via @Arsenal Instagram
I don’t know about you, but it just hit me hard that the Premier League season is nearly over.
What an unbelievable race it’s been.
Imagine being Liverpool and not winning the league with a points total as high as they are likely to go.
The greatest ever second placed finish of all time? Not an accolade Klopp or the Liverpool fans will relish. You never know, but it’s not looking good for them.
… but, hand it to Pep G. He’s the greatest. So many people want him to fail, but he, along with the MIGHTY Arteta are creating a brand of football that is once in a generation type stuff.
The issue the rest of the league has is that the football they deliver, at core, is about incredible coaching. They are spectacular on the ball, they are even better off it, then factor in that they are also the richest in the league… it’s simply not fair.
The Premier League can no longer be snarked at. Not only has it been the best league on the planet for years from an entertainment perspective, now it’s climbing up to the top from a technical viewpoint. More and more of the best players are slinking over here, and we’re making the other leagues look seriously weak. All Spain had was Ronaldo vs Messi.
That makes me very happy.
As a carry over from the argument I pitted against Emery yesterday, I do want to double down on some of the things I like about the manager, because those haven’t changed.
#1 He’s a fans manager
I genuinely think that he manages for the fans. I think he’s a acutely aware of the misery that we’ve been through over the past 10 years and I think he’s trying to give us something to smile about. Hard to say that about someone like Mourinho. I think Emery struggles a little bit to deliver what we truly want, but his focus always seems to be on getting the fans onside. I like that. I also like that he’s a fan on the touchline. His resting face is all of us sitting in the stands or at home.
#2 The man will pivot
I honestly thought that we were heading into Wenger MKII when the manager dropped his two best players to the bench. I couldn’t fathom that he might change his mind. To be fair to him, he’s done that a lot this season. The start of the year was marked by halftime changes in every game, which grew to look like indecision, but it was still a breath of fresh air. The latter half of the season saw him suck up a big chunk of his own pride as he reintegrated Ozil and Ramsey to great effect. A lot of people say this was his masterplan, I can assure that this damaging approach is never anyone’s masterplan. He dropped Aaron because he didn’t fancy him. He made a decision on him too early and he wanted rid. I think part of this decision making was down to not understanding the rigour of the league, but whatever, he brought him back. The Ozil fallout was even crazier, the player was literally trolling him online… but he brought him back. Say what you will about the German, he certainly bring flair to this squad. Say what you will about Emery, results come first.
#3 We’re a bit of a mystery
He’s a good tactician. Not a great one. But he’s certainly brought back an air of mystery to proceedings. He’s doing the basics, he’s looking at the opposition, he’s testing ideas, and he’s looking at the tools he has available and mostly using them correctly.
He’s still not perfect. I think his early season use of the squad left a lot to be desired. When I went to see us play Huddersfield at Christmas, we looked utterly one paced. I’d never seen a game so slow. Part of that is just not understanding the league. Pep and Klopp made the same mistake when they arrived here, both realised you can’t play the pressing game in the league because there are too many games and no winter break to speak of.
I also think some of his selections have been baffling. It’s like he sometimes picks his sides based on league position, versus the reality of the side. If you’re at PSG, a team in 10th is shite and you’ll steam them. In the Premier League, every team in the top 14 can beat you if you give them a disrespectful starting 11. Everton was the warning shot, and we could all see that coming. Palace was simply unforgivable considering the power, pace and giant killing power those boys have.
However, you have to say that we’re a force against big teams. We didn’t allow Napoli to score against us over 180 minutes. We’ve taken scalps against top 6 sides. We’ve competed in every one of those games bar the Liverpool one at Christmas. Whatever you think about the man, he has the players believing in the big moments, not something Wenger managed in his last ten years.
We’ve also clocked a lot of points in a dreary transition season. Year two, you’d hope the improvements would really bed in and we see true Emeryball.
I’ll land where I usually land. I think Emery is a transition manager. If he can get us into the Champions League, the selection has been a huge success. I don’t care about points accrued. It’s all about where we finish.
