‘Move bitch, get off the plane, get off the plane bitch, get off the plane’
Was humming this as an old lady struggled to pull her heavy bag out of the overhead bin. Total nightmare wait, but I was amused by the internal soundtrack to the debacle.
You know what else amuses me? Watching Arsenal fans online. What a bunch of weirdos.
I love that after 10 years of mostly arguing over a single topic, we now create our own weekly subgroups of fandoms and anti-fandoms to get our fix of viciously polarised debate.
PEPE IS GREAT BELIEVE IN THE PROCESS vs PEPE IS GERVINHO WITH BETTER HAIR, the latest great issue polluting the websites.
Am I above this charade? Absolutely not.
I find it staggering that anyone is writing him off after 7 games. Dennis Bergkamp, our greatest ever big name signing was so bad, Alan Sugar claimed he wouldn’t wash his car with his shirt and he was a waste of money (did I make up the car washing thing?).
Thierry Henry had a shaky start to his career until he fizzed a screamer from 22 yards out at The Den. Freddie Ljungberg scored on his debut against United, but be honest, he was a mess in front of goal for at least a year. Then he found magic with the maturing Dutchman mentioned above. Even Bobby Pires, an absolute dream of a player, looked well off the pace during his maiden season. He was weak, he was unsuited to the league and it was tough to work out how a 6ft+ winger was going to adapt. I remember Wenger saying he’d be like Zidane and laughing to myself very quietly (AKBs were like Corbynistas on 2019 Twitter back in the day).
Pepe, or Pete as Sky fondly nicknamed him, is 24 years old, he’s come over from a slower league, and he’s trying to adjust to a new culture and language. It is rare that a talented player settles into a bad system immediately. I do not think we have to worry just yet. He’ll find his magic eventually.
The other thing I’ve noticed that is mildly amusing is reading the safe people of the Arsenal internet present concern about Emery as a risky opinion.‘You know what, I’m going to say it, something ain’t quite right about Unai’
Well I’ll be damned. Folk that took until late 2017 to determine Wenger might not make the much promised come back to the top, have sussed the new coach might not be up to snuff and they want to project it like a first to market notion.
So many of the people we lean on in the Arsenal community for sound direction on the club are almost always entirely off base, but because they deliver a bad narrative with ‘balance,’ they’re passed off as must-read intellects that know their stuff. I call it right and even my own friends don’t let me round their houses for prematch beers. It’s a disgusting injustice.
I guess yah just have to live with it.
Someone is going to write a highly intellectualised book about Arsenal internet one day and it’ll sell bundles. When you sit down with people and talk it through, it is actually weirdly fascinating. Remember QOS in the comments here? Told people on ACLF that I was phoning her home and abusing her kids? Remember the cucks feigning concern because they were talking to an actual woman? Her husband added me on LinkedIn! Turned owut it was a man with an online alter ego (his wife’s). That’s epic. Simply magnificent. Still not sure whose kids I was talking to.
Just kidding. I knew whose kids they were.
How about Arsene Wenger? Picking up an award I’ve never heard of. Begging for a job on LinkedBeIN.com. Complaining that people had expectations of him.
“Every year people want something more from you. I experienced that at Arsenal. We were twenty consecutive years in the top four but in the end it was not enough anymore. Today if you get into the Champions League people are very happy.”
It’s sad to read. A man who was earning £190k a week, complaining about expectations. I think he’s holding out for a major job, but no one is biting. The oligarchs and sheikhs have wised up and despite his prestige as a man, he really sullied his football rep by clinging to power like a deluded despot. He should have quit in 2008, taken a New York sabbatical, toured around some modern clubs, taken notes, then rebirthed at a big club when he had some of that 2004 sheen about him.
Knowing when to exit is one of the finest qualities a man can possess.
On that fine note, I’m tapping tf out.
Why don’t we reminisce about the weirdos of Arsenal Internet today?
p.s. Listen to my solo podcast you scoundrel!
BREAKING: Marco Giampaolo has been fired by AC Milan. Stefano Pioli will be appointed the new manager. (Source:
@FabrizioRomano)
Bamford10October 8, 2019 10:53:40
Great post there Bamford, it’s good to have you back as your posts are always well balanced and reasoned unlike the attention seeking insult throwers who can’t handle anybody else’s opinions other than their own.
