Arsenal’s dire on-pitch performance matched by shoddy off-pitch antics

by .

Well, that was a thud back down to earth. Arsenal are shit. Take me back to lockdown.

Our first game back was a nightmare, but so very, very Arsenal.

2 injured players inside 20mins, check.

Unforced error leading to goal, check.

Sending off, check.

Away loss in the Premier League, check.

Insipid performance, check.

It really was all there, about as familiar as an unchanged pair of pants you’ve been wearing for 7 years.

I think what a lot of people are missing is that behind the scenes, Arsenal is still an absolute shit show.

Mesut Ozil was dropped, again. He has a bad attitude and he’s already managed to fall foul of Arteta’s rules.

Auba played like a lost sheep, is that because we haven’t offered him a new deal?

David Luiz, if I can read the tea leaves, didn’t play because he’s had his contract pulled (wonder what took Raul from being favourable to that deal, to reneging). He was subbed on for an injured Mari and he played like a player worried about what he’d be doing in 13 days time.

“I said to the players after the game, nobody needs to speak (to the media), it’s me, I have to show my face.”

“I want to stay, the coach knows, the coach wants me to stay. We are waiting for the decisions.”

This is one of the worries I had about post-covid football. The market is fucked. He’s a luxury now. His contract has basically expired and he’s not focused because THE POOR MAN CAN’T FEED HIS FERRARI HABIT.

Everyone is VERY worried about Pepe not starting. From what I understand, there are challenges there. If he was pulling up trees, do you really think he’d sit on the bench?

Players are picked on what they deliver in training.

Mesut Ozil was dropped, so Joe Willock stepped in and offered nothing. That said, Arsenal haven’t won an away game in the Premier league since 2015. Might as well give Willock a go, even if he did stink out the place.

As a side snippet, the club have been training Saka in lots of different positions, he’s been great everywhere, but the hot talk is that he’s been VERY good as a number 10.

Anyway, back to it. Not a very good starting 11. Lots of promise, not a lot of ability to deliver right now.

The reality so many seem to forget is that City are Champions, they had a fully fit and rested squad to choose from, we haven’t won away in the league in 25 games. Even on a good day, we’d have likely been beaten. Today, we had a bad day, even without injuries, we were still going to lose that game bar a shithousery miracle.

Our squad lacks most things. We aren’t bullies, there’s not a lot of athleticism, and we’re short on experience. The absolute kicker for me is that there was nothing in that performance. Absolutely nothing. Could have been Emery, Wenger or Freddie.

BUT

There’s a lot of room to grow, but that’s going to be hard when there are so many fires going on with the squad dynamics, contracts, and the general unrest in the game at the moment.

This season won’t be 9 more games of that. We’ll win some, we’ll put in performances, but we have to eat a big spoonful of reality… this season is a write-off, and it tastes like cat puke.

That doesn’t mean you need to douse yourself in petrol and set yourself on fire in front of The Tollington.

Mikel Arteta is a great coach. He’s doing the right things behind the scenes. He’s holding players to high standards, he’s working out who can cut it next season, he’s modernising the club and he’s slowly but surely trying to fix the culture of mediocrity. He’s going to work out just fine, I can take the Ls right now, but know this, longterm, if you’re calling him a bum… you are wrong and I will come for you with your own words late at night when you least suspect it.

We have VERY talented young players. They might not be ready to blow up now, but they will do. With the right senior players supporting them, good coaching, and good life choices, they could be very special. Put Chelsea’s kids in with our seniors and they’d be shit too. The future of Arsenal is local, young and elite. City doesn’t change that.

We’re still being run badly, that’s what many don’t understand. The David Luiz stuff sparks a little bit of intrigue. Two weeks ago, his agent said the deal was close, why are we not there now? Do we think head office is paying attention to the games that are going on with Raul’s squad of feeders? There’s a chance on that.

Edu and Raul are not running a tight ship. It’s harsh on the Brazilian, so maybe I’ll leave him alone, but Raul has not delivered. He’s spent bad money on suspect players, he’s snuggled up on the super-agent comfort blanket, and he continues to let money  walk out the door (Rambo, Welbeck, Auba). It’s not good enough. Josh might be absent, but if there’s one thing I know about billionaires, they don’t like to look like faaaaacking mugs. I think Josh looks like a fucking mug at the moment. Raul needs to shape up or he should be shipped out.

