via my whatsapp group
Seeing where Areta wanted to take Arsenal from an artistic point of view has been clear since the first game, we understand the patterns, the organisation, and the vision. What we didn’t know is whether classroom theory could be implemented with the sort of leadership that takes teams to the top… that changed last night against Chelsea, arguably, the most impressive moment of our fresh-faced Spaniard’s 7 game career.
You could critique the selection of Mustafi in a horrendously under-gunned defence, but the simple reality was 1) he’s all we had 2) he played very well at the weekend. Outside that, the team was all-out action, no conservatism, we went to Stamford Bridge to win. My Chelsea pal even text me to say he was scared.
We were largely bossed for the opening 25 minutes, Chelsea took advantage of our captain who was fresh into the squad after a year out, and a left-back that’s actually winger, we really struggled in wide areas. We didn’t deal well with the press, but it kind of felt like the Leeds game… until #MustafiTime. The German World Cup winner fluffed a simple pass to Leno, Abrahams picked up the mess, David Luiz slid in and crunched him to the floor — penalty and red card.
Jorginho finished. This was the first game rehashed. It was despair for me, more wretched luck for Arteta, there was no way this team was recovering.
What a pathetic waste of a man I was to believe in that notion. If I were a handshake, I’d be damp and limp.
Arsenal recalibrated without making a single sub. Granit Xhaka dropped into central defence, calmed the troops and played like peak Baresi. We changed the dynamic of the game, Chelsea’s levels dropped and we took over the tempo. We actually ended the first half with more possession than Chelsea.
The second half saw Arsenal come out with more aggression, you felt something in the air, we weren’t going down without a fight. Our passing in the final third was absolutely atrocious, that might have been because we didn’t really have an outlet, but it could also have been a continuation of our drab attacking form this season.
The final ball didn’t matter, Mustafi released Gabriel on the counter, the Brazilian broke free of everyone from inside his own half, he carried the ball into Chelsea’s area and slotted home like AN ABSOLUTE HERO WHAT A GOAL FUCK YES I LOVE YOU GABRIEL!
We had some great moments after, we looked far more dangerous despite ceding possession stats to the blues… but we let it slip, we fell asleep from a freekick and let Frank Lampard’s team in on 84 when Azpilicueta nipped in front of Mustafi and slotted in at the near post.
Tragedy, I began to wish I had the guts to slit my wrists with the bic biro I had in my hands…
Arsenal saved me from my attention-seeking ploy, a year after Bellerin picked up an ACL injury he took control of the ball on the edge of Chelsea’s area, he made a yard and placed a perfect left-footed strike into the bottom corner… OMEGYBOJKN CASDK . KNKOVFENLK VE VEIRN TYESESSSSSS I LOIVE YOUR VEGAN LOINS!@
The game closed out 2-2, QUITE POSSIBLY THE GREATEST 1 POINT OF MY DAMN LIFE.
So, to ground things.
What we learnt tonight is the Mikel Arteta is the real deal. He’s more than classroom theory, he’s a leader that players go to war for. That Arsenal team was not built to deal with a red card to David Luiz. It was not supposed to come back from a goal down twice with Granit Xhaka in defence. This was supposed to be a loss. Arteta showed that he is a captain, and he made the case that with better players, he can take us forward to the promised land.
Man of the match for me was Granit Xhaka. I have done a total 180 on him and I’m not even ashamed. I wanted him out, I’d have taken a stale kipper and a pair of your ma’s soiled panties in exchange for him. What the fuck do I know? Arteta has turned him around. He was brilliant. He played well under pressure, he led like a demon, and he showed true balls under extreme pressure. Unreal performance.
Hector Bellerin came back into the mix as captain in a game I suspect came too early for him. He looked off the pace in the first half, but he grew into a captains performance as the game went on. He never gave up, he constantly bombed forward, and he turned up with a superb goal at the end. I am so happy to have him back in the side playing under a proper coach.
Saka recovered well, making the most tackles with 5. The kid is going to be such an incredible player. Left back, left wing… it doesn’t matter. He doesn’t drop, he never stops, and he is a handful going forward. I love him. I am so happy he’s going to get the education he deserves. What a night for him, he never stopped fighting.
