I’ve been powering through a lot of books of late, leadership and power are my favoured topics because I have no power in my life and I’m bullied by the man at the laundrette who charges me double for my shirts because he says they are dresses. Anyway, I’m just over halfway through Phil Knight’s Shoe Dog and I stumbled across this line.
‘No matter the sport— no matter the human endeavor, really— total effort will win people’s hearts’
He was referencing Pre Fontaine, a legendary American distance runner, and how he captured the imagination of the crowd with his ‘put it all out there’ there approach to running.
Mikel Arteta has constantly referenced the connection between the fans and the players and how important it is. The hot takers (particular from The Guardian) have lent many paragraphs to the Arsenal fans being a problem for the players on the pitch. I’ve always thought this was a junk POV that totally misses the impact blood-and-guts spilling has on the fans. We’re all pretty basic, if players give it their all on the pitch, generally fans respond favourably. The new trend for citing ‘expectation’ as a problem in football reminds me of the years-long assault on the notion of ‘passion’ in the game. ‘Pashun merchant’ was an insult, generally directed to the sort of fan who didn’t understand the nuances of Mesut Ozil’s body language, and was widely derided as an unsophisticated desire of stupid fans. Skip to 2020 and one of the most perfect teams ever to exist is being managed by a passion merchant. Every Chairman now wants a lunatic on the touchline.
Fan expectations have never been the problem at United, coaching has been. Same was true at Arsenal. Citing fan ‘expectation’ always sounds nice because it sets you apart as a different sort of fan, more elite, thoroughly considered, just attending football so you can rock the flat cap, have a pie, and mix it with the working class. It’s not reality though. Expectations hold clubs accountable, everything should be in the name of a better footballing output, that’s what makes you an appealing club to join… which player, coach, analyst or business person would want to join a club that didn’t think fan expectations were a positive? None that you’d want to give a £180k a week contract to, that’s for sure. I think Mikel Arteta understands that. I don’t think he’d decry fan expectation, I think he desperately wants to meet and surpass them because that’s what ambition is.
I have not sat in an atmosphere like the one the players created at that United game in years. What changed? The players giving a fuck and showing it with their performances.
I think Arteta is using the adulation of the fans as a carrot to provoke an outrageous work ethic. When the fans will the team on, the players want to go harder, it’s a symbiotic relationship that can push them onto greater heights.
Tonight, at Chelsea, we’re going to need something from the fans and the players. Chelsea offers us a very quick opportunity to demonstrate progress. The 7th game under Arteta is a return leg Premier League game that gives us the chance to show the fans that the ideas are sinking in and the players are moving forward. It’s also an away game against a top 6 side that are in the same mess we’re in… chasing top 4 badly.
The game needs to be an all-out assault. It has to be war on the pitch. Tired legs aren’t an excuse in a derby like this. This needs to be retribution.
We didn’t deserve to lose last time around, the outcome really spun on a Cal Chambers injury and the terror of Mustafi on the pitch.
This time, it has to be different. Mustafi looked much better against Sheffield United at the weekend, and generally speaking, the defensive approach of the team looked much better. We really kept Chelsea quiet. That needs to be repeated for the full 90.
The major challenge for Arsenal is going to be how we operate moving forward. We’ve lacked creativity and the goals have tended to come from one place, Auba. He’s out for the second game of his suspension. That means we’re relying on Laca, Martinelli, Pepe and maybe Nkeitiah. I know a few people in the comments have been questioning whether anything has changed at Arsenal, which feels like a weird thing for someone to say that is so obsessed with Arsenal, they comment on a blog… so here’s a video from Statman Dave to explain where the club is going.
It’s going to be a tough evening, but hopefully, the adrenaline of a big game and a huge greasy chip on the player’s shoulders (sitting there because of the rough luck we’ve had) should drive us forward.
The manager wants to go all the way in the table.
“It’s very, very important for us to win this game to fight for [the top four],”
“The game we played at home could have made a big difference and we were very close to it. Tomorrow we need to win.”
