Robbed, but the future is bright.

by .

Arsenal frittered away another 3 points against a top 6 side when they were downed by two late Chelsea goals. The result is very disappointing, the way it went down was very us, but you’d be hard-pressed to find many fans in that ground that weren’t happy with the way things are moving.

When it came down to it, there were some very fair mitigating circumstances the new manager was dealing with. We were missing Granit Xhaka, say what you will about him, he starts in this midfield. We were missing 3 full backs, plus Holding, Ceballos and Gabriel. That’s 7 players, which is a crisis. Then when we lost Cal Chambers, who was having a great game, and had to replace him with the absolutely dreadful Mustafi, well, you’re always going to struggle.

Both goals we conceded were very poor. I think the context, outside our limited set of players, was the amount of effort we were putting in. The players simply haven’t worked at that sort of level for a very long time, after 45 minutes, the energy levels noticeably dropped. In the second half that meant the players started to defend a lot deeper, which gave space for Chelsea to roam. We gave up our first goal from a hideous Bernd Leno error, he came racing out of his goal for a one-handed swipe at a cross, he missed, Jorginho was in at the back post for a finish he didn’t know much about. He’s been our best player this season, you just don’t expect that.

I don’t like to complain about reffing standards, but there’s no way Jorginho should have been on the pitch. In general, the tactical fouling on the halfway line was ignored by the ref for most of the day… arguably, if we’d been street smart enough, we’d have engaged in some of it for the second goal. Matteo G went for a header he was never going to win, he should have been sitting far deeper in my opinion, which is something I have no doubt will be fixed. Chelsea were allowed to run at us, Luiz and Mustafi dropped, and dropped, and dropped, the ball switched wide, Abrahams didn’t have Mustafi tight, he turned and put it past Leno. A shoddy piece of defending, but look, we’re not going to shake that in 2 weeks.

If there was a criticism to be had, I think it was about making aggressive subs a little earlier. Lacazette and Nelson weren’t offering much, I think there was a limited case to made that we could have brought on Pepe or John-Jules to bring more energy to the frontline. That said, when Pepe did come on, to watch and £80m winger spurn a chance because he couldn’t shift it onto his correct foot was quite depressing. Jules, well, an unknown quantity for a big game.

If we go to the first half, there was a lot more to be happy about. Firstly, the atmosphere is directly linked to what the fans are seeing on the pitch. We are energised by the efforts of the players, it’s fair to say the fans were buzzing for a large part of the game. Even after the game, there weren’t any boos, everyone respected the fight on show.

Arsenal were very compact. It was very refreshing to see our defenders a lot further up the pitch, people knew their positions, everyone was putting in a shift. I thought this new attitude was typified by the selfless performance of Auba. He held a very wide position all game and he actually tracked runners. A lot of people constantly rattle off the ‘not that sort of player’ line… well, Mesut Ozil and our best fox in the box are doing yards and making tackles now.

There wasn’t a whole lot of creation in the first half, but I think the purpose was more about containing Chelsea and nicking a goal where possible. Building from a solid foundation is what we’ve asked for over the years, we know we don’t need a lot of chances because we have elite finishers, so it was an interesting game from that purview.

I also thought we were very good in possession, again, it didn’t lead to much, but the passing in general was unrecognizable at times. We were seeing a different team that could move the ball out of the back fluidly, and shift the ball between the lines with relative ease. Chelsea were mostly chasing shadows for that opening 45, but what I loved is that were starting to reap the rewards of good off the ball positioning… Chelsea players were ratttled into making unforced errors just by where our players were positioned. Not perfect by any means, but you could see that we were difficult to attack.

Our goal came from a George Graham inspired setpiece. Cal Chambers, who is a beast in the air, nodded on for Auba at who was hunting in the box. It really was a shame he limped off with what looked like a serious injury.

A lot of people lay the genius of Chelsea at Frank Lampard’s feet when he switched Chelsea to a back 4 and brought on Jorginho. I’m not sure that was the difference-maker, I think Arsenal running out of steam was. When you’re tired, your body defaults… as a team, we defaulted to habits that Arteta hasn’t fully dealt with yet.

The game finished, but there were no boos. That was a heartening performance from a depleted team that’s about 2 weeks into a journey. We felt robbed, a bad feeling, but I didn’t expect to feel like that considering the circumstances. That’s a good sign.

