Good things come to those who wait.
The United gravy train was wiped out by a massive lump of doorstop thick Hovis last night as Thomas Tuchel crushed a bland United (0-2).
I know, it’s sickening for many of you, one of my hipster faves dropped us a favour. The wonderfully eccentric Tuchel organized his Paris team perfectly to nullify the basic strategies of United. No highline for him. He sat two midfielders in front of the PSG defence, he kept things super tight and he stopped Paul Pogba feeding the rapid front line of United.
It’s amusing that fan complaints are similar wherever you are in the food chain. United supporters bitching and whining that they need to invest in their squad is incredibly satisfying. They have more than enough good players to make a go of it against PSG, they were just outsmarted by a more tactically astute manager, who organized players who were out of control last season into a tight unit.
They still have the second leg. Paris are a bit Spursy, so no doubt a surprise could be sprung next week. Remember, this is the team that lost a 4 goal lead against Barcelona in 2017. Anything is possible. I’m just glad United are having to go to Paris to chase a game. I hope it’s really tiring.
It’s a huge season for Tuchel, he’s a man with special sauce, the problem is it’s been a little too spicy. He has the crazy ideas, the sublime footballing vision, he’s been praised widely for his handling of big names/bad boys and he’s dealt with squad conflict well. From what I’ve read, the players also have a lot of respect for his powers at this second.
I don’t know for sure, but I think PSG might have done their homework on their man and tried to surround him with a team that could iron out the creases in his personality. Their assistant coach, 39-year-old Zsolt Lőw, is a darling of the coaching scene, adored by players and sporting directors, and also a target for Premier League clubs a few years back was hired at great expense last summer. He’s known as an innovator and a coach players go to war for.
It’s an interesting project at PSG. I think the mission points to the future. Great clubs will opt for coaches who are innovators, and most importantly, entertainers. Stan Kroenke called sport a content game. If the world of football distribution is being democratized, clubs are going to have to work harder for eyeballs. Look at how the kids are engaging with the game these days, little short clips of the best games on the web. Those clips are marketing fodder. They tell you where to look when you have 5000 games to choose from.
The teams that offer the most value for people’s time will be the most worthy of sponsorship deals. Ugly football that wins won’t cut it, because I can watch beautiful football that wins in Italy, or Spain, or England if I choose. The modern fan is not loyal, they go where the excitement is. I think PSG have identified that and that’s why they opted for a manager who hasn’t won titles (also worth noting that Bayern were also very keen on Tuchel).
Cannot wait for them to now be turned over by Phil Jones shinned effort, followed by two late headers from BIG Mo Fellaini next week.
The test is really on for Ole G now he’s lost his first major test. I always wince a little bit when things are going well for a new manager and the press start asking about how such genius came about. They all fall for it… Emery was talking about banning fruit juice and not allowing his players to be cowards… Ole G was talking about bringing back simple joys like purified water and allowing players to smile. Now we’ll see how much was genius and how much was the adrenaline shot of not having to walk Mourinho metaphorically wax his balls in front of the dressing room every week.
In transfer news, Matt Law rolled with a story about intermediaries trying to sell Ozil this summer. I love it, it’s like some dodgy rabble of estate agents trying to sell a Miami beach house that’s going to fall into the sea in 15 years. No one is going to pick up those wages and there is no way Mesut is going to exchange London for anywhere in China. He doesn’t need to.
The more worrying part of his story was he also mentioned the lower fee of £50m this summer. I’ve been told this info is coming from Arsenal PR, and that would now mean 3 well-connected journos are peddling sub £50m, versus Ornstein who says £100m.
I really can’t fathom why the club is so keen to dampen enthusiasm for summer. It’s like they’re not even trying to convince fans to buy season tickets. It seems way too early to pushing stories like that. But whatever, it’s not great news.
Still, at least we’re being linked with Grimaldo of Benfica… we certainly need a fresh look at left back. Right back. Centre back. Right wing. Left wing. Back up keeper. M… just kidding.
Those pennies are going to have to go an awful long way this summer!
To tackle that, we’ll need a good technical director. I’ll hopefully rustle up some fresh names for you tomorrow, assuming Arsenal will be a bit diligent over search and select and interview more than one candidate for a job that’ll shape Arsenal for years to come.
