Does sauce matter?

by .

My sauce references is metaphorical, but the sauce is The Ribman if you want it

This is Jonathan Blaustein’s monthly contribution to the community, follow him @Jblauphoto for his twitterings.

It’s March 27th, as I write this.

Yesterday, here in the Taos valley, it was 67 degrees Fahrenheit.

I can’t tell you what this is in Celsius, because for some reason, I’ve never been able to figure out how to make the translation.

Basically, it means it was warm and sunny.

Balmy, if you will.

But for the first time, I was able to ride the Kachina Peak lift at Taos Ski Valley, and found myself at 12,400 feet, on the very top of a massive mountain.

The lift only runs part of the year, and this season it was much delayed, due to the two tragic avalanche deaths off the same peak.

When I left my house in the morning, it was spring. The first shoots of green grass were standing perkily in the sun. The birds were chirping like they were onstage at Lollapalloza in 1997, giving it all they had.

But then, all of a sudden, I was in icy, snowy winter, like something out of Lord of the Rings, and I could see for a hundred miles in several directions.

(How’s that for the American perspective. Fahrenheit, feet and miles all in one column opening. Fucking arrogant Yanks!)

It’s a good feeling, to be able to see forever. And teetering between those seasons, spring and winter, is strange. But combine the two, (the distance and time of year,) and it makes for a particular perspective.

So let’s get into it.

At this point, I’ll mention another date: March 14th. That’s the last time Arsenal played a competitive football match. (I don’t care what happens in Dubai.)

Who did we even play back then?

Oh right, Rennes.

We spanked them 3-0.

And who did we beat before that? Manchester United.

2-0.

Say what now? Two clean sheets in consecutive massive games?

If any other coach had done that, while anchoring Arsenal in both the #Top4 and the Europa League, Londoners would be singing his name from the lamp-posts.

But something about the guy makes him seem less cool, less smart, less attractive, or less innovative than his fellow Top 6 coaches.

Be honest with yourself: it’s true.

During the huge winning streak, we were impressed but dubious, waiting to see what happened once the injuries mounted, and points were dropped in the depths of dark winter in December.

All along, it’s been wait and see, in particular in this very column. Now I’m suggesting that maybe it’s a subconscious thing, comparing Emery to Pocchetino, Klopp, Guardiola, Sarri and OGS.

Perusing the list, in late March, you’d say Emery has outperformed Sarri for sure, and OGS rode in on a white pony, so it’s too soon to say. (But he has the star-power thing down pat.)

We beat Tottenham once, easily, and really should have beaten them again. The draw felt like a loss, as we all know, because Auba missed that penalty.

But what happened in the next game?

Lacazette wins another penalty, and he gives the ball to his buddy.

I sat here on my couch, with my 11 year old, watching it two hours late on the DVR, and we both screamed “NOOOOOOOOOO.”

Take it yourself, Laca!

We need the win!

Are you insane!

Obviously, in hindsight, we were wrong. (Is it a coincidence that Laca is both of our favorite Arsenal player at the moment?)

That kind of scene, one teammate believing in another, is what sports is all about. It gives you chills.

And it’s real. You can’t pay for it.

Arsenal have that, and they also now have a manager willing to play all his best players at once in the same game. (Imagine that?)

The squad is in the perfect place for this time of year, and one way or another, we’ll soon know if they finish strong, finish brilliantly, limp to the line, or choke like the Atlanta Falcons in the 2018 Super Bowl.

Within a short span of time, we won’t be able to say “wait and see” any longer.

And let’s play what if, for a moment.

If Emery gets the team into the Champions League, he’ll definitely get more money to spend. Maybe a lot more.

He’ll have proven he can do the job, and that proof will have delivered more cash. Given our model of spend what you’ve made, that means more on transfers.

Some new names are intriguing, like Thomas, from Atletico. More money, better signings.

It’s clear that the manager is staring at a very binary outcome: he makes it in, or he doesn’t.

If Arsenal win the Europa League and get in the Top 4, or somehow miraculously overtake Spurs and hang on 3rd, then I think this guy will have money, clout, and a new aura.

The story will be that his tactical acumen is his special power. It won’t be that he doesn’t stick to a style, but rather that he’s so amazing at the details that he breaks the game down into phases, which explains all the halftime subs, and each game plan is unique because HE CAN.

HIS BRAIN IS THAT BIG. HE BREATHES AND EATS FOOTBALL.

Now, if Arsenal choke on both fronts, and end up in 5th or 6th, knocked out by Napoli in the Europa League, it will be very, very different.

He didn’t improve on Wenger’s performance, only the point total.

Yes, some advance was made in the Big 6 Mini-league, but the results weren’t enough. We’ll give him a modest budget, and a decent leash into next year, but there better be some major improvement, or we might be coach shopping this time next year.

Like I said, it’s binary.

And we’ll know soon enough.

From this odd vantage, winter and spring all at once, on the mountain top in morning and in the valley in the afternoon, I’ll say one thing:

I’m really glad the team is perched where it is, and that we’ve managed to put a whooping on some hated rivals: Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester United.

