Good morning one and all!
I wanted to wish you all Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah… whichever religious event you used to wish the festive delight of Mikel Arteta into the job this year.
I think we’ve really been gifted something special, footballing hope, a brighter future, a reason to wake up on a Saturday outside stupid family responsibilities and stuff.
Outside that, I wanted to thank you. Yes, you. For being here for the website this season. It’s been one of the toughest years to write about The Arsenal. We had the football Grinch in charge of a miserable operation, a certified joy-sucker, but you came here for the group therapy sessions, even during the darkest of 3 at the back moments.
You all made it worth it. This has been the best year for Gooners coming over for a read, more than ever have tuned in, which is quite the achievement considering the blogged word has been written off more times than a Charles-N’Zogbia-to-Arsenal transfer. The community has never been busier, we’re going to crush our record for daily comments by a margin this year, and I have to salute you, that’s a lot of hours you lot are burning at the expense of your nations productivity. We went hard at the podcasting this year, big thanks to everyone that took the time to join me on the show, particularly this season. Finally, a huge thanks to everyone that’s interacted with me this year, it’s been great fun to talk on e-mail, Twitter DM, IRL, even via LinkedIn.
What a moment for the fans in general. We all decided in unison it was time for a change, now we’re all backing the revolution of Mikel Arteta.
So, in short, have a wonderful day. Send love from Le Grove, even if your family have no clue what this place is. Be good to everyone, especially the Spurs fans who also got what they deserved this year, they just don’t know it yet.
BIG LOVE, see you back here for a Boxing Day which has the gift of Mikel Arteta’s second debut!
I CANNOT WAIT. Xxx
P.S. Thanks to the Fokohaela lads for knocking this up for me. Happy Christmas!
“Champagne, baby,
dinner timings…
failed. Wasted.”
Haiku has 5-7-5 on GoH not 3-4-3
Mr Serge
Maybe. Still, it’s worrying that he hasn’t already when Xhaka has been stinking the place out for over 3 years now.
On his best days, which are few and far between, he’s a 7/10 player, on his worst 2/10, that’s simply not good enough, we need someone that has that 7/10 as a base performance.
Thanks to his slowness and lack of athleticism he’s never going to be good enough to lead a top 4 midfield in the PL. If that’s where we want to return to then we have to replace him, simple as that.
Oh and what Jamie said, but with some cunts thrown in so your head doesn’t explode Pedro.
Happy holidays, Freddie. For whatever it’s worth, you’re one of my favourite contributors.
After those xhaka remarks, if arteta keeps playing him and doesn’t get a major improvement that the fans will no doubt be pissed off If he believes the fans forgive xhaka they’re wrong – they just don’t have the energy or will to keep booing him and making the atmosphere more negative. The only way xhaka can turn his arsenal career around is with a major upgrade in his performances on the pitch and consistently at that. If Mikel thinks he can just quietly go about his football as he did before the booing and that will be enough he’s… Read more »
Happy holidays Jamie, thanks and the same to you mate.
China
Yeah, I really want to believe Pedro that Arteta is the second coming of Pep sprinkled in gold dust, because it would be good for the club.
To be fair most of what he’s said has been impressive so far but the Xhaka comments he can shove where the sun don’t shine, ain’t nobody buying that.
He can’t on one hand talk about us needing power pace and athleticism and praise our supposed DM that has none of these qualities, erodes the confidence of the fans before a ball is even kicked.
Freddie well we football fans are a fickle bunch and if arteta uses some of that Pedro claimed ‘world class’ coaching ability to suddenly turn xhaka into a classy player then the fans will move on and be supportive very quickly
But when you have the fans in one corner and a player (who is not even that good) in the other corner, it’s a naive mistake to get behind the player unless you are really certain you can get the fans on side
Either he can do it which is awesome or he’s already made his first managerial blunder
If the team is set up correctly it can get the best out of its components and that includes Xhaka.
It’s football it’s not complicated.
Freddie open your mind. It seems the Swiss manager and 4 arsenal managers disagree with you. Have you coached much before Fred?
