Old habits die hard, but Arsenal players respond brilliantly

by .

Mikel Arteta stayed true to his word and treated the FA Cup with more respect than you’d show your grandma at a Sunday lunch. He fielded a very strong team for Bielsa’s Leeds, though it was loaded with some oddities. He stuck with a back four that saw Sokratis as right back. His midfield had Xhaka and Matteo, which always scares me. He continued his run with Mesut and capped it with Pepe, Laca and Nelson.

We started off in appalling fashion. Our manager hilariously said after the game, “I’ve watched Leeds United a lot and they batter teams every 3 days,” and batter us they did. We were absolutely second best for the majority of the first half. Leeds pummeled us, they beat us to every ball and they didn’t give us time to turn out of our half. It was utterly embarrassing. We managed 3 attempts with 1 on target (they had 15 attempts at our goal, 5 on target).

Matteo Guendouzi looked frightened, he was awful on the ball, he did not know which way to turn or where to stand. He resorted to slipping into the back 4 like he’d been doing under Emery. He wasn’t helped, Rob Holding has gone from looking like peak Baresi, to Pascal Cygan after 5 beers, he was very rusty and struggled with his passing. Then up front, Lacazette looked sluggish and low on confidence. Our players were bunched up, we didn’t fight, and we forgot all the good things from the last 3 games. The only bright spark was some good keeping from Martinez.

There are always going to be lots of questions of the manager when things are going badly, the one we wanted to know last night was whether he could motivate ‘this’ group of players to come out fighting. Well, Lacazette said, ‘he shouted a lot.’ Which always moistens the loins of British fans who think a good hairdryer treatment can solve any motivation issue.

Were the Brits wrong to dampen? Absolutely not. Brexit means Brexit and shouting at players appears to mean they pull their finger out, the dirty slaaaags.

The players put Leeds on the back foot right away. We became the protagonists. The shape was much improved, the midfield moved quicker to close down danger/angles, and the team worked really hard to get Ozil and Pepe on the ball. The German, in particular, made the most of the ball, he created some great opportunities, every touch had intent and seemed to dent the confidence of a tiring Leeds side.

The breakthrough came from some dogged work from Pepe. He slinked away from a pile-up with Douglas just inside Leeds half. The Ivorian reminds me of a fast Kanu sometimes, I don’t quite know how he’s staying on his feet, but it works and he escapes. He powered through the middle, released Lacazette out wide, he quickly slipped the ball into the box, it deflected and Reiss Nelson was on hand to bundle home. Not the tidiest of goals, but a confidence jab for all three involved.

That goal really took the steam out of anything Leeds could offer. We continued the half with the same intensity. I thought the fans were in fine voice, they kept the boys going with their singing. Arteta was able to bring on Gabriel, who looks the absolute business. His intensity is going to be a game-changer for Arsenal next year.

The game finished 1-0. We somehow kept another clean sheet. The team passed another test, they can be motivated, they do want to play for the manager, and the FA Cup could be a real opportunity this season.

Leeds is a bruising team to play against, the squad underestimated them, and they nearly paid the price. It’s a lesson learned. Mikel is good, but he’s never going to shake old habits in under a month.

Fans have to accept that finding consistency is going to be very hard this season. There will some great moments, but there are also going to be some horrible ones that might leave you questioning whether we have the right man in charge. We have to work through it, this is a proper manager with ideas that will take a year to start delivering consistency… but when they land, it’s going to be beautiful.

For now, let’s hope the lessons of today were learned. At the highest level, even against Championship sides, you cannot afford to take your foot off the gas. Leeds has a tiny squad that’s been somewhat out of form and they dominated us so badly in the first half, we only managed 37.5% possession.

Arsenal are still weak when pressed hard, we’ve known that for years, we’ll have to get better there. Xhaka looked really poor in the first half, but he was a different beast in the second. Matteo looked ready for the scrap heap in the first 45, the second he looked like a man who was told his family were in the boot of a car with their lives dependent on him playing like a man possessed. Everyone looked better when they moved towards the Arteta instruction pack and that can only be a positive for his authority as a manager moving forward.

