Winter is over (the break bit)

by .

The winter break is OVER and the football can begin.

The good news is the squad will all boast a light bronze tan coming out of the Dubai camp, good for confidence. They’ll also have had some time to mentally recalibrate and they’ll no doubt have a bit more juice in the legs (legal juice).

The injury story is finally starting to look a little less bleak. The Newcastle game this weekend will see the return of Reiss Nelson, Saed Kola, and Bukayo Saka. Three crucial players to the Arteta model. Power and pace. Something we miss too often in this squad.

Pablo Mari is being earmarked for the Europa League game against Olympiacos on Thursday. Cedric has some work to do to get over his problems. Cal and Kieran are still a way off.

Quite a lot of the pre-game chat was about squad rebuilding for this summer. Mikel had this to say on the planning process.

“Absolutely, we have to plan,”

“We need to know the direction we want to head and to do that we need bear in mind different scenarios.

“With that in mind I have to tell the club what we need, where we think we can improve and where we need to aim.

“If we all aim for the same things, we put a plan in place to execute it, and make the process as short as possible.”

I suspect the direction of this summer will be far more pointed than it has been. Mikel seems much more clear in what his plan for the squad is and hopefully that will be reflected in the types of player we bring in, but more importantly, the emergence of Edu should ensure that this summer, things move a lot quicker.

The Mirror reckon we’ll likely move on a lot of the players with one year left on their deals. They expect to see Auba, Lacazette and Leno receive big money offers… and I’d be fine with that, provided we don’t bring in a load of bums in to replace them. Youth, power, pace and elite levels of football intelligence.

There’s a story doing the rounds that Saka is nowhere near on his deal negotiations. I know he’s a top talent, so the interest from other clubs is likely real, but I think he’d be made to leave a club that’s giving him what he wants: trust, coaching, game time. He has a good thing here, the fans love him, and he’s living in London.

The Newcastle game is big. I think we need to see an uptick in output. Arteta has been working his process through the club, he’s spent some time with the players, had some good moments, some bad.. but the squad is united.

Now let’s see what it has to offer.

Mesut Ozil has been taking a pasting from everyone this week. His output has declined at a rapid rate, and he’s under pressure for more than his body language. He needs to turn up, convert the effort into assists, and he has to start influencing games like he used to.

Overall, the team needs to be more ambitious in the final third. We have a very exciting front three however you package them. Better finishing, more ambition, and faster movement.

The next 5 games are about finding the balance. We are harder to beat, no doubt, but we’re not protagonists at the moment. We’re a little bit Wenger of a few years ago. It’s almost a tactical ploy to give us the ball, because we’ve no idea how to use the advantage. I think Nuno said he doesn’t believe in ‘pointless possession’, that’s where we are, we need some edge… and for me, there is no doubt we have the players to move to the next level there at this moment.

We have a pretty fair run of fixtures over the next two months. We need to make it count, get some wins, improve the football, and build some belief going into the summer.

See you in the comments. x

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Peter

1st

Peter

DM

Peter

Come on

grooveydaddy

Tr4phy

Peter

Tro4hy

grooveydaddy

As you were

Ernest Reed

“They expect to see Auba, Lacazette and Leno receive big money offers…” Not Laca, he’s no longer worthy of any big money. “Mesut Ozil has been taking a pasting from everyone this week. His output has declined at a rapid rate, and he’s under pressure for more than his body language. ” Pretty much all fact in its accuracy. Despite some on here continually plugging for Ozil, he’s a totally spent once-upon-a-time force who quite honestly, is not deserving of any starts let alone early substitutions. He’s strictly a mop-up caliber player now. He can say all the right things… Read more »

Wasi

We’ve got quite an easy run in now since the City game has been postponed. And honestly I think we should be looking to get maximum points from them starting at Home to Newcastle. With some time to work on the tactical things I hope Arteta tries to implement the on and off the ball type movements on the Right side just like the Left. Pepe has been criticised a lot and most of it has been unwarranted. And it doesn’t help that most of our attacks go down the left and also when it does go down the right… Read more »

Ernest Reed

“Hopefully Pepe kicks on from now just like he did in his first season with Lille where he was poor for the first 6 months and then performed so well in the next 18 months we ended up paying 72 mil for him.”

There are things in life that makes one really wonder, why?

Pepe has talent with his feet, but fancy footwork isn’t going to get it done in the Premier League where a shove nullifies things rather quickly. Pepe remains a work in progress, an expensive one at that.

alexanderhenry

Pedro

Ozil is finished and I think Arteta knows it. He might do a few things for us against poorer sides this season, but really, it’s time to stop hoping or wishing that the guy turns some kind of corner or changes his attitude.