I’m positive, I know most will expect me to be, but I think I’ve seen enough to know we’re heading in the right direction.

Arteta has taken over Arsenal in a chaotic fixture pile-up, with a broken squad, and very little confidence.

We’re seeing a huge amount of effort already. I read some people pondering whether Arsenal are capable of playing with intensity… absolutely. We’ve been playing with the handbrake on for well over a year, Arteta isn’t pushing Arsenal players to unachievable levels of effort, he’s bringing them up to a normal standard. It’s going to take time. We have a World Cup winning S&C coach who will be frontline shaping our intensity, we will be fine.  Key thing for me, I was unsure if Arteta would be able to motivate players to push themselves to breaking point, he can, that’s good news.

The players are responding well. I thought Luiz had an immense game, Torreira is playing like a proper DM, and Mesut Ozil has turned up for the second game in a row, Auba is defending, and AMN is looking very solid.

David Luiz had this to say.

“For me he will be one of the best coaches in the world,” Luiz said.

“I am lucky to have have had many good coaches in my career, he is intelligent, he is clever and I think he will be one of the best.

Sure, I can take that with a pinch of salt, but no one was saying this about Emery. My point here again is that the players are showing you they believe in Arteta with the effort, but they are saying they believe in his ideas, which is even more important. It takes time to learn a new way of playing. It took Klopp and Pep a while to bed in the way they wanted to play, it’ll take Mikel a while, but you’re seeing good signs.

I’m also positive that the manager can raise the level of the squad. We have good players, saying we don’t is lazy, it’s also usually peddled by people that liked Emery. We matched Chelsea fairly comfortably with 7 players missing, with a brand new manager… they’re 5 months into their project with a fully fit squad. We haven’t had proper fullbacks for two games, even the addition of Kola will help. Holding is going to be immensely welcome when he joins, a ball-playing centre back with athleticism. I’m sure Arteta will draw more from Ceballos and I’m pretty sure Martinelli is exactly the mould of player he wants in his side.

The second part of having fit players is being able to select from a bench. A lot of criticism was levelled for his subs yesterday, but really, how many game-changing options did he have? Pepe can’t get a start ahead of Nelson, we can keep hoping he’s the real deal, but all logical indicators point to him not being that player right now.

We’ve also lost our ‘ex-captain’ to Hertha Berlin. 1) This is his level 2) We will have to replace him. Hopefully we find someone with the power and pace he lacked. They also need to be able to pass. That signing needs to be a game-changer, there has to be a good plan there.

Results have to come, they will come, but there need to be a level of realism. We’re in the most intense part of the season with a new manager who is having to communicate most of his ideas in meetings and one on ones. Still, we’re seeing the beginnings of an identity, which is what we all wanted. The players are fighting for the club, something we’ve not seen for years. Fans in the stadium are backing the approach, lots of positive sentiment during and after the game. Good things will come, the next 6 weeks will be rough, but we are moving towards something very exciting.

Right, see you all in the comments. x

 

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Valentin

I like the fact that the scouting department for the academy is being revamped with arrival of that ManCity young scout. However I would also hear more about change in the coaching staff and a bigger emphasis made on the defending side of the game. Like I have repeated numerous time Arsenal not producing a single premiership quality CB since the days of George Graham is systemic failure. One defensive midfielder (Isaac Hayden) playing regularly in the top division is further proof of that ingrained neglect. I don’t consider Coquelin, and others as real products of the academy as they… Read more »

CG

Well said Jamesy

Alex James

Thank you CG. Like me, you have a grip on reality. And this is not a reflection of lack of love for the club.

habesha gooner

Dejan Kulusevski is about to sign for Juventus. Surely someone has to leave now from the Juventus midfield. Can and Rabiot are the ones with the most to lose considering sarri likes Pjanic Matuidi and Bentancur. Even Ramsey had more taste of first team football than both. Whoever they are willing to let go we need to get.

azed

Right now this Arsenal team can’t play 90 minutes at the intensity that Arteta wants. You may not like it, but that’s a fact that Arteta readily acknowledges.

Valentin

You said Emery under trained the players but still haven’t shown any proof.

