Arsenal defence to face powerful test + Mini Cesc Tribute

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It’s going to be a tough away day at the worst new stadium in the country. We head east to play WEST Ham. There’s a confusing one for you non-London folk.

Anyway, I’m worried about how our defence is going to hold up tomorrow. On the one hand, I’m excited to potentially welcome back Hector Bellerin, on the other, I’m deeply concerned about how we’re going to deal with Mustafi, Koscielny and Monreal playing together.

Arnautovic is a man-beast and unplayable when he fancies it. Felipe ran rings around us last time he played. Antonio is also more than capable of causing us problems. If you remember last time we played West Ham, we really were lucky not to come away from the game losing. Now Pelligrini has had more time, we should expect just as tough a game as before. Our last 4 away Premier League games have seen 2 draws and 2 loses. We really need to get back on track and it’s imperative we don’t lose more ground on the top 4.

We have a squad as fit as it can be at this stage of the season. Will he play Ramsey? Will he go with two up front away from him? Will he start Auba and Laca? So many questions that need answering.

In other news, Cesc Fabregas has ducked out of the Premier League to join Monaco on a 3 and half year deal. Thierry has dropped a steal there… not quite sure I’d be giving someone with his injury record and pace that money, but whatever. I loved Cesc. One of my all-time favourite Arsenal players. When you talk about attacking footballers playing in a banter team, that was Cesc, and he fucking owned it. No bitching, mincing out or failing to score goals because that’s “not his thing.”

I remember him bursting on the scene with his mullet and rat tail. He looked like he was going to sell you a banging pair of fake Rayban’s, and he defo knew someone who could by you some South African skunk. But as his hairstyles improved, so did his ability to control games on the pitch. He was a revelation, one of the first midfielders of his type in the league. He had no pace, no physical presence, he just had this incredible ability to always find space… and his range of passing was out of this world. Then the goals came… then the interest came.

I don’t want to talk about how he left. I think the strike thing was massively overblown. Really though, who can blame him for going to play in that Barcelona side? It was the greatest of all time. Doesn’t matter that he didn’t really break into it. He went there to win trophies and that’s what he did.

Would I have wanted him back at Arsenal? For sure. We held out for him for a summer and didn’t fill his position because Wenger didn’t want him going to United. He kind of strung us along to get assurance from Barca, then he stayed and was fucked over anyway. We eventually moved hard on Mesut Ozil and that was that. Cesc was over for us.

What a career he’s had regardless. He’s lived in London, Barcelona and now Monaco. I have so much love for how that guy has run his career. A true role model if ever there was one.

Good luck Cesc!

Finally, Bielsa admits to hiding a spy in a bush and there are people out there defending the actions like that isn’t utterly abhorrent behavior. I saw a French publication justify the Leeds managers decision by saying there is no law against spying, and it was basically fine because he was chasing perfection.

Hmmm… pretty sure the police wouldn’t have picked up the perpetrator if there wasn’t something legally dubious about what he was doing. Additionally, don’t be a cu*t and play the strict interpretation of the rules card. Life is not about living by a strict legal code, there’s such a thing as norms, if you think there is anything upstanding in spying because no one thought there was a chance an opposition manager would go to those lengths, you’re full of shit.

Someone could stab someone in the leg before a game and there’d be a dickhead on Twitter lining up to tell you that taming player passion was a bad thing and if we punished the stabbing, it could be the end of the game. Not all opinion is born equal and the internet levels a cesspit of horrific views.

Right, that’s me done, enjoy the West Ham game! x

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Charlie George

Torreira , ain’t got the legs to play away at home.
Has not had one decent away game, yet.
Did U see him at Anfield?
Felipe Anderson would have him on toast !

Leftsidesanch

Chelsea were criticised for changing managers frequently by the likes of these and we have some already wanting the manager before a full year is up. Some Arsenal fans honestly…

useroz

AMN needs to show more intensity. Style of run doesn’t cut ut. Too lax. It’s his great chance to impress.

Iwobi just following the attacker. Do something mate.

Dream10

Wenger Eagle’s boy Felipe Anderson starting to warm up…

Marko

The players here are better for the match today… scathing rebuke

Globalgunner

Our players lack aggression.

Radio Raheem

Pointless playing Auba on the wing, he has no physical presence whatsoever. Better he swaps position with Laca.

useroz

Good run Laca. Flappi flapped indeed but we didn’t catch.

