Via Arsenal.com
Mikel Arteta seemed relatively pleased in his press conference when talking about the two new additions to the side. With Cedric Soares, he’s hired in some needed experience and a player he hopes is desperate to take his chance at an elite club. With Pablo Mari, a player he specifically said the club have looked at for months, he has a ball playing center-back with a left foot he hopes can open up the pitch and give him more options.
Soares dropped his first press conference and to be honest, he just seems really fucking energised to be at a big club.
That’s massive for me to come here. Like I said, I came to the Premier League four-and-a-half years ago and now to achieve this move to Arsenal is massive. It’s all I wanted and it’s really important in my career as well.
He explained his game, and it reads fairly Mikel Arteta.
It’s a tough one! One hundred per cent that I will give all my best every day and every game. That’s for sure. I try to be a guy with energy, a player that goes up and down. I like to consider myself a team player and yes, what can I say? It’s difficult when you need to talk about yourself! But again, I will give my 100 per cent for the team and for the fans.
If he comes in, works hard, puts in a shift for his team and lands 9 assists, I will be happy. At this point, we have to ignore the super-agent fingerprints (Correction: Kia for Suarez) and hope that the club offered Arteta the options he needed, and they actually work for him.
Defensively, Matt Scott had some numbers on the players. A bit of a bruiser with some untapped attacking flair.
Cedric has the seventh-highest tackle rate per 90mins among all Premier League defenders this season. The nearest Arsenal player is Calum Chambers in 20th. After him, it’s Sead Kolasinac. In 48th. pic.twitter.com/ZXshBO9K8Y
— Football DNA (@ftballDNA) January 28, 2020
The great thing about new players is regardless of what you think about quality, they refresh the squad from an energy perspective. Players are like fans, they get excited about new transfers and fresh blood in the office. After Sunday, the squad, coronavirus issues pending, fly out to Dubai for some training. Arteta made a point that the players haven’t had more than 2 days off since he started. He wants to use the trip to develop his concepts and to ‘live’ with the players a bit.
I thought Mikel’s point about being happy about the window, more so because of the lack of exits, was pertinent. Before Emery was booted, we were looking at Auba, Torreira and Xhaka exiting. A month later, all three look revitalised on the pitch. Additionally, the big hype conversation amongst the fans is around how good AMN could be in the midfield (reminder of what he can do below).
📽️Ainsley Maitland-Niles vs Man Utd at Old Trafford, EPL 2017/18🎥
Granit Xhaka at the base of the midfield 3
AMN in the box-to-box bridge CM role while Iwobi has the free CM/CAM role
Bullish midfield display from Niles on the day pic.twitter.com/Ui5h3YUZ41
— Phantomn AFC (@PhantomnAFC) January 30, 2020
The overriding thought seems to be that he’ll be pushed into the midfield, with right-back duties handed back to the specialists. AMN brings power, pace and a lot of mobility to a midfield that has lacked it. The player has always drawn heavy critique, unfair in my opinion, but I think it’s absolutely apparent now that if you’re not coached properly or told what to do on the pitch, you’ll probably not develop.
I watched an HBO doc about Nick Saban and Bill Belichek last night. One dominates the NFL, the other, College Football. It was quite interesting listening to them talk about sport. One of their big slogans is ‘do your job’, they both talked about that goes beyond just a nice soundbite… the gist, if you don’t tell athletes exactly what they should be doing, they won’t know. Communication and attention to detail is absolutely essential.
We’re seeing that sort of mindset being brought to The Arsenal. Everyone knows their role on the pitch. Is it perfect yet? No. But we’re on the right track. The length of passing lanes has shortened, players off the ball movement is strategic, we press in packs, and we have players operating in intelligent ways that highlight their positive attributes, and minimise their not-so-great attributes.
It’s been hard to judge talent under the latter years of Wenger and entire tenure Unai Emery because it was unclear what the job was. Now the players are being held accountable to a specific role, it’s going to be far easier to see who can live up to the new standards, and who can’t.
