 1-0 to the Arsenal.
Let’s get it done.
Great game so far.
Both teams deliver punch after punch and only by luck they are still standing undamaged. No knockdowns yet. Epic showdown!
Dissenter
Stick to your cape wearing exploits.
–
Am I the only one struggling to see how Mane isn’t interfering with play?
Leno has two Liverpool attackers sprinting within 8 yards of him and you want to tell me he’s not interfering? Not buying that.
Feels so good to have an excellent keeper at last and not to look like 12 year-old boys anymore
Leno’s a fuckin idiot…..
Radio Raheem
That is surely a good sign. Right?
Karim,
I know but Leno still have huge problems dealing with long balls. He got lucky.
C’mon Red. Stop your Ospina love in and appreciate the young budding keeper that we have!
Mkhi,özil, have had a descent game.
Lacazette n Auba look ok.. Looking forward to 2nd half
Emery looks in agony!
Boys do your club proud.
Either team can win!
Cmon
Imo it’s offside. If he’s not in offside position in the first place, no way he reaches that ball when he did. Also he clearly runs after the pass and only later he changes his movement.
Legendary
Is your cup half full or half empty?
Why didn’t Mkhi square the ball there?
Mkhi is an absolute joker
We got to take one one of these changes.
Mikki needs to take the shot now…
Let’s squeeze ’em
Radio Raheem
I am not entirely sure … but I am going for my cup being half full. We are scoring that goal!!!
Bollocks
Leno did an Almunia!
Ffs…
Fuck
Fortuitous goal for Liverpool
Leno pouched it back into circulation
It was gifted to Milner on a platter
Fuck………
They don’t really deserve that.
But then we didn’t make out pressure count.
Xhaka’s fuck up, let Milner walk off him.
Leno what a tool
Leno ffs. That could only be a punch.
Ffs.
Glorious Failure. Not everything has changed …
Liverpool are a bunch of lucky cunts.
Ffs what a crap goal to give away.
Get up you twats
Now they’re singing that shit song
Why do we like to shoot straight down the middle!!!?!!
LT had the whole width…..
Let her die …
Mikitaryan is useless
The performance though and the plan, you can see the way forward, we just need some transfer windows to improve the CAM, RM and LM position.
“Glorious Failure. Not everything has changed …”
Lies. We haven’t been glorious for 10 years.
Ffs stretch them off.
I was about to say how great it is to see our manager actually out on the touchline giving instructions compared to Wenger but the nature of our pending defeat is very Wenger like..
67th min 😀
Mane’s pace a real challenge for our defense,he has been a constant threat.
Come on Arsenal, let’s get back on even terms… we need to be positive and go on the attack. Liverpool does not deserve to be winning this.
Man, this is just like the Chelsea game. Really shouldn’t be losing this.
How’s is it going guys?
Leno is a good keeper
Great save
I don’t at all understand Emery’s preference for Lacazette over Auba.
I hope Emery knew wot he’s doing taken Auba off and put Ramsey on when chasing goals.
Seriously?
I would have taken off Laca. Hasn’t scored in a while now.
Is Welbeck injured?
He tore his labia.
Give there ball to Iwobi to run at their defense
Why don’t we attack the box??? Only Ozil in there when iwobi crossed ffs
Don’t get a good vibe with Ramsey on for Auba. We need speed and shooters…
Cmon
Come on Arsenal.
Why isn’t anyone taking a chance in the middle of the box?
We keep crossing but there’s no one in the middle
We look tiring..
Welbeck on for Kolac.
Last roll of the dice
We can still do it. C’mon
How poor is our bench. Jeez
Fuk yeah
Iwobi…gosh
He drew three players to him
Great finish. Fair play! Get in …
Get in there!!!!
Bamford take that’s
Yeh..fkn get in boys
Oh Lacazette!! I take back my earlier remark. Emery Knows Best!
Wow
Wow wow
Fuck you Klopp.
Lacaaaaaaaaaa
Just like the Nelson goal!!!
Go kill ’em off now
We are going to BATTER Liverpool today
‘I would have taken off Laca. Hasn’t scored in a while now.’
You were saying…
Phenomenal goal!!!!! Classic game!!!
What a great goal by Lacazette reminded me a bit of Ian Wright away at Norwich I think?
This team does not stop fighting now. Amazing what a change of culture can bring about!
Believe…..
Lacabludclart
They said Iwobi isn’t good enough, great play, Great goal by Lacazette
Yesssss cmon!
brilliant goal, come on lads
What did I say Radio Raheem?
YES!!!!!!!!! That is why Lacazette will be an Arsenal legend.
Come on ladyluck, shine on the bday boy Emery today
‘They said Iwobi isn’t good enough, great play, Great goal by Lacazette’
Iwobi’s pass was heavy as usual, credit to Laca for scoring from a very difficult angle.
Let’s win this and give Emery a birthday present to say thank you!!!
C’mon we deserve this outplayed pool so far