Josh K talks of Champions League glory (also, £40m summer kitty)

by .

I feel like a child of absent parents this morning. Daddy has tumbled down the stairs, barged into the living room slightly hungover, and handed me an IOU for a Mars bar. This is Josh ‘Daddy’ K.

“To see where Sean has taken us [the Rams] in a short amount of time gives us a lot of confidence.

“The only thing on a par with the Super Bowl is Arsenal making the Champions League final.

“It is something we are very focused on.

“I have been telling my friends all week the Super Bowl is the biggest spectacle that we have here and the Champions League is something in Europe that we strive for and we look forward to being a part of in the future.”

It was all going so well, then he kind of let slip that he was thinking about the other kid who is more handsome than I, and he kind of got his wires crossed.

“I think he [Emery] and Sean are very comparable in the way they approach their craft on a daily basis,”

“There is a lot of data they break down. They are very active on the practice pitch. Their styles are similar even though they are half a world apart.

“Unai’s energy is contagious and his dedication is immense. They love what they do and they are leaders. The players want to run through a wall for them.”

Daddy has not been paying attention, has he? Styles the same? Really, Josh?

The whole interview is mildly amusing. These billionaires are so out of the loop in life that it took a Super Bowl final to acknowledge it’d be cool for Arsenal to make a Champions League final one day.

No message as to how we hit those heights, just a confident nod to Unai Emery that he’s got this, and he should spend that £40m he has in the summer really well.

JOKERS.

Denis Suarez has LANDED. Get excited people. This is him giving his new manager mad props.

“The main thing is that he dedicates a great deal of time to his work. He spends many hours and days watching videos of other teams and his own side.

“His training sessions are really demanding and he ensures that the team is completely prepared. But as I say, the biggest thing is the time he dedicates to his work. As we’d say in Spanish, he’s ‘un enfermo del fútbol’ – football mad.”

Emery is bloody football mad, isn’t he? Good times.

Really hope Denis is the real deal. He has a lot to prove. He’s a little lost in his career, he’s had spats of excellent play, but he’s never really found a place he can call home. He’s playing for a career with Emery, let’s hope he can deliver.

LOAN WITH A VIEW TO PERM, FAM.

Manchester City tomorrow is a huge game. Pep G and his team are recovering from a Newcastle United inflicted bloody nose. They need to find that winning gear against us to keep their title hopes alive this season.

Arsenal had a bit of a shocker against relegation fodder in midweek, but the eventual win turned out to be a dream ticket to TOP FOUR. We need to tighten up, because I have to tell you, City have a lot more to offer than Cardiff.

Emery needs to stop talking the talk about video analysis and show us the output of this meticulous planning we hear so much about.

But I tell you… if I see a high line with the defence we have on offer, I’m gonna bloody lose my mind. I will absolutely slam my fist on the table. Don’t doubt my commitment to aggression.

The downside to the win is that we could hand Liverpool the title. Can you imagine that? The internet memes? The southern Scousers burning their City shirts in the street? The endless coverage in the papers. Oh my, won’t it be awful… At least no one cares about City and their 23,000 fans.

Speaking of which, isn’t it amusing to see how empty the Spurs ground has been lately? I really, really hope they struggle to fill that toilet bowl of theirs. I also hope it’s quiet and too expensive for the average Spurs fan. No way they’re shifting £14 salt beef bagels there. Levels people, levels.

Right, that’s me done! Check out my solo pod. I say nice things about the comments section. Sorry to A&N who I missed but value dearly. xx

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Emiratesstroller

Tony I agree 100% with you. England’s defence and the tempo of their game was fantastic. What we learned once again also is that they are a significantly better team when the two Vunipolas are playing. Last season Billy missed all of the international matches. I am also a little concerned about Itoje’s injury. It may not be so much of a problem in the French game, but more when we play Wales. Would not completely agree with you about Kroenke interview. Four points of reference: 1. The creation of a management structure at club in contrast to what occurred… Read more »

TheLegendaryDB10

Bamford

I am not anti-American. He is just not the right owner for me, unless he proves otherwise. As as I said in an earlier post (re ES post), he seems to have changed tact and I sincerely hope that he does become a little bit more hands on. You can’t say that his complete lack of involvement (until now) has been beneficial to the club.

As for the invasion of spoken Americanism in my culture, I will stand by that. So you can kindly fuck off with that one.