Lucas Torreira had a good game. Lacazette, though not the outlet we needed made a lot of recoveries from the front… and say it quietly, but Mustafi hit some numbers making the most clearances (9), blocks (3), and headed clearances (6).
GABRIEL I LOVE YOU. That kid is a superstar. The only bit of doom that came out of that game is the biting reality that this kid is our £150m player of the future every major club in the world is going to want. He’s always excited me like Anelka did when he first joined, he’s electric, a little bit of Robin’s flair, a bit of Anelka’s pace, and the work rate of Adebayor. He’s a gladiator on the pitch. That finish was absolutely outrageous, HE IS A TEENAGER, the composure was disgusting. He’s the first sub-20 player to reach 10 goals for Arsenal since… Anelka. BEAST.
I could go on with the individual performances, but for me, this was all about the TEAM. We have lacked a collective being for over 15 years. We now have a team. The players want to fight, they want to show the fans they are here to play, and they look ELECTRIC. We were more than the sum of our parts last night, quite literally, 10 versus 11.
I wrote this before the game from Phil Knight.
‘No matter the sport— no matter the human endeavour, really— total effort will win people’s hearts’
Did the away fans stop singing at any point during the game? No. They were our 12th man. Why? Because the players left it all on the pitch. Fans react to that, it’s as simple as that. So fuck all the ‘expectations’ merchants, all we wanted was something to believe in, and that’s what Arteta is bringing to the table.
Do we need to start winning some games? Yes. I think it’ll still be a rough end to the season, but I hope that the manager now gets a little bit of slack from the vampires. He’ll need a big summer, he’ll need to be allowed to assess who is right and who is wrong for the future, but at least we know that when the Arteta squad is built, he’ll be able to drive it forward.
Last night felt good, I feel invested in my team again, I felt sick at the sending off, I was up and down all game, I needed a nap by the end of it. That’s what football is all about. I’d forgotten what it feels like to be invested.
I am excited again… and that’s all you want as a fan.
Right, listen to the pod I recorded with Alex and give it a 5* rating (there’s a bit missing that I’ll add tomorrow).
DM
2
Good morning
Tr4phy
Europa.
where we finish this season
Nice one DM. Now to the Post
Oh dear.
Man being at that game last night was sensational. Away fans were cracking. Great team spirit even though we made it so hard for ourselves initially.
Super performance going down to ten men but the side must must get a win at Burnley next EPL game up to rubber stamp the encouraging display last night.
They must.
Otherwise it just sails off into the distance one performance.
“Did the away fans stop singing at any point during the game? No. They were our 12th man. Why? Because the players left it all on the pitch. Fans react to that, it’s as simple as that. So fuck all the ‘expectations’ merchants, all we wanted was something to believe in, and that’s what Arteta is bringing to the table.”
Honestly when you’re at games like that you realise how much you love football. That sort of adrenaline you can’t explain. I’ve had like 3 hours sleep lol.
Thanks for the posts Pedro
I’m a huge Arteta fan and think we’re slightly ahead of schedule
Although can I point out that Luiz should not have been sent off!! Refs can not award a penalty and red card unless it’s serious violent foul play!!!
The referees a wanker
If the foul was outside the box and he was last man then it’s red and free kick. Inside the box it’s just a yellow and penalty
“Super performance going down to ten men but the side must must get a win at Burnley next EPL game up to rubber stamp the encouraging display last night.” We really need it. Hopefully luck is starting to turn our way. Arteta came in at the hardest part of the season and has had a ridiculously hard run. Still, i’m encouraged by the performances i’ve seen and how the overall team shape looks better. Most important thing next is to build momentum. I want us to see us go all out for the EL. Wins will help build momentum and… Read more »
I’ve not even watched back the highlights so I haven’t seen anything yet. I just remember cursing Mustafi for a good 10 minutes after that Luiz sending off.
What a game – from horror at the Mustafi blunder to absolute despair at Chelsea taking back the lead after the euphoria of the Martinelli wonder goal to elation at Hector slotting one home all in the space of less than 5 minutes.
