Racism reared its ugly head again, this time at Spurs, Rudiger claimed he heard monkey chants heading in his direction. The problem was so bad, the Spurs stadium announcer had to ask that it stop.
Quite incredible that people feel emboldened enough to do such disgusting things in public. This sort of thing isn’t even just the fault of the people doing it, it’s the people that sit near the idiots and laugh it off. It’s everyone’s responsibility to make sure this sort of thing doesn’t go on in the stadium. We had a guy who sat near us that did gross things like that, he lost his ticket because Arsenal fans wouldn’t tolerate it.
Karma was a bitch, BORN WINNER Jose Mourinho recorded another loss against a top side as Spurs capitulated against a Chelsea side that have been all over the place of late. I love it. His nice-as-pecan-pie demeanour is usually linked to how well his side is playing… when shit hits the fan, the mask will slip and he’ll be bitching about the lack of investment and his hideous lot in life. He’s the ultimate victim.
On the Arsenal front, we’re being linked with Kevin Volland. I don’t feel sexy at the thought, but I can kind of see what the idea is there. He’s good at holding up the ball, he’s fast, and he brings people into the game. He’s not as good at finishing as Auba, but he has a lot more assists. He’s also more industrious and powerful than both our strikers, Bayer have usually had a hard pressing approach to the game, which is more in keeping with the sort of vision Arteta will have of the game. I think he’s a bit like a shorter Giroud, which again, doesn’t arouse me, but no one has been involved in more goals than him in 2019 (Germany)
We’re also being linked with Dries Mertens as he has a year left to go on his deal. A spectacular player who should have moved to a bigger club a few years ago. He’s 32 years old though, he’s playing in a slower league, my suspicions are this sort of linkage is just to bump him to the top of mind for clubs looking for a quick solution this summer. I’m not sure he’s the age demo we need, it’s not like we have much chance of top 4 this season, regardless of how close we are. Short-termism is pointless and that Swiss guy we had was a disaster.
Szoboszlai is the midfielder that has me waking up in a mess. The Hungarian would vote for Brexit, wear a Maga hat to the office, and probably be an HR issue if he worked in an advertising agency, but damn… what a player.
He’s big, powerful, can dribble, shoot from long range and he works at a club that has one of the most effective approaches to pressing in the world. He reminds me of a cross between Kai Havertz and Aaron Ramsey. Would be a dream type of player to slip into our midfield. Wouldn’t mind his partner, Haaland, playing upfront… but it looks like OGS is very close to him.
Arteta has been talking more with the club and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.
“The direction’s going to be very clear & it’s not going to be negotiable. I will need the players to be on board with the right attitude, with the right passion & commitment. Step by step, we will be improving and reaching to find the right identity for us”
“We have to have passion, we have to be dominant, we have to be aggressive. We have to play in the opponent’s territory as much as we want. I want the ball, I want to attack them as much as possible, I want to prevent them from attacking as much as possible”
If you were a player, how could you not be excited about a manager that wanted to play football the right way?
Instead of rambling off on why I love the noises from Arteta, here is a solo podcast for your ears delight, enjoy, give me a 5* for Christmas.
January is our last chance with Auba or he does a Sanchez on us.
Sell him fast.
If you try to give him a deal he will ask for Ozil money and probably becomes ineffective too. If you give him the slightest opportunity, he will wonder what he could fetch for himself on a freebie move when Ramsey did £400,000 a week.
Auba has been behaving his best since he got here because he had a bad rep he’s trying to get rid.
But he’s turning now….. like a vampire…..his fangs are rearing.
Sell fast!
Agreed, Gentlebris. It’s a shame when the desire goes, but he’s only going to go downhill from here, anyway.
PhD
Mate I’m not qualified – you seem to have jumped in to a “I hate Trump” rant.
You do know I’m not American – I’m English and for about the 17th time I think Trump is a nut job.
I honestly find it staggering that it look’s like that he’ll not only survive impeachment but if the Democrat’s don’t get their act together he could get a second term.
bris
I agree that if he’s not going to sign we should sell but their seems to be a view that there’s a load on clubs willing to pay £70 million for him.
I’d love it if we could get that sort of money for him – I’m just not so sure it will happen.
Marc, you’re on one tonight. Xmas jitters, can be a stressful time!
Bob
It’s making the chicken stock for the gravy that does it – one tiny fuck up and that’s Christmas dinner done!
He will survive impeachment,his base will vote for him.He will get elected for a second term.
The question still remains, you set the bar so low, you question a 14-year-old having a temper tantrum with Trump?
That,is the funniest thing ever?
