Unai Emery reversed the fortunes of last season’s openers with his second win in two games. For a brief moment, we are/were top of the league.
The game boasted lots of positives as the club looks to settle a squad of new players. David Luiz and Dani Ceballos earned starts, Auba moved out wide with Lacazette through the middle, Reiss and Willock retained their places.
The first half was pretty bland from a footballing perspective, but ultimately, I think you just have to accept that Emeryball is never going to get you off your backside. My main critique of our style is that we’re very predictable, more so than last season since the club added better ball players to the squad.
We are militant about playing out of the back even when it’s not working for us. Burnley penned us in our own half and it felt like were constantly turned the ball over needlessly. Liverpool will eat up that sort of approach if we don’t put a bit more variety in our build-up play.
The second slight bugbear is the lack of urgency in our game. We give the opposition all the time in the world to reset as we meander the ball forward from wide positions. I don’t think there’s an excuse for slow and methodical in year two.
That said, we’re more interesting when we do click into gear. David Luiz certainly has a lot more authority in defence than we’ve seen over the last ten years. He’s an attacking threat and the opposition knows it. His passing wasn’t elite today, but there’s a lot of variety in the balls he plays. He’s no 5 yard pass merchant.
I thought the passes that came off were excellent. Additionally, he’s a talker and an organizer. When you’re up against it, say what you will, but I’d rather him on my side… and I’d certainly rather him over Mustafi.
Back to the game. The deadlock was broken by Lacazette. He picked up a front post corner, used his weight to lean into those around him, then slid the ball into through Nick Pope’s legs when he was falling to the ground. Very Lacazette.
Something that’s very Arsenal, conceding sloppy goals. Ashley Barnes, the new Kevin Davies, managed to squirm between Luiz and Guendouzi to poke home.
The second half saw an immediate change, the manager introduced Nicolas Pepe. His introduction gave us a little more control out wide and a lot more know-how.
The football sped up a little, generally driven by the hugely impressive Dani Ceballos. He serves two purposes for me, firstly, he does all the things Mesut Ozil doesn’t want to do (turn up to work). He presses, he pesters, he tackles and he makes himself known. He dropped 7 balls recoveries and attempted 5 tackles. Secondly, he’s a better technician than Aaron Ramsey. He’s grown up thinking about the game differently, so hopefully he can give us a little bit of the best bits from both players. I have to say, I am super impressed how quickly he adapted to the pace. He touched the ball 97 times and created 4 chances.
It was the Spaniard that shut down a counter with an aggressive press, Auba picked up the ball, drove at goal, drilling a low shot past the impressive Pope. Our striker really is one of the most potent forces in world football at the minute. He looks so confident and so fit at the minute.
I’m not sure Emery’s defensive subs did much to calm the game. We looked nervous and it gave Burnley a bit of wind in the last twenty minutes. Bernd Leno had a very poor game, he was targetted with high balls into the box all game and it affected him. For me, if you’re going to flap at a ball with a single fist, don’t do it half-hearted. He’s usually so calm, the game reminded me of when Bolton were shooting from corners at Fabianski. I hope his coaches can nip this in the bud and it’s not an ongoing issue.
Mike Dean gave the game an extra 1 minute 40 and that was that, 3 points and an excellent afternoon in the sun for the fans.
Conclusion
A largely positive day at the office. I think we’re in for a shock against Liverpool next week if we don’t button up. We’re still shaky in defence and I think some of our play of the back has a touch of the kamikaze about it. Against rapid opposition with clinical finishing, we could be in a spot of bother. They haven’t been great against Southampton, but they have some many players that can decide a game in a flash.
I’m also hoping we can start to offer a little more variety to our play. If the gameplan is clear, it’s easy to counter. When we have great central players, why not use them?
The positives… Willock looked very good today. He’s rough around the edges, but you can see he’s going to be a very important player for us over the next few years. He created two chances today. Reiss has to impose himself a little more in games. It was notable how much more of a threat we were when Pepe came on. You have to take your chances, he has to keep pushing forward. That said, I thought his tackle early on was great and he was a shoulder away from a good goal.
