Via @Arsenal
Nothing like a BLISTERING win in the FA Cup to kick a cold Tuesday morning off in style.
Arteta headed back to Bournemouth for the second time as Arsenal manager and put on a more impressive show than the first outing a little over 5 weeks ago.
The first half showed us exactly where the football is heading if we give the manager time (and the right players). We moved the ball around at speed, the players were aggressive, you could see the vision. Pretty much everything the football hasn’t been for the last 5 years. Joe Willock immediately repaid his starting berth with a brilliant turn in midfield, he powered forward at the Bournemouth goal, gave the ball to Gabriel who found Saka on the overlap… the young winger/fullback didn’t make the same mistakes he made in the last game, rifling a shot at the inside post in off the bar. The build-up had 22 passes that went through 10 players, shades of the good old days? Don’t…
The second was well worked. Mustafi to Eddie, back to Willock, out wide to Saka, Saka with the low drive into the box, Martinelli dummies… Eddie into the back of the net. Wonderful.
Arsenal going forward at times was a thing of beauty, we looked scary on the counter-attack, and finally, we looked pretty good when building up play in and around the box. Not perfect, but the players finally seemed to be finding a bit of confidence that’s been lacking over the last month. Arteta certainly felt like his players executed his plan well.
“In the first half we were really, really good. They executed everything we planned in a really good way and showed the courage to make big decisions.
“We played with that accountability, making decisions and I really liked it. They were terrific with their work-rate, showed courage to make those big decisions and not to play safe.
“That is the difference.”
The second half wasn’t quite as impressive. It looked liked we were more than comfortable to sit on a two-goal cushion and to be fair, Bournemouth really didn’t give us too much to worry about. They tried to rough us up, but again, it didn’t seem to bother us.
Matteo Guendouzi was back to typical shithousing form, he sucks opposition into battling him, but he never lets the win. He was man of the match, he played with much more discipline than we’ve seen from him over the past 5 months. He timed his runs, kept things solid in the middle, and was just a bit of a nuisance all game. He has stamina for days and he has a good knack for knowing where to stand to nick balls and counter-press.
Saka, Eddie and Gabriel are a joy to watch. So much energy and enthusiasm. They don’t give a fuck where they play as long as they play. Those are the types of characters you want to get behind. I just hope they maintain that spark and continue to grow, it’d be great to have three young players like that grow into superstars… and it’d be great to have two homegrown talents pushing for roles with the national team.
The only blight on the match outside the late goal they scored and the borefest that is VAR, was seeing Mustafi go down with what looked like and achilles problem. I’m sad for him because he’s just been given a rebirth, but more sad for Arsenal, because we’ve lost another defender and the club apparently botched the move for Pablo Mari. Say what you will about the risk of signing him, the man was indeed a human body we could do with. We’re in trouble in defence… Xhaka might have to take up that centre back role more permanently.
Oh… I also thought Ceballos played well when he came on. He certainly doesn’t look disengaged.
Big shout out to Joe Willock for the second time in this post. He had a great game and added some much-needed end product to his game. He’s strong, he’s great at running through the lines, and he’ll add goals to his game as he matures. He needs to keep taking those chances he’s given, a bright future ahead if he does.
One thing before I go, I do like watching the press conferences these days. Arteta really seems to love the fact he’s managing Arsenal. He talks with such great energy, he’s passionate about the game, the league, and the players he’s working with to improve. Great to see.
6 games unbeaten now. Good times.
Pompey in the next round… very exciting.
P.S. I recorded a podcast last night, but the sound corrupted. New one later today. Sorry Alex, I really am. x
Boom
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Trofee
Morning gents
Top 6 – about right for the league ambition this season, but hoping to go further in the Cup…
Saka LB man. I told you guys that’s his position.
Long live the energy!
Though it still sucks how we handle our transfer business. The more things change the more they remain the same.
