Emery moves #Top4 agenda forward with another win

by .

Via @Arsenal Instagram

Unai Emery hoisted 3 points up the #Top4 flagpole as he continued to progress his mission of bringing goodness, light and Champions League football back to the true home of London football.

The game was almost too easy. We burst out of the traps much in the same way as we did midweek, this time, the fight was led by the impressive Iwobi who looked inspired. The first goal came from his cross that found Mikhi at the back post, the ensuing scuffed strike found Lacazette 6 yards out for the tapped finish.

Did I just totally forget about the superb save Leno made just prior to the goal? I did. Mustafi made a mistake allowing the Redmond in on goal, the German saving brilliantly.

The second came on 15 minutes. Lacazette’s pressure from the front put Southampton under pressure, Angus Gunn duffed his clearance, the mighty Iwobes found Mikhi at the back post again, this time, the Armenian guided a stroked pass low into the near post corner.

The second half was very much taken in second gear. There’s a fair argument to be had that we should have gone hard at Southampton considering the potential goal difference issue we might butt up against, but ultimately, the three points is what mattered.

I think we saw the impact of overexertion in the ScouserManc game, Liverpool losing Firmino and Robertson, with United breaking 3 players in the first half (Mata, Lingaard, Herrera). The draw was good news for us, it looks like Liverpool are letting the title slip and the draw pegged United back two points in the #Top4 race (Matic is also out).

All in all, the game did the job. I thought it was a bit weird to start Ramsey over Ozil considering the style of game, but both landed some game time. Those two could prove vital for the run-in. Sokratis came through the match unscathed which is also vitally important for the week ahead. Additionally, I thought Bernd Leno was excellent. He made two excellent saves that stopped the game turning into an energy sapper.

I also think Kola is underrated. He made some deft touches, he was unselfish and created two very good chances that deserved more. Some additional stats: He made the most ball recoveries, he made the most passes in the attacking 1/3, he won 2 aerial duels and his pass completion rate was 86%. I know Southampton were shite, but you can only play who is put in front of you.

Xhaka had a very good game. Given time and space, he really can pick apart a team. He ran riot yesterday. Still managed to nearly gift them a goal, but I’d almost feel cheated if he stopped doing that. Lacazette was hardworking and decisive as always. Finally, Mikhi played really well. It’s nice to have some craft out wide, he gives us much needed balance.

So: A clean sheet. Our 4th halftime lead of the season. Back into 4th. That’s the way I like my Sunday afternoons.

The other big game of the day went our way as well. Manchester City won the first trophy of the season with a hard-fought win at Wembley. You had to feel for Sarri, tactically, he proved he could be flexible. No repeat of the disaster of a few weeks ago. Watching Kepa destroy the narrative of the game was quite something. I’ve never witnessed behaviour like that. Chelsea has to do something about insubordination like that. Player power gone mad I tells ya.

Chelsea will hurt from losing out on a trophy, but ultimately, the tired legs heading into a showdown with Spurs this Wednesday is likely their bigger concern. Depressed and leggy isn’t a good combo unless your name is Unai and it’s not your team that is depressed and leggy.

Things are all playing into the hands of Arsenal. We have a better run of fixtures and if we can turn over Bournemouth and Spurs this week, it’s ours to fuck up in my opinion.

Additional good news on the stats front. Unai Emery is clocking ahead of Wenger over the past 4 seasons. This stat, courtesy of powerhouse commenter, Redtruth.

2014-15: 51 points

2015-16: 51 points

2016-17: 50 points

2017-18: 45 points

2018-19: 53 points

That’s an average of 3.75 points more than Wenger. Two of those seasons, we won Champions League football. WON. Top 4 was a trophy and still is.

Right, see you in the comments. x

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DM

Morning

DM

2

Peter

morning DM

Bankz

Bankz is here for the tr4phy again

DM

Tr4phy

Boomslang

4

Peter

4

DM

Wey Bankz you actually did it! Nice one Sir

Bankz

Haaaaahaaaaa!
3 days in a roll.
DM you’re slacking up

Peter

Nice one Bankz

Drey

Tro4phy?

