Arsenal is BACK with a BANG.
I posted a pretty innocuous tweet about Matteo G being a problem child 1) because I know he is, as I’ve stated on here before 2) Arteta basically called out his attitude issues as the reason he didn’t make the squad.
My word, the uproar. The young Frenchman has a fan club like Mesut Ozil. They won’t even read the facts, which were further corroborated by The Telegraph who noted that he had a huge bust-up with Mikel and the staff over body language and attitude.
… if you can’t beat out Mesut for body language, what the hell is going on? This is what Arteta said after the game.
“The reason is that players who, in my opinion, are training better, behaving better and are more applied to deliver on the pitch what we want, are the players that are selected.”
Broader point here, if you cross the manager there are consequences. I have no idea why people thought Arteta would struggle on that front coming from Manchester City, but here we are. One of the best young talents in the bad books after 7 weeks under the new regime.
I know that Freddie also had issues with him during his short stint. It was a lack of respect thing. The player no doubt has the world at his feet, but at the highest level, you have to play the game and always work in the best interests of the club. Hopefully, he learns from his mistakes, bucks up his ideas and continues his path to the top.
I think one of the worst parts of the Emery regime was the lack of consistency from him. He didn’t hold people to account, which made him a walkover. Mesut Ozil knew he’d be back in the squad regardless of what happened because the manager was a wet lettuce. I don’t think we’ll have those issues with Mikel, regardless of who you are.
There was a lot of positivity around the game yesterday. I know it’s only Newcastle, but we’re at their level at the moment. We’re not sitting midtable because of bad luck, it’s because we’ve been absolute shit.
I liked this stat from Matt Scott.
A measure of just how well Arsenal pressed from the front today and how little time Newcastle were given on the ball is that they managed only their second-lowest total of long balls all season. The lowest was against notorious harriers Leicester, who won 5-0.
— Matt Scott (@Matt5cott) February 16, 2020
It’s only a small thing, but the strategy was built around nullifying their strength and it involved pressing… and the players did it. That says the players are behind the ideas, they understand them, and are willing to work hard to execute.
I also thought Matt’s point about Auba-left-wing-rage was pertinent. He’s great out on the left, he scores a lot of goals from that position, and if we’re honest, he’s not ideal through the middle because he doesn’t hold the ball up as well as Lacazette or Eddie. Still can’t believe how much work he does for the team, he made a vital interception in our box early on. Very sharp.
Hopefully, that result was a turning point. First time in over a year we’ve scored 4 in a game. We’re now unbeaten in 6 games in the league, that’s a real positive, it could extend further, our fixture list is fairly kind over the next 2 months.
People seem very keen to tell you that they don’t believe in the players that are now playing better, like there’s some chance that Mikel is going to keep them all this summer. It’s such a weird insecurity, maybe it’s because he played under Arsene and his squad turnover numbers were really low? It’s unfounded, regardless.
The plan, from where I’m watching, is to pump the value of decent players that have been cut adrift by the last 2 managers. You couldn’t move on certain names last year because their form was so bad, now, we’re seeing a turn out of most of them. Finish the year strong and they’ll all be getting better offers this summer. This May is hopefully going to be fast and furious.
The biggest story in European football is that finally, UEFA caught up with the cheating that Manchester City has been overseeing. They’ve just landed a 2 year ban from the Champions League. A beastly punishment and one you sense likely to end that squad. The manager says he’ll stay, even if they’re demoted to League 2, I’m not sure a lot of the players will… though the Fraudiola muppets will get to see their man in a lower division.
I wholeheartedly agree with the ban. The financial doping in football has been crazy over the past decade and we could all see it wasn’t fair. My hope is that the authorities move hard on other clubs, namely PSG, for offences that look very, very similar. We’ll see though. Football is a billionaire plaything, and they have a tendency to get away with what they want.
In the meantime, one would assume the top 4 trophy is now the top 5. Absolute crazy times if that’s the case. Arsenal are 7 points from 4th and 6 from 5th. Very doable if we can muster some form… though I do believe that’d be a massive stretch to expect after the season we’ve had.
My focus would be on the Europa League. I think we can take any team over two legs. The major worry would Inter Milan and United. Still, hardly Atletico, right?
Ok, lots to ponder today, fingers crossed for a United vs Chelsea draw a little later on!
P.S. I found this video from Portugal very hard to watch. Outside the grim racism, the reaction of his teammates looked really poor. I’m sure they were saying ‘don’t let them win’, but when they could see his head was gone, they should have let him go. European football is a disgrace. This racist behaviour is a cancer on our great game. UEFA should act with the same vigour they went at City with. Make a statement that this will not be tolerated.
