Well, that was absolutely shite. I had a feeling there was going to be a bit of the Brighton’s about us last night; I turned out to be correct, we dominated possession, did absolutely fuck all with it, and conceded from a set-piece (45% of our goals this season according to the stat guys).
How utterly, utterly depressing.
The only positive I’ll take from that game is that we might get the chance to relegate Watford at the weekend. I much prefer Villa. Dean Smith is a good guy and I like some of the Villa players.
As for Arsenal, this is who we are. One moment, they’re taking bullets for 97 minutes, the next, they are flummoxed against a team that has been absolutely shite all season.
The usual suspects were problematic again. Rob Holding and Kola just don’t cut it for me. They’re not good enough on the ball and their fear of moving it forward is painful at times. The biggest mistake of the game for me was starting Lucas Torreira. We all want him to be the guy, but he doesn’t seem to have it. He was dreadful. He’s too small for the Premier League and I just don’t think he’s capable of being the warrior we need in the middle of the park. Striking that Arteta yanked him at half time, we haven’t seen that very often, but it was the correct decision.
People were also upset we fielded 3 center-forwards without any attacking midfielders. I don’t know if the hope was Lacazette would drop into a number 10ish role again, or the analysts assessed that Villa had conceded more shots than any team this season and it was likely we’d open them up after two strong wins. It didn’t work out. A lesson Arteta will have to learn. Maybe starting Willock would have been smarter (though he’s hardly pulled up trees), or perhaps moving Pepe into a 10 role? Who knows, some experiments don’t work, this one tanked.
Dani Ceballos had a solid game, but he doesn’t have devastation in his pocket when he’s probing the box. Granit Xhaka made things a little more interesting in the second half, but he’s far better at releasing the ball from deep than finding cute angles in the opposition area.
The harsh reality is if our wide players don’t show up, we offer fuck all to the forwards.
There is no point in controlling possession if you can’t convert it into a single shot. We can get angry about that, but it’s not a new problem, and the only way it’ll be solved is if we sign players that can do the job. I’d love Jack Grealish, the man has magnificent hair and unbelievable legs. Imagine that sort of creativity in your starting 11? Trouble is, we need two or three players like that.
The big positive from the game is that once again, Arteta has been reminded of the limitations of some of the players. Some of those deal extensions he’s thinking about might need a rethink. Some of those players he was thinking of keeping on, might just find their way out of the club. His team might start to realise that you can’t save some players from themselves. If you are weak mentally in your mid to late twenties, that’s probably a thing for life. You’ll get turns out of these guys, like the prior two games, but you’ll not get consistency, which is the difference between ok and elite.
We deserve everything we get this season in the league. We haven’t been good enough. The players aren’t of the right make-up for the way Arteta wants to play and there are too many players that can go missing when you need them. The points total speaks to that. We can solve that with a good summer, or at least progress to a much more coherent squad.
If you are now disgusted by the coach and you’re doubting things again, just take yourself back to the weekend. Remember the KLOPP OUT crew at Liverpool? The Fraudiola crowd? Lampard is a disgrace? Understand that everyone wants to be the first to call time on a coach. Those people will be wrong in the long run. This is not a sprint, there will be ups and downs, but Arteta is the right guy to carry us through.
The Cup Final will see us focused, I have little doubt about that. These players show up in the perceived bigger games, they are better when teams offer more than a deep block, we will also play our best 11. Bring that City energy to Villa and Brighton, we’re in the Europa League before the FA Cup. We didn’t, now we’re stuck in the same situation as last season… leaning on a Cup Final to save our summer. It’s grim, but we’ll do a better job of the final than we did last season.
The Villa result is not good enough, but it is what it is. Bumps are par the course. It doesn’t make it any easier, but if you pray hard enough tonight and donate to my Patreon, maybe we’ll do a little better.
Onto Watford, let’s hope we can finish the season by sending Troy and the boys to the Championship.
See you in the comments. x
s
Ozil has 2 assists in 1449 mins and Joe willock has 1 assist in 783 mins.