The big challenge we have as a club is what to do with that £45m investment. There is some serious wheeler-dealing to do and I don’t trust Raul and Emery to do it. We could really do with Paul Mitchel or a Luis Campos, otherwise this is going to be the blind leading the blind. Denis Suarez and Malcolm is where the thinking will be.
Right, that’s me done. BIG love to you all, see you in the comments.
P.S. SPURS CHOKED AGAIN. Right back in our hands. I am now convinced tomorrow will be an embarrassing loss to a Vardy Pardy, but let’s enjoy a day of laughing at Spurs.
Arsenal losing 3-2 to Spurs at the Emirates after being 2-0 up at half-time was a bleak period in Arsrnal’s history under Wenger.
“Paddy V came from Samesong’s school of thought regarding lube, used to drench the front of his jersey in it before games.”
Loooool peeing myself.
Do these Poch people realize that Harry Redknapp also qualified for the CL too.
Poch is a good manager no doubt but he has benefited from workin a with a ruthless CEO who got better a his job
if we win the EL it is mission accomplished.
If we finish top four it is mission accomplished.
Do both and it’s undeniably a hugely successful season and arguably Arsenal’s best since the last title win.
Well said Marc.
Klopp finished 8th yet CC was trying to change history.
It was quite embarrassing really.
Imagine not going through in a CL tie after having won the first leg 4-0 lol.
Hahahaha good one. Eagle.
Poch the flop will never be top.
Another sad day in Arsenal’s history was Wenger leading Arsenal to six straight league games without beating Spurs the longest run in the Clubs history.
benny The reason CC got fucked off was because he kept lying and kept being found out even when the facts were put to him first. Klopp joined halfway through the season – no he didn’t he joined in October. Klopp joined in November – no he didn’t he joined in October and managed their 9th match. Klopp only took over after their 9th match – no he didn’t he took over after their 8th match etc etc. I mean if he’d had said I like Klopp and wished we’d got him – fine OK no argument but it’s this… Read more »
Losing at home to west ham, what a loser.
Thomas
Thomas
Imagine leading 3-0 in a Champions league Final and losing. lol
WE
And all these years I thought it was Vicks Vaporub.
I reckon Roy Keane would’ve shit himself if he’d known the truth!
Imagine being 4 nil up away to Newcastle and drawing 4 – 4.
Imagine losing 5 – 1 twice in both legs of a CL tie.
What an embarrassment.
We cannot win a game at the moment T.J. save our lives
The current form is relegation level.. We have to snap out of it really quick because we are fully capable of winning the remaining games just as we can easily lose them.
Benny
“Klopp finished 8th yet CC was trying to change history.”
Not really a fair comparison as Klopp came in after club sacked Rodgers into October with them well back in table. Not to mention he then took them to the Europa league final only to loose to cup man Emery’s Sevilla. Point being the league was well and gone when Jurgen took over.
Marc Talk for yourself I don’t want emery to fail but i call it how I see it. I wouldn’t even call our current status failure due to current ownership. Emery doesn’t stand a chance. If you couldn’t take that PSG team to a champions league final then you aren’t going to do well at a club like ours run by our owner with £45m He could do better than he is in some ways In other ways he’s exceeded my expectations. How many times do I have to say the same thing for it to sink in? I don’t… Read more »
Marc,
Yes, I think CC was on acid or something.
Marc covered it nicely I see, sorry for doubling up.
Imagine losing 5 – 1 twice in both legs of a CL tie. What an embarrassment.
Benny yes it was an embarrassment
Bit leak heading up a Palestinian March when you’re a middle class white boy from the west countries. 🤢🤢🤢
Salpar,
What’s not a fair comparison?
I’m not comparing anything, I’m merely stating the fact that Klopp finished 8th in his first season at Liverpool, not 4th like CC was imagining.
Ancelotti Champions league Quarter-Final
1st leg: Milan 4 Deportivo 1
2nd leg: Deportivo 4 Milan 0
Benny
I didn’t see CC comments, just stating Klopps opening season in league is useless to use as barometer based on finishing position alone.