See you in the comments.
DM
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Tr4phy
Yes Boomslang! Nice one mate. No one was around yesterday for ages so I just went for it today and you made me pay for it 😉
Cheers DM 👍
who organized players who were out of control last season into a tight unit
..I guess we should get used to these daily jibes until Emery has packed his bags!!
http://africa.espn.com/football/blog/marcottis-musings/62/post/3773459/why-ramseys-a-big-risk-or-even-reckless-for-juventus-at-250,000-or-400,000-a-week
Marcotti speaks
It will also be a feat for Fellaini to sink PSG from China 😉 but who cares about details ay
Left
Yer bang on….
Like a spoilt kid on Xmas eve moaning about not getting his wanted present the next day….
Pedro
Spin another track.
And wait until the correct time to deliver hate notes through 5he door.
Haha Leftside
Highly rate Tuchel.
The return is not next week. It will be in March, just before we meet them.
Still has to be said, Man u got a lot more to show and give than we do atm.
That really vexes me.
Whenever Peter mentions ‘special sauce’ I can imagine Dissenter screwing himself (I assume he’s a dude) into a tight ball and screaming.
Tuchel does have the magik, the special sauce, pizazz, chutzpah and a bit of the serial killer about him.
Would he be a fit at Arsenal? Hell yeah! Liverpool have heavy metal football…we need serial killer football.
Still, not nice to revel in someone else’s dismay. Schadenfreude is a horrid trait. Even if it is Manyoo.
On another note. It proves once again that Sanchez was and is fucking garbage. It also highlights that losing £60m for him was a monumental, solar system sized balls up. A busy player that looked good in our team (not hard to do) but is shown up at the highest level (Barca United).
In our best team, Sanchez wouldn’t start. Bench material.
@Guns of Hackney
Just shows what an utter disaster Wenger was at the end. Saying no thanks to £60m for a player with one year left on his deal? Mental.
Hard to argue that Sanchez should have been canned for £60m when it was offered but at his best he was far from garbage. Man Utd nowaday’s aren’t operating at the highest level either.
Wait, why do we need so many players in the summer when it’s just the sauceless manager holding us back?
Just cover Mustafi and Xhaka with “special sauce” and we’re good enough to win the CL. even if we don’t qualify, right?
I don’t need the special sauce, pizazz, Just give me Marquinhos to stop Pogba and Kimpembe to stop Rashford. Just thinking that we’ll have Kola to play against Rashford will gives me sleepless night.
Not that I particularly care as I have a good life but, seeing footballers like Ramsay Bolton pull in £250,000 after tax a week is galling. In fact, 99% of footballers! In my prime, which has lasted over 30 years (talent is born so it’s always on tap) I was and am still two footed. Why is that not a prerequisite for a pro? Not born two footed but trained my left to be as good. I always though that I could hit a ball better with my left than my dominant right. Good header of the ball even though… Read more »
Thomas
Wenger always paid for loyalty. This is why we had so many and still do, shit players on monster deals we can’t shift.
Leftside
Sanchez isn’t garbage. I was full of bluster. He isn’t world class however…a good player, not great. To lose £60m for him was nearly as bad as signing Ozil for £350k per week. Almost.
Nelson
If one doesn’t have the special sauce…you’re just Dissenter.
just read that Ramsey actual wages is €8.3m a year which is a about €161000 a week after tax. it is been reported by all Italian media right now. they’ve Just rubbish the BBC claim of £400000 a week.
in case anybody doubting please check this below
https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2019/02/12/confusion-over-ramseys-reported-wages-at-juve/
I doubt the people defending Emery are saying they prefer Emery to Tuchel. Why would Tuchel come here when PSG want him? If he does poorly, gets the arse and has nowhere else to go, that is when he might come here.
Know your place people. 🙂
Qna
Good man. Calling out the delusional fucking fanbase!
But, Arsenal is still a big draw for a manager who wants to make a genuine mark in their career, providing they would be ALLOWED to express themselves.
Remeber it wasn’t that long ago that Pep publicly came out and said he would like the Arsenal gig…we then went and gave Arsene another three years. Facepalm.
