Case for the defence

by .

This is the monthly post from Jonathan Blaustein. Make sure you follow him @JblauPhoto

I’m laying in bed on Christmas Eve, hiding from my kids.

The holidays have just begun, and I’ll be on stay-at-home-Dad-duty for the next 15 days, so I’ve got to catch the quiet when I can.

Outside my window, snow covers the tops of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and the dead, brown grass in my pasture looks like something from Vincent Van Gogh’s last painting. (I announced last night that the raven was my current spirit animal. I suppose everyone’s entitled to a mid-life Goth phase.)

It’s winter, and Unai Emery was appointed in May. That means we have half a year to judge him on, and the state of the Arsenal rebuild in general.

In my last two columns, perhaps I’ve gone light on the analysis and heavy on the humor. Everyone’s always ready to have a laugh, but this month, I decided it was time to dig into what I’m actually seeing, in bigger picture terms.

Why now? Why Christmas?

Well, yesterday was the 21 year anniversary from the day I met my wife in a coffee shop here in Taos. (It’s still there, and in business, but has changed names and hands 5 times since.)

It got me thinking, we’ve been together since we were 23 years old, and now we’re 44. We have two children, one who’s soon to be a teenager.

It’s the entirety of my adult life.

And still, it’s not as long as Arsene Wenger was in charge at Arsenal.

Arsene’s methods won him titles, fans and acolytes over his term, and though it was before my time as a fan, by all accounts he was once incisively sharp.

I knew him in the 2011-18 phase, when like an old boxer, he could still summon the random haymaker to win a big game, (Bayern, Manchester City away) or shoot a tight window to take home a trophy, (3 FA Cups,) but it was clear the ruthless hunger to win it all had left his belly.

Because if he’d still had it, still been willing to look hard at himself in the mirror and change, he’d have put more work, innovation and resources into the defensive part of the game.

And he just couldn’t be bothered.

In my time as a fan, I watched one genuinely competent, really high level Center Back pairing, and that was Koscielny and Mertesacker, in the one year plus that they were both healthy.

That’s it.

From the decline of Thomas Vermaelan to the dim-bulb that was Gabriel, there was not much quality back there, beyond the French-German pairing.

Fullbacks would play high up the pitch, and few were defensively sound, save Nacho Monreal. (Who’s now succumbing to Father Time.)

What I’m saying is, neither the philosophy nor the players were particularly attuned to defensively sound football.

And it went on like that for years.

Unai Emery inherited Wenger’s squad, and the only real addition has been Sokratis, who has clearly been our best central defender by a fair margin. (Rob Holding being #2, before he got hurt.)

As a rebuilding parable, I should say that I’m a life-long fan of the (now) Brooklyn Nets.

The Nets are in Season 3 of a full-blown re-build, and are finally on the way up, winning games and getting attention. They have the right kind of athletic slashers and sweet shooters that are crucial in today’s NBA, in particular for their ability to play defence. (3 and D)

Two years ago, I read a quote by Coach Kenny Atkinson that said that while he’d love for his team’s defense to be better, it was impossible as he didn’t have any good defensive players.

No excuses. He just said, we’ll be better on defence once we churn over the roster our way.

They did. And now the Nets can play defence.

So what has Arsenal’s obvious problem been under Unai Emery? And why did we blow that game to bogey-team Southampton? (Another regular occurrence in my time as a fan.)

Defence.

If you accept that Emery knew he was dealt a bad hand, and is doing the best he can until reinforcements arrive, it makes his preferred systems and choice of players a bit more obvious in hindsight.

If you know your defence is crap, and you want to win games and succeed in your first year, then you employ systems that make the entire team defend from front to back.

You utilize pressing, or in our case, a lot of counter-pressing.

You want forwards who are athletic, hardworking, and will track back and tackle.

Has he used players like that?

Of course he has.

Danny Welbeck when he was available, and Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan throughout the season.

Who didn’t make the cut?

Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey, who don’t play defence. (Or in Ramsey’s case, haven’t in 5 years.)

If you have a shitty defence, and need to employ team defence, how can you include players like Ozil and Ramsey, who either get pushed off the ball and don’t win it back easily or often, or are so obsessed with getting forward that they forget to track back consistently?