Thig is, there is no point in Arteta ringing the changes at this point, hence his praise of ozil, xhaka etc. He’s keeping them on board temporarily I think.
I hope come the summer he’ll be ruthless and get rid of them.

Graham62

alexanderhenry

I think we all know Ozil is finished but, for the sake of Arsenal Football Club, I hope he proves us all wrong.

Now wouldn’t that be a miracle.

Pierre

Fancy footwork gets it done for Salah and there is no reason why it won’t get it done for Pepe. I think Pepe and Salah have many similarities in their game, both have quick feet, both are very dangerous in and around the box and both can be wasteful in possession but both are very dangerous players. Of course Salah is p!saying at a different level at the moment, he is playing with confidence and he is playing in a 4-3-3 ,which allows him to play higher up the pitch , you will rarely see Salah deep in his own… Read more »

Alexanderhenry

Graham

It’s time to move on I think.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read what ifs about Özil on here and elsewhere.
Should we change the formation to suit Özil?
Is it the manager’s fault for not knowing how to get the best out of Özil.

Etc etc…

Compare that to Fabregas, a player Özil was supposed to resemble.
There was never any question about his ability or commitment.

Marc

Pedro

“We have a pretty fair run of fixtures over the next two months. We need to make it count, get some wins, improve the football, and build some belief going into the summer.”

Whilst I agree with this 100% the other reason we need a good run over the next 2 months is because after that we have 5 really tough fixtures out of our remaining 7 matches. If the next 2 months don’t go to plan the end of the season could be really nasty.

Words on a Blog

Pierre,

Agree on your points on Pepe/Salah, and that Pepe would work better in a 4-3-3.

As well as your point about chopping and changing formations, I don’t think Arteta will go for a 4-3-3 as we don’t have the right (I..e sufficiently athletic) mix of players for a midfield 3.

I’m not known for the accuracy of my predictions, but I’m pretty confident that we’ll win against the Geordies. They tend to sit deep and counterattack and are not known for their high press, which should suit us.

Ernest Reed

“I think Pepe and Salah have many similarities”.

The only similarity that either has with each other is that they play football in the EPL. Otherwise yours is a ridiculous comparison, even by your standards, Pierre.

Graham62

Two goals for Pepe on Sunday then.

Marc

“We’ve got quite an easy run in now since the City game has been postponed”

Arte you fucking serious? Our run in includes Tottenham, City to be rescheduled and Wolves away and Leicester and Liverpool at home.

If we don’t pick up some serious points in the next 6 matches the final run in could get seriously scary.

Graham62

Wolves v Leicester tonight.

Should be interesting.

Marc

“Winter is over ”

You can see why Pedro never got the Game of Thrones marketing gig.

Ernest Reed

The so-called easy run-in will mean little if they don’t start to pick up points super soon. I will say this much, unless one of the current squad begins to show some true leadership, it wont matter what Arteta has to say to motivate them. Leading by example is what this current squad of misfits truly needs. You can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink. Arteta is finding this one out the hard way. Arsenal will start to pick up points when someone on this team decides to finally take on a true leaders role.… Read more »

Words on a Blog

Ernest Reed,

Why is it ridiculous to compare Pepe to Slah.

They are both left footed.
They are both wide attackers who play on the right.
They are both well known for the quality of their dribbling.
They both have a very good shot.
Salah scores a lot of goals, Pepe has scored a lot of goals.
They are both penalty takers.

That was a totally gratuitous insult/“takedown” without any counter argument.

Words on a Blog

Slah = Salah!

Habesha Gooner

Not at all surprised arteta has been impressed with Tierney. Dude has work ethic written all over him. He has been Impressive the few times he played for is and he definitely will be a starter for arteta. And I don’t think pepe and Salah are similar. Salah is more of a kick and run type of player and that’s why he has worked for klopp. Pepe is more similar to mahrez. The thing that’s lacking in pepe’s game is urgency. I think he can up the tempo if he works on it. Otherwise he really is a handful when… Read more »

Marc

Ernest

Are you aware out easy run in includes the Spud’s, Wolves and City away and Liverpool and Leicester at home?

Anyone saying that is “an easy run in” is fucking deluded.

Ernest Reed

Your comparison hit a hard wall with this statement

“Salah scores a lot of goals, Pepe has scored a lot of goals.”

That is the only thing that matters today. One scores now and the other used to, albeit it in very different leagues with very different quality opponents.

Ernest Reed

I am well aware Marc. For me its taking maximum points from the teams that you have not identified. Chances of taking points off those you mention are lean.