Lego Hair Didn’t know I have to have a coaching license to comment on le grove, is that a new requirement by Pedro? Going to be pretty empty on here then. To get the best out of Xhaka we’d have to replace everyone around him to compensate for his lack of pace and defensive ability, we’d also have to protect him much more since he falls apart under any kind of press. Is he worth it or do we just get someone without all those flaws? His passing which is his best quality isn’t even that great, mostly back and… Read more »
Yeah all those coaches thought xhaka was good and none of them managed to get consistently good performances out of him outside of a weaker league
A curious record that is…
And LEGO hair I hope you never criticize any player or manager considering you’re also not a pro player or manager and according to your own logic have no useful insight on the game by comparison
In fact while we’re at it Gary linekar doesn’t have the right to criticize David Luiz because linekar was a striker not a pro defender
And as well we’d better not criticize the government unless we’ve been in a position on government leadership too.
What a load of old nonsense LEGO
If you make the team compact and don’t isolate the players on the system surely that would negate xhakas lack of pace?
China
I don’t need to have managed or coached a team. I’m not the one saying I know a player better than 5 managers who selected said player on a regular basis and also captains his country.
I don’t think the player is cut out for what we need but In a better set up he won’t look half as bad as the hyperbole spouted on here makes him out to be.
Ah your one of those know all’s too I see China. Make a lot of noise with not a lot of substance.
Lego Hair Yes, we can be more compact as shown against Everton but because our defenders and midfielders are so slow it leaves a massive gap between midfield and attack and leaves Auba and co isolated. It’s Xhakas main job to transition the ball from from defense to attack and there’s a reason we’ve been so poor in that aspect the last 3+ years. A lot of that was also Everton being pretty weak in attack, not us putting in a great defensive performance. I don’t really care what he does on a national level, much lower intensity there, same… Read more »
That’s right – the answer! Lets build a team around Xhaka! Simple!
Merry Christmas, all. Peace on Earth, goodwill towards men. May it not be long till Arsenal is great again. 😉
Arteta’s comments re Xhaka are not confidence-inspiring, but let’s hope this is just him trying to be as positive as possible about the players he has in front of him.
The Times UK is reporting that Arteta is interested in a loan for Rabiot in January. That could help.
Lol LEGO you’re talking about how to get the best out of him which is different from making him a really good player Does that mean he will stop slowing the game down, won’t commit pointless fouls whenever close to the opposition, will become a good tackler, won’t make so many dangerous blunders in front of the defense? You can get the best out of anyone if you build a system around them – a better question is why should we need to build a system around a player whose best attributes are nothing special at all Also you defer… Read more »
We now have had 3 Arsenal managers (Wenger, Emery and now Arteta) publicly professing their admiration for Xhaka.
We as fans (me included) can’t bear the man, and really don’t rate him.
If he plays further forward (ahead of Torreira) he could still, maybe just maybe, perhaps just work…..I really hope so, otherwise Artets might just experience the first iteration of THE WRATH AND DERISION OF LIVID LEGROVERS.
I really hope so. The alternative is too scary to contemplate.
I’ve always been a bit curious about how xhaka would do in a n10 role.
He has a good long shot so would score more than ozil. His often slows counter attacks down tho which would be his biggest issue
Xhaka to have a blinder of a match tomorrow.
As Sid would say, you heard it here first!
Then again, I may have just imbibed far too much Christmas spirits!
He put in his best performance (7/10) of the last 12 months against Everton so let’s see if Mikel has some magic sparkles to get more out of him
It would save us a lot of money if he could, though I’m certainly doubtful
Words mate you can never imbibe too much!!!
China1,
Normally I’d agree with you….tonight, hmmm, maybe not!
Anyway, calling it a night.
Good luck to Arteta and the Arsenal against England’s Next Forlorn Candidate For the Position of World’s Best Football Manager, Eddie Howe.
I’m now 95% ready to publish my first poetry book on the amazon book store!
Exciting times…
And surprisingly it’s not a bunch of hastily written phoned typed poems about how much ozil annoys me. Tho that is tempting
Has anyone here published anything on the amazon/kindle book store and has any major key advice for a first time author like me?
My situation is the content is all written (tho not sure if I will also add a forward)
It’s formatted in the kindle create app so that side is fine.
Amazon account setup done and now filling out the book info pre publishing.
Front cover made and uploaded. Checked and it’s fine
Pedro I echo Jamie’s above thanks and words. You bring a little sanity to us gooners through insanity from the diverse posters. Not an easy thing to do these days. Xhaka/Arteta When I first read Arteta’s comments in the DM this morning I wondered how Arteta could be so wrong about Arteta and yet so right with his other comments and intensions? Perhaps it’s Arteta using reverse psychology to get through the festive season’s games and put Xhaka firmly in the shop window for the January TW. I’m with Freddie L that Xhaka is totally unsuited to the PL and… Read more »
I think Arteta wants to play Xhaka as a deep lying mid rather than defensive mid.
