The Arteta Defence: Do xGA numbers prove it’s worse? (long read)

by .

There are cries of hypocrisy from the comments section of Le Grove.

‘Pedro, you were spaffing xGA numbers all over the internet when you were anti-Emery, now you are SHOCKINGLY not. You sir, are a dirty muffin fancier’

It’s true, I have not performed a deep dive into any xG numbers for Arteta, but mostly because of my religious respect for data.

7 games is a tiny sample to start drawing conclusions from with xG data. The variables are so vast, no true Data Scientist would risk their rep by making appalling apples to dog biscuits comparisons between Unai and Arteta.

I’ve left the explanation to Champagne Charlie of the comments to point out why people looking to use xGA as a hangman’s noose are embarrassingly early to the party. This particular post starts because Emery’s last 7 games saw xGA of 1.42, versus Mikel’s 1.5… the argument is complemented by inane supporting commentary like, ‘both work with the same talent, so the situations are basically the same, and the data can be compared.’

Champagne Charlie: Why xGA comparisons of Emery and Arteta are very silly

The usual frontline warriors with the usual scrap gathering in yet another attempt to dismiss Arteta and instead drive a narrative they’ve long held. I’ll make a quick remark about the sample size of 7 games, it’s painfully low for any hard data to be exorcised from as it’s wide open to anomalous inputs. That should be pretty clear to all, alas.

Stats can paint several pictures, wield your brushes how you see fit:

Emery played 13 games this season in the PL, his average xGA was 1.62
– His highest xGA was Watford away at 2.83
– His lowest xGA was 0.38 against Newcastle opening day
– Number of games xGA was more than 1.5 was nine (9/13).

Arteta has played 7 games this season in the PL, his average xGA is 1.5
– His highest xGA came against Chelsea away at 3.27
– His lowest xGA is 0.31 against Palace
– Number of games xGA is more than 1.5 is three (3/7).

*The Chelsea game we played with 10-men for 70 minutes is the league-high xGA this season, without that match our xGA under Arteta stands at a 1.2 average for 6 games. So a 0.3 jump aka not a sample size to take seriously.*

+What none of the above tells you is one manager was 12 months into a job, and had two summers to nip and tuck the staff he had at his disposal. Whilst the other manager arrived a couple of days before Christmas Day and had to pick up the pieces and work on the fly.

+What the above also doesn’t account for is that Arteta took over and had 3 games in 5 days to contend with as an opener, followed by 4 games that have seen us reduced to 10-men in half of those.

But irrespective of that context we still have a manager that’s taken the basic average xGA number from 1.62 to 1.5 for the season. Yet I’m to establish there’s been no measurable improvement to support the visual evidence on display these past 6 weeks.

This comment on whether Arteta having an advantage as a native (kind of) was also very good (same poster).

Having any of the knowledge you’re talking about matters not one iota when it comes to implementing your own views on how YOUR side is going to play.

Arteta is doing this on the fly and trying to teach and cajole players between rest days and injury maintenance. The game is won and lost at the very elite by minor actions done on autopilot, yet there’s been nowhere near enough time for Arteta to ingrain his methods on any meaningful level.

I’m talking to the point each player knows his role and has a picture of the side in front/behind/to the side of him as he’s receiving the ball. This is huge, Liverpool are the example of this level of work that’s embedded now after years of constant training.

Every game we play early on inevitably throws up situations that are being met in our new approach for the very first time. A clanger at Chelsea, a red card in the early stages, a physical game of high balls, facing sides who press, those who sit deep, losing players to injury and having to rework it etc.

These things all upset the applecart until you’ve dealt with a few situations and learned what to do and what not to do in the respective moments. All the while you’re trying to establish a level of mastery over your new role in the side on a basic level all things being equal.

You simply don’t achieve that without logging hours in practice, the kind of hours we’ve not had the benefit of spending – hence the value of a preseason where it’s all about learning and perfecting. Idk what to tell you if that doesn’t register.

< End >

Context is king in all situations.