If Arteta wants the players to run more, how is that Emery’s fault?
Was Emery supposed to train the players to Arteta’s stand?

Bottom line is you LIED. Be a man and own up.

habesha gooner

One name arsenal fans don’t think about is Felipe Anderson. A very good attacking midfielder who can also play as a winger. I would love it if we were to sign him to replace Ozil.

Valentin

Rabiot may be the better footballer, but Emre Can is the better suited to the EPL. He is a fighter not afraid to put his foot in. He also already know the EPL, so outside of the conditioning due to his Italian mid season break, he could be nearly immediately ready for us.

CG

I just state the Truth. A.J Gets me into a lot of trouble though We aren’t really 6 points of the bottom 3, mind. We have not really lost 4 home games in a row for the first time since 1959 too. We have not really won 1 game in 15. Raul didn’t really arrive at Arsenal when we were 5th and are now 12th….and spend 1/4 of a billion. Pepe is wonderful too. I off course made that all up. But we have Steve Round to coach us. Wonder if Moyes goes in for his old mate? Man Utd… Read more »

Guns of Brixton

AM to replace / complement Ozil or whatever we are calling it imo has to be Ziyech.

azed

This was your post Valentin Last season Emery overtrained and overused the same players resulting in injuries during the winter month. This year, he changed the conditioning to a lower regime and the result is that the players are 70 minutes players. Past the 80 minutes mark, they all suffers from cramps and can’t run. That was already the case when Emery was still here. Today we could see that Saka could not run. The fact that a 18 years old boy can be over ridden of cramp when his much older direct opposite winger is still running is entirely… Read more »

Guns of Brixton

Agree strongly with @Valentin

Emre Can a solid CM.

habesha gooner

Yeah Valentin, but if it were for the long term Rabiot would suit arteta’s style than Can. Anyway Whoever we could get will get us an upgrade in midfield.

azed

In my opinion, Rabiot will be another Xhaka.

Ishola70

habesha gooner
“but if it were for the long term Rabiot would suit arteta’s style than Can”

It won’t be for the long term.

He will be on a very big wage at Juventus

And what style do you speak of relating to Rabiot?

Dandy style?

He strolls around the pitch. Strolls.

Valentin

Azed,

Let’s agree to disagree.
You are not arguing anything that make sense, just complain that I dared say that Emery left us in a mess.
Arteta is also arguing that the team is not fit for 90 minutes of his high intensity football. Who do you think he is blaming for that sorry state? Himself, Freddie or the conditioning guy from the previous regime?
Having a go at me for share his opinion does not change the fact. This team is not fit enough to play 90 minutes of high intensity football.

Jamie

Cheeky loan bid for Ramsey?

Ishola70

It’s crazy isn’t it.

We talk of Xhaka not being good enough off the ball and now some are championing Rabiot.

Let’s be clear. Rabiot falls again into this luxury department.

I thought we wanted to get rid of these type of players.

Looks nice when he is in the mood. Other times too much nonchalance about his play.

habesha gooner

I really don’t think people who say Rabiot is like Xhaka have seen enough of him. He really is good at holding on to the ball and progressing play. He is not defensively poor either. He 7sedbto play as a DM for PSG some times He also contributes further forward. It would be like having a better kovacic. He is not Lazy. He just needs the right management.

habesha gooner

7sedbto* used to

Ishola70

habesha

Rabiot has more facets to his game than Xhaka for sure but he is still too nonchalant in his play too many times.

And it’s not a coaching issue.

It’s his character.

Valentin

I am not so sure that Rabiot would be a better fit to Arteta style of play longer term tan Emre Can. Listening to his interview, it looks like Arteta is not so attached to possession football than Pep. reading his past says I would surmise that he wants a style more likely to be a mix of Klop and Pep. Less based on possession and more vertical, quicker going for goals. In that style Emre Can may be closer to the type of football that Arteta wants. Rabiot is a 8 who dreams to be a 10. But I… Read more »

Marko

Juve bid for Dejan Kulusevski. Another club making a shrewd progressive move. Meanwhile at Arsenal Arteta is trying to convince Xhaka to stay and fans are suggesting players like Fleck and waiting for the summer before having our pick of the relegated players.

Jamie

Bielik straight red two footer.

