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.
every body knows “In the Premier League, technical quality without physicality is not enough. City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, all the top teams here are physical and technical. Arsenal need to be the same.” that’s why wenger was such a joke because that is how he accidentally got his success CM monsters that had grace and technical ability ,why the dope did not realize this for 10 or more years is actually baffling for a man of supposed intelligence is baffling
On the way to see Ed Sheeran in Bangkok so will have to watch the game later at the hotel.
Agree with Charlie re the team selection, Emery hasn’t really got better options.
Down to the players and Emery’s tactics/game management and the Chelsea/Manure result.
I would have gone for Mavrapanos ahead of Mustafi who is frankly the worst defender in our squad.
Sky presenter asks if Emery can be confident in Sokratis and Mustafi
All three pundits start laughing
That’s where Arsenal are in 2019. Hilarious.
like most arsenal fans I don’t expect a win today as our defense is simply not good enough and vardy and rogers will probably be right up for this . I am not sure what the mental issue is with the mid table teams but we just don’t seem motivated enough to win these games especially away
At the pub to watch the game. Hoping UE has a different plan and thst the pkayers are up to it.
Bamford
Interesting comments from UE. Hopefully this means he (and Raul) are going to be targeting players in that mold, as we genuinely need such a type of player in our team. We’ll also need a proven leader who won’t shy away from bollocking the players when the going gets tough.
gambon,
Yes, seeing it in the cold light of day at Wolves made me reevaluate things based on what was in front of me especially the dynamic between Emery and the players which was highlighted by the snubbing of the substitutes and Emery’s general demeanour and presence, or rather lack of. He looks a bit intimidated and lost. I’m not one to stick to a certain narrative and will always reassess things based on evolving circumstances.
I just don’t see him as being the guy to dethrone Pep or Klopp in the long term.
That’s as good a line up Emery could have come up with considering the options
Simple and clear enough,
Torreira and Xhaka keeping things tight and banking on Auba/Laca to hit them on the break
except for calamity Mustafa who had to play because the games are coming too fast for the aging Kos it’s an otherwise strong enough line-up
have a good feeling abt this one
We need to have our two strikers coming back to our own half when we don’t have the ball. If our strikers stays upfront waiting for survice, we’ll be in for a very good day.
Xhaka is lining up as our Captain.
Need Aubameyang and Lacazette to do the business day by bailing us out. At times, it seems that Lacazette is a shorter, more technical Giroud. He’s in the thick of things but doesn’t generate enough shots for a striker of a top 4 side. He’ll get the benefit of the doubt from media and some in the fan base for “fighting spirit”, “getting stuck in”, but we need shots from him. He’s struggled at Everton and at Wolves. Need two goals from our front pair & another header from a set piece by either Mustafi or Sokratis. A minimum of… Read more »
That defence…..geez
I would buy Alderwerld, Eric baily, Teilmans and a prospect RW.
Don’t think we are getting to top 2 level without spending 100 mill in the next 2 windows each. We need 200 mill without a doubt. 2 cbs, 2 cm, 2 fb, 2 wingers.
Never going to happen in 1 window.
“important point”
Guess that’s why he brought in Denis Suarez, his physicality.
Charlie
Its not like we have any money anyway
Come on The Arsenal!!!!!
I think we’ll be playing 4 4 2 with the two strikers moving back to do the pressing.
Pure incompetence not sorting out our defence this season, and here we are at the sharp end with this rabble at the back.
Tough day on the horizon here. 3 of our back 4 are frankly abysmal at defending. Squad is just too thin and proper shite
As ever before a late-Wenger and new vintage Emery Arsenal away match, I am feeling quietly desperate, overwhelmed by a feeling that we will lose, and lose badly.
But in the new spirit of The Blog of Lube, in the unlikely event that Arsenal snatch a win, I hereby pledge to do the following:
1) Proclaim that Emery is shit
2) Assert that Charlie George is an eloquent and knowledgeable football and literary genius, and
3) Reveal my belief that Poch is a top 3 world class manager
Mustafi almost gets a yellow
2 minutes in and pure panic from Arsenal in our own third.
