It is here, another FA Cup final for the mighty Arsenal. We’re going for number 14. Mikel Arteta is going for his first as a coach. The young players are going for their first-ever trophy. We have Europe on the line.
It’s different this year and it’s a shame. I’ve never missed an Arsenal FA Cup final. I usually go with my football family, we meet up, get drunk, celebrate or commiserate together, and then it’s a beautiful memory forever locked (even the losses can be fun after).
My Uncle, who is a Leeds fan said to me a few years ago that trophies were about parties. If you’re having a lot of parties, life is good, but if you’re not, then what’s the point?
Arsenal fans might not have had a lot of major-trophy parties of late, but we’re certainly advanced in FA Cup shindigs. This is our trophy, no one has won it as often as us. You feel something in the air whenever we head to Wembley. Wenger took these games very seriously, he loved the FA Cup, and I expect some of that has rubbed off on Arteta, who played as his captain in a winning side. Let’s hope Mikel has a similar relationship with the trophy.
Today is going to be tough, we’re not favourites which is unusual, and the squad of players we have available can be a little bit like that box of chocolates Forest Gump always bangs on about. You don’t know what you’re going to get. However, after thinking about it, under Mikel Arteta, it is more likely than ever that we’ll be picking out a chocolate that doesn’t have a sour liqueur hiding inside.
We’ve beaten United, Liverpool, and City this season. Both our Chelsea games, whilst not optimal, saw solid performances. We’ve had some very good away wins in 2020 as well. Arteta tailors a game plan to the match, the players understand it, and if there are no mistakes, we usually have a pretty good chance of making it very difficult for the other side.
I think we’ll see more of that today. There are rumours that Kieran Tierney is being considered as a centre back today, Ainsley is apparently getting the nod, then it’s with the gods how we set the team up from there.
This isn’t the same game as City or Liverpool. Chelsea has a pretty exciting collection of players that can move the ball through midfield. They play very attractive football at their peak, they are quick on the counter, and they can also pick apart a deep block. They have Olivier Giroud, say what you will about him, but he’ll be motivated, he’s a brilliant link-up striker, and he can score outrageous goals. Willian is in blistering form and along with Kante, is in the squad today.
Their weak spot is in defence. Frank Lampard teams often have a soft underbelly through the middle of the park, and this particular team has struggled with the goalkeeping position. Chelsea actually conceded more goals in the league than Arsenal this season, clocking in at a whopping 54. That is a massive opportunity if you can deal with them going forward. Tough to see how we bring exciting football to unlock their defence after bumming around without a #10 for so long, but we have seen glimpses of good play, particularly the first half against Leicester.
Our challenge is defence, individual errors, and in-game management. We don’t have Mustafi and in this squad, that’s a problem. He’s been huge for us under Mikel, bar a couple of games I think he was fatigued in. There aren’t many good options for us, but nor was there in 2017 when Per Mertesacker and Rob Holding put in a BEASTLY performance for us. The individual errors issue always lurks, our xG has been shocking this season in part because of that, the players know this, and they have to be at their best today to avoid being ‘that guy’ in a final. I also think Lampard has been adept at times at changing things up during the game. Arteta needs to make good decisions when that happens today because Chelsea has more from the bench than we do.
In Arteta’s first run out in the league, a game I attended, we were really unlucky. Callum Chambers picked up a nasty injury, then Frank made some smart changes from the bench and got quite lucky with Jorginho staying on the pitch. The second game we managed to rescue the game with Xhaka and Mustafi sitting on the bench. This is our third crack at Chelsea, arguably the most important on, we have to deliver. Lampard will come with something interesting tactically and we have to counter it, and then move fast to deal with whatever he does in the second phase of the game.
Moments like today define managers and projects. A trophy in your first season, whatever it is, can be absolutely huge. It builds trust from the players, it bonds squads, it builds rapport with the fans, creates forward momentum, and it’s just a beautiful feeling to know you’re on the right path.
This is massive.
Enjoy the game, have fun with your friends and families, let’s make some memories of a different kind today.
Big love from everyone at Le Grove, COME ON YOU GUNNERS xx
Pedro are you hung over or letting the comments break rhe record?
What a great day yesterday was. Had the missus & kids all geared up in Arsenal shirts and had a family Arsenal day.
My nephew Danny finally lost his 8 year battle with bowel cancer in the week and he was a massive Arsenal fan too, so a fitting victory all round.
Gotta say I’m loving Arteta, absolutely loving it. Well done Pedro.