How great would it be if in the multi-verse, we end up with one of the happy timelines?

I wonder what I’ll be writing this time in April?

Remember, follow @Jblauphotoxxx

P.S. Take a bow son.

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Batistuta

Freddie

Got to Pierre before i could, he’s such a weird one

HillWood

I was expecting gushing comments of joy on here now the hated international break is over
But no one seems overly excited that Fulham are 2 down to City

Pierre

Fred
Aubamayang and Mhkitaryan, very intelligent players ….not sure why you are mentioning Ozil , maybe it was because I mentioned intelligence, composure and technique.

Aubamayang is one of the most intelligent strikers in the game, for him to be continually in open space in the six yard box shows his quickness of thought, a skill that is underrated on Le Grove.

Mhkitaryan has speed of thought especially when he is is in the final third of the pitch, his decision making is very good .

Marc

“lots of running , lots of effort , lots of headless chicken style of football but little end product ”

Err third highest scorers in the league or did we score all of those goals in the last couple of weeks.

Fucking moron.

Dream10

Aguero is an outrageous finisher. What a player. Big Cal Chambers with an error for a goal. Difficult afternoon for him against the best side in the league

Marc

Pierre was on Soccer Saturday earlier disguised as Charlie Nicholas – he actually suggested we should get Wenger in as technical director.

Bob N16

Pierre, you and Ozil, due to your crusade are inextricably linked. The fact that you didn’t mention your poster boy by name doesn’t hide the fact that you associate our better performances with his inclusion. For me, our last few performances have been more a result of being able to play Sok, Kos and Monreal as our 3 cbs, allowing Kol to push forward(and to certain extent AMN), playing to his strengths. This has then allowed Ozil to quietly go about his business in an effective enough way. Attributing our better results as down to the inclusion of Ozil is… Read more »

Marc

Bob

“Lies, damn lies and statistics…”

I think you actually meant “Lies, damn lies and statistics and an obsessive agenda”.

Bob N16

Are we about to sign another Wellington Silva? I suppose Martinelli might be able to get an EU passport so not the same bureaucratically speaking!

Bob N16

I read both Leeds and Barcelona were interested him. An unlikely pairing!

Bob N16

I did leave a …….. to be fair Marc.

Marc

For some strange reason I have a nagging feeling the Spud’s will get a draw tomorrow. I hope not but it won’t go away.

Pierre

Marc
“Err third highest scorers in the league or did we score all of those goals in the last couple of weeks.”

Having offensive players of the quality of Aubamayang,Mhkitaryan,Lacazette and Ozil is a bonus for the Arsenal .

will always score goals with the quality they possess.

Dream10

Marc

I think they’ll upset Liverpool tmrw. Klopp’s boys struggled against Fulham.

Marc

Pierre

You can’t say no end product and then say well of course we’ll score goals with the players we have.

Your original point had elements of truth to it but you made it badly. Are we seeing Emery adapt his approach? Are we seeing the players adapting to Emery’s style of play?

I reckon a bit of both.

Bob N16

As long as Spurs drop points, I’ll be happy.

Freddie Ljungberg

Sure Pierre, or maybe it’s because it’s all you ever post about, I could maybe understand it if it was the Ozil of 2 years ago that actually put up the numbers (real ones, not your made up bs stats) and was only ineffectual against the biggest teams, but he’s just a shadow of that player now. We need better, that’s just the way it is. Someone that doesn’t hide in 60% of the games, who scores more goals, can dribble and carry the ball forward not just flick it on under pressure, and yes, assists more as well since… Read more »

Marko

Pierre was on Soccer Saturday earlier disguised as Charlie Nicholas – he actually suggested we should get Wenger in as technical director.

I hope he was laughed at really hard to his face for saying something so stupid. Guy who hated spending money who was adverse to the transfer market and who passed on so many good players for shitter ones and he should be our technical director? Arsene Wenger is so bad I wouldn’t trust him down at Tesco’s with a very specific list to show highlighted in bold writing. He’d fuck it up

Marc

Dream10

I fucking hope not. Looking at their remaining fixtures I reckon the Spud’s could potentially drop points in 4 of those matches – Liverpool (A), City (A), West Ham (H) and Bournemouth (A).

If they miss out of top 4 I really think they are going to be absolutely fucked. Cant’ wait.

Marko

Are we about to sign another Wellington Silva?

Rowley and Wenger are gone so I would feel a little better about our prospect signings going forward

Marc

Marko

It was strange Nicholas got quite aggressive about it, the rest of the panel were silent (probably the stunned variety) and Jeff whatshisname laughed at him.

Bob N16

Marko…. ‘a little better’ not resoundingly positive. £5 mill for a 17 year old is quite a punt but who knows, may be he’s the next Van Basten? Too positive?

Marko

3rd highest scorer’s in the league and you know who is still sitting on two whole assists in the premier league this season

Marc

Bob

I’d settle for next less injury prone Van Persie!

