I’ve been trying that CBD oil malarkey, I don’t want to keep talking about wellness, but damn, that stuff is fine. I used it for a broken arm so I didn’t get hooked on painkillers, but now they do the stuff in a can called Recess. Get on it people, puts you lights out if you go to bed at night anxious about what the nasty boys in the LG comments section are saying about you.
It also gives you a way in when you’re at a party with people younger than you. They’ll think you’re super cool and likely forgive the fact you’re wearing Crocs and t-shirt that says ‘TOTAL LADS TOUR, KAVOS 2008’ with your salty nickname on the back. Come on, admit it, you did it because you were a little bitch that couldn’t stand-up for your future snobbish self.
Anyway, Paul Merson has been giving Unai ‘Wenger’ absolute pelters in the media.
He thinks all Xhaka is good for is bookings, he doesn’t think we’ve moved on since last season, and he thinks Mesut Ozil should be brought into midfield because we’re over-reliant on elite striking, which won’t last (like last season).
Paul gets a lot of stick from the champagne socialists amongst us (usually Xhaka lovers, amirite!), but I for one think he has some incisive views on Arsenal. He’s never far off. We do need to add some creativity to the midfield. I’d rather it were Ceballos if I’m honest, but if Ozil wants to act like an adult, he’ll absolutely do.
I saw this excellent Tifo video that explored how West Ham could use their new record signing, Haller.
*BREATHES IN*
I’m going to talk tactics to you.
They mention that Frankfurt played a 3-4-1-2… with Rebic acting as a sort of #10.
This is kind of interesting considering some of the options we have at Arsenal.
Steve Bould mentioned that Lacazette could almost be a number ten last season. So potentially, a #10 role wouldn’t be totally awful for him. He basically assumed that job at the weekend, only far deeper. Additionally, you could very well see Ceballos playing that role with Matteo and Willock sitting at the base. Bellerin and Kola could make up the wide options, and the 3 centre backs could make up for some of their defensive lapses.
LOOK I TRIED.
But seriously, what do you think?
Does it feel like I just offered you a bite of bacon-infused dark cocoa chocolate (95% pure) with a dash of fig marmalade? I think it does. This is new. You feel like you’re at a sophisticated words premise, right?
I’m sure it’ll more likely be a 4-3-3… I just worry we don’t really have the personnel to operate that at 100%. AMN is not a right-back, Kola is never going to be a great defender, so what are the options open to keep a front three of Pepe, Lacazette and Auba alive?
If you have a better idea, put it in the comments.
The Times reckons we removed £45m from the wage bill this window. I am struggling to see how that works out as a net figure. So I worked out where we landed.
- Mkhitaryan
- Cech
- Ramsey
- Welbeck
- Koscielny
- Monreal
- Elneny
- Iwobi
- Ospina
- Lichtsteiner
- Jenkinson
-£900k p/w
- David Luiz £125k
- Nicolas Pepe £140k
- Dani Ceballos £51k
- Kieran Tierney £75k
- Martinelli £20k
- Saliba £N/A (would assume St Etienne are taking that on)
+£411k p/w
NET -£489k pw
TOTAL -£25,428,000
That’s pretty good going in a summer that we’re all very happy about.
Aaron Ramsey’s £300k a week does not look a miss either, and shock/horror, he’s out injured already.
So in one summer, we’ve made things mostly a lot better, and we’ve moved the wage bill down below £200m. Good going.
What we don’t know is what the true spend of the summer was… and I hear we committed to a huge number. Super agents don’t come cheap and I’ve no doubt we went to bed with many of them and woke up very sore.
I was told we’ve committed next summers budget to the cause this year, so anyone talking about Emery simply being a caretaker this season is very off the mark. It was Raul that brought him into the equation late on, so he’s very much his man. This season simply cannot end in failure, and if it’s looking terrible by January, I wouldn’t be shocked to see something happen… though I have been told by people in and around the club that that eventuality is very unlikely.
