GOOD MORNING MY DARLINGS ARE WE STILL BUZZING LIKE WE ROLLED INTO WORK AFTER A 5AM FINISH?
That’s how damn hyped I am because I watched a video of Mikel Arteta teaching players how to pass.
Super basic, but I love to see it.
I couldn’t work out if the players were miserable or just focused, either way, who cares, just give us results on the pitch over the next few months.
“Four things: Ball. Teammate. Opponent. Space. That’s all that we’re going to be working on!”
That’s what they were working on at training. He’s clearly picking up where he left off at City, which works for me. The idea that great football can only work if it’s at the most richly assembled club in the world doesn’t rub for me. I think we need to aim high, no reason we can’t replicate the work ethic and strategies of better clubs and push forward. Gladbach are doing things this season and they are completely about the good stylings.
What I liked about the second interview Arteta gave on the website was his focus on being hard to beat, but also, controlling the game by having the ball. That’s where I want to be as a club. The toughest thing he’s going to have to deal with is a defence that look uncoachable.
I don’t believe that, but the evidence is stacked in the naysayer’s corner… which makes the rumour about Saliba being called back all the more tantalizing. The club rate the kid very highly, you’ve obviously read the reports, seen his power, watched him bully and purred at how good he looks. If we’re truly using this next 5 months to shape next season, why the fuck not have Saliba here now? Get used to the pace of England, ready to hit the ground running next season with Rob Holding as his partner.
The other story hitting the airwaves is that Steve Round is picking up the role of assistant. The story is unclear… he is ‘one of’ not ‘the’ so I’m not sure how that works.
I really don’t know a lot about him. A few people are jumping on this as a sign of Arteta being naive, I’m not so sure about that. Below is an interview he did for one of the GPS tracker firms. The interview is 28 minutes, I took the following things from it:
- He was a trailblazer back in the day, one of the youngest coaches to pass his A licence.
- He sees himself as an innovator. He was one of the first to work with Prozone. One of the first to embrace true video analysis, cutting clips himself in 1994 on a double VHS. One of the first to work in a modern football structure.
- He’s very, very qualified. He took a degree in sport science, he loves psychology, he recently took a masters in sporting directorship (Is it too late!)
- He speaks the language of Arteta. He is all about the high-performance culture. Creating environments that foster hard work, rapid development and results.
- His view on training is that you have to bring players things that work (you lol, but Emery brought us Xhaka as captain in season 2), otherwise they won’t pay attention to you. One of his examples, when he was at Derby way back when, centred around him building out a player room with robot massage chairs, he’d use that dead time while they were relaxing to show the players clips. I thought that was cool. Arteta keeps on saying his job is to convince, which I assume means he doesn’t want to dictate things the players don’t want to do because it’s not clear. Little tricks like the above seem a smart way to foster engagement with new ideas.
- He also spoke about the American model (2016 interview) of specialist coaches. Having specialists across defence, midfield and attack. I thought that was interesting, as European sport often borrows from the states in the end. The challenge, football is chaos and benefits from cohesion, so there’s a balance.
It’s a good 28 minutes. What I took from it is he’s highly experienced, he’s a very measured, he needs to be innovating to feel satisfied with his job, and he shares similar values to Arteta. The assistant is there to help the leader realise their vision. He’s not there as a yes man, he’s there as the operations guy that works the message through the groups.
I’m sold.
Right, a Christmas treat coming for you later, a full backs blog from my main man Mike McDonald, but before I go… why didn’t you listen to my podcast yesterday? Do you hate me? Is that fair? No. It’s not. Grow up. Listen to it now. Don’t make me call you a Christmas melt.
I would take Ndidi. Not a question at all. But there’s no way Leicester are selling in January and there’s no way at all they’d be interested in Xhaka so it would have to be straight cash (whenever any deal could actually be done). Best to look elsewhere. Also this season has put me off players like Sangare etc, I want someone like Partey who has the experience and is far more likely to come in and do the business for us right away. We’ve got lots of talented youngsters. The senior players are the ones causing the issues in… Read more »
“His defensive qualities were more impressive something you seem uninterested in.”