We have a TEAM once more and that is something to celebrate – COYG
As you say the away fans were immense and in Arteta they have someone to be really excited by.
Something has definitely changed in the players mentality. Under the last 3 managers we would have lost that game and lost it heavily. Can we just get rid of Mustafi
Wardo
“If the foul was outside the box and he was last man then it’s red and free kick. Inside the box it’s just a yellow and penalty”
This was my view when the Redcard was given by the Ref. Moreover mustafi was behind the keeper so it shouldn’t be a red. The punishment ought to be a penalty and a yellow card.
“We have a TEAM once more and that is something to celebrate – COYG” This is why the fans will back Arteta. Players will fight for managers they believe in. In six games Arteta has got every single member of staff to buy into what he’s doing. Everyone is pulling in the same direction. That doesn’t mean it’ll be perfect.. It will take a while to get back to where we need to be – and it’s heavily dependent on good recruitment from Raul/Edu. But the players and fans back Arteta. That unity and bond is important. We will have… Read more »
All said and done Arteta used Mustfuckup our worse ever defender who was responsible for both goals. He does it regularly that’s why he hasn’t been picked. Also he insists on playing Ozil who can’t be arsed.We are clearly better without him.
We must get another player in this month. One swallow does not a summer make.
Only thing i’ll say is please NO MORE MUSTAFI ever again. I’d even rather a 50% Holding over him. He’ll continhue to cost us cos mentally he’s incompetent.
Xhaka is an idiot (great at CB last night) but at least he has his uses. Mustafi really doesn’t have any redeemable qualities.
Wardo, Major_Jeneral
I said the same thing. The commentators/pundits on the stream I was watching said that the rule has changed slightly. Apparently if Luiz was actually going for the ball it would have been a yellow, but because he basically pushed him in the back it’s a red.
I don’t trust these people’s knowledge too much, but it kind of made sense.
“Also he insists on playing Ozil who can’t be arsed.We are clearly better without him.”
Ozil is not good anymore but the problem is we have no other player in the squad who offers that option in between the lines. Replacing him is just as important as the other work we do this summer. We need more creativity.
Major Jeneral
“Moreover mustafi was behind the keeper so it shouldn’t be a red. The punishment ought to be a penalty and a yellow card.”
This is more to the point and correct.
Luiz was not last Arsenal man defending. The plum Mustafi was.
Therefore a red card should not have been shown to Luiz. As you say only a yellow and the awarding of the penalty.
I know he’s only filling in there but I’d love to see Saka developed as a LB man. Much better than spunking money up the wall on Kurzawa.
Game was fabulous. The kind of fighting spirit we had as we reached the millennium. So much hope.
On another slightly sombre note. I’m not on Twitter, but I saw the little graffiti mural Goonerholic 1957-2019 near the stadium and wondered and they’ve just announced it on the blog. I know LG hasn’t necessarily seen eye to eye with other blogs in terms of opinion, but we are all in it together ultimately. RIP David Faber, The Goonerholic.
TheBlaster, yes there were murals and some wreaths laid down for him. Diehard gooner. RIP
Wardo
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36047575&ved=2ahUKEwiiybik75bnAhXCi1wKHYYDDK8QFjAOegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw1rzO8wQT2HDc00jxHokVMt&cshid=1579684589673
The argument would be ,did Luiz deliberately foul him or was he making a genuine attempt for the ball.
I believe he was going for the ball , so you are correct, no red card.
Definitely moving in the right direction, but seriously if Xhaka isn’t sold in the summer and is in the starting 11 come next season then serious questions need to be asked.
I get that there is no viable upgrade this window but we must be able to get better in the summer.
I’m hoping we sell Ozil as well, but I can see him sitting out the rest of his contract.
Just seen the replays back, don’t think Luiz should be sent off for that as Mustafi was covering. Penalty and a yellow card, yes, but no red. That idiot Mustafi shouldn’t have put him in that position in the first place.
