GOOD MORNING. Guest blog from @jblauphoto this morning. He’s back after finally getting over the Unai Emery period. Enjoy the piece and give him a follow!
I bought some Arsenal merch yesterday.
First time ever.
(Not including the few trinkets I bought for the kids at the Stadium store in London last year.)
For real, I dropped my own money on a sleek Adidas track jacket.
And I’m excited for it to arrive.
(If it ever turns up, as both Fedex and the USPS are delayed, what with America being such a fucking nightmare at the moment.)
I offered to pick up my column again this year, and Pedro said sure, because while I wrote each month in 2018-19, last year, with the shitshow that was the late-Emery era, I wanted no part of it.
Or Arsenal.
I almost gave up.
Sure, I kept watching, but until they appointed Mikel Arteta, I was starting to think the ship was sinking, and I wanted one of those life rafts.
(No Leo DiCaprio, freezing to death next to Kate Winslet for me, thank you very much.)
My final column of 2018-19 said that Emery choked so badly, he should be fired right then, so the rebuild could start before things got worse.
I was right, of course, and took a victory lap in a pandemic-era column last Spring.
But I’m not always right.
After that Man City thumping at the re-start, and then the Brighton capitulation, I almost caved and cancelled my NBC Sports.
I came so close.
I also thought we should cash in on Auba in the Spring, as his lack of resolve against Spurs on that penalty shot, and then in the dying moments of the Olympiakos game, made me think he wasn’t made of the strongest stuff.
Mea culpa.
I was wrong.
The way he stepped up and almost single-handedly won the FA cup Semi and Final was pure-ice-water-in-the-veins kind of stuff, and layering that on top of his speed, leadership, and finishing skills, the man really is a rare footballer these days.
He’s got it all, and he tracks back so well that he made Arsenal realize Ozil is worthless for today’s game.
(The tortured artist who deserves to be protected from the hard work.)
Here we are, on September 17th, and I just paid money to rep Arsenal when I walk around town.
Except I can’t walk around town, unless I want to wear a mask and dodge the Texan tourists. (This being Northern New Mexico in late #2020.)
I’ll wear my track jacket with pride on my sofa, when I watch my games on NBC Sports, Peacock, ESPN+, and whatever package I have to buy for the Europa League.
And what product will I be watching?
I was always an Arteta believer, and my general agreement with Pedro’s perspective is perhaps why I get to write for you once a month.
(That, and I’d like to think my combination of occasional wit and solid analysis is good enough to earn my high salary. I mean no salary.)
To answer my question, I’ll be watching a team that is built for the modern game, for once, and is on the ascendancy, even if we likely are chasing that 4th spot in the league.
(3rd would be a dream, and we should be expecting to seriously compete for the Europa League title as well.)
We’re not Liverpool, (yet,) but the smart, aggressive pressing, focus on speed, willingness to counterattack when necessary, and collective defending mean we should not get destroyed by anyone, anymore.
I’ve now been a fan for 9 years, and I’ve seen all those awful 6-0 score-lines of the late Wenger era.
And the horrible 5-1 losses that make you feel like you want to eat a shit sandwich, so your stomach feels as bad as your head.
No longer.
Momentum and belief can’t be bought, and after our run to the FA Cup, and beating Liverpool twice in 6 weeks, this club now believes that Arteta is a Spanish Jesus with slicker hair.
They trust his mind, and his vision.
They trust his gut, and his heart.
For all the comparisons I’ve made to American sports in the past, Arteta is the model for my two favorite US franchises, the NY Giants and the Brooklyn Nets.
Each hired super-smart grinders with vision and great communication skills. (As opposed to head coaching experience.) Each plucked someone who had learned under greatness, one of whom was also an amazing player in his day. (Joe Judge and Steve Nash.)
Mikel Arteta is the future, and that promotion he received was most definitely aimed at Manchester City.
Will it be enough to keep him?
I’d bet on yes, because his honesty and integrity are a big part of why his players love him.
(Plus, I’ve never been to Manchester, but there’s no way it’s as cool as North London.)
Right now, while the midfield needs some reinforcement, and Josh and Stan are partying at a social distance with masks on in Orlando, our front line, goal keeping, back line, and youth group all look the best since I’ve been a fan.
And while Chelsea just spent a shit ton of money, ask the Los Angeles Clippers what super-stars will give you without chemistry, elite coaching, and time to gel.
I believe, for the first time since I became an Arsenal fan.
With late-stage Wenger, I hoped he might have one last run in him, but he simply would not adapt. He thought defense was for chumps, but how many mega-clubs have tried to hire him since he left?