Ishola70

Valentin

“Listening to his interview, it looks like Arteta is not so attached to possession football than Pep. reading his past says I would surmise that he wants a style more likely to be a mix of Klop and Pep. Less based on possession and more vertical, quicker going for goals.”

Don’t say that Valentin.

You’ll crush the dreams of some posters on here lol

Ishola70

Valentin

“But I don’t think that long term Arsenal will want to use a regular 10.”

Yeah we can do without 10s.

That’s yesterday’s news as well.

habesha gooner

https://psgtalk.com/2016/10/why-adrien-rabiot-is-one-of-the-best-midfielders-in-europe/
this is an article about Rabiot when he was 21

he is not a CM who wants to be a 10, he is a converted CM from DM

bennydevito

I really don’t think Rabiot is what we need at all. Another luxury player in the mould of Ozil is the last thing we need.

Valentin

Arteta is his own man. He may have worked with Pep, but that does not mean that he share exactly the same philosophy.
They have been raised in Barcelona, but Arteta has spend most of his playing career in leagues that were a lot more competitive and physical than la Liga.
I don’t think people will be disappointed if Arteta has his own style. What most fans want is a successful and enjoyable football. Few if any are bound to specific tactics. Unless of course Arteta decide to become the Spanish version of Allardyce and Tony Pulis.

habesha gooner

Any one seen Bruno Guimaraes live? is he any good? there are some links to him aswell.

Ishola70

Well the headline is misleading for a start.

One of the best midfielders in europe but who can’t pin down a first team place at teams for a few years now.

But yeah he is misunderstood.

Champagne charlie

Habesha

Felipe Anderson is a good player, only trouble is West Ham paid circa 40 mil and they don’t sell cheap. Is he that good for our needs? Not for me. Grealish the better option from Villa, younger and more traits that suit us imo.

Rabiot and Xhaka getting put in the same category now, absolutely mind blowing…

oh wait, I see who said as much…

as you were.

Valentin

Habesha,

Rabiot has been played as a 8, sometimes as a 6 by most coaches, but he has made clear that wants to play as No10.
Most of the tension between PSG and Rabiot came from that refusal to accept that he is a 8 and his agent’s mother inflated view of his worth.
His stats show exactly that. His defensive stats and pre-assists are very good for a 8, while his goal scoring and assists stats are not good for a 10.

Ishola70

habesha gooner
“Any one seen Bruno Guimaraes live? is he any good? there are some links to him aswell.”

No but there will be a few on here that pretend they have lol.

I’ve only seen highlights of him.

Again he has far more facets to his game than Xhaka.

Don’t know how good he really is defensively though.

I’d rather take a plunge on Guimarães though than Rabiot.

Marc

If Arteta succeeds in convincing Xhaka to stay then he will go down in the eyes of a lot of fans.

habesha gooner

Isohola 70 who would you like us to target as a midfield reinforcement?
Charlie yeah they paid 42 mil, 26 and in his prime. He has had absolutely outstanding games for them though.

Marko

Filipe Anderson would be a great signing. Wasted at West Ham. Not a priority though. Maybe West Ham can get relegated and we can talk about nabbing him and Haller

Valentin

Marc,

From Xhaka camp it is clear that Arteta is willing to let Xhaka go in the summer, just not right now.
I am firmly in the camp that Xhaka is unsuited for the EPL, but I also firmly believe that letting him go without a proper replacement is suicidal.
I perfectly understand Arteta position on the subject. I think that most reasonable fans would also.

Ishola70

habesha gooner
“who would you like us to target as a midfield reinforcement?”

It’s most likely to be a loan so as a few others have said I would prefer to see Can come in until the end of the season than Rabiot.

Longer term and in the future why not this Guimarães. Get a deal done now that will see him arrive this coming summer. As said seen only highlights of him but he looks like he could have a bit of the Casemiro’s about him.

Champagne charlie

Marc if your estimation of a coach is based on his decision to keep a player you dislike it says a lot more about you than him.

Arteta won’t suffer for the sake of a player, he wants Xhaka for the now, the summer is entirely different. You’re another that needs to suspend his petty axe against this or that player and let the managers decisions and actions bear whatever fruit.

habesha gooner

Valentin, You see Rabiot is a very good 8 though. I think he would improve our midfield. Him and torriera would be as creative and as solid as a CM pairing can become. Ishola 70 I like can too. He is a physical CM. he would improve us too. whichever we pick it would be better than Xhaka.

