Well, a bloody good morning to you!
We’re smack bang in the middle of the mere-mortals-international break. No one knows what day it is, the only guide we have is when the football is, so we loosely know that something is going on in day 29 of the 12 month.
That’d be the Chelsea game.
It was quite interesting watching the chatter post-Bournemouth yesterday. I feel like the level of fan conversation has jotted up a couple of notches. There are the folk that saw some very interesting innovations in our starting 11 after just 5 days. Then there’s Thierry Henry, who gave an extremely salty analysis of Arteta’s first game, which amounted to, ‘shit performance, saved by Auba.’
If you watched the Bournemouth game and you didn’t see any improvements, you’re either not paying attention, or you’re being willfully blind because you are holding a grudge. The most disappointing part of the game was the uncharacteristically poor finishing. In Emery’s first season, our chance conversion rate was something else, it’s gone missing of late. We had 17 attempts at goal, the 3rd highest away from him this season.
I think a lot of fans were interested to see AMN being pushed into midfield in an inverted full back role, helping us to stem the flow of counter-attacks. That also gave Saka more opportunities to push forward as a winger, though it has to be said, his delivery was terrible on that occasion.
There was also clearly a lot better positioning on the pitch. Below is Leicester then Bournemouth.
These are all very basic, but they point to a coach that at least has a clear idea of what he thinks is wrong, along with the aptitude to implement fast changes.
Then, if you didn’t notice the increase workrate, something we’ve moaned about all season, well, no one can help you.
Now, where I will dampen the joy is this was the first game against a broken team. Bournemouth are always game to give Arsenal possession, and they are often ideal teams for Xhaka and Ozil. Though I think it was clear that Arteta created the right conditions for Ozil to have more time between the lines, then Xhaka when Bournemouth wised up to Ozil.
The other dampener is that I think we’ll continue to have a tough 8 weeks. Chelsea and United in rapid-fire succession is far from ideal and we could easily be beasted by both of them. There’s simply not enough time to really shape the players up. New ideas + not time + fatigue isn’t a great recipe.
We’ll see though. I think the talent we have in the squad is far more promising than many give it credit for, the biggest regret for our season was that Raul didn’t pull the plug on the Emery coma before the international break. We moved from the precipice to free fall in those games after, and it’ll be hard to exit that. But we still have good players, we still have a very exciting forward line, and there’s a lot to be said for smart coaching.
A few people noted that Arteta, in the one game we’ve seen from him, looks at player attributes and shapes the structure around them. The inverted full-back move with AMN used his athleticism to track counters. Moving Saka up to create overloads with his pace and ‘delivery.’ He knows Xhaka is shite defensively, so he moves him to the left and gives him more time to pick out passes. Torreira makes the most tackles, interceptions and recoveries and looks the best he has in 18 months, but has support from someone more athletic than him. What I’m saying, is though we don’t have the right players, we certainly have a lot of tasty attributes ready to exploit teams.
I read Marcotti’s piece on the Lille setup, the article is super interesting, but this piece on Pepe had me very damp.
I think Pepe is a winger who is also a world-class finisher. This is a guy who played goalkeeper until he was 13. He understands them like few others — that’s why his finishes, even from long range, are rarely blasted and always placed. I say this because it’s one of the two factors that, I think, have slowed him a bit. We played Pepe in a 4-3-3 in a very specific position: He was wide, with freedom to come inside and a full-back behind him who always covered for him. Now he’s in a new team, his teammates don’t know him and he has to jell. That takes time; the same thing happened when he joined us and it took about six months for him to be very productive. In fact, we were almost relegated.
He can’t control that [period of integration at a new club]. What he can control is his confidence. He has to be confident. There is so much pressure on him that sometimes, it gets to him and as a result he’s a less selfish player than he was when he was with us. He’ll pass sometimes when maybe he should have the confidence to finish. But I think he’ll get over both those factors. We’re already seeing glimpses of what he can do.
Arsenal fans are all very miserable at the moment, we’ve been quick to write-off the Ivorian, but I’m still convinced there’s a player there. He’s clearly a confidence guy, he’s having trouble adapting to the rigours of the league, but under the right coach who understands him, he could be electric. Remember, Arteta did brilliant work on Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane. No reason he can’t master a turnaround project on someone that has pace and elite finishing. One of the clear things we missed with Pepe is that he’s been a counter-attacking winger, then he comes to Arsenal, has to operate in a confused system coming super deep to pick up the ball. No wonder his game is a mess.
