Mikel Arteta and his players launched 2020 by rocking The Emirates to its foundations with a brilliant evening of intense football. Arsenal kept a clean sheet, locked United out of the game for 90 minutes, and scored two brilliant goals to gift us a vitally important 3 points.
The game was so good, I don’t actually know where to start, but the line-up would be handy. We really weren’t in good shape with our starting 11. Kola had to be drafted back lacking fitness, we started Pepe who has been under a lot of criticism, and we had to roll with a group of players that have slugged it out hard over the past 3 games. One thing was for sure, there wasn’t much conservatism, Arteta went for it.
It didn’t make a difference, most considered the Chelsea game a great performance with a poor result. The football was at the right level of intensity, and so it continued. The main difference in this game was United didn’t have the same quality in midfield, so it was a little easier for Arsenal to control the game. I was interested to see how Kola would operate, we know he often leaves the defence exposed with his runs, last night, Granit Xhaka would regularly drop into the left-back role to cover him defensively, or to drop him to give him freedom offensively / allow him time to pick out passes.
Our first goal came from his run. He had a one-two with Auba, pushed into the box, his low cross squirmed out of a melee of 6 United players falling to Pepe who swept home. The lid blew off the stadium, everyone in the ground is so desperate for Pepe to be a thing, that was a great start to the night for him.
The half was dominated by great Arsenal chances. Pepe found Auba at the back post, his bicycle kick was skewed over. Torreira danced through the United defence to squeeze a shot just wide. Lacazette outmuscled Maguire and uncharacteristically pushed his shot wide from 6 yards. The closest came after we’d forced De Gea into an error, Pepe picked up the loose ball on the edge of the area and rattled the post.
We did make the pressure count. Pepe rattled a corner at the front post, Lacazette wasn’t tracked, he nodded the ball on, Sokratis bullied his way to the ball and roofed it.
The pace in the game did start to dip a fraction on 40 minutes again, but I still felt we were in control. My worry was that United had planned for us to start strong and fade, with the hope of picking us off in the second half. We did drop physically in the second half, but it felt like we had more of a plan to absorb the pressure. We sat a little more deep, forcing United to try and play football, and we attempted to pick them off on the counter.
What I loved to see was the compactness of the defence. We were nice and narrow, there was aways two midfielders protecting the back four, and we were aggressive. The players wanted the result, and they wanted the clean sheet.
We had some chances in the second half, Mesut Ozil played a defence-splitting pass that was stunning over to Auba who couldn’t link up well enough with Lacazette. We closed the game out well, limiting United to long shots and diving for penalties. Saka, Nelson and MG gave us some more energy late on to see the game out.
It ended 2-0. The fans stayed behind the congratulate the players who’d gathered in the centre spot with the manager. A brilliant show of unity. The last 18 months have been forgotten, a new decade, a new coach, and a new benchmark for how we play the beautiful game.
So what did we learn?
Coaching
Arteta has lived up to the coaching hype even after 2 weeks. I don’t think there’s any doubt that he was more than the cone boy at Manchester City now. He’s taken players that most fans had totally written off and turned them into beasts. The squad is a long way from Liverpool’s, no doubt, but too many people let Emery off the hook by stating the players we have at the club couldn’t be moved forward.
David Luiz was an absolute monster, he looked a £50m centre back out there last night. He was everywhere, strong in the challenge, he was coaching the kids, he was actually celebrating good passes between players during the game with fist bumps. He was immense versus Chelsea, even better last night.
Granit Xhaka was right up there with man of the match plaudits. His game was impeccable. He was measured, thoughtful, and disciplined all night. For a man that had one foot out the exit door, he sure didn’t play like it, a total professional.
Mesut Ozil has rightly rubbed a lot of fans the wrong way, but here we are, game 3, and he’s still putting in a dirty shift at the office. He worked like a dog, he ran further than any Arsenal player, and he made a huge difference. He made a 10 ball recoveries, which shows he’s paying attention and engaged. That’s all we ask for, it’s great to see him back enjoying a type of football many said he couldn’t play.
Lacazette didn’t land a goal, but he put in a workman like shift upfront. Auba, considering he’s looking to move, looked very much into the game. Nicolas Pepe showed us a glimpse of his talent. He had an incredibly productive day and banged out a shift. It was a pleasure to watch him.