Drey

Think Chelsea will beat Spurs on Wednesday. which makes our game against them this weekend super important, as it would tale us to within a point of them if we can get the 3 points at the Lane. this is assuming that we do the job against Bournemouth in midweek. it’s really ours to lose at this point now as Pedro pointed out

Drey

*take

qna

Nothing about Overmars being our first choice and Monchi being our backup Pedro?

DM

Iwobi’s becoming quite the conundrum. He does the first 85% so well – genuinely he’s improved so much in this area – but that final 15% is still usually rubbish (his cut-back to Mkhi was the only exception to that, if I remember correctly). Unfortunately for him, that final 15% is probably the most important part… Do we stick with him in the hope he will improve that part of his game as he has with the other parts, or cut our losses and accept he’s not going to be good enough as a starting winger, and buy someone better?… Read more »

TheBoyCornelius

DM – If we were to compare Iwobi with Sarr (someone everyone seems excited about) we see that Sarr has almost identical stats for league games. Iwobi – Dames 89 Goals 11 Assists 17 Sarr – Games 80 Goals 15 Assists 16 The difference being is Iwobi will turn 23 soon and Sarr has just turned 21 If we were to apply the RB player development idea – then hes at the age where he has either improved with coaching (after 23 its less likely he will) or he is basically the developed player he going to be from here… Read more »

TheBoyCornelius

For me we stick with Iwobi, at least for 1 more year as this is most likely his make or break. I think hes improved enough to warrant that chance.

Charlie George

A tidy round up of yesterday’s snoozefest against the saints by PedRo- and I thank him for it One thing I did note in his post was this. “””All in all, the game did the job. I thought it was a bit weird to start Ramsey over Ozil considering the style of game, but both landed some game time”””” I genuinely think it’s WEIRD that the likes of Ozil,Ramsey ,PEA ,Laca don’t start every game at home if fit – certainly in games against the likes of Saints. I know fans – get immersed in this top 4 nonsense. But… Read more »

Guns of Brixton

Power house commenter Redtruth!!

Where is that miserable barstad ? Wanna hug his troubles away

Guns of Hackney

The Chelsea incident proved one thing: Ozil will ultimately win any battle with emery. Ozil gets a million a month for doing FA…he can happily carry on doing that for the next two years until his contract expires.

Player power.

Lacazette is a more industrious Giroud. But they are both Evo Stick league level.

Emiratesstroller

Pedro The next 3 games will define Arsenal season. We are playing Bournemouth and Man Utd at home and Spurs away. Bournemouth do not have a good away record and Man United are now struggling with some significant injuries. They lost four players against Liverpool and their resources particularly in midfield could be depleted. The Spurs game is also significant because surprisingly despite their defeat on weekend Spurs are more vulnerable at Wembley where they have lost 4 games. If Arsenal can pull off a result there i.e. not lose then our prospects will improve. If Arsenal get through these… Read more »

Mozil

Stick with Iwobi? He had his chance. Sell him and get 25m for atmost.
Time for Arsenal to give Nelson and Saka a run in the team.

TheBoyCornelius

On the other hand. Nicolas Pepe is a year older that Iwobi and in the last 2 seasons has far outstripped what Iwobi is doing. Hes already doubled his assists tally from last season, which was in itself improved from season before and is on course to double his goals tally too.

qna

Iwobi doesnt have any end product. He has some seriously good attributes, but he holds on to the ball too long and when he does go for the pass he doesnt have the skills to execute. DM, I dont think there is much of a conundrum. We need to bring in at least 2 first team wide attackers this summer. We can always keep Iwobi for the squad. I dont mind him as a squad player. I personally dont see Iwobi ever being good enough to be a starter for a top 4 team. But I do think he will… Read more »

bennydevito

Morning Grovers, good post Pedro. It’s all to play for and at this stage of the season that’s all we can ask for. Not a massive improvement on last season by any stretch but for me I’d be happy to play the worst kind of park the bus Mourinho style antifootball ala Alardyce and Pulis, with some Wimbledon style long balls to boot, if it guaranteed top 4 this season which gives us more money and makes us a more attractive proposition for flair players to join us thus enabling us to play a more attractive attacking style of football… Read more »

qna

I dont think Iwobi’s stats are too bad in terms of assists/goals. Its what you see with the naked eye that is the problem. He just doesnt have the technical ability or the decision making ability that you need.