If he can do it with Gundogan (which I was really sceptical at the start), he can do it for Xhaka.
Hei well I’ll be more than glad to give xhaka credit if he makes a major turn around under Mikel
Dark Hei Arteta can’t make Xhaka think or run faster and the PL isn’t going to get slower.
As Romford says, which has been my view for years is that we need athletic and quick thinking and running for attack and recovery – all of which Xhaka lacks.
Xhaka is a coward; he ducks his head out of walls or when blocking.
Xhaka and Ozil do not need clean sheets, they need moving out of the club by any means necessary.
With this 2 gone reclaiming the fractured dressing room will be far easier and also resourceful for the team.
Damn, Xhaka is going to stay here for a while then. What do all these coaches see in him? For me If you are the deep lying play maker you have to at least have some ability in defending. Jorginho is a deep lying playmaker but he isn’t as limited as Xhaka. And to be the main Central Midfielder ahead of the DM, You have to contribute in helping the attack while being disciplined. when has Xhaka ever contributed in creating and assisting goals consistently? Never. His Major weaknesses are No Speed, No dribbling ability (see what a player like… Read more »
“As a player, when I was going from Arsenal to City to start coaching and we were looking in that position, he was one of the players on my list. This is how much I liked him,” Arteta said.
Tis the season to be jolly lalalalala lalala🎤
Xhakalson and Arteta sitting on a tree K I S S I N G!🎤
While I dislike Xhaka as much as anyone, we really need to give Arteta time here. He can’t just come in to the club slamming our senior players, however shit they have been. We understand he is popular in the club so perhaps Arteta is softening the blow for when he’s sold, perhaps he’s fluffing the market price by praising him, or perhaps he actually does see something redeemable in the player. Arteta should know midfielders and Low paces midfielders as he was one himself. It’s worth giving him some time to settle in, and find his feet. The squad… Read more »
Happy holidays kents! One thing I’d like to say is that despite Emery being the wrong manager, he obviously didn’t want to do as poorly as he did. Calling him the football Grinch is bullshit considering his resume. No, he didn’t get us purring again after the late Wenger shit show, but he did hold a position that is honourable, and tried his best despite limitations in the English game. Good riddance he is gone, but it’s just sad to see fans of arsenal ridicule him like this problem was his problem in the first place. We behave like 1st… Read more »
Won’t be surprised if Arteta decides to convert Xhaka to CB.
Tony
Seasons greetings.
Of course “it’s reverse psychology”.
What other explanation is there?
I want to see Saka at LB again with martinelli LWF and Pepe RWF. Laca as n9 so we can experiment with an aggressive front press (assuming Arteta can convince Pepe to try) and so as to get a feel for how we may look if Auba gets sold.
I hope ozil remains binned and Smith Rowegets another chance to start at AM. I assume it’s torreira and Xhaka at DM.
CBs pick themselves due to injuries/suspension. RB is surely AMN
Tbh I want Martinelli at CF, but I do feel he and Saka if given time to work on these positions and chemistry could be absolutely brutal at Lb and LWF. Both players are going to be the first and second fastest players on the pitch for 90% of games. Both are direct as hell. Both are brave about going at people and taking them on even in tight spaces. Both are dangerous crossers and like to cut in and shoot as well. Martinelli will run for days and press happily. Both have ridiculous recovery pace if caught upfield. I’m… Read more »
one of the key things you could see against Everton was in the second half, after Saka rinsed his man about 3 times in the first 10 mins, they almost completed gave up attacking that side. when you don’t have world class defenders, this is what you need – to frighten the opposition into thinking the risk of attacking you and giving the ball away is not worth it. Many of our more average teams over the years benefited from this. We used to have a handful of average/poor defensive players on at any given time, but since we always… Read more »
It may have worked last week , but playing Saka at left back is a big no no for me. The strongest part of his game is his final ball , give him the ball in the final third and he will do damage. We have enough players who can fill in at full back . It would be nice to see us actually dominating a game without looking susceptible to the counter attack. It will be a big plus for Arsenal if Ryan Fraser isn’t fit today. We haven’t scored or looked like scoring in our last 2 games… Read more »
Oh dear , so Arteta wants to keep playing Xhaka , as I understood it Arteta wants to reconnect the fans with the team , good start Mikel , good start lol
Surely after what’s gone on it would be much better to sell Xhaka and replace him , better for Xhaka , better for us and better for Arteta
Xhaka is average and easily replaced , I really thought Arteta could be the answer but these comments have already put a very slight doubt in my mind , shame.
