The big one is HERE. Arsenal take on Spurs in the battle for bragging rights in North London. Unbeaten in 18, this is a huge test for Emery. For Spurs, this match is really about whether they have the minerals to be championship fighters. They’ve started to perk up of late and they certainly put in a boss performance against Chelsea.
Much is riding on this from an optics perspective for Arsenal. Lose and the pattern of top 6 struggles will continue for Emery as it did for Wenger. Lose, and United will start to look a lot more difficult. Lose, and the klaxon of progress will start to sound a little meek.
So what are we looking out for?
For me, similar to the Liverpool game. Give us a performance that shows the fans that we’ve progressed. I want to see a strategy that’s interesting, that shows we had an extra few days on the training ground… one that exposes their weaknesses, or does something smart to nullify their strengths.
If the Chelsea game is anything to go by, they’re going to try and swamp JorXhaka in midfield. He’s the key to our game moving forward, and not just that, he doesn’t always perform well under immense pressure. This game is really will be a barometer for his improvement this year. He needs a barnstormer. He needs have a blinder if we’re to succeed.
Additionally, it’s going to be interesting to see what sort of Mesut shows up. Emery dropped him last week and, in my opinion, accidentally called him a pussy in the press. I think the real reason he dropped him was about preservation and the simple reality that he struggles with fitness. Last time he was rested he flew out the traps. Sure, it was against Leicester, but let’s not pretend they’re not a physical side. If he can’t raise it tomorrow, it really will say something about his future with Arsenal.
We’re going to need a fresh-legged performance from Torreira. The signing of the last 10 years in my opinion. Petit had an interesting take on the Uraguyan.
“Arsenal have been too glamorous in the past few years, and not dirty enough, but with Torreira, the dirt is coming back into the team.
“He is not the most talented player, but he is like a dog on the pitch, he is a leader and sets an example.
“He doesn’t impress you physically, but you can feel his breath on your neck, and his foot in your calf because he is there all the time, and that is the kind of player you need in a team.”
He’s going to need to be at his dog like best today. The concern is that he’s doing the job of two because Xhaka doesn’t have the mobility or physicality in midfield. Ideally, we’d have two Torriera’s, but such is life.
I also think there’s some interesting choices to be made going forward. Will we make sacrifices with our formation and go with one up front and rely on swift counters? Does he continue to have the best of both with both our forwards? Will Iwobi get the nod? Will he give Mikhi another run-out?
The great thing is this: We have no idea what Emery is going to try. But you can bet your bottom dollar it’s not going to be a case of ‘express yourself and hope.’ I think his comments about the game were spot on.
“At the moment, Tottenham is better than us in the table and better than us last year but in history Arsenal is better at other moments than Tottenham,”
I’d rather the conversation be about Arsenal being better now, versus the insecure retort of ‘we have a better history.’ Spurs are in a better moment than us, of that there is no doubt, the power is with them. That can be easily overturned, and a good place to start is now.
This is where the money is made. This is what cements legend amongst fans. This is what we live for.
Have a great day, see you in the comments! x
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Leeds
I like your optimism, but i have a story about young potential players. They did a survey long ago where they ranked the 20 most promising players in the premier league. 20 years later only one (1) played in a top club . that story was about michael owen. My point is…..Its fcking hard for a youngster to take the last step. If one of Smith Rowe, AMN, Willock, Nketiah, Nelson…or any other…..awesome.
Cesc
A good manager, in whatever sphere of life, brings out the best in their people, even without them knowing. If Mesut has downed tools as a protest, for the sake of the club he needs to go. I wonder if we’ll ever figure out the truth though.
Leeds
I think you are letting Ozil massively off the hook.
His behavior and attitude is appalling and there’s a reason it was China and Inter asking for him and a lack of big clubs when he was potentially available on a free.
Cesc
I don’t mean to.
I just don’t want the club to undergo another Arshavinesque situation with Özil. If we can possibly bring him to perform back to his best especially with modern transfer prices we have a massive asset on our hands… even at his age. However one thing I won’t tolerate is a player thinking he’s bigger than the club. If he thinks this he needs to go. Alexis went for the same reason, so does Mesut.