Coaching is going to do wonders for this squad. We have a group of eager young kids that want to get better, we hopefully have some senior players that want to come to the light and we have a coach desperate to prove he’s not the guy that picked up the cones.
A few shot at me yesterday regarding the shifting expectations for Arteta. It’s pretty simple why the season is a write-off now. We blew the season with Emery. Arteta will have no pre-season, he’s picking up broken players, he’s now dealing with at least 6 contract rebels, there are cliques in the squad and the fans are sitting in a toxic atmosphere. Expecting top 4 now is a huge stretch. The best we can hope for is an elite run in the Europa League… but the most important thing for me is that the club shift their efforts into the rebuild of Arsenal, now we know what we want to be. Identify the best kids, get them playing the Arteta way. Sign up the senior players we want to keep. Have a very smart idea for turning over the players we want out, and make sure the replacements can carry us through next season into the top 4.
Right, that’s me done, see you in the comments.
Top 4?
Winner
Tr4phy
4th
Great post Pedro
Thankfully, sense about Pepé and the utter mess that Emery left the club in. Also Sanllehi’s fingerprints on the mess are clear.
I don’t mind arguing about line-ups and tactics, but enough of make-believe trolling about Emery “over-achieving”.
Test
Pepe to explode over the next two games.
Fingers crossed.
Time to have some realistic expectations.
Some time to get Arteta’s idea fully integrated by players. He will make change to the personnel in the summer, but right now unless we found an available cheap ready made defensive central midfielder we may be better off sticking with Xhaka until the summer.
ESPN’s article with Pepe worried me more than you. Because Marcelo Bielsa tried to make Pepe a more rounded player and it failed. Christophe Galthier, an experience coach tried and concluded that the only way to extract more from Pepe, was to create a system specifically for him. I am worried that Arteta may discover in six months time that he can’t mold Pepe into a better overall player and that all he can do is making him more lethal in a set of predetermined counter-attacking moves. Pepe could still be a very efficient player, but never reach the height… Read more »
First team at last? Months ago I asked whether Sarr would have been a better choice than Pepe. Nobody responded. But it looks that way on the basis of the first half season. I hope, of course, I am wrong. Two struggling teams again tomorrow. It’ll be interesting to see how the crowd, and the senior players, react to the new coach. A win, however unlikely, might change the trajectory for the remainder of the season and presage a long run in the Europa League (and yes, a return to the CL). A loss will bring out a chorus of… Read more »
Yes! It only took me four years to make my debut in the first eleven on Le Grove.
Big thanks to Pedro for another interesting column.
Why worry about things that may or may not happen.
From what I’ve seen, Pepe definitely has the capabilities and potential to be a major asset for us.
Just needs confidence and belief.
Over to you Mr Arteta.
Pepe is going to be absolutely fine. Raw ingredients are all there it really is confidence, speed of thought and a slight upping of work rate off the ball. All that is achievable and I wold bet as we move toward the end of the season and the weather improves Pepe will suddenly come to life with improved conditions, less pressure and the end of the season in sight. I want to hear concrete things about a CDM/CM soon. Thank goodness Xhaka looks to be leaving but we need to make a big move in that area and get it… Read more »
Pepe will deliver after MA gets into him. (Pepe MUST HAVE ref protection . . . one of those scissor tackles will end his season…) Also v excited over Martinelli, young but a street fighter who got the shit kicked out of him playing big ole hairy Brazilians . . . Good to see Nelson linking with Özil (who also perked up a treat in this scheme) and Saka ruling at LB, though both need MA’s help on their finishing. As does Laca who needs game time I think. We struggle with clean sheets so Gunners 2-1 Chelsea . .… Read more »
Just looking at the position comparison images, what was all that protag talk from Emery about? Defensively set up but still leaking shots and goals.
Julien Lauren’s adding fuel to the Rabiot rumours suggesting Arteta likes what Xhaka offers in terms of passing and incision, plus the fact he’s a left-footer – of which Xhaka is the only one he has in midfield currently.
