Absolutely huge game today. Two fallen giants of the game trying desperately to claw back some sort of relevance for their fans.
United struggle for goals, the football is dull, and their expensive defensive unit is still flawed.
Arsenal has a great squad of players, but they’ve struggled to establish an identity, the defence has been equally poor, and our attacking play has generally been reliant on the brilliance of one man.
Today sadly isn’t a battle for the league title, it’s a battle to establish an advantage in the race for top 6. Emery saw some light in the last two games, notably both when Xhaka wasn’t on the pitch. The come back against Villa was valiant and the Forest destruction pointed to an attacking style that would look sexy if we could rock it against better teams.
The game for us tonight is all about midfield. If Emery can’t suss optimum working conditions for his precious new general, it’s going to be difficult. United will attempt to pressure our midfield and hope it crumbles. I hope Emery has given them some help, we need to see a structure, I can’t watch another game where everyone goes missing up the other end, or worse, watch everyone drops into the defence leaving us exposed for shots and whatever else comes our way. United might be shit, but they have good pressing numbers this season. We need to be on high alert. We need to see real leadership, not this soft kind the media keep talking about.
’Xhaka always remembers the boys birthdays, he’s religious about getting a card signed’
The Swiss master of the spare key will sit at the base of midfield, no point in arguing that, the question is who with? If it’s on his own with a combination of Matteo and Ceballos, we could be in trouble. The Spaniard is an exciting talent, but let’s be honest, he hasn’t bypassed the bedding in stage most players deal with. We need athleticism on the pitch though, and I think the manager might have to go against his intuition and reinstate LT in his natural position as the lead DM (laughable I have to write that), or gun for something inexperienced but industrious like opt for Willock and Matteo.
Tactically, we have been greatly hampered by the captain’s armband, there’s no doubt about that.
I’d also not be surprised to see Emery play 3 at the back, fear is his default perspective, and I see no reason for him to change that approach in a big game. What I will say is that Emery does get the players up for the big games. Even when we lose, it’s not often insipid. Though the Chelsea final really did do a lot of damage to that perception.
Key to our day is usually centered around how well we bring Auba into the game. He’ll have the chance to get in behind Maguire who hasn’t looked great. I think we’ll be able to spring chances all day. West Ham created with relative ease when I watched them the other day, the game would probably be ripe for some Ozil deadliness around the box if we get pushed into possession play in their 3rd. I would also be very happy to see Saka given a go. He’s a surprise package, he’s annoying to defend against and he’s basically the new Dembele. We need some of his fearless decision making, it could be vital today. I ALSO HEAR HE STARTS!
I’d also like to see an open play goal from Pepe, it’s time.
There are other delightful elements, Pogba, Martial and Rashford are all likely to miss the game. Say what you will about them over a season, Arsenal normally make them look world-class and United are weaker without them. That said, we’re all expecting a worldie from De Gea and a blistering first big game start from Greenwood.
Huge day for both sides, let’s hope the game achieves something that looks like the years gone by.
See you in the comments.
Great 2nd half from Guendouzi and the amount of times he was fouled was unbelievable.
I still think Rashford should have been sent off especially in context with AMN against Villa.
Not a bad result especially coming from behind again but really should have done better.
Well my thoughts…..
Pepe was dreadful beyond belief.
Apart from switching off for their goal I thought the defence coped with a lot.
Once again Xhaka should never put on the shirt again – ducking under that shot – previous committed Arsenal players would rather it knock them out than let Manure score.
Auba is becoming an Arsenal legend – but god help us if he gets injured.
Leno is looking alright too maybe MOTM share with PEA.
Guendouzi was fouled (badly) so many times.
Emery just comes across as confused as to his best players/team to put out there.
No sense of direction whatsofuckingever
The more I see of Willock, the more I’m convinced not starting him is counterproductive.
Emery needs to get his shit in order cos this is becoming deeply concerning
Using words like Garbage makes a complete mockery of any point you are trying to make.
Brendan Rodgers and lampard the two flavours of the month on here have both lost here this season, wonder what that makes them.
His issue is selection and he is stupid for allowing it to linger.