Tony

ES Re Josh Kroenke’s speech I agree with your points 1 to 3, but point 4 I’m more cynical about. I guess I’m in the I-believe-it-when-I-see-it camp these days. Josh is obviously on a Superbowl high, which is understandable, but to liken the 2 sports and enterprises when one is getting US$billions of investment while the other is getting very little in comparison seems just too disingenuous for my liking. Emery is yet to install confidence that he’s the coach to take us to the level of challenging for top honours and I don’t believe Josh has the football nous… Read more »

China1

I’d rather see monreal at RB than mustafi. Mustafi May be error prone but at least he’s used to playing CB and monreal might be a LB but the transition shouldn’t be massive

China1

Tony agreed

Whether emery is the guy to deliver is another story, but josh doesn’t know a damn thing about football so I’d take any of his proclamations relating to this sport with a bucket of salt

China1

It’s precisely because josh and Stan know a grand total of zero combined about football and how arsenal should be run that we suffered the wenger years for so long and the closing of that saga involved sich astronomical mismanagement of our finances, player recruitment, contracts etc

They are as clueless as they are feckless. If we turn this ship around it will be in spite of them rather than because of them

Pierre

Since the turn of the year up until the recent Newcastle defeat , City had won all of their games scoring 30 goals and conceding 1 . Though there were some easier cup ties in this run of games it is nonetheless an impressive record. What it tells me is that City , when they get in front, are nearly unstoppable as they go for the jugular when they take the lead. It is imperative that we don’t concede early ,city’s confidence will have taken a bit of a knock after the Newcastle defeat and maybe newcastle’s pragmatic style is… Read more »

Graham62

My Rugby prediction was way off the mark. England were excellent. The best I’ve seen them play for a long long time.

As for today, slight trepidation. Could be MC backlash.

I’ll be positive though and go for a 2-2 draw.

I know, very positive.

Un na naai

DB10

You tell him. He loves it when England lose. As does dissenter. Most of the non English fans here and some of the lefty English ones are with fair regularity running down our youth, English players in general and the country itself.
Yet have the temirty to call out someone else on anti American views, all for wanting English people to speaks proper English?? Ooooh how racist

Un na naai

Graham

I’ve got a sneaky feeling emery is going to pull something sneaky today. Obviously I don’t know and it could be hope rather than anything else but I just think he will have planned big for this game, maybe atthe expense of the United game. He will want to make a statement against pep, agaisnt city.
Keegan moment here but I would LOVE IT if we can get a result today.
Wenger managed to draw a gritty performance at the etihad (nearly wrote Maine road) with Walcott, coq and Wilshere in the starting lineup.

Bob N16

Tony, re. Portugal camp, Jones admitted that pre match sessions had been too physical and attributed that to dodgy performances last season. Loved the story that the players had been practising catching with a soapy, slippery ball in anticipation of Ireland’s kicking. Superb dominant tackling by England and backs who know when to put a grabber kick in. Jones also should be acknowledged for his preparation and tactics.

Expectations going up for City game, irrationally. The feel good factor from the rugby is making me think we could get a draw!

China1

Lol @ solksjaer

A week ago he was saying that he’d only spoken to fergie once since he got the Utd job.

Today we learn he has a talk with him after every single game.

I wouldn’t expect fergie to have any input if I’m honest, but the fact he’s lied about it actually suggests he’s getting at least regular advice and feedback

Un na naai

Where the hell is joe anyway? And Alex cutter?

China1

On paper we should be losing this game but I too have a slight feeling we get somehow get a good result.

Its unlikely to be pretty but I have a nagging feeling we’ll score two in the first 20 minutes to set up a surprise end result. Auba and laca on the scoresheet and Suarez to score the third (winning) goals in the second half

Un na naai

Leno; Maitland-Niles, Koscielny, Mustafi, Kolasinac; Guendouzi, Torreira, Xhaka, Ramsey; Lacazette, Aubameyang.

