My first return to Arsenal this season, and what did I bring back? A first-half lead. That was all me.
The Burnley game really wasn’t much to write home about. There was a distinct lack of intensity from both teams. They really are a rough outfit to watch. They have nothing about them. They move the ball around like they hate it and they have thuggish similarities to Bolton when they were a thing.
Emery didn’t exactly make things interesting, fielding three defensive midfielders. Lucky for us, Xhaka was NOT in central defence, that role falling to Nacho Monreal who left the pitch after 37 minutes with another injury.
Mesut Ozil dropped a world class pass for the opener, finding Kolasinac from a crazy tight angle, the ball was clipped back into the box where Auba was foxing in the box to put us 1 up. When you see that sort of pass from Mesut, you kind of understand why a generation of casual football fans love him so much. He can deliver the perfect 6-second clip for a shareable video on Twitter… but explore his offering a little deeper and you can see why he’s struggled to make an impact this season. He always seems to have one foot in the game. Capable of flashes, but he very rarely grips a game these days from start to finish.
We actually carried the lead into halftime for the first time this season, then grew out our advantage after the break with a stunning goal from Auba again. The way Arsenal moved the ball up the pitch was a sight to behold. The finish was electric as well, a real near post lashing. That had Auba as the top scorer heading into Christmas. Wonderful.
We did let Burnley back in with a sloppy goal, but Iwobi stepped up and actually found the net late on to seal the game.
The afternoon was pretty bland from a football spectacle. Emery had to drop a heavy rotation, and thankfully it paid off. I had big reservations about our ability to turn in a result yesterday. The key message for me was that we had an instant response in the Premier League after losing a great run. Under Wenger, the walls would cave in and we’d sputter for a month or so. After United bullied us out of our invincible run in 2004-05, we drew 3 games, won 1 and lost the other. It took us a month to find our feet again. That didn’t happen this time.
The worry for me, as I’d highlighted before this patch of games, was that we’d start to pick up injuries if the manager had gone too hard on the players in a bid to get them Emery sharp. We’ve had a rough run of late, picking niggles and strains all over the place. Our defence is particularly creaky, and age I’d imagine is a factor here. It’s not good that we’re having to rely on Lichtsteiner, who really does look off the pace of the league. There’s going to need to be an intervention in January if we’re to survive the season.
One of the most heartening advances under Emery is the bite the side has. We don’t get pushed around. We have nasty actors, Sokratis being a key figure here. He won’t be bullied and he doesn’t let our team get pushed around. It was quite unbelievable to watch the aggression thrown at Guendouzi yesterday (Barnes stamping on him).
He was being kicked pillar to post. What I loved is he’d just get up and carry-on. He’s a little rough around the edges, but my oh my, there’s a lot of talent brewing inside of him.
Final point, I couldn’t believe how few people showed up to the game yesterday. It was so empty there, I went and sat downstairs for the second half. I don’t want to be draconian here, but if you don’t show for your ticket, there should be some sort of cost. I was hearing from so many people yesterday that they sit next to seats that are never filled. The casual nature of some fans is f*cking embarrassing. It was also frustrating to watch hoards of tourists rolling into the ground 15 minutes late. It’s so disrespectful to the game and the people you’re sitting next to.
Next up is Brighton on Boxing Day and they have Lewis Dunk suspended, which is going to be very helpful.
Also… how bloody marvelous was it to see City and Chelsea lose?! I love it when the world of football bemoans a teams invincibility and the death of the game as we know it… I think people forget how incredibly tough it is to keep a winning machine running on track in the Premier League. City has the pick of players, but every coach in the top 6 is capable and every club has players capable of causing an upset. Sad to say it, but I think it’d be good for the league for Liverpool to win this season.