Having two full preseasons, £200m to spend, and 18 months working daily with players is a lot of time to make a measurable impact. It’s also a lot of time to do horrendous damage to an already broken culture – as well as the confidence of the players.

Arteta is fighting on many fronts. He’s trying to build a high-performance culture, he’s building the players fitness and confidence, he’s implementing radical ideas and he’s doing it all in the middle of the season.

Confidence is a precious commodity. One of the most valuable in sport (and life). When it goes for you as an individual, it’s terrible. When it goes for a whole squad, it’s very hard to reboot and it takes time. We experience it in our own boring lives, watch a junior staffer deal with being reamed out in a client meeting. We’ve all had it, doesn’t matter how brash you are to the outside world, it impacts your performance. Arsenal fans are the client and we’ve been slaughtering the players for a year. We broke Unai Emery, he went from touchline crazy guy to hiding in his jacket twitching out like a recovering meth addict. He couldn’t make a coherent decision, his English declined, and he reeked of a deadman. Confidence.

This is going to take time. No coach can click their fingers and make magic happen immediately. Jurgen Klopp had a similar set of criticisms when he took over at Liverpool. Worth noting he took over a team in distress far earlier (October 8th) and took them to 8th position in the first year. He had a better squad of players to work with. Firmino, Coutinho, Sturridge, Henderson, Can, Lallana, Milner, Origi, Gomez, Lovren. He also had the same troubles Arteta is suffering right now. Liverpool fans on Twitter rolled hard with #KloppOut after his side were beasted by newly-promoted Watford. Fans spread this below graphic to make the point that Klopp wasn’t a good coach.

The problems look quite similar to those we’re facing now. Tired players and some noisy fans making demands that will embarrass them in a years time. This is Klopp after losing to Palace.

“It is not a problem to lose a game. It happens in football but we have to learn,”

“If we learn, we decide how strong we are, how good we are, how awake we are and how tired we are. Nobody else. We played on Thursday [at Rubin Kazan in the Europa League] but I decide if I am tired, nobody else. Today we needed a few minutes to come into the game. It was not enough. If everyone thinks we gave everything, then it is wrong.

“After the goal on 82 minutes, with 12 minutes to go, I saw many people leaving the stadium. I felt pretty alone at this moment. We decide when it is over. Between 82 and 94 [minutes] you can make eight goals if you like.

It’s a huge trigger for people when you mention Klopp because Arteta is not Klopp, but again, let’s give some context… no manager of Klopp’s standing was going to come to Arsenal in December. We took a chance on the future. If a manager of Klopp’s level needs more than 7 games to shape things up, you’d think some of our fans might go a little lighter on someone with a lesser squad with deeper problems.

If a manager like Klopp can bring in Grujic and Stephen Caulker as his first signings, we can maybe forgive the odd signings we’re attracting (we’ll talk about where Ornstein is unsubtly pointing you on the Soares story tomorrow). He took Liverpool to 8th in his first season. The next season, he narrowly beat us to 4th… by 1 point. They made it happen on the last day of the season. The mighty Klopp only just pipped Wenger on the decline.

Anyway, just a bit of context for the folk that are polluting the airwaves with shoddy takes on data and overblown expectations without the nuance of MAJOR CONTEXT.

See you in the comments. x

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Stan_The_Asset_Stripper

Having a creative player in the mould of Santi or Gundogan who can spot a pass from deep to unleash players like PEA and Martinelli would in-turn negate the need for Laca playing through the middle.Unfortunately Ozil is not living up to his billing as one of the best no.10s ever.

kristoman

In all honesty
arteta is not the problem, the players all. No coach in this world will achieve anything with these bunch.

Zacharse

Izzo

No your facts are right on. It IS 2020. Football IS a results driven game. And it’s also true that time waits for no man. Now finish up your pudding and clean your face.

Zacharse

Tom was trying neg pedro for a date. That kind of immature misogyny has no place in 2020, just ask izzo

Zacharse

Hey i’ve got a great idea about how to solve arsenals problems. Rehire emery for that new manager bounce arteta didnt get. When that fails hire nigel fucking pearson.
Smh uncontrollably

izzo

@Zacharse Thanks for responding albeit with gibberish. At least I know to skip past whenever you comment.

