Arsenal hit the ground running with a clinical dismantling of a hapless Fulham. The story of the day was all about the debutants. Willian landed two assists with a shout for a third and Gabriel kept a clean sheet and bulleted a header for his first goal.
The starting line-up looked very conservative, if Unai Emery had picked a starting 11 with so many defenders, we might have shrieked in complaint. However, this is a different era. Arteta’s 5 at the back is a little different. Maitland-Niles and Tierney added a lot to our attacking build-up play allowing us to play some joyful attacking football at times.
The midfield base was Xhaka and Elneny. Not where I thought we’d be at this stage of the season, but the two of them worked really well together. Mo(dric) is more mobile than Xhaka and he’s super tidy. He’s an engine room of a player, moving the ball fast, accurately (95% pcr), and mostly forwards. His height and size also gives us something. Granit Xhaka looked composed and fit, he completed the most progressive balls into the final third, his one into the box was a sight to behold, finding Auba with an over the shoulder pass Pirlo would have purred over.
Our defensive structure was solid again. Admittedly, Fulham really offered very little in way of threat. Our biggest errors were mostly self-made, the biggest scare came when AMN passed to Gabriel and the Brazilian ghosted the ball requiring Bernd Leno to be fast on his feet to stop the encroaching striker. He warmed as the game progressed. His erratic passing started to improve and his tackling sharpened. I think most of us forgot he’d not played for the best part of 6 months.
Rob Holding also looked very steady. Arsenal.com showed the Bolton boy dropping stepovers in training, he took that into Fulham’s half with a lovely bit of technique that opened up an attack. I wasn’t sure he had it in him to play at the level we need, but he’s getting better and better and the manager has told him he’s going nowhere.
Bernd Leno was under some extreme scrutiny. Martinez is off to Villa and there are a lot of hurt feelings in the fanbase. The German was fine. He’s a world-class keeper and he breezed the 90 minutes.
Hector Bellerin made a pretty excellent case for his continued inclusion in the plans of the manager. He looks fit, he’s grown out his fade, and he’s sharpened his attacking prowess. Everything about his game looks better at the moment. It is VERY interesting that after Vinai said Arsenal don’t sign players based on agent reccos that the squad didn’t contain Cedric Soares.
AMN worked hard for the team, his passing was a little off, 75% isn’t going to be his best number this season, but it was in the name of a vital role for our build-up play and he seemed to spend most of his time on the left. Rio Ferdinand had this to say on what he was doing for the team.
‘Maitland-Niles is a wing-back and when you speak about wing-backs you’d expect him to be in the wide areas, coming out consistently throughout the game.
‘He’s done anything but that, he comes in, passes the ball and his first run after that is to run inside and create an overload in midfield.
‘He comes straight into the midfield area and what that does is it causes confusion and causes them to have more numbers in there than they’d usually have.
‘After that, you’ve got the width being created by Aubameyang, your main goalscoring threat, and the left-sided centre-half, Tierney, he’s the man who creates the width.
‘It’s so different to what you expect from a three at the back. You normally see it being quite rigid and you know where people are.
‘When you’re a player out there and you don’t see players in the positions you expect to see them in, that is a confusing element.
‘That’s what Arteta seems to be doing and we see are they a well-drilled team? Yes, they are.’
Some people questioned Mikel keeping AMN. I couldn’t be more pro his inclusion. The guy is an absolute expert at executing tactical plans. I’m so happy for him, he’s an absolutely class act.
Tierney also had a good game, his pass completion was 86%, and some of them were dreamy to watch. He is going to be hugely important to our success this season, I really hope we keep him fit.
In attack, it was another positive game for Auba. We played out of the back in now trademark fashion, Willian switched the ball to him on the left, he cut inside and fizzed his shot into the top corner. We know what we’re getting with Auba, game-changing finishing every week. Rio Ferdinand told BT that he’s a player you always feel is going to do something, that’s a huge compliment.
Willian shut the doubters up (lololol) with an incredible debut. He’s sharp in the mind, he’s electric on the ball, and he gave us the sort of creativity we’ve been lacking. Near 100% pass completion. A hand in all 3 goals. He’s slotted right in. I think he’ll be very important to our success, what a dreamy player. I particularly liked that he kept Pepe benched. The Ivorian came roaring onto the field when he landed his minutes. We need a better level from him this season. The occasional flutter of magic isn’t enough at the highest level. We need him more present. Hopefully, Willian will push his game.
