via @Arsenal Instagram LOVE THESE TWO
Another Europa night, another devastating pummelling of a prestige team.
The big man in charge, Sir Unai Emery, inflicted defeat over Valencia in a pretty poor match at The Emirates.
Unai opted for what some thought was an attacking formation, with some thinking it was defensive. I thought it looked like a 3-5-2 at home, with 7 defensive players on the pitch, with a view to keeping a clean sheet for the second leg. Others thought it looked like a wrecking machine with two strikers and Ozil free to create havoc.
Havoc we created. The opening 20 minutes were straight out of the dustbin. Matteo and Xhaka were all over the place, the defence was getting pulled every which way and there was no intensity to our play. We even managed to concede from a setpiece (which is pretty rare), a long ball to the back post was nodded back into the mixer, Xhaka was nowhere and he was beaten to ball by Diakhaby who headed home.
The Swiss really isn’t fit for purpose… it makes me so sad that when he has a few ok games and all the usual suspects revert back to him being peak-Gilberto when it comes to football enigmas. He’s not. He’s bang average. There is nothing smart in the long-form editorial suck up pieces that lambast social media obsessed millennials who just don’t understand the beautiful game because they can’t see the beauty in Xhaka. Football fans are OBSESSED with other fans who celebrate shit players in militant fashion because it’s so bizarre, you worry you truly are missing something. You’re not. You weren’t with Senderos. You weren’t with Denilson. You’re not with Xhaka. Move on.
Up the other end, 7 minutes later, Lacazette played a perfectly weighted ball to Auba, he cut back and gave his buddy the gift of an open goal from ten yards. What a gentleman. I love those two. If they had a child, it’d be one helluva striker… would probs dress nice too.
7 minutes later, Xhaka showed why the usual suspects menace themselves to bedroom posters of his radar maps. He whipped a beautiful first-time diagonal ball into the box, Lacazette made a yard on his centre back and headed into the ground, the keeper claimed the ball didn’t cross the line but the refs watch buzzed… techhhhhhnology wins again. Xhaka… what a cross, I really think if you ignore the OTT critique of Xhaka, there’s a great player in there, I guess some people just don’t get it.
The second half just didn’t feel particularly smart. We were chasing the third goal and leaving Laurent Kos and Sokratis completely exposed on the counter. It was really tough to watch, Cech kept us in the tie when he denied Kevin Gameiro with a great block. Kos nursed an injury for as long as he could before limping off, we really have to pray he’s going to be ok. That block where he threw his head at a foot late on was something else.
Late on, Kola found Auba at the back post on a tight angle, the ball was struck awkwardly but crept in at the near post. A real shame most fans had gone home by that point. A sad indictment of the fans? The drab football? The Europa League? Who knows.
3-1. That’ll do nicely. £100m worth of strikers to the rescue. Another example of how dependent we are on superhuman finishing.
There’s no point in analysing the game too much. The football was awful, we looked a mess, but we did the job. We’ll shithouse ourselves to the final and then it’s a coin toss… and there’s no manager that knows this trophy as well as Unai.
Whatever my thoughts on his long-term future, watching him twitching out on the sidelines shows how much passion he has for the project. When that third goal landed at the end, he lost his damn mind. It’s great to see. He’s a hard worker, a trophy in his first season would be epic, it’d be even better if we didn’t have to play Chelsea.
Also… does a cup final count as an away game? Answers in the comments.
I’m getting ahead of myself, let’s see if we can go away from home and not concede 3 goals… not as easy as one would think.
Right, see you in the comments you total meltbags xx
You definitely lack the ability for self awareness Charles. Self growth? Don’t even think about it you’ll never change man. A prick until the end. Just as well the internet’s full of yanks you can call spastics and feel good about yourself
Marko
You never fail to live up to your dim billing. The hero everyone needs of course
3-1 against a team made up of part timers, waiters and dodgy builders. You know the ones who are still putting the WC in when you arrive in Magaluf…yes, those builders.
Valencia aren’t a force. Peter even did a piece saying how shite they were.