Why do you keep saying this? I’m telling you that athleticism and intensity is important. I’m also saying that you completely disregarding the importance of a DM to instigating attacks is wrong.
Paulinho – agree RE Soumare/Sangare.
“Also I do have slight doubts about Ndidi’s distribution.”
How about we focus on getting a DM who can actually defend for once. Distribution is what’s gotten us into this mess.
Romford Pele
”Why do you keep saying this? I’m telling you that athleticism and intensity is important. I’m also saying that you completely disregarding the importance of a DM to instigating attacks is wrong.”
Well the debate started regarding Ndidi.
Are you really telling me that you have never seen Ndidi initiate an attack for Leicester?
Remember iniating attacks can just be carrying the ball some yards and passing the ball onto a more accomplished attacking player.
A ball-playing type like Grealish or Lobotka has to come in soon pretty soon though, but need a link player higher up the pitch otherwise our play will still splutter.
Bournmouth ditched ball-playing midfielders like Andrew Surman for Jefferson Lerma, and they are more combative, but their football is less pleasing on eye than before. It’s hard to cover all the bases.
Partey can give is everything we need. Exceptional off the ball, good enough on the ball. If he realy does have a 42m release clause and wanted to join us we should be doing everything we can this January to get him. To put into perspective , Soumare, a player similar to Partey but very much behind in his development is being linked with 50m moves.
Partey would really be a steal.
“Are you really telling me that you have never seen Ndidi initiate an attack for Leicester?”
Doing it once and doing it regularly are two different things. You forget most top teams are playing against deep blocks so the challenge more often than not is to be able thread the ball through the lines to be able to take out a player or too.
Wasi
“Partey can give is everything we need. Exceptional off the ball, good enough on the ball”
Agreed.
Guy looks accomplished in all aspects needed.
“He’s class. More of a B2B midfielder than a #6 but I love his athleticism and intensity on both sides of the ball.”
I’ve been very impressed by his game. I wouldn’t mind him, Szoboszlai and a DM like Partey in a three man midfield.
Ultimately, we badly need players that are athletic and technically proficient.
Good shouts on Bruno of Paranese and Tonali. As for Gabriel of Lille granted I’ve not seen a great deal when I have seen him he’s looked composed on the ball, smart positionally and quick so for me he ticks the right boxes. It also helps that some major clubs are reportedly looking at him too. Very happy that it’s being reported that a CM and TWO CB’s are being targeted but I’m hoping still for a RB next month. Can’t endlessly complain about the lack of balance in the squad without addressing the fact that we have one single… Read more »
Ndidi definitely can’t distribute, no wonder Ndidi’s Leicester team has scored 41 goals so far while our ‘distributive’ team has scored 24, should we also mention that Ndidi’s Leicester team has only conceded 14 goals so far while we have leaked in 27.
One would have thought a DM is pivot to these kinds of numbers.
No need to also mention that Ndidi is an aerial warrior, both defensively and offensively, a trait Arsenal desperately lack.
He is just not good enough for Arsenal because he doesn’t have time for meaningless sideway passes.
RP
Norwich completely destroyed Man City’s high press which they are renowned for at Carrow Road earlier this season.
With a midfield of Tettey and McLean.
Level of conversation is up since Arteta joined. Life so much better.
Again back to distribution, runs between the lines and runs into the box. Look this team first and foremost needs a proper DM. Someone who can pass sure but mostly tackle win back possession and protect the back 4. Get that and only then can we talk about other CM’s for me. Let’s cut the shit finally I say. As in less talk if Graelish please at least until this number 6 and two CB’s is signed
Exclusive: Arsenal are prioritising the signing of Lyon striker Moussa Dembele for the coming months. [@le10sport]
Change is a coming at Arsenal?
– Exclusive: Emile Smith Rowe expecting to leave Arsenal on loan next month, would prefer English club
– Reiss Nelson wanted by Leverkusen
– Merih Demiral broached as potential addition
Maybe Nelson for Bailey? Keep that quota
Really we can talk about technical distribution and passing between the lines but it has to be married up with athleticism.
And I think this was agreed with by RP.
What we don’t want to see is snail football.
