Saint Arteta at it again

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I started a Fat Chart in excel this year, where I’m looking fluctuations in weight against drinking and eating out… I have found a correlation, if you drink and eat out, you get fat. Game-changer. I can’t believe how easy it goes in these days, I literally have to starve myself to get back on track. Why is life so unfair?

Well, apparently it’s not unfair if you’re a mistake-ridden footballer under Saint Arteta. The Spaniard is more forgiving than Jesus himself, this time, he’s trying to bring Mustafi under his arm and rebirth his stale career.

“Yes he made a mistake, but it’s OK. I like more the reaction and I look more at the reaction.”

“I don’t believe that at 27 you cannot improve certain aspects of the game; I really believe you can,”

“I work with players like this and I have team-mates like this and there is always a moment where there is a click.

“I can accept a mistake, no problem. What I’m not going to accept is somebody makes a mistake and after he stops playing, and he doesn’t want the ball and doesn’t want to make decisions. That player is not acceptable for our team.”

I mean, we asked for a coach and that’s exactly what he’s bringing to the table, so we really shouldn’t moan. The point that he’s making is a fair one, we all gave massive praise to Xhaka for his performance when we went a goal down, but you’d be hard pushed and cruel to deny that Mustafi had a very strong game after the error. Also worth remembering we were burning Xhaka effigies in November now he’s seen as reliable.

My worry, as ever, is that we’ve been watching this episode of Mustafi on repeat for the last however many years and it’s tiring. That said, there’s a player there, he was great against Crystal Palace. His range of passing was solid and he gave us a great outlet, so if he can be coached back to World Cup winning levels, then I’m game for it.

One thing is for sure with Arteta, he doesn’t give a rats arse what we think as fans, and he’ll do as he pleases.

Another player who has been spending time in the Miki Confessional box is Nicolas Pepe. The £72m winger from Lille has had a very up and down season. He has an unorthodox approach to the game, it’s hit or miss, but there’s certainly no doubt there’s a real talent lying in wait. Nic had this to say of the godly work he’s doing behind the scenes.

“Things have been going positively so far, we’ve got some good results and have been playing good football,” the 24-year-old said. “There has certainly been some encouraging signs and we know that we do have quality and we have what it takes to do well on the pitch.

“Mikel Arteta has explained to me what he would like me to do on the pitch and he has shown me videos that have stressed the importance of my positioning. He has told me exactly what he would like me to do to help me progress as a player.

“We want to do well as an attacking force. We want to perform well on the pitch, score goals and get assists. As a team it doesn’t matter who’s getting the goals and who’s getting assists, but the important thing is we are playing well together and getting results.

“We support one another on the pitch and as an attacking player it’s always great to have someone like Mesut Ozil feeding passes into you so it’s enjoyable.”

I’m hoping we’re going to see some sort of Raheem Sterling project with some of our wide players. We simply don’t get enough end product out of our players in the final third. That needs to change as the team builds more stability from the back. One absolute basic I’d love Pepe to work on is his right foot. How you can make it to the top in football being one-footed in 2020 is a miracle. Also, note the comment about Mesut Ozil… the players like being around him.

One player who isn’t a rehab project is Gabriel. I liked these comments from Mikel about our superstar Brazilian.

“They said you’ll be surprised how prepared he is to compete with any other player in the squad. I always thought yeah ok but he’s 18. When you see in big games how he goes about everything it’s surprising.”

Big things expected of him for the backend of the season.

The Bournemouth game this evening will be interesting for us, it’s another chance to redeem an average result we had against them in Arteta’s first encounter. It’d be wonderful to progress further in a cup that has all the big boys still involved. The one thing we have to be sure to avoid is a replay. Spurs drew against Southampton and Liverpool slipped up against Shrewsbury… Klopp insisting he’ll not even manage the replay.

It’ll be interesting to see how we line up, we went all out against Leeds, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the same again. Though I would imagine there will be an eye on a tough game this Sunday against a Burnley that appears to be slightly resurgent in the league (though they were beaten by Norwich in the cup at the weekend).

It’s a shame we’re likely too early for a Pablo Mari start, but maybe by the time I wake up, he’ll be confirmed as a signing. Was also sad to see Aaron Ramsey still benched for Juve… I’m not pining for an Arteta reunion, you are.

Before I go, some more sad news for the Arsenal blogosphere… Yogis Warrior from ACLF passed 3 weeks ago. I didn’t know him well, but he helped correct my Spanish to ‘Manos fuera Cesc’ back in 2011. I’ve always had huge admiration for his brilliant writing and his dedication to regular content for his community. He seemed like a top guy, our thoughts are with his family.

P.S. RIP Kobe. His career transcended sport. What a sad moment.

