SMASHED CHARLTON

by .

Arsenal beat Charlton 6-0. Does that mean we’re winning the race for top 4? I believe so.

Goals from Laca, Auba, Willock and a TREMENDOUS hattrick from the boy wonder Eddie Nkeitiah sealed the deal in a warm-up game at The Emirates.

I don’t have much of a download from the game.

Key points for me:

Arteta now has a month of Zooming with the players and a month of working with them on the training pitch. They will be fully fit, mentally prepared and eager to impress before the summer of uncertainty gets underway. The last 10 games might be awful, but I really think the next batch of games favours Arsenal because we were in such a mess.

Eddie Nketiah is going to be important over the next few years. His job for the remainder of the season is to prove he has a top-level gear. He has the potential to be a 20 goal a season striker next season. His current goal ratio has him scoring every 135 minutes. If he maintains that at Premier League level, he’ll have a good season for us (25 over a season). Coming off the bench and smashing home three is a statement of intent, I will be FASCINATED to see if he starts ahead of Lacazette when the big games return.

There are rumours that Saka is being considered for a position higher up the pitch because of where he’s been practising in training sessions. I don’t know where he played yesterday, but one thing is for sure, the manager seems to love Kieran Tierney, who is fit and he seems to have a lot of joy for Saka. Can he map them into a single system? It’s possible… but it might feel like we’re wasting one of the best young left-backs in the world.

I don’t think there’s much to take from either side, other than most players landed a runout, and most are fit.

That’s me done for today, enjoy your Sunday! x

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Marc

Pierre I’d play Auba through the middle with license to roam and then have Tierney and Saka down our left side. I’d like to see us play quicker and look to get behind the opposition more often or at least attack them whilst they are chasing back towards their own goal. We seem to have got into a rut of playing in front of the opposition and then passing the ball square from one side to the other and back again far too often. With the frequency of matches and CL football to be chased we can them rotate players… Read more »

Wasi

Pierre Agree with most of what you said. Though possession very high potential the only one of the bunch who is Prem ready is Saka. Martinelli is close too but not there yet. Unfortunately Saka has Auba in front of him and probably wont be a starter as long as Auba occupies the LW position. The only part I dont agree with is that Saka may get time at no 10. He will get minutes , but he will probably get them as sn impact / late sub for Auba and sometimes maybe at LB. For all his qualities, imo… Read more »

Wasi

possessing* very high potential.

Ishola70

I’m sure Eddie N can notch more goals in the EPL.

But the point is the wow factor.

Eddie has not shown the wow factor as yet.

Martinelli has twice in top end matches against West Ham and Chelsea as well as looking decent in some lesser Europa League matches.

And of course Saka has more than enough times.

Jamie

Saka is definitely not a 10. He’s a winger. The Wenger school of logic trying to shoehorn players into the starting 11 just to give them minutes.

Play them in their best positions, and that means playing Saka on the left. Auba or Laca through the middle and sell the other. Eddie as a backup striker and Gabi backup LW.

Let ESR play as a 10 and lets see all this youth talent I keep hearing about.

Pierre

You’re struggling now Ishola,

You are waffling about Europa and caraboo matches that Eddie hasn’t played in, and I can guarantee you that your ridiculous comment of “several times he has been “disappointing in higher level matches ” has no substance to it .

I would give up now if I was you , as soon as Marc sides with you ….you are on a loser.

Marc

Pierre

How many goals has Nketiah scored in the PL this season?

Ishola70

Pierre

When I mentioned you seeming not being able to distinguish between what is a true top level match and one that is not I was not just relating to Eddie N. I meant generally.

Whether you like it or not Pierre as of now Eddie N has not shown the wow factor that we have seen from Martinelli and to even more extent Saka.

Pierre

Ishola
” Martinelli has twice in top end matches against West Ham and Chelsea as well as looking decent in some lesser Europa League matches.”

West Ham ” top end” …are you sure ?.

Ishola70

Yes I’m sure Pierre.

West Ham in the EPL where a full strength team is played.

Not an understrength team like we see in carabooboo, fa cup or europa league matches.

EPL matches are seen as top end. They are matches where Arsenal play full strength sides.

Marc

Pierre

Who are the teams that Nketiah has scored against?

Ishola70

This doesn’t mean that you dismiss a player who shows class in a lesser match of course. That’s silly.

It’s just that you want to see that player back it up with showing class in the higher end matches as well.

Pierre

Marc
“Who are the teams that Nketiah has scored against”

I’ll play your silly little game.

Eddie’s 5 games started this season are .

Bournemouth…away …won …2-1 ..scored one .
Everton ..Home …won 3-2 …..scored one
Portsmouth away …won 2-0 …scored one
Newcastle ..home …won 4-0 …
West Ham …home ..won ..1-0.

