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
1st
Hope me make the 4th
Tr4phy
Oops
Got it 🙂
Ex-Chelsea striker Demba Ba hits out at Arsenal over Mesut Ozil treatment
‘Not surprised,’ Ba posted on Twitter. ‘Arsenal just keep distancing themselves from the best in general.’
———————————————-
Ba’s got some wit
Nice piece Pedro.
Come on arsenal
That’s all Ba has left. Even though he’s a legend for his goal against Pool.
Pedro that is a fair criticism of Ozil. Good piece. Although I still have differences with you believing arteta is bound to be our saviour.
Ah fuck it. Pepe out too? That’s shit.
He will go with Lacazette then
Pepe and martinelli are our wild cards
The both offer something different in attack and we really need both of them.
I’m not sure Saka and Martinelli has the same potency from the flanks
The chinese are absolutely based. They don’t give two shits if people keep crying ‘das wayciss’. They put their own people’s interests first. Would love to see a western nation do that.
Could be a brutal game today. Would give Robbie Burton a debut alongside toreira then play guendouzi most advanced and tell him not to step inside our own half and just tell him to run at people and try and make stuff happen. He’s good at that
Vladdy P
There is no condoning what the Chinese government are up to. It’s scary. They need to be curbed. We are turning too much of a blind eye in the west
Not that we should invade or place sanction but we are doing too much business with them. They are ripping the arse out of Africa too which (strangely) none of the leftists are too concerned with. Make trade fair and all that. While the Eu and China fuck them over and keep them down.
https://motleedsnews.com/fans-view/many-leeds-fans-blast-player-after-another-diabolical-performance-v-cardiff-let-him-go/
Seems Eddie isn’t doing that great over at Leeds anymore. Hard to see how he would have been our saviour this season if he can’t even do it in the championship.
Sorry un nai but don’t agree. Generally I like your statements but some are a bit boomerish for my taste.
You’re kidding yourself if you think it’s any different here. In UK u can be jailed for ‘hate speech’ if u speak out about the wrong group and can have your career ended if u lean certain ways politically.
Freddy
Didn’t the same happen with Gnabry and Coq? Means nothing
Vladdy PDecember 15, 2019 14:43:00
Sorry un nai but don’t agree. Generally I like your statements but some are a bit boomerish for my taste.
Vladdy
Sorry. I’ll try channel my inner millennial more often. Especially for you.
Didn’t mean to insult, unai. Generally I agree with most of your points.
Guys, Arsenal today
If we try to play out from the back in our usual style, we will be 0-2 within the first 15 mins with their usual high pressing.
Fingers crossed but can’t see us getting anything from this game.
You’re kidding yourself if you think it’s any different here. In UK u can be jailed for ‘hate speech’ if u speak out about the wrong group and can have your career ended if u lean certain ways politically.
Yeah vladdy
That’s exactly my point though. I’m libertarian and a free speech absolutist. It’s wrong there and it’s wrong here.
I don’t like this social points system the Chinese are enacting. Hope to god things start reversing here.
Anyway. Let’s leave it there before I go into the sin bin for a week
Agreed.
Sorry. Will try keep it football related now.
Wolves are playing Spurs off the pitch but probably will lose this game.
If Arsenal fans want attractive football then they could do worse than Nuno.
I haven’t seen Arsenal play this good against a top four team in …..forever .
Not a fan of Freddy is a manager of what I’ve seen. Seems like a wenger-lite. He might bring confidence back and help them beat the teams they’re supposed to, but that’s about it. Doesn’t seem like much of a strategist.
Pepe is available for selection pedro. Going with Martinelli, Auba, and Pepe we would carry a very real counter attacking threat.
Fred
“Seems Eddie isn’t doing that great over at Leeds anymore. Hard to see how he would have been our saviour this season if he can’t even do it in the championship.”
I would suggest that it’s quite difficult to do “great” if a player has been out injured for a couple of months.
It’s always better to look at the overall picture than making sweeping statements like this , wouldn’t you think.
Eddie has either been injured (lately) or only used as late 2nd half sub most of the time, a bit harsh on him considering.
He scored some important goals for them also when he did get a chance regulary.
It would be great if Freddie beats Arteta,
So is Pepe available or not?
*Regularly !
Everton playing well at OT.
I’ll take Ferguson
Had to be the buy of the decade.?
Calvert Lewis 1.4 million to Everton.
Boy causes chaos fast direct twice as much
Pace and athletisism as our two main strikers.
He would be an ideal player for us.?
We will win today
Vardy and Jota have been sensational this season, absolutely top class performances week in week out.
And English he will turn out to be a regular for England.
