Arteta makes Mesut Özil the centerpiece

by .

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

1.3K Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Dream10

David Luiz with a tremendous interview.

Cesc Appeal

WE

I guess it depends then on if Xhaka actually goes.

Would be massive for us if he went and we landed ourselves an athletic player with a neat all round game to partner Torreira.

Ishola70

Dissenter “What about Saka? He looks comfortable as LB, defends better than some trained LBs already.” There was a reason he was dropped tonight. Started to struggle a bit defensively in the 2nd half against Bournemouth and he was shot in the later stages of the 2nd half against Chelsea. Long way to go yet to proclaim him as a very good LB. Bit of work on him and he could become one. But I’m not sure he would thank you for it. He probably wants to carry on his career in his seen position. He was after all only… Read more »

Rambo

Meh

TheLegendaryDB10

The ground was rocking. I am so chuffed to have gone to see The Arsenal best Manure!!!!

We played well overall. We had our iffy moments. But this just shows that we can do It!!!!

Marko

Also, I love RvP. Fuck the lot of you that claim him a snake, we failed him.

I mean we did fail him or more importantly management and Wenger failed him but he is a bit of a snake considering all the injury ravaged seasons we put into him and in return we got like a solid season and a half from him before he jumped ship.

Dream10

Ainsley Maitland Niles

73 passes
86% pass accuracy
2 dribbles won
3 tackles won
4 interceptions
3 clearances

Another quality performance from him.

HighburyLegend

@Un dos tres : you still have some Sauce on your mouth, please clean yourself up.

Crabregas

Life is so much better when arsenal win and I actually enjoy listening to our manager talk. Haven’t been interested in our interviews for about 5 years or so with Emery and Wenger.

It bet the post from Pedro tomorrow will be a * long read

Pierre

A proper performance from a proper team with a proper manager.

CG

Outstanding management…..

Nigel Pearson…..and his new Watford team…..

Beating Man Utd 2 zero at home effortlessly

Arteta and Pearson- inspired mid season managerial appointments.

Rauls job more untenable by the week….his disgraceful decision to anoint his Clown looking more and more horrific.

How more advanced we would be had Arteta been chose to replace the great Wenger- like he should have been ?

Raul Out
VAR Out.
Arteta In 2018!

TR7

I don’t think I have seen a worse United team than this one.How can binford go on and on about Ole and United ?

vickingz

Nelson should be loaned or sold, whatever. He just couldn’t do the basics expected of a wide man, he kept falling when under no pressure, wasn’t confident on the ball, couldn’t outrun or dribble his marker. What’s with the ice cold killer looks on pepe’s face? He reminds me of balotelli.

Ishola70

There’s always one isn’t there.

Vickingz.

Torreira has played like a pressing CM since Arteta has arrived. Once Arsenal get their noses in front and by two clear he then naturally becomes a DM which you imagine he has been throughout.

And I have never totally discounted the little fella.

Rambo

Saka looks a very cultured footballer. Not a fan of using youngsters in a multitude of positions. Just ruins them.

Samir

Holy shit guys WHAT A PERFORMANCE!!!

Well done to all the players and especially Arteta. Massive difference in a few games. Really shows how far Emery was out of his depth with the style he was trying to implement!

Habesha Gooner

Dream AMN surprised me these past two games. I think he is talented but lazy. Needs to keep up this form to be considered good.

Cesc Appeal

Nicolas Pepe vs. Manchester United:

100% passing accuracy
100% passes in opposition half
50 touches
16 duels
6 recoveries
4 take-ons completed
4 chances created
2 aerial duels won
2 shots
1 goal

Taken from Twitter.

Wow.

Cesc Appeal

Torreira covered the most distance of any Arsenal player as a CDM…very impressive.

Marko

Meh

That’s it Rambo get involved. Your excitement to an Arsenal victory is palpable

Champagne charlie

Oooh fuck.. OGS says Arsenal have loads of quality, that’s Banfords night from bad to worse

Where is the melon? Arsenal beat United and he fucks off, unreal.