“If we are able to win three or four games on the trot, then we are right there. That’s the challenge we have and all the teams have at the moment. When you look at the results from the weekend, all the draws, and how one decision changed the whole game between Burnley and Leicester, the margin is not that big. So it is complicated. You have to dominate every aspect of the game.”
The squad should be motivated to be back in the big time, they make top 4 it means a big fat bonus coming their way, elite status amongst their peers, pride, as well as the excitement of playing the best teams in the world. This game will tell us a lot about their belief, so I’m hoping for a big one.
Right, nice and short today, if you’re heading up to the game, take a listen of yesterday’s podcast I recorded with Alex.
DM
2
3
Trofee
Well done Boomslang. Was taking too long, got bored of waiting lol
Cheers DM
Pedro
Lovely post. We need the same passion today from the players , that Pedro conjured up while writing this post.
I like arteta. Wasn’t Convinced he was the right choice when he was appointed but I think he is now. What I don’t agree and didn’t agree with was with the statement “We had a top 4 quality squad”. Our players In defense are a Joke. On top form Only Tierney and bellerin would be 1st choice at any decent team. Even then we have some fitness questions there. Our midfield has players that have major weaknesses in their game. In order to get to where we are going with arteta we need better players. Fix our defense and have… Read more »
Just refreshed the blog to be greeted by our previous gorgeous crest. Love it! (O why did we change it!!??)
Gave me a smile and gave me a confidence that we’ll nail these Chelski bastards tonight.
Call me pessimistic but can’t see any positive result. Nobody fancies scoring outside of Auba and Martinelli and one of them is out and the other shouldn’t be our sole source of goals.
Don You should know not to shout from the roof tops about a tactic or formation being tops after such a short period. Remember Wenger’s three at the back at the tail end of the season a few years ago? The team were actually showing duck eggs. No goals conceded for consecutive games. The team were going to conquer on the back of this new found defensive fortress. Didn’t happen in the long run. I don’t want to see convoluted tactics because a player can’t handle himself in central midfield. I want to see a CM brought in that can… Read more »
Got a strange feeling Chelski will underestimate us tonight and we will get a result.
There is the chance of a win.
Chelsea can blow cold as many times as they get things together.
And Arsenal could benefit.
But it’s that record there that is the worry coupled with Arsenal not being the best on the road for a long enough time now.
Good luck to the boys tonight.
Get Santi Carzola
https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/arsenal/arsenal-ainsley-maitland-niles-arteta
Don
Don’t get too excited, he lost possession 20 times against Sheffield U, made 1 tackle and 75% pass completion.
His problem is inconsistency and focus more than anything. If he can sort that out he’ll be a decent back up to someone that isn’t made of papier mache like Bellerin.
He’s not the inexperienced youth anymore even though he’s young, has got plenty of first team appearances under his belt now and should be able to be more consistent.
Nice piece from statman Dave, it shows the complexity of what Arteta is trying to install into the team . He could have taken the easy way out and played a rigid 4-4-2 with 2 banks of 4 to make us better defensively and harder to beat , but credit to him , he is going with what he believes in although it is a way more complex system. Liverpool and City are way ahead of the field , not just because they have the best players , it is because they play to a system(complex) that all players are… Read more »
I find the biggest change from Emery to Arteta: Emery is a coward. Arteta is a believer. Have faith fellow Arsenal fans! No fear!
Un,
I’d hope so, the game v Chelsea at the Emirates was a real low blow for me. I hope we can rectify it this evening.
Martinelli brace tonight
Un
AMN is already showing the benefit of good coaching, his game has come on leaps and bounds.
I’m looking forward to seeing Arteta get to work on Nketiah, Martinelli, Saka, Nelson, willock and ESR.
By all accounts he had a big influence on city offensively , lets hope he can bring some of that magic to our kids..
Arteta needs time with these kids, something he doesn’t have at the moment, so we may have to wait until next season to see the real benefit of Arteta’s work during pre season.