Not every game will be a simple as this one, but you can only play what is in front of you. I read that this game was our best xG against away from home in 5 years. The players were focused and motivated. Everyone wanted to be on the pitch. The squad is finally united around a vision. They all want success, and who would bet against it? We look a different animal these days and everything coming out of the club is positive. What a difference 6 months can make.
Do we still need signings? Absolutely. I think they’ll arrive. I think the biggest need is a dynamic #8. We lack a bit of midfield dazzle. Balls into the box rarely come from central midfield, Xhaka and Elneny between them put the ball in the box once, so that needs to change, particularly against teams that’ll have more organised defensive structures. I think we’d all love a #6, but we could survive without one. Hopefully, we sign two players, the desire is there, the challenge is raising enough funds to make it happen.
The manager made a statement of Mesut and Matteo. They aren’t part of our future. Matteo will have to find a new club. Mesut will likely just sit out the season to make a point no one cares about.
Might also be worth a small mention about the Ceballos and Eddie dustup. It looked like handbags and both of them made up on Insta after the game. Best pals again.
Next up is West Ham. They are in total disarray. Players in open revolt against the club. A shambles on the pitch. We are normally a gift for beleaguered managers, let’s hope we’re not next Saturday. A huge Top 4 game today when Spurs and Everton go head to head at Goodison Park. I can’t wait to see what that looks like.
WE ARE BACK! See you in the comments. x
Marko, that’s what a squad if for. Great managers manage expectations and keep everyone happy. If AMN maintains this level, he’ll start.
Pedro
Getting Aouar right now would present a big dilemma for Arteta.
In a 3-4-3, would you play Aouar in the middle with Xhaka? If so what happens to Ceballos?
Aouar is better from the left and Arteta know that so would be move Aubameyang to the center and play Aouar on the left?
I don’t think Arteta will ditch the 3-4-3 until Luiz is no longer a starter.
I dont mind Arteta giving players a second chance , a lot of these players had to play under terrible set ups. If Arteta was hired earlier ,dont think even Ramsey wouldve left . We are now seeing how really good these players are under the right set up .
Send an email to Arteta, he’s who you need to convince, not us at LG.
Arteta likes players who follow instructions
AMN follows them to the letter
So do Elnemy and Holding
Bojangles
We’re having a good natured debate about it – it’s what the comments section should be about.
I would definitely sell AMN if it meant we get both Aouar and Partey. It’s not just him it’s not going to be enough we’ll also need to sell Lacazette or Bellerin at the very least. God knows what our initial budget was at the start of the window but right now we’re kinda breaking even with selling Martinez for 20 million and buying Gabriel for 27. Actually no cause we also bought Mari for 7 or 8 million. So yeah I dunno where we’re at budget wise but obviously if we want Partey and Aouar we’ll need some significant… Read more »
West Brom with three Arsenal defenders in their back 5
Yeah but not every second comment every day for a week. Gets old.
If we sell Bellerin it solves the issue because AMN will be moved over to the right side.
Jamie did you see Elneny yesterday? Seems like that loan has turned him into a much improved player.
And what is the main difference? I’ll let Mikel tell you…
‘ I think he needed a little bit of belief.’
But there isn’t a stat for that is there Jamie so it doesn’t matter does it?
Azed, yeah, it’s a nice problem to have… but the left seems most likely.
If AMN maintains this level, he’ll start.
Where?
It is frustrating to read so many non-sense about Aouar. Nobody in their right mind would play Aouar as a defensive midfielder in place of Elneny.
Either Arteta intend to switch back to back four and add another attacker. In a 4-3-3 or in a 4-2-3-1.
Or Arteta intend to use him as a left winger and use Aubameyang as a CF.
‘ this kinda idea that he can improve players rather than move them on sort of thinking’
Marko I know it might be a strange thing for you to accept or understand that a manager, through coaching and a suitable game plan can actually improve players.
