Let’s League Cup party like it was 2008!

by .

via @Arsenal Instagram

Unai Emery needed a performance, he wasn’t going to care where it came from, even if it was against a team in the Championship.

Boy did he land one… for the first time this season, everything went right and he left the fans electrified about the possibilities.

We saw some new players, namely Keiran Tierney and Gabriel Martinelli.

We saw some, ‘like a new signing’ players, step forward Hector Bellerin.

We saw some form return. Hello Ozil and Reiss.

We saw some sustained performances. Saka, Chambers and Willock.

We destroyed Nottingham Forest, even if it did take a while to make things happen.

Some points I’d like to make.

Saka:

Love the kid. What a player. He is so adept at making space. He’s aggressive, hungry to move the ball forward and he has no fear when it comes to that final decision. What a great player we have on our hands. Read that he’s a straight A’s student as well. I like that, good at sport and elite in the classroom.

Mesut Ozil:

The player that has offered us next to nothing for the last 3 years shows up against a Championship side and people are levelling criticism at the manager. Please. That’s too much. Sure, Emery isn’t an elite manager of egos, but Ozil has been dropping tame performances for us for years (Germany / and for Wenger). One good game against Leicester or Forest doesn’t change the equation for Emery… you cannot rely on him. He’s not built for the modern world. He’s antiquated. He’s an expensive quarterback in a world that needs more rounded creators. He gives us something special that we lack, but not often enough. Move on.

Martinelli:

What a fun player. He’s everything you want in a Brazilian. Audacious, arrogant, fearless and deadly. His first goal was a work of art. I think it was a floated ball from Reiss to the right, BIG CAL volleyed the ball across goal where the Brazilian wunderkind put his head on it like peak Kevin Davies. What a goal. The late strike where he smashed it into the top corner was super special as well. He’s a livewire, could he be the most exciting youth striker since Anelka? Maybe…

Tierney:

Calls for him to start against United are early, but all the signs are that he’s going to be a beast of a player for us. He’s extremely fast, he has great delivery and I think he has something very special about him. Fans are going to worship him, I just hope Emery resists the urge to blood him too early.

Chambers and Holding:

Chambers delivery and general production in the last two games have been great. I’m not sure about him as a right-back, but he does have some silk under pressure. Seems like a top guy, too handsome to play next to Sokratis, but would definitely like to see more of him if he can cut out the errors. Also great to see Rob Holding back and on the score sheet, another young player that is a leader, another player we’ve greatly missed.

Key takeaway for the squad:

Whatever my thoughts on the manager, I think we can all agree that the squad is much more exciting this season. I love all the new additions and I think the kids are fantastic. We have to support them, they’ll all have ups and downs, but at least there’s hope this year. This feels special. It’s great to feel excited about the majority of the players who might start. Big round of applause to Freddie and Per on the youth, big hat tip to Raul and Edu for the signings, big round of applause for Emery playing them.

Key takeaway for Emery:

It’s looking very good for Emery now. He has a pretty straightforward run until mid-December. We should rack up more than enough points to be sitting comfortably in the top 4 by then. We’ll be top in Europe. I think we could see a similar run to the one we had last year if we can take down United on Monday.

Over the Unai.

See you in the comments. x

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Valentin

Dissenter,

The difference is that when you see a game live, you don’t have the benefit of reviewing multiple angles. You see it once, hence my reasonable position.

I have been to live games where I could swear a player has scored a belter to then see later on TV that a massive deflection helped the trajectory.
Numerous people have seen a deflection. So instead of attacking one person who has seen it, maybe you should accept that it did happen. However that does not detract from Martinelli overall performance.

HighburyLegend

“Hugely deflected…heading to row Z?…that is what’s the contention.”

@Dissenter : but why spending hours and hours to debate about that ???
It was a great goal, end of the story.

HighburyLegend

@Pierre : seriously ?? You are totally traumatized by this goal.