MGooner

Fantastic!

Delighted to be proved wrong on LegoHead.

From doom to gloom, long may it continue!

Samir

Must shoutout to David Luiz. Absolute leader and warrior today all game.
Torreira played his heart out. Ozil was the old Ozil! Laca although missed his chance…Made up for it by holding the ball up and tracking back.
Xhaka really isn’t as bad as people made out either.

It’s all about the system you play in.

Redtruth

Champagne charlie

Hindsight is a wonderful thing…lol
Don’t confuse wishful thinking for optimism…lol lol lol

Batistuta

Very good game but more importantly, i loved how they attempted to conserve their energy unlike against Chelsea… David Luiz was absolutely brilliant, probably should be our captain Xhaka- Torreira again very good as a partnership Auba was brilliant especially tracking back Laca needs a goal to boost his confidence, he was brilliant with the press today though… Ozil had his best game in years, brilliant stuff Pepe is gonna be huge for us once he’s fully up to speed…Very good game AMN was good but we absolutely should be looking to upgrade that position probably in the summer too… Read more »

Ishola70

There are obviously still doubts about Pepe’s overall game though.

To take him off so early in the second half would obviously suggest that.

So Arteta wants to see more from him from an overall prospective.

Very dangerous player though going forward and attacking.

Arteta wants to see him be a bit more rounded in his overall play.

Bob N16

Just got home…it really felt tonight that we’d turned a corner. We are already looking so much better, more compact. Individually, Luiz, AMN, Torreira, Ozil looking like solid pros. Lacazette getting back to being a top CF. Everybody putting a shift in.

It’s a new year, a new decade….. so far so fu*king good!

Habesha Gooner

The thing is not one player that played today Sucked. Every one had at least a 7/10 performance. That is what makes the win so great.

Pierre

There a few pre match comments from the know nothings taday that should be kept for posterity, so that in year or 2 time we can all have a good laugh at their clueless appraisal of Arteta.

You know who you are ….

Marko, you have just about saved yourself and come out on the right side.

Dream10

Habeshagooner

He’s been very good so far. He has lapses in concentration. Hopefully those can be cut out. Clichy suffered from that throughout his career. What I like about him though is he has the physical capability to play at this level. Decent technically as well. Héctor is second choice now.

Batistuta

Loved how they hurdled around at the end of the game, even Auba didn’t look like someone who’s pushing for a move…They all look very happy with Arteta as manager though which is very important going foward…

Nelson will not make it here, bless him he’s trying but we can do better even as a squad option.

Leftside

Binford is a twat, hopefully we can pull some wins together and move up the table

Bamford10

Champagne Solskjaer is just being polite, and everything is relative after all. Yes, we have “some” quality, but we don’t have a lot of it. The bottom line tonight is that our players were up for it, they worked their tails off, and Arteta had an excellent strategy for this match. As I’ve already stated, kudos to him and kudos to our players. Tonight’s result does not alter my assessment of the relative quality of the two squads one iota, however. Not in the slightest bit. We were good tonight, United were as poor as they have been all season.… Read more »

Samir

Also, if Xhaka leaves it will cause us problems. We should not let him leave until the summer. In the right system hes a very good player.

Ishola70

Don

Traditional DMs don’t press the opposition as high up as Torreira does.

Torreira is seen pressing the opposition right in front of their own penalty area.

He basically hunts the ball.

If Arsenal get in a winning position then he will ease off on his ball hunting pressing CM play and become more of this DM you are imagining him to be.

Redtruth

Pierre

That’s rich coming from a no nothing AKB’s..

Paulinho

Beaten United 2-0 two years in a row now at home. Doesn’t get much sweeter.

