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.
DM
2
3
Tr4phy
Europa
Relegation
The Athletic reporting that we will be looking at defensive and midfield reinforcements during January. Happy with attacking options.
Ornstein reporting on his podcast that Ancelotti was considered but they didn’t think it would work due to his age profile and the need for a squad rebuild. The consideration is that he’s no longer made for top jobs.
You heard it here 1st!
So we’ve been linked with 6ft3 22-year-old CB Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille apparently. Don’t know much about him but I like the sound of his profile. If he’s quick bring him in. Even better if he can distribute from the back.
Loving that we’re being linked to people like Ndidi from Leicester. Sure he will cost a Premium but he’s already PL ready and battle hardened and only 23 years old. Yes. As Peter says, let’s get Saliba here ASAP. No brainier. Shift on Xhaka, Ozil, Auba, Luiz and Kola ( got to be £140m in there)…maybe Pepe but perhaps give him next season. See what Laca wants to do. Promote Martinelli FT to the first team, get Tierney, Bellerin and Holding fit. Coach Gued and Saka, make Leno captain and all of a sudden we have a really young squad… Read more »
Will Steve round work in a square team!
Pretty much my exact question Sid, major concern.
@ Romford pele I hope it holds water. A CB is a must even if it means paying srh extra to get Saliba now. I ve written a few times about this in previous comments. I dont know at which state his team is at the moment, but if they are not battling for relegation or to get to european slots get him now! Upamecano would be a dream move but we lack the funds affording him. Xhaka off means we desperately need a CM in. We need him anyway a box to box type of player. But if Xhaka… Read more »
Pedro
The arteta appointment is exciting but let’s be honest here, the main reason why the club went for him is because he’s clearly on board the no money train.
He started well after the summer, he seemed very promising but then was lost fell to mediocrity as anyone else in the squad under Emery. I would lime to see Arteta’s effect on him
Ancelotti was certainly elite in his day, that AC Milan side was insanity. But have to think since his move from Madrid to Bayern its been a slow decline. So dodged bullet for me, pleased club with direction it did.
Big Mik has his work cut out, this side looks fucking shelled.
Gunnernet, Yeah I agree with you that we need both a CM and a CB. problem is numbers. Can we shift out players. We have six CBs, so unless two leave will we bring one in? I think a big part of the Saliba agreement was that he’d spend the season at St Etienne for his development. And I was happy for that with Emery here but now he’s gone it’d be a boost if we can get Saliba in early. Not sure how feasible that is. Ceballos has just returned to training so we have him, Guendouzi, Willock, Xhaka… Read more »
Don’t see how Ndidi is a possibility and why would he leave midway through the season with Leicester in their current position. I think people need to apply context before just linking us with anyone.
For example, i’d love to have more PL ready players but we’re in an era now where every PL club has money and don’t need to sell. What’s their incentive? That then raises the premium. Maguire who is average is now the world’s most expensive defender. Brighton then quoting Leicester £45m for Lewis Dunk. Is that not insane?
RP
Are the Gabriel Magalhaes rumours from a good source?
How many wonderkids have Luis Campos bought at Lille in the recent years. Since firing Mislintat we have not had a proper chief scout. Edu and Raul should be all over Campos for the chief scout position imo. He really has a diamond eye.
LT
Its the Athletic so definitely a good source. But it says a number of teams are looking at him.
LT it’s The Athletic. They don’t make stuff up though they just say it’s interest at this stage.
Magalhaes, Saliba, Holding and Chambers. I’ll take that.
Is Saliba still injured with a foot problem?
Romford
I don’t think how Ndidi will reject us if we show concrete interest in him. No Matter how good they are doing they are still a very small club compared to us. It the fee that will probably scupper the move. I suspect theyd definitely demand around 60mil for him.
LT
Why do you and so many here rate Holding so highly?
Any defence that has Holding and Chambers can’t be a good defence.
He’s currently better than Sokratis and Luiz. He’s ticks the ‘home grown’ box, a potential leader and is yet to reach his peak.
“He’s currently better than Sokratis and Luiz.”