Non?
PhD She has gathered a huge number of followers and is a menace. It’s not the attack on Trump it’s the lack of self awareness she demonstrated. No one is surprised by Trump anymore. If you’re going to be a leader then you should set a higher standard – she sounds like a kid having a temper tantrum, she lies about train journey’s but is Time Magazines person of the year for 2019. She’s either a kid in which case she should be told to shut the fuck up or she’s a leader of a movement in which case she’s… Read more »
Marc
You’re calling a 16 year old dangerous mate, ease up on the Christmas brews. You tend to go incredibly extreme when it comes to politics topics, the other day Corbyn was Hugo Chavez II and now a propped up teenager is dangerous.
You’re like grandad late in the day over the holidays where he’s totally fucked and wanting the “dark ones” from down the street set about by the neighbourhood watch. Ease up ffs and have a quality street.
Marc you keep saying that she’s rude and should respect the office. What exactly do you think it is that she said? He attacked her on Twitter and she responded twice by taking what he said and making it her banner or whatever it is. How the fuck was she rude she literally took what he said and made him look an idiot attacking a child.
she sounds like a kid having a temper tantrum, she lies about train journey’s but is Time Magazines person of the year for 2019.She’s either a kid in which case she should be told to shut the fuck up or she’s a leader of a movement in which case she’s dangerous.
You’re a grown man btw. Reading far too much and getting far too agitated by a kid who’s passionate about climate change. I would suggest you take it easy neither her or Corbyn are coming for your Werthers or I dunno rearrange the tins in your cabinet.
Marc smashing the eggnogs a day early this year.
He hates rude teenagers it’s totally justified
MarcDecember 23, 2019 22:46:25
If you’re going to be a leader then you should set a higher standard –
—-
Answered your own question mate..
Good night..
My sources tell me Greta is not dangerous.
My sources tell me she’s rude, she rides first class on the train and hates offices.
Can I say though first class on the train is like the most nothing thing that there is. What it is like just close to the driver? Ridiculous
just because she looks too malnourished due to vegan diet she’s already 16 and not 10
that’s legal age in some country this is just some bullshit parading this teenage (not little) girl around being angry at all the wrong people
hmmm I wonder who is behind her supporting her cause
surely it is all for the good of the planet
anyway it’s a mini lull before the match
have a great festive season all
hmmm I wonder who is behind her supporting her cause
Hillary and Obama…I knew it.
Jamie,
Your sources tell you Greta’s not dangerous?
Your sources lie, and you know it you scumbag.
My sources tell me she’s Sanllehi’s best mate, and she she’s about to broker a deal between Raul and and Mendes for Arsenal to take Mendes’s 3 worst players for a fee of £100m in order to save the planet.
My sources tell me she’s Sanllehi’s best mate, and she she’s about to broker a deal between Raul and and Mendes for Arsenal to take Mendes’s 3 worst players for a fee of £100m in order to save the planet.
That’s rude. Respect the office of Technical Director Edu
Marko,
Fuck you. You’re just the kind of entitled Edu Knows Best Arsenal supporter who’s been part of the problem for so long.
Really interesting watching the training videos.
The rondo drill which Arsenal always show the players doing in training is a lot different under Arteta. He is constantly asking them to split the two defensive player. Not to pass it sideways or do little flicks etc but to look to get the ball through the pressure as opposed to skirting it.
Marko,
I bet you’re Irish too, and a Dub.
They’re the worst. My (impeccable) sources tell me people from Ireland are stupid.
As Trump is in the posts from last night I wonder what people, especially our American gooners thought of the below: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6266538/ https://images.app.goo.gl/2LWdQP7UHQ5NDwgW9 Both real eye openers and whilst Fear by Woodward was written from what seemed to be credible facts, I wondered how much was “Hollywood” and how much was truthful Dick Cheney? If mostly or all true how did Cheney escape being prosecuted? ————————————— 2 stand out series for 2019 were: The Loudest Voice Chernobyl That said there were many good/great entertaining movies and TV series for 2019. ————————————————— For Midwest and blues aficionados if you haven’t got… Read more »
Irrc the time person of the year is not picked by popularity, good contributions or whatever, it’s just the person who was most talked about in the news and iconic for the year. Good bad or ugly doesn’t matter
I would bet that time is not a right supporting magazine but trump won it a year or two ago for the same reason. In the news, always talked about, iconic, having an impact of some kind throughout the world
That’s all there is to it. No need to read too much into it as it’s not an award for greatness
And yeah people need to calm down with the Greta hate She may be annoying and this that and the other, sure, but people talk about this 16 year old like a monster. Go into any classroom in the world and 16 year olds are often strongly opinionated and outspoken. The only difference is she has been given a global stage to make her case whilst the rest of them are sitting in the classrooms thinking the same thing… If she’s annoying, blame those who treat her as special and provide her with the platforms. She’s just an uppity teenager.… Read more »
As well traditional polite diplomacy has demonstrably failed as a method of inciting the kinds of dramatic changes we will likely need to see to avoid major climate issues down the line The ship is fast sailing away to genuinely address the issue and 40 odd years of climate science and respectful discussion has not brought us to a point where the issue is even close to under control. I don’t advocate for being rude to world leaders but climate change proponents pleasantly promoting change have not achieved close to what is needed If the issue is not properly addressed… Read more »
Arteta is talking a good game but I fear the skeptics will start the foundation for his demise if the first game against Bournemouth doesn’t bring out a high flying performance from this misfiring lot.
