via @Arsenal
HAPPY NEW YEAR! HOW ARE YOU FEELING? Ok, ok, I’ll stop the shouting, but I will maintain a quiet energy with the prose because I need you up for the BIG game today.
It’s a huge one, Arsenal takes on Manchester United at home for Arteta’s 3rd game.
I think it’s a stretch to think we’re going to take points from them today. A draw would be excellent work, 3 points would have us all buzzing, but when you look at how their squad is fitness-wise and look at ours, it makes for grim reading.
We are missing a lot of defenders, which is difficult to deal with because even when we’re fully fit, we’re not exactly 90s Milan at the back. There might be some good news with regards to Bellerin who is close to returning, but knowing how fragile he’s been, you’d be hard-pressed to imagine he’ll start.
The manager was keen to impress that the defensive failures at Chelsea; with a very weak backline, were not structural.
“It wasn’t a transition where we had a bad structure or a bad organisation, when we are defending big spaces on equal numbers or are outnumbered – it wasn’t the case at all,”
“We made one half-bad decision [to back off] and these teams, when in space, they punish you, for sure. But the other option is to defend all the time and be there [in defensive areas] and we don’t want that.”
So at the very least, we’ll be prepared to deal with United. They have extremely fast forwards, they’ll probe for counter-attacks and they’ll look to stretch us using width. Arteta only recently tasted a loss against them when he was at City, it was quite a lucky United performance, but OGS had his team of workhorses make last years Champions look very old.
Going forward is where we’ll have to provide something more interesting. Containing their threat won’t be enough, we need to create chances. The good news here is Gabriel might be back in contention, his aggression in the press and all-round threat could be highly valuable to us. I’d also imagine we’ll be seeing a start from Pepe, there has to be some rotation today and that seems like the most obvious place to start. It’s hard to work out what the issue is with the Ivorian because no one will say explicitly, but it reads a blend of work rate and general fitness levels. 3 managers in a row can’t be wrong.
Ceballos is also back in contention, people forget he’s a young player, under a coach that helps him, he might be U21 Championship Dani, so it’s a new start for him.
Xhaka is also fit. Again, not my favourite player, but he’d start in our midfield at the moment. If he doesn’t play, we’ll know he’s off to Berlin. Worry with him is he mails it in as a final fuck you to the fans that booed him.
I mused before the manager started that he’d look for a turnaround project, and it seems he has one, he’s going all out to make Mesut Ozil the star of the show again. Makes sense, he’s used to having lots of #10 like talents to work with at City and on his day, no one can touch Ozil. Additionally, we have no one that gets close to him on the creativity front. We are a more intelligent team with him at his best. The German looks happy on the pitch, he’s put in two dirty shifts, he’ll have another chance to find his level again today and hopefully offer something more decisive.
“Mesut is putting in everything he has and his numbers, physically, have improved so much,”
“On his own he can’t do it. He needs the collective structure, organisation and his teammates. He needs the team to play in a certain way to facilitate his strengths more and more in the game. That’s what we’re trying to do.
“I put him in the team if I see every day that his attitude, desire and understanding of what we’re trying to do is there. The moment that this changes, then he won’t play.”
At the end of the day, he loves living in London, he loves his contract, and he’s a human… he’ll want to be impressing the fans, no one wants to be hated. He might also have the afterlife on his mind, if he tanks another manager, no one will risk giving him the big bucks in 18 months. Wenger didn’t have a machine that worked for him towards the end, Emery couldn’t see past running him into the ground in a shit system… it seems like Arteta has a more thoughtful approach to extracting creativity from him, whilst pushing him to support the system. It’ll be very interesting to see what the physical output looks like today, because he has done a lot of work in a short space of time. Some will say we’ve seen this film before, but maybe with a more elevated thinker in the dugout, it could be a different ending this time.
The main worry I have about today is how another loss will affect morale. Bournemouth was just an unlucky day at the shooting range, the Chelsea game was bad luck with fitness and Mustafi… we really need a result to prove out the hard work and progress. The fans will be buzzing for the game this evening, a classic win would be a great way to start the year, let’s see where we land.
Right, that’s me done, see you in the comments x
Not heard much from Ishola about David Luiz being a Trojan horse type figure.
Been immense, not good, immense.
Good coaching, a plan, structure, the cream rises when you do that. Get it fucking up you naysayers.
‘Arsenal wanted it more today. Ten times more.’
Funny that, maybe hit your boy Ole up and enlighten him of this.