Or maybe by the fact that Martinelli is miles and miles better than your pal Eddie ??

Pierre

https://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/

Go to highlights around 9/10 minutes

Cesc Appeal

Great performance, new signings played well, defensively sound, lots of energy, great balance to the team for the first time, injured players returning, United on Monday.

Topic dominating discussion ‘was Martinelli’s second goal deflected’…

Why do you guys allow yourselves to be trapped in the agenda?

HighburyLegend

“Why do you guys allow yourselves to be trapped in the agenda?”

lol Cesc, fair point.

Leedsgunner

“Topic dominating discussion ‘was Martinelli’s second goal deflected’…”

Who cares? It was a goal. We won. Move on.

Pierre

CA
Yes you’re right , I shouldn’t allow myself to get drawn in by these posters with agendas.

Bojangles

Ive watched the goal half a dozen times on YouTube and yes, there was a slight deflection the took the ball slightly over the gk’s head.

I don’t understand what the fuss is about though. Willock’s goal against Frankfurt WAS huge but I don’t recall anyone saying too much about it.

Receding Hairline

“Why do you guys allow yourselves to be trapped in the agenda?”

Guilty as charged

Seems it is more important for Nketiah to enjoy himself bullying Forest reserves in place of 18 year old Martinelli than fighting for a first team place at Leeds.

Receding Hairline

“I don’t understand what the fuss is about though. Willock’s goal against Frankfurt WAS huge but I don’t recall anyone saying too much about it.”

Thank you

That is what you call a huge deflection.

Leedsgunner

“Or maybe by the fact that Martinelli is miles and miles better than your pal Eddie ??” You’re making that judgement based on what? One game of football? You do realise that Eddie is scoring for fun in the Championship right? He is proving himself to be an excellent striker with the opportunity he is being given. Most likely next season, Eddie will come back to the Arsenal, unless Leeds go up and they offer some ridiculous amount to buy Nketiah. The truth is Auba is getting older and Lacazette will be coveted property if we miss out on Champions… Read more »

Valentin

Bojangles,

Because the usual flat earther cannot countenance that Martinelli did not score a belter. Any innocent comment that does not fit their narrative is viewed as a personal attack via the prism of their own agenda.

Having seen the goal since my previous comments, it is clear that there is a deflection that wrong foot the goalkeeper. It may not be huge, but big enough that the goalkeeper has no chance to stop it.

Again that does not affect Martinelli overall contribution.

Bojangles

Valentin

Agreed. It was a great strike with maybe a tad bit of luck associated with it. It’s not as if Martinelli is the only striker ever to score a goal with a bit of luck thrown in.

Drey

Pierre,
OK you won.
Martinelli was fortunate to score two goals gifted to him.
He is not better than Nkeitah.
Happy now?

Would you like to tell us of how Ozil’s three-eyed-raven vision gave us the game last night?
Im waiting

Valentin

Leeds,

In a few years time, a trident of Saka on the left, Eddie in the middle and Martinelli on the right could be our strike force.

Instead of putting the youngsters one against another, we should enjoy that we have such potential at our disposal.

in midfield, we could have Guendouzi-Willock-Burton. They would have dynanysm to protect the back four and technique to go forward.
At least that put paid to the now debunked but still repeated fallacy that our academy does not produce players of quality.

Valentin

Damn auto correct, I meant pitting not putting.

Cesc Appeal

‘Eddie, if given the chance, can become our answer to Harry Kane.’ That is a massive statement to make on very little evidence. Look at Nelson’s start to his loan last season and look at the player we’ve got. Nketiah needs to earn a starting place at Leeds still and show consistency over a season before we can approach thinking of him as an asset to Arsenal next year…let alone Kane levels of potential. The overhyping of our youth players needs to stop. We look like we have a good batch and a good lot of ones who are even… Read more »

Chika

Really enjoyed the game last night, such feeling has been alien with recent Arsenal games.