The fitness thing is a bit weird. It was never brought up as an issue or seen as one by anyone when Emery was here, but who knows. I’m not sure how much we can attribute it to the second half slumps though because we should still be capable of playing better between 45-70 minutes. We can’t string a pass together as soon as the second half begins once the opposition increase their intensity and play higher up.

Chika

The new players we magically signed last night produced a highly impressive performance. I can’t think of anything else that changed.. 😂

Dream10

I’ve been constantly of Torreira since he joined. Really good today and covered a big distance. Not sure if can do that twice a week of a regular basis though. Doubt his body can absorb the minutes the way bigger players like Xhaka or Ndidi can.
We don’t have a backup in that position.
Guendouzi and Ceballos are more #8s/#10s who vacate their zone.

Batistuta

Also big lol at Bamford and his United obsession….They’re poor and very inconsistent and their midfield looks just as horrible as ours can be sometimes

Paulinho

Loved that turn and shot in the first half from Torreira. He is always at his best when he’s everywhere and doing a bit of everything.

Champagne charlie

Oi Cesc Appeal, you missed one from Twitter:

”Granit Xhaka’s game by numbers:

51 passes completed
100% final third pass accuracy
93%pass succession rate
1/1 cross completed
6/7 long balls completed
1/2 dribbles successful
8/10 ground duels won
3 tackles
3 fouls won
2 interceptions

Total control“

Or as you summed him up:

“Still felt Xhaka was the weak link, sloppy, played us into trouble a couple of times and does not have the legs.“

Dream10

Paulinho

Having all three of Pépé, Lacazette and Aubameyang hurts our passing game. Arteta gave Nelson a run down the sides for the last couple of matches to balance things out. Saka will be able to play down the sides once Tierney/Kolasinac are both available. He’s the one out of all the kids that can offer a bit of team and individual play

Samir

I loved that Guendouzi brought on an energy gel for Torreria when he was subbed on. Smart

Champagne charlie

“The bottom line tonight is that our players were up for it, they worked their tails off, and Arteta had an excellent strategy for this match.“

So the difference was the manager, but Emery overachieved? 🤡

Legendary levels of dumb. Banford is a Manc

Gentlebris

Now that Nketia has been called from loan, we should sell either Auba or Laca and spend some serious money to buy a partner for Torrey.

And then focus on EL. We should push for CL with full force.

Ishola70

Samir “Also, if Xhaka leaves it will cause us problems. We should not let him leave until the summer. In the right system hes a very good player.” The system Arteta has him in atm when Arsenal are looking to chase or win the game is him retiring deep to the left side and allowing Luiz to come forward more with the ball. Basically giving Luiz more room to come forward with the ball. This is not ideal in the long term because it means Arsenal become a midfielder short when the side are going forward. Wasn’t so noticeable in… Read more »

Bamford10

TR7

That was the poorest I’ve seen United look all season. They were dreadful. And we were excellent. Bravo to Arteta, bravo to our players.

I’ll remind you, though, that you and WengerEagle lose your wager with me if United finish above us, and they are four points above us at the moment. No offense, but I’m still very confident that I’m going to win that wager.

We will see, though.

Marko

Arteta on Xhaka’s future: “Granit? I think he is going to stay.” Adds that Xhaka has told him he won’t leave.

So close. Mikel just when I start to believe in you you stick it in my eye. Try to think about what you could get from a better less chaotic midfielder.

Pierre

Cesc Appeal

So ….it looks like you had better get used to seeing Mesut Ozil in the starting line up for at least 18 months ( maybe longer).

You must be GUTTED.

CG

All the Old Wenger players absolutely outstanding this evening.

Ozil
Laca
Sok
Xhaka
AMN

Well played Arteta

What an absolute travesty- he never got the job first time round.

We dont need a Teck Deck
We dont need a Head of Football Operations

We just need good Arsenal men- like Arteta managing and coaching the team.

I hope he smashes the door on them- if they intrude into the Locker Room tonight.

Cesc Appeal

Massive mistake if we’re keeping Xhaka.