Next up is Sheffield United. A tough game against a coach that will have watched what Bielsa did with intrigue. Chris Wilder will have a plan, we’ll have to rise to the occasion again and hope the squad wants to continue to prove the doubters wrong.

What did you think? Let us know in the comments!

P.S. I don’t normally care much for press conferences, but man, I love listening to the clarity of his comms. He knows exactly what’s going on, very refreshing. Also great to know Auba is committed.

447 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Freddie Ljungberg

Don

You don’t seem to comprehend how the spending at a club works.

The club spent the money, not the manager. The players bought are still there now, 2 weeks after the last manager left.

If your point is that we shouldn’t be buying new players because Emery tanked I don’t know how I can help you. You’re lost.

Pierre

Marc
“I haven’t slagged off Torreira, Pepe, Auba, Nelson, AMN or Ozil under Arteta – for the most part I’ve been impressed and complimentary.”

Never said you did, you obviously got the wrong end of the stick.

I was just making the point of how certain players value will have increased in the last few weeks.

Dissenter

“Emery had £200m spent for him
Arteta has not”

But Arteta inherited that squad that had 200 million spent on it. so what exactly is your point?
You’re so disingenuous you’re adding the Saliba money even though he doesn’t join us till the summer.

Freddie Ljungberg

Don

it’s maybe good enough for an outside chance of top 4. If our rivals muck it up. Would like to think we want to aim higher than that.

Strengthen the team with a few class additions and top 4 should be the least we can expect, not the maximum.

Marc

Pierre

Sorry misunderstood what you meant. To be honest the value of a player isn’t going to be influenced that much in such a short amount of time – Auba and Ozil are at an age where their value will be what it is. Torreira is just doing what he does – it’s not miracle work from Arteta it’s knocking a square peg into a square hole. Pepe carries a “big” price tag already and Nelson and AMN are both young academy players.

I’ll judge player improvements after more than 4 matches.

Marc

Pick that out.

Champagne charlie

On the subject on Bernardo Silva not having the requisite quality….

Marko

Bernardo is a baller

Marc

Would De Gea of a few years ago got closer to that? Not suggesting he would have saved it but he was miles away.

Nelson

What a goal from B. Silva!

Samesong

Great goal.

Habesha Gooner

Someone was telling me how average B.silva is and there is your Answer

MidwestGun

From Earlier, sorry.
Sal
“I’m coming back to play under Wenger, if Gibbs can pull £80k a week sky’s the limit. I’ll be in hot tub if you need me.”
___________
Hahaha this cracked me up Sal. I’m not gonna lie..

“I’ll be in the Hot tub if you need me..” is most likely what they will engrave on my tombstone. 😀

Anyhow, Happy New Year to you and yours at the Sal Paradise ranch!

Marc

Midwest

More likely one of your ex’s will use it the weigh the body down!

Dream10

Superb strike from Silva. Left too much space. Utd CBs and CMs should be closing him down there.

MidwestGun

Marc-
I’m in witness protection, they will never find me.. Top secret new name.. Henry Rosicky. … Probably shouldn’t have typed that on the open internet. … oops.

Champagne charlie

“it’s maybe good enough for an outside chance of top 4. If our rivals muck it up. Would like to think we want to aim higher than that.“

This is such a dishonest comment.

We accrued 70 points, a total that was good enough to make top 4 in two of the previous four seasons in the league. This with a total capitulation in our last 6 matches.

Nothing to do with needing favours or handouts from rivals, we had the ability to make a top 4 number in points. Totally irrefutable.

MidwestGun

Emery was shite… and Wenger was waaaay past it.. lets move on people… sheesh

Marko

Emery’s reign started and ended with a loss
Wenger’s begin and ended with a win
Sums it all up really doesn’t it?

Eh yeah great point as always.

Marko

Ole looks clueless when things aren’t going his way

Bob N16

Summed it up nicely Midwest.

MidwestGun

Only thing worse then the Emery look this season…would be if OGs was our manager.. He has a similar look on the bench as Emery did. As if he is staring at an unsolvable puzzle.