Here
1st
For
Tr4phy
4
Woo-hoo! 🙂
No, not Liverpool please
7th
Sokratis particularly but Kolasinac as well add a bit of fear back into our defence. The CB knows how to rile STs and his play is very clever, a stronger referee would have shown Barnes a red yesterday. I still think Kolasinac is suspect defensively but he’s turned into a real positive in attack. I also like how he’s the first on the scene when something is happening and players are having handbags. When Sokratis, Kolasinac and Xhaka arrive into a brawl you realise how physically imposing our team is starting to become. Emery has definitely instilled a fighters attitude… Read more »
The game was drab. As for the empty seats issue…this is all about the season ticket issue. GET RID OF SEASON TICKETS! Tickets should be sold, as they once were…first come first served basis. True, the club isn’t guaranteed an income but it would give the passing fan an opportunity to see a game they would never normally get. It may also improve the atmosphere in the ground. The last time I happened to go to the Emirates, I noticed that because of the season ticket issue, everyone forms little cliques around where they have to sit. The first 20… Read more »
Did Pedro just say it will be good for the league if Liverpool win the EPL.
That is a new one. I never saw that one coming.
In my opinion they have really come a long way and it will be nice to finish it on a good note by becoming champions.
Pedro
A fair and balanced summary of game yesterday.
Pedro
Your perceptions of our apathetic fan base have been highlighted numerous times over the years by many on Le-grove.
The Emirates has become a museum of natural history over the past twelve years, as more and more of the hardcore supporters left the club.
Merry Xmas Arsene and Ivan.
I think Liverpool will win the league and may even remain unbeaten.
A lot of the ‘late comers’ at games are actually in the ground but pissing up at the inner concourse bars & watching live on the screens that are scattered around. Still very annoying to have to keep getting up to let them get to their seats though.
GOH
“The atmosphere at Arsenal matches is embarrassing”
Totally agree.
The more appealing we became to the world of Football, the more we lost our true identity.
Other clubs have suffered but not quite as much as us( and MU).
Its far too early, Liverpool will slip up at some point.
When you get so many people turning up for games with money to burn and no concept of the game itself, what do you expect.
1970 Highbury April Fairs cup final the place rocked with noise.
Real support.
Great memories which will never be replicated at the Emirates.
Nice post there Pedro…
“Sad to say it, but I think it’d be good for the league for Liverpool to win this season.”
If Liverpool win the league it will undo creation. The end is nigh!
First post Guns didn’t make a mess of himself. Way to go man😀😀😀
Mystic
Give it time.
“1970 Highbury April Fairs cup final the place rocked with noise.
Real support.
Great memories which will never be replicated at the Emirates.”
How can it be replicated again when fans especially the ones on legrove do their best to talk down the importance of cup finals and victories.
Football didn’t have many opinionated fools back then. Any cups you won then, were treasured by fans
Getting rid of season tickets isn’t the answer. There were plenty of seats available on the ticket exchange prior to KO so anyone who wanted to go could have. Undoubtedly without season tickets the crowd would have been smaller. Besides when we’re there no season tickets? I had one in the 70s! Club class is, however, a bit of an issue as there were loads of gaps there but it’s hard to know what to do as they bring in so much money. Perhaps a compulsion to list your ticket if you can’t attend might help? Then three strikes and… Read more »
1980 Cup Winners Cup semi-final first leg, versus Juventus.
I was seventeen.
You could taste the atmosphere.
Brilliant!
Mystic I think the people who attend the matches have changed since 1970…80s. Football was, for many people, the only release they had after a week of work. Now there are so many outlets for people to unwind, football is just another thing…not the only thing. I see football and season tickets akin to membership at a golf club…lots of people have them for the sake of it. You also have to remember that more kids, women and whole families attend matches so the atmosphere has become very sterile. Standing terraces need to be reintroduced stat and distinct ‘areas’ should… Read more »
One of the many negatives attributed to the club over the past twelve years has been it’s treatment of the “Arsenal” fans.
Hospitality/corporate priorities and shareholder benefits alienated the hardcore supporters from the club. Even bodies such as the AST are only in it for Financial gain and not the interest of the real fan. Probably the main reason why Wenger stayed for so long.