Marega abandona o relvado no D. Afonso Henriques contra a vontade de colegas e equipa técnica#LigaNOS #VSCFCP
🎥⏱ https://t.co/q8tCRvjMxS pic.twitter.com/vRd7LfTtme— VSPORTS (@vsports_pt) February 16, 2020
Woab
He’s been doing it for over a decade, quite a record. Got a lot of competition nowadays though so he needs to step up his game and reinvent himself to keep his spot as number 1 le grove troll.
“I am not comfortable with some of Arteta’s antics, seems to hold certain players to certain standards, I personally don’t see the uniformity in his demands. Ozil has started all games under him and didn’t merit to.“
Another one that spends time down Colney.
Arteta said day one that he’s got some non-negotiable’s and if you don’t adhere you don’t play.
2 nil Man U, not ideal for us but better than a Chelsea win.
watching the mu/ cfc game and it occurs to me we don’t have enough absolute bastards on our team
and of course the meat head that should have been sent off scores
Giroud coming on
Freddie,
Yeah, used to read the blog but only ever glanced occasionally at the comments back then, so knew his name but wasn’t really aware of his long-standing record!
Chelsea look good shifting the ball forward but really lack a cutting edge.
Words on a Blog
so knew his name
———
He used to go under the incredible name of “Marble”…….
This game is crying out for a red card or 2!
Giroud scores
Underrated Giroud
Var again saves Man U – hilarious!
Giroud’s shoe size is too large
Secret Agent Oly G… with the patented near post run. Still could make it a draw. VAR though… they should jus turn it off at this point, didn’t think it could make refereeing decisions even more inconsistent but it has.
Danny
He had a couple of other names before that. Think dial square was one of the first ones, then marble halls etc.
Takes a special character to put that much effort into writing about something you find absolutely no joy in for over 10 years.
People are weird.
Gary Neville claiming he doesn’t undertake the idea of a tolerance when discussing a change to the offside rule and that “offside is offside”.
“As long as it’s consistent I don’t get the furore”
That level of idiocy is why we have this application of the laws with new tech. Nvm the fact he’s defending daft decisions that are going in favour of his United side..
Freddie Ljungberg
Dial Square – I’d forgotten that classic!
CC
What are you talking about – offside is offside it’s the only thing that VAR is getting spot on.
Neville has been more than fair tonight – he’s said Maguire should have seen red.
Redtruth is a big part of the furniture on this site.
I wonder if Fat Frank’s opinion on players who should have been sent off scoring goals is different tonight compared to after when they played at the Emirates?
Frankie Lamps… looks freakin miserable… hahaha wonder if he is regretting this whole management thing at Chelsea?
Best result I think. More worried about CFC than United
Chelsea’s next match is home to The Scum, nice.
Pedro
As long as we get a nil nil on Saturday between the Spud’s and Chelsea with a 28 man mass brawl and severe points deduction I’ll be happy!
Marc
Offside isn’t offside, with VAR being as precise as it can be the game is getting sterilised in favour of letter of the law bullshit.
Offside by its nature is about ‘gaining an advantage’ to score a goal. You don’t gain an advantage because your heel is off, or your toe. Pretty clear what the fuss is about.
Lampard deserves all the pain.
How can he start Batsuayi ahead of Giroud?
CC
So what margin do you give 5mm? 10mm? Why not 10cm or 50cm?
The minute you go down a road of “interpretation” we’re back to letting moron refs fuck up decisions. As it stands offside is offside – strikers need to learn to adapt to the new tech.
After the match they interviewed Auba and he said Arteta told him to move to the middle second half to act as a second striker.. and to give Saka space.. So he isn’t really a left winger either.
Having watched yesterday’s game, I can only say that I am happy with how we performed, in particular in the second half. Pepe was great, Ceballos was outstanding and just glad to see Laca score. This match should be a massive confidence booster for all involved, in particulat for Laca. The moment he got subbed in, I was hoping to see him score. I really hope hope he can build on this. As a CF, we really need him to score alongside Auba (and Martinelli and Pepe). This is even more crucial as we really should be taking advantage of… Read more »
Marc
I believe CC’s point is that Giroud’s big toe didn’t give him any advantage.
The attacking player should get the advantage because is the one in motion.
VAR is missing the obvious things like the Maguire red card.
Harry Maguire should still be punished for that kick-out into the groin of Batsuayi.
Freddie
Well he is at big clubs… if we lodge him out it’s downhill.