Pepe is flopping
Nelson is not one of our great hopes
Looks very poor – I expected Willock to replace Pepe but would have good to see Martinelli
Have to say given that I’m always on his back and rightly so I have to say Kolasinac was far less stupid and useless as his usual self. Still wank though.
TR7
“Emery is very good tune”
No one here (bar Joe) has ever sung this tune.
Nelson is the AMN of wingers. I don’t see anything in him.
It’s a different excuse from you every week Marko.
At some point maybe the penny will drop for you that we have a mug in the dugout.
We play with ten men when Xhaka is in there.
Not sure why Emery cant select Tor-Guen-Ceballor or Tor-Guen-Willock?
Screw height, as if Xhaka uses his height to save goals like he did today?
Emery Out.
Sooner he is shown the door the better, else the task becomes even more difficult next year when Manu or Chelsea get better.
Weagle
Even if we don’t win it we have to be making a better go of these games
We are too scared to push forward
Too unsure if ourselves
We don’t know what we are under emery
I don’t know how long it will take Emery to realise that currently Torreira Guendouzi, Willock is our most effective midfield.
Guen,willock,ceballos is probably the best midfield we could put out this year.
Dunno what weed emery is smoking when he thinks that xhaka is a good player… 😀
As someone alluded to it’s the team set up
Who sets up the team?
Cant put it all down to the players
Not a bad result on paper but United were there for the taking.
Very average Man United side.
Highlights for Arsenal Saka and Auba’s finish.
Big negative David Luiz continues to look dodgy defensively in an Arsenal shirt. That’s what you get for going cheap on defence. And who’d have thought under all those locks Luiz is as bald as a coot the rain showing his scalp lol.
Doesn’t look the wisest decision does it atm Pepe for 72m and David Luiz for just under 8m.
And very tame effort from Nelson in injury time.
Emery won’t realise what needs to be done, have you heard his analysis and what he sees? He doesn’t have a clue. Ask him to explain his lineups for confirmation.
Dave
Good post.
Said in the summer Nelson would be sold at the end of the season, don’t see anything in him at all. The best he can do for us is somehow get us £20 Million or something from a Palace type side that gets mugged off.
Ceballos isn’t epl quality can’t track back.
It was like we played with 10 men for 55 mins due to Emery’s stupid tactic of playing Torr as a forward midfielder.
Emery has been found out……..enough already.
What’s this nonsense about Aubameyang bailing us out?
Was Salah bailing Liverpool out when he kept scoring? Was Sterling bailing Pep out last season? A striker scores goals and that is what he is doing, his job. Too bad that can’t be said for some in the team
Bamford
United are a steaming pile of shite, didn’t even have Martial their best forward.
Aubameyang has been the most decisive player in the league so far this season, literally has won more points than anyone with his goals.
CESC,
Spot on regards Matty. He shows his emotion and passion always rallying the crowd and shouting at the players. He plays with his Harare on the sleeve on a constant basis and still learning.
We need to find a system to suit the players we have, at the moments it’s a detriment playing certain individuals for the team.
If emery wants to play a counter attacking style, then coach the players to be resolute and hit on the break. Then many could deal with it.
But he’s not. It’s at the managers door these tepid performances.
Auba is the big daddy of the team
Leftie
“Our set pieces are horrific,”
Yes you are correct in that assumption.
Many on Le Grove used to think it was a doodle when Ozil used to pick out Giroud, Sanchez, mustafi, koscielny with perfectly flighted balls into the box from dead ball situations.
And what does Emery do , leave our player with the best delivery at home and even when he is on the pitch these days , Emery has taken him off set piece duties ..
Says it all really.
5 Comments. 1. Guendouzi should be captain based on his effort, tackling, passion. Best player for Arsenal (again) by a mile. 2. Saka is a baller. Saka>>>>Pepe. Pepe was dross. Maybe there is a player in there but Saka is soo much more ready for the prem. 3. Kola is guilty over and over again of not closing down opposition players who are lining up shots. Awful at defending one on one situations. He would make a good wing back in the Championship. Chambers doesn’t look like a RB or a WB. He is very very very slow. 4. Xhaka.… Read more »
Don’t know what exactly ceballos is good at, twisting waist??
