Poor old Unai, even Danny Murphy is jumping in with the two footed special.
“Alright, Arsenal had a tight four and it was hard [to break down] but you can’t play against a top team and let them get so high up the pitch so easily in wide areas, especially with the full-backs they’ve got.
“If you go to Liverpool every year and get done, why not try something different? It looked like a system that had been put on a board and they hadn’t worked on it.”
I think the above is a fair point, but honestly, have you watched Liverpool?
Push up against their pace and you’re fucked. Sit deep against their technical prowess and you’re fucked. There are very few ways Emery was going to get out of that game alive with two ghastly errors from his lead center-back.
It’s frustrating that we have to play second fiddle against teams, even after the manager has blown a huge amount of cash, but the reality is we’re still in a rebuilding process… the deeper worry is that even when this squad is settled, I’m not sure peak-Emery is taking it to the promised land. That said, we’re in great company, because United and Chelsea look frail.
For now though, I’m quite content that we executed a fairly ok game plan, against a world-class team.
Spurs on the other hand are not so world-class. Their squad is under attack from clubs around Europe, their two best defenders have had their heads turned and the coach looks utterly furious. I think most people must realise he’s coming to the end of his cycle, if the players feel that, they’re in big trouble this year.
We have to attack their weaknesses this weekend, there’s no better time to get at them.
Let’s see what Unai has to offer.
In other news, it seems like Monreal is going to be granted an exit to Real Soceidad. Interestingly, the club are apparently going to waive the fee so we can land first option on a number of prospects in their ranks. That’s very smart and again, a new type of transfer strategy we’ve not seen before.
Back to the player. I’d be very sad to see the Spaniard go. He’s been an underrated gladiator for Arsenal over the years. He’s reliable, productive and has always had a superb attitude. I think everyone is a little uneasy that Kola is going to be our left-sided option for at least the next 6 weeks.
Rumours are that Tierney doesn’t join full training for at least a month. That’ll mean 2-3 weeks until he rejoins the first team. Then he has to adapt to a faster league. We could be in need of him, so there’s the risk of a rush and return to injury that sets him back again.
It’d also be great if Nacho was mentoring Tierney.
… still, we’ve splurged an horrendous amount of cash this summer, moving people off the wage bill has to be a priority at some point.
GOOD NEWS THAT HOLDING SHOULD RETURN AFTER THE BREAK.
Right, see you in the comments. x
DM
2
Us this season – just putting it out there (I’m an optimist)
Trofee
Hey
6th?
Sacrificed my trophy to make a statement. Not sure it was worth it :/
Crazy our only FB option is kola he is shocking
May as well play another cm there until Thierney is fit let’s try Wilock there and totally ruin our FB positions ffs
Trophy is for pups it’s a busted flush now Wenger has gone
I say we re-sign Flamini as back-up LB until Tierney fit. Remember when we did a very decent job covering there and everyone was shocked? He’s loaded now, he might enjoy a bit of footie 😉
Yo
Sod it let’s offer cashley a short term and get him on a short term
Or even better let Kenny sansom sleep in the changing rooms for a few weeks :/
If we lose Monreal, does that mean we’ll be playing a back 3 until Tierney is fit?
Clearly Kola isn’t up to scratch as a LB, but he’s a passable LWB I suppose….
So basically if Kos was not a prick we would probably have let him leave on a free too
“So basically if Kos was not a prick we would probably have let him leave on a free too”
Insomuch as (reportedly, at least) the reason he was a prick was because we wouldn’t let him leave for free… no.
Groovey I would say that’s the only way luiz is not a liability is if we play him in a back 3 with holding and Papa he is far better in a 3 than in 442
I remember when Chelsea did that they improved overnight with him at the back and before that he made mistake after mistake
DM then we are treating Kos differently than Nacho and I don’t get that
Well. Lets bring Wenger back and play him in LB until Tierney becomes fit.
