I’m writing this a few drinks deep, so take the information with a pinch of ‘okaaaaay mate…’
In short, what a day.
Mikel Arteta picked up the second trophy of his tenure. It might not be a major one, but a win against a full-strength Liverpool side is certainly not to be sniffed at. I honestly didn’t hold out much hope of a victory. It felt far too early in our preseason to deliver any sort of competition against one of the most brutal teams in the world.
I don’t really want to go over the game in too much detail. We basically recreated our FA Cup run where we let better teams have more of the possession, while we played around their press, and took our chances.
The goal from Auba was another sublime ‘play it out the back’ moment. Elneny fed Saka on the right, Saka created an overload and casually pinged a ball out to Auba. Our contract rebel sharpshooter cut inside, Tierney created a decoy with a fake overlap, then Auba placed a bullet strike over one of the best keepers in the world. Fucking majestic. Thierry like. Think back to how shite we were playing out of the back under Emery? Unreal how good coaching can have the same players scoring worldies against elite teams with the same idea.
The second half was a little more Liverpool. We conceded a sloppy goal. Some deft football by Liverpool and a bit of bad luck on our part saw Minamoto earn enough space to slip a pass past Emi. Again, it’s preseason, the goal wasn’t an abomination, though frustrating nonetheless.
We didn’t collapse though, which was lovely. The players gave it some in the last ten minutes, we weren’t quite sharp enough, but we saw the game out for penalties.
We scored all 5. All elite strikes. Reiss started first and buried it. AMN followed up with a COOOOOOL as a cucumber pass into the corner. Soares, who I thought would miss, smashed his home. David Luiz rocketed his into the top left corner. Then Auba BURIED the notion he’s not a big game player, winning his second trophy with Arsenal with the final kick of the game and a BELTER of a strike.
What a great moment for Arsenal. The Community Shield might not be the biggest trophy of them all, but when you are an Arsenal fan, or player, or board member, it means a great deal. Arsenal are improving. We’re mixing it with the big teams. We’re showing up and delivering when it matters. I said before the game, the importance of the win was momentum. We are a confidence team, this will have mainlined belief into a squad that’s still learning how to be top tier.
So what can we take from the game?
DON’T FUCK WITH US
Yeah, childish headline, but what the last batch of games starting with an ‘FA’ prefix have taught the rest of the league is that we have a capable squad of players that can damage big teams. Specifically, we’ve learned to deal with teams that aggressively press us.
Teams like Liverpool have come at us with extra venom over the years. They beast us, we panic under pressure and give the ball away, then they go again and again until we’re beaten into submission. The we’d cave to the pressure, the more confident the pressing team would get and the more we’d cower. That reputation for meekness has been well and truly weaponised by Arteta.
The lesson teams are now learning is that if they aggressively push us high up the field, we will play around the press and do some real damage. We no longer shit the bed. We have comfortably played around 2 of the best pressing teams in the world and taken home results. What you saw yesterday was a Liverpool side that started to panic when their plan fell apart because we showed them on numerous occasions we’d open them up. That is a warning shot for the rest of the league. Teams will think twice about pressing us hard and high. This is a great development for Arsenal. Big teams will eventually wise up to this, but for the moment, we’re dangerous against top 6 sides.
CREATIVITY WHERE ARE YOU?
Our biggest issue this season is now the opposite of what it used to be. We lack creativity. Arsenal is now competitive for the big games, where we’ll struggle is against teams that low block us and string 11 bodies in front of us. Think about Brighton and Villa.
I thought we were worth more than our 2 shots on target yesterday. The movement in Liverpool’s third was much better. The football was really good at times. What we’re really lacking is a decision and a moment of magic when it matters. Ozil when he cared, Santi, Thomas Rosicky, Jack, Andrey, could all create magic with a deep block… we don’t have that right now and unless we address it, our issues will come in games where teams don’t want to play.
No doubt the Arsenal analysts recognise this issue. No doubt we’re trying to adjust the squad to accommodate a more creative set of players. Willian will help, but it’d also be great to bring in a true number 8 or a modern 10 that could help us unlock defences. The club hope they can get Auoar for £40m, which means we have to sell someone. Torreira, Guendouzi, and Lacazette are all the best hopes of raising funds, but the market is sluggish. I also hear we still fancy Partey… but again, hard to move fast if you have no money.
