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.
Marko, it means you were hand stitching EMERY KNOWS banners while he was tearing apart his very existence.
Welcome to an adult conversation I suppose. The I told you so’s coming out after the very first win was just so expected. What wasn’t expected was how a victory was downplayed prior to it. I told you guys he could do it this season
Pedro
I’m as surprised as everyone other than Pierre. The question is will he (Ozil) keep it up.
I’d be very happy if he did.
There are too many on here who are more interested in being right over Arsenal doing well.
If Arsenal are doing well then I am happy – there’s no more to it.
Chris
It’s not out of our hands.
One RPG, one Liverpool coach and problem solved.
Marko please get a sense of humour. Pedro has you on a string.
Marc It may have to come down to that! They are showing they can blow teams away (Leicester) or just hold other tricky opponents (Wolves/Sheffield Utd) at arms length with ease. Almost robotic like tonight, winning without having to try too hard. They are marching to the same inevitable beat we had back then. It would be interesting to see what people would deem the higher achievement between us and them if the following scenario was to play out. Liverpool go beyond the 49 games unbeaten but lose this season. They would hold the record for unbeaten games but not… Read more »
Karim many happy returns pal. How reliable are these rumours on Soumare? Don’t let me down now
Assuming OC stands for Old Cunt.
Luteo
You’ve worked in recruitment as well?
Do not believe the Jerome Boatang rumours. No way we go the Luiz route again
Lego hair with the amount of bans and name changes you’ve gone through Pedro has you in the palm of his hand pal
Jeez that degenerated quickly.
Thought we were in a high class.
On a high
Thought we were in a high, lads
God my typing’s getting worse.
On a high.
I give up
Don’t know if this has been said yet but Liverpool are now unbeaten in the league for a whole calendar year and are currently on a 37 match unbeaten run. They are only 12 away from equalling our record and 13 from beating it. Their 12th game from now is Man City away and their 13th is Villa at home. What’s the best that the corrupt football authorities conspire to reschedule the City away match for later in the season to help those fuckers out? If they do it they have us at the Emirates 3rd game from last. I… Read more »
Marko,
Who was Lego hair and how do you know?
Benny you can tell it’s Martinelli’s head/Normski/aubergine
Pierre is doing a Harvey Dent reverse switch.
On Le Grove You Either Die A Villain, Or You Live Long Enough To See Yourself Become The Hero.
If it’s true, there is still hope for Bamford.
Liverpool will lose before then.
49 games or a season unbeaten require an act of god – but bergkamp doesn’t play for Liverpool
Not bad, China…
May god hear you. 😉
Bamford, the main contention was that you serve up opinion as unassailable facts. When asked for evidence you give a circular argument and offer no evidence for your proclamations. None whatsoever. Essentially, you watch matches on tv. At no point do I say this does not allow you to form an opinion. What I do say is that watching any match in the stadium allows you to obtain a far better understanding of how the team operates. I know of no fan who ONLY watches matches in a stadium. They supplement their understanding with tv analysis and data. I specifically… Read more »
“On Le Grove You Either Die A Villain Or You Live Long Enough To See Yourself Become A Hero….If it’s true there’s still hope for Bamford.”
Bamford will be proven right.
Man U to win the Championship play-off under OGS in 2027!
Ufff, if this was prison Banford would be tiptoeing behind Bill with his pocket in hand..
Oh Bam, before I forget. I have an unfortunate family member who I get on very well. He watches every Utd game live and on TV. He is a lifelong supporter. His friends are football mad, many of them season ticket holders for Utd, but also for Liverpool. Do you know what? He and ALL his Utd friends think the squad is the weakest for over 25 years and that OGS hasn’t got a clue. He believes the club is not run as a football club anymore and it does not have “football people” at the top. He is scathing… Read more »
One league victory and they crown him a saviour. Lol
Liverpool’s fixtures:
Spurs away
Man utd home
Wolves away
West Ham away
Southampton home
Norwich away
West Ham home
Watford away
Bournemouth home
Everton away
Palace home
Man city away
Villa home
Brighton away
Burnley home
Arsenal away
Chelsea home
Newcastle away
I think the next 4 games they could lose 1 of them, utd or wolves most likely, then it’s only Everton away then City away where they could slip up before it’s down to us at the Emirates with 1 last chance to stop them.
Thoughts?
Red, no one is crowning Arteta as a saviour. There is huge relief at him starting to unravel Gordian knot of an Emery -made mess that is Arsenal
Iconoclastic. Nice. Had to Google it mind but good word.
Anyone else feel Bills posts should come with some Mortal Kombat style wrap up after each?
‘Finish him’, ‘Flawless victory’ etc..