Habesha Gooner

Brooklyn How can you not rate B.Silva? are you seeing that pass ?

Samesong

Silva class

Champagne charlie

Banford dodging another OGS bullet here

Leftside

City in full control over this Utd side with an ‘excellent’ manager.

Bob N16

OGS looks lost. He’ll surely be replaced before next season. Allegri or Pochettino?

Marko

Why weren’t we interested in Bernardo Silva when he was available? Oh that’s right we had Ozil and Ramsey.

Habesha Gooner

We should cheer United on. Otherwise they might wise up and hire pochettino. Pochettino with funds would be a top 4 fixture.

Leftside

Oh dear

Marko

Absolutely dicked on

MidwestGun

City tearing them apart without a striker.

Nelson

The game is over now!

Freddie Ljungberg

CC “This is such a dishonest comment.We accrued 70 points, a total that was good enough to make top 4 in two of the previous four seasons in the league. This with a total capitulation in our last 6 matches.Nothing to do with needing favours or handouts from rivals, we had the ability to make a top 4 number in points. Totally irrefutable.” Sure, dishonest. So Spurs didn’t have a abysmal finish to the season to give us a look in? Chelsea didn’t have an abysmal start to the season to give us a look in? Man U weren’t awful… Read more »

Marc

OGS a genius in Bamford’s mind.

In real life a manager who if you were to call him distinctly average you’d be insulting distinctly average managers.

Marko

We should cheer United on. Otherwise they might wise up and hire pochettino. Pochettino with funds would be a top 4 fixture

Who cares haven’t you heard we’re title winners inside the next two seasons mate.

Habesha Gooner

Marko
Guardiola beat everyone to sign him. he said so himself that he didn’t want to miss out so they agreed even before the TW opened. He signed Mendy later from Monaco. shows how much he wanted him.

Goona

United getting spanked with city not out of 2nd gear..

Nelson

I think Sterling misses Arteta. He is not the same.

Marc

Un

Actually the truth is none of us are intelligent enough to know what’s really going on.

OGS is writing off a mickey mouse cup so he can focus on getting top 4 – honest!

Jamie

Losing 3 nil at halftime at Old Trafford. Ole is an excellent manager.

HighburyLegend

Lol of course we’ve beat them easily, they are so shite!!

And they are 5 places above us in the PL table… lol

Marc

ManU got a Cup replay next week, Liverpool away weekend after, 2nd leg of this which could get brutal in the 2nd half plus a couple of should win league matches.

January is not going to be a fondly remembered month in one half of Manchester (or Surrey).

Pierre

Marko
“Who cares haven’t you heard we’re title winners inside the next two seasons mate.”

You never learn do you …

So many comments come back to haunt you that one would think you would show a little humility.

Champagne charlie

Freddie

2014-2019 the average points that got 4th place is 71.6

So explain how we never had the quality when we managed to cobble together a points tally (70) that directly correlates to being right in the mix for top 4?

In your own time.

Marc

Highbury

It’s 4 points – it’s not that much of a gap.

salparadisenyc

Henry Rosicky with this blinder, “Emery was shite… and Wenger was waaaay past it.. lets move on people… sheesh.”

Pretty much this, now just bask in the golden light of a tactical rebuild.

Habesha Gooner

Marko
Hahaha I know you are saying Sarcastically but I so want it to be true. It has been over 15 years. We can’t stay away from the title like liverpool.

Northbanker

I see we have stated we’re not interested Re weed in Lemar – thank God for that
Last thing we need is another winger – our meagre funds need to all go on a top quality CB and RB

Northbanker

Strike weed lol

HighburyLegend

Yep, what a genius Arteta is, for having get such an awesome result vs manure.
Lol

MidwestGun

Still another half.. could end up a tennis score. It’s the Moose, deer, buffalo, antelope Cup.. but getting humiliated at home against City… not a good look.

I’m going with Poch to replace because that would be better banter. Or maybe it wouldn’t be… can’t decide.

Big Dave

Spamford will crying tonight. Lots of rocking and lots of tears. Probably mumbling something about OGS being a genius before sputtering for “mommy” to change his nappy.

Time to ring for his nanny.