Marc

Cc / Valentin None of us know who we could get as a replacement in Jan – even a loan. Sorry but the only thing Xhaka brings is 1 good (by his usual standards) performance a season on average and a cluster of major fuck ups. His piss poor attitude, disrespect to the fans and general lack of being able to cope in the PL means that keeping him is a seriously bad idea. I don’t form opinions on players because I personally like them or that they are “trendy”. If anyone needs to see why Xhaka should go re… Read more »

Marc

“Arteta won’t suffer for the sake of a player”

He fucking will if he keeps picking him.

Champagne charlie

Marc

Yea, you’re clearly riding your vendetta against him hard because he told you to fuck off. The irony of such snowflake behaviour.

Yes, Xhaka drops one good performance per season and the rest of the time it’s fuckups. Sounds entirely like it.

Do as you please mate, adjusting your view of Arteta because he picks a player you don’t like is about as embarrassing a position to take as I can think. You’re welcome to it.

Marc

Cc

I didn’t even know he’d sworn at the fans until the next day, that was just petulance . If you think that’s what pissed me off you’re so off the truth it’s a joke.

As I said re watch the Nelson sub on Sunday.

Valentin

Rabiot is a good 8, but I am not sure that he suited to the EPL. He may be tall, but he does not like physical confrontation. I would also question his temperament. He has the bad habit of reacting to being kicked, which he would on a regular basis in the EPL.

Marc

Valentin

“He has the bad habit of reacting to being kicked, which he would on a regular basis in the EPL.”

If that’s the case as soon as opposition teams realised he reacts badly they’d spend the first 15 minutes kicking the shit out of him.

Dissenter

Marc
Arteta will be daft to let a functional midfielder like Xhaka leave without knowing who the replacement will be.
I think he’s handled the Arteta situation excellently. He’s talking up the player he has available.

Champagne charlie

Marc You’re holding up Nelson being subbed as some virtuous stance for condemning Xhaka. I don’t care much how a player is subbed, I care that a player can contribute to us winning games and potentially winning the EL. Xhaka can do that, whereas not having him means we have to find a replacement. If there is one, like Rabiot, then I’ve already stated I’m all for it. But this absolute bollocks about ridding ourselves of Xhaka whatever the weather is utterly embarrassing. Even more so altering a view of the manager because he dare want players on hand that… Read more »

Marc

Dissenter

Talking him up to sell him or talking him up to get him to stay?

Valentin

Marc,

Arteta is not a fool. He wants Xhaka to stay now because he knows that he needs him now. There is no way we should be relying on just Guendouzi and Torreira staying fit and not receiving a ban until the end of the season.
See what decision Arteta takes next summer.
Plus maybe Arteta may succeed in transforming Xhaka into a decent EPL worth a lot more in July!

Marc

Cc

OK you clearly don’t know what I’m talking about when I say reference the Nelson substitution – why not ask what I mean rather than try to take the high road as if you know everything?

Dissenter

Marc
Publicly saying he hopes he stays is the best way because his exit is not as easy as it seems.
The buying club has to meet our valuation and then we have to sign a replacement, not that easy in January.
He has to find a way to get the best out of him if he’s still here by the end of the window.

Champagne charlie

Marc

There’s no high road. Didn’t Nelson come off at the nearest available spot so we got on with the game quicker?

Do tell.

Marc

Valentin

I do not believe that there isn’t a player out there who we could bring in either on loan or as a permanent signing in Jan who wouldn’t offer more than Xhaka does.

Marc

Cc

Exactly – so a kid had the nous to do that whilst Xhaka ambled off half way across the pitch when we were chasing a result.

Remind who was Captain at the time? Remind who should be setting the example to the other players?

Fuck me Chambers was moving faster with an injury that almost required a stretcher than Xhaka did.

Xhaka is a liability – let’s make the scouts and Sanllehi earn their money this Jan.

Valentin

Marc,

That was exactly one of the issue he had first at Toulouse (which people overlook because of his young age) but also at PSG.
His arrogant attitude also has the habit of annoying opponents who were more than willing to kick him or wind him up.
Unless 6 months in Italy has calm him down, I can only see that being worse in the EPL.

