Well HOWDY GOOD MORNING TO YOU all.
This week is a bit of a lol right? It’s like a typical February post-2007. We’d be in every competition, performances might be creeking, but you’d be confident that THIS was the year. Then three games would creep up on us and we’d be out the league, Champions League and FA Cup in one week.
Arteta looks like he’s picking up a bit of that magic from his old boss. We lost the North London Derby, we’re about to get a light/heavy spanking from Liverpool, then we go to Wembley for an improbable semi-final.
It is what it is.
He seemed pretty upbeat in the press conference. Maybe he’s not reading the NO IMPROVEMENT merchants and he saw this comment from CC in the comments.
Here’s a a quick snippet of goals FOR and AGAINST we’ve seen throughout the season at different points….
Week 13 – Emery’s last game: 18, 19
Week 18 – Freddie’s last game: 24, 27
Week 35 – now: 51, 44Which breaks down as…
Emery: 18, 19 (-1)
Freddie: 6, 8 (-2)
Arteta: 27, 17 (+7)Or…
Emery: 1.38 goals per game, 1.46 goals against per game
Freddie: 1.2 goals per game, 1.6 goals against per game
Arteta: 1.59 goals per game, 1 goal against per game.It’s late so sue me for any inaccuracies, but its pretty evident we’re scoring more and conceding less PER GAME with Arteta. Otherwise coined as ‘no improvement’.
Core themes in the presser remained that we played well but allowed mistakes to kill us. I think the fact we didn’t get battered and largely controlled the game is his solace, though tactically, it’s hard not to think that Mourinho giving you ball and waiting for mistakes is him controlling the game.
His other theme was about progressing the club forward. He’s very careful with his words, but he keeps reminding everyone that the reason Liverpool are where they are is they made consistently good decisions on players. They were strategic, smart, and they pushed the club forward.
‘Yeah. What they have done is phenomenal, obviously the first two years it took them some time to rebuild the squad and to create a new culture, a new philosophy and a game model that suited the coach. Then they started to recruit every single player in relation to what they needed and that’s where I think they were really smart. They bought with specificity for every position that was required. Financially they had a big backing and made some big signings which completely changed the club in my opinion.’
I think it’s fair to say that the first transfer window can be written off as a hangover from yesteryear. David Luiz and Cedric Soares weren’t my kind of deals, but you can rationalise why they happened because of the state of the squad and the lack of options. Moving into this summer, we can’t be topping up our squad with more players like that. We have to be strategic about who we sign and what the path forward is.
We don’t just want Champions League qualification, we want a squad that can grow into that competition and win it. I know that sounds mad, but you have to shoot for the stars. That means signing players that ‘might’ drag you over the top 4 line is a losing game (it’s also a game we’ve played for 3 years and it hasn’t worked). If this current squad gets us into the top 4 next season with the addition of Willian and some other players looking for a retirement fund, what happens next? They can’t sustain it. We can’t sell them. Our squad is worse off for it. That’s why the better bet would be to sign up players that have the pedigree to make Champions League, but could grow when we make it there.
The big dollars, if we have any, must go on the core this summer. We need a ball-playing centre-back, we need a #6 like Partey, and we need an #8 that is ready to roll. Then we need to upgrade with players that fit the Arteta mold.
We’re being linked with Marc Roca, I’m not shocked. Technical, creative and quick thinker. Our midfield doesn’t create without players like that. We don’t just need one player like that, we need to start building a conveyor belt of them.
Supporting Emery came at a great cost. We brought in someone without understanding what he wanted to do on the pitch, and because his hire wasn’t on merit, no one paid attention to what he wanted. Now we have a coach with a much clearer articulation of what he wants to do. I suspect he has more sway with the staff. He’s Edu’s hire. Hopefully that means something because another incoherent summer and we’re in big trouble. This is more on Klopp.
I know how many decisions have to be right and how much support you need from the club and the people around, and how much connection you to have to generate from your fans to have the full package, and afterwards it’s football. The context right now is different to what it was as well four years ago and the abilities for a club to rebuild something is more limited, but it’s certainly something we have to look at and how they did it because it’s a great example. But we have to know that we have to do it our way with our resources and have it in mind that the content right now is different, but we are heading to be the best and this is my only objective with this club. We have to find a way to do it.
