He did it, he totally did it. Unai Emery finally bit down on the bullet he’s been hiding from for 3 months and made Granit Xhaka his captain.
What a joke. Arsenal fans, for once, unanimous in condemning the decision as calamitous.
What made the whole debacle even crazier is the charade around the decision.
Where are the 5 captains? Not that I believe in that method, but it’s indecisive to tell the world you’re delaying your 5, then you deliver a huge pivot.
Secondly, why leak to the press you’re running a vote? I’ll tell you why, he’s sharing the wrath of the fans with the players. He bottled making a decision on his own because he knew it’d go down like soiled nappy to the face, so he’s co-sharing the calamity. It’s as transparent as a Boris Johnson political strategy. Meeker than inviting your wife’s side piece over for Christmas dinner.
Unai Emery is a poor leader. This decision will be the death of him. The moment is symbolic because it perfectly captures the essence of his tenure. Confused, indecisive and bland.
Granit Xhaka is a poor choice. This move has been made purely on the basis that he’s popular in the dressing room. That’s amateur hour selection criteria. Arsenal football club is not in a situation where we can be making decisions based on likability. Don’t give me ‘there are no leaders’ because if that’s the case, why was it not a top priority this summer? Did Raul and Edu sign this off?
A leader has be able to command respect with performances as an absolute basic. Xhaka is not a steady player. He is an error machine. He is a one-trick pony. He’s a delicate orchid that needs perfect conditions to perform. Even when the weather systems align with the soil PH, he is still always a moment away from letting off a mistake grenade under no pressure. He has so many limitations, he’s become a tactical opportunity more ripe for the picking than the short goal kicks. Not even for good teams, I’m talking Watford. Just pressure him and wait for him to break. Sometimes you don’t even need to pressure him. His off the ball work is bad enough to gift you opportunities.
The clear learning from the weekend, when we were overrun by Aston Villa, was that our best midfield does not include him. The Premier League demands power, pace, and high levels of concentration from a midfielder. Xhaka has been a clear weakness for us and now he will be an automatic starter for the rest of the season.
Bigger picture, my problem is this.
The club is trying to build a high-performance culture. That is a Huss Fahmy thing from Team Sky. It is the creation of a perfectly timed Swiss watch. If there is a single cog, anywhere in the machine, that is even slightly off… it doesn’t keep time. At the centre of our high performance culture is a player that the fans boo at half time for good reason. This decision is not a serious one. It runs counter to the clubs longterm aspirations. It sets an incredibly bad tone to the rest of the club.
Defective cogs impact the whole machine. They pollute the culture. They make perfectly good parts of the machine underperform. I simply cannot believe the exec team at Arsenal does not see this.
I can’t blame the players. Who’d pick someone that’d give them a rough ride? They’ve picked comfort, which is exactly the mindset I thought we were moving away from.
If Holding, Hector, and Matteo weren’t ready, give it to someone inoffensive but elite, like Auba. I would even take Luiz over Xhaka, at least he has pedigree at the highest level. There is no excuse for this. It’s not a future-facing decision. It doesn’t help with leadership. It fucks us tactically. It sours the mood of fans who won’t accept it. It is a damaging blow to Emery’s already sagging credibility with the fans.
What a disappointing turn, but I repeat, not unexpected.
Listen to my podcast.
Champagne charlieSeptember 28, 2019 13:17:49
Graham
Our coaching issues are evidenced further than Granit fucking Xhaka, far beyond a player or two, but what’s notable is how the players have become the overriding subject of our fortunes instead of apt leadership. That’s a direct result of that particular absence seen since early Wenger days.