The impressive thing is this: Everyone is back on the table. That’s what makes the backend of the season so interesting. We’re seeing a reinvigorated set of players and now we’ll be able to make honest assessments of talent. It’s amusing that some fans think this is an about-face by me, it’s absolutely not, when the information changes, you reassess. Only dim people lock themselves into a forever view I’m afraid. If I am proved totally wrong by David Luiz and Granit Xhaka, I will eat that humble pie and wash it down with some of that MustafiCouldBeBaresi Hot Sauce. Sometimes in life, you have to accept you were wrong and hit the town dancing with the L.
A huge game this Sunday. We need to go to Burnley with energy and purpose and we need to bring home the 3 points. David Luiz returns to the side, so does Auba. It’ll be interesting to see who keeps their place. I’m hoping we see Gabriel in the starting 11. Will we see Saka? What will the defence look like? So much to look forward to.
Right, that’s me done, see you in the comments. x
Boom
tr4phy
2
3rd
ha ha.. The whole numbering system is messed up in this site..
Too late
Good Post Pedro, if we can get some productivity from the new guys, they don’t need to be world beaters, then the squad as a whole will benefit. For people who are poo-pooing these deals, we have no money guys. AMN in the middle may work but even if it doesn’t whats wrong with having a decent utility player in the squad? As long as he’s not a walking liability I see no issue with him at the Arsenal for the foreseeable future. I’d love Lemar to come in now as I think it puts us in a stronger position… Read more »
AMN appears to be quite passive on the field compared to Guen, Willock Torr and Ceballos. Now that Xhaka becomes a specialist in Arteta’s system, AMN will not get much game time in the midfield.
I like that we are getting bigger…in the sense that Mari and Salida are 6-3, 6-4 and AMN in mid-field should add some muscle
we may be escaping the “don’t like it oopem” era
The deals are great and in part of the pitch we needed strength and numbers.
I still don’t see much difference in the middle of the pitch. It’s still the old Xhaka, Torreira, Guendouzi and Ozil foursome getting all the game time. I just dont see that as being dynamic and it certainly has it’s weaknesses and feels like the area of the team we have to fix if we’re serious about stepping up.
4th?
I think it’s way more likely that ANM gets (rightly) binned off in the summer, in the hope that mugs like Bournemouth come in and offer £10-15 million to take him off our hands.
I’m glad Arteta has the sense to know he is not a serious option at full back, and most likely the sense to know he’s not good enough full stop.
Interesting post, Pedro. I am strongly in favour of AMN moving into midfield. He has been a fish out of water at full back and he now has an opporutnity to make his mark. I believe there is a good player in there trying to get out. I also agree that the players at last know what they are doing. Their roles are more clearly defined, the team’s structure is clearer and the tactics are a lot more obvious. The last years of Wenger were a nightmare, with players simply asked to “express themselves” and take no notice of how… Read more »
Midfield needs an overhaul this summer
Need goal scoring and creative midfield
Energy and speed too
Nelson Its just Amn’ nature. Watching him feels like he isnt even trying. But its just his demeanor. Tbf to him he pocketed Pogba in that game. And Pogba himself acknowledged him. I did wonder why Amn didn’t get many midfield games after that showing. But it was more down to injuries at LB, RB and his quality to cover in those areas. + Wenger didnt trust Kola in a back 4 and usually dropped him for Amn a lot of the times. And fair play to him he didn’t do that bad out of position. Now with Soares in… Read more »
If the ludicrous Matt Scott rates Cedric- you can guarantee the player will be turn out be an out and out flop.
If Scott had his way- Unai Emery would still be in charge.
If there is a more preposterous journalist than this chap- I have yet to come across him*
(*nice chap -I am sure he is and a chum of our PedRo aside)
Just my opinion.
The infuriating Niles at midfield?
I can imagine it now, gives the ball away with a casual pass and then sits down to have a cuppa while the opposition score.
Niles
Willock
Nelson
Nkietiah
Holding ( crock )
These are ones I hope Arsenal don’t waste their time and resources on any longer.
Rambo, quick question:
Are you still butt hurt about Aaron’s departure? Asking for Pierre
To those who misguidedly spout AMN in any position. I always ask. If he was playing for any other team. Would you be clamouring for Arsenal to sign him?. Average players make for average teams.
Maitland-Niles is shit. Should be sold in the summer.
