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.
“I really wonder why our table position isn’t reflecting this.“
Well I’ll lay it out for you…
If us and team X both win 10 games then we’ve matched their form exactly over 10 games. Now if we start on 10 points and they start on 20 points, then we’ll still be 10 points behind them.
Please tell me its wilful on your end when it comes to this stuff? Because fuck me sideways, it ain’t hard.
@Redtruth
Are you disputing the accuracy of these stats or saying that they are less useful in analyzing Arteta’s impact than simply using our position relative to Spurs and United?
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.
“Do you honestly think the Club is going to sack Arteta this season for not making it to Europe?”
No that would be crazy
Fail to challenge for it next season though……
We gonna get our ass beat today.
Who thinks Kola is in the first 11?
I hope for a miracle win.
We need our most athletic team out there. That means AMN, Reiss, Torrerira
Anyhow, the big reveal is hours away!
I really hope we beat these trolls.
My boss is a bin dipper. I cannot stand him.
I would love to rub it in a little.
Man Utd got there shit together, why couldn’t Arsenal under Arteta…
Pedro
The relegation fears I had were mainly due to the club sitting on it’s arse after rightly sacking Emery.
They waited too long to appoint a permanent manager. Our season was still redeemable after Emery was fired.
Arsenal sacked Emery for fear of not qualifying for Europe so why is Arteta given a free pass for failing to qualify for Europe.
Their,Shit Red.
Right… So according to you he’s winning games yet we’re dropping down the table & I’m meant to be what, happy?
Emery at his WORST left us on 8th, 8points off top 4. We’re 9th today, 9 points off top 4 & I’m supposed to be somewhat satisfied?
“Arsenal sacked Emery for fear of not qualifying for Europe so why is Arteta given a free pass for failing to qualify for Europe”
Sauce
Emery at his worst is better than peak Arteta…
There’s a string on which the ball travels from Traore’s foot to Jimenez’ head. Traore has nailed that ball to Jimenez to an art form.
but aren’t you curious as to why immediate UCL return was demanded of one but another regarded as a better coach needs time ______ Not really .. because Emery and Arteta aren’t at the same point in their career. Nor has Arteta had the opportunity to start from the beginning of a season yet and you have people like Gunner Dna calling for his sack already. And being adamant about it which makes me think there is another agenda. Next season yes maybe.. even then lots of factors including Covid, finances etc… and even then it would have to be… Read more »
RedtruthJuly 15, 2020 17:01:11
Man Utd got there shit together, why couldn’t Arsenal under Arteta…
———————————————————–
Putting aside the fact that the data shows Arteta has improved AFC both in Goals for and against, United’s squad is on another level to ours both in terms of talent an dinvestment. Not my favorite defender in the world but Maguire is better than anything we have as is Wan-Bissaka. De Gea’s form lately hasn’t matched his earlier levels but he is still a class keeper. Pogba, and Bruno Fernandes are on another level entirely to what we have at our disposal.
By the way, Arsenal’s form matching those in the champions league was right as of 1week ago. Think we were 3rd on the log, if you counting from Jan.. As of today tho? 6th.
Just shows you how naive it is to trust something like that.
The table never lies they say.
Frost Here you go mate, bit of fag packet ariffmatik to get the points totals since Arteta took over after week 18 in the league, ordered as they are in the currently 1st to 11th (17 games unless stated): Liverpool – 44 (18 games) City – 33 Chelsea – 31 (18 games) Leicester – 20 United – 34 Wolves – 28 S.United – 26 Spurs – 26 Arsenal – 27 Burnley – 26 Everton – 26 So when I say “our form has largely matched those fighting for CL”, its because it has objectively. The reason we’re in 9th place… Read more »
United’s superior squad finished below Arsenal last season drawing at Old Trafford and beating them 2-0 at the Emirates.
“Man Utd got there shit together, why couldn’t Arsenal under Arteta…”
Let’s give him a full season & a transfer window red. Only fair.
Champagne Charlie
“Arsenal were 11th when Arteta arrived, we’re 9th. No, I’m not saying you’re meant to be happy, sad, satisfied or otherwise, but maybe you should give informed a go.”
That’s not Emery’s fault Arsenal dropped to 11th, you muppet…
“Arsenal were 11th when Arteta arrived, we’re 9th”
Err pretty sure we were 8th when EMERY left. Maybe take your time & read? The comparison is between Emery & Sauce.