Crippled leg running a marathon. You can only ever do so well even with effort.

Ishola70

“Funny that because it looked to me like Torreira was sitting back as our last midfielder and snuffing our danger from their runners and tracking runs”

That’s because you are silly Don and are desperate to win an argument.

Torreira clearly presses opponents high, very high, as well as retreats back.

He hunts the ball Don.

TheLegendaryDB10

Bamford

You are a closet manure supporter. We just beat these cunts 2-0!!!! You can just fuck off with your OGS love in.

————–

I am so chuffed. For all who thought us being pragmatic about our season, you can all just fuck off!!!

Lego Hair

CC

‘ Oi Cesc Appeal, you missed one from Twitter:”Granit Xhaka’s game by numbers:51 passes completed
100% final third pass accuracy
93%pass succession rate
1/1 cross completed
6/7 long balls completed
1/2 dribbles successful
8/10 ground duels won
3 tackles
3 fouls won
2 interceptionsTotal control“Or as you summed him up:“Still felt Xhaka was the weak link, sloppy, played us into trouble a couple of times and does not have the legs.“

LOLOLOL

Some people can’t even give credit when it’s due to our players.

Have you got one for Ozil too CC?? 😂

Pierre

Marko
It’s time to forget about what you have seen from the players previously and judge them on what they do now.

All you will end up doing is sounding like Bamford .

Cesc Appeal

Paulinho The second half slumps are something Arteta needs to get to grips with quickly. As you say, this isn’t a fitness issue. The last 10-20 minutes of a game if the players are tiring I can buy that, not after they’ve just sat down, taken on glucose, water etc…something not right there. Although reserve judgement until we get a run of normal games as opposed to ‘top tier’ clashes. Weird how football does things like this. Emery’s sides were awful in the first half to begin with then electric in the second half. Arteta’s so far are electric in… Read more »

Bamford10

Champagne “So the difference was the manager, but Emery overachieved? ” Huh? We beat United last season as well, mate. AND we beat Chelsea. And we finished 5th, despite having nothing like the fifth best squad in the league. So yes, Emery overachieved. I am quite happy about our beating United, but you lot are acting as if this one match somehow constitutes an entire season. It doesn’t. It’s a good start. It was a great effort. But Emery had a good start as well. We just lost to Chelsea the other day. And we started the Arteta era by… Read more »

Lego Hair

Bamford

‘ That was the poorest I’ve seen United look all season. They were dreadful. And we were excellent.’

I’m guessing you’ve never watched united this season then just looked at their results?

Ishola70

There was no massive concern really about the 2nd half.

I thought Arsenal saw out the 2nd half quite comfortably tbh.

There is always the chance the opposition will see more of the ball 2-0 down and chasing the game.

And Arsenal were clearly not as tired in the second half as they were against Chelsea.

Pierre

Ishola
Just accept he’s a DM and move on as you are another one wont stop digging.

Champagne charlie

“It was a great effort. But Emery had a good start as well. We just lost to Chelsea the other day. And we started the Arteta era by drawing with a woeful Bournemouth team. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.“

You’re an Arsenal fan?

Hahahahaha fucking right you are. Pick another franchise to follow you honeydew.

Edu me a favour

Amazing – I LOVE this new Ozil !!! Luiz was a rock so happy right now !!!

Bamford10

Lego

No, I’ve watched most of their matches.

Paulinho

Dream10 – Yeah there is something not right there. Seems very indulgent and the height of luxury when teams wake up and start making us work the other way. Lots of talent and technical ability once in and around the box but I don’t see them as a long-term or even medium-term four-ball due to the lack of David Silva type to control the pace and add that nous.

Redtruth

The two goalscorers were Emery signings showing how it should be done.

Lego Hair

CA serious question. Have you an Ozil looking uncle that was inappropriate with you?

You really need to stop been so bitter it’s not very becoming.

