GOOOOOOD EBENING.
Late one for the folks back in the UK today. Maybe it’s nearly beer o’clock? Well, have I got product news for you… I am working on a hard seltzer brand. It is fizzy water and alcohol (5%). 100 calories. It’s mental. I use booze to mostly medicate my life, now I’m medicating at 100 calories… give it a crack.
You know what else I need alcohol to medicate for? Unai Emery.
I know that people think I have it in for him, but it’s not true… I just find some of the things he does utterly perplexing.
Let’s talk about the captains armband.
Leadership is something you look for in all players. Everyone should hold themselves accountable, all must fight for the team, every last man must step forward when needed. Shared leadership is a mindset, it should be part of the culture, but let’s not kid ourselves it is a substitute for a real captaincy.
The idea of ‘captaincy’ is not dead. We can’t woke-wash away the basics of leading men. Leadership is real, it cannot be shared. You need a focal point for the team.
Topline, there are two ways that captains armband is dished out.
You either have someone that is an outrageous talent and they lead by example with goals, assists and match-winning performances (Cesc). This approach is usually a way of grounding an ego in ‘team.’
The second way – and generally more popular, is giving the armband to the standout leader in the squad. They might not be the most popular (Roy Keane), they might not be the most talented (G.Nev), but they are a bonified warrior that leads you into battle (Adams/Vieira), holds everyone to account, and does the dirty work on the shop floor (hairdryer/boot throwing/ rabble-rousing).
Last season, Unai Emery – fresh out of a new age business grad school – elected for a socialist approach to the captains’ armband, probably an idea born out of the Wenger handbook of management named ‘HAPPY EVERYONE.’
A year on, 4 of the 5 are now firmly off the roster. Aaron Ramsey was binned after a month when Unai realised he didn’t fancy him. Koscielny went on strike in the close season. Petr Cech moved to Chelsea as the Sporting Director before the Europa League final, Mesut Ozil took sick leave so many times it became an HR issue… Granit Xhaka, is still here, waiting in the wings.
So where are we right now? It’s September 26th 2019. We’ve played 6 Premier League games, 1 league cup match and we’ve had an away day in the Europa League… still no decision on the captaincy. Our default is Granit, who is being booed by the fans already.
Today, the press has leaked that Emery is holding a vote.
I cannot tell you how ridiculously juvenile this approach is. It’s Boy Scouts stuff. It’s someone that’s bad at people thinking this is a good way to bond the squad.
Here are some topline issues.
It tells the players the manager is insecure:
This is palming off responsibility. This is walking away from a decision. This is a man worried about what the squad thinks of him. It’s also an excuse if it goes wrong.
‘Don’t blame me, you voted!’
This sort of micro-beta-male action might not bite now, but the thought will linger. If I know my boss cares whether I liked them, I know they are weak, I know I can strike at them when they are down, I know I can cut at them when they are indecisive.
The manager is struggling to understand basic connections of the squad:
This one is a worry, but one that doesn’t surprise. Emery struggles to manage egos. He doesn’t seem to understand the causal effects of his behaviour in general. It should not shock that he cannot identify a strong leader, because he doesn’t seem to be one himself. If you outsource communication to your assistant, you are probably struggling to interpret the language of the club. My worry here is that if he can’t understand what’s going on at a basic level, like, who is the standout leader, how can he understand the lighter nuances that happen in the day to day that you need to be on top of to manage a group?
He believes it is better to be loved:
The basic premise seems to be that he thinks great leadership is tied to popularity.
I present to thee: Emmanuel Eboue.
Lad was absolute banter, did you see the tiger outfit? Squad LOVED him. Captain material?
Extreme case, no one would invite him to be a leader, but my point is this: You don’t always know what is right for you from a leadership perspective.
The ideal person to manage you is often not the sort of person you would ask to manage you. Are you going to invite a fox into your warm metaphorical chicken coop? No fucking way. That’s why Rob Holding thinks Granit Xhaka is a great leader. He’s a top lad, he’s a bit shit, and he probably doesn’t hold anyone accountable because he does not have the performance cache to do so.
Voting for your leader is for politics, not the army. Tony Adams once said, ‘It is better to be feared than loved’, wise words, no doubt, but seriously, if there is an end of the spectrum we need at Arsenal, it’s closer to ‘feared.’
Donald Trump once said he believes you only have so much energy in life, which is why he doesn’t bother with exercise.