Mr Serge It’s a different situation, I guess. If the reports are to be believed, Kos demanded he was allowed to leave for free (supposedly the old regime had told him he’d be allowed to), and we didn’t want that. They probably thought, if he goes, he goes on our terms and ours alone, and we want money for him. I very much doubt Monreal has demanded anything of the such. It just so happens that Sociedad are interested and we see it as a better strategy to take first option on a player(s) rather than take a nominal cash… Read more »
‘This season is about improving the away form against all teams in EPL apart from Liverpool and Man City and getting results against Spurs and Chelsea.’ So Ishola when the management team was handing down targets to Emery, it must have sounded like this: ‘Mr Emery, our collective aim is to improve our results when we play teams away from home, but nevertheless, we must emphasize at this point that we are not expecting to achieve those targets against Liverpool and Manchester City since they are much better sides and we must surrender to their majestic abilities’ Ishola it pains… Read more »
‘Mr Emery, our collective aim is to improve our results when we play teams away from home, but nevertheless, we must emphasize at this point that we are not expecting to achieve those targets against Liverpool and Manchester City since they are much better sides and we must surrender to their majestic abilities’
It hurts… but it is true. They are much better team than we are.
Even if we become susceptible at the back we should be playinh Kola LB in a back 4. Our strength is in attack and playing back 3 restrics our attacking potential considerably. And its not that it makes us defensively solid anyway.It only makes a tad bit of difference IMO. And for that we’ll have to sacrifice either one of laca,pepe,auba if we play a front 2 or one of ceballos,willock, Guendouzi, torreira, ozil and lose the midfield battle if we play a front 3. For a team whose strength lies in attack we cant be tying our hands by… Read more »
‘As an aside i thought it was pretty dumb of him to play Xhaka after Klopp publicly said he expected Xhaka to start, there really was nothing Xhaka will bring at Anfield we could not do without’
Your hero was dumb?
I knew we would get the truth sneaking out at some point.
‘even Danny Murphy is jumping in with the two footed special’
‘Even’ Danny Murphy?
The bald prick would step over his dying mother if it meant he was able to have a go at Arsenal.
If I hear Danny Murphy or Jermaine Jenas commentating on an Arsenal game I hit the mute button.
What was not mentioned by Danny Murphy was that Liverpool were restricted in regards real clear cut goalscoring chances from open play in comparison to other visits there in recent past seasons despite their overwhelming possession.
I’m sure Danny would have liked to see Arsenal be more expansive in the match and push forward more and ship another five goals there. He would have loved that.
‘we’ve splurged an horrendous amount of cash this summer’
We haven’t and why suddenly have you started opting for deeply negative wording when describing our summer spend.
Perhaps it’s to do with the next thing…
‘even after the manager has blown a huge amount of cash’
It’s just bordering on utterly ridiculous now.
Never understood the point of bringing your old comments into a new post.
Yes we should bypass the midfield Ishola against Spurs but what midfield two will you pick, it’s now down to Xhaka and who??
We spent what normally a top six club will be expected to spend, don’t think our spend can be described as horrendous. Take into account the players we lost and we had no option really but to spend.
We’ve got to rely on someone like Dani Ceballos getting the ball to ALP at the weekend.
When Liverpool struggle to get MFS (crap acronym) into the game they rely on Alexaner Arnold and Robertson (as with the UCL final)…we don’t have full backs to do that right now, we will, but not yet.
I do think ALP should be more than enough to cause Spurs problems all game.
Considering the Spurs midfield I’d have Torreira in there for trying to win the ball back and Guendouzi for his pressing and energy at least for 70 odd minutes in Guen’s case.
Play Ceballos as a false wide player on the left coming inside and roaming and Pepe of course on the right with Auba uptop.
me thinks
Pepe Laca Auba
Dani
Torreira Guendouzi
Kos Luiz Papa Niles
Interestingly, the club are apparently going to waive the fee so we can land first option on a number of prospects in their ranks
Is this true? Seems relevant if they have their eye on someone specific rather than hoping that Sociedad produce someone in the next few years.
That’s a back four Ashwin..Kolasinac in a back four never works
Of course I’d prefer not to have Xhaka in there but as RH said it is very likely he will be in.