Main thing is the board HAVE to back Arteta. They obviously don’t want to spend money this month. Fine. But have ti be very active in the summer both in terms of sales and purchases. Very aggressive in how we go about thinga. Euro 2020 later this year so i’d advise we get our business done early as prices could inflate with tournament performances (James Rodriguez, Milan Baros etc). For now it’s important to try and build momentum in the league. Performances have generally been promising but need to start to turn those into wins. Burnley away will be tough… Read more »
Saka and Martinelli are the flavour of the day and rightly so. They are putting in consistent performances and having a big influence on the game. They seem to enjoy playing together and are becoming a very good partnership. Football is all about partnerships on the pitch , anyone who has played the game will know if you have a telepathic understanding with a team mate in any position on the pitch it makes the game so much easier. Willock and Nketiah did themselves no harm last night. Both put in very energetic and mature performances , I was pleased… Read more »
“The main concern under Arteta is that we keep allowing the opposition to get a footing in the game after a good start.”
Two things;
1) They still can’t maintain the intensity levels (Arteta alluded to this as much post-match). Maybe the two-week break and warm weather training can help us work on it more.
2) We still need to improve the composition of the personnel. More agile creators/dribblers.
Spot on Pierre.
Ceballos looked good on his return.
Graham – problem is it’s hard to know what to do with him unless Arteta changes to a 433 where he can LCM. You heard Arteta shout at him from the sidelines to offer himself as an option through the lines. Tactically he’s not disciplined at all. And that’s not good for a coach like Arteta who like everything to a specific detail. He’ll need training on his positioning but don’t know how much Arteta time will give him considering it’s only a loan
Excellent performance from Guendouzi , he just needs to cut out the histrionics with his hand waving as it isn’t doing him any favours.
……….
Agree with this Pierre. I can’t warm to him when he’s constantly rolling around on the floor or whinging to the opposition/referee. Robbie Savage 2.0.
RP
It seems to me that we have to play on the front foot , as soon as we allow the opposition to get their foot on the ball we lose our way.
It is a physical thing but may also be mental , in that we are still lacking belief in our ability to kill the game off .
Last night was a perfect opportunity to kill the game off but we sat deeper and deeper and created very little in the 2nd half .
Pierre with a couple solid posts this morning.
Pierre – I agree. Arteta only wants to do it one way. I have no problem with that. It’s a combination of the players still needing to adapt to his methods as well as an improvement in terms of personnel. Still gotta remember he’s barely been in charge a month. Have to let things take shape. Klopp is over 5 years into his Liverpool project and it’s only really now they’ve reached perfection. It might also still be a confidence thing. This is the worst season Arsenal have had in the best part of 20 years. Will take a while… Read more »
We not only have to back the manager in the summer we need to keep backing Per Mertesacker in the Academy. If this year’s Arsenal tells us anything… it is worth supporting a top top youth academy. Lastly, Eddie, Eddie, Eddie!!!! I knew the kid would score the other night… he will come good. Give the lad the chance… he will take it. Wonderful to see the young kids Willock, Saka and Nketiah playing the Arsenal way. 😉 Hopefully with Martinelli and Nketiah breathing down his neck, the little internal competition will give Lacazette the motivation he needs to get… Read more »
Pierre,
Who are you and what have you done with the real Pierre?
A little while ago, I said we had a great group of young kids at the club. Next season we potentially could have all the following academy products involved with the first team.
Nketiah, Willock, ESR, Saka, Tyreece John-Jules. Ainsley-Maitland Niles. Wow. Just wow.
Add to that mix Guendouzi, Saliba and Martinelli and we ave one of the most exciting youthful squads in the EPL… led by one of the youngest exciting coaches in the EPL.
Get them signed now so that they can grow with the club.
*have
Left,
There was always more to Pierre than Ozilology!
In defence of Guendouzi he started the season very well. While everyone raves ( rightly ) about Ceballos v Burnley they seem to forget how good Guendouzi was in bringing us back against Sp**s and Aston Villa . He is still only young and his work rate and attitude is terrific. He is far from the finished article.