Rambo. You’re a hard hearted bastd. But I agree with you completely. None of those players even have the promise of Wilshere…and we wasted 10 years and millions on his bandy legged crocked arse as well
I see Martinelli and I say to myself. Thank God he plays for Arsenal. I see AMN. I think I. Oh dear.
Global,
Makes no sense to persist with lads who obviously will never make it at the club. Arsenal needs to learn to start treating their players as employees.
If you’re not good enough, get rid, bring in the next batch and lets see what they got.
Looks like we are going to flog the AMN vs UTD the same Wilshere vs Barca is put by those who still thinks he should be at the club.
“We’re seeing a reinvigorated set of players”
The same set of player unable to get more than 1 point per game ?
*playerS
I think it’s too early to be so strongly opinionated about AMN…
after Arteta has used him in a role that suits him — rather than as a squad player who’s filling in — you’re opinions may be the same, but at least you will have some data to back them up
Did we even win said game against Utd. Didnt check the video
Arteta seems to know how to use his players correctly. We see Torr, Xhaka, Saka and Martinelli all excel under his direction. If Arteta decides to move AMN out of the LB position, he probably has a plan to maximize AMN’s strength. He may surprise us.
Arsenal cannot afford to make the same mistakes made with Gnabry in the past with some of the young players.
Players like AMN have not had the chance to excel in the position that suit their skillsets.
Under a coach like Arteta AMN can perform well. If he does not perform up to expectations within the next six months then you can sell him.
There is a player in there.
I read some of the stuff on here and truly wonder if some of the contributors have ever been involved with, or understand, team sport at all. This outcry for the shiniest of talent is so unbearable, totally and utterly proven bullshit with some of the greatest sides in the modern history of the game, let alone the notables of the prem: – Leicester won a league with a brilliant team full of good players and the odd baller all knowing their roles – Liverpool are the best side on the planet full of good players, and some very clear… Read more »
Does anyone here really know what AMN’s best position is?
Left back.
Left back in the changing room.
Totally agree CC.
“Left-sided CB to offer us something else entirely from the back? Done. Specialist RB to challenge Bellerin and release AMN whom is considered a CM? Done. Both in Jan.”
All this Done , Done stuff
We are talking about average (hopefully, cos personally i consider Soares below average) being brought in on six months loan deals. You are screaming done like we brought in players you have been aching to see in an Arsenal shirt.
If Soares was not so cheap he would be nowhere near the Emirates except as a visiting opposition player
Unai Emery has accused the Arsenal supporters of “throwing him out of the club”
I know, I know. It’s all Pedro’s fault.
Agreed Charlie!
Afternoon, gents. Solid piece today, Pete. And ‘off course, I thank you for it’. I too think we should move AMN into midfield. Kid isn’t a RB, but hopefully his time in that position has improved his overall defensive abilities (a seemingly crucial component to Arteta’s strategy for every player on the pitch in terms of constant pressing/closing down space). I don’t rate him particularly highly, but he’s one of us. He’s also young enough to improve considerably under proper tactical coaching. He held onto Theo talking about him being a youngster until he was in his late 20s ffs.… Read more »
I once recall some people on this blog slagging Wijnaldum off as average……look at him in the Liverpool squad, same with Henderson after moving from Sunderland….
Now slagging Mari and Cedric off as nothing but below average, as if they really know WTF they’re talking about. You know nothing!
We* held onto Theo
Emery waiting for Pedro in the ebening to punch him in the throat. Poor guy had PTSD after the sack.
Agree with CC. Top post.
We have to back Arteta, or why the fuck are we here?
“We have to back Arteta, or why the fuck are we here?”
Having reservations about the quality of players brought into the squad and not wanting to see a very limited player like AMN heralded as a midfield option for a supposed top four club does not translate to not backing Arteta
The ESPN ‘s “luck index” that has Arsenal on the wrong end of refereeing decisions to the tune of 9 points , along with the yellow cards given per fouls committed are beyond ridiculous.
Arsenal fans should start a gofundme page for an all expenses paid three weeks vacation to Wuhan for Mike Riley, Dean and Atkinson.
I’m good for a tenner.