What I do like about this bit of info is this, if true, is all Raul cares about is success. He’s not hedging bets, he’s not hiding behind a manager, and he’s not pushing for status quo. He’s put his balls on the line and he’s making a play for the big boy leagues. That is what we’ve wanted. We have no inherited the second coming of Gazidis, it’s going to be totally different whatever happens… but make no mistake, it’s a big gamble. One that looks sound based on what’s around. One that needs to deliver some winnings.
I was also told, before the Liverpool game, that the training ground has been the best it’s been in a very long time. Lots of hope and energy. Hopefully that buzz lasts, and hopefully Emery can make the fixes he needs to before we attach ourselves to the slog of two games a week. We need happy players and we need good results.
Right, listen to my solo podcast and talk to me about the new tactics blog I should set up.
“That Juve midfield is packed already im surprised Rabiot went there”
Agree grabs. He seems happy to take a paycheque though. He did the same at PSG. He’s a quality player so should be in a team where he will get a good amount of games, not just be a league cup selection.
I agree Ramsay would likely not have been brought in if Sarri had been there.
“What do you make of what’s going on in South-Africa with the killings and Xenophobic attacks of foreign nationals especially Nigerians, fiance who’s Nigerian just showed me some pictures and videos and the whole thing just looks so distasteful”
It’s despicable
Recession is everywhere but you don’t see Nigerians going after foreigners, yet we are not exactly living in a land of milk and honey (only the politicians enjoy this)
Even more despicable was the looting of a shoprite outlet in Lagos last night as a form of reprisal, some lazy folks seizing on something to steal flat screen TV’s
Valentin did you or did you not use Emery and unemployable in one sentence while discussing Ben Arfa?? Yes or NO
N5
‘I agree Ramsay would likely not have been brought in if Sarri had been there.’
You’ve just earned the wrath of Paulinho.
Juventus cannot resist any midfielder available on a free transfer. Talk is they are already sizing up Ericksen.
Would have been another Ozil situation with Ramsey had arsenal extended his contract. Bullet dodged!
N5
Well, what would the score have been if you subtract Kane’s penalty?
“Juventus cannot resist any midfielder available on a free transfer. ”
You’d have thought his wage would have put them off though. But obviously it’s not an issue.
“Well, what would the score have been if you subtract Kane’s penalty?”
I guess if you look at it like that, but the issue is if Xhaka had not been on the pitch are we sure anyone else there wouldn’t have given a goal away? It’s impossible to know if he wasn’t on what the score would have been because it would have been a different game.
Thought we are still paying a chunk of Mkhitaryan salary?
@Eduardo
Agree with what you posted. We may need to rest our front three forwards from time to time and play one of our youngster, Martinelli, Reiss or Saha. I feel that our attack is more balance when we play only one striker and have one of the three youngsters as LW.
Maybe vertongen, rose alderweirdo and ericksson can be juventus next summer captures.
would be nice to see the spuds lose 100 million plus walk out the door for nothing!
None of them will resign with the SPUDS. Ha! Ha!
I guess if you look at it like that, but the issue is if Xhaka had not been on the pitch are we sure anyone else there wouldn’t have given a goal away?
N5
Mustafi? lol
“Mustafi? lol”
In that case we’re lucky it was 2-2 😀
still cant believe he stayed, surely have a bit of pride and go out on loan!
“still cant believe he stayed, surely have a bit of pride and go out on loan!”
Another Squid!! It’s amazing how many of these we’ve had over the years. Mercenaries just cashing in.
Peter
I buy everything from the pub. Clothes, stolen laptops, mobiles, my baby’s clothes…food and toys.
CBD.
GoH
Beer?
Babycham?
Sextoys ??
‘E’ven more despicable was the looting of a shoprite outlet in Lagos last night as a form of reprisal, some lazy folks seizing on something to steal flat screen TV’s’
What’s really despicable is the security situation that allows that in both country.
