Rough performance, but a trip to Wembley secured

by .

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

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Gentlebris

*should at least have been given

Pedro

Oh, I see Bris, you are an AKB. That makes sense.

Wenger should have gone 8 years before he did, that he didn’t is partly why we are where we are.

It was intellectually flawed the back Wenger when he was at Arsenal, it’s intellectually bankrupt to pretend that the issues we face are down to his exit.

You don’t even need to take it from me, look at who employs him. Big clue, it’s not an elite football club. Ask yourself why that is.

Pedro

Bris, it’s not about getting worked up. I just don’t understand why any AKB would be against a former captain of Arsene leading the club. Hoping for failure to prove a finished manager was unfairly treated is a bit weird. Especially after a win in the FA cup.

Valentin

Pedro, “No one ever loses a dressing from for strong leadership.” There are lots of former managers who would disagree with you having confused strong leadership with petty tyranny. I don’t think that Arteta is there yet, but he need to make sure that he does not descend into a caricature. Respect and empathy are not mutually exclusive. Pep is well known for being respected and appreciated but not really viewed as closed to his players. Arteta is moulding himself on him while our squad is very different than ManCity: less talented, more inconsistent, much younger and much more unsecured.… Read more »

Champagne Charlie

“Treating a 20 years old kid breaking through the first team and a 31 years old experienced player exactly the same is bound to upset at least one in the long term.“

Are you suggesting their application in training and to the team should be different because of age? Seems odd.

Dissenter

Gentlebris
No one hauled stones at anyone.
Wenger’s time was done and he had to be escorted out gracefully. There’s nothing worse than an overstaying uncle who wants to regale you with stories of the good old days.
Wenger had run out of energy, vision and purpose. Give it up already.

Nelson

For the FA Cup, our only hope is to have Arteta influencing the MC players not to score. That would work.

Pedro

Valentin, Pep is viewed as extremely cold by players he falls out with.

I can’t tell you 100% that Mesut Ozil doesn’t give a fuck and everyone sees it… and Matteo is very problematic and everyone at the club sees it.

There is nothing tyrannical about setting standards and holding people accountable. I have no idea how you’ve come close to that being the problem.

Not to mention the fact that Arteta brought AMN in from the cold, as he did with Pepe and MG before the break.

Pedro

Yeah, gotta echo CC. That you think there should be a different set of rules based on seniority is very Emery of you.

One set of standards. Everyone plays by them. That is leadership.

Dissenter

Pedro ‘ I can’t tell you 100% that Mesut Ozil doesn’t give a fuck and everyone sees it… and Matteo is very problematic and everyone at the club sees it’ There you go again This is getting ridiculous…’everyone in the club sees it’ Did they ‘see it’ when the kid was being overplayed last season? How would he have played so much if he wasn’t showing up in training? Did Freddie speak out against Guendo…nope. He singled out a few players for criticism and Guen wasn’t on that list. You’re being mortifying biased, at this point you’ve become the first… Read more »

Champagne Charlie

Dissenter

Did you post the quotes Arteta made publicly about Guendouzi? The ones Pep would never etc.

Pedro

Dissenter, Freddie and Guendo had a very specific incident. Remember, you guess, I don’t.

The Godfather

Who plays right back for Scotland?
If he is as good as their left backs please go get em.

Anyway that aside my MOTM was Kieran Tierney.

Hope this lad can stay healthy. He has Arsenal captain written all over him.

If there are more like him in Scotland please let’s go find em!

Valentin

That idea that everybody is treated the same way is a complete falsehood. What players want is a sense of fairness. Fairness does not means equal treatment. A 31 years old who need more time to recover does not necessarily train with the same intensity or as long than a 19 years old. Remember Lesley King who could not train during the week but still played at the weekend. If the rule had been don’t train well, don’t play, his career would have been so much shorter. Even Klopp and Pep give leeway to some players. Remember when Mane annoyance… Read more »

The Godfather

You lads who are seeing the light of Guendo just let it go.
There are Some people here are so Hell bent on hating this young kid that no amount of reasoning or evidence to the contrary will sway them.

Graham62

The Godfather

Scotland has a plethora of talented youngsters.

Always have.

Always will.

It’s in their blood.

