I’m fine with the result.
Arsenal weren’t humiliated.
We put up a fight for the most part.
There were hints of a game plan.
We were a threat on the counter.
It’s weak sauce that my standards are that low this season, but I think the manager has some mitigating factors to lean back on. Namely, he had a disrupted preseason, we have a lot of new players bedding in, and I’m not convinced that he’s ever going to be a big game manager.
The strategy was negative. We didn’t set-up with an attacking vision in mind. We played Xhaka. Nacho started. We didn’t play a supreme brand of football, and we mostly took our chances from long balls. We tried to play out the back again.
The reality is this: We’re not good enough to be beating the European champions.
I think this game, like our two starting games last season, came too early for us to make an impact.
The manager is a militant pragmatist and we set up that way. I’m not quite sure why there’s a clamouring for Arsenal to head to one of fiercest teams in the world and go toe-to-toe with them. That was the way of Wenger. We’d have been sliced apart if we’d gone there guns blazing.
Another reality check. We conceded 18 shots against Burnley. We conceded 8 against Newcastle. Emery does not have an answer to defence in general, let alone a Liverpool one. The set up was to be expected, and I don’t think we’ll be the best team to play that way against them this season.
I thought we were better than usual with our deep build. Luiz made us more interesting, we were a touch faster moving out of tricky/self-imposed situations, we moved more long balls than we have done in the first two games. The slow build still wasn’t ideal, but it wasn’t a disaster.
Pépé showed signs of brilliance that leads me to believe he could be a truly electric player for us. He’s James Rodriguez levels of left-footedness, but the way he shuffles the ball between his feet is outrageous. On a better day, he’s scoring twice and we’re causing Liverpool a real headache.
Willock looked powerful. He always looks like he’s about to fall over, but his drive and aggression tells me he’s ready for the top of the game. He’s a first-team player, no doubt. I think when he matures, he could be a 15 goal a season player. He is very quick and I reckon he’s watched some Freddie videos over the last few years.
Add Tierney and Bellerin, and we’re looking more deadly. Get LT in that midfield; playing at his best, and we’re a faster more mobile side. His late striker felt like a statement goal. He can’t be a pussy this season, Milan is a pipe dream, Arsenal is where it’s at. He needs to wrestle a starting spot, I thought his new haircut was sharp, I thought his quick passing added something when he arrived late in the game.
David Luiz has made three errors in 2 games. His presence is better for the defence, he’s imposing, he’s better on the ball than the rest of them, but he needs to start bringing a little more composure to his game. Steaming in on Salah and totally missing is embarrassing. The shirt pull for the penalty was about as subtle as a pair of Hector Bellerin silk trousers. We should be expecting more from him, and I’m confident that’ll come.
That’s a lie. I’m not confident it’ll come. I’m worried that we have a manager who is very poor at organising defences and Luiz has moved from the comfort of a pragmatic system, to the insane asylum with Kevin Keegan’s defensive protege.
Auba went missing a touch for me, he’s not quite elite levels against big teams. That said, it was a beast of a game and he was trying to outsmart VVD. 3 months down the line, maybe the game is different? Pepe seemed to always be the last man with the long balls. We’re three games in and I’m still not convinced that this one-dimensional system of Emery’s is going to make us a chance creation machine, but we’ll see.
Worth mentioning that no one is complaining Ozil was left out of the squad? We lost and I still don’t care or wonder what could have been.
Reality is we’re a proper manager away from being a serious outfit, but really, you’re stretching if you think the result was the way it was because we didn’t go guns blazing.
I think it’d be a fair argument to say that tactically, even for a pragmatist, it seemed like we’d not thought much beyond a deep block and long balls. Liverpool had 25 attempts at our goal. So we really did sit back and let things happen to us.
Things have to get better, we have to see an improvement to the underlying structure of the team both in attack and defence. We must make top 4.
No excuses for Emery.
That said…
It’s so amusing reading the folk who had no opinion on the intricacies of elite football when Wenger was failing, all of a sudden find a critical voice. Now they all understand football structure, elite performance and the power of a decentralized hierarchy.
