Freddie Ljungberg signed off with with a middle finger to some of the senior players in the side. Ozil was injured again, but the manager made it clear he wouldn’t have played after throwing his gloves at the bench last week. He went all out to play the kids, introducing ESR into midfield, with Saka at left-back, and though the attacking football we’d hoped for didn’t bear fruit, we certainly put in a more solid defensive performance.
Say it quietly, but Xhaka had an impressive game…
There’s really not too much analysis to be had though. This Arsenal side have been playing with the handbrake on all season, now they need a huge injection of energy from Mike Arteta and Steve Round.
A few things are a worry though.
Auba looks very, very uninterested. Mikel said before the game that he was going to observe for body language, if that were the case, he’d have been shocked by how little energy his captain had on display. His movement was disengaged and he just looked like he’d had enough. He clearly has a move on his mind, which is troubling unless Madrid are coming armed with money in January, and Arsenal has Timo Werner lined up as a replacement.
Our midfield, regardless of the combination, lacks power, energy and structure. This has been going on for the best part of three years and continues. The biggest challenge the new regime is going to have to master is how to train some sort of know-how into a group of players that struggle with the basics. I’ve never seen an Arsenal midfield so slow and clueless. The gap between attack and midfield is always far too stretched, no one moves for the ball and the passing lanes always need a Hollywood epic to make something happen. We are almost incapable of moving the ball between the lines and more often than not, we have to opt for sideways or backwards passing because even the lightest of pressing puts us off balance.
We’re also going to have to work out what we do with the forward line. I’m starting to worry about Pepe, what exactly is going on there? Are we really in a situation where two managers of Arsenal football club can’t convince our most expensive signing to do some tracking (assuming that is why he’s benched)? There’s no such thing as ‘he’s not that sort of player’, because in this era, you simply have to be if you want to be positioned in the top tier of the footballing elites.
The standout players for me were the kids. I though Saka at left-back was pretty positive. He looked assured on the ball as ever, his pace really bailed him out of some tricky situations and his defensive game was positive as well. Point with Saka, he has the energy and drive you want. He never stops, he’s always sprinting, and when he gets forward into dangerous positions, he thinks about what he’s going to do next. I really love him, I hope Arteta has a Sterling like plan for him.
Though it wasn’t Martinelli’s best game, he still showed up in terms of energy. He’s very rough around the edges, but he has all the ingredients you’d want if you were a new manager. There’s a lot to work with. Aggression, power, pace, technique, great in front of goal… I am really excited to see what happens with him over the next year.
ESR and Reiss didn’t have their best games, but again, they didn’t give up. I was impressed that Reiss was trying more things, he didn’t shy away like he has been. ESR made some rough decisions, but you can see there’s plenty of potential there. Under the right coach, which we have, I expect to see these kids make huge strides.
So overall, we’re in very bad shape. Arteta has 5 days to at least bring a bit of energy to proceedings. I do think that’s absolutely key, if the training ground has been soulless for the last 2 years, an injection of positivity is going to help. The players need reminding of their talent, they need someone to paint a picture of where they’re going, and they need to be plunged into high-intensity training that stretches their thinking about how the game should and will be played.
I’m excited, the real work starts now. It’s going to be a very rough 6 weeks, we’re starting from scratch midseason, but if you look at the next 2 months as a bit of a write-off, it’ll be easier to stomach. By March, we should start to see the shape of what Arteta and Round have to offer, and we’ll see what good coaching can do for a squad everyone now thinks is shit. I’m hoping a few players will prove us wrong.
My guess is Arteta will work hearts and minds to start with, so nothing too drastic. Everyone will land a new chance, then he’ll begin to shape from there. I don’t think he’ll wait too long to assess who the bad eggs are, from the videos, it’s clear he knows a lot of people at the club who will fill him in on the history. Then we move on from there.
The bad days aren’t behind us, but at least they can be time-boxed. I think the fans need it. I watched the drama unfold after the game. Seeing fans gunning for each other was horrendous to watch. As a writer that loves the club, I genuinely couldn’t think of anything worse in the world than having the away fans round on me during a game in front of the world. I would be devastated if there was anti-graffiti on the Holloway Road about me. In their defence, the negativity they spout is merely an extreme reflection of what we feel. They don’t create that vibe, the shite football does.