For a game based on switches, dropping into slots to find passing lanes etc it’s a considerable factor to have guys with their strong side being on the relevant side of the pitch. Details
I dunno man maybe if he was called Nicolas Peters instead of Nicolas Pepe would he be getting a bit more leeway. But as things stand now Pepe a few months into a dysfunctional club is being written off and compared to Gervinho and Darren Huckerby. You simply have to love Arsenal fans
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7832325/RB-Leipzig-Arsenal-red-alert-willing-let-Dayot-Upamecano-leave-40m.html
AMN venturing into the middle to help, Torrey being played in his preferred spot, Xhaka being shifted a bit outside; those were smart moves, moves that confused Bournemouth to decent degrees. But conceding a goal at the very first serious attack from Bournemouth was an indication that our defensive structure had not been repaired at all in those few days, if we could see a little change in the middle, shouldn’t we expect same at the back, given that the back should have been an emergency case? But for Bournemouth’s lack of belief, we would have leaked in more goals.… Read more »
“we may be better off sticking with Xhaka until the summer.”
No just no – I’d rather play with ten men.
Marko
I know, it’s frigging unbelievable.
Pepe got on board a sinking ship.
I think some of our fans just play Premier Manager.
Laca needs to be reminded that Auba is playing next to him on his left. There were at least three times in last game when he had the ball inside the box. Instead of passing to Auba who was free, he tried to shoot and failed. Liverpool and Manure both have a play we could use. Their defenders are aware of where Salah (Pool) and Rasford (Manure) are most of the time. Once they got a chance, they’ll send a long ball for them to chase. We could practice the same play for Pepe. Of course, that is not Arteta’s… Read more »
A few weeks ago prior to kick off I was surprisingly in the Tolly having a pre match pint (or 2) and on the TV they had a documentary about Pires. A lot of it must of been in French because there were subtitles meaning you could follow what it was about. One of the main points was Pires talking about how difficult he found it to adapt to the PL – the speed, physicality etc. I reckon if we had signed Pires in the summer many on here would be calling for him to be sold right now and… Read more »
bris
“that our defensive structure had not been repaired at all in those few days”
Spot what’s daft in you comment above?
Agreed Marko
The knee jerk over reactionary comments to Pepes current form seem to be related to his price tag and our lack of investment in defence rather than his actual skill set.
People need to take a serious chill pill and realise it’s his FIRST season in a more physical and competitive league – a player of his quality will come good.
“No just no – I’d rather play with ten men.“
Thank fuck you’re just watching then.
I hope that you are all correct about Pepe. I am old enough to remember Pires’ uninspiring first season. The difference is 1. the huge price tag and 2. we have far greater expectations that both players and managers will hit the ground running and deliver quickly in the modern EPL.It may be unfair, but there is no room for squad development when a player is over 22. To be fair though to his critics, Pepe has failed to deliver even against modest opposition where the pace of the game has been slower (with the exception, of course, of his… Read more »
I reckon if we had signed Pires in the summer many on here would be calling for him to be sold right now and writing him off as not good enough. Well he would have been a Raul signing so yeah. Thing is about Pepe prior to joining if you had said new league new team and all that shite if he came in got 10 goals and a handful of assists from out wide that would be a decent return for someone new and something to build upon 10 goals is after all what Zaha (the more fancied player)… Read more »
Great post Pedro,
To reiterate, I absolutely do not expect Arteta to get us into the top 4 this season. I do expect however obvious and quick improvements in performance and getting a run of wins together.
I said after the Bournemouth game that I could see improvements in our shape, urgency and passing and I’m very excited to see what Arteta can do.
I fancy us to get at least 4 points from our next 2 matches and am actually hopeful for 6.
I thought Pepe was the only bright spot in the Liverpool game…even bossing VvD on occasion…then disappeared in subsequent outings
Very strange, but sadly not a unique decline in player performance
I’m hopeful that Arteta can uncover the potential in Pepe and the others that have gone off the boil
Nice, Peter. Yes, defo signs of improvement but without the conditioning, it’s going to be tough for this bunch of pub fatties to keep up with demand. Let’s hope they have been holding something back and put in some lung busting cardio over the next week. I’ve long thought that a team with superior fitness could, providing they aren’t blasted out 5-0 in the opening half, 9/10 beat the better footballers. Stamina should always top out over talent given long enough. My theory. As for Pepe. Oh man…this guy is sucking so bad. Confidence aside, this chump is stinking the… Read more »
Marc, I intentionally said ‘in those few days’ to reflect the fact that I’m aware of the short period of time involved.