@GOH post is fantastic and highlights everything that is wrong with this aspect of the club and modern day Football.
Love Guendouzi, especially how efficient he is with the ball. Ramsey at his worst takes an extra touch every time.
Fucking loved to see Sean dyche moaning like a little bitch after the game
Sorry about your pathetic bully boy tactics not working anymore Sean. Next time you might want to consider actually thinking about football tactics instead of just getting physical
His crying after they failed was so satisfying
One by one club’s are being taught that just being aggressive isn’t enough to take points off us anymore – you actually need to play a bit of football as well
In the mean time cry me a fucking river sean you gormless little bitch
GOH Most modern supporters have much higher expectations than my generation who live locally and have supported Arsenal through thick and thin. My family have supported club since 1940s and myself since mid 1950s. Most of today’s generation are “fair weather” , “less tolerant” and “over critical” They have little experience or understanding of a bad Arsenal side. Believe me there have been some pretty awful teams and players in the past. Football and the consumers who watch it including those who do so on tv or internet are much more “money orientated” than their predecessors and that impacts on… Read more »
“I like how some on here act like Nicolas Pepe is some next level signing.. He isn’t.
Its a punt, no matter the size of the fee“
He’s next level vs our current options so I don’t understand the point of this snipe.
Nobody is hailing him as the saviour of anything, just an enviable talent that possesses the qualities we sorely lack. Adding players like him would be an obvious step in the right direction.
But yea, have a sly pop at those propping him up as a target.
Cesc appeal
I noted that yesterday too. Papa, Xhaka, Kolasinac, Guendouzi, Laca, Licht all have significant bite when handbags start flying.
I love our pack mentality we’re seeing once again. Kick one and get kicked by 5.
@Leftside:
“Its far too early, Liverpool will slip up at some point.”
Dec. 29
I heard that season tickets have become a popular X’mas gift. Let’s see whether the place is filled again on boxing day.
Agreed with GOH – we have so many outlets for entertainment that football is just one of the many choices nowadays- hardcore supporters will remain, season ticket holders will retain their memberships but the obsessive nature of past supporters will decrease
ES
I understand where you’re coming from on this but there is no doubting that Arsenal FC changed, as a product, probably more than any other club over the past twenty years, as the money men took over.
We became a “hip club” to support and attracted a breed of supporter unaccustomed to the true meaning of loyalty and passion for your team.
Agreed. Pepe looks a talent. If signing him is a “punt,” i.e., a bet of a certain kind, then it is a good one and the kind we need to be making. To sign an absolutely-sure-thing at his position and quality level would cost £70m, and as I’ve said before, we can’t £70m-signing our way to the top. We simply do not have that kind of money.
Juventus, PSG and Inter are all apparently interested in Aaron Ramsey. Make of that what you will.
CC
Has a sniff of the great teams of old, some footballing ability (though I do think we’re lacking there) but also if a team wants to drag us down into the dirt we’re more than happy to oblige.
I was really impressed with Guendouzi yesterday, not for his football per se as I actually thought he was a bit scrappy, but his temperament. He was kicked all over the place yesterday but kept a level head.
Well, what do you know, we do look better with Auba and Laca together on the pitch. And it only took Emery half a season to figure it out. Hopefully he sticks with it from now on. As for Ozil, Pedro, I think he deserves a bit more credit. First and third goals were all about him. No Ozil yesterday, and I think the game would’ve been a lot tighter.
I really do hope Burnley get relegated. Can’t stand Dyche and his group of thugs. Barnes should’ve been sent off at least 3 times. Whatever they play is not a game of football, it’s a complete opposite. Them, and Huddersfield are definitely not pleasant to watch.
Pepe won’t be far of that £70 mill mark…
As it stands, it looks like Lille is holding out for even more than that.
Bamford he is going for 50m..that’s sure thing price and he is no sure thing
Charlie do lighten up, you always looking for an argument… The guy is going for 50m after a handful of games for Lille and playing at Orleans just two seasons ago.. No sense in that whatsoever. What if he is having a purple patch? 20m max ..25 at a push. Anything more isn’t worth it. Like I said in my post there are lots of young speedy wingers we can pick up .