Not exactly breaking news my earlier post and Poliout is already trending lol
To be a coach in the social media age is a thankless job
@RH : if Arteta was Italian, he would have been hired.
@RH : if Arteta was Italian, he would have been hired.
Guess you meant if he was a head coach. Funny Ivan wanted to be bold and whatever here but has been anything but bold over in Milan. Surely if you can consider him for Arsenal he is good enough for Milan.
Those who are questioning Ozil being frozen out whilst Mustafi is getting EL matches need to remember that we’ll have Holding back soon so you’ll have Sok, Luiz, Holding and Chambers as CB options – I expect 2 to be first choice and the other 2 to be back up Cup CB’s.
AMN will probably become Cup RB.
Some of it is just numbers / lack of numbers.
I was joking about Arteta…. better be precise. lol
Marc i would rather Mustafi became cup right back than AMN. AMN should never play in defense for us again. Try him in what he believes is his natural position or sell him to someone who will
Pedro Again, I agree with you. I find it a bit rich for Emery to justify his decision to leave Özil out completely by saying “Other deserve it more.” when 1. he couldn’t even beat a Tottenham side in utter disarray. 2. he couldn’t even beat a Man United side which is considered the worst in 30 years. 3. his tactical decisions led to a team who capitulated a 2-0 half time lead to a Watford team in 20th position… a team which was beaten 8-0 by a 4. He has barely managed to beat Newcastle, Burnley, Aston Villa and… Read more »
Graham62October 8, 2019 13:29:03
Bob N16 (from previous post)
So by saying I’m fed up with these Climate Change activists and I voted to leave Europe, I’m considered far right.
Pretty dumb don’t you think?
>>>>>>
Very dumb. I can’t stand the Extinction Rebellion idiots and also voted to leave the EU.
Don’t even know why Mustafi getting game time and playing well should be used as a defence of Ozil.
Higuain, Khedira and Dybala were surplus to requirements at Juventus before the season started and are now playing. Ozil should train to the levels the man he is waiting to outlast wants and maybe he gets picked or he can continue leaking to the press how he is waiting to outlast Emery, his call.
Receding
I was more making a point about Ozil not getting matches when Mustafi is at the moment.
Word on the street is Ozil didn’t get the soap when Emery dropped in the shower.
Leeds
How do you know that Emery hasn’t been instructed to leave Ozil out in an attempt to make him more open to a move?
*his tactical decisions led to a team who capitulated a 2-0 half time lead to a Watford team in 20th position… a team which was beaten 8-0 by a second string Man City side the week after…
Luteo GuenreiraOctober 8, 2019 15:44:06 Hamford must have gotten himself a self-esteem boost somewhere over the last couple weeks, he’s back to talking like a cunt more often than not again. Think we’ve been through this cycle before, next steps are foot in mouth in some kind of fashion, a self imposed exile, then an ignominious return, followed by a few weeks of measured contrition…then back to cunt talk and foot in mouth. >>>>>> There’s plenty of cunt talk on here from a few usual culprits but Bamford certainly isn’t one of them. Your comment above however beautifully ironically fits… Read more »
1. he couldn’t even beat a Tottenham side in utter disarray. Nor could City 2. he couldn’t even beat a Man United side which is considered the worst in 30 years. Nor could Chelsea and Leicester 4. He has barely managed to beat Newcastle, Burnley, Aston Villa and Bournemouth… Oh the ones he did beat he “barely” managed to beat Nice analysis Well he has also “barely” managed to lose one game this season Ozil was a vital component of an Arsenal team that had one four wins away from home all season and 13 defeats in the league. He… Read more »
“Emery freezing Özil out smacks of desperation. He simply doesn’t know what else to do.”
I would say playing him to appease your ilk would be the sign of desperation and not freezing him out. Freezing him out is a clear sign he knows what he wants from a footballer in his team and cannot see it in Ozil.