Goonah,
20 years? Nah, just taking a game at a time 😉
Leeds
Just saying your faith and belief in youngsters are over the top…most wont make it buddy
I think we should work out a deal with him, like we did Denilson.
We’ll pay half you contract, you leave in the summer.
He gets a free, we get away with half the deal.
Still buzzing this morning and , for me, yesterday’s performance meant far more than any of the last 3 FA cups we won. Why? Because it gave us a glimpse of the future with Emery & his backroom, Sven & Raul. Our summer signings weren’t a one-off fluke, they were the signs of the vision of the club moving forward even if the budget was Mickey Mouse. We turned the clock back yesterday to the best of early 2000s and GG teams’ dogged best, only we scored more goals than a usual GG team would have. Perhaps even a lot… Read more »
Totally agree Pedro get Ozil out ASAP! You could see from Emery’s pre match interview that he’d had enough of Ozil with whatever transpired. It’s not really what Emery said but they way he said it, and the fact that he didn’t fully back the player with his “I don’t know” answers. Ozil showed us he could play consistently when playing for his contract only to revert to type one he was banking the big bucks. From a business stand point even paying half his contract to get rid of will probably be more financially beneficial for a number of… Read more »
Ozil has to go. Pedro I like your idea if that works he should take the money and run
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves with Ramsey’s showing yesterday. If Ramsey can’t put in a solid 51 minute shift for a NLD or not match our collective dogged passion, then He should never wear the shirt again. No question Ramsey upped the dynamic for us in the final third, but that was not hard after Mikhi and Iwobi’s poor performances in the first half. Yes, Ramsey stepped up, but the Spuds’ energy levels dropped measurably as the 2nd half wore on. Let’s also not forget that yesterday’s game was the perfect window for Ramsey to make a statement to… Read more »
Ok, maybe I should have written imo and left the humble bit out!
What a game. We got our Arsenal back.
Kudos to Emery’s and our team fighting spirit.
I’ve been a fervent Kola out supporter, but yesterday’s showing says there is a player in there – certainly in the attacking left wing back sense. Kola is too clumsy to be a skilled LB, but could go on to be a very useful left sided squad player. If Kola can replicate yesterday’s performance against Manure Wednesday, I think his chances of being kept will be much improved. This may sound daft to many, but I have often wondered if Kola could play a more DM or CDM role? No doubt I’ll have my arse handed to me here for… Read more »
Can’t wait to see what Emery is going to serve up Mourinho and his group of lack-of-direction team. It’s be finally worth staying up til 3am to watch the game. I think there’s too much history between our clubs for the Utd team to down JM’s tools, but mentally and our collective passion should see us beat United and not lose our unbeaten record at OT as we have done before. That would really throw down a marker for the rest of the season. Add a couple of decent additions in January and we’ll start to get that fear back… Read more »
No player would be happy if your coach openly humiliates you and says that you are not suitable to play in a physical game. Ozil has played in different countries and has already played a few years PL. Normally, it is the coach’s job to help a player to integrate into his system. Obviously, there is a big rift between Emery and Ozil. By openly dumping a player, Emery is creating a problem for the board. And I don’t think the club has sufficient funding to buy a star player in January. I wish Emery good luck. I am interested… Read more »
Ozil is getting paid regardless. He loves it! No playing and still getting paid!
Clearly I’m being facetious
However I like the idea of paying half his contract and let him go for free if that is a possibility
Inter are rumored interested and I can see him going to serie a
It’s great time to be an Arsenal fan. 19
In a row.
I’ve been one of the only ones who’s been positive since the start
Started the EKB movement.
It’s feels great to be proven right
We are a completely different team to the last decade.
Emery sitting Ozil for 2 matches including a huge one v spuds. That would never happen under the old regime
We should have beaten Chelsea.
Drew Liverpool.
Beat spuds.
We have our Arsenal back
Sweet Caroline!!!! Oh oh oh!
Interesting:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/lucas-torreira-heatmap-5-things-13679327
Lets all hope and pray the rumors of Inter coming in for Ozil are true. It’d be amazing to actually get some compensation instead of just buying him out. Either way he needs to removed from the equation asap. Cutting out the Cancer is the first step. It’s get down or lay down at Emery’s Arsenal.
