MIND THE GAP – Feels good, but can it last?

by .

via @Arsenal Instagram

The race for #Top3 is no longer a dream, it’s a fat slab of steak on an unguarded BBQ in a neighbors garden, can you taste it? I can…

I don’t care what anyone says about the quality of that Newcastle team, they set up solidly, they can beat big teams and before last night, they had conceded the same amount as us.

That was a banana skin and we absolutely passed it by without a slip.

We dropped a whopping 600 passes across the night, the manager elected to play MG and Ramsey at the base of midfield and the two of them controlled the game. I thought Mesut was menacing, dropping in and out of the game, adding that touch of class we missed earlier in the year.

The Welshman opened the scoring after capitalising on some lost control from Lacazette, his swept shot easing past the Newcastle keeper.

The last goal was a thing of beauty, a very messy one-two with Auba saw Lacazette slipped in on the 18-yard box, lobbing the keeper with a lovely half volley. He really has come on leaps and bounds. He does SO much dirty work for the team, he never stops, and he’s becoming more and more decisive as the season goes on. I love him so much. He’s also well cool… like, oozing in something I don’t have. I want to be him.

I thought AMN had a very solid game, he genuinely looks like competition for the injured Bellerin. What he lacks in final product, he more than makes up for in work rate and defensive work. He was savaged by some of the fanbase earlier in the year, I hope they are all scrubbing their DIRTY DAMN MOUTH HOLES… he’s a player.

Ramsey was a total beast. He’s wearing the captain’s armband and he’s performing like an absolute model professional. He’s the guy in the HR videos touching below the elbow. He covered the ground, he bombed forward, he looked out for MG and he produced the goods. What a good player we’re losing, but fuck it, I have to get over it and move on.

The only moan I’d have for the evening would be the empty seats on TV. Are people really not showing for Arsenal when we’re playing well? Seems very odd. But it might just have been my TV. If it’s not, is it a deeper issue with the oversaturation of football in an increasingly connected sports world? A question for another day my friends.

ONE MORE MOAN. Anthony Taylor was f*cking awful. He’s going to be shite, even with VAR. Terrible decisions all game.

The race for top 4 is well and truly on. Spurs have 5 games at home, 2 away, we are the reverse. United are prowling, and don’t write off Chelsea.

We have not been great away from home this season, our next batch of games are exactly the sort we could switch off in, so we’re by no means guaranteed to drive this home.

Now it’s all about the manager. How well can he motivate? How can he manage training to preserve energy? Can he bring maximum insights to all his game plans? Can he continue to defy the laws of hairstyling by using weapons-grade hair gel?

If he does, we’re looking good.

The great thing for us is we have two chances at CL. Europa and Top 4. I’d say top 4 is looking more likely, but let’s see.

A really great night for Emery, and super exciting that we’re in the mixer for this after such a drab post-unbeaten run.

COME ON ARSENAL! 10 PREMIERSHIP WINS IN A ROW! x

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Pierre

Marko
“The only moan I’d have for the evening would be the empty seats on TV.
Agree. Not like we’re in a bad moment playing poor football we’re in 3rd winning 10 in a row where are the fans”

I’m sure Marko will find something else to moan about

Marko

No things are going good we’re third we’re being linked with serial chance creator Ryan Fraser in the summer. Things are looking up

Marc

The five home league matches the Spud’s have at home are:

Palace
Huddersfield
Brighton
West Ham
Everton

Now teams often take time to bed into a new stadium but I believe that Huddersfield and Brighton will be 6 points. Palace could be tricky as the first match and if they haven’t dropped points at home West Ham will be hugely motivated to be the first team to win in the new stadium. With their history of bottling the big occasion it’s not beyond imagination to think they could drop between 5 (1 loss and 1 draw) and 7 points.

Receding Hairline

No to Ryan Fraser for me

Higz

I was at game and didn’t think there were loads of empty seats. Felt more full than Bournemouth game. Was an efficient performance and Ramsey for me was head and shoulders above everyone else on pitch. Very professional and can’t fault that. Finally seems to be playing very well in a 2 in midfield. Shame he’s gone but earlier in season we were quite happy for him to go. Laca great as always. Now it’s about keeping players fresh and we seem to have people who can come in and not weaken the team too greatly. Great run we on,… Read more »

Jamie

Mustafi isn’t lacking in confidence, he’s lacking in ability. The sooner he leaves Arsenal, the better.

