Well, we dreamed for a few weeks, didn’t we?
Our hopeful bid for top three came crashing down like the career of an MJ wedding singer… deep down, just like with the man in the mirror, we all knew something wasn’t right.
We’ve picked up 2 away wins in 12 games. Huddersfield and Blackpool. We haven’t kept an away clean sheet all season, and we’re the only team carrying that record. This is a giant hangover from the Wenger era and it’s very difficult to work out what to do about it.
Emery certainly didn’t help himself with his team selection. When you’re struggling on the road, starting Mo Elneny and Matteo G at the base of midfield isn’t inspiring or confidence building. He also opted to play Mikhi and Ozil together, something that’s rarely a sure thing. Hard to critique rotation when we’ve seen the impact of doing it badly, but that starting 11 was saw dust on toast levels of tasty.
Nothing really clicked. There was no intensity to our play, we looked very short on ideas and we really struggled with their aggressive pressing which held up all game. One of my pals mentioned that we lacked athleticism, hard to disagree. We simply didn’t look like a force out there, and more worrying, Everton knew we’d be like that.
The only goal of the game was a hodgepodge of calamities. Mustafi let Jagielka take a run on him from a long throw, the exSheffield United defender nodded the ball into the box, it bounced off Sokratis, Mustafi forgot Jagielka was behind him and the loose tap-in was never in doubt.
Emery changed things up in the second half immediately, bringing on Rambo and Auba… losing Kola and Elneny. At kickoff the Welshman mouthed, ‘play it forward, play it forward’, clearly noting the lack of a shot on target in the opening 45.
The second half did see an improvement moving forward, but we fell to pieces in midfield and at the back, allowing Everton to box us in, with no real answers. Thankfully it was just Everton, on another day, they’d have made more out of their 23 attempts on goal.
As for us… it’s hard to know where to look. We go from some truly encouraging performances, and big game wins… to abject, listless poverty football.
Is it the preparation?
Is it a motivation issue?
Is the away form like a festering fungal infection that can only truly be addressed when we have a massive clear out? Those players shouldn’t be struggling with the intensity of Everton. This problem is not technical, it’s all in the mind. It’s obviously disappointing that Emery has managed to make such huge strides for the big games, but can’t suss out a plan for middling teams away from home. Both are essentially problems borne of the same factors, seems odd that as we solve one, we drop off somewhere else.
Part of that might come down to pure experience. Matteo is a talented young player, but to expect him to boss a game next to Elneny is ambitious. Next year though… well, it could be different.
I think we saw again what we’ll miss with Aaron. He might be ill-disciplined at times, but he is an engine of football zest. He’s always pushing the game forward and he seemed to be the only player with any spark yesterday. Replacing him goes far beyond his running stats, we need to find a heartbeat and a big footballing personality.
The manager gambled on resting big players, clearly in the name of preservation. I’m not sure I buy that it was about prioritizing the Europa League (though we might have to now). Laurent, Ramsey and Xhaka were all concerns and the manager rightly erred on the side of caution. However, I do think everyone looked at the lineup and knew we were in trouble.
Now we have a real uphill battle. Everton are the easiest of our away games, we have a rejuvenated Leicester, plus giant killers Wolves and Watford to deal with.
We also have to play a tough quarter-final against Napoli this week. No doubt the game with be high intensity and we’ll need to keep a clean sheet. That won’t happen with Mustafi in the side. The walking mistake seems to have ramped up his desire to give Arsenal fans heart palpitations at least 4 times a gameg. Sokratis also didn’t help himself picking up a two-gamet ban right at the wrong time.
It’s quite incredible how rollercoaster this season has been. It could still be absolutely epic… but it could also end up looking just as miserable as the year before.
… but at least it’ll be interesting.
Onwards and upwards!
Dissenter
But you have never uttered one sentence of criticism- when our previous manager is/was subjected to real hatred. And oodles of it.