Also, from a numbers perspective, we created chances. We had 9 shots on target, a huge improvement on last week. Dani Ceballos found an Arsenal player from all 6 of his corners (wow). Pepe, Willock and Ceballos had 11 successful take-ons between the… we’re running at players. Great to see.
Big week ahead…
xg is shire, doesn’t matter how you dress it up,lots of variables not taken into cognisance. Marko Jardim returning to Monaco was a stupid decision, haven’t really seen what the fuss with him is though to be honest asides that 1 year where it all fell into place for them. Eagle It was mad, Chikwueze running at defences is a sight, I’d blow the Zaha money on him, kid’s going to be special Hopefully Atletico Madrid can find some sort of consistency this season but wouldn’t bet on it, they lost the spine of the team from last season but… Read more »
People who are praising him for Chelsea’s build up play should consider that they get knackered around the hour mark and get absolutely hammered from then on.
This is very true
Marko
I seen his interview with Nelson not too long ago, the one where they were shooting the shit answering q’s. Didn’t realise that they were best mates, makes you wonder what our scouts were up to at the time alright. Arsene’s eye for talent deserted him over a decade ago, Nasri was the last gem he poached from abroad at a young age.
Rony Lopes is one to watch too, also came from Citeh academy.
Sevilla spent big money on him there, did well at Monaco.
Not entirely convinced by Lampard..More so when he has Jody Morris as his No.2.Smh..Says it all really..!! Though Chelsea terrorised Manure last week in their opening spell,were all over them.The lack of finishing(or lack of quality strikers) and defensive ineptitude cost them.Or rather the manager’s tactical nous or naivety cost them.Going away and losing 4-1 in your first game of the season for Chelsea FC is a bit of a crazy score line.Especially to the opposition,who weren’t really that good or imposing. Granted,you can put that down to bad luck. Roll forward a week later-Chelsea started off brightly, blitzing Leicester,… Read more »
Even though he’s a former Spud I’m rooting for Bale to have a killer bounce-back season just to see the see the rapid U-Turn the pathetic Madrid fanbase and media pull and to see Zidane back pedal on his exclusion of him from the get-go.
Played very well yesterday, great assist for Benzema.
The disrespect he’s received is unprecedented for a 4 time CL winner, 2 of which he was directly responsible in helping them win with crucial winners in the Final.
Wh
PhD2029 more like
Zzzzzzzzzzz
Another destined for the scrap heap
WE,
Did you mean the arsenal fan, Gareth Bale?
Hope he does really well. WC player when fit.
Rony Lopes is one to watch too, also came from Citeh academy.
Did not know that
@Graham62
You have a point, time only will tell. He might turn it around, who knows.
Tielemans did not look that good.
Most of the Chelsea players are used to long kicks from their GK in to the opposition half as the first step in the build up play. No surprise they get knackered in 60 mins having to work hard building the attack up from their own box.
To be fair Real just took a slightly more extreme approach to their own Ozil type problem. They have someone on extreme wages arguably not contributing enough and they want rid. Can’t blame them he’s had 12 separate injuries the past three seasons 5 last season alone.
PhD
What was your dissertation on at Uni?
Observational research?
Forgot to mention that Leicester had one week to prepare. Chelski had only 3 days plus a wee bit of jet lag to contend with.
Yeh right, Lampard is shite……….after just 3 games!
Bloody hell wants wrong with you people.
what’s wrong
Chelsea’s strategy seems to be fast start and if that doesn’t work I don’t know what
Special mention to Jaoquin who is still starting for Real Betis tonight at the wrinkly old age of 38 on the right wing.
Guy has literally been a top level winger now for close to 20 years.
TR7
Don’t think Sarri played hoof ball mate. With Luiz & Jorginho, whom Sarri bought exclusively to play out from the back, this is nothing new to Chelsea neither is pressing high up the pitch. Its either they’re reckless or the players are still getting their fitness levels back up.
No team presses high throughout the season, not even Liverpool. So, its a planned decision from their management to get to those levels way too early in the season.
The football chelsea is playing is agricultural the blame is on the manager. So many tactical weaknesses as highlighted by posters above wont even bother point all of them out.
*May be* it’s a planned decision from their management to get to the peak fitness levels way too early in the season.
Let us not forget Lamps has walked in to a very very tough job and he is still a rookie manager.
