Sorry for going dark on you, I’m on a pitch, travelled into Chicago and made a hilarious joke to my boss about coronavirus and travelling… news flash in the lounge 5 mins ago…
‘CHICAGO SEES FIRST CASE OF CORONA VIRUS’
I am the cooler of travelling. If you want a delayed plane, the furthest possible terminal, or now, a deadly virus, come fly with me.
Arteta’s press conference was fairly standard. He spoke of how happy he was about the attitude of the squad, going one deeper, saying he’s happy about how the club as a whole is responding.
A lot of things that I wanted to implement, not just with the players but around the club in terms of the culture, I’m seeing very good signs in progress.
A lot of things about our way of playing and style, even if the circumstances in some of the games have made it a little more difficult than expected.
In general I can see the direction towards what I wanted a month ago.
Remember, his sell isn’t just to the players, it’s to all the backroom team he’s working with. I’ve heard the buzz about him transcends just the players. That’s great to know.
He had little to say on transfers, outside one being quite complicated. The name that seems to be drawing the most smoke is that of Mykola Matviyenko. I actually had the first UK lead on it because some guy with 8 followers sent me the links from Ukraine. Does that make me an insider? Does that make me bigger than Ornstein? Yes to both, so show some fucking respect.
I did some deep scouting… 4.5 minutes to be precise.
What I have ascertained is:
- He’s quite short, 5 foot 11, but he does have a tremendous leap
- He’s built like a left-back, so he’d have to bulk. Being Eastern European naturally makes you 3.8x tougher than the average European, so I’m not too worried there
- He sprays the ball around like Toni Kroos, his long balls are something else. He also looks like he has quite a lot of pace in his game.
- Arteta had been trying to persuade City to sign him, the player has a bit of the Laporte’s about him, so makes sense
- He has 18 months left on his deal, so he’s primed for Arsenal
I always worry when we sign short defenders that don’t look big enough for the league, but Saliba is huge, so little and large might work next season. I am open to this sort of defender if it moves our game forward. Also, Shaktar played future football under Fonseca, so he’ll come preprogrammed with Arteta ball in mind.
Kurzawa, a full back heavily linked to us, looks like he’s going to Juve. Made little sense to move for him with Kola and Saka playing well. Arsenal fans getting furious about a player we might not have been in for is quite something.
Arteta also spoke about another position he’s looking at.
“There are other positions as well, depending on what happens in the market that we might need to assess.”
“At the moment I am 50/50 because this transfer [window] is very complicated and I only want to bring somebody in if I’m convinced he can really improve the level that we have.”
I think he’s going to look for players that can mover the ball between the lines. Ceballos doesn’t sound like he’s impressing and the only two that move the ball the way Arteta needs are Ozil, Luiz, and Xhaka, hardly ideal. I would love more athleticism in the squad. Power and pace is still severely lacking, I really hope we address that in the summer.
In other news, there’s a breakaway Arsenal club being formed. A really mental story from The Athletic, because breakaway insinuates there’s some tie to Arsenal… but the only tie is it’s being set up by Arsenal fans. This story is like me, iPhone user of 10 years, setting up my own phone company and calling it an ‘Apple breakaway.’ It’s a rich guy setting up his own football club and trying to generate noise by tying it to Arsenal. There’s no story here… AFC Wimbledon setup because they moved the original club to Milton Keynes from London. Arsenal’s disgruntled fans have what, 3 years since we last won a trophy? 2 years out of the Champions League? Seems like the most middle class move ever. Like being mildly upset with Monmouth Coffee not having a matcha line, so setting up your own version to really show them up. Then calling it a Monmouth breakaway. I’m not telling anyone how to be disgruntled… but there are clubs in far worse situations than us with fans that have genuinely been shafted. Ditching your club because of a bad patch really isn’t cool imo.
NOT COOL.
Right, short post today because I’m in the process of catching a deadly virus. As a deathbed wish, could you please listen to my podcast. Thank you kindly, maybe see you tomorrow. x
Boom
2
Why is it complicated?
3
Europa
No to 5’10 CB.
Looks like a defender being signed purely for his distribution and long balls. Considering that at Arteta expects us to have the ball most of time and hours decision to continue xhaka as CB in the second half, it doesn’t look like a surprising move.