Kush Sharma

any reasons why my comments are not getting approved? i’m a newbie here

Marc

Ernest

We desperately need to get some points in the next 6 matches after that the only matches that you’d “expect” us to win are Villa away and Watford at home.

Pierre

“Fancy footwork” Ernie condescendingly calls it .

That’s not wise, Ernie.

I call it skill.

Sid

Cedric soares is the new kallstrom/ Denis suarez

Ernest Reed

Let us reconvene in a years time and reflect on Pepe’s contribution and suitability to be compared to one of the leagues best players, shall we Pierre? Talk of similarities is premature to say the very least, but then again you have defined your existence on LeGrove drawing on premature conclusions.

Sid

Champions league over fir 2 seasons for man city pahahaa

Habesha Gooner

Shit 5th would have been a real shot then. We need to take our games seriously from now on. This is the time to pounce.

Habesha Gooner

Guardiola might possibly leave along with some stars too if this is for sure. Man some good news at last. Thank God there are consequences for spending a small country’s budget.

azed

City will appeal and get it reduced to one year.

Chris

I do help this decision on Man City is upheld. It is about time the balance of football was redressed. This is hopefully only the start and others like PSG will be suitably punished. This could shift the landscape in the Premier League and beyond significantly this summer. He may say different now, but it is hard to see Guardiola staying beyond the summer. Some elements of their squad need rebuilding and without European football this will be more difficult, money or not. The best players want a project to believe in. The Man City project may be in disarray… Read more »

Ernest Reed

“We need to take our games seriously from now on. ”

I think they have been Habesha, its just that they kinda suck this season.

Ernest Reed

“Guardiola might possibly leave along with some stars too if this is for sure”

Are you inferring that they are in it for themselves and not the team, Habesha? Imagine that, City is a collective group of mercenaries?

Habesha Gooner

Ernest Reed, If you were debruyne and you were 28 and haven’t won the champions league so far, Would you want to miss out on the next two versions of the competition just because you wanted to stay at city? And yes Since Guardiola came the players may have come for him but most players that came before him were mercenaries. That’s how city built their squad.

Valentin

If only the result of that investigation had taken place last summer, we could be in the Champion’s League.
Anyway with ManCity deciding to counter-attack, the delay will take 2 years before a final decision is upheld.

Ernest Reed

I wish i could say that i feel for City, but rules are rules and if you circumvent them then you pay the price. Saying the above, i find it very doubtful that this ruling will be upheld. Something about UEFA and FIFA being involved in doling out punishment seems to always smack of disingenuously expected behaviours.

Zacharse

Valentin

INCORRECT. It will start immediately.

scott quiller

ME THINKS RATHER THAN A BRONZE TAN THEY WILL HAVE THE DONALD TRUMP ORANGE BAFFOON TAN,SORRY ,BUT FAKE TANS LOOK REDICULOUS.

Ernest Reed

“If only the result of that investigation had taken place last summer, we could be in the Champion’s League.”

And do what Valentin, embarrass themselves? Thats would have happened for certain. Arsenal don’t belong in the Champions League, not with this collection of misfits.

Champagne Charlie

Is 5th place the new trophy for this season?

Habesha Gooner

CC I think it might be unless world sports arbitration say otherwise. Sheffield are in a champions league spot. 39 points and 1 game more played ahead of us. Tottenham, wolves, United, Everton and us too may be to fight for the trophy.

Marc

Didn’t City already appeal to CAS a few months ago and were slapped down as you can’t appeal a verdict before you’re found guilty!

The 2 year ban has got we’ll let you appeal and reduce it to 1 year but then you take it on the chin written all over it.

Can definitely see Pep moving on at the end of the season.

Ernest Reed

All this will succeed in doing is hastening the introduction of a Super League that will render UEFA deservedly obsolete. When you consider the years of abject corruption from both FIFA and UEFA, it wont take much for elite clubs to push forward their own agendas.

City’s ruling will ultimately amount to nothing more than a pampered slap on their collective wrist when the dust settles. UEFA are nothing more than a corrupted organization with little to no actual teeth in their mouth.

Ernest Reed

Love your optimism Habesha.

“Sheffield are in a champions league spot. 39 points and 1 game more played ahead of us. Tottenham, wolves, United, Everton and us too may be to fight for the trophy.”

There is absolutely nothing about Arsenal’s season that would have anyone sincerely believe they are capable, let alone deserving, of such consideration.

Marc

Ernest

Whilst I agree about FIFA and UEFA being corrupt if the clubs push their own agenda’s you’re just looking at another type of corruption.