Man Utd were really poor.
Fucking UTd, no cards
Great 3 points and top class first half performance, couldn’t ask for more.
Why is Freddie binned to the stand?
Act as a human drone from up top?
I called it
2-0
Who was the fella that asked what I was smoking?
Top 10 😁😂
Nothing special.
Man Utd have lost 4 out of their last 5 meetings with Arsenal at the Emirates.
Win and clean sheet at last. Players run down last 10 minutes . Torreira perked up with energy bar sneaked by Guendouzi
Such a fcking good win!
Well done Arteta!
Well done players and crowd!
Happy New Year groovers and Pedro!!
Arteta desperately wants to connect with the fans
Good thing he asked them to wait to thank the fans
Oil’s passes is a level above Laca and Auba. But our striker’s job is to score goal. Ozil can’t do that.
Well done Arsenal.Still massive rooms for improvement..
Need to be more clinical in front of goal..
But certainly Kols,Xhaka Reiss and AMN should be sold off..
Ishola give your man David Luiz some props tonight, guy was imperious back there.
Man.
Chelsea frigging Robed us.
Should be 6 points in 2
Yes!
Come on Arsenal!
Un
So right look at Ozil now, he had a great game.
Auba has to be in the middle not on the wing
I don’t think Xhaka is leaving this January, sorry to disappoint all those fantasy football scouting lists.
David Luiz mrshalled at last stand and told Leno where to hoof out to waste time
So happy to see Torreira play like that – it’s how he was at Sampdoria. Fantastic little player when he is in the right position.
Great result – some fitness work to be done but it bodes very well for the future if we can already see the impact Arteta is having, even if it is only for 45 – 60 minutes at the moment.
So many players with smiles on their faces, and not just from seeing Fred’s free kick just then.
Great to see
Look to the positives it was a good performance in the first half again much more solid and organized in the second half and a clean sheet. Still a lot of kinks to work out but promising signs. Can see things being better with players getting back and Ceballos getting involved and most importantly a couple signings. Back him just back him.
Has to be said though he’s getting more from old frog eyes (questions about why HE couldn’t do that more often over the years) Torreira and Luiz.
Arsenal 10th, buzzing 😂😂
Great stuff from Ozil, Torr and Luiz. Torr playing at DM working like a treat.
Ozil’s final.ball was dreadful and as for being a threat on goal, you can forget it.
Let’s all pray that 2020 will be a better year for The Arsenal than the last 3 years.
We’re off to a great start.
10th is the new 4th.
Good win. Now he can continue his work with more confident players. No one left the stadium early today did they? Everyone is lifted.
Onto the next league game. Couldn’t care less about the FA cup honestly.
“Fucking UTd, no cards”
Yes but there was no penalty for them, so all in all, I think the balance is right!! Lol
Couldn’t care less about the FA cup honestly.
———————-
You should. That could be our ticket to the Europa cup next season.
Great result for the team. Hopefully, confidence can be gained and we can push on now.
Have we been that bad for so long, suddenly in 3 games we look happier and willingness to chase, press and play as a unit.
Kudos. Both Arteta and Round off the bench, shouting at the players, pushing me forward or back.
That second half was a very mature performance. We held off and let united to try and play and they’re useless with the ball.
Kudos to the whole team.
Vital win. The jubilation in that stadium. Usually it would seem embarrassing, but totally understandable. You could see it on the player’s faces as well. Torreira was MOTM. Luiz, Ozil, Aubameyang, Lacazette, AMN, Sokratis all had great games in one way or another. Still felt Xhaka was the weak link, sloppy, played us into trouble a couple of times and does not have the legs. Lots to work on. The second half slump under Arteta is worrying. Like a reverse Emery. Little break to Leeds now. Chance for rotation and it’s at home. Give Ceballos a run out, Martinelli should… Read more »
Lot to improve on obviously but you can see already the impact on our performances since the change. Last twenty minute spell against Chelsea aside, we actually look compact at the back for the first time in an age.
Still have Martinelli, Tierney and Ceballos to add to this as well. Would love a transfer in January but I can’t see it.
It’s good to see the senior players helping the young manager.
Good stuff from the 5 captains 😊
Boys done well. Won the game in the first half. Saw out the second half. Now these next EPL games coming up don’t become absolute must wins. A draw at Crystal Palace doesn’t become the end of the world. But of course you hope that after this win there is every chance of a win at Palace and then all of a sudden after just two matches the outlook for Arsenal in the EPL becomes much different. As for Man Utd looool. Surely their Norwegian elf won’t be seen taking them into next season. To say his lacks charisma and… Read more »
All hail Pedro and his vision!