GOH: Sanchez isn’t garbage. I was full of bluster. He isn’t world class however…a good player, not great. To lose £60m for him was nearly as bad as signing Ozil for £350k per week. Almost.
True. But when you factor in that we then signed Mkhi for 200/wk (according to the mirror) then the Ozil deal looks amazing 🙂
juve is not going to pay £400k or £250k a week you jabbing on about. it is €160k a week that is. any other quoted money is bogus and untrue. juve are not manc. that throw money around.
please give the source where pep said that he would like to manage arsenal? or was it just a fabrication by you or the media.
I thought it was public knowledge and widely accepted that Pep fancied the Arsenal job.
Qna
The list of poor decisions is endless.
We are probably the worst run ‘big’ club out there.
Speaking after Arsenal’s 2-1 Emirates Cup defeat to Sevilla, Wenger said: “I think it is an ideal situation. When you are a football player you perform until the last days of your contract.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/10968189/arsene-wenger-insists-expiring-contracts-are-an-ideal-situation-for-arsenal
What a doofus!
Just like my poor father in law, Wenger was suffering from Dementia-know-it-all-ness.
But, he’s gone now and we cannot keep blaming him for the mistakes of emery.
But, he’s gone now and we cannot keep blaming him for the mistakes of emery.
Which are???
An interesting post as ever, PedRo. Thanks for that. For all the highlighting of Tuchels coaching prowess, this Low chaps – tech skills or indeed how OGS (10/12)was out thought etc. Is in not just: Only 1 person last night at OT – had special sauce – and that is the prodigious Kieran Mpbabe.( 19yrs??) Coaches , tech directors , DOFs are all obsolete when this wizzkid enters the fray. He is so Good – he got the worst coach in Europe( Dischamps) a World Cup Medal. Players like him -transcend coaches and their over convoluted ideas. Ps. Why do… Read more »
Qna ” Sanchez isn’t garbage ” Obviously Sanchez hasn’t been able to find that special relationship in the United team that he had with Mesut Ozil. Having a team mate like Ozil who recognises his qualities and how and when he likes to receive the ball is an art that is sadly underrated by many football fans( and Emery). You can put Giroud in that category also as he is obviously missing someone to put those ” cowardly crosses ” ( as receding hairline once famously said) into the box for Giroud to do what he does best . Chelsea… Read more »
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-england-ars-ramsey/arsenal-did-not-play-ramsey-in-best-position-says-juventus-boss-idUKKCN1Q20E1
Well would you look at what the Juventus technical director said. Arsenal didn’t play Ramsey in his best position: the centre of a midfield three.
Only been saying that for years.
“He’s more technical, he’s a final ball man, he has a nose for the goal. He is a different player from what we’ve got, we don’t have someone like him in our squad.”
More or less word for word what I said about him ha ha.
RH
Making a shit defence, worse
Disjointed team
Poor selection
Messing up every first half
Boring football
Alienating Ramsay and Ozil
Continuing playing Iwobi, Xhaka, Mustafi
Seriously, Emery is not very good.
Paulinho
That’s because we had a player that had better vision,technique and intelligence already in that position.
Mo Fellaini left the club Pedro. How awful was Sanchez last night , jeez. Worse than Ozil . also Tuchel didn’t have Neymar or Cavani. I loved how he set up thay defense , having Alves as a winger helped him .
Pedro
‘The modern fan is not loyal, they go where the excitement is.’
You’re probably right, but the picture you’re painting isn’t pretty.
In the end football will start to resemble Fifa 19 so much that playing fifa 19 will actually be more fun.
Bring back £1 hamburgers and terrace violence.
Pierre – Who are talking about? Cazorla could potentially play as ‘mezzala, as the Italians call it. Hope you’re not referring to Mr. Chances Created, because he wouldn’t last five seconds in that role.
Guns you’re right. High level football is often a charade. It beggars belief that most players are neither two footed nor well rounded technically Reminds me of people getting excited every time cech’s short pass didn’t go to the opposition or out for a throw at the start of the season. Like never mind the literally 25,000 hours of playing football the guy has wrackedup throughout his entire life. How on earth could he NOT have quality passing and technique after all that time is frankly pathetic And this applies to 99.9% of players. Why shouldn’t a CB have a… Read more »
Paulinho
Cazorla or Ozil.