In that case you have to have Torreira and Guen in there for hustle alongside him .
That also means Ceballos to fit in further up but in a roaming role. Coming deep to get the ball as he wishes.
Emery has tried Xhaka as left back before. Don’t know whether he’ll try it again for the next few weeks.
Maybe they have that 22 year old Zubeldia in mind. Supposed to be highly rated
Cesc,
Haha, Pedro spends years campaigning to prevent a situation in which an all powerful manager is solely responsible form”splurging” cash.
That situation then materialises, and the club spends intelligently on problem positions and gaps in the squad.
Pedro then proceeds to complain about “the manager splurging cash” on players.
The thing is the Monreal fee was going to be something like £3 Million, anyway.
I trust Sanllehi to know what’s going on with La Liga clubs, maybe there is a player or players they are looking at.
No comment from Gentlebrebis yet ??
“Emery has tried Xhaka as left back before. Don’t know whether he’ll try it again for the next few weeks.”
That would be daft..very daft
Real Sociedad have Oyarzabal who is a very exciting young talent . Also he is a LW. If we Raul js setting a deal for him we should happily hand Monreal over. Though its unlikely theyll compensate on a player they can earn 60m+ for a fow million now.
How useful Xhaka will be in the match depends on whether Poch continues to play Sanchez.
Sanchez hasn’t got a clue positionally with balls hit over the top.
Three avenues to get at Sanchez if he plays. Xhaka balls over the top, Luiz balls over the top, Ceballos balls over the top. That’s how much of a weakness Sanchez has become in the Spurs line-up.
Saying that Poch has the option to drop Sanchez and re-instate Vertonghen alongside Toby A.
Really it should be a no brainer for him but who knows. Let’s pray to see Sanchez in the line-up.
Id rather mykhi as a LB than Xhaka as a LB.
Cesc,
I’m totally with you on your line that Pedro at the moment is all over the place with his position on where the club is at, totally focussed on the myriad alleged deficiencies of Emery as if he were a long term old style manager (I.eWenger) who controls everything, and not someone who is here to steady the ship, who will either stay if he performs, or be removed if he fails.
Merely pointing this out marks a commenter out as (laughable really) a so-called EKB….
Ishola Xhaka is a liability in the defensive phase and his passing doesnt really make it up for his frailties against top 6 teams. If you look back at the Liverpool game it was Xhaka’s poor clearance that led to the corner from which Pool scored. These are minor details but it was a cross Xhaka should have been able to clear it for a throw in instead of a corner. Also his lack of mobility was a serious cause of concern due to Firmino’s intelligent movement .With Guendouzis and willocks emergance as capable players we shouldnt have to rely… Read more »
“Rumours are that Tierney doesn’t join full training for at least a month. That’ll mean 2-3 weeks until he rejoins the first team.
Pedro,
Please cc this to Marko
Wasi absolutely no way of getting Oyarzabal. The second he goes on the market not only would Real and Barca be in for him but PSG and especially City who were apparently willing to pay his release clause if Sane left last summer. He’s an elite talent. Now due to the Pepe signing this past summer one can no longer categorically assume that we don’t have a chance when we get linked to these types of players anymore but just assume that with regards to Oyarzabal Havertz and Sancho we don’t have a ghost of a chance to sign them
Arteta is in fact the only spanish person Pedro really likes.
Damn, I forgot Pep!!
This is speculative really but I wonder if there’s someone (or some faction) inside the club with a line to Pedro who is considering an early swoop on someone like Allegri (currently spending some time with his family) if things go south early this season…..
Dissenter I think he’s taking a note of what Val said yesterday literally almost word for word.
Anyway this is for you
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11779865/kieran-tierney-arsenal-sign-celtic-defender-on-deadline-day
https://www.lcfc.com/teams/first-team
Monreal is one of the most astute signings we made in the last decade. I put his class in the mould of Santi Cazorla- good players we got from Spain on the cheap.
Often understated, solid and dependable.
