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
Yesss
stick it to them manc cunts!
Get in, well deserved
Yes!!!!
as usual our expert at corner Papa Sok
Ole is no Lampard too reactive
United only had 1 shot from what I can recall in the 1st minute.
you can tell which players emery had the most influence over. they’re the ones who think Leno is our centre forward.
Well deserved.
Get in biatch
Charlie
4 0
Don’t look silly now
Lovely corner from Pepe.
Fully, fully deserved.
This has been far better than against Chelsea. For one thing we’re creating chances
What’s Ole watching, a class of 92 doco?
Good on you, Sokratis. The fiery Greek. I love it.
United have been asleep in this first half.
Thought Papa was going to butt Torreira then!
Brilliant first half, well deserved.
Great flick from Lacazette.
damn even AMN going for killer through pass too
This is fuck8ng more like it! coyg!!
Need to keep focus.
Manures are a jammy bunch
doing something clever in set pieces since when
We’re set up well, but this is pretty much as poorly as United can play. I’d expect a lot more from them in the second half.
Like I said before you’re not an Arsenal fan Bam. Can’t stress it enough
Again anyone with eyes and no agenda can see Arteta’s impact on this team. Great first half against Chelsea and now against United.
A performance and a result going into halftime. Nice.
Guess we no nothing’s knew it was possible after all, its Ole’s United not some great team.
If we hold on imagine how confident we will be going into the next game as opposed to a performance without a result.
Comfortable
Banford absolutely stranded with Ole’s jizz on his chin
We are playing really well this half. Very controlled and we manage to conserve energy.
Xhaka´s best half ever
Hard to believe no one gave Arteta a ghost of a chance to win a game
lol Lindelof is involved in so many defensive fuck ups
I am fully on board the arteta train. I will even support him as far as Emery Hahahaha.
Leon’s kick is very bad
No one cares about United Bamford seriously.
Un Na
No, they remain better than us everywhere. But we have shown up and they have not. Kudos to our boys. But this does not for one moment touch what I’ve said about the quality of these two teams. They’ll be 4 points ahead of us even if we win, and that gap will be even wider by season end. Just watch.
Manu was shit in 1st half .
Their rb is a gooner.
Absolutely bloody fantastic!
“No, they remain better than us everywhere.”
Lol
Unai na
You cheeky bastardo
I said we had to start WINNING to avoid being sucked into the relegation dogfight.
You were happy with a 2-2 draw, remember?
I guess you’ll be happy if United comeback to equalize.
You’re a surrender macaque if I’m relegation Dissenter.
Even Luiz is looking good but Kolasinac showing again that a braindead defender can still hurt you
Fantastic first half.
Last 2 minutes we took our foot off the gas slightly. Warning at the end there.
Need to come out revved up again.
Grab the third.
Marko
Sure I am. But I’m also capable of seeing things objectively, impartially.
He’s Turkish born
He’s German breed
Ozil Ozil
His eyes pop out
His fucking head
Ozil ….
Playing well
And is luiz…
Pepe can’t drop work rate now…
I’d expect a lot more from them in the second half
Assuming or hope?
I’m eating a huge slice of humble pie as I type this. Never in a million years did I expect anything close to what I’m seeing at the moment. Beauties. Mikel and Co. please, don’t fuck this up.
Great first half, United are very lucky not to be four goals down.
Performance is just as encouraging as the score if not more, battering them in the fifty fifty challenges.
Just got to keep going don’t let them get back into the game.
Missed a couple of chances as well.
Laca needs a goal
Xhaka really holding us back from playing good stuff 🤡
45 mins left for my prediction to come through.
Shut it Bamford. Go to a United blog then. I don’t now any arsenal fan who doesn’t we are better than them looking at this game
A win will change everything around the club, especially since the next game isn’t for another 10 days.
We need this.
It ain’t over yet. Man Utd have got to come out more positive. They get the next goal and it’s squeaky bum time, especially if our levels drop a la Chelsea.