El Sackico is over. Both coaches keep their jobs for the time being. How far the mighty have fallen.
Emery will be very happy with the result.
If he terms Watford a good side then Man United must be out of the hemisphere.
In the real world we all know Man United are average.
Have to say given that I’m always on his back and rightly so I have to say Kolasinac was far less stupid and useless as his usual self. Still wank though
I don’t think I was watching the same game he was rubbish tonight nearly gave away a handball. His positioning was terrible at times.
PieAFC
The problem is for years we’ve just been building a side for a player, and they are usually wastes of space like Ozil and Xhaka.
Guendouzi is a very modern footballer in terms of being a CDM/CM/CAM and having the work rate to play all those positions in a single game. Willock is similar though not as CDM conscious and not at Guendouzi’s quality level.
That should be what we’re aiming for in midfield. Athletic, physical, tenacious utility midfielders who suffocate the game.
We need Laca back pronto.
Laca in the game today would have done far better than Pepe.
Emery should somehow make the front three click else we are in for a long season.
Fully expect Emery to not fix the Midfield and hoping that the defense gets better on its own once Bellerin, Tierney and Holding are back in the line up.
Kolasinac uncharacteristically sensible first half, business as usual second half I thought
It’s not nonsense at all, Sterling and Salah are both crucial players but neither Pool or City fall off a cliff the way that we would without them.
Pool beat Barcelona 4-0 without Salah, City literally won 8-0 last week without Sterling.
Auba scores a silly amount of our goals. His goals have been responsible for literally 9 extra points in the PL already this season.
Pool are capable of winning matches without Salah scoring as are City without Sterling.
Guendouzi showed nothing going forward though; at least nothing approaching what he showed going forward against Villa, which led to calls for him to have a free floating role in front of two holders. He put in a shift but still got caught defensively a lot as well tonight, showing that lack of recovery pace.
Feel for Torreira. He’s made so many good runs this season constantly ignored by teammates. Saka tonight in first half. Keep going son, you will get your rewards.
Its all about Ozil for a certain gentleman. Too bad he disappears when Ozil actually plays and does nothing.
Martinelli scored twice in midweek, you needed a goal you bow to seniority and bring on Nelson. That’s the idiocy most talk about, still doesn’t make him garbage and I am yet to see Auba pickup a ball from the back beat 10 men and score so spare me the bailing out nonsense
“Using words like Garbage makes a complete mockery of any point you are trying to make.“
The fact you flag choice of language says it all. It’s pub chat and you think people are going to constantly be measured and eloquent in their appraisals. Especially after a drab 90 minute show? Get a grip.
–
Banford
Are you going to finally answer how Arsenal under Emery are ‘much better organised’ than they were under Wenger?
Still waiting for that gem. Saw nothing that pointed to an organised side today again.
WE
Yeah, that’s not an argument for our XI being clearly better than theirs. You’re going to need to go through both teams, player by player. I’ve done it, and I don’t think our players are better than theirs. Not as a whole. I’m happy to hear you out, though, if you want to make the case.
TR7September 30, 2019 22:11:21
It was like we played with 10 men for 55 mins due to Emery’s stupid tactic of playing Torr as a forward midfielder.
Tr7
Exactly!! 9 if you consider that xakha is fucking atrocious when positioned as the last midfield player in front of the defence
No wonder we are just a gaping hole in the middle of the park
How that man cannot see what is so blatantly obvious and getting paid £6m a year for the honour is just lost on me.
Who on earth was duped by this imposter?
‘We just haven’t got the stones to go to OT and win no matter how shit…’
True true true
It’s a different excuse from you every week Marko. WE genuine question but are you stupid? Just asking for a friend. I know he’s a fucking dud I can’t wait to see a new manager in the summer but the likes of you keep bringing up how he should be able to coach certain types better and I ask how the fuck can he be blamed for not teaching some cunt not to duck under the shot? It’s yet another game where an individual makes an individual error and the blame is put on the manager. By all means let’s… Read more »
I don’t think you can have a go at Guendouzi for not offering enough in attack, he was literally our entire midfield press. The front 3 reasonably could have been expected to be the attacking threat, but Pepe didn’t show up at all.