Badly need a new CB . Their goal was a bread and butter ball into the box and should have caused no trouble
Unbeaten in January.
Well done Arteta. Well done Arsenal.
Keep it up Arteta, I started as a sceptic but you’re starting to convince me!
Ozilholic?
The top concern on Steve Bould and Arteta’s desk should be whilst we’ve been wonderful in bring up offensive and creative prospects… where are the defenders?
*bringing up
Add to the youthful squad Martinez the goalkeeper too! 😉
and Folarin Balogun.
“I do like watching the press conferences these days. ”
Cum Shot(s).
In other news, Bayern show some interest in Lemar.
Between Arsenal and the Germans, I really wonder which club he will choose… (feel free to add a “lol” if necessary)
Just don’t see it with Nketiah, too lightweight and just doesn’t do enough, hopefully he has a very good career maybe for Arsenal or someone else but not remotely convinced by him
Martinelli has 10 goals and a couple of assists this season
Saka has 3 goals and 6 assists
It’s early days for these two and we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves but what a fabulous contribution from two bit part teenagers. Really puts some of our established senior names to shame
Batistuta
‘ Just don’t see it with Nketiah, too lightweight and just doesn’t do enough, hopefully he has a very good career maybe for Arsenal or someone else but not remotely convinced by him’
I’m glad I’m not the only Nkettiah-skeptic here.
I’ve seen better Arsenal academy players than him . It’s just that he’s emerging at a time when we are utter shit and our expectations are reduced to oatmeal breakfasts.
Ukranian media reporting we’ve agreed a deal for Matviyenko in principle (whatever that means). I’m bias so much prefer this deal. We’ll see what happens. Three days left.
“Just don’t see it with Nketiah, too lightweight and just doesn’t do enough, hopefully he has a very good career maybe for Arsenal or someone else but not remotely convinced by him”
Agreed.
Honest hard-working lad. Ian Wright is his mentor but don’t see enough facets in his game personally. Would like him to diversify a bit more. That striker role is earmarked for Martinelli plus we have Balogun in the U23s who is bigger and looks much more explosive.
@Leeds : I’m a bit like you concerning Arteta.
There’s one upcoming game which, for me, could make all the difference, at home VS Liverpool.
Don’t need to tell you why… a victory at the Emirates vs ‘Pool to save our record, and just like Pedro and many others here, I will be ready to give Mikel a blow job.
What a lovely picture of Nketiah and Saka.
China1
Agreed.
Makes me feel positive about things when you see the youngsters performing and enjoying themselves.
Even the bench looked positive( that includes Mesut!).
Early days I know but whatever Arteta is doing it seems to be working.
Batistuta
I felt the same with him under Emery and Wenger but let’s give him a chance to prove himself under MA.
New beginnings.
Relax our striker problem is solved “Nicklas Bendtner is at a crossroads in his playing career but away from the pitch he has found a new calling and is set to star in his own reality television show alongside his model girlfriend, Philine Roepstorff.”
Surely this means Lord Bendtner is comming back to the reality TV show that is Arsenal scouting and recruitment department!
Can I bring up VAR and what is going on with it at the moment. I thought for VAR to come into play something needed to be “clear and obvious” but that is not how it is being implemented in the PL. I am going to put my tinfoil hat on for a moment and make this statement. I think that the referees are trying to have it taken out of the game and are therefore trying to turn the fans against it by over using it and disallowing goals for the most ridiculous things. And it is working, I… Read more »
Hats off to Arsenal really. With Aubamayang out for three games, the wheels could have very easily fallen off the bus but we’ve come through it in decent shape. Big question for Arteta… Saka has been playing really well as a makeshift attacking left back… he has the pace and the vision to be an excellent attacking fullback… al a certain A. Cole. I’d be very tempted to see if Saka could fulfill his potential there… or do we put him back into his left wing position that the boy is familiar with? In any case Tierney is going to… Read more »
Jim
If only it was that straightforward.
The jist of it is that the officials overseeing VAR are useless.