Cg
I don’t rate him that much.
Like you I believed the hype early on.
Red…
Predictability you go east while we all go west.
We know you are in the room red..
Cooooeeee reds in da room…. boom.
Dissenter
Firstly it wasn’t Giroud’s big toe – it was half the length of his foot. He was offside end of and one of the simple black and white decisions that ref’s used to get wrong constantly.
Where VAR is fucking up is things like the Maguire red card – shocking guy should have gone for violent conduct. It’s not just tonight’s match it’s the effect on the 3 matches he’s banned for.
Until Mike Riley and his crowd of cunts are run out of the game we won’t see improvement.
Un
Good point well made sir.
Dissenter
I agree with you on Maguire being punished but can they do that after VAR has already reviewed it?
Can you imagine the reaction?
Fred pushes Azpilicueta into Williams, yet the resulting contact issued to deny a goal.
It’s like the phantom foul that denied us s victory against Palace at home.
The Premier league delayed VAR for one season to get it right. They just had more time to muddle it up.
Marc
Is retrospective punishment done away with because of VAR?
Dissenter
I don’t know what the official position is but the whole point of VAR is to get these things right – which in this type of case they’re not. To give a retrospective ban would just be admitting that the VAR guy’s are as bigger cunts as the ref’s.
I’m not sure what all the fuss regarding Guendouzi is about. He’s a twenty year old who has shown some bright flashes but has many, many weaknesses to his game. He’s slow, technically poor, and a sloppy passer. Apparently he’s got a bad attitude to boot. I like him alright. He’s got heart for sure. But what has he done to earn so many fanboys? He’s certainly not the second coming of Paul Pogba.
VAR
The Man City FFP cheating saga
Loosers Cup on a Thursday
Expensive ticket prices
Stupid Kick Off times
Agents controlling the clubs.
World Cups in Qatar
KSE and The Glazers.
Coaching badges and clipboards.
Lesbian lino’s
Players diving and cheating
Racism
Soccer is dead, anyway
Marc To give a retrospective ban would just be admitting that the VAR guy’s are as bigger cunts as the ref’s. You know as well as I do that these cunts are the same who will be ref’ing games the following week. It’s all one big family on a mission to discredit VAR. When you hear some supporters singing “Fuck VAR”, you know that they are on the right track in trying to discredit it. Baffling when you see that it’s working well in other countries. We are the ony country who seems to not understand that ref’ing is meant… Read more »
VAR has been shocking this year. I don’t even know what the referees are seeing with these calls. How is Son banned for violent conduct while Maguire’s “leg extension” goes unpunished?? Why does Fred pushing a Chelsea player into a child chalk off a valid Chelsea goal??
Ole’s interview is embarrassing. Awkward fuck. Just go with the SAF/Wenger classic “I didn’t see it.”
The very fact that CG can reference racism and not see the irony is stunning.
On a completely different note, I stumbled upon Forbes’s top 5 of highest paid players. Did not realise that KdB is topping this list.
A big lol to Sanchez who litterally is no longer being selected (is he injured or have they given up on him?) and is the 2nd most paid player.
As much as we have overpaid for Ozil, at least we are trying to get something out of him.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertkidd/2019/01/23/chelsea-move-puts-gonzalo-higuain-among-premier-leagues-highest-paid-players/
I wonder ifs rested Martinelli for his pace away on Thursday. Play a little more deep and hit Olympiacos on the break. Even through the middle, with everyone coming back, should have enough energy and legs to get a result.
I can see Bellerin being rested. He looked out of place on Sunday, first time I’ve actually conceded he looks so short of pace, no where near what he had. Totally understandable with the serious knee injury.
Respect for the guy that left the field on the vid. Fuck those racist cunts. Sadly there is fair few on here too.
“The minute you go down a road of “interpretation” we’re back to letting moron refs fuck up decisions“ It’s nothing to do with referees, it’s about establishing the law with the added influence of VAR and how precise it’s made it. Wolves scored a perfectly good goal midweek because a players heel was offside. This player had nobody within 10 yards of him and put in a great ball which was eventually converted for a goal. Ridiculous decision, felt so by many. Girouds tonight is another one, no advantage whatsoever but the game robbed of a goal and fans robbed… Read more »
“Redtruth is a big part of the furniture on this site.”
Dissenter – I think I remember Pedro saying he tried to ban Redtruth once and got lots of email complaining and that RT should be allowed back. Redtruth might be a pillock but he our pillock, so leave him alone.