With Emery, I prayed there was more there than met the eye, but deep down, I was dubious.
Now, I’m ready to watch, and pay all those fucking channels to see the games.
Arteta makes players better, and he knows that coaching is teaching.
Watching those few master-class goals where we played out from the back, the one thing that Wenger and Emery teams could NEVER do, is proof of how much he’s taught these guys so far.
(For fucks sake, he taught Mustafi how to stop making so many stupid mistakes.)
Arteta is a stylish genius.
And I hope I look half as good as he does in my new Adidas track jacket.
If it ever arrives.
Go Arsenal.
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Morning!
2
Fine
Tr4phy
This is a great guest piece! Loved it.
🙋♂️⚽️⚽️⚽️
8th
Never again
Actual quote from Tim Sherwood: ‘Ceballos in my opinion is average. I think he’s too weak for the Premier League and I think he’ll get found out this year. ‘I think they need a little bit more guile in there. You need a player in there like Mesut Ozil in that middle of the pitch. ‘Ceballos in my opinion is average. I think he’s too weak for the Premier League and I think he’ll get found out this year. I think they need a little bit more guile in there. You need a player in there like Mesut Ozil in… Read more »
Accidental double copy but it probably needs to be read twice.
Is it the Microsoft guy who still owns the Clippers? Steve Ballmer? They were trash when I followed the NBA as a kid..
12th man
Nice post JBlauPhoto.
Sorry you didn’t make any money from this post, but I’m sure you’ll make it up by selling that exploitative decapitated deer’s head photo you’re trying to flog between $1,500-$5,000 in the name of some deeper meaning, philosophical bs.
It’s great to know that your ‘art presents a deconstructed view of the manner in which humans churn up the planet’s resources for profit’ so I guess that explains the price you’re asking.
“Sherwood has captined Blackburn Rovers to the league title. He knows the game”
Knows the league but couldn’t do jackshit as a manager.
Anyone who recommends ozil shouldn’t be taken serious.
Arsenal needs a CM who doesn’t give up easily and ready to be the game changer unlike ozil who only plays well when the team plays well.
Got to live fair weather fans….
CG-so anyone who captained a side to a league title should be taken seriously as a serious voice when it comes to management decisions/players etc. I don’t know where to start on that but having seen Sherwood as a manager, I’m comfortable relying on Arteta’s judgement over his. Please just set aside the Ozil-Ceballos comparison for a second and look at his comment more closely. He slams Ceballos for being weak and then happily recommends Ozil instead without commenting on how weak he is. How many times have you seen him bundled off the ball or watched how he ducks… Read more »
barry is god
Ceballos is a decent technical footballer, but I would not disagree with Sherwood’s assessment that he is lightweight.
I expect Arsenal to bring in Aouar and/or Partey in this transfer window and I am fairly sure that Ceballos will be a fringe player and sit on bench if either arrives.
Despite many negative posts on Le Grove I am willing to bet that Xhaka will continue to be selected by Arteta in his starting lineup ahead of Ozil, Ceballos, Guendouzi and Willock.
salparadisenyc
“BojangelsZero chance both those players coming in, unless the core of earth melts triggering a chain of events with the finale being a line of fire shot right thru the crust and somehow connecting with Kroenke’s
asshole.”
Hahahaha this was worth repeating as it’s so ridiculous I couldn’t help spitting my beer.
Thanks Sal! 😂😂
“Nothing wrong with it, either.
I was happy with Dyche as the Arsenal manager, so i am happy with the discplined and workmanlke approach.( for a period)”
From CG with love.
Emiratesstroller I agree that Ceballos needs to get stronger-that’s not my point. You just can’t then immediately turn to the joys of Ozil without mentioning he’s a lightweight too. At the same time, being lightweight doesn’t have to hold a player back in this league. Ozil did well for a couple of seasons even if he was inconsistent and players like Modric (who Arsene didn’t pursue due to his concern about him being too lightweight’ and David Silva have done well without having a strong physical presence. If the player has the will to win, press the opposition and fight… Read more »
BIG
“””””He slams Ceballos for being weak and then happily recommends Ozil instead without commenting on how weak he is.””””””
Ozil has more talent in his left toe than Cebollas has in his whole body.
Do you actually watch the game?
Arteta made one of his numerous managerial mistakes in resigning him for another year.
I, 100% agree with Tim.
bacaryisgod
Sorry for misspelling your name in last post.
I am not a fan for keeping Ozil, but frankly there is absolutely no comparison in comparing his ability, performance or physicality when he was in his prime with Ceballos.