In midfield, you’d want to have steel to balance the precarious backline.

And what have we seen? The emergence of Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira.

Why does everyone love them? Because for all their youth, energy and skill, they’re both obviously tough-as-nails.

Where does Granit Xhaka come into this equation?

Well, let’s say that Mkhitaryan and Iwobi are the two model wingers so far this year.

They provide graft, pressing, energy, good pre-assists, and the very occasional piece of end-product.

But there is little clinicality, and even worse, no genuine master-level creativity, a la Ozil or occasionally Ramsey, with his flicks and headed assists. (Let’s put a player who offers both aspects of the game on our shopping list, right fellas?)

Xhaka, for all his mistakes and slowness, is a regista-style pass master, and he’s big and tough to boot. So Xhaka’s passing in general, and long-passing in particular allows for another method of advancing the ball quickly to the strikers.

That’s right, the strikers.

I don’t care if you call them forwards, center forwards, strikers, or number 9’s, Arsenal have two goal scorers in good and great form in Alexander Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Not only are they clinical match-winners, (as I’ve written previously,) but they are also willing to press, and in Lacazette’s case, harry like a bastard. (All props to PEA, he does the work too, but I might include Lacazette on our growing bastard list.)

Right, the bastard list.

That’s another thing I’d do, if I were Unai Emery, and I knew my defence was crap. (Athletically, technically, etc.) I’d bring in a bunch of bastards to help toughen up the team, stave off physical beatings, and protect my offensive players since we’ll need them to outscore our opponents.

We all saw the Burnley game, and over the course of the season, it’s been well-documented that Emery has removed the pushover label from the Arsenal official uniform.

2018-9 Bastard List: Lichtsteiner Sokratis Holding Torreira Guendouzi Xhaka Lacazette The spent husk of Laurent Koscielny Kolasinac

That last name, the Bosnian Tank, brings me to my final point about Emery’s strategy in his first six months: make use of a 3-man back line more often that we might have expected.

The injury bug hasn’t been kind of late, and it has hit the center backs worst of all, if you consider the general unavailability of Kos, Mavrapanos, and now Holding for big chunks of time.

Given that Nacho has also been crocked, (and now Hector,) that has forced Kolasinac into a larger role than he’s had perhaps his entire Arsenal career. And everyone knows he’s a better attacking wingback than he is a defending fullback.

So to empower/develop him, and help him become an important part of the Emery machine, (he’s been gangbusters lately,) we’ve seen some funky-ass combinations of 3 non-natural CBs, including the backlines at Southampton and Burnley.

Oh yeah, I’d have one last trick up my sleeve: bring in a sweeper keeper. Bernd Leno.

So there you have it. My long-winded analysis of how we got here, when HERE is level on points with Chelsea for 4th on Christmas Eve, and undefeated in the Europa League qualifying round.

As I wrote in August, making the Top 4 AND winning the Europa League will be a tough ask. It’s still possible, which is exciting, but I wouldn’t change my prediction that it’s a long shot.

Right now, I’d say the question is, can we beat Chelsea either in a Europa League Final, in the race for fourth place?

Can we do one or the other?

And to that question, I’d say yes. It’s certainly possible. We might have a direct path to the Champions League this season.

But then again, most rebuilds take years, not months. Just ask my fellow NY Giants fans, who just saw that going from 3 wins to 5 wins, instead of worst to first, is the normal way of things.

We may have lost our unbeaten streak, and will probably lose in Liverpool next weekend. (I’m not worried about Brighton.)

With our current defensive lineup, I don’t think it’s realistic to win at their place. Top defenders, like what they have in Virgil Van Dijk, have size, athletic ability, technical skill, and toughness.

Arsenal have Shkodran Mustafi.

So for now, I say, Trust the Process. Let’s see where this season ends up, and give the Swen/Raul/Unai team a few transfer windows before we see the true incarnation of Emeryball.

I wish you guys a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and I’ll see you again in January.

  1. I forgot to make fun of Jose Mourinho, now that he’s been sacked. RIP Jose. Hope you have fun managing in Scotland. I hear the winters are brutal up there.

Remember follow @JblauPhoto

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gambon

I think Ozil must be out the door.

If we get to the end of Jan and Ozil is still here then I will have to say Emery has royally fucked it up.