Bill I already accepted your “olive branch”. That is clear from what I said above. However, you continue to be hostile, unfair, dishonest and unfriendly, so I’m not terribly sure how valuable or sincere your “olive branch” is or was. Nothing you’ve said above accurately or fairly represents what I said in my reply to your long comment. So again, here are the basics, Bill: 1. I base my conclusions on what I glean from watching a lot of football. Just like everyone else here. I don’t rely on some database or metric or formula — although I obviously use… Read more »
Can I just say it’s a no from me in signing Boetang at 31.
We need to be building for the future not collecting past it has beens looking for a fat pension ffs!
Agreed, Benny. Boateng would just be another CB on the wrong side of 30.
It’s written in the stars Arsenal and Arteta beating Liverpool at the Emirates.
Bamford,
Please re-read your post and consider the utter folly of refusing to accept an olive branch unless certain conditions are met: this isn’t ze germans and the french negotiating at Versailles!
It’s a fucking football blog….christ, you’re as paranoid as fucking Lee Harvey Oswald…or Valentin.
Don’t see Liverpool going unbeaten. However, breaking the 100 point barrier is well within reach. They’re winning football matches with little effort. Ridiculous stuff
“I think, for example, that Wolves have a better squad than we do. Champagne disagrees. Champagne is no less certain of the correctness of his view than I am of mine. He is just as dogmatic about his view as I am. The only difference is that you prefer his opinion“ 1. Second time you’ve roped me and my name into your ramblings when it wasn’t necessary at all, get over the crush. 2. You have no premise for making the argument that Wolves have a better squad than us, there’s no ‘because of X….’ which rationalises your view. You… Read more »
This season goals should be; win EL or FA Cup and beat Pool so they will not get Invincible season.
Luteo GuenreiraJanuary 2, 2020 19:36:35 “Over the past ten years I think Arsenal fans have tricked themselves into a few false dawns.” This isn’t a recent thing. This is Arsenal’s MO as a club. Even way back if you consider Arsenal under Chapman basically innovated the modern game to a large degree as we know it, we were a giant then only for Chapman’s sudden death in 1934 and then WWII derailed us. When people talk about that bygone era it’s all white horses at Wembley and Preston North End. No one ever recognizes us, and why? Because the club… Read more »
Getting back to football matters rather than reminisces Arsenal need to use the current transfer window wisely. Our priority this January has to be to bring in if possible at least one defender, because we are woefully short in that department even before the injury to Chambers. Both Chambers and Tierney are effectively out for the rest of this season and I think that it is also very clear that both Bellerin and Holding are unlikely to be 100% match fit this season after also suffering long term injuries. Leaving aside opinions on the rest of our defence we are… Read more »
Bill “I know no-one who thinks Emery ‘over-achieved’. Even Emery, in his own words, admits he didn’t know how to fix Arsenal.” Whether anyone agrees with me on that point — plenty of people do, btw — is irrelevant. That’s called the fallacy of the majority, and you’re resorting to it. Emery had something less than the fifth best squad in the league last season and yet he managed to finish 5th. That’s over-achieving. He had nothing like the quality that Spurs or Chelsea had, yet he finished 1 point and 2 points from them, respectively. That’s over-achieving. Objectively. “I… Read more »
BayingMob
Painfully accurate post. Beautiful assessment, well done.
Bamford With one post Bill has surpassed your contribution to this comment space over seven years. Honestly I don’t many care about the “standing” of your opinion, if others are like me it’s just that you are such a bad writer that I just immediately dislike your opinion because of its delivery. I’ve said this before but I find it hilarious that you are an English teacher with such shit writing skills. I also find it hilarious that you are the head coach of the Debate Team whilst being such a shit debater. Everything about you is just all wrong.… Read more »
Reports that we are looking at Nathan Aké, which might make sense, but which will also cost a bit of money (£45m). Excerpt from Telegraph article below: “Chelsea remain favourites to re-sign Ake thanks to an agreement that they can buy him for £40 million as part of the deal that took the defender to Bournemouth in 2017. But Chelsea are facing the growing threat of competition for Ake if they do not complete the signing early in this month’s transfer window. Arsenal have placed Ake high on their list of potential replacements for Chambers, along with Red Bull Leipzig’s… Read more »
Highbury legend
Bergkamp heard everything…
Cesc AppealJanuary 1, 2020 23:08:27 ” ‘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.” This. Pepe is played on the right because of those scintillating left foot curlers he… Read more »
Bamford you’re doing nothing to dispel the myth that a yank cunt like yourself knows fuck all about football.
Would prefer Sangare over soumare,
Relying on Ozil will end i tears,
Im telling you this for free!
Bill gets it.