How many bad decisions did Wengers Arsenal teams endure?
not one- as far as i can see. Have you said to another poster- “your hatred to Wenger blah, blah, blah)
you are a hypocrite of the highest order.
Graham
Yes. I would say some of our policing is far too lax as are our attitudes to border control and deportation and other things. Stop and search being aborted.
It all starts with the break up of the family and incentivising single parent households. From there you get angry teenagers with no fathers figures who run amok, their slapper mother’s cant and won’t conrtol them, neither will teachers or police. Then you have the current crime epidemic.
DM and Banks are the legends here arent they?
Don
Internet gangsta loooooooooool
Don
Why don’t you ever mention the white paedos in this country???
CG
“But you have never uttered one sentence of criticism- when our previous manager is/was subjected to real hatred. And oodles of it.How many bad decisions did Wengers Arsenal teams endure?”
…oh, I see
Another case of Wenger bereavement syndrome
I thought it was about Arsenal.
CG
I think it comes across in your communications.
It seems you expected miracles after Wenger, even after years of regression.
Emery will be judged seasons end. If he lands us top 4, we should all be happy.
That won’t happen though.
I wanted Wenger to leave
he stayed too long,
I just wanted a better coach than emery- as his replacement
And the truth to be told, So did every contributor on here.
( and every Arsenal fan in the world)
Its hardly a contrarian view- I hold
We definitely have a motivation issue, but the real problem, rightly or wrongly, was prioritising our EL fixture. Everton are not great but they’re not the sort of team you can waltz over with El Guenny.
CG
I enjoy reading your Emery rantings though
Keep them coming
Samesong
Who mentioned anything about paedos? And what about them?
Dissenter
My emery ranting days are over
ill leave that to the others.
my Arsenal antennae- predicts in the next few weeks – if yesterday was anything to go by- there will be plenty of emery rantings forthcoming.
Auba and Laca are both powderpuff. Sorry to say, shite finisher he may be but Giroud used to make way more impact in game than these two.
Rambo
Giroud was better than aubameyang for me. His goal to mins ration was better than Ian Wright also.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rjSztuKnGeU&list=PLu-FLOOm5STPr1apfZyMUZsCnYnp-OSMa&index=3&t=0s
Samesong
There is another video about a detective who lost his house and his children over this. I can’t find it any more but it’s true. He was looking into jersey or guernsey. Can’t remember which but he was ruined over it
Guys, Arsenal blog… keep it football.
Ah Pedro
Can’t we do any topic Mondays?
Guys, Arsenal blog… keep it football.
Pedro now you say keep it football, so your ok with people abusing other peoples faiths?
Why do you keep deleting my posts? I’m not being rude or abusive? I’m agreeing with him
I like you Don, but sometimes just sometimes you go overboard mate!
Anyway have a good day peeps I’m out!
Same
Eh?? How did I go overboard? I’ve agreed with both you and graham. How is that overboard? Because I criticised archaic laws?
I hope the summer clear out we had been dreaming of does happen. We desperately need to rid ourselves of some players,
Samesong, no.
Do you get that vibe from me?
Don
You have to battle your own demons mate, I can’t help you or wish to even debate with you. I’m sure face to face your a very respectable geezer. I think your frustated at the world and need a platform to voice your frustations on le grove. That’s cool with me.
Samesong
Nope you’ve got me all wrong. My life is good personally. I just call it how I see it.
For past 5-8 years, we signed players who were happy to be overpaid to play half assed football. When club traded Sanchez to manure, the club were briefing against him, saying Sanchez was antagonize other players with his work effort, desire to win. Instead of keeping Sanchez, and buying a couple more like him, we got rid of only player in squad with fire in his belly and we are left with middling players who don’t seem to care whether we win or lose because they collect big paycheques regardless of result. MidwestGun was arguing other day that these are… Read more »
I think yesterday comment by a certain poster was bang out of order Pedro! and this has lead to Don going down the warpath.
Charlie G shit and Pitbull shit are watered down compared to some other posters.
I’m not asking for bans btw. However I will speak up!