Romford
Amen to your point about Saka at LB, he looks so built for it
Batistuta, the way Arteta sets us up Saka will spend 75% of the game attacking anyway. Plus he’s the sort of player who picks up speed as he gets going so I think he’d be fine there. It’s also easier to stop a run from deep than from a standing start. Arteta basically likes to defend with 5 and attack with 5 with often the RB inverted and deep as an additional build up option. It basically mirrors what Pep does. Only they do it much better as they’ve had that now for 4 seasons and obviously have much better… Read more »
It’s also harder*
I don’t agree with the wholesome pasting Mustafi got in some quarters.
Yes he’s a mistake generator but he does have ze mental strength. Only few players can recover for that needless game changing mistake to gather his he’d and still put in a reasonable shift.
Romford
‘ I know he’s only filling in there but I’d love to see Saka developed as a LB man. Much better than spunking money up the wall on Kurzawa.’
… or much better than anything we’ve seen from Tierney too and don’t get started about the gazilllioj games he’s played against Motherwell and Kilmarnock.
Dissenter
“Only few players can recover for that needless game changing mistake to gather his he’d and still put in a reasonable shift”
He was asleep for the second Chelsea goal as well.
Dissenter – I’ve seen Tierney in CL football and Europa ball, I know what he’s capable ball of. Willing to bet good money he’ll be a great signing for us.
Ishola
Very well…you don’t think he had a reasonable ‘actually very good game] after the bid error?
That second goal…I’m not so sure. It shouldn’t have been allowed.
Enthusiastic and over excitable post by PedRo -many thanks. But the last time I looked : We are still sitting in midtable. We still only had ONLY x 2 attempts on Chelsea’s goal in the 90 minutes.( an all season low allegedly) We are still being linked with Garbage players to add to our collection of Garbage ones. We still have only won 2 games in 16 We still have very little cash. We still have the Usless Raul,Vinny and Edu as decision makers. We still have KSE as owners. And We still going nowhere fast. But having said that.… Read more »
Romford
Maintained that it’s the defensive aspect I’m more chuffed about with regards Arteta, more compact and organized, looking foward to doing it with much better players too…. I love Saka, probably my favourite player at the moment, if Arteta can get him to make that LB position his own, then it will be a huge huge win for us and as you said better than bringing in Kurzawa or whoever else who’d stink up the place
Dissenter
This has always been the way with Mustafi.
He can play well enough in between his calamities and switching off.
It so happens that he has too many calamities and switching off moments otherwise fans would be more forgiving of him.
But you knew this already.
In the games I’ve seen Tierney play for us he’s looked good.
Great delivery of the ball and great attitude.
I think a good summer rest and pre season and we will have a totally different looking defence next season.
Romford
He’ll be great for us when he gets un-crocked.
Honestly, I’m tempted to keep starting with Saka [provided he’s fit] and let the other two senior players fight to keep him out.That’s my crazy idea for the day.
I didn’t see anything fantastic about Tierney when he played for us. I did see that people were trying to be excited about him. Maybe Arteta will bring out the beast in him.
Diss
He managed to look pretty good amongst the shambles that was emery’s defence.
Imagine what he will achieve in the current set up.
Saka and Tierny at LB
AMN and Bellerin RB
😂😂
All of a sudden we a spoiled in the FB department
Batistuta, spot on mate. Funnily enough I thought it’d be the attack that would benefit first but it’s the defence that has seen the most improvement due to shape and structure. I don’t think Arteta is negating the attack though. We attack with 5 players (LB included). I think what this shape is showing us is that some people are not dynamic enough (can’t dribble, haven’t got enough athleticism – Laca and Ozil i’m looking at you). So as well as a CB and CM, we need a playmaker. We’ve always been blessed in that position from Bergkamp > Cesc… Read more »
Pedro left out the fact that Arteta almost took off Martinelli or Pepe in the first half….sparing Ozil.
That’s the young manager errors that I’ve been talking about expecting the gaffer to make.
I still don’t understand why Ozil wasn’t yanked off immediately. There’s very little he’s good for these days.
Just to correct you lot on the red card issue:
Definite Red Card Offence.
Deliberate denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity
Read the FA Rules.
Luis should have simply let him score the moment he was clear in the box, better in game football intelligence would have given us a better chance of a win with just a goal to equalise and a full complement of players than 10 men and still a goal down due to the penalty award.