The ambition is to be the best. Not Europa League winners. Not top 4. To get back to the very top. It’s an ambition right for Arsenal, the question is, can it be supported? We’ll find out.
To start, we have to navigate Liverpool at home who are on the charge for the Premier League points record. He was asked if he’d rest players so we had a better chance at the weekend.
I believe that it’s very important to have energy and momentum going into important matches, and in order to do that you have to go game by game. Today and tomorrow we will asses the players and how they are, and obviously they’ve been hit and a lot of them have played some crazy minutes up until now and again we’re going to have games every two and a half days. We will try to put the strongest team out as possible here and as well on Saturday, and to do that we need to know how everyone recovers from the game.
I think he’s desperate to turnover Liverpool. He needs a restart statement win and I’m not sure Wolves quite counts in his mind. I think the idea of Arsenal keeping their concentration for 90 minutes is quite hard to fathom, but we’ve seen crazier things. The weekend game is where it’s at, City have had plenty of bad days this season and their away record isn’t great. Making an FA Cup final would be a different kind of statement.
Let’s see what happens, have a great day.
P.S. Arteta’s opinions on City and FFP were factual but missed the point. City are where they are because they pump a nation’s cash into the project. That result was the final nail in the coffin for Fairplay in football. It also makes a mockery of Ivan G and Wenger telling us for 10 years that when the rules kicked in, we’d be positioned to take advantage.
Now it’s clear. You either have a sugar daddy, or you don’t. I think it’s bad for the game. Bayern don’t have a sugar daddy, but they are financially dominant and just won the league for the 8th year in a row. The Spanish League is fairly locked. Juventus always win in Italy. Paris will always win unless they rehire Emery. The only saving grace our league has is it’s basically 8 mega-rich owners slugging it out. Football isn’t fair and it’s getting more and more unfair. In the end, people will get bored if there isn’t a competition. We’re a way off that but it isn’t beyond the realms that people could lose interest.
TR7 –
Good start. A few more and we can make one or two solid moves this summer and improve the squad.
“When he’s had that then he’s game for the level of judgement that folk like you have put on him since day one.”
I’m pretty sure I haven’t judged Arteta. I’ve always said player poverty is a thing and until that is addressed, we would be going no where.
Amn has always been a talented player. Athletic , versatile and technically apt. That is why he is still at the club. Even though a good player his lapses in concentration at absolutely fatal for someone who wants to play midfield. He has the ability and he had the chance to cement a place as a first choice RB. He was too proud/ idiot and didn’t take a golden opportunity that presented itself. (Just look at Trent at Liverpool. Liverpool had an opening at RB. Thought they could retrain Trent (originally a midfielder) to be a RB. And look where… Read more »
Azed, For me this season regarding Arteta is like that great line from FULL METAL JACKET, ‘the sooner you know your already dead, the better off you’ll be.” As CC just stated man Emery had two full summer windows to effect the squad. Very harsh to shred Arteta for taking over after two managers this season on top of the league shutting and restarting under unique circumstance. Sure every side had to deal with same thing but he had literally just started. Said it yesterday, I really think the signs are positive, Arteta lacks consistency. But you can see a… Read more »
It is difficult to know what truth there is in rumours but if MA rates Mustafi, Kola and Xhaka highly enough to want to keep, then i suspect many of us will be seriously doubting his nous. I will see how the TW unfolds before I cast judgement
“Arteta, like any new manager, deserves to have a summer window to influence a change in the squad to suit him. It’s really not a hard one”
So basically no changes should be expected until Arteta have a summer transfer window.
Even a half arsed AMN is better than Kola. I had hoped Arteta would improve talents such as AMN, Holding and Guen, instead he is apparently getting rid of them.
Jose Mourinho reiterating my words in his prezzer
Says the decisions is a disgrace
If the team is not guilty the 10m fine is a disgrace.
If the team is guilty then no ban is a disgrace.
So anyway the decision was a disgrace.
Seriously tho. Dont get how that decision was landed upon!!!!
They say City are not guilty and then go on to fine them 10m.
Feels a bit dodgy.