Dream10

Laca should have squared for Auba…tap in.
He looks up for it though, good start from him

TheLegendaryDB10

CG

Torreira is knackered from overplaying. Stop spouting bollocks.

Unai is doing the right thing by resting him. He will play the second half.

useroz

Guendouzi over hit the pass. Great decision tho.

Jamie

I don’t know what it is, but I really want AMN to do well. He’s almost always disappointing, though. Far too casual.

useroz

Can’t agree more. Most our players need some healthy dose of aggression. We aren’t 9 pts on the top…

What’s the foul about Moss?? Laca tucking ffs. The defender had his left arm on Lacas back.

Globalgunner

Agrred jamie: Someone needs to remind AMN, that hes not playing against his nephews. Needs to man up

kc

Kola needs to shoot that. Pathetic.

Globalgunner

Kola needs to smash that

Leftsidesanch

Someone should be getting on the end of that pass. We play so lackadaisical.

Leftsidesanch

Or he could have went for goal himself

useroz

Ffs Kolac. Take a bloody shot. Nothing available in the cutback.

We overplay the final balls a lot. Laca did it again. Poor pass. Better to take a shot.

mysticleaves

dream

Fekir is a creative player who has goals and hustle in him. If he’s not an Emery type player, I wonder who is….

re his injury, it was a problem two seasons ago I am not sure that it will still be a problem this next season

useroz

Feel as tho our tempo ain’t going to up till WHU scored!

Snail pace.

Charlie George

The Leg DB10!

Torreira is knackered from overplaying. Stop spouting bollocks.

Knackered!!

We have only had him for half a season!!!
Well, it confirms my point- he ain’t suitable for the Prem
HE can’t play in the difficult away games.
Legs too small- to get across the pitch.And cover the yards.

Sokratis – has started every game!
Why is he not knackered?

useroz

I am going to be mad if Nasri scores… the guy hasn’t played for nearly 2 yrs and we make him look a 30m player.

TheLegendaryDB10

CG

He has only just joined the PL. He needs to get used to it.

Incredible how people are so impatient.

useroz

Having an issue with AMN.

Wot an unprofessional, dire 5 yard pass and fucked it up. Did not run back at all to help stop the counter he caused. Poor.

AMN going to ruin his chance.

Charlie George

Leg db10

Well, why not buy players WHO are used the bloody league.?
And a coach too,perhaps

Dissenter

Charlie George
“We have only had him for half a season!!!
Well, it confirms my point- he ain’t suitable for the Prem
HE can’t play in the difficult away games.
Legs too small- to get across the pitch.And cover the yards.”

Another day to read your bizarre posts.
You’re dragging down the standards of discourse here
Messi’s legs were “small” too.

Leftsidesanch

CG, knock it on the head please.

Radio Raheem

Apart from the mediocre I’m not sure what it is people see in Maitland-Niles

azed

AMN not doing himself any favors

Dream10

The Hammers playing better football than us. No creativity from us. Just bypassing midfield.

kc

Aubu giving about 20% atm. Looks like Ozil.

Globalgunner

We wont wake up until W ham score.

Charlie George

Messi plays in Spain
Different league.
Did U see firminio annihilate torreira at Anfield.
He was at fault for 3 goals.
We need a Vieira/Pogba type. Not another technician with little endurance and no stamina
Love to see AMN be put in a central position.

gambon

We are basically an expensive Stoke City.

Emery plays some terrible football.

Can see half time subs yet again

Jamie

Yep, AMN having a shocker so far. We’re so pedestrian.

Dissenter

Auba’s casual approach to defending from the front isn’t helpful for away games.

Naitland-Miles isn’t having a good game.

Westham are holding their own, like I thought. They look more likely to score.

SUGA3

We are gash. Seems like the new manager factor has now worn off and they are back in the cruise mode.

Samesong

AMN is a championship player at best.

useroz

Seriously hell watching this defensive shit.

Looks tired or lazy with more rest??

AMN wanting to beat Iwobi on number of poor passes? Awful.

Dissenter

gambon
I’m not sure you get any more from this squad.
The individual pieces aren’t good enough and worse still, they don’t fit together.

gambon

Raheem

Maitland-Niles is not terrible but he’s never going to be a top player.

Keeps moving position, never good enough in any of them.

Leftsidesanch

Arsenal have had this unenthusiastic approach for ages. Not sure why we only play with grit when we’re a goal down.

useroz

Yeah. That’s more like it. 2 feet left it’s top corner goal. Great shot from Guendozi.

mysticleaves

I am not sure that AMn has the desire and mentality to make at with us. He’s playing like he’s on 250k a week and waiting for his testimonial

Radio Raheem

Gambon

That’s the thing though isn’t it? He is so distinctively average don’t think I’ve seen a more average player ever.