All the things that weren’t real when the main man was in charge.
If you were blind for ten years when it was outrageously clear what the problems were; losing to the European champions can’t be the spark that gives you permission to have fire opinions on current Arsenal issues.
AKB wokeness is a thing and the hypocrisy is stunning to watch.
Yesterday was a defeat worth taking seriously. There were some nice bits that could help us push away from Chelsea and United, but we really have to make something count against Spurs next week. It needs to be more of a game and we can’t be sitting on our goal line in a home game.
Let’s see what the rebound looks like.
Huge game, but we’re more than capable of doing something special. Let me know YOUR comments in the… comments.
x
“Worth mentioning that no one is complaining Ozil was left out of the squad? ”
Pedro your lack of respect for Pierre is a bit disappointing.
Spurs had had some luck this season.
Hope that lucky run comes to an end today.
With you Graham, it’s why sport is so amazing. Take a bow Stokes.
Good defending from Schar
If that performance wasn’t concerning to any supporter, don’t know what is. This not about AKB or Wenger. It’s simply of the unfolding events right before our eyes over the past season and the start of this season.
‘I fancy our chances more with no koscielny, mustafi and Xhaka in the side to screw it up.’
But Xhaka will play!
Captain Xhaka is more than capable of doing the damage on behalf of others.
‘It’s a long old season, everyone will get beat by someone at some point’
Yeah sure but the good coaches will still reach their targets, not surrendering it weakly when it’s almost in the bag(at the hands of inferior teams)like our man did last term.
I sometimes wonder about people who don’t love any kind of professional sport. What else gives the same drama, emotion and heartache?!
Schar has had a good game today so far.
Hope I don’t put the curse on him.
RedtruthAugust 25, 2019 17:35:56
Let’s put it this way, I won’t be renewing Emery’s contract if he puts in one more dèjà vu performance against Liverpool……
——
That’s the spirit… 🙂
Spurs future without Ericksen looks very impotent. Harry Winks is not a midfield general. His passing is slow and ponderous.
If I were Levy, I would get my chequebook out in January, because they may not get Champion’s League football without a proper baller in midfield.
Joelinton should sit on Sanchez for the rest of the match.
I don’t understand why Emery isn’t considered elite? His work at Lorca, Valencia and Sevilla was elite, he did well in Paris. We were 12 points off fourth in 2017/18 and only 2 points last season, we also went a step closer in the Europa. His overall record in finals is exceptional, this was always going to be a 3-4 season job, there was no quick fixes available with our budget, and with the mess Emery inherited. I say give the guy a chance and get behind him, if he gets us back in the top4 this season? Then he… Read more »
‘Spurs future without Ericksen looks very impotent.’
Let’s talk of Arsenal future with Emery as coach shall we.
Making Xhaka captain is a sackable offence in itself
Bob
Still buzzing.
Australia had so many chances but who cares.
Stokes was amazing and credit Jack Leach for doing his part.
My wife was jumping all over the place when Stokes was thumping all those sixes.
————————
Chris
I’m with you on that and there’s still two more tests to go and the Rugby WC.
Thank god for Sport.
Yeah they are already advocating another contract for Emery…..the real Arsenal fans….. always in love with mediocrity.
Gentlebris,
If ManUtd, Spurs and Chelsea implode then top 4 would a lot more easily achievable.
lol misjudgement from Sanchez again on the high ball cross
Bit gutting for Newcastle if Joelinton has to go off,
Good outlet for them and he spooks Sanchez
Cant wait to batter these cunts next week…they are fucking shite…it’ll be 4 or 5 at least mark my words, these are absolute pussyholes
Lascelles diving swan act.
No way it’s a pen. Lescelles falls and Kane being the honest person that he is just falls on him
VAR.
No penalty.
???
Bit fortunate Lascelles.
Don’t think he actually tripped up. More like a despairing panicky dive onto the floor
Pray to the skies Lucas.
Sitter.
First time Newcastle have been really caught out
It’s even more disheartening when there’s no in-play tactical plan. Must we play every dead ball from the back when it’s clearly not working?