We’re playing at below our level though because of poor selections. I’ve not doubt we improve with Holding, Bellerin and Tierney, but that midfield with Xhaka is always going to look unbalanced and suck.
No to captain guen too much pressure on his young shoulders.
He’s no Fabregas.
Saka looked to have a bit about him, one bright spot in an otherwise grim evening of football for us.
Not outrageously fast but he’s very clever and has a good head on his shoulders, doesn’t panic in the final 3rd.
Pepe is disappointing but that is partly the way Arsenal are playing
These slow build ups from the back stop effective counter attack ing and that is where Pepe would flourish
Tactics of Emery!!
And could have lost the match to this average United side due to the silly block foul by Luiz near the end giving that freekick right on the edge of the area.
Luiz has looked too much like the equivalent of Granit Xhaka in the CB position I’m afraid.
Loves his block fouls.
It was like we played with 10 men for 55 mins due to Emery’s stupid tactic of playing Torr as a forward midfielder.
He was actually doing a job on Pogba until he was binned
Holding or Auba should have been the captain. That simple.
Xhaka, our captain, is a coward. When it was called in every sense of the word – he ducked.
People don’t appreciate the work rate Guendouzi gets through in matches.
They would soon realise though if they had to play alongside Granit Xhaka themselves.
Emery? Tactics?
Hahahahahahahahahahaha
I hate watching us play right now. We’re all over the place. There’s no game plan. The only thing that has given me any appeal is seeing the youngsters coming through. Beyond that, the football is shite. Emery is a failure. Utd were there for the taking tonight. We were powder puff.
Cesc – It’s just about him consistently showing certain traits. Obviously away from home it’s more difficult to impose yourself, but it’s the intention that I look for. If he was trying the same things but they weren’t quite coming off then It would be a different matter but he seems content to keep it ticking over.
There was scope for him tonight to do more going forward.
Pepe hasn’t been worth even 1 million pound so far. I don’t see him doing much this season. Maybe next season.
Very few Arsenal fabs had noticed 10 of his 20 goals last season were from penalties.
He is not a match-winner.
Let’s hope on Thursday against Stamdard Liege, the fringe players play.
Another competitive game for Tierney & Bellerin. Hopefully Emery sits on his seat all game and lets Freddie coach the youth on play quick attacking football.
CA Cesc AppealSeptember 30, 2019 22:06:44 The thing is though you drop Xhaka in the team and he is meant to be a deep creator so you don’t play a CAM you play 2 work horse CMs with him…except he doesn’t do that. He literally does nothing for the midfield. Absolutely spot on re Xhaka. For the PL, he is the worst kind of midfielder you want to be playing. You want someone incisive and who has some instinct (Cazorla had bucket loads of this). Without that there is no creative spark. How is UE not seeing this, still baffles… Read more »
How long do we have to endure Emery??? God forbid Auba gets injured because we’ll be fucked. Have to say I’m massively disappointed by Pepe. Not the same player from Ligue 1. I would lay off him if he were 20/21 but he’s 24 ffs! Whoever is the club psychologist needs to sort him out. #emeryout
RvP, for all the fame, awe and almost legendary status considered the best striker we’ve had since Henry, has managed to do what Aubameyang is at the moment doing, in a grand total 1 and a half season. If only we bought Aubameyang in that Summer of 2013 when we failed with the Suarez bid. We could have had a 24 yo Auba for £11m with potential of him being our striker for 8-9 years straight. Oh regrets, regrets.
Guen would have been a better captain than Xhaka. Our style of play is timid, lacking in courage and uncertain. Reminds of a man in our dugout.
Fucking hell that was grim. Worst United side in eons and we create 2 tidy chances. Xacka ducking the ball was perfect! My man, my captain!
One point gained or two points lost?
Someone how many set pieces went Pete tong
Pepe first half was embarrassing
Nelson 2 corners he looks nervous when he plays.