If, if, if… the club can get smart about building a proper football club, then we might see some positives moving forward.

Edu talking to The Athletic about data and being smart with player purchases sounds like a reaction to the poor press he’s been getting lately. We know he can find better players than Soares because he let the club buy Martinelli. We know we have great scouts because Cagigao recommended him. We don’t have to be shit at transfers, we really don’t. Edu needs to detach himself from Raul and do his job properly this summer.

Arsenal will hit the bottom at some point, my hope is that we get it done sharpish so this summer isn’t another unmitigated disaster. We need a rebuild, no more transition bullshit. We need exec leadership to think about the club first. We need everyone to buy into the coach and give him the best possible platform to succeed with this batch of kids that could be really, really good.

We need to move on from the Arsene nightmare and stop running towards like irrelevance like we want to be 90s Liverpool for the rest of time.

… but first, we need to move on from City and win this weekend. Yesterday was a terrible performance. Everything went against us. We didn’t show up. That needs a response. We simply don’t have time to feel sorry for ourselves.

On that note, I bid you farewell. x

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Boomslang

Boom

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2

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Trofee

Guns of Hackney

Arteta still has more sauce than Heinz. Nothing to worry about.

Chrispy

Thanks Peter. I needed that. 🤙

RockyRoe

So it’s squad poverty now, is it? That’s a bit of a 180.

David Smith

Rauls main comfort blanket is knowing he can do virtually whatever he wants because the Kroenkes never act when they should at this club. Doing nothing is the easy option, and they like to take it They have kept Wenger, Emery, Gazidis and now Raul far longer than they should. No club could escape mediocrity with such a recent lineage. The Ks know very little about the game, Stan, by his own admission, as soon as they have someone in place with a snippet of football knowledge, they quickly become dependant on that person, whether it is good for the… Read more »

Left testicle

Mikel Arteta is a great coach. He’s doing the right things behind the scenes. He’s holding players to high standards, he’s working out who can cut it next season, he’s modernising the club and he’s slowly but surely trying to fix the culture of mediocrity.
…………
Pedro,
Is that the same Arteta who wants Louise to stay?

Guns of Hackney

Arteta isn’t throwing Luiz under the bus. It’s called being a class act. Of course he doesn’t want him at the club but he’s acting like a professional.

Le Grove’s contributors need to step up their game.

RGG

Arteta, away to Citeh, with full squad to choose from, plays Nketiah up front on his own. Dont like his team selections at all.

Thought Auba did great….worked hard to protect our left and made 2 perfect runs first half, would have been in 1 on 1 with Ederson, not his fault he playn with shit.

If Arteta gives Luiz a new contract he loses my confidence completely…..

Gnabry's Nuts

I’m starting to think this Agent Luiz thing really is true. Some of the dross we have had at centre back over the years is embarrassing.

Left testicle

GoH
Why is the Louise deal ‘close’ if Arteta doesn’t want him?

Guns of Hackney

LT

It’s not close. That’s agent speak.

Luiz will not be at the club next season.

Left testicle

Want Arteta to succeed, why wouldn’t we? But he does make very strange team selections and strange substitutions.

Olumide

Arteta made a mess of his lineups again, check.

Arteta got his in-game management wrong again, check.

Arteta made a mess of his substitutes again, check.

But but but

‘Mikel Arteta is a great coach. He’s doing the right things behind the scenes.’

If those right things don’t translate to better performance and results on the pitch, what’s the point?

Guns of Hackney

LT

He had no choice with his selection. Obviously Pepe is a total wanker, Özil is a non starter and Martinelli is being protected for the remaining games.

He’s hamstrung.

kulastu

Oh man last night was so disappointing but also so expected. The club is a mess and you can tell by the way the team performs. I am a big Arteta fan but I think he has a massive job in front of him – possibly too massive this early in his career. No chance of Euro football next season and I think this will do us a favour. The big earners need to go. Auba stunk the place out last night. He was awful, did not look like he even wanted to get involved. There were 2 positives for… Read more »

Guns of Hackney

On the bright side, when we get relegated, ticket prices will go down.

God never shuts a door without opening a window.

Ishola70

It’s a nice thought that a batch of youngsters will all come through at the same time but it’s ultimately a pipe dream. Rarely happens.