Ramsey isn’t fit to tie their boot laces.
Therein lies what separates someone like Ronaldo from almost all the rest
He was gifted with reasonable height and pace but everything else he worked on. He has been the hardest worker in every squad he’s ever played in by all accounts and his rewards are that he took himself to a ridiculous level
Pierre – It’s hard for Ramsey to tie Ozil’s laces when Mesut is already below him attempting to do the same. Unlike you, Mesut knows his place in the footballing hierachy.
Tuchel wanted to come, but at the time we were more interested in Arteta, before suddenly switching to Emery.
I got excited when I saw him at the Emirates toward the end of last season. I thought that he had been invited by the Arsenal hierarchy, it turned out he was just doing some media work.
I think that there is still some pictures of him with Per.
I don’t think the modern fan is disloyal they just have more content at their disposal
Like stoke, Bolton and chums still sell tickets because their fans don’t disappear – they just watch Bolton and whoever else takes their fancy
Look at us. We got a shit sandwich for a decade now and most of us like to watch various other teams, but we’re almost all still here regardless of how nutty the arsenal shit flakes taste
Ozil won’t be tying anyone’s boot laces as he currently has a runny nose / bad back / on holiday.*
* delete as appropriate
Watching psg players pass their way out of trouble in midfield and remembering the players we have makes me cry
Anybody that says we have good players need to stop watching only arsenal.
How Wenger managed to gather technically inferior players who can’t pass the ball is beyond me?
It really pisses me off reading about how Emery has supposedly “alienated” Özil, or created some sort of situation with him. Where’s the alienation? Where’s the situation? Özil is being treated as he should’ve been all along: based on performance. He’s simply not very good. He has one good game for us every 20 or so. That’s not good enough to be starting. When he does start, he doesn’t justify his place in the slightest. It’s not Emery’s fault that Özil is paid what he is paid; nor that he has the big name that he has. If he played… Read more »
China 1
Almost like a fighter only being one handed. Joke.
DM
Ozil may not be the marquee player we want, he may not be worth £350k pw, but you honestly think Chris Willock and Denis Suarez are better?
At Anfield, we had 3 full backs on the bench but no Ozil.
Meanwhile we are creating less chances than we every have in the PL era, and most of our goals come from full back cut backs, meaning our defence is completely isolated.
PEA, Ozil, Sokratis and Xhaka back in full training.
Would be nice to see Mustafi and Kos against Bate Borisov and Sok and Mavro in the league since Mavro isn’t in the EL squad.
Xhaka and Ozil should be good enough against the mighty Bate.
gambon “Ozil may not be the marquee player we want, he may not be worth £350k pw, but you honestly think Chris Willock and Denis Suarez are better?” It’s not whether they’re better, it’s whether they contribute more to the team. We all know that Özil is a very gifted footballer. I’m sure he’s “better” than most. But we’ve tried with him in the team, and it doesn’t work. Willock may be less talented, but he tries hard and he’s young and I don’t mind giving him a go when we don’t have other viable options (because, once again, the… Read more »
I’m surprised MBappe (only 19) didn’t get a mention in Pedro’s match analysis. The boy has so much talent, it’s surreal.
Also, the problem with Özil is that when he isn’t playing well (which is 80% of the time), it isn’t just that he isn’t good.. he just disappears on the pitch. It’s like being a man down. So would I take Willock over him, when he’s in that sort of form? Sure I would.
“Still, at least we’re being linked with Grimaldo of Benfica… we certainly need a fresh look at left back. Right back. Centre back. Right wing. Left wing. Back up keeper. M… just kidding.“
You shouldn’t be, in fact, you need to keep going !
Kristoman both figures for Ramsey’s wages are correct. One is gross before tax and the other net after tax.
Paulinho you’ve not said anything about Ramsey that wasn’t abundantly clear to someone who’d seen an Arsenal game.
Only difference being you’ve also overstated him on any number of occasions by touting Ramsey as capable of playing in a midfield two despite his tactical impotence and distinct lack of interest in defending – something alluded to by the very man you’re quoting.