Red
Must’ve been another guy that spiralled us into mid table, got the sack, and left the club having to hire a new manager mid season.
What will people’s views be if Arteta drops points in 2 or all 3 of the remaining PL fixtures?
Is that good enough?
If it’s due to the quality of the squad and we have next to no money to spend this summer window when are we allowed to comment on what Arteta is doing?
“That’s not Emery’s fault Arsenal dropped to 11th, you muppet…”
Lol red, you crack me up buddy.
City is resting De Bruyne, Laporte, Mahrez and Rodri. They are taking the FA Cup seriously.
RT
Arsenal sacked Emery, because the performance level in first half of season was dreadful and he lost the respect of the players.
Also the club was in grave danger of falling into relegation zone. I would also
remind you as you seem to conveniently forget that Arsenal had yet to play
both Man City and Chelsea in the league when Emery had left.
Burnley above us in the table. CG jizzing.
Basically we have become stagnant as a club.
Mid table is our level now.
We really needed an experienced manager to get the club straightened out and not a experiment with a rookie.
Arteta is now making the same mistakes with tactics and subs as did Wenger and Emery. We don’t have sauce or style it’s hard to watch as you wait for the cock ups to happen.
Giving Luiz another contract showed that Arteta is starting to panic under the pressure.
Can’t see him lasting long, stats don’t win games , desire to win does.
Champagne Charlie
Arsenal are still mid table and by your logic need to sack and hire a new manager.
RT
We had not played either Chelsea or Man City when Emery was sacked. So
if you add both those December defeats into the equation Arsenal would have
been below half way in the league.
Frost “Err pretty sure we were 8th when EMERY left. Maybe take your time & read? The comparison is between Emery & Sauce.“ You cant snip parts out because you dont like them, its all part of the context with which the season is judged. Same as your reductive comparison of league position which ignores all reason. Emery left us 5 points ahead of 17th in league, and with no win in 7 games. The fact you’re even comparing the two is dumbfounding, that’s without even scratching the surface of their respective arrivals this season. Amazing really. You’re obviously not… Read more »
Red
Don’t talk “logic”, its not for you.
CC, give all these figures a rest already…I could give you stats as to why Kim Jong Un is a better leader than Winston Churchill was if I wanted.
Arsenal’s issues under Arteta are too concrete to hide behind some vain figures.
Emiratesstroller
Emery’s exemplary home record was just too good to lose to both Man City and Chelsea….so try again…
Emery at his worst is better than peak Arteta…
Wow just wow. You’re embarrassing yourself.
I don’t even to write any post expressing some skepticism about Arteta. There’s a full scale insurrection going on here and I’m glad I’m not a minority of one. I have good company.
Gentlerbris
I’m good thanks, feel free to scroll past. I answered Frost who couldn’t get to grips with the idea our form has been similar to those fighting top 4 since Arteta arrived ‘because we’re 9th’.
How many points each side has earned in those 17 games is the most basic illustration of what I said.
Feel free to deliver your own views on Arteta’s “issues” and support those views with data yourself.
‘City is resting De Bruyne, Laporte, Mahrez and Rodri. They are taking the FA Cup seriously.’
What if they don’t?
We gonna beat Citey in a semi final of an important cup with our current defenders if they don’t rest players in the previous game?
I love your optimism, man.
CaliGooner
How many trophies has Arteta won compared to Emery…
What will people’s views be if Arteta drops points in 2 or all 3 of the remaining PL fixtures?Is that good enough? ____ I mean it’s never good enough to lose.. or drop points ever. But it’s honestly hard to give a crap about this Project restart stuff with no fans and the League already decided. As I have always said it’s not just about the players or just about the manager it takes both parts. So yes I think we need to spend money and get better players. If we don’t, I won’t be optimistic about next season. Arteta… Read more »
If Villa get their shit together, they too will give us a good game after we’ve predictably lost to Liverpool and City.
Warford too could be laying for the lives when we lay them on the last day of the season .