Samesong
1. I’m not don
2. I’m certainly not on the war path.
Wind your neck in. Do you think homosexuality should be illegal? Me neither.
You are Don! Lol don’t try it mate. I know your writing style.
Pedro
Sometimes it’s refreshing to hear other posters perspectives on life, other than Football related matters.
Surely occasional discussions on other topics, as long as it’s not ott, adds to the spice on Le-grove.
Charlie George, Fair enough, fair points. I don’t think your ban was harsh as Pedro needs to strike a balance between posters like yourself who inflame debate and keep the comments section busy, against pissing too many people off forcing them away. Things did get boring in here without you about and I can only put it down to Stockholm syndrome that I actually did miss your presence despite the fact I do find some of the stuff you post incredibly infuriating! But, if you can keep your criticism objective omitting the negative national stereotyping I will avoid being personally… Read more »
Everton’s goal was NOT a foul throw. They analysed it on MOTD and stated the rules being as long as part of his foot is touching the line it doesn’t matter if the front of his foot is over the line, a bit like the whole of the ball being over the whole of the line to be a goal.
Digne’s heel was touching the line therefore it wasn’t a foul throw.
I’m strangely optimistic about our CL chances after a detailed briefing with Mary Jane.
We gotta get over this away hoodoo asap.
Pedro gets no love :…..( gone are the days of rampant Pedrophilia
Pedro, no one is questioning your quality work with LG nor did I ask you ” Pedro, do you hate Muslims” I asked you what your thoughts were about a poster coming on LG, and posting that rubbish. Check the comments from yesterday if you haven’t already. Perhaps a more proactive step would be to add this number 6 to the “Rules”: We started this site for Arsenal fans fed up with abuse they got from other blogs, we were determined to have a site where you can have an opinion, not get one. 1) If you don’t agree with… Read more »
sorry number 5 not 6
Non stop anti british vibes here and it’s ok
No mate I am british.
Oh no
The sjw’s are whining again.
I for one – would like to see PedRo to leave that advertising circus behind.
That is not a proper job for a man of his abilities and resourcefulness.
We need PedRo on the Arsenal payroll
– liaising with the board and being a conduit to the fans.
Have we got that type of department.??
I know Liverpool have something akin to this.
Our PR department is nonexistent. And a disgrace.
PedRo – can I be so bold- you put it to the club.( your services)
You certainly would advised them against the Emery appointment- I am sure.
Is it Fight Club or something ??
I for one – would like to see PedRo to leave that advertising circus behind.
erm you going to pay his bills?
Perhaps this is a hangover from Wenger or perhaps that’s a ship that has FUCKING SAILED. Stop blaming Arsene for this clusterfuck. Too easy. How come managers come and go at other clubs and work with the same players and get results? And before you idiots jump in with the “AKB” garbage…no. I was and still am an Arsene out chap. But, enough is enough…if emery (a professional and highly paid football manager) can’t shake the past and implement even basic football principles, then fuck him. Our defence is utter pants. Emery bought Leno, Lichsteiner, Sokratis, Torrier and Guedenzi to… Read more »
Same
English isn’t a race.
G of H
Right on the money…
“I for one – would like to see PedRo to leave that advertising circus behind. We need PedRo on the Arsenal payroll – liaising with the board and being a conduit to the fans.”
If CG carries on with his lunacy we may need to set up Crowd Funding to pay for his padded cell.
We currently have about the 6th strongest squad in the league and we’re trying to finish 4th. This is possible but very difficult. __________ Still agree with Alexander Henry here.. What our away form exposes is the fact we don’t have a talented enough defensive group of players. In order for us to be effective even at home we have to play 3 cb’s and 2 defensive minded holding midfielders and with wingbacks essentially we have 7 defensive players at times. This renders our attack useless as we have a hole in the center of the park. Asking Ozil to… Read more »
This is from theshortfuse:” It was a day to forget for Sead Kolasinac. Uncharacteristically, he provided little going forward, and Everton’s goal falls mostly on him. Off a long throw and a flick, the ball came to him inside the Arsenal six yard box. His reaction touch put the ball back across the face, straight to Phil Jagielka, who he had initially kept onside.”
