Well good evening to you ALL.
Big news on the bond front. Stan has paid of Arsenal’s debt foooooooor… stability moving forwards. It doesn’t affect Mikel Arteta’s bleak summer ahead. I mean, really, did you think Stan was just going to drop a cool £100m on the squad to take advantage of the lowest market since the great depression of 1929? Absolutely not.
The AST have an excellent assessment here. My take is that Stan is now getting paid by the club and probably taking a lower interest rate over a longer period of time. Helpful that we don’t have to keep cash in the banks and great that our interest rates are much lower. Still doesn’t mean we’re balling out with the big names this summer.
The North London Derby is coming this week. I expect a proper Mourinho performance. Forget about the bleak football, lack of shots, and general misery around our rivals. He’s coming to party this weekend and the team had best be at their very best otherwise we’ll get beaten and the post-match story will be ‘never underestimate Jose.’
Arteta and Jose have had a similar season. Both picked up teams at low ebbs, both have had a mixed bag with results, injuries and luck. Our man acknowledged as much.
They have had some ups and downs but overall you can clearly see what he wants to bring to the club. He manages the energy, the momentum and establishes a really strong culture in every football club. As well, he makes sure that he wins and he’s won in every single club that he’s been at. Obviously the situation and the timing when he arrived is different than starting a new project right from the summer, but I’m sure he will be successful because he always finds the right way to do it. It will take him a bit of time but I’m sure he will do it.
Still, what can’t be denied is we’ve looked pretty decent and on the up… and they haven’t. We still haven’t had a great 90minutes start to finish. Is there a better time to demonstrate that we are capable? No. The moment is now, so let’s see what we have.
Mikel Arteta was goaded about 7 times into calling Jose a past-it-melt, but he held back, basically saying he’s a world-class manager. Smart move really.
I think a derby has a completely different context to what is happening with the current form and anything like that. I have huge respect for Jose, for what he’s trying to do there, and we know to go there and get a win we’re going to have to do everything really, really well. I’m expecting a really tough game.
I agree. Spurs could be at the bottom of the table and this would still be a tough game. They have a great squad of players and elite talent built to make your weekend miserable. Harry Kane, Son, and Bergwijn can all do damage. I’m quite pleased Alli and Celso are out.
So what can we expect? I think it’ll be a similar approach to the one we saw from Wolves. They’ll defend deep, expect a mistake, and try and kill us on the counter. They obviously have more quality, so we need to be careful. They won’t need many chances to kill us.
This will be another huge game for our midfield and wide players. We need to play smart and stick to the game plan. Hopefully, the team is a little more confident after the first half against Leicester and we take the game to them. It’s a big away game, if we win there, who knows what we might take to the Liverpool game.
Before I go, interesting that some outlets are saying Matteo wants to stay but not apologise, whilst Canal+ is running with the idea of letting Aouar go with an eye on our bad boy replacing him. Swap? I mean, it’d be rude not to have a chat.
Short post today, have a great evening, see you tomorrow! x
Auba is not even worth the money he is already on. Never makes the difference in crunch games. Sell and let Martinelli lead next season. 300kpw for a player who regularly. Isses 5 yard sitters
i
Come on Pedro, let’s not start the deflection tactics already. Let’s have a look at today’s game objectively.
Azed,
Evidently, they have been. We’ve gone from 1.64 goals a game to 0.85.
Do I think we need better players? Yes. But the notion coaching hasn’t had and impact is incorrect. Subjectively and objectively.
“We have Upstate, RH, Dissenter, and Red… all major Emery fanboys, all stating they can’t see improvement.”I’m pretty sure Upstate was never a fan of Emery….”
Thank you, azed. Hated Emery’s guts. Can’t stand Arteta either.
Started off slow and error ridden in the first ten minutes. As soon as laca scored I knew we wouldn’t hold the lead. A piss poor spurs side there for the taking, 78% possession and nothing but sideways passing to show for it. Arteta should have made the changes earlier. Pepe was poor. Everything was coming down the left with Tierney, the right side went missing. Kolasinac isn’t a left back so what the hell he’s doing playing as a centreback especially with holding on the bench. Xhaka giving the ball away, mustafi going to ground. Just not good enough… Read more »
Upstate
Sheffield and Burnley don’t have a player like Kola. He is now worse than Mustafi and Xhaka.