Dissenter

Anyone abusing fragile players in home games needs to be lobotomized.

Marko

Yeah granted our away form right now isn’t great but people need to relax on it being a foregone conclusion and not something that we can get back. Post City and Chelsea at the start of the season we were undefeated in 9 away games with 7 wins until the loss to Southampton. After that some of the performances were admittedly abject while some happened to coincide with injuries to the defence. I’d say key will be staying fit until the end of the season that should be able to turn around the away record enough to stand a chance… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

Mustafi is a liability, because of his lack of “brain” and “poor decision making”.
Centre Backs don’t need to be the most skilful players on the planet, but they
do need positional sense, good judgment and above all concentration.

Graham62

I actually have a love hate relationship as far as Mustafi is concerned.

His second half Maradona run, culminating in a Johnny Wilkinson attempt at a cross was fudging brilliant.

Auba even enjoyed it. The crowd laughed and cheered Mustafi.

Looks like the Incredible Hulk but sometimes comes across as Bambi.

Prefer him to Mertesacker. At least he can move.

Danny

where are the fans —————- Newcastle aren’t of much interest to your average fan and with players like Mustafi and Iwobi it’s very hard to fill the stadium nowadays, I reckon even against Napoli it wont be full. Maybe next season if we’re back in the Champions League and with 3 or 4 new players (of course without those 2 I mentioned) matches might go back to being played before full houses. Wenger and Gazidis ruined the average fans desire to show up for matches like against Newcastle, people think about it and then go “I’ve got better things to… Read more »

Charlie George

For those fans – who do not think -it will be to Spurs’ huge advantage that 80 % of their remaining games will be played at their new homes- they are mistaken, Spurs- are currently on their knees. They look jaded- this relocation to their new ground- could be just the fillip- they need to get them in the top 4. ( at our expense) with our team ( and kudos to Emery for finally mending his ways- and instead of alienating players like Ozil and the imperious Rambo- but building the team around them,) it just seems so bizarre… Read more »

TitsMcGee

We overspent for Mustafi. I said as much when we signed him and got- pointed a finger- at by the usuals. Pretty quiet these days 😉

Marginal player that rode the coat-tails of the “He’s a World Cup Winner” dialogue.

HighburyLegend

“Mustafi isn’t lacking in confidence”

The only person who should be allowed to say that Mustafi is lacking confidence seriously would be Wenger.

ddkingz

if manure don’t get all 3points today against wolves, we will be 1-2 points ahead of them with a game in hand…. exciting times ahead

Marko

it just seems so bizarre and week – we are allowing our great rivals this advantage.

Literally has nothing to do with us. You’re a pathetic idiot if you think us ranting and raving about Spurs finally moving into their new stadium would accomplish anything

Graham62

Come on Wolves!

Do us a favour.

HighburyLegend

“if manure don’t get all 3points today against wolves”

Considering their actual form…. let’s burn a candle.

Charlie George

marko

they have not got to rant and rave over anything,

they can kindly ask the premier league to enforce their own rules.

We don’t have to be craven. its our club- and the AFC power-brokers can serve our interests- and demand that clearly defined rules are enacted upon.

the rules state- all games must be played at the same venue- during a league campaign.

Why have the bloody rules- if you do not enforce them?.
(like wise FFP and Man City)

Valentin

Games on weekday evening are always less full than on weekend. I know people who are season ticket holders and usually don’t attend those games. They make an effort for big champion’s league game, but Newcastle is not a big draw. Plus if there is any issue on the tube (people sick, idiot pulling the alarm for fun, …), people arrive with 10 to 15 minutes which really shows on TV. Same things people are more likely to leave early on weekday game. If you live outside of London and your journey takes normally 90 minutes, between the extra walk… Read more »

Marko

It’s not in the least bit a concern of ours. In fact we should be happy with the stadium change their record at Wembley is good and it took us a while to feel at home at the Emirates. It’s really not a big deal

Graham62

Lacazette is head and shoulders the fans favourite and it seems his colleagues also love the guy.