Graham62August 18, 2019 19:57:58 Reading comprehension seems to evade you it seems. If you read my post,the crux of it, was Frank Lampard,seems limited in his managerial approach/tactical nous.He seems a bit one dimensional so far. Basically, blitz the opposition in the first twenty minutes,and if that fails,bring on the subs and hope they bail him out of a situation. Furthermore,having Jody Morris as your No.2,is not really the ideal assistant to have in your corner,especially at a big club like Chelsea,more so in your first big managerial position. You would really want an experienced veteran of war,who knows the… Read more »
TR7,
Yup. Not making my mind up either way. Hope he’s taken the job way too early in his career. Would absolutely be delighted if Chelsea finished around 10th.
After the EL final,I’m not sure even that is enough. May be they’ll drop down to the EL and we batter them on our way to the trophy with David Luiz scoring the winner may help ease the pain a bit.
RM had Hazard injured. They are also working on getting Eriksen after missing out on Pogba
Had they signed Pogba, Bale would have been off. His salary is on the high side even for RM. He also wants the team to play a different way. That;s not happening as he may be a big shot in London, not so much in Madrid.
Zidane calls the shots – He vetoed the Neymar deal – one of the best players in world football atm.
Feels good to support arsenal again…
Really hope we get something from the pool game.
@ RSPCA
Was 2 good games without a full squad available.
Pool game tough so early but we look better than last year.
If Chelsea get their transfer ban shortened on appeal so they can deal in January, we should be looking to flog them some shite if they’re struggling and looking to bring in some “experienced PL quality.”
Remember they bought Drinkwater for £35m as a deadline day panic buy. Elneny might be just what their midfield is looking for.
I’m not sure I’d class Chelsea as very very tough in all honesty. It’s still a very good squad he’s dealing with and he had some good loan players returning. The only real hindrance he’s had is he hasn’t been able to spend a couple hundred million in the transfer market.
Mgoon
ZZ won’t be there at Xmas .
Derby the season before Lampard failed to be promoted via the play-off after finishing 6th. After buying Lampard mates and friend, Derby failed to be promoted via the play after finishing 6th. So despite the money spent, Derby were not better off with him. Maybe he is a rooking manager who will get better, but right now he is a manager who can’t extract the best of his players. For somebody who worked under Mourinho, his teams have been surprisingly susceptible to quick counter-attack. His midfield is good going forward, but clearly not up to speed off the ball at… Read more »
You do have to sympathise a little with him having no goalscorer to call on though.
Chavs in 2013/14 would have won the PL if they had got Diego Costa a year earlier. Eto’o did ok for them up front but he was long past his best at that stage.
My point being a 20 goal CF makes such a massive difference, turns draws into wins.
Also if I were Chelsea’s manager, I’d look to build my team/style around Kante, the only WC player in their squad and their best player by a country mile. Sure, its not limiting him as he’s still WC but its not built around him either.
PHD
Don’t worry, I read your post.
No doubt you are experienced in monitoring “limited and one dimensional” managers.
Oops!!
I see RVP has been caught lying on TV. Saying that we never offered him a new deal and wanted rid dispite him years ago stating that he turned down a new deal when he announced that he wanted to leave. Little shit.
It’s good to be in second spot looking down on the Scum
RvP was not explicitly lying, but he was selective in his description of the fact and their timing. For years, RvP had been crocked and unable to have a full season. When injured his agent attempted to renegotiate a new deal. Arsenal refused. Of course the following season, he is not injured and has a full season. In fact his best in Arsenal colour. By that time, pissed off by our precious season refusal, he engineers a move to ManUtd. Arsenal woke up to that possibility too late. The funny thing is that he left for ManUtd thinking that their… Read more »
Hoping Dani wants to stay after his loan .
Chelsea’s defense look just as bad as ours if not worse. Azpi is getting destroyed week in week out. Zouma, AC decent but with obvious flaws, Emerson meh. Rudiger & James may improve them but as of now, its bang average.
Atletico’s LB looked excellent in some of their pre season games. Interesting how he does in LA Liga. Quietly unearthing gems from South America again.
Rennes have a 16 years old in central Cavaminga!
He just had an assist against PSG.
I wonder how much he would fetch in two years time.
