Momentum rolls the way of Arsenal

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courtesy @allthatchas

The OGS gravy train has well and truly derailed.

‘THIS MAN HAS BROUGHT JOY BACK TO THE UNITED CAMP’

I love the continuous hope in the press that United has maybe found a new saviour.

Turns out, it might not be OGS. The little hit of dopamine he brought after Jose Mourinho was fired has dampened, and now he’s just left with a mess of overpaid players who seem to lack any amount of fucks.

I did have a little worry at the start of that epic run that maybe he had the keys to unlock a chained squad. I think the reality has to settle in now that maybe the players over there aren’t as good as everyone thinks.

Anyway, there’s no shame in losing out on a Champions League medal because Lio Messi is a fucking genius, but there has to be some sort of consequence to not making the top 4. I’m not making a prediction either way, because we are just as capable of fucking up the last 5 games as they are… but it looks like momentum is back with Arsenal.

We have a tough game of our own to deal with on Thursday, and not at an ideal time either. So odd that the Prem would work against a UK team and let us play Watford on a Monday.

Still, we kept a clean sheet away from home and a actually won. Hopefully the big game feel that this match will bring will extract the maximum focus from the players that they’ll need if they’re to push us through to a slightly easier semi final… which should be against Valencia.

A big week for us… I’ll catch you in the comments x

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Bamford10

‘I would find many similar posts from the Wenger critics denigrating the Europa cup.’ Right, because it’s all relative. When we were a top four team with a top four squad and money to spend, we rightly expected to challenge for the title occasionally, and we rightly quipped that Wenger would probably reduce us to a Europa Cup caliber team with time. He did just that. Now we are a Europa Cup caliber team and we need to take the opportunity we have in front of us, even if we would prefer to be competing at a higher level and… Read more »

TR7

Well, Liverpool have a great manager in Klopp but the club did invest a lot of money to build the team they have. Poch is a miracle worker though. 3 top 4 finishes in a row and a place in top 4 in the CL with minimal spending.

Bamford10

Pierre

“Tonight’s game is what I would call a no win situation for Emery.”

False. Yes, tonight has more potential downside for Emery than upside, but as long as he gets his selection and formation right, as long as we look well-organized and prepared, and as long as we advance, he will receive justified praise for getting things right in the tie and overseeing our advance to the semis.

Emiratesstroller

Arsenal do need to maximise the potential of their youth programme and not buy constantly “mediocre players”. I made the case over the last two years that the transfer market should only be utilised to bring in players in positions where the club has limited “talent” coming through the system or to buy “special” players. Under Wenger Arsenal’s squad and youth programmes were totally inadequate, because he focussed soley on technically gifted but fairly lightweight players and neglected the fundamentals of building a SOLID team. Obviously in the short term the club will need to invest in the next two… Read more »

Bamford10

At the Emirates, Emery deployed the following XI in a 3-4-1-2: Cech, Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal, AMN, Kolasinac, Ramsey, Torreira, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette.

What changes, if any, would you make or do you expect him to make in Naples?

Rambo Ramsey

Pep shows once again why some call him Fraudiola.

Its all gone downhill for Pep in the CL ever since he parted with Messi.

Bamford10

“Kalidou Koulibaly expresses his desire to win silverware with Napoli & assures they ‘strongly believe’ in the comeback vs. Arsenal.” – @footballitalia

Emiratesstroller

As an addendum to what I have posted above Arsenal need to recruit into the first team squad a goalkeeper to replace Cech. However, Leno can and should be playing in all EPL and European games. None of our competitors pick two first team goalkeepers to play in these games. Martinez may not be a top class goalkeeper, but he is certainly good enough to play as a second string in an emergency or in FA or League Cup games. I don’t think that he is a worse second string option than those playing for our main competitors in EPL.… Read more »

Bamford10

Emery on tonight—

“We know 90 minutes here can be long, but we want to play this match not thinking about the first leg. We want to play thinking to win, thinking to score, thinking to push, thinking to stop them.