But as well I wouldn’t expect Arteta to say we shouldn’t expect any improvement no matter how little in that Bournemouth game, and the fact that the improvement came but not at the back should raise early questions.
But then Marc, you are just a loud punk with no brains, so I forgive you for not bringing objectivity to my view.
5 years ago, shit, would could’ve been……..
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jurgen-klopp-arsenal-fans-wont-4713229
Thierry Henry is salty Arsenal did not consider him even a potential option for the top job, let alone giving him the job.
Cc
Fortunately it’s not an either or. Xhaka having a good game against Bournemouth translates as “he wasn’t as terrible as he usually is or didn’t give away a pen”.
Whether we get a replacement in Jan or are forced to find an internal solution till the summer the quicker Xhaka goes the better.
TR7
Would agree with you there – get the feeling any praise from Henry will be begrudging at best.
When Ozil, Xhaka and Auba fuck off, there will be an instant lift in the team. Three of the biggest whining bitches will be gone.
Before you say Auba’s goals wah, wah…whatever. The guy only taps them in and Martinelli has been brilliant this season. We aren’t replacing Zidane FFS. It might actually release Laca from his lack of talent…yeah, I said that.
Marc
Just not as any reasonable fan sees it, Xhaka can be public enemy number 1 all you want but his output needs replacing or we regress as a side.
You’re showing that you’re more for the expulsion of Xhaka than you are the benefit of the team, grow up a touch. He can leave in the summer, not difficult.
bris
Anyone expecting anything in such a short space of time is lacking either objectivity or just plain common sense.
If we’re not seeing some sense of improvement after a month then that will be the time to ask questions, not after he’s been in charge for 6 days that includes the Christmas period.
You just keep turning to insults though when you’re shown up.
People love to keep bringing up his one footedness as well like it’s some great indignation of him as a footballer. We’ll just forget how the likes of Messi, Sane, Raul Hernandez, Van Persie, Ziyech etc all barely used their right foot heck even Robben was the most one footed winger you’d ever seen in your life but that didn’t stop him from having a brilliant career. Apparently though Pepe being left footed is of serious concern though.
Cc
I don’t see any “output” that can’t be covered by another player. Sky Sports News has just mentioned that we’re in dialogue with Berlin still so it does look like he’ll be on the move. Whether we’ll bring in someone new – I have no idea, obviously I’d like it if we did.
Should have said positive output – we loads of negative output from Xhaka.
Marko
FFS you missed Maradona too!
Seriously…the difference is, those players you mentioned all had other strings to their bows. They all had football brains too. Pepe does not!
Pepe doesn’t do one thing well, let alone one thing brilliantly.
Defenders always said about Robben “you know what he’s going to do…but you still can’t stop him”.
Xhaka and output. There a couple weeks back when his strop accured sky threw up a stat that literally had across the board Arsenal better when Xhaka was out of the team. So no regression no
“Arteta will have no pre-season, he’s picking up broken players, he’s now dealing with at least 6 contract rebels, there are cliques in the squad and the fans are sitting in a toxic atmosphere.”
Lol different coach, but (almost) same old excuses…
But there’s no need to worry, the Sauce is strong with the Chosen One.
They all had football brains too. Pepe does not!
Dunno why I’m bothering with you you regularly tell us that you don’t watch our games. But 16 assists in the last season and a half alone suggests a football brain. Starting out as a goalkeeper and becoming a winger suggests a football brain.
Pepe will be as prolific or more as Auba, just get 2 midfielders that can play in tight spaces and create would help if they are athletic. It will also solve alot of the defence issues since teams will be cautious.
Im telling you this for free!
Ps: dear santa,
i’ve been good this year like fanta,
take xhaka,
to stoke or spurs or to Mourinhos mama
“When Ozil, Xhaka and Auba fuck off, there will be an instant lift in the team. ”
The Sauce is strong with GoH, as well.
Unai “I don’t expect top 4 … but I do expect us to end the season above Palace, Newcastle and Sheffield United. Top 8 would represent a reasonable expectation at this stage.” I agree that 8th is a reasonable expectation and objective. We simply don’t have the players to do better than that, sadly. However, re finishing 8th and above Palace, let’s note that Palace play Norwich and Southampton in the next week, from which they are likely to take 3-4 points. We play Chelsea and United, from which most here seem to think we will take zero points. (Oddly,… Read more »
Henry looked at the fact most our fluid lay was down to Ozil being given space, weaving his pretty patterns in that space, and knowing it means f-all going forward, so rightly focused on the familiar disjointed that reared its head later in the match once Ozil’s output predictably dried up.