Groovey 70m is absurd
Yeah, £50m seems a bit much. He’s definitely a talent, though. He has the right attributes and he had 13 goals and 4 assists last season, and he has 12 goals and 5 assists in 19 matches this season. Mane and Salah were £37m: that’s what I would try to get Pepe for. Or less obviously.
We’ve finally grown some balls to stand the bullying teams. Dyche can cry as he long likes.
Imo, people ain’t being fair to ozil. He had a good game yesterday. He deserves criticism when he down tools.
Some are just overly obsessive with certain players, no matter how they play, to them they’re not good enough.
I’ll be glad if Liverpool wins the league. At least a ship will finally dock there.
People are talking about Ozil like he’s some precocious 18 year old talent. He’s a 30 year seasoned professional and we’re all supposed to clap like barking seals because he had a 6/10 game against relegation fodder at home which his detractors state is his MO anyway. There is no unfair criticism of Ozil, his supporters state he is this world class talent who we should build our team around and all people are saying is not a fucking chance. Exactly like the arguments with Walcott, Wenger etc his supporters will forever plead ‘wait until tomorrow’ and that is how… Read more »
Upstate you do realize that auba and laca have played together loads of times this season right?
Cesc you’re bang on The fact that there even needs to be a discussion about ozil every week says it all I don’t recall people constantly debating whether Henry, bergkamp, cesc, sol, Adams, Ljungberg, pires, Vieira, Gilberto etc etc etc etc were good enough, hard working enough, involved enough or anything else for that matter because it was always entirely self evident that they were immense. It wasn’t about two great passes per game or one genius flick, it was about outclassing opposition of any and all level, home and away, on a weekly basis, year after year after year… Read more »
Bamford, Receding
https://metro.co.uk/2018/12/23/lille-chief-names-asking-price-arsenal-target-nicolas-pepe-8278892/
“Well, what do you know, we do look better with Auba and Laca together on the pitch. And it only took Emery half a season to figure it out. ” I’m pretty sure Aubameyang and Lacazette have started plenty matches together but why let facts get in the way of the truth? We beat Spurs and drew UTD without Ozil but Burnley would have been difficult? We are the second highest scoring team in the league and have done so without Ozil but you think we have a problem attacking? Like I said in yesterday’s post, stick to swimming or… Read more »
Liverpool will drop points on the 29th
It would bd terrible if they win the league.
Their fans would be even more intolerable than they ate now. Akb level intolerable if they win it.
China1
If by “loads” you mean 8 times in 27 games then it’s not even 30 percent. And there was only one time when he started them both in back to back games. I get the whole squad rotation thing but I also know that until yesterday we haven’t had a halftime lead and always had to chase games. Let’s see how we manage in the next couple of weeks. The biggest test, of course, is on December 29th.
“Well, what do you know, we do look better with Auba and Laca together on the pitch. And it only took Emery half a season to figure it out. ”
Another poster who stated following arsenal in the 2000s and is still butt hurt wenger got gloriously sacked and thrown out of Emirates on his ass.
Receding
Lighten up about what? You’re the one chirping at those who’ve name Pepe as a talent they’d like to see at Arsenal. ‘He’s not some next level signing’.
He’s a sort, I don’t much care if it’s him or another, it’s what he represents that appeals and that’s raw ability with a high ceiling.
I went to a Monday night game v. Blackburn in the Emirates in 2008, and the atmosphere was great, equal to MLB and NHL playoff games I have attended. That’s not so long ago. Maybe it takes time for supporters to catch up to what’s new at Arsenal. The bounce back from the depression of the Wenger years may take more than half a season to recover from. Maybe there is hope that time and a competently managed club will bring supporters back. Or maybe times have really changed. At the Blackburn game I sat between a 30something financial professional… Read more »
azed
I don’t post very often but when I do I always check the facts first. You, on the other hand, are just spewing out crap all the time and always resort to insults or things like “go watch swimming” or something which only further diminishes your “credibility”. Only fools or arrogant pricks use these so called tactics. You might be both.
