The less we say about that game the better. Arsenal put on their worst performance under Arteta. The team was fatigued, the energy was pedestrian, and we were god awful in the final third.
To make matters worse, we conceded a goal early in the second half from a set-piece. Just standard Arsenal, a total mess.
We absolutely controlled possession, but somehow, Olympiacos still looked like they were dictating the terms of the game. In the final third, we were a real mess. Bad decisions, heavy touches, and a real lack of a final ball. I didn’t ever feel like we knew how to win that game.
When the game rolled into extra time, you started to fear the deep block was going to win out. However, Arteta had a trump card, and it was Gabriel for the second 15 of extra time. He made the difference immediately. Olympiacos struggled with fitness and the live wire Brazilian made it difficult with his drive and energy.
The sub paid off. Mesut Ozil found Gabriel with a good cross from the right, his flicked header in the box sat up for Auba who scissor-kicked home. What an outrageous goal. We thought we had a winner.
We did not.
Leno gave away a stupid corner. We cleared at the front post, they picked up the ball, slipped a teasing high ball into the box, Luiz let it go to the back post, Sokratis was beaten to the ball and Leno was late off his line. They equalized.
It wasn’t over for chances though, 2 minutes into the added-on time and Auba was found in the box from 6 yards and somehow he fired wide. Absolutely horrendous.
Arsenal drop from the Europa League. Embarrassing, upsetting, but absolutely deserved. We didn’t show up, we lacked quality in all areas of the pitch, and we didn’t know how to make possession count. These days are hard to stomach, but they were always going to happen as we build to a brighter future. The key thing is that we learn from our mistakes.
Now it’s all about the league. Let’s hope the team has it in them to brush this off and pursue the Champions League the proper way, but winning the 5th place trophy.
I recorded a bonus podcast with Matt last night, we don’t talk about Europa and we do a nice section on Ian Wright.
Samir, good post like always.
“It was a very good year, very hard,” Domenec Torrent, whose knowledge of the Spanish lower leagues was vital to Guardiola in that year at Barca B, tells Goal. “It was Pep’s first year as a coach, he had to keep learning game by game. “The Spanish Tercera Division is very, very hard,” he continued. “There are a lot of veteran players and we had very young lads, but they were like sponges, they learned everything so fast. “In the second part of the league they started winning games more impressively, far better than the first, because they learned Pep’s… Read more »
RH
The defenders are apprehensive before the corner is taken. We all see that.
A good GK would alleviate this problem and consequently defenders would be more positive.
For me, no to Leno.
Substandard.
Arsenal is Arteta’s school. It only makes sense for him to make schoolboy errors like last night’s. And the ultra passiveness with his subs means basically never helping his team during the game if things aren’t going our way. He’s done it in every game we played under him.
I say we should abandon this technical cute boy bullshit of ozil,xhakalson,luiz and go athletic…as someone said here the 442 is a start…the 3-5-2 too…get two absolute bastards in the middle of the pitch…heck get that 6’6 olimpiacos guy…we have been down this technical midgets road for 15 years and it isn’t taking us anywhere,we should just follow the Liverpool model and fill the midfield with workhorses
My criticism of Arteta as a manager last night is not that he got the selection initially wrong – it’s that it takes him too long to make a change when it isn’t working. His changes are also questionable when they are made – Did Willock really bring anything to the performance? Why wasn’t Martinelli brought on after 65 minutes instead of 105? Laca looked fucked after an hour and whilst he’s got a couple of goals he still doesn’t look like a player who’s “right”. We’ve got the opportunity to heavily rotate now for Monday so we have fresh… Read more »
Rookie manager error, I hope Arteta learns from this loss. Once again, we saw a coach play names and not a functional unit. Lacazette works best when there are 2 central strikers. There were lots of conditions to analyse and question from yesterday. But more importantly this should serve as a reminder that this midfield is the poorest we’ve had since the Emirates era began. I remember before buying Aubameyang, it was evident that he often missed a fair number of chances. Going forward, I would expect both Lacazette and Aubameyang to be sold in the summer, while we go… Read more »
Fuck me, they’ve come out of the woodwork for this one. All sitting in their little holes just waiting for such a result. Nevermind the next win or two will have them return to the spud blogs.