Similar to our game at Anfield in the Carabao Cup. Ozil was given space, we looked much more fluid, yet it was purely a superficial improvement because Ozil, for multiple reasons, can’t consistently have that impact on games for any length of time.
Marko
I don’t obsess over our games but I do check in every now and again.
If Pepe is such a football brain…why does he lose the ball so much, run up dead ends and look like someone has replaced his legs with spaghetti?
He’s 24! 18 and I might let him off but not at 24.
Also Pope John Paul II was a goal keeper…and he went on to be Gods man on the ground! So fuck Pepe.
HL
You know that Arteta brings heat every time he turns up. His post match interview after the game was amazing. He owned it.
Not since Arsene’s pre madness has someone had that much sauce on TV. Sky sports subscriptions went up 500% since Arteta took over. Fact.
Bamford I’m telling you now you are not an Arsenal fan. At all. It’s incessant this fixation on making us appear worse than everyone especially United likely in lieu of a pathetic bet you have on. You’re wasting your time here I’m pretty certain that there’s a bunch of United blogs about where you can blow smoke up OGS’s arse 24/7
Guns, the sauce is there for sure. Everyone recognizes it when they see it. Emery was barely wallpaper paste.
“We simply don’t have the players to do better than that, sadly”
Ffs… does he has the Sauce or not ?? Make up your fucking mind, guys!!
Bamford, time to change the subject. It’s been 3 months. Repeating the same thing over and over is spam.
Marc Of course you don’t, because you’re the type of guy that dislikes a player and then makes statements like a ‘cardboard cutout would be an upgrade’. Xhaka has consistently been Arsenal’s best, yes best, meaning better than anyone else player at advancing play through the lines of the opposition. In a progressive football setup this sort of thing is going to be essential. Replacing Xhaka with some tackle merchant does Arteta no favours in trying to implement a dominating football approach. Countless folk have made this observation before it’s dismissed routinely with yet another line about my apparent ‘defence’… Read more »
We should give Pepe time. We bought a pacy winger as we didn’t have one, and slotted him into a team which didn’t play tactics that suited him. He’s in a new league, living in a new country, with pressure on him to succeed immediately. Add to that the fact that he’s been in a failing team with a clueless manager and no squad leadership. We owe Pepe the chance to succeed. What is most worrying at the moment is his application. It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve failed to do our due diligence on a player’s mental strength.… Read more »
Peter
You called it. Having a presence is so important to get your ideas across. Also, if you have a stinker, a good look, nice hair and teeth and snappy chat can get you through.
I’m genuinely back to being excited about Arsenal. Not since Arsene in 1996 has there been this much of a change in the club. That’s massive.
Arsenal FC might just get through this.
Marko
You used Pepe changing from GK to shit winger as an example of brains, I did the same with a twist of brilliance. What’s the beef?
However ugly it is we just need to win some games soon.
This run is abysmal.
It just highlights the group of mercenary’s we have why love the pay check but not the club, as soon as things go wrong they are off.
Green shoots or clutching straws?
The latter for me .
“If we cannot make up 5-6 points on Palace in 17 games, however, I think some people may have to admit that these players are simply not as good as they imagined them to be.“ You’re now forecasting possible outcomes in desperate search of some unequivocal measure to use as ‘proof’ about squad quality. You’re embarrassing. Yesterday it was ‘Wolves just beat City, we couldn’t beat City, so clearly they have a better squad than us’ You didn’t answer me…. do Wolves have a better squad than City? Do Sheffield United have a better squad than us too? Do Watford… Read more »
Again across the board Arsenal are better statistically when Xhaka isn’t in the team.
“The Sauce is strong with GoH, as well.”
I think that could well be a different sauce entirely!
It looks 50/50 in whether Xhaka leaves or Arsenal block his move until the summer.
The question if his move is blocked apart from upsetting Marc horribly is how will Xhaka react to being refused his move?
People can say that he has looked overall ok in his last two games but this was before him apparently agreeing terms with Hertha Berlin and any potential block on the move by Arsenal.
The situation could change very quckly regarding Xhaka if his move is blocked.