Samesong’s stumbling unto the “blog of lube “ reminds me of the fortuitous discovery of penicillin on a mouldy Petri dish by Alexandar Fleming.
“Blog of lube” aptly captures the spirit around here.
sal They’d played 8 matches and had 12 points including playing away at Arsenal and ManU, I have no idea what the table was at the time but at worst they would’ve been 12 points off the lead. To say the league was gone is daft, Klopp’s first match was on October 15th and there was still 90 points to play for. I have no issue with the concept of it takes a manager a few seasons to get a team into the shape he wants as long as that applied to Emery as well. Currently Klopp = 4th season… Read more »
Un nai,
What a weird comparison.
I’m not muddle class either, I’m working class from a working class family of factory workers and labourers.
Fuck knows where you’re getting middle class from.
And as for Palestine, I’ve only ever been on 1 March in my whole life, Syria however I’ve been on loads.
Un Na naai
When was the last time the great Guardiola took a team to a Champions league Final.
Benny
I think you missed what CC was saying about that first Klopp season.
He was making the point that it was a partial season and that the first full season was the fairer metric.
Un nai,
And what’s my skin colour got to do with whether or not I support a terrorised state having their land stolen from criminals?
Un na na is ok… I genuinely feel like he wants us to win.. I mean he gets going on a wind up occasionally and is overly proud of himself.. but aren’t we all? lol
Why aren’t we bidding for the likes of Tiellesman.
We don’t have a proper offensive midfielder
Ha going to rip us into bits tomorrow
So if we are comparing then the four best managers to ever grace the premier league we’re SAF Wenger Jose Pep Neither emery, nor klopp not Poch gets into that category. Emery has never won a title in a major league He’s never finished runner up in major league He’s never even been to a champions league final. Wenger got a team of kids and misfits the to champions league final setting a recaird that still stands today 13 years later. As does his 49 games unbeaten record Unparalleled A new team wins the champions league every single season There… Read more »
Un But again you’re avoiding the truth and facts – “I wouldn’t even call our current status failure due to current ownership” we had the 3rd highest net spend and outspent Madrid after 2010 – and that’s from Pedro. Are their major issues at Arsenal – fuck me yes but they are not that we haven’t spent enough money and you can’t expect any manager to fix the problems on the pitch in just a few months. Have you seen Charlie Wilson’s War? I try to take the view of the Zen master in the tale by Hoffman’s CIA character… Read more »
Benny
Sorry what? I think you meant terrorist state
I’ll chalk that down as typo
🇮🇱 🇬🇧 🇮🇱
Yep, there’s no beating the invincibles that’s for sure, just a shame they never once retained a title or won a single European trophy.
Rt
I’m talking managers in the premier league. As Pedro says I route for city to fail. Not because they are good but beacuse they’re a crass oil club. I route for pep to dial because he’s been given tools of the highest calibration to succeed. More than any individual in world football history.
But he’s a great coach and gets his team playing beautiful football. You can’t take that away from him.
“I think you missed what CC was saying about that first Klopp season. He was making the point that it was a partial season and that the first full season was the fairer metric.” And that is the problem – of course Klopp was better after having 7 odd months with the players. He had a clearer idea of what he needed to do – Emery’s had one summer and to my view had a limited input on who we bought. It’s not fair to judge Emery on Klopp’s “first full season”. There cannot be a straight comparison because of… Read more »
Un nai,
Correct, Israel are indeed a terrorist state. Stealing land and bulldozing territories that don’t belong to them that violates International law and dropping bombs on civilians and sniping children from behind a fence is the very defi of a terrorist state.
I’m glad you recognise this.
Benny
Ifs buts and bla bla bla
Just a shame the great Barca Chelsea and city sides couldn’t go unbeaten.
United 99 and arsenal 04 stand at the pinnacle of premier league sides. Enshrined in legend.
The rest are pretenders to such an elevated status.
Wenger has never won a European trophy
Emery has won 3 European trophies.