Emery fanboys, how are y’all?
Torreira with another terrific game so far.
Luiz has looked miles better.
Ozil as well have put a shift in, Arteta has earned his salary just with that.
Still, Kolasinac shows all it takes is one of the usual suspects to do their usual and United are totally undeservedly back in the game.
Fuck me, must be a more positive forum. I’m off. We are destroying the Mancs.
‘Hard to believe no one gave Arteta a ghost of a chance to win a game’
Been saying if Arteta improves our game, results will follow. I don’t want him to be judged so early on in his career even if results do not get our way. The process is far more important. Great that today we have played well and been rewarded too.
Toreirra, Lacazette and Luiz have all been immense.
Pepe is showing his worth. Manure’s defense is very worry about him. We could have scored more if we were calmer with the final ball.
But this does not for one moment touch what I’ve said about the quality of these two teams. They’ll be 4 points ahead of us even if we win, and that gap will be even wider by season end. Just watch.
You’re unbelievable I swear.
Xhaka really holding us back from playing good stuff
CC
Is that sacrastic or are you serious?
Lovely stuff from Nico Pépé and the lads.
Nelson for Lacazette please. Aubameyang limited on the left. There are goals to be had, penalties to be won. Stat padding for our goal difference
Pepe is showing what he can do. He is a menace to other teams with his somewhat unorthodox ability to cause panic in their area.
Pretty much everyone for us is having a solid game and/or has shown nice touches.
Pierre
What do you think Arteta put in Ozil’s pre-match drink.
They may need to escort him to the drug testing booth after the game.
“Again anyone with eyes and no agenda can see Arteta’s impact on this team. Great first half against Chelsea and now against United.”
PREAAACH IT BROTTHAAA
LET THEM HERE IT AT THE BACK
Kola is a risk. That’s the 3rd foul after the yellow.
Told you ladies.. We are winning tonight.
We absolutely need to batter them.. Put 5 past them.
great 1st half. Coyg
Bamford
‘, they remain better than us everywhere. But we have shown up and they have not’
This guy is something.
Looking like a point wouldn’t be a fantastic point after all. No need to lower expectations if you’re confident in this appointment. Let’s hope we can keep it up for a full 90, looking very good so far.
AMN already showing signs of complacency, I hope he gets warned seriously, you can’t be aimless when releasing the ball. Arteta has clearly improved this team, it’s obvious from his first game
Kola needs to be subbed tho
Walking a tightrope now.
James gonna look for that foul.
Arteta still needs time yo work on their fitness
But the organisation and gameplan are clear for all to see.
Arteta is a better fit for Arsenal than Emery.
They just had a sniff there right at the end of the half.
And they looked a little dangerous in the first few minutes of the match.
That’s it from them.
No need for Arsenal here to get over-excited in the 2nd half.
Just continue to play controlled attacking football. Controlled. Don’t over commit.
And then what Man United planned to do to Arsenal we can do to them in the 2nd half as they have to commit more being behind. Arsenal counter the counter attacking team.
TR7 how does an acclaimed arsenal fan say that with a straight face while watching us spank them. He is really annoying.
Pedro stop making lame excuses for Arteta.
Looks like you have been right all along.
Best half since last year.
Rio Ferdinand “ they were the better team by a mile”
Lol, Bamford is gutted.
That second goal was very crucial
Now the Ozil-Pepe-Laca-Auba can tear them up on the break.
Lacazette’s hold up play so much better than against Chelsea.
Just need to come out fired up for the second half.
United score and I worry about the mentality of the players ruining everything.
I haven’t seen anything special from Xhaka to warrant any special mention. Has to be said though Torreira looks transformed under Arteta. He’s quietly becoming dominant.
Look the signs are looking good early doors back him with better players and watch us go
Now fucking finish this manure shit!
We haven’t been chasing the ball as much as the Chelsea game the energy levels should be ok. I dont expect United to change and half they look shell shocked.