Zacharse

Izzo
I’d definitely trust you to identify nonsense, just try not to repost it when you see it.

Marc

“Evidently Ozil could have moved to Qatar this window?
A move that would have been approved by Arteta ?”

It was reported on here that it was actually Arteta who stopped this move – something that might prove to be madness in time.

Stan_The_Asset_Stripper

Versus- no one knows maybe but for one, Carloti is earning £11.5m at Everton plus an addition bonus of £2.5m if he can keep the Toffees in the Premier League; Not forgetting the length of his contract. Lets not get into who ‘owns’ the club. Allegedly of course!

At the end of the day its a huge gamble for Everton which appears to be working for now but Arsenal took a view possibly by learning from Yanited.

Stan_The_Asset_Stripper

Versus- based on Carlo’s record he shouldn’t have struggled at Napoli at all.

You bringing up his record at RM and Milan is a bit of a stretch seeing as both teams had won European titles before his arrival.

James wood

Marc .
It’s madness now and has been for some time.
He’s wages alone are stopping us move on.
Surely a Grealish would be welcome.
Severely questions Arteta judgment on this player.

Pierre

Marc
“something that might prove to be madness in time.”

Or may prove to be an act of genius..who knows?

Zacharse

I for one would never think of Conte’s Chelsea as ‘magic’

Champagne charlie

“Hey i’ve got a great idea about how to solve arsenals problems. Rehire emery for that new manager bounce arteta didnt get. When that fails hire nigel fucking pearson.“

😂😂

Pierre

Izzo
“Arteta is failing. That is a fact.”

Unbeaten this year , so If we remain unbeaten through February and March then I suppose it means he is a failure.

Logical .

Spanishdave

When a manager favors players, rather than form then it will end in failure.
The players get complacent hence the poor performances.
We have to start winning we haven’t reached the 40 pt barrier yet ffs.
A rookie at the helm may not work , it’s struggling at best.

Danny

Anybody remember Beavis and Butt-Head? Well Martinelli looks so much like Butt-Head! Just saying…….

Graham62

Klopp getting too much stick for FA Cup debacle.

—————————————–

Ozil is stagnating the club in so many ways.

Jamie

Ousmane Dembele out for the season with a hamstring tear, hasn’t played since November.

Incredible when you think about how much he cost Barca.

Marc

Pierre An act of genius? Come on we know you like Ozil but he’s not producing and even the increase in work rate we saw under early Arteta is fading. His wages are crippling the club and if he’d moved on a free it would have saved the club £27,000,000 odd in wages. Do you think we’re going to suddenly get a decent bid for him in the summer when he’s down to a year left? Do you think he’s going to suddenly start getting assists again and contribute half a dozen between now and the end of the season?… Read more »

Marc

Jamie

That’s got to be some fucking hamstring tear.

Graham62

Arteta is not failing.

Who the fudge said this?

If Emery had been in charge during this period, where would we be?

Exactly!!

Marc

Pierre

“Unbeaten this year , so If we remain unbeaten through February and March then I suppose it means he is a failure. ”

As all of the PL fixtures we have left in Feb and March are at a minimum shouldn’t lose matches then you’re Zen like attempt at a comment looks pretty weak.

Jamie

Marc –

Yep, seems like a long time out, but in fairness it’s only Marca reporting that he’s out for the season. Easily a couple months with a severe tear though.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51377664

Pierre

Marc At 17.52 you said “Pierre – you seem to have a permanently “it’ll all work out” approach to Arsenal. I’m not sure you appreciate the position we’re in.” Then at 17.56 you said “As all of the PL fixtures we have left in Feb and March are at a minimum shouldn’t lose matches then you’re Zen like attempt at a comment looks pretty weak.” So one minute it’s we are in a precarious position then 4 minutes later you as good as agree with me that we we will remain unbeaten up until the end of March. Your not… Read more »

Edu me a favour

“”” Arsenal are finally playing the longer game, and the club will be better for it in due time – the thing many have suddenly disregarded from the equation in quite a spectacular fashion.”””