Receding – I certainly wasn’t accusing anyone of not backing Arteta, I was just throwing it out there. I probably should’ve written “I’m supporting Arteta.” I enjoy your content more than most, for the record. Having reservations about incoming players is totally legitimate too from where I’m sitting. For me, I’ll wait until they’ve played a handful of games before I rate them, as I did this summer with David Luiz. A select few posters here didn’t offer him the same courtesy when he was an Emery/Raul recruit. I’m just trying to be consistent. I’m also not convinced by AMN,… Read more »
Please not him FFS…
To clarify, I enjoy your content more than most meaning I enjoy your content more than most of the other content, NOT I enjoy your content more than most other posters enjoy your content.
The latter would be a totally shitty thing to say, so I just wanted to make sure it didn’t read that way.
Receding Unsurprising that you latch onto the possibility of failure as your defining input. I say “done” because we had a need that we have addressed given the means of the window and all those associated with the club financially at this present moment. Cedric wouldn’t have been bought otherwise? Fantastic insight, got any more? Will he prove a success given his remit? Watch you fucking wriggle if indeed he does. Tell you what, if he plays more than 90 mins he eclipses the efforts of the transfer you spent months defending. So have one of them seats you’re always… Read more »
“I’m also not convinced by AMN, but in his defence, he’s received questionable tactical instructions for 24 months and counting. If Arteta has sauce, he’ll improve him over the next 18 months.” Jamie honestly the questionable tactical instructions bit has gotten quite old. Arteta as of yet cannot claim to be a great tactical master better than Arsene Wenger or the much hated Unai Emery. We have had a few good games under Arteta, nothing as exceptional or game changing as some on here will have us believe. Any coach needs good players , we have just brought in two… Read more »
Charles nothing you have to say is of interest to me
Using Suarez as a barometer of what constitutes a good signing shows you are delusional
Suarez was a crap signing ..so? what does that have to do with bringing in two player who may struggle to earn minutes at clubs lower than us?
I will tell you what…Nothing
No seat for you today, you actually deserve to stand
You have either got it or you don’t.
Is Saka a leftback? Does anyone have to bother making up lame excuses for him? And this kid is 18.
How old is Niles?
Receding, In AMN’s defence he has been played out of position (first as a left back, then as a right back for the vast majority of matches in which he’s been played by Wenger, Emery, Freddie and now Arteta. He has been ok under the first 3 managers, suffering from a number of lapses of concentration, but has improved significantly under the “tucked in RB role” created for him by Arteta. The problem with that from AMN’s perspective is he’s still out of position. From Arteta’s perspective, the problem with the “tucked in role” is that it can leave Pepe… Read more »
Rh
Yeah? Well tough shit because the more Arteta improves “shit” players, the more you’re going to have your nose rubbed in your own shite like a puppy learning the ropes
————
Is this still a thing where you live or just a figure of speech.
I hope the latter otherwise you should really stay away from house training puppies, Un.
Where is the data to back up all this claims of “not good enough”. And what are the alternatives?
Always love seeing deluded and hateful nonsense spouted here a la rambo when something potentially good happens at the club. Look forward to seeing the arteta and the team put these morons back into their high chairs. Nap Time Idiots!
AMN s IQ isnt as high as un na nai’s (lols) that rules him out of being a good CM, he could try be a DM like le coq but ze mental strength is questionable too.
Im telling you this for free!
Zacharse,
Love seeing buffooons such as yourself who actively feasted on the negativity for years under Wenger and Emery suddenly become patrons of positivity and blind faith. Fvckwit.
