Well, well, well… Spurs. What have we here? Looks like another case of the CHOKES. As Dan from the pod put it, what we are witnessing looks very much like a case of ‘Le Spiral de Negativiteé.’
Very amusing. Spurs are reaching a situation where their World Cup battered squad is struggling to make physical ends meet between Champions League and the race for Top 4. Tomorrow, Arsenal will be one point behind them if they win, United will be level points if they win, and if Chelsea ramp up the pressure and win their two games in hand, they will jump them.
Oh my, what a whirlwind this race is. Imagine if Spurs drop into the Europa League after opening the Nike Toilet Bowl? Would be sweet… real sweet. Only worry is the Champions League is looking fairly weak sauce at the minute. So there’s always the horror scenario where they fall up the stairs and win that. Doubtful, but let’s cover the bases so we don’t look silly.
On the Technical Director front, the mighty Monchi has severed ties with Roma in a sweeping week in which the American leadership team also exited their manager. Make no mistake, if they’d wanted to keep the Spaniard, they’d have angled for a fee. The new team looks like it’ll be either Piero Ausilio and Massimiliano Mirabelli as the Sporting Director and Ranieri as the manager. The exLeicester boss is just out here racking up millions in dismissal fees this season, unreal work.
If you want the YES MONCHI IS COMING, take a read of this.
Today’s thoughts are a little more sober because I have done some digging.
His tenure at Roma has been bland. He wheeled and dealed very hard and made zero friends with the local ultras. At an airport, Roma fans shouted, “You have destroyed the team”, to which he responded, “sure you are better… In 6 months I come to take you all one by one ”
What did I say about him looking like a Netflix crime boss? Seems he’s the real deal. Full on John Gotti threats in an airport. Love it.
There are a few questions that have to be asked here… if he’s being panned for moving on talent, you have to work out if that was a command from the American owners. He dropped a 60m euro profit in his first window and an 18m euro profit last summer. If that was to support the new stadium, it simply means the fans aren’t as financially sympathetic as Arsenal’s.
I think the main upset comes from the fact that he hasn’t delivered the hits he was dropping for Sevilla. For me, the big red flag is that last summer, when he had a little more financial freedom to move bodies, his two marquee signings were Nzonzi and Pastore who are both 29 years old and far from elite. If you’re picking them up on free transfers, sure, but dropping 60m euros on them is pretty crazy. For a man that slagged British clubs for being profligate, those two really are perplexing buys.
It’s always good to raid the fan blogs for a bit of blood and thunder opinion. This SB Nation blog gives a very fair overview of his tenure.
On why he failed:
‘The club’s strategic direction comes from the top. I place his failures more on Pallotta’s philosophy of flipping players rather than building a winning team. What I am curious about is whether he was angling his way out prior to the last few weeks. Of course with EDF fired his position was untenable and he had no choice but to resign. I’m disappointed with the decisions he made but surely this Roma side needed at least another year or two before it would reach its peak and represent Monchi’s vision?’
‘Two years is far from sufficient to judge him, which makes his resignation all the tougher to swallow. If, however, we view it as a principled stance in support of EDF and/or his own autonomy as DS, then I can certainly respect that. In the end, I just don’t think his big purchases worked out as quickly as he needed them to, which looked worse in the face of the Salah and Alisson sales. And then there’s the wrinkle we’ll never know: how much independence did he actually have and to what extent was he limited by Roma’s financial health.’
On his failings:
‘The manner in which he short shrifted the defense. His right backs had about two healthy ligaments between them while his left backs were either living on borrowed time (Kolarov) or were too handsome to be good footballers (Santon). The less said about Moreno and Marcano the better. Roma’s defense was a disaster waiting to happen, and as we saw this season, it, uh, happened.’
‘Sometimes it felt as if Monchi would spend big on a name just to have spent big on a name. Pastore and NZonzi spring to mind immediately. Perhaps there were brand concerns at play (I remember there being significant rumors that Qatar Airways funded the Pastore purchase), but he didn’t seem to have a handle on the type of player who could succeed at Roma who was already in their late 20s.’
