Meh performance, but top of the group + Who we could face next

by .

Where I sit…

Freddie Ljungberg pulled off the ultimate power move last night, hiding a poor performance behind an election. Can’t knock that.

… and oh my, what an election. It was like watching Arsenal take a 7-2 spanking against United back in the day. Hide behind the couch type stuff. Aaron Ramsey crying into Alex Song’s nook on the team bus home. Just like Arsenal, the board were making decisions on the future of the head coach based on Twitter sentiment and an ‘Arsene knows’ tweet from Youthquake organizer, Stormzy. Labour kept the worst manager in their history on the books for another 2 seasons, the xG numbers were atrocious but the superfans on LFTV kept brushing them off as ‘hipster bullshit.’

The squad was packed full of antisemites, experts said it’d affect performance on the pitch, but no one had the balls to drop the perpetrators. The tactics were non-commital, the election needed a Gengenpress rebuttal of Brexit, but they ended up with Mesut Ozil leading the charge and it fell apart. Corbyn tried to save the terrible performance with an in-game adjustment, adopting a ‘run it into the corner’ approach with tactical voting led Hugh ‘Eboue’ Grant. It didn’t help, he was hooked on 88 after being brought on on 81. A total shambles. Some of the supporters are blaming the fans, some are blaming the media, but when all is said and done, you can’t look further than the disgrace in the dugout.

What a mess. Bourisinho just shithoused his way to Champions League glory without breaking a sweat. Owen Jones in pieces, but at least Corbyn will give him the foreword in his book.

I tried to make that as long as possible, because Arsenal really weren’t much to write home about. To be fair to Freddie, he made a lot of changes, but the same problems persisted. We’re just not much of a force over the course of 90minutes. Standard Liege operate to a very low standard of football, all of the various combinations in our squad should be putting them to the sword, but it didn’t happen.

The defending is still a bit of a mess. Maybe unfair to pin two deflected goals on the players, but the second one was a Willock error in the box. He’s really is struggling at the moment, but it’s to be expected with kids. So let’s not be too judgemental.

The comeback is really all that I care about, namely, because it was all about Saka, one of my favourite young players at the club right now. He delivered an absolute peach of a cross that found Lacazette for an easy finish. His second was a lovely one-two exchange with Martinelli and a low shot tucked into the bottom corner. The backlift was short, but the precision was deadly.

I love the idea of Saka and Martinelli flanking Aubamayang this weekend. I have my doubts Freddie will go with that much inexperience, but really, if you want to scare City, you have to get at their defenders with power and pace, those three certainly have the pace in abundance.

The game finished 2-2. Frankfurt blew their lines. We finished top of the group.

So here’s how the next round looks.

Seeded:

Ajax, Arsenal, Basel, Benfica, Braga, Celtic, Espanyol, Gent, Internazionale, İstanbul Başakşehir, LASK, Malmö, Manchester United, Porto, Salzburg, Sevilla

Unseeded:

APOEL, AZ Alkmaar, Bayer Leverkusen, CFR Cluj, Club Brugge, Copenhagen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Getafe, Ludogorets, Olympiacos, Rangers, Roma, Shakhtar Donetsk, Sporting CP, Wolfsburg, Wolves

We’re seeded, but I’ve still highlighted the teams I’d like to avoid. Like last season, I think the biggest worries are the British sides. Inter are the hot foreign team I’d rather avoid, same with Shaktar just because they are a long plane ride, and Roma because I think Fonseca is a good coach.

Arsenal will have to work hard to win it this year, so let’s hope we hire in a great coach to guide us there.

Right, see you in the comments.

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China1

The weird thing with the spitting is that they do it like every 15 minutes but I don’t know what would provoke someone to need or want to clear their throat so often if you don’t have a cold or something

China1

And tony yeah in China the driving here is a problem It’s cars rather than bikes because the locals have zero concept of safety. No need to indicate before changing lanes. No need to check mirrors. In 24 years in England I was never in a car crash and actually saw only a couple of major wreckages In 6 years in China I’ve seen literally 50+ crashed cars, I’ve been in 2 accidents and my mate got mild brain trauma from two separate car crashes he’s been in. Another colleague was in a crash outside the office where his car… Read more »

China1

As for politics, give me a centrist candidate who cares about the nhs and education as well as developing our economy and they will have my vote… assuming they’re not an antisemite or a self interested dickhead etc

Everyone gets so wound up go one way or the other and both sides have some valid concerns… I’m not sure why more people aren’t calling for a compromised middle ground rather than entrenching themselves in one side or the other

China1

The whole nature of party politics is so frustrating If any other party had negotiated that latest deal with Europe on Brexit they’d have been bragging about it and it would’ve probably been the Tories voting it down out of principle and grave concerns. The actions of MPs and parties are judged according to whether or not they are on the same team as me or not rather than if they are good or not. It’s all bullshit partisanship rather than country building Corbyn wanted to spend ridiculous money and was rightly lambasted by conservatives for it whilst labor supporters… Read more »

Guns of Hackney

I’m pretty sure that people are talking politiks even after receiving warnings.