They have a lot of players with a big quality to push against us and give us a lot of problems, but we also have the players to fight against them.”

HighburyLegend

@Bamford : they know we are weak away from the Emirates, so of course they are totally right to “believe”.

Emiratesstroller

Bamford 10

We have heard all week the comments of Ancelotti, Koulibaly and others including Italian media on how they are going to beat us on their home turf.

Let us do for once our “talking” on the pitch and not worry about their meaningless commentary. Arsenal need to show the same ambition as Spurs
did yesterday. If we do then we should QUALIFY for semi final.

Let

Bob N16

Bamford…Xhaka for Ozil.

Bamford10

Emirates

I am just capturing some of the relevant dialogue this morning. For context. That is all.

gonsterous

I loved how people wanting arteta were pointing at the success of OGS. That seems to have disappeared after he has managed to get 5 defeats out of the last 7 in all comp.
OGS is the new moyes, only difference, OGS is a man utd man, knows the club inside out, Hope the people calling for Viera to be the next manager is watching this.

Bamford10

Correct me if I’m wrong, but if we score one tonight, they will need to score four to win. Thus it will be interesting to see how “on the front foot” Emery will start us, how attacking or defensive we will be. Will he start both Aubameyang and Lacazette, or only Lacazette? My guess is the latter. 3-4-2-1, with Iwobi and Ramsey the two CAMs, Torreira and Xhaka the two CMs.

No Mustafi, please.

Samesong

Former Arsenal youngster Nico Yennaris has changed his name to Li Ke in a bid to play for China’s national side.

Emiratesstroller

Bamford 10 The only team in Italy that I take seriously is Juventus. Arsenal have a very good track record against Italian teams in European games over many years. The Italians are very good at bragging and self promotion. You need only take a look at how Italian Clubs claim that they can outbid those in EPL in transfer market. The reality is that they seldom do. The last time that Arsenal lost a significant player prior to Ramsey to an Italian Club was Flamini to AC Milan. Both transfers had a similar story i.e. they left at end of… Read more »

Marc

gonsterous

You missed off the fact that OGS got Cardiff relegated. Moyes never managed that one.

Pierre

Bamford
“, but as long as he gets his selection and formation right, as long as we look well-organized and prepared, ”

Let’s hope so…..I don’t think he can go far wrong playing something similar to the first leg with similar personnel

When I say It is a no win situation for Emery tonight, thIs is not a criticism of him,it’s just the reality of the situation

I feel we need to score at least once tonight or it may go to extra time.

TR7

Rambo

‘Pep shows once again why some call him Fraudiola.Its all gone downhill for Pep in the CL ever since he parted with Messi.’

I bet if City had won the game, you would have mocked Pochettino for being a ‘ bottler’, perhaps you will if Spurs fail to win the CL. You miss no opportunity to mock Klopp either. When Pep wins, you attribute the victory to strength of the team he manages and when he loses, you call him a fraud. You can’t have it both ways.

Jamie

I’d have the same squad for this leg, but replace Cech with Leno. Leno always provides and outlet when our defenders are in trouble and tends to find a good short pass to move the ball along. When Cech receives the ball, he almost always lumps it forward and we lose possession.

Possibly Xhaka for Ozil, although I’d probably start with Ozil and hope we can get a 1st half goal before subbing him off.

We really need to do anything and everything to get through tonight. If Mustafi makes the 11, we’re fucked.

Pierre

Of course Ozil will start if the manager has any sense …

HighburyLegend

lol

HighburyLegend

And with the armband, please.

Nelson

Leon is much more mobile than Cech. I remember the 2nd half chance for Napoli. When the ball was centered, Cech watched the ball flew pass him. It was lucky they tapped the ball over the cross bar.
But I think Emery will stick with Cech, though I feel more secure with Leon.

Bob N16

Pierre,
As someone who still recognises Ozil’s moments of class, I would still hesitate starting with him. His contributions when we’re ‘up against it’, as we will no doubt be tonight, have been bordering on the minimal. Could start him but I’d prefer Torreira, Xhaka and Ramsey as our midfield.