My major concern at the moment is not how to accommodate Ceballos in team considering
that he is on loan and will probably be with us for only this season, but more importantly Saka. Apart from Martinelli this is the one youngster that I want to keep as a “long term”
player at the club.
True romance. Once an Arsenal lover, always an Arsenal lover. There is no escape.
Some other beauties just got a good deal prettier.: Alcantara and Bale arrived. And the window is open a whole lot longer.
Have no fear, make-up man is here. Somehow or other he’ll add the final touches.
Watching England’s ineffective and bland performances against Iceland and Denmark I would question seriously why Saka was not considered for the squad.
Everyone raves about Sancho and Greenwood, but when you look at the country’s current midfield options which are mediocre at best surely there has to be a place for Saka.
The same applies in case of Arsenal. We need to find a regular place for him in the team if we want to keep him.
CG agrees with Tactics Tim. Figures.
“I don’t read books. I read the Daily Express and The Star.”
Tim Sherwood.
Ceballos will be a bit part player this season…Not a bad player at all but already Elneny has shown more than enough to keep Ceballos out of the side.
I firmly believe that Mari , Ceballos and Cedric would not be at the club if Arsenal had bided their time and weighed up the options .
AMN /Cedric ….no contest ,AMN all day long
Gabriel /Mari…same
Elneny./Ceballos..same.
I can’t see Ceballos, Mari or Cedric getting much premier league football whatsoever unless we have an injury crisis.
Sherwood is full of shit. Another ex-player that is five years behind the curve looking at current players and seeing their younger, better selves rather than who or what they are now. Thinks Ozil still has it (or even cares at all) and likens Bale the golfer to Zlatan, a man who has more drive and determination in his little toe than Bale and Ozil combined in their whole bodies.
Pierre, while I agree that I can’t see either Mari or Cedric contributing a great deal I think that Ceballos will be useful unless we sign two top class midfielders. And to be honest I’d be happy if we got just one.
“(For fucks sake, he taught Mustafi how to stop making so many stupid mistakes.)”
This one is fucking hilarious.
Welcome back!! lol
It turns out that James Rodriguez signed for Everton on a FREE transfer. That would have been a hefty sign on bonus to get his signature..
Pierre
That is honestly the most insane thing I have read in a while. Elneny isn’t keeping Ceballos out of the team. The only way I can see him out of the side is if both Partey and Auoar arrive and Arteta Prefers Xhaka. He was our best midfielder by a mile at the end of last season. I know Elneny has had decent performances but he hasn’t had the impact Ceballos had since arteta came in. He was first in every statistics available.
Lol at El Neny showing more than Ceballos. Probably our best midfielder since after the lockdown but sure No El Neny is showing more after one game
I’ll start off by saying Sherwood knows jackshit.Sill bitter about being overlooked by Arsenal back in the day.Ended up joining the spuds & become a turncoat.His old man I understand is an Arsenal season ticket holder.Thus the bitterness can’t leave him.As for caballos being a lightweight.Initially that too was my impresssion but since coming back from injury & the tail end of last season.Seems to hav3 beefed up & become more aggressive & positive to his credit.Remains to be seen if there is more to come.
Habesha
“Pierre
That is honestly the most insane thing I have read in a while. Elneny isn’t keeping Ceballos out of the team.”
I think that when you see the team sheet for the next few premier league games, you may change your opinion.
Tim Sherwood is the retards retard. If he told me the Sun was shining I’d look for an umbrella.
It’s not a guest, it’s Pedro!!
Only Pedro is able to suck Arteta so hard!! lol
Pierre
“””””I can’t see Ceballos, Mari or Cedric getting much premier league football whatsoever unless we have an injury crisis.”””””””
Well said.
Utter tripe the lot of them.
If this Brentford joker comes aboard for £10 million too – it does confirm that Arteta really is a poor judge of a player.
Luckily ,the coaching side of the game come easy for him and is top notch.
I would rate:
Arteta 10/10 on the coaching side of the game
Arteta 2/10 on the managing aspect.
Elneny has started 2 matches recently. One of which Ceballos wasn’t even at the club for and the other he’d only rejoined the week before.
To claim Elneny’s going to replace him in the team is premature to say the least.
Batistuta
“Lol at El Neny showing more than Ceballos. Probably our best midfielder since after the lockdown but sure No El Neny is showing more after one game”
It’s 2 games actually and one was against the league champions, and yes liverpool were trying to win the game….Ceballos could turn out to be a good substitute option later on in games..