Partay apparently going to sign a new deal at Athli and Auba looking to join Barca.
Good news is, Bellerin apparently wants out.
I think we will 100% start next season with Mustafi and Xhaka as first choice 11. Poss Kola too cause of their sterling attitudes.
I’m not excited about the summer TW. That said, it doesn’t really matter. This is currently a top 4 squad, so we’ll get back into the CL without wasting any more money (which we’re desperately short of right now). Then Ozil, Papa, Luiz, Auba (if isn’t sold or doesn’t extend), Mustafi (same as Auba) all off the wage bill to reinvest along with the CL money. Next summer is when things get spicy. Arteta will have proven his coaching credentials and he’ll have a wedge of CL cash (and a little more club prestige) to work with. Should be that… Read more »
Marc Roca cant run with the ball for more than 3 steps, total crap
Im telling you for free!
Training photos of Ozil with the squad but not MG. It seems Ozil accepts the non whatever this kid is trying to enforce. Tomorrow is a good game to play him 😀
Solid posts there, Un.
Booze and cigars in the garden was the perfect elixir to a shitty NLD. I recommend it.
GunnerDNA
Ozil is a cretin and shouldn’t be anywhere near the squad.
I agree with dissenter people acting like artets is the next pep aka Pedro and cc are fools
And those saying they know he is next moved are also fools.
One of two of those camps may end up being true or it might full somewhere in between.
But for now there is not enough data to make a firm judgement so stop being fools aka Pedro and cc and also the anti arteta peeps
Sal
“this is a marathon”
How long is this marathon?
How long are fans going to want to be also rans?
Why in six months has the previous requirement to make a credible CL spots challenge suddenly appeared to be dropped?
Dissenter/London
There is no ‘Anti Arteta/Pro Emery’ camp. Emery was here for 18 months and was universally panned by the time he left, and Arteta’s been here for less than a year and the Jury’s still very much out on him.
The people bringing up Emery are wind up artists/trolls who’re not interested in serious conversation.
London Ive not made such ridiculous claims, I wish people like you would actually stick to what’s said instead of blowing smoke up each other to creat this fake image of another. The first post I wrote today said the following: “Emery conspired to get the window wrong in terms of balance, Arteta has a summer window to fix that and begin to build a squad capable of bringing his football vision to life. If he fails with that then the cycle will repeat, but it’s here I think the staggering differences between the two will be clearest yet.“ Believing… Read more »
Humiliatingly wrong about Emery in what way kid?
In saying lots of players let him down especially in the run in last season?
In saying he did in fact compete for the top four and the EL with same players most are now saying should be grateful weren’t battered by Spurs?
In saying he started the season poorly, yes poorly not the dramatics some keep painting and was rightly sacked? United started the season was off than us ditto spurs.
In saying he should in fact have gotten players he asked for?
Where is this humiliation you toddler?
Lol Hull City thrashed 8-0 by players who are owed wages. They in turn simply shouldn’t be paid.
“Emery conspired to get the window wrong in terms of balance”
Have you got any proof of this?
To be the next Pep you need to have peak Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Robben, Muller, Alaba, DeBruyne, Aguero, Silva…
We’ll be fine with Arteta being the next Arteta, let’s just hope that’s saucey enough.
“Have you got any proof of this?“
The composition of the squad is pretty definitive proof. As is the fact Emeryball utterly tanked which led to his dismissal.
Wenger started off well got shit and got rightly fired.
Emery started off well got shit and was rightly fired.
Arteta has shown some promise…
We’ll have to wait to complete Arteta’s story at Arsenal it’s just begun.
Solid first 2 posts.
‘Arteta loves and regularly uses Laca, despite very few goals. Nketiah and Balogun are faster, taller and stronger than Lacazette.’
Arteta has clearly shown he is happy to drop Laca for Nketiah. Dont think how you include Balogun here. He has 0 top level experience.
Lol dissenter says he is thinking… Don rarely thinks
Tr7
Everyone getting sucked in by mustafi…
He must be sold do must xhara they will never change.
Ish
Thats a question for all there, Radio R just gave pretty much the ideal answer for me.
I’ll add with the contract they put Arteta on, with his experience its clearly a long term plan with acceptance of some bumps.