Cc and Graham
This is true. And I count the days until emery leaves. I do think that simple changes in lineup could yield more positives though regardless of his inept tactics
That doesn’t necessary include dropping xakha but swapping him and Torreira. It would be a start
With all the only spent on emery in the last two years plus having Ramsey, Lacazette and Aubameyang to walk into your expect a lot better than he’s managed to drum up
Unaai No I don’t, not beyond player-centric characteristics that will help and hinder at particular aspects. What you advocate there is more akin to a change of tactic anyway, one that I’m more in favour of than the double pivot given our options. A two-man midfield base with a Ceballos ahead isn’t a good fit imo, would sooner have a link with two CM players shepherding the bulk of the midfield space. But that’s edging toward competent coaching et al so it’s all rather academic as I see it. How do you compare Torreira and Xhaka, I’m curious how you’d… Read more »
Champagne
That’s an evasion. Of course those things are important — though I disagree that Emery has always gotten all of those things wrong — but so too is selecting the best eleven players. So again: should Xhaka be in the starting XI, in your opinion?
The only logic explanations of why the players voted for xhaka as a captain is that no other one wants to take responsibility.
Also they don’t see ozil as a captain material
One thing i know for sure is the team will look more composed without xhaka and AMN
Sheffield doing well against the dippers so far, but it’s different thing if they were playing at Anfield
Still think the dippers will nick it..
Hopefully not!
The Liverpool game was weeks ago…Highlighting constantly how every team that plays them look “more organized” is just plain weird at this stage. Move on please
Graham
As thought, you’ve nothing to quantify your opinion it just exists as it is. Trust the old whopper to descend to juvenile quips, no cape but you’re still a hero.
Charlie
I agree that Emery is a bit shit with his systems and tactics
If you were head coach how would you change this to get the best from Mr Xhaka
Play 4-2-3-1….if played correctly it will provide protection for the full backs and protection for the centre backs .
Pepe wide right , saka wide left , Aubameyang up top .
Ceballos/ozil behind , no doubt it will be Ceballos ….
2 holding midfielders , can choose any 2 from the 4 available as long as they are disciplined and don’t get ahead of the ball too often ( unless we are chasing the game).
Definitely no diamond formation…..
So I suppose we should expect the diamond.
Rashford is absolute shit so him being out is a blow for us, not United. He would do his hyper-active ten year old routine for about ten minutes, and then spend the rest of match attempting to impersonate Cristiano Ronaldo. And not very well. Greenwood can actually shoot with both feet, go either way, so he will actually be a threat in and around the box if we drop deep and back off, so again, it will be dressed up as an advantage Rashford and Pogba being out, but it will undoubtedly work against us. They will sit deep and… Read more »
According to some Sheffield United must really have better players than Arsenal to give Liverpool a more difficult game than Arsenal.
Less shot conceded and more shot on target.
Noting to do with better organisation and clear instructions.
Banford No, an evasion is when you’re addressed by myself over something and ignore because you don’t want your opinion challenged. Something you’ve done a couple of times since being reintroduced, and numerous times prior. What you’re doing now is attempting to parade over an unpopular view I have, because despite your absence the traits remain. My views aren’t hidden on Xhaka, I even made reference above in response to Unaai. What I won’t do is play your boring game. That should clear up any confusion you might have. I’ll await the rousing summation you like to make to the… Read more »
Liverpool’s luck never ends.
Cc Torreira. Tenacious tackler. Aggressive. Fairly quick over short distance. Decent passer. Happy to sacrifice any notion of attacking play for the good of then team (low in ego) Short and stamina issues The most well equipped candidate to shield our defence. Xakha. Good vision and pass execution. Looks to release attacks as early as possible. Only player in our team (bar Luiz now) who offers early and accurate, medium to long range passes. Never hides. Slow, poor ability on the ball when closed down. Rash decision making when under pressure and petulant when beaten by a runner In short… Read more »
Liverpool winning ugly away from home, yet again.
That’s why they’ll win the league this season.
Hillwood I think our CM is a real issue for suitability tbh, but I’d have Xhaka between defence and midfield with Guendouzi and Torreira operating ahead. Similar setup to Juve when they flank a deep passer with industry. I see Guendouzi as the future player in this role personally, and have long considered him a player for us to build around. It would involve fullback positions, the license each player has with the ball and without, the gaps each player needs to fill in certain eventualities. The shape we’d take in possession vs out etc. But simply picking an XI… Read more »
Unaai
I’d agree with most of that, though I’m not convinced Torreira is as disciplined as you suggest, nor more capable of handling a press than Xhaka.