He is a defenders worst nightmare. Hassling, snapping at the heels, running down lost causes, making 360 turns look effortless, wearing his heart on his sleeve. Reminds me of Wrighty.

Great to have someone like him in the team. He is the glue for the team to progress.

Our most valuable player as far as I’m concerned and great to see the relationship he has with Auba and AMN and even frigging Mustafi.

Player of the season for me.

Words on a Blog

Pedro

Re the apparent “empty seats” mystery.

There were very, very few empty seats. What happens in the evening matches is that people struggle to get to their seats from work/the pub on time. And just after half time, it’s usually the first 5-10 minutes, when quite a few are queuing then quaffing a pint or two, watching the game on screens, and need more than the 15 minutes of half-time to manage this awesome feat. Wimps.

Valentin

There is a rule in the premiership that states clubs are not allowed to host matches at two different grounds in one season. Spurs got a dispensation on the proviso that they would be in their new stadium by September.

That dispensation is now caduc and should be rescinded. All games to be played at Wembley.

Graham62

Also love the way he hassles the refs if a decision goes against him.

With him fit and raring to go, we stand a chance of achieving our goals for this season

TT

Question is, is it more beneficial to us that they stay at Wembly or is it better they go into totally new stadium to play the last games where they have never played before?

Valentin

@Words,

I agree the stadium was far from empty.
The illusion is that at the beginning of each half, there was less people.
Also if you have been working all day and dashed to the stadium, you are more likely to want a drink, eat some food and use the toilet at half time. Longer queue means less people at the restart of the game as TV show the stands.

Words on a Blog

Valentin,

Yeah, at the moment “empty seats” is a non-issue.

Valentin

Funny how Lacazette seems to have that happy go lucky vibe at Arsenal while he had that difficult, stroppy vibe in the French national team.
He upset Didier Deschamps with his attitude 4 years ago. That is why he lost his place, with Giroud playing very well, he unlikely to get it back in soon. Our gain, as he fresh after the international games.

Leftsidesanch

Think Spuds going to a new stadium may hinder them initially. May take a while to feel like home.

Graham62

Valentin

I agree with your take on weekday matches, nevertheless, we have attracted far too many “visa supporters” over the past twenty years, as well as those who were attracted to the club because it was “sexy”and not because they had a genuine interest in the game.

Just an opinion.

Marko

Spurs record at Wembley this season is 20 games with 13 wins two draws and 5 defeats the defeats were to Liverpool, City, United, Barcelona and Wolves and the draws were us and a league cup game they won on pens. Basically their Wembley form is good they’ve gotten use to the place. The new place could hinder them going into the final stretch.

Words on a Blog

G62,

Yeah, true, the “visa” or tourist supporters are very often the main people haunting the bars after halftime.

Marko

nevertheless, we have attracted far too many “visa supporters” over the past twenty years, as well as those who were attracted to the club because it was “sexy”and not because they had a genuine interest in the game.Just an opinion. Yeah I dunno about that I personally would assume that it’s a home game midweek I’d have expected more of the local lads to get off their arses and actually show up. Blaming visa or blow in fans seems a bit weak. It’s understandable for fans that have to make big long journeys and have work not to show up… Read more »

Dennis Bergkamp

Best possible points finish is 84 (7 games, 21 points)

If Arsenal hit 79 (5 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss) it will be their best points finish since 2007/8.

Emiratesstroller

Graham 62

Sorry but I have to disagree Mustafi is a liability, because of lack of brain and
poor decision making and positional sense. He makes far too many mistakes.

When you have such a player in your team it is going to impact on results and
significantly points.

He cost us a 3 points victory against Spurs, because of the unnecessary push
in the back on Kane in front of referee.

Such poor decisions and mistakes occur far too frequently with this player.