Looking good guys. Confidence is looking like it’s returning and Arteta already squirting his sauce on Pepe.
4 nil final score.
We should have beaten Chelsea. I expected us to get 4 or 6 points from these 2 games and had the ref done his job and sent Jorginho off we would have done.
The difference in our play under Arteta to Emery is like night and day. Long may it continue.
Happy New Year Grovers!
We start to see an identity of our team. Our right back helps out the midfield. Our left FB supports the attack. Two midfielders stay back. One ACM supports the attack.
What a great half, one of the most enjoyable halves of football by us in absolute years.
Kola still trying to get himself sent off, James will fall over at every opportunity.
Interesting to see how the second half plays out but it’s been so refreshing
Bamford you really are something.
Bamford was asking for trouble with that comment. There was going to be incoming.
Bamford still creaming over emery. Cant see the clear improvements arteta is making.
Quite a bizarre viewpoint , at least Wenger had the odd trophy to point to for the apologists to hold on to. Emery had a distinct similarity to a Spanish waiter, outside that weird figure to stick your colours to.
Obvious that Arteta is having a positive effect on our players.
Pepe told to play more conservative and wait for his moment.
Lacazette has been bloody quality.
Torreira and Xhaka are a solid partnership.
I always knew Ozil just needed the right platform to perform and I expect him to be back to his very best within a few weeks.
God I wish we win against United for I hate them and it will mean Dissenter doesn’t used the R word for a few weeks. Absolutely intolerable his continuous relegation battle waffle.
Bamford10January 1, 2020 20:47:31
Un NaNo, they remain better than us everywhere. But we have shown up and they have not. Kudos to our boys. But this does not for one moment touch what I’ve said about the quality of these two teams. They’ll be 4 points ahead of us even if we win, and that gap will be even wider by season end. Just watch.
———-
Total jerk this Perez Hilton,even on New Year’s day.
More concerned with being proven right,rather than saying what an upturn in performance from Arsenal..
Fornicating douche bag ‘ole Perez Hilton…
Say it quietly. We are beating United.
Should smash them cunts.
Coyg!!!
HillWood, Yesterday I described the most common move that at Lille Galthier had worked for Pepe to score: Jonathan Bamba to go on the byline on the left side cut back to the penalty point for Pepe coming from the right to score. Looks like Arteta has decided if I can’t teach Pepe new tricks in two weeks, I am better off using the old tricks he is used to. Arsenal keeps using the same ploy of sticking on the left CB Aubameyang to anchor ManUtd right back inside to release Kolasinac on the left go to the byline and… Read more »
Strong performance 1H.
Let’s see how much the team improves over the Chelsea game in the 2-H.
Acid test.
He’ll get himself banned before too long, lad can’t help himself.
Marko
“I haven’t seen anything special from Xhaka to warrant any special mention.”
Very clear tactic carrying on from Arteta from the Bournemouth match.
Xhaka many times is clearly getting out of the road in the central position and positioning himself on the left which allows the CBs primarily Luiz to bring the ball out himself more.
Been a weakness for Arsenal for a while now. CBs not previously driving forward with the ball themselves because Xhaka was usually there to take it off them short.
Who the fuck is Perez Hilton?
Dont underestimate the confidence and positivity a game like this can generate
However the best of all is the simple fact that Arteta is THE MAN
Not a rookie or dud signing.
Lacazette playing out that Firminho role, you love to see it.
Arsenal looks to have flabbergasted ManU playing Emeryball. Backpass, backpass ,and the Nancs got confused which direction to play lol.
Otherwise can’t explain the 2-0 result of a shitspow.
Is he better than Luiz/Papa?
Amazing what an experienced left back and a midfielder that can look after the ball can do to a team.
If they’d played against Chelsea we’d have won that game and had a lot more of the ball.
Pedro so far is being proven right again from what we are seeing so far. I am having a wonderful time Knowing his smug writing is gonna bother me tomorrow.