Champagne charlie

“There’s even more competition this year and everyone’s going to be stronger next year again so what’s your solution? Coach Xhaka and Mustafi a bit more and get some more effort out of Ozil? Brilliant.“

More honest commenting, on a roll.

Not like every club in Europe looks to improve their squad every window or anything. Pure nonsense.

Habesha Gooner

saying it*

HighburyLegend

If the score get worse, it will be the end of lil’ OGS.

Tom

I hope OGS splits his wages three ways with Carrick and Phelan.
I don’t think Iv ever seen this much conversation between head coach and his assistants during matches.
Between this and Wenger’s gag order on Bouldy I’d take the latter

Marc

If I’m going to be forced to endure another 5 months of Xhaka then ManU fans should have to endure the same with OGS – minimum.

Jamie

What happens to the wager when Ole gets sacked?

Let’s “circle back” to this later. I’ll make a nice long list of points, with the obligatory “so sorry, but no” postscript.

You’re welcome.

Freddie Ljungberg

CC

Did I say we were not in the mix? You’re not only the most misunderstood boy on le grove your reading comprehension is clearly lacking too.

We were in the mix because our rivals had bad seasons.

We want to be more than in the mix in the future, with our rivals and the teams around us getting stronger we can’t be fooled into thinking this squad is going to be strong enough for that.
How are you struggling with that concept?

Tom

Un na naii
Not that it matters much in Emery’s case since he turned out to be such disaster but Arsenal total net spend over the last two seasons was £147 m

MidwestGun

To be fair who doesn’t want new toys? I know I do… looking at a new fishing boat… which is pretty much the last thing.. I need right now.

Champagne charlie

Freddie “Did I say we were not in the mix? You’re not only the most misunderstood boy on le grove your reading comprehension is clearly lacking too.“ Oh is that it? You never said the following.. “it’s maybe good enough for an outside chance of top 4. If our rivals muck it up. “ Pretty clear you’re claimed us a long shot totally depending on the failures of others. Something that’s simply false based on the points totals of the last 5 years relating to 4th place. “We want to be more than in the mix in the future, with… Read more »

MidwestGun

Lol… An Ozil Xhaka boat would be very difficult to navigate no doubt… and be ridiculously expensive and only catch fish every 2 weeks.

The backpass

But it was claimed at the beginning of the season that we have a top 4 squad, i believe many are now seeing this not to be true.

MidwestGun

Watching Fred ,makes me think Martinelli needs to work on his Brazilian one word name. I propose Nelly. like the rapper. Only spelt Nelli or maybe just Mart.

Freddie Ljungberg

Pedro “Freddie, I think the concept you are struggling with is that no one has said we don’t need to add to our squad. Not a single person.” Sure, no one has been downplaying the extent of our need for signings, especially not CC and Don, ok. I forgot, player poverty has been proven a myth after 4 games of sauce. CC Not sure why you keep bringing up the last 5 seasons points total for top 4? How is that relevant? Just look at what happened last season and see if we were nailed on for top 4 without… Read more »

salparadisenyc

I say just M

Freddie Ljungberg

Midwest

It would float though. Turds float right?

MidwestGun

M… hmmm could work.. I been calling him Marti… because I’m too lazy to type it all.

G

That is the loudest away support I’ve heard at the Emirates.. I know they had more allocation but when they sang.. your support is fucking shit… It was hard to argue

Freddie Ljungberg

Pedro

Ok, it’s your site. I must have dreamed that that was a real argument then…

I’m not talking 1-2 signings btw. I’m talking a full purge bar a few players from the Wenger era, that’s what we needed and still need. Almost there. Just another couple of windows to go.

Freddie Ljungberg

“It should have been irrelevant. We were cantering into third place until emery decided to let his ego take over AGAIN (see Torreira, ozil, Ramsey, Lacazette) and go for the glory of the Europa rather than focus on what’s best for the CLUB” Because Chelsea and Spurs had bad seasons yes. I’m not here to defend Emery, I couldn’t care less if he ends up coaching Eskimos to hunt seals less efficiently or not. He’s a footnote in our history, I prefer to look towards the future and it would look a hell of a lot brighter without some of… Read more »

Big Dave

Jamie, you’re speaking ,”nonsense” and you’re “delusional: if you don’t believe OGS is a genius. Sorry but it shows that you have “no idea” about football. If only you attended Harvard you would understand so much more. You wouldn’t keep “waffling” and throwing “red herrings”.