Pierre

Ishola
“It’s just that you want to see that player back it up with showing class in the higher end matches as well.”

West ham were “top end “5 minutes ago and now they are “higher end” .

Ishola70

As said before Pierre generally EPL matches are seen as the real deal as full strength teams are played in them.

You can nit pick about terms such as top or high end if you wish.

Marc

Pierre

So 2 of the goals were in Cup matches, 1 against a a 3rd tier team and the other against a PL team who are in a relegation dogfight who made 6 changes from their previous PL match.

We know you like Nketiah and I’d be pleased to see him do well but you have this habit of latching onto a player and pushing their contribution beyond any reasonable impartial level.

Pierre

Marc “So 2 of the goals were in Cup matches, 1 against a a 3rd tier team onand the other against a PL team who are in a relegation dogfight who made 6 changes from their previous PL match.” Let’s carry on playing your silly game before I go to the golf course. And your point is ….let me try and decipher what you are saying. “2 of the goals were in cup matches” Both away games , that helped us into the quarter final of the cup. “, 1 against a a 3rd tier team ” A team that… Read more »

Marc

Pierre

I don’t know how you can seriously compare a League 2 team whether at home with a good record with performing week in week out against PL teams.

And you say I’m playing silly games.

Marc

“” the other against a PL team who are in a relegation dogfight who made 6 changes from their previous PL match”And Arsenal played their 2nd string side that included 5 teenagers in the starting line up .”

Well breaking fucking news Arsenal’s second string is better than Bournemouth’s.

Who would have thought that?

Habesha Gooner

I can see Nketiah has ability. But I don’t think his over game is there yet. He looks like Javier Hernandez to me. He can find space in the box for Tap ins and Headers. He chases after balls too. But Martinelli has those traits and so much more. Speed, Energy and Never say die attitude. I think Nketiah will have a good career. He might be a good second string striker for us or He may go to a good premier league club and be a starter. I could be wrong but as of Now that’s what I see.… Read more »

Habesha Gooner

overall*

Tom

“I can see Nketiah has ability. But I don’t think his over game is there yet”

I’m assuming you mean his overall game isn’t there yet, which would make sense since he’s only 21 and the CF is a difficult position to learn, especially on a struggling team against PL opposition.
Much easier to play a winger than CF , especially for young players.

Santan

I rate Nketiah. He defo has ability and bags goals for the u23’s. He is a very decent backup and apparently works hard in training. Wouldn’t be the worst thing to have him at the club

The Godfather

Should Arsenal keep Dani Ceballos?

Habesha Gooner

Tom I am not suggesting we sell him. Yes C.F is a difficult position to learn but He needs to play to do that. He is currently 4th Choice at C.F in my eyes. Our multi million Strikers and Martinelli are ahead of him. Arteta has been Playing Martinelli on the wing since Lacazette was injured. I don’t think he is a winger. All his Incredible performances came when he was a 9. This is a question I want answered, If bielsa thought he wasn’t ready to lead the line ahead of Bamford for Leeds, what makes you guys think… Read more »

Ishola70

The Godfather
“Should Arsenal keep Dani Ceballos?”

No.

Ishola70

Gary Lineker just gets worse by the day.

Firmly entrenched up his own arse.

Dissenter

Habesha
Re: Nkettiah – “He looks like Javier Hernandez to me. ”

Nothing wrong with having a player like that in a team for the next 5 years.
Lets give the guy a break, the manager likes him and we will soon know what he’s made off.
The only “wow-factor” that matters for a scorer is ‘goals scored’

Tom

HG
I haven’t seen enough of EN to voice an opinion one way or another.
Loan spells can be tricky and not always a good fit for some players( Gnabry / Pulis)
Possession vs counterattacking set ups make a difference for example.
I’m not saying I disagree with you.

Habesha Gooner

No to keeping Ceballos, Van debeek, Auoar, Fekir ,Grealish, Soumare, Tolisso all players I would go for before him.

Sid

Now that Arteta has had time with the team, the bare minimum we should expect is
1. Ozils chance creation to improve to levels before Emery.
2. Xhakalson to set the tempo with his passing in midfield.
3. Mustafinovs to end his last ditch tackles and provide defensive cover.
4. Midfielders like Ceb and Dozi should be able to provide goals since they will benefit from great coaching.

Redtruth

Sid

Ozil’s chance creation dried up long before Emery’s arrival…

Santan

“Ozils chance creation to improve to levels before Emery.”

So… de-aging?

Wasi

‘The only “wow-factor” that matters for a scorer is ‘goals scored’

Finally.