Dave, I agree that the run is horrible results wise, but actually of more worry to me is things like lack of shots on goal, even at home. That signals a very sick team with poor tactics and positional nous.
If Arteta can start to change these then the results will come.
Receding
“It was on this blog that an away draw against United was treated as an abomination. Now we are playing them at home and some of you are preparing our minds for a loss and telling us it’s ok.”
Good point. Many of those who called the draw away to United an abomination are now telling us to applaud a respectable loss at home to the same “terrible” United team.
That seems a little …. inconsistent. Could one of you lot explain this huge shift in thinking?
Pepe will come good,
Dennis, Thierry and pires were slow starters.
And they wasn’t too shabby.
Xhaka had an 7 out 10 game against Bournemouth and he’s back to being our best midfielder and we should keep him. Lol.
No no no. Because he had an average game and didn’t give away a penalty he should be kept?
He’s awful in an average midfield of averageness.
Take the money and run. I can’t believe his agent would be shouting from the roof tops that personal terms are agreed unless he knew he was off to hertha Berlin for sure.
Bamford be careful, you don’t even sound like an Arsenal fan anymore.
How do you agree terms with a club while still under contract?
If we can get £40m for him, take it. Go get Ndidi or put a cheeky bid in for Maddison.
Or…maybe go for Erickson. Chuck Ozil in as well. You never know.
Pretty simple really if Arsenal or Arteta block Xhaka’s move that’s them basically saying that they don’t give two shits about improving Arsenal defensively. There’s no other way to view it. Guy literally makes errors and bonehead decisions every game and they’re scared shitless about replacing him. It’s ridiculous at this point.
Pedro
Actually, I’m not making some old point, and I’m not in any way bringing up the previous manager. I think some of you just don’t like pointed questions about the quality of the current Arsenal squad.
Up for
Bergkamp was already brilliant before Inter.
Henry was 21.
Pepe should not be compared with these two.
Bamford, while you were gone, that manager you rated so highly took us to our worst run in 38 years and crashed the club.
We have recently hired a new manager who has just been installed in the busiest time of the year, now we play United and Chelsea in his 2nd and 3rd games.
Are you up to date now?
Cc
“Xhaka has consistently been Arsenal’s best, yes best, meaning better than anyone else player at advancing play through the lines of the opposition. ”
That doesn’t mean he’s been good at it just better than the other shit we’ve been producing.
Xhaka is a waste of space and a disgrace as Captain. If he’s even a tenth as good as you are making out why is it that the only team in for him is in a relegation battle in Germany?
What I would like to know if Xhaka does leave is will Arsenal still employ the DLP role and just give it to someone else in the side.
The midfielder holding hands with the CBs stuff.
Xhaka is a problem for sure as a player but the DLP aspect within the team itself has also been a problem.
‘You just keep turning to insults though when you’re shown up.’
Marc, you are ridiculous.
You responded to my comment by tagging it daft, I returned the favour and you are now bitching? Ridiculous!
Then if we shouldn’t expect any improvement after a few days, that means none could actually happen and that means none had actually happened, that should mean all that improvement we have been analyzing
here since the game are just figments of our imaginations?
Seriously dude, you should consider going on some vitamin supplements. Your brains are in need of a boost.
Leftside
What complete and utter nonsense. Not rating the current Arsenal squad does not make one any less of an Arsenal fan. To say so is completely and utterly ridiculous. Some of you are simply being intolerant of differing points of view. And please note that I am far from the only one here who does not rate the current squad.
bris
I said your comment was daft I didn’t call you anything – you directed an insult at me.
I know that difficult for you to comprehend – let’s leave it there shall we.
Uppermecho incoming. £40m maybe.
Easy cash there. £40m for Xhaka. £60m for Auba. £20m for Ozil and some odd and sods for the rest and I think we can get a few very good players in to replace them.
Smarts will beat cash.
Ishola
“The question if his move is blocked apart from upsetting Marc horribly is how will Xhaka react to being refused his move?”
My opinion aside that’s an interesting comment especially after Xhaka’s petulance a short time ago.
On the other hand could he actually be worse?
Guns,
Bergkamp was quality but was in a real slump in Italy.
He also started slow for us. Like people have said if legrove was around in 1995 people would be clamouring for him to be booted out.
Pires as well.
And Thierry was 22 having a mare in Italy like Dennis.