Danny

I’m more relaxed about tonight’s match than I was for the Watford one because Emery so wants to win this cup that he”ll pick a decent starting 11 unlike say against Everton…….

Jamie

Pierre –

I thought this was one of those tough away fixtures not suited to Ozil’s style of play.

If he does start, no excuses for an anonymous performance from him, right? He doesn’t need tactical instructions from Emery because he’s such an ‘intelligent footballer’. Looking forward to watching him smash it later.

Nelson

I have a feeling that Auba will be on the bench and Laca will start as the lone striker.

Paulinho

Everton away was supposed to be ‘no problem’ for Ozil, cue him getting hauled off after sixty minutes.

siddharth14

Arsenal have to get and execute the game plan correctly today. Blow up a 2 goal home lead and serious questions, rightly so, will start being raised against Emery. He is already walking a thin margin with our poor away record. It’s now reached a point where we have to walk the talk. These poor away performances cannot be allowed to be swept under the carpet by our probable finish in top 4 or winning the Europa league. However, going by our recent adventures at Bate and Rennes, i fully expect Arsenal to dish out another nervy and lackluster performance.… Read more »

Nelson

I’ll start Iwobi instead of Ozil. Iwobi is so headless, he’ll do his thing regardless of the hostile atmosphere and the performance of the teammates around him. Ozil can only perform when his teammates are performing around him.

Paulinho

Would go with:

——-Sokratis—Koscielny—–Monreal—

-AMN—Ramsey—-Torreira———-Kolasinac

————–Mikhi——Iwobi——-

——————–Lacazette————

Danny

Paulinho
April 18, 2019 11:21:21
———————-
No keeper tonight then!

HighburyLegend

Ozil as our keeper ??

Graham62

Pierre Lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s it compare my diatribe to that of CG. Mine was based on the boredom and predictability of us being ground into the dust by a woeful has been, whereas CG spouts his diatribe without giving the new guy a fair crack of the whip. If you see that as being disrespectful then so be it. Yes, I didn’t enjoy one single aspect of Wenger’s final few years in charge, but I’m now more than prepared to support a manager and a team that are at least trying to rectify matters. As usual you point the finger at… Read more »

Steveyg87

I watched most of the Watford game from behind my couch, it genuinely looked like we were the team with 10 men. One quite obvious observation I did make was that Mustafi was a f**king beast defending all our corners, so much so, that I actually want him to play tonight, crazy, I know. Speaking of Watford, I reckon Hughes would be more than good enough to replace Ramsey, a complete baller IMO

Steveyg87

“I’ll start Iwobi instead of Ozil. Iwobi is so headless, he’ll do his thing regardless of the hostile atmosphere and the performance of the teammates around him. Ozil can only perform when his teammates are performing around him.”

Not a big fan of either, but both will give you at least 1-2 clear cut chances in a game so its a bit of a conundrum. Neither can defend for sh!t so I would play Auba on the left and start Laca

ddkingz

what a loving day to be alive….

spurds scum just defeated oil money citeh… I’m sonfccking happy.. any talk of a shit quadruple has been smashed back to the earth.

pools gonna win the league, and citeh should just take the cup glory this year, though I still wish Watford should find away to defeat them.

CL final prediction:::: pool vs spurds/ajax

just have a feeling pool are going to dump barca out of the cl.

Pierre

The game will be determined by how much of a threat we have going forward.(whoever plays)

If we have no threat up front then Napoli can attack with impunity and that will spell trouble. ..if Napoli are afraid of over committing because of our goal threat it will make it easier for us defensively.

HighburyLegend

ddkingz, please stop acting like if you would be happy to see the Spuds win the CL, thanks.

