What’s that I hear?
‘WE’RE ON OUR WAY TO WEMBLEY, WE’RE ON OUR WAY TO WEMBLEY’
You can’t knock that feeling people, the FA Cup is a great competition that we love to be a part of, and sadly, it probably presents our best way back into Europe this season. The competition is going to be outrageous once we land in the semi-finals, as I’m writing this we still have Chelsea, Leicester, United, and Manchester City in the mixer, so the chances of a win are slim… but, if we make it to the final, there’s a very good chance we make the Europa League because we’ll be facing a team with Champions League football.
So what about the game? Well, can I offer you up a nothing assessment?
‘It was a game of two halves’
Ooohhhh yes it was. Arteta stuck this his guns with the squad non-negotiables. He didn’t give Mesut Ozil a start, nor did he bring Matteo Guendouzi in from the cold. They didn’t even travel. I suspect Arteta is getting a little tired, like most Arsenal fans, of the constant circus around the two players. Again, it’s a big risk, you lose, the pressure heaps on you because our usual reaction to losing is to assume the team would be better with the rebels in it. That didn’t work out for Emery, so god knows why Arsenal fans are bemoaning a coach that sticks to his guns.
Anyway, we didn’t lose. Our 1-2 victory was only our second win in 9 going away to Sheffield United. This is a side that are built to cause Arsenal-like sides problems, they’re great in the air, they have an aggressive ground game, and their pressing has been problematic for us. The first half was fairly comfortable. We kept our defensive shape, we limited their chances, and our formation, 3 at the back, freed up space for our forwards to cause problems.
The standout performer of the half was Nicolas Pepe, he found a lot more joy working with Willock and AMN as a right back. The additional speed and confidence opened up his game. He moved inside a lot more and though he wasn’t swimming in touches, he picked up the ball in more dangerous areas than he had been.
We took the lead through a penalty. Lacazette, who was mostly eaten up by Sheffield’s defence was clipped just inside the box. Pepe, a dead ball monster, stepped up and took responsibility for the kick and duly buried it into the bottom corner. He looked very happy after that as we started to see glimpses of what he could be at Arsenal next season.
We knew what was coming in the second half. Sheffield United upped the aggression and energy levels and immediately got at us with the long balls. The confidence of this team is very fragile. For the 3rd time this season, a lead has caused us problems as the nerves set in. It wasn’t helped when David Luiz had a knee blowout (typical after signing a new deal). Rob Holding did not instil confidence in anyone and Sheffield United played on his reluctance to attack long balls into the box. There were a couple of warning moments, the worst when he allowed a floated ball into our area to go unchallenged. Add to that his erratic passing, and, well, you sensed what was coming.
Sheffield United enacted a Delap style throw into the box, Rob Holding mistimed an unchallenged header, Kola had no time to react, the ball was bundled into the net. You worried what extra time would do to the squad and I really had absolutely no hope for what was to happen next.
Kola cleared a long ball into our box and found Saka through the middle, he shifted the ball up to Eddie, he switched the play finding Pepe in the box, the ball was begging for a right foot volley, Pepe couldn’t muster it, the half baked clearance found Ceballos who slotted the ball under the on-rushing Henderson.
Magic. The second time in 3 days that the subs have come together to win a game.
So what did we learn today?
Arsenal is still very much a work in progress and the squad that we have is in desperate need of upgrades.
The individual errors keep costing us. I don’t know how you program a group of footballers to stop doing stupid things over and over again. Outside the poor Holding performance, there were plenty of other incidents that could have led to catastrophe. Granit Xhaka had one of those games where you worried he was on the cusp of doing something horrendous. He dived early on and won a freekick. That set the tone for two more occasions when he needlessly threw himself on the floor in dangerous positions, one on the edge of their area that led to a counter-attack, one late on just in front of our box. It’s problematic. He doesn’t need to do things like that.
There were a lot of positives to draw from.
Martinez has exceptional distribution. It actually looks better than Leno’s. I’m not sure he’ll be happy with himself for the goal, but overall, we’ve not seen a massive dip in goal.
AMN just needs to bite the bullet and accept he could be a very talented right-back for Arsenal. His power and mobility combined with his confidence moving forward could be honed into something special. He offered so much more than Hector has been able to over the past few games. A really impressive performance from him.
Tierney also had a fairly positive showing. His final ball still needs more work, but he gives us a lot of drive down the left and his recovery pace is exceptional. We really need him to stay fit.