Arsenal beat a pub side again.
GoH,
Pub side?
Ha ha….
Now let’s see who’s gonna rise to your bait…..
I’m not a hero Charles I’m just a guy who keeps reminding you of the kind of person you are in case you think otherwise
Valentin
Ambramovic isn’t even a director of Chelsea FC. Their chairman is a chap called Bruce Buck who along with 3 others no doubt just impose the will of the owner without the need for him to be in attendance.
Irrespective we aren’t in the dark ages and video conferencing and the like enables people to contribute and hold meetings from the other side of the world in reality it would be a school boy error to get caught working and
Ramsey & Xhaka both got knocks/injured during the international break. The fact that Ramsey got injured explains why he was left out against Everton. So, we’re left with 3 CMs bar Elneny. Since we can’t play both Torreira & Xhaka every game(we are playing every 3 days), at some point both Elneny & Guendouzi had to feature. So, he played them in a home game. Even then it was a close game. Just when we were about to make a come back, we got killed by a Mustafi special. Palace are a strong away team. Also Sokratis was suspended for… Read more »
@azed,
I agree with your assessment. However there is a difference between somebody unfamiliar with the position and somebody unfamiliar and unsuitable for the position.
Asking somebody who is slow to be dynamic and quick is setting them up for failure.
Marko
Last time, so you can ponder it. You haven’t a clue about me chief, don’t give yourself the pat on the back you’re so keen to. You’re not bright enough to understand half the talk on here about football, so let’s not delve into some pseudo-psychologist persona and call it factual.
@terraloon,
Board meeting notes are official public record. Why take the risk of having a meeting in London?
As Abramovitch is the owner, if he wants the meeting to take place in Monaco, it is taking place in Monaco. Maybe he was already in Monaco for another meeting or for pleasure. After all He has a yacht on the Cote d’Azur.
Charlie you’re quite clearly a tiny dicked twat who loves jumping in on the same posters and is too quick with the insults. I got you pegged it’s easy. Also you’re not half the football intellect you like to think you are. How else do you explain the Xhaka fanboy stuff not to mention the head up Arsene Wenger’s arse.
https://www.football365.com/news/alexis-sanchez-and-man-utd-the-ridiculous-stats
Oh dear Alexis.
The fridge door anecdote is delicious.
Valentin Board meeting s are where directors of companies meet. RA isn’t a director so his meetings, if there any wouldn’t be in a recorded and formal environment Now I am not naive enough to think he doesn’t decide what does or doesn’t happen but he wouldn’t as a matter of course attend board meetings nor would there be an expectation that he does. As for people travelling to meet with him I have no knowledge either way but it’s common place that employees/ directors travel to meet with owners indeed didn’t Gazidus and Emery ,prior to his appointment ,… Read more »
Does make me laugh that CC keeps calling Marko thick when it was CC who got shown up over the weekend over the fact that he either can’t count or is incapable of telling the truth.
Really strikes me as someone who has major insecurities.
He does like to point out Bamford’s insecurities. I see a grown man go after a “yank spastic” daily and I think he’s got some insecurities himself.
Marko
I reckon he’s a short arse – has to prove himself all the time as the big man.
The love affair continues.
sal
blog of love my arse!
Blog of love people.
Pedro
beat you to it!
Marko and Marc
Glad you guys found each other. Unlike like minded morons to join forces and level up their stupidity. ❤️ Warms the heart
Keep asserting what you “know” Marko. Sherlock you ain’t
xaka has inproved his rigth foot and distripution but still switchs off to easily..
CC
I’m struggling what’s half of 10?
“þorkell einarsson”
What an earth does that mean?
Got to be the strangest moniker I’ve ever seen on here.
Blog of love people
Blog of Lube Pedro.
Need one goal in Spain.
We can do it…. Valencia have weaknesses just like we do. Hopefully Dracula is spending most nights figuring out who to exploit them
Marc
Don’t know mate, you got a calculator?
Dracula was coach of Valencia- and they have a vampire bat on their badge
Hmmm
and a big fuck you to the valencia fans who gave nazi salutes and monkey chants to our fans in our Stadium.