Champagne Charlie

Val That’s different to the argument being levelled at Ozil and Guendouzi here though. It’s widely appreciated that every player is different in terms of details, and individual needs. But Ledley King didn’t train in accordance to his injury restrictions. In fact it could be argued that he fulfilled the standards moreso than an average player because he had that much more on his plate to deal with to be in the best place possible. Holding the group to the same high standard doesn’t mean treating everyone the same, you’ve got that completely wrong. It means establishing a code that… Read more »

The Godfather

Pedro help me here?

“ Godfather, you are hell bent on insisting innocence despite having no clue what’s going on.”

You’re speaking in parables my good man.
It’s all good and why we are here.
We can always have diff opinions but in the end we all want the best for the club.

Again I might be jumping the gun but I would love for Tierney to be captain next season.

Valentin

CC, If the standard is “don’t train well then don’t play”, then Lesley King did not fulfill the standard, because he could not train. Managers gave him special dispensation because of what he could offer the club. That’s not what I am advocating here, but I used that example to prove that idea that every is treated the same is a complete falsehood. All the noise received about Guendouzi is that he is an impetuous child who can be annoying on a day to day basis. Nobody has said that he did not train properly. If you want to criticise… Read more »

Valentin

Looks like Leicester, Sevilla and Napoli are interested in the CB Jean-Clair Todibo available for €25 millions. When you think that Barcelona bought him for less than 1 million in January 2019.
Sometimes investing in players before they have their big break can really pay. If Leicester buy him, they would have their CB pairing sorted for the next 5~7 years.
In the meantime Arsenal give a contract extension to David Luiz…

Champagne Charlie

“If the standard is “don’t train well then don’t play”, then Lesley King did not fulfill the standard, because he could not train.” That’s with a pretty dim literal application. The standards being referred to are to offer the team your best in terms of professionalism and aiming to improve/perform. Ledley King did that despite his injuries, meanwhile Guendouzi allegedly has full blown barneys with the manager in group sessions, and acts a mug when his back is turned and everyone is focused on the task at hand. That’s a standard, not ‘everyone has to train the same amount’ as… Read more »

Guns of SF

Anyone know what is the average education level of footballers ? Here in the us many of them have college degrees before become a. Pro. Sure that has its own issues but it seems a lot of these issues are based on immaturity and perhaps a lack of formal education . Coach is like your teacher or prof… you need to listen! Guen was probably the kid sent outside the class for regular misbehavior Or to the principals office I agree with the soft touch in the beginning but if that doesn’t work then you have to be tougher If… Read more »

Dissenter

Pedro
Do you have any information that suggest Guendouzi refused to train or wouldn’t train properly?
It just seem like the story is morphing all the time.
This is just Arteta using the discretionary powers a manager has, it’s nothing to do with Arsenal standards or guidelines.
He can’t work with Guendouzi because he doesn’t have the maturity or skill set required, nothing to do with the player..

Guns of SF

Also what is the deal with ozil and no game time?!!

Champagne Charlie

Dissenter

For the third time….

What quotes are you referring to that Arteta made about Guendouzi that Pep would never make?

Gentlebris

Pedro, I was no AKB. I was as fierce a ‘Wenger out’ as anyone could have been. But I look at things now and realize the man was actually doing a decent enough job, building wealth for the club while playing beautiful, and I’m big enough to go oh dear, we made a mistake. Yes, Wenger made some mistakes, and also he got arrogant; but these might have been because of the pressure on him in his last years. Then, I’m tired of the idea that we are so bad like this because Wenger left too late. Wenger has been… Read more »

Overmars

I posted this last week: “I also worry about Tierney, it’s understandable that he may not have the confidence to drive forward and play the forward pass, as he’s never been able to play a run of games. His body doesn’t seem up to the pace of the Premier League at the moment, as he seems to pick up a lot of small injuries, similar to Kolasinac. If either of our left backs can get a run of 8 + games, then they’re more than capable of getting to a good level as they both have the ability.” Lets hope… Read more »

Guns of SF

Tierney did well today
Good crossing and made his way into dangerous spots with ease

I just hope he is not one of these only cold weather type players . When it gets warm then They have issues!

Kid needs to be in the sun more

Gentlebris

‘Again I might be jumping the gun but I would love for Tierney to be captain next season.’

Why?

You don’t fancy Folarin Balogun?