Solid 2 posts by Un. *
Tr7
Everyone getting sucked in by mustafi…
He must be sold do must xhara they will never change.
Otherwise same old same old.
Ozil back in training.
Working his way back?
Hope so. We need his creativity.
“If the players are good enough to take the lead, surely they should be good enough to keep it ? That we’re not able to see out games consistently speaks to a lack of direction on how to handle various stages of a game.“ So there’s no progression in coaching now, it’s either mass improvement or nothing? We’ve gone from not establishing leads, and snatching points from defeats, to establishing leads and failing to hold them numerous times. But that’s cause for concern in your eyes as we should be establishing and maintaining leads within half a season of doing… Read more »
I think we need clarification here that those atm who seem to have full confidence in Arteta at this early stage expect him to make a credible challenge for the CL spots next season.
Not necessarily make top four but make a credible challenge.
I only say this because some of the language used could be seen to be implying Arsenal take a back seat for a period from previous expectations due to rebuild and longer term.
The composition of the squad is pretty definitive proof.
I thought it was Raul and Kia doing the contacts approach thing or did that after Emery was fired?
Is this a joke? Is there a secret knock to get in?
Would rather keep AMN than the futile Kola.
Quite telling my response to Don was deleted…. Quite telling
CC Fair enough pal. The comment you made to me was fair and I agree with arteta getting a summer window. It just grinds my gears when people embelish arteta so much like he is the messiah when currently we are being served up shit on toast. Not to say he won’t come go but in life I’m a centrist I hate extremes on both sides. I think this blog and Pedro have taken a wrong turn. Pedro used to be so focused on data and evidence now he just trumps up a specific agenda based on zero evidence. Like… Read more »
Big Perm, chances are, you’ve said something highly offensive on here before, so you are in quarantine. Likely under a different name.
LG, you have to give context when you make extreme comments like that.
What evidence are you seeking?
Hahaha @ quarantine, like a virtual Covid
Mesut returning to the fold?
Pierre gets in the ear of the coach.
Mesut was there in the training pictures but Arteta said the situation is still the same in the prezzer.
What happened before?
The training or the prezzer?
Looks like AMN wants to leave to get first team action.
How much can we get for him?
low-ish estimates
AMN-10
Guen-15
Mustafi 20
Xhaka 20
Sok 10
so about 75 right there.
Partey in at 45
30M left for CAM/CB
If we get Sarr for free, then thats some money that can be spent on qualideee CAM
Guns
Partay will sign a new Athleti deal.
We won’t be selling Xhaka. He’s integral to Artetas plans I bet.
Xhaka has a great attitude in training I hear.
Danny
you are right. If Luiz is getting a new deal, then Xhaka is too.
Arteta does not want to lose anyone it seems
I don’t think we are ina position for wholesale change. It’ll be gradual, and painful over the next few years.
we will gradually fade away… in a few years
Fingers crossed for Dangote in 2022
It will be unfortunate next season if the requirement will not be a credible challenge to top four.
This after 20 previous years of CL qualification in with the requirement of the last four seasons which was that credible challenge to the top four to get back into CL.
It will be a milestone for the club.
And not a very good milestone. A very unfortunate milestone.
What da fuck is Dangote?
Anyway Atalanta playing football, 4 goals in less than 40 minutes, one of the best sides to watch it at the minute.
Raheem PSG must be very worried they are facing that Atalanta team… Very worried
London I appreciate where you’re coming from, but at the same time you have to consider the amount of nonsense that flies about this place at the best of times. Arteta is a conduit of that since he was suggested years ago and opinions flew. Now he’s not just a green manager, but he’s the representation of a failed one in Emery. So the majority of praise or recognition that he gets is measured against the nonsensical shit spouted as put downs towards him. He’s a new manager at the club, that comes with its own teething issues reserved for… Read more »
@guns don’t know how many years amn has left on his deal but surely English premium makes him worth more than 10 no?
Should be a good match Receding.
If Atalanta win then PSG would’ve been rusty if they lose PSG have too money.
Weird times but still worth watching. We’ll see.
Cantwell of Norwich escapes with a yellow after a potential leg breaker out of control challenge on a Chelsea player.