That said, they do have a problem they can’t ignore. Matchday fans don’t like them. That mess yesterday looked like it could have turned violent, which would be be a terrible look for us. You can’t blame racism, you can’t blame jealousy, you have to look deeper and ask if the direction of your platform is in the service of the fans, or the wider internet that likes watching people incoherently vent and throw their weight around the internet.
A delicate situation to have to manage, but hopefully a proper coach will mean the fans spend less time worrying about things they could ignore and more time engaging in a beautiful game.
Anthony Taylor’s biggest error would have been to disallow the most obvious penalty anyone could give. Had he not been overruled by VAR, spud pull gave gotten away with that 45th minutes penalty.
The spuds crowd can cry blood in their expensive toilet bowl, who cares.?
Marc]i knew I would trigger you. You’re a proper gooner and hate every thing spuds.
So much for the Dortmund ‘wall of noise’ stand at the new White Hart Lane.
Commentators confirming racist chants directed towards Rudiger. Fuck those fans and ban them for life
I’ve missed something – I’m half watching half cooking!
Has there been a racist incident in the stadium?
Spurs fans showing themselves up for what they are.
First ever stadium announcement for racist abuse in the EPL.
Dissenter
You have no idea!
Volland must mean Auba or Lacazette off then. He’s decent though 27 with 7 goals and 7 assists on the season. 15 goals and 16 assists last season and 14 and 4 the previous. Seems like a proper team player
Those who voted for Johnson are hypocrites condemning racist chants.
These links to bargain STs suggests Aubameyang is going and the club do not trust Lacazette…if he’s staying that is.
Cesc
Seriously.
The only suitable punishment is 50 – 50.
50 point a season deduction for 50 seasons.
Fucking scum.
Rudiger suggesting he was racially abused. Absolutely disgusting behaviour from Spurs fans.
If Sons was a yellow?
Why was Sissoko not sent off for a reckless
tackle on the Chelsea Goal keeper.
This VAR and the amateur interpretations of the amateur officials have a lot to answer for.?????
Why was Sissoko not sent off for a reckless
Could argue the same for the spurs keeper not getting sent off for reckless tackle?
James
You’re not wrong – that “challenge” on the Chelsea keeper was shocking.
Calling someone a Dutch CLOG is not racial.?🤞
These links to bargain STs suggests Aubameyang is going and the club do not trust Lacazette…if he’s staying that is.
Bargain ST is a bit harsh. To be fair to Volland he’s probably much better suited to us than Lacazette. He can also play on the right and left of another striker. Looks a proper second striker if you will. Makes sense honestly.
GKs always get away it it.
Look at Ederson yesterday.
Precisely.. petulance and a bit of competitive edge is treated like GBH but actual dangerous or reckless play is part of the game?
Ok then.
Same song .
EXACTLY so many bad calls .
Lampard looks to have absolutely nailed this.
Right set up, right selection and a great work rate in the players.
Fuck it send all the Spud cunts off.
Technically I believe the Spud keeper couldn’t be sent off as they’ve adopted the no double jeopardy rule where a player won’t be sent off as well as a pen.
But I’d still do it!
Lampard saying in transfer dealings he’s looking for work ethic, the will to run and desire to win.
That is missing from the majority of our squad.
Marc
You low life, Boris Johnson peddling racism is acceptable but fans siding with Johnson are to be punished lol….you fruitcake.
Jose looking more the mug after his desperate defence of “experience”.
Getting tooled by Fwank
Dele Ali was offside there, shoddy officiating
Willian is a baller .
Our Robert Piries
What a pass Willian with the outside of your boot.
There is rumour of Sancho to Chelsea this January.
Red
What’s the Tory majority again?
Redtruth
This is football not politics
Get a life
Eriksen is so overrated, he’s incredibly limited
There’s politics in football too. It’s a myth to say otherwise.
“Eriksen is so overrated, he’s incredibly limited”
But has a £40 million price tag according to Levy even though he can sign a pre contract with an overseas club in just over a week!