@Leeds –
I’m not sure Saka has the build to be a permenant LB. I also think he has more to offer use going forward and who hate to diminish that by piling on defensive duties.
I do think his time as a LB will serve him and the club well though, I like to see our wingers getting back to help the full backs!
@Graham62 –
I agree, maybe the decisions should be made by an independent third party to try and get rid of the cleare and obvious bias going on?
I like Kolasinac, even though he saved Ozil’s skin.
Nketiah will prove you sceptics all wrong… 😉 4 goals from 9 shots for the Arsenal in all competitions… not too shabby for a striker… 😉 People keep doubting, he keeps scoring. I remember Nketiah saying that people doubted all the way through whether he was good enough or big enough but that fired up him even more… especially when he was let go by Chelsea at 16. I like that fight. I like the fact that Iain Wright backs him… he’s no mug… I trust trust his judgement about what to look for in a striker. 😉 Keep scoring… Read more »
Jim
The boy is very young though… he can only get stronger as he hits his 20s.
Federer got out of jail against the aptly named Tennys Sandgren.
Novak 💤💤💤💤 looking in control.
Would love Federer or Stan to win it, but can’t see it with the fluffier balls.
@leeds –
Yeah maybe! Wouldn’t say no to a second Cole!
Sorry folks, I’m a lover of all sports.
Watching Martinelli play; he must be a fucking nightmare to defend against. Not because of pace or movement, but because the prick never stops running or hassling defenders. 87th minute your tired, trying to see the game out and this guy is still chasing you down. Awful to play against!
“I like Kolasinac, even though he saved Ozil’s skin.”
Ah ah ah!!
United signing Sander Berge. Great player. Fantastic athletic Dm with great passing range.
@Graham62 –
Ever given Hurling a watch?!
@RP –
“United signing Sander Berge. Great player. Fantastic athletic Dm with great passing range.”
I feel like United could sign Messi V2.0 and he would turn out a dud with Ole there!
Got no issue bringing in mari and another cb in, ideally a top target.
We then need a massive clear out in summer.
Accepting Luiz is on massive money and generally seen as a positive presence 2 of
Mustafi, sok, holding need to leave. Mustafi sok ideally, although probably more likely to get takers would be mustafi and holding. Sok for his faults is at least a decent battler and you know what you get from him as a 4th /5th cb
Ideally for me
Saliva, upa/Ukrainian.
String 2
Mari/chambers
3rd string sok or holding
Missed out Luiz there, he is is in string 1 or 2 depending on whether we get another good cb in
Jim – yeah he’s not a great coach is he?
As it turns out the same journalist has tweeted that it apparently it was a guy that looks like Sander Berge so might not even be true. Journalists are so unreliable these days, even Ornstein.
“The Brazilian side are understood to believe the Gunners have changed the terms of the deal that would have seen the 26-year-old move to the Emirates.”
So… is he coming or not ??
@RP –
“apparently it was a guy that looks like Sander Berge so might not even be true.”
Ha!! Man when Lukaku join United a newspaper here in Ireland ran the story on the back page with a picture of Stormzy!!
If Eddie scores regularly (remains to be seen) and contributes not much else (also remains to be seen) then I won’t be complaining as a CF who cost us nothing Auba has been considered our best player since his arrival and only just started doing something other than scoring since arteta arrived a whole 2 years after he did. We’d all like our players to all be elite, but if an academy striker can score regularly at this level and we still have better players ahead of him (martinelli as far as the youth are concerned) then that’s still a… Read more »
Good game last night. Hopefully we can get a good run going in the league now. Next 3 league games are all winnable. Theres also a EL game stuffed in between. Winning the next 4 games could really give us a boost when we go to City. Even a draw there would be a great result. I think we should at least take 7 points from the next 9. If we can take 9/9 then we can really shoot up the table , maybe to 6th even given the inconsistencies of every team from 4-9. Arteta is slowly but surely… Read more »
Batistuta “Just don’t see it with Nketiah, too lightweight and just doesn’t do enough,” You may or may not be right but Eddie is still only 20 years of age. You say he’s lightweight, but I see it different to you , I see it as Eddie using his intelligence by looking for space instead of getting involved in a physical battle. He will never be an over physical striker Aubameyang is not exactly a heavyweight is he. I like the way Eddie plays , I like the way he finds pockets of space on the pitch , I like… Read more »
90% of auba’s goals are tap ins and that’s apparently ok but Eddie needs to score more interesting ones
Tap-ins are as a result of elite movement. The best strikers often score like 10 tap-ins a season. It’s a skill.