Literally had this same thought today , very well put CC

Rich

The Arteta bounce brigade, are footballs flat earthers.

Marc

Pierre

Firstly the precarious position I was referring to was more on the financial side, we may / are going to have issues with FFP.

I’m making perfect sense I didn’t say we’ll manage to go unbeaten I said we should be winning those matches. You’re trying to make it sound as if getting draws against teams we should beat is a positive thing. I say it isn’t.

Batistuta

Dance around it

Deny it

Throw random words at it

Player poverty is a whole thing at Arsenal football club

Batistuta

So many players unsuited to the league or what the manager is trying to do it’s not even funny plus all the baggage of having a novice learn on the job, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride

Marc

Pierre

By the way going unbeaten through Feb and March could actually mean we’re on 36 points after 30 PL matches, have been knocked out of the EL on away goals and have narrowly beaten Portsmouth in the FA Cup and have drawn Liverpool at Anfield in the Qtr finals.

You want to tell me you’d class that as a positive position?

azed

“Mikel has a lot of experience as a footballer and has worked next to Pep, who is a top manager. He perfectly fits Arsenal,” Unai Emery Arsenal manager told Marca.”

Pedro has an ally in Unai.

Pierre

Marc Put it like this , I’m not going to sit around fretting due to a draw away to Burnley on a difficult swirling wind that is always a leveller. If, come the end of March we are still languishing in mid table or worse and the football becomes as turgid as Emery’s , then I may have sone doubts. Arteta hasn’t had the best of luck so far (except the burnley miss) , red cards , dodgy ref decisions, deflected goals conceded , injuries to 3 left backs. Imagine the reaction on Le Grove if we did actually LOSE… Read more »

Zacharse

“The Arteta bounce brigade, are footballs flat earthers“

What does that make emery defenders? White supremacists?

Zacharse

Rather be a flat earther any day

Rich

Remember Emery who won promotion with Lorca for their first time in their history, then went within a whisker of back to back promotions. Then got promotion with Almeria to La Ligament for the first time in their history, at the first time of trying. Then got 3 x 3rd place finishes with Valencia, in spite of having his squad decimated every summer Who then won three Europa leagues in 3 seasons at Sevilla. Won 7 trophies in 2 years in Paris Then finished 2 points off 4th, and got to another Europa final. Is absolute garbage. And Arteta is… Read more »

badkalu

@kristoman Arteta is just trying to repair our defence, which is/was a priority. Mustafi still there, remember?
I think we’ll clearly see what he wants to do in attack only after preseason, especially since only then will be clear who stays and who goes.

Pierre

Richard….(I’m tempted to call you dick for short .)

“And Arteta is top class, because he’s taken 8/21 points.With a squad Pedro told us should 100% be getting 3rd.”

Only Joe would say something as pointless as this..

Zacharse

Are you comparing spanish league to epl?

GET THE FUCK OUT

Marc

Pierre

I’m not calling for Arteta out I’m just saying he needs to start picking up some wins.

No he’s not had much luck on referring decisions or injuries but this is Arsenal – that’s par the course.

Rich

Pierre. Pedro told us last season Emery failed. That this season we 100% had a squad that should be finishing 3rd. Now he’s celebrating 8/21 points, pleading patience, and time for more squad surgery. Whilst also trying to claim that all our signings over the past 2 years we’re Emery’s. Which I suppose none of us really know, but Ornstein has said this isn’t the case. And calling Emery a weak man, when Arteta has just allowed us to sign Soares (A Jorge Mendez client) And Mari, another client of one of Raul’s mates. I agree Arteta needs time. I’m… Read more »

Samesong

Imagine the reaction on Le Grove if we did actually LOSE a game of football

And rightly so. At least the fans are showing Pashun (Pedro word).

We as Arsenal should never get used to losing.