Willian has been superb today
Chelsea should be winning 5-0
Willian turning on the Samba now
Willian.
Touch and pass.
Wow.
‘Eriksen is so overrated, he’s incredibly limited’
Eriksen, Dele Alli and Hugo Lloris – all average players but incredibly overrated.
Marc
I’m just reminding you who you voted for when racial incidents flare up.
This will hurt Jose.
It will hurt him a lot.
Spurs better have some money for him to spend or this union will get ugly in record time.
Red
Unlike you I don’t deny what I voted for!
Marc
Can you stop salt mining please. It’s not cold enough for ice.
Same for Lacazette
A very overrated player among Arsenal fans.
This score line actually flatters the Spuds.
Receding
It’s like Christmas is just going to go on and on!
Marc
You’re proud voting for a racist…disgraceful..
Spurs need a look at themselves with the embarrassing chants too btw. Auba last year, Rudiger today.
Receding
What is wrong with you? Having a dig at Spurs players and in you swoop to throw an Arsenal player on the pile? Some guy.
Charlie, RH was attempting a dig at me.
12 points of Top 4
18 games Gone
Even 2 points Behind Mike Ashley’s Newcastle- managed by Steve Bruce.
How is the Head of Footballing Operations still in his position?
Ludicrous
The fatter he gets the quicker we seem to be sliding down the table.
Go take several seats Charlie
Having a dig at Spurs for having overrated players, who have actually pulled their weight or dare I say over achieved relatively speaking in recent times but you don’t want our 13 goal a season forward mentioned, well he gets a Mention because he keeps getting called world class and he is nowhere near world class.
So again piss off you clown sir
Such character from Chelsea. When last did an Arsenal team play with such desire and discipline
Willian with one of the best performances of the season today. Absolutely outstanding.
Red
Yeah that’s why Johnson and the Tories are being investigated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Globalgunner
“Such character from Chelsea. When last did an Arsenal team play with such desire and discipline”
All one and 2 touch football , letting the ball do the work , chelsea a far superior team technically than Tottenham .
Simeone Inzaghi about to pick up his third trophy as Lazio boss.
Have a lot of time for him as a coach.
What odd’s Talk Sport white wash the racist chant issue today?
Mourinho and spuds , could anyone despise anything more!?
Yes CG could, Raul and Edu
And sport gloves !
And Arsenal..
Receding
Yea, again, makes absolutely no sense to start flinging shit at our own players when the topic was having a dig at Spurs.
Guess some aspects of being an Arsenal fan are lost via email.
Chelsea immense.
They look and play like a happy team.
They enjoy their soccer.
Keep Buying Lampard shares.
What has Emeryism done to our players?.
No wonder they all want to leave and are all damaged.
And The Spiv wanted to extend The Clowns contract!!!
Give me Strength.
“Such character from Chelsea. When last did an Arsenal team play with such desire and discipline”
Man City 2 Chelsea 1
Chelsea 0 West Ham 1
Chelsea 2 Aston Villa 1
Everton 3 Chelsea 1
Chelsea 0 Bournemouth 1
Spurs 0 Chelsea 2
It’s early days for Mourinho there but Spurs looked very flat from the off today. Even before the sending off they didn’t look like getting a foothold in the game. That’s testament to how good Chelsea were but all the same Spurs failed to impose themselves on the match.
William /Mount /Mahrez outstanding performances
Graham Souness spot on re the racist chants in the stadium.
Redruth. The table doesn’t lie. Despite all their defeats they are miles above us. Our players last had bottle in the 00s
Congratulations to Lazio. Simeone Inzaghi has been a wonderful coach for Lazio this past few years. Really Impressive work To win the coppa Italia and compete with Juventus. And they are on a winning run of 7 consecutive games in seria A if I am not mistaken. Definitely one of the coaches I am keeping my eye on the next few years.
What’s all this desperate email jibes Charles
When all else fails fall back on stereotypes I guess.
Topic was overrated players and Alexandre Lacazette happens to be one.
Sky pundits giving the FA and PL both barrels about not dealing with issues.