Ozil as a creator is better than most and we do suffer with less chances created when hes not in the team. I think the problem for Emery is the other elements of his game. Emery seems to want a more disciplined player. Ozil floats about in space and does his thing. What he does do is cover those spaces in a defensive way so to speak. When our full backs go forward and our wide players tuck in it does leave our defense exposed. Seems to me thats when our midfield 2 (be it Xhaka & Torreira / Guen… Read more »
* What he does do = What he doesn’t do
DM
Who has or is justifying their place ahead of Ozil in the side?
90 minutes of absolutely nothing plus one killer ball would genuinely be an upgrade on some of the stuff we’ve seen.
DM “It’s not Emery’s fault that Özil is paid what he is paid; nor that he has the big name that he has. If he played well for us, he’d be starting. He doesn’t, and he isn’t. I respect Emery massively for that.” If people want to continually repeat The same things then I will continue to counter the argument by repeating the same thing …until someone can come up with fact and figures that prove we are a better team without ozil then he should be starting . The figures say that Ozil was the 2nd most creative player… Read more »
We simply aren’t creating enough chances at the moment. Emery opting to use 2 sieves instead of a bucket. The man is showing serious signs of asceticism.
Pierre
Ozil has been used against weaker opponents and at home, I believe, so that statistic is skewed.
Glad to see Utd spanked but I hope the good feeling is not nullified by the Tots winning. I can just about take anything other than Spurs winning the CL. My real nightmare scenario.
Charlie – Yeah, that’s just utter bollocks. I would have an absolute field day going through all your posts about him. Off the top of my head, was it a couple of months ago, what does Ramsey offer apart from these ‘third man runs’, is the question you asked. His best is always a centre of midield three, and his second best was a the middle of a 4-4-2. He’s still one of our two best options there now. When Emery played him as a forward at the start of the season, you practically wanking yourself silly when Emery substituted… Read more »
Sky Sports says we are shopping Ozil around, btw.
DM
“Also, the problem with Özil is that when he isn’t playing well (which is 80% of the time), it isn’t just that he isn’t good.. he just disappears on the pitch. It’s like being a man down. ”
That’s not what the figures say ……The opposite in fact.
Show us your proof that it’s like being a man down …surely we would be losing games and conceding more goals per game if we were a man down.
Alex
No chance Spurs win the CL, so there is no reason to worry about that.
Alex, was going to say it but Bam beat me to it.
Spurs would get dizzy at the mere mention of a semi final let alone a final.
We can shop Ozil around all we like but unless some idiot wants to stump up £350kpw…he’ll stay with us. I would.
He has a contract.
People should understand that selling players is actually a two way street. The player 100% does not have to move if they don’t want to. I suspect Ozil at 30 will happily see out the next few years and take the £40m wages. Our very own Bogarde.
I agree that Ozil needs to be replaced. We need someone that can create similar amounts, score more, and also do more defensive work. (assuming we carry on playing with a #10) However, for us not to be using Ozil or Ramsey is ridiculous. Against Huddersfield we had less chances, less possession, even completed a lower number of passes. We went to the worst team in the PL, and it honestly looked like 2 relegation zone teams playing. Thats fine when youre playing Huddersfield, quality will get you through. However we have games coming up against Spurs, Man Utd, and… Read more »
I would love spurs to win the CL. You lot would explode.
“Tuchel easily ends Solskjær run”
Traduction : Emery out, Tuchel in !!
Very subtle pedro, bravo!! lol
Let’s be honest here, it’s extremely unlikely that Tuchel or any other really top coach would take the arsenal job.
No gambon, Ozil don’t need to be “replaced”, he needs to be sent off in fucking north pole.
Pierre I get that you like ozil and that’s your prerogative but you can’t pretebd he doesn’t go vanishing all the time because it’s so patently obvious the whole world acknowledges it When he vanishes he can still pop up with an assist. With that much talent he only needs 10 seconds in a match to be a decisive contributor so he numbers can look good even when he’s playing badly. There are no vanishing stats unfortunately but that he does is beyond dispute It would be like arguing that can nistelrooywas as good as Henry because of his sick… Read more »
Gambon
“Emery is doing what Mourinho did at UTD, shackling our team with overly negative, cautious, pragmatic football.”
absolutely spot on.
“I would love spurs to win the CL. ”
lol the mask has fallen…
I would love spurs to win the CL.