The Harvard grad trying to whip up support for his peculiar take on everything Arsenal is pretty sad to see, feel embarrassed for him.
Can’t go along with anyone calling for Holding to be a first team selection at the moment. He’s done nothing in his few appearances since coming back from injury to warrant being in the 18 let alone a starter.
Bojangles,
And what about Martinelli? He’s done nothing to get more than 15 Extra time minutes?
Graham
Leno is a decent keeper although he does have limitations. The issue is not can we improve on him, of course we can the issue is with limited resources is he a priority. I’d say they are other more pressing areas on the pitch that we need to deal with way before we look at a new keeper.
That’s a strange reply to my post.. I never made mention of the game, players or manager. Just referred to what I read in here.
See let me turn on the light bulb for pedro and other like minded posters. You see what you think makes MA special. The thing in him, that you see, and you think, yeah that’s what we need. MA gets it. He understands what we need in 2020. What you hipsters don’t realize is that 90 % of the new wave of coaches and managers see the same things MA sees. If not more. His new era, young modernista, tactical analysis method for the new era is not exclusive to him. Other coaches are just as clued up as he… Read more »
Yep, everybody that think xhaka and ozil shouldnt be starting for us is a spud fan.. Classic. What next, those that also want changes to be done before 105 minutes are also Manchester united fans. I didn’t believe we could win the europa league with this squad with what I saw this season and also no top 5 finish. Its just that, if we are building for the future, then no ozil, lacazette, Xhaka in the starting line up, because we know what they would bring. Instead, Arteta has gone for his favourites or the senior players so as not… Read more »
Graham62 @February 28, 2020 10:03:46 – Top post couldn’t agree more with this one. We need a summer of renewal and a lot of big names/first team players will go for that I am now sure. A lot of people on the interweb are saying how will we attract good footballers with no European football, well we can and we will. There are players out there could do a great deal more for us than our current underachievers for example the young Algerian player(Saïd Benrahma) at Brentford setting the championship on fire. We have options and don’t need to rely… Read more »
Bojangles,
You referred to people having Holding in their lineups for the FA Cup game vs Portsmouth. So you obviously mentioned players. It’s alright though. I wasn’t trying to be offensive.
TH ” The cross was on a downward trajectory hence the finish applied by feet, what exactly was Leno meant to do, mark the striker? ” He could and should have done better , what transpired was , he did nothing and stood rooted to the spot. Will repeat, Leno’s starting position for the deciding goal was good , 5 yards off his line as the ball was crossed . The goalscorer made contact with the ball 7 yards out , nearly within touching distance of Leno. All Leno had to do was judge the flight of the ball ,… Read more »
I said it when Emery joined. It doesn’t matter who the manager is. If he doesn’t address the ded wood, the trouble makers, the washed up seniors. If he doesn’t do this. In the end, they will Sabotage any progress we make. Eventually, the good work some1 like Auba does. Will be undone by a stupid pass or some average defender messing up. This theory is being proven year on year. Emery freddie and now Arteta. None of them have addressed the senior players. Emery made progress. Then they Sabotage him. Arteta has made good progress, but look what happened.… Read more »
David luiz is not a real centre back. What he is , is a very good footballer when NOT under pressure…a player that has skill and good passing ability. His shortcomings are obvious.. lack of penalty box domination, Arial power and just the raw strength to bully attacking players. So if you want to dig out the offenders for last nights game then there are plenty…ozil and ceballos couldn’t provide a decent killer pass, Pepe is a nightmare generally…so one footed he may as well not put a boot on his right foot,…Leno Made a crucial mistake…..and So on… But… Read more »
Pedro “He was on the wrong side of the worst start in over 30 years, that’s why he was fired.” You love to repeat this claim, but it doesn’t really make a lot of sense, because until last Sunday, our results in the PL under Arteta were no better than our results under Emery this season. Now they’re only marginally better. You assume that results under Arteta will continue to be better and that this margin will increase, but I don’t know if that will be the case. There are 11 PL matches remaining and this group of players just… Read more »
Leno is the classic case of being a better keeper when called upon for quick instinct keeping such as shot stopping.
