Well good morning to you, I wrote a post yesterday and it didn’t post, so you’re getting a double hit of the good stuff today. 💉
It’s Mikel press conference time, I’m still getting over the novelty of not spending 45 minutes trying to decipher the buried messaging of an Unai prezzer. I also like the fact that for the first time in 10 years, tuning into the pregame chat is actually interesting.
Let’s jump face-first into what hasn’t changed in forever… an Arsenal manager on transfers.
‘I’m happy we have the squad that I believe we can compete for what we want. I’m fine. I want to keep the players and get the maximum from the players that I want, but if this scenario changes and we need somebody, I’m expecting that we will go into the market and try to solve the issue.’
On whether he has a wishlist just in case.
‘I have, yes. You need to have one always, just in case!’
So the reality of our situation hasn’t changed, we blew our load last summer, and unless a very cheap deal or loan pops, we’ll be tasting the consequences of that until we can shift some of the deadwood in the summer… but at least Mikel has a list of players he likes, hopefully Ever Banega and Big Steve Nzonzi don’t feature. That’d be like finally landing a date with Sienna Miller and finding out she farts when she drinks, which to be honest is how I felt when he started Xhaka… I have grown to enjoy that fragrance though.
The most interesting theme that has run through the last week is that Arteta is very publicly calling Auba his most important player. I can’t deny that it’s true, but it seems to be a very purposeful narrative that he’s pushing.
‘Auba has been around, he was very sad after the game. He was disappointed that he left the team with 10 men. It’s an action that is completely accidental in my opinion. He’s been superb under me, he’s trained really well, he’s working so hard. He’s scoring goals and has probably been the most important player on the team. So to lose him, obviously, is really bad news for us.’
‘I don’t know. I haven’t experienced it. I hope not, I hope we can play better and even win the games and he will be pushing for that as well. Players have to step up. You know, when one of your big players is not there, they have to take responsibility. I’m sure when they’re not playing, they want a chance and they talk. It’s time to talk on the pitch, not outside. You come on there, you make the impact that he made and you sure me that you are as good as him or even better. You have the chance.’
Keeping your best sharpshooter motivated is obviously important, is the extra effort because he wants him to sign a new deal, or is it to keep him motivated despite playing him out of position? Or is Arteta just a really fucking massive fanboy of the man. He has a gold car, that is way cool imo.
My abiding memory of Sheffield United is from the Highbury days when we cheated and scored a goal and Steve Bruce threatened to take his players off the pitch like a giant pink snowflake, an incident that culminated in Arsenal offering a replay for the unfair result. I also remember the FA Cup semi-final when David Seaman made THAT save from Paul Peschisolido.
Things are different now. Chris Wilder, one of the sexy breed of new managers doing big things at small clubs, has made his team quite the spectacle this season. Mikel likes him.
‘The work he’s done is phenomenal and he’s done some special things as well with some movements and characteristics of how he moves his team around, and the demands that he puts on his players. What I like about a manager is when I see a team and they are a real team that fights for every single ball with their attitude and behaviour, as well as their intentions for what they want to do every time. It’s very clear what he’s trying to do, so I have big admiration for him.’
The reality of our season is that this game is very important to our progress. Sheffield United are running away from us, we lose here, it’s a 7 point gap. Staggering considering their outlay compared to ours.
Things are still not looking positive on the injury and suspension front. Kola, Tierney and Bellerin likely won’t feature. LT ‘might’ be back in contention, but he has a hip problem. Our best striker sits out the first of three games. The only thing going for us tomorrow is that this has been the first full week the squad has had with the new training staff. We’ll be a little bit fitter, the plan should be a little more clear, and hopefully we come out all guns blazing for an expectant home crowd. Miracles don’t happen overnight, but a nice run of results against sides we should be beating would build belief in the squad and make us fighting fit for the big games in the cup and against the top 6 sides when they land.
One interesting thing to watch out for is the captaincy. Who does that go to in the new era? The way the team has been playing, I’d expect someone like David Luiz. I feel like he’s bought into the vision and his performances have been immense.
