We won.
We’re 3rd, 1 point behind Manchester City.
This should be a joyous occasion, but it’s not.
The table is a liar, she did it to us last season and she’s doing it to us again. We’re not very good, but we’re falling up the stairs. The ‘on-paper’ monkeys can point to ‘the only reality that matters is points’, but as a casual reminder, this is what happened last season.
You cannot continue to ignore what your eyes see week to week.
Unai Emery cannot find a performance. He cannot find a balanced starting 11. His in-game decisions lead me to believe he doesn’t actually see what we’re all seeing.
Winning ugly is not a sustainable strategy for a club that can’t defend or create chances.
Bournemouth are a terrible side. Their position in the league is also very kind to their reality. They don’t press, they don’t create meaningful chances and they leak shots. Rounding up, they’ve conceded about 17 shots a game this season. They are relegation fodder unless Eddie finds some magic. Perfect opposition for us.
The first half saw exactly what we all expected. A bad team struggling to find confidence away at a big club. They didn’t press, they looked nervous and they offered us up oceans of space to enact whatever the Emery vision supposedly is.
We offered up very little. Arsenal were comfortable, some fans celebrated that as a positive, but if we’re honest, Forest would have given us more of a game. We managed 2 shots on target in the first half, one was from a setpiece. There was no magic in our attack, we played like there was no real plan, and there was a real lack of energy in the middle of the park.
At the half time mark, I kind of hoped the manager would remember the Villa game and react, but he didn’t. We stuck with the same players, we created very little, but we allowed Bournemouth to get a foot in the game. They were bad in the final third, but they certainly created dangerous moments.
So what did Emery do? He subbed off Nicolas Pepe on 60 minutes. I understand that his performance wasn’t up to much, but the lack of attempts on their goal wasn’t really in his responsibility domain. The decision was a stinging rebuke, and really, not smart management. He’s our most expensive signing, he was playing against duffers, he should have been given the minutes to play his way back into the match.
… that’s not to takeaway from Gabriel, the kid deserved to play, I just think the signal the sub sent wasn’t a confidence builder and I think it was a misdiagnosis of the problem.
Things didn’t improve anyway, even with the electric Brazilian on the pitch, because the problem wasn’t the front three, it was what sat behind them. The manager took off Ceballos for Willock, which added a little more energy, but not much purpose. Again, rotating like for like wasn’t going to shake the game.
It also didn’t stem the flow of Bournemouth, we ended up forming deep banks to protect against their growing confidence… then the icing on the cake, Emery took Saka off for Lucas Torriera. Hard to work out what he was doing there, was LT a DM, a #10 or an auxiliary winger? Either way, it didn’t do much for our structure. We only started getting chances again when Bournemouth threw everything at landing a point, that created counter-attack chances and we did manage to hit the post late on after the impressive Cal Chambers put Auba in.
So at home, against one of the leakiest teams in the league, we managed one shot on target in open play. That is as strong an indictment of Emery as I can muster. Edu, sitting in the stands, did not look happy. How could he be after sanctioning such a big spend this summer, we have not moved forward.
A lot of fans will point to the omittance of Mesut Ozil as a glaringly obvious fix. Again, I cannot repeat this often enough, he’s really not my cup of tea. However, it’s hard to argue that the German couldn’t have influenced a game like today. The players will know that, and this sort of treatment will build pressure on Emery.
The manager is making a martyr out of the German in the same way he did with Ramsey last season. The longer the player sits in metaphorical prison on hunger strike, the louder and more appealing his silent message becomes. None of this would matter if Emery had made this decision in preseason and not shown the player to us. None of this would matter if he hadn’t given him one of the five armbands. None of this would matter if the alternative was 20 chances a game and electric ‘I DON’T MISS OZIL’ football.
To make matters worse for the manager, the pregame Twitter banter has a magical moment from Ozil at training. It also has a damning video of Xhaka gifting Auba a goal after a mistake in training.