When he has time and has to think about his keeping such as crosses and distribution he can fall down.
He looks a worrier and not the strongest mentally.
Graham: “Food for thought. If we had had the Norwich City midfield playing for us last night, we probably would have won the game. Infact I’m sure we’d have won.”
Our midfield is now worse than the 20th team in the league Norwich. Now it all makes sense. Losing to a Greek team should be par the course…
I just wonder how did Emery (a manager who was a full on clown in his 2nd season) win vs Sporting, Napoli, Valencia in Europe.
@ reality check,.agree arteta is looking like a very good manager.
The squad he has is full of defects….its a barely functioning unit and even with the current number 1 manager, klopp, this squad wouldn’t do any better.
Emirates stroller
No one is debating ad nauseum with you. You ought to debate yourself for a while.
The manager prepares the team. The manager picks the team. The manager was responsible for managing the team during the game.
The buck stops on the manager’s table. You’re laboring to shift the blame way.
Last night was atrocious from the team and their manager. It also shows us the leanings of our head coach and his tactical depth. We must not excuse failings. The coach cost us this game with his lack of experience and poor tactical nous. The jury is out on Arteta. More dismissal performances like this will lead to fan unrest and an eventual sack.
PS: Been reading this blog since 2012; today’s my first post🤗
Aubas rescue goal. Henry has done that for us many times. Cesc, rvp, Sanchez. But in the end, the rest of the team is poor and their low ability Sabotages any good those world class players do. Then they leave to WIN THINGS because Arsenal will not be winning things. Then the fans critisize those players. We find a new hero. Blow smoke up his arse and the cycle starts all over again. Smh
Arteta is in for a real test here,these players are morons and susceptible to bad bad errors not one of them can produce 10 great games in sequence no wonder we will never challenge with this lot i would kill for a Tony Adams or Deniis bergkamp or a silky Vieira.
Bamford
“There are 11 PL matches remaining and this group of players just got dumped out of Europe in horrible, tears-inducing fashion.”
A slight over exaggeration one would say, though I wouldn’t expect anything different from you.
A last minute goal on the away goal rule shows how fine the line is between winning and losing .
It wasn’t as If we were outplayed , just poor decision making cost us both goals.
We were a far better team under Wenger even in the bad period then we are now Arsenal are a stale dying juggernaut.
The Europe league was worth about £40 million for Arsenal last season but Emirates Stroller sees it as a distraction.
Very soon he will start castigating Kroenke for not spending but is happy to dismiss big sources of our revenue so easily.
We will not see another championship in my lifetime you can mark my words.
The ‘no preseason, worst start in 30 years’ chat isn’t going to fly next season if we are indeed writing off the rest of this season as growing pains.
Can’t wait for the natural squad evolution (revolution?) to begin this summer.
@Pierre –
“A last minute goal on the away goal rule shows how fine the line is between winning and losing .”
Against a Greek team in the Europa League… This isn’t losing to Bayern in the Semi-Final of the Champions League.
Someone needs to tell Arteta to rest Saka
The lad is knackered and needs a break desperately.
You didn’t need a preseason or elite players to geta
Jim,
Exactly!
Dissenter
Agree – he’ll either end up injured or make mistakes and then get slaughtered by the fans. People need to remember he’s a kid in his break out season.
Watched Bayern take Chelsea apart and i got embarressed on Arsenals behalf Bayern would have done another 5 or 6 -1 on us,easily.Bayern a german fullblooded engine Arsenal a total pantomime carthorse and we still pay vastly more in wages then they do.Go figure.atrocious.Yesterday was like watching a piss poor drunk up between two teams from hackney marshes not a pro football game.
AMN can play LB for monday night, Saka does look very leggy at the moment.
There’s been bits of talk about Bellerin and his loss of pace – did anyone else notice last night when they broke against us and we had several players sprinting back including Bellerin and Ozil – Ozil went past Bellerin like he was standing still.
Not an attack on Bellerin but I think we’ll need to look at a new RB pretty soon as well.
You didn’t need a preseason or elite players to get a result against Olympiakos at home.
The only competition that could make our season meaningful is now gone.