Joelinton did all the hard work and Atsu fucks up
I was just thinking what a tactical masterclass it was from Emery against liverpool.
It fooled everyone , even the liverpool manager .
Who would have thought that Arsenal would go to Anfield and allow their 2 fullbacks the freedom of pitch.
The only conclusion that one can come to is that Emery is a genius.
Those who criticise Emery for having the foresight to invent this masterplan are obviously AKB’S and have no understanding of the modern game.
Happy for Steve bruce
Hope they pull this off
Why did Brucie take Joelinton off for.
You keep him on until the end for outlet
Sanchez getting in a tangle. lol
Ishola
I think Joelington gestured to the bench, he might have a niggle or two.
It’ll be hilarious if Spurs spursed this 🙂 🙂 🙂
Six minutes?
Poch has changed the character of Spurs though.
Most people expect spuds to find a way through to get something.
Spurs are losing to Newcastle at home Pierre, that’s all that is important right now
I’m surprised Almiron hasn’t scored in the premier league yet.
Vowwwee
Spores lose
Steve Bruce deserved this one
Now the club can start to get behind him.
Until the soft penalty was conceded we were competing. Considering we had both 1st choice full backs out… it was not a bad showing for about 60 minutes.
I wish we played 4-3-3 from the off. We looked much better when we started moving the ball forward more decisively and quickly.
I know we didn’t win but the portents are good. We looked dangerous and promising every time we moved forward… we dust ourselves off, learn from our mistakes and hopefully strengthen our defence in the January window.
Things are achanging are Arsenal. Changing for the better.
Yes….Spurs choked before NLD 🙂 🙂 🙂
One wonders how much criticism Pochettino is getting on Spurs message boards right now.
Surely the sack for Poch. Nah he’s alright
*at Arsenal
Lol pierre still can’t swallow Ozil’s ban.
That makes the weekend slightly better.
We absolutely have to go at them next week.
Just like last year, high tempo and aggressive.
Dissenter and TR7.
Explain yourselves.
Spurs “up there” ?
Where exactly?
The nothing team of Newcastle won away to spuds.
The only sauce poch has is some mouldy ketchup in his fridge.
Newcastle defended very well today and tbf they defended well against Arsenal as well and only got caught out once for the Auba goal.
Looks like they had a day off defensively against Norwich but can happen as they think Norwich are a lesser threat.
Thought Schar was good today. They defended well as a team really.
Spurs seem to be suffering from a lack of full back quality, lack of creative ability and lack of balance and quality in central midfield.
We absolutely have to take to the field feeling as if we can slap them all game long.
Watford bottom.
Weren’t they supposed to be better than us?
Ishola
Might seem reactionary but i meant it when i said we should be shoe in for at least 3rd, those around us aren’t all that and all 4 teams will drop silly points at different points this season
At least a two or three goal win next weekend.
We should relax with our expectations for our game vs spuddies. Form or slight advantage in quality don’t really matter as much in derbies.
Spurs “up there”
Where?
Batistuta atm I am chuckling at the idea that Spurs were being talked about as being up there with Man City and Liverpool by a couple of posters on here.
Some on here will be disconsolate at beloved Spuds dropping early points..
What’s galling is we should of easily secured top 4 last season as outside of the top 2 the teams are rank.
Anything can happen in the NLD derby really. We’ll see if Ndombele will be out of that game as well.
To be honest, it was very unlikely we were going to get anything at Anfield. I rather get three points against Spurs any day. If we do, hopefully we can build up sone steam and momentum behind us.
“Low standards, sure, but I am a realist on Emery, he’s utter garbage. A good showing for him.”
😂
Pierre
Hope you read all of Pedro’s post, as the last part probably is in reference to people like you 😉
I wouldn’t be demanding a big win next week, a deflected goal off someone’s arse to win 1-0 would do just fine. Spurs may be vulnerable but they will be like a wounded animal next week. Expect a response.