Great game for Arteta.
Luiz was a beast take this Don lol
Great win. Loving it.
pedro to be knighted.
‘Would love a transfer in January but I can’t see it’
They’ve got to.
The way it is right now it seems a partner for Torreira is way more important than a CB.
Arsenal are unbeaten this year, Arteta effect.
David Luiz is the leader of the group. He speaks very good English too.
This nelson, smh for him, he has a long way to go and the earlier he realizes it, the better. Respect for all the players today, they all worked their socks off. Leno should be warned seriously, why put us under unnecessary pressure by playing out from the back when United was obviously pressing us?
I don’t think Xhaka is leaving this January, sorry to disappoint all those fantasy football scouting lists.
Another prediction you can take to the bank from Dissenter. Xhaka’s staying, we’re in a relegation fight and Tierney is rocking up at Leicester to replace Chilwell who’s at City.
Winning all the 3 epl games in Jan is absolutely vital.
Win all the 3 games and we will be very close to top4. Set of fixtures all look like 6 pointers for top4.
Why does David Luiz sound French haha.
Dissenter was dissing our play from the back tactics. For us to play quality possession football, it’s imperative we build from the back. There is no alternative to it.
And the fucking clean sheet to boot!
Sleep well tonight guys.
“Another prediction you can take to the bank from Dissenter. Xhaka’s staying, we’re in a relegation fight and Tierney is rocking up at Leicester to replace Chilwell who’s at City.“
😂😂
Nelson is very average (at best) but to be fair under normal circumstances Arteta is reaching for Martinelli there not Nelson.
One game at a time.
Luis talking a lot of sense there.
We showed defensive spirit to get that win over the line. A superb game management by arteta. Very well done to the players.
Marko is already triggered because I suggested Arteta will most likely keep Xhaka this January.
I didn’t say we get relegated though. Don’t use me to work through your Xhaka-induced misery.
2020 good start.
Beautiful victory.
Happy year this one apparently.
Now let’s go do Palace!
A 60 million elite goal poacher is being asked to track back and cover a rookie left back
One of laca or auba has give way
CA
Save a Minamino type bargain signing, i can’t see us move proper coin for anyone.
Nobody in the PL that has anything about them as a CM will leave for under thirty million.
Scouts are too lazy to actually suss out a player with a pulse on the continent in January when the excuses not to spend are amplified, barring another Denis Suarez cheapo loan.
Don I’m an arsenal fan. I love it when my team wins football matches especially against any of the traditional big teams in the league. That all you can see is divisions based on who is the coach is your problem not mine. If Arsenal appoint Sam Allardyce as coach I will not approve but will never hope he loses games so I can big myself up on a football blog. There is only one thing I’m interested in, for this football club to be feared again. P.S you really should take some reading classes, you struggle to comprehend what… Read more »
Be optimistic Samesong.
I called out a win tonight along with Azed and a very few others.
COYG!!
Pedders will be changing his underwear frequently tonight 😊😊
If Arteta wants to emulate Man City at Arsenal though he’s got to get midfielders in that are quick to pass and receive the ball in midfield combination play.
All in the future though.
David Luiz as blatant as it gets saying the team isn’t fit enough, saying the team are happier now under Arteta.
TR7
“Dissenter was dissing our play from the back tactics. For us to play quality possession football, it’s imperative we build from the back. There is no alternative to it.”
Almost got us into trouble again. You must have missed that since you’re wearing rose colored contact lenses now.
Poor 2nd half one more time, but the win will surely helps our players in gaining confidence.
Fantastic. Luiz, Xhaka, AMN, Pépé all very good. AMN best player for the first three matches under Arteta. Bellerin has his work cut out. Good shifts all around. Özil, Lacazette and Aubameyang deserved G/A for their performances
Fucks sake lads, WHAT A GAME!
What really makes me happy is that Pepe is improving. We are a stronger team with this Pepe.
Another poor second half showing with sloppy passes and no control in midfield ..
Nelson looked leggy having only been on for ten minutes there. Lad cannot run in behind and hasn’t the belief in himself to take players on, shocking combination for a wideman lol.
Just praying that we can snag ten to fifteen odd million from a Championship outfit for him.