Bamford10

Charlie

That comment doesn’t even make sense. I’m supposed to be irrational because I’m the fan of a particular team? No thanks.

Bob N16

Bamford, even if you prove to be right, after tonight suggesting your own team is going to finish below United is perverse.

Batistuta

Good game from granit Xhaka too, but i absolutely love Lucas Torreira, looked dead on his legs and managed to finish the game putting in tackle after tackle, man was everywhere….

If we can sort out the midfield, get it to protect the defence a little bit more, then we’re onto something

Gentlebris

‘Very good game but more importantly, i loved how they attempted to conserve their energy unlike against Chelsea…’

That really surprised me. I thought they were gone then they suddenly woke up in the last ten minutes, having defended so brilliantly all second half……United saw that and just wished the ref would end the game.

Marko

Pierre let’s see how long old frog eyes can sustain it for before we think about another contract for the cunt. I say cunt because how he’s played in the last game and a half shouldn’t excuse his abject play and appalling attitude the last 3 seasons. I still see them wanting rid because his wages are a hindrance to ffp and his output still doesn’t warrant keeping him. From what I’ve seen the last couple games from Arteta all I can think of is what he could be capable of doing with someone like Olmo or Rainier or even… Read more »

Chika

Bumford

“I am quite happy about our beating United”

After months of dreadful performances, this supposed Arsenal fan is only “quite happy” we put up an impressive performance in out victory over United.

CG

Let’s Hope Arteta has some of our Wengers FA Cup magic- and wins it for us the 14th time.

But I suppose that dont count for the Delinquents and Deplorables…its only the oldest Cup tournament in the world after all.

Champagne charlie

Banford It makes perfect sense. You’re shitting on Arsenal and covering your bases to do so. “It was a great effort. But Emery had a good start as well. We just lost to Chelsea the other day. And we started the Arteta era by drawing with a woeful Bournemouth team. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.“ So Emery had a good start as well (and we should be mindful), but then you retell how we’ve just lost to Chelsea and drew against a “woeful” Bournemouth….so not a good start then? Literally every way you slice it you’re angling to… Read more »

Valentin

Azed,

Remind me What is your argument against the fact that this team is not fit to play 90 minutes at the high intensity that Arteta requires?
We have had first Arteta and now David Luiz making that very statement.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/david-luiz-makes-arsenal-admission-21198123

Looks like you have studied the game as much as Bamford.

LeMassiveCoq

Very impressed with Torreria and especially David Luiz today.

Luiz seems to have suddenly matured into a leader and responsible defender. He speaks highly of Arteta, I can see him being made captain very soon.

My god i have had so much boooze in the last week or two… perhaps I’m having visions, but for the first time in a long time… I feel positive. Very positive.

Peace for 2020 all x

Bob N16

Red, you’re striving so hard to be controversial. The good news is that it’s only a blog so you don’t have to be embarrassed if front of real people.

Nelson

I think Nelson needs to change the shoe. Two times, he fell down by himself. Also he flew away and lost the ball when someone touched his shoulder. It could also be that he had to recovered from the Chelsea game. Anyway, Pepe has found his footing and he is a much better player skillwise (shooting).

Ishola70

Bamford

All I will say is this present Man United are not a team to tie your mast to.

And they will be absolute crackers if they carry on next season as the little elf as their manager.

Crackers.

TheLegendaryDB10

Bamford

Can you just piss off. You are not a Gooner with your incessant praise of Manure.

We are absolutely over the moon with beating these arseholes!!!

Bamford10

Gentlebris

“That really surprised me.”

You clearly don’t read my commentary. I highlighted this from the outset. That was much of the point of our possessing them to death. (And we were still dog-tired at the end.)

Habesha Gooner

Do not Argue with Bamford. Whe. your team is playing well you should only make excuses for your own players, not Man United players

Redtruth

What’s so controversial about having doubts about an inexperienced coach.

LeMassiveCoq

RE: Pepe.