As well as hoping some of these youngsters do become top players at Arsenal the club have to improve on their senior player purchases.

Jonathan

Sideshow Bob strikes again.
What a fuckin liberty..
Another shit show as I expected…

Uwot?

If yesterday’s result hastened the departures of 4/5 of our players.All the better. I can live with it.Lets face reality.Arguably playing the best,2nd best side in the prem with the handicap of having a few duffers in the side & injuries piling up in the first 25 mins & then compounding it in an oh so “ Arsenal way” with a couple of free gifts.But for Leno,could have been a lot worse.The match prob confirmed ARSEtettas worst fears so we move on.A similar display at Brighton & I would be 😧.If it gives the board a jolt for what’s required… Read more »

The Backpass

Pierre

“I believe things may have turned out different for him if hadn’t decided to flex his muscles after a very successful first 3 months in charge”

Wait, you mean being kicked out by olympiacos constitutes a successful campaign. A match he refused to sub in Martinelli till 100 mins and suddenly a change in attack.

One thing is for sure, that shit Emery would have navigated Olympiacos till semifinal or final.Successful three months my ass.

The Backpass

Arteta Great, Raul bad.

I did not see that one coming.

Jamie

Are we still unbeaten in the league in 2020 and harder to beat?

Asking for a friend.

Buzzy

Arteta is a clown for making that team selection..just dont understand why on earth would you play that usless nkietah when youve got Martinelli and pepe on the bench..and willock for ozil? LOL

CG

Excllent and spirited post.

But the simple truth is ( and it always hurts to state it)…..

This current Arsenal Job is too big and too soon for Arteta.

And Its not because he is not talented or indeed he could become a successful manager in the future.

( but only after he has 5 years of management elsewhere)

And deep down , you all know I am right.
Because I normally am on these matters.

Jamie

How’s your “Buy Arsenal Goals” bet from yesterday working out? Dunce.

Ffs, just take a look at the team he picked yesterday. Arteta is clueless. Absolutely clueless I’m sorry. As shit as Ozil is, he’ll always be a better player than Willock. Nketiah, better than Auba up front? Amn, reiss etc, better than Martinelli,? On what evidence . Sorry Arteta is clueless, end of

And we’re wondering why Saka doesn’t sign a contract extension….why should he? To ruin his career at Arsenal, he’d be a mug to stay.

azed

Soon and very soon, Pedro will have to admit that player poverty is real.

Terraloon

I don’t think for one minute people are missing what’s going on behind the scenes. The club is in chaos. Far too much expectation is being placed on the youngsters and as Ishola keeps pointing out the likelihood of them all developing is low. The point is why the disengage with the senior players? Why the disengage with expensive imports ? In my working life I cam across many an individual who was parachuted in and tried to impose their will particularly on old timers who had been around the block. They always failed . You have to take people… Read more »

Jamie

More like ‘Raul poverty’ am I right?

Rocky7

Comedy is back guys!!

Rocky7

The even left the ‘open – mic’ on the sideline.

Rocky7

They* even left the ‘open – mic’ on the sideline.

Mr.J

I have to say that I stopped reading at this point… but with a view to continuing…. “Everyone is VERY worried about Pepe not starting. From what I understand, there are challenges there. If he was pulling up trees, do you really think he’d sit on the bench? “Players are picked on what they deliver in training.” So by this, you’d bench Ronaldo R9, Ronaldinho, George Best, Romario etc because they didn’t train well?? Whenever we have had decent performances – Pepe has been involved, whether it is scoring or assisting and often both. The team selection yesterday was bizarre… Read more »

Camden Gooner

Get Partey in and try to fit the pieces in around him

Jamie

The coup de grâce was absolving the players of any responsibility when Emery failed to make the top 4 in his maiden season. The ensuing 12 months’ results have been utterly predictable because, by and large, the squad has remained the same. Pep and Arteta swap places and Arsenal still loses that game yesterday. Wenger built a squad of dogshit mental midgets and, like GoH said earlier, Emery (or Raul, depending on who you believe) stacked his shit on top of quicksand. The other day, someone posted our xG and xGA under Arteta, and it made for shocking reading. If… Read more »

JAMES WOOD

A NOT VERY ENGLISH RUN CLUB?
Far too
many foreign elements.
No leaders at the Top.?
And indeed and far more importantly
no leaders on the pitch.
Im all for talented overseas elements but we have it in
Bulk.
The clubs a mess.