Wenger’s 3 League titles in 22 years with Arsenal is SHIT.
Can we not get into the politics of the middle east.
I don’t think the Le Grove comments page can sort over a thousand years worth of hate on a Saturday evening.
If it were to do I get a bit of the Nobel Peace Prize money?
Benny
No you said that Palestine are a terrorised state.
They’re a terrorist state. They don’t want a two state solution. They want to eradicate Jews from the earth. The Jews just want to live in their homeland in peace.
And here it goes.
Plenty of clubs around the World have gone an entire season undefeated.
Benfica went undefeated and came SECOND lol
Marc
Jury is out. As I’ve said before, I’d be ecstatic to see ya win the league again, under emery or anyone. I’m just not that impressed so far. That opinion isn’t based on anything hit our performances this season. He’s doing ok.
Marc
Jury is out. As I’ve said before, I’d be ecstatic to see us win the league again, under emery or anyone. I’m just not that impressed so far. That opinion isn’t based on anything hit our performances this season. He’s doing ok.
Marc Daft… bit harsh no? You and I both know a manager coming in at that stage and competing in this league would be miracle working. Klopp had no window to work with, didn’t bring in players like Unai did and had the preseason to assess. Making the final in Europe was class and a decent marker of what was to come. I think Emery’s faired decently this season, I was thrilled to see a side not helmed by Wenger but as I’ve always asserted I’d hoped for more and never really rated him to take over. Happy to be… Read more »
I’ll leave the Middle East conflict there
So go on Benny
Have your say.
I won’t respond to it though.
Un
What qualifies as OK, better than OK and what a steaming pile of shit? In your opinion of course!
The last two results were a steaming pile of shit but can’t be used to quantify a whole season.
Un
Why bait him? – That’s what fucks me off about you and a few others, this I’m taking the moral high ground when you’re doing nothing of the sort.
sal
Daft = harsh – bloody hell mate you need to thicken that skin up – I am kidding there I don’t do the emoji stuff but really. My point is no one expected miracles from Klopp straight away and it’s taken him 4 season to make a challenge.
Why isn’t the same criteria applied to Emery?
I should also point out that the summer of 2015 is when Liverpool bought Milner and Firmino amongst others.
Un nai, Whatever you say. Who’s got the biggest army in the middle east and one of the biggest in the world, Israel or Palestine? Who steals land from the other killing civilians and violating international law, Israel or Palestine? Which country didn’t even exist until 1948 until the British empire handed it over to the Nazi Zionists after it was taken from the Ottoman empire after the 2nd world war, Israel or Palestine? There’s only one terrorist state in the middle east and that’s the Nazi Zionist illegal war crimes state of Israel that has not only stolen practically… Read more »
“”” The only people I put into a group are CG, CC, Pierre and Un who all want Emery to fail””””
I can, only speak for myself.
It’s not – that I want him to fail…
Its because- I know he will fail.
How I do know this?
It’s because he ALWAYS fails ( and gets sacked)
He has the air of the man who would contrive to lose a winning lottery ticket in an empty elevator..
He is the perfect fit to be the spurs manager….not us.
We are better,than Emery….
Marc I’ve said I’ll leave it there didn’t I? How’s that taking the moral high ground? To me it looks more like agreeing to your request of not continuing. Onto your other comment What qualifies as ok is Europa league and top 6/5 What qualifies is shit is less than that Anything better than that is good I don’t expect much more than this from emery. He gives false hope just like wenger did only to throw it down the toilet just as you start to assign some belief to his methods Maybe next season will be different. Maybe we… Read more »
benny
You need to ease up there – I personally find the idea of calling Jews Nazi’s offensive.
And no I’m not Jewish. This really isn’t the place for this argument.
Israel are the terrorists and it’s no surprise a white supremist Nazi like you supports them.
There’s an oxymoron if ever there were
A Jew loving Nazi. Hahahahaha
Benny Benny Benny. I could do easliy dismantle your feeble attempts at world history but I’ll let you have your say.