Marko We were bidding 30 mil + Guendouzi before so I am thinking we might have around 30 mil with out sales. Torriera is going for around 22 mil I think. Martinez is going for 20. Sell AMN and we will have another 20. So that will be around 60 mil. We then would have around 90 mil by then. Selling the likes of Kolasinac and Sokratis might bring some money too. And we can’t sell both bellerin and AMN. we would be short at RB. And Selling bellerin for the price we want is out of the question now… Read more »
If we sell Bellerin it solves the issue because AMN will be moved over to the right side I’m predicting that he’ll be back to his usual average self with the occasional fuck up if that happens. Funny people keep bringing him up as a RB/RWB and yet Mikel does not trust him in that position. Let’s be honest with ourselves here he’s only looking good because he’s doubling up as another LB. Having Tierney there helps him out massively. It’s like an improvement on Clichy and Gibbs but I imagine going forward Mikel would prefer to be playing with… Read more »
Marko
You mean, you don’t think our starting central midfield (Xhaka, Elneny, Ceballos) is good enough as is? Hmmm, interesting. You think we need two additional first-XI midfielders (e.g., Partey & Aouar) to compete for top four? If so, I must say I agree. We may even need more than that.
Red Army
No one’s saying Arteta can’t or hasn’t improved players – the questions are do you play AMN over Tierney at LWB and if so do you keep Tierney as the LCB?
All of which then raises questions about midfield especially if we bring in some new players in midfield and do we switch to 4 at the back.
Azed
“West Brom with three Arsenal defenders in their back 5”
And they’re down 3-0. 😉
Aston Villa have completed the signing of Emiliano Martinez from Arsenal – contract signed until June 2024. Talks on with Werder for Milot Rashica. And Arsenal keep working to sell players [Torreira too] and then will try again for a top midfielder [Aouar or Thomas] 🛑 #AFC #AVFC Atlético are still convinced to refuse any negotiation for Thomas [€50m release clause]. OL have turned down swap deals for Aouar and are still pretending €60m as price tag. Top targets, complicated deals. #AFC now need to sell players – also after extending Auba’s contract. 🛑 Fabrizio Romano Well it is going… Read more »
Auba in a uphill battle for golden boot against Vardy who always gets more pen kicks , two goals already against an awful looking WBA.
Marko
Personally I agree but I’m not going to get into that too much on here because he’s a current golden boy. What I would accept is sacrificing strength at RB for a season to massively improve midfield, it would leave us with a back 4 that would need a new RB to be set for almost a decade. A midfield set for a good couple of years and a potent attack.
Torriera is going for around 22 mil I think. It’s a loan he’s being linked with a loan. Kolasinac is being linked with a loan, Sokratis is being linked with a free transfer and Guendouzi seems like a loan waiting to happen. Hey look if we were to get decent money for these players then we wouldn’t need to sell AMN or Bellerin or Lacazette (I would still argue that we should those players) but we not going to get good money for Kolasinac or Torreira or Sokratis. It’s just not looking that way. Look it’s the same arguments for… Read more »
The F1 race (if anyone’s interested) is bloody carnage – 2 red flags in one race.
West brom haven’t managed a shot on target. Only Leeds didn’t embarrass themselves first day out of the newly promoted and they were the ones away at Anfield
Graham “”””CGMust be great to be able to change your agenda just for the hell of it.From relegation fodder to winning the league in one fell swoop”‘””””” Yes ,reminescent of the Leicester City story then. If Arsenal win at Anfield. They will be top of the table after 3. And they would have beaten Liverpools Klopp x 3 times in a row within a space of 6 weeks. I have no doubt ,in my mind if Arsenal win the next 2 games and they dont get bogged down in Loosers Cup mire, either Arsenal or Manchester City will be champions… Read more »
Habesha
Hence why I said it would be two summer windows before we had a top four quality squad again. I realize people want to be optimistic about what we can do this season, but short of adding two more first-XI quality players, I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect this team to compete for top four. To each his own, though.
Marc it’s a squad game and it give us more options and the ability to switch formations and have the personnel to do so.
We’ve got a shit load of games and everyone will get games. We’ve complained for years about having no depth now you have people complaining when we do.
And Selling bellerin for the price we want is out of the question now that PSG have signed Florenzi. Barcelona don’t have money so they aren’t a serious option. Lacazette is definitely staying from the interview he gave and Arteta also said as much.