Eh was it something I said then?
When are you lot gonna get it?
Arsenal are finished, a perma 4th-6th place club for the foreseeable.
Glory days aren’t coming back any time soon
Our set-up is a disgrace right now
Our only meaningful box-to-box central midfielder is on his way out and there is no one in the squad currently that can deputize for him.
How did we get to this point?
Don “isn’t Don” like Don “gets free holidays on his Amex.”
Change your name again. Start over.
How did we get to this point?
———
My opinion is bad upper management which used to be Gazidis and Wenger and now the current crew… which is hard to tell who is in charge of what… and we still searching for DOF . And a chaotic transition which resulted in us increasing our payroll but not our talent level .. and a lack of spending in the proper areas for many years.
Dissenter
We offered Rambo a contact and he stalled on it. We pulled it. Guess it was not enough $$ for his liking
Anyhow, hopefully we can make top 4, used the $ and get a quality b2b
We kept buying the sizzle…. Ozil, Auba, Miki, Lacazette .. and not the steak. A proper foundation to build on.
Dissenter
As your in the states what the current mood over the Nipsey Hustle shooting? If you know about it?
We agree Dissenter on something.
We are in a total mess.
The club should be imploring Ramsey to stay
By Whatever means necessary
How do you replace the goals he scored?
The energy he exhibits?
The Midas Touch he possesses ?
We have so many areas where we need to upgrade the team …
Why are we doing this self-harm- with regards to Ramsey…
What with more Emery next year/more potential Europa and the introduction of that abomination VAR..
What youngsters are going to be attending Arsenal matches in the future ?
Samesong
It was gang related it seems
Someone in his crew took him out over a personal issue that wasn’t sanctioned by the hierarchy.
TRhey caught the bugger quickly because of CCTV and the gand ratted him out.
The killing led to a truce among all them douchebag gang members in LA
CG
That ship has sailed, the horses have left the stable and wont be coming back home.
Ramsey is gone.
I am glad he’s been a professional until the very end. I do hope we make the final of the Europa league and Ramsey gets to lift that trophy in Baku 🙂
CG
Ramsey been here for 10 years…. let him go man.
Guns of sf.
“”””We offered Rambo a contact and he stalled on it. We pulled it. Guess it was not enough $$ for his liking””””
That is called a negotiation.
And we negotiated negligently.
We lose a top player for nothing
How much to fund his replacement?
Why do fans – defend the indefensible…
It was shocking from Arsenal to pull his contract. The worst decision- Arsenal have ever made in their illustrious history.
Is this Arsenals new negotiation strategy.?
How are we ever going to sell a player for profit- if we act so ineptly.
Omg, there is something that I will agree with both GoH and CG on. Who the fudge, in their right mind, would make Mesut Ozil captain of a professional football team? (Any football team for that matter). Does he inspire? Does he lead by example? Does he motivate and encourage? Does he show true leadership qualities? Does he think of others before himself? Does he wear the badge with honour and pride? Does he truly give a shite? Of course the answer to each and everyone of these questions is a clear and definite NO. So why then would you… Read more »
CG,
VAR will be great and is a very long time coming.
It will eradicate the abysmal officiating and can’t come quick enough in my opinion.
The worst decision- Arsenal have ever made in their illustrious history.
________
Nope worst decision is to not buy any outfield players other then Elneny in an entire summer transfer window. Or to bring in Kimmy K in a January window when we needed a striker and we had a real chance to win the League in second place.. And there are countless others much worse.
Let RVP go to Man U. also comes to mind. Pretty bad decision.. I would say.
Mid how you doing bro?
Jamie you bell end
I get 12 days and free long haul flights if I spend £120k per year on it.