Can you believe the black South African!
They held the sympathy of the whole world for many years. If only the world knew they were monsters. A supposed king giving a hit order on foreigners in 2019, can you believe that.
Any South African here to provide a deeper view of the situation?
One of the earlier posts raises concerns about the lack of “defensive” talent coming through our Academy. Clearly during the Wenger era that has been a problem. Hopefully that will be something that Mertesacker and Morrow the academy scout will address in the future. However, the reality is that most defenders reach their peak later than their counterparts in other positions. It is not just about ability, but rather about discipline, concentration and decision making as well. A defender can perform well for 89 minutes without making a mistake, but he then produces one crucial error which costs us a… Read more »
Anything creepy, I buy at the pub.
Receeding
I saw that video on Twitter.
I feel both countries are in need of a revolution.
Black South Africans tho!.
Guns, I know the deal, your wife is out buying Farrow & Ball, while you’re down the local getting knock off Kenco.
< DELETED >
Guys, no politics please.
Peter
…do you have eyes on me?
In that one comment, my life laid out in front of the world. I am buying knocked off coffee. FML.
Someone did a politik.
That always gets the blood pumping.
Which fans are worse?
The despicable ones who make monkey chants at players of color or the fans who cowardly try to make those shameful episodes disappear by calling the chants a form of “respect”?
Italy needs to stop this wink-wink approach and get serious with herself.
Pedro
Sorry…I knew you were lurking around with that baton
“…do you have eyes on me? ”
He have eyes only for you.
I appreciate that politics and racism in football are all very valid talking points, but you know how it gets on here.
Dissenter
Funniest part of that statement was the whole “yeah we know other countries has problems with racism but not here in Italy” . Sure mate you don’t.
Dissenter it’s fucking appalling isn’t it. Spain and Italy are so far behind in that respect. I often get white guilt just reading about it.
Italy and Spain are and will probably remain racist for a long time. I’m not even going to mention Eastern Europe. That just goes without saying.
I still have no idea why:
A) player simply walks off.
B) team walk off.
C) manager takes everyone off.
Funny how EVERYONE and their aunt ‘abhor’ racism but no cunt does FA about it except pay lip service after the act.
No one has the bollocks, ergo, it remains.
Freddie
Serie A needs to just set an example with Cagliari. it’s happened too often to too many there.
Italy are one of the worst. I’ve been to a Milan match, a sampidoria match and a Lazio match and I’ve found them to be as bad as the Russians with the chants!!
Any country where di canio amongst others can do a nazi salute when scoring says it all.
Guns
Take option A off the table
“A) player simply walks off.”
Sully Muntari did that in 2017 in the same stadium and was subsequently banned.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39786264
I remember that, he got a ban for walking off!! It’s fucking disgusting!!
Dissenter
Oh. That really sucks. I didn’t know that.
B and C then.
Wenger turns 70 years old in October … and is still dying to go back into management?
He needs to put his feet up and just enjoy his well earned wealth. He needs to buy a private beach in the Caribbeans and just bask in the sun. Someone needs to put their hands around his shoulders, maybe his great friend SAF can do this.
Pedro
Bit harsh on Kenco there mate, he’s better than Nescafe. Douwe Egberts has more potential given his age though for me.
Wenger would get fourth with this squad. Emery won’t. There, I said it.
I personally like cheap instant coffee. I find the more expensive stuff doesn’t melt into the water as well. Nothing worse than undissolved coffee granules floating about. Well, that and football racists. Just.
Couldn’t help but laugh (in disbelief more than anything) at the Inter ultra groups response about Lukaku’s abuse.
‘Hey Rom, monkey chants and bananas aren’t racist, just a tactic to put off the opponent. Totally kosher honest, Italy doesn’t have a racism problem like the Northern Europeans. Thanks, Ooh-ooh-ahh-ahh, lol jk, love you, bye’
The irony is, Lukaku does not look like he’s ever eaten a banana or any piece of fruit for that matter. He’s a fat bastard.
