Well hello everyone! I’m back in the UK hood and what do we have on the agenda today? Bloody Mesut Ozil, AGAIN.
This time there are two conflicting stories. One is from John Cross who reckons the club are sick to the back teeth of the German superstar and want him gone if they can find an offer. The second is from Sami Mokbel who reckons he’ll be given a chance to work his way back into the team this Christmas, but he’s really in the last chance saloon (The Times also has a story). There are rumours of a loan move out in January.
One thing is clear, the club is briefing against the German. Quite astonishing really. Our highest paid player who isn’t even a year into his new deal, is being nudged out of the club. I think it’s pretty clear now that the mega deal was a typically self-serving action of our now departed exCEO.
Anyway, I find it quite unbelievable that criticism is going the way of Emery. The childlike response from Oziltoligists is a sight to behold.
‘YOU WOULDN’T EXPECT MESSI TO PRESS’
‘YOU PAY OZIL TO BE OZIL’
‘EMERY CAN’T DEAL WITH BIG NAMES’
… a few of the best.
Let’s get one thing straight, Mesut is a supremely gifted player. One of the greats. There’s no doubt that if he applied himself, he’d be very valuable to our current situation. But the reality is, he’s not pulling his weight. He hasn’t been pulling his weight for years. He is a masterful creator, but that’s all he’s good for. In a modern system, it’s very hard to accommodate that type of player, which is why so few clubs adopt a free-roaming #10 these days. It’s not even just the pressing that so many keep highlighting, it’s the fact that he can’t be trusted to show up in big games. He can’t be trusted not to shy away from the tough away days. He’s constantly phoning in sick like some school kid with a fragile immune system. His second half season statistics always tank. He’s not a reliable leader despite being one of the 5 captains.
Arsene Wenger coddled the German. Notable that since his mercurial talent graced the club we’re now a Europa League side. Obviously not all the fault of one player, but when your star man has commitment issues, it does kind of set the tone for the squad.
You can even use Europe as a barometer for how far his star has fallen. He was available for sale for 18 months before he signed a deal for us. Who tried to seduce him? How many clubs dropped a bid the summer before he went into the final year of his deal? How many tried to make a cheeky move in January? Not many, and remember, he was on b-list money for a world class player. Do you think if Ozil were the player so many fans think he was, he’d be in such low demand?
The game has passed him by. He has most of the tools he needs to succeed at Arsenal. A terrier DM, two of the most potent strikers in world football, a really nice pitch, and a fanbase that adores him. Yet he seems to get worse every season. Is it fair to say that Cesc Fabregas played in a far worse squad and delivered way more? I think it is.
Ozil doesn’t want to adapt to the new ways of Emery’s Arsenal and thankfully, he is happy to make the tough decisions Wenger hadn’t for the past ten years. He won’t be making these decisions on a whim either, he’ll be using sophisticated data models that will support whatever hunch he has about the player on the pitch. He’ll no doubt have worked this decision through with Raul and Sven.
This is what ruthless decision making looks like.
Finally, one for Joke Friday… Wenger had this to say for BEin.
“The team is in good hands and I always said that. A lot of people thought when I left the club that the team would need to completely rebuild – I never thought that.”
“I am very happy that these people have been proven wrong.”
THIS IS WHY YOU DIDN’T GET THE UNITED JOB.
Right, that’s me done, see you in the comments.
Looks like Auba and Laca playing close together.
Pierre,
I’d be a tad calmer if it was Ramsey instead of Ozil but not extremely worried.
Hope Kolasinac is used to his strength. That’s vital.
And that in a nutshell is why we have problems. a) we can’t score the chances and then we let the opposition chances straight away.
People been shittalking Mustafi but he’s been one of our better players. Currently our highest score player on whoscored for this season.
Bantz fc.
Elneny now being tried as CB. Lolz.
Next up, Aubameyang.
Lots of empty seats again…weather right?
GoH,
Elneny in midfield. Almost score a goal couple of minutes ago.
Rap
Oh, graphics said back line…
Yes, I saw him fumble that open goal.
Ozil absolutely bossing the part time midfield of the Burnley pie eaters.
It’s like watching Vieria in his pomp.
Spellbinding.
This looks more like a 4-4-2 diamond.
I need clean stream
Elneny is so lacking even when playing Burnley.
Auba better.
1 – 0
Let’s keep a lead now
Now a first half clean sheet is a must
Great pass by Ozil. Kolasinac vital again. Good goal Auba!!!
Ozil is good in this type of games. 9 people in defence for Burnley, not much running or defending, playing with the ball a lot. Perfect game for him.
Alan Smith blaming entry seats on Christmas shopping.
Loved this guy as a player but if he crawls any further up Arsenal’s bum…
A 5 nil win today would rejuvenate the team, and supporters.
Feasible.
J
So just do it.
Players who do those fucking idiotic flip celebrations should be immediately fined. Imagine if he puts out an ankle or knee?
It’s always been stupid.