You don’t need a specific camera angle to know our 5th goal came off a deflection. The flight of the ball made it obvious enough.

I hope Emery gets his selection right for Monday. United are there for the taking.

Leedsgunner

Valetin You’re forgetting about John Jules, Emile Smith Rowe and Balogun as well….a good position to be in… to add even more depth to our squad. For a long time I said (as you have) that we have an exciting crop of youngsters coming through and our Academy doesn’t nearly get enough recognition. I’ve been waiting a long time to see W.illock, ESR, Saka and Nelson on the same pitch for the first team… glad we did last night and they produced. They gave us a glimpse of what our future could be like if we continue to move forward,… Read more »

HighburyLegend

“Eddie, if given the chance, can become our answer to Harry Kane.”

Ironic or not ?? Can’t decide… lol

HighburyLegend

“I hope Emery gets his selection right for Monday.”

No Xhaka, no party.

raptora

Pierre: “Nketiah would have had a field day out there today but Martinelli did ok , a bit of a head down merchant, but scored a couple of flukey goals , one off his shoulder.. (I think), the other deflected that was going wide(i think) , but good luck to him ..he should enjoy his moment” Super cringeworthy read coming from a supposed fan of the club. Guy is legit unhappy that one of our teenagers had a good game. Legit upset that a player we bought for pocket change, scored 2 goals in his 1st official start for the… Read more »

Edu me a favour

Pierre Can I ask why you originally felt the need to highlight the fact that you thought martinellis first goal came off of his shoulder and that his second goal was heading for row z – what’s you’re actual reasoning behind theses statements ? It can’t simply be because that’s what happened ? There has to be more to it than this – and also , why do you wrap your criticism up in a see through blanket of praise ? Our new young player got himself into the necessary position to score his first goal , and picked the… Read more »

Valentin

Leeds, Like you, I have not been so excited by the coming crop of academy players. I really believe that they could be our class of 92 in that they could form the nucleus of the club for a long number of years. I have just doubt on ESR, as I have seen completely disappear from games too many times. He needs a good loan to take out those lapses. The big weakness in the academy that we have is the centre back. I don’t think any of them will make it at Arsenal. That is not a new issue… Read more »

Leedsgunner

Cesc “Nketiah needs to earn a starting place at Leeds still and show consistency over a season before we can approach thinking of him as an asset to Arsenal next year” Fair enough. I have faith he will. In Bielsa he has an excellent coach to learn from… you’ll see. My point still stands, Auba and Lacazette will not go on forever. AS they grow older they will become more injury prone and slower. It makes sense for the club to look now and plan for their successors. All I’m saying is that our youngsters, internally should be given that… Read more »

Freddie Ljungberg

Valentin

“Nketiah would have had a field day out there today but Martinelli did ok , a bit of a head down merchant, but scored a couple of flukey goals , one off his shoulder
..(I think), the other deflected that was going wide(i think) , but good luck to him ..he should enjoy his momentIf they wasnt flukey then apologies.”

That was Pierres comment after the game last night, maybe time to realise who the “flat earthers” really are? No agenda indeed.

Bamford10

Leeds “Martinelli looks promising but come on, he is not surpassing Eddie anytime soon.” I’d say Martinelli is already well, well ahead of Nketiah. Much better player, IMO. Where Nketiah is little more than “a fox in the box,” Martinelli is a classy, versatile footballer, is a dribbler, can create his own chances, can create for others, etc. Some of Martinelli’s touches in close spaces last night were simply fantastic. At 5’11”, he also has a better frame than the more diminutive Nketiah. Martinelli looks an absolute gem; Nketiah may not even make it at Arsenal. All just my opinion,… Read more »

Danny

but Forrest looked like they couldn’t wait to be out of the Carabau Cup”
———————
Just like we’re going to be against Man U……

Edu me a favour

Bamford10

“ I’d say Martinelli is already well, well ahead of Nketiah. Much better player, IMO. Where Nketiah is little more than “a fox in the box,” Martinelli is a classy, versatile footballer, is a dribbler, can create his own chances, can create for others, etc. Some of Martinelli’s touches in close spaces last night were simply fantastic. At 5’11”, he also has a better frame than the more diminutive Nketiah. Martinelli looks an absolute gem; Nketiah may not even make it at Arsenal. All just my opinion, though.”