Marko

Bob he could be. On the one hand he had a trial at United before and they passed on him. But on the other hand since then he’s blown up and has quite a few clubs looking to nab him. Seems like the kind of signing Benfica or Porto or Shaktar would make and then sell him for 3/4 times that after a couple years

Marko

It was strange Nicholas got quite aggressive about it

Guy says something stupid and then digs in his heels. It happens…alot around here

HillWood

Spuds have a Legends match at their new ground today. So it’s Pat Jennings v Inter Milan

Marc

Hillwood

That’s going to be tough on Jennings – playing against 11 all by himself. Maybe they should have called it a “players we thought were great but never won anything match”. They could have managed a full squad then.

Bob N16

Agreed Marko, people’s pride gets in the way of rational argument. It’s hard for people to admit they are wrong. It’s human nature but a lot with what’s wrong in society. Without getting too political but the rise of populism is a very worrying trend…I guess Legrove reflects this too!

Just watched his ‘highlights’….certainly quick but always hard to know how good a finisher he is, as not surprisingly it doesn’t show how often he misses!

Bob N16

Marc, he still must have very big hands!

Bob N16

Marc….a fit Van P. – most definitely take that!

Marc

Really beginning to wonder about the Poch. He’s said in an interview that he can’t guarantee he’ll be at the Spud’s next season and then gone round the houses on you never know and things change quickly.

At this point of the season, with a huge match tomorrow why send signals you’re not 1000% focused and committed to the club?

Pierre

Free I’ll settle for Arsenal winning football matches with or without Ozil( as you keep mentioning him) I’ll settle for Arsenal playing better football and performances with or without Ozil. You lot don’t get it do you …..this season , we have won more football matches with Ozil in the team We have lost many more matches without ozil in the starting line up. We have scored more goals per game with Ozil in the starting line-up We have conceded more goals without Ozil in the starting line up. We are playing better football with Ozil in the starting line… Read more »

HillWood

Well that was as exciting as SanMarino v Kazakhstan

Marc

“Whether he assists or scores goals or not is immaterial, the most important thing is that Arsenal win football matches and this season we are winning more football matches with him in the side .”

Sorry Pierre but your stats don’t tell the whole story. The matches we lost when he wasn’t in the team – who did we play? Would we have won them with him in the team? Liverpool away for example – I really think not.

No one is arguing that Ozil has talent, it’s does he assert himself in enough matches?

Dream10

Agree with you Pierre. Pick the team that gives us the best chance to win

Dream10

Watford playing at Old Trafford. They’re usually on the beach by this time of the season. Need them to get something today.

Marc

Dream10

Can’t see it – reckon ManU will bounce back and win 3 nil.

Marko

Whether he assists or scores goals or not is immaterial

It is if you’re trying to emphasize his importance in us winning matches. Cause unless you can point to an actual contribution that he’s made then it’s all just words. Plenty of actual evidence to show his steady decline as a footballer. You’re going to miss this once he’s gone in the summer Pierre

Dream10

Marc

Would be typical for a side to roll over away to another top 6 side and then play like prime Brazil when we play them in a couple of weeks.

We have a difficult away schedule. Need three points plus some goal difference padding on Monday

Bamford10

Correlation is not causation, Pierre. You have to demonstrate that Ozil had a specific influence and impact in those matches. You also have to deal with the fact that he wasn’t played in our more difficult matches for a time. As I said the other day, everyone agrees that we are better when we have a creative, technical, CAM-type playing underneath the forwards, but Ozil hasn’t demonstrated that that player needs to be him. At the moment, he might be the best option (maybe, probably?), but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be looking to sell him in the summer. The… Read more »

Marko

You’re talking about someone who has a 3 assists all season long it’s pretty easy to be more influential than that person. I would argue Ozil Ramsey whatever come next season we’ll be better off without them. They are that easily replaceable imo.

Jamie

Pierre’s going down in flames!

Not so long ago, Pierre determined it was Ozil’s assists that made him indispensable to the squad, then those dried up. A quick pivot from assists to chances created, then those dried up. Now he’s on his last throw of the dice – we win more with Ozil in the starting 11 than without him, even though his tangible contribution can’t be measured other than by labeling his playing style ‘intelligent’.

This kid is too funny.

As it happens, we win more than we lose when I wear black trousers on match day. You’re welcome.

Bamford10

United flat-footed, Watford on the front foot.

Bamford10

Watford look good. No question about their motivation.

Marko

Watford are dominating United here

Marc

I just hope it’s the same story in an hour and a half or so.

Bamford10

Good ball from Shaw. Rashford’s speed and run make it 1-0 on the counter.

Bamford10

A compare/contrast between Ozil and Pogba is somewhat instructive.

Pogba hasn’t even had that great of a season, but he has 11 goals and 9 assists in 2,292 PL minutes. Ozil, in contrast, has 4 goals and 2 assists in 1,269 PL minutes. If you break these numbers down over 90 minutes, you get:

POGBA
.43 goals per 90 minutes
.35 assists per 90 minutes

OZIL
.28 goals per 90 minutes
.14 assists per 90 minutes

Thus, in general, Pogba is roughly twice as productive as Ozil in the attacking third.

Bamford10

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