Links with Lemar too. Could probably get him on loan Diego isn’t keen at all on him
“Really we can talk about technical distribution and passing between the lines but it has to be married up with athleticism.”
This is the main premise
Gentlebris
“But may I say always invite a dude or two on, even if is one of the no-nothings here”
I have the same feeling. I felt asleep while listening to it. I would like to have Anita from the dailycannon podcast. Go and listen to them once.
One of the positives of a contact conman like Raul is having little inclinations for being mixed up in failure. Such dudes would go to extremes to get success, that’s how they survive.
Again, big Wenger is already laughing at them with his latest comments.
So maybe we will sign the players we need in January.
Bailey is more of a straight runner. Don’t think he’ll have as much joy for us as he does in Germany, don’t think he’s capable of transitioning into a top #9. Need someone with pace and craft in wide areas like Mané, Son. I like Ismaila Sarr. He has the skill set to play centre forward too
Guimarães looks very promising. Proper all around midfielder. Flamengo want to offer him the same salary as Gabriel barbosa to stay in Brazil. Benfica are sniffing around and that often means he is a quality player.
Thanks Pedro for another great post and for all the great posts throughout the year. Dont know how you do it.
Nollaig Shona
Gentlebris
“But may I say always invite a dude or two on, even if is one of the no-nothings here”
‘I have the same feeling. I felt asleep while listening to it. I would like to have Anita from the dailycannon podcast. Go and listen to them once.’
I thought I was alone on that.
And I actually thought I wrote know-nothings there and not ‘no-nothings’.
😀😀😀😀😀
Sokratis, Luiz, Chambers, Holding, Mustafi, Mavropanos.
Expect Mustafi and Mavropanos to go on loan to Serie A and the bundesliga respectively with options for purchase on both. With two CBs and Saliva to arrive by next summer, it could well be that Chambers and Holding are competing for one spot in a five CB rotation.
Bailey is more of a straight runner. Don’t think he’ll have as much joy for us as he does in Germany, don’t think he’s capable of transitioning into a top #9.
Don’t need him to be a number 9. He’s a LW we need a LW and that’s all we need from him. I’m not even sure he’s on it was a suggestion because Leverkusen are interested in Nelson.
Just read that Bologna are interested in taking Mustafi on loan with an option to buy. Makes sense as his deal is up in 2021.
Now, just a deal for Mavropanos to a Hoffenheim/Augsburg to Germany in January. Will be good for him. He does well there, then he can earn himself a move to Dortmund/Borussia MG
– Exclusive: Emile Smith Rowe expecting to leave Arsenal on loan next month, would prefer English club
– Reiss Nelson wanted by Leverkusen
– Merih Demiral broached as potential addition
Are these accurate?
Feel for Mavaroponas.
1. 92 m tall, 88 kg and as far as I remember his highlight reel looks composed enough. One Diamonds eyes finer purchases at time especially next to the oldie sokartis .
Only 22 as well.
Frustrating to think we could be sitting on a solid CB but for whatever reason we are bit playing him
I usually take transfer talk with a lorry load of salt, what is interesting is the volume of rumours doing the rounds at the moment.
Certainly sounds as if the club is looking to make some changes both in and out.
Brixton
He’s been constantly injured.
James Benge football London so I dunno. Makes sense though
Interesting to read that Arteta is after Lemar. That is exactly the prototype of player we should be trying to sign. perfect physical specimen allied with 8/10 technical skills ( and the right age) If Arsene Wenger wanted him – he must be a player worth pursuing. Never been a better judge of player than our Wenger too many to mention but : From Anelka to George Weah to Cesc to Pires- Wenger was a genius in this aspect Striking similarities between Wenger and Arteta already: 1) Lucid and charming press conferences 2)Targeting athletic players with technical skills 3) having… Read more »
Dunno how Mavropanos can be considered a finer signing when all he’s had is one good game then the next game he got sent off and since then it’s felt like he’s been constantly injured. Feel bad for the lad but can we stop thinking that we have some diamond prospect in our ranks. Literally zero of our current CB’s are trustworthy. In fact our best CB is currently on loan having never even played for the club. And that’s sad
perfect physical specimen allied with 8/10 technical skills ( and the right age)
He’s 5’8 with shit calves. You’re consistent I give you that. French and Wenger failed to sign him therefore he must be great
CG
“Never been a better judge of player than our Wenger
too many to mention but :
From Anelka to George Weah to Cesc to Pires- Wenger was a genius in this aspect”
That applies to Wenger in the first dozen or so years of his reign. Unfortunately the latter period is better reflected by the likes of Xhaka, Mustafi, Santos, Xhaka, Ospina, Alumnia and Xhaka.