I think there’s a reverse version of this in management. You have a credibility power bar that you can grow with great decisions. You can also drain it with bad ones. Phil Brown lectured his players on the pitch at halftime, that drained his tank, it was over. Jose Mourinho threw his physios under the bus in the media, which told the squad he had the back of no one. Unai Emery is chipping away at his with confusing tactics, odd management behaviours (player reviews) and meek decisions. There comes a point in a season where all the mico-fails culminate into something very bad. We likely won’t see that until the back end of the season, but when he surveys the wreckage, it’s moments like this that he’ll likely curse.
IN OTHER NEWS.
Some Wenger quotes doing the rounds about the United job, I read they are fake.
I did a SOLO podcast.
Bankz is here for the tr4phy again
For the first time in a while,DM isn’t here to be found
tr4phy
Tr4phy
trophy
Sorry Ashwin…
Damn… Word press
“posting comments too quickly” .
Nonsense
Timing all wrong for me today. Been away from my desk all day and just came back, checked, and missed out by a few mins..
Am I in the Champions League?
Bankz
May be some day… fingers crossed…..
Standing in queue at Sainsbury’s. I’ll fucking get on this when home.
Well. Socialism is always a problem. it never works.
Today, players are voting for the next captain. If this goes on, there will be a day when players will be voting on the playing 11.
“May be some day… fingers crossed…..”
For #Xhaka+EmeryOut ??
Just saw that we drew Liverpool, what a load of c*nt water….City conveniently walking this one to a win again.
Arsene at Manure? F*** ng hilarious! If it is an attempt to wind Arsenal fans up well we’re already pissing ourselves laughing for a lot of reasons…..
I think Emery wants to take away captain from Xhaka without hurting his feelings or alienating him. I am not surprised Emery having hard time deciding who should be captain because we have no apparent players who are leadership material.
Wenger stopped buying players with big personalities and we still feel hangover. All senior, long term players are inadequate and newer players don’t have experience with squad. I think best captain would be Torr, but he not playing, so I think Auba should be captain but it not ideal.
Favourite Emery’s album : “Follow the Leader”, by Korn.
Trump might be exercising soon?
“On his bike.”
Eboue the sub that was subbed.
Poor lad to much of the bright lights ruined him.?
“I present to thee: Emmanuel Eboue.”
Nice to meet him.
“Trump might be exercising soon?”
Every night.
In his bed.
With a pornstar.
The vote is not gonna count. I was already waiting to see how Emery turn his back on Xhaka’s captaincy after the crowd booed him….. this is it. Emery has created a way out.
I would pick both Auba and Laca as part of the five since Emery insists on five. But Holding or Chambers has to be there for the British touch. And Holding is 24, definitely not too young to lead a football team!
Trump exercises his mouth on McDonalds
24/7
I would go with Holding, Bellerin, Laca, Auba, Ozil (Just to massage his ego).
In that order.
As long as his ego is the only thing you massage…
“Vote for your Player of the Month” has become “Vote for your Captain of the Month”, thanks Unai.
“Holding described Xhaka as “a great leader” and also praised the influence of experienced summer signing David Luiz.”
We are so fucked…
I think Emery wants to take away captain from Xhaka without hurting his feelings or alienating him. I am not surprised Emery having hard time deciding who should be captain because we have no apparent players who are leadership material. A case to be made here. Hopefully Emery is seeing that Xhaka is not working out. He gave him the love the backing the chances but he still hasnt developed to what Emery might have hopes. Now the only player in the squad that Emery trusts to be captain is Xhaka which he has made clear. But the fans booing… Read more »
The vote is not gonna count. I was already waiting to see how Emery turn his back on Xhaka’s captaincy after the crowd booed him….. this is it. Emery has created a way out.
Maybe it doesn’t matter in a good or bad way.
Good – Emery doesnt make him the 1st cap.
Bad-Emery actually makes him the 1st cap. He gets an excuse saying the players votes for him.
I would have picked Torr as the team captain but Emery has unjustly reduced him to a bit part player (constantly playing him out of position just to accommodate xhakaka), the guy (Torr) has everything you need in a captain
I would have picked Torr as the team captain but Emery has unjustly reduced him to a bit part player (constantly playing him out of position just to accommodate xhakaka), the guy (Torr) has everything you need in a captain
Needs to learn the language.
I see no problem in holding a captaincy vote. We all know why he initially went with Xhaka – seniority. For some of you it might be an unknown concept, but where I work it’s how things are done. That approach clearly didn’t work out at Arsenal this time, but Emery is pragmatic and players might end up thinking here is a manager who’s not afraid to change things when they’re not working out. Also it could be seen as an inclusive excercise, things like this do tend to bring team together, and that’s much needed right now. Second half… Read more »
“(constantly playing him out of position just to accommodate xhakaka)”
It is a very well known fact, Xhaka is Caca.