I hope Emery keeps him long enough to let him come into the NLD in the 92nd minute when we are leading 5-2.
WOAB
I think there’s a much bigger picture at Arsenal now and the next manager will be the one that Kroenke Jr, Sanllehi and Edu think is the man to take the club to a title challenge.
When that new manager arrives our squad will be in much better shape with far, far fewer obvious issues, financially we will be much better off, the infrastructure will be settled and operating efficiently and we will likely be back in the UCL.
I’m extremely confident about the club’s future and see Emery for what he is.
I know only too well Wasi.
But as long as Emery seems contented with having such a one dimensional midfielder who is a weakness off the ball then we can only surmise that any line-ups or the majority of them will have Xhaka in the line-up because it looks like he is still seen as a first team player as his inclusion in the first real big game at Liverpool signified.
Anyone who thinks Emery’s football is dull will loathe Allegri.
Let’s just give Pedro his Arteta, watch him fail and be done with it
Inclusion Ishola?? He led the team out, he is now our leader.
I can see top managers wanting to come to Arsenal, NOT because it’s a big club, in London,premier league … and all these things we like to talk about.
I can really see top managers like Allegri coming in just [if Emery doesn’t work out] to work with the back-room we have. The work the did last summer with very little is the stuff of legends. They kick started a squad rebuilding with rocket boosters.
Yea, I think top managers [not cone decorators] can be enticed.
Marko We didnt stand a chance in signing Pepe. And I agree there are going to be a lot of teams behind him but Don Raul’s knock is a different knock and we do waive off the monreal fee or even reduce it there has to be a reason behind it .Even selling Nacho now is not the smartest move but its happening right. And its not to cut the wage bill as monreal is not really sitting on 100k a week. It has to be to strike a deal with Real sociedad over their young talents. Hopefully the report… Read more »
“If I hear Danny Murphy or Jermaine Jenas commentating on an Arsenal game I hit the mute button.” Don’t forget Michael Owen, who has always been the most anti-Arsenal pundit around. Every single season going back a decade he labelled us as not being top 4 quality, and had Liverpool finishing well above us, even when they were a mid-table team. Danny Murphy doesn’t really offend me, but it’s beyond cringeworthy how Jenas tries to make out that he had a heavyweight career at one of the top clubs, when the reality was he was a journeyman who won nothing,… Read more »
Ishola
Yeha right. He loves Xhaka and he is loved him before he even got to know him. Remember the long term contract he signed when Emery was appointed. Has to go down as the only bad piece of business done by Raul. Well its only bad until Raul can flip Xhaka for 40+ m
Nacho, mistakes and all, has been a true pleasure to follow. His commitment has always shined…….and his attitude most special. I hope he stays …….though I understand the overall future strategy most important.
Words on a Blog – I don’t know about Allegri faction within club but I am convinced Pedro receives gossipy email from Gazidis supporters who seem to be stabbing current manager in the back.
I reckon Pedro has to keep his comments somewhat negative about Emery or Arsenal because controversy drives traffic. No one reads positive news, humans seem to prefer to read about death and destruction than they do about happy family that just bought two kittens for their children.
Yeah the wage bill is already down significantly anyone that leaves now is because they’re not wanted or needed. Monreal is an obvious outgoing cause we’ve got 3 LB’s and he’s 33 otherwise I think it would be Kolasinac going
Receding Hairline “Inclusion Ishola?? He led the team out, he is now our leader.” Yes. And are you happy with that? Because even you have to admit he is a one dimensional midfielder if we are talking about complete midfielders. And his “leadership qualities” to me are a little bluff. What I could see is that he is valued as being a good enough pro around the place and being a trier. People like triers. And ball watching with Xhaka is in many cases not to do with lack of effort or trying. More a case that he just gets… Read more »
Interesting seeing Jim Ratcliffe, ‘Britain’ s richest man,’ buying Nice. He’s a Chav fan, who tried to buy them last year for £2bn from Abramovich, but it will be good to see how Vieira does with an injection of cash there. Might put him above Tets in the pecking order.
Despite Marko beat attempt to dismiss that information.