but pierre who can play LB today who gives you more confidence? Kola is worse going forwards and has errors in him defensively. He also has less recovery pace compared with Saka for those counters (not that he’s slow)and he’s not quite as good at going past people on the front foot so he’s more likely to lose the ball and give away a counter attacking opportunity Tierney is injured so not part of the discussion. Chambers is suspended so we’re a FB/CB down. We don’t know how representative that one match from Saka was, but he played better in… Read more »
Delighted with the overnight Xhaka comments. I always been a fan of Xhaka and his RVP -esque left foot. He is proper player. As I stated a day or so ago. Arteta will be more Arsene than Pep. Protecting his players in public and persisting with the technical side of the game. After all you cant play the mythical Pressing game- with Xhaka in there. So you lot – who believe in this Pressing Game nonsense- it seems Arteta doesnt believe in either. (Technical soccer over the Shuttle Runners, please ) Mikel is Growing on me. But if he plays… Read more »
pierre don’t you think Arteta should be laying the groundwork for the future direction? Can Auba really become a good winger or are we just going to repeat last season’s antics of letting him play poorly on the wing and just banking on him to pop up with a random chance to take (which he probably will to his credit) we all see how poor the team is at creating chances, but the wingers and AM are the 3 most important players, as well as the fullbacks. Our Ams are mostly very young and not on the best of form,… Read more »
We complain when we sell our players below market rates. Yet we complain when the coach says position stuffs about the players which can in turn drive up their value
Dr
“Surely after what’s gone on it would be much better to sell Xhaka and replace him, better for Xhaka , better for us and better for Arteta”
The manager picks the team not the fans.
As soon as arteta is swayed by fans opinion, as Emery was , that will be the death of him.
A manager must, rightly or wrongly , stick to his beliefs.
Positive stuffs rather
I was a big proponent of putting Auba on the wing to accommodate Laca 18 months back, but the reality is Auba is a championship standard winger with elite finishing ability
we need to do better than that on our wings
“he will feel the full force of my tongue.”
Way too early for that sort of vulgarity!
Morning LeG, hope your all suffering from festive hangovers!
Looking forward to today’s match, big question for me, if Ozil and Xhaka play today will they have the application and energy Arteta is looking for or will it be ine last drink in the last chance saloon?
Need a win today accompanied by an improved performance!
Pierre I also think you have this wrong ‘As soon as arteta is swayed by fans opinion, as Emery was , that will be the death of him.’ 1) Nobody is expecting Arteta to pick a lineup based exactly on what Jimmy from the clock end wants. As well, every fan wants something different so it’s not even possible. 2) Xhaka has played poorly routinely for however many years now (4?) and he has also told the fans to fuck off and given a not very well received apology for it in his own language. This point isn’t even about… Read more »
Pepe Watch today.
If he ain’t selected against the out of form and depleted Cherries- it will be the 3rd manager who has had a close look at him and decided he is Garbage.
Mind you- I stated that before we purchased him. All flicks and tricks and no end substance.
A stand in Harlem Globetrotter.
China Martinelli is possibly out injured. I think you’ll find that during our unbeaten run last season , Aubameyang played out wide on a regular basis with Lacazette up top(league games) And in the games that one or the other didn’t start , the team immediately improved when one or the other came on as substitute. Fulham away 5-1, Leicester at home 3-1 and Tottenham home 4-2 were all games that one or the other didn’t start but was transformed when they were back in partnership. So yes, for me , in a 4-2-3-1 they should start everytime because it… Read more »
China, I agree with your sentiment but I think we need to give Arteta time and space to decide before applying pressure as fans. When I was in retail management a lot if my best performers had come from branches where they were seen as trouble or not good enough but in many cases they just needed the motivation to improve and show they were better, I regularly got told ‘he/she wont do this or that and will just cause problems ‘ but in most cases I generally improved my staff. That’s what Arteta needs to do, motivate, organise and… Read more »
China
Mustafi was booed by fans…dropped by Emery
Xhaka was booed by fans …..dropped by Emery.