Marc

Dissenter

I agree with your comment in principle but Xhaka is so far up his won arse that if we refuse a bid his petulance – something we’ve already seen will hit new heights.

He was fucking useless when he was happy – fuck knows what we’ll get if he’s pissed off he’s been forced to stay.

Marko

He fucking will if he keeps picking him.

Absolutely. Again every statistic points to us being better when he’s not in the team.

Champagne charlie

Marc So I understand exactly what you were angling at then… Why don’t you just let the manager be the manager and see how it plays out instead of changing tact based on what actions you think he should take? This nonsense about estimations going down if he doesn’t sell Xhaka in Jan is entirely driven by personal dislike. HE wants him here to fulfill immediate goals, that should be the end of it but the modern fan thinks he’s within his rights to chirp up about literally everything. Also, let Nelson succumb to the pressure and abuse Xhaka got… Read more »

Marc

Marko

I don’t get how posters on here can watch matches in such detail, produce such scrutiny and then tell me that we can’t get even a loan player in in Jan who could replace what Xhaka does.

If he’s denied his move that he clearly wants his performances will get worse – and I struggle to even get my head round what that would entail.

Champagne charlie

Val

Did you see Sarri’s comments about Rabiot being introverted which he hinted hadn’t helped his integration into the Juve squad?

Found them A) a bit odd to be publicly shared, B) kind of surprising given the chat about Rabiot as a strong personality in previous exchanges aired through the media.

Marc

Cc ” that should be the end of it but the modern fan thinks he’s within his rights to chirp up about literally everything.” Well firstly kettle and pot. Secondly I couldn’t give a shit if he got on the stadium sound system and personally called me a cunt – I care about performances and he’s awful. If you think I’m reacting to him saying “fuck off” get a grip. He’s a truly awful footballer who is a liability and will cost us in so many ways if he stays. You’d keep him till the summer – you’re stark raving… Read more »

Champagne charlie

Marc

And there it is in a nutshell, you don’t like him so all balanced views are out the window and he’s a footballer with no redeeming quality whatsoever.

Must’ve been sheer luck that he’s been our best passer since being at the club, most passes, most forward passes, most passes through the lines. He was easily among our best performers in the last two games, mitigating circumstances for that naturally blah blah.

HillWood

Anyone know if Lille used to play the left footed PEPE on the right ?

Marc

Cc

The only thing Xhaka been best at in the three and a half seasons he’s been with us is player most likely to fuck it up.

If he was great why wouldn’t I like him? If Xhaka was a hangman he’d use a 30 foot rope on a 20 foot gallows.

If you really need to know how bad he is ask a few Spud supporters if they think we should keep him?

Champagne charlie

“You’d keep him till the summer – you’re stark raving bonkers.“

And no… I’ve said id be rid of him, I’ve just said he needs replaced in Jan or it would be stupid to sell him before then. Which is what I imagine Arteta thinks if I read between the lines of his assessment of the situation around him.

Marc

” he’s a footballer with no redeeming quality whatsoever. ”

That’s actually not true – he wants to leave.

Halle fucking lujah

Marc

Cc

Yes we would need to bring in another player if he goes – the difference between us is you think getting a replacement will be difficult – I don’t.

Getting a top quality long term CM is another story. Xhaka is like a bucket with a dozen holes in it – technically a bucket with 6 holes is a huge improvement.

Ishola70

Charlie

“Must’ve been sheer luck that he’s been our best passer since being at the club, most passes, most forward passes, most passes through the lines”

No it’s not sheer luck.

It’s because 99% of Arsenal’s play in first/second transition on the ball is through Granit Xhaka.

This also makes Arsenal one dimensional and predictable.

We were talking about Man City earlier.

Their midfield play is light years ahead of Arsenal because they have the combination passing play between several players in the midfield.

No relying on one midfielder for them.

Champagne charlie

Marc I didn’t say he was great, I’m just not going to flat earth a player because he doesn’t get me reaching for the hand cream. Xhaka is the best passer we have in midfield, he’s one of the best passers from deep in the league. Those things don’t suddenly make him great, he’s got warts that are well documented. But ridding yourself of a player with those characteristics mid-season when nobody else compares is simply not smart. I’ve not even bothered talking about a potential upturn in performance levels under Arteta (as we’re seeing from some players). Just look… Read more »

PhD2020

MarcDecember 30, 2019 21:58:57
” he’s a footballer with no redeeming quality whatsoever. ”That’s actually not true – he wants to leave.Halle fucking lujah
——–
I wish you would do away with the blaspheming..