DON’T SELL THEM PLEEEEASE
My main concern before the game was that we had at least 5 players in the starting 11 that won’t be about come October 5th. Under Arteta, things like that don’t seem matter. The stand out performers were AMN and Martinez, once again. The Argentinian keeper is just a very good player. The idea that Chelsea might pick him up from us for £10m is an absolutely awful thought. He’s focused, brilliant with his feet, great with his hands, and a brilliant leader. I also love that he has a greater goal, becoming Argentina’s #1. Are we letting the better keeper go here?
Then there’s AMN. I can’t have it that he is on the exit list. He’s brilliant. He seems to have the exact mindset we’re looking for, he shows up in big games, he executes Arteta’s plans, and he’s the best wing-back we have. Soares might be a good player, but he’s 29, there’s no resale value, there’s no ceiling. Why wouldn’t we keep the North London boy the fans adore? £20m seems a pitiful amount.
Listening to the prezzer after the game, the AMN issue is consistency, and I’d imagine the backroom team believes the same thing of Emi. I can’t counter people who see the players every day (and know the grand vision), though I will say the main argument in their favour is neither of them have had elite coaching or attention in their careers like they are receiving now.
… also, AMN just landed an England call up. Well done. Totally deserved.
Say it ain’t MO?
I watched the game with Matt from the podcast. I said…
‘You know what Mo Elne…’
‘NO. Don’t even finish’
What I wanted to say was that Mo was pretty decent against MK Dons. He’s more mobile than Xhaka and he’s pretty tidy. Let’s keep it understated here, he was basically an Egyptian Pirlo controlling the midfield. Too far? Ok, well, at the very least, he acted like the ‘server’ we’ve lacked in midfield. He moves the ball fast and accurately without fuss. A bit like Xhaka in that sense (who was also very good). I thought he was great. Hard to ignore a game like that against Liverpool.
SAKA
After Saka signed his new deal, Arteta used the versatile teenager sparingly, so it was great to see him back in the starting 11 yesterday, tearing it up. He’s such a smart player, he reads the game really well, has great anticipation, and his decision making under pressure really does look good. His switch to Auba was perfectly weighted… it’s magic to see him doing that. I cannot wait to watch him develop into a world-class talent this season.
SIGN IT
Auba, please man, sign the deal.
What a player. He’ll be absolutely essential to our success this season. Hopefully, the club can move the deal along and have him tied down after the international break.
Right, that’s me done, see you in the comments.
P.S. I have put some cash/money down on a website refresh. Expect some changes over the next few weeks!
P.P.S Love to see Dani Ceballos cheering Arsenal on from his home on Twitter. He needs to fuck off this Betis idea and get back to London. We need him!
Tom
“””””CG Top four? Haven’t you heard?
Arsenal are winning the CL within three years. That’s why we got Willian.”””””
Winning the CL is the easy part,
Winning it with Willian in the team is the problem.
What a pathetic signing.
Will cause huge problems behind the scenes with his obscene wages
Edu!
CG
Guess you dont have an answer to this.
‘Btw how many G/A does Xhaka have for Arsenal .
Since you rate midfielders on their G/A numbers and are admittedly his biggest supporter the numbers must really be high , eh?’
As expected
The score now must be 100/1 in my favor given the countless times you have avoided my questions when I’ve caught you red handed. 😉
I still need someone to tell me where AMN plays when we have a fully sit squad. Marc that’s the fucking thing we’re forgoing on 20+ million for someone who isn’t going to start at LB/LWB when everyone is in and fit and who isn’t going to start at RB/RWB when everyone is in and fit and don’t even start on him at CM because he’s never been trusted or good enough to play there. We’re basically saying fuck 20 million we could have used to strengthen the team we’d much prefer to keep 20 million on the bench. It’s… Read more »
China
I’m not going to argue such a tragic opinion, if you genuinely offer up Elneny and Xhaka as the same then all I’ll say is make sure you’re loud and proud of that one.