Valentin

There is definitely that show off vibe than at Highbury. People turning up who spend more time doing selfie and instagraming than watching the game. It is even worse at the Club level. I have attended games there because I used to work for a company with a box. Some people were more interested in the food and showing their Rolex than the game itself. At one game, one guy drove me and my wife mad as he spend the entire game on the phone complaining about the food and champagne. At the end, he had to ask his friends… Read more »

Upstate Gooner

Graham
“I actually have a love hate relationship as far as Mustafi is concerned.
His second half Maradona run, culminating in a Johnny Wilkinson attempt at a cross was fudging brilliant.
Auba even enjoyed it. The crowd laughed and cheered Mustafi.”

We were winning, that’s the difference. If we were down a goal, and he pulled this move, he’d be eaten alive by teammates, fans, and the manager… and rightfully so I might add. Mustafi is a liability, simple as that.

Leedsgunner

84 points should be our goal.

TitsMcGee

We were winning, that’s the difference. If we were down a goal, and he pulled this move, he’d be eaten alive by teammates, fans, and the manager… and rightfully so I might add. Mustafi is a liability, simple as that.”

He’s at the heart of a lot of defensive breakdowns.

Upstate Gooner

ES
Completely agree with you about Mustafi.

Pierre

Marko
“Basically their (Tottenham)Wembley form is good”

I wouldn’t call 4 premier league defeats( in 14 games) good ….in fact I would say that is a poor return for a club looking to challenge for the title or champions league..

Arsenal’s one league defeat in 17 is what I would call good but 4 defeats in 14 is rank and that’s why Charlie George is correct in saying that Tottenham should be forced to finish the season at Wembley as they may get an unfair advantage in the run in.

Jim Lahey

“There is definitely that show off vibe than at Highbury. People turning up who spend more time doing selfie and instagraming than watching the game.”

There was no real social media presence when we were in Highbury.

Marko

Descamps is an idiot. I don’t care that he won a world cup anyone could do that with that group of french players but his continuation of Matuidi and particularly Giroud is getting ridiculous. Especially when you consider that it means people like Lacazette and Ben Yedder don’t get call ups players like Lemar, Fekir and Dembele don’t get enough starts and Mbappe has to play out of position at times. Bin the lump last 3 seasons he’s gotten 22 goals all comps just 8 in the league most of them in cup competitions while Lacazette has 69 goals with… Read more »

Danny

Leno passes the ball to Mustafi due to Unai’s “play out the back crap” and I’m like Bernd, please don’t, just don’t, I mean I know you’re both German but still just don’t.

Dissenter

Emery found a way to make Ramsey work…in one season.
Pity that it came too late.
Regardless of whatever you thought of him, we can all agree that he’s a proper professional.

Words on a Blog

Pedro/Guys, there’s a truly excellent analysis of Emery’s coaching approach and it’s impact on Arsenal and Arsenal players done by WyScout in the Telegraph today.

Well worth reading and digesting and discussing

Marko

There was no real social media presence when we were in Highbury.

Agreed. Twitter established in 2006 Facebook in 2004 and Instagram in 2010. Only real men and real supporters went to Highbury

Emiratesstroller

Pierre

I agree that Spurs home form at Wembley is nothing to write home about with
4 defeats. More importantly they have lost 10 EPL games this season, which is
almost one third of games played.

Moreover they have not won a single game in the EPL in the last 5 that they
have played. That is not exactly top four form.

Valentin

I think that your view of the empty seats and tourist/visa fans is coloured by whether you physically attend games and when you started supporting Arsenal. The idea that local people will attend televised weekday games in greater number is a non-starter. Arsenal does not spectacularly reduce price when the expected attendance is low. So unless you can get the season ticket from a friend, colleague or family member, there is not a rush of new people attending. Londoners either already go to games, or can’t afford them or have no interest in attending games. You are more likely to… Read more »

Danny

That is not exactly top four form.
——————————-
They’ve lost 10 league games this season, that’s nearly a third, an absolute embarrassment.

Guns of Hackney

Arsenal beat a pub side 2-0 at home. Let’s relax a little before we start booking those CL tickets.

AMN was headless. Sorry, but I don’t see it.
Kola was clumsy and wank.
Sokratis was manhandled.
Guen was bad.
Ozil did an Ozil.
Ramsay. Another scuffed shot.
Laca. Tiniest legs I’ve seen. Creepy.

Emery now has the same jacket as Arsene…still looks as though he’s been told his winkle needs to be removed.

