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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Great goal
Quality assist from Ramsey as well. And on a forward run to boot!
Just think how good we can be up front with a class CAM/10
Torreira looks a bang!
Torriera wanted to tear the net
Fucking flying now boy
The amount of twats that don’t understand how good Auba is but rate cunts like Iwobi and Xhaka.
Twat statement! You’re thick gambon. No one in their right mind ever would say Iwobi or Xhaka are better players, no one. They are just asking you to tame your dumb asks about the squad and be realistic for once!
Aaaaargh fuck man
We should have these lot beaten by now
Are wee allowed to say FUCK Spuds
Hope that doesn’t get binned
Here we go…cue the “Ramsay worth £200k”. Bollocks. He fell over and the ball rolled nicely to PEA.
Tony agree get rid of iwobi Nikhil ozil and buy a winger and a cam
RAMSEY HAS CHANGED THE GAME
We are killing them. No matter how this game ends, we are not a weaker team than spuddies. Not in any way.
Need two more goals
Good shots. Mustafi and Torr
Keep ’em coming
Ramsey certainly making a difference
Have to say Ramsey has made a big difference here
Unbelievable ball by Hector to Ramsey for the Auba goal. Pirloesque.
Ramsey has changed the game. They can’t deal with his runs. Especially with two forwards on the pitch
I gotta say, what an enjoyable derby this is.
I agree
Aubameyang is overrated
Too concerned with silly haircuts and not enough with his game
But can score winners and is top goal scorer in Prem a what more do you want wilshere up front??
Ramsay fell over ffs. Ball rolled nicely.
Torreira has been excellent.
Ramsey should do his best to give us a sweet parting gift.
Our fresh legs should make the difference from now on
Cmon run them ragged
Shout out to Kola he could run over these pussies has to hold back though
Kolac take the darn shoot. Gave to to Ramsey for wot?
can ramsey pass instead of trying to shoot from every angle ?
Ramsay is a sheep shagging Welshman.
In Hereford, it’s still legal to shoot a Welshman with a bow and arrow on a Sunday. That law has never been repealed.
Who cares about his trims aswell if hes producing when it matters
We should show some maturity and play smart. Don’t give them cheap fouls. Play your game and wait for a chance.
Love the fight. Come on Arsenal… let’s win this.
Spurs have been an embarrassment in this game.
I guess we should keep Ramsey, but not at the wage he is expecting
2 points dropped if we don’t win this. Tottenham have been ordinary.
Torriera tackles everything in his sight
He mush have tackled his mama out of the womb.
Came out feet first
Xhaka has a little dive. Got alli booked. Where’s the outrage? Exactly.
Dele that no good soab
It isn’t legal to shoot anyone with a weapon at any time.
Dissenter lol he tackles his dog the little animal
Guns
“In Hereford, it’s still legal to shoot a Welshman with a bow and arrow on a Sunday. That law has never been repealed.
You’re the king of bantz
I’ll give you that.
Jamie
In Hereford on a Sunday it is.
Some players just remain dumb
Brain dead Bellerin.
This tells me that Ramsey is better than iwobi and mikhi they should both go as well
Come on Hector, we got lucky there.
Best derby in a long time
Bellerin smh
Sorry Chester.
Welshmen are prohibited from entering Chester before the sun rises – and have to leave again before the sun goes down, according to an old bylaw.
Which perhaps explains the fact that it is still technically OK to shoot a Welshman on a Sunday inside the city walls – as long as it’s after midnight and with a crossbow.
What a shocking ball from bellerin!
Hope mustafi is alright. Light on CBS.
But guen coming on. Hopefully he digs deep and does his job!
What’s Bellerin even thinking? Very very poor and bad ball height.
Mustafi hurt too clearing Leno’s block. Looks ok for now.
Guendoui ready to come on. Going to a back 4 subing Kolac?
You just never know with some of our players.
Xhaka, Mustafi, Sokratis, Bellerin.. So many potential fvck-up merchants
Guns
“Xhaka has a little dive. Got alli booked. Where’s the outrage? Exactly.”
You call that a dive?
You do have an agenda
Matteo coming in?
Mustafi is no loss.
Torreira…. Everywhere… Our best buy of the last 8 years.
Mike Dean is a cunt!
So Kola will drop back
We really need to stop making stupid stupid mistakes.
Mustafi taken off.
Sok fucking ratios.
Jerk.
Regarding Aubameyang
Yes. He does score goals but I’d like to see him contribute more in build up for one and not waste so many great chances.
He’s very quick and yes he is top scorer but I want more out of him. In the modern game forwards are expected to contribute more all round to the team
I didn’t say he was shit either
I said he’s overrated in my opinion
I prefer Lacazette
We must have energy to burn vs the spuds who burned themselves mid week??
C’mon. Bully ’em and get it over the line
Wrestling on by Papa
RAMSEEEEEEYYYY
LAACAAAAAAAAA
Our lack of concentration gifted Tottenham two goals, let’s win this!
We are a second half team
I knew we will turn it around
FUCK YEA LACA!
Laca the crazy bastard.
Best NLD since diarrhoea gate.
Yes!!!
Fuck yeah
Laca!!
Ramsey Again
How’d that go in. Brilliant
What a goal!
Best derby in 12 years
lacaaaaaaaazette!!!
LACAAAAAA AAA
RAMSEY SUPERB
Get in laca
Ramsey the game changer jesus fk what a sweet shot by Laca
Jizz!
Lacaboy!!!!!!!!!!’
Spinning dopey shot while falling on the Arsenal
They all count
Laca blood clot
Ramsey well done
LAAAAAAACAZETTTE!!!!!
Legend!
We’re firing on all cylinders now!
Fucking bully them
Yeeeeeah
What did I say hahahahahaha
Wooooo
God’s the ref not Dean
God’s punishing the pro fivers
Get it 4 – 2 in the next 5 min
Oh my god yes
What a fucking goal. Good on Lacazette. 3-2.
Can we agree that Mikki and Iwobi never wear an Arsenal short again?
Now don’t throw it away!!!!
A hero is born
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
Outrageous
LT!!!!!!
Cmon lads see this out now.
Best derby in 12 years
Easy, easy. There has been some sweet ones . Let’s not let the old manager hate blind us from the fact that we hate the scum shite!
He deserved that. Player of season so far. Great little player.
Get in there!!!