I’m not even going to mention Källström as it is the season to be jolly.
Ishola I guess it depends a little on what you mean by “baller,” but just because a player plays as a DM/CDM doesn’t mean he isn’t excellent technically. Fernandinho is an excellent player. He may not be as good as a Silva or a De Bruyne on the ball — very few players are — but he is a very good player. He is a much better player on the ball, for example, than a Francis Coquelin, a player you and I have discussed before. So again, I don’t know what we mean by “baller” here, but I wouldn’t turn… Read more »
“Early days yet- but it seems Arteta is more Arsene than Pep.”
Let’s hope not, eh?
…
From what I’ve seen of Mav he looks like bamby on ice caught in the headlights of an articulated wagon, I wanted him to do well but on the limited minutes we have seen it doesn’t look like he will.
Ndidi is a good midfielder that can do a great job for us.
Is there any player like Kante out there though?
Kante is literally one of a kind.
Unai
If Mav doesn’t come good and Torreira leaves due to not settling then Sven’s time with us will not have involved in signing a single notable player.
You would think with Wenger’s eye for a player we would have had Kante instead of Xhaka…. strange one that.
CG “What with Ancelotti starting his career at Everton the same time as Arteta at Arsenal, it will be interesting to see …. Does experience and know-how prevail? Or will inexperience and coaching prowess prevail? Who finishes higher this season — Ancelotti’s Everton or Arteta’s Arsenal?” 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… Read more »
Gabriel is a good shout. And as Lille European adventure are over they will concentrate on Ligue 1 and finishing in the top 3 to qualify for Champion’s League, they may be willing to do a deal for him. At last somebody has realised that Arsenal did not have a proper left footed CB. Campos has a good eye for players, but he also know how and where to send them on loan that does benefit them. Too often Arsenal send players on loan and they either don’t play or end up playing in a different position hampering their readiness… Read more »
Pierre ” ‘a clean slate’ Arteta said, two days after I was criticised for saying exactly the same. Very intelligent way of looking at things I have to say.” Yes, Pierre, 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… Read more »
Valentin
You could take left footed out of that sentence and it’d still be accurate!
Bamford
Any intelligent manager is going to come in and claim everyone’s starting with a clean slate.
That doesn’t mean Arteta has looked at certain players and already formed an opinion whether he says so or not.
Unai
“Early days yet- but it seems Arteta is more Arsene than Pep.”
I was slightly befuddled by the Round appointment.
But then it hit me- like a bolt of the blue.
Arteta like Wenger has decided to employ someone who can never replace or challenge him. We don’t do that at The Arsenal.
It now makes sense.
Arteta is not going Peps Man City’ s way- he is going back in time with Arsene’s way.
Thats fine by me.
Back on track with Wengerism – Arteta style.
Imagine if Arteta came in and said Xhakas, Ozil & Mustafis careers at Arsenal was over in his first presser, what would that have said about him?
He said the only thing he could say.
Ishola
“Coquelin … has had the last laugh”
Sorry, I just now saw this part of your comment, Ishola. Coquelin was not good enough on the ball, and he was not imposing enough physically or athletically to make up for this fact. You seem to think that Coquelin was equal to or comparable to a Fernandinho or Ndidi or Gueye. I’m sorry, but I don’t think that’s even close to right. He was not as good as any of these players.
Marc
Agreed.
Don’t get me started Unai. One of the biggest travesties and dumbest decisions by latter Wenger was signing Xhaka over Kante. What a stupid decision. He’d still be in a job had he made that signing…
I’ll give you one thing CG, your funny.