Ive heard that Valencia is looking to see if their was “provocation”
Like WTF- this is what is wrong with the entire mess.
Why resort to nazi salutes and monkey chants if your are pissed?
Plenty of other ways to voice your anger.
Fucking spineless
I’ve been arguing with you for a couple of years now Charlie I got you pegged.
Tagliafico looks like staying on for another season that leaves Ferland Mendy for me who are apparently after. I think Grimaldo is likely Atletico bound. Maybe Firpo
Marko
You’ve nothing pegged, you’re giving yourself an abundance of credit where it’s not warranted. You and your namesake even having a little tit for tat over my height and such, miles off.
It’s like watching a couple of retards try and make sense of a noise behind a wall. Then comically fee convinced they know the score 😂
I didn’t mention your height I said you had a small dick, were a prick and have a serious hard on for Bamford not too mention a weird infatuation for Arsene Wenger. Pegged. It’s pretty obvious.
Charlie
“you’re an absolute mong”
“Loads of people like you in society mind … the stupid”
“dimmest cunt going on here”
Really pleasant guy, this Champagne Charlie.
Joke Friday
Has anyone ever seen Marko take an off-day from Le grove
Quick Marko, dogpile police needed.
Banford cast your mind back to “Neymargate” you were calling other posters clueless cunts, so I’d wind your neck in…..
CG
May 3, 2019 15:03:10
“It is wonderful that Arsenal have USA fans- and indeed fans all over the globe.
But if these American fans ( with the exception of the always excellent Upstate Gooner) think the same way as The Kroenkes- in terms of British football and Arsenal- we are in deep trouble.”
I’m touched. Take note, people.
Upstate- Nice you have a fan or a stalker not sure which. Don’t know why I have to keep saying this but Americans don’t like Kroenke either. As evidenced by there being no Rams fans at the Superbowl. Because he alienated all them, too. Sound familiar? That dude conveniently left off Liverpool off his list. They are owned by Americans seem to be doing pretty well. Also, Americans don’t follow the team because of Kroenke.. I don’t give a crap where the owner is from could be Chinese or Australian for all I care as long as they do what’s… Read more »
Joke Friday
Anyone here ever seen marko not humiliate himself whenever he embroils himslef in another ill thought out point.
Also I agree with Pedro.. I think Xhaka is a good player.. except for when he isn’t.
Midwest
You’re a real philosopher
Charlie you have the two bigots backing you up now. Go nuts. Yank what is it and Irish how do you do
Yes.. I’m the Midwestern Confucius. Get all my wisdom out of the slips of paper in the middle of a terrible cookie.
PedroMay 3, 2019 12:27:01 Bamford, the Premier League didn’t get strong just this season. The league goes in waves. Emery totally flunked Watford, Palace and Wolves because of average management, poor team selection and bad organisation. I think it was pretty clear from his Palace line up where he thought the best chance of top 4 was. Watford, Leicester and Wolves are no different to the Southampton, Stoke and West Hams of a few years ago. Average teams that smell fear. >>>> Again Pedro why are you continuously pushing this complete falsehood? You know I respect you and love this… Read more »
Agree Mid, EPL a signal of what to come in Europe and its not just ‘the yanks’.
The Chinese are in deep and have been busy in England’s second tier and, elsewhere, in Europe. I read since 2016, 70% of all foreign acquisitions in the top 15 European league, including all English leagues, Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands have involved Chinese investors.
Currently two Chinese owned sides, in Prem, Malay owned Cardiff and Thai owned Leicester.
A Mesut Ozil #10 kit on every corner.
Bamford10May 3, 2019 11:49:10 Nelson I think there’s a chance they viewed this entire first season as a kind of trial for the existing squad. When you look at the riches (in terms of quality) Emery enjoyed at PSG, especially at wide attacking positions, it’s hard to believe he would be satisfied with so little quality in this squad. I wonder if he/they did a minimum in the summer and in January in part because of financial realities but in part because the plan was to use this first season to assess where things really stand personnel-wise, who should stay,… Read more »
A Mesut Ozil #10 kit on every corner.