Identity
There was so much debate about how long it’d take a good coach to give a club an identity when Emery was here, but look where we are now, 3 games in and we’re an aggressive possession-based football team that loves to attack. It’s not perfect, but we’re well on our way to unlocking a lethal front line of talented players. The Arsenal way we thought we lost is here, and we didn’t need to spend £400m to get there.
Defence
Defence is always about the collective. For too long we’ve focused on it being about individual greatness because there’s never been a collective system. That’s all changed now. Arteta looks to have focused on creating a solid foundation more than anything. Everyone had clear roles and responsibilities, the positioning is absolutely clear, and the whole team works to get the ball back.
The pressing is unbelievable. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. Everyone aggressively hunting the ball down in packs. Lucas Torriera was a machine last night, the guy was literally everywhere. Why? Because he has a system that allows him to be that player.
The Stadium
I’ve not been as much as I used to over the past few years, but I’ve been to big games and felt the misery. That atmosphere last night was something else. The players created a reason for the fans to care. They were brutal, intense and they wanted to win. We reacted to it. We sang all game, stayed until the end, and made The Emirates the sort of place you’d want to sit in on a cold night in January. We finally have something to believe in, and it’s exciting.
Moving forward
I didn’t expect a win, so we’re ahead of schedule in my head. Now we have a bit of breathing space. Unfit players can get some energy back in their legs, injured players can return to stock the bench, and Arteta and his coaching staff can continue to develop their ideas. The next two months are about laying the foundations for an attack on the Europa League, but interestingly, if we can find some form in the Premier League, we might be able to have a crack at the top 4. We’re 9 points off Chelsea who are desperately inconsistent, we’re within 4 points of United, and 3 points of Spurs. I’d rather not be in Europa, but Champions League would give us a tremendous financial opportunity this summer. All very exciting.
The road ahead will be bumpy, there is lots to do, but we can rest assured the club has made a stunning decision to hire Mikel Arteta. Next season is going to be special, but first, let’s see where this one takes us.
Samesong. Thanks. Without sounding arrogant, I guess we old fellas have the history of the club in our heads. My grandad went to Highbury in the 20s, and my dad in the 30s. My son is a Gooner as well. It’s in the blood.
Having seen Nelson and Torreira quite often slipping on Arsenal’s turf and the sheer number of ACL Arsenal suffers, I wonder if Arsenal’s players choose the wrong studs. Years ago when he started as a professional footballer, my godson did his ACL and was told off by his coach for having used the wrong shoes. Especially in view of the reason why he had not selected the right one. The official one were not flashy enough for him. The moulded studs were too long or wrong shape for the playing condition surface. When he tried to turn, instead of tearing… Read more »
Some of the Grovers have been Gooners twice as long as Hamford has been a student of the game.
That’s a bloody long time innit. Cheers, and good health to you all 😀
About 1998/9 I was at a reserve match (George Armstrong was the coach) and when I got to the Directors box just before ko it was pretty empty so for a laugh I sat in Dein’s sit (had his name on it). Come half time, I get up to head down for tea and biscuits etc and right behind me was Dein! I said I was sorry and he just said “for what?”. Nice of him and I spent the half time break talking to him, he was the business for sure and didn’t hold back in what he had… Read more »
James Wood I sat mainly as a season ticket holder in West Stand. However, on occasion when my father could not get me a ticket to sit with him I did stand in North Stand. I did so on the occasion of Arsenal’s game v Man Utd which was the last time that they played in England before Munich. Incidentally we all talk about the good times, but I have still vivid memories of Arsenal losing to Swindon in League Cup Final, which was one of my worst experiences. This is why I am perhaps more tolerant of Arsenal’s recent… Read more »
Danny
The Special Enclosure changed when Arsenal secured its first sponsorship.
A large proportion of seats were allocated to sponsors and those season ticket holders who remained were charged fourfold price increase.
My father refused to pay the increase on a point of principle and Ken Friar arranged for him seats directly outside enclosure.
This was the start of commercialism at the club
Got into Arsenal after moving into the UK in 1994, because two of the four people who I knew who were into football were Arsenal fans. The other two, one was a Newcastle fan and the other one was a QPR fan. Went to my first English football game with him at Loftus road. Felt wrong, never gone back to Loftus road. To this day, I thank my lucky star I did not chose any of the other two. In France used to go with my great-grandfather to see football at Lens. In term of atmosphere, RC Lens and its… Read more »
Emiratesstroller
——-
Must’ve been in the late 70s I guess.
Reminds me of team shop run by Jack Kelsey in the ground which hardly had anything till they opened that shop by Finsbury Park station.