Marc “The only time Ozil is generally mentioned is about how prohibitive his salary is and that’s not on a daily basis .I made what I see to be an honest point –” You said it was a waste of time discussing Ozil, I would have thought it would be a concern to any Arsenal supporter that one player being left out of the side for non footballing reasons has had such a detrimental effect on the side resulting in failing to qualify for Europe through our league position. Taking into account that Tierney wasn’t in the side pre lockdown… Read more »
Words
It’s a shame about Reiss. Whenever I watch him I see a player inhibited. There seems to be a mental block with him in matches that aren’t there in training. He seems to do enough for Emery and then Arteta to favour him over Pepe on several occasions only to underwhelm when given the chance. He might turn out to be another Gnabry or not.
‘A cross into the box counts as a chance’
Wow . If that was true , Trent and Kdb should have had upwards of 500 big chances created this season. Unfortunately Kdb has only 25.
Cc, Two really good links. Interesting (and very reassuring) the LTAArsenal technical analysis and Arteta’s own outlook are pretty much totally synchronised. If this season under Arteta has been all about stabilising the defence, next season should be about restoring creativity. Hopefully some moves can be made in the transfer market so that we have more creative midfielders, but as Arteta makes clear, it isn’t always about having players who can play in the pockets. So it will be interesting to see what the “specificity” is in terms of style of play and new personnel. Despite a pretty dismal season,… Read more »
“You said it was a waste of time discussing Ozil, I would have thought it would be a concern to any Arsenal supporter that one player being left out of the side for non footballing reasons has had such a detrimental effect on the side resulting in failing to qualify for Europe through our league position”
You mean like doing fuck all against olympiacos in a much needed game resulting in falling to qualify for round of 16 of the Europa league?
CC
The non- negotiables have cost us dearly if we fail to qualify for Europe lthrough the FA cup.
Shame that he has allowed himself to be backed into a corner , hopefully the non negotiables will prove to be a positive.
Let’s hope so , though I think you will find that Arteta will relax them as time goes on and he will learn through this experience.
‘Nobody doubts Ozil’s talent’? Well, I do. Or let me put it more clearly: I doubt his worth. Always did. Never could understand why Real Madrid bought him. Overcome with horror when Wenger forked out £43 million for him. The worst transfer deal in Arsenal history. The man has cost the Club more than £100 million. But that is only part of the damage caused. Every time I hear people talk of playing him,I want to jump of Highgate bridge. Imagine playing with a guy who gets paid five times as much and puts in one fifth the effort. A… Read more »
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/12034597/mikel-arteta-exclusive-arsenal-ready-to-strengthen-squad-and-solve-creativity-problem At least this gives me hope that arteta sees our problems. We need a serious investment in midfield. We had the likes of Viera, Fabregas, Cazorla, Rosicky, Wilshere, Arshavin in our midfield. And No, Ozil isn’t going to be the answer this coming season. At one point we had Santi, Wilshere, Ramsey and Ozil with Sanchez in midfield and Attacking positions to be creative but now Ozil is the only one left and he is barely bothered about football. pepe and saka can do it but they need support from central midfield. I don’t care if coutinho is Kia’s… Read more »
Pierre
It’s a waste of time talking about Ozil right now – Last PL match of the season in 2 days and then the Cup final.
Do you think it would be a good time to bring Ozil back into the team for either / both matches? He hasn’t played a match in 4 months and will clearly not be match fit.
As I mentioned the questions on Ozil are will he be here next season and if yes can he be integrated into the team.
This isn’t an attack on Ozil it’s a comment on priorities right now.
Cha Cha
“”””Ozil is a problem, time to smell the coffee.”””””
Ozil on £35 000 a week is the captain and team lynchpin.
Ozil on £350 000 a week, keeps Stan awake at night.
And that then causes Arteta a problem.
It’s not an attitude issue or footballing issue.
It’s a money issue. It always is with Arsenal under KSE.
If they dont want Ozil.
Front up and pay him off.
Arsenal acting very very cowardly.