Agree with you CG on Arsene. He had several flaws but people so easily forget the massive disadvantage he was put under by Chelsea and Man City’s billions spent on buying up the best players while we were busy trying to keep our best players from leaving. I would love someone on here explaining Arsene’s incredible record in F.A Cup finals and the Community Shield matches where I think he was a combined 14-3. I’m not trying to start an argument but genuinely want to know if anyone has a theory why he did so well in these one-off games.… Read more »
Arteta is flexible with the formation and positioning of the players so there is no use in worrying about that.
Raheem
Can you name a single PL team in the top 7 where Xhaka makes their starting 11?
Marco
That 20m for Joel Campbell was a fantasy offer. Anyone knows we would have jumped at that deal right away. I think we loaned him out 6 times. Of course we would have taken that kind of money. As for Chambers, I don’t think we were able to get the 20m we valued him at but of course anything around 15m looks good in retrospect. If not for Covid and an unlucky injury, I still think we could have got close to 20m for him this summer.
Both Elneny and Xhaka aren’t good enough if we are serious about challenging Pool, Chelsea and City. Zero creativity, dribbling and little athleticism and defending between the two of them. However, as much as I’ve been on Xhaka’s case, I’ll take him over useless Elneny any day. Need to see way more than a glorified preseason performance. Elneny has been pants for way too long.
Marko
AMN’s put in a couple of good performances when we’ve played in a very defensive manor – same with Xhaka. We can’t play that way against the majority of the PL.
Bac
Didn’t Middlesborough offer us £20 odd million for Chambers?
Dunno but I’m pretty sure that rodri is not the faster player infact he’s more like xhaka imo
Marko/Marc
In a fully fit squad, AMN plays exactly where he played yesterday and in the finals if tho coach chooses that formation. It’s between him and Saka, and he offers more athleticically and defensively.
I think the biggest problem we have is that we start the beginning of every season at the top of the Premier League table and the pressure of losing that top spot is just too much to take. If we change our name back to Royal Arsenal or even better Woolwich Arsenal would take care of this problem.
Marc literally a couple performances. Honestly baffling decision. He won’t start over Tierney he won’t start over Bellerin I don’t see the point in passing up on 20 million for a bench player when we’re struggling to get enough money to pay for Partey’s release clause
Marco
We’re not pissing away 20m because at some point in the future he might be sold for around that much anyway and possibly more considering the market is likely to pick up in the next couple of seasons.
Also, we valued him at 20m but haven’t been offered that much.
C’mon Tierney is a baller, but Bellerin? AMN is more athletic, stronger and if Arteta stays he’ll end up a better more rounded player who can fill more holes than Bellerin.
Marc,
I’m not 100% on this but I think Boro got relegated the season he was on loan with them so they likely wouldn’t have been able to afford that amount. Same with Fulham too! He was highly rated by both clubs though but couldn’t keep either of them up. I think Fulham have enquired about him for about 12m but that might just be the usual gossip for clicks.
Pedro
Did you ditch the archive function on here to pinpoint old months/years?
BIG
“”””I would love someone on here explaining Arsene’s incredible record in F.A Cup finals and the Community Shield matches where I think he was a combined 14-3. I’m not trying to start an argument”””””””
Well, the Great Mans book is out soon.
Maybe he will explain why Arsenal always performed well in cup finals.
Pre Wenger we were shocking at Wembley Cup Finals
Swindon, Ipswich, West Ham and Luton Town etc
I meant Fulham enquired about him this summer.
Yeah Charlie, I’ll put my name on it because I’m more than willing to be up front about what I specifically think. No need to constantly skirt around issues like you. In all these years protecting xhaka you’ve consistently tried to make it some weird cat and mouse game of avoiding explaining in detail why you’re so protective of him – or as I questioned above, why it would be a badge of honor that xhaka was a mainstay at the heart of our worst midfield in many decades. But alas, I don’t expect you to ‘waste your time’ sticking… Read more »
Arteta said when he joined us that he had to be ruthless to move the club onwards and upwards.
Stan could loan the club money to secure the midfielders we need then the club has to have a fire sale if needs be to pay off the loan.