And where did it get him …..sacked because the team didn’t improve and we are in our worst position for decades .
The moral of the story is don’t listen to the fans.
Personally, at this present time, I’d play Mustafi as I don’t think Luiz or Sokratis are playing with any confidence, though luiz had a decent game last week.
Mustafi is our best defender in the air and is also dangerous in the opposition box.
I’m literally shaking.
Can’t wait to see Arteta’s lineup.
It’s been ages I was this excited about Arsenal.
We may be on page 2 of the league table but we’ve got Arteta.
Let’s fuck shit up today.
Unai
“China, I agree with your sentiment but I think we need to give Arteta time and space to decide before applying pressure as fans.”
You said you agreed with china , then proceeded to give an opposite view to nearly everything he said .
You may just as well said you agree with me ( difficult I know).
Matches Aubameyang/ Lacazette played together up until December. Cardiff 2-3 Arsenal ..Aubameyang 1 goal, Lacazette 1. Mustafi Newcastle 1-2 arsenal..ozil 1, xhaka 1. Arsenal 2-0 Everton..Lacazette 1, Aubameyang 1. Arsenal 2- 0 Watford. OG 1, Ozil 1 Fulham 1-5 Lacazette 2, Aubameyang 2, Ramsey 1 Arsenal 3-1 Ozil, Aubameyang 2 Palace 2-2 Arsenal xhaka 1, Aubameyang 1 Arsenal 1-1 liverpool..Lacazette Arsenal 1-1 wolves Mhkitaryan 1 Arsenal 4-2 Tottenham Aubameyang 2, Lacazette 1, Torreira 1. Ten games ….15 goals for Aubameyang/ Lacazette playing in a predominantly 4-2-3-1 system tells it’s own story as to whether it works playing them as a… Read more »
China “, but when you back the guy who the fans literally hate you put your own position under greater scrutiny (just look at 90% of the comments about Arteta since we saw those quotes on here…)” Le Grove is the exception not the rule. Most fans do not hate Xhaka, they are much more sensible and logical compared to Le Grovellers. Most recognise that he is not elite but also recognise that he is a decent player who always gives 100% on the pitch and until we bring in someone who is elite , he is probably the best… Read more »
I thought xhaka had. A good game against Everton. Perhaps Artetas words of warning have made him buck his ideas up this last week or so , we’ll soon find out , I don’t really care about his relationship with the fans , I just want to win. if xhaka can improve and become important then I’m all for it , if he can’t then get him out. Same with the rest of the squad. Arteta already stated from the off that the whole squad has a clean slate – so why should we be surprised to hear of these… Read more »
Will just add , to also prove a point , is that Mustafi played in all of those unbeaten games that I highlighted earlier , as did xhaka , and ozil started 8 of the ten games.
Mustafi, ozil , xhaka , the 3 hate figures that did more for the team than anyone in the unbeaten run , along with the 2 players Aubameyang/ Lacazette who supposedly cant play together.
I say to Arteta ,be your own man and ignore any outside influences.
New post!
What are the two things you want to see happen/improve over these next few weeks?
For me, it’s an improvement in our movement( speed around the pitch) and our ability to pass more proactively. No more of this sideways/backwards philosophy and definitely a more dynamic progression starting from Leno/Martinez and our cumbersome defence.
We have to give Arteta space to work on things. Emery stagnated the system with his insistence on focusing too much on the opposition, rather than what we could do to cause them problems.
I’m looking forward to today’s game.
“” I say to Arteta ,be your own man and ignore any outside influences.””
Agree and I think he’ll do just that – he knows what he wants and if he doesn’t get it he’ll make the changes needed when he can
If he can get the ‘3 hate figures’ playing well then who can argue ? I certainly won’t. If we’re Winning with those guys and winning convincingly , no one can knock that.
Auba is down tooling. I have the feeling that he wants out.
I hope that today’s game will give us an idea what system Arteta wants to use. It is important for the players to build up the chemistry and practice the same system every game.
I still think that EPL should give the players 24 to 26 Dec off for their families to enjoy X’mas. That’s what we did in NHL.
Did anyone notice that we have shipped more goals against than Bournemouth! WTF!
Happy holidays to you, your brother, father and the resat of your family. Let me know next time you are in New York. I’ll buy you lunch. Warning though, I am cheap. it would be the depression era special at Papaya King.