“Using Suarez as a barometer of what constitutes a good signing shows you are delusion“ Don’t trip up on what I’m saying, he’s no barometer for me thanks very much. I’m saying quite simply that given you spent months defending that transfer, even after the fact, that you really ought to keep it zipped over all the preemptive bollocks about these two. Both provide us reinforcements in areas we require as per the managers say so. If that isn’t computing with you then not much else to say on the matter. “what does that have to do with bringing in… Read more »
Because AMN is ‘home-grown ‘ and versatile it is likely we will hold onto him. I’m not sure many posters on here appreciate that squad construction is a sensitive balancing act with FFP rules and Prem League rules on home-grown players. Zaha has torn us to pieces in the past but was in AMN’s pocket at Selhurst a couple of weeks ago . He needs to prove himself in midfield but the boy is definitely not ‘ shit’ and has had a decent season at a club that was falling apart until late December. That’s a tough environment for young… Read more »
Rambo
Sounds more like nonsense than a viewpoint but we can agree to disagree lol
“Is Saka a leftback? Does anyone have to bother making up lame excuses for him? And this kid is 18.” I agree with Rambo on this. Flamini played left back and played it well. Heck even Xhaka played CB and LB under Emery and was ok. Toure came to Arsenal as a midfielder and played CB Lauren came as a midfielder and made the RB his own AMN has played the last 3 years as a fullback and if we are still making excuses about him as a full back, then there’s a serious problem. PS: I’m pretty sure Valentin… Read more »
Receding – I hear you. AMN might have already peaked, who knows. I’m kind of looking at it from the Arteta angle, though. Imagine if he can improve a few of our youngsters – AMN, Nelson, Saka.. it would be tremendous for us supporters. For me, that’s one of the best things about being a supporter; the potential for a kid who’s been with us since he was single-digit age improving and staking a claim in the starting 11 by his mid 20s. Granted, it almost never happens, but I love the thrill of the chase, so to speak. As… Read more »
Any spare tickets for burnley.. I am in Manchester
CG
I agree. Matt Scott is not worth listening to.
CC
I’m in agreement with your perceptions on Arteta.
Let’s give him our full support..
Jamie to Receding
“To clarify, I enjoy your content more than most meaning I enjoy your content more than most of the other content, NOT I enjoy your content more than most other posters enjoy your content.”
Wouldn’t it have been easier to say that you are the only one who enjoys his content
Pierre –
You’ve made a few decent posts recently. Don’t be a dick and revert back to type.
“Er, thanks, I guess”
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
AMN at CM is just a recipe for his brain dead switching off and citing his one game vs United is so Wilshere vs Barca like…
You lot do know it’s not a crime to say an Arsenal player isn’t good enough and won’t make it here right?
Jamie
Sorry, couldn’t resist…
Have to say this place has gotten a lot more militant of late, almost every and any criticism of any player or anything the manager does is met with such strong defence sometimes abuse it’s unnervingly looking like Untold back in the day….
Bati
Its only a crime if you’re wrong and won’t shut up
Complaining about the LG militant vibes? Born yesterday?
Loan signings are largely useless and I’m sure the stats back me up here. Who was the last loanee either loaned out of or loaned into Arsenal that made a mark?
But ofcourse, for a certain ilk, everything Arsenal became butterflies and daisies as soon as they got the manager they fancied. And they don’t tolerate anyone smearing this happy picture. It would have been less embarrassing if these same cvnts hadn’t spent the last 18 months critiquing everything Arsenal.
“Butterflies, daisies and 18 months of critiques” sounds like a lovely coloring book. From everyone at LG, good luck w your future endeavors!
Given his recent performances I thought AMN may yet make a decent RB. But I don’t see him as a CM at all… just not switched on enough, too casual.
The fact that we’ve picked up Soares suggests Arteta doesn’t rate him as RB or is seeing something I haven’t seen to date.
Junichi Inamoto
Julio Baptista
Yossi Benayoun
Emiliano Viviano
Kim Kallstrom
Denis Suarez
Dani Ceballos
—————————————
Some list this
Lolz did Viviano even play any games for us? Such a pointless signing at the time
“Lolz did Viviano even play any games for us? Such a pointless signing at the time”
Ah but he had such a lovely name that rhymed. I’m sure little Zachary loved it.
Rambo how about you fvck off then?
You literally can’t be caught saying anything positive about the club but to come on here daily and subject us with your juvenile tantrums, I mean why bother? You clearly don’t support the club but just here to wind up folk.. Get a life already u spanner.
Rambo and his coloring book sensibilities. Just proving my point over and over and over and over and over and over
Every team needs a John O Shea or a Milner. Plus we need some home grown players. As long as AMN gives a 100%, wherever and whenever he is called upon, it should be fine.
Saka used to be a left back when he was young and he’s a straight A’s student with a good brain. Even currently, he one of the most intelligent players in the squad, even more than Martinelli.
He’s possibly our future play maker from the left , so we shouldn’t really compare Saka with AMN
Lolz Rambo is quite the character but it’s just his opinion at the end of the day, thought we’re all allowed that on here
Hey CG
Full does of games in the league tomorrow, for any predictions a good ol punter like myself can latch onto?