Now every performance in the league has to be seen from the no-pressure lens. We aren’t going to be relegated so the games will be pressure-free; any ‘improvement’ has to be viewed with skepticism.
Pierre
Did you not see Aubameyang’s face at the end and after the game? One newspaper described him as “a broken man” in his post-match interview. That is what I was referring to when I wrote “tears-inducing”; I wasn’t describing how I think it felt to you or other fans.
And I am not exaggerating in the least bit: the players felt that loss, and will continue to feel that loss, as a horrible and enervating one.
It doesn’t matter if MA is a good manager or not. Wenger was a good manager. Emery was too. Modern day players test you. If you don’t stamp your authority they will run over you. Pep dropped Agureo and put jesus CF. He told a SENIOR PLAYER in Agureo. Work harder or you’re dropped. Klopp dropped and sold so many senior players its not even funny. You have to establish who’s boss first. But be fair. Jose lets everybody know whos boss, but he has favourites so it doesn’t look fair. So 1,2,3 players down tools on him. Not because… Read more »
Marc – yes I noticed as did a few people I was next to at the match. A guy in front of me actually said the fastest they saw him run was when he was subbed for Willock.
I’m hoping its down to recovery and not down to him being done at this level.
Dissenter
Unfortunately people get put into two camps on here rather than being able to make an observation or criticise the manager for a poor decision that is not intended to be a call for him to be sacked.
A case of this is the “squad poverty” argument. The truth of the matter is somewhere in the middle. We do have some areas where we desperately need to strengthen – where Arteta is at fault is not trying alternatives or even short term solutions from the current squad.
Can we still be considered a “big club”?
Marc
Bellerin in was never that good to start with.
Just makes no sense that we brought a crocked player on his way out of Southampton for about £3 – 5 million on a 5 month loan for Soares who’s too crocked to compete with him.
The Soares deal is probably worse than the Soares deal since we ended that early . This one is stuck with us till June.
Bob
Whilst an ACL is not the career ender it was I think for a player who’s primary asset was his pace it has a huge impact.
I’m not sure Bellerin will get any where close to his former pace levels – can he adapt his game under better coaching? Who knows.
* The Soares deal is probably worse than the Suarez deal since we ended that early . This one is stuck with us till June
Arteta:
+ Our play on the pitch has been better.
+ He is getting more out of players that prior to his arrival were playing very poor.
– Team selections are all over the place.
– Subs: On way too late, bringing the wrong players on.. Joe Willock..
Two players that very definitely HAVEN’T improved under Arteta are Bellerin and Lacazette. Bellerin looked very slow last night; Laca looked disinterested, failing to show for the ball or challenge/make tackles. There were numerous occasions when he had obvious runs to make but just stood there, static. I’m an admirer of Arteta and how he’s improved the team’s shape and performances, but he’s failed to make an Impact on these two players. He also remains very very passive when it comes to in-game changes of shape, formation and players. Yesterday at the Emirates I really couldn’t why Laca was on… Read more »
Marc
“We do have some areas where we desperately need to strengthen”
Excluding Saliba, how many new first XI players do you think we need in order to be competitive with United, Chelsea, City and Pool next season? I am curious.
Secondly, who should NOT be in the XI next season, IYO, if we want to compete with the above?
Dissenter
Soares was due back from injury around the end of the month (I haven’t seen any updates if this has changed) bearing in mind we had a two week break in Feb bring him in as cover wasn’t the worse deal in the world. You’re comment about we’re stuck with him until June? He’ll be an Arsenal player for 3 and a half months if he doesn’t work out so what? I also don’t believe the figures quoted about his arrival.
I think Bellerin is never going to be same player as he was, he relied on his quickness, but they had to replace ligaments in his knee and new legs are never as good as original one.