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Redtruth

HighburyLegend
“I’m sorry but…. 8 minutes of added time ?? WTF ??”

What game are you watching, it should of been 12 minutes of injury time…

Lego Hair

Best game by far in an arsenal shirt for guendouzi

MidwestGun

Sal-
Agreed.. Var is like my first marriage.. it seemed like a good idea at the time. In actual fact it was a horror show.

Ishola70

That’s alright.

A win on the road can build confidence.

Onto the next match at Burnley which can be more indicative.

Lego Hair

Daamn son why the moderation!

TheLegendaryDB10

Well we won against a team who didn’t want to progress.

At least we are moving on to the 5th round.

And we do seem to be losing players like flies at the moment.

Danny

6 games unbeaten
Awful 2nd half but I guess it was expected after our excellent opening half an hour. Guendouzi was the best player on the pitch, good for him.

salparadisenyc

Mid

Exactly!
VAR is like the 3rd Lagavulin I had last night, a total stinger.

HighburyLegend

No Mustardi, no party.

Ishola70

A couple of more wins now and Arteta’s fist stint of games at Arsenal will look rather good.

Got to win them though.

HighburyLegend

I can understand why Arteta like Mustardi.
After all, mustard is a kind of Sauce.

salparadisenyc

Pedro

Agree they need to utilize it with a less hand break, no flow at all. Never envisioned it being microscopic.

Shame about Mustafi was actually on a good game, dropping some long balls into the pocket as well.

Pierre

RSPCA
“Same old arsenal
Always cheating… ”

The original back in the 60’s and 70’s was sung by Arsenal fans ” same old Arsenall, taking the piss ”

Good to see Nketiah get the deciding goal, he deserved it for the amount of work he put in , he had a good first half, quiet 2nd as all our offensive players had , but was tidy on the ball throughout.

Willock, Martinelli, pepe and Nketiah all faded 2nd half probably due to the amount of closing down they put in to keep us on the front foot .

Nelson

We can’t rely on Holding right now. He is not in game shape. Bellerin looks tired too. Pepe’s game is very ineffective. Currently, he didn’t produce anything. Guen is man of the match. Saka and Martinelli have good chemistry. Eddie is OK. Willock is exhausted in the 2nd half. Ceballos showed us some tricks today. He is a good player and passes the ball well.

Lego Hair

Interesting Saka said the plan in 2nd half was to control the momentum of the game as they thought Bournemouth would come strong. We don’t seem to get cut open as often as we used to and there aren’t too many clear cut chances conceded.

All down to a solid shape with everyone knowing their jobs.

Edu me a favour

“”” Pepe’s game is very ineffective”””

Are you talking about this eve or since he signed ?

Words on a Blog

I do like the Saka/Martinelli axis on the left wing.

Skills AND Energy, not to mention great movement.

TheLegendaryDB10

Pedro

It wasn’t the ankle. They were measuring whether the knee was offside. Completely absurd. It used to be the tip of the toe. Now it’s any part of the body.

PGMOL are doing their best to ruin VAR. They can’t stop their corrupt ways of reffing, can they?

raptora

Good win.

I know it’s just Bournemouth. And they have far greater problems than FA Cup.

But Howe played a lot of his first team players. And we controlled the game for 90 good minutes.

Good performance by the boys. I’m happy.

Sanmi

Nelson is really confused if he cant see how important pepe is

Sanmi

Pepe drags atleast 2 players.to himself, this is what aids lacazette in holding the ball and freeing Auba on 1v1

Words on a Blog

Pedro, sorry I missed your comments re Luiz and the “contacts based approach” earlier. I actually see the Luiz transfer as an endorsement of the contacts based approach, one that saved the day when our initial data-based approach broke down. The way I see it, the original plan was to have (data-endorsed) Saliba come in in the summer, play a few cup matches and the odd low-pressure premiership match, and be shown the ropes by Koscielny and the other CBs. But St Etienne insisted on keeping him for another year. And then the shit really hit the fan when Kos… Read more »

Nelson

Sanmi
Pepe always slows down the game. He then loses the ball. Tell me what has he done today. Can only pass the ball backwards or sideways.

Sanmi

Nelson
He had a poor game today, but he is been on of the better performers since arteta signed.
Even on his off days, he create space for others. And his corner deliveries are the best

Emiratesstroller

We played very well in first half albeit that Bournemouth were poor. Saka and Martinelli are most definitely outstanding prospects. However, we lost momentum in second half and once Mustafi who had a decent game got injured we started to look in trouble. I have seen absolutely nothing in Holding’s performance tonight to suggest that he is good enough to play in EPL. If Mustafi has a longterm injury then Arsenal will be forced to go into transfer market. What is crystal clear is that many of Arsenal’s players this season struggle to last 90 minutes + which is why… Read more »

KAY Boss

So are we to believe arsenal or flamengo?
Some reports that flamengo changed their stance on an initial loan and wanted a permanent transfer.
Just some clarity and all will be settled.