The negative energy being channeled towards Arsenal from the media, and disgruntled fans on social media platforms will make this job untenable for anyone barring immediate superlative results.
Let’s hope the young lad is ready and equipped for the challenge. He’s gonna need it !
Agreed godfather. I think it’s going to be tough for arteta but if he is to have any hope, he needs to be given some leeway by the fans.
It was different with wenger as he had all the time in the world to change course. Emery was given some time too but wasmikes off the pace.
Arteta needs to be given until the end of the season to make a clear mark on the team and next year we should hold him to higher standards
And so it should be tough for Arteta and I’m sure he knows that. Arsenal is not a playground. Well hopefully not no more.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/mikel-arteta-advice-alexandre-lacazette-21156101 Arteta’s training vid is good to see. Still trying to convince myself Arteta can live up to the hype and Pedro’s adoration, but have a feeling we might see more improvement on Freddie’s last game at Bournemouth. I feel a decent bounce is likely starting with Bournemouth and giving good accounts of ourselves against the Chavs and Manure. If we end up with 5+ points from those 3 games, I’ll be happy that Arteta is off to a good start. I think psychologically bringing in a couple of new faces from the January window with a couple being moved… Read more »
I wonder if the players going to complain about the hard training in the near future. Only then we will know that he is doing the right job
Let’s see what happens against Bournemouth.
I do not have big expectations in his first game.
China @ 3.10am, spot in mate!
Feels like we’re standing on the precipice right now, its not a theory any more, we can all see it happening.
Marc,
If your so extreme on your climate change stance why is this kid so dangerous in your opinion? I’m genuinely interested btw.
Tony, I have been complaining for ages that Willock is the only player who receive the ball on the half turn. It is shocking to see that our more established players either by fear or by bad technique always receive the ball square making it easier to block their forward path. So I am extremely please to see that he is addressing that. Leeds equaliser against Fulham came from Nkethia being on the half turn taking the ball forward and shooting with Bamford scoring from the rebound. Also I like the idea that risky forward splitting the defense should be… Read more »
I think it’s funny that 6 months ago Aubameyang and Lacazette were being lauded on here as top strikers, who were irreplaceable in the team after we beat Valencia in the semi final 7-3 on aggregate, and now Le Grove think they are surplus to requirements .. Doesnt quite make sense to me….Emery lost the plot big time this season, so let’s see how these players get on in a functional system before writing them off. They have been feeding on scraps this season , let’s hope that changes and with it, so will the perception of these 2 excellent… Read more »
Personally I don’t think Greta on her own is dangerous, it’s the cult that hang on her every word that, potentially, could be dangerous.
Sell Auba in January for 50mil+ , Move martinelli to CF and let him compete with lacazette and buy Everton Soares for 30 mil+. That way we will make a 20 mil+ profit and our attack will have a much more balance to it. Other than that buying a bunch of attackers wouldn’t be great if we haven’t fixed the defence yet. Midfield needs help too if we move Xhaka( we should). But not without a replacement.
Samesong arsenal is not a playground it’s a crèche
Only two years ago we had our captain in tears because his kid asked why we are so bad lol
Pierre, I think as Auba is limited in his play (great goalscorer but little link up) and is now rumoured to want away his stock has fallen with the fanbase.
Laca for me has never been the one, hes good but not great.
Neither have youth on their side now either
Watching Abrahams the other day certainly made me think what we could do with a younger, more hungry player as a striker.
Do we already have one in GM?
Our play will obviously improve with the return of Ceballos just like it has been worse since he got injured. He’s technically better than the other midfielders though we should look for better than him.
No one is writing off Auba and Laca, we just need to strengthen other areas and funds from selling one could help.