Too emotional and rash.
You can see why managers loveXhaka.
He has a good attitude and I do hope he gets one standing ovation from the home fans soon. In the first half he slipped and tried to defend the ball with his head/neck … still yet he got abuse for that.
Dissenter – have to remember Tierney came with no pre-season and this injur is completely unrelated. Just need him to rest up well though i’ve read he’s already back in light training.
No Mustafi and No Ozil, they really must somehow be moved on, watched Ozil closely last night and he just jogged around improving his step count! Was like playing with 9 men for most of the time.
Romford
I always thought Tierney will need time to step-up to the quality of the premier league. I really don’t rate the Scottish league at all….don’t care if he played a million games there.
Robertson got his baptismal of fire at Hull under Steve Bruce….let Tierney get his battling to get his place back from Saka.
I don’t want us to bench Saka for him [or Kolasinac]. They should be handed the starting position on a platter. That’s what I’m trying to communicate.
Romford
Yea CB, CM, CAM in the summer would be a good start to the rebuild pending on whatever else happens with outgoings. We have to be smart though and not spend on players who long term would be a stumbling block wage wise, no more short terms and no more players looking for a pay day
Dolomite
“Deliberate denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity”
Where do you stop though in defining “clear goal scoring opportunity”?
Abraham had been forced out slightly to the right side and Mustafi had ran to cover and was in the Arsenal goal mouth area.
The ruling used to be that if a defender fouled a player whether inside or outside the penalty area and he is definitely the last man defending then he sees red. Mustafi was the last man defending in that play.
A cynical part of me felt Luiz was seeking a way out of the abuse he was expected to get all night at the bridge.
Bukayo Saka is not a wing back or full back
He is an attacking winger any suggestions of converting him to defence would ruin his ability going forward and he will be much better improving his finishing and deliveries into the box from the outside left.
The only thing he needs to learn in defence is his positioning and shape with his defensive teammates and this should only be employed in a scenario where we are a man down or as an emergency.
Dissenter – yes I agree it should be a meritocracy – places handed out on merit. Atm e might not be able to do that completely as we have a dearth of quality in some positions.
Also have to see and identify what young players won’t make it here and cash in to raise funds, no need for projects or any of that stuff
“Yea CB, CM, CAM in the summer would be a good start to the rebuild pending on whatever else happens with outgoings. We have to be smart though and not spend on players who long term would be a stumbling block wage wise, no more short terms and no more players looking for a pay day” Batistuta – we’re not plush with money anyway so if we don’t get Europe a lot of what we can do will have to be financed by sales of players with huge price tags like Auba. I also agree that players we sign need… Read more »
I just want to see Saka playing MANY games [not every game]
Based on form, he shouldn’t be dropped for any ‘senior’ player. He’s in that Raheem Sterling moment at Liverpool. Play the kid….even out of position.
Don’t disrupt his rhythm now.
Ishola70
“The ruling used to be that if a defender fouled a player whether inside or outside the penalty area and he is definitely the last man defending then he sees red. Mustafi was the last man defending in that play.“
Used to be.
What referees look at is the PROBABILITY of the attacker scoring not the “Last Man” defending… the assumption is that an attacker clear on goal would score rather than it being blocked by the last man on the line hence the rule.
Dolomite
‘ Bukayo Saka is not a wing back or full back’
You can’t day that with 100% certainty
Necessity has a way of creating the perfect invention. Ashley Cole too used to be a winger.
“He is an attacking winger any suggestions of converting him to defence would ruin his ability going forward and he will be much better improving his finishing and deliveries into the box from the outside left.”
I don’t particularly rate him as a winger. Think he’s too easy to stop there. His game isn’t cute enough, too much of a straight line runner. As a LB though he can attack just as much and his runs aren’t tracked.
“Necessity has a way of creating the perfect invention. Ashley Cole too used to be a winger.”
And Lauren and Bellerin too.
Pedro I can’t take you seriously of you are defending arteta’s selection of Mustafi. He wasn’t all we had. An unfit holding would have been better. He made a mistake and he will learn from it.