I liked him tonight, but he really, really needs to learn how to use his right foot.

Habesha Gooner

when*

Lego Hair

Blindfold

If you’ve watched united this season and come to the conclusion you think they’re all that then I’d really hold back claiming you’re a 30 year student of the game.

Are you blind or stupid?

Nelson

Luiz gave the pregame talk . He is already acting like a captain. I am also very impressed by the work that Auba put in. He is one of the fittest player in our squad.

Dream10

Nelson

The thing is Reiss doesn’t have the explosiveness to beat ppl like Pépé. More of a combination player. Better on the left or at #10. Expect him to start on Monday against Leeds. Hope he does well

Cesc Appeal

‘I liked him tonight, but he really, really needs to learn how to use his right foot’

Definitely.

That left foot is a weapon though.

There are times I feel he’s slightly too cautious and you just want him to kick on and stretch his legs. Decides to front someone up while stationary as opposed to running them.

I wonder if Arteta might try out playing him at LW as making him our Sane who is also heavily one footed.

Pierre

Ishola
“Torreira clearly presses opponents high, very high, as well as retreats back.”

When you say he presses opponents very high, are you saying he is higher than Lacazette and Ozil who do the pressing through the middle .

If Ozil and Lacazette are pressing higher than “very high ” , they would be behind the goal in the north bank.

So how high is “very high” because I can’t remember Torreira ever being higher than Lacazette or Ozil.

Ishola70

Nelson
“Luiz gave the pregame talk . He is already acting like a captain. ”

He also gave the pre-game talk against Chelsea.

Auba isn’t a traditional captain.

Gentlebris

‘I hope he smashes the door on them- if they intrude into the Locker Room tonight.’

Hey there mate…….whatever you are high on must be very potent stuff……your dealer is an honest citizen.

You are sounding like a poet gone mad!

Happy and healthy new year to you.

Lego Hair

Blindfold

‘ That was much of the point of our possessing them to death’

It’s passing them to death you wanker. It’s not the fucking exorcist.

Paulinho

Cesc – Ultimately we lack quality all-around the pitch and it shows itself when we have to work harder to progress through the lines. We can’t punish their high press and get them backing off, so they keep going at us, and we keep giving off distress signals when they do.

Anyway, early days, and we’ll see how it all evolves in the next few months.

Pierre

“‘I liked him tonight, but he really, really needs to learn how to use his right foot’

Definitely.”

All I can say, good job you wasn’t around when chippy Brady in the team.

Cesc Appeal

Paulinho

Agreed.

Watching tonight the rumours Arteta wants a RM/LM player start to make sense as he looks for maybe a bit more technical ability outweighed while retaining work rate. Sort of a wide playmaker as opposed to a wide forward type.

Bamford10

Lego

I haven’t concluded that they’re “all that”. I’ve simply concluded that they have more quality and athleticism than we do. That is all.

And I was using the phrase “posses them to death” throughout the course of the match, so I’m going to stick with it. Thanks for your stylistic advice, though.

Batistuta

Auba ran all game, his dedication is something that sort of goes silent….He tracked back put in tackles and looked to get involved though I’d rather much prefer him through the middle….Have a feeling he’ll stay though, his body language points to that, especially if he like the rest of the squad fully buy into the Arteta project and i wouldn’t mind one bit to be honest… Not a lot of consistent goal scorers knocking about in Europe these days

PhD2020

And on New Year’s day,a week back on the blog, suddenly slipping into 3rd/4tbh gear to make it all about the Perez Hilton show… Me,me,me..I am right,you will see..Manure are better than us.. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves..One swallow does not a summer make….Blah,blah,blah.. Guy,I think you are on the wrong blog.. Should you not be on the SNP website, stoking up fires about Scotland wanting a referendum for independence? Because,that’s all they seem to bang on about every couple of years… When really,it’s about me,me,me..I want attention,don’t forget us..Let’s make as much noise as possible to get some… Read more »