And his decision *
Auba to Barca? Or is that the usual media bullshit?
@Dream10
Re: Ceballos
All from the very little you’ve seen of him. I can’t say he’s what we need going forward, but he’s on loan. We should utilise him as much as posible especially in the cup games if he’s fit.
Good off-the-ball play is dependent on teamwork and understanding. You can’t single out one player unless the rest of the team is good at it and he’s not.
… rest of the team are good at it …
“Remember, his sell isn’t just to the players, it’s to all the backroom team he’s working with.”
Hasn’t our Club Doctor just quit for Liverpool?
New post
I disagree
Ceballos proved on his debut that he can play a bit….another mystery as to why he has virtually disappeared. Something very odd with that story.
If Ceballos is pissed off he’s not getting more match time well I can’t really blame him – he’s got Ozil and Xhaka getting all the minutes in front of him.
I’d be fuck this I’m out of here to.
He has 6 months left on his deal, so he’s primed for Arsenal
18 months Pedro. No one looks for 30 million with 6 months left
All set for Haaland to come off the bench and score again tonight.
Koln are weak defensively in this game.
Marko, I’m dying of bird flu. Forgive me
A breakaway Arsenal team? Lemme guess it’ll be called Untold FC or Areene FC.
I’m dying of bird flu. Forgive me
Shits serious
Pedro
You really are a fucking light weight – has a Chinese take away and gets on a plane and “oh no I’ve got Corona Virus”
What happened to the Peroni swelling bloke who could deal with real life?
Marc, it’s over… take the passwords and continue to good work for the community…
Listen no fucking way is Ozil impressing more in training than Ceballos. Not possible given his demeanor and the way he plays. Let’s be honest we’re back to the days of favouritism. It’s a shame but that’s just how it is. Now it’s we’ve got the players we want to play the way the manager wants meanwhile there’s affordable midfielders on the move elsewhere. It’s all very expected.
Pedro
Mate you’ll never play the sympathy card with me and win.
Man Up.
SAR’s killed a few thousand.
MER’s killed several thousand.
Spanish Flu killed 50 million.
Dent on the human population = absolute fucking zero.
I really wonder what’s going to happen when the world is faced with a genuine Pan-pandemic?
“Listen no fucking way is Ozil impressing more in training than Ceballos. Not possible given his demeanor and the way he plays. Let’s be honest we’re back to the days of favouritism.”
Marko
You have no idea how Ceballos trains and you also have no idea Ozil trains. This is my issue with Valentin. Don’t confuse your personal opinions with facts.
azed
No but we know how Ozil plays on the pitch.
Rafael Czichos the Koln CB makes Mustafi look like the king of defenders.
Awful CB Koln have there.
“Listen no fucking way is Ozil impressing more in training than Ceballos. Not possible given his demeanor and the way he plays. Let’s be honest we’re back to the days of favouritism“
Haha Marko back to spitting hot dogshit as facts because he’s a chip on his shoulder about Ozil
Ozil doesn’t seem like the kind of player who trains well or leaves it out on the pitch obviously. But let’s say he does actually train well, which I highly doubt, he’s performing poorly at the moment and still getting starts. That’s a problem. But anyway if all it takes to start for Arsenal is to do well at training and poorly during actual games that is a bigger problem.