Ed (aka we don’t need a win at Old Toilet) is back!!
Xhaka has been given enough chances…
If Emery can cut Ozil, Rambo, etc…. then why is he balking on Xhaka so much?
There seems to be more going on behind the scenes with this.
Last year he was the new guy and made some dramatic changes.
This year he is suffering from second season syndrome… he is stuck with decisions he has to make that were a carry over from last year.
Xhaka has not worked out. WIllock all the way
Back from Sainsbury’s…even superman has to do the boring shit once in a while.
Emery out. He’s a bad fit for this club.
Good post, Peter. By the way, the 100 cal drink exists…any spirit is normally around the 60 cal mark and 40%.
Pedro
There’s nothing wrong in letting the players vote for the captain…. Even special tomato sauce Pep allowed his players to vote for their captain
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49025726
Emery looks weak if he does not pick the captain himself. He should understand the make-up of his squad by now and should be in a better position than anyone to decide who is best. Part of the job of any manager is to choose the correct people below and the captain of any side is an important link between the players and the manager. One of his problems is that very few players are regulars (injuries and bans allowed). The one obvious exception is Xhaka who is a footballing liability and does not lead by example. But Emery is… Read more »
I know that people think I have it in for him, but it’s not true
🤔
Wait are you telling me that Pep is also allowing his players to choose the next manager at Man City? And Arteta is okay with this? I wonder if it’ll be a pivot or a flip flop we see on the issue now. My guess is that that piece of information will be disregarded in its entirety. Strike it from the record
Azed
Dude.
Whether Pep did or didn’t do a vote, has no relevance on Emery. He’s a non binary sauceless mincer.
Arteta doesn’t need to explain himself.
GoH
“Whether Pep did or didn’t do a vote, has no relevance on Emery.”
Actually it does……… Pep is second on the sauce chart just behind his royal sauciness Arteta and if they allowed their players to vote for a captain and not labelled weak, then Emery should not be labelled weak for allowing same…
Call Emery weak for playing Xhaka and that would be ok but not this.
My take on the captaincy matter. Laughable that out of the 5 captains we had last year, and we could safely add the 6th captain in Monreal who captained us on more than 1 occasion, Kos is gone, Cech is gone, Ramsey is gone, Nacho is gone, and we are stuck with captains # 4 and 5 in Ozil and Xhaka. Insanity. I’d name either Luiz or Auba. Both are experienced players and have what it takes to lead by example. Also both are expected to start all of our important games if they are healthy.Lacazette is a good shout… Read more »
It’s pretty obvious that Xhaka has something on Emery, probably his nudes
HighburyLegendSeptember 26, 2019 17:28:57 Ed (aka we don’t need a win at Old Toilet) is back!! You know deep down I’m talking sense. Emery as Emery is irrelevant in all this, but in all likelihood he’s staying for the rest of the season. If he gets sacked, Freddie will set in and that’s the end of the story. I am much more concerned with keeping this crop of talent together for at least 3-4 seasons, because this could well be the spine of title winning team. We HAVE to go to OT with clear intent to win, we HAVE to… Read more »
Azed
I can’t agree. But then I will happily admit that Emery sends shivers up my spine. I’m not going to be objective.
Anyway, Pep is a money manager like Mourinho…but at least Mourinho won the CL with Porto.
Arteta manages city anyway. Everyone knows this. Even Noel Gallagher said so. I think he wrote a song about it: Artetawall.
It’s pretty obvious that Xhaka has something on Emery, probably his nudes
Let’s see em
Ebening Grovers,
Good post Pedro. I’ll give the podcast a listen to tonight when the missus and kids are in bed.
Got to agree with Azed on the Captain vote; if it’s good enough for Pep it’s good enough for Emery. I think since Wenger done away with real captains in the mould of Adams and Vieira we’ve not had any real proper leaders and I can’t see many at the club at the moment apart from perhaps Guendouzi, so a vote by the players kind of makes sense for now until a real leader emerges.
“It is a very well known fact, Xhaka is Caca”
yea, he is
Benny
When the wife and kids are in bed you ain’t listening to a podcast…you’ll be having a wank to porn hub just like 99% of married men with children do when they go to bed.