Compare him with Julian Brandt. Same age as Iwobi and not dissimilar stats. But you just need to watch the two and there just looks to be a huge difference between the two players. If we could get within 10m of Brandt’s transfer fee by selling Iwobi I would do that upgrade in a heart beat.

bennydevito

Fuck me I’ve read it all now.

CG thinks we’d be challenging for the title is Ozil and Ramsey played every game.

Sigh. Smh….

What like they did last season under Wenger where we finished 6th?

Facepalm.

What ever you’re smoking over there Trolie George I’ll have some of it.

Danny

Iwobes found Mikhi at the back post
————————-
He past it forward to Ramsey but it hit a defender and luckily found Mikhi.
The first goal he sort of crossed it to Torreira who was pulled down before the ball reached Mikhi who took a crap shot which Laca helped in.
The mighty Iwobes – seriously Pedro?

Emiratesstroller

qna Iwobi may not be a prolific goalscorer, but he is a hard working and versatile squad player. I would categorise him as slightly more progressed than Maitland-Niles. The reality is that Arsenal are short of home gown players and whilst both these two are maybe not automatic starting X1 standard players they are still good enough for squad. Arsenal need to improve the quality of our starting eleven, but I do believe that we can find solutions particularly in offensive positions within current squad plus U23 levels. There are probably 5 talented youngsters coming through system in next two… Read more »

Nelson

No one mentioned Mustafi. In the first half, most of his outlet passes were right on the money, which has helped speeding up our attack. If he didn’t go brain dead, he is a better defender than Kosc. I prefer Mustafi and PapaSok to play against a strong team and Kosc comes in against a weaker team. As for Redmond’s chance, Mustafi had at least energy to run back while Kosc just gave up and Kosc was the left side CB..

Marc

If Chelsea were to beat the Spud’s on Wednesday and we beat Bournemouth and then then Spud’s we’d only be a point behind them. Now I appreciate we’d need things to run our way but if that does happened we’d have seen a 10 point gap turned into 1 point in a week.

Could we really see the Spud’s have a complete meltdown and both us and ManU make top 4?

With the new stadium debt missing out on CL money would be a disaster for them. Interesting times ahead.

qna

Danny. Yeah lol. Very revisionist. DM pretty much nailed it. For 85% of the time (or something) he looks extremely good. He looks as good as any young winger in world football. But the his end product. Whether that be not releasing a pass when you just know a good player would release it. Or when he makes the right decision but just cant execute it. His end product has been missing his entire career and yesterday was no different. A massively deflected pass that is being called an assist and a decent, but nothing special, cross to a tightly… Read more »

Mozil

Stroller “Iwobi may not be a prolific goalscorer, but he is a hard working and versatile squad player. I would categorise him as slightly more progressed than Maitland-Niles.” Ainsley is progressing OUT of position hence his progress is a bit slower than Iwobi’s. Big Wengz played him in his preferred position (CM) alongside Granit Xhaka against Man Utd at Old Trafford last season and that was hands down his best ever performance for Arsenal. He was MOTM that day if I recall correctly. The arrival of Matteo G means that he might never get a chance to have another go… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

Nelson

The Centre Back situation is still a problem because both Mustafi and Koscielny are accident prone and frankly have never played well together in the last three seasons.

Koscielny most definitely needs to be offloaded and if we can find an upgrade on Mustafi this would be most definitely one major investment I would make.
If you sell both Mustafi and Chambers that would free up between £30 and 35
million.