Peak Valencia? Was Pablo Aimar and Gaizka Mendieta playing for them? Maybe David Villa or Silva?
We scored only one goal at the Europa final. A screamer! Who did? Iwobi.
Nigeria has lots of attacking talents in the national team, it wasn’t for fun that the German boss insists Iwobi should be playing 10.
AMN never really impressed me before. And even though he has improved slightly under Arteta, I’m still not totally sold on him.
I think if we can get say between £20-25m for him, we should sell him.
Feel that there are far better players in the world market that would improve us immensely.
He’s not a title winning fullback/wingback/midfielder. More of a squad player at best.
‘Peak Valencia? Was Pablo Aimar and Gaizka Mendieta playing for them? Maybe David Villa or Silva?’
That was the best Valencia side in at least five years, so peak….recently if you care to add.
Dissenter
‘He can’t even hold down one position to be back-up for.’
What are you talking about ? Tell me except Tiernney who is a better full back in our squad than AMN ?
All We are saying is remember Joel Campbell. We had an offer of 15 mil and we turned it down. It’s always good to sell players that have been around for three years haven’t taken their chance for good money. That’s how you move forward. Liverpool sold Solanke for 18 mil, Ine for 15 and Ings for 20 mil. The ood one might do great elsewhere but if your recruitment is right you won’t miss players like this.
Ibe for 15*
Bellerin is better than AMN at RB. Form is temporary.
What are you talking about ? Tell me except Tiernney who is a better full back in our squad than AMN ? Are you justifying keeping him because our full backs aren’t good enough? I mean I don’t really rate Bellerin that much anymore and think we should sell him this summer but even he is better than AMN. I don’t think Cedric should be anything more than a back up RB for us but I still think he’s better than AMN. Look what it boils down is AMN is a squad player at best AT BEST and if we… Read more »
Marko
‘This squad these players are left wanting over the course of a whole season and in pivotal moments. That needs to get addressed simple as’
Agreed but if it were up to me I would offload at least 5 other players before I would even think about AMN – Kolasinac, Ozil, Mustafi, Xhaka and Sokratis.
Bellerin probably but Soares better than AMN ? Can’t agree at all.
We had an offer of 15 mil and we turned it down. It’s always good to sell players that have been around for three years haven’t taken their chance for good money This is very true. Sell when his value is up why piss around for a few more years in desperate hope that he’ll kick on when his value will likely go down. Anyway I feel like a very important part is being missed in all this discussion in that AMN changed agents a while back in the hopes of leaving so he’s already thinking about leaving the club.… Read more »
Bellerin probably but Soares better than AMN ? Can’t agree at all.
Is Cedric a natural RB? Then he’s better than AMN. Played and held down the position longer than a few games filling in for injured players? Then he’s better than AMN
AMN isn’t a RB. Cedric is a Euro winning fullback. He isn’t amazing but you don’t keep out Semedo and Cancelo by being a Nothing player. AMN can be a good midfielder in the future but I doubt he will make it as a fullback for any premier league team. Brighton are targeting him to play him in midfield. They have Tariq lamptey at RB. And he isn’t going to dislodge him even at Brighton.
Agreed but if it were up to me I would offload at least 5 other players before I would even think about AMN – Kolasinac, Ozil, Mustafi, Xhaka and Sokratis. So these types of comments usually come out in defence of a player it’s honestly mind boggling to me. You’re arguing the merits of a player but saying that we should sell him 5th or 6th in a list of players that should be gone from the club? That makes no sense. Besides that there’s no pecking order for getting rid of players if there’s interest in AMN get rid… Read more »
If you go back to what they have done till date, obviously Soares has done more as a footballer than AMN. But if you are looking at the next 2-3 years, AMN has the potential to offer much more than Soares. I did not even mean to say Soares was a bad player, it is just that his best days are probably behind him.
“It’s always good to sell players that have been around for three years haven’t taken their chance for good money“ Not always the best outcome because players can blossom right after, but it’s absolutely the right kind of approach to take. Players like Chambers, Holding, AMN, Elneny should all have been under heavy review after a couple of seasons in and around the first team. We kept Chambers after he won player of the year at Fulham, that was a prime example of a 20 mil bid being disregarded for a player that isn’t the right fit for this club.… Read more »
‘All We are saying is remember Joel Campbell. We had an offer of 15 mil and we turned it down. It’s always good to sell players that have been around for three years haven’t taken their chance for good money. That’s how you move forward. ‘
Habesha,
Remember Gnabry? He was around for a bit and didn’t take his chance, an offer came in that seemed his level and we took it.