Remember who runs the world though
🇮🇱 🇬🇧 🇺🇸
Un
Firstly you said I’ll leave it here and then baited him. What ever your side of the argument it’s one that’s emotionally highly charged and was always going to get a response. I’m just saying wrong place for that conversation.
The second part of your comment is a bit blurry – I was looking for something more quantitative.
“Klopp finished 8th yet CC was trying to change history.“ What are you on about? Try keeping up with what’s written. Dissenter managed to follow matters and he wasn’t present, what’s your excuse? I rejected the comparison between this season of Emery’s and Klopp finishing 8th. Klopp didn’t get a pre-season, any transfers, or to manager the first 8 games of the league campaign. In what world is that a passable comparison? The first full season Klopp had with all the offerings Emery got he finished 4th on 75/76 points (I don’t remember). This is precisely what I mean about… Read more »
Un
Thought you said you’d leave it.
Was sort of my whole point, it’s a can of worms.
Marc
How so?
If he achieves top 4 with the odd quarter final regularly or more then I think he’ll have over achieved considering the financial climate of the game.
I don’t think we are on a level playing field with the clubs around us. Except for spurs. Who have a manger that can work miracles on a tight budget.
“There cannot be a straight comparison because of the time frames they joined but to try and discredit Emery by stating Klopp hit 76 points in his first season is lies, damned lies and statistics.“
Oh is that so Marc?
Well given I was arguing a post from Woab who stated Emery was bettering Klopp first season as he finished 8th….
Is that not discrediting Klopp or misleading fact to prop up Emery? Seems you’re operating on just the most obvious double standard going.
Marc
I’ve left it. But the fella can’t get away with a moronic statement like that.
So bad even you had to call him on it.
CC
And your not guilty of moving the goalposts to suit your agenda or being more than a little loose with the facts.
You started an argument trying to move the facts got caught and didn’t like it. To use your own method it’s not fair to judge Emery on Klopp’s first full season (as you’d have it) as he’d had more than a pre season to get to know his players.
CC
The general accepted fact is that Klopp’s first season was 15/16. If you want to make an argument that isn’t fair because Klopp missed pre season and didn’t have input into the summer transfer window (I’m not sure that Emery had much to be honest) then fine but you tried to move it to the following season – that’s an even bigger distortion.
You keep claiming that I don’t’ keep up with the argument well that’s because you go round in circles to often.
Do you think it’s fair to compare this season for Emery to Klopp’s 16/17 season?
Marc
Let’s reverse your question
What do you consider success for emery? What’s good? What’s ok? What’s not? Be specific
If I was interested in the Golan Heights I sure a fuck wouldn’t be trolling an Arsenal site.
Marc You patently don’t read what’s written because you’ve made a couple of dense statements today already. I didn’t propose a comparison of managers, I said a fairer appraisal is to judge each full season vs a bit part one. You’re still raging hard over a lazy comment about Klopps comparison being what I said “half a season” when in fact your anal version stipulated it was “21%” of a season played. Not surprised on iota that you take such a POV toward those that don’t hold your view, but are happy as Larry to ignore huge discrepancies of your… Read more »
CC,
You responded to my post, which explicitly mentioned that Klopp started in October when Liverpool came 8th in his first season
sal
Are you sure? Maybe you would’ve got there and thought “what’s the fuss about it’s rubbish”
And the main point of that post, regardless of the details, was that Poch and Klopp weren’t world beaters in their first seasons….same is true with Pep.
The only manager who smashed it on his first season as far as I can recall was Conte at Chelsea
You guys still debating jeeez.
I want to know IF we do get a result tomorrow is the lube coming out?
Will you guys be happy with the 3 points? It’s not always obvious with you nutters.
Un na
Best of luck with that. I’ve yet to see any offerings that suggest Emery has delivered anything but a great season.
Poor old Unai has had shit players and a mess to deal with, so his managerial chops apparently don’t get any end of season consideration. Tough gig ehh.