It’s horrible, you old decrepit whinge bag.. 🙂

Champagne charlie

“Yes we would need to bring in another player if he goes – the difference between us is you think getting a replacement will be difficult – I don’t.“

Humour me and name some of these players that are available.

I’m absolutely on board to replacing him, I want Rabiot.

Marc

PhD

Blasphemy?

It’s not as if I said that piece of Halibut was good enough for Jehovah.

Marc

Cc

Then I hope you get your wish – we’ll both be happy!

PhD2020

I see Perez Hilton aka Bumford has been keeping a low profile these days, whilst still popping up to bang the same drum about player poverty..

Just a matter of time before he spreads his poison..Give it another week or so..He’ll soon be up and running in full flight mode launching his bile in your direction.

Slade

Emery Can would be a great signing, but, I would rather sign Rabiot so Valentin can start every comment with “I told you so” for the next 6 months.

Mr Serge

Hillwood Lille only played Pepe on the right of a three most of his goals were cutting in after outpacing s player and scoring with his left

PhD2020

Arsenal is screwed as a club… Don’t know of any club,that has a monopoly on lowering expectations over the last decade or so,whilst the fans take the baloney fed to them by the hierarchy.. First, it was I’ll take second place for the next 20 years under Arsene. Then,it was Top 4 is a trophy,the fans swallowed that also. Followed by us being out of CL for almost three seasons..Finishing out of the top 4.And the fans resigned to taking this up the anal rectum. Now,we are at that juncture,where we could possibly be in a relegation dogfight.And the fans… Read more »

Jamie

We should go hard for Reinier Jesus. I am already.

Apeman

First time commenter long time reader .

You lost me at suggesting John-Jules should have come on for Laca. Come on man.

I saw loads of positives from this game but please dont be an apologist for everything that went wrong. Arteta looks like he will come good, bur just because you backed him from early doesnt mean you have to justify every error that happened.

PhD2020

Quite shocking reading that comment from Saka,about Arteta teaching them the basics about when to release the ball,etc,etc.

I was in shock.I mean this is stuff that is taught at high school level.And even if it is not,it is something that is instinctive,if not logical.

Makes you wonder what do they teach them at the Arsenal Academy and even still,what does the 1st team do for practice in training?

I mean,is it simply jumpers for goal posts they’ve been indulging in for about the last decade or so?

alexanderhenry

PhD

Quite right.
A depressing assessment but I don’t know what other conclusion any fan can reach really.

The only hope is that Arteta turns out to be some kind of genius.

Champagne charlie

PhD

The foundation’s of football have been absent a good long while at the club. It was assumed/expected that a modern manager like Emery would driver that on the most basic level. The fact he never speaks to just how poor a choice he was given our needs.

Huge sense of relief and confidence knowing Arteta is working from the very ground up and not taking anything for granted at the club. Perhaps that’s his prior knowledge coming to the fore? Either way, sad indictment, but duly needed correcting.

Gentlebris

‘Man Utd and and Rashford coming to The Emirates Wednesday. Loose that and that will 5 home defeats in a row…… worst since ????’

The boys brigade here would just make more excuses…..that’s all. Like most of them did for Emery until they turned on him.

Arsenal fans are great, most don’t believe in avoiding a disaster but would cry and cry when things go wrong.

I pray we don’t lose the next two games, because if we do, you are gonna see some serious 360s on Arteta here.

Gentlebris

‘Emery Can would be a great signing, but, I would rather sign Rabiot so Valentin can start every comment with “I told you so” for the next 6 months.’

Emery Can?

Must be Unai Emery’s son.

Marko

Arsenal will provide Mikel Arteta with funds in next month’s transfer window to plug the defence. The club are prioritising a centre back. RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano is high on their list and the German club could be persuaded to sell for around £40m. (@SamiMokbel81_DM)

Bamford10

Yes, be sure to listen when “Champagne Charlie” talks about football. He told Le Grove that Arsenal have a “top four caliber squad” and that Leicester City do not have the quality of any of “the big six”.