“Besides that there’s no pecking order for getting rid of players “
Then…
“Also I’m starting to notice Lacazette is getting forgotten in a lot of people’s lists. He’s getting older his contract is running down what he adds to us is questionable and he’s a sellable asset“
Sounds a lot like a pecking order, and that’s no different to posters wanting to prioritise their choice of players for X reason.
It’s not invalidated because you disagree.
‘A confident Kola as a wingback is easily £35m.’ Seriously mate ? Kola never was , is and probably never will be a 35m player. He is a wing back, I agree there but his delivery is very poor. Crossing is one of the key aspects of a wing back and Kolasinac is poor at that too. Add to that his poor positioning , composure , his inability to beat a press and his panic mode and that makes him a poor wing back too. His only good quality is bulldozing to the by-line. And his pace and power combo.… Read more »
Unpopular opinion but I wouldn’t sell AMN or Rob Holding. Mari, Sores, Mustafi, Sokratis and SK should be sold before those two imo
TR7
Are you suggesting AMN is a starter?
Me…I’m not knocking him for a lack of ability. I just think we’ve rendered him redundant the moment we signed Soares to a 4 year contract.
I didn’t think we should have signed Sores because AMN was good enough as back-up. I had rolling arguments with Marc about this specific point.
The train left the station already regarding AMN, we have made choices that make it difficult to keep him.
Gentlebris
We sold Gnabry because there was a year left on his contract. We still saw potential to be great and he refused to stay. He wasn’t given enough chances. Wenger played theo Walcott ahead of him. This is totally different. AMN has had chances. And he hasn’t convinced us he will have something to bring. If in two years willock is on the same boat we should sell him too. We did great with Iwobi. Some players might slip through the cracks but that’s football. Everyone you let go will not suck. Some will be decent players.
“Unpopular opinion but I wouldn’t sell AMN or Rob Holding. Mari, Sores, Mustafi, Sokratis and SK should be sold before those two imo“
Not sure “unpopular” is the right word..
You want to sell two players we just signed, and who have barely featured, vs players that have been here 4/5 years and done next to nothing?
I’d laugh if you weren’t being deadly serious.
But if you are looking at the next 2-3 years, AMN has the potential to offer much more than Soares.
I don’t agree with that. I think you’ll find history especially recent history with regards to footballers is a decent indicator of a near future. AMN in the last two three seasons hasn’t shown nearly enough to suggest that the next two three seasons would be any different and that’s just being honest. 20 million or what’s being discussed is about as well as we can get for the player.
‘So these types of comments usually come out in defence of a player it’s honestly mind boggling to me. You’re arguing the merits of a player but saying that we should sell him 5th or 6th in a list of players that should be gone from the club?’
There is not a single player in our team who can’t be upgraded upon if we find a replacement in transfer market. So everyone is in the pecking order in a way. People say sell AMN if we get 25M. Well I can say sell Auba if we get 80M.
Can’t do that and then clamour for squad upheaval. Makes no sense.
Very true.
Sounds a lot like a pecking order, and that’s no different to posters wanting to prioritise their choice of players for X reason.
It’s not at all I don’t have a pecking order outside of players who are sellable assets and who offer little to the team.
AMN has developed that killer attitude [I apologize if it comes off badly]. He didn’t have enough nasty in him i the last and it still grates me that he hugged Madison after the guy dived twice to get him two yellow cards in the same game. Now he has that focus with Arteta but we made squad moved that make it harder for him. If he wants to do something special with his career like have a chance at playing for England someday, then he has to leave. Before people laugh that possibility away, he was the only Arsenal… Read more »
Fair enough TR7 but when you say I’d sell this this and this before I’d sell AMN you’re literally making a set of circumstances to keep him. But anyway.
CC ‘ You want to sell two players we just signed, and who have barely featured, vs players that have been here 4/5 years and done next to nothing?’ Maybe we shouldn’t have given long term contracts to players with dubious ability when we had players that probably needed better coaching and may have done better. We can’t have our cake and eat it, something has to give. The next to nothing Holding has played in 2 winning FA cup finals. AMN is a better baller than Soares and he’s not a natural full back. I believe GunnerDNA’s point is… Read more »
What’s wrong with a quality utility player Marko? Never heard of James Milner? Ray parlour? Phil Neville? John O’Shea? Gilles Grimandi?