Yes some people go over the top with comments but that adds to the banter and plus no ones perfect.

Dissenter

Two drunk thugs threatened to kill Arsenal star Mesut Ozil and security guard who was posted outside his £9m north London home after he and fellow Gunner Sead Kolasinac were attacked by carjackers, court hears

Rich

Pedro you were long laying your groundwork of toxicity over Emery, ever since Arteta got over looked the first time. The calculation you got wrong was Emery didn’t underachieve last season, he massively overachieved, with a extremely poor squad of players. The problem he had this season, was the amount of change, people like yourself spewing their usual toxic nonsense, and a lack of patience. Once the atmosphere changed, his position became untenable. But nothing has changed, and things are more likely to get much worse, than much better. Kike Marin saying Mari + Soares aren’t Arsenal level, does this… Read more »

Pierre

“But nothing has changed, and things are more likely to get much worse, than much better.”

They’re not..

Zacharse

Rich

You talk in conjecture, you use other people’s words without understanding them and you make up facts to suit your ‘point’
Nobody buys it. Emery was garbage. Ranieri won the league w leicester not because he was a great coach. If you can’t understand what momentum does for you in pro sports there’s nothing left to argue. Get back to football manager

Rich

Pedro you’ve now set the bar for an average manager.

If Arteta doesn’t get op 4 next season?

With a squad you said was 109% good enough for third this season.

Then by your own metric, Arteta will have failed.

Arteta will likely be out of a job this time next season, but our issues aren’t coaching ones, so nothing will change.

And by your own metric, Raul is already walking all over Arteta, which makes him a weak man.

Champagne charlie

Rich

You’re retelling the story of Emery about as ignorantly as I’ve seen recalled, well done. He started well, then got progressively worse with literally every performance marker making this clear.

So no, it was nothing to do with a “lack of patience” that done him, what a weird suggestion.

Big Dave

Rich seems to smell like a certain banned poster. Same repetitive nonsense.

Jamie

“If Arteta doesn’t get op 4 next season?”

Come on, man.. Give it some time to percolate before wondering what may or may not happen by the end of next season.

Rich

The metric will be, will Arteta do better than Emery? Will the results and performances improve? I don’t think they will, and that’s not a dig at Arteta. You’re free to believe that 5th last season was underachieving, I think we overachieved. I don’t think the metrics were poor because the coaching was necessarily poor, I think we largely have a very bland and unbalanced squad, and once we get a few injuries we’re in a lot of trouble. And you couldn’t conjure up three less dynamic players than a Torreira, Xhaka, Ozil. And the narrative that Emery couldn’t get… Read more »

Rich

Pedro
I said if Arteta doesn’t get top 4 next season, by your metric he will have failed.

I disagree, I think this is a much bigger project than that, and Arteta will need 30-42 months.

But if he can’t tread water?

He’ll be out of a job inside 14months

MidwestGun

Hmmm Interesting read Peds.. I pretty much agree with what your sayin.. Not so sure about all this XG.. XGa stuff.. Last time I checked.. you cant score a 4th of a goal or a 5th of a goal.. So shouldn’t it be in round numbers? YOu either score 1 or 2 goals or you don’t. The difference between a 10th of a point is for stats nerds. Also who decides whether it should have been a goal or not? Some geek that’s never played before? I think shots on our goal tells a bigger picture. Under Emery it was… Read more »

The backpass

What a fucking goal from holland, oxford might go on to win this

Daniel Altos

This haaland kid is getting absolutely ridiculous now

Valentin

Just switched the TV on and seen the end of the Debate on Sky. Never heard so much lies by so called pundits. Former players who pretend that they have never heard about rotational fouling when those players played under Big Sam, the inventor of the concept. The fact that Zaha has been the victim to the extend that a column in the Times mentioned it. 8 fouls on the same player by 6 different players. Not a coincidence. Of course rotational fouling exists as a way to minimise yellow cards. Single niggling, small tactical fouls are rarely punished with… Read more »

Graham62

In comparison to Arteta’s limited experiences, Emery may have an impressive list of past achievements against his name, but if he had remained at Arsenal we would be in a far worse position.