I see both as immobile players in their immediate surroundings, with Torreira being better at anticipating and intercepting passes, their tackling prowess isn’t distinguishable, but one is a unit and that helps in the prem, Xhaka is considerably better with the ball, and he’s a much better communicator.
Beating the same drum for weeks now there Valentin, there’s a consensus now that we’re badly coached, starting to sound like Pierre with the Ozil thing
Emery and his lack of tactics and system is a massive problem and I can’t wait to see him get sacked but playing Xhaka week in week out further compounds the problem. Anyway perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise, the sooner the Spaniard goes the better.
Torreiea handles a press better than Xhaka, not sure that’s even meant to be a debate or an argument
Jeez Charlie, your last post, didn’t know Xhaka had all of that quality, shame his brain farts are much worse….. Jokes aside though, you’re like 1 out of a 100 Arsenal fans who still see an upside in Xhaka because there absolutely isnt any, not after him being here for what 3/4 seasons now
Champagne No, an evasion is when you avoid answering a question you don’t want to answer and proceed to talk about some other thing. This is what you’ve done above. As for questions you’ve posed to me, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I must not have read the posts in question. Pose the questions again, if you like. If they’re relevant, I’ll try to answer them. As for everything else you’ve said, it’s all very typical. You don’t like the direction a discussion is going, so you begin slinging insults at the other person. I’m not playing… Read more »
Valentin give it a rest… Sheffield united are at home and in case your memory has failed u we could have taken the lead at Anfield too. No two games are the same so the “look team A are giving them a better game routine” is petty nonsense.
Norwich beat city, Burnley beat Norwich, Arsenal have beaten Burnley so that means what exactly?
Yea it means fcuk all
Watching all Liverpool games and commenting about who is giving them a better game is an exercise in futility if they keep walking away with the same three points their victory over us earned them.
The thing with Emery is no one would give a flying fuck if he is sacked tomorrow!
And as expected dippers nicked it..literally!
Charlie Inshirt though his defensive attributes outrank Xakha’s. Xakha’s ability to see and execute the early forward pass trumps anything Torreira has further up field Surely it makes sense then to swap their positions? Or drop both and play willock and Guendouzi in front of chambers or Luiz On to my original point There are combinations there that work. We aren’t getting rid of emery until May at the earliest so the best we can hope for us that he gets his selection right at least because his tactics will always vary. I don’t disagree that we are disadvantaged before… Read more »
Fans brought up loving and worshipping Arsene Wenger are ok with having a midfielder who is shit off the ball.
Only care about his on the ball possibilities.
Shock horror.
Jokes aside though, you’re like 1 out of a 100 Arsenal fans who still see an upside in Xhaka because there absolutely isnt any, not after him being here for what 3/4 seasons now I’d say like 10,000. It’s strange that he sees something that most fans, pundits, ex players and football writers don’t see. He’s universally unpopular and acknowledged as a bad signing by mostly everyone. If you were to take what certain people say seriously you’d think that we have a brilliant midfielder on our hands but anyone who’s watched Arsenal the last 3+ seasons know this to… Read more »
Charlie
Sounds like you see Xhaka as a quarterback in American Football
Defensive mids protecting while he sprays passes around the pitch ?
The hyprocisy is unreal.
Posters complain about how shit the defence still is but still have a shout out for a player who is shit defensively sitting right bang in front of the defence.
We don’t want to hear these hypocrites complaining any more when Arsenal ship far too many goals again this season while at the same time still having time for a player who is a defensive liability.
Batistuta,
“there’s a consensus now that we’re badly coached”
Go and read Marko’s comment. It’s the players fault.
Valentin
It’s down to better organisation and playing to the strenghs of the players/team(subtle hint Mr Emery).