Play torr, willock/ceballos, Dozi midfield in a 352 instead of Xhakalson each and every match which by now everyone knows the outcome
Im telling you this for free!
Retribution will occur for Arsenal at 10.30 GMT today when the folly of signing David Luiz comes to reality.
CG predicts- the ex Chelsea Pantomime Dame either:
Scores an own goal
Gets a Red Card
or costs us at least one goal
Chelsea who have been dire at home- probably will not be looking so dire after the match.
Because We are slow, ponderous, bereft of any firepower and frankly inept.
Chelsea’s more muscular soccer wins and wins out comfortably.
(Mind you – we might snatch at a draw at Burnley.)
It had to happen
“Arsenal are interested in signing Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck this summer, reports Football Insider.”
CG
“Chelsea’s more muscular soccer wins and wins out comfortably.”
Pulisic, jorginho, kovasic, mount, Willian, pedro are all about technique and movement , not sure where you get “muscular” from.
All quality players though.
Happy saucy tuesday to you all.
Pierre,
CG just rebels in his self-appointed role as a prophet of doom.
No point engaging with him and pointing out technical inaccuracies in his words when he’s in one of his rants.
Pierre
I would take Baldock with no hesitation. Think he’s a very good player. Even though he’s a good player, I would sign someone better than Fleck. The links to Sheffield players immediately after the match could be a way from Arsenal decision makers telling fans “Don’t expect stellar signings in the next few windows”.
Expecting us to lose 3 – 0 maybe 3-1 this evening but watch it anyway because it’s what we do. Sad but true.
Arteta has his way tactically with Chelsea until Lampard sent Jorginho on. Never reacted to that. Have to see what he has planned for that tonight. Emery was able to completely disrupt Chelsea by using Ramsey to stifle Jorginho and keep him occupied with runs into the box. Arteta doesn’t have that sort of CAM option. It’s time for Lacazette to finds some balls and step up now. Hilarious he was making those comments this week when his numbers are really shitty for a so called top rate ST. Don’t really think any players outside of Martinelli and Torreira are… Read more »
Un
Ozil offered little in the whole game .
Surprisingly cesc appeal did not mention/criticise Ozil in his comment , highly unusual for him.
Still time yet for the usual ozil abuse from CA.
He must be running out of adjectives to describe his loathing for him.
Maybe Arteta will put Martinelli on jorginho, I don’t think he will be too keen having the Brazilian snapping at his heels.
I wouldn’t start Ozil.
Auba to Barca rumours?
Not sure about this Baldrick fella, seems a bit low on football intelligence
Linked with Boeteng and Kessie on loan
‘Auba to Barca rumours’
Summer maybe.
Doubt it will happen in January. By that point though Barcelona might have changed their mind if Suarez is back.
The thing is Barcelona usually lodge an insulting bid as well, so it might not be worth it at any time.
At the moment though if Aubameyang goes we’ve got a ST who can’t score goals left and we’re left looking at an 18 year old to step up on the goal scoring front.
It would have to be a big offer which I don’t think Barcelona will make.
Un
Willock can do it , but Martinelli is like a little terrier , he has the energy to also be a goal threat .
Ozil isn’t exactly enthusiastic in his closing down is he.
Fred
“Not sure about this Baldrick fella, seems a bit low on football intelligence”
You and him would get on like a house on fire.
Would anyone take an Auba – Dembele swap deal?
Naw Pierre
Upset that I tore your wanking object to pieces using them sweet facts last night?
Get over it and grow up, he’s shite and has been for more than 2 years and all you do is defending the indefensible because you have a man crush on a googly eyed has been footballer.
It’s not a good look.
Pierre obviously never watched black adder either, no surprise, it was probably 60 years after his time.
Ozil’s fanboy should stop talking about Martinelli it will jinx him,
Im not mentioning names!
Bayern signing Odriozola from Real Madrid. He’ll take Pavard’s place at RB. Pavard will then shift to being more of a CB. This makes Boateng surplus to requirements.
