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.
Portsmouth v Arsenal brings back memories for me.
Went away to fratton park 3rd round 1971, 1-1 draw.
My main memory was in the replay at highbury , seeing Charlie George scoring a superb goal running from the half way line on his return from a long lay off.
Of course ,we went on to win the cup, beating liverpool at Wembley to complete the double
Marc, Luiz earns close to £200k a week at Arsenal.
Also a 5-1 win in 2004, the days I was convinced the treble was coming.
Still not to count our chickens, got to win tonight.
Nelson
Real Betis are fond of Dani Ceballos. Should be able to work something out.
18 months there and then he can move to a tier 2 club like Atléti/Valencia/Sevilla. There’s a deal to be done. He’s desperate for a Euro 2020 spot
Pedro
Not from what I googled he isn’t.
Pierre
Eddie Nketiah to score a couple tonight.
I am READY
Pierre
“Went away to fratton park 3rd round 1971, 1-1 draw.”
Portsmouth were in a lower league.
Did they rest players in that match for their next league match coming afterwards?
My prediction for tonight.
Marc and dissenter very quick to get on the back of Nketiah…
I did tell you Marc, that Eddie wouldnt stay at Leeds and I knew Arteta would recognise his qualities …
It’s just a shame that some fans are not prepared to give him time..
I’m really looking forward to seeing Eddie and Martinelli together, I expect willock to score tonight coming late onto the box
Should be a good game.
Marc it’s them bonuses that are not mentioned.
Pierre
I haven’t slagged off Nketiah, I’m not convinced he’s going to make it at Arsenal but the fact is that applies to 99% of youth players.
I’m quite interested to see what he does tonight.
“Marc it’s them bonuses that are not mentioned.”
You mean win bonuses? We aren’t paying out many of them this season!
Ishola
“Portsmouth were in a lower league.Did they rest players in that match for their next league match coming afterwards?”
No one bothered about such trivialities in those days …it was all about enjoying the game.
Eddie’s header is stronger than Laca and Auba. I want to see whether he can press the opponent like Laca.
Pedro Luiz earns 120k a week. Don’t misrepresent info pedro.
Marc I can assure you bonuses are paid win or loose.
Habesha
I’ve found 2 sources on google that quote him as on £125k per week – I can’t find any that name a different or higher figure.
I’d like Pedro to back his claim up?
I said earlier on Eddie will get the nod.
It’s a big enough game for him to show or prove what he should be capable off. If you’re getting minutes and don’t do anything, questions then have to be asked if he’s good enough.
Willock back in the team. Hopefully can give some energy and play well tonight too.
wow…how can Ceballos not get a start??
how bad is he in training??
Hey Ladies.. how’s it going? Hoping for a good performance today.. Mustafi and Papa Sok pairing … yikes! hahahah anyhow.. Would like to see Joe Willock have a good match.
Espn+ subscription is paying off.. Don’t need a dodgy stream.
Marc
Win / draw bonuses
Also a contractual bonus monthly.?
Just saw that we are playing vs The Seagulls in the 5th round.
Just need to beat The Cherries!
Line up looks relatively strong!!
We can do it!
Come on The Arsenal!!!
The Seagulls are Brighton. We’re playing Pompey if we get past Bournemouth.
Lebron is more of a pure power forward than jordan or kobe. Guys lebrons size usually dont have the soft touch and knack for shooting and dribbling. But zion might
Get in
The kids are good.
Up the lads
BOOM!!
Sweeeeet Strike…. Saka… NIce!
Yes my boy. Love Saka. Willock did well there
BOOM Saka lack!
Nice thumping
Marti … Saka linkup… hope we see years of that.
Good shot
Best young player at the club with a terrific strike
Marc Pedro is a little reactionary for me when he tries to emphasize a point. It is black and white. It is either good or bad. Luiz was a poor signing that was made because we couldn’t get our main target. But This “Raul is always Evil” campaign is jus to drive a point. Raul isn’t perfect. Arteta and Edu aren’t either. If we get our scouting right I would trust Raul to get it over the line and That is his job.
Nice enough goal.
Bournemouth slow in closing down.
Right through the upper corner. I can’t do it better.
Yes Left… for some reason I was thinking of the Brighton crest when thinking if Portsmouth…. not sure how I managed this.
It’s Pompey.
(So tough try to type and watch….
And to see Saka score…..
Really good strike by Saka!!!
0-1 to The Arsenal!!!!!
Man I love saka
Ceballos not playing is to do with him leaving soon and arteta focussing on players that are here in the long term. Can’t be to do with quality or training
Oh man… Mustafi almost did a Mustafi..