I’m going to be lambasted for this. But do you think the massive confidence and Persistence Arteta is having with Nelson
He’s thinking of life after Auba and Laca?
Like bringing a wide player into the middle, that can dribble to play behind the front 3? Either Pepe or Nelson.
Or will ESR take the mantle?
Surely creativity at the moment in the middle is the most important.
Dolomite
“the assumption is that an attacker clear on goal would score rather than it being blocked by the last man on the line hence the rule.”
Bit daft really isn’t it giving refs assumption situations.
Holding hasn’t looked that great too this season, coming back from injury.
He too has had his shares of mistakes this season.
Romford
Yea if we get a good enough deal for either of Laca or Auba then I’d take it but you get the feeling those two are buying into the Arteta project and would want to stay.
Absolutely important we don’t do brain dead transfers like Kurzawa though, absolutely no upside to things like that…
What would you say to a half season loan for Boateng?
“Surely creativity at the moment in the middle is the most important.”
It’s mad as I never thought that would be the biggest issue but it is. We need more dribblers. One at CM and another at 10 would add so much more.
It would also help us get more penalties as we’d be committing opposition players more.
Pie
Sadly don’t think Nelson will make it here, with these youngsters you can see when there’s something there but not with Nelson, kid looks scared shit half the time
Yea. For Saka’s sake, Ive changed my mind on Kurzawa
Saka is holding his own there already.
No need to spunk money there….doesn’t even matter if Saka gets skinned occasionally. He’s getting an education right before our very eyes.
Batistuta – you think Auba will stay? Only way I see it happening is if we win the Europa League and get back into the CL. Otherwise I think he will/should go and we could use the finances to strengthen elsewhere. he’s already 31.
That said, if we do get CL i’d like us to sell Laca, have Martinelli as back-up striker to Auba and strengthen elsewhere. Auba is still an elite shooter despite his limitations.
Dissenter
“Holding hasn’t looked that great too this season, coming back from injury.”
Holding too was disappointing for the second Chelsea goal.
He as well as Mustafi was totally unaware of what was going on around him and was also standing still not reacting.
But he could have the excuse of being cold to the game having just come on as substitute.
Ishola70
“Bit daft really isn’t it giving refs assumption situations.“
Designed to make the game more attack favoured and increase the number of goals within games .
Also why the referee was backed up by the VAR… a very strict implementation of the rule.
Batistuta
You will be disappointed there because it seems Arteta rates Nelson very highly.
He sees something most of us don’t see in him – an elite player.
“Absolutely important we don’t do brain dead transfers like Kurzawa though, absolutely no upside to things like that…What would you say to a half season loan for Boateng?”
I’m gonna be so angry at Raul and Edu if we get Kurzawa because that’s further evidence of the power these super agents are having at our club.
Boateng yes for 6 months. Nothing permanent though.
Saka is showing what you should be showing at that age playing on the biggest occasion.
Give it your all, it’s not your preferred position, but you know what I’m getting games.
He’s coming out of every game with plaudits. He’s a natural athlete.
Leasts the young players will know. If you’re good enough, you will get games.
Apart from the mistake that led to the red card and penalty, I think Mustafi showed a decent display in our last two games. Yesterday he made many clearences, interseptions, had good positioning, and finally assisted Gabi for the equalizer.
Yes, He pissed me oft in the past, but, let’s pay Credit where it is due.
Chaka was increadible, and Gabi as well.
We should be very well advised to offer him better terms for a New contract, before the big sharks beggin knocking at Colney.
Apparently Martinelli is only on £5k a week. Put it this way, if the management aren’t negotiating better terms right now they should be hung. First teenager to score 10 goals for Arsenal since Nicolas Anelka over 20 years ago! I’m getting old
Dolomite
“Bukayo Saka is not a wing back or full back”
100% with you on this…Saka’s strongest areas are superb final ball and the drop of the shoulder to gain half a yard of space.
His weakest areas are heading and tackling.
The potential signing of another left back would be confirmation that Arteta sees Saka more as an offensive player than defensive.
He is doing a decent job at full back though.