Valentin, this is for you During his time at the club, it was Burgess who took responsibility for ensuring players trained at the requisite intensity. Arteta predecessor Unai Emery’s sessions tended to be more tactical, so it was Burgess’ job to ensure the players got through enough work to reach peak performance. Frequently, that meant an extra 10 or 15 minutes of physical exertion tagged on at the end of training sessions. “Once Unai finished his session, most of the time he would say, ‘Look if you need to do some extra work with the players, go on and do… Read more »
When Emery arrived, Burgess was immediately enthused by the Spaniard’s fastidiousness. “He was unbelievably thorough, an absolute workaholic,” he explains. Emery brought with him his own strength and conditioning coach, Julen Masach, and the pair initially clashed. Burgess reflects: “One of the things that I guess I wonder whether I might have done differently, is that I was brought in at director level. So in theory, the job could’ve been turning up in a suit and taking a broader overview of things. Arsene had wanted me on the grass, and I felt it helped me effect change and take difficult… Read more »
Let some go Charles. Chip on my shoulder apparently. I just want us to do well but you think it’s all personal
Ceballos play in the final third, especially after his first game when he found Auba due to a defensive interception, hasn’t been great. He is probably one of our best players in terms of keeping the ball under pressure but his defensive positioning is worse than xhaka and one he crosses the half way line, just doesn’t have the ability to thread the ball between the lines. He also misplaced a few passes that were played across the field, like guendouzi which is a strict nono. Because of the above reasons ,he doesn’t offer enough to stay ahead either deeper… Read more »
Arsenal endured a disastrous end to last season, winning just one of their final five league games before being humiliated 4-1 by Chelsea in the Europa League final, fumbling two chances to regain Champions League status. Some have suggested the squad were tired, but Burgess refutes the suggestion the players were worn out: “According to objective analysis, the running with and without the ball actually improved in two out of the final three games.” “Difficult conversations” are a theme of Burgess’ story, and there were more in the build-up to the Europa League final. Initially, the club had been due… Read more »
There are quite good and promising DMs moving for affordable fees. Watching and scouting thru the major leagues and based on our financial status, with DM being a major issue, I recommend Alfred Duncan of Sassuolo. He’s been one of the best tacklers in the league this season. Read Fiorentina had a bid rejected for him. There are bargains to be had if we actually scout. Re: Ceballos, like Lucas Perez, he was never giving enough game time to showcase much of his talent and he had to deal with injuries. Nelson, Willock and possibly Guendouzi should be sent on… Read more »
“Nelson, Willock and possibly Guendouzi should be sent on loan. They’ve not been impressive at all.”
I believe Arteta has a plan for Nelson and I for one is keen to see what Arteta does with him.
As for Willock, I believe he’s a CM with an attacking mindset and he’s falling down the pecking order due to the resurgence of Ozil and Arteta going with a 4-2-3-1.
If suitable money comes for Guendozi, the club should cash out.
Arsene, Emery, Freddie,Per, have all questioned Ozil’s professionalism.
He might be a good trainer?……but only if he feels like it, and if you or anyone else haven’t upset him.
He’s finished at the top level, he’s so one paced, he’s only got one gear, offers zero goal threat, doesn’t shoot, doesn’t assist, and only does away days outside the M25 on special occasions.
This Ozil resurgence nonsense is truly baffling.
It doesn’t matter what a player does in training if it’s not replicated on the pitch.
Otherwise it’s like saying just because a salesman talks it up during a sales meeting means he’s the top dog – it’s what happens in the real world that counts.
The Kurzawa deal Wasn’t as bad as some people made it out to be. If Juve didn’t mind him as Sandro’s backup he would have been okay as Tierney’s backup and we would have made money off kolasinac. Anyway it isn’t as if we are missing a starting player. I am sure we could find a 6-10 mil backup left back that is better than kolasinac in the summer if we are looking in the right places .
Rich
Mourinho called him a coward. The list of people you’d take serious notice of when talking about Ozil is non existent.
Ozil is clearly finished but we’ve still got him for 18 months so we need to keep a plan to use him as best as we can
I do wonder if the Arteta plan for him and Xhaka is to get their market values up to sell
Such a cool finish from Haaland from a pretty tight angle.
Another two goals off the bench.
Koln look like a Bundesliga 2 side.
Haaland running riot. Anyway on that topic Ronaldinho didn’t train at all and he just showed up to games and dominated. That’s why he never reached to the level of the likes of messi. Ozil isn’t Ronaldinho. I like him on top form but he is at most games average now.
Axed
No way would I sell Guendouzi at this stage He’s still developing as a player and if he is coached to accept more discipline at the back then he could be a great player. He has the skill power and self confidence to succeed
He’s also the only real back up to Torreira that we have
Northbanker
Ozil’s on £350k per week, please volunteer a list of clubs who will play a fee for him this summer?