Hoofing long balls up to the forwards without midfield support was always going to end in tears
Can’t dismiss Spurs of course against Arsenal. They are still a threat offensively and you don’t want to engage with them too much in central midfield because they have more physicality. Play away and around Sissoko. But they are hugely over-rated by some and now have plenty of weaknesses. No need to be too clever in the match. Aggressive, quick football and balls over the top and if Sanchez is hopefully playing again he will freak out in this scenario again . For this reason Auba uptop is prefered to Laca in this match to run onto the balls over… Read more »
How did Newcastle get a win with Spurs being several classes above them?
CL finalists vs 13th in the prem last season.
Must’ve been the stable team and manager they’ve had, since July…
Cricket is a very dangerous sport. Gay is not a pejorative term anyway. Many gay people are extremely brave and combative, I wouldn’t expect such a stupid comment on here. I bet you wouldn’t say that to Ben Stokes’s face.
Emery was clueless tactically yesterday. He spends all week looking at videos and only gets into games when he makes in- match changes. Playing a triangle against the best pressing team in the PL , with the two best attacking full backs was embarrassing.
Charlie
Spurs are not Man City or Liverpool are they.
A few posters funnily thought this may be the case though.
Ishola
Newcastle aren’t Arsenal mate.
Spurs finished 4th last season and were CL finalists, call them whatever the fuck you like frankly. They’re levels above Newcastle.
And Charlie?
It’s Liverpool and Man City and then the rest.
Remember that.
A 433 is a must against Tottenham. Emery cnt keep on keeping the gun powder dry. He has to start ALP, the spaces in between rose and kyle needs to be exploited. We cnt just sit back and defend.Its not so much that emery is a fraud but he worrys too much about the opposition instead of creating a brand of football the team adheres to. Im sorry but you cnt start xhaka and guendozi. They both slow our play down immensly and dont provide defensive protection. I would prefer ceballos in a deeper role as his dribbling and movement… Read more »
25 and 26 points behind Man City and Liverpool last season Spurs.
Only two horses in this race Charlie.
The rest are lagging badly.
Ishola
If you’re unpacking our defeat under the idea we’re levels below Liverpool, then you can’t dismiss the fact Newcastle are levels below Spurs.
Or you can, you’d just be a hypocrite for doing so.
That’s 15 wins and 14 losses for Spurs this year alone and that’s with what’s meant to be a much settled squad too
And a much better manager too according to Le grove
Henry Root
May I ask you if you have spent the last 5 years spewing abuse at Wenger, if not then you have no right to call Emerys tactics embarrassing.
Thats according to the posters who were spewing abuse at our former manager.
I am still not sure about VAR, some of the decisions are just shocking. I thought this new addition would take the game out of the referees hands. I hate the spuds as much as anyone but that was a stonewall penalty. Sanchez hauling kubo down as the last man was a complete joke. I still think theres a master puppeteer in the studio deciding what happens for viewing figures. I think they choose to have the controversy instead of calling a spade a spade. I mean that Llorente goal last year was absurd going in of his hand. I… Read more »
I should hope with VAR Tottenham will be deducted points. There was soo many controversies involving them over the years where they score offside goals and dive all year around. Hopefully with VAR it knocks 10 points of them and places them at 4 or 5th if manu ans chelsea werent so shit.
Danny M.O.
‘He has to start ALP’
Well done for using the right acronym. Sick of some people’s PAL talk or LAP waffle.
I agree on the 4-3-3.
A midfield 3 of Guendouzi/Willock, Torreira, Dani Ceballos with ALP up front.
Spurs will obviously play a lot better next weekend, just as we saw with Liverpool yesterday, but we should approach the game with confidence.
Charlie I’m telling you that Liverpool and Man City are way above the others and teams like Arsenal and Spurs can get turned over by anyone in comparison. If you want to continue despite it being explained to you that it is Man City and Liverpool and then the rest then tell us how Newcastle actually just beat Spurs. What I saw from Newcastle was a few limited counter attacks one of which they scored from and for the majority deep defending of their own goal. It looked very similar to me from an away team that played at Anfield… Read more »
Anyone Arsenal fan tipping Spurs for a title this year, or any year really, should not be taken seriously debating any football related topic.