No Suarez
Maybe he’ll just repeat his tactics against Chelsea. Please god no high line today

Not with Kolasinac bombing on. We’ve got Koscielny back though. Good news

Un na naai

China

Wow!!! 3-0??? That’s a bit more than a nagging feeling and “not pretty”. Could it be prophetic? I’d be happy with a draw but I do feel we are going to run them close. This won’t be a Liverpool walk over agitating

Watch lacazette today. He’s going to be super charged for this one. Ramsey will be key to pressing them high too.
If Newcastle can then we can

Pierre

Our full backs are our weak link , City are masters at sliding the ball inside the full back and I’m not sure our full backs are aware enough..
If we allow Silva or de bruyne time on the ball they will pick us off with impunity.

Torriera,Guendouzi and Ramsey need to stop the supply.

Un na naai

One thing I really do like about aubameyang is his attitude
Considering he’s out top scoerer I like that he doesn’t complain about being played on the wing

Un na naai

Pierre
Good morning from Hastings

The gap between Mustafi and AMN will be the spot
Torriera will surely be asked to track that spot on the right with guendouzi performing a similar role on the left allowing xakha to move the ball forward quickly for counter attacks

That would be my set up
We have pace in our front 3 and certainly goals.

Un na naai

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-arsenal-selection-issues-15768523.amp

Could be the perfect time to face city. Or the worst. Let’s hope the Newcastle game causes some disruption in their camp rather than galvanise them

Un na naai

Bob

Great article

Exactly what I was saying 2/3 posts above on how to deal with city. I was contemplating ozil as a counter attacking outlet but i would not start with him. It’s got to be Ramsey for me.

Pierre

Morning Un
No Xhaka and AMN apparently which leaves us short..

Monreal should start , wing backs would be my option with kos,mustafi and Monreal as the centre backs , Kolasinac on the left , he may even start jenkinson as right wing back ..it’s him or lichsteiner .

I can’t say I’m as confident as you …

gonsterous

pressing or containing. Both sounds impossible with the defenders that we have. Also, I don’t think we have the kind of discipline to sit back and observe and carefully choose when we want to counter attack. A draw could be the best possible outcome today.

Freddie Ljungberg

Xhaka and AMN didn’t travel with the squad. Keep up people.

Imagine it’s going to be Torr – Guen – Ramsey in midfield and hopefully Iwobi – Auba – Suarez up top with Laca coming on second half for added firepower.

ddkingz

please…. what’s with the omission of xhaka from the squad.. and I heard he missed out previous match…

is he injured or what??????

Up 4 grabs now

Morning people,

No Xhaka means we have a chance.
(Sorry UN Na)
Don’t wanna see ozil anywhere on that pitch until maybe the last twenty minutes.
Would go with a 352 for a bit more security.

And rather see jenkinson than lurch steiner!

Un na naai

No xakha? I’m less confident now. Not trolling. We literally have nobody else who moves the ball like him bar Özil. Yes he’s slow but he’s far more useful to our attacking game than many realise

I hope I’m wrong but this basically means we need ozil. They are the only two who move the ball well enough but both need to have their deficiencies catered for. Ozil’s are more considerable than xakha’s which is why I prefer xakha.

Emiratesstroller

Tony My forecast for next summer’s transfer window is that Arsenal will probably bring in 4 new players. One will be a major signing most probably a winger and the other three will be promising youngsters like Guendouzi or experienced players like Sokratis, which are relatively low budget. You must also factor into the equation perhaps a couple of youngsters promoted from U23s i.e. Nelson and Smith-Rowe. Realistically I don’t see Arsenal making more than one major signing of £50 million + in a single transfer window. I still think that Arsenal will have a net budget of £100-110 million… Read more »

Receding Hairline

Guendouzi moves the ball quite well and with a bit more ambition

Having said that the Xhaka omission is strange

Freddie Ljungberg

Un na

Both Torreira and Guen are better, crisper passers than Xhaka, the only thing he has over them is the floated ball out to the left wing, meh.
He also folds under the slightest pressure so better to not play him against City.

Rumours today we’re going in for Rabiot on a free in the summer, us and everyone eIse I imagine. Replacing Xhaka with him is one of the bigger upgrades we can do in the first XI and would make us some cash as well. Not going to be easy to get done though.

Emiratesstroller

Bob N16 I do not know whether the Portugal camp made a difference to preparation, because it was suggested that Ireland also trained in Portugal. What I do think made a real difference was England’s pack was solid in contrast to many recent games. They did not afford Ireland too many penalties in critical positions. The only real opportunity came when they scored the try. The time that Ireland spent in England’s 22 was limited. Let’s keep finger’s crossed about today’s match. It’s going to be a tough match. Guardiola knows that Man City need to win if they are… Read more »

ddkingz

if xhaka doesn’t play today…. it’s gonna be a recording setting/breaking day…

xhaka dropped in two consecutive/successive matches…

or has emery finally realised that the guy is too slow and error prone and can’t improve him….