Tut tut.

Have we got a new manager yet?

China1

It’s true guns, though Pedro will need to ban himself first as his blog post is too!

Guns of Hackney

China

He gave a 24 hour amnesty. Which expired last night.

China1

The new manager is bojo the clown

That Dreamcast Kid

China1 the the old volks are spitting on disgust to signal their protest on them foreigners that they thought are invading the country now

it’s not supposed like this to them

where were the commie paradise they wondered

habesha gooner

Dream 10 what concerns me about that formation is we would have to play Mustafi or David Luiz as one of the centerbacks. That is concerning when you have Sokratis as well. In order to protect our fullbacks we would then have to compromise in the middle. If Tierney and bellerin were available it would make it so much simpler.

China1

Lol we better call up amnesty international then!

Gentlebris

Mesut making a play for Turkey seat of power.

Palace retirement.

China1

Against city i think we should go 4-3-3 Ljungberg doesn’t appear to be a highly on it defensive tactician and he’s working with a group of terrible defenders and nursing important injuries We’re not going to learn to defend by tomorrow but the one thing we have is an attack that could hurt them. Imo there’s no point in us worrying about the defense too much because it’s nailed on that they score 2 goals at the absolute bare minimum – very possibly 4 lol. But if we play gung ho there’s a small chance we might steal a result… Read more »

Gentlebris

‘He gave a 24 hour amnesty. Which expired last night.’

He gave the ‘amnesty’ after he had in fact committed the offense himself. How convenient.

Un na naai

China

Very brave to go for smith Rowe in a game against city. I’d like to ask why. He was very good on Thursday but could Saka do a better job floating in behind

That Dreamcast Kid

my man ESR on the AM eh?

worry about Guen in case he got his shit kicked in like always

China1

Seriously, it doesn’t seem like Ljungberg is a tactical visionary and he’s been dealt a crappy hand AND he’ll probably be replaced in a matter of days or weeks So the best thing he can do is go balls to the wall and just set the teams defense up in a sreasonable formation and tell them to keep it simple and stick to basics. Then I’d just pick 3 runners in midfield because if we don’t have elite class the best we can probably select is players who are able to keep going and are willing to cover ground for… Read more »

China1

I’m not sure if saka would do better than SR at AM, but I suspect smith Rowe may have a better contribution in the middle off the ball when the opposition have it Ozil is too lazy and will vanish against city so it’s a non starter. Willock is a good kid but should be dropped and be used as a bench player for a few weeks until he regains some form. Saka as AM could be interesting because then you have martinelli auba saka and pepe all on together which is as balls to the wall pace and attacking… Read more »

Gentlebris

‘Meanwhile if Boris came up with a similar spending plan tomorrow, conservatives would mostly be hailing it as genius and Labour would find a way to say its bad for the country’

Glad a soul here understands the emptiness of politics.

The peasant level of reactions here yesterday were head-aching, and the fact that the guv here rolled out the red carpet for the wanking is, to say the least, belittling.

habesha gooner

ESR is good but I don’t think throwing him in against city will help him. SAKA or LACA in the whole might not be too bad.

China1

Dreamcast yeah guen is struggling recently but our squad is paper thin in the middle and he’s both fit and not xhaka which means he probably should be playing haha

habesha gooner

hole*

China1

Gentle if you want a good call for next US President, the right guy is Bloomberg The establishment will make the same mistake they did with Hillary and push Biden, but Bloomberg is the only guy who could beat trump He’s a centrist democrat, used to be republican and managed to win 3 terms as NY mayor despite it being a heavily democrat city. He’s approximately 10x richer than trump which trashes trump’s ‘but I’m rich and successful’ fallback and will appeal to those who care about the economy and those who are tired of the endless scandals and horse… Read more »

Bojangles

Aussie Stop being so defensive mate. I wasn’t putting Oz down in anyway. My quality of life improved when I left Oz. Why? I was becoming jaded in Oz. I had a group of friends that I’d had for years. Had a small house that I had lived in for years. I had visited everywhere in Oz that I had wanted to see. I was working the same job for a number of years. My life felt it was going nowhere. I decided to travel. I’d seen Europe and all I wanted to see if the US (not a lot)… Read more »

Bojangles

Tony

I was retirement age although still working when I left Oz. My kids had grown up and my grand kids were in their 20’s.

