Which dugout is the new Arsenal manager in?

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The real leadership news cycle can begin again after being rudely interrupted by the British Election of 2019.

Today is tantalising because there is very strong chance that two of the candidates in the stadium today could be made Arsenal’s manager fulltime by January 1st.

Freddie Ljungberg has an opportunity to show that he can make us hard to beat and resilient against a wounded Manchester City side. The Swede has so far conducted himself with absolute class, showing a calm head in a tough situation, though not really moving the football forward by any margin.

In the other dugout, you have the great unknown in Mikael Arteta. His reputation in the game is fantastic, his PR has been propagated by stories of his great coaching, elite communications skills and his thorough approach to analysis and all-round problem-solving. He is the moon-shot hiring we hope could bring us some of that City IP and a future worth waking up for.

A few things to note. It’s clear a lot has happened this week, the club is speaking to everyone, but I still think the leads are Arteta, Freddie and Patrick. I think stories of Nuno are just being put in the press for his sake and I pray to Gods of Football that Martinez was kicked to the curb with the full force of a very nice leather boot. His name being linked to the club makes me dry-heave. There are also sensitivities, Arteta is coaching against us today, we have to behave. There will also likely have been conversations around Pochettino and a few other bottom of the barrelers hanging around like a pathogen in drinking water.

Holding out for Pochettino is a gamble. He’ll not be committing to any club before he needs to and the chances are that every top club in the world might be chasing him this summer. He’ll have a choice of Bayern, PSG and maybe even Manchester City if Pep decides he wants to leave. All of those clubs put the chances of an Arsenal choice at a very low ‘probably not.’

I think the other factor that has to be a consideration is the realisation we have the chance to make top 4… still. Win the game today, we’re 4 points away from a stuttering Chelsea. That’s not beyond the realms. If we bring in a manager that can stabilize us and move the team forward, we could be in with a shout at the end of the season. If Freddie doesn’t have a chance of the job longterm, then you need to put it with someone that does so the squad all know the new coach has real authority.

Big decision, I am hopeful we’ll not wait until the end of the season and my view is we should be putting our chips on Arteta.

Another big story doing the rounds in the press is the one about Mesut Ozil speaking out about the Chinese treatment of the Uighurs. The problem is a serious one, sports clubs from around the world have been tripping over themselves to deal with players speaking out about it, and they’ve generally been fucking up… Arsenal engaged the comments and said they don’t do politics and disassociated with the issue, just like the teams in the NBA have been doing after cultivating lucrative relationships with the Chinese.

A few things to note here. Mesut Ozil needs to work out what he stands for. Though his stance on China is correct and noble, it looks a bit embarrassing when just a few months ago he had Erdogan at his wedding giving him away. The Turkish leader, who purged many innocents from their jobs and put them in prison after an alleged coup attempt, also has a terrible human rights record. If there was anyone Mesut should have been standing up to, it’s a leader doing bad things to his own people.

Anyway, the Arsenal game has been cancelled from CCTV today. The Chinese using the full force of the Government to crush Western dissent. It’s extremely grim. It’s also hard to know what to make of it, unless all football clubs in Europe stand behind a movement against the violations going on, a valiant stance does nothing for your financials or your growth. On the other hand, football clubs are supposed to have some sort of moral backbone and stand for something. They have an immense platform to raise awareness of human rights abuses and should be good global citizens.

The big problem is this: How far does a football club go over an indirect issue? It’s easy for me to say stand with morals and ethics, I’m not CEOing over a -£23m loss. There’s no simple answer, but the problem Arsenal have now is they apologized, so they’ve put a stake in the ground which is not going down well on the internet.

Back the game, we have an injury list for the ages. Tierney, Bellerin, Pepe, Ceballos, Xhaka and Holding are all out.

City had problems last week against United who stretched them with their pace and width. United were lucky, but every side has to be if they want to beat Peps back to back Premier League champions.

I think rocking a front three of Saka, Martinelli and Auba would be smart. Make them think twice about pushing a high line against us. Midfield will likely be Matteo, Torriera, with Mesut in the hole. Then the defence probably picks itself again, have my doubts he’s going to risk Luiz in a game with lots of fast technical players.

Then it’s up with the gods. I’m hoping we don’t take a pasting, but if we play like we did against West Ham and Standard, we’ll lose by 4 goals. If we channel the good 10 minutes from both of those games, we’ll be in a better place.

Fingers crossed everyone, see you in the comments. x

 

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Aussie Gooner

Of the players avaialable that was probably our best side (sans Ozil). Now that is very sad. No amount of tweaking from a ‘sauced’ manager is going to propel that lot into the top four. We need better first 11 players full stop! And reliable back up players either home grown or from lower divisions/leagues. Time to clean house I am afraid and with the Krankies in charge it won’t happen. Looking forward to years of mediocracy and avoiding relegation!

Aussie Gooner

And this ducking disease must be catching! Can you see Adams ducking out the way of a shot? No! He would have copped in full in the face for the team! Bless him. There in lies the problem – that 5%.