Which again proves my point that as of right now the only sellable assets we have are Martinez and AMN and people are so against it. It’s the proverbial catch 22 with Arsenal fans they want improvement they want signings but at the same time have trouble in letting go certain players
It will be nice though to know after deadline day which players are here because Arteta wants them and which of them are here because we can’t move them on.
I mean Holding was going then he wasn’t
We negotiated with Wolves on AMN so clearly he was on his way then he wasn’t
Seems a bit of confusion after every game/training session
Red Army
As I said earlier there’s strength in depth and then there’s our squad and we’re still being linked to 1 or 2 CM’s and a striker whilst needing to get the wage bill under control.
You mean, you don’t think our starting central midfield (Xhaka, Elneny, Ceballos) is good enough as is? Hmmm, interesting.
Substitute interesting with obviously. I don’t think anyone thinks our current options at CM are remotely good enough over the course of a season
For the record the community shield friendly ended 1-1. This we beat Liverpool twice thing isn’t factual. The game after the 90 ended in a draw and in true friendly fashion went straight to penalties.
Receding
From a distance and it could change between now and the end of the transfer window but it looks like a huge amount of indecision going on.
Marc don’t mean to judge but you very much seem like a glass half empty kind of guy
Marko
The one other option could be selling Chambers who is apparently going to be fit some time in September.
Marko I am staying optimistic. Torriera is definitely going for some money, Don’t know how much. I think Kolasinac would have been sold for decent money if he wasn’t on astronomical wages. I still think someone will pay upto 10 mil for him. Sokratis might leave for free, I will give you that. I think we see eye to eye on AMN. I wouldn’t mind giving him a chance but not at the cost of playing the whole season with this midfield. I would sell him in heart beat. We wouldn’t look terrible without him. Arteta is indecisive at this… Read more »
There’s no point in spending 100 million on two new midfielders and still continue with 3-4-3 formation. The football is too bland. Leeds don’t have the quality players that are at Arsenal but the manager gets them to play. I’m not a big fan of the intensity in their play but it’s better than what is on display at Arsenal. If the Club invest in Thomas Partey and Aouar the football that’s currently on display needs to improve.
Not letting holding go to Newcastle makes sense if we plan on getting rid of Sokratis, Chambers and Mustafi otherwise it’s silly. I mean if we end the window with just Sokratis leaving then that’s some next level hoarding right there or you don’t see a back 4 for the foreseeable future at Arsenal
Red Army
Not at all I think we’ve got the makings of a great defence and a great forward lineup but midfield is a serious weak link. That’s not negative it’s fact – we all know we don’t have any money to spend without selling so who do you sell?
I can’t be bothered to run through the squad options right now but have a look just how many players we have – it’s bonkers.
Marc chambers and Mustafi are due back before the end of the transfer window
Marko
The other side of that is also is the plan to go with 3 or 4 at the back – I know we’ll go 3 when away at Liverpool, ManU, City etc but what about home matches we expect to win.
RH,
“West brom haven’t managed a shot on target. Only Leeds didn’t embarrass themselves first day out of the newly promoted and they were the ones away at Anfield”
Fulham and West Brom are below the level that’s required to be PL teams. I’ve watched al the games of the new season and the most impressive team is Leeds. Won’t be surprised to see Chelsea or United crowned champions.
Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson seems to be the keeper we’re targeting to replace the mighty Emi Martinez. I know fuck all about him other than Inaki Canos seems to be recommending him and Mikel trusts him.
25 years old with 100 caps for iceland. Again I dunno if he’s good or not but I’m sure they know what they’re doing
Marko
Any mention of a price?
Shame regarding Emi, spends 10 years and gets to the cusp only to end up at Villa. Ideally for me he of stayed this season to battle it out. But i really can’t fault him for taking his chance, sad to see him go.
DNA if we sign the 2 midfielders we’re after we’llbe playing a 433
Any mention of a price?
Nope
GunnerDna I hope they both pick up though. Tired of seeing teams come up to this division just to make up the numbers, irritating.
Marc yes for a guy who has shown clarity in his ways since taking the job, the flip flopping on outgoings is surprising.