Sid

Why not also expect a top 4 push , an Fa cup win , Auba and Saka contract renewals and Partey announcement.

Valentin

I would say that Martinelli has a great never say die attitude that really makes him a fan favourite. However there are aspects of his game that are lacking. He struggles in small space when tightly marked and sometimes his technique let him down. Against Chelsea, Martinelli had over pushed the ball and if Kante had not slipped he would not have scored. Also while facing forward he is great, his back toward goals play is poor. I think that hold up play is why Nkethia has been preferred to him in the middle. Martinelli is the kind of annoying… Read more »

Marc

“Now that Arteta has had time with the team, the bare minimum we should expect is 1. Ozils chance creation to improve to levels before Emery. 2. Xhakalson to set the tempo with his passing in midfield. 3. Mustafinovs to end his last ditch tackles and provide defensive cover. 4. Midfielders like Ceb and Dozi should be able to provide goals since they will benefit from great coaching.” After that Arteta is going to feed the world’s hungry, end conflict, find a cheap non polluting form of energy and wipe out all the Scousers. Strangely I think my four are… Read more »

Ishola70

When people talk about wow factor that doesn’t just mean the type of goal scored.

It can also mean scoring a clutch goals, winning goals in a tight match in a high end game. Significant goals.

If you combine the two all well and good.

Peeps shouldn’t cry just because it has been pointed out that a couple of youngsters have shown more in the bigger matches than the other youngsters at this point.

They are unlikely all to go on and be top, top players. That’s the law of averages. It’s rare for that to happen.

Sid

WasiJune 8, 2020 16:22:08
Sid Why not also expect a top 4 push , an Fa cup win , Auba and Saka contract renewals and Partey announcement.

When Arteta has a full pre season with the team the above is what will be expected, failure will mean Wenger has more sauce than him and Pedro is right that Rauls recruitment process is corrupt

You heard it here 1st!

Marc

Actually who is Arteta’s agent?

Marc

Kim Jong Pedro’s about!

Ishola70

Well that’s the end of Hollyoaks then.

Can’t say I was a fan or anything.

Ironic that it is on Channel 4.

I expect Channel 4 to do the necessary now.

Graham62

Martinelli needs to get regular starts.

For me, it’s a no brainer.

Graham62

Ishola70

What’s Lineker bin rabbiting on about now.

Mikel's Immaculate Hair

I’m happy to just let the likes of willock and nketiah develop.
it’s too soon to be saying what their ultimate level of performance will be in the end.
we have some nice youngsters around, they will either be valuable members of the team going forward or they’ll serve as decent make weight to get someone who is.

i mean, its just good economics we have setup for the future.
ESR
AMN
reiss
saka
willock
Eddie

if none of them are eventual arsenal standard then we’ll be making decent money on the lot.
I can’t complain.

Ishola70

Graham62
“What’s Lineker bin rabbiting on about now.”

Everything and anything. He has a view on almost every matter.

Fully woke is Gary.

Ishola70

I think he loves being retweeted by the intelligentsia.

Graham62

Ishola70

Gets on my wick.

Always has.

The day he started eating crisps, we were all doomed.

Jamie

Hard to respect a guy who shat his pants on TV.

Dissenter

Jamie
“Hard to respect a guy who shat his pants on TV”
Many a professional sportsperson have shat themselves during play. It’s one of the best kept secrets in sports. Some athletes wear adult diapers/fitted briefs to prevent spill overs.
Marathon runners routinely shit themselves, their bowels give out ..footballers are no different.

Terraloon

I probably have missed it but has there been any announcement re the three loan players having there loans extended or come to that Luiz agreeing an extension be it a temporary or another season.?

Jamie

Gary wasn’t a marathon runner. He shat his pants on the football pitch, rubbed it in and sniffed his fingers like a dirty get.

Marc

Terraloon

I haven’t heard a peep on any of it – you’d assume common sense would say extend loans until the season is played out as players can’t be registered unless they open the summer transfer window whilst the season is in play. Same goes for Luiz – we’ll pay you for an extra 1 – 2 months outside of extending his contract / letting him leave.

Terraloon

Marc

I am hearing that the odd player has agreed to see out the season but I am reading that a few aren’t.. It seems that Pedro at Chelsea hasn’t agreed to an extension but Willian has but these both have contracts that end on 30/6.

As a total aside there are rumours that despite the fact that PSG have been crowned champions in France that they might yet play the season out.

Dissenter

Terraloon
Honestly, If I was a 30-32 year old player like Pedro with a contract ending on 6/30, I wouldn’t renew.
The risk of an injury that will scuttle the chances of that last big contract is too great.
What if William gets a major injury, he’s done for and Chelsea already have a replacement in place.