Bruno Guimarães being linked to Lyon the last few days. Will be disappointed if we miss out on him. He’s already good enough to get games for PSG. Wherever he goes, he’ll be worth watching.
I’m all for selling Aubameyang and Lacazette to get Cavani. Transfer fees are needed for a rebuild. It’s more important than reducing the wage bill.
Arteta is asking Laca to play like Firmino. He’ll probably be tasked to press Jorginho and Ozil will be on Kovačić. I hope Pepe finally grows up and follow Martinelli’s lead.
The team needs him to assist AMN in defense and balanced out the attack with Martinelli (a la Salah and Mané) .
the only game Ainsley maitland-niles looked the stand out player and looked comfortable was away at Old Trafford in Wengers final season. He played as a midfielder and he was athletic and attentive to what was going on around him. I think he might be a decent player in midfield but his defensive game for a defender is weak. He most certainly will let you down at some point. He isn’t a fullback and I don’t think he is a winger either. If he improves his passing I think he can be an athletic central midfielder.
Bayern signing Odriozola from Real Madrid. He’ll take Pavard’s place at RB. Pavard will then shift to being more of a CB. This makes Boateng surplus to requirements.
Sounds Like a Pizza!
Pierre
Where do you see AMN’S improvement under Arteta?
His performance against Sheffield United was awful. Most of his passing was
square or backwards throughout game and the one occasion when he was under severe defensive pressure his failure to clear ball resulted in the goal.
Maitland-Niles is as Arteta has pointed out recently not a full-back and to be
perfectly honest I don’t see anywhere else in the team where he can play.
Un,
If Baldock/Baldoff joins Arsenal you’re gonna have to pledge to stop making jokes at Receding Hairline’s expense!
Fred
“Pierre obviously never watched black adder either, no surprise, it was probably 60 years after his time.”
Of course I didn’t fred.
Freddie,
Baldrick joining Arsenal?
Must be one of Raul’s cunning plans…..
Same song That’s a shame regarding odriozola. He will succeed some place else if not at Madrid. We could have made a move for him in the summer and he would have solved our rb problems.
The most important person for me at this stage is Arteta!
You can put any player in our team right now. If the manager isn’t right then it dont matter they will down tools.
Despite being dissapointed of not winning the other day I still appreciate that he is doing a decent job and that some of the players are weak.
Habesh G
Tbh I’ve never watched him play.
Bloody hell…does ozil really have 9 goal involvements in 43 matches?Shocking stat that one….if we reach 10games with Arteta and still only have one win out of 10 then it will start to look pretty bad….we have to conjure up a result from somewhere…..tonight might be a start.
Iwobi I would take over ozil…well at least he can dribble in tight spaces and can actually run…yes his passing isn’t as good as ozil’s but what use is passing if 80% of our passes are sideways and we attack with fullbacks most of the time anyway(something which legrove seems to be against)…am full on the john fleck propaganda.Also Emiliano buendia has 7 assists in a shit Norwich team and he’s got a good pass in him,can dribble and good work rate….this may sound mad but I actually think he is a better footballer than James maddison.
Habesha Goober
Never watched Odriozola play. Is he a more refined Bellerin who is limited defensively?
All basic logic suggests we should not play Ozil or Xhaka. Chelski play a high instense game with a very good techical midfield who will by-pass the lamp-post of Xhaka and the disinterested Ozil.
If there is any suggestion of man-marking any of their midfield, the only realistic choices are Guen or Willock – playing Martinelli is wasting his obvious abilities. We have to match Chelski’s energy and neither Ozil nor Xhaka are capable of that.
Pedro “the connection between the fans and the players” I’m afraid that’s something which will only improve if we were able to change the mindset of a large percentage of our so called, loyal fans. How can you expect the players to respond positively when so many of our supporters have such an apathetic and disrespectful attitude to not only the team/players but the game in general. I know it happens at other clubs but at Arsenal FC, we have “attracted” a large number of folk who have little or no concept of what is expected of them. Consistently late… Read more »
we should not play Ozil or Xhaka.