Turn out that Arsenal had released a statement on Tierney injury, hence all the journalists quoted the same thing a while ago. Hence why everybody mentioned that Tierney would be available mid to end October.
“Groin. Continues to receive treatment and further assessments. Aiming to participate in full training in October.”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9729374/arsenal-kieran-tierney-october-injury/
Is sitting beside Baldiola while having immaculate hair and eyebrows really enough to warrant a go as Arsenal manager
Wasi
I’m not sure if Xhaka’s contract extension was already in place and planned before Emery’s arrival.
That it was officially announced as soon as Emery came through the door doesn’t mean that Emery himself sanctioned it himself.
As said to RH we have Xhaka as mainstay in the team because CM as a whole has been understaffed and not worked on properly.
There is some hope though that Xhaka will not see quite so many matches as in the past couple of seasons this campaign and Emery can see life without Xhaka going forward in the future.
Guys, let’s not be bitchy.
I have a group of contacts in football that I’ve had for 10 years.
I’m certainly not aligned with Ivan G. I’ve just met him once. I’m also not aligned with anyone calling for Allegri.
For the Emeryista, I was told the training ground hasn’t been so buzzing as it is now for 2 years.
For the Edu fans, apparently, he smells like a dream.
If Montreal deal is correct, the club is getting creative in their transfer business. We traded Sanchez for Mikhi, bought promising centre back but he stays at his club for another year, and now Montreal on a free for future considerations. These are all out of ordinary transfers and I like the hustle, long term planning.
Pedro
‘we’ve splurged an horrendous amount of cash this summer,’
Not really. Pepe’s being paid off in installments and don’t forget the £35 million we got for Iwobi.
Also, why is it ‘horrendous’?
I’m chuffed that arsenal are spending more.
“Yes. And are you happy with that?”
Not really Ishola, a player who divides the fan base with respect to his abilities should not be captain. a player who can be held directly responsible for our failure to finish top four (that Brighton tug still annoys me) should not be awarded with the captaincy. But you have already admitted midfield is an area we have struggled with as a club and he still does a good job 80% of the time
The liverpool fullbacks didnt create anything, with a better LB Auba would have had more freedom, murphy talking poop. The problem was in midfield.
Can’t stand Michael Owen as a pundit it commentator
Good thing he’s a footballer or he’s be stacking shelves at a supermarket
All the charisma of a puddle
Horrendous does not have any positive connotations, i would like to think this was a quick post by Pedro and he was looking to use a word that shows quantity and picked the wrong one. Just my thinking
Our spending was pretty smart, nothing horrible about it. Funny the Luiz hater have been circle jerking on his performance this weekend, i told you so has been exchanged aplenty, but i would rather focus on the fact he had a great first half
Glad to hear training ground has better atmosphere than it has been in a while, Pedro.
You mentioned before that big time players like it when club brings in other quality players and perhaps that what happening at Colney now. I think both Pepe and Ceballos are quality players that our squad should be delighted with.
Also bromance between Auba and Lava must help, those two look like they would be fun to train with, they both seem to always smiling.
Alex, I’ll have some stuff on the pod this evening.
Horrendous > In proportion to being a Europa team
Obviously I’m thrilled, but there can be no doubt the club invested in the manager heavily this season.
jwl, the same was certainly not true a few months ago.
Hopefully, Unai can keep things interesting when the pressure cranks up.
“Guys, let’s not be bitchy”… toward Unai ?? (lol)
For the Edu fans, apparently, he smells like a dream. Yum. As for Val I don’t dismiss your information (a sun article from mid August) I just think they gave a worst case scenario for him. I think he’ll be back sooner on the basis that one he passed his medical, two he returned to training all be it by himself at Celtic, three he’s been training since he got here and four and most importantly we’re seemingly willing to let go of our preferred fit LB in what remains of the transfer market. All the signs point to Tierney… Read more »
“Obviously I’m thrilled, but there can be no doubt the club invested in the manager heavily this season.” the club invested in the club..that is what football clubs do. Manager has a one year deal option for another Pepe signed a five year deal Saliba hasn’t even joined Tierney is missing a good chunk of the season and again five year deal Luiz is a stop gap Ceballos is on loan Torriera and Guendouzi will all outlast Emery Can’t really see how we invested in the manager, Whiever we bring in if he fails will not be asking for all… Read more »
Owen sucks shit
Always against us… any time he can… fucking asshole
Pedros “contacts” are as yesterday as Wenger. Gazidis duped him.