In his first match and with a makeshift defence I’m not expecting too much
Hopefully in the weeks to come we will see improvement in the overall performance of the team
Auba and Lacazette have carried this team for the past two years.
It’s of little surprise that they are burnt out.
Hopefully Arteta can get them firing again.
Nailed it HillWood, Bournemouth May just give us a home win but Chelsea will be tough. Once he establishes his first choice 11 I’m confident we’ll be better both with and without the ball, more compact and better angles.
Hope Martinelli’s hammy is ok – probably should be rested for Thursday. Rotation in this busy period will allow Arteta first hand experience of the squad. By mid January he can settle things down.
(I’m more worried about the effects of climate change than the ‘cult of Greta’!)
Season Greetings to fellow Le Grovers.
What with Ancelotti starting his career at Everton the same time as Arteta at Arsenal- we will have a unique case study of two different styles of soccer management in play.
The experienced and laissez faire style of management from the Italian ( 100 % natural leader)
Versus
The inexperienced and intense ,all encompassing style from the Spaniard( 75% natural leader)
Does experience and knowhow or inexperience and coaching prowess prevail?
Who finishes higher this season?
Ancelotti s Everton or Arteta’s Arsenal ?
There is no point trying to revive aged strikers with already established names(meaning nothing to really reach for), especially when they will ask for a combined £600,000 a week to stay. The market is blessed with great young strikers if you know where to look. If you can’t get Haaland, get Abraham’s twin brother; Victor Osimhen, if Lille ask for another £72m then go get Alfredo Morelos at Rangers for £25, he’s the younger Aguero. As for where to sell our two titans, Atl Madrid/Napoli/Milan would love Laca, Barca/PSG/Juve/Bayern would absolutely love Auba. Send the word out, the offers would… Read more »
£25m
‘For some weeks now, Arsenal have deemed central midfield to be an area in need of urgent attention, and Arteta is expected to concur with that assessment. While hopes remain high for Guendouzi and Willock, there are doubts over the future of the other three CM’s.’
The Athletic.
There is sense at the club!
Can’t believe some fans are still pining for Jack and Ox and the rest of our perennially injured brigade of rejects.
Jack has played 6 PL games for West Ham, is injured again and some are still arguing that we should have kept him, smh.
Ox and Ramsey a little better at staying fir but not by much. Have to learn to spend our wages better and move away from what’s been holding us back for so long. Next step Ozil.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7824417/Jack-Wilsheres-West-Ham-return-hold-picks-mystery-groin-injury.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7824289/Liverpool-boss-Jurgen-Klopp-says-midfielder-Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain-damaged-ankle-ligament.html
CA
That’s encouraging, we need at least 1 and preferably 2 midfielders in January. Would even hold off buying a CB if we could sort that midfield out once and for all. More midfielders with world class potential up for grabs this window than CBs I think. Don’t want anymore stops gaps in important positions.
“Abraham’s twin brother”
Anyways!
How much do Inter want for Barbosa?
The club isn’t going to bring in anyone until they can move some of the current players out.
I suspect that some people’s hopes will be dashed.
Maybe if there’s a loan move available.
Cesc, Freddie
Sounds like they agree with what some of us have been saying about our midfield personnel for some time: not good enough, inadequate for the PL.
Dissenter
Sure, but we may be able to sell a player or two (Xhaka, Mustafi) in January.
” a clean slate ” Arteta said , 2 days after I was criticised for saying exactly the same.
Very intelligent way of looking at things I have to say.
Looking forward to see who is and isn’t up to scratch , at least we know everyone will get a fair crack of the whip.
CG I don’t think it makes sense to compare Arteta’s performance to Ancelotti’s performance over the next five months. At least not in any simple way. The two will be working with very different squads, and the two will have very different projects. Arteta is tasked not only with improving our performances and results but with building a new culture, a new style of play, a new way of thinking, a new approach. As a result, this will not be a straight-line improvement process. Ancelotti’s task is simpler in a sense (although he’s obviously working with an inadequate squad as… Read more »
Pierre Yes, it is the smart approach, even if it’s not the approach many of us would’ve taken given how long we’ve been frustrated with this or that player, how much evidence we feel we have against this or that player. At the same time, however, let’s not pretend that Arteta is unaware of Freddie’s (or Raul’s, or Edu’s) assessment of Ozil’s work-rate and attitude. There is good reason to believe that Freddie was not happy with Ozil’s work-rate and attitude, and there is every reason to believe that Freddie has passed this along to Arteta. Arteta is going in… Read more »
New post.