Marc
I wouldn’t get passed the birds in Tel Aviv, I’d chalk that up to positioned well and delve deep.
Woab
Right, and why didn’t you offer Klopps first full season, as you did with Pochettino, when comparing Emery’s?
You did so as means of elevating Emery. I interjected with my view on the facts you presented and that was window enough for the drivel that ensued.
Un Well getting into the CL would be good, winning the EL would be pretty good (I know it leads to the other but I’d prefer to have that in the bag before hand). What’s OK – well to stop the tail spin we were in which Emery has done. Many seem to think that we’d hit rock bottom last season I think it would’ve gotten much worse if Wenger had still been in charge. What’s shit – at this point to end up 6th. Things have improved but not as much as I’d have liked. The big test is… Read more »
sal
You sound like my mum – she’s always wanted me to meet a nice Jewish girl!
CC,
So after 69 matches (31 in his first part-season and 38 in his subsequent full season) Klopp managed to get Liverpool to 4th place.
Retrospective congratulations to the Charismatic German.
The central point still stands: he wasn’t a world beater when he started off in the PL
Whose talking nice.
CC I don’t have a “lot”. I pulled you up because you move the goal posts. You say it’s unfair to use 15/16 to measure Klopp to Emery but say it’s fair to measure Emery to Klopp in 16/17 when Klopp had 30 league matches plus cup games under his belt. I’m all for other views when they aren’t lying or manipulating the truth and that’s why you’ve been so defensive against me today. Make an honest point and I’ll agree or disagree with it. If you distort the facts or lie then I’ll pull you up. I’m just amazed… Read more »
Samesong,
I’d be delighted with 3 points tomorrow.
Delighted enough to declare, in the spirit of The Blog of Lube, that Emery is shit, Charlie George Knows Best, and Poch is the King of Kings.
“Delighted enough to declare, in the spirit of The Blog of Lube, that Emery is shit, Charlie George Knows Best, and Poch is the King of Kings.”
I’d just put the lube to good use!
In Tel Aviv.
Woab I never claimed otherwise about any manager, I actually said it was near impossible to compare. Marc Again, you don’t read very well you just pick and choose when to dip into something and play the keeper of facts and truth. I didn’t argue fair, I said fairer than what was being offered. In fact I said this: “There’s no “equal” comparison because the variables still at play are too different to truly reflect matters. But it pretty clear to anyone that if you’re going to compare managers over the duration of a season you should do so where… Read more »
CC Oh dear. So we only compare managers over complete seasons? Then how can you compare someone in their first season with someone in their 4th or 5th and still claim that’s fair? I do realise why I’ve struggled to get your point – for the most part you don’t have one. You say I’m dismissive against arguments to my POV – well of course I am if I thought I was wrong I’d have a different opinion. Overall your comment seems as muddled as your maths. Points don’t mean anything, one season to another doesn’t mean anything unless of… Read more »
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0-wXPAbmGU
Marc
Someone else can have the pleasure, I’d rather piss a skid mark off the toilet pan than continue this rabble.
Musical interlude.. Strange Alice Cooper vibe on that one.. lol
CC
So the answer is no then! Makes out he’s got all the answers when he doesn’t even know the question.
Fucking clown – what a cock.
The amount of yellows in the Psg final game is ridiculous…11 in total and Mbappe has just seen red….Could be going to pens
Marc
You’re a really dense cunt. Have a good one
It is a blog of lube afterall.
Pens… with Gigi on the bench.
CC
I’ll always be having a better one than you. Mostly because I know the difference between a good one and a bad one, I can also count.
Fucking retard
And just like that rennes win it via pens
With Nkunku missing the last PK… 6-5.
Sounds like an Arsenal man to me.
Special sauce Tuchel should of subbed Gigi on.
The much wanked over Tuchel being knocked out of his 3rd Cup competition of the season haha.
WE
Does that mean he’ll be taking over Arsenal in the summer?
We might need a bigger tube of lube!
For the record I never said Jews are Nazis so get your damn facts straight.
😂😂
But it’s my toys out the pram…