If Ozil is a political prisoner, then Granit Xhaka is a sham President after a stolen election. He doesn’t speak the language of the people and his football policies stink. He was mostly ok today, but that’s all he ever is. His best trait is arguing with the referee. He doesn’t drive the team forward, he doesn’t inspire and his presence flattens the energy. Today offered up perfect conditions for him to thrive and he still couldn’t muster a worldy.
Unai Emery is a bad artist. He has the water paints, the canvass, a perfect view on the Amalfi Coast, and he’s out there painting dick pics and wondering why his funders are pissed. The perfect conditions for his system to flourish appear to be Championship sides or Europa Cup ties. We’re 11 games into the season, there’s no style and the philosophy seems to be ‘hope to nick a goal then defend like we’re in the last minute of a Sunday League Cup Final.’
There is no excuse for drab football this season. There is no excuse to defend a 1-0 lead at home against Bournemouth with defensive subs in the last 10. What we are seeing on the pitch is bad… but as I said last week, Emery can point to the table, that’s his safety blanket until things get tasty in December.
Roll on another week.
Enjoy the win, savour being 3rd in the league a point behind City… but don’t count your chickens just yet, because until performances start to arrive, this is all a big lie that will correct just as you start to believe.
Podcast below. Search all the major distribution platforms for ‘Arsenal Opinion’ and you’ll find it for your phone.
Paulinho, ‘hopefully we’ll drop a few points…’ I can never get behind that way of thinking.
Pedro, If you look Pepe, yes he lacks confidence but his two big issues should not be affected by that. He is too static, he always expect the ball at his feet rather than running into space. Without the ball he never makes those darting run behind the defense. He may not get the ball all the time, but if one reaches him he then a great opportunity to score. Guendouzi has already proven he can find people with a chip. See His assist to Aubameyang’s goal against Spurs. His defensive contribution is negligible. He never tracks his runner. Or… Read more »
The excuses people make for Rashford is incredible.
Neville and Tyler talking about him like some all-time great coming back from some personal crisis or injury when he’s always been wank.
We played better football under flat track bully Wenger but against better teams we were wank.
Arsenal aren’t ready for an internal move like that imo. I’ve said it before but we really need a serious recalibration with the exposure to gash defensive management we’ve seen the past half dozen years. This group are you young and need grounding by someone with pedigree in that aspect. Allegri is the clear fave in that regard for me, let him lay the foundations for a few years then Paddy, Arteta, Nagelsmann et al can turn up and have a proper basis to work from. I’m not convinced any of those (except maybe Nagelsmann) have the full ticket we… Read more »
Pedro –
“Not sure where the club would go… but CL is an absolute priority because we’ve spent all the money”
I completely agree, I’m sure everyone else here does too.
Either way, Emery should be shown out this summer. He gets a nice pat on the back, or kicked out on his ass. Fine margins.
You’d take Allegri over, say Vieira? Allegri has more pedigree, no doubt, but there’s something about Vieira. I’d love to give him a shot.
Jose was crying on a video that he missed the game, and my guess is you have no insight into what he’d sign up for (not really a guess tbf).
Arsenal fans need Pep football, but if we’re going pragmatic, let’s see the best version possible. We don’t get solid defence, we don’t get elite attacking football, we get a drunk mess that eventually falls apart.
Unai, not sure what you’ve been reading but Marko hardly seems to be a fan of Emery.
Also good luck seeing better attacking performances from Jose fucking Mourinho
Hahahaha
If we are going to be set up defensively then surely it would be better to actually defend well, play as a unit and utilise our pact forwards on the counter attack to greater effect? All of which mourinho is capable of delivering. As is allegri. All while delivering a winning mentality
Jamie, in hindsight, the miss was Conte. If the club was looking for ruthless discipline and a system (fast), he was the one and he was sniffing around (£14m a year though).
I would still prefer a coach that could give us elite football, but Allegri has shown more than enough as a coach of a top coach Italian club that he could do it for us. He’d at least get the basics in faster than Emery and we’d know what the drill was.
We don’t know the brief though. Doubt it’s going to be an innovative young coach.
Arsenal fans need Pep football, but if we’re going pragmatic, let’s see the best version possible. We don’t get solid defence, we don’t get elite attacking football, we get a drunk mess that eventually falls apart.