Don’t know which… but just hope it’s for the best for this sub par club(arsenal)..

useroz

Like him or not, Xhara played his part in some big games and could be useful if he maintains discipline. Long balls could also help the team’s wing play. Surprised Xhara is injured. When was he last hurt?? Not even in travelling squad would mean resting him or form related. Would hope Suraez can make an instant impact, somehow. AMN had a bruised knee and missed the last game so presumably still bruised? On paper, our MF is weak in creative department. At best inconsistent. No natural creator. Ozil hasn’t created for sometime and doubt if he’d start in an… Read more »

Un na naai

Freddy I disagree. He spots passes that the other two don’t seem to. I’m not against replacing him and rabiot would be great even though I highly doubt he’ll come to us. As it stands he’s a starter for me in a 3 man midfield. He excels there just as he did against Chelsea. The only other credible alternative now is ozil who I don’t want anywhere near the first 11 against anyone from the the top half of the table or away games. Especially not in winter. It’s got to be iwobi and Ramsey then. Let’s hope that’s enough.… Read more »

Un na naai

Useroz

Completely agree.

Un na naai

Rests not rests

Receding Hairline

Wow

No away games

No games against the top half

No games in winter

So when exactly do we play Ozil Un na nai….I seem to recall Emery’s inability to “coach” Ozil being one of his sins

Freddie Ljungberg

Guendouzi has been much more creative and executed far more difficult passes than Xhaka in the last couple of games especially. Could be because I can’t stand Xhaka and all his blunders but I think his passing ability is overrated too.

Guen, Iwobi as our creative players doesn’t sound great though, hope Suarez starts and adapts right away, we’re going to need it.

Un na naai

Receding

Not from me. If you’d have been paying attention then you’d know how much I detest Mesut Ozil as an arsenal player. I made one point in his favour recently as it was as a surprising and impressive statistic that he’d created his 500th premier league chance in our last game. However it’s is possible to have more than a hardline uniformed view on any particular player.

Pierre

RH “Wow No away gamesNo games against the top half No games in winter” That’s Emery’s decision not Ozil’s even though what you say doesn’t have one grain of truth to it. Sometimes a manager should look at the positives in a player instead of focusing on the negatives . It’s working for Ole Gunnar Solksjaer. And before anyone says it’s like having ten men when Ozil starts I will just remind them that we are unbeaten since the 2nd game of the season with Ozil starting. We have lost 5 recent games without Ozil starting and we have conceded… Read more »

Un na naai

Freddy

Each to their own. If everyone agreed then, Wouldn’t Le grove be boring? I think we miss xakha when he’s not there but I’m not against upgrading. I’ve no emotional ties to anyone in this squad outside of Koscielny, Monreal and now Lacazette. 2/3 in the winter of their respective careers anyway. So I’m not against upgrading at all.

Radio Raheem

HARE BY JOE BRAY 20:46, 2 FEB 2019 0_ECE_03_ARSENAL_MANC_HOTEL.jpg 2.2.19….. The Arsenal team arrive at their Manchester hotel on Saturday evening after getting a private jet to face Man City on Sunday afternoon……. Dennis Suarez. Former Manchester City youngster Denis Suarez is in line to make his Arsenal debut at his old club as the Gunners arrived in Manchester on Saturday night. Suarez moved to Arsenal on deadline day from Barcelona in a loan deal, and was part of the travelling squad that was pictured at a Manchester hotel before the Premier League fixture against City on Sunday. Also pictured… Read more »

Charlie George

Interesting to read the papers online today (This Brooks lad is now allegedly worth a whopping £40-50 mill) Bournemouth bought him for£ 11 mill Such a shame that Arsenal 2019 and indeed (during Wengers reign ) are so reticent to do the hard yards in the lower leagues and scout for these types of players) Following on the steps of missing out on Dele Alli and now Brooks** are Arsenal ever going to wake up to the fact there are Brooks’ s all over the UK and rather than constantly looking for Expensive mediocrity overseas -look closer to home? Brooks**… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