Nelson

I want to keep Iwobi. He is only 23. He has good upper body strength and can protect the ball well. He can run with the ball and he is two footer. He still has time to improve his final ball. I rather keep him than Mikki.

Dissenter

Why would anyone send off Iwobi on loan at this stage of his career. It’s always baffling why this lad gets so much abuse and disrespect. When it’s not a stupid B-grade Bollywood ‘star’ racially abusing him, it’s Arsenal fans making rather asinine comments about him. He doesn’t cost us much to run and contributes more to the team that established stars who earn 300-500% of his wages. He’s a squad player who has earned his place in the team because the senior players above him are gash. He starts because we don’t have anyone else better than him, Even… Read more »

qna

Emirates: Iwobi may not be a prolific goalscorer, but he is a hard working and versatile squad player. I would categorise him as slightly more progressed than Maitland-Niles. As far as I am concerned its pretty much job done with both Iwobi and AMN. I would be inclined to give them both another season, but I am not seeing much chance that they would appreciate in value too much. This could be the year to cash in. We’ve brought them into the system. Had enough time to assess them. Are they good enough? No! Is it better to sell them… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

Mozil

Frankly I don’t think that both Iwobi or Maitland-Niles are genuine starting eleven players in whatever position they play.

However, I do think that they are good enough to be members of our squad and will get plenty of playing time because of our fixture commitments and
injuries.

The focus on bringing through Academy players is important particularly when you need home grown talent in squad. It is much more difficult finding
players elsewhere, because of the inflated transfer fees for UK players.

Dissenter

You have a situation where Arsenal fans can openly rejoice about Iwobi’s injury without drawing an instinctive global rebuke.

Receding Hairline

“You have a situation where Arsenal fans can openly rejoice about Iwobi’s injury without drawing an instinctive global rebuke.”

I was asking myself who exactly they were expecting to take his place and do better..Suarez??

Dissenter

AMN is far behind Iwobi, they aren’t even in the same developmental category.

Same as Reiss Nelson, you wonder if there will as much buzz had Nelson declared for Zimbabwe. He’s not yet anywhere near Iwobi. Don’t let the early Bundesliga form bamboozle you.

Emile Smith Rowemis even fort her behind all the aforementioned

Nelson

ES

Mustafi was much better when he first joined us. Then he started to made all these errors and these got to his brain. All those trade rumors doesn’t help his mental state. Yesterday’s game gave me hope that he can overcome his mental weakness. He didn’t over react and didn’t make those slidings. It seemes that something just corrected itself inside his brain. Maybe it is the effect of that headed goal. Physically Mustafi is a decent player. At least, he can be a decent backup.

Emiratesstroller

qna

The current situation is that Arsenal are short of home grown talent in our
first team squad. Iwobi and Maitland-Niles are needed.

When the Academy start producing the level of quality needed to fulfil our
home grown requirements on a regular basis then you can adopt the policy
of Chelsea and sell such players.

The major concern for me is that the club is not producing decent home
grown defenders. That needs to be addressed.

Dissenter

Iwobi;s end product is something that will get better with time. In some ways it s the hardest thing to teach but the fact that he’s embraced all the teachable tangibles raises optimism.
It’s not his fault that we decided to spunk big money on dross that’s supposed to be starting ahead of him.

Charlie George

Any serious football club ( we used to be one) would not persist in starting with a player like Iwobi.

He would be a good player for Everton/Saints/Bournemouth.

What is noticeable- is our mediocre Europa cup loving coach absolutely idolises him.

Why would that be? ( does mediocrity find comfort in fellow mediocrity?)

If we are stuck with the player- he could be of use – coming on from the subs bench,
His athleticism , unpredictability and power- being a useful tool against tired opposition legs …

(iwobi, like emery smack of averageness!)