Rennes overcoming PSG again tonight after winning the french cup in spite of a 2/0 deficit last May.
Camavinga bossing the Rennes midfield at the age of 16 !
Valentin
This kid looks very good and shows no fear.
PSG are such a weird one. Obviously the front 3 is as good as anyone’s [when Neymar plays] but they’ve built a fairly ordinary side around them. Plenty of uninspired big money signings like Paredes, Kehrer, Gueye that don’t add much in the way of elite quality to the side.
You look at City and they are miles ahead in every other department of the pitch besides the front 3.
Graham,
Why the staunch defence of fat frankie? I hope he fails with a big fat zero, he manages Chelsea.
PSG have very workmanlike midfielders. Not enough creativity. Ffs they play Marquinhos in there just for the fuck of it. Should have kept Lo Celso. Should have added Ceballos
TR7August 18, 2019 20:09:09 Let us not forget Lamps has walked in to a very very tough job and he is still a rookie manager. —- This was of his own choosing and reckoning.He knew what constraints he was facing or working under.That said,I’m surprised by his direct style.I mean it’s pretty to watch,but so far it seems to not engineer any end product. One point from six.With five goals conceded in two matches. Given the plethora of managers, Lamps has worked under during his glittering player career from Ancelotti,Hiddink,Mourinho,Capello et al,one would assume that he would somewhat marry their… Read more »
Rennes defending really well here. PSG lack the guile to open them up.
Bit of a joke red card here for getafe. Not nearly as bad as the one that got a yellow in the PSG game
Surprised by how good the atmosphere is at the Rennes match, French crowds seem much more boisterous than Italian/Spanish ones, cut from the same cloth as the English and German supporters.
Red card for Lodi. A see of yellow around the ref to produce the card. Ya hate to see it
PhD
He manages Chelsea
Therefore he’s a cunt
Nothing about PSG convinces you that they are any closer to competing for the CL, as I said strange considering you’d think that it’s the only trophy that the owner even cares about at this stage.
Thiago Silva 35 in a month.
Late bloomer, didn’t even come to Europe until he was 25.
Eagle
They invested a lot in Neymar and the end result leaves to be desired.
Considering things have gone from bad to worse for them, I actually wonder if their owners will stay put after hosting the WC.
Tuchel definitely has no sauce. Or if he does it’s something shite that nobody wants like Worcester
Atletico’s LB gets a red card.
Meanwhile Morata scored from a Trippier’s cross. Make of that what you will.
Marko
Plus he is a sore loser. Don’t like him too much tbh.
Karim,
Hope you’re doing well mate.
Hi Akilan !
I’m good thanks, how about you ?
Hoping we finally get something this year.
I’m doing well mate. Yup, me too. Looks like we’re moving in the right direction after all.
Not expecting much from the Liverpool game but we should be winning that Spurs game
Re French crowds
Even Angers have their Ultras
Feel Leno need a big pat on the back.
Mad3 one stop that was offside but save was great.
He is quietly growing more confident every game.
He been a big plus.
Graham62August 18, 2019 20:43:51
Don’t worry, I read your post.
No doubt you are experienced in monitoring “limited and one dimensional” managers.Oops!!
——————–
No more experienced than you are.Actually correction,you are the go-to/veteran of war guy for that,with every other post of yours littered with references, analysis,rants towards your beloved Arsene Wenger almost three years after he has been shown the exit door..That’s your domain,when it comes to analysing or monitoring one dimensional managers!!
Have a nice evening. 🙂
Feel ozil will jack in January…
He will struggle to get in this team.
PhD
“three years”
Are you sure about that?
Cheers.
Tim Cahill is a very boring and uncharismatic man, and should not be on telly. Makes Danny Murphy seem like a wild extrovert.
Graham62August 18, 2019 23:04:06 PhD“three years”Are you sure about that?Cheers. —- Well I did say-“almost three years!”. Correction-1 year 2 months,in footballing terms- two seasons(2018/19 &2019/2020). Is that better for you? I swear you have a bee in your bonnet-with all things concerning Arsene. You come across as a Victor Meldrew character..Find anything to moan and complain,especially with any reference to Arsene!! Bet you must make great company on a day-to-day basis??!! Imagine the scenario:- Missus:Graham let’s pop along to Hampstead High Street to dine out for a romantic night at one of the restaurants,to celebrate our 70th anniversary? Graham:No… Read more »
RSPC
“Feel ozil will jack in January…He will struggle to get in this team.”