Sheffield United were very impressive, as they have been in all their games so far this season.
Chris Wilder doing a sterling job.
Anyone got a link for the Spuds match
Michael Owen- Strikers believe they have to strike everything but they don’t need to strike it all the time sometimes they need to miskick it…….
One of my biggest issues with regards to the whole Xhaka discussion is this perception that he’s good on the ball and in possession and yet 9 times out of 10 we’re overrun in Midfield with very little control. How is that when he’s supposed to be this great passer and influencer with the ball at his feet? It’s a ludicrous misconception at this stage. Since he’s joined our midfield hasn’t gotten better but worse and we’ve rarely seen dominant controlling performances from the midfield. That’s two seasons under Wenger and going on two under Emery btw so no not… Read more »
Ishola
Even at that, Xhaka is only “good” on the ball when he’s given loads of time and space. Under pressure or in tight spaces, he’s poor. So even saying he’s “good on the ball” is over-generous.
Graham62, Sheffield United are well organised, well drilled. Chris Wilder is showing what can be done with tactical acumen and hard work with a team of limited players. They look better than the sum of their parts. I still think that they will be relegated, because they don’t have a proper striker. They will lose by the odd goal, nothing disgraceful but ultimately they won’t score enough goals to win the required number of games. This year is the first time where a few new (at that level) British managers are showing that not all British managers are dinosaur with… Read more »
Unaai Yea I’m not in favour of the midfield two idea we deploy, I explained more of how I see it to Hillwood. I’d have both in the side at the expense of Ceballos who I fail to see the point of (we aren’t an attacking side that needs that sort). Hillwood I guess so, but I’m not a lover of one-dimensional roles like a DM as a “pure” DM etc. It’d be more a case of arranging them to suit what I see them doing well at and having the respective roles defined as per the numerous possibilities likely… Read more »
True Marko and Bamford
Xhaka doesn’t give the midfield enough control and domination enough times if we are talking about him on the ball. Hardly ever actually.
Anyway this latest decision from Emery should be seen as the final sign that he is better out of the door and gone.
As Nelson suggested Emery looks to have no difference in outlook to Wenger in regards to trying to improve defence. No real interest. It’s a continuation of Arsene Wenger FC without the pretty football Wenger offered.
Charlie
I can see this “quarterback “thing working when we have possession at the back
But for me he has proved himself a liability when we are under attack
“Bellerín completed 90 minutes for the u23s in a very competitive and physical match against Liverpool. That will do him a lot of good, one assist too.” – Dan Critchlow, of the Daily Cannon
“Don’t know why in all this choice of captaincy Lacazette’s is not mentioned. For me he’s the perfect guy. Consistent performer and vocal.Besides, I wouldn’t blame the players. The vote was cast in secret.” You are absolutely right. When rumours of the captaincy vote emanated, I thought for a minute about who is the perfect fit. I struggled for names till I remembered Lacazette. The only reason why I think Emery wouldn’t consider him is because he is having trouble utilizing both him and Auba in the team. I saw a thread on Reddit comparing Lacazette’s playing style with Firminho.… Read more »
At least Emery hasn’t kidded anyone on.
He said he would rather win games with high scores with the opposition scoring.
This is no different to Arsene Wenger.
He is banking on just offense again just like his predecessor.
We still await a coach that will make this team a real serious one.
Emery is not that coach.
Hillwood
There’s no personnel counter to the defensive liability I’m afraid, and having Xhaka between defence and midfield isn’t a suggestion for him to be the defensive lynchpin of the side. Out of possession I’d sooner the two CM tuck and Xhaka move forward to CM to jockey the play of it comes central.
Early days but Frank Lampard has done well so far. I like the look of how his Chelsea team is playing.
CC ‘I’m not a lover of one dimensional roles’ but you can’t see that’s exactly what Xhaka offers…
Lacazette is not like Firmino at all
That ridiculous comparison really should have been put to rest long ago. Different type of players.