Exactly. Whilst tidying up a gaping hole of midfield
ManUtd are just bad. A lot of people criticises Pogba, but without him bar Daniel James they have absolutely no creativity.
Really? “3/4/5”? Go ahead and name the 5 performances we’ve bossed specifically because of no Xhaka.
I meant clearly we can get by with one or two certain types in there meaning despite Mustafi playing we still had two of our best performances. Charles any idea why we look better when Xhaka, AMN, Kolasinac and Sokratis aren’t playing? In defensive positions in Niles case. Any idea why? Answers on a postcard please
Anyone else nearly dropping off to sleep in that 2nd half .
I know I’m getting on a bit and I had just finished a round of golf in 25mph winds and rain,
but for me to nearly drop off watching an Arsenal match is a new experience for me .
“most Arsenal fans would jump at Mourinho in for a season.”
Are you CG in disguise?
Pierre
Are you kidding me?? We ship guilt edged chances so frequently in need a Valium after every league match
Pedro –
Conte was a big miss for sure. So was Klopp, and Pep before him if there was any truth to the stories a few years ago.
Things could’ve been so different. Emery is vanilla, unfortunately.
I think Allegri will go to Utd, but hopefully not before top 4 is out of reach for them this season. OGS is a train wreck, so they could be out of the running by January.
Any thoughts on why Spurs are struggling?
As much as I dislike Emery, I would still have rather him as our manager than Mourinho. AFC will never hire him anyway.
Pierre
Make your mind up.. Winning ugly or stylishy losing
This group are you young and need grounding by someone with pedigree in that aspect. Allegri is the clear fave in that regard for me, let him lay the foundations for a few years then Paddy, Arteta, Nagelsmann et al can turn up and have a proper basis to work from
Again it’s the consistency I like. Someone with pedigree who can lay foundations. We’ll just forget about all the times you were making a case for going with Arteta. Love it mate love the honesty
Marko We played better football with worse players under Wenger, trying to play squad poverty at this point is embarrassing. Even so, you could indulge that fact for argument sake and still the £6 mil a year manager should be able to venture inside his magic hat and conjure up a better band aid than what we see until Bellerin and Tierney….aka Cafu and Carlos by the sounds of it….get back to full fitness. We hired a guy that before PSG, never fathomed winning a domestic league. That’s who we have trying to navigate this bunch up the table. It’s… Read more »
Jamie you are ofcourse right ,sexy football Norwich are in the zone,
The PL at the moment is so unpredictable,
Anybody can beat anybody, only the dippers who are showing consistency
Lol
Allegri and Jose – men who almost guarantee results.
Arteta, Vieira, Nagglesman- men who bring an exciting flavour and ideas
Emery. A man who offers neither. Only appalling performances which hinge entirely on the performances of Aubameyang and lacazette.
If Mourinho is on a short term contract like until the end of the season he would behave. No starting a fight to buy new players, no picking public controversies to get his way. Based in London he would have an happy settled family life, so I can see him concentrating on football.
The football may be boring, but not necessarily worse than what is currently served. However the result in all likelihood would be better.
“Again it’s the consistency I like. Someone with pedigree who can lay foundations. We’ll just forget about all the times you were making a case for going with Arteta. Love it mate love the honesty“
Given Allegri was unashamedly my number one choice post-Wenger I’d say the only consistent part here is your commitment to getting shit wrong.
Plus, newsflash, but two years after that summer we’re a different situation entirely. That shouldn’t need explained to anyone….outside the obvious…
Lads, the only time Mourinho ever played sexy football was vs Wenger.
He’s anti-football. A big fat ‘no’. There are better unemployed managers.