You need to watch that tone.
Why post something that’s likely to cause so much pain to Pierre?
In Ceballos’ we finally have a player that knows how to take a corner. A small thing maybe but a goal did result from one of them.
I wish some posters here would show the same positivity about the gunners that the players themselves are showing. As far as xG and all that shit is concerned I’m with Mark Twain on this one, ‘there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.’ I couldn’t care less about our strikers being elite, if they can produce the same numbers they produced last season that’ll suit me fine. Finally another quote (I like quotes.) This one attributed to Lincoln… A few posters here could do with being mindful of this old adage. ‘its better to remain silent… Read more »
vickingzAugust 17, 2019 17:32:04 @ Batistuta, Bro, I can only be responsible for what I wrote but not how you decided to understand it. Nowhere have I likened him to bendtner and maybe I wasn’t well taught “figure of speech”. Lemme ask, if you scored 40 out of available 100 and you happened to be the highest scorer, should it be termed “Excellent”? I believe that was the comment you dared me to find Vic? Ridiculously high standards that no one in world football has ever met. Anyway, looking forward to Liverpool although I feel it’s coming too early for… Read more »
Bojangles,
Twain died in 1910 and Lincoln in 1865.
In 2019, ignorance of data is negligent.
Even worse, you’re happy with the status quo… which is the antithesis of elite.
Maybe they died many years back but they were perhaps wiser men than many of the commenters are here.
Status quo… Maybe but I am not bothered by titles given to players. If a player scores goals for us on a regular basis who gives a shit if someone thinks he’s not elite. Give me 20+ goals a season and I’ll be happy thanks.
Actually not sure how you drew the conclusion that I’m happy with the status quo. I don’t think you could be further from the truth. Was it because I don’t give much credence to stats and stats are the modern way to look at football? Anyway, it’s your opinion and you are certainly entitled to it.
Freddie LjungbergAugust 19, 2019 03:20:59 vickingzAugust 17, 2019 17:32:04@ Batistuta, Bro, I can only be responsible for what I wrote but not how you decided to understand it. Nowhere have I likened him to bendtner and maybe I wasn’t well taught “figure of speech”. Lemme ask, if you scored 40 out of available 100 and you happened to be the highest scorer, should it be termed “Excellent”? I believe that was the comment you dared me to find Vic? Ridiculously high standards that no one in world football has ever met. ————– Not trying to urinate on your parade.. But… Read more »
Hopefully if Ceballos’ can repeat his Saturday performance through the year and the Emirates fans continue to show him the love it may be possible we can sign him next season.
https://www.arsenalcore.com/dani-ceballos-this-was-one-of-the-most-special-days-of-my-life-arsenal-burnley-19-20/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIg2oAXmJeY
Phd
Mbappe had the highest conversion rate in Europe last season at 26.3%.
Romario was incredibly efficient but I doubt even him scored on nearly half his shots over a longer period of time.
It is possible that a player could have had a freak season somewhere and achieved that number although I doubt it, still, pretty high bar to set for being an excellent striker.
Guess some people just like to moan about something.
Freddie LjungbergAugust 19, 2019 05:07:38 PhdMbappe had the highest conversion rate in Europe last season at 26.3%.Romario was incredibly efficient but I doubt even him scored on nearly half his shots over a longer period of time.It is possible that a player could have had a freak season somewhere and achieved that number although I doubt it, still, pretty high bar to set for being an excellent striker.Guess some people just like to moan about something. ————- Wow Mbappe achieving the highest conversion rate in Europe-26.3% is insane. Well,wasn’t too far off in my average of a 25% conversion rate… Read more »
My hunch is mbappe will go to Madrid next summer for a world record fee.
He has Madrid superstar written all over him, more so than Barca even regardless of griezman.
One thing to consider though is Barca might consider cashing in on Suarez whilst he’s still got it to help fund a move for a younger star, so even though this inner it won’t happen, Barca could technically happen next summer.