Completely agree with this

HighburyLegend

“Just like we’re going to be against Man U……”

Ah ah ah, probably true.

Edu me a favour

“Head down merchant “ 😂😂😂

Really screams agenda doesn’t it lol

And if it’s not an agenda it’s only done to get a rise or make his day more interesting- we’ll it really works !

Leedsgunner

Bamford Time will tell but I think there is a degree of “familiarity breeds contempt” when comparing Nketiah with Martinelli. Martinelli is fresh new and unknown by default more exciting. However, this loan at Leeds will be a good measure and should mature him. The Championship, as a competition is very very fierce. Remember though, when Nketiah made his debut for Arsenal in the same competition, he scored a brace against Norwich… and rescued Wenger. I would be pleased as punch if BOTH Nketiah and Martinelli made it at the club, I don’t see the need to pitch them against… Read more »

Barney75

There was a big deflection…but who cares, Lampard made a living out of that.

Emiratesstroller

One piece of good news which should not be discounted is that we have played
sofar eight games this season and lost only one.

Considering the absence of three defenders through injury who might be expected to play regularly in our backline I think that our prospects are not
quite as bleak as some might suggest.

Leedsgunner

Emirates

We would have won both of the games we drew 2-2 if we didn’t shoot ourselves in the foot with self-inflicted wounds!!!

Jamie

From the BBC:

“Spurs have won four of their past 17 games. They have not won on the road this season. [..]

But there was also plenty of experience, with Dier making his first appearance of the season, Dele Alli returning from injury and Victor Wanyama, Lucas Moura and Davinson Sanchez in the starting XI.

By full-time, Spurs had Eriksen, Son Heung-min, Erik Lamela, Moura and Alli on the pitch as they chased a place in the last 16.

But they managed only four shots on target in the game [against a mid-table League 2 side].”

Sauce.

Bamford10

Edu Pierre described Martinelli’s (fantastic) performance that way for a couple of reasons. One, when the XI was announced, Pierre tried to criticize Emery’s selection by saying that that there were “no strikers” in it. When people pointed out that Martinelli is a striker, Pierre waffled and talked in circles. His aim for the rest of the night was to downplay anything Martinelli did so as to divert attention away from the fact that he started the night by claiming that Martinelli isn’t a striker. Two, Pierre has been pushing an Emery-doesn’t-know-what-he’s-doing, Emery-was-wrong-to-let-Nketiah-go-out-on-loan narrative for months. His response to Martinelli’s… Read more »

Gentlebris

Maybe there was some deflection, but if there was money reward attached to it if you could spot a deflection in that shot and Pierre did see it, he would never have released a whisper if Ozil had taken that shot.

What about the first goal Pierre? Didn’t you see something, an offside maybe?

Nketiah has gone on loan and rightly so, get over it Pierre.

Bamford10

Agreed. To call Martinelli a “head down merchant” is to admit either that you have an agenda or that you didn’t watch the boy play. Kid is a baller.

Zimmie2652

I just re-watched the match highlights again and for the life of me i cannot see the huge deflection on Martinelli’s second goal. Can anyone else beside Pierre see this?

If you watch Martinelli’s goal from the angle directly behind, you will see the deflection. Took quite a big bounce actually from its initial trajectory.

Jamie

This hot take on Martinelli is hilarious:

“Don’t let the goals fool you, he looks a bit too kick and rush”

“Head down merchant”

And the counter from the BBC:

“The teenager, who made his Premier League debut with a late substitute appearance against Newcastle in Arsenal’s season opener, played futsal as a youngster and the close control and dribbling skills developed from that sport were on show against Forest.”