TheLegendaryDB10

Good to see that Pat Rice is doing alright.

Charlie George

Amn, by my count has had 3 different positions this season
He is centre midfield player all day long.

Play people in there right positions

Dissenter

Guendouzi is really a physical specimen
Great scouting from Sven
I hope we have him on a long term contract. I recall suggesting a 5 year contract and being laughed at.

Un na naai

Is it just AMN or emery’s boring football and negative instructions?

useroz

Do you guys feel that grass was cut long? The ball looks to drag along.

gambon

Raheem

I said that after about 2 games. Then all the fan boys jumped on me on here.

Guendouzi is 2 years younger and makes silly mistakes but the talent level is miles beyond AMN

Goonah

All Xhaka have done this half is put our CB:s under severe pressure.

He must have 98% pass completion though.

SUGA3

where is our midfield, ffs

Charlie George

Amn lacks confidence
Stick with the lad. He will come good
Him and Gendusi- makings of real midfield partnership

Guns of Hackney

Our kit is fucking putrid.

Dissenter

ANM is really poor.
He’s been crap on both sides of the field.
That’s another player who’s going top be hard to move pin because he isn’t worth much and the cost of replacing him is prohibitive in the current environment.

useroz

Notice the body language between Guendouzi and AMN (and others) off the ball. I know which supporters would expect.

peanuts&monkeys

This Arsenal side cannot string together 5 passes in the opposition half. What a pity!

SUGA3

AMN is not even talented in the way the likes of Wilshere, etc were. He is just a bit tall. Enough at youth level, not so much amongst the big boys.

Jamie

It’s true, the gulf in talent between Guendouzi and AMN is huge, even though both make a dozen mistakes a game.

Radio Raheem

Gambon

Couldn’t agree more apples and pears those two.

Maitland-Niles will need a talent transplant to be a starting CM for a top 6 side. Utility squad player the best he can hope for.

Leftsidesanch

Hasn’t been great, disappointed with the effort of most of these jokers this half. You can see why we was punished by Liverpool. West Ham could be a few goals up.

lari03

Is Maitland Niles a worse player compared to Xhaka?

gambon

We’ve had one shot in the last 30 mins.

Something isn’t right with the way Emery sets our team up.

Victorious

AMN not playing well but far from being our worse player

Appropriate question is the palpably lack of creativity in the side

The team is shockingly so bland, only one man to blame for that

only laca looks up for it and he’s painfully starved of service

Jamie

At least we didn’t concede. Arsenal positives?….

peanuts&monkeys

Another 1st half wasted. Bleak days ahead for Arsenal. Whats Auba doing? He is simply occupying some space. Sub Auba now!

Radio Raheem

Anyway let’s win this second half . West ham should have taken their chances.

gonsterous

wow, this has to be the worst 45 mins of football I’ve ever seen arsenal play. Everyone’s first touch was league 2 level. Everyone kept passing it back to the defenders (like we are some possession based team), and the defenders held on to the ball for way too long. Sadly this team needs someone with ozils creativity and more leadership or grit. Ozil isn’t the solution either because I don’t know if he would have turned up or not today. AMN was woeful, so was gwen. Both lost the ball countless times. We better bring in Tor at the… Read more »

Marko

Severely lacking in the attacking creative department. And no I’m not making a case for Ozil in the squad. Need some firepower in the summer for sure. Can’t expect our attack to always come from the wing backs especially considering our wing backs aren’t great

Zfree

Awful half from Auba and AMN. The defense just about held.

Game could use Ramsey and LT. And it wouldn’t surprise at all if Bellerin replaces AMN possibly even at HT

Guns of Hackney

On this, and quite a few showings this season, Arsenal’s production line for producing talent is dire. This current batch are shite.

gambon

Dissenter

We could easily shift AMN for £8m or so to a Bournemouth or similar

Emery won’t though.

He lives a team of scrapping bloggers. We’re the new Stoke City.

Emery also included AMN in his PowerPoint presentation he did before he got the job.

He said he would develop our players.

Clearly he’s not capable of doing that but if he admits defeat he will get sacked.

Spanish Tony Pulis.

peanuts&monkeys

Emery is just not getting it. Has his style got completely predictable?