On what basis? He’s barely played
I thank PedRo fro his post And Season Greetings to him and all. Re: Steve Round Video, High Performance? One click on to your video link- there he is slumping on the arm of the chair: poor posture, lethargic vibes immediately. Can he not sit upright for 30 minutes during his interview? its important you know, Steve… He can have as many O levels, A levels as he likes- but where are his medals? Medals he has won as player or manager? Just the one will suffice? Round is dull. He is an Englishman’s Unai Emery. He will dust down… Read more »
“I would have hoped to seen Arteta appoint someone who has track record of success”
Yes, I’m sure successful coaches would line up to be assistant to Mikel fvcking Arteta.
On the basis that is my opinion.
To be honest , as a fan im excited to see a young and upcoming coach seemingly liked and backed by all the big names in football management take up the role of leading arsenal forward. The downside to it is experience, arteta may be a top bloke and have innovative ways but being a coach is a complex thing as we all know and it involves as much tactical insight as the psychological/mental side of getting the players buying his ideas. Hope it works well.. Keeping the comments short, I will judge arteta on how he revitalizes some of… Read more »
Wasi, yes we’re a bigger club but at this stage of the season it’s nigh on to near impossible. As you say, he’s likely to cost around £60m, i honestly don’t see us paying that. We should be buying these players before they reach the status where they’re going to cost a bomb like this. But again, they have no need to sell anyway. He’s on a long-term deal so they can charge what they want. Leicester won the title in 2016, have completely rebuilt the squad and arguably now have a better squad than when they last won the… Read more »
“Leicester won the title in 2016, have completley rebuilt the squad and arguably now have a better than when they last won the title”
Why should we be surprised?
Other proactive/progressive clubs have plans.
We have not had plans since we moved to the Emirates.
Just our values.
a better squad
Arteta, I am sure, learnt so much about how NOT to run a progressive team environment in his five years under Wenger.
Hopefully he can put these negative experiences to good use.
Holding came back too early. His knee is still not 100%. The club should allow both Holding and Bellerin to recover fully before pushing them to resume play.
Interesting item The Guardian today by two lads who have written a book about Pep. However they discuss Arteta at some length. Interesting stuff.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/dec/23/mikel-arteta-pep-guardiola-arsenal-manager
Nelson, When you come back from a long injury it’s natural to pick up muscular injuries in your battle to reach full fitness. It’s normal science. It’ll take time. My biggest worry with Bellerin is that he looks very skinny. I don’t know it it’s related to the vegan diet but he’s very slight atm. Need him to build up muscle to regain that explosiveness.
LT
On what basis is he better than Sokratis and Luiz. His performances this season have been poor even and he has only played in midweek fixtures. He has never had a good run of games at Arsenal other than last year in Emery’s honeymoon period. I also think he lacks the Pace required to be a top defender. Although I do hope he becomes a good player for now Id rather play Sokratis or Luiz until he proves otherwise.
Romford
You’re right . Leicester have built a good squad and are Play well in the league rn. But “When Arsenal knock its a different knock”. Leicester can complicate the matter but I dont think Ndidi would reject us even in such a poor season.
Wasi, it’s not even about him accepting. Leicester will not allow it at all until the end of the season. Why would they let their season be derailed in Jan by one of their best players leaving when they don’t need the money.
Also I do have slight doubts about Ndidi’s distribution.
Romford
You are correct.
I remember when he first came on the scene he was lightening quick. Faster than Walcott they said. Not the case now though.
Never been impressed with his defensive qualities and, if I’m honest, if he no longer has the physical attributes he once had, I see him as surplus to requirements.
Don’t allow yourself to be taken for a ride, Everton are paying Ancelotti £11.5m on a 4.5 year contract. Arsenal are paying Arteta £5m on a 3.5 year contract. There…..that is your reason. Forget Ornstein’s.
I’m now backing Arteta, but i wouldn’t buy that bullshit reason from anyone.
‘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!
“Don’t allow yourself to be taken for a ride, Everton are paying Ancelotti £11.5m on a 4.5 year contract. Arsenal are paying Arteta £5m on a 3.5 year contract. There…..that is your reason. Forget Ornstein’s.”
Lol do you really think if Arsenal wanted Ancelotti they couldn’t get him? Ask yourself why after being sacked in his last two roles the bets job he could get is Everton.