We are going somewhere. I can feel it in my bones. However, we absolutely must add players in January when the big boys are disinterested in the TW. I still think individually, especially on the wings, we are lacking. And Emery’s tactical ingenuity won’t save us everyday. Almiron and Pepe won’t be a bad place to start. And I hope people are eating humble pies on Kolasinac. We bought a LWB whom Winger nearly ruined by playing him LFB. Onwards and upwards.
“Emirates reactive as always. Holding gives away a soft penalty , so he is not good enough. Fast forward a few weeks and he will be signing his praises.”
I bet you would do the same about Mustafi. A few months back you were probably calling for one of Holding/Chambers to be sold.
I would actually take Almiron and Pepe in January or summer
My Team for Wedsday:
Leno
Mustafi Papa Holding
Bellerin Kola
Torreira Guendozi
Auba Lacazete Mkhi
The Jan window will be critical for us. That is the time to get the next hot ticket before summer and the big boys come calling. Who has the next star but gone under the radar thus far? Sven? Come on… unearth than Gem
Nab fast in Jan get them bled in for the tough part of the season
Something is def off with Ozil and Emery
I mean he called it a back ache- perhaps its his grasp of English but a Back Ache?
lol
He is also becoming more ambiguous in the press about Ozil. Doesnt say much, doesnt really tell what is going on. Of course we all know Ozil back ache is a red herring
Ozil tries to stay relevant with his post game cheers to the team on social media. Its all getting a little boring now.
If he does not line up against Manure in any form. the writing is on the wall
Absolutely on board with getting rid of Ozil in January. He doesn’t fit the type of football we will play moving forward. Keeping him just delays our rebuild. Mkhitariyan is also a too lightweight. Doesn’t give enough.
I’d still offer Ramsey a contract at a realistic wage. Moving forward he is not a starting 11 player unless he improves his consistency, so his wage should reflect that.
Sell ASAP: Ozil, Mkhitariyan, Elneny, Welbeck, Jenkinson, Perez.
Let go in the summer: Licht, Kos
Nelson
Emery is not openly humiliating Ozil.
Ozil is doing that all by himself.
It’s great that we now have a manager who is prepared to deal with things in a tough but reasonable manner.
Ozil, just like all the rest, has to prove himself.
Over to you Mesut.
Forgot to mention this yesterday but Arsenal Football Club are now a viable and appealing product once again.
Emery has managed to mould a wonderful team ethic/environment in such a short period that, from the outside looking in, will make potentially interested parties sit up and take notice.
Onwards and frigging upwards.
Tony D
I am not sure if we should keep Kolo even with this performance.
Yes he is a great attacking threat. And he came on a freebie.
But he is a terrible defender and his sideways passing is bad. He has Carl Jenkinson standard when it comes to technique.
If attacking prowass is the yard stick of a defender, we would have stuck with that Brazilian fullback. The guy who hit Chelsea on the counter for that 5-3.
At least if he goes, it will with warm and nice memories.
There’s definitely progress. After standing toe to toe with Liverpool a few games back we actually made a step forward with the win yesterday. It doesn’t feel like a one off win.
Next station on the Emery Express? Old Trafford. For the first time in a long time we have nothing to fear. If anything they will be fearing us.
Graham 62 If the stories of insubordination are true, he has to go. Back spasm was code under Wenger for “Mesut doesn’t feel like it, but I don’t know what to do.” In a stroke of genius Emery is letting us all know I think, that Özil tried to push his weight around, and unlike Wenger, Emery has stood up to him… and it sounds like Özil took exception and walked out. If it genuinely was a back spasm then he would/should/could have at least been at the Emirates supporting his teammates… in the dugout next to Emery cheering the… Read more »
Pogba for Özil swap. Deal or no deal?
@ Leeds I doubt the Mancs and especially Jose will be in fear of our team (especially as its at OT) We are th ones that have to approach it professionally and loose our fear of losing games there even when we have played well in the past. Jose lives for games like this, only difference is he has no history as such with Emery like he did with Arsene so he knows he can’t get under Emery’s skin with any mind games and the like (although he will try to). Emery knows right now we look like a better… Read more »
Leedsgunner
I agree with you.