Voicemail for OGS:
https://youtu.be/eOifa1WrOnQ
Jose was crying on a video that he missed the game, and my guess is you have no insight into what he’d sign up for (not really a guess tbf). You’d be a fool if you think someone like Mourinho would accept a one year deal anywhere. It’s a dream scenario where at the end of it Pedro you get the appointment that you want. Wake up I say. We sack Emery right now (which is not ever going to happen) and any long term planning on who the next Arsenal manager is is likely out the window. We’re down… Read more »
Marko, dim people like consistency because it’s easy to follow. Reality is, information changes with the flow of time and so should opinions. That’s how the world works. Opinion writing and analysis is only interesting if the current facts are mapped against the past and the future (potential). Arteta would have been a bold/innovative choice and I have no doubt we’d be watching great football under a club that was progressing. My opinion. Take it or leave it, it can’t be proven, even if he fails somewhere else. What we landed was a bland manager that hasn’t moved us forward.… Read more »
Valentin we have lost one game all season against Liverpool. The entitlement mentality to feel that points dropped away to Watford and united or at home to spurs in a derby are unforgivable results is appalling.
Ruth
“PierreMake your mind up.. Winning ugly or stylishy losing”
Neither….it is what it is , gives me a chance to have a nap on a sunday afternoon though.
I know it’s childish, but full-blown meltdown on redcafe.net
Valentin
According to you results would be on a par with Liverpool were Mourinho in charge…..lol l lol
Wonder why no one else has gone for this innovation… I like how you have covered yourself with “even if he fails elsewhere”. Seems Arteta is only destined to be a top coach for arsenal and no one else.
Jamie
His first two years at chelsea we’re pretty spectacular going forward.
At Madrid he set a record for most points in la liga and most goals scored with 121
Hardly negative
It’s a semi myth. Yes his football can be functional at time rather than wengaball but we are a long way from that now under emery and 121 goals doesn’t sound too appealing to me
If Emery shits the bed and it looks like he may not hit the top four i’d be all for having Freddy see out the season. Based on work he’s done with youth, coupled with players clear love of him it could be enough to get him over the line, he has the spark. Then club could assess in summer.
That said league in such disarray this season it would take something seriously shambolic for Emery to not hit the four target with weaponry at his disposal. Then Raul must pull the “Bruce Rioja” and find the future.
… and again, Marko, I didn’t anyone to sack Emery today.
You’re arguing a point that I didn’t make in the post you didn’t read.
We played better football with worse players under Wenger, trying to play squad poverty at this point is embarrassing. Nothing to do with squad poverty I’m saying that it’s a fucking lie this notion that we played anything remotely resembling good football on a consistent basis under Wenger. For years it was shite bland crab football. This agenda being pushed that all of a sudden we’re playing shit football is nonsense we’ve been shit for years. Might be different levels or different shades of shit but shit is shit. Let’s not start reimagining things under Wenger let’s not go there.… Read more »
Conte vs sarri is coming up..
Should be interesting
“I know it’s childish, but full-blown meltdown on redcafe.net”
Always good read.
“Sack Moyes our football is shit”
“Sack Van Gaal our football is shit”
“Sack Mourinho our football is shit”
Now it’s the same with Solskjaer
Only consistent thing is signing average player after average player, and surprise surprise, getting average football.
Paulinho, surprised they haven’t hired a proper sporting director. Their spending has been so bad.
Un na naai
“At Madrid he set a record for most points in la liga and most goals scored with 121”
That was down to Ronaldo, you lemon lol
You’re arguing a point that I didn’t make in the post you didn’t read.
And there it is. My original question answered though I think the comment was deleted. It does seem like you’re making a case for sacking him but my mistake if I’m wrong. Clearly you can wait until the end of the season for him to go
United fans hounded out LVG who was building a good team. Serves them right the mess they are in now.
Good win, but we are winning and drawing despite Emery instead of him.
It is clear it is more important to Emery to do well in cup competitions than in the EPL.
I cannot understand how Newcastle was able to beat Man United and we were unable to… shame that Emery lacks a spirit of adventure whatsoever in the EPL… because even a smidgen of adventure we would have beaten Man United.
Pedro – Yeah, the Glazers seem totally uninterested, and Woodward is clearly out of his depth.