Aussie Gooner

And the second goal, 5 against 2 in the box and they still made it look easy – where is the man marking, where is the following the track of their players into the box, does anyone know what they are doing? This is basic stuff I teach my under 14’s team FFS!

vickingz

Appoint pep with simeone with Brendan and whoever all together, these players won’t do any better.

At un na nai, we have better players than Leicester? How so? In what department really?

Before some level of appreciative improvements can be seen in these players, it will take two years no matter how competent the coach we are appointing is and if it’s Ancelloti, we are sacking him next year, so we better get at least a young progressive coach

PhD2020

MarcDecember 15, 2019 23:40:29 LeftLost you on Gareth Bale – guy’s always looked more Simian than anything else to me. ——- Just wondering, can you do what Gareth Bales does? Have you achieved half of what he has in a short space of time? Just asking? You know, score in CL Finals? Win 2+CL Trophies or is it 3? A La Liga & other trophies to count going forward… I’m sure you will correct me on that fact…Somehow, someway… Play internationally for your country and for one of the best teams in the world. In addition, to being set for… Read more »

China1

Yes gentle it’s chinese Ozil thinks because of his World Cup glory, his Real Madrid link up with Ronaldo and a good number of assists years back before his new contract that he’s still some kind of relevant force in football That’s why he throws these silly tantrums when he gets subbed (EL final anyone). He thinks this stuff is below him The irony being that during arsenal worst period for a few decades, ozil has been one of our worst and most negative players. He’s living off his rep from yesteryear because he hasn’t even noticed that he’s part… Read more »

azed

Freddie Ljungberg; “With Lacazette and Auba, we tried in my first two games, but we looked really vulnerable defensively. ”

I’m not sure what Freddie means by this because he was part of the Emery set up unless Freddie like Pierre thought Emery dropped Lacazette because he complained about something….

PhD2020

Arsenal fans have to be the thickest of the bunch. Would say, we are the Newcastle of the South.. Sat on our hands passively,with Arsene running riot in his kamikaze reign towards the end.Like the indicators were flashing red lights for the last 8-10 years.. Arsene fans by large,were mute.. Now,we have the owners…And guess what..? Arsenal fans circling around looking for some scapegoat to blame? No,not the owners yet,but some other poor geezer is going to get it… Dear,dear…..When will the penny finally drop,for you so called ‘Learned Arsenal fans?'” I suspect,not in the near distant future… LMFAO.. Tragic…Absolutely… Read more »

Graham62

Have to agree that some of Freddie’s comments “don’t make any sense”.

As for Arsenal fans “being the thickest of the bunch” that’s been the case ever since we left Highbury.

PhD, you are right, it is all very “tragic”.

Unai

Anyone who thinks we have a top 4 squad is deluded, our spine is is so feeble a paraplegic wouldnt swap with us. CD – Sok/Luiz/Calum – What the actual fuck, Chambers has a heart but as a group this is a mid table selection. CDM – Torr/Xhaka – Neither are suitable for the Prem, could be argued neither are CDMs. CAM – Ozil, our creative outlet can neither create or be aresed, a total bottleneck. We have some decent options, a good outline of a team but the foundations are made of sand, we need a new backbone and… Read more »

Mark

Phd2020
I get that your some great sage who can see things others can’t. But just a question , do you actually support Arsenal?

Sid

Why are arsenal players dropping like flies with injuries? Are they burnt out already?
Lol

Sid

Wenger took arsenal to the morgue, emery to the cemetry, Freddie has taken us to purgatory/Gehanna/barzakh

Emiratesstroller

Dissenter I have never advocated until now that Ozil should be offloaded. The wages Arsenal pay him are excessive, but the club made that decision. However, recent events now make it a necessity that he leaves the club whatever the cost. His recent Twitter Statement about China may have been well intended, but the cost is prohibitive not only for Arsenal. Also his football performances are now a luxury we can ill afford with so many young players in the club. A player of his experience and talent needs to show commitment and leadership, which is clearly lacking. Arsenal is… Read more »

SP

The best option is Poch and we need to do whatever it takes to get him. Rafa would have been a good choice as well but he has made it clear he is not coming back to the PL.

Looking at the mess we are in, Carlo Ancelotti doesnt look to be a bad choice as well. Atleast he will try to get us back in the top 6 this year. If we terminate Ozil’s contract and add couple of defenders in Jan, top 6 is very much possible.

Vladdy P

Been really disappointed with Freddie. Thought he’d be chomping at the bit to prove his worth but he just sits there on the sidelines being a typical surrendering swede.

And why is mert in charge of the academy again? What’s his actual qualifications?

Vladdy P

I’m glad we didn’t get Jose.

I’d be fine with arteta at this point because nobody is getting the best out of ozil and Co, anyway. Needs to be someone who teaches the next gen fundamentals and gets them playing the right way.

Ozil, xhaka and mustsfi should just be told to stay home until they are sold.