Meh.

Dissenter

With AMN’s current form, we do not need a right back to challenge Bellerin.
That money can be spent on a center back.

Guns of Hackney

What ruined football?

The fucking footballers!

And women at matches.

Words on a Blog

Guns, we get it, everything is shit, and you’re bored of the world and bored with Arsenal.

Frankly, I find your boredom boring.

Guns of Hackney

Woab

Believe it or not, I am the life and soul of the party at the morgue.

Humour flows through me. The don’t call me the white Richard Pryor for nothing.

Marko

You can’t really blame the price of a ticket either. You know going into the season the price is the price. Why would you be willing to spend it on a home game against United but then decide to stay at home and watch the Newcastle game on the box. Point I’d like to make is yeah I love the club and yeah the fans on the whole aren’t the worst by no means but there’s plenty of room for improvement. You compare that with other clubs like Dortmund for example and that’s real passion that’s real fandom. It goes… Read more »

Valentin

People may disagree with the decision to emphasize defensive stability by Deschamps (and I do), however to call him an idiot is clearly over the top. He won a world cup and that was not entirely due to the players. Deschamps started the world cup without Giroud. France got lucky results despite poor performances. Performances improved when Giroud was reinstated to the start and Dembele dropped. Against teams playing very deep, MBappe speed was wasted. Giroud bring a focal point to France attack and create space for MBappe. Matuidi was going to be on the bench for the last two… Read more »

Marko

Words the first paragraph of that article is good I thought

Redtruth

GOH

Mocking Emery’s appearance would be anti-semitic if he were Jewish.

Redtruth

We also beat a pub team a few weeks ago 2-0 too.

Marko

With AMN’s current form, we do not need a right back to challenge Bellerin.

Nah we still need a RB. We needed a RB before Bellerin’s injury we needed one before and after signing Lichtsteiner and we still need one now. AMN isn’t a RB and being asked to fill the position for how many more months? Nah unless you’re advocating him being our only RB going into next season or giving Lichtsteiner a new deal we need a new RB

Danny

Arsenal beat a pub side
————————–
Our last 7 games are against “pub sides”, so whats your point? If we get top 4, it’s not important?

Danny

Mocking Emery’s appearance would be anti-semitic if he were Jewish.
——————-
Isn’t he?

Valentin

Of course, ticket prices have a huge impact on the people attending the games. The price of a Dortmund season ticket is cheaper than than a single club game ticket of category A. Bar the special gift occasion, People who attend games at Arsenal are mostly affluent or tourist visa fans, not average people. If you have a ticket season, attending or not a weekday game has no influence on how much you paid for it in the first place. So some people out of convenience decide not to attend televised weekday evening games. Some tries to resell it via… Read more »

Receding Hairline

The EPL is made up of about 14 Pub sides

Guns of Hackney

Mocking his jacket makes me anti semetic?

Ummmm…pray tell.

Valentin

We don’t need a RB, as we could promote the U21 Jordan Osei-tutu.
Once Bellerin is back mid season, we can then loan Jordan out for the rest of the season.

We definitely need a left back as we have nobody to promote in that position. Hence the rumours that we are looking for one.

Words on a Blog

Marko,

Damn, the Telegraph article on Emery’s “ tactical revolution” is behind a paywall!

I get one free article a week and am now restricted from viewing it again.

Can anyone her do a copy-and-paste job?

Marko

Yeah I’ve been hearing that focal point nonsense about Giroud for years now. With that generation of players coming through and the quality of some of their attackers are you telling me they couldn’t find any other way of attacking than just lump it up to Giroud? He had zero shots on target the whole tournament and you make a case for him being indispensable to France? I genuinely don’t see it. I think he holds people like Mbappe and Dembele and Lacazette back. I think the manager continuing with him when he barely plays at club level is unfair… Read more »

Marc

Well as every other team chasing top 4 have to play this pub team at home all we can do is beat what’s in front of us.

I should also point out that the other 18 wins and 6 draws are equally responsible for where we are. We shouldn’t count our chickens yet but if you do not enjoy a 12 point reversal over a handful of matches then you are missing a vital point of being a fan.