Nor do any other team for that matter, Sanchez and Mhki got moves to top teams in Italy, no one wanted the most creative genius who ever lived, guess everyone is desperate
It’s funny to me when people suggest Ozil would have made a difference in games we lost or drew. I love it really it’s like make believe with children. It’s odd considering how much of a difference he makes that he hasn’t been trusted in a major away game for 2/3 years now. Odd as well considering the declining numbers.
Marc Fair point, I don’t. No one outside the board room of Arsenal does, we are all speculating. However, if this was the ultimate plan for Özil, why allow him to come on the pre-season trip? Why allow him to become a captain of Arsenal… even symbolically? As I said earlier, I’m not saying Özil is blameless, he isn’t. However, it seems an incredible use of club resources to utterly ignore our highest earner hoping that he will go away. If we were going to do that this season, we should have just paid Özil a flat fee at the… Read more »
Let me answer the question raised by Leedsgunner and Pedro.
Emery didn’t openly freeze Ozil. That’s because the season is long. A lot of things can happen such as injuries and suspension. Obviously, he doesn’t want to play Ozil in EPL games as long as Ceballos is available. Willock is still too raw. If you ask Auba or Pepe, do you think they like to play with Torr as the #10. Ozil is hence kept as an emergency substitute.
On the other hand, the board may decide to loan him out to save money. Let’s see what happens in January.
From Leeds last couple comments one can only deduce that Pierre isn’t the only one who trolls regarding Ozil.
Receding,
If you stopped your obsession with every one of my post, you would present a view on the point talked instead of your usual snarky comment.
The reason I mention that my wife is from Cote d’Ivoire is because I was asked in a different threat why I am so interested in African football. Having a wife who watches everyone of their games tend to do that.
But you can’t help yourself. Arrive on the blog. Start immediately firing arrogant remark to other commentators. Being polite and respectful is really not your strong suit.
“I know he’s the absentee father you always wanted”
Christ, no wonder this fat potato can’t find a job.
Marko
I’m just putting forth my arguments, which just happens to be different than yours. If you can’t handle a sensible debate without labelling someone a troll, fair enough.
Wishing you the best.
Leeds you seem to be suggesting that we should have gotten rid and if he then refused to go we should just play him regardless. Doesn’t sound right does it
Emery doesn’t have a plan, that’s the problem
If you are mid table you can get away with it as every game there are changes and deep defending to hang onto results.
The top teams work hard to systems so they can dictate the game to their way of playing, this demands dedication to a plan and a belief in the managers strategy.
Emery is a mid table manager, who cannot impose a plan that lasts more than one game, hence the poor performances and disjointed approach to games.
“Why allow him to become a captain of Arsenal… even symbolically?”
Why block him from becoming Captain if chosen by his team mates by virtue of his seniority? What does Emery gain from that exactly? You think all this is personal but it isn’t. Train to the right levels, show the right attitude, get games. Metersacker said as much not long ago.
Leeds / Marc, I really don’t think the exec team would instruct the manager to do such a thing.
Emery gave Mesut a captains armband. Hardly a ‘get out of our club’ indicator.
Leeds respectfully you’re absolutely on a troll right now. Asking why a player, who calls in sick and who’s generally been awful for a few years now, doesn’t play more often is an absolute troll. Can’t be taken seriously
Leeds
You’re looking at Ozil as a valuable asset who could make a serious contribution but is having a personality clash with a manager.
Ozil only managed 70 odd minutes vs Forest – he was hardly being kept fresh for the big match at the weekend was he?
“The reason I mention that my wife is from Cote d’Ivoire is because I was asked in a different threat why I am so interested in African football. Having a wife who watches everyone of their games tend to do that.” In a different threat? Again i repeat unless your wife works with the Ivorian national team name dropping her offers very little. I watch all Nigerian National team games, i don’t know anything about the selection process or what goes on behind closed doors and i actually live in Nigeria. Your wife watches Ivory coast from London and all… Read more »
Marko
Please refrain from putting words in my mouth, thanks.
What I’m saying is, we should have a manager who can make the best use of the playing staff at our football club. By the virtue of his reputation and contract, Özil is a key player at our club. Emery has a responsibility to make the best use of him. It really isn’t an option to the manager to pretend Özil doesn’t exist.
“Emery gave Mesut a captains armband. Hardly a ‘get out of our club’ indicator.”