Great ball from Ozil. He has been energetic from the get-go. Credit to Emery for lighting a fire under him.
However, this good play from Ozil does not for one moment lessen or negate the valid criticism he comes in for and has come in for.
Fucking Elneny again caught
Who’s playing Fortnight?
Elneny the weakest link
Loved this guy as a player but if he crawls any further up Arsenal’s bum…
… shouldn’t you as a “fan” be up said arse too?
Ozil really loves these type of games (at home to shit teams) were he can give the impression that he’s not a wet blanket player.
Marko
The only arse I’m up, is my own.
ANM give it to a striker if not sure
Great kola run but the cut back went to Elneny…
Much better attack play.
Jesus. Watching arsenal tika taka around is putting me to sleep. Darts going on in 4 mins…
El neny is our most rested player. Let him do most of the grunt work.
Naitland Miles is the one I’m concerned about.
He’s playing both Auba and Laca through the center, btw. Exactly as I have been calling for for some time. Both give you what the other does not.
Ozil blown off the ball there with a gentle breeze.
Bones made of air.
Niles is shite.
Ozil is pretty useless on the counter when the tempo gets higher. Demonstrated right there.
Bellerin looking like Jack Sparrow’s grandchild in the crowd.
The ref isn going to let Mee beat Ozil up and make him cry.
Is it the television or is the Emirates the quietest sports arena in the world?
Pins hear us drop!
AMN needs to sharpen up. And quick.
2 defensive errors under 5 mins.
Not showing enough passion, desire and skilll for a starting 11
AMN very overrated I’m afraid.
He doesn’t seem to have much ball control…looks awkward.
He’s playing both Auba and Laca through the center, btw. Exactly as I have been calling for for some time.
Bamford 10 December 22, 2018 11:41:25
4-3-2-1. Hopefully
Yupp. Nah I’m just playing
AMN is a championship player…will never make it at Arsenal
AMN is not a defender. He needs to get a run in the centre when it comes or move out.
The Ozil bashers need to make up their minds. Does he like these kind of games or does he pick and choose to miss them? lol.
Bamford
Need to point out that Auba and Laca played close to each other against Huddersfield and made zilch. I think Emery lit a proper candle on all their asses.
Laca show-boating at 1-0, his cross didn’t even go right.
Nice pass from Özil and good finish from Aubameyang. Kolasinac looking like our key player so far.
But this is an awful setup from Emery. Don’t be fooled by the 1-0. His football is average.
We’re in a for long year and half (God forbid he gets an extension)
The Ozil bashers need to make up their minds. Does he like these kind of games or does he pick and choose to miss them? lol.
I mean it’s more the high intensity one’s but he doesn’t have a preference clearly
“But this is an awful setup from Emery. Don’t be fooled by the 1-0. His football is average.
We’re in a for long year and half (God forbid he gets an extension)’
What will you do different since you’re the genius?
Marko
Glad you’re playing. I obviously prefer 4-3-1-2 to 4-3-2-1. But 4-3-2-1 seemed better to me than three CB’s.
Quite enjoying the first half.
Interesting tactically.
Sokratis showing Koscielny how to defend.
How do you guys enjoy in game comments with Guns commenting like he’s just gotten his phone back after it was seized for a long period
What in the fkin world?!?! Nacho is so fkin done. Move all the old players. Been wasting money with Per, Kos and Cech.
Kolasinac is that one mate on a night out who is always looking for any excuse to fight.
Monreal looks like his hammy might be a bit injured. CB surely incoming in January
Dream10
I’m sure you expected him to do a Jesus and turn crao into wine right? Jeez some of you moan more than women
We are being run on fumes at the moment.
There’s a massive injury crises and some “genius” decided to throw a low blow that the football was “average”
We just have to survive to the start of the transfer window.
Dissenter
We look so flat in the middle. No dynamism. Maybe Ramsey or Iwobi. We’re not creating anything.
Batistuta
Looooool
is monreal injured or is this a tactical switch ? I’m confused af
“I mean it’s more the high intensity one’s but he doesn’t have a preference clearly”
Oh yeah. Ozil must be the Don Corleone of football. Walks into Colney, picks up his weekly wage, has a look at the fixtures and goes “naa, not for me today. Prefer to be in Turkey with my missus” and walks off.
Mystic
That’s because Emery played three holding CMs in midfield and no CAM type in that match. Today we have Ozil underneath those two. Much better.
Sokratis should gets a YC there
He can’t complain. He’s a bad boy.
Hmmmm
We have too many players like Xhaka and Kolasinc – and Sokratis – who get too involved and cant help raising their arms after incidents.
Ramsey in place of Guendouzi would improve us.
We look desperate to keep keep our lead at HF. Too desperate. Should have tried harder to score a second goal.
Xhaka back in the back 3 by the look of it.
Arsenal players trying to look tough. Reminds my of Danny Dyer or Liam Gallagher. Pussies playing the hard man.
42 mins of dreck. But at least we’re not behind. #progress
I normally like elneny but he’s been chasing shadows this game.