Mental the amount of people here giving Arteta so much stick. Agreed that Kola should not be anywhere near a football field in an Arsenal shirt but Arteta has a system in mind which is not working with some of the players he has inherited. If we had a solid left footed CB fit, his system would be showcased. Talking about the stats of dropping points etc. Can any of you not see how much better the football is now in comparison to the Unai days? We are not a million miles away from challenging for top 4 next season… Read more »
Andy, 2 errors, one horrible
one. Failure to take chances.
The worst 90 under Mikel performance wise.
Pedro
“Quite something. I haven’t seen a single analyst, pundit or explayer with that view”
Lots of those very same so called experts were defending Wenger to the bitter end…
There has been one step forward then one step backwards regarding improvements
SWG, there are a collection of Emery fanboys on here that are recovering from the loss still.
Great post. Fully agree.
Dissenter I found it funny that certain posters were clamouring for a new Mustafi deal recently, it’s those kind of decisions that will determine how long Arteta is here for. He needs to get certain types out of his starting 11 if he is going to succeed here. Some of the recent contract extensions were already looking very iffy but somehow we manage to still have a Mustafi or Kolasinac or Xhaka or Luiz constantly starting Games for us then it will be more of the same. Pretty worrying to the continuous sideways passing in that second half, the ball… Read more »
“ Lol lol lol
All one big lol. Has this cunt ever been to an arsenal game? Has he ever been to any premier league game? Has ever ever left mummy’s basement?”
Again only a bastard hating dog will keep talking about Moms?
I know you hate your mother hence the focus on Moms!
True Bastard … I feel sorry for whoever wasted sperm on you!
Red, you are still defending Emery. You are worse than those pundits.
CC
“Who was it you wanted in as manager?”
Jardim was always my first choice. Always liked Rafa as well, and think he would’ve done much better than what we currently have on display. I’d even prefer Vieira over Arteta. At least he was a monster of a player and actually got his feet wet by managing a couple of clubs. And what did we get? A guy who thinks Xhaka is a good player because he probably reminds him of himself?
Listen and learn people, football comes naturally for some of us. Until such time that the following are exorcised from the team, Arsenal will not have a winning mentality or be capable of winning consistently:
Xhaka
Ozil
Mustafi
Kolasinac
Pepe
Luiz
Chambers
Tons of ballers out there that can replace them for cheaper and way better output. These are the moments when you miss Nacho Monreal et al, may be limited but fighters to the core.
I must be getting to Old for this,I thought Pepe did OK.
Not sure if it was the worst, first half was okay, second half we seemed to have zero drive. Yeah we’ve got several players that need to go but the whole mentality was far too negative (or passive as MA was shouting). That, as much as some of the playing staff needs to change.
“ GobIm not focusing on your mum. I’m focusing on YOU being a stay at home mamma’s boy.”
STFU!
You’re a sick dog … I feel sorry for whoever wasted sperm on you
Mustafi has improved under Arteta we should keep him if no one bids 35m or more since he has improved.
Im telling you for free.
Un Na,
Best spurs team in decades isn’t saying a lot. There not that great mate.
Lucky against city and Ajax to make the final.
And they’ve only improved and looked better because arsenal utd and Chelsea have struggled the past few years.
Same as how wolves Leicester and Sheffield United are where they are now.
Unai na
Back off talking about his mom
You’re better than that, surely.
…and weren’t you cheering Spuds for the greater part of last season when Emery was managing Arsenal?
Mike Arteta was hired to do press conferences. A manger who have a blindsight identifying if a player is good enough is a recipe for disaster. He continues to get his starting lineups, substitutions and in game management wrong and it’s a waiting game now for him to get sacked. He’s clueless and only talks a good game. That was the worse performance in a NLD by Arsenal, it’s actually was like a stand up comedy show 🗑
I’m shocked people are surprised that some gooners hate us losing NLDs?