On his successes:
‘Cengiz Under was a great signing and I’m hopeful we will say the same about Cristante next season. Zaniolo was a remarkable find, kudos.’
‘Zaniolo is the popular answer around here and it truly was a masterpiece from Monchi. But I think Justin Kluivert can truly turn into something special in a year or two. Whether it’s at Roma or another club, that’s the question. Pallotta and co better keep him in Rome as long as possible.’
Conclusion:
The jury is out. He brought in some good young players that didn’t have the chance to show their worth. He made some bad senior signings. He couldn’t mend the defence (gulp). He wasn’t afforded enough time for anyone to make a fair assessment (he also tied himself heavily to Eusebio). Additionally, what I do admire: he took full responsibility for his failings. We lack accountability at Arsenal, the club is always looking for excuses. It takes true leadership to own up to your fuck ups. Extra pertinent when you’ve got Wenger reimagining the StatDNA investment like he unearthed the scouting equivalent of Google Search.
We are in a situation with Monchi like we were with Unai Emery. Both last attained greatness at Sevilla, the big question is: can they level-up? Are we hiring in the Europa League A-listers… or is the magic of the two together like the pairing of Peter Taylor and Brian Clough?
Here are some other questions you have to ponder.
Does our leadership have long-term thinking top of mind?
When Monchi and Emery last worked together, the average age of their signings sat at 27 years old. Emery, Monchi and Raul are big fans of sniffing out bargains from the elite clubs around Europe. Raul, I hear, is a huge fan of Malcolm who has had big issues at Barcelona. No doubt we’ll be in for him in the summer.
Does that strategy have legs? Is that how you make it back to the elite?
The mode of operation that worked best for Monchi was to flip players like houses. Identify value in the market, fix up a player, and shift them on in two seasons. That’s not a longterm view. That’s chasing the instant success dragon in a league where the major clubs are thinking in a more long-term manner.
Denis Suarez was our only punt in January, we’ve barely seen him, but he is exactly the sort of player Monchi hunts down.
The other question I have is this: Is Monchi a great chief scout, or is he a great technical director? Say what you will about Marc Overmars, but he and some of the Ajax European Cup winners have turned the club around. The youth team has churned out some wild players, the senior buys have looked smart, the football is back to its most powerful, and the job that he’s been there since 2013. Ajax has been nowhere, now they are back to resembling their best.
What are Arsenal’s objectives? Who knows… but my worry is that we’re not going to be thinking 10 years ahead. Are we bringing in builders, like Jobs, Hastings or Zuckerberg, or are we bringing in 1 term politicians who need to prove themselves now? We could punt for a brighter instant future and win big, sure, that’d be amazing. The real cost though is what happens if that plan fails. What do we fall back on? What happens if our second attempt at expensive greatness flops?
We fade into terminal mediocrity…
There is a lot riding on this hire. A lot riding on a contacts transfer approach. A lot riding on two people moved on by their clubs under dark clouds.
Could be magic though… it could be.
There’s a huge game today. Top 4 is within spitting distance. Emery seems to have less problems motivating and planning strategems when it comes to bigger sides, though he didn’t do very well against United at the last attempt.
It’s clear that United will be happy to give us possession. They’ll look to find pace on the counter with long diagonal balls. They’ll more than likely lean on the huge wave of luck that’s followed them around. Lukaku is in great form, as is most of their frontline.
We gave up the advantage of freshness when Emery fielded a very strong team in the midweek defeat against Rennes. He’s going to have to dust down those deflated souls and inject some of that energy of Spurs away into the affair.
This is our top 4 cup final. Win and we have by far the best run in. Lose, and those away days are going to look like an uphill struggle.
This is mega. It’s going to be a great game of football. Let’s see what side Emery brings to the battle.
See you in the comments. x
Nobody was saving that, the ball swerved massively and De Gea was going the right way until it swerved, probably helped by the wind.
I have a feeling had that happened to Leno a few on here would quickly change their tune. An error I think
ooppps..watching the replay of the Laca’s pen
Think the fatso ref had a whopper there
“ I find you expecting 10-25 million to drastically improve us inside a few months to be stupid“
Forever missing the point. So it’s fair to say you don’t have a united defender to offer up as enviable despite going on about them recruiting big money talents at the back?