No he didn’t
The entire Arsenal squad voted five captains. From which Emery picked a main captain
Arsenal’s captain is Granit Xhaka, Assisted by Aubameyang.
Leeds
What if the best use of Ozil is to keep him away from the team because his attitude stinks?
The Swiss midfielder will head a five-strong leadership group after the poll, necessitated by the departures of Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal, after meeting a number of criteria Emery had laid down for his new captain. In descending order, his deputies will be Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Héctor Bellerín, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Özil.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/sep/27/granit-xhaka-player-vote-arsenal-captain
One would say being made the fifth captain after a poll that saw Auba and Lacazette ahead of you (both players you met at the club) isn’t a “please stay with us” plea
benny
You’re so tribal it’s not even funny, always so ready to team up with whomever you deem to be on your side that day. You’re so all over place though I’m sure you’ll be buddying up to me some day soon too.
Just to be clear though, I don’t call people cunts based on their opinions, I call them cunts based on the presentation of their opinions. Yamford in his insufferable stages is about as cunty with his verbiage as you can get.
Marko, Gervinho was the same age than Pepe is when he won the French League with Lille. That same year Lille made the double league and FA CUp. Also he was much more influential on his national team than Pepe is. So yes at the same age he had a better career than Pepe. He has 8 years to make up, but Pepe is not a youngster starting his career. He is nearly midway through his career. So unless Arsenal won the premiership or the Champion’s league within the next 8 years and/or Cote d’Ivoire won another title during that… Read more »
Emery has a responsibility to make the best use of him. It really isn’t an option to the manager to pretend Özil doesn’t exist.
Again total troll can’t be taken seriously because you’re alluding to the problem with Ozil being a managerial one which is ridiculous. He’s been on a decline under Wenger Low and now Emery. I’m not sure failing under a 4th or 5th manager is necessary to understand the problem is the player.
“Your wife watches Ivory coast from London and all of a sudden she is an authority on Ivorian football?”
He never claimed she was, you condescending asswipe.
Valentin
Refresh my memory – didn’t you say Pepe was going to be a terrible signing before we bought him because he’ll make the same runs as Auba and they’ll get in each others way?
You don’t like the player and didn’t want us to sign him. Am I supposed to be surprised you’re writing him off after a handful of matches?
Like a true asswipe Rambo i couldn’t care less whatever input( if we can call it that) you have to make.
The point was pretty clear, drop your opinion and stop looking to validate it by namedropping people as “close connections” you have to the topic at hand
“Refresh my memory – didn’t you say Pepe was going to be a terrible signing before we bought him because he’ll make the same runs as Auba and they’ll get in each others way?”
That probably explains the poor lads slow start in England, hard to play football when you are worried about a possible collision with a team mate.
Receding,
Losing the argument, so inventing points that I never made.
Where did I mention any selection process? RedTruth is the one who using Wikipedia tried to pretend that Pepe should have played more at AFCON 2015.
You are trying to stir a throw away comment into a contentious point because you know you have no counter-argument.
If somebody ask you why are you so interested in Nigerian footballer, what would be your answer?
I would say that you are more likely to have info on Nigerian players than a casual footballer fan.
So yes at the same age he had a better career than Pepe.
You said “He also has had a much better career than Pepe.” You then cited the Afcon in 2015 despite Pepe being what 19 or 20 at the time. At the time you weren’t talking about their careers at the same time no.
What are you, the authority who decides what is to be written here?
Get over yourself, Mr.Pompous.
Marc, The xenophobic troll is back. I said that Pepe was a one dimensional player who was going to find adjusting to a completely different setup very difficult. I also said that Aubameyang would make the same runs than him neutering his impact. You on the other hand, having never seen him play was making cartwheels on the immediate impact he would have on the team. Who do you think was closer to the reality? Pepe is stuck isolated on the right side of the pitch, unable to actively participate to Arsenal interplay. Being outshined by a 17 years old… Read more »
Marc We’re just surmising from silence but if his attitude is that bad, why not say so and banish him to the reserves? Plus, I would have expected a player who fell out that spectacularly with the manager to have said something to defend himself if he thought he was being treated unfairly. Remember, Özil was not afraid to do this when he was arguing in the summer with the DFB. For his part, Özil has kept his peace… and played when called upon even in a league cup game when to many pros that would have been seen as… Read more »
Marko,
I was referring to Gervinho 2015 AFCON and Pepe 2019 AFCON impact. Others have picked that up, but you hours after everybody else is still clueless on what people wrote or just pretending not to understand.