We sack Emery right now (which is not ever going to happen) and any long term planning on who the next Arsenal manager is is likely out the window. We’re down to Marcelino, Allegri (unlikely) or Jose. Unless you want to go with Freddie for a season but I don’t imagine that’s a good idea we could easily go from 3rd to 6th quickly. Marko Not even remotely true Liverpool sacked Rodgers around this time and snagged klopp. Allegri and Jose both available right now. Arteta would walk from City to come to arsenal. Freddie could take over until May… Read more »
Conspiracy theory.
Freddie is picking the teams for the cup games.
Went to the Emirates today for the first time in a while, mainly because it was a nice kick off time to take my little lad. Won’t be rushing back again. There is some good individual talent in the squad but they are running around like headless chickens in defence and midfield. It seems we have quickly switched (or Leno has made the decision on his own..) from playing it out from the back but with no alternative, other than tryng to lash it up the pitch to our wide men or Auba to try and win in the air.… Read more »
Paulinho, amazing how blind the Glazers are to the football… as long as the commercials keep growing.
RH,
Instead of just looking at the result look at the performance.
Against Watford at the end we were hanging not to lose. Against Spurs and Aston Villa without a revolt by the players we would have lost the game. His tactics and personnel choices were an hindrance to Arsenal.
Luck and Exceptional players can only save the club for so long. In the long run, bad performance and bad tactical decisions will always get their just reward: bad results.
Last season we went into that overhyped unbeaten run , but then the truth settled: Incoherent tactic and mediocre results.
David de Gea lost for words.
Paulinho –
They also pined for Giggs until they got him. You know how that ended.
Mr Charisma:
https://twitter.com/shornKOOMINS/status/953233098283651075
Arteta would have been a bold/innovative choice and I have no doubt we’d be watching great football under a club that was progressing. My opinion. Take it or leave it, it can’t be proven, even if he fails somewhere else.
An opinion can’t be proven but uses words like would have and no doubt and progress(ing). Again flat earther as I am I’ll have to remain skeptical despite your enthusiasm.
RT
He scored more in other seasons and Madrid scored less overall than they did with Jose at the helm
Go and have a think (or try) and come back with something challenging.
United fans hounded out LVG who was building a good team. Serves them right the mess they are in now.
Not sure about the building a good team but he was going forward with them for sure. Since then it’s been backwards
A revolt by the players? Valentin are you suggesting that whenever Arsenal play with heart and spirit they are going against the managers instructing hence the term revolt? If yes that’s a very sad and shameless assertion even by your standards.
Arsenal don’t have exceptional players by the way, even the Aubameyang all of you claim keeps him in a job is as one dimensional as they come.
Pedro – Pepe might turn out to be flop, who knows, but I like the idea behind the signing, and going forward I think Raul and Edu will get more right than wrong.
Woodward just doesn’t inspire the same confidence. At the start it was the big-profile signings from South America, and now it’s good old british grit. Wonder what page of the manual he will read from next.
RedTruth,
Making things up.
I never said that with Mourinho in charge we would be as good as Liverpool.
I said that the points lost again Spurs and Watford are on Emery and his tactical decisions, and not on the players. I doubt that Mourinho would have made the same tactical mistakes.
The season is only 8 games in, so of course the table is currently skewed.
Jose took them back into the champions league after Van Gaal dropped out.
Third place Arsenal sack coach for poor performance. That would be quite the headline.
Nice piece, watching Arsenal has never been this boring and depressing.
The midfield appears to be a bigger problem than our defence. No cohesive support for both the forward and defence. Just appalling to watch when you contrast with Arsenal-ball of yesteryear.
Nice piece again.
Marko, flat earthing is having an opinion about something that has a factual grounding. Example you’ll remember: > Unai Emery didn’t contribute to the injury Ramsey > Unai Emery admits he did > Marko disagrees that Emery did OR: > There is no evidence that Arteta would play attacking football > Here is Arteta explaining what his philosophy and style would be > This does not count as evidence That is flat earthing. Being so sure of your opinion, that even evidence won’t sway you. Having a strong opinion when there is no evidence to support a conclusion either way… Read more »
Paulinho, agree on Edu and Raul. Also think people forget how many of our best signings took a while to bed in.
Bergkamp, Freddie and Pires spring to mind.
Jamie – Ha ha.