The Godfather

“ Mesut Ozil was dropped, so Joe Willock stepped in and offered nothing. That said, Arsenal haven’t won an away game in the Premier league since 2015. Might as well give Willock a go, even if he did stink out the place.“

What?
Huh?

Santan

That was bad in almost all the ways possible

Bad:
-2 injuries
-very questionable lineup
-very questionable subs
-67/33 possession to Man.City
-Dreadful mistakes
-Red card
-Not 1 shot on target
Good:
-Leno is amazing

NEEG

Mr J you have hit the nail on the head. It has been reported that Pepe and in particular Martinelli do not perform well in training yet Eddie is fantastic. Perhaps Arteta has not reached the stage yet in his management career where he can identify raw talent. Martinelli and Pepe both have a natural instinct that should be embraced. Decades ago I met a Trevor Brooking – we shared the same accountant. He didn’t train to the same level as his team mates but his natural ability allowed him to maintain a performance level that often meant he out… Read more »

Gonsterous

Let’s spank Brighton so we can come out and say we are a top top team. Always the same, lose against the top 5 teams, spank a lil team and all the players act like they are world class and need mega wages to justify their performance.

Same ol arsenal. Same ol sh1t.

Rocky7

Zero Shots on Target ….

I repeat

Zero Shots on Target….

Mr.J

Arsenal’s last 4 games (Albeit with the COVID break)…

Newcastle – 4:0 W:
Pepe – 1 goal 2 Assists

Everton – 3:2 W
Pepe – 1 Assist

West Ham – 1:0 W
Pepe had a decent game but could have done better if memory serves.

COVID Break

Man City – 3:0 L
Pepe no game time

You don’t think it would’ve made better sense to try Pepe before moving Saka from his favored position, dropping Nketiah who has 1 Prem goal this season for Auba who has 17 Prem goals this season??

And you’d base that decision on training??

Gonsterous

Hopefully pepe and maetinelli are being saved for the match against Brighton. But I will say this, arteta isn’t pep. He doesn’t have the luxury of benching the best talents at the club without repercussions.

If he starts having mediocre favourites (Like Wenger used to have), he’s going to be walking out the door and back to being an assistant as his CV won’t be a very good read.

Marc

Something that I seem and I think most others did as well last night.

Where the fuck is Rob Holding?

Samesong

Let’s spank Brighton

Didn’t Brighton beat us at home last game?

Buzzy

What’s worse is that yesterday the whole world’s attention was on us, this being the first big game of the league. And since City weren’t really threatening any other club’s position, almost everyone wanted Arsenal to be humiliated. We didn’t just give them that but coupled it with a boring show too. Being humiliated and entertaining (Wenger) is at the very least still respected in some way, but something like yesterday just starts to make you go deeper into the irrelevancy hole. And to those blaming Auba, I think anyone with any sort of footballing brain can see he just… Read more »

DannyBoyWakey

Not hopeful about Arsenal’s future at all. Too much emphasis repeatedly being focused on players. Novice Manager – needed to cut teeth at smaller club. Absentee exec management – this has been going on since Kroenke showed his ugly mug bk in 2007. As long as he’s at the top, don’t hope for special sauce. More like 10 week old gravy.

Tom

City looked off pace by their usual standards, which is even more worrisome since we looked like a team put together on a days notice after a surprise end of lockdown announcement. The line up looked weaker than usual and player positions seemed straight out of the Pep’s manual ( reshuffle to surprise opponents as much as your own players). Walker might not be everyone’s cup of tea but he never struggles against pace alone so sticking Auba on the left was pretty much a gimme for him to defend and it proved so. Ozil didn’t play probably because it… Read more »

Dissenter

Chelsea have signed Timi Werner for £53 million

That £8million we gave them for calamity Luiz sure came in handy.

Samesong

Saving players does nothing for their match fitness by the way. Is that some genius type thing to not play player’s who after 60 minutes will be blowing hard.