Can anyone honestly tell me what Guen gives apart from “heart” which is what thousands do around the parks each weekend. Do any of you pro Guen people know anything about football. He doesn’t create or score, he has no pace, he has no technical ability and his positional sense is pony. He falls over when he loses the ball and hopes for a foul to be blown up. The only thing he has done is run around a lot in what quite frankly was the worst arsenal team ( under emery) in my memory and I’ve been a season… Read more »
Just watched Laca’s goal again. He one timed the ball with his right foot. I am sure he aimed the shot towards the left corner. The ball hit his left foot and bounded in near the right post. What a shot!
Guen is a 20 years old kid. He still needs to grow up. He hasn’t received proper coaching yet. Just look at how Arteta improves Pepe. Guen still has potential to come good. He’ll need to learn how to behave in a team first.
“ Offside is a rule about advantages, you decided what constitutes an advantage for an attacker and that’s it sorted. Right now it’s chalking off goals because of shoulders being off by an inch, toes, heels, arse cheeks. There should be daylight between attacker and defender, then you’d see who could actually defend.”
Champagne you are absolutely correct. This should be the starting point for offside VAR from next year. Any other interpretation will lead to fans leaving EPL football in their droves. Surely the EPL won’t won’t want this to happen……
The only thing that Guendouzi offers is a “good engine” for about 50 minutes. Thereafter if he is still playing he is easily pushed off the ball and dispossessed as he tires. For me he is a “prima donna” when it comes to his behaviour on the pitch and it would seem from what transpired during the Dubai Break he is not much better off it as well. I have made the case on many occasions that I don’t consider that he has a special talent and that he is no better than either Willock or Smith-Rowe. The fact is… Read more »
Highbury, I think they should give managers calls on incidents, like they do with tennis.
Tough on offside… the absolutist nature of the rule is hard to get around.
That makes sense Pedro, similar to American football and cricket re the challenges. Each team gets 2 and the ref refs the game as per normal. Lino’s should let play continue unless “clear and obvious” offsides.
Guen is way overrated and benefited from a good pre season. Emery did not fancy torreira and with xhaka being xhaka. guen got more time than deserved…. Emery figured that he had the stamina to play alongside xhaka… but aside from his rookie bump…. he has been shit. He does not contribute anything to the team. There are better options we need this summer… Much better…. Sell …. we will need the cash Too many on here are sentimental… he is no cesc Saka or gabi….. We are not really known for developing or scouting young talent bar those I… Read more »
Nelson Guen is a 20 years old kid. He still needs to grow up. He hasn’t received proper coaching yet. Just look at how Arteta improves Pepe. Guen still has potential to come good. He’ll need to learn how to behave in a team first. You may be right, but compared to Pepe (or Martinelli) he hasn’t shown any flashs of brilliance so far. Not once have I went “oooh, this is what he can do” and thouht that he was one for the future. Pepe has shown this, Martinelli has shown this and even Ceballos (at 23) has finaly… Read more »
Many players are better than Guen. He was a bargain at the time, an unknown who did ok his first season… he benefited from fate and the fact that Emery for some reason favored him over Lucas.
Loan him out, or sell for a profit… he did not cost much… I would say he is about 10-14M …
Docoure in the middle with Ceballos or someone else. CM
Add Grealish as our attacking mid…
major upgrade already with those 2
JWL, RT is invincible.
It’s like trying to ostracise Ozil. You’ll always lose.
Thank God for the Newcastle game. I don’t have to hear anymore drivel based on a farcical interpretation of statistics. How anyone can try to build a case against Arteta based on fewer than ten games when those games have come thick and fast, is beyond nonsensical. I’ve already argued about avoiding conclusions based on limited datasets. It really shouldn’t be a subject for debate and needs to be confined to initial thoughts on possible emerging trends. Funny though, that the same posters relying o such limited data, and turning their faces from context, are now discarding the Newcastle game… Read more »
“I thought they were ten points clear at the top with those celebrations. Ridiculous.” 😂
Roy Keane was not impressed with Arsenal’s reaction to beating Newcastle on Super Sunday
🤦🏽♂️
Keane can kiss Vieira’s arse
Have to agree with Roy Keane to a point, though I think the celebrations were more in relief that they can actually put the ball in the back of the net. It takes the weight off the players shoulders and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a completely different group of players now. I said enough times that the team has enough creativity and goals in the side, be patient and the goals will flow. All I’ve been hearing the last few weeks is how we need a creative player but to me , unless we can find a world… Read more »
Pierre
unless we can find a world class talent we must go with what we have and also promote from within ..