_________
Unfortunately I think most of the Ozil #10 kits are already made in China. I gave one to my little niece when she was playing to wear around and the numbers fell off after about a month.
Somebody needs to get Benny a set of pom poms to complete the look.
Salp,
Wtf are you on about? So nobody’s allowed to agree with other posters now? We’ve all got to have different opinions and not agree with anyone?
How pathetically childish.
Benny, it’s a nice theory… but it doesn’t really map with the narrative.
Emery came in with a masterplan that apparently blew everyone away
He said we’d be protagonists
He said he’d sort the defence
He said he’d make us mentally stronger
Hard to see where he’s made an impact anywhere.
What we needed was a coach… what we got, it appears, is a chequebook manager who is struggling to deliver on his objectives.
Not only that… but your theory is a busted flush anyway… Emery has less money to spend this summer.
Arsenal had to hire a coach who could make the players better and work with a little.
Not sure who can argue with Emery’s past, only title he’s landed has come at the wealthiest club in Europe.
Back at Sevilla/Valencia where it’s ‘more’ comparable to Arsenal, given the organic nature they operate, he never got near the league. In fact he was bang average and his reputation has been exaggerated on the strength of the EL alone.
If anyones got an hour to kill some maestro has edited all of Messi’s 600 barca goals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmAY1xufDko&feature=youtu.be
“Not sure who can argue with Emery’s past, only title he’s landed has come at the wealthiest club in Europe.
Back at Sevilla/Valencia where it’s ‘more’ comparable to Arsenal, given the organic nature they operate, he never got near the league. In fact he was bang average and his reputation has been exaggerated on the strength of the EL alone.”
At Valencia, Emery finished 3rd for three straight years.
How come Poch isn’t judged with same metric as Emery?
Arsenal had to hire a coach who could make the players better and work with a little. ___________ Yeah but they didn’t so now what? Seems like the Director of Football search has dried up.. not even a clickbait article since early April… and time is a wasting. Season almost over. And we are well into the period where summer plans should already be in place. This worries me much more then anything. Cuz now our transfers this summer are going to be the product of Raul minus the Barca money(450 mill net spend since 2012) he is used to… Read more »
Emery Ultras out in force after beating that part time side last night…at home…while conceding yet another goal. Jesus wept. They are fucking garbage. This IS NOT the Valencia of a few years back. Not at all. Arsenal did a job…but holy shit it was painnnnnnful. Again! As Peter said: Emery came in with a lot of bluster and bullshit but as it stands, he looks like a bit of a charlatan who is just about stumbling through some really easy games. Arsenal are, in my opinion worse to watch this season than last! And last season was tantamount to… Read more »
If we had a half decent right back we could play Maitland- Niles in central midfield. He is twice the player Xhaka is but showboats too much as in trying to head the ball back to Cech and making a cock-up. But he has pace,passing ability and great control. Torreira has been injured for three months with a groin strain and has to be nursed . He played well last night after Guendouzi went off. Torreira will be better next season after having had no World Cup and will be getting used to the pace of the Premier League .… Read more »
Christ Benny it’s joke Friday, hardly a scathing assessment.
Guns cheer up you miserable sod. It’s Friday, have a beer.
Azed
La Liga ain’t the prem.
Look at how close Emery got to the top two there in terms of points, he was miles away.
Emery isn’t the man that’s going to push us up to challenge in league, not remotely consistent enough in a competitive league.
Not hard to extrapolate that from his history. He suffers away from home, always has.
Ideally he brings us champions league and the owners smart enough to step up from there… said with a grin.
Chris
I make Morrisey look positive.
CC
Emery should be judged on the same criteria as others.
Poch is about the same age as Emery but hasn’t even come close to Emery in terms of trophy but Poch is a great manager on Le grove based on what?
I am not a miserabalist. I was a big Arsenal fan…alas, the internet didn’t even exist the last time Arsenal won the league (were computers even about in 2004?)