Moules fritte 24/7 for Lukaku.
Italy mental with its layered racism, dismissing as a tactic or banter is just incredible. Sadly every league has its version.
We had the most errors leading to goals last season ? So basically we were the most shaky, scarediest, flaky side in the league. even behind teams like Burnley, Newcastle, etc ???
Seriously I know our talent isn’t the worst among the 20 teams so why ? Is it institutional ?
” Sadly every league has its version.”
Sadly…so true
I thought gooners pushed the Adebayor chants just too far … beyond acceptable.
I’ve been dealing with CBD oil and Rick Simpson Oil for the last year or so to handle my chemo side effects, and potentially reverse the spread of cancer. CBD oil comes with and without THC (in the US). Obviously, the THC version gets you high and can only be purchased with a medical card or in a state where weed is legal. If any of you have friends or family members going through this, feel free to PM for more info. Also, I was a dick prior to the cancer, so not using it as an excuse. Most of… Read more »
Distant Think Leno had quite a few errors but overall he made up for it. Then there’s Xhaka and Mustafi. Xhaka by himself has had more errors leading directly to goals than any other player in the PL since 2016. That’s not counting all the stupid fouls or misplaced passes that indirect leads to a goal, just the direct ones. AMN, Kola, Kos and Sok also has plenty of mistakes in them. Would say it’s bot institutional and personnel with an emphasis on personnel. There’s no training exercise in the world that can give Xhaka and Mustafi a brain for… Read more »
Keep going Cutter!
“Since the start of last season, Arsenal have recorded 13 errors leading to goals in the Premier League, the most of any club in the English top-flight in that time.
Bernd Leno has committed six of those errors, the most of any PL player in this time.”
Sorry to hear that Alex, good luck with your recovery!
Good luck Alex!
So Recess is a US product, how does one get this in the UK?
“It’s really a white and black situation re Emery.
We make top 4, Emery gets a new deal and the major fuck up begins.
We don’t make top 4, BIG FUCK UP but Emery is fired.”
Gentlebris
I don’t think it’s black and white with Emery and getting top 4 might not be enough for him to be retained.
If Raul and Edu don’t feel he can continue to take 4 forward , he would be gone.
Alex Cutter
All the best. I didn’t realize it at the time we used to make meaningless arguments.
Here’s to you—steadier, stronger and better every day.
If the training ground is the happiest that it has been for a long time , they must have got rid of those red metal dummies that dominated every training ground photo for 15 years.
Regardless of what anyone thinks of Emery, if he decides to tie his fate to an error prone midfielder [Xhaka] then he deserves his fate. I write this then I realize that we are not that strong in the midfield. Willocks was inured on Saturday, Torriera is just that [he too has his limitations] and ???? We don’t have that many options, do we?. Ceballos isn’t cut out for this role Maybe Chambers can be drafted there. ESR is too green and is just returning from long term injury. Anyone else I’m forgetting? David Luiz ..that’s not his best role… Read more »
*I wrote this
haha, nice post Alex, hope you are well!
Dissenter – I don’t think the midfield is weak if organised correctly. Our best 3 in the middle at the moment would be Dozi, Dani and Torriera. That gives us the creativity and aggression we need. Its not physically imposing but the high energy pressing is enough for that midfield to be a success. The fact our fullbacks at the moment don’t really help the midfield out is a problem. Bellerin isnt great defensively but he understands positioning more than AMN. Tierney is a pretty good defensive full back. We need both back to fully gauge the first 11’s progress… Read more »
Alex keep pushing man. You go dey alright Bruno Fernandez had a release clause of 31m (still has) in his contract that still has 3 years to run. But there’s a condition that if it’s met and rejected, Sporting compensate him 4.5m. What’s striking is that no one put a bid for him. I thought he was ready to be scrambled for by the big boys. Would want him here if Ceballos doesn’t come permanently though. He seems ready. Also surprised no one came for Erikson too. I knew the quoted 80m by dissenter was laughable but at least a… Read more »
Cutter what state you live in?