Leftsidesanch

Iwobi is also what they call ‘one of our own’. Get behind the lad he;s trying to improve and merits a place in the squad. This summer we need to aggressively target the defence primarily.

qna

Emirates: The current situation is that Arsenal are short of home grown talent in our first team squad. Iwobi and Maitland-Niles are needed. Sure. I understand that. I dont mind if we keep them for that reason. They probably do need another season. But I am ready to call it now. AMN will never be good enough to be a CM. He will only ever be a squad player. We should be able to identify and bring through another player at least as good as AMN, hopefully better. So we should make the call on AMN sooner rather than later… Read more »

Dissenter

Marc
The spurs stadium delay is not as calamitious as you may think so long as they have CL and keep making the quarter finals.
It’s expensive but is being built in the age of mega league revenues and they have that NFL connection to provide other sources of income.
Wembley has paid off for them financially despite empty seats.

Danny

He would be a good player for Everton/Saints/Bournemouth.
———————-
True but he’s not good enough for Everton.

Danny

Wembley has paid off for them financially despite empty seats.
———————–
You know this because……?

Dissenter

Charlie George
I see you’ve decided to use Iwobi as the whip to flog Emery with today.

The manager is only dealing with the hand the club gave him. The more highly rated and compensated players won’t contest for aerial balls, won’t close up space, withdraw from 50-50 challenges and won’t directly at players.

Emery is using a less skilled but more driven player to stir up the pot.

You have a situation where people pour

DM

I don’t think the nationality has anything to do with it (re Iwobi). If he was an England player, he’d be getting berated just the same – people would use the “overhyped English players” argument. As for Reiss Nelson, in the little I’ve seen of him for us (and granted it was a while ago), he already looked a far better prospect that Iwobi. I’ve always tried not to get too excited about the youngsters because SO often we are just disappointed down the line, but I remember a distinct feeling that Reiss could be the exception. Will be very… Read more »

Charlie George

dissenter

“”””””””Iwobi;s end product is something that will get better with time””””””””””

( He is been around for 4 seasons!!!)

how long – do you want to give him?

he aint cutting the mustard. And never will,

PedRO’s ‘Iwobes’ label- was an illustration of the caricature the player has become. ( in my opinion)

Absolute tosh- you either got it or you aint!
Age is irrelevant

Rooney Everton goal against Arsenal – he was 16/17
Alan Ball was winning World Cups- younger than this lad
other examples:

Cesc
Vieria
RVP
Bellerin

Emiratesstroller

qna I agree with your assessment about AMN. I don’t think that he will make grade at Arsenal in long term. However, we need to fill holes in our defence and as understudy for Bellerin he is a better option than Lichsteiner and Jenkinson for next season. Both these two are simply not good enough to play at any level for Arsenal and are costing the club £135K pw in wages. I do see some talent in Iwobi and I certainly think that he is good enough to keep a place in top 18-20 players at Arsenal. What he needs… Read more »

Dissenter

‘Wembley has paid off for them financially despite empty seats.
———————–
You know this because……?’

..because of simple arithmetic
The average attendance at WHL in 2016-2017 was about 31,700 and about 53,000 the following year at Wembley [when cup and European games are considered].
They’ve made more money playing at Wembley, even when the recent empty seats are favored in.

Crimson

We also have Bielk on loan at Charlton, where he has been pretty good despite a few injuries.
Also Ben Sheaf and Medley who I have been impressed with with the limited game time. Not sure if they will be top top quality?? But there all homegrown and worth giving a chance in next preseason.

Marc

Dissenter You’d need to show me some official figures to convince me that the stadium isn’t an issue for the Spud’s. As it stands I’ll use the following evidence: 1) They haven’t bought a single player for 2 transfer windows now – are you telling me that their squad is so good that there isn’t a player out there that would strengthen the squad? 2) The Emirates cost us £390 million and we then had the Highbury flats to sell off and generate cash, now the recession meant we didn’t generate as much as we’d planned but it was still… Read more »

qna

Emirates: I agree with your assessment about AMN. I don’t think that he will make grade at Arsenal in long term. However, we need to fill holes in our defence and as understudy for Bellerin he is a better option than Lichsteiner and Jenkinson for next season. Agreed. Which is why I say he probably needs to get another season. Money talks though. So if we got a good offer for him, we wouldnt find it hard to cover him in that role. AMN shouldnt be an understudy for Bellerin by the way. We need to buy an understudy regardless… Read more »

DM

Dissenter

“They’ve made more money playing at Wembley, even when the recent empty seats are favored in.”