Graham62

CG Think about this for one second. You want an upgrade on our players, a new and good looking manager, traditional values, a return to competing at the top table and yet you favour the FA Cup over the Europa League. Where’s the logic in that? Do we compete with the best by winning the FA Cup? Do we attract top players? Will we get those top managers you crave for? The answer to all these questions is NO, we won’t. If you want progression, then the Europa League wins hands down. If you want regression, just keep your head… Read more »

Left testicle

——-Sokratis—Koscielny—–Monreal—
-AMN—Xhaka—-Torreira———-Kolasinac——
——–Ramsey——Iwobi——-——
————–Lacazette————

shaun

starting Mikhi——Iwobi is just foolishness both there displays against Watford were horrible …possibly change Xhacka in for Ozil play both auba and Laca bring on Ozil at half time for xhacka and revert to the team that should have finished the game at the emirates ……………….hopefully Mustaffi is still in England or Botswana ANY ANYWHERE NOT NEAR THE ARSENAL TEAM

Chris

Play Iwobi tonight. He can carry the ball forwards very well and Napoli will leave gaps due to their need to attack.

shaun

Damn what kind of thinking is going on here Iwobi is nonsense , if they are going to leave gaps who better than Ozil to exploit and that’s exactly what happened in the first game .I don’t think Napoli will leave gaps for him to float around and dictate the play

Danny

He can carry the ball forwards very well
——————————
Very well?
Robert Pires carried the ball forward very well.
Iwobi does nothing very well, except maybe for partying all night before matches.

HighburyLegend

“hopefully Mustaffi is still in England or Botswana ANY ANYWHERE NOT NEAR THE ARSENAL TEAM”

Ah ah ah!! Of course he will play tonight, a little bit of suspense never hurts!!

Marko

Of course Ozil will start if the manager has any sense …

To be fair he was decent for about 60 minutes in the first leg. But when’s the last time he performed away from home? Old googly eyes doesn’t do away games. Which is funny because he doesn’t look like he’s from this planet

Nelson

Arthur Okonkwo is traveling with the team. Does it mean that Cech is not 100% and we need another backup. Can’t wait to see the lineup.

Globalgunner

Iwobi: Bears drunk on fermented apples have a greater sense of purpose and direction than this waster

gonsterous

Graham Think about this for one second.You want an upgrade on our players, a new and good looking manager, traditional values, a return to competing at the top table and yet you favour the FA Cup over the Europa League. Where’s the logic in that?Do we compete with the best by winning the FA Cup? Do we attract top players? Will we get those top managers you crave for? The answer to all these questions is NO, we won’t.If you want progression, then the Europa League wins hands down. If you want regression, just keep your head buried in the… Read more »

Arsnil

@ Samesong
“Former Arsenal youngster Nico Yennaris has changed his name to Li Ke in a bid to play for China’s national side.”

Should that not read Lychee!!!!!?

Arsnil

Reading with great interest all your comments on the Spuds victory last night and painful as it is I can detect a certain grudging admiration. Could it be that what we see with them is a reflection of how we ourselves were years back, picking up good young players at a song (or should that be Son!!!!) or taking them through their youth ranks. In fairness they are not a bought team like the oiligarths of the Premiership and for that reason alone I am delighted that Man Citeh are gone. However our own ability to buy in really top… Read more »

HighburyLegend

” I can detect a certain grudging admiration”

Speak for yourself, thanks.

Rambo Ramsey

TR7,

You are a specimen. You continously mock our own multiple trophy winning manager yet can’t resist defending others. Especially that loser who hasn’t won a single trophy in his career.

I’m sorry that I can’t get on this ‘Pep is the greatest ever’ bandwagon. There is nothing impressive about winning domestic titles at Bayern or at filthy rich City.

The CL is the real deal and he’s done fvck all ever since he hasnt had Messi to hold hands.