I won’t be taking the bait though 👍
Funny haha or funny peculiar?
he is going back in time with Arsene’s way. Thats fine by me.Back on track with Wengerism – Arteta style.
And now people are turning against Arteta. Thanks alot
Possibly Marko although I think by then Wengers issues ran far deeper than the players, I’m not sure he’d have got the best out of him towards the end.
Marc, uncomfortable, worried for the state of humanity funny.
CG “Early days yet- but it seems Arteta is more Arsene than Pep.” Not at all. Arteta demands high-energy, high work-rate and high-intensity at all times and on both sides of the ball, and he is hands-on instruction-wise minute to minute, exercise to exercise. That’s Guardiola, not Wenger. Arteta is a micro-manager (in a good sense) just like Pep. He literally tells players how they should pass a ball in rondos (see his much-discussed conversation with Lacazette the other day in training, for example). He wants drones flying over training sessions. Arteta is very, very Pep and very, very little… Read more »
CG
“[There has] never been a better judge of player than our Wenger. Too many to mention — from Anelka to George Weah to Cesc to Pires. Wenger was a genius in this aspect.”
Hmmmmmmm ……
Wenger was one of a kind. Arsenal fans are grateful for that…you get me
Thomas Partey /Kalidou Koulibaly.
These are the dream players I wish we go out for. With Partey’s release clause, we should be all over that deal. I’m unconvinced with any CB out there. It’s a position that seem to lack quality now in the game with exceptions like VVD/KOULIBALY.
This thing about possession based players is thrash. I need a proper DM who is defence first before any other luxury addition.
A proper RB should be targeted. Bellerin isn’t pulling any trees and hasn’t been after his break through season. He’s been average to below average at best since then.
Kay
Er how many minutes has Bellerin played since coming back from an injury that used to be a career ender?
He might not make it back but to say he hasn’t been pulling up trees – good grief.
Yeah nothing to do with pulling up trees it’s just an area that needed upgrading for a few years now.
Marko, I’m grateful for his first 10 years, you know, without the handbrake but not so much for his actions as cult leader.
Conscious I’m giving CG what he wants now so going to avoid talking about Wenger, time for the club (fans) to step out of his shadow.
Arteta is not “more Arsene than Pep”.
His five years at Arsenal taught him the don’ts of management whilst the three years under Pep taught about the do’s.
I would say Arteta will be his own man.
Post 2006, the words “genius” and “Wenger” do not go hand in hand.
Hey look CG wanted the conversation steered towards Wenger I’ll give it to him. Absolutely useless ballbag at the end there and duly, rightfully and long overdue for that sacking. I hope to fuck that Arteta is nothing like him.
All the signs are that Arteta will be his own man and will maybe have a touch of George Graham in his management style in the way he works the players. Repetitive drills until it becomes 2nd nature to the players . I think with Arteta , positional sense and anticipation is the key. Technique and ability on the ball of course is important , but for the first few months he will need to make Arsenal into a solid unit with all players knowing what is to be expected of them. He will be fair but ruthless , he… Read more »
Pierre
I concur.
Great post.
If Arterta is going to be successful he needs to be his own man.
He can borrow techniques and ideas from others but must have his own, clear, vision for how he wants football played.
We need an innovator not a clone of someone else.
Bam “”That’s Guardiola, not Wenger. Arteta is a micro-manager (in a good sense) just like Pep. He literally tells players how they should pass a ball in rondos (see his much-discussed conversation with Lacazette the other day in training, for example).”” It always worries me if any coach (more so an inexperienced one) is telling a £50 million pound player how to pass the ball. I like Arteta. A lot. But he does come across a little too school mastery in his coaching. ( a refined emery???) the body language on the players -seem like they are bored by it… Read more »
Good post Pierre 👍
“I would have like Arteta to tell the players – you can have three days off and then come back for 3 games in 6 days.”
Why bother coaching them at all?
Fuck me still talking about a Wenger. He became an irrelevance at Arsenal, he’s shown he’s an irrelevance within world football by taking up a role with one of the most corrupt organizations in the world let alone football. He would have relegated us had he stayed on. Arsene Clough. Let’s move on.