HCMC traffic can certainly be scary when you first arrive and the incessant honking can drive you crazy it’s true. You get used to it eventually, although I do get a bit testy when I am personally honked when crossing the street.

Aussie Gooner

China
I agree with your team selection but the unsolved problem area is the 4 at the back. Who is not injured/useless that could play there? As I said before, the academy has yet to produce any decent defenders. Where do we go from here?

Champagne charlie

Hopefully Pedro has penned another post and it can draw a line under the political dribble.

It’s the weekend, a ball of air is getting twatted about for enjoyment. Only they’re not called Boris or Jeremy.

I digress, the scouse early kickoff I’m expecting to be a joke scoreline to rev City up. Also, hping the hapless Bournemouth remember how to play the game at the chavs.

Vladdy P

Lol, China. Bloomberg? He has no charisma, and dems have been taken over by the radical wing of the party. The party of progress will not allow an old white male to be the nominee. Only boomers care about muh centrism and preserving their 401k while selling the next generation down the toilet because Juan will mow their lawn for 5 dollars less than John. As for the game, just need to have energy. Drop Laca. His heart isn’t in it anymore. Martinelli is captain material in my book. He never hides. Would play guendouzi advanced attacking mud, tell him… Read more »

Dream10

habeshagooner

I can understand your worries. We lack compactness. It is a problem when Guendouzi and Torreira vacate the CM area and Mustafi/Chambers on the right along with Sokratis on the left are forced to drift wide. Lots of space for one of city’s men to make runs in behind. Will be surprised if Freddie opts for a 4-2-3-1/4-4-2

Bojangles

Freddie is trying to change things around virtually on his own. He only has the BFG to assist him and Per is running the academy at the same time. It’s not exactly a formular for success.

Un na naai

China

Saka seems to be a bit more adept on the ball to me too where as ESR seems a bit more Ramsey esqe with those runs into the box

Gentlebris

China, thanks for your note. But Trump remains the appropriate president for the United States of America.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Un

Fuck it throw the yoot in…

He ain’t getting the gig

May as well play

Torr amn in the middle

Esr , Saka , gabs from the start…

Fuck it what we got to lose

Aussie Gooner

Bo

Not being defensive, just interested in another perspective. I am originally from London and have been here 21 years now. I honestly don’t know where I will eventually end up! Have thought of Bali but not sure if I could take the humidity!

Un na naai

Anyone been to Lapland before? Any recommendations? We are doing the northern lights and a snow dog sledge experience. Just wondered if anybody has any pointers?

Tenerife Gooner,

One of the highlights of my life,got lost in Hanoi ,jump in a Taxi, fantastic,driver young speak English.Motor bikes coming straight at you.Unbelievable,we loved Vietnam.

Un na naai

Bojangles

So have you settled? Do you have enough money to live? You dont work at all?

Un na naai

Aussie gooner

Where in Oz are you?

HillWood

So far Pearson has got Watford giving as good as they’re getting

HillWood

Me and my big gob !!

Graham62

Watford have created a few chances. Should have scored.

Lovely goal from Salah though.

Graham62

Liverpool win, 17 point gap to MC.

Better for us.

Aussie Gooner

Un

I am in Western Australia about 450kms north of Perth near Geraldton. It has been very hot the last few days (over 42c ) and plenty of bush fires!

Un na naai

Aussie gooner

Ah. You working at the mines?

vickingz

Saka against walker? Let’s not play with one man down from the get go

Aussie Gooner

Un

No!- I wish (for the money!) I lock people up for a living!

Cesc Appeal

I don’t think anyone expects anything out of us tomorrow. Most predict a 3-0 or 4-0 City win or the like. Might be the best environment for our fragile players. Have to try to copy United’s approach. Conservative full backs denying the overlap to City, a CDM who denies De Bruyne the little pockets of space on the corners of the box that he likes to whip balls in/shoot. Then blistering pace in attack which means MAP has to be the way. I thought Smith Rowe did really well off the ball against Liege and we need someone to play… Read more »

HillWood

Aussi Gooner
Are you a Mr Barrowclough
Or aMr Mackay

Aussie Gooner

Hill Wood

A bit of both! I work in an aboriginal prison so it is very different from UK prisons – plus here in WA we are the best paid prison officers in the world would you believe! In fairness we also have extra strings to our bows – I also deliver programs to prisoner to help reduce recidivism (that works really well!)