If we muck about trying to sell players before we buy then we won’t get the quality that we need.
Just to remind you our owner is worth $ 10,000,000,000.
It’s small change
We’re not pissing away 20m because at some point in the future he might be sold for around that much anyway and possibly more considering the market is likely to pick up in the next couple of seasons.
Like we did with Chambers. Anyway we need money now so it makes no sense
Idk where this “+” version came from, its no an alter-ego, but helps with the split personality stuff i guess..
CC, the site is being developed so there’s some odd stuff going on. No idea what the + thing is, but it’ll all be sorted over the next few weeks.
China
Yes China, I’m worried about people laughing at my pov and dismissing what I have to say, that’s why I’ve vocally backed Xhaka on this site numerous times over the past two years…………bowing to consensus 🤡
The logic is flawless, it really is.
Pedro
You playing with the functionality any? Or just giving the gaff a makeover?
Charlie id really have so much more time for you if you’d just come out and say ‘I think xhaka is a fabulous passer of the ball. The way he *whatever it is that makes you really like him so much* etc etc’ Just come out of the fanboy closet and admit you *really* rate him as the amount of times you come out swinging in his defense but skirt around saying why you think he’s great never adds up Just take it on the chin and be a fan boy lol, what’s the worst that can happen? It’s just… Read more »
I think I might be alone in not stressing about bringing more players in (as long as we complete Gabriel and Auba contracts). Pedro wasn’t fucking around when he stressed the importance of coaching, and it’s clear as day Arteta is starting to extract more out of our squad. Super keen to see what he can do over the course of the season. We aren’t miles off Leicester, Chelsea, Utd, Spurs.. I’m far more interested in the outs: Kola, Papa, Mustafi, Torr, Chambers, Ozil, Laca (wages far too high for his return, needs replacing with a more cost-effective backup, Eddie… Read more »
Moe
You want to play AMN at LWB every match?
He’s right footed so no over lap and I if we bring in Gabriel I want to see Tierney playing either LB or LWB.
Playing AMN at LWB when not forced to is just negative.
You seen this Goalimpact graph for Xhaka?
https://twitter.com/Goalimpact/status/1299066775997480960?s=20
CG Not looking forward to that book. I think it will be basically everything we’ve already heard before and he’s probably too classy to trash anyone. Here’s what I would like to know the most though: 1. What went down in detail between him, Ivan and RVP in their infamous meeting. We’ve heard some of what happened but I’m pretty sure RVP really acted like a diva. 2. What does he really think of Cesc now. It used to be a father/son relationship but I don’t think it ever recovered from the Barca sale. 3. Of course, I would love… Read more »
But Charlie you typically don’t back xhaka you just attack whoever gets praised at his expense, And attack whoever gave the opinion
But you never spell out what you rate so highly about him
I’m genuinely curious
“But you never spell out what you rate so highly about him”
He’s done this many times though.
Marc
As we’ve seen 4 different managers at Arsenal have built their squad around Xhaka. 8th is the lowest position we’ve finished with Xhaka in that time.
Apart from the top 2 a case can be made for in any of the other sides depending how they’re set up. Just as an example I have watched a fair few manure matches and can say Xhaka is a lot more consistent than Pogba. This might sound sacrilegious to some but I’ll say watch the games.
CC can be accused of many things, but not explaining why Xhaka is a good player isn’t one of them.
Also weird to keep bagging on a player that’s been pivotal to our recent success. Has his limitations, but we are a better team with him starting.
Think we have enough assets to sell once the market gets into swing to cover Aouar / Partey or whoever the targets end up being without selling AMN and Martinez.
List Jamie threw up is solid and all seem to be in play along w/ Douzi and potentially Holding.
There’s a saying that ‘sometimes it’s better to be second’.
I wonder if that applies to Mikel. I have a feeling it would have been much tougher for him to take over directly from Arsene and that the pressure on him was much lower following Emery. He clearly would have done a better job than Emery regardless but I have to think it’s tough to immediately follow anyone who has been such a dominant influence at any club for such a long time.