You can’t treat a £350k pw player of that quality like this without an end goal.

McDonald

Just learnt that ozil pulled out of the squad because he “felt” some pain. Typical

TR7

Ornstein : This was recorded at 6pm but we now know Mesut Ozil is out of Arsenal’s game at Liverpool tomorrow. He trained with the squad today but complained of pain in his knee and was withdrawn from the travelling party #AFC #LFC

Marko

This was recorded at 6pm but we now know Mesut Ozil is out of Arsenal’s game at Liverpool tomorrow. He trained with the squad today but complained of pain in his knee and was withdrawn from the travelling party- Ornstein.

So the wet sponge pulled out. Same injury he had the last time we played Liverpool. What a cunt

BacaryisGod

R.I.P to Peter Hill-Wood.

I heard the funeral staff wanted him to die as he had lived so they buried him with his foot in his mouth.

Too soon?

Marko

Agree gambon they made a decision now and they have to see it through. Keeping him past January would make no sense

WengerEagle

Istanbul Basaksehir are on record saying that they would give an arm and an leg for the mopey one, they’re topping the Turkish league so he could do worse for himself. Turkish link must be attractive too if he loves Turkey as much as he lets on.

Wages the obvious stumbling block, will say a lot about his character if he refuses to budge on a salary cut in order to play regular football.

Marko

45 mins over Christmas too much for the eunuch

BacaryisGod

Good guest post, by the way.

WengerEagle

Don’t even get me started on Iwobi, absolute nothing player.

If he weren’t an Arsenal player/Nigerian international he would be the subject of mockery and meme-age from our fan base.

WengerEagle

Don’t even like Rashford but he’s miles better than Iwobi.

Martial being miles better than Rashford, Dembele/Coman being better than Martial.

M’Bappe bitchslapping them all.

Levels to this here game, and Iwobi is bottom of the barrel.

TR7

Isco a good replacement for Ozil ?

Marko

Isco? Does the pope shit in the woods

WengerEagle

Love Isco, he’s won 4 CL titles and La Liga already though so you would have to question his hunger a bit given his dip this season.

Quality-wise he rivals any CAM/wide playmaker on the planet though so I would give a left nut for him personally.

Non-starter imo, Real Madrid aren’t stupid enough to sell him.

HighburyLegend

“If we get to the end of Jan and Ozil is still here then I will have to say Emery has royally fucked it up.”
@gambon, you already thinks Emery has fucked it up anyway, so what the point ?

(And by the way you’re right, get rid of Ozil is soooooooo much more important than to strengthen the squad… idiot.)

gambon

HighburyLegend

You are of the opinion Emery has been perfect so far?

HighburyLegend

I’m really well aware that selling Ozil is obviously linked to the opportunity of strenghten the squad, but I was just making a good reminder of the fact that you’re a dick.

HighburyLegend

“You are of the opinion Emery has been perfect so far?”

Of course not, but he’s human and has the right to make mistakes.
Wenger was allowed to make tons of mistakes during the last decade, but you jump to Emery’s throat at every opportunity, very embarassing from you…
Almost as embarassing than to think any other manager would have done a better job with our current squad…

gambon

Don’t think we will be after a true AM in the #10 role.

Think Emery will want more of a CM who can play a bit further up…a Banega, Aouar, Ceballos type.

Cesc in 2009 is the perfect representation of what he wants I think. Just with a bit more intensity.

HighburyLegend

A decade of (huge) mistakes from wenger, but it was fine.
Just one Emery’s half season, you want him out already.

I’m afraid tomorrow could be the perfect game for you to attack your favourite prey, and if that akes you happy, then good for you.

HighburyLegend

*makes

HighburyLegend

Prick.

Marc

“I think Ozil must be out the door.

If we get to the end of Jan and Ozil is still here then I will have to say Emery has royally fucked it up.

You can’t treat a £350k pw player of that quality like this without an end goal.”

You assume Emery is pulling all of the strings, he’s not he’s only pulling the strings he’s given and told to pull. This is more Sanllehi than anything else.

Paulinho

“Don’t even get me started on Iwobi, absolute nothing player.”