“I find your general impatient attitude towards the club post Wenger to be pathetic really.”
Seems you don’t follow what people write, that’d be why you’re always going in circles. Solid day you’re having
Marko
Xhaka is shit
Pogba is better value for money
Aubameyang is better than lacazette
Our squad can’t compete with United’s
AMN is rubbish and will cost us the game
Manchester United have better defenders
They have better attackers
They have better midfielders
So do Chelsea.
We won today with effectively 9 men.
Need I continue?
So much bullshit on here. We won. 1 point behind Spurs.
Why can’t you be happy and shut it?
Spurs lose a 10 point lead in 16 days
Had Wenger been in the dugout Arsenal would have folded like they always did in these pivotal games.
what a massive win, I’ll take a 1-0 win against United playing carp football and having 10% possession any day of the week.
Leno looking like the keeper we needed since we lost crazy jens.
OGS, lmao, the ultimate hype man.
People who don’t know why we enjoy winning any utd team don’t really know the Arsenal.
I don’t know if emery is the next level but he’s definitely doing a good job in terms of achieving the season objective.
MarkoMarch 10, 2019 19:07:14
Nobody was saving that, the ball swerved massively and De Gea was going the right way until it swerved, probably helped by the wind.I have a feeling had that happened to Leno a few on here would quickly change their tune. An error I think
Marko
What are you trying to undermine our win? Our league position?
Wenger isn’t here anymore. I’d swear you actually prefer us to be shit. See box, post letter.
Know your role mate
Samir
Yes.
I’m considered a Wenger apologist and I’m more happy than the Wenger out bell ends.
Under Wenger, we wouldn’t have won that game.
AMN had a very good game. Leno starting to look the part.
Every Arsenal player put in a shift and a half.
Great day for the Arsenal.
Just love Lacazette.
So it’s fair to say you don’t have a united defender to offer up as enviable despite going on about them recruiting big money talents at the back? It’s very easy for someone like you to come out after a game like today and say something like that but it’s one game and their defence has been better marginally though statistically than ours this season. If you want me to mention specific players that they have that are better than ours it’s very hard to do that after today. You should have asked me Wednesday or even Thursday night I… Read more »
Beating United is always lovely.
Only 1 point between us and Spuds in 3rd place.
What could be better than Spuds implode to 6th in their stadium opening.
To all the true gooners here.
Fantastic day as a gooner
Loved it. Entirely enthralled. This is what football is all about.
As a side note
My twin daughters are watching viva forever by the spice girls non stop
Lovely little song looking back.
Un na Have tony even read anything I’ve posted today? You’re beginning to annoy me with your needless digs at me for not residing in London. I’ve said basically the same; Xhaka was one the best players on the pitch, AMN played very well, even Ozil was excellent and deserved the applause. I’m one of the only people that defended Auba’s penalty as a good one. We rode our luck; United hit the bat twice and we got a soft penalty. That;’s just factually right. It doesn’t take anything away from the first paragraph. Just sod off, will ya. I… Read more »
Looked pretty competent today with no real howlers
Oh Mustaffi didn’t play
Must be said for a bland manager Emery is holding his own.
Emery is doing much better than Wenger even though he hasn’t even had 12 months yet. No complaints from me.
Don it’s very hard to understand you you’re all over the place and generally incoherent. I said Xhaka was MOTM I said AMN was poor first half better in the second. Today was a great result I’m delighted. But it’s one game and with that in mind I don’t get you bringing stuff about Xhaka being shit and United having a better squad than us and blah blah blah you think today changes anything? We still need to be better. And how is me mentioning that De Gea made an error on the Xhaka goal undermining our victory?
As for that moron who ran on the pitch.
Life ban.
£3000 fine.
3-6 month prison sentence.
The idiot at St Andrews.
Life ban.
£10000 fine.
2 year prison sentence.
Makes sense to me.
Receding
“Must be said for a bland manager Emery is holding his own.”