Having seen Nelson and Torreira quite often slipping on Arsenal’s turf and the sheer number of ACL Arsenal suffers, I wonder if Arsenal’s players choose the wrong studs.
What other ACL’s have we suffered at the Emirates?
“What other ACL’s have we suffered at the Emirates?”
Chambers, Holding come to mind.
Yeah holdings injury came at United so try again?
Ok my bad.
Still if you choose the wrong studs at the Emirates or at away you still at a higher risk of ACL.
Emirates
In the 20 odd years I went over Highbury as they used to say.
I never sat down once.
It was always the North bank -combination games as well.
I was alway’s comfortable there except one occasion
when Rangers played Red star Belgrade a big nasty pissed up
Rangers crowd turned up they where up to know good very scary.
Especially getting out of the ground.
Well at least you’re not blaming Emery for it. Makes for a nice change of pace. I seem to remember Chambers went down under a challenge though
http://dailycannon.com/2020/01/arteta-kolasinac-wasnt-ready-he-put-himself-on-the-line/
Kolasinac wasn’t ready to play, was expecting to start at Leeds or later but said he was ready because Saka was running on fumes after the last couple of games.
Luckily we got away with it this time but shows the threadbare nature of the squad at the moment. We need some more players back now, this 9 day break in the PL couldn’t have come at a better time.
Henry foot
“I remember that forward line under Billy Wright and loved Joe Baker especially when he decked Ron Yeats !”
I was a kid,standing right down the front at the clock end , if my memory serves me correct it was an FA cup tie 5th or 6 th round, the lunch up was right in front of me …have a feeling we lost .
Could be wrong .
Punch
We’re being linked to Soumare for 43 m btw.
That would be a proper upgrade on Xhaka both on and off the ball and take some of the burden off Torreira.
He desperately needs more help in there if he’s not going to burn out again.
Over the past ten years I think Arsenal fans have tricked themselves into a few false dawns. It’s really not anyone’s fault, it’s just what comes with the nature of being a real supporter of a club. Off the top of my head, I thought the Ozil signing was one. Expected big things after that, the end of the austerity. The first FA Cup trophy after that drought for silverware, was hoping the club would kick on to better things, which I guess it sorta did. Various other signings, Alexis for one, even Xhaka and Mustafi at the beginning. The… Read more »
I thought that Chambers was a bad reception. Mind you Holding is viewed as bad reception when it was mostly due to a bad unecessary challenge by Rashford. Officially that would make our last 3 ACL injuries (Holding, Bellerin, Chambers, …) to be the injury without any contact. The surgeon who operated on my godson told him that tiredness, frozen pitch below and wrong foot apparel were the main source of ACL in football. He naively mentioned that back to his manager expecting sympathy, that just infuriated the coach ever more. I don’t remember if he was fined for not… Read more »
Bill “My main interest is your reasoning why you believe United have a better team, better squad and better manager.” I have never said United have a better manager. I have said they have better players and a better squad, and I continue to believe this. “Do you base this on statistical evidence, if so which datasets do you use? Do you base it on watching matches, if so which?” I base this assessment, like all of my assessments, on what I glean from watching matches. I watch a lot of football, Bill. I watch all of our matches, of… Read more »
Aubemayang told RMC: ‘The English press likes to talk a lot. For now, I’m here. I’m 100% here.’
Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/02/pierre-emerick-aubameyang-arsenal-transfer-news-11989612/?ito=cbshare
Bellerin did his ACL against Chelsea. Theo did his against S***s in the Cup both at our place. All were at this time of year
I think Bobby Pires did his at Highbury against Newcastle . That was blamed on overplaying him by Wenger
there is a vibe…an energy about arteta. I really don’t want to jump the gun but we’re about to be in for some special times here at arsenal. all things aside, he’s gotten application out of ozil, and he’s determined to hold him to these standards. if he isn’t the man to break our epl duck then I doubt anyone can in this century. really need to give him time and trust to get this team where it needs to be. we were absolutely stellar against utd, yes they have problems but so do we, and our attacking intent and… Read more »
Valentin
So the Surgeon didn’t actually tell you that, he told you godson.
Even if told you directly, it would just be an anecdotal case report which is not a high level form of data.
Soumaré is probably the player I’d sign if I could only sign one player.
Amazing performance last night. The mood has changed.
But lets be realistic as well. If we want to fight for the PL, we still need that 400 m if not more.