Xhaka is just plain awful – we’ve just turned down a fee of low £20 millions – what do you think we can get this summer>
I see that the Ozil obsessives are out in force again today. Will just point out Burgess remarked that Ozil was ” physically elite” and was very complimentary on Ozil’s work ethic , and he should know. ““Mesut is much-maligned physically,” Burgess told The Athletic. “But there were many games where his running numbers — and I’m talking high-speed numbers, not just distance but high-speed numbers — were among the elite in the competition. So he’s certainly capable of doing it.” Will also point out that in our last game v Chelsea in which Ozil had a 100% pass completion… Read more »
Still in moderation??
Marc
“Mourinho called him a coward. ”
How about this….
Mourinho: “Özil is unique. He’s the best no. 10 in the world”
“Frank Lampard singled out Mesut Ozil”
Yeah not really a view to take on board – Fat Frank’s out of his depth and not doing a great job. He won’t last at Chelsea.
Pierre
Be honest would you give Ozil a contract extension on 75% of his current salary?
“Mourinho: “Özil is unique. He’s the best no. 10 in the world””
Well I’d be happy to see the Spud’s buy him – let’s see how quickly a bid comes in Pierre?
Marc
Who know s who will buy but if he is being used then we have a chance of offload prob to a US or Chinese club
Ozil will have to think not just about the last 12 months of his contract but the next 3 years
What is with these Thomas Lemar rumours?
We do not need wingers. The defence should still be the priority and I’d be gutted if this means we don’t get a top quality CB and DM this summer
Marc
I’m just pointing out the discrepencies in so much of what is being said.
You have read my view on his performances this season…
Pierre
Bollocks – you came on here with the “Ozil obsessives are out in force” tag line.
You either back him or would be happy to see him gone.
Northbanker
Ozil will not go to a Chinese club after slagging off the Chinese governments treatment of Muslim’s.
Do you really think a US club will match his £18.2 million a year salary?
The hunchback of ukraine isnt physically suitable for an EPL CB, not fast enough for LB,
And its tough to judge if he can make those long passes when pressed because clearly from the clips he has all the time which wont be the case in the EPL.
Underwhelming
Im telling you this for free!
Marc I see you too have a chip on your shoulder about Ozil too. Tsk tsk.
Marc
“You either back him or would be happy to see him gone.”
He plays for the Arsenal, so I back him …if he leaves ( he won’t) it’s no skin off my nose.
Would like to see him play a little better though, which I think he will as the team improves under Arteta .
It’s possible that at the present time, Ozil is doing what the manager is asking of him.
Don’t project Marko, stick to letting everyone know about the going’s on at Colney given you’re so up to speed with who’s doing what in training.
Share your knowledge you fucking legend, then let us know who’s worth scouting after telling everyone Juve-bound Kurzawa is a joke.
Finger right on the pulse Marko Balague
Marko
No chip or any other sort of starch based vegetable over here. If a player is good I’m happy – if a player as amazing I’m ecstatic and I’m happy to see them earn huge money. I’d love to see our worst first team player being paid £20 million a year (obviously whilst still earning it) because it’d mean we were doing brilliantly.
The only players I criticise are those who have been given chance after chance and are worse than shit.
It’s strange that some can’t handle that.
“He plays for the Arsenal, so I back him …if he leaves ( he won’t) it’s no skin off my nose. ”
I would say it’s money out of your wallet Pierre but you’re not a “paying” Arsenal fan.
Sounds about right Marc. I too wouldn’t give a toss if said player was maintaining the kind of form he showed for 45 mins against Chelsea (even though he still wasn’t assisting or the likes). But alas he’s back to performing poorly/bang average the same as the last few years. Pointing this out apparently means chips and shoulders and such bollox but ah well. It’s made all the more infuriating when you see such players like Olmo go for fuck all but ah well.
It’s strange that some can’t handle that.
There the ones that take it so personal. Ozil’s form or Granit makes a mistake and they pop up out of nowhere.
Marko talking about people taking things personally as he wages a personal war against Ozil with his own brand of fact that ‘no way Ozil is better than Ceballos in training’.
Idk about anyone else but I appreciate the behind the scenes access we get through him. In fact I’d say it’s a pretty big whoop all things being equal.
Marko
There are “fans” on here who are as deranged as Untold is / used to be.
If a player is good why would I criticise him? If a player is good why would I want him gone?