A pre season friendly for which Dani wasn’t available and a league opener for which Dani had only trained for a few days. You could see how much sharper and more penetrative the middle looked when he came on albeit the game was won.
Not saying El Neny didn’t have two good games but if that’s the level we are aiming for in midfield then it’s going to be a very long season.
Elneny isn’t seen as direct competition to Ozil so its easy to champion him and downplay Ceb. Yawn.
Probably the sort that would rather Ozil have a good game, or a game at all and we lose than we win without him.
Marc
“To claim Elneny’s going to replace him in the team is premature to say the least.”
Maybe , let’s wait and see…similar players in my opinion.
Neither are particularly creative , both are tidy on the ball but I think the position comes more naturally to Elneny.
He has a greater understanding of the position, his positional play is better, he reads the game better and is better defensively.
championing the lesser heralded players on here to go against the majority… yawn!!
Like him or hate him, Sherwood has a point.
Ceb isnt brilliant technically like, Santi, Rosiky, Wilshere not as good as Abou, Ramsey
He is technically like Song minus the physical presence. The only reason of having him back is if we dont plan on signing a quality CM otherwise its bad planning.
Elneny is a 6/10
Onions is a 5/10
Both pretty non descript. Elneny more likable and robust.
18 appearances last season and 1 assist for Mr Mesut, if thats the gile we need then God help us.
Sherwood is also the guy who advised Kane to stay at Spurs if he wants to win trophies.
Batistuta
“Not saying El Neny didn’t have two good games but if that’s the level we are aiming for in midfield then it’s going to be a very long season.”
It’s comparing who is at the club at this present time..if we sign 1 or 2 central midfielders then Elneny and Ceballos both go down the pecking order
They love Elneny because guess who signed him..
“Sherwood is also the guy who advised Kane to stay at Spurs if he wants to win trophies.”
That’s just plain funny – I hope last weeks appearance on Soccer Saturday was a rarity and he’s not going to be one of the regulars.
Elneny has definitely benefited from an early pre-season and the run of games. Ranking him above Ceballos is rich, given that Ceballos was among our star performers towards the end of the season. He gave us better balance at the base of our midfield, has a very quick half turn and has probably scored more goals than Elneny has so far (will need to fact check this). The only criticism I can have of him is pretty lightweight but that doesn’t take away from the high number of interceptions and recoveries he had. Once he gains match fitness he easily… Read more »
I was thinking about Ozil… after all this time without playing, maybe he could be really motivated, so maybe Arteta could take the risk of giving him some playing time ?
“.if we sign 1 or 2 central midfielders then Elneny and Ceballos both go down the pecking order”
If we sign 2 CM’s then I can’t see us continuing with 3 at the back so we’d have 5 players playing for 3 spots. If we get the 2 players being linked I still think it’s Xhaka who is at risk in the medium term.
What needs to be factored into equation is that one midfield place will be allocated to Xhaka whatever posters on Le Grove may think. If we play a 3-4-3 formation with wing backs in the four then there are effectively only two central midfield players in team. If one is Xhaka and Aouar is arriving I think that will the two selected. This is why I question whether it makes sense to bring in both Partey and Aouar. If both arrive Arsenal will need to change the team’s formation and play 4 at back with a central midfield of either… Read more »
Emirates
I’d prefer us to go to a back 4 assuming we get 2 CM’s and the new defenders are settled.
“I was thinking about Ozil… after all this time without playing, maybe he could be really motivated, so maybe Arteta could take the risk of giving him some playing time ?”
Slap upside your head HighburyLegend,
Never tell another man what your thinking!
That’s what she said!!
The concept of a squad seems to miss Pierre, utterly fixated on the first XI so no need for the likes of Cedric, Mari, Elneny as players behind the first teamer.
Mikel should be getting top 4 with 11 lads it seems.
“The bottom line is that I don’t think that either Ceballos or Elneny are going to be first team regulars in EPL games unless as Pierre suggests that we have an injury problem.”
You forget how easily Xhaka picks up fouls. His position isn’t exactly nailed on.
Enjoyable guest post..
Pedro
You should consider getting some of the comment section regulars a go every now and then, there’s some good content in there!
Elneny has one big plus point over Ceballos.
He has discipline.
Xhaka is very very one footed so he has to stay on the left. Elneny has the discipline to stick to the right.
Ceballos roams a bit. In the FA cup final,the chelsea goal happened because Ceballos got caught in no man’s land and got bypassed easily.
In terms of vision and passing quality,Ceballos is better.
In terms of blocking space,Elneny is better.
If we buy two midfielders-Partey and Aouar- Ceballos and Xhaka get replaced.