Santan

I don’t have a problem losing to man city, but it was the way we lost. not 1 shot on target and just being picked apart generally. Every attack mounted was dismantled instantly. Hopefully we thrash brighton

Dissenter

It’s hilarious when people wrote that les wait till the Brighton game to see how good Arteta is. Is playing relegation strugglers the new test for hot sauce managers?Arteta had the inside info on city. He worked with Guardiola for 2.5 seasons and had an idea as to how city will set up ….and yet he failed to pick the right team and approached the game with a vacuous plan. That in itself is an indictment on him. When I spoke up earlier this week, I was labeled as being too negative. The only way Brighton won’t beat is if… Read more »

Samesong

Chelsea have signed Timi Werner for £53 million

Good signing Dis

Dissenter

Marc’
Honestly, aren’t you embarrassed that you have been supporting Luiz on this blog for a while now.
You never held back for Xhaka but were happy to have Luiz stay another season.

He’s given away 4 penalties this season already, how much damage does he have to do for you to change your mind.

Samesong

Diss

I actually think Brighton will probably beat us. They are good in the air and especially good a set pieces.

Dissenter

Stop blaming Pepe FFS
Arteta has his favorites, that’s obvious now.

Wasi

Wow Wow wow Pedro and irony. Dont they go together like a good couple. Raul signs Luiz Pedro– Bad deal. Raul lining up his and his friends’s pockets. Not good for the club. Bla Bla Bla. Mikel says Luiz is important leader Pedro — Mikel is a great coach. Luiz is great behind the scenes and has been soo good under Mikel. Press say Arsenal and Luiz close to extension Pedro — Raul making more money. Kia making more money. Frauds. Not good enough for Arsenal . Shouldn’t have signed him in the first place. Arteta says he wants Luiz… Read more »

Graham62

“Mikel Arteta is a good coach” Eh?? How is Arteta a good coach? Are you insane? Let’s look at that for a moment logically. Since taking over at Arsenal, Arteta has picked a whopping ONE decent team. ONE. That was in the FA cup and still we were totally outplayed in the first half. As telling you, doesn’t seem to work with Legrovers, let’s list some questions for you to ask yourself: 1) How many tines has Arteta improved a game by making tactical alterations? 2) How many important substitutions has Arteta made? 3) Why does Lacazette STILL get minutes?… Read more »

Marc

I find it quite amusing that Pedro seems to have written Mislintat out of Arsenal history. The players we signed whilst he was in charge of recruitment. Leno – good signing and stopped last night being even worse. Sok – failure wasn’t even on the bench last night. Miki – failure and an expensive one at that. Auba – depends who you ask but the guy scores goals. Guendozi – jury still out. Torreira – personally I think he’s our best CM but Emery, Freddie and now Arteta won’t play the guy so he’s a failure. So currently 2 successes… Read more »

Dissenter

Samesong
I too think Brighton will beat us.

I pointed out that I was only cautiously optimistic about Arteta. He could be the best thing since the bread toaster was invented or he could also turn out to be another Paul Clement.
Only time will tell. I just disagree with the unearned pass he’s been getting here.

Jamie

Luiz is finished.

Leadership in the locker room doesn’t count for shit when he regularly throws games in which he plays.

So much dross in the squad it’s unreal. All the ‘saviours’ are always the ones who didn’t make the matchday squad, are injured, or who no longer play for Arsenal, forgetting that we’ve been out of the top 4 for half a decade by the end of next season.

It’ll be a long way back. No quick fixes. Buckle in.

Dissenter

Maybe Ozil has sussed out Arteta and doesn’t think there’s anything there.

I wrote this because when Ozil showed bad attitude under Emery, it was because Emery was a shit manager who spoke bad English.

Marc

“Lil stat – Luiz conceded 0 penalties for Chelsea in the last 3 or 4 seasons he was there. He’s already conceded 4 for us in 25 something games. Highest in the league.”

I don’t know if that stat is correct but Wasi seems like a good guy so I’m going to go with it being correct.

What that screams is no fucking midfield. Hardly a revelation but my God we need to get some CM’s in this summer.

Marc

Dissenter

How dare you apply the same standards to Emery and Arteta.

Dissenter

We needed a rebuild under Emery too, at the time it was Emery’s fault because he presented with power point at his interview…so he deserved what he got.

Arteta isn’t getting any major funds.
If he can’t set up a team to be COMPETITIVE against a team he was assistant manager of for 2.5 years, then what’s the point of having him around.

No more free and unearned passes for Arteta. He needs time but not soft praise and fans acceptance of mediocrity.
He wants to keep David Luiz and has made himself part of the problem.