The deranged “you don’t get it” or “you can’t see what they offer” is just the same argument as religious zealots make.
CC
Do you think Ozil is good value for money?
Marc
Who is arguing he is? Pierre is his biggest fan and he’s not of that opinion.
CC
OK so that’s a NO! Do you think Xhaka is in the top 15 CM in the PL?
Ozil?
A good 5 a side player in a winning side..when the pressure is on…well you know the score…
He isn’t worth a spot in an ambitious team for £350k a week. THAT IS NOT AN OPINION ITS A FACT.
Marc
“The only players I criticise are those who have been given chance after chance and are worse than shit.”
Is a player “worse than shit ” which has a 100 % pass completion , away at the bridge, playing with ten men, in a 2 man midfield with kante, kovasic and jorginho snapping at his heels.
Now let me see.
Sancho and Haarland ripped Koln apart.
2 of the best youngsters in World Football and BD got them both.
Marc
Do you really think I’m going to be led down a path by you regarding Xhaka? Do me a favour. Same with Ozil, I’ve no interest going back and forth as you breakdown your rationale for why players are “less than shit” or other such nonsense.
Pierre
What has Ozil done as a real positive contribution in any recent match? Fact is anyone who knows anything about football was relieved when he went off against Chelsea – all except Fat Frank.
CC
Of course you won’t – there’s no rational argument that say’s Xhaka is even vaguely useful let alone worth playing.
Complete waste of space is about as complimentary as it gets for Xhaka.
Hope the cabellos thing is not an extension of the barca,/madrid rivalry, that’s causing the rift between arteta and him, because if he’s fut there is no way ozil offers more than him, and one should not take too much notice of what rival managers say about our players causing them problems, they want us to keep him in the team knowing he does not offer any goal threat. It was like all the managers saying we shouldn’t sack wenger because if what he had done in the past whilst fancying there chances against us because he never did tactics,… Read more »
Marc
And that’s exactly why you’re a waste of time on the subject. Suggest you pen an email to the manager of the football club and explain how he’s completely wrong about a player, tell him you buy a ticket so he ought to listen to you.
Azed, Learn to read. ‘Some have suggested the squad were tired, but Burgess refutes the suggestion the players were worn out: “According to objective analysis, the running with and without the ball actually improved in two out of the final three games.” ‘ Except that we were top in both department midway through the season and we finished outside the top 3 in term of average distance covered and sprint per 90 minutes for the season. So clearly that means that there was a huge drop of performance between Christmas and May. Which just prove my point the team was… Read more »
Guendouzi is 19 , on the verge of playing for the world champions and literally dragged us back into the Villa and Totts games where he was our outstanding player. He has huge potential which may be realised working with Arteta
The smart move would be to resign Santi as a player coach and get him to mentor our young midfielders and give cameos himself
Azed,
“Although that was ultimately scrapped, there was still significant debate within the club about the training schedule for the 17 days between the end of the domestic season and the final.”
The debate was so significant that Burgess lost his job! Part of Emery’s conclusion was that the team had been overworked and could not run during the second half of the Europa League final. I distinctively remember Martin Keown mentioning rumbling about the training session even before the final.
as he wages a personal war against Ozil
Imagine being the person who writes that. Eh yeah that’s exactly it
Pierre
Do you find any aspects of Ozil’s game and playing style embarrassing?
Just curious.
CC
It’s not only my opinion – it’s 99% of fans in the stadium. If Arteta is still pushing Xhaka out in front of fans next season he’ll be finished.
I love Cazorla, but outside of his technique I am not sure that you can teach what made him such a good player: his stature and his vision. He had technique way superior to most players. One of the few truly ambidextrous football players. Most players technique is pretty much settled by the time they reach 25yrs.,so we may better off sending him to the academy. Due to his stature, he had a very centre of gravity which helped him tremendously in tight situation. But reducing your own stature is not something that can be taught. Even by a contortionist!… Read more »
For anyone keeping track:
– Marko knows everything going down at Colney, who’s training well and who isn’t etc
– Marc is the self appointed voice of the Emirates crowd
Thrilled these guys keep us peasant fans updated on all matters.
CC
No – I’m just there and hear what others are saying – maybe you’d should try attending once in a blue moon?