Overmars

I’m not getting carried away like some fans, as I know it’s only 2 wins. But, I don’t think this team needs as big as a clear out as some fans have saying. Contracts aside, we have a good mixture of youth and experience going forward. Our full backs are pretty solid. And the goalkeeper situation finally looks in good shape. Its in the middle where we need to improve. 2 Centre backs (as well as Saliba coming in), a box to box midfielder and a Cazorla/Cesc type player in the midfield. If the recruitment is right, I see no… Read more »

azed

Pedro

What exactly was Guendozi’s crime?
Taunting Brighton players?
Grabbing Maupay by the neck?
Sending Arteta’s wife a DM?

Guns of SF

Pedro what else has he been reprimanded for? Give us the scoop mate

azed

Pedro

I’m just asking what his crime is/was.

Dubai was a long time ago and I don’t see how’s that’s relevant now.

What has he done now that’s making Arteta leave him out of the team

Gentlebris

So Guen is a trouble baker, and that’s why our second highest goal scorer was being benched before he got injured? Face it guys, Arteta love sycophants. He is bringing a ‘you don’t tell me I’m at Pep’s level, you don’t play’ policy. And it’s really a shame for a coaching career so young. What Pep did at Barca was different, there was a gang inside the Barca team and Pep felt he had to dismantle them to take the team forward. What Arteta is doing is to watch the players’ body language, if your gestures are not hailing him… Read more »

The Godfather

“Godfather, you can’t have a difference of opinion on the Guendouzi, unless your opinion is that he’s so good, we should let him behave as he pleases.That’s not what you’ve been saying today“ Pedro I have said different things to different posters depending on how the issue is addressed. What I have said consistently is whether you believe or disbelieve the rumors and innuendos revolves around how you perceive the player. I see a passionate young man who loves the club and gives it all on the field. Standing up to a punk shouldn’t warrant all the chirping and harassment.… Read more »

Guns of SF

No one complained when Vieira or keown or others were grabbing players by the neck

We liked it.

We loved that we gave what we got

What has changed nowadays? I doubt very much that anyone complained back then … when we hammered horse face van nistelrooy did we complain?

Or keane or others?

The Godfather

Pedro his non negotiables were “effort and desire” …, Is Guenduozi lacking in those areas?

Again I’ve told you quite respectfully that we all draw conclusions about Guendo based on our perceptions of him.

I see him a certain way and you and others have your opinions. All good.

Same thing could be said of Patty Viera by a diff coach other than Wenger when he was constantly picking up reds and having legendary locker room rows.

Those were issues as clear as day !!!
A good coach knows how to tailor passion and belief … (hint hint)

azed

Pedro

Was there a recent training ground incident or is this related to the Brighton game?

Guns of SF

Pedro some are equating the choking of the hunchback as reason to drop guen . So that is the confusion . The incident or is it incidents…. s

I personally didn’t care too much about the choking thing. Happens

I just don’t rate him as a player

Some rate him as a player

Maybe he needs a loan spell to get it straightened out … come back better prepared if the board wants to keep him

Dissenter

azed

Let’s just agree that Arteta can’t work with Guendouzi
It may just be two good people who have irreconcilable differences. Arteta is entitled to his view since he’s manager but that doesn’t excuse any smearing i\of the lad.
Arteta opened the spigot with his not so disguised comments that were c,early targeted at Guendouzi.

Now Pedro is talking about bust-ups on the training ground ?
Good managers push players very hard until they push back, what’s wrong with the player having his say?

Guns of SF

Ask Ashley cole about the “Vieira” in his face incident in the locker room

All that was fine back in the day

Arsenal have had others who have done worse but less issue

Maybe it was a different era

The Godfather

Are we talking about the same Viera that used his man part as a paddle to slap Anelka across the face and when the incident was reported to Wenger ( Le Prof shrugs and says that’s why he is captain)?

Okay whatever ….