Arteta will take us to where we were with Wenger – a top 4 club. It is up to the owners to finance the top acquisitions which can make us title contenders.
Pierre
It was 5th Round FA Cup about 1964/5 .We lost 1-0. After I supported Arsenal in 1958 we never got beyond the 5th round of the FA Cup until 1971…when we won it. We beat Man City at Maine Road 2-1 and Charlie George got both goals .
I agree with Emirates Stroller. There is a sense of entitlement among modern fans . If they’d lived through the fifties and sixties they might be less picky. And as for 1974-1976 , it was tough going and we flirted with relegation!
Dissenter,
I never said that it was scientifically proven. I just reported what the surgeon old my godson. However before you just dismiss that nugget of information as irrelevant, a surgeon specialised in sport injuries is more qualified than many of us to have an opinion on the matter.
I think the main reason for all our injuries, is the squad are a load of pampered fairies…arteta will hopefully get them training properly and get them toughened up!
We’re being linked to Soumare for 43 m btw.
Yeah was going to mention that. Could be a case of too good to not get involved. Definitely seems like we’re in for some players. Reports of a CB and CM as stated when Arteta got hired.
Bamford is the kind of guy that overvalues everything someone else has and is highly critical of anything that he considers to be “his”. He is a classic case of projecting his insecurities onto his judgment. Deep down he doesn’t see himself as good enough, so anything associated with him is also automatically not good enough. Unfortunately he associates himself with Arsenal, so they are held to higher standards. And still at the same time, on his outer layer he is an insufferable narcissist. This is probably to compensate for all the insecurity that lies beneath that stilted, manufactured exterior.… Read more »
Great reminiscences here from fellow Gooners.
Upamecano, Demiral, Lemar, Soumare linked.
Good list.
Even one of those is a massive boost before the close of the window.
Valentin
Very well
It’s just that you were passing third hand information that is at best anecdotal case reports. Essentially, he was telling your godson basic information that any medical student is fed in pre-clinical training.
In the medical community that’s very low level info. A meta analysis or systemic review will catch the attention of the informed, not someone telling someone that you know stuff.
If everytime you talk about our best performance in months you talk about it being because the other team didn’t show up and still have a better squad than us then you’re not an Arsenal fan. If you think OGS is an excellent manager then you don’t know football
“There is a sense of entitlement among modern fans .”
I don’t understand the surprise at this. In what other area of your life have you been willing to move backwards after having experienced better?
Like Chris Rock said, if you’ve been with a girl who likes to give blow jobs, your next girlfriend likely won’t be someone who doesn’t. If a woman has been with a man that has his own flat, she likely won’t go back to shagging dudes in a car after that. Apply the same concept to fandom and it’s not that hard to understand.
These dirty tabloids are back to traumatize gooners with click-bait transfer rumors.
We are going to be linked with every player that can breathe and fart.
Pedro
I posted this already but that’s the first arsenal match I’ve genuinely enjoyed for a long time.
Arteta may well be the man. If the club supports him properly, we could be a force next season.
“These dirty tabloids are back to traumatize gooners with click-bait transfer rumors.”
Hush. It’s a new dawn, these rumours are real now..
CA some good players in there for sure. I’ve mentioned in the past about targeting defensive minded players first and foremost but I’ll be honest I think that Reinier Jesus is just too good an opportunity to miss. Huge talent who at nearly 18 could be considered HG by 21. Lad looks like peak Kaka mixed with peak Werder Bremen Diego. Potential is huge
Just in case there’s even a little possiblity of excitement sure enough Dissenter is there to bring everyone right back down to earth. I’d say you’re fucking great at parties I swear
Valentin
I’ll says Chambers injury was due to poor landing.
Klay Thompson suffered the same injury in the NBA finals when he went up for a dunk.
I was 6 when I became an Arsenal fan. Dad was an Arsenal fan and so was his Dad. My son is an Arsenal fan too. It’s always been a family thing. Since we moved out of town I’ve not been able to get to as many games. But the red and white has always been part of us. My earliest memory was the Three Ws cup run to the 1978 final, beating Wolves, Walsall and Wrexham on the way to the semis. With Spider O’Leary and Chippy Brady I was awaiting a glorious final. I was heartbroken. But a… Read more »
Upamecano, Demiral, Lemar, Soumare linked.
Good list.
CA
I’m not sure we need Lemar. I would rather have Saka and Martinelli slug it out for the left wing spot.
Azed
Yeah.