I’ll eat that up. I’ll at least double that. And when I do I’ll be posting from my free beach holdiay at whatever destination I decide on directly to you. Every single day. I can’t wait; counting the days….
Don
That’s the don the funny one.
Mid west
We got 29 mill for him.
We are getting £0 for Ramsey.
It is the worst decision in the history of the club. ( Ramsey contract withdrawal).
Get used to more Elnenys ..
Un na
You spend 120k yearly on a credit card?
Aren’t there better ways to fund a business?
Samesong-
I’m good man. Was hoping the Arsenal would lift me out of some real life doldrums but it isn’t working out that way.
Pedro you haven’t either read the comments section yesterday or you don’t deem it as a biggie. Either way it’s damn shame it’s come to this.
RVP helped Man U win the League dude.. Ramsey is going to Italy. no comparison.
I have refrained from commenting on yesterday’s result until now. However, when I saw the team selection I was not frankly surprised with the result. The idea of playing Guendouzi, Elneny, Ozil and Mkhitaryan hardly inspired me with confidence. Elneny is a one paced backward and square passing player. Guendouzi for all his energy makes a lot of mistakes, Mkhitaryan was a makeweight player who has had a couple of decent games, but is not top class and Ozil does not enjoy this type of game. We know also the limitations of our defence. I repeat what I have said… Read more »
“We got 29 mill for him….We are getting £0 for Ramsey.’
Charlie George has a point there
However the mistake was committed by letting him go beyond the Summer transfer deadline without selling him off.
Not extending his deal was a lesser error- it all depends on what he was asking for. No one knows for sure whether Ramsey was just leading them on all along.
Not selling Sanchez for 50-60 million to city was a bigger error than the Ramsey one.
City has the deal ready, player had accepted it and had gone as far as flying a medical team to Santiago Chile to do the medicals
…until Wenger changes his mind and put up a silly stipulation that he wouldn’t be sold until a replacement was found.
Then we made the fantastical 92 million offer to sign Lemar from Monaco knowing fully well that there was no time for such a big deal to come to fruition.
Arsenal’s worst decision was probably to move from Highbury. In the context of what has happened since, one can draw a straight line from when we stopped being a football club and became a ‘business’.
Leaving Highbury was more symbolic than I think we realised. A beautiful old stadia with decades of history to a soulless glass pit.
Forget players. They come and go…but to leave a stadium is massive and even worse when one doesn’t build from the increased millions that it brings in.
Arsenal are pathetic and quite frankly are getting their just deserts.
Anytime anyone uses hyperbole … this is the greatest whatever in the history … you pretty much know it’s not true… especially when that person uses hyperbole on the regular.. It’s like when Trump said he has gotten more done in his first term in the history of any president or when Charlie George said Wenger was the greatest talent finder in the history of the world. I pretty much immediately discount anything after that even if their point has a small amount of truth it ruins the point.
Don,
Just keep telling yourself that reading Daily Mail articles about another country is basically as good as going there and seeing it for yourself.
You can keep your cardboard cutout Amex card and its make-believe points to fool your dimwitted pals down the pub. They’ll probably wonder why you’re still cruising around in your shitty white van though. Have fun in Blackpool this summer, mate.
Although It’s pretty clear I’m the most reasonable commenter in the history of Le Grove. 😀
Mid
Yep 😀
Where’s CC these days?
Graham62
“Arsenal’s worst decision was probably to move from Highbury. In the context of what has happened since, one can draw a straight line from when we stopped being a football club and became a ‘business’.
That’s like saying mankind would be better off had the wheel not being invented.
It’s not everyday you say something to rival Charlie George
Dissenter
We have credit accounts but if we pay for goods and materials with Amex then pay it off on receipt of payment from clients within 51 days then what’s the difference? Except I get great rewards with American Express. Is there a downside to this I’m not getting?
Same-
I don’t know… maybe he got tired of all the combative stuff.. although he does enjoy it. Always good to take a break now and again. Otherwise you just start getting stuck in a vicious cycle. I had to do the same with Keyser back in the day… it got to be silly and I kind of liked the old crazy geezer.