To be honest, I’m fed up with it all.
I also think Emery has got the other players respect by dealing with the situation in this manner. He certainly has mine.
Imo, Ozil needs to man up, or get lost.
Emery has even said Koscielny was at the Emirates yesterday speaking to the squad before the game, why couldn’t Özil be there to demonstrate that he too was at one with the squad?
Graham “Ozil, just like all the rest, has to prove himself.” I’m with you on that ..so far this season he has struggled ..time will tell if Emery has given up on him . Better to get him back onside though as people are forgetting, the squad has no depth to it and we may need him ,a couple of injuries then we are in to playing the kids which in itself would be interesting to see if they can step up a level . Anyway, fans should be talking about the game and the superb effort from the players… Read more »
funny how its taken less than half a season for everyone to be on board with arsenal and it’s progress.
Wonder what the arteta fan boys must be feeling ?
We have no idea if Arteta could have replicated the season we’ve had so far under Emery. None at all.
By the way, Arteta’s city are crushing the league again so he can’t be all that bad.
Pep is the one who puts out the cones.
Pierre will have us believe it’s emerys fault for failing to make ozil a hit.
Nothing to do with the player being lazy af
There’s something seriously wrong with Ozil, and I can tell you at least partly why this is and it may also explain the back spasms. I recently read an article that said that Ozil has become something of an expert at Fortnite, the online shooting video game that has become a phenomenon. He’s become so good at it that he’s notched 600 wins. For anyone who knows anything about Fortnite, to get 600 wins takes an incredible amount of time. To get a win, you have to beat either 99 players if you’re in solo mode, 48 other teams in… Read more »
guns
im sure arteta would have us sitting in first. Pep hands the Gatorade to the boys, putting out cones are for the professionals
Leeds:
Pogba for Ozil. Deal.
“We have no idea if Arteta could have replicated the season we’ve had so far under Emery. None at all. ”
Correct translation : “I wanted Arteta as our new coach, but instead we got a true loser, so I’m not happy at all.”
“By the way, Arteta’s city are crushing the league again so he can’t be all that bad. ”
GO SUPPORT CITY AND LEAVE US ALONE, ffs.
barcary
you know as well as me that ozil can afford the secret lab omega. no way is his back getting busted sitting on that. Unless he made the mistake and ordered the Vertagear SL5000. Then he’s in trouble, isn’t he ?
HL
Calm down. Tongue in cheek. Tongue in cheek.
Anyway, go give peter the business as he was pro Arteta too.
The best part bit about Manchester is when I left it. Thank you and goodnight…you’ve been a rubbish audience.
I think we all agree that Özil’s career at arsenal is over but there have been zero enquiries about him since he joined us…and no apart from us when real sold him.
Knowing what we know about Ozil, I think he’ll do a Bogarde and sit out the contract. Clearly he doesn’t fancy football anymore.
So is that three years at £350kpw. £54.6m I think Arsenal will pay out.
Jokes.
@GoH : being pro-Arteta is one thing, but slaming so often Emery and the team’s good performances is a different one.
These days you sounds like your not behind the team, and it’s a bit confusing…
I agree with you on one point only : Arteta is far more cute and glamorous than Emery. Happy now ?? lol
HL I was critical of Emery at the beginning but over the past few weeks I have softened my stance. He deserves a lot of credit for what he has managed do do in a short time. If he can get fourth, blimey! No one would have seen that coming. Loads of work to do. Half a squad to get rid of. Lots of players need to come in but baby steps…ten years of neglect is a long time to turn around. I just hope Stan backs him with big cash. Let’s be friends. We’re both arsenal fans…I’m just funnier… Read more »
Ozil for pogba. One lazy, overpaid prima Donna for another, no thanks.
What we need are more honest, hardworking, modestly paid professionals like torreira and gwen.
Ozil is done, people need to accept this and move on.
Whatever means necessary, we need to get him out.
Hughes sacked at southhampton
If Arteta was our boss we’d be in the Champions League already.
I don’t know how but we would have already qualified for the last 16
If Arteta was our boss Ozil’s back would have been fine. He would of started yesterday and we would have won 9-1
If Arteta was boss today would be Friday and the time would be 6pm