Peter
I actually thought you might say ‘three’ potential managers at the game today…if you include the jaded, Pep. Maybe a wounded and fed up Pep could be swayed with some fancy music and the promise of North London’s finest bitches.
Anyway, not Freddy for me.
I think today will be a cracker. Lots of goals and believe it or not, I think Arsenal might come out on top today.
4-3 Arsenal.
Good piece Pedro do not understand why Poch is drifting in and out of your mind, nothing in his CV suggests he can be the remedy at Arsenal 11 years a manager and never won an egg cup , seems to be on e of those who takes a club so far but never to the pinnacle, better than most agreed , but a Trojan Horse for me.
Wolves equalized.
Can we go 20 minutes without conceding?
Arsenal XI confirmed: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Sokratis, Kolasinac; Torreira, Guendouzi; Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli, Aubameyang
Team to play Man City: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Sokratis, Kolasinac, Guendouzi, Torreira, Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli, Aubameyang.
Subs: Martinez, Luiz, Saka, Smith-Rowe, Willock, Nelson, Lacazette.
Don’t like the look of Pasta back there !
Or AMN
Adama Traore most improved player in the EPL this season.
A real threat.
That defence. 😞
… and still playing Ozil. 😞
If we can get out of defence, we might have a chance !
james wood
Yes but he doesn’t score enough. Which is the first thing you look for in a striker.
If anyone going to hurt us today it be De Bruyne and his 25 yarders
No pairing really helps at this point but Chambers and Sokratis with Niles and Kolasinac flanking against a team that can play people in behind is scary
IF.
Leno; Maitland-Niles, Chambers, Sokratis, Kolasinac; Guendouzi, Torreira; Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli; Aubameyang
MU equalise.
Greenwood.
Would rather have had Guenda playing Ozil role and Saka out left.
Oh, and another team’s back four !
I’ll be curious to see the interactions from Mikel today toward our staff and players, and fans even. Sure it will be enough to titillate some stories and gossip, which maybe for the best as we could be on for a pasting. Optimistically thought City were floundering when they went 1-0 midweek, but they answered that very quickly. Arsenal by contrast were muck for most of their tie against a shite side. If we avoid defeat it’ll be something, 7 days between this game and the next one which has me feeling like it’s the ideal window to get a… Read more »
AMN was very good going forward against West Ham. Dare I say he is better than Bellerin going forward, his defensive work leaves a lot to be desired though.
Bergkamp63December 15, 2019 15:31:58
Don’t like the look of Pasta back there
Bergkamp
Pasta on a Sunday!!
Wasi
15.33.
Point taken but in a better side he might.?
Not that we are much better at the moment .
.It’s just his work rate would help us I’m sure he has goals in him
wicked shot and can head the ball.?
Tr7
I think he’s better than bellerin as full back option. Underrated young lad
So far so good for us.
Big game for Freddie – if we show some spine today, it will increase his chances of a long term appointment.
Lets tone down the Ozil story – some countries should look into their own past before passing judgement. The old days are over in case you have not noticed.
Toffees hold on pls
That’s literally the only defence Freddy could pick – we just need sokratis to be disciplined for once and not make any rash decisions , and we need AMN to wake the fuck up !
And please for the love of god , when they are attacking , which is obviously going to be a lot of the time – don’t back off like we’ve been doing
Can we just skip to the second half ?
It’s basically the team I suggested early on apart from Ozil who should be no where near the team today! I suggested ESR instead. We will have to counter with speed as our defence will not hold up under siege and/or playing out from the back. Some good old fashioned hoofing it up the pitch to take the pressure off the defence and give our attack something to chase!
Brave forward line, but defence shaky as usual.
AMN against De Bruyne is intimidating.
Torreira should have a good game.
Argh!!!!!!!!!!!! Spuds with a last minute winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fucking spurs
So Duncan Ferguson is a horrible cunt. Who substitutes a sub after 19 mins? Niasse on in the 89th min is the biggest fuck you to Moise Kean. Probably says a lot that he’d much prefer to go back to the racist filled Italian league than stay in Everton now
Wolves got sucker punched at the end inspite of being far dangerous team, at least in second halve …
@ Aussie
Hundred percent my view too. But he put Ozil to maybe give that one ball which could make a difference.
Personally would prefer player who are quick and can deliver a higher workload in that midfield but Freddie is not exactly spoilt for choice.
MGooner
I hope you are right. Ozil owes us something!
That one ball which could make a difference seems to be what Ozil has been reduced to as a footballer.
If Spurs beat Chelsea in their next game they go into the top four.
Mgooner
Yes but teams are afraid of Pepe. He runs at their full back causes them problems. AMN doubles up with him nicely and has chambers next to him now rather than Mustafi
Martinelli on the other side too.