I’d also point out the most powerful clubs – Bayern, Madrid, Barca, ManU, Liverpool, Juve, Arsenal (just kidding) etc have no love for the clubs controlled by Oligarchs. City, Chelsea and PSG are to paraphrase “shit clubs no history”.

Champagne Charlie

Ernest

Yea can imagine the scene now, Arsenal make the CL and offer to not participate because they don’t deserve it. What a weird comment from a fan.

Oh_Santi

City will appeal and win. Worst case for them is 1 year ban.

Zacharse

I imagine you brits don’t remember the horrible movies about Ernest….

https://images.app.goo.gl/RkAZhSGm2CT2zWVa6

Zacharse

Good thing man city don’t need the cl money

Ernest Reed

Being realistic in my evaluation, Charlie. The thought of Arsenal finishing 5th or better this season has never really crossed my my mind. Something about the way they have played this season makes that more than obvious.

Ernest Reed

You never know Marc, football isn’t a game anymore these days, is it? Not the way we have always viewed it growing up. Its really more a business now to be honest.

Marc

Zach

If they’ve been banned for FFP reasons cutting over £50 million off their revenues should mean they have to cut back.

Batistuta

Has to be a chance now with the City ban right? I mean for us that is… Proper break, players returning, if we can go on a run, who knows, who bloody knows….I’m just sick of Thursday night football

Redtruth

Only winners should participate in the Champions League not leftover cannon fodder…

Ernest Reed

No way Zacharse! More like Ernest Reed and The Flamboyants!

https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/97bf4650-5bf3-444c-89f9-740b14dd0de0#pNYsqC2Kd.copy

Marc

And suddenly those who were more than happy with “Arteta’s making progress” are livid that with 5th place getting CL we’re 6-8 points off the pace. If only we’d managed to turn a couple of those draws into wins?

Ernest Reed

Just waiting

Habesha Gooner

Ernest
What else is there for being a fan. Hope in the face of such impossible achievements is what you should live for. I am still going to hope we will win the EL. I hoped we would make it to the last 8 in Wenger’s last 16 matches in the CL eventhough every thing was predictable

Spanishdave

Strong winds on Sunday so it’s anybodies game.
Hope we can keep going after 20 mins which seems our limit this year.

Marc

Red

Last season’s CL finalists hadn’t won a league title between them for 87 years.

Ernest Reed

There is nothing wrong with hope, Habesha. I love Arsenal FC with every shred of my fibre, but this team…it would take a lot of good bounces.

To be honest, i don’t even think that this bunch even recognizes the sense of urgency that they face. It has been a very long time Since i have seen an Arsenal so afraid of themselves.

I remain hopeful but its rooted with a healthy dose of reality.

Champagne Charlie

“That a club like Liverpool loves you is a pride, but my decision was to go to Arsenal because Emery grabbed my hand and told me to go together,” said Ceballos.”

Just stumbled across this, and kind of makes a mockery of claims Emery had no influence on transfers and we brought in guys he didn’t want.

Arsenal might’ve adopted a more collective approach, but the head coach quite clearly is involved in the process to a clear and obvious degree.

Zacharse

Hahah

Habesha Gooner

You know what gives me hope? It’s how crap every other team has been. It’s not just is. Everton were 4 points from relegation places and now 3 away from fifth and 5 away from fourth. If we manage to play as we did against man United for 65 percent of matches then we have got every chance to nick fifth. Win Sunday it will be 5 points away with 12 matches to play. If we manage to show some sort of consistency It is not impossible.

Redtruth

Exactly, Spurs sneaking into the Final was a million to one chance…
Liverpool have Champions league Pedigree….

Habesha Gooner

just us *

Terri Maaki

The faux outrage is a joke, oh yeah forget their from the middle east so it’s OK! Yet Madrid has been at it for years financially dopped by the central government coffers… virtual signallling from the dailymail readership on here is joke as usual… Agendas as always, yet forgot some of those so called backward, petro dollar nations have so much investment in this country that if they were to pull out you mouths I mean country, you’d be back to eating porridge and oatmeal, but atleast you’d have your country back lol

Ernest Reed

It starts with a convincing win, Habesha!

Champagne Charlie

Still fancy the EL is our best chance for CL next season.

Think we’re a tough nut over two legs more so than a side that can string a dominant 8/9 game run together.

Redtruth

This Arsenal team still thinks it’s under the management of Monsieur Wenger.
Pathetic in the tackle, weak mentally and mishaps galore…

Pierre

Charlie
“Yea can imagine the scene now, Arsenal make the CL and offer to not participate because they don’t deserve it. What a weird comment from a fan.”