China Ive said my piece on Xhaka numerous times over the last two years, if you’re unable to follow along then that’s your own vice. I mean the fact you talk in terms like “fanboy” says it all to me, you’ve zero intention on registering what someone is actually saying and far too interested in labelling others who subscribe to a particular view you dont. Let me yawn real quick. That’s cool, you dont rate Xhaka in any capacity and think Elneny is the same player. But you also were between Ceballos’ arse cheeks after 1 game against Burnley, and… Read more »
It’s the hair China, I love his hair and vague resemblance to Ronaldo.
How many times do I need to say this?
Pedro
Our goal difference in the PL after return from lock down was plus 4 – 16 scored with 12 conceded. Not exactly a great stat.
I thought you’d be the first to realise that Xhaka must go.
Really? I’ve never seen it in all these years. I only ever see roundabout mentions about why other players are worse
Unless they’ve been on days that I’ve not come online, I’m still yet to see it
And tbf I didn’t bang on about xhaka recently because as I said above, he’s been a bit tidier recently and less error prone. He’s done a job so whilst I’d still happily replace him, he’s not been on the shit list and owns a spare key anyway so he’s going nowhere whether I like him or not
bacaryisgod, I think taking over from Emery was perfect in the sense that fans had incredibly low expectations, and that extra 18 months with Pep was probably very good for his development.
My regret in going for Emery is that we spent a lot of bad money on players I doubt he’d have opted for.
Still, we’re two trophies in now, so can’t complain too much.
And all this time I thought it was the eyes.
Xhaka has been so much better under Arteta. I used to hate him starting but he’s cut down on his errors and improved his passing and both his positional and behavioural discipline. I would love to have a better player in his position but he’s definitely a valuable member of the squad.
If the club is serious about doing anything meaningful this season then 3 new midfielders are needed
Xhaka is absolutely limited. The only reason he has looked better under Arteta is cuz he rarely receives passes under pressure. Ceballos used to do the heavy lifting there. Yesterday Elneny was saddled with that responsibility.
The moment Xhaka is pressed he either makes a wayward pass or tries to buy a flimsy awkward foul. The guy is bang average at best
Marc, what I noticed is that after lockdown, we beat City, Wolves (A), Sheff U (A), Liverpool (H), City, and Chelsea landing a trophy.
We’ve started the season unfit, with Xhaka in midfield again, and we just beaten Liverpool.
Xhaka has been an absolute asset to Arsenal since December. Very much doubt he’s going anywhere.
Dat hair
Lol I’d say he looks like the guy who plays Superman myself minus the ridiculous physique
Xhaka hasn’t had a red card in 2 years and had zero errors leading to goals last season.
He deserves a statue, and hopefully its one of him telling the fans to fuck off, Torreira can be in the background crying.
Totally agree Pedro. I’m almost certain Mikel would have avoided Denis Suarez!
Bacary, he’d not have sanctioned Pepe either.
Pedro
“Has his limitations, but we are a better team with him starting.”
Sorry mate but a daft comment – Xhaka being our best CM isn’t a reflection on him being good it’s a reflection on how poor all of our other CM’s are.
We should be looking at players several levels better – If Xhaka’s so good why was the only team interested in him a bottom half of the table team in Germany?
This whole Xhaka vs Elneny debate is hilarious. That’s really trying to pick the best of the worst.
Pedro
He’s an appalling player and it staggers me you can’t see it.
If we can get that statue done but we have to sell xhaka to pay for it, can we call this a deal and everyone’s a winner?
Marc, I prefer to judge players on what they’re doing for the club now, versus who came in for them when we were at our worst ebb in 38 years.
Arsenal are a much better team under better coaching, Xhaka has been central to the reinvigoration. You have to change your opinion with the facts. He’s not the player he was in December.
“Lol I’d say he looks like the guy who plays Superman myself minus the ridiculous physique“
Moves a bit like Christopher Reeve at times, too far?
I think I’m a reasonable woman when all’s said and done Charlie
We can even make the xhaka statue gold and the crying Torreira statue plastic if you want, but Xhaka’s on the next plane to a lower half German team for whatever they can rustle up
Do we have a fair deal?
Think we have enough assets to sell once the market gets into swing to cover Aouar / Partey or whoever the targets end up being without selling AMN and Martinez.