The Godfather

Like I said before people make conclusions depending on how they perceive a person.
Viera ( who was a sulking bully at times) and Tony Adams who was drunk and a boorish character are all still acclaimed as legends but a kid standing up for his club is suddenly a pariah and anti-Christ … can’t make this shyt up lol

The Godfather

“ People should know this is nothing to do with money. I need to leave because I want to win more trophies and I just cannot see that happening at Arsenal. Certainly not over the next few years, anyway. “Comparing Arsenal to the big clubs in Europe this season is going to be quite ridiculous,” he added.” “ I have given 100 per cent to Arsenal over the last five years. They have only been there for a year or so. “They have won nothing with Arsenal. They should stay and try to win things for the club before they… Read more »

salparadisenyc

Its all down to method, if that method translates to the result 98, 02 or 04 delivered then by all means wheel it out and slap away Patty. Imperative to keep the house in order, some managers go with the strong captain to bad cop others like Fergie are feared plus have a Keane waiting in the wings for any slackers. Arteta seems to be finding his method, with the shit he inherited a few weeds need to be cut but most just need water to grow. No idea which side of that fence Guendouzi ends up on but thankfully… Read more »

Overmars

The Godfather

“Viera ( who was a sulking bully at times) and Tony Adams who was drunk and a boorish character are all still acclaimed as legends but a kid standing up for his club is suddenly a pariah and anti-Chris”

Spot on. Merson, Wright, Parlour etc as well, they were never perfect off the pitch and I’m sure they had a few scraps with fellow players and managers.

Guendouzi just needs a few trophies to back him up. That’ll come.

Guns of SF

Thought it was cashley that got the vieira in the face

azed

Sal

My question still remains the same. What is Guendozi’s crime.
What rule did he break?

Emiratesstroller

azed

The answer to your question is that Guendouzi’s crime is probably “lack of
professionalism and discipline”.

salparadisenyc

Azed

I’ve no clue what he’s done or not done, nobody in this space does. All we have is Arteta’s actions and words and Guendouzi’s. I think most are making a bigger deal out of this than needed to suit whichever agenda their slinging. That goes right up to the transfer rumors, those journos love chaos.

azed

Pedro

Arteta has the right to do what he likes with his team. Heck he doesn’t need a reason to bench a player but when you say someone broke a rule, it would be nice to know the rule that was broken.

salparadisenyc
Emiratesstroller

azed Do you think that a Head Coach would choose not to select a player unless there was a problem such as a breach of discipline or misbehaviour? Arteta has made it crystal clear that he is not going to discuss in public what goes on between him and a player and that is how it should be. It is clear to me that Arsenal have had for some time a number of issues which are not just down to poor recruitment and contract matters. These need to be sorted out very quickly. The starting point for me is that… Read more »

Just Another Customer

I don’t see anything special from Guen in fact often becoming a passenger in midfield

our build up always slow when he’s on the pitch

even he doesn’t know what his true position is as he’s all over the place getting caught in no man’s land

Guns of SF

Great movie
Capt Kurtz

Wineandsoccer

Yes With few exceptions a midfielder should score goals and have a few assists per year. Guenduzzi has not scored one goal for Arsenal not even in the Europa league. Xhaka isn’t better than Ozil. Arteta is getting more conservative to hold unto a win. It seemed like Arsenal was going to be more attacking In his first few games. The strategy With arrests is to keep the game close which is easy as soccer is a low scoring game. They’ll win a few and lose a few but they can’t go toe to toe with man city or Liverpool.… Read more »

Guns of SF

Ozil really should see the writing in the wall. There is no games for him
Pathetic loser should leave just on principle

James wood

Guns of SF.
Exactly except the guy has no principles.

Sid

I think Moyes has a big influence on Artetas management style, including getting Steve Round.

Peps influence on Arteta is in the coach style

Im telling you for free!

James wood

As regards Guen the guy’s consistently been a niggle. Our midfield is so bad that he does sometimes aspire to be the only one doing the donkey but hey an Arsenal Player that is a starter NO not with that attitude. He is the type if there where a fight in real life he would be the big Kunucka and be first in and then the first one to be knocked out a powderpuff of a player. A real turn around by him may unravel his head he has the potential to be a good player Arteta at least is… Read more »

Sid

Autocratic style of leadership will not work considering the culture of the football dressing room is always one where your respect is measured in medals and trophies

Diet Pep

Pierre

“If Wenger was running so shit a show, how come he only failed once in 22 years to bring in CL money to the club, and let’s remember that he failed in a year when planes were being flown on his head and banner being rubbed on his face on the regular…WENGER OUT! Would you succeed in your work under such condition, Pedro?” Good for you Gentlebris for being honest enough to say that under the circumstances, Wenger was doing a good job for the club and that you and the rest of the Wenger obsessives were wrong. Imagine what… Read more »