“I just don’t see him as being the guy to dethrone Pep or Klopp” Right, but most people here have shared this view from early days. This has never really been the question. The questions have been: – is he good enough to get us back into the top four? – does he know what he is doing? – is the criticism of him from certain quarters reasonable, warranted, justified? – does he deserve another year? Aside from Joe, no one here thinks Emery has what it takes to better Pep or Klopp. If someone here does, feel free to… Read more »
How can Mustafa be so shit though
Was reasonably good in his first season with us and has gone downhill since then
Shocking defender
Ozil injured again….
Strange lad in he.
Softest yellow of the season there
I like this 4 4 2 formation. We are making too many faults. AMN got a yellow.
Not looking good. No way they are scoring less than 2.
Torreira with a good tackle on himself
We are being comfortably outplayed by Leicester City.
Shocking.
Torr was stepped on the chest.
We have a really poor squad. No way around this.
Smith is such a dope. I’m sure Emery is moaning about the yellow to AMN, not the Auba challenge.
Champagne
Yeah, Pedro already made that point on Twitter.
Makes me laugh when ppl like gambon ect. Complain about Emery as if we haven’t been soft since before emery. As if this is all new and shocking. In order for Wenger to finish in Europa league positions twice we had to lose games duh! So what if the team is still shit why should Emery care, this ain’t his club, his squad, if you don’t like it go cry to Kronke!
Michael Oliver already stinking out the place….yellow for AMN but he turns a blind eye on fouls by Leicester City players, officiating is trash in the EPL
Hiw the fuck was that not a foul on Torriera?
Xhaka as usual switched on to runners from deep.
We are being comfortably outplayed by Leicester City.Shocking.
We are the poorest of the poor its not all that shocking
CC you’re talking shit as usual, Torreira was clearly fouled, replays showed it.
Gambon is convinced we will lose today. Why else would he be posting here over than to have a good whinge.
Finally! Referee!!
We’ve the look of a group of fawns about to be taken down on spring morning by the evil slab head.
Mustafa just fills his team mates with dread
Could one of the it’s-the-tactics guys explain how the problem here is tactics, not the poverty of our personnel?
“Yeah, Pedro already made that point on Twitter“
And?
FFS something must be wrong with this idiotic ref
Liecester doesn’t need your help you dopey,they already better than us
The irony of an attacking player like AMN playing at right back is that they are so concerned with being a ‘proper’ full back that they fail to support the attack enough.
Not sure we should play two strikers away from home when we are always overwhelmed in midfield.
“Could one of the it’s-the-tactics guys explain how the problem here is tactics, not the poverty of our personnel?“
Yea when you get done explaining how we can swat aside Napoli with the same lot but get cunted by Palace, Wolves, and potentially Leicester on the strength of the opening quarter of an hour.
We look weak as hell.
Kola is embarrassing right there.
We are very poor, not into tackles, poor passing, no confidence at all.
Well done Emery your the man
20 minutes in, and it is obvious we are going to lose. I have no idea what Emery is thinking with the lineup. What formation are we playing? I’m not sure even the players know. Has Emery just thrown in the towel on the Premier League? Bloody hell, he just chops and changes for the hell of it. No fluidity, no continuity, no chemistry allowed to form. This is dire stuff.
We are very poor, not into tackles, poor passing, no confidence at all.
Well done Emery your the man
At some point you’ll realise that players are also culpable. Yet your constantly here raising the same point daily.
Lacazette has completely lost his shooting boots recently.
Massive chance there
Not sure we should play two strikers away from home when we are always overwhelmed in midfield.
Yh not sure there’s a better time to play two strikers when anything other than 3points brings down the curtains on your top4 hopes
Neither Laca nor Auba ever win their headers
We don’t have strikers that can head the ball
We don’t have players that can cross the ball.