“ Unai na
Back off talking about his mom
You’re better than that, surely.”
No he is not.
A bastard child will always act true to its nature.
Don’t have the time for all this deflection tactics, I said Arteta if smart has a lot to learn from Emery’s latter months about the true character of some of the players he has so far chosen to make his bed with. Anyone who thinks a coach few games into his career has nothing to learn from the failures of a distinguished manager like Emery managing the same team isn’t worth a response. The failures of Unai Emery cannot be written off as “disaster hire” or “bum”. Lots of characters in this team will let you down countless times simple… Read more »
Terrible sports weekend for me.
Last night, all my UFC fighters I support lost.
Today we lost.
Just one of those days…
Un,
I’m not sure about buying smart?
Son maybe?
They got lucky with Kane whose a baller. But think the rest of that squad isn’t exactly top quality.
And five years all pochetinno had to show for it was a flukes champions league final appearance.
I am interested to see where he ends up next season though?
Just curious:
Does anyone think we will be better off without European football next season?
Just as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, you can always guarantee that our 3 stooges will gift a goal or two to our opponents as some stage during a game. If Arteta can’t see that these three players will be a persistent liability, unless they are replaced, then I’m afraid I don’t hold out too much hope for our future progression. Hector has also lost it and as for Pepe, what was he smoking?It was like he was going for a stroll in the park. Has he got a brain? This was a NLD,… Read more »
“Quite something. I haven’t seen a single analyst, pundit or explayer with that view.We either have a group of advanced thinkers or a bad case of the Emeryista Ghouls gunning to honour their fallen general”
Advance thinkers don’t believe in blind faith. Mikel is placed on a coaching pedestal with zero evidence before if he actually does anything in his career. Which grown ass man use “because he/she said so” as any credible evidence to justify his claim.
A lot of possession for us today and not much cutting edge.
We keep banging on about it but we desperately need new options in midfield, our Bruno Fernandes if you like.
Even Lo Celso is a far better player than what we can currently put out there.
I just hope Dyche’s Burnley don’t finish above Arsenal.
That would really be taking the piss.
Who knows though if Burnley can get a draw at Anfield it may be the case that Liverpool players are already on their holidays.
This transfer window will show what arteta is all about. And if he’s the right person for the job.
If he retains the likes of mustafi and xhaka he’ll be fired by Christmas.
If he ditches the dead wood and there’s 8-10 players in that category then he maybe the manager we hope he can be. And arsenal will be on the up again.
“Does anyone think we will be better off without European football next season?“
No.
We’ll be better off when Arteta gets a summer window to shape the squad to his preference, and a full preseason to coach them.
The Europa League is still money, it’s a place to play young players until the latter stages, and it’s an avenue to the CL. I don’t buy this idea that no EL is beneficial. That’s anecdotal to me, we’d be worse off in pure chances of CL, and financially.
Pepe is a conundrum for me. Is it his lack of understanding the system? Is it that we are seeing the best of him and he is what we see, or as someone said, a ” moment player?, or is Arty not working with him the way he should? He does not play much, so it makes you even wonder more… Today he has some good moments but many not so good. at some point he tucked inside… I think it was to give better passing options and of course, to shoot on goal. He needs to understand the system… Read more »
Bournemouth 2 Leicester 1.
Crazy!!
Godfather,
Yes we would be better off out of Europe for one season.
If by chance we make it by winning the fa cup or league position?
Then we should play reserves and kids and let Freddie manage the side.
We win great, we crash and burn it won’t effect the first team.
Damn
Back 2 back goals in two minutes and suddenly Bournemouth is leading Leicester?🥱🥱🥱
Fball is one crazy game but lotsa time still left for Howe’s boys to capitulate
Pepe is a concern.
He’s low intensity and lives for moments in games. I’m not convinced that’s where Arteta sees our future, especially considering his desire for front foot attackers when out of possession.
The summer will be vital in getting his headspace where it needs to be or he’ll flatter to deceive long term imo.
I presume Emery was sacked for fear of not qualifying for Europe.