Pierre

Arteta is treading a fine line in showing the players who’s boss. It didn’t work with Emery because the team started to lose too many football matches and performances were poor. Winning our last 2 games gives Arteta more power but the problem will be when we have a losing run , his power will diminish and fans and media will begin to ask questions. It’s all about results on the pitch, a manager can do more or less anything he likes if his team are winning football matches . Lose, and the shit hits the fan very quickly, especially… Read more »

Nelson

Ozil started every game before the lockdown. I can’t believe that he suddenly becomes lazy. No one here knows exactly how Ozil trains and starts talking as if they knew everything just because he was benched by Arteta.

The board wants to get rid of Ozil long time ago. My guess is that the board asks Arteta to push him out. They tried it with Emery. I can’t see it works this time. Ozil is smart. He has a team of professional advisers. He won’t give any excuse to the club. Only simple minded fans would do their own imagination.

Northbanker

Pierre – of course that is true but keeping disputes private will help enormously in keeping a lid on it. Players will respect that.

I suspect that is why he really wanted to re-sign Luiz – despite some dreadful performances (I’m hoping we start using him in midfield and not CB) because the guy is a massive character in the dressing room and Arteta sees a useful lieutenant there.

Pierre

I’m 50/50 with Guendouzi. I just get the feeling that he thinks he’s a little better than he really is. When he’s on the ball he will often try to carry the ball through midfield instead of laying the ball off…he thinks he’s a gascoine or a Vieira. This is ok if a player has the strength or an extra gear to go into or a deceptive turn of pace or superior dribbling skills , Guendouzi doesn’t have any of these at this present time, maybe in another year or 2 he will have the power to play this type… Read more »

jwl

I don’t think the three players have been named or when it occurred, so I assumed the odd choices made by Arteta are to do with this. ——————– Arsenal’s preparations for their match against Man City were heavily disrupted by a positive coronavirus test, according to reports. A Gunners player tested positive for the virus and had to self-isolate for seven days in line with government protocols. The Athletic claim the player had come into close contact with two other team-mates for more than 15 minutes. It saw those two players enter a 14-day period of quarantine and therefore miss… Read more »

Overmars

Pierre

Hit the nail on the head about Guendouzi there.

It’s one of them where if we sell him and receive £40m, it looks like good business. But what if he ends up at a Dortmund and doubles his value. Could easily happen. I’d keep him.

Pierre

Northbanker
“Pierre – of course that is true but keeping disputes private will help enormously in keeping a lid on it. Players will respect that”

Keeping it private is a better course of action as he doesn’t want to lose the players as Emery did.

It will increase the speculation but Arteta must stick with his beliefs or it will make him look weak.

results will determine the level of speculation.

Pierre

Overmars
Yeah, I’m with you , I’d keep him as I cant see his value decreasing in the next year or 2 but it could definitely increase if he reaches his potential with Arsenal.

Sid

Arteta leaking stories about players like his mentor Moyes leaked stories about Rooneys transgressions

Diet Pep

Terraloon

Pedro Haven’t had time to read all the comments but the days of the runner up in the FA cup gaining entry to the EL via that route have long since gone. As for Tierney he seems decent enough but if you watch him carefully time after time he has to go on the outside of the player. Show him wide and that’s where he will go. On the vast majority of occasions getting to the bye line outside the penalty area means he has to elevate his cross and Arsenal really are midgets against some of the big CDs… Read more »

Terraloon

I meant to add that Guendozi clearly has something about him in terms of energy but I just don’t see the player that others do. He clearly thinks of himself as something special. Great managers head coaches don’t deal with internal discipline matters in public they really make a negative comment about players . That’s not to say that they will tolerate ill discipline but that sort of thing is best kept in house because the egos of the modern player are far too great and they no that the likelihood is they will around long after the coach has… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

Overmars/Pierre There are bigger issues than a transfer fee. If a player is constantly disruptive and undermining the head coach AND the Club then it is best to get rid of him. In the case of Guendouzi it seems that the player has a track record of being disruptive where he has played and not just at Arsenal. What that suggests to me is that the scouting system and other processes which are supposed to be looking at the profile of players whom we want to recruit is flawed. I was advised many years ago that the reason that Liverpool… Read more »

Freddie Ljungberg

According to Ornstein Folarin Balogun is getting sold this summer, 1 year left of his contract and doesn’t want to sign a new one. Too bad, he was the most promising of the youth strikers. Hard to keep everyone I guess when you have a glut of talents in 1 position. Could have seen him overtaking Eddie in a year or 2 but now we just have to hope for a decent fee instead. Would have been better if we could have convinced him to sign up and then go on loan but it is what it is I suppose.… Read more »

Pierre

Stroller
Good points.