Didn’t Anelka, sort of announce his name to the league properly with that goal against Chelsea at Highbury?
Shot near post. Great strike that was.
Apparently Martinelli is only on £5k a week.
RP where did you read that? I think he’s on more than that??
What else can be said of Martinelli? He’s such an exciting player. His finish was straight out of the top drawer. Incredible composure at full speed after having stared his run from inside our box. Not bad for a ‘head-down merchant’. He’s a golden boy contender for sure.
Now we need to find the CM equivalent! Not too much to ask, right?
Samesong – just seen it doing the rounds on Twitter. Could be wrong – and I hope it is tbh! Definite pay rise needed.
Jamie – bring in more of his countrymen!
Pierre
We aren’t having a good season but Saka has been one of the team leaders in tackles being made.
He actually has the presence and the guile of a left back. Even if he doesn’t pan out as a left back, this education will make him a better attacker.
Romford –
“bring in more of his countrymen!”
Yes please! Do you think they’re sick over at Utd for having passed on Martinelli? Delicious!
No, Mustafi doesn’t get any credit for not being absolute garbage after handing Chelsea a goal and 1 man advantage. How many times have we seen this from him? This is exactly why we can’t get rid of him, it’s not because he’s a bad defender 100% of the time it’s because he’s brain dead, always has a mistake in him, be it a shoddy pass (which he had 2-3 in the 20 minutes before the sending off) or a stupid tackle or just missing the ball or being out of position. They’re not accidents anymore, they’re preordained events ffs.… Read more »
Pierre
Weren’t you the one who called Martinelli a ‘head-down merchant’…could be wrong.
Dissenter
“. Even if he doesn’t pan out as a left back, this education will make him a better attacker.”
Agree.z
Freddie Ljungberg
“Bit rich giving Mustafi credit for an assist to Matinellis goal when he ran from our own box and scored.”
And also the fact that Kante fell over that allowed the pass from Mustafi to reach Martinelli in the first place.
One of the most passive “assists” you will see.
Have you guys seen Fabregas’ tweets from last night when Martinelli and then Bellerin scored? Who did he praise? Francis Cagigao. Our new head scout.
Now Cagigao has been at Arsenal for years as our South American/Latin scout. He was responsible for the signings of Cesc, Bellerin, Martinelli and a few others. He also tried to get Messi at the time of Cesc but Barca told us to get stuffed. Supposedly he’s the one who recommended Bruno Guimaraes. Maybe we should listen to him more?
Freddie
You know you don’t get extra tokens for hating on Mustafi, right?
Dissenter –
Yes, he did. He was desperately trying to make a case for Nketiah at the time, so he was trying to throw the new kid under the bus. The less said about it the better.
“Supposedly he’s the one who recommended Bruno Guimaraes.”
Ok, we need to sign him up immediately!
Dissenter
Pierre always rambles on about negative fans and how we should back the manager and players but it doesn’t include him.
See his views on Ramsey (because he took Ozils place) Martinelli (threat to Nketiah) Ceballos ( threat to Ozil) Emery (from day 1 because he wasn’t Wenger) etc etc
Think hypocrisy is the word you’re looking for there.
If only we got coutinho loan deal, imagine where we’d be by now. Saka shouldn’t be converted to lb, he’s not that good there. Odoi and azpiculeita were trashing him easily when the game started, he reminds me of gibbs
Dissenter
Hating and stating facts are not the same.
Although my feelings for Mustafi is bordering on hate after all the points his stupidity has cost us over the years of him enjoying his overinflated contract.
Man I can’t lie FBs in attacking teams need to be good at at attacking. Trent Alexander Arnold can’t defend to save his life. Do you think anyone at Liverpool cares?
@ Ishola 70
And also the fact that Kante fell over that allowed the pass from Mustafi to reach Martinelli in the first place.
What game did you watch? How did mustafi’s pass reach martinelli courtesy of kante’s fall? Martinelli already took two straight touches before he got to kante who paid obeisance to martinelli by postrating for him
What we learnt tonight is the Mikel Arteta is the real deal. ”
Unsure how this comment can be made at this point. He may be but no proof for either direction yet.