Bamford10

Martinelli’s performance last night was so good that I think it’s worth returning to a question I asked a week or so ago: could he play the role for us that Firmino plays for Liverpool? That is, until Lacazette returns, might it make sense to play Martinelli through the center, with Aubameyang to the left and Pepe to the right? I think Emery should at least try it once or twice. Martinelli is better at hold-up play than Aubameyang and deploying Aubameyang as an inside-left will free him up a little to make more diagonal runs, run at defenders with… Read more »

Sid

Arsenal to end OGS career at UTD you heard it here 1st

China1

Pierre is a highly effective troll. He’s even admitted as such that he gets a kick off just provoking people on here He hasn’t got anything of insight or value to add but he’s damn good at being contrarian in a matter of fact kind of way that irritates people for his own kicks The thing is with some of the trolls here you think they’re pretty young (bless CG lol) but in pierre’s Case it’s hard to work out what the driver is for someone with that ‘experience’ to still waste their time trolling fans of the same team… Read more »

Sid

Auba is goal machine we dont need him playing like firmino, no need to overthink

China1

Bamford I think it makes more sense to have Auba in his best position and saka on the wing in his best position

For rotational purposes and to protect Auba if we’re winning easily deep into the second half then I’d be cool with Auba off for martinelli tho

Gentlebris

‘Pierre: “Nketiah would have had a field day out there today but Martinelli did ok , a bit of a head down merchant, but scored a couple of flukey goals , one off his shoulder.. (I think), the other deflected that was going wide(i think) , but good luck to him ..he should enjoy his moment”’ I have not even read this when I asked Pierre to provide us another wonderful analysis of the first goal. Pierre seriously you have a broken nose don’t you? Because you are the sort of guy neighbours would punch hard in the face for… Read more »

Words on a Blog

Martinelli was great last night, but we shouldn’t fall into the trap of overhyping him, then dismissing him as shit when (as he’s bound to) he has a few indifferent performances. He is still young and green, and will need a few years to develop into a complete forward.

Introduce him gradually. This is what the Carabao Cup, early stage EL and FA cup matches are for.

The same holds with other young players – Saka, Nelson, ESR.

ONLY Willock looks ready to play with any regularity.

Jamie

He doesn’t have ‘experience’.

He thinks the Wenger years were the most successful in Arsenal’s history. Look at how many league titles we won in the 1930s. Something like 5 in 8 years.

Wenger managed 3 in 20 years.

Young supporters will dismiss that period in our club’s history as ‘too long ago for it to matter’. Someone allegedly in his 70s wouldn’t be so quick to ignore Chapman’s influence during that period of success.

Watching a match on his smart phone at his ‘age’ is another corker. His true age always betrays him.

Words on a Blog

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49820240

Really feels like this is the season when it all unravels for Poch, Levy and Spurs…..

HillWood

Playing in The Championship could do Nketiah the world of good
Further his education and open his eyes a bit to life outside Arsenal and the Prem

Leedsgunner

Auba needs to play through the middle… more often than not, when he does he scores. He is not a winger, every time we play him there he is severely restricted. We have proper wingers now at the club in Nelson and Pepe. Play them in their strongest positions. One of the reasons why our youngsters could play with such freedom last night was because they did exactly this. I understand the desire to see our best players all on the pitch at the same time but it has to work. No point on throwing players on just for the… Read more »

Valentin

Strange how going to watch the game live or on TV affects the perspective. On internet everybody is raving about Martinelli, when in live everybody was raving about Saka, Willock, Chambers and Tierney. Holding was also mentioned because of the calmness he brought. Martinelli did well, but not extraordinary. He is a willing runner and a hard worker, but his link-up play was not brilliant. There were a few groans at the Emirates when he kept losing the ball during the 5~10 minutes when Forrest looked dangerous. It would be interesting to see how he fares against proper opposition. Once… Read more »