——————–
Unbelievable that here we are in January 2020 and those 2 (plus Mustafi) are still playing for us. Completely fucked up.
Santi Cazorla is still good. Has indicated wants to go back to Premier League aka Arsenal before retirement. Worth taking a punt. Rather we might have a turnaround since creativity is a problem.
But
Raul
Kroenke
might be a problem in that order.
Why StanK ?
Because he does not kick Raul’s arse when need to
“RETRIBUTION”
Lol sounds like an episode of Resident Evil.
AMN constantly passes the ball back to the player who passes it to him, and normally backwards.
He has little real skill and is weak, so teams target him.
We are still ponderous going forward and this gives time for the opposition to regroup, we used to be so good at fast counter attack.
Until we dump the crap players we are not going anywhere.
Wenger states Arsenal lost their soul when they
left Highbury.
And for anyone who has supported them long term
from Highbury to the Emirates will know he is right.?
BUT THANKS FOR THAT “Kick in the Bollocks “Arsene -Any Way
Stroller ” the one occasion when he was under severe defensive pressure his failure to clear ball resulted in the goal.” Slight exaggeration there I would say. I’m not sure he had a chance to clear as he had 2/3 players to mark at the far post , though I will say he should have closed down the shot better . He first successfully challenged for the ball in the air but the ball fell to fleck who got the deflected goal. We can all see the negatives in players as many on le Grove do , I prefer to… Read more »
The crowd will get passionate when there’s something to get passionate about.
Half the players are half arsed on the pitch and do not connect with the crowd who incidentally pay the highest season tickets.
Arteta needs to get wining , these bore draws are now beyond a joke.
CGJanuary 21, 2020 10:42:26 Retribution will occur for Arsenal at 10.30 GMT today when the folly of signing David Luiz comes to reality.CG predicts- the ex Chelsea Pantomime Dame either:Scores an own goal Gets a Red Card or costs us at least one goalChelsea who have been dire at home- probably will not be looking so dire after the match.Because We are slow, ponderous, bereft of any firepower and frankly inept.Chelsea’s more muscular soccer wins and wins out comfortably.(Mind you – we might snatch at a draw at Burnley.) You hate o see it,all positivity on Legrove and boom!CG drops… Read more »
PierreJanuary 21, 2020 10:42:38
It had to happen“Arsenal are interested in signing Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck this summer, reports Football Insider.”
Well, if there is one thing me and Pierre have common ground on it has to be this guy
Graham has it half right and half completely wrong. Players leaving early – doesn’t happen that much at weekend matches – weekday matches a lot of people do leave early but if you’ve got a long journey and work the next day it’s a balancing act. There’s a simple solution to stop people going for a drink etc early at half time – get the useless fuckers serving moving faster. It’s almost impossible to manage to use the gents and grab a drink or a snack during halftime without missing kickoff. Bearing in mind if it’s a beer you want… Read more »
Supporters not players leaving early!!!
I’m really losing it.
Anything above £50 million for aubameyang needs to be considered, he is not signing a new contract, wish the rumours are true, I love him but we can’t be losing him for free. Its not like we are winning anything with this squad this season.
“Would anyone take an Auba – Dembele swap deal?”
Are Lyon going to pay Auba in excess of £200k per week? If the answer to that is no then it’s a stupid question.
Think he meant the barca dembele, though i wouldn’t because he is injury prone.
He can play either wings, comfortable with both legs but just too injury prone.
I’m not AMN biggest fan but noone talks about that vital tackle he made in which the Sheffield United player would of been in on goal to win the match.
“Wenger states Arsenal lost their soul when they left Highbury.”
No shit Arsène Sherlock ??
“Wenger states Arsenal lost their soul when they left Highbury.”No shit Arsène Sherlock ??
Also lost their Sole Plaice and chips get it! LOL
Graham,
Evening games in particular I feel for supporters who live outside London and have a tricky journey home. I live 15 minutes away so I don’t have any issues.