I bet you there’s a clause in Arteta’s contract that stipulates that his salary will be increased, should he get us into Europe.
Just a hunch.
Graham, yeah i have doubts over Bellerin’s physical level. ACL can really take it from you. It’s still early days so hard to completely ascertain but i’m not confident.
Romford Pele “Also I do have slight doubts about Ndidi’s distribution.” Not this again. I really doubt these players are complete hacks on the ball as portrayed. He’s an excellent DM. Surely that is the whole point. Coquelin was ridiculed at Arsenal and mocked out of the club but he has had the last laugh as he has been playing regular CL football with Valencia and has been looking over at Arsenal playing Europa League football. Coquelin was laughed out of the club and in his place we saw Xhaka coming in. That really worked out well didn’t it. Do… Read more »
I’m sure Arteta will work very hard with our midfield unit, especially the likes of LT/ Guendouzi / Willock/Ceballos to enhance both their defensive and offensive play.
Watch this space.
“Also I do have slight doubts about Ndidi’s distribution.”
The same doubts you had about Coquelin and championed Xhaka instead?
That’s worked well.
“Do you like Xhaka’s distribution?”
Xhaka I was totally wrong about and i can hold my hands up. That’s not an issue. He lacks the athleticism and can only distribute off one foot.
But yes for possession-based sides, having someone who can distribute from the base is very important. While they can often be the last line of defence, they are also the first line of attacks. It’s very important.
“The same doubts you had about Coquelin and championed Xhaka instead?”
Didn’t you accuse me of being two people on here? Man shut the hell up you don’t know ball.
What is the obsession with possession based?
Can’t teams mix it up?
Why chain yourself to one philosophy?
You can become too predictable playing only one style only and in fact Arsenal have suffered from that. It can be great if you have world class players in every position having one set style.
“Why chain yourself to one philosophy?” Because history shows the teams who achieve sustainable long-term success are the ones who have a defined way of playing. You can alter it in certain games to ensure you’re aware of the opposition’s strengths but it’s vital you have a strategy which the players can buy into. Part of the problem under Emery is that the messages got diluted because he chnaged formation and personnel every game. You are never going to be able to achieve consistency of results without consistency of performance. Teams have to know what they’re doing. Repetition is important… Read more »
Whatever Romford is selling, I’m buying.
Not really true RP.
Teams have also had success because they are adaptable.
You can understand though surely why many sigh now when they see you dismiss a player like Ndidi because of “distribution”.
Many fans are fed up seeing players in front of the defence who can’t defend properly.
“Teams have also had success because they are adaptable.” I didn’t say you can’t be successful, i said long-term sustainable success. Also where did I dismiss Ndidi? I said I had doubts. That’s not me saying he’s not good. I just think that having a DM who can distribute is important. Look at Fernandindho and Fabinho. They are athletic in breaking up play but also act as ports of call for instigation of attacks. Fergie’s success throughout his tenure was based on an attacking 442 with his wingers pinning opposition team’s full backs back. United were a high octane attacking… Read more »
Romford
You aren’t getting my point. I do agree that Leicester probably wont sell Ndidi mid season unless we pay an exorbitant amount.
What I’m saying is that suppose we do agree to pay such amount (in a parallel universe ) then Ndidi wouldn’t hesitate to join us even when we are in such a dire state.
RP
But the snobbishness also has to be dropped.
If a DM is excellent at protecting his back four then he doesn’t have to be highly technical on the ball as well.
Coquelin was portrayed as a complete hack at Arsenal. He wasn’t. He wouldn’t be playing CL football for Valencia now if he was a complete hack.
And that’s not me saying Coquelin was “excellent” at Arsenal in protecting the back four. But he was a whole lot more dependable defensively than Xhaka has been.
Romford I do share your doubts about Ndidi’s distribution. If Arteta wants to play a similar style to Pep’s we’ll need someone of Rodrigo’s ilk playing in the DM position. Good defensively and good on the ball. Good athletic ability too. I would look at Tonali of Brescia. Is already one of their best and key players at 19 years of age. I haven’t watched him a lot but whatever I have watched is positive. Was called up to the Italy squad when he was playing in the Second division in Italy . That js some feat. He’s got a… Read more »
I think rather than an obssession about possession based we should be looking at what Arteta alluded to in stating fast flowing football.