Finally, Head of Medical Services, Gary O’Driscoll, has left the building to take up a new role at Liverpool. I had the pleasure of being toured around the Arsenal facilities by him a few years ago, it basically qualified me to have PHD after my work signature, and it’s part of the reason I’m so revered in the Sports Science community. The article is here, think that was back in the day when Wenger was blaming injuries on hair pills and bad luck. What a time to be alive.
What I think is important about this move is, whilst sad, it shows you how good our backroom team is. The amateur injury specialist scene on Twitter is quite something, generally always wrong about their assessments of what goes on at the club, always wrong when they point the finger out the medical team. This is a vindication of that reality. Anyway, if you fancy the job, you can apply here.
Right, find me in the comments where I’ll be giving a seminar on the latest WADA regulations, have a great Friday night x
Leno is so weak coming out to a no mansland.
Leno let off by Xhaka with a good clearance off the line, well anticipated
Rambo Most reasonable fans were willing to give Emery a chance at the beginning- why wouldn’t you as theee was no alternative at that stage and any negativity wold have been pointless I stayed open minded for the whole season even though it looked far from perfect. It was the appalling finish that convinced me and I would have got rid of him in the Summer just as did years ago with Rioch Not sure why you appear to think that is incorrect. If the guy is no good then he needs to go but you need to be sure… Read more »
Is Mike Dean going to get a trophy after this game
I read it’s his 500th game in the premier league
Leno is frustrating me so bad with his incapability of knowing what to do with opponent’s crosses.
AMN’s cross is so much worse compared to Saka’s.
Pepe is looking better.
Still not quite at the tempo needed, but better.
CC
“Leno let off by Xhaka with a good clearance off the line, well anticipated”
Nooooooooo
Don’t you mention that. Never write about any good Xhaka does.
Get Ozil off FFS
we can’t do anything if we give them chance to regroup every time we regain possession
need some sauce from Arteta to spice things up again
The corner was due to Xhaka giving the ball away when he was under literally 0 pressure. He basically cleaned his own mess.
Lol what the fvck is that hoodie
Stupid from Lacazette.
At least try to hide it.
Leno having PMS if not menses today
Ozil off already please. Give Ceballos a try.
Mike Riley I hate you so much.
“The corner was due to Xhaka giving the ball away when he was under literally 0 pressure. He basically cleaned his own mess.”
First episode of the Xhaka-chronicles is written.
SamesongJanuary 18, 2020 16:10:37
Dozi should replace Ozil And do what?
And smack those Ozil eyes with his longstuff
Im telling you this for free!
don’t slow down ffs catch them on the break again quick transition always kill these pressing teams
He needs to give Ozil a break. He needs to come off.
Lol what the fvck is that hoodie
Louis Vitton – Probably very expensive.
Crystal Palace are leading City 1-0 at the Etihad?
We need to be more confident with passing forward, the ones we’ve made have been over hit largely which is typically what happens when you’re worried about it being picked off.
Northbanker,
I don’t see defensive improvements though. I see players putting more effort in and over compensating . Call it the manager bouncer or whatever but it doesn’t last.
Saka outstanding today so far
Squeaky bum time at home against Sheffield United. Improvement though?
It is a penalty
where’s our sub?
customary 70th minute sub?
This spell as a LB will do a world of good to Saka when he gets back to his natural advanced position. The guy has a footballing brain on him and a good technique.
Useless var
Martin Atkinson is on the VAR, that explains it.
That injection of pace.
That’s what we want out of Pepe.
Both Mike and VAR are pukes today.. That looked like a soft penalty
meh as long as we don’t get dubious VAR against us I’m grateful enough
how low the standard of VAR tech by the refs
That is very fucking dodgy.
That was a Vardy special.
You see those given all the time.
100% Zaha gets that pen call
He should be giving Ceballos playing time now
How is this no pen?!?!?!?!
Mike Dean suck a fat one!
Gabi Marti is too selfish at times he needs to be more aware of teammates first half he should’ve one-two back heel to Pepe and then he should’ve release Ozil there
So we have 3 of the vilest refs at our ground: Dean reffing, Atkinson on VAR and Mike Riley watching the game.
No David Luis please
Pepe. Earn your 72m please!
Eddie!!
That was not the best sub
Laca need minutes to regain his form.
heh nice one shame no one in the center to finish that one
W struggle to get more than one goal in so many games, inviting the draw
Eddie is fast!!!