So i fully expect to see Arteta dismissed at the end of the season..
If you really want an effective CAM he’s got to be the go to man in the midfield.
The man that pulls the strings for the team. You don’t just want a runner as CAM.
Unfortunately though Arsenal midfield is not set up for a go to man CAM.
We already have our go to man in midfield. His name? Yes our Granit Xhaka.
Cc,
One year out of Europa wouldn’t do us any harm.
Concentrate on the league no Thursday Sunday games playing catch up.
Kids can play in the league cup.
@Upforgrabs,
I’m totally unsure about the Europa but you do hv a point about using it to give out of form players and young ones a chance to play
LOL at Leicester. Would be hilarious if they missed out on top 4. Rodgers is just as overrated as … well … our world class manager.
I didn’t want to say it because some will argue on numbers and the point will get lost but would you rather have impact wide men like
Saint Maximin
Adama Traore
Zaha
OR
Pepe?
The whole set up of the midfield is iffy over the long stretch.
I’d prefer a less technical deeper lying midfielder if it meant getting in a CAM that is truly going to boss games.
Just give it to the CAM to cause the problems.
That red card to Soyuncu was a body blow to Leicester …. now they have it all to do down a goal and a man.
But if any team can blow it outside of Arsenal it could be Eddy Howe’s Bournemouth
Up4grabs
Think it would mate, financially as much as anything. Especially with Covid I’m not sure we can take it for granted, though I get where you’re coming from schedule-wise.
Godfather,
Our kids and reserves should be good enough to get us through the Europa until quarter’s or semi final with an easy draw. Then maybe add first team players for a two legged quarter or semis.
That’s three to five games max.
There’s some good kids coming through with a few first teamers it shouldn’t effect the league first team then.
@UP4:
Good point can’t disagree
Has to be said Pepe has to be one of the greenest, rawest, rough-edged 70m transfer players seen.
Sure he’s got talent but damn does he need to iron out his overall game.
25yo but plays like a teenager.
Arsenal should of kept faith with Emery until the end of the season but no they replaced him for someone who’s made the team worse.
Ishola Xhaka got to go… Today he had plenty of time and space on the ball. all safe tidy passes once again. Im sorry but that is not cutting it. We were passive today, hardly took risks… their first goal made us play with the brakes on… Auba missed a sitter… and the story goes on. Sxolobolai or whatever,,, he is the type of player we need. a dribbler, creator and scorer. All too often we just rely on Auba. He is easily marked in most games. He does not dribble well no create much aside from his automatic crosses… Read more »
Pedro, The debate shouldn’t be shifted back to Emery’s failure, it should be whether Arteta is doing any better, he is not at the moment i am afraid .. Whether he is going to succeed is 50/50 Reasons in favour, A- he hasn’t had a full season with the players B- he hasn’t had a proper window to bring in the players that suit his style C– individual errors and brain farts moments still cost us games like it’s always have Against: A_ he has no experience in management before, so nothing to cling on apart from good PR and… Read more »
Ishola
Only Burnley finishing above us would be a concern? What about Sheffield United? Wolves? Or even Leicester City? What happened to top 4 or is it the Big 6 now? At the moment, we’re a midtable club heading in downward trajectory. And Arteta is certainly not helping the matters.
Cc,
Honestly don’t think money is a huge issue.
If clubs like villa or west ham can blow 100 million plus and don’t have Europe we won’t struggle for one season.
If it was champions league then yes that money’s huge, europa not so much.
Yes it’s money, but it’s a balancing act, if we have a Europe free season but it gives us a much better chance at hitting top four for champions league football it’s worth the risk.
3-1
Bye Bye Leicester
Upstate
I only mentioned Burnley because there is nothing redeeming about them.
Sure not good those other teams finishing above Arsenal but at least they have a few redeeming qualities in comparison to Burnley.
“Honestly don’t think money is a huge issue.
If clubs like villa or west ham can blow 100 million plus and don’t have Europe we won’t struggle for one season.“
Their outgoings aren’t that of a European club. Finances are definitely a consideration, especially as we’ve not seen CL in several seasons.