Fast flowing football with risk taking. If you don’t risk you don’t get reward.
Arsenal were playing predictable football for a long time now and also under Wenger in his last period.
lol, no grey area on LG, either a player is world class or not fit for purpose. You must choose. Agree RP and I’d extend that multifaceted requirement to nearly every aspect of a successful team. Imo, One of our major issues is that we have specialist players, Ozil, Xhaka, LT, Auba are all good in one aspect of the game but deficient elsewhere. To make matters worse the specialist techniques of these particular players dont particularly compliment each other. I’d much rather see Arteta buy and pick players that contribute to the whole rather than trying to shoe horn… Read more »
You spin CG right round Steven right round,
Like a record Steven right round Steve Round.
😅
Ishola,
It’s not about snobbishness, it’s about what the coach wants for the needs of the team. Why do you think Pep has always had ball-playing DMs at the base of his midfield?
And for the record, i would absolutely love Ndidi, i’m just saying what my reservations are and why I could see why it would be a turnoff for some.
Everyone would like a team of multi-faceted players playing to a certain level.
It would be a dream team.
But in reality this doesn’t always work out.
Players will be very good in one aspect but lacking somewhat in another.
This is when you have to mix and match a little bit.
Wasi, yep Rodri is a great shout. Tall and physical but can play too. That’s the ideal. In a possession-based team you’re going to spend more time on the ball so naturally if you’re not good at it your ability is going to get called into question. That was the issue with Coquelin. He was playing in a team that had 70% of the ball but couldn’t utilise it himself.
The CBs bar mustafi can do a job, they are better than squillaci, djourou
The problem is midfield, without technical players even Ndidi wont help. We need atleast 2 to be able to control the tempo. Thats the reason Wenger played a baller midfielder and another baller on the wings instead of a true winger
Im telling you this for free!
Unai, yes you’re spot on. Too often we’ve lacked two-way players. We have players who are good going one way but don’t have the athleticism to go back.
We used to be a team with technicians who were athletic, then we became a team of technicians with no athleticism. And now we have neither. Both need to be addressed.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7823021/Arsenal-boss-Mikel-Arteta-looking-add-Wales-assistant-Albert-Stuivenberg-backroom-staff.html
Another assistant Arteta is looking at. Not had time to check out his previous experience.
Coq appeared decent becoz of carzola and cesc
France Football claim Arteta has told the board he wants to sign a #6 and two CBs next month. How true that is remains to be seen but defo fits in with the narrative that we’re looking at a CB and DM.
RP
“Why do you think Pep has always had ball-playing DMs at the base of his midfield?”
Well he hasn’t always because Fernandinho played DM for them but he is not a real baller.
All that is being said is let us not forget the importance of being somewhat adequately tuned in defensively as well as ball playing when looking for this DM. Surely the experience of Xhaka would have you wary of just fixating on what they can do on the ball in this position.
FYI
Italian folks are already likening him to Pirlo.
Boy needs a serious look at. If we can get him for anything below 40 would be a steal given the buzz around him.
Talking about Sandro Tonali in the last post
Pedro, well I listened to the podcast, great sound mostly, great presentation; great job.
But may I say always invite a dude or two on, even if is one of the no-nothings here, Marc when sober you should add to the positive brouhaha, Pierre could find with it a vocal platform to moan. Having one or two dudes on board should create a vibe similar to le grove’s beautiful chaos.
Cheers!
“Well he hasn’t always because Fernandinho played DM for them but he is not a real baller.”
Fernandinho not a real baller? You high mate.
Was the cornerstone of the City team in their 2 title winning seasons
“Well he hasn’t always because Fernandinho played DM for them but he is not a real baller.” Eh? Fernandinho is an absolute baller what are you talking about? He played as an attacking midfielder for Shakhtar. That’s why he knows how to bring the ball through the lines and thread through balls. “All that is being said is let us not forget the importance of being somewhat adequately tuned in defensively as well as ball playing when looking for this DM. Surely the experience of Xhaka would have you wary of just fixating on what they can do on the… Read more »
Ishola, no doubt but if you look at our squad, striker for example. We needed a new ST so we went out and bought one, then another….. neither Laca or Auba seem to fit any footballing philosophy that we were look to create. The thought process seemed to be; we need goals, who’s available?, let’s buy him then….. Rather than; we need a striker, this is how we play and what we want to create therefore said striker must be able to achieve X,Y & Z criteria, this is the shortlist….. Coquelin for all destructive ability became a total liability… Read more »
“Talking about Sandro Tonali in the last post”
Not seen much of him but heard good stuff. As long as he is athletic i’m down.