Keep going strong Cutter
‘I agree Ramsay would likely not have been brought in if Sarri had been there.’ Why wouldn’t Sarri or for the matter of fact any manager who plays a 4-3-3 wouldnt want him on a free (other than guardiola). He never could find a position under Arsene because he played 2 sitting and an attacking midfielder. There was no room for a player of Ramsey’s style (described as a ‘Mezzala’ by Juve officials). A Mezzala is mostly effective in a 3 man midfield partnered by a deep lying playmaker/ defensive midfielder, and a creative midfielder. Ramsey can be an integral… Read more »
He said he reached personal terms with Spuds but there was never a bid. Maybe he was seen as an alternative for Le Celso who eventually was cheaper as Spuds can load his transfer fee on next season’s budget.
He was also very vocal he wanted to go to a superior league. So it was just a case of clubs that might want him not having the money or having better alternatives.
Mystic
‘But Sporting understood that the value was not enough and I have to respect the decision’
Bruno’s words. A bid was made but was less than what Sporting wanted. If it was a release claude they wouldn’t have had to negotiate with Sporting just pay the clause.
In Wenger last season AOC was gone. In his last six month, Alexis was shockingly bad. We all thought that Alexis was not interested and sulking, when it looks from his performance at ManUtd it was more serious than that.On the plus side, Emery had a fully settled Aubameyang and Lacazette firing on full cylinder. A better keeper than Cech in Leno Valentin you mean like liverpool have mane and salah and city have Sterling and aguero?….What is wrong with having two class forwards bailing us every week…it is literally what they are paid to do and I am sure… Read more »
Mustafi must be wondering why he’s getting this treatment while Xhaka is getting the captain band.
Cutter Good luck with your health, keep giving em hell. CBD does nothing for me, but I think it’s more that I do not recognize it’s effects on my body since I am high off flower all the time. I am high right now. And golf twelve months a year, no chasing white golf balls in the snow around here. Gotta love California. I have been using CBD oil to massage my dog’s hip joint as she is getting old and is having trouble getting around. It’s early but I’m hopeful. Might have to try acupuncture next, a friend of… Read more »
Mystic Some outlets were talking £100m value for Eriksen, but he was never going to sell for that much. Not really surprised that none of the bigger clubs went for him at his price tag either. He’s at Spurs which is a pretty good team currently, don’t think he’s quite the quality that the next level of teams will be coming for him. Maybe on a free like Aaron. He’s a good player and his development has been impressive though. Eriksen vs Ozil wasn’t even a debate at one time. It’s amazing as I’d always thought Ozil would have 10x… Read more »
Mustafi > Xhaka.
Give Mustafi the captain band before Xhaka.
Fuck Xhaka and Mustafi
At least Ozil is frozen out. Emery needs to do the same with Xhaka. He costs us 2 points last Sunday.
At this pace, we will be again stretching for 4th place. Willock needs to step up
IF he must, Emery should play Xhaka in easy home fixtures. That is it. Period.
Get the Ozil treatment. Get sold in the summer. Thank God
He’s a good player and his development has been impressive though. Eriksen vs Ozil wasn’t even a debate at one time. It’s amazing as I’d always thought Ozil would have 10x the career that Eriksen did.
I echo your sentiments. But to be fair, Ozil did have 10x (just using your figure) the career Erikson has had.
Wasi
I didn’t see that bit. So either the paper I read fabricated the release clause bit or Spuds made a loan with option to buy offer as they did with Le Celso that Sporting weren’t accepting. Either way it’s amazing only spuds showed serious interest. Dude scored 32 goals from midfield
By default Mustafi will come into selection plan for the manager. Our first choice options are dire and for some reason he doesn’t trust Chambers who I think should be starting, given what I have seen so far
I echo your sentiments. But to be fair, Ozil did have 10x (just using your figure) the career Erikson has had.