Still remember the poster a couple of months ago pasting some link to a transfer market article about Iwobi being the highest valued Nigerian at £45 million or something in response to me saying he was shit and the whole ‘improved under Emery’ narrative was a crock.

Watching Felipe Anderson the other night – playing in Iwobi’s position – was depressing.

Marc

The club looked to make a statement under Gazidis last January having swapped Sanchez. We made a record signing and gave Ozil a record contract, whilst I don’t expect anything of quite that level it would be good to see the club make a statement of support for Emery. An all round solid CB would be a good start, anything else would be manna from heaven.

gambon

It’s absolutely mental that a lot of serious quality wide players have moved to PL clubs in recent years, and we didn’t sign one of them.

Mahrez
Sane
Sterling
Mane
Salah
Son
Felipe
Martial
Richalison

Not one of them.

WengerEagle

Paulinho Felipe Anderson is quality, wanted him here for ages and was surprised that he was overlooked by everyone bar West Ham. Has had a Payet effect on WHU who look a different team to the one under Moyes. Yeah I remember that too and the hyperbole after he scored a brace vs Argentina, round the time that Spain were spanking them 6-1, Argentina are a washed up side that are mentally spent after losing 3 finals in a row not to mention an aging one. I’ve always been consistent towards Iwobi, never fancied him from the first 10 or… Read more »

WengerEagle

We haven’t had a really good 1 vs 1 forward/midfield player since Arshavin of 2009 and to a lesser extent, Nasri back in 2011.

Amazing really. Also took us 5.5 years to get a top notch CF after RVP.

bennydevito

Personally I don’t see the logic on going for Benega at 30 – we may as well try and bring Cesc back who at 31 and knows the club would be much better imo. Also we could do a lot worse than Cahill on the cheap too, certainly better than what we have currently.

We should also try and get Anderson from West Ham, Perreira and Chilwell from Leicester and Digne from Everton. I expect Man City and Chelsea to be sniffing round these players soon.

WengerEagle

benny

Banega’s still performing at a high level in Spain, Cesc on the other hand has been rotting on the bench for years at Chelsea and isn’t even a factor internationally.

No real reason to bring Cesc back past sentiment, he’s a spent force sadly at the highest level.

Paulinho

WE – A poundland Hleb. Can have some games when he can take the ball on the half-turn in crowded areas and play the simple ball to someone who can actually do something in the final third. He had a couple of good games when he first came into the team and had two good games the following season against Chelsea and PSG (in the same week), but every season so far he just grinds to a halt. It’s like his limitations become too much after only a couple of months and he hasn’t got the energy or will to… Read more »

WengerEagle

Should probably qualify that with a spent force at the highest level in the PL.

I still think that he could thrive in Italy or even Spain, Milan supposedly are in for him.

gambon

Problem with Banega is he’s the definition of a Europa League player.

I’m not sure how were supposed to get into the CL with this blueprint

Batistuta

Gambon

That’s probably our level at the moment without any significant injection of cash, that’s just the truth, so much trash to dispose of who will bring in so little cash so maybe the Banega’s to help get us back into Europe through the Europa League as that seems our most realistic route back

WengerEagle

Paulinho Yeah his lack of athleticism hurts him too, hasn’t got a turn of pace or the zip to beat his marker which could compensate for his poor/unreliable end product. He’s decent at 1-2’s and the subtle probing and combination play high up the pitch with the attacking players as you say but once he gets sight of goal or isolates a defender he hasn’t got the quality to exploit the opportunity as he’s not a gifted striker of the ball or 1 vs 1 dribbler. Can’t see how he improves much in this respect, Welbeck has similar issues but… Read more »

Batistuta

Rather Banega than El-Neny or Ramsey or any of these absolute wank crap we have as midfield options bar Torreira and Xhaka to an extent

WengerEagle

gambon

I know that Whoscored can’t tell you the full story but from watching him in the groups for Sevilla and looking at his stats, he’s been excellent for them in the CL.

Underrated player in my book, more of a short-term solution to a long-term issue than anything though so I would be happy to look elsewhere.

Batistuta

Ozil fan boys saying he ended our trophy drought on social media is an absolute disgrace and slight on the actual match winner against hull… Ser Yaya of Sanogo….