Yeah agree.give me coq any day over hacker.
Fernandinho isn’t an absolute baller.
He was primarily a DM and the fact that he comfortably goes back to play CB says that.
Aa far as I’m concerned we should be moving heaven and earth and putting all our resources into getting Upamecano this January. Big, strong, great tackler, has pace and can play out from the back and actually run with the ball.
The closest I’ve seen to Sol Campbell in a long time.
Romford – I’ve often spoken of the big difference Tielemans has made to Leicester. People say Leicester haven’t changed much since last season, but having a natural composed ball player next to Ndidi has altered their dynamic significantly in the middle. Nidid can concentrate on the defensive aspect and play can go through through Tielemans offensively. Last season Leicester had Mendy playing alongside Ndidi and they were too similar; both looking to destroy and do the same job.
We need those sort of complimentary partnerships in our side.
Gabriel Magalhaes is also a LCB which makes great sense as Saliba plays on the right.
Another Brazilian we could consider for the midfield is Bruno Guimarães. He has great engine, very physical and impressive technique.
“He was primarily a DM and the fact that he comfortably goes back to play CB says that.”
No he’s not, did you watch him at Shakhtar?
Google searched Tonali just now. This is what the Brescia president had to say “All the big Italian clubs are interested. Abroad there’s Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, but in my view, he’d be better off remaining as a protagonist with Brescia. The other day, his agent and his parents were telling me about this €50m evaluation. I replied that for me he is worth €300m, which means I don’t want to sell. I have a dream. If Sandro accepts, I am ready to make a big financial sacrifice to extend his contract.” We are already out of… Read more »
Fernandinho used to go forward and score some crackers for Shakhtar. It’s only at City he’s dropped deeper as he’s aged, but he can still effortlessly move between the lines when called for.
“Atlético Madrid have dropped out of the race to sign Athletico Paranaense’s highly-rated central midfielder Bruno Guimarães, leaving Benfica, Flamengo, Chelsea and PSG as the frontrunners. He could be available this January for €20m plus.”
All you lot obssessed with possession Arteta stated fast flowing football.
You do realise the overwhelming majority of teams are not about that anymore?
Possession for possession’s sake is virtually dead.
Paulinho – yes that is spot on. Partnerships are of course important but I don’t really like players who have to have their hands held in midfield which is my main gripe. Tielemans aids a lot with build up as he plays much deeper. It can at times almost look like a double pivot as he does more than his fair share of defensive work.
What DM options are you looking at?
Fernando was the defensive midfielder that was limited, and he got binned sharpish.
France Football claim that Mikel Arteta has told the Arsenal board that he wants to sign a #6 & 2 central defenders next month.
Well at least he’s aware of our biggest problem and not looking for a number 10.
“Another Brazilian we could consider for the midfield is Bruno Guimarães. He has great engine, very physical and impressive technique.”
He’s class. More of a B2B midfielder than a #6 but I love his athleticism and intensity on both sides of the ball.
Romford
I’m talking about him Fernandinho at Man City.
His defensive qualities were more impressive something you seem uninterested in.
Possession for possession’s sake is virtually dead.
This happens when you try to play possession football and dont really have good ball carriers, Composed midfielders who can pass between the lines and break the press. Usually leads to a disaster . What we witness week in week out
Romford – Same as everyone else really, Sangare, Soumare. I share your concerns about the distribution aspect but we need to address the basics and an athlete that can close the spaces has to be one of the first ports of call.
“Fernando was the defensive midfielder that was limited, and he got binned sharpish.”
Yep they used to play together which is what some people may be thinking. They played in a pivot with yaya Toure ahead. Fernandinho was much more creative in his younger days but because of his athleticism and smart positional sense the transition into a DM was easy for him.