How do you know what they’re paying to Wembley to use the Stadium, though? I’m sure they don’t just have free reign…

(I’m not arguing one way or another on whether the move has worked out for them – I don’t know – just picked up this point.)

Charlie George

Dissenter the dynamic between Iwobi and emery is fundamental about the club we are becoming under emery, the ousting of winners like Ozil ( World cup and x2 Fa Cup ) and rambo (X3 Fa Cup) in favour of mediocrity in the shape of Iwobi/Sureaz types – tell me- he is a man bereft of any self confidence in dealing with the bigger names of the game. you are a bright ( albeit , innately negative man) dont’ you think Arsenal CAN NOT do better than the likes of emery and Iwobi? This Is The Arsenal not Watford fc… Have… Read more »

Freddie Ljungberg

CG Iwobi has been at the club since the age of 9 and is English. I agree he shouldn’t start if we had better players in his position but we don’t, still worth keeping as backup even after we upgrade because we have nothing else, even with Nelson coming back we’d have to buy 3 wingers if we sold Iwobi, it’s just stupid. Let me guess it’s because he’s black and declared for Nigeria that you don’t like him. Seeing as you fawn over every other over rated english player that is the only explanation. Fits your MO like a… Read more »

Danny

..because of simple arithmetic
——————-
but how much are Spurs actually getting? Everybody gets their cut, the WNSL, the FA, etc.
Who knows what the conditions of the contract are that Spurs signed.

JDavey

If we can get through Wednesday and Saturday with 4+ points, I actually (whisper it) fancy us to make top four this season.

If we can somehow get back into the CL with a summer coming up where we can get players off the wage bill, and someone like Monchi coming in, we might just start to compete again.

Although we’ve been indifferent at times this season, the stats clearly show we’ve slightly improved under unai. A ruthless approach in terms of a squad overhaul must be taken in the coming windows.

Come on you gunners.

Marc

“They’ve made more money playing at Wembley, even when the recent empty seats are favored in.”

So they’ve had an extra 20,000 tickets sold in say what 25 matches that’s £22.5 million a season so OK I’m wrong they’ve only got an issue with £950,000,000 not the billion I thought!

Dissenter

qna
The reason why I cited nationality is just to conjure up the humanity aspect. I reckoned that people won’t celebrate the injury of of something that’s sounds closer to them
Danny was rejoicing that the lad was injured yesterday. That’s what got me ranting
Iwobi is good enough to be a 30k weekly wages squad player for Arsenal. That’s an incontrovertible fact.
The onus is on Arsenal to find a very good winger to confine him to the bench. We are stocked up on massively paid number 10s who don’t directly run at players

Marc

They also only had 31,000 turn up for a mid week game a couple of weeks ago. There have been rumours of the fans pissed off with Wembley – it’s a real pain in the arse to get to – so I wouldn’t put too much in the extra income from Wembley argument.

Marc

Pedro

May all your “thinks” be right!

Freddie Ljungberg

Pedro I wouldn’t question anyone else having doubts about Iwobi, hell, I rate him somewhat but don’t even think he should be a starter next season. It’s different with CG though, he spends all his time here slagging the spanish (think a matador banged his wife) and praising everything english under the sun, just waiting for him to tell us that english cuisine is the best in the world to confirm his descent into madness. Iwobi is english, he grew up at the club, he’s good enough for the squad which not many english players are (that we could get)… Read more »

Danny

Danny was rejoicing that the lad was injured yesterday. That’s what got me ranting
—————————-
Anything to keep him out of the starting 11.
But of course I don’t want any of our lads to be seriously injured like Holding but I can’t stand Iwobi as a player.