On a lighter note, Arsenal target Salomon Kalou just bagged a degree in Business Administration from a university in France. Good on him.
Arsenal open to Torreira moving to Torino for €24 mil but not a loan deal. We are prepared to accept staggered payments on a permanent transfer. It was suggested this is the reason Torreira was not named in Saturday’s squad.
https://www.whoscored.com/Players/141841/Show/Rúnar-Alex-Rúnarsson
Stats don’t look good though Marko.
Red “DNA if we sign the 2 midfielders we’re after we’llbe playing a 433” Agree we might even go that way if we only buy 1 CM – we’ll then have without sales Tierney and Bellerin as first choice FB, AMN and Soares as backup with Saka, Mustafi and Chambers who can also cover there. Midfield 1 or 2 new guys who would be starters, Ceballos and Xhaka as you’d guess first choice with Elneny and AMN as back up – we’ve then still got Willock. You have to see why I’m talking about slimming the squad down a bit?… Read more »
yes for a guy who has shown clarity in his ways since taking the job, the flip flopping on outgoings is surprising.
I’ll be honest with you I’m very surprised. I thought the idea of binning off a few players and bringing in the likes of Partey and Aouar would appeal to him
Regarding squad size it’s a slightly shorter season with potentially up to 70 games. Clever rotation will be needed. It’s good that we have this squad depth. Sure, sell who we can who clearly have no future, of Torreira does go for a fee similar to Martinez you would hope that would be enough to buy the one out of Aouar or Partey.
Shorter season in terms of time to complete I mean.
No commentary on the Spuds game, even the commentators don’t want to go to there.
Yeah this season is going to be great for fans but killer for the players. There’s so much football going on straight to the Euros and the olympics next summer. Even more so since they didn’t cancel the league cup and let’s be honest with European football now taking place outside of a bubble (think Lisbon and germany) the likelihood of some cancelations along the way due to covid is high.
Evening, maybe after spending some time and having a preseason with some of the players arteta has seen who he thinks he can improve and is worth keeping? Elneney was always an ok player nothing spectacular, maybe arteta can use him as the defensive midfielder and move out xhaka. Or thinks eventually amn might be able to be used there. Holding has always looked a good player when he’s had a run in the side and has someone decent alongside him. Maybe this is why players that haven’t looked anything special and looked on there way out, are now being… Read more »
Chris
This season is going to massively be about managing fitness because of the compressed tune frame but our problem is we have a tonne of players who are surplus to requirements but who won’t generate much of a fee so it becomes who can we sell for a decent fee who isn’t key to the squad.
Bojangles,
I wish I didn’t have commentary on the spuds game, we have Andy Townsend!
Up 4 Grabs, or maybe there hasn’t been a flip flop. Sounds like Holding asked to leave. We didn’t accept the bid from Wolves for AMN. Arteta has never said he’s selling anyone.
How did he miss that!
Everton have to score there.
“Arteta has never said he’s selling anyone.”
Ever, he’s going to have all the players!
Mourinho’s low block against the mighty Everton……can’t believe some Arsenal fans wanted him here.
Should have kept the 5 subs and 10 players on the bench thing going. Honestly. Other leagues are keeping it going
Marko
Can you pause your transfer neurosis until the window is done? You fanny was dripping about Martinez a week ago and now he’s been sold. Let’s stop pretending we have a clue what an Arteta summer window remotely looks like.
–
Spuds defender just got mugged for pace, Richarlison with the Sunday league finish.
Pedro, I dont think he’s flip flopping?
I think most of the potential moves were lazy journalism.
Like the people who said amn wanted to play only in midfield. Its a quote that was cut up to fit the narrative.
I think arteta has actually had time to see what he has and has assessed the squad quite well.
Also sometimes it happens players get a chance through an injury and dont look back.
Richarlison lost his composure completely there, all he needed to go was trap the ball with his left and side it to Calvert Lewis. Watch Spurs go and win now.
Arteta has never said he’s selling anyone.
Managers tend not to do that sort of thing publicly but he has talked about ins and outs and talked about having too many in the squad
I’m thinking Arteta isn’t hoarding players, rather playing his transfer hand carefully.