Unai
“””Why bother coaching them at all?”””
The coaching is done pre season
the managing is done during the season
Thats why we are 11th by the way,
No one is managing Arsenal anymore!
Baying Mob
“”””He became an irrelevance at Arsenal, he’s shown he’s an irrelevance within world football”””
Bit like Arsenal since he left- I guess
Forget training all together just let them show up on the day of the game and bobs your uncle.
I would have like Arteta to tell the players – you can have three days off and then come back for 3 games in 6 days.
Just took the job and you want him to give them 3 days off no training before his first game. That’s genius that. I mean it’s super smart and practical
No I am not comparing Coquelin to Ndidi or Fernandinho Bamford.
You are another one that has a complete fixation on a DM baller.
The last laugh remarks stands regarding Coquelin.
Coquelin was laughed out of the club and he is now a regular CL player with Valencia.
Arsenal playing Europa League.
This is fact even if you did not rate Coquelin.
Idrissa Gueye was another one. No doubt that some might have turned their noses up at his potential signing despite him being consistently high up on the successful tackles ball recoveries stats every season. And now he’s at PSG. Reminds me of a convo last summer I had about selling Xhaka with Gambon (and Charles of course) and all they could talk about was replacing the fact that he gets 2,000 passes off every season and how that would need to be replaced. So I get where ishola is coming from.
Yup, good one Pierre. Arteta is his own man and his style is his and his alone. Anyone criticizing him at this point needs to take a big step back and sit down for a while and absorb whats going on. As for comments related to his attitude towards the players, they suck big time right now and pay packets aside, they need to go back to basics – so yeah, have a seat again. This is Arteta’s team now and things are going to be done his way, like it or not. And for those of you on here… Read more »
Sure Xhaka passes alright but how many of those are key passes or start counterattacks? He is slow and he moves the ball slower. Gueye was like kante but a little inferior. Would have wanted him if he wasn’t about to be 30.
If you only want defensive numbers Phillip Billing at Bournemouth is racking them up. Been one of their best players this season. He is a bit like Nzonzi imo but with much more athletecism.
“ Bit like Arsenal since he left- I guess”
Yup. That’s how far he took us down … for Arsenal there is a road back albeit long. For Arsene there is no road left. He’s now just an obscurity. A relic.
“Reminds me of a convo last summer I had about selling Xhaka with Gambon (and Charles of course) and all they could talk about was replacing the fact that he gets 2,000 passes off every season and how that would need to be replaced. So I get where ishola is coming from.“ More nonsense from Marko, not shocked. The conversation was clear and simple, Gambon and myself said no problem selling Xhaka so long as whoever (or however) replaces him can replace his worth as someone who passes from deep through the pitch – him being the leader at this… Read more »
Ishola “No I am not comparing Coquelin to Ndidi or Fernandinho.” So you acknowledge that these players are better than Coquelin was or is? “You are another one that has a complete fixation on a DM baller.” I don’t really understand what this means. If you mean I think our starting CDM should be better on the ball than Coquelin, should be a better player, a more dominating player, a player more like Fernandinho, Ndidi or Gueye, then yes, I do believe this. But I fail to see what the problem with this view is. “The last laugh remarks stands… Read more »
Graham.
I guess you didn’t watch us in 2007-08, that was some genius football. We were winning the league if it wasn’t for Eduardo.
Wenger was definitely a genius after 2006.
Distant, why should a team not win a league because of an injury to a player. We didn’t because of lack of depth and lack of better replacement.
What’s this fixation with DMs being ball players? A DM should be protecting his defenders first before thinking of initiating attack. If he’s able to do both, kudos to him but his primary duty is to be protecting his goal. A DM and a B2B can complement each other. Signing specialists is good for the team than utility players.
Kay Boss
You are absolutely right. But Graham was saying Wenger stopped being a genius in 2006. I don’t agree.
“ Wenger was definitely a genius after 2006.”
A genius? Fuck me …. no one, and I mean no one in football is a genius let alone the senile old cunt fuck, although you have to give it to them on some levels. A bunch of dim witted chavs taking us all for millions every year.