Marc
Some hearing you’ve got there lad, covers 99% of the home fans.
Isn’t Xhaka a player you have an irrational dislike for? Oh that’s right he is, good thing that 99% fact is going for you to make it all impartial or it might’ve seemed like just another biased statement about him.
CC
Why would I dislike a player who’s good?
It’s funny how you constantly miss off getting your own lazy arse up for the odd match?
Marc
That’d be the “irrational” dislike part I refer to.
Ahh now I’m lazy, terrific insight as usual. You know a stellar amount about me given I could be sat next to you and you’d be none the wiser.
You’re on par with Marko’s Colney chat, pitch black room and you’re swinging about like a loon utterly convinced in your own noise.
Charlie you’re hell bent on being the center of attention again. I’ll play along. I’ll admit that it was presumptuous to assume that Ceballos trains better than Ozil given his performances and demeanor these last few years not to mention the amount of sick days he takes. That’s probably a bit too personal I suppose commenting on his performances for Arsenal and me an Arsenal fan. But as you know we are mortal enemies after all.
Why would I dislike a player who’s good?
Fair point.
That’d be the “irrational” dislike part I refer to.
Pretty stupid response.
Xhaka gets criticized therefore it’s irrational disliking of the player. So pretty much most of the fanbase, football writers, pundits and commentators have an irrational disliking of Xhaka. Either that or he’s actually been playing pretty poorly these last 3 and a half seasons.
Hmmmm
CC
You don’t sit anywhere near me in fact you and I both know you don’t attend matches.
Xhaka is so fucking useless it’s embarrassing, other teams love him.
Marko Centre of attention, arguing everyone… have you taken stock of your Le Grove history at all? Ever? It’s like irony just isn’t a thing with you. Maybe I take exception to factoids being casually rolled out to serve painfully obvious narratives? Don’t recall you staying quiet much when you claimed Pedro was doing similar about Emery last season. Subtle difference being the lack of lies in his rhetoric and the abundance in yours. Top shelf, Mesut Ozil training habits being taken back several years despite Arteta being here a month and judging players on what he sees (something he’s… Read more »
Pablo Mari being linked with a move. A player Mikel knows from his Man City days. A player who never played for City btw. Should be good.
Centre of attention, arguing everyone… have you taken stock of your Le Grove history at all? Ever? It’s like irony just isn’t a thing with you.
I hadn’t directed a comment at you today. I wasn’t in any particular discussion with anyone and here you are goading two people into arguing.
Maybe I take exception to factoids being casually rolled out to serve painfully obvious narratives?
That’s not true you turn the blind eye to some like minded posters but whatever.
Don’t recall you staying quiet much when you claimed Pedro was doing similar about Emery last season.
Huh?
Valentin see this part During his time at the club, it was Burgess who took responsibility for ensuring players trained at the requisite intensity. Arteta predecessor Unai Emery’s sessions tended to be more tactical, so it was Burgess’ job to ensure the players got through enough work to reach peak performance. Frequently, that meant an extra 10 or 15 minutes of physical exertion tagged on at the end of training sessions. “Once Unai finished his session, most of the time he would say, ‘Look if you need to do some extra work with the players, go on and do it,’”… Read more »
You’ve had your fanny rattled by Xhaka telling you to fuck off
Funny thing is you’ve been tying yourself in knots for a few years now defending him from every little bit of criticism and getting fanny flutters everytime he completes a pass forward. It’s great to watch honestly. One man crush to the next. They’re getting younger at least
Be careful somewhat what you believe in the western media when they report on the corona virus. There’s already been tonnes of fake news about it which I can confirm from first hand experience. Just a couple of days ago yahoo (the arsehole of the web I know) we’re running stories that the authorities here were playing it down, pretending t wasn’t serious, organized a 40,000 public buffet at the market where the outbreak happened and censored any mention of the virus on social media Meanwhile in China it has literally been front page news for weeks, it is all… Read more »
China hope you and your family are safe from the virus.
Don’t know if this link is scaremongering but certainly had me concerned for people from the 1st reported infected case.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7925475/US-health-experts-predicted-coronavirus-kill-65million-people-year-THREE-months-ago.html