World class talent is outside of this club for mids. Promoting from within? Arteta is playing the best we already have…
unless there is some mystery player on the bench waiting his chance..?
We need to buy this summer. I would keep LT and that is it… maybe Dani if he shows us consistency
Roy Keane is a relic, quality footballer but absolutely fuck all EQ and I reckon would arguably struggle in the modern game because his version of being hard ie shouting and scowling, isn’t as mainstream as it was in generations past.
Would more likely get bouncer club to club because he’s a fucking knob who has beef with half his team no matter where he plays.
Why he’s a nothing manager, completely incapable of reading or dealing with humans on any varied level. Probably still considers a professional warmup running around twice around the football pitch.
Mateo is worth 50M same as Aouar?
LOL
who decides the value of these players???
https://www.transfermarkt.com/matteo-guendouzi/profil/spieler/465830
Indeed, Pedro. I agree.
I think it is the English FA that is broken using VAR. I think they actually use it as a cheating mechanism.
When the world body states clearly that VAR is there to correct obvious errors, week after week, the EPL use them for weird marginal offside decisions and existential questions on relativity.
“Did Batshuayi’s tummy foul Maguie’s boot or did Maguie kick Bats in the gut?”
Answer is the former according to our space time cameras and atomic clocks.
You are telling the whole world the 20 year old you bought for 7m has a bad attitude and you want to cash out for 60m…60m for what exactly?
I am no fan of Matteo but I repeat his attitude on the pitch has always been spot on, he keeps trying till the end. That’s better than I can say for some. I hope this whole thing is just to get him to sit up and be better rather than punishment for not joining the “we have the best coach in the world” choir.
Look at the table this morning and you can understand why many were irritated we haven’t gotten more wins under our belt. We would have been right in the mix making Chelsea more nervous than they already are.
Fourth place was always there for the taking and still is.
Roy Keane is a punk but he has a point, it was still Newcastle at home anyway you paint it and it wasn’t a 4-0 performance
RH with the agenda driven bs…. funny you didn’t say fourth was achievable when emery was stinking the whole place out…
Pedro goddamnit I’m still in moderation mate!
Personally I like seeing unbounded joy from the players when we score. Lacazette hadn’t scored for nine games and his teammates who appear to get on with him really well, showed their happiness for him.
Keane is a miserable bastard and anyone who shares his views on this, is in danger of falling into the same category. Joyless!
I admired Keane deeply as a player, begrudgingly obviously, and I have found myself agreeing with some of his punditry but he just comes across as a miserable old git with those comments.
Our players won’t give a hoot either. It was clear why they were so happy. A bit like getting your leg over again after a long dry spell!
Dortmund vs PSG is a mouth watering prospect this evening. Haaland/Sancho vs Mbappe/Neymar among others. Tie of the round.
Roy Keane is an absolute psycho, we all know that.
Worth having my sky subscription just to watch the reaction of the presenters and fellow pundits.
He’s set in a time warp and the longer he’s stuck there, the safer it is for all of us.
Always looks like he’s going to kill someone.
Some things never change.
Roy keane should be in jail. Then his punditry would have an audience at least. Hes a glorified thug
I wonder how Keane would have coped with modern day football and the social media and hype that goes with it?
His non- PC attitude to things wouldn’t have gone down too well.
Can’t see this super talent in guen either maybe I am missing something I think you would get more out of smith-rowe to be honest , I really really can’t stand a sulky frenchie either it’s almost like they have this extra petulance .I would have no problem selling and putting the money towards what is really needed
“Roy Keane is a punk but he has a point, it was still Newcastle at home anyway you paint it and it wasn’t a 4-0 performance”
what kind of dumb shit is this ….they performed , they won the game 4-0
Agree with Pedro’s comments about VAR. Each manager or captain has two calls per game. The players involved in any incident know what has happened and will soon learn not to waste the calls on dubious dives etc.
Also agree with the Guen comments. It is difficult to see what his strengths are. Strange to say , but I think that the wild hair tends to get him noticed in midfield and gives the illusion that he is doing more than he is. At best his future is as a DM.
Great comment about Guen and his discipline. He’s been in the news lately for different reasons. It’s also good to see Pedro that you now try to be objective in your writings (surprise!!) You know, Emery dropping Ozil had to be agendarized right? Even when he explained same kind of thing Arteta explained. Shame about Marega. The only way to stop these things is for the players from both teams to discuss with the affected players. Bro what do you want to do? You want to continue playing? He says yes, ok we play. You want to leave the pitch?… Read more »