I reset my expectations for Arteta last night. We have gone from perennial CL qualifications under Emery to a EL final under Emery …and now we can’t even emerge from the last 32 with a Greek team with one advantage. This has nothing to do with a lack of a preseason. We are one of the few teams with £200 million squads in this competition. We shouldn’t be dropping out so early. It was a disaster of epic proportions, no need to mince words or even choose them carefully. Whatever progress the team showed has been reversed in one swoop.… Read more »
Bamford It’s hard to talk about next season because firstly we don’t know what the other clubs will be doing, secondly we have issues on contracts with Laca and Auba, thirdly we will have very limited funds before sales so it’s not what we want to do it’s what we can afford to do. My personal opinion that the primary area is CM – Torreira does not seem to be in favour, Xhaka is fucking useless and Ceballos (who’s looked OK the last couple of matches) loan will finish. If we can get a new midfield that is suitable for… Read more »
Yes Pierre, let’s all look at Leno.
Let’s forget the fact Ozil stood watching while the Olympiakos defender strolled past him to stoop and head in their opener, you say the entire defense were jittery and Leno should have stepped up. The excuses you guys keep making for these players amuses me
In a way, I’ve become immune to what happened last night and, if we’re all totally honest with one another here, we all have. “Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory” should be our club motto. How many times over the years have we had to witness such events unfold infront of us? I’ve lost count. It feels like hundreds. Champions League exits to Chelski in 04, PSV in 07, Liverpool in 08, Monaco in 2015. There is more I know. Carling Cup final defeats to Chelski in 07 and Birmingham in 2011. Just when it was in the bag,… Read more »
Dissenter
“The Soares deal is probably worse than …”
Soares may not be world class, but if he comes in and gives us better right-back play than Bellerin is doing — which is definitely possible — then I fail to see how his deal was a terrible one. If he’s crocked or dross, OK, but we don’t have that data yet.
Marc – Agreed, its vital he adapts his game to cope without what was an electrifying weapon for him and for us. He has shown that in spells this season he can still cut it. The Chelsea game for example, I felt he was immense.
He doesn’t necessarily need to be a pace merchant to be a good serviceable RB but he must learn more positionally where to be if he’s to stay at top level.
For me, it is clear that the team suffered a mental fatigue. Under this condition, the player had a tunnel vision. They can’t see an open player. They went for a simple pass so as not to make a mistake. So often they passed the ball to someone who was already under covered.
I find it ironic that some supporters complained that Kroenke doesn’t care much about the team. Yesterday was a critical playoff game. I saw the stadium was half empty during the extra time. For those supporters, they deserve to have an owner like Kroenke.
Jim
“+ Our play on the pitch has been better.
+ He is getting more out of players that prior to his arrival were playing very poor.
– Team selections are all over the place.
– Subs: On way too late, bringing the wrong players on.. Joe Willock.”
I agree in principle with the above comment although it’s not that team selections are all over the place it’s certain players seem un-droppable when either their form or ability don’t justify their inclusion.
When people say that Bellerin won’t be the player he used to be, are they suggesting that the pre-injury Bellerin was all that.
He couldn’t cross a ball to save his life, can’t dribble past a player and was a mediocre defender. He wasn’t that fast too, I recall him being dusted by Salah in 2017 like he was stationary.
That he was allowed to exist without competition for so long should have led to someone being fired.
Very disappointed with our exit from Europa League. For me it was the most important tournament of the season. Our season is well and truly over. I don’t see us winning enough games to finish 5th in the league. Last year we made good money from Europa and yet booked net loss. Expect significant drop in our topline and higher losses this season.
@Marc –
I am just perplexed with some of his choices so far. Saka and Martinelli looked fantastic together on the left. Then he moves Martinelli out to the right and then has dropped him altogether?
You’re dead right about players seeming un-droppable.
Ridiculing Ozil is part and parcel of life on le grove.
I should know.
The thing is with Leno, is that some of you see him as this excellent keeper who “saves” us a lot in games.
I see him slightly differently. Weak, tentative, indecisive, poor communication and command of his backline, substandard distribution and and unwillingness to take command when needed.
Allison is an A grade keeper. Leno is a C grade.
I expect far more from someone in such a pivotal position.
Bamford
Soares was never a standout player for Southampton to begin with. We’ve played them lost of times over the years and you wouldn’t have had him as one player you will like in your team. He’s as average as they come.
What’s the point of paying that much money for a crocked player who can’t pass a medical for a five month loan. The league ends on May 9th so he better get match ready quickly.