Paulinho

Always concerned me that Banega has never been able to command a regular place in a crap Argentina midfield. Sampaoli was a clown in the world cup but even before that he has struggled to be a regular.

Quality technician but something lacking in his game(intensity?), similar to Kovacic. Will have some games where he looks great then the next he will be a passenger.

WengerEagle

In 9 CL apps last season, Banega averaged a 7.72 rating which is exceptionally high for a CM.

1 goal/2 assists, 3.7 key passes per match, 3.3 dribbles with only 2 dispossessions a match, averaged over 100 passes 88pc completion rate, 6 long passes per match average.

Lad can ball is the point.

bennydevito

I’m not so sure. I think Cesc could do a good job for us and would relish being back with us and would be the leader we’re missing. I think he’s wasted at Chelsea and is better than Jorginho and Barkley and,Willian but that’s just me. I’m just not convinced on Benega and he doesn’t offer much long term value at what would be quite a high fee. I personally think both Cesc and Cahill could be could whilst we bring through some youngsters and help Guendouzi. In terms of good young centre backs, ams and wingers who’s out there?… Read more »

Paulinho

Still when you have Xhaka in your midfield then the likes of Banega are more than welcome.

Batistuta

Also if we’re doing short term fixes for our defence till the summer, I’d rather have Pepe in there than Cahill

TR7

Banega is technically sound but is one paced. You can’t expect him to change a game.for you. Kind of a steady player with flashes of brilliance once in a while.

Redtruth

At least players now can’t hide behind Wenger’s incompetence for being shit…
Fully exposed now as not being good enough for Arsenal.

WengerEagle

Was never in doubt that the players aren’t good enough, was AW’s fault for bringing them in though.

Paulinho

TR7 – Yeah, I agree with that. Him, Torreira, Xhaka is still too stodgy. Banega will have some games where he provides the outlet but he will have too many where he is too static and wants to sit, and they will get in each other’s way.

bennydevito

So what do we realistically think the score will be at Anfield? I’m genuinely concerned at how bad our defence is coupled with injuries and how off the pace we are in the first half that we could seriously be 3 or 4 down by half time.

Thoughts?

WengerEagle

Ajax have a superb team but they’re going to be ravaged come the end of the season, maybe even January.

De Ligt, De Jong will be picked up by big clubs and Ziyech/Tadic might want a crack at the big time, more visibility now with their performances in the CL.

Paulinho

Shame there no Andreas Moller’s about these days.

WengerEagle

Have to be honest, think that Liverpool will beat us.

They have so much momentum behind them, we’re in a bit of a lull and confidence isn’t exactly sky-high. Add into the equation that it’s at Anfield a place where we’ve been battered a good few times in recent seasons and they will be right up for it.

Would be very happy with a draw and a strong performance, can’t see us largely containing them for 90 mins though.

WengerEagle

You can take only one player from our previous sides for the current one, who do you take and why?

Think that I’d go for Hleb, Rosicky if not for the fact that his legs were panes of glass.

Paulinho

Would be stunned if we keep it below 3-4.

Could easily be a 5-1,6-1 job.

jwl

Daily Mirror – Arsenal are on the verge of completing an £18million deal to sign Ever Banega, according to reports from Spain.

The Sevilla midfielder’s agent is believed to be in London ready to thrash out a deal to reunite his client with his former boss Unai Emery.

Paulinho

Would love Hleb, put him behind Laca-Auba and enjoy.

Rosicky is close behind though and you could argue that he was better balanced of the two in terms of goal threat. Rosicky when fit was a consistent scoring threat as well as being great at surging from deep and linking play. Hleb was better against the press though, Rozza could go missing at times against it (like he did at Anfield in 07/08 when Hleb was MOM).

Samesong

WE

It be one those moments Auba has a chance to make it 1-0 and misses and the salah scores and they go on a rampage.

bennydevito

18mil for a 30 year old. Crikey. Can he play in Europa? I think top 4 is beyond us tbh.

Samesong

Our biggest Achilles tomorrow will be playing it out from the back. Speed merchants be forcing them mistakes. Nervy start.

bennydevito

Samesong; that’s what worries me; we’re not going to get many chances against Liverpool and can’t afford for Aubameyang to miss so many chances. What do people reckon the line up will be?

gambon

Hleb was a terrible player.