“Emery left us 5 points ahead of 17th in league, and with no win in 7 games” So 8th, & 8points off top 4. I’m pretty sure Arteta was brought in to put us in the conversation for top 4, I see he’s doing that. My point is, incase you can’t read between the lines, don’t bring up useless stats that literally change within days, to defend a manager. The table & field performance is what a manager ultimately should be judged on & Arteta so far, bar 45mins against Leicester is failing in both. Giving him next year tho,… Read more »
“My point is, incase you can’t read between the lines, don’t bring up useless stats that literally change within days, to defend a manager. The table & field performance is what a manager ultimately should be judged on & Arteta so far, bar 45mins against Leicester is failing in both.“
So dont bring up “useless stats” (the table since Arteta arrived) because….
“the table and field performance is what a manager ultimately should be judged on”.
NAILED IT.
Dissenter
You really have zero backbone man, its pathetically entertaining watching you swing from side to side.
One of the pubs near me will be playing today’s match. All red, I am gonna go, grab a Guinnesee and watch Arsenal beat Liverpool 3-0.
Wish me luck!
Unai
I just wonder if we can finish the year on a positive note
WoW! The Arteta critics are practicing their already sharpened knives before the Pools and the MC matches. I would suggest to Pedro to temporary shutdown this blog after the MC match to let the dust settles.
Newcastle doing an Arsenal. 12 shots to Spurs 3, and 0-1 down.
Nelson
So you don’t see us getting a result?
Dissenter
The year possibly, the season on the other hand!
We didn’t have better chances than Spurs when they beat us though… Nor did we out shoot them
‘Feel free to deliver your own views on Arteta’s “issues” and support those views with data yourself.’ What I’m saying, CC, is that football stats are mostly double faced. How well are we doing in the Europa under Arteta? Out. How well did we do last term? Reached the final. Last time with Emery at White Rogues Lane? A draw(we could have won if Auba converted da thing). With Arteta at same venue? A loss. Those are stats too, you see and I could go on. So it’s pointless looking for stats to prove it was not raining even when… Read more »
A novice who has won nothing against an elite coach with multiple trophies….no contest.
He’s gone For same old lumps as on weekend
Ffs
I’m done with him already
Liverpool have to win to stand a chance of surpassing 100 point barrier.
2-2 draw or 3-2 win for either..
That is what he is showing he is a novice
I have no idea who the Brentford manager is,
But he is a better manager than Arteta is.
Learning on the job just ain’t acceptable.Not at Arsenal and certainly not at an Arsenal with Silent Stan as your owner.
Totally bonkers. An experiment that will obviously end in tears.
And everyone knows that!
CG
So what’s your solution again?
MB
Good luck,, keep some animal repellant on hand in case they come after you…
RSPC
I can understand Arteta having to deal with a squad he inherited but why can’t Torreira or Holding get a match?
Why can’t our Golden Boot winning striker get a game through the middle with Pepe on the right and Saka on the left?
Why couldn’t Martinelli get any PL time before he got injured?
If Arteta was nailing it he can pick whoever he chooses but right now he’s going to be lucky to hit a C minus since the resumption.
I figured out the Peacock at least.. So that’s something. 2-0 Pool is the betting favorite.. unfortunately that sounds about right.
Gentle Bris
Totally owning Le Grove these days,
Consistently Sensational.
Marc
During yesterday’s news conference, Arteta was envy at the Pools that their defense has VVD and Fabinho. He was crying out for new signings. Didn’t sound confident to me for the upcoming matches.
Auba to score today.
an hour to go….
Predictions anyone?
‘Arsenal’s issues under Arteta are too concrete to hide behind some vain figures.So prove them wrong Bris.’
Maybe we should begin with the fact that we had a chance to offload a player whose mistakes had been terrorizing us since he arrived and Arteta didn’t allow that dream to turn to reality? Or we should start by mentioning the fact that Arteta would rather work with Luiz than Holding?
Maybe your man CC has got stats for those points as well.
Nelson
I can give Arteta plenty of slack for not having a good enough squad at his disposal – something many on here never gave Emery a minute for but why does he keep picking Xhaka and Kolas?
LOL’s at the idea of anyone “owning” Le Grove.
Creepy grooming though… that’s a thing.
Arsenal XI: Martinez, Holding, David Luiz, Tierney, Cedric, Torreira, Xhaka, Saka, Pepe, Lacazette, Nelson
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Was Josh King offside?
So unlucky for Bournemouth.
“Predictions anyone?”
Well it’ll start with a minor sense of doom, rapidly escalating into outright depression, followed by anger and then outrage, shortly after the urgent requirement for strong anti-depressants and a padded cell.