I’m convinced of that.

Valentin

People who starts using Emery’s past achievement to argue that Emery should still be in place should be ready to face exactly the same argument that Wenger should still be in place due to his achievements. People needs to accept that sometimes managers lose their mojo or are just a bad fit to a club irrespective of their pedigree. Once a winning manager does not mean forever a winning manager. Sometimes managers are just lucky to be at the right club at the right time. Ranieri spent his entire career never winning anything. Then the stars aligned for him and… Read more »

Big Dave

Agree with all of that, Val. I can’t understand the bogus arguments in favour of Emery. He was a cancer to this club. He made following this club a chore, at best. How some on here try to rewrite history is beyond me. I smell a rat judging by the numbers and similar styles of writing. The ghost of Bamford is haunting us. I’m sure he in his many guises is spreading his idiotic message. He’s probably arguing right now with the cashier at his local cinema who won’t let him in. Shouting that he and Emery have been wronged.… Read more »

Words on a Blog

Graham,

Well before he lost the support of the owner and the senior execs, Emery had lost: 1) the players, and 2) the home and away supporters.

These were essentially the same group of players who’d bust a gut for him in early/mid season last year, and the same supporters who’d chanted “we’ve got our Arsenal back.”

When that happens, past experience, past records and the rest is all irrelevant, and the team haemorrhages points. It’s happened to better managers than Emery.

Ishola70

lol post triggered by Gambon.

The fella who thought Xhaka was good for the team.

Champagne Charlie

Ishola with the most Ishola comment possible.

Xhaka, the centre of his odd little universe.

Ishola70

Everybody needs to calm down.

Arteta won’t be judged right to the hilt until he has a full season with the side and a pre-season with them.

By the same token though we can do without some getting all hysterical at the mere thought that Arteta may be being questioned or criticised.

It doesn’t matter if you have managed nine games with the team or nine years. Criticism can come and does. Especially now with that instant success culture that evades top level football.

Aussie Gooner

“The only area where I see weaknesses (and potential problems for the future) in Arteta is in his in-game management.” Dear God! Is that not the most important criteria to judge a coach? This is what has been suggested by many on Le Grove. No one will deny that Arteta has inherited a shit fest but why is he unable to see what the average fan can see on the pitch? (ie poor team selection, inappropriate substitutions, inability to adapt formations during games etc etc. For those that live on stats here’s a couple: (1)We are in 10th place in… Read more »

Dissenter

Valentin
You went over the top often in your Emery attacks last season. There was a persistent over-reaching in criticizing Emery.
I recall that you famously blamed Emery for Holding’s injury last season. That was just as silly as anyone blaming Arteta for Chamber’s recent injury .

Freddie Ljungberg

Pedro That Xhaka did ok in a low block, backs against the wall scenario and managed to not gift away a goal doesn’t suddenly mean that he’s transformed as a layer or suited to the league as a midfielder. He’s still going to get done for pace, he still has a mistake in him, he still has the turning circle of an oil tanker and he is still a fouling machine. He also offers very little going forward and slows play down more often than not. So yeah, uncoachable in the sense that he’s never going to take us up… Read more »

Freddie Ljungberg

Pedro

It was when Holding was injured landing awkwardly, exactly like when Chambers did it.

Was just as ridiculous to blame Emery for Holdings injury as it would be to blame Arteta for Chambers.

Freddie Ljungberg

Pedro

He’s been doing better, I’ll give him that.

Still not anywhere close to the standard we need, too many flaws that we have to compensate for and for very little upside.

Zacharse

The next run of 6 games favors us. Hopefully we can get a run going.
4 home games w the 2 away being olympiakos and portsmouth.

Freddie Ljungberg

Pedro

So is Arteta responsible for the exact same thing happening to Chambers then?

No, of course not, not everything is a big conspiracy and there’s not always someone to blame, sometimes shit just happens.

Just as you can’t plan for a horror tackle injuring your player.