Charlie George Brooks is an excellent young player who played exceedingly well against us earlier in season. However, I don’t believe that Arsenal should pay a transfer “premium” to buy English players as we most certainly would have to do for this player. My guess is that there will be so much competition for his signature that the price will be extortionate. Arsenal would be much better off relying on their own Academy for home grown talent. We have got on our books at least 3 young players with similar talent i.e. Saka [aged 16] and Nelson and Smith-Rowe [both… Read more »

TR7

Agree with Pierre on 3 at the back formation against City

Leno

Jenko Mustafi Koss Mavrapanos Monreal

Torriera Gunedouzi

Ozil

Lacazzete Aubameyang

In Xhaka’s absence , it is essential to have Ozil in the side. With his passing he can help us in transition from defense to attack during counter-attack. With a back 3 and 2 wing backs, we won’t need him to put a defensive shift and he can play with freedom. If we play back 4, expect Sane and Sterling to cause us a lot of trouble.

Emiratesstroller

I don’t think that Xhaka is injured otherwise there would have been details of this on Arsenal website. However, it is possible that he might be ill.

Receding Hairline

Its actually sad seeing the bookmakers offering odds of 9.27 odds for an Arsenal win.

Its a sad day indeed when us getting a result at City is seen as a near impossible feat

bennydevito

So who’s going to be playing at right back? I thought I saw Lichsteiner in the training pictures so if he plays then heaven forbid Sane could have a field day.

useroz

9/27 odds is the club’s way of creating values for its loyal supporters and fans. Bang for the buck….

Xhara may be ‘ill’, as Ozil had his back pain.

On young guns, we somehow don’t produce a defensive name since Cole. Championship is full of better young English lads than our academy. May be its competitive and our kids have it too easy. Remember the ‘babies’ comment by a certain pile of manure couple of seasons back?

Would be okay (not happy) as long as we show genuine fight tonight.

Dissenter

Emery is throwing in Suarez from the get go because he was impresssive in training.
I think he’s going to play the Guendouzi role. Emery will play Mykhi at half fitness rather than Ozil.

We are going into the game with no expectation of victory which should be helpful. I just hope Auba doesn’t keep wasting good chances.

bennydevito

Ozil should start at the head of a midfield diamond with Ramsey and Guendouzi behind him and Torriera at the back playing as a sweeper in front of the defence and we need to keep a disciplined line further back – no suicidal Wenger style high lines!

Bob N16

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/feb/02/super-bowl-patriots-rams-commerce-conscience-social-justice

Excellent article on the Super bowl if you’re interested. After yesterday’s chat on capitalism/socialism, outstanding writing from a basketball legend.

Charlie George

“””Arsenal would be much better off relying on their own Academy for home grown talent. We have got on our books at least 3 young players with similar talent i.e. Saka [aged 16] and Nelson and Smith-Rowe [both aged 18].”” BUT ES : Do you have faith that Emery has the ability OR INDEED patience to extract the best out of our youngsters?; Hi CV ( certainly his WIKI page )-says he is a short term coach -he has held multiple posts already in his coaching career. I don’t think he has the appetite to harness their talents. Listening the… Read more »

Paulinho

Xhaka only plays with authority in a select few home games. You never see him do anything of the sort at places like the Etihad. Bit like Ozil really.

Emery never plays Ramsey in midfield if he can help it so I expect he will start behind Auba and Laca or be on the bench. He will find some way not put Ramsey in alongside Guendouzi and Torreira even if makes sense.

HillWood

RH
It is sadly the reality

Charlie George

“”So who’s going to be playing at right back? I thought I saw Lichsteiner in the training pictures so if he plays then heaven forbid Sane could have a field day.”

BD-I am with you.
Emery/Raul have had a whole month to address this issue., mind But They were too busy on the vanity project of “Operation Suarez.”

Have to play Mustafi there.
If Lich plays and we get burned: – The” Emery out” chant will be a cacophony.

Paulinho

The key is to getting City doubting themselves. They love playing us so they will come out full of beans and probably score two or three, but if we show some resilience and keep in the game there is great chance City will fold.