“The non- negotiables have cost us dearly if we fail to qualify for Europe lthrough the FA cup.“ No, I’d argue the lack of an elite standard at Arsenal has cost us much more in recent years. This season is a welcome critical mass as Arteta looks to scrub the wound clean, which inevitably comes with a degree of pain and short term suffering. – Woab Yes, very much agree there. Think behind his door at Arsenal he’ll be somewhat immune to the demanding nature of the fans/media expectant of instant gratification and success. He’ll be privy to things in… Read more »
Apparently we were an Ozil away from being in a champions league place apparently. But seriously the lad is a total non-entity as a footballer these days that he’s not worth talking about. But it’s worth pointing out that what Mikel and the club are doing now is the right thing to do to force the issue. If they did that 2 seasons ago I’ve got no doubt that he wouldn’t be here right now. Emery tried it but unfortunately it didn’t work because the fan base were more concerned with disliking him and then everytime we didn’t perform you… Read more »
Ozil on £35 000 a week is the captain and team lynchpin.
You think we’d be getting a better output if he was on less wages? I feel like certain idiotic types think it’s just about his wage packet instead of the fact that he does next to nothing to deserve frankly any sort of big wage. His productivity is atrocious
The big question is why isn’t Mislintat scouting Ozil right now?
Why doesn’t he have spies watching at the training ground?
You know who could probably get rid of Ozil? Kia
Englandsworst ‘Nobody doubts Ozil’s talent’? Well, I do. Or let me put it more clearly: I doubt his worth. Always did. Never could understand why Real Madrid bought him. Overcome with horror when Wenger forked out £43 million for him. The biggest pile of shit I’ve read in a long time on here and that’s saying something cos you aren’t being sarcastic or ironic either. If you couldn’t understand, as you stated above, why RM bought Ozil, who subsequently turned out the best assist numbers in Europe, then you should stop watching football, stop posting in a football blog and… Read more »
Marko
“Apparently we were an Ozil away from being in a champions league place apparently.”
You make a fair point there Marko.
At lockdown we were a mere 2 points behind united and 5 behind Chelsea with 10 games to play.
We are now 10 points behind both clubs.
So yes, you are correct, Ozil may have made the difference in the push for champions league.
That’s what you said Pierre not me. Lemme help you out with understanding I’m not stupid enough to think that someone who offers next to nothing on the field would have made a lick of difference to us getting a champions league place after the restart. Again lad is a non-entity as a footballer. I’ll say though you are consistent in your stubbornness and stupidity. Hats off to you
Anyway if anything this season has showed us we’re not one player or one CAM away from getting back to the champions league again the club needs a few signings at least before then and god knows how many we need to challenge for a league title.
The bottom line in all of this is that Mesut Ozil became a massive burden for the club as soon as he was given that mind-blowingly stupid contract.
I agree with CG🤭, “Front up and pay him off”
Let’s end all this shite once and for all.
Ozil’s worth is as an indulgence for exceptional players in an all-star team. In the Germany side, in the Real Madrid side, any half-decent midfielder would have created as many assists as Ozil.
Marko
“I’m not stupid enough to think that someone who offers next to nothing on the field would have made a lick of difference to us getting a champions league place after the restart.”
The stats tell a different story .
Pre lockdown…with Ozil ..outperforming ALL of our rivals .
Post lockdown…without Ozil ..underperforming ALL of our rivals.
New season set for September 12th
Graham
“”””I agree with CG🤭, “Front up and pay him off”””””
Pay up or Shut up.
And if Stan dont want to pay up, and Arteta today admitting the team lacks creativity.
I suggest he starts to utilize him against these ‘ low blockers’.*
*Another new term , I have learned this week.
Graham
And where does the money come from? We could be about to lose £30 odd million a season in revenue when we were losing money already and christ knows what will happen to match day revenue for part of next season.
Funny how when mention was made of big chances created Ozil’s stats this season were conveniently avoided.
For the record, official PL stats show that this season MO has created just ONE big chance. Saka has SIX, plus five assists (to MO’s two) and one goal (same as MO).