That was not the best sub
Laca need minutes to regain his form.
That is the best sub of the Mikel Arteta reign so far. Lacazette is playing like hot garbage at the moment. Giving him yet another 90 mins makes little sense.
Dissenter
Good sub, Nketiah replacing him will sharpen his focus and tell him he’s not guaranteed a place. He made a telling contribution today though so decent 70 mins.
don’t expect VAR to favour us that way you won’t be disappointed with how blatant it is
No one’s going past Torreira this second half
Wolves big turnaround at Southampton they score more freely than us.
CC
That’s one way to look at it.
Laca works very hard for team,. He’s just in that place where nothing is working for him.
Eddie still feels like an academy player.
Martinelli takes the right decision really, really often. Eddie doesn’t.
We still miss so much quality. Just can’t create anything not even on the counter. It’s always half chances nothing of substance.
would like to see Ceballos. but its a tense and physical second half.
Let’s kill this game off for goodness sake
Eddie just looks like a diamond just plucked out of the mines. You saw Martinelli and Saka play their first games and you just knew there was more to come for
For Eddie…I’m not so sure
4 youths on for us.
Poor squad now not a lot of depth
He made a telling contribution today though so decent 70 mins.
Just the one. Arsenal fans I swear.
Eddie is just running headless
Shocking body language from this Eddie kid. Looks lazy and casual.
Ship him out back on loan again.
Leno is just mustafi in a keeper
Mike dean is a cunt
Is it just me or does Arteta seem reluctant to make subs?
Not trying to pile in on the lad but Eddie does appear like the typical headless english footballer. All the athleticism in the world none of the class.
David Luis is tall. Should get the defencive headers. Arteta should work on this weakness .we saw it
Just imagine
We fuckin’ suck
Fuck it.
We really struggle to win games this season .
Not surprising though
Arteta’s subs weren’t great, not inspiring at all.
Ozil should have come off a long time ago. Laca was pressing their center halves.
Do we even have a decent goalkeeper?
Oh my goodness
add another one hopefully Guen can stay higher up hassling their defenders
heh that’s what happen if you don’t take your chances
lesson for Arteta by not being proactive enough
will he have enough sauce to turn this around again?
we just cant buy any luck this season
Usual 1 – 1 draw every week now.
We have big problems, can’t score can’t defend a lead.
They don’t deserve that.
But we don’t have the quality to see games off.
How is our XG today?
Not watching the game and looking for some signs of philosophy implementation.
What a crock of shite
I never understand who asks AMN to play inside, who was marking the guy that scored????
AMN was weak there.
Eddie isn’t serious with his destiny
Lol
What did I tell you?
Go on then Charlie, Raptora, Un naai and the buffoon squad. Tell me how much we’re improved under Artits.
Humor me.
Another crunch time when we need to score the 2nd goal and Arteta just doesn’t mix things enough. You have Ceballos who changes things. He plays fkin Eddie Nketiah. You gotta be kidding me.
Poor one to concede
Don still in awe at Ozil’s chance creation I imagine.
Arteta is he the one?
Fuck. And we concede again. It is really odd the we struggle to score the s3cind one.
Vickingz
Do we even have a decent goalkeeper?
This is why I would like to see Martinez given a shot in goal. He hasn’t been any worse for us when he has played. And his distribution is miles better than Leno’s.
AMN s shit if you ask me, we need a right back, fuck Getting a left back
since Laca went off we have no high press. Bad tactical sub that.
xG is that Arteta played Nketiah. That Ozil is still on this late in yet another game. That the ref didn’t give an obvious pen.
How many times have we scored just one goal, must be a record.
You have to wonder why Ozil is finishing the game
I’m pretty sure Laca has a higher assist record than Ozil this season.
“Don still in awe at Ozil’s chance creation I imagine.”
That would be Pierre.
s3cind = second
Looks like ANM has reverted to type as well, although he never really diverted from it.
Absolute gash.
I’d have Cebellos not Guen. we’ve needed a final ball player all second half.
The subs look like they’re decided before the game no matter what occurs in the game
It was arrogant in a sense, throwing so many youth players in a game that we had to win