I must compliment you. You are doing a very good job at pretending to be the aggressive village idiot who does not understand, but still want to partake in conversation between adults.
Valentin Oh dear – name calling eh? When you call me “xenophobic” does how I spell my name not register? I was excited we were looking to make a club record signing. His stats were good and I’ll put more trust into people at the club who are doing a good job than a “fan”, I never made claims on an immediate impact. You don’t like the player – fine but I’ve never judged an overseas signing on a handful of matches and I’m not going to start now. You had made a decision on the player before he even… Read more »
Val you said has had a much better career with no reference to a specific time period. Again has had. Seems straight forward what you were originally saying but as per usually you’re either moving the goal posts or lying through your teeth. Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if your wife didn’t know the difference between a football and an egg let alone have in-depth knowledge on football in the ivory coast. Given your penchant for lying and bullshiting that is.
‘Yep Ole was prime Pep on here a few months ago, now he is the village idiot. With friends (or fans) like this who needs enemies’
Bamford the only one who went overboard with his Ole praise but that’s hardly a surprise.
Leeds
Emery did come out the other day and say other players deserved to play more than Ozil. For a club that historically tries not to wash it’s dirty linen in public that’s quite a statement against a senior player and the highest earner at the club.
There’s clearly something wrong and I just don’t think it can all be laid at the feet of the current manager.
Receeding It’s just pure banter now the managerial merry go round here in Milan, everyone could see Giampolo was not what we needed but Gazidis and to am extent Maldini thought otherwise and now Pioli who i have no opinion about to be fair, he did take Florentina to their highest finish in a while and into the Europa league so he wasn’t all bad but his last couple of months before he was fired was just horrible I’m Florence…. Hopefully he does well here in Milan but no one is holding their breath especially as we all thought it… Read more »
Also at what point are you going to realize that cheese eating surrender monkey taken from the Simpsons no less isn’t a slur.
Marko
I would accuse Valentin of not having a sense of humour but fuck knows what that would make me.
That was the original insult right? There wasn’t an actual slur was there
Mustafi voted the 2nd worst defender in the world in an online poll and he ain’t happy about it.
Marc, Having seen Pepe play in live I was not enamoured of his arrival. I said it, but some people did not like me caating doubt on their new shinny toy. Out of all Lille attacking players I would have selected both Jonathan Bamba and Jonathan Ikone ahead of him. Younger and (don’t laugh) more rounded and not so one footed. Yes he had great stats, but you just needed to dig deeper. He did score 22 goals, but that included 10 penalties. Penalties that were mostly caused by both Jonathan. Also his assists make him like some kind of… Read more »
The Arsenal online presence not tainting that poll at all!
Bit harsh considering his play this season.
Marko
I’ve never made what I would consider a “racist” slur on here. I made the cheese eating surrender monkey comment as a joke and Valentin was either a) mortally offended by an innocuous comment and needs to man up a bit b) pissed off I showed him up on a stupid point he made and was looking for an out.
With the way I spell my name I could of course be French!
Not sure anyone was expecting Pepe to become the new Messi by the way
I do feel a bit for Mustafi but in saying that he needs to go and this is a sort of consequence of hanging around a place you’re not wanted.
Sokratis is every bit as bad as Mustafi if not worse.
So both Jonathan Bamba and Ikone were really behind the great season Pepe had. Makes sense. I do wonder why Bayern, Napoli, Inter and ourselves were interested in paying such money for him and not for Bamba or Ikone. Perhaps those scouts are a little behind a known liar on a football blog. Maybe
Marko, I just suggest that you go and read raptora message. Three hours later and you still don’t get it or pretend not to get it. You sir, are utterly convincing in your stereotypical role of the aggressive idiot postman as portrayed by Clifford C. Clavin, Jr. In Cheers. raptoraOctober 8, 2019 15:31:11 Redtruth, Nice wikipedia quote. Valentin meant the 2019 AFCON, where Pepe certainly played but not in the quarters where they lost. He played in the game before until the 68th min, but in their last game on the tournament vs Algeria where they eventually lost after penalty… Read more »
Valentin
No problem you preferred other players but I won’t write a player off so quickly.