Pierre

Edu me a favour “Can I ask why you originally felt the need to highlight the fact that you thought martinellis first goal came off of his shoulder and that his second goal was heading for row z –” I read on here that Martinelli is another Henry, a Bergkamp, an Anelka , a Lewandowski so I tried to put a little perspective in the comments by suggesting that if the footballing gods hadn’t gone his way then all these analogies wouldn’t have happened. It would have been said that Martinelli had a pretty good game for which he should… Read more »

S Asoa

“ Big round of applause to Freddie and Per on the youth, big hat tip to Raul and Edu for the signings, big round of applause for Emery playing them. “ Pedro started well. But do we have to thank Emery for not acting like an arsehole once in a while. Wait for Monday, Emery won’t be able to hold back his insecurity and we will have the Old Disasters yet again. Finally posters wake up from the euphoria. It was an enjoyable game. But we played against the 2nd stringers of a Championship side. Emery will be Unai uaiih… Read more »

Marko

I’d say Martinelli is already well, well ahead of Nketiah. Much better player, IMO

Easily in fact

Valentin

Spurs ‘s problem is that nobody believe in Levy’s model and promises anymore. Everybody know that the club is reliant on the Champion’s League money. Without it they are in big trouble. Even with it, they will be severely limited in term of finance. They had to sell Trippier to partly fund NDombele. Their better players see the situation and they want to leave. Get better pay (Rose, Aldewereild, …), Get a chance at trophy (Ericksen, Vertonghen, …). Others are just waiting to see if a better opportunity arises (Pochettino, Kane, Son, …). That creates an stale atmosphere where not… Read more »

Pierre

Bamford “Martinelli’s performance last night was so good that I think it’s worth returning to a question I asked a week or so ago: could he play the role for us that Firmino plays for Liverpool? That is, until Lacazette returns, might it make sense to play Martinelli through the center, with Aubameyang to the left and Pepe to the right? I think Emery should at least try it once or twice. Martinelli is better at hold-up play than Aubameyang and deploying Aubameyang as an inside-left will free him up a little to make more diagonal runs, run at defenders… Read more »

Nelson

The biggest surprise for me is Tierney. It was a pleasure to watch him play. I was fed up with Kola and AMN as our FB’s.

Graham62

Pierre’s agenda is so obvious. Base it on the game of TOUCH YOU BACK or TAG. Because AW was openly criticised for donks on here by so many, Pierre feels obliged to run around tagging as many folk as possible with his underhand negative perceptions of anything the new regime does that may be seen as being a positive. His ongoing belief that some of us are obsessed by Wenger is his way of deflecting things away from his own obsessive behaviour and love affair with the old regime. Whether it’s Ozil, Nketiah or Emery, Pierre will always hold a… Read more »

Left testicle

I think Martinelli reminds me of Suarez.

Before anybody gets their knickers in a twist I’m not saying he’s as good as Suarez just that he has a similar style.

That’s Luis Suarez, not Denis.

Nelson

Emery did deserve some criticisms. If he goes back with Xhaka as the lone DM next Monday, he’ll lose a lot of support, not only LeGrovers.

Jamie

Spurs spent £140m this summer. Poch has been backed by the board. Excuses are going to come in thick and fast if he doesn’t start winning matches. 4 wins in 17 matches is terrible form any way you slice it.

Can’t blame his players, though. It’s not their fault, even if some of them are average/consistently underperforming.

Words on a Blog

Jamie,

True, Poch has been backed by the board.

But it looks like too many players’ hearts are not in it – they wanted to go, but nobody wanted to cough up the money Levy was asking for.

And now Poch looks like his heart ain’t in it either.

Graham62

All Arsenal fans are rejoicing at Spuds sufferings.

The thing is, Poch has only got himself to blame and it’s got little to do with the Eriksen saga.

By not choosing to play Lucas Moura in the CL Final he lost the faith, as well as a certain amount of respect, of his players.