I just hate the way the club is being dragged through the shit year after year. If you knew your Arsenal history, the current shit that is happening now would make the past greats of this club turn in their graves.
Arsenal were a proud club.
Death of Disco dancer, the Arsenal story.
Azed
Poch is judged on his ability to make spurs a force with virtual poverty when compared to the other clubs around them. He also did a very good job with Southampton.
Emery is basically a cup manager who flunked the champions league while 4-0 up with 20 mins to go with a billionaire team.
I’m not the judge and I don’t particularly rate either manager.
Just giving you my view as to why Poch is held higher than Emery.
Guns-
Dude … Home computers have been around since the 80’s and the internet since the 90’s. I think you are thinking of cell phone internet access. but even that started late 90’s.
Big weekend of football coming up.
Need to pray to the god of dropped points.
Spurs away to Bournemouth and Chelsea at home to Watford are not easy games considering circumstances.
Azed
That’s a weird take. I’d sooner have a manager take us from the grey to knocking on the door of the big titles again than someone who’s peaked at a Europa League.
Did you go and look up Emery’s point tally behind the top two during his time there? Didn’t get close.
Blog of Lube…
So much, that too on a friday?
Midwest
What’s a cell phone? I’m still using dial up.
GH “Poch is judged on his ability to make spurs a force with virtual poverty when compared to the other clubs around them” Poch is 4 points above Emery in Emery’s first season. “Emery is basically a cup manager who flunked the champions league while 4-0 up with 20 mins to go with a billionaire team.” Special Sauce Pep has basically flunked the champions league with a billionaire team for 3 years. Emery should be judged by the same standards as other coaches. If you mention Emery not winning an away game in his last season in Servilla, don’t fail… Read more »
“Did you go and look up Emery’s point tally behind the top two during his time there?”
Did you know Poch left Espanyol in last place?
Maybe Poch has more pizazz than the bland Emery.
GOH-
Ahhh yes that explains a lot .. you have low baud rate.
At no point are you forced to watch Arsenal GOH you miserable bastard!
Sounds like you need a break from it
Azed
Idk why you bother, you’re not open to any sort of debate or dialogue it’s pure back and forth.
Espanyol are shit, they don’t compare to managing a top team. His work at Saints and Spurs more than shows his ability.
I barely watch Arsenal anymore. They are on the tv in the background.
Shame. But when a supporter of 35 years gets bored, what chance have Arsenal got of wooing the new wave of fans?
Arsenal are doing everything wrong. It’s an absolute tragedy.
CC
You are the one not open to a debate. You dismiss Poch’s Espanyol record but bring up Emery’s Valencia record?
Like I said, judge Emery and Poch on the same criteria.
The electorate are not fit for purpose.
The worst group of Tory MPs in history and still retards vote for them
Ozil playing the game …very sensible .There’s a possible cup final on the horizon and I believe he would like to be a part of it.He managed to restrain himself from showing his displeasure at being substituted last night , gave Emery the high five but inside he was probably seething..There are some very gullible people on Le Grove if they truly believe that Ozil holds Emery in such high esteem. If posters like you believe that players like ozil are only doing it for PR then on the flip side I guess we should take it as gospel truth… Read more »
Have people actually sat and down and thought that maybe Emery was looking for a reaction from players like ozil,that’s why these days he is at least tackling?…I think the player himself appreciates that’s and thats why he will be here next season and will not be pushing for a move….this nonsense that he hates Emery is just that… nonsense
“You are the one not open to a debate. You dismiss Poch’s Espanyol record but bring up Emery’s Valencia record?“
I don’t consider the demands of Espanyol to be similar to Arsenal, I do Valencia, I do Sevilla, I do Spurs. It’s not a hard one to see.
Pochettino has shown he can work for a club with no budget and make them more than the sum of their parts. Emery hasn’t done that which was why my initial reservations are still relevant.
It’s funny how CC thinks Emery has this great squad that can be made to compete and yet we have zero teams interested in any of our players.
CC
“I do Valencia” Does that mean Emery beating them is a good result?