Marko So the penny has finally dropped for you then? Glad to hear you’ve pulled your noggin’ out of the Latin Dracula’s narrow arse at last. It’s not just down to Xhaka dummy, we played absolutely terribly and yet again it was a haphazard free for all mess where we were fortunate that United are just as much of a shambles as we are. Nobody was within 5 yards of that inbred McTominay from the corner and we can thank our lucky stars that he can’t finish a header to save his life. Time and time again Maguire was either… Read more »
Champagne Any organization is better than what we had under Wenger. Wenger didn’t do tactics, and he didn’t do organization. He let the players organize themselves, and he let “the game” be their teacher, as he was wont to say. While we haven’t been as organized at times as we should be — Emery has changed his formation and thinking too often — there is absolutely no question we are better organized now than we were under Professor Dipshit, who didn’t even do organization for fuck’s sake. Emery won three Europa League titles because, though fairly prosaic tactically, he can… Read more »
Paulinho I’d go easy on expecting Guendouzi to do everything honestly. Very hard to be a CM alongside the likes of Xhaka in the current Arsenal set up. Doesn’t know whether to stick or spin. Plus tonight you have to factor in the conditions as well
Other than Saka I didn’t see anything to be optimistic about.
I understand why some wax lyrical about Gundozi but he is like a schoolboy footballer who wants to do everything. I know they say space doesn’t score but time after time he leaves too much space and had Utd had the quality of yesteryear then then that game would have been gone. Someone needs to get hold of him and calm him down.
CESC,
100% we’ve always looked better with more mobile payers in the team. Playing Xhaka will be at the detriment to our team. We struggle to play a higher line and his lack of mobility to cover is so telling.
He won’t see it. Clearly has his favourites. It will struggle to impose it.
I just want to see some of the youth set up Thursday and take a game by the scruff of its neck on Thursday on a high intensity.
This Arsenal team doesn’t have a soul. They aren’t on any mission. Emery can’t get out even 60% from each of them individually.
Arsenal needs a new manager to justify those investments.
Man united fans on Twitter angry they didn’t beat “this arsenal side”. We have a better team in our own heads alone.
Yes the manager should be dragged, He is the man that keeps picking the clowns week in week out. He bows to seniority.
Saka is miles ahead of that Nelson guy. At the moment it’s not even a contest and Saka is deservedly the one that is the preferred choice.
The witch-hunt is something else, I’d love us to purge the lot and start fresh just to drown the vapid nonsense.
If some of you aren’t slating your fave pet hates then you have nothing to say, truly wonder if half on here have ever even played a game over the park.
I thought that Guendouzi did ok too.
Best midfielder not that he had competition but he was solid throughout.
Frustratingly passive mind.
Receding
They’re saying that because they were at home and saw us turn up with 9 men behind the ball for the majority of the first half, and register 1 shot on target by the hour mark.
JushDgunner
One point gained. Definitively. We were dire. They had more chances to score than we had. They were toothless and we were lucky.
So the penny has finally dropped for you then? Glad to hear you’ve pulled your noggin’ out of the Latin Dracula’s narrow arse at last.
I’m a reasonable person I was never convinced by him I just wasn’t some agenda driven/former AKB dickhead who right off the bat was on him.
We persist with Xhaka for what? What does he do?
CA
Aubameyang should’ve been made captain. This is so obvious. That Emery continues to start Xhaka and that he didn’t see that Aubameyang was his solution at captain reveals his absolute lack of insight. Really unfortunate.
Keano on his best behaviour tonight haha.
The worst utd vs Arsenal game in a long time.
Guendozi – Willock-Torriera should be our midfield three.
WE
He needs to develop in a stable midfield.
Right now he’s always doing the work of 2 midfield players.
If he didn’t do that we’d seriously notice how immobile and lazy our midfield is.
I think he can be a seriously good CM/CAM type player with the ability to drive with the ball, but right now he’s being asked to hold that midfield together. Not fair really. Enormous credit to him though.
If VAR did not exist, we’d have lost.
A gentle reminder of all the times we and all the other teams have lost due to ref mistakes in favor of manure.
Bamford10September 30, 2019 22:26:45
ChampagneAny organization is better than what we had under Wenger. Wenger didn’t do tactics, and he didn’t do organization. He let the players organize themselves, and he let “the game” be their teacher, as he was wont to say.