How about some of you losers actually counter my points rather than crying about big, bad Rambo?
We really have to win at Burnley on Sunday, About time we start moving up the table
No doubt Burnley are a plucky side and will attempt to bully and kick us off the pitch, hopefully the ref is alert to those antics, we should prevail by just being the more technical and better side
Dont care the manner of victory, even if its a boring and ugly 1:0 win I don’t care,just any WIN will do
I have criticized AMN just like many of you in the past. He has had problems with consistency and sometimes he looks like he doesn’t care because of his body language. Points I disagree with 1. “He should be an excellent fullback”. This I don’t agree with, he played all his life as a midfielder or a winger and he started learning the defensive side of the game at twenty. Somebody put saka as an example of not knowing a position and playing it well. As much as I like Saka , people forget he started out as a left… Read more »
Pls someone stop the bin dippers already..Can just about stomach them running away with the title but going about it unbeaten will just about be too much to take
Hopefully it doesn’t come down to us having the final say, not sure my nerves can take it, would be some scene though if we pull it off.
Don
That video clip was amazing. You just knew the Shark was stalking the man and could of had him with one bite if it wanted to.
This I don’t agree with, he played all his life as a midfielder or a winger and he started learning the defensive side of the game at twenty. Somebody put saka as an example of not knowing a position and playing it well. As much as I like Saka , people forget he started out as a left back and switched to a winger recently. 1) AMN would not be the first footballer to change position. 2) He’s being playing as a fullback for 3 years. The idea that he just started learning the defensive side of the game is… Read more »
Victorious
Yea no excuses for not winning on Sunday, one of those where the win is probably more important than the performance as we’ve had those now… United won there as did Chelsea so can’t see any excuses as to us not doing same there on Sunday, anything other than 3 points would be worrying
Rambo
You made a list of loan signings, hardly qualifies as a point. Neither does criticising someone for being negative about late-wenger/emery era teams. Maybe this makes sense inside your skull but it certainly doesn’t when you try to explain it. As for arguing whatever it is you want to argue about how we should all be angry about Arteta making solid signings out of nothing and AMN being shit, no one but Bati is biting
AMN hasn’t shown the positional discipline and tactical nous to suggest he would excel as a DM. You cannot afford to loose concentration as a DM.
Nothing in AMN’s game has shown he would be an excellent B2B midfielder also.
Is AMN a useful squad player, YES.
Azores where you can do a sperm whale dive. (Lube dive) 😆😆😆
where the Sharks big? when you were in cage.
Rambo, only one person crying on this thread.
Accept Arteta is showing up your campaign against him. Embrace him. Love him. Take your bad vibes to the bin and burn them with your Emery scarf.
“You made a list of loan signings, hardly qualifies as a point.” Which point- that loan signings largely fail to deliver an impact citing all that Arsenal have made it the last decade or two? Make sense? Or would writing it in fonts of different colors help fire up the brain? “Arteta making solid signings out of nothing” Arsenal have had two transfer windows knowing CBs are the biggest areas of concern and the best they have come up with are a Chelsea reject and a loanee. Monreal was a solid player and they replace him with a known Crock.… Read more »
Azed Flamini was a DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER. he knew how to play the defensive side of the game. AMN wasn’t horrible at fullback too. He was average. He would play a good game and his inconsistency would show up some how. I think he can be a good athletic CM if he puts his mind to it and cuts out his losses of concentration. Any way Here is what arteta thinks. Assuming he is referring to Saka as the winger, AMN must be the central midfielder and I agree with him. Mikel Arteta: “We are playing with full-backs that are not… Read more »
“Monreal was a solid player and they replace him with a known Crock”
Monreal’s legs had gone – he was a solid player for us, better than that actually but the emphasis needs to be on “was”
See the problem w yr point is that theres a new manager now. Your argument equates arteta w emery and late wenger and thats the problem. You also think luiz is a reject. I disagree. Youve also labeled the two signings shit before theyve played a single game, again i disagree. Big bad rambos argument laid bare w/out much work
Pedro, only one scarf I’ve waved thus far and he fvcked off to Turin.
Also i’d love to see some colorful fonts…
IN YOUR FUCKING COLORING BOOK