That Tony Adams quote is so true. We need a leader on the pitch who doesn’t care about being liked, and has no qualms about handing out bollockings for poor play. This is something we have been missing for some years but I don’t think we are the only club where this is the case. I will never forget Adams absolutely lambasting Remi Garde after we let in a goal against Blackburn in 1998. We were 4-0 up at the time but Garde let his man go, or wasn’t tight enough in the back four, and Big Tone let him… Read more »
What if everyone votes for themselves
Guns
May be after that..:p
People really need to get hold of term “head coach” and what it means in present structure of the club. Emery knows he’s easily replacable. He knows that he, or any other manager after him, will never be as influental or powerfull as AW was. That’s why people need to take step back, stop wasting time focusing on Emery and focus instead on most talented young Arsenal squad I can remember. The time of manager clinging on to his job for years is gone, but Arsenal rarely, if ever sack managers during the season. Every player in the squad needs… Read more »
raptora
Luiz has been here two minutes and you’re ready to hand him the armband? I can’t agree with this.
It’s gotta be PEA and likely Leno for vice. The only two who are automatic starters in the squad because they deserve it. I would say Holding over Leno if he’s even had something like ten consecutive starts under his belt, but still too soon for him also.
With regard to multiple captains, I am not in favour myself, but I notice in NFL teams they have more than one captain, even on offence and defense. They have those patches with C on them and a number of stars to indicate how long they have been a ‘leader’ on the team I think. I am not sure if they get voted in or how they get the patch.
Completely different sport obviously but perhaps different ideas from different games are being taken on.
“Every player in the squad needs to step up now. I dare say supporters too.”
Guess we are back to
“Shut the fuck up and get behind the team phase. Judge me in May ” phase.
The players electing their own captain is a joke. What is this, a trade union? Somewhat worrying in that it suggests Emery doesn’t have anyone on the ‘inside’ who he would trust to be his man. Which reflects poorly on him as much as anything else.
Long term holding or Tierney might be captain material, for now it should probably be Aubameyang. I doubt torreiras English is good enough. I mean, people make fun of Emery’s English and Torreiras is hardly going to be better.
Why do you need good english when all you need from captain is to cuss the guy who makes the mistake. You dont need to knwo what the other person is saying as long as you cn see that he is fucking pissed.
Emery is a weasel
So if the captaincy doesnt work out, then its wasn’t his fault but the players as they “voted” for the captain
Pussy!
Auba is the captain…. our best player, experienced and respected.
He has been nothing but professional and a delight since he came.
Without his goals we are toast
GSF
Auba as captain?
Right.
Traditionally Our captains have been one season wonder. Either they always stay injured or leave the next season.
Make Xhaka the first choice captain and wait for Glory days….
Lol Pedro talking about the importance of leadership in the era of @alpha male genius leaders Trump and Boris.
Someone earlier said that Pep held a vote to decide on the captaincy. If so he’s just another beta me cuck.
Sick to my back teeth of all the bollocks talk on leadership – in politics and in football.
If it’s true that everyone loves Auba, he should be made captain, not that it matters one little bit.
*beta male
Tis okay, lads. Its just a rehearsal to the big event. Next up, players participating in a vote of confidence, which Emery will spectacularly lose.
Rejoice.
Marko is so starved of action that he wants to see Emery nudes.
Tsk tsk.
If you ask nicely, Receding might share a few from his stash.
RR
Keep your shitty LeGrove based erotic fiction plots to yourself please.
Ashwin Gunner
English is the Lingua Franca of this club. And a captain needs to be able to communicate more than via the tone of his voice, for god’s sake.
He also needs to be able to talk to the English media from time to time.
Gluteus,
You sure? Cause the next one has you as the main star.
GOH
Auba would be great… why would you not want him
Based on the last few months, I would give the captaincy to both Auba and Lacazette.
They lead by example, are professional in their approach and, from what I see, are not afraid to speak their mind.
To be honest the whole thing is farcical.
Guns of HackneySeptember 26, 2019 18:11:59
Benny
When the wife and kids are in bed you ain’t listening to a podcast…you’ll be having a wank to porn hub just like 99% of married men with children do when they go to bed.
>>>>>
Lol! 🤣
Speak for yourself.
No comment. 😆😉
If I’m the star I suppose you’d cast yourself as the fluffer. Flattery will get you nowhere though. I mean, I’m hardly a star.
EduardoSeptember 26, 2019 18:23:59
The players electing their own captain is a joke. What is this, a trade union? Somewhat worrying in that it suggests Emery doesn’t have anyone on the ‘inside’ who he would trust to be his man. Which reflects poorly on him as much as anything else.