Lemar is the one I’m least interested in.
I actually think Soumare of those names is the one I’d want if we could only have one.
I just think midfield is such a problem for us.
If it was a midfielder and defender then Soumare and Upamecano.
Fleck has been a total passenger so far against Liverpool. As I’ve said, he can have his peak at Sheffield United but I don’t think he’s Arsenal material at 28.
Liverpool are so arrogant it’s frustrating to watch.
Atletico Madrid have engaged Jorge Mendes to broker a move for Thomas Lemar to Arsenal. [Marca]
To be fair I can see Arteta loving the player
Lemar has immense potential that isn’t realised, but as I stated earlier, we don’t need him before central defence, defensive midfield and, if Auba or Laca leave, a prolific forward to replace them. I’d rather fill those positions and then get a decent back-up right back, before Lemar.
Charlie
They’d probably dominate the league for a couple of years, that’s how good they are….Unless of course Klopp needs a new challenge and wants to do a Madrid or Barcelona, jobs he’d be perfect for
Haven’t ever figured out what position exactly Thomas Lemar plays
Juventus have snapped up Kulukevski from Atlanta… Surely someone in that midfield of theirs is leaving this winter
I suppose the thing with Lemar is we don’t know what sort of price is being discussed. If Arsenal smell a bargain then you can understand us going for him now.
If he turns it around and even gets close to the potential he showed then Arsenal look very smart.
Work rate was certainly never his problem at Monaco, stood out in that regard our of all their ridiculous attacking talent. Can’t think that will have dropped off under Simeone.
Interesting though, Buendia, Deulofeu, Lemar…there’s a profile there of players Arteta seems interested in…rumoured to be anyway.
Yes CA, I agree, but probably Partey and Upamecano as first choice. With Saliba coming next year we should be on a pretty good platform. Ideally Soumare or Doucoure as well – I know I’m being greedy but that should sort us out for being aggressive, athletic and physical.
The Lemar / Grealish type player is in addition after the spine has been established- but before that we’ll need to replace Auba and Laca.
Milan resigning 38 year old Zlatan is the most Gazidis thing ever… Bald fucker is going to torment me for many years it seems
I think Arteta is looking for a Bernardo Silva type player. At least given the rumours.
By that I mean someone whose position is technically wide attacking midfield. But a player who gets through a large amount of work and can tactically switch central when necessary during the game.
Cesc
Lemar had that injury and hasn’t been the same since he returned…and it’s been a while since he was that dashing Monaco player.
Henry Foot
” There is a sense of entitlement among modern fans . ”
The entitled ones is one of my pet names for the modern fans (amongst others)
Cesc
Upamecano and soumare would make us beasts with what we have already
Bill
Agreed.
Upamecano and Partey would be my top choices.
I reckon fleck has been been on the booze over the holiday, whoever said he’s any good is clueless.
Mr Serge
Certainly add that much needed athleticism and physicality.
Upamecano would massively help in terms of on the ball ability as well in playing out from the back, squeezing the opposition and starting attacks off quickly.
Cesc add Saliba to that mix and we will look very fresh next season
Damn I am so excited
Aubameyang is doing Arsenal a favor buy refusing to sign an extension. Hopefully we get a good fee for him in the summer.
Pierre
How are you doing, o ye persecuted one of le-grove.
Lemar had that injury and hasn’t been the same since he returned…and it’s been a while since he was that dashing Monaco player.
What injury are you talking about? This should be good
Great chat from the old school gooners. Big up lads
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/mikel-arteta-blowing-away-arsenal-21203581
Henry Root
And as for 1974-1976 , it was tough going and we flirted with relegation!
————————-
I was at Highbury when Terry “Henry” Mancini scored for us to avoid relegation April 1976, the stadium was empty!
Bati
I don’t think Klopp is a potential Barca manager, but he could be one hell of a Real Madrid one. Might he go there one day, and Pep return to Barca?
Be interesting to see how we stand up (if at all) next time out against them. Might be our only telling league game of the campaign in aiming to prevent an unbeaten season.
God I can’t stand them. Immediately think of the twatty mates that are going to come out the woodwork when the inevitable occurs.
Dissenter
My persecution is over now that Arteta has arrived.
I will have nothing to complain about soon , just about all my tactical grievances regarding Emery have been rectified within a week …amazing.
They include..
Ozil in the starting line up and playing well.
4-2-3-1
2 holding midfielders
Full backs not too advanced
4 offensive players …pepe, ozil, Aubamayang and Lacazette.