Upstate Gooner

Nelson
“Pepe always slows down the game. He then loses the ball. Tell me what has he done today. Can only pass the ball backwards or sideways.”

Ha. Could insert Arteta instead of Pepe to describe his playing career with us.

NW9 gooner

Guendouzi has a very good game – the number of times he dribbled his way in our half and started attacks or at least lessened the pressure was very good – he is going to turn one heck of a player

NW9 gooner

Ceballos also has a very good game when he came on- a couple of his defence splitting passes were absolutely top drawer – for the first time I saw Pepe pressing consistently, he lost the ball a couple of times and fought back to win the ball – Arteta has had an impact on him

Words on a Blog

NW9 Gooner,

Totally agree that Guendouzi had an excellent match. He was everywhere, gave the team its tempo, and dribbled his way out of a number of tricky or tight situations. He’s definitely much more than the headless chicken some on here accuse him of being.

NW9 gooner

Nelson you have been a bit biased regarding Pepe – to day he was pressing and like Samni said his dribbling makes at least two players doubling on him freeing space for others – what he is to do is find that extra space himself to run into – he will get it – just a few months in – it’s just a question of time to

NW9 gooner

Guendouzi is only 19-20? He needs to used carefully so that he does not run out of steam like last year- Saka Martinelli Torreira Guendouzi Saliba – good spine for a few years

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Pierre
One point in second half showed bel sprint like pre injury.
Signs encouraging..

Wilcox involved in a few shoving people off the ball in shoulder charges also good to see.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Stroller

You flip flop on players more than a Brazilian deck chair seller.

Now holding is dodgy, 2 years back you were crediting him with being a player of high regard, then you were coating chambers who you were saying was a good player before the injury,.

Your comments are like paper in wind blowing everywhere sir.

Dissenter

RSPC
Stroller flip-flops on players in slow motion. He also does it copiously.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Diss
Don’t get me wrong I like reDing his comments,
But he is inconsistent .

We move on.

Dissenter

RSPS
Of course, Emirates is a scholarly gentleman. I love reading him as well.

crimson

Mustafi was good…

Pierre

Under Arteta we look good when we are dictating the pace of the game and the game is calm. Our problem is that as soon as the opposition up the tempo and become more physical , we lose control of the game and look vulnerable and our play becomes frantic and loose Arteta will need to address this if we are to progress as the opposition managers will instruct their players to be in our faces. To be honest , I was surprised that Bournemouth sat off us for the first half hour , it was very similar to palace… Read more »

Zimmie2652

I didn’t catch the first goal until just now watching the highlights but for me, the best part of that was watching Willock’s turn and then just going at the defense and exploiting the space given to him.

Far too much we look for the next pass when there’s more than enough room to run at someone (or no one, in this case).

The directness was greatly appreciated from this fan.

I didn’t not back track to really read the comments but I don’t think I saw anything discussing that too much.

China1

Game was too late for me but I’ve seen the goals

That saka finish was an absolute cracker. Close range max power IDGAF moment in off the bar. Fucking love it

China1

To be fair why would anyone maintain the same opinion on a player unless said players performances are consistently the same?

Players go through good and bad patches, improve and get worse, look more or less suitable in a given system as the team and football evolves through time

How long are you supposed to maintain an opinion of a player in that environment? As long as you’re not changing it every month then you’re probably being relatively reasonable

China1

Regardless re holding, at least let him get a few games under his belt

People expect him to be out for a year and be near his best practically on day 1. Be realistic

Paul Mc Daid

Great seeing Pat Rice and Bob Wilson looking so well and being at an away game, Maybe somebody is listening to the fans,
Great away win for the kids in front off our Legends .

Aussie Gooner

Sorry but anyone who thinks we don’t need reinforcements needs help! People on here rubbishing Mari before they even see him play need to wake up and smell the coffee. For 7m we could have had a player that was in the Brazilian team of the year and could hit the ground running. He passed his fitness test and was willing to sign. Clubs seem to smell blood around any Arsenal dealings and feel obliged to rip us off. Now this deal is in jeopardy thanks once again of the ineptitude of the Arsenal executive who can’t even land a… Read more »

Nelson

This is the comment from another popular Arsenal blog on Pepe

Pepe never really delivered much in the final third. Lost the ball a little too frequently at times — eight dispossessions in total, more than any of his teammates — and seemed more hesitant to drive at defenders at times as well.