He may come good, he may not but when you’ve got people on here making excuses for Xhaka or Ozil (and I’m not pointing that finger at you) after several years it strikes me as crazy to write a player off so soon.
I would make the point that having a player who gets a good number of assists from set pieces is something we really need as our delivery is often at best fucking awful!
‘The Arsenal online presence not tainting that poll at all!
Bit harsh considering his play this season.’
One would expect Arsenal votes to get divided between Mustafi and Sokratis. Mustafi has not played against a decent side this season to be fair.
What new manager ‘bounce’ did we see with Emery btw?
Wenger’s 2017/18 was by far his worst ever league season and Emery beat the points tally by 7 points.
TR7
Who came out as the worst? Squillaci?
Marko, Bamba and Ikone were scouted by numerous club, but Lille made it very clear that they were off limit this summer. Lille have been able to easily find a replacement for Pepe. His replacement has the same kind of stats than he did, so maybe Lille knew was they were doing when they let him go. If Lille has a similar season without him, maybe he was not the catalyst for their good results, just the beneficiary of good team play created by good coaching. Oops, I forget you don’t believe in coaching, it’s all the players. But then… Read more »
Leeds
Andy Linighan could be up there!
Leeds
Phil Jones the worst as per the poll. The poll was on the currently playing defenders.
Ha, remember this quote from Fergie:
“Jones, arguably the way he is looking, could be our best ever player,” Ferguson had stated. “I think Jones may be one of the best players we have ever had, not matter where we play him. At 21 years of age, he is going to be a phenomenal player.”
Right you were SAF…
The flashes we have seen from Pepe are encouraging and full of promise, ie the deft dribbling against van Dijk and Robertson. There have been more than a few nice touches but it obviously has to be part of a more consistent performance. I think he will improve further this season but we may not see the very best of him until next season, possibly under a new coach and direction.
Marc, I am one who can see what Xhaka can bring in a different setting, but I also think that he is completely unsuited to both the premiership in general and the high pressing, high intensity, high energy Emery keep wanting to implement. Regarding Özil, my view is that the responsibility of the current situation is shared. That Özil can be moody is no secret. That he sometimes behave like a petulant child cannot be denied. However the job of a manager in all walk of life is to make the best use of ALL the assets at his disposal… Read more »
The horse has long bolted with Ozil. There is a myriad of reasons why he has failed to perform but it is wrong to lay the blame completely at Emery’s door. At this stage with a couple of months until his rumoured departure, if true, just put the guy on gardening leave/allow him to move to the US early in preparation. He has very little, if anything, left to offer Arsenal. It is sad and also disappointing.
Otemandi has to be in the mix, shocking defender. Dermichelis and Otemandi were horrendous against Germany in 2010 WC in 0-4 defeat. That was the only world cup in which Argentina attack seemed to be clicking as a unit but their defense let them down.
The know nothing’s are excelling themselves tonight . Apparently edu and raul have instructed the manager to not play Ozil as he is leaving in January. Let’s say this is true , what does it say about Emery and ability to manage and select the team . Why just stop at Ozil , why not tell the manager to leave xhaka out of the squad as it is apparently his fault for all our drab displays . Better still , lets have no manager and let Edu and Raul select the team for match days. Karl pilkington and the bullshit… Read more »
Not a fan of Ozil but there’s no logic in not playing him against the likes of Bournemouth at home. Don’t tell me the likes of Torr and Willock offer more than him as CAM.
Demichelis was atrocious, good shout. Ran like a man who’d had his kneecaps blown out in battle.
Titus Bramble surely deserves a nomination. Him and Boumsong at CB for Newcastle were as close to satire as football gets.
Emery used Ozil heavily in the preseason. Gave him a chance to see if he is willing to work defensively. Left him out of the squad completely. Gave him the armband and said he can get back into the team.