Giggs could put a glass eye to sleep.
If Eddie Howe had been given a week with the players, prior to today’s game, Arsenal would have won comfortably and definitely with a damn sight more cohesion and flair.
I’m fed up with him(Emery).
Got to go.
Hand the reins over to Freddie.
Plus Pedro you see how ridiculously stubborn (some might say flat earther like of you) to say “even if he fails somewhere else.”. So despite his failing elsewhere you’d still stick to your guns of guaranteed better football and progress and innovative elite ideas from him? Can’t say that I’d agree
Who misplaced a simple pass for Watford’s first goal? A player named Sokratis
One ball lumped forward, two players go for one ball in the air and miss,weak hands from Leno, spurs take the lead. Sounds like the managers fault
What exactly does he get credit for in his months here Valentin?
RH,
Buy a English dictionary, because you are trying to change what I said to fit your own narrative.
Against Spurs and Aston Villa, players forgot about tactics and instructions. It was all about heart and will power.
Graham is here with his hot take on things. Eddie Howe couldn’t beat the idiot with his own team he built himself but a week with Arsenals squad and we would have witnessed champagne football. Nice hot take
90% of those calling for Emery’s termination are simply deluded closet AKB’s who have never come to terms with a change of manager.
Valentin football should be all about heart and will power, that’s how klopp built his winning machine. For you to think whenever we play with heart and will power a coach gets no credit is again sad and shameless.
My English is fine thanks… You should follow your own advice though.
RH,
Let’s agree to disagree. We all know your take on the situation. it’s always the player’s fault.
Emery is the best coach in the world, but he can’t prove it because he does not have the best players. If Emery were to not win the league with a squad of Messi, MBappe, Neymar, Kante, VVD, De Ligt, De Gea … It would still the player’s fault.
First half today was better. Good control and good shape. But we are still struggling to create good chances. The obvious fixes would be Laca and Ozil. Ozil is ostracized or is he? okay maybe he is but he isnt. Idk we’ll have to ask Emery. He might reply something like this – we need balance and good moments and good commitment in training. Laca will help sure and so will Tierney and Bellerin but we dont have a creator in the middle of the park. We Ceballos who is a facilitator . He is good at playing the Pre-final… Read more »
Red truth mugs himself off
Instantly moves goal posts
RH,
“football should be all about heart and will power”.
It should, but that assumes that the coach is not sucking the joy of playing from a team. The football is so dire to watch, the atmosphere at the Emirates is even flatter than usual.
Example you’ll remember:> Unai Emery didn’t contribute to the injury Ramsey > Unai Emery admits he did > Marko disagrees that Emery did Again at the risk of a ban this is bullshit and you know it and frankly it’s beneath you to keep bringing it up like you won some great argument when you didn’t. You blamed an injury prone player getting injured on the manager you don’t like citing overplaying him or some bullshit about playing in pointless games. Despite me showing you evidence of him being used sparingly in and around the game in which he got… Read more »
Valentin football should be all about heart and will power, that’s how klopp built his winning machine. For you to think whenever we play with heart and will power a coach gets no credit is again sad and shameless.
Klopp’s players play with heart and passion for their manager. He’s bought them , tought them , improved them, put them in a system and built a winning machine.
Emery’s players play with heart against their manager’s will.
There’s a difference.
Valentin
‘revolt’ is not the right word to describe the fightback we showed against Villa
Revolt against what, their lethargic performance win the first half, the manager or just. revolting AMN’s poor quality?
I’ve declared where I stand regarding Emery but you guys are trying too hard to discredit him.
Lacazette is a massive miss on the entertainment front imo, links things and plays smarter than any attacker at the place.
Bit of glue to the attack we dearly miss 🎺
Receding Hairline
Crazier things have happened and I guarantee 99% of the fanbase wouldn’t mind one jot.
I’ll tell you this now, most of the players( bar Xhaka) would be happy as well.
Lacazette is a massive miss on the entertainment front imo, links things and plays smarter than any attacker at the place. Bit of glue to the attack we dearly miss
True. Can be crucial to bring out the best in Pepe.