My biggest concern today is Guendouzi in midfield. He’s going to have to step up and get his tactical hat on and work hard defensively.
That fuckr Mourinhowith another cheeky late winner. Hope we can focus our attention on that left hand side today. Torreira needs to support that headless chicken AMN. under no circumstances should he bomb forward or try to pass from the back, City are going to press the shit out of us.
PapaSok should never attempt that tippy happy bullshit from the back. Just hoof the damn ball.
That is the best we could pick considering our injuries. Niles and Kolasinac need a lot of protection if we are gonna pull this off.
@ Receding
Saka could be an alternative, but its a close call between him and Ozil 🙂
The plus point is Martinelli and Pepe. We will run at them today, this is a very brave line up.
I just wish Guendouzi would use his legs less and his head more.
It’ll be Sterling toying with AMN today
Guendouzi needs to be further up the pitch. Dunno why the fuck Freddy persists with ozil. He’s retired. Would rather give Bergkamp a call. At least he’d try.
@ Left
He’ll actually need both today.
A player like Gwen should actually be nowhere near our first team. Hoping he can prove me wrong and make me happy.
Fergusons reasoning behind substituting Keane after just 19 minutes on the pitch, was to “waste time”
Great confidence booster for the young lad.
A Mourinho type decision. Sub the sub.
Ferguson trying to be too clever imo.
Ferguson saying he hooked Moise Kean purely because he wanted to make a sub just to waste time. Something tells me it might have been better for Kean’s mindset had he not opted for the player he’d just brought on 18 minutes earlier.
But Marko raking up racism as per
Mgooner yea I will like to see Saka behind the front three someday but like you said he too lacks intensity at this point
Somewhat left with Ozil our options at CAM are non-existent if we’re honest. Shame because he’s going to be a total passenger today. In his mind why bother against the likes of Rodri and Gundogen
MarkoDecember 15, 2019 15:50:34
So Duncan Ferguson is a horrible cunt. Who substitutes a sub after 19 mins? Niasse on in the 89th min is the biggest fuck you to Moise Kean. Probably says a lot that he’d much prefer to go back to the racist filled Italian league than stay in Everton now
???
Another dumb arsed comment from the resident mutton headed Jackeen
TR7 maybe read what was written, Marko did not accuse Ferguson of racism. He was talking about the racist Italian league
Guendouzi should play the ozil role. Give Robbie Burton a chance beside toreira. Really can’t get much worse.
But Marko raking up racism as per
Hey dumb ass there is serious issues of racism in the Italian league that’s undisputable I didn’t say Ferguson was racist. He’s a prick because subbing a sub after 19 mins is awful for a player
I was calling for Saka as a 10 earlier in the week. Maybe not today but he’s got the tools to do the business there. So much talent coming through with him ESR, Martinelli and willock.
Sup Ladies? Almost game time.. I like starting Pepe and Marti… They don’t have scar tissue from previous beatings. So lets throw caution to the wind. Don’t worry I’m sure Ozil will put in a shift.. Yes I am on drugs… hahaha
But if he is going to be a social justice warrior he needs to put up or shut up.. or nobody will give a crap what he says.
Foden starts for city
It’d be different if he was say subbed earlier in the game that’d be okay but bringing on someone in the 70th min and subbing him in the 89th is a horrendous managerial decision. He’s 19 ffs
‘Hey dumb ass there is serious issues of racism in the Italian league that’s undisputable I didn’t say Ferguson was racist. He’s a prick because subbing a sub after 19 mins is awful for a player’
Ok, I misread and I apologize. Doesn’t take much for you to get worked up, does it ?
Martinelli against Walker is gonna be tough but I fancy pepe could trouble mendy.
Doesn’t take much for you to get worked up, does it ?
Not you though.
I hole we keep the score line respectable because this is one of those games that could go be a major rout.
I can easily see us reduced to 10 men because of PapSok of AMN.
He’s a prick because subbing a sub after 19 mins is awful for a player
Ah bit tens of thousands or mongos like yourself abusing our own players and coaching staff is A ok?
The only thing consistent about you is your inconsistency
I agree Diss.. Papa is the weakest link.. We are out of options, though I guess
At least, Ozil has a lot of support from Muslim football fans. Don’t forget! Muslim wants to own the world.
MarkoDecember 15, 2019 16:11:44
It’d be different if he was say subbed earlier in the game that’d be okay but bringing on someone in the 70th min and subbing him in the 89th is a horrendous managerial decision. He’s 19 ffs
Marko busy telling Duncan Ferguson the dos and donts of coaching young African players at Everton
The authority has spoken