Dissenter, Reference your comment earlier in the day about the LG / Youtube thing. 1) I don’t do this for profit. I take that accusation off the table and lose money to write for the fans of Arsenal every day. You can find my work sensationalist, provocative, whatever… but you can never accuse me of writing for money or ulterior motives. I write what I think and go to war for my opinions. I don’t even play to the Le Grove crowd, as you saw with the Emery stuff. 2) I am one person, I can’t moderate all the comments.… Read more »
Receding
Topic was Spurs players, and you dropped one of our own in because shitting on Spurs somehow doesnt sit well with you.
Not a jibe, my only rationale for a supposed gooner wanting to interrupt the flow of Spurs mockery with criticism of our own. You’re saying that’s not the reason? Well I’m not sure why you’re such a massive fanny then, feel free to enlighten.
May you Carry on your great work Pedro for a long time
and a Merry XMas.
Interesting the links to Mertens and now Volland.
Suggests that if Aubameyang is to be sold then Arsenal/Arteta/both are looking for a more industrious if less glamorous type ST.
Not hugely surprised Chelsea won today. Said a few weeks back they are set-up in terms of personnel to play away from home, where they don’t have to create against low-blocks.
They will probably go back to struggling at home again in the next few weeks.
Jota, Jimenez, Neves, Moutinho, Traore and Saiss may not be house-hold names or players we would like at Arsenal but they’re quite good on the ball. Norwich have quite a few good ball players themselves. I like Cantwell. Grealish would walk into this present Arsenal team. Arsenal no longer have excellent ball players like Hleb, Rosicky, Carzola and Cesc. It’s really the reason why the football isn’t free-flowing anymore. Mangers have little or no control over players’ natural abilities but obviously, if players keep playing in the way the manager wants them to, they’re bound to get better. Back at… Read more »
” I have only had one problem with a fan in 13 years”
Yeah but that doesn’t include the abuse you get when it’s your round and you try to worm out of it – again!
Rodney – It was the same at Swansea a few years back. They didn’t have house-hold names but they used to play better football than bigger clubs, because they had possession players that complimented each-other like Britton, Allen, Hernandez. All three lack power and star quality but they were mobile and on the same wave-length. That goes a long way to trumping erratic individuals with big reputations and price tags that are incompatible with each-other and play disjointed football as a result.
Flow of Spurs mockery… Lol I am one poster who always plays down whatever people believe Spurs have achieved on here, I have even been abused for not falling in line with the Poch love on. You are shitting on Eriksen who has been very good value for money as far as Spurs are concerned but get touchy when a 50m pound Arsenal striker with more bad games than good gets mentioned. Oh wait,now I get it. You are protecting your all our players are mint viewpoint, all they need is better coaching. Gotcha. Now make another email fraud jibe…the… Read more »
The Arse are having their worst season in a generation, yet they are only 3 points behind tottenham!
Last 2 games 0-3 & 0-0…and to be honest, we haven’t really looked like scoring. Lacazette hasn’t played in either game and I think we miss him and maybe Aubameyang misses him as well as he looks lost up there by himself. There is more about Lacazette game than many give him credit for, I think Arteta will reinstate him back into the side. Taking into account he has scored 4 goals in his last 4 starts , I found it rather strange that he wasn’t one of the first names on the team sheet. I can see Arteta going… Read more »
Is Holding over the knee issue he had?
I actually feel sorry for The Scum
Every business in the country dreads pikeys turning up and parking their buses on their property
From what I’ve seen from Pepe on the sidelines he’s struggling with the outright pace and physicality of the league. Sure he’s fast but he lacks power and you can get away with that easily in France. He’ll learn. Also when I watch him on the sidelines he isn’t yet built for the British winter weather, especially up north, you’ll find he’s usually frozen out (sorry couldn’t help myself) in away games. The other issue with him is he’s quite introverted so it could come across like he’s not up to the fight. The other rumour, and this has apparently… Read more »
What I found strange regarding Freddie’s short time at the club, is that when he first took over from Emery he didn’t look to really change anything drastically , at least to the naked eye it didn’t.
It was only when he knew Arteta was taking over did he decide to throw all the kids in at the deep end.
Maybe if he had been a little more adventurous when he first took over, we might have seen some improvement in our performances.