He’s the first manager to do so without any special sauce
Marko
How is that an answer? Either they have defenders better than ours or they don’t, what week I ask makes no difference 😂😂
Yea you got me there, thinking we should see some defensive improvement in 6 months is super impatient. Same as wanting some more aggressive ownership after…..a decade. Calm down CC, wanting things immediately lmao
Spurs lose a 10 point lead in 16 days
That’s a bottle job if ever I’ve seen one. Made all the more sad when you hear the comments from their loser manager. Trophies only build egos and battling for 4th is their level anyway. Some manager that
AMN will hopefully start RB every game for the rest of the season.
Emery got his selection right. Ramsey played a solid role in CM, respect his attitude. Surprising subs but all turned out fine.Leno appearing to be the goalie we’ve needed.
What a great weekend….we can happily look at the table for a good couple of weeks.
Stope being a woose.
Pitch invasions are part of the game.
Redtruth
“Had Wenger been in the dugout”
Thank god he wasn’t.
What a great win, got an extra spring in my step this afternoon. One of my neighbours is from Manchester and supports manure, I can’t wait until I see him next.
Oooh to,
oooh to be,
oooh to be a Gooner!
Red truth
Not in this day and age.
Yea you got me there, thinking we should see some defensive improvement in 6 months is super impatient.
It is yep. A 34 year old back up RB and a 15 million CB added to a defence that’s been shocking for YEARS and you were expecting what. Anyway let’s not rehash things. You want instant improvement and a god awful defence addressed inside months and I’m willing to wait for the club to fix itself after the previous manager spent years fucking it up
Sets us up nicely for Rennes.
Loving Ozils tweet to that big nose cretin Lingard. In my good books for that alone.
Pitch invaders and streakers have been around for years. Why the sudden outrage in the media? I bet a new law is in the making.
More importantly, why is nobody blaming our inadequate security?
Lets be happy friends
What a great day
Been forever since we beat the despised manure
Some players did more than others but every game is that way
We have different mom in every game
Just be happy
I hate United more than any team so this is awesome
AMN shit down martial every time
Stoked
Dissenter
Yeah you still don’t get it
Marko
Are you watching maaaaarkooooo
Look you’ve called it wrong consistently
Your footballing opinion on this blog is at an all time low
Especially seeing as you seem to be lanenting our loss
Is unnnai this new person?
Marko, give it a rest.
We won. Enjoy it.
That Ozil tweet
We must beat Rennes soundly on Thursday to breathe easier
Our remaining games are not easy some teams can do damage and draws are not what we need
Guns, shouldn’t be a problem. Same approach as today. Blitz them.
.Why the sudden outrage? Why do you think?
Pedro absolutely delighted with today massive win. Can’t be put into words how important a win it is. 3rd place is on
Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle.
I said if we beat United, I’ll support Labour. Well, I have signed up for some manual labour tomorrow at a local building site to help out the lads.
Once again…I have no idea what exactly Arsenal is. Lose badly to Rennes. Beat United. Pah.
I said that we would beat United and we will beat Rennes too and go through.
We can still end up outside top four or we can finish third. But despite of our weakness as a team we are in the mix in March.
We didn’t loose to Spur or United in the league this season
Ole G, Rachael Riley, the arndale centre, lovejoy, John Sims, SAF, Angus deayton,the canals,Andy Goldstein, Brian blessed, Gail Tilsley.
Your boys took a helluva beating, come on arsenal!
Playing against them with 10 men. Context is everything. We’ll progress on Thursday GOH.
That pitch invasion stuff is serious shit. It’s just a game and you got cunts running on and assaulting players. What if he had a knife? No send him to prison for 6 months no question make an example of him
Honestly nobody gives a fuck. You’re such an obvious cunt that when you try to be normal or nice it falls fla
Woooooo. Alright little bitch. You’ve been decimated today. Again. You may not care for family life given your penchant for depression and nihilism but others may.
As you were, letter box merchant
Marko
Don’t forget Leno, today’s motm you melt hahaha
Spitting feathers because your stance becomes more and more daft
Up 4 grabs without even checking it I know that’s a Paddy Power reference
Marko the pitch invader at the Emirates should get 30 days in a shitty cell.
The pitch invader at Birmingham should get five years.
Absolute disgrace.
Clubs have got to do more for invaders, but dishing out point deductions is dodgy because you’ll get rival fans impersonating to get points off.