This Xhaka outrage has gone on long enough….the manager has made his bed let him lie on it. 80% of you want him out, they should be joy rather than this pageant to see who is more outraged than the other going on since yesterday.
Lloris has dropped a bollock and Saints equalise
Anyone else enjoying that calamitous display at the Lane?
Lloris is Spurs’ Almunia, drops more clangers than most keepers every season. Harry Kane scores a class goal.
Hillwood
Try this
http://60fps.live/arsenal-vs-nottingham-forest/
Charlie
Ok mate
I’ll leave it at that but Emery would need a big blackboard and plenty of chalk
I don’t think Marko is trying to protect Emery with his assertions that having better players is helpful.
Westham look like a different team from two seasons ago mainly because they have better players. Having a better manager has helped them too.
Bob
You keep nibbling away about Xhaka, at what point are you going to accept I don’t share the same view as you? You think he can’t defend, I think that’s an overstated sentiment based on his obvious errors.
Also, I said I don’t like one-dimensional roles, Xhaka is a player, not a role.
Hillwood
Emery needs more than that mate lol
Dissenter
You’re wrong. He said if Allegri was appointed tomorrow we’d see “little to no improvement”. He doesn’t believe in coaching.
I have an irrational dislike of the spraying passes/quarterback comparison, it really rankles.
“Westham look like a different team from two seasons ago mainly because they have better players”
2-1 to Bournemouth lol
CC. I’ll stop now but when you use words like ‘scoff’ when referring to the value of midfield combinations and then at the same time, fight the corner of a limited player, you must see how your language and angle can be seen as provocative.
Most of the time I tend to agree with your POV when you get into your arguments with other posters, in this case I’m ‘nibbling’ as you put it because I think you’re mistaken, nothing personal.
Pierre
Cheers but that one was beyond me to get working
Bob What do you make of the word “scoff”? Seems an odd one to nitpick. When I say scoff I’m casually dismissing the idea that a change in XI will yield any change because I think there’s more overriding an issue. Nothing more than a ‘nah I don’t think it matters who’ type scenario. I’m fine with you disagreeing with me, I don’t take it personally at all. Only reason I labelled it as such is because it didn’t appear you were discussing anything, just making a bit of a snide remark as an ellipsis often suggests. Apologies if I… Read more »
Wolves not having much trouble v Watford at the moment
Emery
“Good Ebening”. “Watford good team”
Has my man been sacked yet?
Mulling over that captaincy decision has to rank up there with some of the worst decisions over the last decade of incompetence. Absolutely rivals some of Arsene’s bizarre decisions for pure lunacy. Worse.
He’s got to go. Has to. Put Freddy in for the season and get a proper manager in.
I’m not even angry, just apathetic. Silly.
Watford will be changing their manager again on Monday.
Javi Garcia coming back.
Went into Nottingham today with the family. Woah. Shithole. Fair enough, a Saturday is never a good day to shop but fuck me. The people!
We sought refuge in John Lewis…but we couldn’t stay too long as normally those visits can cost hundreds.
Anyone see National Lampoons vacations? “roll em up”. It’s like that.
Are Chelsea going to go through 90 minutes without conceding a goal?
If they tighten up a bit they could be a little headache for the top four spots.
Guns
The joys of the UK is that shitholes exist all over the place.
Go to Hull!
G62
I have never been there…and I’m not planning to either.
Newcastle was a strange one. I never saw a normal couple there. Honestly…just groups of lads and femmes on the raz. I don’t think there are married couples in the north east.
Chester was an eye opener. Wooo. I saw a man whose eyes were on the top of his head. Honestly, it was the strangest thing I’ve ever seen.
I was born in Chester!
Having eyes on the top of my head is a real bonus.
G62
What can I say now? Seriously…you have left me nowhere to go.
Sorry
Problem is far too many people from these shitholes go abroad to create new shitholes in places that weren’t shitholes before we Brits made them into shitholes.
You know the type.
Loud, obnoxious , disrespectful, ignorant and usually pissed out of their head.