>>>>>
Does it reflect badly on Pep too?
That being said I get what you mean.
I’m old school and would prefer the captain to be either a defender or midfielder.
Torreira/ Holding, potentially, would be a good pick.
Personally, I think Torreira needs to be shown more love from Emery( is that in his remit?). Playing him in his strongest position would help. We all see that Torreira looks lost and demotivated because of Emery’s insistance in playing him out of position.
Why not ask Freddie to pick the captain?
He would sort it out in 5 seconds.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11819923/unai-emery-asked-arsenal-players-to-vote-for-club-captain-says-rob-holding “I have no idea [when an announcement will be made], but there is a lot of leaders in that team who are helping each other out and pushing each other on. “Now that we’ve got these five captains that the manager has brought in it’s spreading the leadership group rather than having one person to dictate it. You’re getting more input, it’s generating a good environment.” “I love Granit in the changing room. I think he is great. He is really switched on to people being late, people using the phones. He is quick to dish out the fines,”… Read more »
I don’t understand talk of chambers for captain I like him but he is like our second choice RB (third if emery still like AMN) He’s probably enery’s 4th choice CB and who knows if he’ll even be considered for DM, but is probably 3rd choice at best He has very few appearances to his name and is relatively young with a limited rep amongst the fans (he’s neither proved to be elite or a leader) Outside of being british (is this really that important) I don’t think he’s close to qualifying in any single respect as a candidate for… Read more »
I love granit in the changing room is one of those bizarre quotes that comes back to haunt you throughout your life
A captain should (one way or another) be the player who drives the team on to achieve more
If you can’t confidebtky claim a player does that they don’t qualify
I know Pedro likes bellerin as well – another one I’ve mever understood. Apart from being outspoken about fashion and meat eating and shit, is he really a primary driving force on the pitch for us? Not sure if that at all
Is Wenger really trying to get the Man U gig ?
“Is Wenger really trying to get the Man U gig ?”
Karim
Let’s hope he gets it and takes Ozil, Pierre and Xhaka along.
China1
Hec has no positional sense, he’s a terrible defender on his day.
Azed
Is that Christmas already ?
On his day doesn’t sound English suddenly lol
I meant time and again
It must be an Arsenal trait.
Mertesacker was not too good on the pitch but was brilliant at collecting money off the players in the locker room.
Karim
Better than Christmas.
What a clumsy player Mertesacker was ! I remember one particular goal we conceded when he injured himself in the most ridiculous fashion !
But somehow, we were solid when we had him paired with Kos.
Karim
Define solid.
Nearly a year ago, half the posters here were talking about how Holding wasn’t a great defender and that championship is his level. Same goes for Bellerin. He was this error prone defender who only relied on his recovery pace.
Now, both are heralded.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder truly.
Graham
Didn’t we have a season when we never lost a game when they were both played ?
Or something like that ?
Mertesacker reminded me of an old steam locomotive.
You remember, the wheels would spin around for ten seconds before the train would move.
Remember the day Ozil suddenly knew he had arrived at Arsenal when, after getting tanked 6-3 by MC at the Etihad, Mertesacker gestured at Ozil to go and applaud the Arsenal fans.
Mertesacker had been culpable for 4 of the goals conceded.
Marvellous!!
Karim
I don’t think so.
Southampton away Boxing Day 2015. Got stuffed 4-0.
Mertesacker was shite.
Oops
Well, they certainly were no Baresi or Ramos but I do think a Luiz / Sok pairing is far worse
Graham
I agree with everything you just wrote actually.
Think I wasn’t clear enough in the first place.
Xhaka and Mertesacker.
Brothers in arms.
Completed 90 minutes together in last 2 years
Played 27
Won 19
Drawn 8
Lost 0
16 clean sheets in the process, 0,5 goals conceded as well.
Just found that stat, 1 st thing you get when you type Koscielny Mertesacker you know where.
Solid.
So FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to get rid of racism for good in Football.
Yeh right.
First thing to do then is ban any club/ national team from competitions for 2-4 years until they get their house in order. In the case of Italy, where it seems the ultras hold the power and not the Italian football federation, advise/ support all black powers to walk away from clubs where racist abuse is persistent and take control of all football related matters until things are resolved.
Do FIFA have the balls or is it just all talk no action.
Arteta cut his management skills by tolling his team mates and using the proceeds to buy a luxury watch for Gazidis.
Pity that it wasn’t enough to get him the Arsenal job.