Joe
Who said I was “butt hurt” to see Wenger go? I’m just not sold on Emery yet. Although I guess it could’ve been worse if Pedro got his wish and Arsenal hired Arteta.
Upstate
Telling someone to go and watching swimming is not an insult. Maybe you need to buy a dictionary also.
As for the fact checks, please point out the facts in this statement
“Well, what do you know, we do look better with Auba and Laca together on the pitch. And it only took Emery half a season to figure it out. “
Totally agree with Charles and Blamford Pepe is an obvious talent with a lot of heavy hitters looking at him and it’s understandable when you consider he’s joint top scorer over there on the same amount as Mbappe and some of the things he can do. The idea of him being worth 20-25 million max is ridiculous but equally the idea he’s worth 72 million is a stretch by the Lille chairman. My guess 35-40 million would be more than enough. My bad Mbappe is one ahead of him
Our away support are our traditional fans
We went 21 matches unbeaten
Think emery had things figured out before yesterday.
How many sitters has aubu missed? Mkhit? Iwobi??
Guess emery should figure that out too. That his fault his 50m striker misses glorious chances
Thauvin could be a decent shout with Marseille struggling this season but he’s still scoring. Thorgan Hazard of Gladbach is having a good season and seems to be on the move this coming January.
Marko Pepe is 24 next year.. Not really Mbappe level. He is older than Dembele and Iwobi and this is his breakout season and all of a sudden he is worth 40m ..not for me sorry. He is not a special talent no matter who is looking at him. I actually wrote that post because of you Marko, you have somehow arrived at pepe being special her turning ur nose up at Sarr, who is being looked at by quite a few too and happens to be younger, but because the amounts aren’t ridiculous he isn’t quite as good to… Read more »
In saying all that I think it’s Under coming in. Reports of a bid being made and he’s a little under the radar
Lots if typo in that post I really dislike commenting here on my mobile
I don’t care if it’s Pepe or another too Charlie but not for 50m.
this is his breakout season and all of a sudden he is worth 40m ..not for me sorry. He is not a special talent no matter who is looking at him. That’s usually how it works. If Iwobi scores 12 league goals and 5 assists this season we’d be looking for the same amount. Christ Chamberlain who’s scored no more than 6 goals in a season went for 35 million. It’s the way things are. I actually wrote that post because of you Marko, you have somehow arrived at pepe being special her turning ur nose up at Sarr, who… Read more »
I don’t care if it’s Pepe or another too Charlie but not for 50m.
So it is simply the price that’s the issue. Tell me are you adverse to spending 50 million on a single player? Or this specific player? You do realize that if you want to bring in the necessary quality players you will have to pay the price
This specific player Nicolas Pepe is not a 50m pound player. Is that clear enough Marko??
https://www.goal.com/en/news/kai-havertz-leverkusens-nxgn-wonderkid-graduating-with/xumepcu2gmdh1ku2ywjojfevq
Journalist Robin Bainer says the asking price for Nicolas Pepe is 72m. What say you Marko?
Mystic
“How can it be replicated again when fans especially the ones on legrove do their best to talk down the importance of cup finals and victories.Football didn’t have many opinionated fools back then. Any cups you won then, were treasured by fans”
It’s not fans but Clubs who play second string teams which demean Cup Competitions..
Journalist Robin Bainer says the asking price for Nicolas Pepe is 72m. What say you Marko?
Good for him.
Le-grove commenter Receding Hairline says Nicholas Pepe is worth 25 million max… hardly worth a headline is it
“Auba did the goals, nothing more.”
Another precious quote from GoH, that he posted yesterday…
Yep, that’s why Auba is paid for, to score goals. (lol)
This specific player Nicolas Pepe is not a 50m pound player. Is that clear enough Marko??