Absolute hipster player that delivered almost nothing but looked good while doing it.

2.5 goals per season from attacking midfield. A decent full back can match that.

Got found out very quickly after leaving Arsenal.

WengerEagle

Yeah prefer Rosicky’s all-round threat that he carries, we’re so stupidly reliant on Auba and Laca for goals so a fit Rosicky could get you double figures ish I reckon with a full season of football, would have easily broken that mark in 07/08 were it not for the injury.

Hleb was brilliant besides his allergy to shoot the ball,a pretty significant flaw though. Threatened many a television set watching Hleb bitch out of pulling the trigger over the years.

Marko

Technically true he didn’t get nearly enough goals and assists for his talent. His ball retention was on point though

Paulinho

Hleb was the reason Sagna got 11 assists that season. When Hleb left so did Sagna’s relevance is an attacking threat. No surprise Bacary put him in his all all time XI players played with.

Marko

Another thing I noticed about Hleb is yeah he was great with the auld cut backs but he was literally incapable of crossing the ball. Could not get the ball off the ground and in the air

Paulinho

WE – Unlike Iwobi he could actually strike it pretty well with both feet so even more infuriating. Match at Old Trafford in 07/08 summed it up though: Brilliant but ultimately mugged by a team full of goal scorers.

WengerEagle

Samesong Have far more faith in Auba than I did Giroud but he’s not adverse to spurning sitters in big matches himself, still can’t believe that he missed so many clear-cut tap-ins at Stamford Bridge in particular. The worst Anfield memory BY FAR was the 5-1 demolition job in 2014, they literally could have scored 10 plus if they really wanted to but complacency got in the way. 4-0 up after 19 mins and that was factoring in they missed a couple of great chances, Toure an open net from yards out point blank. Suarez also nearly scored a top… Read more »

Redtruth

Typical WengerEagle picking an injury prone player as an asset to Arsenal..lol lol

WengerEagle

Paulinho

Ozil suffers from the same reticence in front of goal, guy never shoots even though he’s technically a sound striker of the ball.

Think that ultimately it’s a psychological shortcoming,deference to the extreme masqueraded as being ‘unselfish’ or ‘efficient’ when in reality, its more often than not a cop-out.

Looking for a pass when it’s not on isn’t being efficient and how many times has that been the case with Hleb or Ozil?

Paulinho

WE – Yeah both were/are guilty of it. Always had more time for Hleb though because he would dribble through congestion whereas Ozil skirts around it. Didn’t mind him passing it square because he had opened up the game with his dribbling. He still did it way too often though when as you said, it’s better for the team to actually shoot.

Always thought Ramsey had a great balance in that respect.

WengerEagle

Paulinho

I’ve always had time for Ramsey, often wonder how high his ceiling could have been were it not for that thundercunt Shawcross.

Credit to him how he’s gone on to be a very good player as we’ve seen with the likes of Eduardo, Alan Smith, Cisse, Luke Shaw how it can be the end of the road for a player at a certain level.

Still remember his early days though where he was a noticeably quicker runner.

Paulinho

WE – Yep, injury definitely took that edge away.

He used to be able to dribble in a two-footed way as well, use the outside of his left foot at times to evade a player. Became a bit more conventional after injury and relied on industry a bit more; lost that flicker of ingenuity, and whenever it reappeared he would get injured again and it was back to square one.

Tony

It’s been reported in the DM that we offered £35 million for Pulisic whereas Liverpool has bid £45 million.

Make of that what you will!

Guns of SF

Now im reading that Ozil out with a knee injury suffered on Thurs.
Weird. but not unusual
Anyhow. there is not other way but for him to leave in Jan. This is too much.
I have a strong feeling 2 AM will come in Jan.

Guns of SF

Pulisic would pick Liverpool over us. Why wouldn’t he?
We need to find a young gem. If Banega is coming in, then we need the other to be young. Auouar or someone in the mold.
Pulisic is talented but he has been relegated to a sub with Dortmund… lets see how he pans out.