Jamie

Not sure Poch is interested in the Spurs job, Pete!

MidwestGun

Come back ?… Bamford is firing up the twitter .. I bet.

Jamie

Damn it, Big Dave! I’m not ready to “circle back” to this yet! My list isn’t complete, so sorry, but no.

Mr Serge

Stop talking about Wenger ffs he was a faded genius ten years into his reign
As for Emery meh

Champagne charlie

“Not sure why you keep bringing up the last 5 seasons points total for top 4? How is that relevant? “ How is the points total of 4th for the last 5 season not relevant to a discussion about a sides ability to compete for top 4? It tells you the standard, in this case 71.6 points on average to make 4th. We made 70 points and never won a match in our last 6 games. But you’re absolutely desperate to highlight fault elsewhere to downplay our own ability within the squad. It’s a bogus argument, like drawing every goal… Read more »

Dream10

Guardiola lost his shit when De Bruyne and Rodri lost the ball in midfield for Rashford’s goal.. Looked like he was going to spontaneously combust lol

Freddie Ljungberg

Pedro

So we don’t have people in here arguing daily that Xhaka is good enough and should stay, Ozil same, even Mustafi?

Is that our ambition now, to see what Artetas turd polishing skills are like?

We need a minimum 4 new starters even after the summer we just had, that’s not a tweak of the squad that some are championing is all is needed.

That leaves what, 2-3 starters from 2 seasons ago? The overall squad has been changed even more with a lot more youngsters being introduced. Complete rebuild job underway and sorely needed.

salparadisenyc

If Woodward doesn’t have Poch on speed dial at this point he’s far more out of depth than anyone thought.

Big Dave

Not Giggs Pedro. Utd are going to appoint Butt and Scholes. A charismatic duo if ever I saw one.

Jamie

Or the Nevilles? Basically, all of the 92. Throw them all at the wall.

Champagne charlie

“I’m talking a full purge bar a few players from the Wenger era, that’s what we needed and still need. Almost there. Just another couple of windows to go.“

Almost where exactly? You talk like some folk think we’re all set for a title challenge. Honestly don’t think you know what you’re even arguing.

Guns of SF

FFS

Freddie Ljungberg

CC

Isn’t that the goal? Pedro was just talking about competing for the title in 2 years time.

We’re not doing that with Xhaka, Ozil, Mustafi etc in the team.

It’s not my fault you can’t understand what other people are arguing.

see what I did there?

MidwestGun

I say make Rooney the manager.. He has some sauce.. Hair growth sauce but still.

Marc

Wasn’t there talk a little while ago that City were eying up the Pooch as Pep’s replacement?

If City get a CL ban then I expect Pep to walk in the summer.

Freddie Ljungberg

Why do people want Man U getting spanked? The less reason they have to replace OGS the better right?

Their squad is in similar shape as ours, still a ways off competing, they do have more athletes though but that’s it.

A lot more funds to correct it if they get someone competent to manage their transfers and a decent coach in.

Marc

Midwest

Get Rooney and Giggs in. Between Giggs fucking all of the players wives and Rooney fucking all of their Grandmothers it’d be pure banter.

Jamie

Marc top bin.

I was trying to work in a Rooney shagging grannies joke in here after his name came up. Beat me to it.

Champagne charlie

Freddie Funny, because I’m not the only one questioning what you’re actually arguing. I’ve not misrepresented anything you’ve said (unlike yourself claiming folk want no signings) so I’m afraid you’ve missed the mark with yet another go at scoring points. You just said we need 4 players minimum, then named 2 starters who can’t compete for a title. Who else is it impossible for us to compete for a title with? Give your magic 8 ball a go. Remember, you had the majority of these players down as not good enough for top 4 without outside help about 20 minutes… Read more »