“It’s funny how CC thinks Emery has this great squad that can be made to compete”
It’s funny how Marc continually pulls things out his arse and casually acts as though they’re factual.
Point to where anything like that has been said.
CC You are so full of shit it could be a medical condition. You talk about the Poch being able to make a team more than the sum of their parts. This is his 5th season and he still hasn’t won anything. Let’s see how he get’s on having to sell to balance the books for a few years – assuming he sticks around. Your entire comment is the ranting’s of an insecure child. I didn’t make any factual claims – I just once again pull you up when you spout shit. You pick and choose statistics that suit your… Read more »
CC you are being pedantic and argumentative. UE being zeons behind the top two and Poch being bottom and only his EPL days to be taken into account . UE may not take us where we want to be but even you had agreed a few months back to wait for the end of the season.
CC
Servilla is the Westham of Laliga… With Valencia, Emery finished 3rd for three straight years while being a selling club.
Marc
Another ramble, you’re getting good at those.
I’m “spouting shit” according to you, I think I’m ok with that thanks. If you can’t fathom the journey Poch has taken Spurs on then that’s your damage.
Arsenal want to rise up the table and compete for the title again, something Emery hasn’t ever shown capable of doing. That’s been my reservation since day one, and a year in it’s only been exacerbated. This talk of “hate” and “wanting Wenger back” is the typical put me downs of the clueless – slow clap for being one of those.
The last three PL games have been disappointing, sp. the CP game at home- if we had won that we would have been assured of top 4 finish. Let’s hope Chelsea drop points and we win both of our games
NW9
Kindly do me a favour. If you have a look at the manner my opinion gets treated here by a select few you’ll forgive the dismissive nature of my replies.
Win the EL or not the season has gone how I feared. Obviously I hope we win it because CL and extra money only expedites the journey back to the relevant. A journey Emery won’t be lasting on this seasons evidence.
The last three PL games have been disappointing, sp. the CP game at home- if we had won that we would have been assured of top 4 finish. Let’s hope Chelsea drop points and we win both of our games . And we have the EL to look forward to.
CC
Ah are the big boys picking on you again? Little boy don’t worry one day you’ll be big and strong – you might even be big enough to go to a match. Of course you’ll need to be careful, you’re more likely to end up at the wrong end of the Seven Sisters road – probably somewhere you’ll fit in better.
Guns Of hackney “””Arsenal were a proud club.””” And What has happened to Old Country too? Theresa May Jeremy Corbyn Doreen Abbot Unai Emery all cut from the same piece of miserable cloth.. . Where is the leadership, statesmen, gravitas and natural leaders around here? We have gone from Gorgeous George and The Professor to a glorified P.E teacher in Emery. The only leadership being shown around here- is our PedRo- leading this great forum and keeping it topical and dynamic on a daily basis. And talking of PedRo- Would it not be something if Chelsea’s Pedro scores the winner… Read more »
Would we take Alexis on a free and pay him £250K pa? It would make sense for Man U, just as it would make sense for Arsenal to do something similar with Ozil.
CG
Whilst I agree about the lack of gravitas etc we have in modern politicians I don’t think that’s exclusive to the UK.
There’s a saying that goes along the lines of “people get the politicians they deserve” doesn’t really speak volumes about the current generations does it!
CC just ignore both the Ms. Marco would like Van Dyke, Pepe, et al like all of us dream but we will never go for expensive players given our owners and our supposed lack of funds . I still cannot understand how the lower teams are able to spend more than us .
Marc
I’m confused, are you a big boy in this? Because you’re in the running for biggest child on here. I have a season ticket you whopper, try again. Aww, seems you missed with your superfan tactics. Maybe next time.
NW9
Yea there’s big questions to be asked of the board and Stan still, it’ll be interesting how the summer plays out. You sense we need a lot to fall our way, so CL football would be clutch in boosting the coffers and maybe enticing that odd name that might not have fancied it otherwise.
NW9
They haven’t – 3rd highest net spend between 14 and 18 and out spent Madrid since 2010.
Pedro’s quoted this several times. They might not be pleasant facts but that doesn’t change what they are.