Marko

Pulisic is a young gem he’s 20

Guns of SF

Why would he chose us over Pool? They have CL, a great team, likely to win the league… We are going to sell him a dream- from a 5th place team. Its a no brainer. I actually think if we were sitting in 4th or 3rd, attracting a strong recruit in Jan would be easier. We need youth who can impact us now. I mean Banega might be a revelation, and I hope he is. I rate him but we need impact players now. Ramsey is gone hopefully in Jan so we can recoup something… Ozil hopefully the same. If… Read more »

Guns of SF

I do think we should keep Laca. I personally think he offers us much movement and fight in the final third. Auba and him work well. We can make this work in a 3-5-2 if we get a proper AM. that would make a real difference with both of them and we can play them together. Perhaps Banega will be put in this spot? If we get true winger then we can revert back to a new formation Hard to say… but I do hope that Ramsey leaves in Jan. I will have much respect for him… Kinda like when… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

I have been one of the few supporters of Ozil who post on Le Grove. This is in part because I see beyond his wage packet and look at his creativity and talent. Unfortunately it has been clear this season that the player has lost both motivation and performance and has become in effect a “luxury” we can no longer afford. The so-called illnesses and injuries suggest to me that Ozil is either a hypochondriac or just not want to play. Frankly the “variety” of reasons for his absence suggest one or other reason. What is clear is that Arsenal… Read more »

Guns of sf

Emirates

Ozil might have depression or something mentally related you are right. May be some sort of phobia or anxiety? Who knows but if that is the case he needs help and treatment. Bench him until he recovers but if this is just plain bad attitude and lack of adapting to a new coach then send him out ASAP. I think that it’s really perplexing .

I mean press, defend and play with fight and energy? That is all that is asked but that is not working! Baffling

Emiratesstroller

Apart from genuine craft in midfield the major worry has been our defence. Let’s be honest the absences through injury may be one problem, but it is the lack of quality as well. The only player at the club who might make the starting lineup of a top 4 EPL team is Bellerin and that is more for his offensive play than his defensive solidity. None of our Centre Backs would rank in the top 30 players for the position in global football. The lack of proper investment in those positions has been a longterm problem. Players like Holding and… Read more »

Guns of sf

Yes lots of issues certainly with the defense

I’m of the kind that adding better attackers and a winger will alleviate the need for our defenders to bomb forward as much as they do. Chelsea have Pedro and wilian and attacks happen from all over the field with hazard in the middle

Our fullbacks provide attacking width but that leads to our center backs being out under pressure from long balls or pact strikers

Guns of sf

Ditto Liverpool they have world class attackers on both wings and center it makes things easier for the defense to be well …. defenders

Tony

All critiscism and jokes aside I’ve thought for a long time that Ozil has some form of mental condition. If this is the case shouldn’t we be seeking insurance compensation for his salary in the same way as if he was injured. Maybe we’re not acknowledging any such condition in an effort to sell Ozil, but if no ffers are forthcoming then we should put him on our not-fit-to-play list and get compensation for the insurance company. Tricky one to prove or disprove but then again so are his phamtom knee and back injuries that come at very regular opportune… Read more »

kc

Our highest paid player is too scared to play in big matches. This is the only conclusion that makes sense to me. Just get him out of here asap. I’d be fine with paying half his salary just to be rid.

Guns of sf

How is ozil even marketable at this juncture! Other teams know what’s up and i can only assume they will try an get him on the cheap as they know he doesn’t feature in our plans and is a headache.

I expect some low offers for him but we need to take what we can now. No point in the ozil drama going until end of season

Leftsidesanch

Didn’t realise Liverpool are unbeaten against us in seven.

Dissenter

Emirates
You’ll change your mind about Ozil on New Year’s Day after he posts three assists against Fulham.
That’s how you roll.

qna

Think Saul is going about this rebuild quite methodically. He needs 3 or 4 transfer windows to get this squad to anywhere reasonable levels. I think this Jan will depend on opportunities rather than a plan to go out and fix certain areas. That will happen next summer. For now we have to wait and see if any decent offers come in for players that we plan on moving on anyway and also any players that are available for a reasonable fee. I don’t expect any truth about Ever Benaga. He doesn’t fit the age profile of the list changes… Read more »

HillWood

How many £ millions does the academy cost
Does it represent value for money
Or would the money be better spent buying ready-made players

Arsene's Nurse

We could get battered today. I’m going to watch from behind the sofa.