He’s a player we could have had for free in June, now he’s here to rehab until them on our dime.
Problem with Arteta is he has taken a leaf off Wenger’s book and plays favourites. Laca has been downright crap and wasteful as a striker for quite some time. There seems to be a mental block. For his own good Laca needs a 1-2 months total break. Plus, just starting him to see takes away 1 substitution. That place was for Auba or Martinelli. Ozil should have been substituted early when seen he was ineffective.
Leno cost us the game.
Not Auba, not Ozil, not GX, not even Mikel Arteta.
It was Leno.
That’s it folks, catch you later.
@Graham –
“Allison is an A grade keeper. Leno is a C grade.”
One of those has an A grade defence in front of them the other has a C grade! (Even if that…)
Leno is definetly poor coming out of his goal though.
Bamford10 – as Marc wrote, hard to know what changes will happen next year, but I think ozil and xhaka have to be replaced with two athletic, premier league ready players who will give us at least 7/10 performances week in, week out.
I have no idea who two players are but ozil and xhaka are waste of space in vital positions and they need to go, hopefully Edu is thinking about what kind of team he wants to build.
Graham
Stop all this needless bashing of Leno.
Your Liverpool example is inappropriate; Liverpool fives the central defense and full backs before they brought Allison.
Leno has a group of clowns in front of him, still yet you keep sliming him at every turn.
Our poor defending against set pieces including corners is a major area of concern. Last week Everton too looked very threatening on crosses and set pieces. We seem to have improved on our defense when it comes to dealing with ground passes but Arteta must now focus on defending set pieces.
TR7
Totally agree mate, was the thread of hope for this season imo and gutted we’ve been hit with that body blow.
Auba, a part from his spectacular goal was really poor all game , but he was played on the left and was asked to go up and down Pepe was exciting and infuriating at the same time…has to be coached to use his right foot, it will make alot of difference to his game,. mahrez ,bale,robben all learned that sometime you just have to shoot or cross with the right foot Laca and ozil were stinking the place out Arteta did not change that front line combination until it was too late.. Baffling! We ‘re mentally and physically weak We… Read more »
At least we know we are no longer unbeaten in 2020.
Yes Graham62
It was Leno
He was the reason we didn’t have a shot in target till minute 70
He was responsible for the marking on their first goal and the pathetic attempts to stop a cross coming in 3 minutes from time
He also made all the sub’s and picked the eleven
It was all Leno
If only we had Allison for 80+ million to beat olympiakos at home or at least draw
Leno can be improved on but if Leno’s a grade C then we have other players who are worse than an F.
It’s about priorities when you have a limited budget – it took Klopp what 3 years to replace the keeper at Liverpool.
The reality is that Arsenal are stuck in mediocre, mid-table land. We are neither good , nor terrible. Last night’s performance and result is a manifestation of our current plight. We are owned by an absentee scum-bag with no interest in football. Arsenal are the only major English club where the ownrs have never invested a single penny in the team. And we all recognise that major investment is needed but is unlikley to be made under the dead hand of Kroenke. Mediocre ownership equals mediocre teams. Arteta has inherited a team which is riddled with mediocrity and liabilities. It… Read more »
TR7
If we’re only four points off of 5th now, why are you so pessimistic about our ability to move up the table and compete for that spot? There are 11 games left, and until last night, many people here were super optimistic about what we could accomplish in the PL, a PL that many of these same people regard as “weak”.
Has something changed for you, or were you always pessimistic about us closing that four point gap with United?
Last night literally has nothing to do with ownership. Jesus Christ. Pepe alone is probably worth more than Olympiakos’s entire squad.
I want my Arsenal back! That’s all.
I hope all those arguments for keeping Auba even if he doesn’t extend his deals have been dutifully dispelled by the events of last night.
Auba is not the all action striker that will carry a team on his back to CL qualification. He’s no RVP
He gets a lot of goals but doesn’t enhance the team overall…and he does miss those game changing chances too.
He and Laca have to be sold off. We have to find a better way to do this.
Sorry, let me revise that: Pepe alone is probably worth more than Olympiakos’s first XI.