Marc

Dissenter My support of Luiz was based on Arteta’s comments on him behind the scenes (which is important), his performances under Arteta which were prior to last night OK (I never said he was world class) and also the fact that we were looking at first choice next season being Saliba plus one other – new player, Holding or Mari (we don’t know yet) with Luiz being backup. Having experience who’s been there seen it and done is not a bad thing when you have a lot of young players. It’s the mistake Wenger made getting rid of all of… Read more »

Wasi

Mr.J Good point. Arteta has to learn that not all senior players are going to give their all in training. They’ve proved their worth at the big stage and thats why the club paid top dollar to sign them. You have to just manage them properly or become a manager as big as Pep , Klopp Or Jose that no player can dare offend you. Ronaldinho , Balandor winner used to turn up to some Barca training sessions drunk.Didnt stop him for Winning the Balandor R9 was a partyhead. But that didn’t stop him from scoring a ton of goals… Read more »

Dissenter

Raul has to do his job and over-rule Arteta
Tell him that; ‘you do your job and I’ll do mine’..

Gbat

Centre midfield is where the main problem is. And has been for a long time. We don’t dominate the midfield anymore. The players we have don’t have either the technical or physical ability.

Jamie

Kind of like leaving Dennis Rodman out of the Bulls team in place of some rookie because he’d be off partying in Vegas instead of sweating through practice in Chicago.

Except Phil Jackson didn’t leave Rodman out. He played him irrespective of his mediocre training performances because he did the business when it counted. Like in actual games when points were at stake. The rest is history.

Wasi

Marc ‘I don’t know if that stat is correct but Wasi seems like a good guy so I’m going to go with it being correct.’ Seems !? 😂 Luiz might be a good presence off the field but he is making more mistakes than Mustafi. And he is also asking for a lot of money. For his ability I wouldn’t give anything above 40k a week. Last night for me was the final nail in his coffin. Needs to go. Thats his 2nd direct Red Card for us. And he hasn’t even been here for a season. No level headed… Read more »

Dissenter

Marc What experience is Luiz bringing to the squad? Why do you think Lampard moved him out? … he played with the guy and knows there’s nothing there. I’ve written this before and I won’t stop saying it; Luiz has always had a senior defender to hold his hands- – at Chelsea it was Terry -at PSG it was Thiago Silva and later Marquinhos -For Basil , it was Thiago Silva. You saw how the wheels came off the bus in 2014 after Silva got suspended for the semi finals. Recording yourself playing dressing room pranks on your team mates… Read more »

Marc

Jamie

There are loads of cases of players who are known for managers giving them special treatment. Le Tissier was a lazy fucker and even Fergie used to let Cantona get away with things no other players did.

Dissenter

*For Brazil

Marc

“What experience is Luiz bringing to the squad?”

No you’re right he’s never won anything in his career.

China1

Pedro you say if players are doing well in training they’ll be making the team, what do you think this means for martinelli who has been largely sidelined after a great start to the season?

I do lol that ozil has managed to get completely dropped already. Not that ozil is complaining. It means he’s getting paid to sit there and think of fortnite strategies for 350k a week. Who ever said esports doesn’t pay that well?!!!

Jamie

Pop Quiz:

Who wrote the following a week ago –

“sacking that clown Emery and bringing in a manager who (unlike some fans) recognises Ozil’s quality couldn’t have worked out better for me.”

Hint: He’s a moron.

Leftside

I don’t care if Pepe isn’t behaving like a sycophant in training to Arteta and the younger players are running around being ‘model pros’. Come match day, Pepe is more likely to make a decisive contribution. Auba and Lacazette are more likely to win you a match than Nketiah. Lord knows why Nelson came on and not Martinelli.

Going down the road of favourites have cost Arteta’s two predecessors, and it’s not a path worth taking. Just pick the team that can win the match.

Brighton aren’t pushovers and that’s likely a game we will drop points in.

Marc

Wasi

I don’t get invested in players like many on here. There are players I like, players I definitely don’t like and then others who I support because they play for Arsenal, if we can improve on any player great.

My only belief on that is that you focus on areas that need sorting the most first.

Leftside

and what manager goes into a game against Man City and opts against his best 11?

Marc

Leftside

Agree but what’s making it even worse is that Arteta is shoehorning players to get them into the team in the wrong positions.

Why are we playing Saka RW and Auba LW when we have a £70 million right winger in the squad?