Guen got the ball on the nose.
We are not very lucky with balls to the faces!!
Great for the confidence of Saka after his last outing here. What a strike.
DB10,
If we get through to play Pompey it will be a great FACup atmosphere at Fratton Park. It’s 10 minutes down the road from me.
Pedro
Permanent LB/LWB for him please.
Roofed it! as they say in hockey… That was for Nelson.. 😀
Pepe has no final ball at all.
Left
That’s close!!! You probably get to hear the roars and cheers on matchdays.
This just made me realise that we are away again. Ffs. I was hoping to go to at least one FA Cup game.
Willock using his body well.
Coached well and in a god system, his athleticism and power will be a good squad player for us old Wilock.
Started the game brightly.
10 passes involving all outfield players.
Mid
Thanks for remembering me.
Wonderful football. Imperious
good one youngsters!
BOOM!
FWIW… Martinelli actually had 4 trials at Man U Nelson.
NelsonJanuary 27, 2020 19:19:40
I think we need spies to find out youngsters in the other teams. Martinelli was invited to Manure two times. We could take notice of that
Willock playing pretty well so far… nice to have a cam who can actually track back and drive forward with a dribble… Sweet!! team goal…. dominating so far…
Lets go ahead and smash them… would make me feel good. 😀
Anyone got a good streaming site?
Mustafi is a poor decision maker and after 4 touches often passes it backwards.
Build up far too slow
My man Eddie!!! come on.
Eddie scores!!!
great bit of play
Fuck Var better not rule it out
Nketiah! Saka and Willock class in creation.
Var check… Fuck Var chant in full force.
Trigger
Soccer stream 101
Or total sportek are good ones to use.
Wish my Dazn would work in England – shit.
Great pass from Willock.
Pedro all over Mustafi.
Cheers pie
This forensic analytical approach to VAR is disgusting for the game and becoming increasingly stupid.
Its killing the game.
VAR is a parody. Huge changes coming this summer with that, it’s just a shambles currently
Can we sing we ve got our Arsenal back now??
Oh and VAR people sack! Whay on earth were checking so long. Ridiculous stuff
All our meaningful attacks come from the left. Pepe is doing shit. Never challenge the defender.
What a build up to that goal!!!
Fantastic assist by Saka! Fantastically slotted in by Nketiah.
V A fucking R…. now this is excessive checking. Shall I get the measuring tape???
Fuck VAR
That line that VAR use, involve the game. I understand there is so much money in the game things have to be correct.
But there has to be a better approach. Why don’t they want the fans in the ground to see?
Watching on tv you can.
Bellerin looks tired.
“Bellerin looks tired.”
He hasn’t eaten a good steak in a while.
Two English lads on the score sheet for us.
When was the last time that happened for us?
In complete control so far. The challenge will be to sustain it in the second half.
We’re playing some good stuff tonight.
Going forward, very aggressive.
Guen covers a lot of spaces.
Guendozi has been quietly good in this game.
Xhaka reverting to type.
Want to see Pepe go behind defenders, not go to feet. Arteta should sort this
Bournemouth not touching the ball for 35 mins..
Xhaka gets cocky..
Bournemouth have a shot on target..
Good save by Martinez… sort of right at him… but weird bounce. Pretty nice half so far…. cant really complain too much about anyone… well I can… but I wont.. hahaha pretty well all been said about the usual senior members … Like the youthfulness today.
Yep, Xhaka with his characteristic giveaway in a dangerous area. Tbf though, looked as if everyone else kinda abandoned him to try and find space, just weren’t quick enough to create it for him.
When Martinelli runs with the ball, he’s so quick I think the rest of the team struggle to keep up with him,haha
Pepe is crap
Xhaka not concentrating.
Ugh that right there is why I have a problem with Xhaka. Under no pressure gives the ball away cheaply in a dangerous area.
Pepe doesn’t play like a 72 m player. I would trade him for Adama Traoré, a real RW.
Lots of space but Willock has been tidy and direct
With Xhaka and Mustafi in this side, you know we are going to give them chances.
Pepe and Saka about as good as each other. It’s just that one was free.
Anyone still want Ryan Fraser? speaking of bad transfer links that never happened. Anyhow… Very good half… keep it going.
Good half from us, so much so we got lackadaisical in the last 5/10 mins.
Bournemouth don’t want to be in the cup on that 45 mins, they were so passive
Xhaka’s getting very lazy with his passing. I mean, if you want to switch wing, cross it!! Don’t roll it across the width of the pitch nonchalantly.