Tbh our striker eggs are with martinelli, he can go elite. Eddie looks a decent poacher our inchaneo, chicharito. Not to be sniffed at but can’t build on him.
Comparisons with lane are a bit much, indeed he wasnt great on his loans but he did have an absoulute bomb of a right foot and a pretty decent frame. Eddie is undersized to say the least
@RP –
“Tap-ins are as a result of elite movement. The best strikers often score like 10 tap-ins a season. It’s a skill.”
Most knock in 5+ penalties a year. Can’t remember the last one we had…. Also not confident at all when Abua steps up to take a penalty! Who was our last reliable peno taker? Santi?!
Romford
Reporter got it wrong. They’re now saying it’s a backup GK and not Sander Berge.
He was linked with Sheffield United on the wknd
Jim – yeah funnily enough even though Auba is a great goalscorer he sucks at penalties. Messi is the same. I think Laca and Pepe would be more reliable from the spot.
Dream – That kid is going to the top. Will do well at Sheffield and teams will have to pay double in two years.
“Tap-ins are as a result of elite movement. The best strikers often score like 10 tap-ins a season. It’s a skill.” … this! … and timing and skill. You can only tap in something if you’re in the right place at the right time. Give me a striker that taps in 15 or 20 goals regularly over one that does 1 or 2 screamers any day. A strikers job is to score, and that’s what Eddie has done in every level he’s played at. He deserves his chance… if nothing else playing regularly will only increase his transfer value… £20m… Read more »
Rp
Balogan is more of a Kevin campbell type striker.
Great movement off the ball and very powerful but I would say lacks finesse in front of goal .
No little dinks over the keeper, no clever side foot finishes into the corner , it’s all about power and I feel he will need to bring finesse into his game as the physical defenders and better keepers will suss him out pretty quickly.
Jim
“. Can’t remember the last one we had…. Also not confident at all when Abua steps up to take a penalty! Who was our last reliable peno taker? Santi?!”
Arteta. The guy hardly ever missed a penalty. Whatever happened to him? 😉
@Leeds –
ha! I wonder!
Santi, Arteta and Cesc. What is with Spanish midfielders and being able to take a good penalty!
Jim
Remember when Cesc scored that penalty against Leeds whilst standing on (what transpired) a broken leg?!?
@leeds –
“Remember when Cesc scored that penalty against Leeds whilst standing on (what transpired) a broken leg?!?”
Wasn’t that against Barca?!?!
Pierre – Balogun is 18, big difference. His physical attributes will stand him in better stead when he makes the step up. This is only his first season at U23 level yet we’ve just rejected a £5m bid for him from Brentford. He’s more complete. Powerful, better dribbler, more ingenuity. Finishing can always be refined but he already scores a shed load of goals anyway.
RVP could take a decent penalty! To be fair at the pace he hit them I wouldn’t have liked to have been a keeper facing it!
Pierre
“It seems to me that we have to play on the front foot , as soon as we allow the opposition to get their foot on the ball we lose our way.”
100% correct – if we either sit back or run out of steam we look vulnerable. I do think Arteta will improve this aspect of our game over time and a few transfer windows but for now it’s something we have to focus on to start converting some of those draws into wins.
Jim
I thought it was against Leeds but you might be right. Romford or Wenger Eagle will know 😉
Jim was right – that Cesc penalty was against Barca. He did score one against leeds in the FA Cup that season though.