Jamie you bellend.
Wipe the pink hair dye out of your eyes and read my comment. I’m going to be terrorising you from my free holdiay next year boy. Every day. Like clockwork. Belee DAT!!!
We haven’t decided on what spa and which destination. But when we do I’ll be sure to post a link to the resort.
Dissenter
Who said that, not me.
Oh, I see, was it CG?
Graham 62
The mistake was mine
It had to be Guns of Hackney, I guess his brain is on a hackney license
“Moving from Highbury is essential if we want to compete with the big boys”
A quote from you know who.
In 2006 we were competing consistently. Infact, we were #2 in Europe.
Unfortunately, it all went tits up and we all know why.
CG We pulled the deal because Rambo was stalling on it. my guess is that we gave him a deadline and they kept waffling, as his agent shopped him around. Certainly not the best way to stay at Arsenal- and surely a lack of good faith Well, it is that it is. I for one, think that he has been a stellar pro, knowing he is out the door very soon. Perhaps the love and support is what is driving him? He broke his leg for us- didnt jump out of that tackle with the neanderthal and became a fan… Read more »
I fear that Koz and Mustafi will not take us over the line. They both need leaders playing next to them and Koz is not a leader.
Can we afford anymore slips ups??
To be entirely honest, if we are shitting ourselves about Leicester, Wolves and Watford away, what good is the Top4/CL anyway? We will get it handed to us; I mean I get the Spurs/United/Chelsea banter, and I get the money, but in a sporting context, it’s a joke …
Guns of Sf
Emery pulled the contract for the sole reason- he wanted different players.
( Spanish journeyman) .
It was nothing to do with finance. Or wages
We sanctioned:
Elneny/Lichstiener/Monreal contracts. ( so it cant be money)
Emery In his job interview with Gazidas – stated that Ramsey and Ozil were going to be pivotal in his team building plans.
He lied.
And rightly – it will cost him his job.
It certainly cost him the goodwill of some of the fanbase ( me)
CG
“Elneny/Lichstiener/Monreal contracts. ( so it cant be money)Emery In his job interview with Gazidas – stated that Ramsey and Ozil were going to be pivotal in his team building plans.He lied.”
You’re lurching again
Have you considered that maybe that decision was taken above the manager’s head, like it ought to be.
Charlie GeorgeApril 8, 2019 18:48:24 Guns of Sf Emery pulled the contract for the sole reason- he wanted different players. ( Spanish journeyman) . It was nothing to do with finance. Or wages We sanctioned: Elneny/Lichstiener/Monreal contracts. ( so it cant be money) Emery In his job interview with Gazidas – stated that Ramsey and Ozil were going to be pivotal in his team building plans. He lied. And rightly – it will cost him his job. It certainly cost him the goodwill of some of the fanbase ( me) >>>>> Total bollocks. It wasn’t Emery who pulled the contract,… Read more »
Come on The Irons
CG Our financials this year are piss poor. Look at the last transfer window. We have been doomed by mega contracts for shit players. Ozil realization I think really hit home after the new team began to realize how hampered we are. If Rambo didnt find his proposed raise adequate, then I think the team did what was best for Arsenal FC Perhaps Rambo wants a new challenge… ever considered that? Its his last big payday and his agent milked Juve for $$ more power to him. Now its a matter of ridding Ozil and his 3-4 good player p/w… Read more »
Besides miss a sitter what else did Ramsey do ?
Dissenter
“You’re lurching again
Have you considered that maybe that decision was taken above the manager’s head, like it ought to be.”
Dissenter, you have already been correctly outed earlier as a complete hypocrite and now you are going into the realms of jackanory to defend your” Lord “Emery.
The worst decision Arsenal made was not getting rid of the specialist in failure back in 2009.
Un r u recording ‘Idiot abroad’?
U r right about credit card. We pay for all with CC and always pay the balance on time and get 1-4% cash back on everything, its also good for credit score.