Emiratesstroller

Spurs under Pochettino are a resilient side with perhaps 4 quality players in Kane,Alli, Son and Ericsson. The rest of squad punches above its weight and is well organised, but is nothing to write home about. The club is not financially in great shape because of its huge investment on the new stadium and that will impact on what they can afford to invest in team. I think that it is only a matter of time before Pochettino leaves them and when that happens players like Kane, Alli and Ericsson will leave as well. Spurs are a second tier club… Read more »

Danny

That right?
————-
If we lose on Wednesday and they beat Chelsea, then if they beat us, so yes 13 points.
BUT IT AIN’T GOING TO HAPPEN!!!

Dissenter

Marc We built our stadium in a different era -The premier league revenues weren’t at this crazy high -We built ours in a property boom period which earned us more money from selling off property]iesbuilt on highbury but it also meant the morgage rates were crazy high. Spurs are building in the era of cheaper money -They have an extra source of funding from the NFL. I don’t know how this pans out eventually ****Provided they keep making the CL and getting past the first round they will be okay. It falls apart catastrophically when they drop out of fourth… Read more »

Nelson

DM
“overall he more often than not can successfully get the ball to the opposition’s box. But from there he just doesn’t know what to do with it”

Iwobi started to build up chemistry with his teammates. His pass for Kola to run into has become one of our best attacking play. If Emery lets Ozil to play more often, Iwobi can also develop good chemistry with Ozil. Our two WC strikers can make themselves more readily available. They can make Iwobi’s job easier in the final third. Football is a team game after all.

Danny

Pedro
February 25, 2019 11:55:08
————–
Thanks for that, made me smile especially on this depressing Monday “back to work” morning.

Charlie George

FL I don’t think – he will ever be a top player- because – he does not want IT enough, he is immature. I dont like the fact he constantly wears gloves. i dont like the fact – he was out partying days before the game against forest ( 2 seasons ago). we lost! i dont like his ridiculous hair cut- i dont think he is composed in front of goal. i know – he has been at AFC for such a long time – probably we have spoiled him rotten. ( he is too mollycoddled) he has talent (… Read more »

Freddie Ljungberg

Pedro Yeah, like I said I’m not advocating for him although he is our best option on the left right now, he’s also our only players that drives forwards and takes players on consistently (Mikhi does it sometimes) I’ll be more than happy to see him relegated to the bench next season but I can’t see us buying more than 1 winger with all the work the squad needs, fingers crossed though. There’s no doubt he’s improving and he is already an asset so I don’t get the hate he gets from some (except from CG, that’s his thing) we… Read more »

InsideRight

For me there must be no more talk or consideration of selling Lacazette to fund other signings. I don’t think we would be able to replace him.

There’s enough middling players in and around the squad we should be moving on to free up budget and add some cash to the transfer kitty. We shouldn’t be willing to part with a player who really makes a difference in most games he plays.

Dissenter

If we are going to build a reasonable squad the we need about 4-6 Iwobi caliber players in the squad.
We are not in a puddle of our ow asking because we gave an academy product a 30k weekly contract. That’s exactly what every club will do because it’s good economics
It’s paying players who call in sick too often for 11 times Iwobi’s wages that’s the problem. It’s paying United cast-offs 6x his wages for doing very little.
The lad isn’t a problem. Just sign someone better and let him be.

End of rant.

Emiratesstroller

Pedro I agree with you Iwobi is good enough to play for Arsenal. You need players who work hard for the team and he falls into that category. He falls into the same category as Welbeck. Sadly this player has ongoing injury issues and that is why he will be offloaded at the end of this season. There are too many people who like to turnover players and for that matter management every 5 minutes. That is not how you build a successful club or team. Fergie was a brilliant manager and produced successful title winning teams. That was because… Read more »

Freddie Ljungberg

No drive? Bullshit, he works harder than almost all our so called senior players

You don’t like his haircut or that he wears gloves? Not proper english enough for ya, innit?