It was a massive call but to ignore a guy who singlehandedly got you to the final, has come back to haunt him.

China1

I’m starting to wonder if wenger had been winning leagues and making CL semis on the regular in his last decade, would Pierre have been contrarian about that as well and been lambasting the guy for not winning CLs as well

I’m not really sure it matters what happens on or off the pitch, he just likes to be in the thick of the arguments because he’s in 90% of them

China1

I’m not sure all arsenal fans are enjoying this spurs decline

We’ve seen a lot of people on here defending poch’s Greatness to the death in recent weeks when people laugh and the club and him for his inability to win trophies with the good squad that he built

There may yet be a few quietly she’d tears that he’s not quite as saucy as was made out haha

Nelson

Emery’s tactical advice to Chambers
“Tonight I told him when he played at left back be calm here, help and support Bukayo, give the ball to Ceballos. He was overlapping lots of time. He didn’t listen to me!”

Not only we couldn’t understand what Emery is talking about. It also happens to his players also.

Wasi

Yesterday’s game was the first one this season we properly controlled . We had a good balance and thoroughly outclassed our opponents. But lets not forget it was against Forest side who were here just because they had to be here. Martinelli was good but declaring him better than Nketiah already is too much imo. He has his pros and cons like every other player. He is not a striker but performed very well. Needs to improve his decision making . I believe he can be an elite wideman for us if given the right coaching. He has shown good… Read more »

Valentin

Nelson,

I don’t think that’s by accident.
The youngsters are used to play together. They just reverted back to the tactic that Freddie used when in charge of U23.
However it is telling that both Martinez (no starting from the back shot) and Chambers feel that they can discard Emery tactical choices and get away with it.

China1

Valentin if ignoring emery’s Instructions is the only way to cut the playing out from the back BS then bring on the rebels lol

Valentin

Wasi,

Agree with everything you just wrote.
Willock and Torreira controlled the game both dynamic and not afraid in possession.

Moe

What a miserable bunch. Trying to play down Martinelli’s performance. Yeah he may not be an Anelka, but he surely ain’t no Sanogoals either. Who gives a fuck if his second goal was deflected…….hell yeah, thank God it was deflected.

Valentin

WOAB, It is clear that at Spurs the players and the coaching staff knows that they blew their big chance at the graal. Their heart is not in it anymore. The big question can they remotivate themselves to have another go. The premiership as predicted will be between Liverpool and ManCity. But if they don’t sort themselves out and continue to feel sorry for themselves, they will fail to qualify for the Champion’s League. Guardiola and Klopp took some times off and that benefited their next club. Pochettino should have taken a break, because he looks like a beaten man… Read more »

Guernsey Gun

The future looks reasonably promising, some great academy players, a defence coming together with Saliba to chuck in next season. All we need is to ditch the last of the deadwood and get a couple more players in defence / centre mid and we are there. I can see a plan but do not want Emery to execute it.

Receding Hairline

Did Chambers play for the U23 under Freddie or was he on loan at Fulham?

Anyway why bother with facts

Leedsgunner

Receding

He was on loan, and won their Player of the Season Award last year. The boy deserves a chance.

shaun ellis

looks like we have a left back finally ,Saka and tierney look like they could make it and make a difference to the team but they will both need time and patience , that said I would chuck them both in against utd lol………………………..lol and holding as well oh and Auba for captain, he’s a goal a game player who does not look to be slowing down

Receding Hairline

“However it is telling that both Martinez (no starting from the back shot) and Chambers feel that they can discard Emery tactical choices and get away with it.” Players actually have the freedom to make the right calls depending on circumstances during a game. It only becomes an issue if you make your own decision and it goes against you then you have to answer to the coach The idea Xhaka, Sokratis and co are having miserable seasons because they are confused by Emery’s tactics has always been wrong, they are having a bad season so far because they are… Read more »