I’m not saying pepe is as good as any of them, just he needs time to adapt like those three did.
Guns
“. £40m for Xhaka. £60m for Auba. £20m for Ozil ”
Mate if you think we’re going to get £40 million for Xhaka and £20 million for Ozil then I’ll have one of what you’re drinking.
If we got £30 million for Xhaka it would be a major result and as for Ozil we’d have to pay someone to take him to subsidise his wages.
Up for
Agreed but…slumps can happen to the very best but Pepe doesn’t have that, shall we say, credit in the bank.
I might come across harsh on Pepe but I want the guy to do well. He’s got attributes that we haven’t had for years but, he seems really dumb and if reports are true, a bit of a fucker in training. That is just not good enough.
Hopefully, once we steady the ship and Arteta gets some time with him, he will pick up and start showing his Lille form.
Take the 22 million for Xhaka, believe me no one else is showing interest and will be stupid enough to pay that money or more.
Get the pennies from down the back of the sofa and pay upmecano release clause.
Midfield is a problem but the defence is worse!
Leftsidesanch
“Bamford be careful, you don’t even sound like an Arsenal fan anymore”
Did he ever?
‘Uppermecho incoming. £40m maybe.’
A 21 year old defender playing at the top of the bundesliga at £40m in the same market Xhaka is being pushed for £35m?
Believe that and you would believe anything.
Marc
Ha ha. Nothing so far but will probably have a cheeky shampoo later with friends (yes GOH does have human friends).
I don’t think £40m for Xhaka is too outrageous but yes, maybe too high. £35m and I’m happy. Also, £20m for Ozil is still a snip for someone IF that clown gets real with his wages and leaves. He’s 30 but no miles on the clock…he doesn’t tackle or run so apart from his RSI in his fingers from game playing, he’s a good for another few years.
Guns,
I wasn’t keen for arteta ,but now he’s manager I’ll back him.
If pepe is a lazy bugger, I get the impression arteta won’t take any shit.
He’s on a 3 & half year deal so players know he’s here for the long term.
The change in torriera and ozil was impressive. Ozil chased back and put two challenges in and won the ball back twice in 3 minutes.
I think they know shit just got real.
Gentle
His contract is running down. They will have to cash in or lose him free in a year. So, £40m might be realistic.
I agree that Pepe needs to be given more time, but I also think people who think he will come good should acknowledge that there is reason to believe (from what we’ve seen so far) that he will not come good and that he will prove a bust. I personally remain somewhat on the fence about him, as I think there are things he possesses that could make him a great player, but I also think there are things about him (his decision-making, his speed of thought, his ability to play in combination with others) that could keep him from… Read more »
Up for
Lolz. Ozil just ran his equivalent of three marathons in one game!
Good for him the googly eyed whatsit.
I guess selling him to China is out now! Prick.
‘I said your comment was daft I didn’t call you anything’
You said my comment was daft but didn’t call me anything?
When will you stop amazing me, Marc!
Have you been leading such a lonely life that you don’t know what an insult sounds like?
If indeed my comment was daft….where does that leave me?
‘His contract is running down. They will have to cash in or lose him free in a year. So, £40m might be realistic.’
GOH,
You have a point there, though I’m still not convinced they wouldn’t find a better solution than selling him for that amount.
Guns with the New salary cap for China ozil won’t go there for only 42k a week!
Upmecanno buy out clause is 60 million euros but apparently drops 20 million euros in the summer.
40 million pounds might be tempting next week
Many forget that Pepe is a possible inhouse solution as CF if Auba or Laca leave or both.
We could even see the possibility of Pepe really stamping his arrival at Arsenal if he reverts from winger to CF in the side down the line at some point.
A good squad, is not necessarily a squad of so called star players.
It is the right blend of different skills that compliments the style of play.
The teams above us are better balanced squads consisting of players that are playing for the club and putting a shift in. So they are over achieving so far in the season.
We have no god given rights to be at the top and if the players think this we will continue to fail.
Time to roll up sleeves and play for the club for once.
Gentle
Either way, if we can get him in imagine this.
Leno
Bellerin
Holding
Saliba
Upemencho
Tierney
That’s a 22 ave age back line for a decade.
Many forget that Pepe is a possible inhouse solution as CF if Auba or Laca leave or both.
Awful decision. Club crying out for a winger for years and you want to convert him into a CF? No. Lemme guess Nelson RW so