It’s why we’re purging the wage bill as and when possible.
Looks like Manure are in cruise control of finishing top 4 after all..
Bring back that Bamford fella, he is winning the bet!
4-1 Bournemouth
Take that Rodgers and Vardy!
RT
“Arsenal should of kept faith with Emery until the end of the season but no they replaced him for someone who’s made the team worse.”
Hate to agree especially since I hated Emery to the point where I was wishing to lose games in order to see him gone. And when he did lose his job, I was like “surely we’re gonna go for someone like Ancelloti”. And who do we get? The King of a 5 yard pass… Mr. I sat next to Pep for three years himself. Can’t make this shit up.
Leicester have
Sheffield United
Tottenham
United
Left on their schedule.
They’re in quite deep!
Luis 80k?
Mustafi 80k?
Xhaka 90k?
Ozil 350k
Kolasinac 140k?
Miki 140k?
Elneney 60k?
That’s almost a million a week in wages and there’s probably still more to add to that.
Thats dead wood that could go tomorrow and be replaced in house with squad and youth players.
That’s the waste we are talking about.
One million plus a week!!!!
Wow Bournemouth are still in the fight.
Utd will make the top four now for sure, fair play to Ole, the club have stuck by him and provided the necessary support and financial backing needed to get Utd back up the table.
They have the makings of a very dangerous side next season.
Wow Bournemouth showing us how to beat Leicester
On Arteta please don’t be calling for his head until he has had at least 3 windows to remove the deadwood and bring in his players
He came in mid season I never saw Pep or Klopp have great first seasons.
Not saying he is in their class but he deserves time to do something
Look at OGS terrible until he got Fernandes
Cc,
If we can waste a million a week money shouldn’t be an issue for a season it’s not like we’re going to do a Leeds or Portsmouth and go bankrupt.
Up 4 Grabs
“Kolasinac 140k?”
What yo talkin bout Willis?
Ishola thats because we got him on a bosman
Kola laughing.
Ishola, he came on a free so nice signing on fee and 130-140k salary.
He laughing.
Kola laughing.
Serge,
“On Arteta please don’t be calling for his head until he has had at least 3 windows to remove the deadwood and bring in his players”
By that time Arsenal will be fighting relegation. It seems like the job is too big for him, that’s no personal, it’s just reality. If a manager don’t know when to make substitutions he’s doomed to fail
I don’t get how people can just blame the manager for everything. Seamus Coleman came out today and said ‘We can’t keep hiding behind managers’ . ‘We’ve hid behind managers for too long’.
Players are what really win you games. And the fact is that many in that Arsenal squad just aren’t good enough.
Disappointing is an understatement. Stupid mistakes gifting goals when we get ahead.
Hi I’m in moderation and yesterday I wasn’t? Can you sort?
“Players are what really win you games.”
Players are also picked and coached by their managers.
If Pepe is not working on the right, he needs to be benched. I am having more and more doubts. Folks say he is so talented… but ??? Ive not seen much of that aside beating the first man. A lot of wingers can do that. He is so extremely left footed it is causing issues. Im not so sure about his overall body language. I know all players react differently, but I hardly see a pep or any emotion on his face. Maybe that is his resting Pepe face… who knows. I feel the 72M was poorly spend on… Read more »
Arteta does need this window to bring in 3-4 first eleven players. But the in play subs and playing three at the back is on him. He can’t have three Windows. There’s not enough time to warrant waiting so long for improvements especially if he’s the great coach people make him out to be. Emery got 70 million in his first window and players he didn’t want. Nothing in the second, then decent players for his third. Emery lost the dressing room and had to go but he wasn’t backed properly when he first came in. Every man and his… Read more »
Gbat we failed to finish top three last season because Mustafi was Mustafi against Palace and Xhaka escorted a Brighton player into the box to haul him down, throw in the missed penalty in a more controlled game against a much better Spurs side, no one blamed the players just the “bum” in charge. Europa league final a perfect 45 was ruined in the second half by AMN taking it easy in a cup final, again it was the coaches fault. Everyone without an agenda knew it went deeper than that. You can’t one week proclaim the players well coached… Read more »
Very much a throw back to latter day Wenger – twice as much possession but less than half the shots on target as the opposition. Sterile possession, pointless.