Dissenter

Victorious
“Appropriate question is the palpably lack of creativity in the sideThe team is shockingly so bland, only one man to blame for that”

Who’s this “man” you referring to?

Certainly not Emery because he’s not going to implant a new spine on Ozil or rush Myhki back too soon.

Micheal

Build-up is far too slow. Every pass seems to go across the back three or to Leno. Get the fucking thing forward – pass into space.

Ishola70

Poo game so far.

Nothing in midfield.

Maitland a waste of time so far.

Kolasinac should be looking for counter runs on the flank as Noble tracks and can’t go with him. Zabaleta no recovery pace to get back if caught upfield.

Lacazette showed for first 10 minutes and that’s it.

gonsterous

Amn lacks confidence
Stick with the lad. He will come good
Him and Gendusi- makings of real midfield partnership

Jesus, charlie still pushing the “go British ” program. Kid was woeful and this is west ham.
Gwen needs a rest, suarez or carasco this window looking like a blessing now.

azed

”Something isn’t right with the way Emery sets our team up”

I’ll say based on available personnel, we can switch to a 4-3-3 by bringing Ramsey in and taking out Koscielny.

On the flip side, the only two offensive players missing are Ozil and Mkhitaryan and they don’t offer much more than what’s on show.

Our squad is really really poor.

Batistuta

Gambon throwing his toys out like a 12 year old again

Guns of Hackney

Spanish Tony Pulis!

Whatever it is…it isn’t the right one for Arsenal.

Pierre

It’s obvious happened in the first half …

We came out full of energy ,pressing the ball, closing the West ham players down ……then we can out of energy …

Pierre

*Ran out of energy

gambon

*scrapping cloggers

Nelson

@gambon Something isn’t right with the way Emery sets our team up.

This 2 striker system relies heavily on the two wing back. AMN is not up to the task. Kola was good the first 20 minutes. But he was pushed back and had to defend.

I still prefer one striker and two fast wingers formation.

Champagne charlie

AMN is 21 and never had a run in one position in the team to define himself. He’s not top level talented like a Guendouzi, but that doesn’t make him poor or without value.

If Arsenal can produce 4/5 players from the academy who can contribute on a squad level we can be more aggressive in pursuit of top-end talent. Iwobi and AMN should be nurtured/encouraged and not lambasted at every opportunity because they’re not Sterling or Kane level.

Doublethink

This is hard to watch, Kolasinac being our most creative player says all you need to know about our lack of quality attackers outside of our strikers.

Victorious

It’s a miracle I came through the first half without falling asleep

Snoozefest

Radio Raheem

Spanish Tony Pulis Hahaha

A bit early Gambon.

Wait for the second half.

We’re a second half team, that where we’re at on our EMEVOLUTION

Chill

Dissenter

We don’t have the tools to even work with.
Besides Laca and Auba, we are Westham level – AVERAGE.
That’s why it’s so annoying and why we just have to accept cold morsels for a while.
We’ve been so badly run for a long time with the acquiescence of majority of the fan base.

Chris

We started brightly but overall not the best first half. Let’s hope for better in the second, as we have seen so many times this season

And more people on the managers back. Pathetic.

gambon

Kolasinac was an outlet all half, but our midfield is so devoid of technique we barely found him.

Kay

I dont understand Emery s obsession with Xhaka.

Need to switch to a back 4 to have a bit of creativity.

gonsterous

Spanish Tony Pulis!

lmao. who’s the Spanish Peter crouch, guns ?

Dissenter

gambon
There’s a perspective that any manager would have from afar…and then then there’s another that comes from being immersed in the daily running of the squad.

Emery may have had some views before he started, it doesn’t mean he will retain those views in there summer.
For now he does have to work with what he has. Bellerin is out and the only coverage is ANM. He really has no choice.

Our academy hasn’t been educating these kids right for a while.

Goonah

We are not using our wingbacks near enough, so no point in playing 3 at the back.
Agree with taking Kos off for Ramsey to get more control in midfield.

gonsterous

kolasinac had a great chance to put auba through but he held on to the ball too long to cut back. Practising too many cut backs in training, the wing backs don’t know how to cross any other way.

raptora

You onow that something’s not right when Nasri is the best player on the pitch. Grade A cunt.

Dissenter

I went into this game expecting a narrow loss and a big meltdown here.
I was expecting gambon to unfold his Emery-out banner.
Nothing I’ve seen today has made me question my expectation for the game.

Westham have more money-to-spend than Arsenal.