Picking Watford finishing above Arsenal, however ,is still visionary.
@cesc appeal
I totally agree with that midfield, they are all mobile and have enough technique to beat the press.
With the players at hand we should be a liverpool mk2. I just wish tierney and bellerin was back as they would provide the width we desperately need. Monreal isnt up to scratch and no one seems to cover amn when he goes on his runs.
“What I saw from Newcastle was a few limited counter attacks one of which they scored from and for the majority deep defending of their own goal.It looked very similar to me from an away team that played at Anfield yesterday apart from a goal in the first half of course.“
Newcastle were resolute defensively and kept a clean sheet, you’ll have to explain the similarities to our conceding of three goals.
Charlie: “How did Newcastle get a win with Spurs being several classes above them? CL finalists vs 13th in the prem last season. Must’ve been the stable team and manager they’ve had, since July…”
Pool 97 pts, 1 loss
Spuds 71 pts, 13 losses
I hope you realize this.
Lol rather than ask questions how special sauce pochettino lost to Newcastle at home he quickly flips it on arsenal losing to Liverpool yesterday. Top points for being proactive
Apparently losing to Pool away is more shocking than losing to Newcastle at home according to Charlie. Good grief.
Palace won at City, these things happen. Liverpool will not approach a game with a bottom half team with the same resolve they approach arsenal.
Simple really
Raptora we will be reading a lot of that on here anytime a bottom team beats a rival.
Someone just said Pochettino is rebuilding, rebuilding after what exactly???
“Apparently losing to Pool away is more shocking than losing to Newcastle at home according to Charlie. Good grief.“
Eh? Someone’s a little lost…
I’d work on understanding what’s being said before the daft remarks.
Charlie
Getting the first goal can be important in a match.
It gives the team that set up to defend in the match something to hold onto.
Newcastle got the first goal today, Arsenal didn’t at Anfield and conceded at a bad time just before half time.
The concept and set-up was the same from Newcastle as Emery had at Anfield though and you were the one citing Newcastle beating Spurs away as proof that Liverpool can be turned over or something along those lines. The set-up and concept that you were dismissive of previously.
IMO Emery’s tactics are not to blame for the loss . Its the players poor execution.With the 4-4-2 diamond it was clearly Emery wanted their full backs to have the ball and bombard us with crosses and that is what they did but to no avail. As their 3 players in the box are not good headers of the ball whereas we always had 5-6 players inside our box + keeper against their 3. First goal we concede thanks to poor marking. Honestly Guendouzi cant head a ball and he was marking their tallest player what did we expect. The… Read more »
“you were the one citing Newcastle beating Spurs away as proof that Liverpool can be turned over or something along those lines. The set-up and concept that you were dismissive of previously.”
Nothing to do with being turned over, just proof that competing in a game against a better side isn’t out of reach – and more importantly shouldn’t be held up as an excuse.
What concept was I dismissive of exactly?
All in all i am quite happy with how the weekend went. Yes we lost however it was to an exceptional team who are going all out for the league. I dont think they will care match about the cl.
Seeing our rivals lose made the defeat less sour. We have our first choice full backs and centre back coming back in to the fold.If we beat the spuds we will play two whipping boys before united. I think this team will start purring around end of october providing there are no injuries.
In 15 league games played in 2019 Spurs have lost 8, won 4, drawn 3. They have the third best coach in the world
I’d start Ceballos vs spuds. 100%.
Yeeaaahh!
Wasi has seen the light regarding Xhaka.
Well done and welcome.
You are now out of that dark place you were in before.
(We should be going into this game with a positive attitude)*
Ishola
What dark place was I in exactly? I would love to know.
Charlie
Newcastle set-up and had the same concept that Emery did at Anfield.
They got the first goal of the match.
This concept and set-up which is basically the same you call competing in Newcastle’s case is dismissed when in relation to Emery.
Emery went to Anfield with an idea to restrict and hit on some counters. It didn’t work out.
Newcastle went to Spurs with an idea to restrict and hit on some counters and succeeded.