I’d hate to see us bringing in 2nd choices now when a unexpected late selling frenzy would have allowed us 1st choice selections.
You fanny was dripping about Martinez a week ago and now he’s been sold. Let’s stop pretending we have a clue what an Arteta summer window remotely looks like.
???
Anyway yeah… seems like Martinez has forced the issue for us
100% Partey or his alternative. I’m going to be fucking pissed if we get another am or winger before sorting that dm cm spot
That’s it for Iwobi and Theo and Sigurdsson………….not starting for Everton any time soon. Allan looks a really good acquisition.
So weird see Rodriguez in Everton blue 😂
Marko, so if you don’t know who Arteta is selling, you should probably stop saying you are surprised he is flip-flopping.
Would rather sell guen than bellerin.
Bellerin looks to have turned a corner was class yesterday.
We shouldn’t have hone after guen in the media as a club it was a club it was irresponsible and tactically niave.
Now its a lot harder to sell a so called bad egg
London, pretty hard to drop a starter and not have the media find out about it.
Pedro
If you take out the players expected to be sold – Torriera, Sok and Kolas we still have too many bodies.
Who else would you move on?
Marc,
I think we’ll sell whoever gets a decent offer.
Pedro
But that doesn’t include £20 odd million for AMN?
I won’t even go near Xhaka!!!
£15M for AMN… and no… he’s been excellent for us.
We just picked up £20m for a back-up keeper. Not about to sell and England international for shit money.
Pedro
Seriously we need to do more than that though. The squad just has too many excess bodies – I think it could take next summer as well to get the squad to the right number of bodies – quality wise I think we’re making great strides though – get CM sorted and we’ve got a team.
Pedro
We openly went after him in the press and leaked stuff about him to make us seem the good guys.
We should have gone high instead of going low and now its bit us in the ass.
A clever move is keeping these things hush hush and under wraps.
Marc, it’ll certainly take until next summer to move everyone on.
Pedro
If only we had someone who could wheel and deal eh?
agree 15 million for a young English player from arsenal is an insultingly low offer.
If we really want to sell AMN we can get double that next summer.
London, that certainly wasn’t an official PR strategy. Clubs leak stories (100 people at the training ground). If you’re a dickhead, the press will find out. No secrets in football.
London
Have to agree Guendozi’s gone from being referred to as one of the top upcoming talents in Europe priced over £50 million (which was unrealistic) to no ones interested.
Everton looked solid, James very involved. Good game so far.
It would take at least £25 million to tempt into selling AMN, I personally feel he should be kept anyway due to his recent rapid improvement. There is still a few weeks and some moves to go in the window. We have already lost a very decent player in Martinez who will require replacing. Players such as Torreira, Kolasinac and Guendouzi et al could be moved on in the coming weeks. I would rather see us take the time to move the right players on than accept any old offer for players who would still be useful as part of… Read more »
Can’t blame Emi for leaving.. You take over an injured colleague.. Play really well, win a trophy and then be told your dropped..
He should of started the season in goal and could either ask to be transferred or fight for his place.. Bad management I feel. And what we making, probably 10 mill
Chris, agree. You also need to make it clear that if you improve, the club will continue to invest in you. Bummed that we lost Emi, to lose our second most improved player would be disappointing.
Leno I meant ask for transfer or fight for place
Everyone talking about how improved AMN is and why we should keep him never seem to be able to answer a simple question – when everyone is more or less fit and we bring in 1 or 2 new CM’s what formation do we play and where does AMN fit into it?
Mourinho has become such a nothing manager…it’s like he’s this lonely old has been..i actually feel a bit sad for him ..at one point the whole of footballing world would know if he even took a dump..how times change
https://metro.co.uk/2020/09/13/arsenal-runar-alex-runarsson-emiliano-martinez-aston-villa-13265535/
A whooping five caps for the mighty Icelandic national team
Pedro My point really is instead of mitigating the damage we embellished and added to it. We could have poured water on the fire and made it seem much ado about nothing. The fact is we laid guen out in public put him up i the stocks and collars in the town square and threw proverbial tomato in his face. It was embarrassing way to treat a player given his all all season during a shit show. Whether you like guen or not it was shockingly niave way to go about business bu the club and now we are left… Read more »