You do realize that it’s not you or I who sets the price for these players. It’s not even the buying club. It’s the selling club. Anyway he’s not going for 72 million or 50 million… and definitely not 25 million either
Emiratesstroller
“Most of today’s generation are “fair weather” , “less tolerant” and “over critical”
They have little experience or understanding of a bad Arsenal side. Believe me
there have been some pretty awful teams and players in the past.Football and the consumers who watch it including those who do so on tv or
internet are much more “money orientated” than their predecessors and that” impacts on the viewpoint of most major clubs.”
You’re talking shit.
Fans were tolerating a loser like Wenger for years over winning trophies ..you balloon face.
You do realize there is such a thing as value right?? You are sighting the Chamberlain deal as If it was a good deal for Liverpool. You haven’t answered my question.. What if Pepe is having a purple patch? You keep using the word ceiling whenever u wanna describe players, personally I don’t subscribe to that.
I felt like stroller summed himself up pretty well today. Not quite the superfan he thinks he is more of a gasbag talking nonsense. You don’t know how hard it is to be an Arsenal fan so quit complaining… fucking stop being so sanctimonious will ya
If the Mickey Mousers can get a result later it will be a good weekend all round
To even entertain the idea of paying £70m for a non goal scoring winger is ridiculous. If we are spending anything, it must be on the defence.
“Balloon face”
Redtruth might be an agitator, but every now and again, he makes me chortle.
The best form of defence is attack.
Man Shitty have a shit defence yet it is hardly tested because of it’s strong attack and midfield..
You do realize there is such a thing as value right? You do realize that YOU don’t set the value right? What if Pepe is having a purple patch? If he’s having a purple patch and you want to sign him during that purple patch then you invariably will have to pay a lot for the player. What’s wrong with him having a purple patch? You keep using the word ceiling whenever u wanna describe players, personally I don’t subscribe to that. Haven’t used the word ceiling once today. But while I’m at it even if you don’t subscribe to… Read more »
1% improvement.
Would rather city win the league..Cant stand the irritating [at times Klopp] and liverpool supporters.
Spurs have lost more games than us and only scored 31 goals. It’s a dog fight between Liverpool and Man City with Arsenal as outsiders.
Upstate Gooner aka Victorious.
Thought the same thing raptora
Red, You’re talking shite. You’re old enough to remember some of the inconsistemt/ midtable football Arsenal played between the 70s and 1996. Your insulting of ES comes across as crass. If you don’t attend home matches your generalising is just that. There are a myriad of reasons for the matchday experience being different than pre all seater days. Having experienced both for over 40 years, the passion however is still there. The affordability has changed as has the availability of tickets but fundamentally it is still the same experience. There should be more standing- where I am Block 6 lower… Read more »
Upstate isn’t Victorious, unless he’s playing a very clever IP game.
Happy Christmas eve eve everyone!
Same to you Peds!
A lot of talent in the wingers/AM department. Pepe, Sarr, Brandt, Lozano, Oyarzabal, Thorgan Hazard, Thauvin, Sancho, Martial, Zaha, Pulisic, Under, Bailey, Justin Kluivert, Chiesa, Rony Lopes, Havertz, Fekir, Fornals.
Probably 20 players are being extensively watched, examined. I trust the big three – Raul, Vinai and Unai are going to make the best choice. Talent pool is there though, we just need to pick well.
Happy Christmas eve eve, Pedro! Back to the family, it doesn’t get better than that. Feel loved. You are their golden boy!
Would someone talks about prospects on CB whom we could sign in January? Emery’s system with Kola and Auba/Laca is good enough for now. The current state of our CB will be our downfall. If we don’t sign any CB in January, I don’t think we can get into top 4. Pep has completely replaced his defense. Klopp has spent big for VDD and Alisson before they become contender. That’s the way to go for us.
Spurs all over Everton and one moment and Walcott scores
Nice from Theo
Theo. Theo. Theo!
Pedders Happy Christmas mate keep up the good work