“6 games unbeaten now. Good times.”
___
Lol and how many of those are draws?
Also got to give a mention to Saka – kid really looks like the pick of the bunch out of the current home grown players.
If he can keep his head together he’s got a fantastic career ahead of him.
Arsenal have a dilemma over CB position. It is unclear what has gone wrong with Mari situation, but my guess is that Arsenal want a loan in January without any commitment to buy a player in the Summer. Understandably the Brazilian club want to make a sale. My guess is that they were prepared to send him out on loan but with sales option in the summer. Arsenal are in a difficult situation at moment. Chambers it out for season and it is possible that Mustafi will also be out for some time with what looks like a bad injury.… Read more »
Luiz was only suspended for one game. He’s back now. Him and Auba both return for Burnley this weekend.
@Thomas : don’t waste your time, they all been Artetized.
Romford
Think we’ll Pépé and Aubameyang on either side of Lacazette on Sunday. Hierarchy prevails
Emirates
While I agree with your general take on the situation I do think a major difference between the Wenger period and now is money. Wenger was tight and preferred not to spend whilst at the moment we just don’t have the money.
Romford Pele
It does not matter if Luiz was out for just one game. We cannot afford to risk
going into rest of season with only 3 established Centre Backs particularly when Holding looks at moment not EPL standard on evidence of what I saw in two recent games he played in first team.
So long as Mustafi was still in equation albeit ‘a mistake waiting to happen’ there was less pressure to bring someone in.
That option may well be gone if Mustafi has serious injury.
I wonder with Burnley coming up whether Ceballos will play… he absolutely killed them the first time around.
If he does a repeat performance Lacazette better find his shooting boots because he could get a few.
Holding who has just returned from injury Dont know why people cut so much slack for Holding. No he hasnt JUST returned from an injury. He’s been available for a while now. But its just that he hasn’t been good enough recently. Actually so bad that Arteta has opted for Mustafi over him. First , so many here dubbed him the Messiah who was gonna save our season. Raising your own as well everyone else’s expectations of him. Now he’s available but he’s just been very poor whenever he’s taken the field. His passing which is such a huge asset… Read more »
The Mail are reporting that the Mari deal collapsed after Arsenal wanted to change the deal after he had a medical.
If that is true I’d say we’ve done the right thing.
Dream – agreed. You could see it in his decision making yesterday.
Marc
I would not argue with your statement.
However, I think that Arsenal are probably targeting a CB in Summer who is
currently unavailable.
If that is case it is understandable that the club does not want to make a long term investment in January. It is one thing spending a £2-3 million loan fee for
half a season.
I hope Mustafi is not so injured that we can’t sell him in the summer.
The man just has to go.
Wasi
Holding has not been available for a while now – he may have come back from the ACL injury a couple of months ago but he’s been seriously struggling with other problems – a likely knock on effect of the ACL.
That’s one of the reasons I’d effectively write off Chamber for next season and why one way or another we really need another body at CB at the moment.
Leeds
We have quite a list (hopefully) of sub standard players who we need to shift in the summer.
Marc
Dont think its true.
Ornstein stated it was always the plan for Mari to go back to Brazil after the medical.
Its not like he is transferring to us from a neighbouring city or something. Its a different continent altogether.
Theres lot of stuff to be sorted, his family , his friends , his luggage and what not.
He cant just grab a trolley, come to Arsenal and start living in London.
Its just media doing what they to best. Attracting traffic through clickbait. I think this deal will surely go over the line.
Wasi
At the moment as things stand the deal is dead – the conjecture is why it fell through not about what Mari needs to pack.
Wasi
What you post is also my opinion. Holding is not a top 4 in EPL standard CB.
The only basis I would keep him is as 4th or 5th string option in our squad.
Arsenal do need to invest in a top class CB in summer and hope that Saliba is
as good as some are forecasting when his loan at St Etienne ends.
The club needs in my view at least one top notch first string CB.