We had to win today, absolutely had to get that win on the table…and we did
Happy new year people.
addio per ora
Bamford10December 27, 2019 06:38:00
Arsenal will lose to both Chelsea and United and will be in 12th place — and 6 points off of Wolves and 8th place on January 2nd. I wish it were otherwise, but Chelsea and United are both much better than we are and other teams are going to pick up points in the meantime.
—–
Another bang on a prediction from ‘The Student of the Game of 30 years!!”
LMFAO..
Perez Hilton stick to Geopolitics.Much prefer your commentary on that..
‘Almost got us into trouble again. You must have missed that since you’re wearing rose colored contact lenses now.’
I didn’t miss anything. Playing out from the back is essential even if it lands us in trouble once in a while.
HighburyLegend
“Poor 2nd half one more time”
Not really.
It was actually quite good not to see them going hell for leather and getting picked off again like idiots they like have before so many times.
Luis was a different player today…great performance.
Nobody is paying sixty million for Auba at his age, more like thirty.
Can’t see a move for him to any of the euro elites as his all-round game has far too many deficiencies. More like a sideways type move to a CL chasing team, wouldn’t even rule out a return to Dortmund.
Pedro
January 1, 2020 22:07:14
Fucks sake lads, WHAT A GAME!
Pedro you deserve to gloat right now
Champagne charlieJanuary 1, 2020 22:06:12
David Luiz as blatant as it gets saying the team isn’t fit enough, saying the team are happier now under Arteta.
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Seemed quite heartfelt.Straight from the gut.No whitewashing.No soundbites..Liked the interview.
I seem a bit more on board with the new manager.Let’s see how the season pans out.But early signs are looking promising..
Just having a beer after the match sell done lads great result
Redtruth you really are a misery guts
I wouldn’t say the 2nd half was poor.
It was good to be in a position to counter and slot in a couple of weeks more goals. We weren’t ruthless enough. United were there for the taking.
Nelson is piss poor. Half fit Pepe looks better.
Leno is a poor distributor of the ball. He can thank his lucky stars the keepers below him are shit too.
“Fucks sake lads, WHAT A GAME!”
Lol Pedro is so wet.
Habesha, we all deserve to gloat tonight!
Why is the fitness not up to standard? What the hell has been going on?
Great result…well happy..
Happy New Year.
What a performance to see in the new year. Torriera and Luiz played well.
There’s still a long way to go under Arteta, but you can already see the change in attitude of the players and a higher level of performance.
Well done boys.
Feeling good ATM.
What about Saka?
He looks comfortable as LB, defends better than some trained LBs already.
PhD
Yea thought it was pretty succinct, he’s a smart guy and that was him (after a good win) finally with the license to be a bit outspoken in the face of probing questions about form.
We have a team on board with a project, but that project is exciting to boot. So happy for Mikel and the lads, he’s earning trust so, so quickly.
This is exactly what the club needed after Wenger dragged on. Thrilled we’re finally at this juncture.
Also, I love RvP. Fuck the lot of you that claim him a snake, we failed him.
“I wouldn’t say the 2nd half was poor.”
Ok let me rephrase : we need to be more clinical in attack, and more physically consistant, we will not always play against that poor manure side.
That said, always a real pleasure to beat those bastard.
Papa smiled
Ozil ran 11.5 km
I know we all do but We aren’t the ones who took shit for a year for wanting arteta.
@Champagne : I would say it’s 50/50 in this case… lol
I think it was noted on here by quite a few that Arsenal did less running in the first half tonight against Man United than they did against Chelsea in the first half.
It’s probably because Man United are a team that don’t mind the opposition having the ball. More of the ball = less running to do. In the first half at least.
Un nai is so wet him too.
Wenger Eagle
Both Nelson and Saka looked heavy legged when they came on. Think Nelson is being linked to a loan back to the Bundesliga.
“What’s the difference between beating Man Utd 2-0 last season to this season…lol“
One was a false dawn, the other a genuine start to a prosperous new era. Back to munching the rainbow you crayola chewing bellend
Ishola, you and your twin brother were telling us how torr ain’t epl material, how shitty he’d been and that his shitty performances had nothing to do with the position he got played in under emery. You had to say he was being played by emery in his natural position he played in sampdoria, you went as far as saying he ain’t a DM. You see how stupid you look now, judging by torr performances under arteta? I bet torr isn’t a dm, he’s a cam.
What did I tell ya? I knew it!! I just knew that we were going to beat manure!!!!
@c.c …totally right…RVP was failed by the club …he wanted the club to show ambition with quality players joining the club….
He had to leave to get the success his brilliance warranted.