Sokrates better relax or we are going to be down to 10men
More red seats than a Labour rally.
Need to add Monreal to the sell list unfortunately.
With a minute or so to play surely the first time leading at HT.
The next level??
The only way we win is if we out-score them.
Our defense is probably one of the weakest in the league at the moment due to all the injuries. The personnel left is sub-par.
The Burnley manager needs a makeover.
Buzz cut ginger hair and goatee is just asking for trouble. Throw in the ill fitting Burton suit and square toed estate agent shoes and you have a right one.
Gok Wan would have field day.
This team ( AFC) is DEAD.
Don’t agree with the change to 3-5-2. Should have moved Xhaka or Elneny to CB and brought Ramsey into midfield when Monreal went down. Stayed in the 4-3-1-2.
Walks into Colney, picks up his weekly wage, has a look at the fixtures and goes “naa, not for me today. Prefer to be in Turkey with my missus” and walks off
Yeah pretty much
We let the worlds best left back go for £5,000.
Monreal and everyone that’s followed Cole has been pub level. Don’t get me wrong, Monreal is a decent chap but he’s never been a great defender.
Must agree Hackney but Emery is Teddy boyish 🤨.
Guns
It seems you’re champing at the bits, waiting and hoping that Emery fails so you can say you were right all along.
Yay, first time lead, for the first time.
That’s progress, no other word for it.
James wood
I’m not a fan of emery’s vampire look either. Mismatched clothing bothers me a lot…and when you have cash, it’s unforgivable. Get a fucking personal dresser if you’re on tv.
Nuno Santos’ Wolves play far better football than much hyped Sean Dyche’s Burnley.
Watching a drab early kick off like that in Canada at 5.30am is one thing with a load of coffee before work, than being back home and at least having a few beers with these early kicks offs.
Bloody hell. I think I know which one I prefer.
It’s hard to argue against what Ozil can bring to the team. It was a phenomenal pass for Kolasinac.
Great to be ahead at the break!
Dissenter
Nah. Today I am about fashion disasters.
1-0 is doing alright. But we look like a team who has pulled the pin on a grenade and then dropped it in a box full of other grenades.
Hackney perhaps they should both adopt the Boy George look add some
colour to the game.
I sincerely hope we have some defensive signings lined up already, set to come in once the transfer window opens.
Monreal is finished
Kosh’s legs are gone
Lich isn’t good enough for league games.
We need at least two defensive signings this transfer window.
Good game until we scored. After that some pretty drab football. Can tell we wanted that half time lead so bad. Hopefully we kick it off from there. Disappointed we stopped pushing though.
Bacary looks like an Ibiza pervert. At least two buttons too many undone.
Jamie always dresses like a 7 year old going to a wedding.
Who’s the babe in the studio?
Over to you, Sven and Raul. Which defender do you have lined up for Jan 1.
My concern is the slow pace of our build-up. Too many side-ways passes allows Burnley to form up defensively. We have quick players – Laca, Auba, AMN – who are not being used. Get forward faster. Play quicker !
guns
what’s your take on bellerin with with his wesley snipes shades ?
Our two strikers system works find up to now. Elneny is our weakest player. He needs to play more often to get into game shape.
What happens to Monreal? We are losing player ever game.
James wood
Jokes aside, and I have said this before…Bellerin, although not my cup of tea style wise, is actually trying something different. He gets a thumbs up for that.
Preferably a defender who would be eligible in the Europa League.
Gons
Bad glasses but he’s doing something different. I prefer Bellerin the fashion guy more than the footballer actually.
Bamford, for what it’s worth, I don’t want to see Xhaka amongst our CBs anymore. It destabilises or middle and more so he isn’t a good CB
I thought bellerin looked like the white version of the character Don Cheadle played in rush hour 2.
You don’t have to own a crystal ball to realize that Burnley are going to score today. We may even go down to 10 men and just have too many mistakes at the back.
Hopefully we can use our attacking superiority to win this home game.
Why isn’t Mustafi playing?
Hackney Alex Scott ex Arsenal and 🏴.
looking at the highlights that pass from ossil was exquisite for the first goal. Didn’t do much after that. And it was hilarious how the whole stadium applauded kola for shoulder barging the burnley chap. Typical representation of the english game.
I thought Lacazette and Kolasinac had a good half.
Guendouzi was very untidy and Xhaka was a bit loose with his distribution as well.
Maitland Niles having far more impact which is nice, not so great at defending though.
Have to remember though Burnley are offering nothing, they aren’t even pressing, just sat back and looking for a long ball.
Burnley are the perfect team for Arsenal. Poor, no attack and away from home. After the defeats, this is a good way to get back.
That was cynical from Chris Woods
He knew he wasn’t going to reach that ball first and didn’t even pull out at all.
Dissenter,
Harmstring problem for Mustafi, but should be okay for next game.
What a fkin goal!!!!!!
Fantastic finish fkin AUBAAA!!!