Do you reckon that Ernie has taken over Marko’s mantle as Le Grove’s resident moaner.

Redtruth

Champagne charlie
“Yea can imagine the scene now, Arsenal make the CL and offer to not participate because they don’t deserve it. What a weird comment from a fan.”

Well, there not competing so what’s the point in being in the tournament…

Champagne Charlie

VAR still doing bits.

What a farce it’s been, and continues to be. No surprise Liverpool win the league with this shit introduced.

Guns of Brixton

ROSES ARE RED
MANCHESTERS IS BLUE
YOU CHEATING BASTARDS
NO EUROPE FOR YOU

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Ernest Reed

And there is the “just waiting” that one would come to expect from LeGrove’s resident Idiot Savant.

Ernest Reed

For Pierre’s benefit

Idiot Savant – a person who has a mental or learning disability but is extremely gifted in a particular way, such as rambling incessantly about Arsene Wenger

Just to provide appropriate context. Lord knows i’d never want to be referred to as a moaner.

Habesha Gooner

Charlie
That call was correct though. Neto created a better angle to cross coming out from an offside position.

Ernest Reed

“Still fancy the EL is our best chance for CL next season.”

Agreed. Getting past Olympiacos would be a sound confidence booster to work from.

Chris

By letter of law the decision to disallow Wolves goal was correct, but it still feels infuriating to see a well worked goal like that disallowed for marginal reasons.

There is a lot of work to be done in the summer to align the laws sensibly with the tech.

CG

I see our Wenger is doing what no one thought was possible.

Attempting to clean up FIFA.
He is off to a good start with the Manchester City verdict.

(Much more work to do)

Lets hope he can now get to grips with the slippery, rasping and diabolical agents and Spivs sucking the beautiful game dry.

If anyone can – he can.

Champagne Charlie

Habesha

Yea there’s loads of “correct” decisions that completely sterilise the game because the margins that have been drawn are laughable.

By the letter of the law it was correct, but in terms of the game it was a ridiculous decision. Standard short corner, sharp movement, good ball back stick, and diving header that created a moment of entertainment.

But nah, can’t have any of that, his stud was off.

Ernest Reed

I see our Wenger is doing what no one thought was possible.Attempting to clean up FIFA. He is off to a good start with the Manchester City verdict.“

Is this for real???

Ernest Reed

Does ask an obvious question Charlie, why have a referee?

Champagne Charlie

Ernest

Still think the Ref is important, but the guidelines need a huge rethink and for me the transparency and communication needs to take a leaf out of Rugby’s book.

The ref needs mic’d, and the VAR squad doing the game need to appear on screen with the chatter broadcasted so folk know exactly what’s going on.

Big changes basically. The lawmaking needs a massive overhaul, and so does the implementation. Quite spectacular how they’ve managed to introduce such a shit version of this new system in its maiden season. The panel in charge should be sacked.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Leno receive a big money offer ?

Give Saka. A rise to 40k a week next year then 60k season after then 80k. Season after that,
Then every season throw a million bonus performance related.

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

But then if he wants out…
Auction him…

Ernest Reed

Agreed Charlie, the way that VAR has been playing out is that they have replaced the obvious triggers with the minutest of details, effectively things that in the moment they occurred would likely never be picked up and why should they (so to say).

The spirit and intent of VAR is appropriate, but what we are witnessing is a pure bastardization of its intent, to help the game along and not make a mockery of it through non-transparency and lack of proper communication.

Champagne Charlie

Ernest I genuinely struggle to comprehend how those at that level of decision making sat and conjured this as the new laws. It’s as if it was drafted by a couple of 17 year old college lads for a project. Seems absolutely no due diligence has been done at all, just taken everything they can to point zero and assumed that’s fine and dandy. No afterthought about intention, respect for the rules and spirit, entire point of the introduction itself. Stuns me. When you can genuinely sit and unpick it with pub chat up and down the country you know… Read more »

Samesong

Mr T coming on.

Spanishdave

A dick head like a Mike Riley in charge what do you expect?
We have some of the worst refs in Europe and the FA sit back and do nothing.

Zacharse

perfect outcome today.

Terraloon

Will City play in the CL next season ?

If they finish in the top four, which they almost certainly will then yes I expect them to be in next seasons CL

Why you may ask. Well there is no doubt that they are going to appeal to CAS the question that then needs to be asked is will the hearing be dealt with by August and I suspect that is a no meaning almost certainly City will make application to have the punishment delayed pending the outcome of the appeal.

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