Do we though? And in a timely manner as well? I’ve got my doubts especially since apparently the likes of Kolasinac and Torreira and Holding are being linked with loan moves. Partey and Aouar likely costing circa 90-100 million and we’re disregarding 20+ million for AMN on the basis of what exactly? Cause he’s not improving our starting 11
Reasonable man lol autocorrect is a killer
Xhaka can neither run with the ball nor can he keep the ball if pressed. He doesn’t win enough balls for me. Only when he has space around him does he play well and pass the ball around. Not to mention odd brain dead moments every now and then. Too limited a player for us to be having in our starting line up.
Don’t forget Xhaka is an absolute master at slamming on the brakes and getting awarded a free kick from the opponent trying to tackle him from behind. He sells it so well to the refs (seriously!)
Pedro
Better than fucking awful doesn’t mean good. If we bring in the midfielders we’re being linked to Aouar and Partey and get Ceballos back on loan he’ll soon begin to look the weak link – we can’t play 11 men on the edge of our box every match.
China, on this site, you can be whoever you want to be.
bac
That isn’t him slamming on the brakes – it’s the opposition players not realising a professional athlete can be that slow!
Marc, your critique is just an entrenched view. It doesn’t stack up to reality. You don’t make as much progress as Arsenal have with an ‘awful’ player in central midfield.
Pedro thanks I’m feeling more womanly already after that!
And no Charlie the Christopher Reeve line was legit👍
Pedro
You’ll see.
I said it before and I’ll say it again… the reason Arteta likes Xhaka so much is because he reminds him of himself – same (shit) type of player who cracks under the slightest of pressure. The amount of back and sideways passes that I’ve seen from both is staggering. There’s no denying of improvement under Arteta but I’m still pissed at him for not selling Xhaka to Hertha Berlin when they came calling and the player himself wanted to leave.
Like I said a few weeks ago, we should all be prepared for very limited incoming players. We still haven’t even announced Gabriel or Auba and seem miles away from other targets. Don’t be shocked if this becomes enough transitional season out of financial necessity.
Cha Cha
“”””””He deserves a statue, and hopefully its one of him telling the fans to fuck off, Torreira can be in the background crying.”””””””
100% Agreement. Start the crowd funding for it. I am all in…….
PEA might wear the armband, but Xhaka is the teams captain.
Its no surprise to me Arsenal supporters don’t recognise his qualities.
Also no surprise Little Legs is crying again.
he does that lot.
bac
That’s my concern – I really think we could be flat broke maybe even to the point of having to make a profit in the TW.
That’s why people having a meltdown over AMN being sold is short sighted.
Xhakalson has been seeing less of the ball under Arteta, less than Luiz says alot about what Arteta thinks of him.
Elneny & Willian is a better option in midfield than Xhakalson & Ceb. Its what Arteta has in mind.
You heard it here 1st!
China letting slip his gender, then trying to walk it back, now doubts remain.
You haven’t reached out to Dissenter in the past have you? Am i piecing things together hmm….
Upstate, wouldn’t be the first time your eyes have lied to you.
This was from Jan, well before Xhaka started to get a system that supported his game, but it clearly shows he’s right up there with the best when it comes to progressing the ball from midfield.
Not sure anyone that watched Arteta regularly would claim he cracked under pressure. Weird analysis there as well.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Gunners/comments/elscyg/which_epl_players_make_the_most_progressive_passes/
China, what are you wearing?
That goal impact graph is a bit difficult to understand.
But its clear as day that Xhaka makes a big difference for us. He might not be a world class central midfielder but he is certainly a good player when you hide his deficiencies (Just like Arteta is doing right now). Emery and Wenger never did that.
I’m certainly not a big Xhaka fan but unless we sign 3 quality Midfielders , expect Xhaka to start week in week out , next season too.
As long as we brought in a suitable replacement, I don’t plan to shed any tears if Xhaka goes.
Granted he looks like he wants to play under Arteta but the truth is he is a very limited player.
Oh I wish Wenger brought Cesc back to the club after he left Barca rather than plunking for Xhaka.