VAR( Atkinson) had a look and surprise surprise, the decision stands even though it was a way more dangerous lunging tackle than Eddie’s.
My comment the other day went a bit under the radar, but has anyone got an opinion on the Villa lad in midfield Douglas Luiz?
He’s caught my eye every time I’ve watched them since the restart and at 22 could be a savvy steal from a relegated side.
I do believe that right now Nkethia is the better option upfront, but Stating that Nkethia and Balogun are taller, stronger than Lacazette is stretching things a little bit.
Nkethia is 175cm and weight 72kg
Lacazette is 176 cm and weight 73kg
Balogun is 179cm and weight 68kg
He is not very good, and Mancity may buy him back to be a squad player next season, don’t think Pep fancies him.
Re: douglas luiz.
Glad Claude cleared up the DVD comment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et-noSNKXig&feature=youtu.be
Arteta is better than Pep, just you wait.
No exaggeration or jumping the gun there at all
Atalanta could get tonked by PSG and it wouldn’t diminish their achievement this and the last few seasons one bit. It’ll be a stupid inference to draw when all else is considered.
They can’t be praised enough for what they’re doing.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.espn.com/soccer/italian-serie-a/story/4081211/how-atalantas-feel-good-champions-league-story-became-a-biological-bomb-for-coronavirus-in-italyspain%3fplatform=amp
If Lacazette were to make those first post run than Giroud always do, he would score a lot more goals.
But because he is asked to drop deep to act as a link-man, he is nearly never in the penalty box to benefit from crosses.
“No exaggeration or jumping the gun there at all“
The joke
Your head:🤡
Yea….joke
Valentin Lacazette isn’t that sought of striker regardless of instructions. Noticed that a few games after he first arrived. Doesn’t really make intelligent runs or take up positions difficult to defend.
Un, fans shout it at Asian players because Asian’s used to flog DVDs in pubs in London.
Receding
Back in your box you utter spanner, don’t be tetchy because you made a mug of yourself again.
Backpass
Can you elaborate? If Man City take him back to be a squad player he clearly has talent/ability.
Its possible the team that finishes third this year might not make 69 points.
Really wonder if this league is getting competitive or just rank average.
Yea…mug
Always the smartest guy in the room…Walter Mitty
All this talk of Arteta having his own players has to be reined in. For a novice manager still learning his trade he should be allowed no more than 2 (or 3) players this summer. He has signed a few already so let’s see what he can do with those first. Otherwise you get a situation where we are stuck with players the next manager will want rid off and the cycle continues.
I don’t see a ‘Monchi’ at the club, with a proven record of signing players strategically irrespective of who the manager is.
Un, no he wasn’t. He was making a racial slur and he’s been caught.
We’ve all seen the video.
RH, you just corrected CC on a joke he made. You have to take the L and move on.
Receding
Really low bar with you about. You can’t even process what’s being said and work out satire from seriousness.
Get a fucking grip, ankle biting over a remark saying Arteta is better than Pep. State of you.
Yea the L …you hand that out like confetti don’t you Pedro, never seem to take one yourself though.
Great joke that, I can barely breathe from laughing.
RH, I don’t, you are right.
“BackpassCan you elaborate? If Man City take him back to be a squad player he clearly has talent/ability” Mancity has a buy back clause of some sort, but i don’t think Pep would take up the clause. If Mancity really wanted him in their squad, they would have looked for a way for him to get his permit. Presently, he makes rash tackles, doesn’t know how to receive the ball under pressure and so on, playing for a team like Arsenal, he would get punished… Take his last game against crystal palace for example, he gotten yellow carded in the… Read more »
*he got*
“Great joke that, I can barely breathe from laughing.“
Thanks for your expertise on humour, had thought for a while you’ve a comical education.
This confirms it.
that racist is one fat fucker….
dumb shit
Backpass
He’s stood out when I’ve seen Villa play since the restart particularly, and seems to be held favourably among their fans if Twitter is anything of a gauge.
Only a consideration as a cheap squad player from a relegated team, imagine he’s a more suitable talent than some players we have centrally – but not interested in spending on him any.
Think we’d be wise to look for bargains in a similar vein though. Grealish the obvious pick of the ones going down but idk how much of a bargain there is there.