But for me he is nailed on for Madrid. We’ll see if my hunch is right
Ceballos will get a tonne if love from the fans if he can play that well regularly We fans have been served shit sandwiches for at least 3 years now and in no position more so than CM. Ozil is Jared by a large section of the fan base. Mikki is considered crap. Xhaka is wanted out by a big section of the fan base. Cazorla was great in his prime but was a crock for years so didn’t count. Ramsey was good but also quite irritating because of his leaving his defensive partners exposed I can’t express just how… Read more »
China1 Well put! I was going post similar. Good response to Charlie who found Ceballos’s performance “encouraging”. That said I agree with Charlie that Ceballos shouldn’t be touted as better than previous senior players, such as Ozil and Ramsey at their best just yet, although at such a young age Ceballos can only improve, especially as this loan is his shop window for Madrid et al. Winning attitude is everything in life whether in sport, business or just life in general. Ceballos seems to have that in abundance from what we have witnessed thus far, which should serve us well… Read more »
China – hardly a big insightful hunch to state that one of the worlds best players with the best goal stats will be wanted by arguably the world’s biggest club!!
Who the fudge is this PhD geezer?
He states that it’s nearly three years since Wenger left the building, when infact its only 1 year 3 months, and then he proceeds to write another thesis justifying his mistake and pointing a finger at me for having a bee in my bonnet regarding Wenger.
So, what’s new?!!
Comes across as a very angry individual and a bit of a dick.
He’s probably right in one respect, I’m getting too old for this shite.
Ceballos had one great day. Let him repeat it against top opponents consistently before we lose our heads. Delivering against Liverpool and Tottenham would be a good start but to be honest, I’m tired of focusing our hopes on one player… I want the whole team to start pulling for each other. As someone said last week, if Real Madrid go for Pogba or Mbappe they will need to sell. Let’s hope that Ceballos keeps this up, and in the meantime we should get all our ducks in a row have a contract ready to offer the player by the… Read more »
Mustafi, Elneny and Mkhitaryan… have we sold them yet?
Graham62August 19, 2019 08:26:01 Who the fudge is this PhD geezer?He states that it’s nearly three years since Wenger left the building, when infact its only 1 year 3 months, and then he proceeds to write another thesis justifying his mistake and pointing a finger at me for having a bee in my bonnet regarding Wenger. So, what’s new?!!Comes across as a very angry individual and a bit of a dick.He’s probably right in one respect, I’m getting too old for this shite. ——– Sorry to burst your bubble early morning..Though,that’s hardly likely “Victor Meldrew.” But I started off talking… Read more »
PhD
As I said, a very angry individual and a bit of a dick.
Enjoy your day.
“As far as xG and all that shit is concerned I’m with Mark Twain on this one”
Just don’t ignore what your doctor says if your x-Cholesterol is on the up.
Graham62August 19, 2019 09:33:34 As I said, a very angry individual and a bit of a dick.Enjoy your day. —– Says the geriatric that bangs out 100 posts per day,with every other reference to Arsene and engages with another geriatric in the form of CG.. I reckon Victor Meldrew-you walk around the neighbourhood wearing a tank top or tight t -shirt with ARSENE OUT emblazoned across the front in big bold letters. Probably walk your pet poddle wrapped up in a body and leg warmer with the same words”ARSENE OUT” emblazoned over the poor mitts body. Enjoy your day also-oh… Read more »
Looks like Tuchel has lost his mojo. He won his battle with the DoF, but like at Dortmund in the end he lost the war. Asking now that the Neymar fee being reinvested in players. With Leonardo already making clear that he is not a fan of his, he may be kick out before the end of the transfer window.
Mourinho with his crocodile tears about his current lack of employment may have found his next prey. PSG odious club with more money than sense and more arrogant attitude than respect would be a perfect fit.
Next week end could be very instructive. Chelsea will face Norwich and I can see them getting torn to shred by their quick counter-attack. Kante is not a right winger, he is the best defensive midfielder in the Premiership and maybe the world. He should be playing in his position. Lampard is currently playing the Sarri runbook but at a faster pace. It will end in tears, because neither Jorginho, Kovatic or Mason Mount can handle quick transition. If we can exploit Liverpool susceptibility to quick ball in the channel behind their advanced fullback, Arsenal could get some joy there.… Read more »
Great save there