Of course one has played the majority of games as a WB, the other less productively in his preferred position.
Just watched the “Behind the scenes at the Arsenal x adidas 2020/21 home kit shoot”, Guen is no where to be seen but Ozil was there smiling and mixing up with the rest. It seems that only the management wants to get rid of him but not the players.
For awhile, Saka has shown the potential to be our link up man to move the ball forward. Against Villa he was not in game shape. Let’s hope that he’ll rediscover his mojo. He is our future and not Ozil.
Erdogan (Basaksehir) can rid AFC of Ozil but only if AFC play ball.
Pre lockdown…with Ozil ..outperforming ALL of our rivals .
You mean where we drew as many games (4) as we won? Yeah he got a goal and an assist to add to his whopping one goal and two assists in the league this year. In total that’s one goal three assists all season long and he’s nowhere to be found on the chances created lists. But sure he was going to make a difference.
Also I think when Arteta brings up our lack of creativity that’s just another example of him saying this team needs signings it’s another area we need to address. I don’t for a second think it’s a call to arms for Ozil. I think he’s made up his mind on him already
I think we should find a team that can pay half of Ozil’s wages and sign some one worth that 175k money. It’s still a lot but we will get better value for our 18 mil a year with a better player.
It seems that only the management wants to get rid of him but not the players.
Lucky for us they’re making the decisions for the club and not the players.
One good player at CAM can help but it’s not going to solve all.
As that previous article stated you either get a midfielder in playing at the base that can play on his own with two attacking midfielders ahead of him or you get in midfielders that are more than comfortable playing higher up on the front foot.
Arsenal don’t have these midfielders atm.
Arteta is hoping that Laca could play like Firmino. Unfortunately, Laca doesn’t have the vision and skill to set up plays. His strength is receiving the ball in the box and shoot. If Arteta wants to continue with this system, he’ll need to sign someone like Bruno Fernandes to replace Laca.
It’s official then, next season starts September 12th.
The key to Ozil fucking off is going to be his wife. Left to him he probably doesn’t care much about actually playing football or earning his wage.
You can see it now…
After months of transfer inactivity…
Emile Smith Rowe
He’s like a new signing.
Left
I’d prepare for that type of summer – especially if we miss out on European football.
Testicle try a little over a month. Window opens Monday and season starts September 12th. Hectic to say the least. Who knows what preseason will look like.
And still people laud Ozil as the second coming.
“When was the last time Ozil played consistently well?” is probably the most naive way to justify dropping a player completely from the squad who’s not going to leave and is dead set on living up to his contract.
Name one Arsenal field position player perhaps other than Auba, who’s played consistently well over the period of last three seasons.
Take your time, I’ll wait.
Not like giving players silly money they never really deserved started with Ozil either. Arsenal have been doing it for a long time.
Pedro has a ready made excuse if we experience a crap start and fans get on Artetas back…’Mikel didn’t have a proper pre-season’.
“I know what Mesut brings,” says Arteta. “You only have to check his stats and look at what he’s able to do in those tight areas without any space…”
Dont think Ozil is been ostracized for footballing reasosn. Its either the wage cut or Ozil not agreeing to a “non-negotiable”.
Marko,
I see where your coming from but clubs have been making signings for weeks now.
… like Chelski.
Wasi you just answered your own question. “You only have to check his stats…Dont think Ozil is been ostracized for footballing reasosn”.
He’s being ostracized because he’s not performing he’s not making a difference and they want him gone so that they can replace what’s he’s getting paid with someone else.
Now that diet Pep has coached the players to be solid defensively the final piece is coaching them to be creatively fluid,
he has all the sauce to do it with pre season and a replacement for Ozil, no excuses
Im telling you for free!
Remember this quote from Arteta. We may re visit when the window closes.
“We are completely ready for that, and I also have a really good understanding with [technical director] Edu. We have been working together very closely to put together a plan that we are convinced can be successful.”
Ozil will never play like a 350 kpw player because there aren’t more than two or three of those in the world.