Maybe he is trying to get a reaction from Ozil in the only way he knows “by creating friction”.
Marc
“I would make the point that having a player who gets a good number of assists from set pieces is something we really need as our delivery is often at best fucking awful!”
What you forgot to point out that the one player who could pick out a player from a set piece was taken off set piece duties when the new manager arrived.
No way Edu or Raul are behind the Ozil saga imo. We hired Emery as head coach and if he is not given the power to even pick his team then what is he here for . It’s definitely Emery the tinker man .
Un na naai
Thanks.
I’m in the majority remember.
Voting out that is.
Marc, I have nothing against somebody capable to taking good set-pieces, but unless you are ManCity you don’t pay €80 millions for the pleasure. What is shocking is that nobody in the Arsenal coaching staff decide to add extra crossing and set-pieces taking sessions to improve. Lacazette gave an interview where he explained that he decided by himself to do extra free-kick session. He asked one of the Goalkeeper to stay behind to be in goal. Aubameyang then joined him. Brothers in Arm as usual. The Aston Villa winning free-kick may be the result of such extra session. Beckham followed… Read more »
Do any of you remember Eddie Youds, scored one of the most comical own goals against us that I can recall.
Also Senderos gets a lot of criticism and perhaps rightly so but I still remember his towering display against Bayern Munich in the CL in 2005, oh what could have been.
Eagle
Always amusing how that Newcastle back line didn’t get them relegated that season… Also had the great Shola Ameobi up front too
Still feel for poor old Senderos by the way, Drogba did a number on him and he never recovered after that
Pierre
Ozil can’t take set pieces or at least corners – if we get a corner and it goes out for another but on the other side of the goal the poor little darling gets worn out going from one side of the pitch to the other.
He might catch the sniffles.
Bati
You could apply that to a whole clutch of our CB’s!
WE – Yeah, Emery was taking over after ‘our worst ever season’ so that’s probably the relevant season to take into consideration, not the seasons before. ‘New manager bounce’ is more of a criticism of a manager rather than praise, so you not seeing one from Emery is not a slight on him. It can happen with managers that start well and continue doing well and managers that start well and go to shit. The managers that are doing the right things from the off generally keep improving or at least maintain when new manager bounce wears off. Off the… Read more »
Senderos has all the attributes to be a great defender, tall, intelligent, good technique but like John Stone not the mentality to be a defender. A thinker not a warrior.
Gallas said during a televised interview that some players such as Drogba used to make Senderos physically sick by fear before games.
https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/mediaplayer/video/quand-senderos-paniquait-avant-de-jouer-contre-chelsea-et-drogba-1101126.html
For those who don’t speak French.
https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2018/william-gallas-reveals-that-philippe-senderos-had-panic-attacks-before-matches/
Another great example of that is John Gregory. Took over Villa back end of 98/99 and had them top of the league at Christmas one year before they fell off a cliff.
I found him to be snide and smarmy, especially after they came back to beat us 3-2, so not upset to see him lose the plot.
What new manager ‘bounce’ did we see with Emery btw
22 games unbeaten perhaps.
“I found him to be snide and smarmy, especially after they came back to beat us 3-2, so not upset to see him lose the plot”
The parachute match.
Remember we were going to collect our team of the year award that night at Sports Personality of the Year and that result just killed the mood.
Paulinho
A bit unfair on Darren Moore who did a great job at WestBrom. He got sacked so they could install a Play-off specialist who then refused the job and they has to content with Moore’s assistant until the end of the season. They lost to Villa in the play-off semi-final. Served them right.
Wrong blog Graham
It would be interesting to see if Senderos developed that Pre game anxiety after the first time he was taken to the cleaners by Drogba. Such a shame as has been said he had the qualities by in large.
Also think Djourou could have achieved more with us. At one point he and Senderos were the Swiss centre back pairing at the World Cup if I recall right.
His replacement has the same kind of stats than he did, so maybe Lille knew was they were doing
His replacement is a striker so no surprising that. Technically speaking in the Lille set up Ikone is now playing on the right so a fairer comparison would be him so let’s see how he gets on this season shall we.
FYI in 11 games this season he’s managed one goal zero assists which is worst than Pepe so far.