Pedro
Presumably, the players were as anxious about this summer’s transfer business as the rest of us gooners were?
Execs have done some excellent work this summer in buying and selling and brought in top quality prospects and we can all relax now, the Wenger era is well and truly over.
Monreal sold yet?
Obviously I’m thrilled, but there can be no doubt the club invested in the manager heavily this season.
This is going to be a thing from now on isn’t it. Club invested in the squad and clearly in the future Pedro. You’re clearly trying to set up you know who for failure whether it be success in the form of a trophy and or (likely and) attractive football. I personally think the goal is champions league football and just that.
“Anyone who thinks Emery’s football is dull will loathe Allegri.“
I’d sooner loathe Allegri from a CL final than watch us get cunted in the EL final and bend over at Anfield.
In our setup right now the manager is disposable if you don’t perform you get kicked out. Only worry is that it’s easier for the players to dissent.
I can see the limitation of Emery and hope we hire someone better next season. Quite few tasty saucy names would be interested on our project with the squad we’re building right now that’s for sure.
For the time being I just want to enjoy the ride knowing we are in safe hands.
“Let’s just give Pedro his Arteta, watch him fail and be done with it”
RH
Then Pedro will moan about Josh, or Raul or may be the even gunnasaurus, but Arteta will be untouched.
I’d sooner loathe Allegri from a CL final than watch us get cunted in the EL final and bend over at Anfield.
CL final? Us? Under Allegro? Nah. Maybe under Benitez
Ofc the training ground is buzzing when the club’s managed to get in quality players after a dismal end to last season and low budget.
Spud Murphy hates Arsenal cos a is a dipper so it comes naturally,b) was on the end of some tankings by us in his half arsed career & like all mickey mousers Anfield 89 still sticks in their throats….coyg!
Emery is meh
Allegri is meh
.
.
.
.
Guess we are going back to Wenger then….
Simplistic thinking that
Allegri once made a CL final with Juventus ergo if we appoint him he will definitely make a CL final here. Just like every club who appoint Pochettino should expect to make a CL final, and any club who hire Pep should expect to win one, well Bayern didn’t nor has City yet
Marko aka wet wipe
You can continue dismissing Rafa, or whoever else, in defence of Emery.
Allegri is top shelf, and his ‘boring’ football comes as a well thought strategy that’s both disciplined and effective in delivering a challenge for major honours.
Emery’s shite football yields top 6 finishes and inferiority complexes at tough away grounds.
“Guess we are going back to Wenger then….”
Lot’s of exciting young managers about
Arsenal fans always make the mistake of thinking of coaches as here for the long ride which is forgivable, we had one for 22 years, coaches come and go. Chelsea have had a few over the years, the fans just roll with it
“Allegri once made a CL final with Juventus ergo if we appoint him he will definitely make a CL final here.“
He made 2 in his 5 years there you spanner, which tends to suggest his football has a little more substance than you’re trying to offer up.
Chorizo Hodgson, to coin a name from Gambon, isn’t in his league
I’d take Allegri in a heartbeat to be fair. If he was available and Emery had stumbled over the line for top four we should go all in still.
Wasn’t he taking English lessons last year?
I think Bruce Rioja will be the one that stacks for many reasons!
“He made 2 in his 5 years there you spanner, which tends to suggest his football has a little more substance than you’re trying to offer up.”
His lost both finals 3-1 and 4-1. Juventus were overly cautious in both and were well beaten. I love Allegri as a manager but he does not play entertaining football, i thought that was the gripe here, that the football was not entertaining enough??? or is that just an Emery thing???