We’ll then have the second half to look forward to!
Graham
“”””CG So what’s your solution again?”””””
Now Dyche is off the list,( although very reluctantly)
Our Wenger back in. Allow the club some breathing space.
He could be our Jupp Heyneks. (Who was 70 for Bayerns wonder season.)
18 months contract.
He is refreshed and raring to go.
Auba on bench, I should cancel my plan.
Subs: Macey, Bellerin, Sokratis, Ceballos, Aubameyang, Maitland-Niles, Willock, Mustafi, Kolasinac
Sal
Which sides am I swinging to and from?
I would be swinging with the majority of you AKBs if I didn’t have a backbone.
I would have given Emery any chance to sink or swim If I didn’t have a backbone.
Yeah bring back Wenger.. that’s not trolling at all.
So has he gone 4-4-2 or is he playing Saka as a CAM in a 4-3-3.
That back 3 formation that was so good didn’t last long did it?
Jesus tweak the personally not the entire fucking system.
Hahaha MA said fuk the league lets just concentrate on the FA CUP. When Emery focused on the EL you critisized him.
Ozil said I am ready but the website says Back injury.
““Predictions anyone?”Well it’ll start with a minor sense of doom, rapidly escalating into outright depression, followed by anger and then outrage, shortly after the urgent requirement for strong anti-depressants and a padded cell.We’ll then have the second half to look forward to!”
Lol
CG
Wenger back in!😂🤪💊👎
It’s confirmed, you’re a delusional predator.
Arsenal are like a work experience project for Arteta. Lets try this, lets try that, lets do this, lets do that. Oh that didn’t work. What about this? Well that didn’t work, how about that!
Ridiculous
Nelson is on which side?
I hope he tries pepe on the left
Klopp with that line up is just disrespectful!
“NAILED IT.”
The league table is a useless stat Charlie? Oh dear.
Gentlebris Stats are used by every business worldwide, and millions is sunk into data analysis for a reason. Yes, you can make all those references if you like, but if you ignore the context and goal of the stats being used then you’re being dishonest in the application. There’s nothing dishonest about tabling the top half since Arteta arrived to support a statement that we’ve been largely similar in output to those fighting for top 4 since he arrived – absolutely nothing. Unless you want to interject and explain where the bias or context is being left out? Picking out… Read more »
“”””Yeah bring back Wenger.. that’s not trolling at all.””””
No. I am serious. Deadly serious.
No one can manage The Arsenal competently when Silent Stan is your owner.
We have seen that.
Wenger has the experience, respect , track record, nous to steer Arsenal back on track.
If you want top 4 . Call Wenger.
If you want to win FA Cups . Call Wenger.
If you want to balance the books. Call Wenger.
If you want entertaining soccer. Call Wenger.
Wenger at 90- will still be better than 50% of the other managers out there.
Pool coming for our scalp with their power line up
No Dani no Auba to start
OK, what the fuck you thinking Arteter
Ozil with the “I’m ready” IG post only to be left at home
Pepe can’t even make the bench. This a 24/25 year old. If he is not hitting the heights by December we’ve got to look at shipping him out.
CG,
Respect, dear jolly fella.
That was a GOOD tackle on Jesus
Ill be here at the end of the game when the Novice and his duds drop egg on your face mate.
*I’m assuming he isn’t injured.
These refs are diabolically blind
Not sure what Nelson is doing in that 11 tbh. Watch him go have a stormer of a game now.
Laca aside, I do like that lineup.
Saka finally on the left!
I thought the consensus was Emery rather than the squad was at fault for poor results, therefore Arteta has no excuses for turning out such dismal displays.
“The league table is a useless stat Charlie? Oh dear.“
I’d ask someone for help mate, you’ve tied yourself in so many knots at this point.
We’re going to get the “well Torreira started and didn’t do much did he?” line later on.
It almost makes you weep.
Dissenter.. AKB?
WTF does that even mean.
I’m an AKB because I think Arteta needs a transfer window to have more affect on the on squad, the squad he took over mid season.
Don’t be ridiculous.
Mm no Auba or Cebellos. OK. But Nelson in?? so Arteta thinks he has better chance of getting a result against Liverpool with Nelson rather than Auba or has he just put all his eggs in the FA cup basket?