Wilshere was much more a party animal and did much dumber things than Iwobi but you’re still on here pining after a player that was and is a permacrock.

Doesn’t matter if he ever becomes a top player, not many english players do and we still need 8 homegrown in the squad.

Freddie Ljungberg

Pedro

Unless you think we can have 25 world class players in the squad, then yes, we do actually. Not in his position obviously but at his level of talent and application.

Charlie George

Fred L

we should be buddies.
i want your name sake- as temporary manger
I want our freddle L to be our our OGS.

how exciting would that be- than the crap we have now!!

Champagne charlie

CG

Those players you named all had brilliant careers and are heralded as top class. If that’s your only remit for an Arsenal player you’re going to struggle to maintain any happiness.

It’s a squad game too you know, Iwobi as a home grown player on (relative) pauper money is an absolute home run to fill the squad. The stardust can be applied from elsewhere, but there’s absolutely no need to rag on Iwobi for not being elite. Iwobes is here to stay, when he’s an issue we’re doing well.

Freddie Ljungberg

CG

No thanks, you’re a nutter.

I wouldn’t mind my compatriot and one of my favorite players growing up becoming manager, but he has no experience yet, half a season for the u23s isn’t enough. Would still take him over lego hair though.

DivineSherlock

Is Kane available again for them ?? that bastar* .

Also Pedro no comments on the rotation ? I think it was smart he played Ramsey over Ozil. Plus looking at Bournemouth wretched away form , Guendouzi and Auba got rest.

Dissenter

Pedro
‘Arsenal do not need 4-6 Iwobi’sFucking hell. What a thought’

Oh yes we do….for the SQUAD , not as starting players.
Same as when Poch starts games with Harry Wicks and Foyth

We need young upcoming players that came from the academy who are eager to improve and will run themselves. Tomth ground for the cause.
Players that free up the purse to buy starters.

Yes we do need 4-6 more players like Iwobi, The lad is on 30k weekly, 6 more like him is a collective 180k weekly, less that Mykhi’s salary.

Bamford10

Iwobi lacks quality, but he works hard and he is producing, so he doesn’t deserve stick. I wouldn’t want him in the starting XI next season, but he will be a valuable squad player. Emery was right to rotate. We need to keep getting wins to have a chance at fourth. Whether we finish fourth will depend on United’s form through this injury spell they’re going through. I don’t favor us to beat them at home — I see us drawing or even them winning — but it’s going to be close between us and them, especially with their injuries.… Read more »

Words on a Blog

One new development in Iwobi’s play I noticed yesterday and in the game against BATE: he’s attempting quite a few more left footed crosses rather than always cutting back onto his right foot. The crosses aren’t always the most elegant or accurate but they do add more variety, options and unpredictability to his/the team’s attacking play.

All he needs to do now is improve the effectiveness of his shots on goal.

Countryboy

It’s strange that on a day Iwobi had one of his better days, people are going on and on about his lack of quality.

Like someone said if after this game, you still can’t see ANY good in him, he’s not the problem.

You are.

qna

We will go 60-30 Ozil-Ramsey against Bournemouth and Ramsey-Ozil against Spurs.

Guen may get a run instead of Torreira against Bournemouth but he will start against Spurs.

Elmo

Marc

Spuds’ match-day revenue increased from £45m (16/17) to £75m (17/18) by moving to Wembley. Obviously there will be significant costs / fees, but it’s likely they’re making more profit on match-day than at WHL.

https://twitter.com/SwissRamble/status/1089800582485946368?s=09

What we have to hope for is them falling out of the CL, and then them having problems re-financing their huge borrowing if they go down the route of issuing long maturity corporate bonds like we did once the stadium was complete.

JDavey

How is it even a debate over whether Iwobi is good enough for Arsenal football club. He runs towards a player quickly then either slows it down and plays a short pass or plays a neat ball to the overlapping full back.

That’s all he has in his game, has no end product and a role as a squad player would be the very most his level of talent deserves at a club like ours. This sums up a major problem of the club in general that we settle for mediocrity.

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