Emiratesstroller

Freddie Ljungberg

The Balogun story if true raises more concerns about the Agency who represents him as well as Nkietah, Saka and Nelson.

It was a a concern that I have raised several times in the past, because this agency appears to have a lot of very young players on its books including
Iwobi and Sancho.

There is beginning to be a pattern emerging of the agent making unrealistic
financial and contractural demands and then when not achieved making a
sale and benefiting from the fee.

Arsenal have currently FIVE players with this agency which should be a concern.

Emiratesstroller

Further to last post I think that we should also be concerned not only about Saka,
but also Nketiah, because his contract expires at end of season 2021/2.

We should be asking questions about Arsenal’s current relationship with this
Agency.

Dissenter

Emirates
‘’ We should be asking questions about Arsenal’s current relationship with this
Agency.’’
The playerS chooses their agencies to act on their behalf and Arsenal deals with those representatives.
I don’t know what you’re in about.
Folarin’ Balogun’s path is blocked at Arsenal. He hasn’t trained with the senior team since March 2019 [if you believe his agents]. He is absolutely right to move else where to continue his development, maybe a championship club where he will get to play games.

Northbanker

From what I’ve seen Sam Greenwood who is a year behind could well be a better player.

Pierre

Balogun is a player who relies on his physical strength more than technique. I would liken him to Kevin Campbell which is not a bad thing though nowadays it is as much about technique and speed for a striker . Many on Le Grove put him on front of Eddie at this particular time but I don’t see it. I think Balogun could struggle at the top level. Will just point out that I have never said Eddie is this fantastic, world class player. He is progressing well and has scored 4 in 8 starts which is a a good… Read more »

Pierre

Northbanker
Greenwood looks quality..

There are so many good English kids around these days ,and they have to be top quality to get in the liverpool and city sides…Trent Arnold and Gomez at liverpool are top quality , Foden and Sterling also.

United , Chelsea, Tottenham as well as Arsenal have some very good players in their teens and early 20’s that are making their mark.

Gentlebris

‘I suspect that is why he really wanted to re-sign Luiz – despite some dreadful performances (I’m hoping we start using him in midfield and not CB) because the guy is a massive character in the dressing room and Arteta sees a useful lieutenant there.’

Good that we have someone on here who is always with the team in the dressing room.

Emiratesstroller

Dissenter

I would remind that Saka has yet to sign a new contract.

My concern is not about Balogun, but rather our current or future negotiations with three other players who are in our current first team squad.

You should be also aware that Iwobi left us last season and he is with same agency.

Graham62

Pierre

Why next season?

These youngsters( Nelson, Willock, Smith-Rowe, Eddie) need to show their metal now. They are not 17-18 years of age.

I want to see that hunger to try and cement a place.

Why not?

CG

GB “”””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!””” Great confessional stuff GB. I am expecting to hear more of it ,over the coming years. (Even from the likes of Graham and PedRo) The irony of ironies. Fans now want ( and pray) Arteta and Arsenal to emulate exactly what Arsene Wenger… Read more »

Gentlebris

‘Arteta has made it crystal clear that he is not going to discuss in public what goes on between him and a player and that is how it should be.’

Arteta is so fine a man that he wouldn’t let it out what actually happened re Guen, but he would gladly take the boy to the market place to paint him bad anyway.

Fact is Arteta, 38, has more childish ego than Guen, 20.

Graham62

Guendouzi must be disillusioned. He has seen the likes of Ozil, GX disrupt the team. He has been through 3 coaches in a short period. He feels suffocated by the environment. Maybe he feels he’s being used as a scapegoat. He reads social media. He knows all the problems that exist at the club. He is not stupid. His desire to succeed is there for all to see, even though it goes against him. He will improve and get better. In a way, I feel sorry for him. Arsenal are still in a big mess and for a youngster to… Read more »