Auba and laca should be sold too. The body language is all wrong. Reminds me of Thierry in his final season.

Use the money and rebuild the team’s spine.

CG

UN “”I also really don’t think he’s going to be able to get us defending as a unit. He may have been an inspirational choice 18 months ago but emery has destroyed what he was handed and now we are 7 points from the relegation zone.””””” Very perceptive from the always excellent UN The Clown and Raul have basically destroyed the fabric of the club. We don’t even have a club any more- thanks to the 2 Spaniards. Arteta ( great choice -first time around) as the continuity candidate- maybe not so good this time around. Not that he would… Read more »

Davey

When/if we get into a relegation battle we are the worst team to cope with it. I feel we need to make the appointment of Carlo a.s.a.p otherwise we go down.

Left testicle

Go and get big Dunc. Ozil would not be walking off the pitch if he were waiting on the sidelines.
……….
Agreed. Ozil is a big man when hanging with Erdogan or Kolasinac, or when his boss is a pussy like Wenger/Emery/Ljundberg. If we had a ‘Big Dunc’ disciplinarian type he’d soon shut up. Our pampered ‘stars’ have had it to easy for to long.

Spanishdave

CG
Yep we need somebody to fire some fucks at the players and shake em up.
I would go with Dyche or Nano to do this and then go for somebody to refine our play.
Can’t see Arteta being the one right now, plus he won’t have his own team behind him.
For Christ sake get Bould out of our club he is the common denominator.

Left testicle

Joleon Lescott: “The fact Fernandinho is allowed to run into midfield and play the pass, no one gets near Gabriel Jesus, it is disappointing to see that no one can get near Man City. There’s no one near De Bruyne either. Collectively, they’ll be annoyed with that.” Joleon Lescott: “They just cut through Arsenal so easily. Sead Kolasinac at the back post runs in too early. When you’ve got that many numbers back you’d think there’d be someone making a tackle or a block, you think you’re doing alright and then suddenly City are so precise with their passing, they’re… Read more »

CG

Lefty Testy

You too coming around to my Dyche idea…?.

Dyche for 24 months- steady The Ship
Get some internal discipline back.

Then get Arteta in.

Genius.

Keep it Simple – Its only Soccer.

Left testicle

CG
Dyche might be a step too far for me! 🙂

Leftsidesanch

The recruitment at this club doesn’t make sense. Bellerin just has to look at a pitch to be injured yet he was our only RB (AMN and Chambers are not RBS). Sokratis, Kolasinac and Chambers we could find better players and Guendouzi shouldn’t be starting for us, he’s culpable for quite a few goals.

The team do not seem interested in defending, pressing the opposition bar Martinelli. I feel him hanging around long enough with this pack will either see him push for a move or become just as lazy.

James wood

What was the “ Not gloves again for XMas bit with Ozil.”
It’s not as if he was contributing.

Left testicle

Can you imagine what would have happened if Moise Kean would have taken his gloves off and kicked them away? And Moise had a legitimate reason to be pissed off.

siddharth14

I’m sure the Bloke who went to Emirates and congratulated Raul for such an immense window is tearing up his hair and undergoing therapy. The more i think about Arsenal’s situation the more dark it appears in the long term. We all were calling for decentralization and when it is finally in full effect, we have landed much worse then before. I get this horrible feeling that the only reason Wenger left was that he saw this thing coming. I think it’s about time Pedro starts a crusade against the Kroenkes and keeps it relentless. Sooner or later, the print… Read more »

Globalgunner

Getting rid of Kroenke against his will is nigh impossible. Forget that. Bad players are what we need to get rid of and not replace them with the same rubbish. Who thought Luiz would be an improvement on Soratis and Mustafi needs his head examined. We need to junk those 3 and get 3 replacements. We have no LB or RB worth playing. None, our midfield is lightweight and or non existent. Xhaka, Ozil need to be let go. Basically we are one of the worst teams in the EPL. On the face of it we deserve to go down.… Read more »

SP

Big Sam wants the job

Sam Allardyce has told talkSPORT he would fix Arsenal’s defensive woes ‘tomorrow’ if he was appointed as the Gunners’ new manager.

https://talksport.com/football/643572/arsenal-sam-allardyce-crisis-ljungberg/

Dissenter

It looks like the club”s heirarchy have settled on Mikel Arteta
The arguments are over. It’s time to unite and support him He will need at least 1.5 seasons to settle down – the same courtesy we gave Emery.

Valentin

Basically everybody knows that our attackers pretend to defend but don’t do it. Martinelli is the only one who put his heart in it. https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/16/kevin-de-bruyne-arsenal-manchester-city-11912668/ I don’t understand why managers keep picking Aubameyang for games against top 6 opposition. Not only he rarely score against such opponents, but he also does not work hard for the team. It takes a special type of skill (sic) to be systematically late by half a second to block the opposition back four long balls. That typifies Aubameyang, pretends to block but in reality plays in self preservation mode to never be at any… Read more »

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