Words on a Blog

Anyone here

Marc

Me

HighburyLegend

“Arsenal beat a pub side 2-0 at home. Let’s relax a little before we start booking those CL tickets.”

Ah ah ah typical comment from GoH.

Redtruth

“Mocking his jacket makes me anti semetic? ”

And expelled from the Labour party

Marc

Red

Actually that would probably get him a life time honorary membership!

Danny

This is fun:
ttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6877109/Race-Champions-League-best-placed-finish-inside-four.html

Marko

Definitely need a RB. Our options are Bellerin who’s injured, Lichtsteiner who’s dogshit, AMN who’s filling in and Osei Tutu who’s 20 and never played a senior game which is weird at 20. So next season we could start with AMN and Osei Tutu as our options? That’s not good enough. I think they realize that since we’ve been linked with Wan Bissaka and Malcuit and I think I heard Twitter rumors about someone being scouted from the Dutch league. The implication being Dumfries or that Ajax RB Mazraoui

Guns of Hackney

April fools day was yesterday. There are far too many clowns out today.

Redtruth

If Corbyn mocked Emery’s Jacket it would be front page news lol

Dissenter

The people slaying Guendouzi need to dip their heads in ice cold water and relax.
The kid is just about to turn 20 years old on April 14.
He’s a special talent. The ability to control games won’t come until after he’s played lots of games.

azed

I get one free article a week and am now restricted from viewing it again.

Clear the cookies from your browser and you get your free article back.

azed

I get one free article a week and am now restricted from viewing it again.

Never mind, you have to register so clearing cookies would not work.

Dissenter

Guns
“April fools day was yesterday. There are far too many clowns out today.”

You ought to know that you’re the biggest clown around here

Guns of Hackney

Dissenter

Vieria was running our midfield at 20.

Gued has regressed a bit. He seems to have lost his mojo. Maybe he’s tired or maybe he’s been found out.

I do like his effort.

Valentin

Griezman is well known to only play well with a big physical striker who can take the focus off him and let him roam free. Without Giroud, Griezman is not effective because as much as MBappe is deadly going forward, but he can’t play with his back toward goal. Against packed defense he need another outlet to create space for him. This is Giroud’s role. There is a reason why Hazard stated that he enjoyed most playing with Giroud and that he was the best linked up striker. Giroud may not be an elegant player, but he is an efficient… Read more »

Marc

Dissenter

He was also playing in the French 2nd division only a few months ago. I really wonder what people expect sometimes.

HighburyLegend

“You ought to know that you’re the biggest clown around here”

Who says he was joking ?

Valentin
HighburyLegend

“I really wonder what people expect sometimes.”

Arteta in charge next summer ??

Guns of Hackney

I like Steven Gerrard for Arsenal.

Marko

Gued has regressed a bit

Regressed? He’s gone from 19 appearences in Ligue 2 for Lorient to playing 38 times for Arsenal and he isn’t even 20 yet. Signed for 7 million and worth 27 million now apparently. Regressed… you know you don’t have to be a constant idiot around here you can take a day off from looking like an imbecile

Redtruth

Guendouzi had far more influence on the game than the lacklustre Ozil.

Guns of Hackney

Marko

Gued is playing poorly…more poorly than he was, ergo, regressed.

I don’t care that he cost £7m or is now worth £27m. He gets paid to play football and currently he’s doing that simple job, badly.

Marko

Griezman is well known to only play well with a big physical striker who can take the focus off him and let him roam free.

Barcelona should not be interested in him if that’s the case

Redtruth

I thought Geundouzi played well yesterday he kept the midfield ticking and didn’t shirk any challengez

Marko

Giroud may not be an elegant player, but he is an efficient player who bring the best in players around him.

He barely plays with Hazard. I’m not sure that’s relevant. Look if France can’t find another way to play than to continually pick Giroud then going forward they ain’t going to win shit because he’s nearly finished he’s nearly 33 and barely playing. They need to find a way to get Dembele, Lemar, Martial, Lacazette and others more involved and move away from picking players around Giroud

JAMES WOOD

Ozil is playing better because GUEN and

Ramsey are running their socks off.
EITHER OF THOSE TWO NOT PLAYING
and Ozil disappears.