Rule Britannia !!
Big win for Spurs really.
Before the game wouldn’t have thought so but going down to ten men and losing last week at Leicester not winning today not an option for them.
All grouping up on 11 points now. If the unthinkable happens tomorrow night Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Man United all equal on the 11 points.
The Villa blew it.
Twice going in front at home to Burnley but fail to win.
Pure relegation material.
I was two when I left Chester in 1964.
Luckily the spores in the air hadn’t entered my system by then.
I’ve heard that you have to be live in these places for six years to get infected.
Man City can’t afford any slip ups at Everton.
5-0 MC then!
Looks like 3-5-2 with 2 central midfield anchors is really the system that cause the most problem to Liverpool. Even when Firmino drops into midfield, the CBs covers both Mane and Salah. He can’t pick the ball and then run at the defense because even if he bypass one of the midfield anchors, then the spare CB can confront him. Also the two attackers are a threat on the counter attack, they can run into the channel vacated by the full back. I wonder if somebody in the premiership will be brave and switch to that system and successfully beat/contain… Read more »
Need Leicester to slip up tomorrow as well.
They are capable to hang around the fourth place spot as well if they get the confidence going.
Graham62September 28, 2019 16:41:46
Watford will be changing their manager again on Monday.Javi Garcia coming back
——————————
Maybe CG could take over as their manager. He seemed to think they were a top six club with better strikers than Arsenal.
If only Watford selected their squad based on players’ calves sizes they’d be up the standings in no time.
Leicester good enough to break into top 4.
“Spores”
G62. Love that word. Especially in this context.
TR7
I got news for you, Emery is going nowhere, he’s here for the long haul.
Alas, Red truth has actually spoken the truth.
Emery is an Arsenal man. Low ambition. Easy to manipulate and tows the line better than a line towing machine.
That was weak.
Graham, do Leicester have a strong enough squad? I genuinely don’t know. If Vardy is injured for example, who plays? There first eleven is clearly competitive.
Can’t agree that Emery is ‘long haul’. Our ambition in the last transfer market and Edu’s arrival suggests we’re pushing on.
‘Xhaka’s ability to see and play the early pass trumps…’ Hang on when the hell did xhaka play an early forward pass? He takes 5 seconds on the ball before his standard raking pass which always goes to someone in an unthreatening position…. because he’s too slow to see and play the pass before the opposition are back If xhaka’s one good passing attribute was complimented by quick vision he could be receiving the ball and release our wing forwards immediately just as cesc used to do on the regular. But he doesn’t. Because he has crap vision, is sluggish… Read more »
Walcott’s injures in less than 3mins? Shocking!
De Bruyne is a truly masterful player. Always a joy to watch.
Anyone remember those rhubarb and custard sweets from decades ago
We need a Gundogan type player in Ars.. and a deBreuyne also ??
Iwobi is the best player in Everton team. Looks like his wayward passing is corrected by Marcus de Silva. Demonstrates what a cabbage we havr as Manager.
Good for the boy
Iwobi looking excellent so far.
Unlucky for Theo to go off to injury so early.
Hillwood, was just describing those sweets to my son.
Bob
City should be sponsored by Haribo
I see our old boy Sanchez with quite the debut ..scored a cute goal then got himself sent off
Hillwood, they’re state sponsored!
Iwobi looking excellent so far.
Unlucky for Theo to go off to injury so early.
Noooo Iwobi is a fraud always in a haste to get the ball off regardless of where he’s passing the ball. We stole from Everton. Kean is much better.
Hill wood is a pervert.
Those rhubarb and custards were notorious as the the sweets Gary glitter, Rolf Harris and Jimmy Seville used to lure people.
Bad.
Iwobi a pointless passenger in any team. Glad we got rid. Everton seem to like our junk. They took Walcott too. Can we interest them in one shiny AMN?
Guns, harsh but funny!
G O H
Gary Rolph and Jimmy used to get them from a perv on Hackney Road apparently