MA said that tiredness was a problem but didn’t Spurs have less time to recover? More likely we got suckered by Maureen even though everyone knew how Spurs would play.
I fully agree with Red, if Emery was sacked for not qualifying for Europe then Arteta should go at the end of the season. He is making the same mistakes Wenger and Emery made. Arsenals problems start at the back as they were with AW and UE. Kick Luiz and Zola to reserves and bring in kids if we have any.
Guns
“I feel the 72M was poorly spend on him”
I think at this moment in time it would be hard for anyone to disagree with you.
Receding
All this talk of improvement is quite irrelevant until we see it being reflected in the league table.
MA said the grass was too long when we drew 0-0 with Burnley…this Wenger clone must go…
That was brutal.
In a NLD you need a moment and we got a fantastic one from Laca and in classic modern Arsenal style pissed it away within momements. Regardless of a teams strengths/weakness etc the NLD alway hinges on the fine margins, gifting 2 goals killed us coupled with 3 great chances missed by our talisman who wasn’t able to save us for once.
So fucking frustrating, getting shithoused by Mourinho’s Spurrrrs.
21 points dropped from winning positions now, second worse only to West Ham’s 24. Jose also had a very good point about his team having 48 hours less to prepare for the game. Unacceptable, quite frankly, from Arteta and HIS players today.
Upstate Gooner
“21 points dropped from winning positions now, second worse only to West Ham’s 24”
That’s a very damning stat tbh.
‘Players are also picked and coached by their managers.’
A manager can only do so much. The greatest coach, tactics etc will only get you so far. Pep, Klopp have spent loads of money on their squads. Why? Because they didn’t believe the players they had were good enough.
Gbat
When a manager picks players like Mustafi, Xhaka, Luiz, Kolasinac week in and week out, it’s on him just as much it is on the players themselves.
Why the fuck is anyone mentioning Emery or entertaining a discussion about him.
You can criticise arteta without the need to do this tribal bollocks of an irrelevant comparison.
Arteta needs to learn and quickly. We need to buy better players in key postions in defence and midfield. Stop picking shit players MA… and his in game management is his biggest flaw at present. Shockingly slow at effecting change to combat the opposition and his own poor first team selection.
Pedro sold us a pig in a poke and now he insults people who think finishing fifth and european finalist is better than being ninth and out of europe.
I am not really an Emery fan but experience matters in any job, I reckon Arteta is in above his head because there are many issues that need to be sorted out and he novice.
Pedro painting anyone who questions Arteta as Emery loyalists to deflect from Arteta’s shortcomings, and the usual rabble of trolls backing him up.
Just another day at Le Grove.
Gbat,
“Pep, Klopp have spent loads of money on their squads. Why? Because they didn’t believe the players they had were good enough”
Have some respect and stop using Pep and Klopp name to justify anything Arteta. Arteta is a bum who’s faking ish because the board at Arsenal gambled hiring him because he fits the salary category they were willing to pay. If Kane score his first chance, we would’ve been embarrassed. Lacazette with a moment of brilliance really have fans thinking we were unlucky.
“Stop picking shit players MA… and his in game management is his biggest flaw at present.”
Right? Doesn’t take a genius to see that.
GunnerDANA
Spot on
How does it even make sense to call someone an Emery loyalist when he was at the club for a grand total of 18 months ?
Arteta is a rookie manager and it showed. He is also a very reactive manager a la Wenger and too cautious. He rarely adapt positively to what is happening to the field. Aurier was on a yellow card, instruct the team to systematically attack on his side by double teaming Pepe and Bellerin instead of having Pepe inside narrow inverted winger and Bellerin on the outside. Like Emery before Arteta has his planned substitution and does not deviate to the initial plan even when the opposite manager has sussed it out and made alteration to get the ascendency. That is… Read more »
I would give MA this and one more season, it is obvious the guy is way in above his head. This is ARSENAL, why do we have a rookie coach