Well done team
Well done manager
Well done
Now focus on next game
Marko,
I remember something like it from years back.
I live in south Africa now, we don’t have paddy power over here if it’s a new advert?
Spitting feathers because your stance becomes more and more daft Nah I’m just focusing on the defence. Maybe I need to be exact when I talk about the defence I mean the back 4 not the keeper or the midfield. They can help defensively sure but the back 4 still needs addressing. You know full backs CB’s. I actually like our new number one I was pretty confident about him unlike a lot of others. In fact I wanted him signed up years ago when apparently he had a reasonable clause in his contract the summer Wenger decided to sign… Read more »
Re. the swerve it’s been insanely gusty in town today. Bet it was wind. Tough shit De Gea. The game is played outdoors.
Fair play to Sokratis managing himself well after that yellow card.
Guys, blog of love.
I assume that we can win all the home games. Of all the away games, I am worry only the Burnley game since they are fighting to stay up. The others are all mid_table teams. The players probably booked their Summer vacation already.
To be fair if Sokratis did the same stupid thing inside a matter of days he’d be getting a slap
Rio “Olly’s army is coming to get you”
Shove that boast up yer jacksie…
Thought we played well, the high line was a worry, and luckily lukaku dwelled a bit on his chances. Leno was fantastic though and made some great saves. Amn was a lot better second half and the rest of the defence were quite solid. Midfield played well, ozil created and moved the ball well, not outstanding but helped the team, Ramsay actually stuck to his job instead of going gung ho and its a pity he didn’t do this more as they probably wouldn’t have pulled the contract if he was more disciplined. Xhaka didn’t do a Xhaka, and did… Read more »
Nelson away to Wolves will be tough. They could be fucked though depending on when the game gets rescheduled. It could be on the Tuesday after their FA Cup game against United while we have the weekend off. Could play a part
This weekend is what can happen to United and Spurs when they’re still in the champions league
Arsenal are AWAY to Wolves, Burnley, Everton Watford, and Leicester.
HOME to Newcastle, Palace, Brighton.
–
That’s not a cakewalk for a team with such poor away form. Obviously very doable on paper, but we’ve been cunted by worse sides this season on our travels.
Gotta rediscover that early season away form again.
Is this a good thing…
I’m not sure
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6792749/Arsenals-set-players-worst-six-fourth.html
Those away games are against teams who can hurt us.
We need to rediscover the away form we showed earlier in the season.
Biggest win since Danny’s late winner against Leicester the year they won it. Hopefully the rest of this season goes better then that one did.
Very impressed with emery, Leno, Xhaka Ainsley and laca today. Big work!
Haven’t had that much enjoyment from a game for a while.
Oh what a day to be a gooner!
I can say without fear am not embarrassed to be called an Emery ultra henceforth….solid performance from the boys…Bern Leno maaahn!!
Agree
Leno is starting to show a fair bit of confidence …
Another season he will be bossing it…
Time to start playing double bubble at the back in front of Leno
Blog of love today pedders
Moment that I appreciated most was when Leno mopped up a ball over the top of Sokratis with such efficiency.
Took control, composed himself, then pinged a great ball and set us on a counter. That’s where you can say he has room to reach the top drawer and not just a good shot stopper.
Utterly diffused them looking dangerous which is key for a GK. No nerves with the lad and you feel he’s capable of being a real force.
Cc
Yes
Down the right wing
Caught my eye too.
But we lost it and let it go for a throw
Was a great game as though and restored my faith in arsenal
I thought AMN was very good today, remember he isn’t actual a natural full back and he hasn’t played in ages.
Were a lot of contenders for MOTM. We are SO much better with laca in the team, the bloke makes everything happen, top player.
@Gooner Dave
“Pitch invaders and streakers have been around for years. Why the sudden outrage in the media?”
Because it wasn’t just a pitch invasion, the twat ran to an opposition player and gave him a little shove. Running around being a moron is one thing, but getting hit or pushed had happened a few times and is becoming an issue.
We have no excuse to not make the top four now, fucking come on
Only just back from the match – got absolutely soaked and it turned freezing cold. I had a fucking great day!