On a 3pm Saturday (three times a season!) I have less sympathy.
ES, you make your dislike of AMN clear on a virtual daily basis. Personally I think he is a decent enough squad player for now. Sometime in the future we’ll sell him for decent money.
Bob
It’s not even the mid week European games that are a pain. Look at our fixture list recently and what’s coming up. There’s no thought given to the fans at all, at some point they’ll push the fans too far in pursuit of TV schedules and then wonder why they have a PL TV deal that shows matches with half full stadiums all the time.
The backpass
Well when there’s a player called Dembele playing for several teams it’d make sense to at least identify which ones being referred to!
AMN does appear an intelligent footballer, like Bergkamp , Cole etc. Rather limited and many times looks lost if/when he got to the final third. Sick and tired of the rumour mill and frankly don’t expect much surprise from the Jan window. But surely couple of loans could be arranged by now? Unpredictable game tonight. You just don’t know what comes up. In a way that’s kind of exciting vs the predictably poor games Emery dished our in his last weeks. Really like to see how Martinelli could do as a ST. Don’t think he’s any lesser than Laca in… Read more »
Un
If I rember right we changed the crest due to patent issues, not because wanted a new one.
Marc
Were you thinking of Ozil when you said that?
AMN does appear an intelligent footballer, like Bergkamp
————————
Quote of the year here folks!
Graham
Possibly a Freudian slip!
Pierre: “I wouldn’t start Ozil ”
At least you admit Ozil is useless in this type of games, or any game if youve been brutally honest!
1/2 to the good guys
Dream 10 and samesong Sorry for the late answer
On top form Odriozola is a very offensive fullback. He is absolutely amazing going forward. He was so good going forward sometimes he played as a winger for sociedad. Defensively he can hold his own. Basically he is a better bellerin. Now though he has been stagnating behind carvajal at Madrid. I think he could have been had for a small sum in the summer.
Can someone answer me a simple question?
I regularly hear that Guendozi is worth £50 – £60 million – if that is the case why isn’t he good enough to start in front of Xhaka a player who isn’t worth a bag of jellybeans?
I’ve said it all season…..get fleck.
Un
If we’d have designed one closer to the old one it wouldn’t have stopped the patent issues we were pursuing.
“RETRIBUTION”
Hope it’s nothing BAMFORD HAS PLANNED FOR YOU.
Kidnap / Stripped / and sat in a freezing room full of Man Unt memrobilia.
Whilst force fed anally more of his Horseshittttttt.?
Need a win so we can get closer to 36 points and be safe.
Un
Can’t remember the exact details but we did try – I think it was because others had been using it long enough to stop it happening.
Un –
Can’t Dembele play on the left?
Marc –
Ousmane Dembele plays for Barca.
Not sure on Dembele in the EPL.
I think we need to be looking at a core of robust, athletic, physical players to bring in.
Not to mention I think Barcelona, being the shit rags they are, will value Aubameyang way below his worth and Dembele way above it.
Un, pains me to acknowledge the idea, but yes, good shout.
CA –
Yeah, true. Thinking of ways to free up the left so Martinelli can move up front next season.
Totally agreed on the need for athleticism.
Jamie My preference is to see Lacazette sold and then have Aubameyang as ST with Martinelli slowly taking over that position. Aubameyang and Martinelli is more than enough for me with other options like John Jules, Balogun etc circling…not a fan of Nketiah, at least I don’t rate him as highly as some seem to. The whole notion of needing Aubameyang AND Lacazette has always struck me as stupid and I think fans will look back and realise that when the side is far more balanced. If we sold Lacazette and got a really great, athletic box to box CM… Read more »
“This summer really the club should be looking at a RB, CB, CDM/CM, CM/CAM and wide playmaker.”
And I’m sure they will!! lol
Do you want some tea and biscuits, for completing that wish list ?
Nketiah is going to prove a lot of people wrong in the next 12 months.
Not me, hopefully .
Un
Precisely how much do you think we’ll have to spend in the summer before sales?