I admit that he carries high hope for most fans, me included. Arteta needs to find a better way to use his skill. For me, I prefer a real RW like Adama Traoré who can run past the defender and center.

Sid

Traore is agricultural, a Gervinho on steroids.

Im telling you for free!

Sid

Arsenal doesnt have midfield runners to receive the ball when pepe draws 3 players to himself.
Im telling you for free!

Johnno

Reading “saka not a left back” a lot here and elsewhere. Maybe we need to rethink him. Looks like a left back to me. Plays like one. We rarely see 17 year olds in the first team- we are blind to their development 17-19/20 usually. Many change positions in that time. All clubs are full of ex – academy players that make the first team in different positions to they played at youth level. Saka looks like a lad that can push Tierney next season and play LW also in games where Martinelli is rested or plays CF Oh –… Read more »

Zacharse

guess xhaka really is going to be playing a bit of CB now

Zacharse

maybe we’ll see a backline with saka, Sokra, and xhaka
maybe see if deepak chopra has a son who can play rb

Zacharse

Re: Mari
I read that the club is after gab barbosa who was w them on loan from inter, last season when they won everuthing perhaps theyre raising funds

Sid

I will repeat not for the last time, Arsenal to win the EL.

You heard it here 1st!

Useroz

Anyone read reported specifics of the Mari deal that we were trying to change while he’s in town? Surely we aren’t as skint as negotiating the reported 7m or so? It’s the commitment to buy at end of season to option to buy? Converting AMN to RB permanent makes more sense compared to Saka. AMN is 22 ? Appears to have lesser headroom as a MF so to have a future with the club, if he wanted, that’s probably the only way forward. Saka is 17 and a much better prospect as a forward in relative term and may be… Read more »

Chris

Great games last night for Saka, Guendouzi and before his injury, Mustafi. Credit where it is due for him. The first half an hour was great and then we seemed to retreat into ourselves a bit. You can clearly see the improvements in our play but at some point it will be nice to see us hammer home an advantage and win by a good few goals. I don’t mean that to sound entitled but I just feel the team is more than capable of it and perhaps it just needs to happen the first time and more big wins… Read more »

Graham62

Ceballos showed more in 20 minutes than Ozil has shown in 20 games.

You know what I mean.

He also looks as if his put on some muscle.

Valentin

Zimmie, What I like about Willock is the fact that he receive the ball on the half turn. That allows him to turn his opponent and run with the ball toward goal instead of recycling it backward. During the first half his half turn and then direct run at the defense helped unsettled the Bournemouth defense. His passing could be better, but he can spot a pass and make it at the right time like he did for the second goal. That goal came from Martinelli and Nkethia off the ball movement which dragged the right back inside and created… Read more »

Graham62

Sid

Traore is the most improved player in the EPL.

He is also the most devastating.

Valentin

Useroz,

Details are sketchy for the moment, but it looks like Arsenal have moved the goal post on the deal. From obligation to buy to option to buy and from immediate payment to payment in June if we buy.
I am not against the idea of having an option to buy rather than an obligation, but if true (right now we only know the Flamengo side) that does not look very classy. It is also perfectly possible that both parties are in the right and that an intermediary did play them both.

Valentin

Pepe may draw two players, but because he is so one footed every defenders know that he will come back inside. Opposition just tell the left sided midfielder to drop deeper and whenever Pepe tries to come inside he has an extra player to block him. One way to counteract that would be to have our fullback to overlap, but because that’s what Saka does on the other side, Bellerin is tucking inside to compensate in midfield with Xhaka dropping to cover the left field position. The result is that Pepe is blunted and most of our good movement comes… Read more »

Aussie Gooner

Useroz Agree with Saka – he will be much more of a threat down the wing in an attacking position (witness his goal last night). However LB, wing back and LW have more in common these days and like Bale the positions could become interchangeable. I still think that AMN will not make the grade at Arsenal as a midfielder. So if he is prepared to knuckle down and learn his craft he could develop into a serviceable RB or wing back. The debacle with Mari is lamentable. We have a need (several needs actually) that he could meet on… Read more »

Rambo Ramsey

Have won 1 in six PL games you dumbass

Rambo

Eh..Why did my moniker change again

Useroz

If we went back on a verbal deal re Mari not very classy is it as the execs like to proclaim from time to time especially when we don’t spend. We appear to continue having injuries more than others. Which teams have 3x ACL in 12 months. All defenders (assuming Nelson is not). Why? We collect ‘weaker’ players focusing inproportionately on skills. Visually a size and a half difference on physique when the teams line up at kick off. Let’s get the 6’4” Mari to begin with and move the weaklings out asap by summer. While Martinelli could score goals… Read more »

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