Paulinho
“ That goes a long way to trumping erratic individuals with big reputations and price tags….”
This is probably what some Arsenal fans look at and therefore, find it hard to believe or imagine that other teams have better players than us. “Better squad” makes it harder to decipher what the argument is really about. I prefer to say “better ball players” which is more obvious to the naked eye and easier to wrap one’s head around.
Despite being binned multiple times for a difference of opinion I think Pedro is an alright sort. Keeping this shite going on top of a career, a latino girlfriend and a stalker from Harvard can’t be easy all the while ordering soy lattes and gluten free muffins. It’s a lot to ask really
As for Arteta it’s real simple:
Get rid of the flimsy, pampered bad eggs.
Replace with young, hungry, powerful and athletic. They don’t have to be superstars, just talent and an open mind.
Monaco 2016-2018.
Receding
Sorry for not rating Eriksen as highly as you. I dont think it’s worth even touching on your embarrassing take there as far as our players are concerned, Laca not being good enough for us to be considered top 4 quality is a new one. I dont need to desperately peddle my view that we need better coaching, the evidence is mountainous.
And idk what you’re on about with my comments getting attention as I’d like, they were addressed to you and you got them both. You struggling a bit with how this place operates?
Wrighty
It took Pires a while to settle – let’s hope Pepe can adapt.
Glad that Mourinho and Spurs lost but then Chelsea won. I was hoping for the most exciting score draw in premier league history.
We badly need ballers in midfield.
You can get away with defenders like djourou, squillaci, senderos, eboue, and the current crop if the midfield is right.
“This is probably what some Arsenal fans look at and therefore, find it hard to believe or imagine that other teams have better players than us” Yeah, you can have four Aubameyangs(extreme example) and have £250 million worth of players yet that’s not a better squad; it’s better to have a Jimenez, Neves, Saiss, Moutinho, that make your team well-rounded with different attributes that accentuate the strengths and offset the weaknesses. Also better squad is about physical and mental elements. Talent in terms of skill is only aspect, but when you buy players you’re also buying physical power, and attitude… Read more »
Maybe if he had been a little more adventurous when he first took over, we might have seen some improvement in our performances.
Pierre
Experience or not theres alot of individuals in this Arsenal team that are not very good at playing as a team. Is this down to confidence?
This team is really lacking in confidence, and it shows.
We need a win.
WrightIsGod,
That Monaco team was full of extremely talented players, not just athletic cloggers.
However you are right that we need more hungry athletic powerful players. They still need to be talented as well.
“I’m excited”
No shit, Pedro ?? No one here could have noticed that fact!!
In other news, no tweet from Auba’s brother about PEA’s awesome performance and body language yesterday ?? What a cunts duo…
WIG
“Replace with young, hungry, powerful and athletic. They don’t have to be superstars, just talent and an open mind.”
Are Guendouzi, Willock, Saka, Smith Rowe , Martinelli, Nketiah, Salibas not young , hungry , powerful and have an open mind.
Taking into account that most are teenagers and not fully developed physically yet , they seem to tick most of your boxes .
The question is , are they good enough…time will tell
Auba isn’t scoring bcoz he’s not getting the needed services. How do expect a striker to score goals with him getting the balls to make them happen. Sometimes, our criticism of our players is way overboard.
Funny that some are saying Lacazette is average bcoz he hasn’t been scoring 20gaols a season after joining us. But they forget to account for the number of minutes he’s had and the assist he gives to the team.
DB10 never scored 20 goals in the PL,(I stand corrected) so did it make him an average player?
Pedro I have a lot of respect for you, don’t ever forget that When you penned guest articles for the DM at the end of the Wenger tenure, the comment feedback was vile and hateful.. I would wager a bet that the idiots cussing you out for disloyalty would have gotten in your face if you were easily identifiable like the ASTV guy. … hey, I wished you made money from this because of the work you’ve put in. You’ve devoted a big chunk of you here. You just happen to be bossing a non-money making platform. I hope you… Read more »
Pierre
I don’t think Freddie wanted to be
Or was prepared to be launched in the deep end
He was a victim of the Club’s infamous forward planning