This is mostly by virtue of one being Dutch and one being German, though.
Eriksen is actually Danish I think, my mistake.
Luteo
Is Denmark a joke to you?
He did play in Holland though.
Damn, too slow:)
Stop reading here, pity-party follows: I appreciate the well-wishes. Again, it doesn’t excuse my abrasiveness. But I’ve been going through medical bullshit (and I’m on a $600/month insurance plan) — blown Achilles that was botched, and now my right calf is half the size of my left, Melanoma on my back, Melanoma (that was ignored for two years by dermatologist) in my left heel the size of a marble that kept me off my feet for six months, and now unrelated cancer in my stomach/esophagus/lymph nodes. Get my latest pet scan results tomorrow, but unless something dramatic has happened during… Read more »
Freddie
Lol yes the fact he came to the Premier League from Ajax had me confused.
The home country of the greatest footballer on the planet Sir Nicklas Bendtner will never be a joke to me.
Eriksen set to do a Ramsey and go to Juventus on a free. Think Ramsey will be made available on loan next summer. Bet he be linked with PSG/Arsenal/Bayern/Chelsea next summer.
Alex Cutter
Wishing you the best man.
Luteo
that’s the spirit, Lord Bendtner was not only a great footballer, many say the greatest ever but also a known lover of the arts and taxi cars, mostly taxi cars though.
Alex.
Good luck and hope we’ll see your grumpy comments on here for many more years to come.
Cutter
Thanks for sharing. Photos are fucking gross though. Kidding aside, genuinely sad to hear what you’re going through. Best of luck, fellow Gooner.
If you feel like it, try setting up a GoFundMe or something similar to get some funds together so you can visit the Emirates, post it here. I will make a contribution for sure.
Alex all the best brother… set up the Go Fund me and Ill chip in as well!
Cutter,
all the best, get well
Your strength is admirable Cutter, stay strong and all the best wishes!
All the best Cutter !
Mystic
Yeah 32 goals from midfield is quite a haul. But he has not performed as well on the international stage when faced against opposition better than Portuguese clubs. That could be a factor. Maybe clubs waiting for another season to see if he can do it on a consistent basis before spending big on him.
I’ve watched the game back now.
Guen was good, lot more progression with the ball and incicive passing.
LT getting hooked was weird as he was going ok and xacka obv needed to be pulled.
Granit is a weak weak player, he has a childish temperament.
Pepe is waiting to blow, guy looks quality.
Unfortunaktly we are still relying massively on kol as an outlet, we seem stuck on unlocking defences. We need to reintegrate ozil, it sucks he’s here but now he is let’s at least get some value from him.
Torreira needs a run at DM properly.
Emery has been messing with his mids too long now. Got to find that balance and it involves Granit being parked outside Colney
Shit Cutter, you’ve never brought that up before today and the conversation RE CBD. I’m so sorry to hear about this man, it’s a real cunt, that cancer.
If you can get over here, me and a few of the Le Grove lads would 100% put our hands in our pockets for a ticket and accomodation for you, I’m sure of it.
Stay as strong as you can mate.
Alex
May the Arsenal God be with you!
We’ll keep you entertain here in Le Grove. Too bad CG deserted us. There are still enough fire work remaining.
Danialtos,
I am afraid that you got the wrong end of the thread.
Azed was arguing that Wenger in his last season had a better squad than Emery in his last.
According to him AOC who had already been sold and Alexis who was there in body the first part of the season were two players that Emery was missing.
I was arguing that with Leno, a fully settled Aubameyang, a firing Lacazette, a fully fit Torreira the squad could not be described as weaker.
I meant to say
Azed was arguing that Wenger in his last season had a better squad than Emery in his first.
Donyell malen former Arsenal youngster called up to the Netherlands squad at 20. Been ripping it for Eindhoven. Another one we let go for chump change under the previous regime.