Twitter consensus from the Villa end seem to think these are going to be the ones to say goodbye:
Jack Grealish
Ezri Konsa
John McGinn
Tyron Mings
Douglas Luiz
We’d be better for a couple of them I’d say, how much we’re talking I have no idea.
Backpass
“He is a less talented Coquelin”
Oh well that’s that then. Next!
Coquelin was cheered out of the club for the incoming Xhaka.
Must be so rough to be a Villa fan and see all those players leave
“Only a consideration as a cheap squad player from a relegated team, imagine he’s a more suitable talent than some players we have centrally – but not interested in spending on him any.” He has certainly improved his game but for the price villa would request for him( with Man city’s clause in mind) wouldn’t be worth it presently. I’m guessing at least £25 million. Grealish would be one I would love to get along with Party, he gives arteta different variations (AM, LW and can do a job on the right) and getting one CB. We’ve got to get… Read more »
“Coquelin was cheered out of the club for the incoming Xhaka”
Well, its not too late Ishola, we can get Coquelin back, he has just been transfer listed by Valencia.
It’s hard to feel sorry for Villa tbh.
They are a Premier League club in size and stature but did they make a pigs ear of all that money they spent last summer when entering the EPL.
No-one to blame but themselves.
Very direct from Arteta here.
‘Spend some fucking money’
https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/14/liverpool-rebuild-a-great-example-for-arsenal-to-follow-says-mikel-arteta?__twitter_impression=true
Backpass
Oh 25 mil is a big no, i was thinking like a sub 15 mil pickup. Wouldn’t be paying that for arguably any of the relegated players.
Exceptions with Grealish and perhaps Mings/Ake.
Pedro
Yea that’s a miserable fan moment to see a handful of your best flogged.
Valencia have transfer listed
•Parejo
• Kondogbia
• Coquelin
• Rodrigo
• Mangala
• Diakharby
• Cillissen
• Gameiro
• Correia
Frankly, only Parejo would improve us but he is already 31 and Kondogbia is injury prone.
And the fuckers rejected €45 million for Rodrigo last season when Atletico came calling.
Backpass
“Well, its not too late Ishola, we can get Coquelin back, he has just been transfer listed by Valencia.”
Really.
He was seen as a first teamer at Valencia up until recently in his first couple of seasons there.
Must have regressed quickly all of a sudden or upset someone there.
No not a good idea to have a Coquelin return I think.
I still find it hilarious though that when Coquelin was jeered out of the club fans thought we had a defensive midfielder of steel coming in in the form of Xhaka.
Cc
I think Douglas luiz will stay with them next season, he has his eyes set on Mancity for now, so he want as much playing time as possible and if he keeps improving, he then takes Fernadinho’s spot on the bench for 2021/2022 season.
Backpass
Maybe, guess it also depends on what coin Villa can raise in summer sales.
Mings was 26 mil last year, they’ll be sick having to sell him. Grealish is hard but he’s pure profit.
Do you know the extent of City’s buyback? Is it a first refusal thing or a set fee they can trigger? Player might not want to go back if a good enough club comes calling.
“Must have regressed quickly all of a sudden or upset someone there.”
I just think Peter Lim wants to sell the players and build again, they absolutely fucked up in La liga this season and getting trashed by Atalanta (that really shouldn’t be upsetting to them).
I think we need to take that same approach and that is why I am baffled with the Luiz, Cedric and the pinning for Mustafi deal..
“Do you know the extent of City’s buyback? Is it a first refusal thing or a set fee they can trigger? Player might not want to go back if a good enough club comes calling.”
No, I don’t know of that.
Apparently, Guardiola rates him.. I think if Arteta wants him, he gets him though. I’m just not sure of him. He gives me Coquelin vibes.
“In the end, people will get bored if there isn’t a competition. We’re a way off that but it isn’t beyond the realms that people could lose interest” This. I don’t think people actually realize this could be a possibility. The way football pulls away with money and earnings for players etc, is one thing. When it becomes even more apparent than it already is on the pitch. The shift will happen. But it could also, fundamentally retire all the tother clubs from a professional standpoint and the elite have their super league they wanted. More and more people I… Read more »