If it was a muscle strain or a hamstring popping then sure, go ahead and blame fatigue or being in the red zone, but a freak landing, nah. Not buying it.

Redtruth

From ARSENAL TRUTH

If you compare Emery’s last 9 games to Arteta’s first 9, Arsenal have given up 6% possession and had 26% less shots on target. This has been traded for a reduction of 9 shots on target (1 per game) from the opposition.

Freddie Ljungberg

Ah, so Chambers landing awkwardly was Emerys fault. Should have seen that one coming honestly. Smh.

Hear he’s doing awful things to Ramsey down in Turin as well, when will his reign of terror end, oh the humanity…

Dissenter

Pedro
“Freddie, landing can be affected by fatigue. It’s part of balance. 3 games in 6 days after an injury. No doubt the club investigated that.”

[bad] landings can also be affected by
-poor/improper footwear
-slippery turf
-collision with another player
-foot getting stuck in the turf
-malicious/dangerous play
etc…etc…etc

That didn’t stop you [and Valentin] from blaming Emery though. You pulled no punches min slandering Emery

Dissenter

***You pulled no punches in slandering Emery

Freddie Ljungberg

“You did the same with Aaron Ramsey, everyone scoffed, then the manager came out and owned up to it.” There’s about a 30% chance of Ramsey getting injured every time he plays, he’s broken, just like Jack is, the man can’t even stay fit in Serie A. If it didn’t happen in that game it would have happened in the game after or 2 games after, it’s just how it is with him. No one is defending Emery, your claims are just ridiculous. I understand that you need content and having someone to blame is a better narrative, that doesn’t… Read more »

Freddie Ljungberg

Pedro

“Holding was forced off in the first half of the Gunners’ 2-2 draw with Manchester United on Wednesday after a challenge from Marcus Rashford”

Scientific evidence that I was wrong? Where?
That blurb you posted above that there are some links in some cases to fatigue and landing related injuries? Yeah, overwhelming evidence in this case that.

Freddie Ljungberg

“Freddie, landing can be affected by fatigue. It’s part of balance. 3 games in 6 days after an injury. No doubt the club investigated that.” I’m arguing against this and the claim from you that Emery apparently caused both Holdings and Chambers injuries. Thought that was obvious. You claiming a win after posting an article from 1992 about some correlation between fatigue and landing injuries is cute and all but it doesn’t really prove anything in these cases. Like I said, there’s not always a bad guy in everything, if you want to think that that’s fine, doesn’t mean you’re… Read more »

Receding Hairline

Calling a manager with 10 career trophies to his name, two first time ever league promotions for unknown teams who then went into obscurity after he left garbage is slander. It left the realm of criticism based on facts and descended to personal petty insults based simply on the fact you hated him and his lack of sauce and wanted a more dare I say handsome and savvy fellow on the touchline. You have just read a post that pointed out we have traded a lot of good aspects to our game for a negligible return in the shots conceded… Read more »

Dark Hei

Wow, it is as if Wenger never left. What a spectacle.

Who wants popcorn?

Dark Hei

I am disappointed about the last result; really wanted the team to be better than this.

Nevertheless, I am still convinced that Emery should leave.

Kind of like in the Gervinho thing, where he left and did well at Roma while we brought in Podolski who ain’t THAT convincing.

Yet, I am still convinced that it was the right move and no, I did not want Gervinho back.

kristoman

Dark hei
i need a bucket load of it.
i mean the popcorn

kristoman

Dark Hei
nobody wants emery back. What people finding to understand is why the metric used emery are now been shun under arteta?

Dark Hei

kristoman

Ha ha.

I don’t like Emery because his football is joyless. Once we don’t even win games, there is absolutely nothing left. And when his polite demeanour turned into sniping, that was really it.

As for Arteta, the football is enjoyable. But the results ain’t much to shout about either.

But hey, at least it is entertainment. (Not the last match)

As long as Arteta keeps up with the positive football, I will hum along. But results is the meat and drink of football. And yes, I consider xG part of the results.