I can’t be sure but I think Pepe was asked by Arteta to play more conservatively against United., to show more patience and not to be so loose in possession of the ball. He was told to stay goal side of the ball and not dive into tackles when the opposition had the ball. To his credit Pepe retained his discipline even though a lot of what was being asked of him was alien to his game. Pepe was rewarded for his patience with a goal and an assist and a 100% passing stat which one wouldn’t have thought possible… Read more »
For me to be happy & content, one of the things I require is a functioning Arse. The other morning, Eastern Daylight Saving Time, I saw the 1st signs of The Arse Renaissance. Man scum passed thru The Arse & @ the end they were nothing more than Shite!
Mesut Ozil was sensational, Xhaka solid, the Little Uruguayan was magnificent. Laca, Auba worked their Arses off, & the Brazilian CB in peak form, as was the Bosnian Boy, Maitland-Niles, The Greek Philosopher, etc, etc, etc.
I the Place sounded like it was humming. The crowd were gr8.
Well done all those who attended!!!
I know it’s early days yet and we still have many corners to turn and problems to solve, but I genuinely believe we have found our next messiah. How long is it since we’ve actually listened and absorbed what is being said? If I’m perfectly honest, I haven’t believed any of the rhetoric that’s come out of Arsenal these past 14 years. We can all see and feel that Arteta loves the club. We can also all see and feel that we have someone at the helm that really knows what he’s doing. Smart, eloquent and intense. What a combination!… Read more »
Pierre
Pepe certainly did not have a 100% pass rate.
I just watched the 1st half so I know. Great performance though.
Dark Hei
I took my info from a previous comment.
Blame sid if it’s wrong, and I’m telling you this for free.
“SidJanuary 2, 2020 01:44:46
Nicolas Pépé’s game by numbers vs. Man Utd:100% pass accuracy
100% passes in opp.half
50 touches
16 total duels
6 recoveries
4 take-ons completed
4 chances created
2 aerials won
2 shots
1 goal”
@Bamford –
“Emery had something less than the fifth best squad in the league last season and yet he managed to finish 5th. That’s over-achieving”
Once again, as Bill was asking, what is that based on? You have presented this as a fact, yet it is clearly just your opinion!!
Reports we are in for boateng for £12m
……………
No thanks. Are we just stock piling geriatric centre backs?
Did someone let Bamford out of the padded cell again without his meds?
Evidence from above suggests it is so.
Bill
There is no reasoning with madness. Scrolling past Branford’s posts is the same thing to do.
Charlie
You work in a prison hospital?
Reports we are in for boateng for £12m
That would make more sense to me.
Still we will have a massive surplus of centre
halves when everyone is fit come June.
No to Boateng. when will we ever learn you can’t fix the defense with cheap old players. Boateng has had a number of injuries these past few years and He has lost his speed now. Sure he can play but so can David Luiz. We need a permanent fix to our defense. Sokratis, Luiz and Boateng, what are we a retirement home?
Not sure about how I feel about the Boateng rumor, I kinda agree with Left, I think he might be done at the top level hence Bayern willing to let him go. I’d rather give Dino Mavropanos a chance.
Boateng? That’s why we never progress. I’d rather wait until the summer and buy a decent centre back than make do with another ageing player who will only decline and have no resale value.
No to Boateng.
The guy who singlehandedly sacked Kovac.
WE’VE got enough dimplayers for the gaffer to try whip into shape.
Lego hair
You’re a cunt
Un- I’d rather overpay for Upamecano now(anything upto 60 million is fine) than risk waiting till the summer. We may have more appealing rivals for his signature by then.
If not then lets persevere with Sokaratis, Holding and Luiz (I know but he is transformed!!!) and Dino.
Spending 12 million on Boateng gives me Mertesacker/Benayoun vibes.
Boating on loan make sense, to buy outright does not. You are then burden with an unsaleable player on high wage whose performance will seriously deteriorate because most of his game was based on the physical aspect. To be fair, buying Boateng at £12 millions is a lower risk but the unknowns are his wage and the length of his contract. I doubt that Boateng would move for low wage or a pay as you play contract. The fact that Arsenal has to rebuild the squad mid way through the season just emphasize two points: 1) our so called “strategic”… Read more »
” What does Arteta want?”
More Sauce ??
This Boateng chap- the Imelda Marcos of world soccer should nowhere be near Arsenal.
Another Luiz type. Another joker
Neither should the Barca crock & reject Utimindi.
(Mind you he could keep Tierney company in the treatment room.)
12 months on from the Barca/Suarez debacle- lets hope the Spiv has learned his lesson and does not assist his old team- in buying their garbage.