Your flamboyant declarations are declining by the minute!
Juve Management: Ronaldo, we’ve signed a top tier marquee next-level midfielder for next season. He’s so elite, we’re paying him more than Hazard and DeBruyne earn combined. Ronaldo: Amazing! Who is it? Juve Mgt: Ramsey. Ronaldo: Ramsey who? Juve Mgt: No, no. Aaron Ramsey. Of Arsenal fame. Huge mental strength. Ronaldo: The same Aaron Ramsey who was in the starting lineup during the following humiliating games? Man Utd 8 – Arsenal 2 (2011) Man City 6 – Arsenal 3 (2013) Southampton 4 – Arsenal 0 (2015) Arsenal 1 – Bayern 5 (2017) Liverpool 4 – Arsenal 0 (2017) Juve Mgt:… Read more »
Just read one more time today’s post, to be sure… Pedro, why don’t you support paris instead of Arsenal ?? lol
Jamie – Still touches a nerve you got it so, so, wrong. Understandable.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/8413339/petit-furious-stan-kroenke-arsenal/
Well said.
China1
I like intelligent, skilful , technical players who make the game look easy , others like headless chickens who run about a lot and look busy .
I am aware of Ozil’s faults but he is what he is whether he is paid 2 bob a week or 300 grand …he won’t change.
Paulinho –
No nerve struck here, friend. I’m not the guy who thinks clubs don’t make catastrophic errors in judgement from time to time. I won’t patronize you by citing examples of recent expensive flops.
Looking forward to seeing how he’s doing in 3 years while he’s still raking in 400k a week, and if Juve still think he’ll be representing value at that point. They’re getting an elite player in his prime. All is set up for him to become a Juve legend.
Alexander continues in his stupid campaign. Our not spending in January has noting to do with Stan Kroenke.
@DM “Where’s the alienation?”
I am supporting Emery. But I think his man managing skill needs improving. The whole Ozil’s situation starts when Emery told the press in the pregame interview of Bournemouth that Ozil is not suitable to play in this physical game. He is correct but a smart football manager would not shoot down your own player like that. What did he gain by doing that?
Paulinho He’s been signed up because they’ve not got a midfielder that offers anything in the final third, that much was cut and pasted by yourself on the matter. You seriously going to sit and pretend like Arsenal fans didn’t know Ramsey had end product? It’s his inability to play in CM using all other attributes outside his “nose for goal” that made him ineffective for Arsenal, just a decade of evidence supporting this. The “middle of a three” type of midfielder is exactly the third man run type, the vacating midfield to influence at the top of the pitch… Read more »
One thing that needs to be clarified is this issue of a cash infusion from the owner and what restrictions FFP place upon such a move. While a number of posters continue to call for a big cash infusion from the owner, several posters have stated that FFP doesn’t even allow for this.
Could someone who understands FFP speak to this question, please?
If you’re Ramsey though, what an utter waste of a season this one is turning out to be. In the prime years of his career and he is pissing about rotating with the likes of Iwobi,Ozil, and Mikhi as a second forward.
I have been very vocal about Ozil and why he needs to be replaced. However, lets get one thing right. Theres no issue with his chance creation stats. As a playmaker, he is a good player. The problem is, he doesnt score enough goals, he has no intensity and he doesnt want to do the off the ball work. That means you replace him. But considering we didnt do that, its nonsensical to not play him or Ramsey, the only other player we have that creates chances from central areas. For example, if you have a car thats a hatchback,… Read more »
“The whole Ozil’s situation starts when Emery told the press in the pregame interview of Bournemouth that Ozil is not suitable to play in this physical game. He is correct but a smart football manager would not shoot down your own player like that. What did he gain by doing that?”
A more determined player would have upped his output to prove the manager wrong
China
My argument regarding Ozil is to do with the process of hiring our new manager.
the stupidity of the decision to hire a .manager who will not play ( doesn’t rate) a player who has just signed a 350 grand a week contract is dIfficult to comprehend.
Knowing that we will not be able to sell Ozil if the manager doesn’t rate him compounds the decision to hire Emery.
“Arsene Wenger believes Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain demonstrated the huge gulf in quality between the two teams.”
Something that he never could have said about Arsenal… he is desperate to get a very well paid job lol