They were all consistent starters for their clubs you fucking idiot. AMN isn’t. At all. And won’t be if we have aspirations to improve ourselves. Jaysus
Arsenal fans flout rules as they go wild on the streets of London to celebrate Mikel Arteta’s men winning the FA Cup at Wembley.
No wonder Marc is no where to be seen this morning.
Dissenter
That flimsy argument is on the basis that both your assertions are right, with little evidence to show in either case.
Holding and AMN for instance have been here 4 years and neither has cemented a role but they’re valued, meanwhile Mari and Cedric have been here 4 games and they’re already not at the level.
See the genius at work? Yea me either.
Nelson people are stupid in general. I dunno if someone thought it excluded Arsenal fans cause it doesn’t
‘AMN has had chances. And he hasn’t convinced us he will have something to bring. ‘ Habesha, I think AMN has been showing what he can do under a tactically solid coach these days. I’m of the opinion we must get his head away from a particular role and get him to focus on his given role. Seeing Xhaka slipping and wondering why he can’t be tried there is perhaps the reason for his momentary lack of in-game concentration. But if a coach could get him sorted, we have a big player in there I believe. He can run, he… Read more »
Nelson
I’m here but wasn’t in North London yesterday.
What a great result yesterday. So Arteta beat Man city,Liverpool,Man utd,Chelsea and Wolves with an athletically deficient midfield and an athletically deficient defence which makes a lot of unforced errors. What a fucking manager. Now,the most important thing is to get Auba’s contract extended. If Auba leaves,no point trying to get top 4. Start project youth then. We don’t have the money to buy a goalscorer like Auba. Pepe played well but there was space in behind. Real test for him is against low blocks. That’s where his off the ball movement will be tested. To this team,as I have… Read more »
I think most arsenal fans go with sentimentality when judging a young player from the academy or if he signed for peanuts. Player turnover is an absolute must for a top team. We need to give chances to the next batch of Academy players while selling those who have underperformed. It’s how you stay ahead of the game. Keeping AMN will be based on sentimentality than logic. And I don’t know why people are labeling Mari a bad signing before he has even played 10 games. People were saying Tierney was a dud because he was injured too. Criticizing a… Read more »
CC ‘ Holding and AMN for instance have been here 4 years and neither has cemented a role but they’re valued, meanwhile Mari and Cedric have been here 4 games and they’re already not at the level’ Aaagh, you made that one up Mari and Soares has doubtful abilities before they joined us. Spa played at Southampton for three seasons and was never a stained-out in the league. He was so good Southampton were letting him leave in a free. Mari was a journeyman no other European club [after city] would offer a contract to. He had to leave for… Read more »
Un
Yea you’ve just proven my point, for a 4 year resume you’re handing AMN the “go to” player in a 5 game stretch.
If bids are there for either the club should be selling and reinvesting. Same situation as Chambers last season but you were on here again telling us about how he’s just bossed it at Fulham and was going to have a world of a season here.
You’re duped by English players and all too willing to wait and wait until they eventually come good. It’s a foolish exercise.
Then what are we gonna say if AMN goes to Leeds for £20m now, do a big wow season at Leeds and move across to Liverpool/United/Chelsea/Citey for £55m next summer?
I almost dropped a tear when I saw Gnabry scoring those wonder goals against Chelsea during the last CL fixtures.
I’m not in hurry for us to do another one.
I think a few on here need to start preparing themselves for the fact that Mari has been bought as a first choice CB. Arteta knows about him from Man City, no way we buy a CB when the manager has first hand knowledge of him and would’ve said he’s not suitable for the PL. The two questions right now are what formation will Arteta look to play next season and how quickly will Saliba settle / become first choice?
Martinez( Wenger) 9/10 Bellerin ( Wenger) 8/10 Tierney ( Non Wenger) 7/10 AMN ( Wenger ) 9/10 Holding ( Wenger ) 8/10 Luiz(Non Wenger ) 8/10 Cebollas ( Non Wenger ) 7/10 Xhaka ( Wenger) 7/10 Lacazette ( Wenger) 8/10 PEA ( Wenger) 10/10 Pepe( non Wenger ) 6/10Arteta ( signed by Wenger) 9/10 (Would have 10/10 but no Arsenal blazer.)X 9 players signed by Arsene Wenger.I don’t think its unreasonable to state Our Wenger has now won 7.5 FA Cups now. CG I’m sure it’s just a coincidence the two none Wenger signings were the poorest performers on the… Read more »
Not always about agenda Marko, you’ve gone deep on AMN a player I wasn’t into as well. Your really showing shades of Le Groves ex wife with the inability to bend on certain things.