Both Granit and Shadran should be sold if someone offers a decent amount…
“He deserves a statue, and hopefully its one of him telling the fans to fuck off, Torreira can be in the background crying.“
Lol
What am I wearing? Just manly stuff like a baseball cap, leather jacket, jack wills t shirt, some loose jeans and high heels
Charlie didn’t dissenter like xhaka tho? Or is that receding?
Martinez and AMN in verge of extending their contracts…
China –
Sounds hot.
The thing with Xhaka is that he is a one trick pony (Strictly considering his football ability that is). He is one of the very best in progressing the ball up field but that really is the only thing he is very good at. He cannot dribble , he is not mobile , doesn’t score or create many chances , he also has a mistake in him. In defense he is above average in heading , his positioning has improved but his lack of athleticism really comes to the fore in 1v1 situations. Contrast that to someone like Cazorla. Man… Read more »
LG
“””””Martinez and AMN in verge of extending their contracts…””””
I see the Zombie Club is showing some slight signs of recovery………..
Will it last….?
Oh China…
You obviously missed it when Dissenter shared to the class that he was previously stalked by a hermaphrodite and cancelled all his socials.
Sadly the details of that story haven’t been explored fully. It’s a cliffhanger, and you’ve now incriminated yourself ya he/she.
Xhakalson would make a great goalkeeper, he grabs managers by their balls, he should try the same between the sticks
Wasi
The problem with “hiding” Xhaka’s deficiencies is that it reduces the positive impact of another player / players.
If Xhaka was any good they’d have been a queue a mile long looking to sign him back in Jan.
Have a cold shower Jamie!
Bennacer as an alternative if Atletico Madrid refuses to be sensible?
As for them asking for Lacazette in return for a couple of flops they can go do one.
Who do they think they are? It might be debatable but I don’t think they are any bigger than us.
Sid-are you serious? You think Arteta doesn’t rate Xhaka based on him using him differently? He’s probably been the 2nd name Arteta puts down on the team sheet after Auba.
Saka, Auba, Willian
Saka, Auba, Pepe
Martinelli, Auba, Willian
Willian, Auba, Pepe
Auba, Laca, Willian
If Laca gets on his scoring boots and Pepe stops pussyfooting, I see goals goals goals. And the pace of WillianAuba and Pepe on counters, woohoo. Get them a solid mf please, Arteta.
damn I’ve been rumbled
Captain
“”””””He cannot dribble , he is not mobile , doesn’t score or create many chances , he also has a mistake in him.””””””
And you want Arsenal to pay £50 million and offer £200k a week for Partey?
Stick with Granit. Arsenal’s Brian Talbot.
Pedro
I’ve seen plenty of Arteta as a player to have him in my top 3 least favorite Arsenal players of all time. Santos, Arteta, Jackie Boy. Kyle Martino (American commentator) rightfully called him The King of a 5 yard pass years ago. The guy couldn’t pick the right ball unless it was back or sideways to save his life. Glad to see he’s doing better as a manager though.
Dissenter are you on? I think we need to know how this story ends lol
The comments section here is sometimes entertaining but very negative. Like I get wanting better than Xhaka but Xhaka is still good and if he’s coming off the bench or a squad option you probably have an excellent team. Let’s hope for that instead of slamming the guy. Arsenal fans like to pick a few guys to hate on and never give it up even when presented with much more good play than bad. Obviously has limitations but so does everyone not named Debruyne playing midfield in this league.
Arteta was underrated here when he played, top captain at the time and exactly the sort of character needed in the middle of the park.
Modern fans view is to denigrate any and all players that aren’t top, top shelf. The best managers know it’s not all about hoarding talent, and the pieces have to fit together to be a successful side.
Henderson prime example, Firmino another, neither one are top shelf but they’re functionally crucial to arguably the best side in Europe right now. Says it all.
Arteta was underrated here when he played, top captain at the time and exactly the sort of character needed in the middle of the park.
I don’t agree with that whatsoever I think our midfield was a struggle for a long time there with players being played out of position. Cazorla and Arteta as holding midfielders… not for me
That’s your top 3 least favorite, Upstate. What’s the criteria you are using because it can’t be based on anything empirical.