It’s also worth remembering, we have been shit away from home for years and that was a big victory however it happened. The team showed great resiliance to come back from a goal down almost immediately. Also, we won a tough game without Auba, Ozil, Bellerin, Leno, and Torreira out of the starting 11.
The first half was more talk worthy. I thought we started to see glimpses of what Arteta is trying to bring to the club moving forward. There were better passing combinations, more confidence going into moves. The biggest miss is a final ball. We dominate possession, but we’re not really creating a lot of high-quality chances.
Our second half performances need addressing. Why do we come out so meekly? Also, part of that, how can the team be better at adapting to a bad moment with an injury or a red card. Better players, sure, but we can’t have that now.
The biggest issue we can’t escape is our midfield, if you think about the reality, we’re lacking a proper 6 that can control the middle of the park physically, we don’t have a proper #8 in the side, and our #10 doesn’t want to be a professional footballer. That’s quite a few issues you’re dealing with. The good news for me is that if you fix our entire midfield, we have quite a few very exciting attacking players to unlock.
Overall, it wasn’t pretty, but we won. We live to fight another day. We are still in with a chance of an FA Cup final. That’d be grand, wouldn’t it?
Right, see you in the comments. x
Mikel ‘more sauce than a curry house’ Arteta
Or
Mikel the saucy one
Or
Sauce it like Mikel
Or
MkSauce Arteta
2nd away win in a row. Lets go. Dont know what Wilder said to his players before the game ? Play to kill your opponents , maybe? Sheffield United goal started from a silly ref error. Nketiah shrugged off a challenge in the opposition fair and square and had a shot lined up. Dont know what the ref was thinking there. Xhaka comes into spotlight again. The thing is its not like he was great against Southampton and poor against Sheffield. He does make a difference but both performances were quite similar imo. Xhaka looked good in the Southampton game… Read more »
Pedro finally admitting player poverty without writing it.
“The individual errors keep costing us. I don’t know how you program a group of footballers to stop doing stupid things over and over again. ”
All Mikel needs to do is sprinkle some of his magic sauce on the players and boom… they become world class.
Also one astonishing fact I heard on the commentary today
This is the first time in 5 and half years that Auba has gone without scoring a goal in 4 league games.
World Class.
Our Wasi,
Is wasting his time, ruminating about abject Arsenal.
He should be on the UN security council
– making the world a better place.
Wasi.Trust me .
Arsenal will make you bonkers eventually
(I was sane once.)
Get out of here and run for the hills.
Mikey souse fits best
You heard it here 1st!
CG
Thanks for such high praise 😜.
My love for Arsenal is too much to run for the hills.
Arteta has given me hope.
Hope you will see that too.
Did I miss Charlie’s list of PL winners that were ‘much worse’ than Xhaka? Can’t seem to find the reply….
The backpass, I think Guendouzi is a very talented player, with the potential to be a world-class one.
I’m not sure that’s a revelation to many people.
What is the core premise of debate here?
That Guendouzi has only been a problem under Arteta? This is 100% false.
Or that you can’t find examples of me raising it in content?
Azed, I know the context of time is a struggle, but the reality is things have moved on and the situation is not what it was at the start of the season.
If we’d had Arteta last May, we’d not be where we are in the table right now.
You can’t prove that, but you could also look at how close we were to 3rd last season to see that player poverty wasn’t an issue then.
Recycling old arguments over and over… do you have no interest in the game today?
Andy
Don’t think I need to do a deep dive to find players with a PL medal worse that Xhaka. The whole line of questioning is embarrassing in itself given we’ve not won the title since 2004.
That suddenly the only standard necessary for our CM? Seems like it.
I don’t know who does the scheduling of fixtures but we have played since resumption FOUR SUCCESSIVE AWAY GAMES in eleven days, which considering fitness levels is in my view an unrealistic schedule. Our squad is now under considerable strain due to injuries to Leno, Chambers,Mari, Soares, Torreira and Martinelli not to mention the absence for whatever reason of Ozil and Guendouzi. So it is hardly surprising that we are not playing particularly well at the moment. The fixture list and timetabling does not get any better with two more games in next 6 days with another difficult away game… Read more »
Fuck me Andy, there are plenty of horrendous players that have league winners medals.
RH miserable after two aways wins on the trot, something the clubs not done since 2018 I believe.
Its not pretty but there were a few glimmers of play coming together, regardless i’ll take a semi final at Wembley. This season has been diabolical.