Plenty of lower league British defenders out there to buy,
John Stones- formerly of Barnsley will do,
Arteta could get Stones playing nicely again
Goober I think that may be what Arteta does eventually. Right now it is all about confidence with Pepe, he scored, smashed a great effort against the post and whipped in the corner that led to the goal. This is what’s important so it makes sense Arteta is letting him play his natural game right now. But I do think he’s predictable. Against Bournemouth when he came on as soon as he got the ball I could hear the Bournemouth bench shouting ‘inside, inside’. I guess it can potentially leave space for the overlapping RB if the defenders all move… Read more »
I’d say no to Boateng.
Years gone by I would have taken him, but another CB who’s over 30 likely wanting a massive contract. Not really liking that. Likely we pay £12 Million and he’s on £120 000 or something for 2 years.
If that’s as much money as they are giving Arteta then best just to leave it.
But with the links to Upamecano, Demiral, Ake, Soumare, Lemar etc it seems there may be money. I’d rather just one Upamecano, Demiral or Soumare than a collection of average type buys.
A big no to Boateng. 12m for a 31 year old 3rd choice at Bayern – I don’t think so. Do we never learn? Push the boat out for Upamecano now. If we wait until the summer some other big spending clubs will pounce and push the price up still further – that’s what agents are paid to do.
We will be back to banter status if Glen Kamara and Boateng are incoming this TW.
Un – absolutely your right, we don’t know, but I really hope we don’t get a “Mustafi can be great” press conference next though! He’s caused so much hurt!
As Valentin said, I guess a loan for Boateng makes sense for all parties but if it meant missing out on a player the calibre of Upamecano I’d leave Boateng alone.
UN H.N.Y “” CG Trust me I’d rather go british””””” The great thing about Arteta’s blockbusting start as Arsenal manager/coach – is he has basically made Raul and Edu redundant. Arteta is already total control. And only after 18 days- he is the most important person at the club. (Like Wenger in his pomp.) Whatever Arteta decides to do -he will be allowed to If Raul tries his tricks- ( in foisting players on the coach or selling players against their will) – Arteta wont stand for it. Just think How far advanced would we be- if Arteta had taken… Read more »
For £40m I reckon we can do and should do better than Ake… although age profile he’s in the right ball park.
Better still if we can fund it by selling off the likes of Mkhitaryan, Mustafi and Elneny? Surely combined they should surely bring in at least £40m?
Three players we should’ve never bought.
Un, You are right that putting on the left would kill any shooting threat Pepe has. One thing that was frustrating Arteta was the fact that Pepe never tried to take Shaw on the outside with his pace. The few times he did it was great, but by never offering the possibility of going outside he is easier to defend against. Added the fact that clearly AMN has been told to curb his attacking instinct and defend slight inside to help in midfield we have minimal threat on the left outside. Pepe need to vary his game and not be… Read more »
I’ve changed my mind on Boateng. As as short-term solution for losing Chambers, it does in fact make sense. At 12m, it will not prevent us from spending money in the summer. And Boateng, while not ideal in some ways, is good with the ball at his feet, which fits the direction in which Arteta is taking us (i.e., possession, possession, possession). As Sanllehi said of the January window, it is for tactical and short term needs, not strategic or long-term needs.
We need a youngish centre half with huge potential such as Upamencano.This is Leipzig trying to push the price up.we could try to throw in a makeweight?
I’m sure ARSETETA knows what he wants.& what ARSETETA wants,he gets!
Maybe for the first time ever, I agree with every word you’ve written. Arsene Wenger once said “Arsenal need one day to recruit someone like me, only better.” We may have done that. Brilliant start.
Redhot, not that agreement matters, but did you really not agree with me on Wenger? Emery? Freddie not being good enough?
For this to have been the first time would suggest you’ve been massively off the mark for about 10 years
Oh Bamford, you spent so much time trying to rebut my arguments with, in all due respect, an I’ll thought out stream of consciousness. I’m well aware of the fallacy of the majority. I don’t think you have used this correctly to undermine my argument. If you read my post you will see that I expose your opinions as just that – opinions. You dont use statistical data, in fact you think evidence is “impossible” to obtain. My view with my academic background, is very different. I believe that data is essential in coming to a conclusion. The data must… Read more »
Bamford, I know I’m labouring the point, but you don’t understand the point of me raising the poor recruitment, which you often write about, and the linking of this to KSE. You don’t understand the point of me raising the ineptitude of KSE’s role in continuing to employ Wenger for 6-7 years too long. Well, I’m surprised by you not understanding the reason I raise these points. I’ll explain. If KSE was run properly and there was a performance culture, then this will not have happened. Same with the woeful financial results- even worse when set against out rivals. This… Read more »