And for all of this his worst 44 games were still equal to emery’s first at arsenal.
He must have had something because how’s worst is the best emery can muster at Arsenal
‘We have a better team in our own heads alone.’
Anyone who I’ve talked to has us as better than United, non-Arsenal fans.
Don’t know who you’ve been talking to. They’ve sold their only proper goal threat while we added Pepe.
Receding
“Man United fans on Twitter angry they didn’t beat ‘this Arsenal side’. We have a better team in our own heads alone.”
Exactly. Except only in some of our heads. I don’t buy that our XI was clearly better than theirs. I’m happy to hear someone out, though, if they want to make the case for this.
WE
Go through it. Player by player.
“Emery won three Europa League titles because, though fairly prosaic tactically, he can organize a team and he can instruct players in their roles. Wenger won all that he won (in a bygone era) because he had genius footballers and experienced, hard-men leaders who could organize a team themselves. This is something you apparently still don’t understand.“ HAHAHAHA Christ, and you want folk to take you serious about football? Emery does tactics because he won things, meanwhile Wenger won more things and didn’t do them. Absolute class that. No explanation on how we’re better organised now, just hot air about… Read more »
It’s likely the Europa League team will become everyone’s favorite to watch for the next few games until certain players like Holding, Bellerin, Tierney, Martinelli, Willock etc are put in the first team regularly and then AMN, Sokratis, Kolasinac etc become Europa League player.
Not fussed about the Bournemouth game but genuinely looking forward to the Standard Liege game.
I agree re Aubameyang as captain.
Obviously leads by example with his influence on the pitch but he also has personality off of it, seems to be a leader and one who the younger group look up to.
No other player looks remotely fit for the armband.
They’re saying that because they were at home and saw us turn up with 9 men behind the ball for the majority of the first half, and register 1 shot on target by the hour mark.
The defensive approach was to be expected considering our recent form and it’s away to United ffs grow up. They beat Chelsea 4-0 this season and you were expecting a gungho approach? Given our defensive capabilities? Nah
Can’t shoot, can’t cross. Is it me or have footballers declined in quality in the last few years. That was a depressing watch.
Chelsea and Leicester both lost at Old Trafford. It’s not an easy place to visit so a draw isn’t a terrible result considering Arsenal’s recent performances there.
5 things we learnt or already knew:
1. Auba is Auba.
2. Saka is a baller. He’s clearly an asset.
3. Pepe needs to start coming off the bench until he earns a start.
4. Willock did well when he came on and continues to impress.
5. Xhaka takes a lot away from this team. Sigh.
Another timid performance bereft of any discernable game plan.
Sadly, Emery would be greatly proud with the result tonight.
‘I’m a reasonable person I was never convinced by him I just wasn’t some agenda driven/former AKB dickhead who right off the bat was on him.’
That your passive-aggressive way of calling us an AKB dickhead then?
Ha, ‘reasonable’. Try myopic.
Pepe should start on Thursday and then be benched on Sunday. There needs to be some kind of spark and maybe Europa League opposition can be that spark.
I’d try to rest Saka as well for the weekend, got through a lot of work tonight.
I notice a Wengerite on here is happy to slag off individual players that were brought in after Arsene Wenger but is loathe to criticise individual players that are still here that Wenger brought in. Then it becomes a team problem of course.
Make you sick these Wengerites don’t they.
Xhaka can’t tackle. His technique is awful. And slow. Worst of all worlds. So he ends up making a lot of fouls. Plus he is thick. But he isnt the only one.
Yea Pepe is lighting up the league eagle
Wonder why all the memes
I guess Emery should also coach the 72m pound purchase on how to strike the ball cleanly or find a team mate with a pass half of us can complete. So much for adding Pepe at this point.
United have beaten Chelsea and Leicester at home this season …I doubt we can say that after they visit the Emirates. Save me the better team talk.
To be fair we’ve been throwing away points at United now for years. We haven’t won since 06 there but I mean since the time Rashford burst onto the scene and scored against us we should have been beating them more than a few times but haven’t