Essentially we are playing with no central midfielder today.
Arsenal have completed 20 passes in 20 minutes?
Jesus Christ.
Miki is so poor.
Man Xhaka Stinks
Laca missing awful lot of chances since the last six to seven games
Maddison ideal replacement for Ramsey and a very achievable signing I would say. Don’t get me wrong there are better players but surely he’d come!
Laca Laca. look before you shoot.
Mikki atrocious
Wow this team is bad today
Can anyone convince me what this Man U reject offers the team ?
Ahh another rerun of cutback to the middle and misses episode. Not my favourite to be honest.
Fucking hell Lacazette! Couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo.
There’s nobody in the middle of the park to put their foot on the ball retain possession and play a quality pass?!
The entire first team needs rebuilding.
We should be looking for 6-7 new fist team players in the summer
I’m pretty sure I’ve read several posters whine about not starting with Laca and Auba together in games. “We play better”… they always say.
No they are moaning about starting both strikers together for a game that we absolutely need to win.
The possession and passes statistic is alarming. It is looking like a bottom half team up against top 4 team.
Cannot see us getting anything from this. We are totally out of the depth.
AMN letting players go by him easily.
Terrible defending from AMN there.
I’d love chilwell at arsenal
And Maguire
And Maddison
We are a man down with Mkhi playing, the worst player at Arsenal.
This is embarrassing.
We are starting to open the gates !
The manager trains the team, he tells them about the tactics he wants, he picks the team, his job is to inside confidence.
Emery gets paid to do this.
What a save.
What a save.
And yes Don love those 3 players.
Our keeper is sensational.
That was a world class save, top drawer
There #10 is all over the place.
What a save by Leon.
There’s a massive and gaping hole between Midfield and attack which.. If we had a player who can knit it together we could be tearing Leicester a new one here
Ahh another rerun of cutback to the middle and misses episode. Not my favourite to be honest.
Customer
It’s all we have
What a save from Leno!!!
Look at Leicester
They have goals from all over the team.
They can go long, they play through the wings. The middle
They have variety
We don’t
This is entirely down to the poverty of our personnel. Good save from Leno there.
And Leno as the protagonist again and again.
Leno keeping is in. We are not able to string more than 4 passes together. It’s depressing stuff.
Getting pulled apart like a tandoori chicken in tooting on a Saturday night.
😲☹
The referee is allowing so much physicality
It’s not his fault we don’t have players who can stand up to a physical contest.
This is humiliating. There is an obvious gulf in quality on the field, which you would expect. You would not expect that Arsenal would be fielding the inferior side. Ffs, we’re challenging for the champions league places, and this is what we offer up?
Maybe that hit would wake up Mikki.
“There’s nobody in the middle of the park to put their foot on the ball retain possession and play a quality pass?!”
Xhaka doesn’t mind doing it when he has clear radius to control the ball. Don’t expect any of it today though unless Leicester drop off and let him have it.
SpanishDave is clearly another former AKB here to troll Wenger critics. These guys are so transparent.
Fine save from Burned Leno
Like Wolves on Wednesday, likely the first goal wins this match.
Emery has the mentality of a midtable manager.
The only player on the field right now I’d be averse to selling is Leno.
Mustafi playing Vardy onside every fucking time.
Auba and Laca NEVER win aerial battles with defenders.
It’s such an unequal contest.
Mkhi needs to be taken off, the useless twat
A back 4 that wouldn’t look out of place playing second division football in Timbuktu
Dissenter
‘ pretty sure I’ve read several posters whine about not starting with Laca and Auba together in games. “We play better”… they always say.
No they are moaning about starting both strikers together for a game that we absolutely need to win.’
We haven’t been able to string a few passes together in the midfield. Having one more body in there should help us. If not for a great save from Leno and a miss from Vardy, the game would already be out of our reach.
We are gonna bet walloped today if we don’t abandon the high line or get our foot on the ball in their half