Team played well across the board and Leno seems to be gaining a foot hold in the PL.
Top 4 is ours to lose now.
Still some tricky away games to go especially with our form but the other teams around us will also drop points, Emery just has to find the right balance on our travels…..Everton are shit and Leicester should be on holidays when we play them….Burnley though are fighting for survival and Wolves will be a very hard game but it’s really nice to still be in the mix in March/April. Got to credit the manager for that
Back from the Emirates.
Fantastic atmosphere.
Sharp tactics, disciplined performance.
First defeat in The premier league to the Norwegian Jesus of Manchester.
Guns of Hackney forced to fulfil his pledge of voting Labour if we beat Man U.
The feeling will probably pass, but I’m seriously considering becoming an “Emery Ultra”!
One game at a time lads…..
I’m going into Pierre mode for a minute
I thought Ozil done ok something I see him trying to today at one point he muscled someone out. Can’t remember who. Giving his top away at the end was priceless to that fan also.
Spitting Jamie Carragher; “Arsenal’s set of players are the worst in the top six yet they are fourth… you can see the job he’s doing”
“‘The team he wants is a more intensive team than the one we saw under Arsene Wenger”
‘Even under Wenger you never really got the stadium like that. There’s an intensity about it. Coming here in the last four years I haven’t really seen that.'”
Gary Neville; “‘He’s working with a squad that’s limited, in the sense that you’re thinking it should be finishing sixth in the league, but he’s doing brilliantly with it.’
WOAB
“Norwegian Jesus of Manchester”
The media loves OGS
Yea Dissenter i just read those comments from Neville and Carragher
Although i have had more enlightened posters on here tell me we have not improved 1%. They want to see a definite foundation and all……
Anyway not the night for it
GoonerDave
Where do you live?
Planet Zog?
Receding
Not the night for it but you’ve not resisted regardless. Didn’t see such enthusiasm post Europa twattings, because you’re fair weather.
We beat United, dance around the fire when Emery has something to show for the season.
I think one of the issues with Leno is confidence. Earlier in the season confidence was low and he made a couple mistakes. Now his confidence is sky high his decision making is perfect and his performances are matching it.
Emery hasn’t done anything the specialist in failure hasn’t. Just something to think about before all you Emery groupies wet your pants.
CC
I get the sense that you win either way
If we come 3rd/4th, you say our squad was always good enough so no big deal, any manager would have done.
If we don’t come 3rd/4th and don’t win the EL, you say Emery isn’t good enough.
Arsenal does well, we are wrong about the squad’s strength relative to the other clubs in the top-6.
Arsenal doesn’t do well and you were always right about Emery
Maybe I watched a different match from those clamouring for xhaka as MOTM. I could still count about 5 times he lost the ball in dangerous positions right in our half, I wonder where the MOTM glory is coming from
Go nail something carpenter
Don’t you have some Newcastle games to watch
Didn’t see such enthusiasm post Europa twattings, because you’re fair weather.
Not like you Charles who finds excitement in victories as well as defeats. You know some people don’t want to be reminded of the defeats. Ah not to worry at least everyone’s happy today and for good reason
Emery won a 6 pointer something Wenger used to bottle.
Nicely summed up Dissenter
In their minds they have their bases covered, he gets top four it’s no biggie we always had the squad for it allegedly, he doesn’t get it he has failed and we need to go sauce hunting
They aren’t fooling anyone
Remind me again, how many points better off are we compared to last season.
vickingz
“Maybe I watched a different match from those clamouring for xhaka as MOTM.”
…yes, you watched another game.
The one playing on a. recurring loop in your mind mate
Xhaka put every foot right.
Steve you are an imbecile of the highest order. The last time we had more than 10 points against the big six was over a decade ago.
Emery has come and made us competitive at home in these fixtures inside a year.
I see regular arguments between genuine Arsenal supporters but a wanker like you is allowed a free run. Piss off.
“Remind me again, how many points better off are we compared to last season.”
12 points
But that’s nothing to judge the manager by, the true connoisseurs look for definite patterns and foundations
Graham about a hundred. Everyday that Wenger is no longer with us is an example of us being better off