Marc

Aussie

Do you have segregated prisons?

Graham62

Man City MAY be a bit flat due to losing further ground on Liverpool and Leicester.

Predict a much closer game.

Just a gut feeling.

Wenker-wanger

Big thanks to Pedro for allowing the political stuff on here for a day.
For me it’s been interesting and at times hilarious. The comedic articulation has been superb.ive been called a thug???? Xenophobic???? etc just for a bit of banter and satirical description. Even that was amusing…so yes thanks Pedro. But back to the serious stuff….we can score against city….just can’t say how many they’ll score!

Wenker-wanger

@aussie goober..
Was in Perth with my son recently….it is a shame all round that the abos feel the way they do. My son told me they are generally a bit hostile to the whites…..but he couldn’t explain the depth and reasons behind it.

Wenker-wanger

Liverpool look a bit tetchy at times……still so powerful going forward…..but someone this season will beat them to help us keep our exclusive invincibles label.

HillWood

Aussie
I had to Google the meaning of recidivism
Don’t think it’s ever been used on Porridge

Wenker-wanger

Hillwood,
It has..McKay once said as he rocked back on his heels “Fletcher you are a recidivist”….
Fletcher probably have him some smart retort.
Great script…

HillWood

WW
Blimey. I applaud your knowledge of Porridge!

Un na naai

Aussie GoonerDecember 14, 2019 13:54:59
UnNo!- I wish (for the money!) I lock people up for a living!

Oh!! Fair play.
Yeah I got offered work there for years
Same as airlie beach. Chose to go home in the end but got a bit depressed when I came back. Nothing was the same.
I’m glad I did but I still think of selling up and heading back over. I’ve just got it too good here now through and I could t take the grandkids away from my old pair or they’d just die.

Un na naai

Ww

They are mate. Got called a white cunt more than once just walking down the street in Queensland.
Made me laugh actually. Ah so that’s what it feels like…..that wasn’t so bad!!
Maoris are a different kettle though. Coolest people on earth

HillWood

Aussie
Who do you support during The Ashes

Un na naai

Aussie

Who do you support in state of origin?

Un na naai

It would be great if we did that here once a year
North vs South
Quality

Spanishdave

What happens to Freddie when a new manager is appointed, does he go back to the youth teams?

Aussie Gooner

Fortunately I do not follow cricket or rugby. We have a few Indian and South African staff and plenty of kiwis that keep the banter going with those sports! Funny how the Aussies go very quiet when they lose at anything! Unfortunately the situation with indigenous Australians (or first people more accurately) is pretty grim. In WA they make up less than 5% of the population but 64% of the prison population – go figure!

London gunner

Have to say ox is looking a top quality player for Liverpool, so quick on the transition pass/play… doesn’t slow down or hinder play like our midfielders and couple that with his explosive athletic ability, hus much improved final ball and his glorious long range shooting.

Shows that a good manager elevates the players around him.

Dissenter

VAR worked excellently there
Good goal from Gosling

Dissenter

Chelsea will spend some good money this January

Dream10

Frank Lampard could be out of a job in the middle of January. Pochettino, Allegri and fireman Rafa Benitez may well be getting a call

Chris

There’s no chance Chelsea dismiss Lampard.

They will likely make at least one January signing seeing as they are back on the transfer market.

Marc

Has Chelsea’s transfer ban been overturned or is it still talk of?

MGooner

Zidane’s Madrid have a chance to go top.

Mysticleaves

Dominic Solanke has played 55 EPL games and scored a huge amount of 1 goal. Liverpool somehow managed to sell him for 20m. What did Bournemouth see?

Redtruth

Chelsea have lost 6 games and some said they had a more effective manager than Emery lol

Mysticleaves

4 of the last 5 red.

Wenker-wanger

VAR is what we’ve wanted for decades…..the avoidance of shit decisions by referees unable to see the 360degree action.
But the delay?…surely the video and instant screen shot of the crucial action can be assessed in less than 20 seconds?maybe 10?….
If the decision cannot be made by VAR in that time, then the original refs decision remains…simple…time limit….
The delays are killing the euphoria…and euphoria is the drug of football..

Receding Hairline

The Chelsea wheels were always going to come off, their goals against column pointed to that.

Marc

Mystic

Didn’t realise it was 4 of the last 5.

People are so keen to jump on a bandwagon they elevate or write off managers far too soon. It was the same with OGS last season.