Wasi don’t you think it’s foolish to suggest good games are against the managers wishes while bad ones are entirely his fault? What exactly do you have to back this up? Your dislike I guess.
Unai Emery isn’t Arteta,he has a body of work to base judgement off and his teams have always played progressive football. So why suddenly will he come here and decide to suck the joy out of the game? Why?
I know Mourinho is not a realistic option but I can’t but laugh at people cherry picking his most successful seasons. Surely the last couple of slow motion car wrecks at Chelski and Manu would be more relevant to quote. I’m pretty sure ‘prime Mourinho’ will ever be seen again, he’s a busted flush.
Lacazette is a massive miss on the entertainment front imo, links things and plays smarter than any attacker at the place.
Just had to check and yes Lacazette played 49 times last season and contributed to the entertainment.
Laughs off player poverty but later references how big a miss Lacazette is.
Con
Sis
Ten
Cy
Paulinho
Great post at 18:35:59. Hilarious.
Real Madrid: 2011-12: Season
League Goals: 121
Top Scorer: Ronaldo (46)
Manager: Mourinho
Real Madrid: 2014-15 Season
League Goals: 118
Top Scorer: Ronaldo (48)
Manager: Ancelotti
Like I said it was all down to Ronaldo lol lol
I have posted this observation a few times already. The responsibility of the midfield in Emery’s team is high pressing and defending. The attack is through the wings. This style of football is boring. It is one dimensional. It is conservative but could win the team a top 4 spot. Once we have Tierney and Bellerin fit and Pepe starts to deliver, the football would be more attractive to watch. To challenge for the league, we need a good DM to replace Xhaka and a good CAM to replace Ozil and Ceballos. Our midfield should consist of one #4, one… Read more »
We really have a wealth of attacking options. I don’t think Wenger has the privilege of so many good attackers [partly due to his persistence with sameness and loyalty to his babies]
Emery just needs to pick the right midfield to unlock them.
I wont mention the defensesionce Emery prides himself ad as an attacking manager [whatever the iff that means]
Unlock the attacking options by picking the right midfield [go for non-playing captain model].
Some may think that winning is everything, a lot of people are disagreeing. People are voting with their feet.
A non televised game on a non-raining Sunday at 14:00 with no transport issue (no no car day, no TFL strike, …) Should have a full house but nearly 10~15 k people’s chose not to attend the game.
It’s cold, the football is dire and many people will rather stay at home.
Rt
He scored less than half the goals you tit
Marko
Lacazette is worth watching, not sure what part you fail to understand with that. Does bits himself and can be a spark for others.
Lamenting his absence in providing entertainment is one thing, it’s entirely another to claim we’re hamstrung by it. We aren’t, we’ve plenty to win, and win better than we are.
Another blinder of a post from you there.
Nelson
So it’s Emery’s fault the players are sub par lol
Wasi don’t you think it’s foolish to suggest good games are against the managers wishes while bad ones are entirely his fault? What exactly do you have to back this up? Your dislike I guess. Unai Emery isn’t Arteta,he has a body of work to base judgement off and his teams have always played progressive football. So why suddenly will he come here and decide to suck the joy out of the game? Why? My dislike for Emery? I am not on the Emeryout bandwagon (yet). But his poor team selections are clear for everyone to see. His love for… Read more »
Un na naai
How many Champions leagues did Mourinho win with Real Madrid ?
Dissenter
Exactly. Agree. I don’t agree however that it’s just a case of picking the right blend.
As champagne pointed out (and I have countless times over the last year) this attack doesn’t function without him.
Even with him emery has an almost kamikaze approach to midfield and very rarely plays to the strengths of our attackers, rather relying on lacazette to come deep, fight, Harry hassle, hold the ball up and try to create. He really is the only protagonist in our team and its no coincidence without his efforts emery has nothing else up his sleeve
Juve inter should be fun.
Val our fanbase are wank full stop. Forest and Liege games were empty too despite the price of a ticket likely being cheap and a chance to see exciting kids play
This Mourhino talk is nauseating, just fills the mouth with spittle.
Superb goal from Dybala