Arsnil

@HighburyLegend
“Speak for yourself, thanks.”
Go back over all the previous posts from many contributors. There are many who express admiration for the way that the Spuds turned Citeh over over two legs. Tough to take surely but admirable none the less. Plain and simple. Credit where credit is due.

ddkingz

if anyone I don’t expect to start this match who played against watford, but later manages to get into the starting XI… it’s gonna be iwobi.

iwobi, for all his flaws, I just think he needs proper coaching and intense training practices.

we practically have no one better at running away with the ball than iwobi… all the coach has to do is to give him strict instructions that’s when he gets closer to the opposition box, he should just raise his head up and pass to teammates in better positions before he starts doing all those headless chicken nutmegs….

ddkingz

the only way we can survive today is if the combination 2 players (iwobi and kola) are at there best and auba should have located his scoring boots he used against Watford…

if the partnership of those player’s aforementioned above doesn’t click together, then AFC is screwed, I just hope ozil, torreira and Ramsey can operate just as they did in the previous leg

Guns of sf

Ozil should really soak in the atmosphere

He is best suited to serie a and hopefully will return there permanently

Nelson

It seems that Pep has developed a habit of losing in the playoff round of the CL and Klopp comes in 2nd on multiple competitions. Would it happen again this year?

gnarleygeorge9

Has tottenham won a trophy? And in a year of St Totteringhams Day celebrations?

gnarleygeorge9

……..oh, they’ve still won nothing!

Samesong

Hopefully the le grove faithful will not destroy this goalkeeper before he has kicked a ball tonight.

Hope the Nigerians are out on force on le grove tonight.

Rambo you might have to take a raincheck tonight.

Danny

As long as Man C stuff The Scum on Saturday then last nights result means nothing especially as Ajax are on fire anywaay.

HighburyLegend

“I am very nervous, to be honest with you.”
Charlie Nicholas about tonight…

lol I think we are all in the same state.

Nelson

MC’s back line was shit yesterday. Starting with Ederson, for the first goal, he lets a weak shot roll under his leg. For the third goal, he initially came out and deflected a corner for another corner. The resulting corner was so close to the goal and he didn’t move. Kompany is now old and slow. He didn’t defend for the third goal. Walker couldn’t stop Son for the first two goals. Laporte is at fault for the first goal. Mendy was shit for the whole game. MC’s midfield and forward played very well. They could score against any team… Read more »

HighburyLegend

Whether City or Tottenshit, you can’t win the CL with a shit defense, it’s a fact.

Dissenter

Mendy has been largely shit since he returned back from injury.
He’s another party not that Guardiola will move on very soon.

Dissenter

*party boy

Dissenter

Kompany missed heading out that cross that led the Spuds third goal
It just shows that even top players quickly lose that little step that sets them apart.

HighburyLegend

Kompany is not a top player anymore.

Chris

Wow why the Iwobi hate.

Where his weakness is is decision making in the final third, but he is very good at running with the ball and one of our better current options to beat defenders one on one.

He would be a good option to start tonight.

Valentin

Ancelotti will try to launch ball over the top for his players to run from the wing behind our defense. Especially running between Monreal and Kolasinac if we play a back 3. In the first leg, Insigne continually went too early, but if he times his run better at least once, then nerves will creep up on the team. To counter that, We need to have a much more aggressive midfield. So I would play a lopsided 4-3-2-1. A back 4 of Mustafi, Sokratis, Koscielny and Mknreal. Torreira, Xhaka, Ramsey as a triangle in the midfield. Iwobi on the left… Read more »

Bob N16

Understand your thinking Valentin, I’m also worried about the space between Monreal and Kolasinac. Feel your suggested line up could isolate Laca and be a little too defensive though.

Accept 4 at the back but with AMN not Mustafi. We played three midfielders across the pitch previously to reasonable effect (United), with Laca PEA and either Ozil or Iwobi up front. Not convincing myself though!

Valentin

I also think that Lacazette could be isolated, but having Ramsey at the top of the triangle to let him run may alleviate that risk.
I am thinking that AMN pace in front of Mustafi, we could still attack on that side, but with the added security that AMN recovery. I don’t trust Mustafi in a back four as CB. On the other hand I want him to help at defending corners and set pieces. However a back three means an extra body as CB running the risk of somebody dropping too deep.

Getting nervous by the minutes.

Tony

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