One can admit AMN has found another gear of late and there may be far more there than many of us thought. Under Arteta he’s found some purpose he lacked with previous managers, like I said very curious to see what happens to him this summer.
Dissenter
Cedric and Mari had doubtful abilities beforehand? More doubtful than Holding and AMN?
One is a 40-time Portugal international and was Southamptons starting RB for 5 years, the other was much later to the professional scene but won the league last year in Brazil at the heart of a defence.
Rob Holding pocketed Costa one time and AMN was excellent in an England under 23’s tourney is the comparison. Please get a grip.
Arteta:“I had only one mission when I came here and it was to make the players and the staff believe that we could do it. ”
He has made the supports believe that we can!
AMN has found another gear right around the time he’s announced he wants to leave.
Someone remind me when did RVP suddenly manage to stay fit and have his best season for us?
Un I don’t want to hear the age rubbish, you’re talking to someone who said we should sell Bellerin and have AMN at RB to absolute ridicule on here. I’ve got plenty of time for his ability, but Arsenal have no money and he’s not delivered for Arsenal in any meaningful amount. So if there’s 20 mil bids floating about then the club is mugging itself off by letting another one slip by. Joel Campbell was 15 mil Chambers was 20 mil Nelson was 20 mil The club has to have more ruthless a stance and back itself to go… Read more »
CC
Mari was also part of the defence that kept Liverpool at bay during the World Club Cup whatever.
He’s been bought for a reason.
Marc
But is he as good as Holding who everyone has seen for 4 years? Obvious answer is no apparently, after a YouTube video someone saw.
CC
I have no idea, I haven’t actually said Mari is a good player. I’m just looking at events and circumstances and pointing out the obvious.
Moving on from AMN, Has Luiz Justified the new contract now?
Tom “””””How many “Tierney is a crock who will never be fit enough to justify his price tag “ angry posts have there been written by CG Not many lately though lol.”””” Tierney, like Luiz have been playing well in recent weeks, granted. That’s because they are playing in a back 5. The exact moment, they are playing in an isolated back 4, I will predict: Luiz will get more red cards, And Tierney will get more injuries. I stand by my Tierney comments. Not robust enough for the Prem. (Although he is an immensely likeable player.) A throwback to… Read more »
Un
I can’t see Leno sitting on the bench as a number 2 for very long so unless Arteta is going to reinstate him as No 1 I think he will be sold. I think you also need to get your head round AMN being sold this window.
Un Yea huge double standards.. what excuses did I offer about Mari appearing at the top level late again? “other was much later to the professional scene but won the league last year in Brazil at the heart of a defence“ Literally state it’s what’s he’s done the past year that’s given license for what he’ll give us now. AMN and Holding don’t have nearly enough of that over a 4 year period at the club. No double standard whatsoever. “Yeah, AMN May fetch 20-25m but Leno would fetch more and looks to be a reserve keeper now. Let’s sell… Read more »
I’m wondering what the most pressing need us for the team? I’d suggest that the biggest need is a CAM. Partey would be an excellent addition no doubt but we need creativity to release all of the attacking talent we have up front.
Charlie
I think you back every decision of Arteta to the hilt and change your previously stated position on players to align with that of Arteta. You have taken a complete U turn on Guen. Now you are trying to argue Soares is more esteemed a player than AMN. Is that because Soares has been handed a long term contract by Arteta ? Before Arteta was appointed you were of the view all our players could be be improved by right coaching and now you are advocating we sell AMN.
Selling Leno is a big No. Keep Emi as No1 when the season starts. If he sustains it through the whole of next season then we will talk about selling Leno and bringing an understudy to Emi.
Tom
What CG failed to highlight.
Wenger 1996-2006 = 8/10
Wenger post 2006-2018 = 5/10
Shit Barcelona have pulled out of signing Lautaro this summer. I think they might come in for Auba. Better get his deal sorted out soon.
New post
Sell Auba
Nice win.
Lets hope we can support Auba with some quality signings for next season.
One can admit AMN has found another gear of late and there may be far more there than many of us thought
Of late. He’s started one league game since the restart and outside of the semi and final he’s been average to poor. I don’t get it how are people so easily convinced given how mostly poor he’s been.
Also sal you’re one to talk about agendas. My only agenda is that Arsenal rid themselves of piss poor players and improve the squad. That’s it.
You over there, we won the FA cup because of Auba lion,
your infamous behind has been on his case, let that sink in,
Im telling you for free!