Dissenter

I will only judge Pepe from his on-field performances or lack of.
All those rumors and innuendoes are unhelpful.
I’m pretty sure Martinelli gives his all when he gets his chances so why won’t the manager play him more often.

Hasdon

We havent won an away league game against a TOP 6 team for 5 years
Saka like Iwobi overrated after a couple of good games
Mark my words Ozil will start at Brighton Arteta like Wenger and Emery is weak. If you want to get rid of Ozil tell him you are not going to play him dont keep fucking bringing him back
Willock and Guendouzi starting away at City that joke isnt funny Arteta

DigitalBob

On paper an experienced CB like Luiz makes sense. But we the informed know better don’t we, he has always been calamitous every now and again in every team he’s played for, add him to our feeble back line and his Luiz-ness is amplified.

Tom

Dissenter
Luiz’s best contribution has always been a 50 yard ball over the top.
At the back he’s been a liability.

Marc

Dissenter

“Raul has to do his job and over-rule Arteta”

If you mean by that selling off the under performing players whether Arteta wants them or not and replacing with better I’m 100% with you.

Arteta should have input into incoming players but we’ve got to get some of the “managers favourites” out of the squad.

Hasdon

Marc
Because that £70m winger is shit

Spanishdave

Arteta wasn’t playing Martinelli before the lockdown and still isn’t playing him now.
Arteta is starting to disappear up his arse, great coach lol.
Out of his depth completely.

Mr.J

“Why are we playing Saka RW and Auba LW when we have a £70 million right winger in the squad?”

THIS is the question that needs answering!

As others have noted – this is a no brainer type decision… regardless of training… against City!!

My definition of source:
Do the simple things right.

alexanderhenry

The problems at arsenal fc are many and run throughout the organisation. Despite that, I was supportive of the Arteta appointment . Now I’m starting to worry though. We can discuss the club at the ‘macro’ level as Pedro sems to like doing but we can also look at individual matches. Yesterday we were always going to be underdogs playing away against- let’s be fair here- one of the best teams in the world. However, going into this game arsenal still had a fighting chance of CL qualification. Quite rightly, the club has been at pains to stress the importance… Read more »

Louis

I think it’s reading too much into it worrying about why Pepe and Ozil didn’t play. They already didn’t look ready physically most of the season and it’s very likely that the downtime didn’t help them at all. Let’s remember that Martinelli also didn’t play a part, and when you look at the players on the pitch, they clearly weren’t ready to play. We went with the people who looked sharper right now. What I don’t like about the athleticism angle of our squad is that it isn’t an accurate word to describe what happens. Years ago we used to… Read more »

Dissenter

Marc
‘ “What experience is Luiz bringing to the squad?
”No you’re right he’s never won anything in his career.’’

… so. now he’s going to teach the squad the proper ways to lift a trophy.

I wonder why you never give Ozil that same benefit of doubt since he’s won trophies too.
What didn’t Lichsteiner impart the same qualities on the squad when he was around?
He’s won stuff because he was part of a larger collective of players better than him.
That ‘he’s won trophies’ excuse Should be retired.

Leftside

Marc

Why are we playing Saka RW and Auba LW when we have a £70 million right winger in the squad?

This is the question that needs answering. I don’t think Auba should be played anywhere but up top but if you are going to play him wide for whatever reason at least have Laca come in.

Wasi

Marc

Do you still think we should keep Luiz on for another year after that disasterclass?

Id rather go into next season with Saliba , Chambers , Mustafi , Holding , Mari/ any new signing.

Sanchez was a diva in training and in games. But come matchday he was arguably the best player in the league for a season or two.

Ishola70

Can’t be just training. Perhaps these managers don’t like Pepe’s contribution to the team off the ball and dropping back defensively but as others have said Pepe is more likely to cause problems for the opposition on the right offensively than Saka did last night. It also doesn’t add up that Ozil has seen games under Arteta if the criteria is being better off the ball but of course he was completely binned last night. So it may look that two players that aren’t seen as good off the ball were dropped last night against more taxing opposition and we… Read more »

Receding Hairline

City didn’t set up or approach the game like they were coming up against a good tactician who might surprise them. They played same way they do against us all the time, without exerting themselves, like a training game.

Yet most of Arteta’s hype was built on testimonies from them, I wonder

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