Perfect…just need to keep winning games now.
Pierre racking up so many Ws this past 18 months.
CA, lots of people complaining about Upemecano being weak defensively. You confident he’d be solid over here?
Pedro he’s neither weak defensively, injury prone and I absolutely don’t get how persecuted Pierre has been racking up dubs
Alex, just seen your comment. Arteta will be the real deal. He’s the vision, now we have to hope Edu and Cagigao provide the right sort of players to move us forward.
Very hopeful we’ll become a destination for elite young talent on the verge of greatness.
Marko, there’s a number on an injury site that is very wrong. Says he was injured for a year.
Pierre can’t stop winning. We have to give it to him. Been right on so many things.
“Pierre racking up so many Ws this past 18 months.”
If only the senile old fucker could remember the last 18 minutes!
74-78 was not a great time to be an Arsenal fan. I’ve got a very clear memory of Willie Young attempting a pass back to our goalie (Rimmer?) which hit the corner flag.
Marc, he’s had you over his knee so many times I’ve called social services because it looks like abuse.
Pierre can’t stop winning. We have to give it to him. Been right on so many things.
Specifically what? He’s a Wenger/Ozil obsessed old fart who irrespective of whoever was replacing Wenger he was going to hate.
That website was wrong though clearly he made 22 appearences last season and missed like December onwards but returned for the last 2/3 games. Top class CB prospect would be an immense signing
Unless maybe the whole fanbase is doing a 180′ on Ozil completely disregarding the form of the last few seasons and focusing on the last two games (really one and a half games). Remember the Leicester game from last season? Napoli? Even the Liverpool under 15’s this season. Lets see the response when he’s back to performing poorly watch those Pierre dubs dry up
Pedro
If you can’t pick on the elderly who can you pick on?
I’ll give Pierre his due for the most part he has a view and sticks to it. His obsession with Ozil was infuriating because anyone reasonable fan never argued that Ozil doesn’t have talent – it was the lack of application and that doesn’t just apply to Emery or even Arsenal. However if Arteta can continue to get committed performances out of him, something that I didn’t think any manager would manage again then I’m more than happy to see him in the team.
Pierre has been winning like Bill Cosby was a ladies’ man the last 30 years. I don’t want to win that way.
Pedro
Oh yeah – stop fantasizing about giving me a spanking – mate it aint ever going to happen!
Marko, he had you on Emery and he might take you on Mesut. He’s Pirlo, ages in the most elite way possible..
Marko have some respect for your elders.
Pierre is an OG.
I think Pierre is Pedro’s dad.
Luteo
That’d explain the sexual abuse references.
Bollocks that’s a ban!
“Pierre is an OG.”
OG or OC?
So Pierre has been winning these last 18 months in the most vague possible way. And he might be correct on Ozil. Got ya just as I thought he’s being propped up cause he too hated Emery. If you’re counting that as a w that’s okay but compared to all the losing he was taking for backing up the previous ballbag I’ll give it to him.
Luteo, my dad used to blog here! It’s not Pierre… it’s Bamford. Bought me a book on squad poverty for Xmas and managed to land me a signed OGS poster.
Marko, come on… Pierre has been militant on Emery and so OTT on Ozil it was creepy. You can’t call his views vague.
Pedro
Christ you’re the only kid who looks at the one who got a lump of coal for Christmas and calls him a lucky lucky bastard!
he had you on Emery
What does that even mean
Marc, only a true believer would have believed in the Mesut change-up.
I knew Arteta would try it, and I knew it made sense that the player ride with him… but really didn’t expect this.
Marko, it means you were hand stitching EMERY KNOWS banners while he was tearing apart his very existence.
Pierre has been militant on Emery and so OTT on Ozil it was creepy. You can’t call his views vague.
I meant your w comment was vague. Pierre is so winning. How winning is he?
I’d point out to Pierre that with the ball Kolasinac was far advanced a lot of the time last night but that may be petty! The team is working brilliantly together and that it is happening so quickly is fantastic. Getting tunes out of Ozil and Xhaka is suprising but extremely welcome. On another note I handn’t realised our 49 unbeaten record is out of our hands, I read Liverpool can eclipse it at Brighton a couple of games before they play us, let’s hope someone can turn them over but the way they are playing it is hard to… Read more »
Marko, I’d say top 3 winning until Ozil drops his level, then it’s back in the gutter
Happy new year, you cunts !