Still can’t see what some, namely Arteta and Pierre sees in Eddie, sure he runs around a lot, he’s got good positioning and he puts in the effort and hassles goalies and defenders but the quality seems to be lacking.
Was apparent a few times today again.
I hope he gets better and that it’s lurking beneath the surface but so far haven’t seen anything talent wise that suggest he belongs as a starter in a top 10 PL club.
Freddie, it’ll be interesting to see what Arsenal do if they sell Auba and Lacazette this summer. The Celtic guy seems a little more built for the Premier League. Certainly would be nice to get a bit of height and power in the squad.
ES
Think Soares is available next game, Torreira in a couple of weeks.
Pedro
I would be delighted if we sold both Aubameyang and Lacazette and brought in Edouard with money to spare to fix the midfield. Might not pay off immediately replacing Aubas goals but we’ll be better off as a team long term.
Pedro, Arsenal players though? Midfielders? I’m struggling.
To quote Charlie “We’ve won league titles with much worse players”
So that’s Arsenal players, and would have to be comparable so no Chris Wreh’s, Remi Garde’s or other bit part players. Let’s not try and move the goal posts eh?
Should add that I think we could replace our current strikers output for the fees we get if we buy for example Edouard and Szoboszlai. We currently have almost no goals from midfield and that simply has to be addressed. Both Pepe and Martinelli will probably increase their numbers next season too with a competent midfield behind them.
Pepe is btw on 8 goals and 8 assists, pretty decent for a flop…
Andy Pick a title winning side we’ve had and there’s worse footballers than Granit Xhaka who took part. The only moving of goalposts is from your sect who like to partition clauses about who can and can’t be considered. So you want me to compare Xhaka to Vieira in other words? Well fuck me you’re right, he’s not as good. But then.. that would imply that if we keep Xhaka beyond this summer we won’t win the league next year. Is that your argument? Because you’re not really using all the brain power on offer if that’s your hot take.… Read more »
Freddie
Eddie doesn’t possess the X-factor but right now he is performing better than Lacazette and thats why he is our starting 9. At least he’s got the energy to be nuisance to the opposition for the time he is on thr field. Laca is starting 1 game out of 3 and still gets gassed out at the 60 minute mark.
The only way he stays at Arsenal beyond the summer is if Auba doesn’t sign and we cant fund a replacement striker. As the Auba money will then presumably used to secure a Marquee midfield signing.
Also those branding Pepe as a flop are probably hiding in their closets right now.
Pedro
“Or that you can’t find examples of me raising it in content?”
Pretty much.
I’m not against him getting sold for the right amount btw (£35 million and above), Just believe Arteta can do better with him.
Re Guendouzi, the fact is he holds on to the ball too long and slows the play down. He’s still not ready for an automatic starting berth when other players are fit
So you want to compare our ‘best midfielder’ with any player who had even a small part in one of our title winning sides? Not exactly apples with apples is it?
Absolutely he’s not the worst Charlie. Is he good enough? Nope, not even for a top four side. He is however someone we could get good money for, as has been pointed out he’s more suited to the Bundesliga.
If we could sell and upgrade for minimal outlay then why not?
Wasi
Was always ridiculous labeling him a flop that early without giving him a chance to adapt. With the numbers he managed this season while adapting and playing under 3 managers in a shit team you wonder what he can accomplish next season if we be bring our midfield up to an above average standard.
I don’t understand how we have so many players who are just awful with possession football, ie receiving the ball on the half-turn, shielding the ball with your body when in possession, ability to dribble the ball a few feet, beating an approaching defender with a simple shimmy… You look at Xhaka and how stretched he is when receiving a pass or uncomfortable he is when trying to dribble, kola with anything other than whacking the ball, AMN in trying to dribble past players or simple passes….. And you compare that with how other teams are so good with basic… Read more »
Yes we finished two points off third and got to the EL final all thanks to the quality of the squad. Nothing to do with the man coaching them. It was all them
Champagne Charlie
Name an Arsenal midfielder in the last 30 years worse than Xhaka…
We won today, right?
Jamie
Can’t you tell? The place is positively buzzing.
We won, but look at the bigger picture, clot
Still waiting Champagne for a worse player in Arsensl’s midfield than Xhaka…
Lol, well I’m happy with a win anyway. Wins first, style can wait. It’s still obvious that midfield is our biggest weakness though.
CG exclusive !
Breaking News ….
Newcastle United Saudi deal done and dusted…..and they mean business…….
CG exclusive!