Imagine bashing Aubameyang after he singlehandedly almost qualified us from yet another goal out of nowhere. Not sure if to laugh or cry.
Last night had NOTHING to do with Kroenke
We put out a 200 million plus wages team against a Greek team with a one away-goal advantage.
There more behind this Kroenke hatred from our UK friends, embarrassed you don’t control the world anymore?
raptora
No one is bashing him
My point is that he has to be sold if he doesn’t sign an extension, which we all know he won’t. There’s no merit keeping him till his transfer value is zero because all the Auba goals haven’t saved us from mediocrity, have they?
I have a silk handkerchief for you, if you decide to cry.
Bamford
I never had high hopes from the league. Europa was always the only glimmer of hope.
Dissenter, Auba not being of the required quality is way down the list on issues with this current squad. The guy can carry a good balanced team with 30 goals every season to success its the creativity and defensive awareness behind him that needs an upgrade.
Players have to be dropped.
Arteta has to be ruthless.
It’s all hot air after what he says if he continues to pick the same players.
If he does, then our squad must be even worse than we thought knowing that he trusts no one else.
This sort of result had to happen at some point some of the personnel involved in the team are just not good enough and no matter how good your coaching is there comes a point where you just need to have better players. Just surprised that it should have happened after a good performance in Greece. Winning the first leg away and then losing the tie is a rare event. On a completely different matter looks like both of the loan signings are classic Arsenal loans. They are something like one third through their loans and so far one U23… Read more »
Achieving CL through the league was always a big ask however it’s not impossible. What we need to see now is how Arteta can use last nights disappointment to get a reaction out of the team and get a run of wins going.
Raptora
While I agree it’s no time for “Aubameyang bashing,” I do think it’s worth thinking about selling him. We are going to need funds, we have a lot of needs, we could play a front three of Saka, Martinelli and Pepe, and I think it’s time for us to take a longer view and to invest in youth.
That we should sell Lacazette is obvious.
You’ve written some great stuff over the past 24 hours, btw. Kudos.
“Last night had NOTHING to do with Kroenke
We put out a 200 million plus wages team against a Greek team with a one away-goal advantage. There more behind this Kroenke hatred from our UK friends, embarrassed you don’t control the world anymore?”
Don’t be so fucking stupid. Cricticising Kroenke’s dead-hand ownership of our football club has nothing to do with British (or American) imperialism. It might suit your twisted vision of world afairs but Arsenal have been in decline since Kroenke took control of the club. It is not about one single match – get real.
Why are the players who only needs good coaching getting so much blame? Some probably owe Emery an apology. Did he overachieve with this lot? Asking for a friend.
Makes you wonder who sanctioned the loans having no game time at all so far in a competitive game.
We need players to what Arteta requires. So far we have such an unbalanced team is beyond belief.
It does need gutting. I’d be content with the season ending now and being done with it. Crack on for next year.
TR7
“I never had high hopes from the league.”
Why, though? Why would you be so pessimistic about us catching United, or Spurs, or Wolves, or Sheffield? After all, it was only a short while ago that you laughed at the idea of United being better than us.
What has changed?
It’s clear the club wants to keep Auba and rightly so. While I am not a fan of Auba you got to admit he is a prolific goalscorer. Goalscorers win you games and prolific ones are priced at a heavy premium in the current market. You can be rest assured you would have to pay much more for a replacement than what you would get from selling Auba.
There is no doubt some players are uncoachable defensibly. Unfortunately, . we have congregated a number of them at The Arsenal. This defeat ranks with the worst I have seen over 60 years of watching the club. And our novice manager says he is proud of the performance! Utterly imbecilic,
DNA
I like your stuff, but please do not say things like the above. You will only annoy certain people, and that will only result in more headaches for all of us. Cheers.
Digital bob ‘ Dissenter, Auba not being of the required quality is way down the list on issues with this current squad. The guy can carry a good balanced team with 30 goals every season to success its the creativity and defensive awareness behind him that needs an upgrade’ Agreed Auba is the only world class player we have right now which is why we shouldn’t let him run down his contract Next season we won’t even have the benefit of EL to generate some income so it is imperative that we don’t let ANYONE sellable run down their contracts.… Read more »