Receding Hairline

Yep frustrate them

Go toe to toe and we get annihilated

bennydevito

CG, I really hope you’re wrong regarding Emery’s lack of appetite for developing young talent but it seems you’re more read up on that side of his management, whereas I’m not so I’m not going to pretend otherwise. However I try to be more of a glass half full kind of guy and take people as I find them and not on their reputation. However, if we start the season and our loanee aren’t back training with the 1st team and fighting for a place in the squad, and Chambers is still at Fulham or Even permanently sold, then I… Read more »

Rambo Ramsey

Wow, zero to spend in Jan and a massive 40m to spend in the summer to build his team. Emery must be the luckiest coach in the World.

Who wouldn’t want this cushy Arsenal job, eh?

Emiratesstroller

CHARLIE GEORGE The first step is to ‘promote’ the youngsters to the FIRST TEAM SQUAD. I think that is likely to happen with both Smith-Rowe and Nelson when they return to the club in June. I don’t think that they will be automatic starters in team, but very useful additions to squad. They will also be on relatively low wages when they start with us. I think that Arsenal will make a major investment this summer on one player. My instinct is that is likely to be a player in 23-25 age range and most probably a winger. For me… Read more »

Bamford10

DB10 “What I am saying is: don’t underestimate our disliking of some things American.” I wasn’t accusing you of being anti-American in general. I was simply pointing out what your post makes plain: some portion of your dislike for Kroenke is driven by your dislike of things American “invading” your culture. I have been saying that this was the case for some time. And for the record, I have no problem with you opposing “Americanisms” seeping into British English. I would like to note, though, that “thunk” is only said here in jest, and plenty of people here still say… Read more »

Un na naai

Tr7

Yes I’d go along with that but I’m not sure if ozil would vindicate his selection. We’ve been here so many times before with him. He just doesn’t want it. He also will be of no use pressing their defence and deep lying midfielders, which will be key for us I feel.

Bamford10

Benny

I like that diamond four, but that would mean playing four in the back, which would mean pairing Mustafi and Koscielny, which seems a bad idea. Someone made this point here the other day, which made me think Emery’s more likely to play three in the back.

bennydevito

The question is; if our club was owned by an absent Englishman who wasn’t investing any money would those who object to Kronke be so vocal about wanting an English equivalent to be gone? I suspect not.

bennydevito

Bamford,

True. But I’d take a risk on Jenks, Kos, Monreal and Kolasinac as the back 4, but we’ll probably play 3 at the back with 2 wing backs like a hybrid 5 3 2.

My brain and experience tells me to be very afraid for today but my spidey sense is tingling for a shock upset in our favour. Probably wishful thinking on my part, always the hopeful optimist when it comes to Arsenal.

Bamford10

It was Left Testicle who pointed out that it might be unwise to pair Mustafi and Koscielny. If we play three in the back, it might look something like the following:

___________Leno
____Must__Kosc___Monr
Jenk___Guen___Torra____Kola
____Ramsey____Suarez
_________Lacazette

bennydevito

Should Suarez be starting? Hasn’t played much for Barca, not used to our league or had time to settle into our tram yet we’re throwing him right into the deepest end possible on his debut away to Man City?

That’s the equivalent of football suicide, surely?

Bamford10

Cazorla playing well for Villareal.

bennydevito

*TEAM not tram ffs!!!

Bamford10

Benny

We’ll see, but I don’t think so. He has apparently impressed in training, and anyone who has trained every day for three years with Messi et. al. is ready for anything in my book. Yes, we would be throwing him into the fire, as it were, but if the kid is any good, he should be able to deal with it.

As I say, we will see. Maybe he starts Ozil and brings Suarez in in the second half.

Cesc Appeal

Rabiot stories in the press today.

If we managed to get him that would mean Torreira, Rabiot and Guendouzi which pretty much sorts our midfield for the future. You can easily promote someone like Willock to play back up and sell off players like Elneny.

TheLegendaryDB10

Bamford The reason for my dislike for Kroenke was originally driven by the fact that he was so distant that he failed to see what was going on. To be fair it’s not entirely his fault. He got BS’ed by AW on the footballing front and BS’ed on the business side of things by Gazidis who did very little (until the end) to do something to rein in AW and to make sure that Arsenal had good commercial deals. But as I said, that Josh Kroenke interview has definitively raised my eyebrows and I am curious to see whether they… Read more »

Charlie George

“”sell off players like Elneny.””

A combination of Alan Sugar, Del Boy and the stars of The Apprentice would struggle to sell Elneny .