“Name an Arsenal midfielder in the last 30 years worse than Xhaka…”
Denilson maybe?
CG
You can fuck off to Newcastle and support the Geordies.
I am starting to have serious doubt on Arteta the manager, not the coach. 1) Keeping Saka on for 90 minutes when it was clear that he was running on fumes after the 1st half was a dangerous move. It reminded me of the habit by Wenger of overusing the same players who were in the red zone and then be surprised when they broke down. 2) his substitutions seem reactive and most of the time are ineffective. Ceballos may have scored, but he was also at fault numerous time for losing the ball in dangerous situation. 3) his treatment… Read more »
Denilson was shit but not Xhaka shit.
When I first came across Redruth, a few years since.I was assured his all time favourite Arsenal player was Gus Ceaser.
Do we need to talk about Flamini second stint at club?
“So you want to compare our ‘best midfielder’ with any player who had even a small part in one of our title winning sides? Not exactly apples with apples is it?“ No, I don’t want to do that. It’s the idiots who can never bring themselves to assess him without reverting to lazy stereotypes that want to make such remarks. Wasn’t me that introduced the idea of us never being able to win a title with Xhaka in the squad, I merely dismissed it. “Is he good enough? Nope, not even for a top four side“ Again this is nonsense.… Read more »
The Backpass, I defintely said it, so you’ll just have to do better at hunting it out if it means that much to you.
Matteo could be great, he’s an elite youth talent, but he isn’t very pleasant and doesn’t behave well.
The door is always open. I think he’ll fetch more than 35m if he goes. Hopefully we swap him for Partey
The only reason Arteta picks Xhaka is because he reminds him of himself, slow and useless at tackling…
Valentin, Emery lost credibility with the players when he gave up on making tough decisions and caved. No one ever loses a dressing from for strong leadership.
“ The only reason Arteta picks Xhaka is because he reminds him of himself, slow and useless at tackling…”
Oh dear😳😳😳
INFRINGEMENT 😂😂😂
Think I still have a t shirt that say ” I was there when John Jensen scored”.
Th Bunger.
The Godfather, and infringement is snickering at comments like a child over and over again. Add some value to the actual conversation.
Redruth was it u that doesn’t Messi or am I mistaken on that
It will be City for us in the semis unless Newcastle can come from behind and win it.
City then Chelsea. Let’s have it.
Shit we drew city
Our Wenger beat Peps City in the semi final and Contes Chelsea to win the FA Cup.
So its easily done ….
Can’t wait to see Granit ‘the best midfielder in our team’ Xhaka weave his magic against City in FA cup semi-final.
We will see if arteta has enough against his master this time around.
Pedro your striking out at me reeks of petulance and childishness.
I’ve spoken about Guendo, Arteta and Xhaka ad nauseam…
What more do I need to say.
It’s not gonna change anyone’s mind and a don’t strike out on me cuz you got called out on yer comments … or should I say the phantom ones
I’ll say this barring a David Luiz sighting, it’s kinda hard to beat a team three times in a season and I believe we will give em a heluva game at Wembley
It’s the hope that kills…I’m happy as long as Luiz is not involved in that match.
That’s better Godfather, something constructive
Anyway looks like Andy Carroll is trying to break as many city players as possible for us lol
I’ve been reading Legrove for quite few many years I had the chance to read lot of comments great,good,bad from many many commentators you name it, but I have never come across a negative, miserable person as Redtruth.
Unbelievable I don’t even remember not even a single time the guy would say just a small little good thing about Arsenal or it’s players.
I even question that he is even an Arsenal fan he sound more like a miserable Spud scum
We’re drawn to face city in the semifinals
That’s the FA Cup for this season done for us
CG
.
Every dog has it’s day
Newcastle are playing well, who knows
dissenter
Sterling knows
How about Aka from Bournemouth as a mid.
He is a baller Useful all rounder.
Goonies, behave with the language. Not the place for that.
Gayle misses an open goal from 3 yards, Sterling finds it at the other end from 20. That’s what quality gets you.
City it will be then.
Pedro
He didn’t get the message the first 36 times you banned him, doubt it’s going to stick now. Just saying.
I think willock has a lot of potential. Our play speeds up whenever he is on the ball, not everything comes off but he is a player that makes things happen. Have to say I was surprised that he was taken off , he didn’t look particularly tired, maybe Arteta wanted someone to sit deeper though that seemed to hand the initiative over to Sheffield. The back 3 works well though the midfield looked a little lopsided . I always believe that if you play wing backs a team doesn’t need a winger like pepe as they tend to take… Read more »
Dis
“”” We’re drawn to face city in the semifinals
That’s the FA Cup for this season done for us””””
Dont be so bloody negative.