Pierre

London Gunner “Have to say ox is looking a top quality player for Liverpool, so quick on the transition pass/play” Nothing new there then …it has always been about staying free from injury for Ox. Arsenal had potentially the best midfield in the league if we wasnt so unlucky with injuries. Diaby, Wilshere, Ox, Rosicki, Ramsey were all beset by injuries during their time at Arsenal. A midfield of technique, quality , skill goals and creativity that never received any protection from officials. If you add rvp and Walcott to the list of players who missed large chunks of the… Read more »

Pierre

Lampard should not be criticised for the work he is doing at Chelsea.

He deserves nothing but praise for the way he has started his Chelsea managerial career.

He lost the best player at the club and has shown confidence in his young players and has been rewarded with some sparkling displays.

They are going through a little blip at the moment but I’m sure Lampard wont lose his bottle and stick to his footballing principles.

HillWood

Arsenal only 3 points above West Ham
Ffs

James wood

Wenger Wenger 18.53.
“ The Euphoria of the moment”
Is lost with VAR.
Very nicely put.
Var is killing the game.

Mysticleaves

“A midfield of technique, quality , skill goals and creativity that never received any protection from officials.”

True that Pierre. At times it was breathtaking to watch. They guilty too…of not protecting our defence near enough. None of them there cared about defence.

“There was a freedom in our play back then that started to fade in Wenger’s latter years ,culminating in Emery destroying any semblance of enjoyment in our play in his 18 months at the club.”

Progress. See, objectivity is not hard.

Hopefully we get our fluidity back with more defensive protection and awareness this time

Bill

Bamford being torn a new one every day at Arseblog. They hate him and taking piss. Couple of them are exposing his lies and lack of knowledge.
He pulled the International Socialist card and some guy wiped the floor with him listing all the “basic” things he got wrong.
Bamford tail between his legs now lying
Poor dear has dirtied his nappies.

MidwestGun

Of course, the Wenger obsessives would always ignore our bad luck in their never ending crusade to run Wenger and the club down..
_____
Yes Pierre most of Wenger’s failings were due to bad luck… sure it was.. You need to seek psychological help.. I’m not kidding.

Un na naai

Champagne Charlie

You seen the trailer for the new Witcher series
Have to say I was expecting piss poor but the trailer suggests it may be promising. My Mrs is interested anyway

Long hair check
Swords check
Muscles check
Henry cavill check

Un na naai

Ah Bamford is getting properly mugged off over there. Literally with no supporting cast to cushion the blows for him. Poor fella. He really needs to talk to someone. Certain pathological issues there that really require professional help.

Igbo Amadi-Obi

Martinelli vs City, yes. But not Saka please. He has only managed a good game in so many. Kyle Walker would eat him raw.

MidwestGun

Maybe Bamford and Pierre can get a two for one special… They both have Wenger/Emery issues from the opposite sides of the coin. Dr. Phil could have a week long show to try and figure it out. Not sure why people lose all objectivity when it comes to Arsenal managers, has to be some sort of disorder syndrome.

Jamie

Wait, you slags read other Arsenal blogs?

MidwestGun

I definitely want to see Pepe and Martinelli in starting lineup.. I’m not overly optimistic that we can even get a point .. so we might as well go for it and try to out score them. Would be nice to score the first goal and stop playing from behind as well . Starting to feel like the Club is leaving us hanging in regards to appointing a new manager. Feels like it might be Freddie until the end of the season. Not sure exactly how I feel about that…. I was so over the Emery era.. it wasn’t even… Read more »

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Mid…

I think this could be what y’all call a shoot out..

Go chin to chin defence goes out the back door.. they score 2 we score 3 approach…

Yee ha..

Sorry .

MidwestGun

I used to read other blogs and even comment… but no time for it anymore. Priorities and all. And then of course Pedro made me sign an exclusivity contract.
😀

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Igbo

Auba will tun stones ravaged ..

MidwestGun

I would take 3-2… feels more like a 4-1 Azz kicken though… but if I was being optimistic.

Yee haa is ok… hahaha Im in Texas now.. capital of yee ha

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Gunnerblog used to be classic.. don’t seem to welcome comments now.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

So you gonna up date yer name mid.. or is it now west gun?

Bill

Bamford would need years of intensive therapy. I heard he already completed conversion therapy.

MidwestGun

Yep.. I probably should change it.. kind of used to my name though. SouthWestGun? doesn’t really have the same feel.

MidwestGun

“conversion therapy”
——-

Hahahah Bill.. I would guess more like “Gender fluid”

Bill

Yes Midwest those pesky exclusivity clauses. Pedro made me sign one – to only comment on Arsenal Untold!!😉