Nelson

I still think that our two strikers should help out in the team defense. Once we intercept the ball, the strikers will be involved in developing the attack. They’ll chase after the ball. If Auba just stands up front with the back to the goal waiting for the ball, he will not get service. We’ll be playing one man short.

Receding Hairline

Villarreal no longer flirting with relegation. There are now in a full blown relationship with it.

Don’t see how playing Suarez against City is suicide, this is not stoke on a cold Sunday evening. City play a continental brand of football.

Charlie George

“”City play a continental brand of football.””

they do indeed Receding … No excuse not to play Mesut Ozil today.
He is here to stay. (Ozil)
Best to get him pumped up, ingratiated back in the team and focused on the job at hand- which is
Playing for The Arsenal. No point ostracising him no longer.
Its so counter productive.

Receding Hairline

OK Charlie I will bite

How exactly do you get him pumped up?

Do you believe we can afford a passenger in this game? When was Ozil’s last reasonable away performance in this league?

Marc

Cesc

Rabiot would be a fantastic acquisition and being on a free would keep funds available to strengthen elsewhere.

I just get the feeling it’s too good to be true and just lazy journalism. I also thought he’d signed a pre contract with Barca!

Marc

Receding

It’s so difficult not to bite. CG has actually managed to become the most irritating poster on here. I just wish he’d get over that Spanish guy giving his wife one!

MGooner

Yankees arguing with Brits!

Yankees should be grateful as their country as it is would not exist if the Brits had not ‘found funds and resources’ to build it. You guys should stick together 😉

So little Kronke has said we have a massive 40M to invest next window. The future is bright.

MGooner

@Receding

I am not in the Ozil camp too. He let us down so many times and does not seem to care. We need players who are committed today and who will put in a shit.

If we play Ozil and we do not have the ball for the first 20 mins, you can bet his shoulders will drop and he would fade. Better play Elneny in the midfield today, at least he will put in a shift,

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Thinking of getting me self sectioned at the Gordon’s…
I fancy arsenal win btts 16/1

Someone snap me out of it

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Play bal.l….

Receding Hairline

Well still waiting for Charlie to tell us how Emery should get Ozil pumped up

Ozil has been mailing it in for months now so dunno how it’s the managers fault if he can’t trust him.

HillWood

We will have very few goal scoring chances today
We can’t afford to fluff our lines when they come along

Un na naai

Bamford10February 3, 2019 12:25:18
Cazorla playing well for Villarea

Bam

I did warn agaisnt letting him go

bennydevito

Marc,

Lol! That or Manuel spilt the roast beef and yorkshires into CG’s lap during his last stay at Fawlty Towers! 🤣

Dissenter

If we are to stand any chance today then Ozil most not be anywhere near the starting eleven.
Some people have taken up the cause of Ozil just to spite Emery.
We play Ozil today, we lose. We don’t play Ozil, maybe we stand a weak chance of pulling a draw.

Marc

Benny

que?

Pierre

I may be wrong but I have a feeling that Emery may do the unexpected and pick an attacking line up .
Home to Cardiff, he starts with what I would call 3 defensive minded midfielders in Elneny, Guendouzi an Torreira.

Today, he could well start with just 2 in central midfield ..If he and we take a Liverpool type hammering, then be prepared for a backlash.

MGooner

@RSPCA

Go for it and have some beers, you’ll be fine 😉

bennydevito

Marc,

😂😂😂

Farty Towels.

🤣🤣🤣

Redtruth

Cazorla was too.inconsistent and injury prone to be regarded a key player..

Marc

Fucking Sky putting out misleading stats again. Over their first 24 matches Emery is 2 point behind Pep and 8 points in front of Klopp.

Don’t Sky know that’s irrelevant- Emery’s doing a terrible job and points tally has nothing to do with it.

bennydevito

HillWood,

Yes, we need Aubameyang to be clinical and not comical today for sure.

HillWood

And if we do score please please please don’t concede 2minutes later

Marc

Pierre

Stop hoping we get thrashed. No one gives a fuck about your agenda.

TheLegendaryDB10

Benny/ Marc

One of my favourite moment with Manuel is where a guest is trying to ask to speak to Basil with the inevitable “que?” in reply so he then asks:

Where is your generalismo?

And Manuel replies suprised: “In Madrid!’

That line always got me in stitches!