The one thing Arsenal excel in is this tournament.
If Luiz stays away.
There is always hope.
Maybe Arteta will allow Wenger to do the pre match team talk .
Nobody knows this F A Cup like our Wenger.
7 ( SEVEN) times he has won it!
Freddie, who did I ban?
CG
“If Luiz stays away.”
He’s a must for the City game.
I mean people say we need his big match experience, leadership and winning mentality. No better match to show these qualities. Perfect requirements for this certain match surely.
Goonies/Aubergine/uruguayan/northern/ all the other names he’s had here before.
Or it’s another guy with the same toxic personality but that would be too depressing to contemplate.
If Luiz is dropped for the Man City semi-final then ever more people will say why the fuck did we renew the guy. What was the purpose.
Have to say I told you so to this blog.
Theh said pulisic was a shite overhyped player. Guys a top tier baller and only 21. Something like 7 goals in 13 games from the wing. His dribbling and finishing is superb.
Luiz can save his big match experience for his Mrs, leave Arsenal out of it.
I thought holding done well. The mistake for the goal was costly but other than that I thought he won a lot of aerial challenges and seemed to be holding mustafi together
Freddie, I see. Well, it’s taken care of until the next rebrand.
Raheem
Don’t be so negative about Luiz.
Don’t forget that the manager rates him, that’s all you need to know.
Radio Raheem
“”””Luiz can save his big match experience for his Mrs, leave Arsenal out of it.”””
Shrewd old bugger never had an injury for 10 months.
As soon as he has another contract signed up- the old hamstring’s gone.
He will be on the noon flight to Rio tomorrow.
In the words of the great Jimmy Greaves.
“””It’s a Funny old game!””
Freddie
100% you are correct with this Goonies geezer.
Pedro
So I was right? Well I’m not surprised, you can spot him from a mile away within his first couple of post every time he does a comeback. Too much hate to keep it all bottled in I guess.
I know I have my differences with Don but even he seems kind of reasonable (I said kind of) in comparison.
Dissenter
Nah I’ll wait till he has won league titles, gone a season unbeaten….oh I remember that old chap got questioned too 🙂
Yeah, I didn’t notice. Guy has been doing it for years. Sad.
I’d have a half fit David Luiz against Man City.
His leadership, big match experience , winning mentality and let’s not forget his inspirational dressing room influence will be like gold against Man City.
And he has the backing of the Sauce of course.
Does CG stand for Cynical Gooner?
I thought that was weird too but who am I? I’ve never kicked a ball for money so…
Radio
No one questioned him prior to 2006.
Unfortunately, things(he) changed.
Graham
Arsene who? Remember that?
Gervinho still doing the business (Parma vs Inter)
‘I’ll say this barring a David Luiz sighting, it’s kinda hard to beat a team three times in a season and I believe we will give em a heluva game at Wembley’
As things stand, Citey would beat us 7 times in a week.
But no harm trying, at least the rules say we must show up for the game don’t they?
Didn’t we slate Wenger because of his favouritism and did also Emery because of his mismanagement of Ozil and Ramsey?
It’s alright for the saucy one I think!
‘And he has the backing of the Sauce of course.’
Of course.
‘Didn’t we slate Wenger because of his favouritism and did also Emery because of his mismanagement of Ozil and Ramsey?’
Sauce does no wrong…in the world of Sir P.
Bris, please give us the download on favoritism? Or do you deflect having an opinion because insane comments like your last three is all you have?
Pep has been kind in words to Le Sauce, maybe he will be kind indeed to him at Wembley and give us a chance by starting his second team, surely?
I was there on JJ day.I had given a guy 30/1 he would score a league Goal for us.
We hauled stones at a manager that was giving us CL like chocolates for twenty years, and pushed him out. Now our host on here is hoping we reach the FA final even if we lose the final so we could clinch LA EUROPA! Yet the jokers here wouldn’t admit we were wrong. WE WERE WRONG! Having spent 22 years and having been the modern face of Arsenal, the man should at least be given a two year notice by Stan and be allowed to name the man to carry on. But we forced things and the owner was left… Read more »
Sir P!
Be happy, man.
I was just being happy, no need to get worked up over all of this surely?
Up The Sauce!