He will never play like the 140k player he was before his bumper deal either but if he’s not going anywhere ,which seems to be the case, try getting some value out of him even if it is him setting up the cones and collecting sweaty pinnies.
clubs have been making signings for weeks now. Who? This happens every window one or two clubs get in some signings pre window and some Arsenal fans start to get agitated. Look we don’t know where we’re going to be at next season we don’t have the luxury of European football already guaranteed like Bayern and Chelsea do. If it makes you feel any better I personally think no matter what we’ll be busy this window with a new manager in. The only worry is the level of players that we’ll be bringing in. Will they be good enough to… Read more »
Oh my, Now Ive woken up and see my Ozil comments from last night triggered Pierre. Pierre, I respect you love Ozil. However, I do not. For many reasons. If he was as good as stated, he would be playing regardless of salary. That was not his fault he as offered a disgusting amount of money. The fact is that 3 coaches have benched him. He is not performing and or course, having a bad attitude can also lead to the bench. This is a new era. The wenger era is over. That is where Ozil really played the club.… Read more »
“Time to move on from him and sell him to anyone willing to take him”
Seems one of us is a bit fuzzy on how transfers work.
Doesn’t the player have to agree on a move?
Tom the assumption there is that if there is a team willing to buy him ( his last yaer of his contract) then we should not hesitate….
fairly straight forward
I hope those three teenagers who killed PC Harper are given the severest of punishments.
Better still, send them to Saudi Arabia on a student exchange. That would sort them out.
Anything to wipe those sickening smirks off their faces.
I think joelson Fernandes has elite dribbling jeez….If we get him for 15m it will be a steal..I know we have saka but I noticed that one difference between them is that saka seems to exploit space in front of him while joelson likes taking players on directly.That said,the priority should be in midfield this summer
Guns
Pierre will give his valued feedback to all your points.
G62
I concur. I think that is one thing we can all agree on. The arrogant shits.
I think both Coutinho and Willian will both arrive this window along with a backup GK, CB (not Upamecano), Partey and a cheap #9.
Saliba and Smith Rowe return.
Martinez, Niles, Holding, maybe Sokratis, Guendouzi, Torreira, Lacazette and Nelson will go. Kolasinac stays as cover for Tierney. Saka is not a fan of the LB role.
Leeds interested in Martinez according to Phil Hay
Anyone who thinks, this constant Ozil saga is anything but the money are pitifully naive.
Young Saiiba ; St Ettienes finest, is unable to play in The French Cup Final later.
Reason why?
You guessed it- Money!
Its ALWAYS about the green stuff under KSE and Stan.
They are such corrosive owners.
Interestingly the apparent fans view of Willian (from a Chelsea pov) suggest his value to them is more in his industry and discipline than his final product.
Lots of them rate Hudson-Odoi more for the final third but many saying Willian is a winger that could even play DM.
New Post
CG
If Ozil was on £500k a week and he was performing to a high level, week in week out, then no one would bat an eyelid.
The feeble excuses given by some on here(ok, one person in particular) to justify his role at the club is and always has been, rather embarrassing.
I’d be really surprised if we signed that lot Dream10. Willian would be an expensive stop gap, but I can’t see us giving him the three year deal he wants anyway. Coutinho? While he has/had certain attributes that we need I can’t see how he would be successful without a midfielder ‘minder’ in support and we don’t have one of those. Left to his own devices he’d get overwhelmed in our side. Partey it’s been said will sign a new deal with AM. No idea why we’d want to sign another CB when we already have eight on the books.… Read more »
It’s Özil time again. I, for one, am no interested in “might have”‘s, they belong to the coulda, woulda, shoulda of Wenger’s memory. I am not a stats person either. If my eyes tell me a player is shit and the stats tell me he is the best in the pl, sorry but I believe what I’m seeing, so spare the stats. Pierre will always look for a reason to include Özil, Wasi, at the moment, is using anything as a stick to beat Arteta with and Un’s flip flops of recent times are difficult to keep up with. Anything… Read more »