EdTheRed

Emery haters are getting desperate. I am pretty much with Pedro on last night performance, from where I was sitting on East Upper. It was great night for everyone involved with the club. Our future is fucking bright. With or without Emery. One quality DM and one quality CD an we WILL fight for the title, again, with or without Emery. It’s irrelevant. What’s important is to keep this group of young players together at all costs. I haven’t been this excited about Arsenal’s future for a very long time. Great gesture from Emery to substitute Thierny for Bellerin, allowing… Read more »

China1

I have a sneaky feeling Auba is going to age like a fine wine because whilst he made a name for himself with his ridiculous pace, it’s actually not the primary source of his goals

He scores inside and outside the box, left and right foot. Tap ins and speculative efforts. His positioning is top notch and he reads the game to sniff out chances like few others. If he can do that he doesn’t actually need pace. Having it is just the icing on the cake

China1

Last year we had zero wingers in the entire squad

This season we have a handful of quality ones. What the hell is going on

HighburyLegend

@EdTheGenius : and what about letting Xhaka keep the armband ??
Jokehead…

HighburyLegend

“Happy days.”

Yeah right… come back after the next old toilet disaster if you still think the same.

EdTheRed

How do you know it’s going to be dissaster?

China1

You know it really irks me that wenger stopped believing in wingers after the invincible sand had so many CMs shunted there over the last decade You can see in 5 mins what it looks like to have wider players who can skin a man down the touchline and put a cross in or cut inside and shoot I’ve never liked the AM out wide option. Nasri, hleb, rosicky, all great players shunted our wife but should’ve been at n10 Ramsey, ozil, mikki, iwobi not my kind of players but also supposed to be n10 (not sure iwobi is a… Read more »

Leedsgunner

How memories are very very short, it wasn’t so long ago when Spurs were praised on here because according to some they had a better manager, better players and they were going places.

Six months later, where are we?

HighburyLegend

“How do you know it’s going to be dissaster?”

Maybe because there’s 99% chances to see Wenger Jr putting the same starting line up than the previous game ? With the same Captain ?

HighburyLegend

“Six months later, where are we?”

Don’t know… Earth ??

Dissenter

Leeds
“How memories are very very short, it wasn’t so long ago when Spurs were praised on here because according to some they had a better manager, better players and they were going places.Six months later, where are we?

In fairness they did reach the finals of CL so it’s understandable that some thought they were punching above their weight.
It’s just the nature of the game.

Alexanderhenry
Alexanderhenry

‘yet’

Bamford10

Again, if Bellerin can’t start on Monday, who would you start at RB and why?

DigitalBob

Bamford10 – Chambers, as many have said he deserves a chance and at the moment is the inform defender across the backline.

Leedsgunner

The measuring stick that Emery must subject himself this season must be “Do we get into the top 4? in the EPL?”

If he doesn’t, he must go.

Frankly, if it was up to me, he would go anyway considering how poor he has been in his player selections for the EPL but hey ho.

The Europa League, the League Cup and the FA Cup are just distractions to how he does in the EPL.

shaun ellis

I think Chambers as we will need a more positional right back , Chambers knows he is not quick so will have to adjust his game to suit , just think he seems to be more defensive first than Niles , to early for Belarin .Acid test for Chambers who has played well just lately, to be honest I would like to see chambers and holding in the middle of defense as I think Luis and Soc have been poor .If we can squeeze in holding and Teirney and play Chambers on the right with Luis in the middle

Dream10

Bamford

Daniel James is rapid. He’s a big threat to win a penalty.

Want to see

Martinez (will be Leno)
AMN Chambers Luiz Tierney
Willock Guendouzi
Pépé Özil Nelson
Aubameyang

HighburyLegend

Ozil at Old Toilet ?? Hilarious…
Are you a friend of Pierre ??

shaun ellis

Want to seeMartinez (will be Leno)
Chambers holding Luiz Tierney
torriea Guendouzi
willock(ozil)
pepe auba Saka