Leicester are second in the PL and 18 points above 12th place Arsenal.

Charlie will blame the above, of course, on Unai Emery, but this not a claim that stands up to any serious scrutiny. Charlie’s takes on football are as sound as his use of apostrophes.

Bamford10

* is

PhD2020

Champagne charlieDecember 30, 2019 22:42:17/Alexander Henry PhDThe foundation’s of football have been absent a good long while at the club. It was assumed/expected that a modern manager like Emery would driver that on the most basic level. The fact he never speaks to just how poor a choice he was given our needs. ———- Hiring Emery or Arteta,is just papering over the cracks.. There are fundamental or structural issues that need to be addressed. I don’t think it is by mere accident,we find ourselves where we are..Almost the possibility of being sucked into a relegation dog fight. This ,has been… Read more »

Bamford10

Champagne also told us about how much he was looking forward to Lacazette returning to the XI, about how much Lacazette’s return to the XI would bring Arsenal.

How has that worked out?

Lacazette has been fucking gash.

Lacazette is short, slow, unreliable and inconsistent in his finishing, and average in pretty much every respect. Yet along with Xhaka, Lacazette is one of the players Champagne has championed most.

Neither would start for a single top ten PL team today.

Marko

So close.

Bam I don’t even know why you’re on right now PhD is here and he’s got you on his mind

Valentin

Hillwood, Yes, Pepe was used on the right with Lille by Christophe Galthier. The previous season under Marcelo Bielsa he was tried as central striker, but it was not so successful. Lille was nearly relegated and Bielsa was sacked and saved by Galthier who the following season helped Lille finished 2nd and qualify for the Champion’s League. Christophe Galthier has a very specific way of coaching. He prefers to teach his players precise predetermined attacking team moves that they will practice until it become second nature. For example when playing a counter-attacking move after an opposition corners players will know… Read more »

Pierre

Azed
“ValentinYou said Emery under trained the players but still haven’t shown any proof.”

What proof are you looking for ….

Secret videos taken undercover at London Conley.
An interview with Emery admitting his crime.

Bamford10

PhD

“Just a matter of time before he spreads his poison.”

Since when did the truth become “poison”? Don’t worry, I get it: the truth is always poison to the bad man, the dishonest man.

PhD2020

And up pops Perez Hilton..

Brace yourselves folks…

PS
Be careful in responsding to him.Should you disagree with him,he’s likely to sneer at your comments,followed by embarking on a smearing campaign, culminating in him snitching on you also.Like he snitched on Pedro..

Should call Perez Hilton -Triple S also..(Sneerer, Smearer and the Snitcher).

Bamford10

Marko

Yeah, this guy is seriously bizarre. If I thought he lived anywhere near me, I’d look into filing a restraining order of some kind.

Cesc Appeal

Upamecano rumours picking up now. Could just be recycled stories but we will see. He’s a very athletic CB, some holes in his defensive game to sure up but critically he uses the ball well as a CB which is going to be key to Arteta’s strategy. I also think a move for Can would be smart. Always liked him as a player, one of those decent all round type midfielders. As long as the price was right for him. A January window of Upamecano and Can would actually be pretty smart, stabilising. Adds some athleticism to the side and… Read more »

Bamford10

Oh boy, here comes crazy.

PhD2020

Bamford10December 30, 2019 23:14:29 PhD“Just a matter of time before he spreads his poison.”Since when did the truth become “poison”? Don’t worry, I get it: the truth is always poison to the bad man, the dishonest man. ——-=— Says Perez Hilton, who went on social media trying to discredit Pedro to his journalistic friends.Simply because he banned you. Man,you have some balls though..No shame whatsoever. You basically tried to take food away from Pedro’s table,by trying to smear him to his professional colleagues. Going on a rival site to continue your smearing campaign of Pedro.. What happened,they soon got tired… Read more »

Gentlebris

£72m smartly spent would solve a lot of problems…..even in this crazy market.

Imagine a very smart fella taking that bread to Brazil, Portugal and Argentina.

But we spent all of it on one of the hypes of the summer!

Great management…..but let’s ignore all of that and debate whether Can is better than Rabiot.