Partey should replace Ceballos at RCM
Aouar should replace xhaka at LCM
If we count the PL, the FA, the Carabao and the Europa there can easily be over 50 matches a season. Guendouzi is out of favour, and if he doesn’t go, it does feel like he won’t get many games, at least early in the season as I can’t see him swallowing his pride and/or playing to Arteta’s tactical instructions. Ozil remains frozen out, and I can’t see him changing his ways and getting much game time. So the 3 primary central midfielders are Zhaka, Ceballos and El-Neny. Even if we sign Partey and/or Aouar, all 3 should get plenty… Read more »
“collective defending”
I like this term. Arteta did what Wenger and Emery couldn’t do. The defense structure looks so solid.I still remember those days when all our defenders looked uncoachable!
Anyway the player who holds arsenal back the most is Laca. He can’t run. Never hit 15 non penalty goals in the league even once. For 50 mil,he has been a big flop. He is not an outlet,doesn’t run the channels,can’t hold up the ball. He has good link up play but what use is that without good hold up play? Good finisher but doesn’t get into good goalscoring positions due to his lack of athleticism. If we had peak Giroud instead of Laca,we would have had a much higher chance of getting top 4. He also couldn’t run but… Read more »
Charlie “The concept of a squad seems to miss Pierre, utterly fixated on the first XI so no need for the likes of Cedric, Mari, Elneny as players behind the first teamer.” I do understand that it is impossible for you to criticise any of Arteta’s decisions which surprises me as previously you were always prepared to give an honest opinion. FYI. Right back Bellerin/ AMN ….back up …chambers and Mustafi and possible academy players Centre backs Luiz , Saliba, Gabriel, Holding , Mustafi…..back up Tierney, Kolasinac… Midfield Elneny , xhaka , Willock , willian Torreira, Guendouzi, smith rowe possible… Read more »
Charlie “How do you land at us being worse than Leicester and Wolves? How do you land at Spurs being so low and Everton so high?” Because I think both of those teams, especially Leicester, have better first XIs, better first 14s. I also think they are further along in the process of playing in a particular way and having players fit for playing in that way. As for Spurs, I think their defense is suspect and I don’t rate Mourinho. I don’t know about the mood in that camp either. Everton is based on some of their additions, Ancelotti… Read more »
Le grove seems to be slow
“I don’t read books. I read the Daily Express and The Star.”
Tim Sherwood.
Well done, Tim. I always thought you only bought picture books
For reference and discussion, my current “power rankings”. Somewhat provisional and absolutely subject to revision on October 5. Cheers.
1. Liverpool (97)
2. City (96)
3. United (94)
4. Chelsea (93)
5. Leicester (92)
6. Wolves (91)
7. Arsenal (90)
8. Everton (87)
9. Spurs (87)
What’s a first 14?
Wait, I get it. It’s a first 11 plus a little less than half the bench. Am I close?
“the Guardian understands that Arteta would like both players but is more interested in Aouar than Partey”
Saw this last night. Will get the link later if I can.
Oh the big debate on le grove tonight.
Who would win in a fight, ceballos or ozil (without kola in his corner)??
In this post there’s 42:
I
I’m
I’ve
Me
Pierre
You attempt to gaslight because you like to lay breadcrumbs of criticism that you then use to circle back to more opportune matters. We’ve all seen the script there.
When you include Chambers and Kolasinac in options at CB the level of dishonesty is clear to all, same with Torreira, Guendouzi in CM – all players that don’t fit. The club do not want these players, they’re actively wishing to sell them. So they’re not options, and they’re precisely the place in the squad your Mari and Cedrics, a returning Elneny, fill in for.
Everyone’s assuming Elneny’s is back for the rest of the season, there’s still a chance he’ll be sold / loaned out.
Well I’m very excited. Between Fabrizio and Charlie Watts who seems to have an eye to the ground at Arsenal it seems like we’re interested in both Aouar AND Partey. Apparently we’ve got back up targets if we can’t get Partey but Aouar is the main target. I think we might hear something soon about that transfer thing’s seem to have accelerated a bit since selling Martinez and getting in some cash. Who knows right now where we’d be if we had actually decided to sell AMN. Probably an Aouar richer
Marc,
Re El Neny, you’re right. Until the end of the transfer window anything can happen.
But based on what Arteta has been saying about him, he doesn’t look like a prime candidate for departure, especially when you factor in the fact that Ozil and Guen remain out of favour.
Marc it’s pretty obvious we bring in two more CM’s on top of Ceballos and Xhaka and Elneny is absolutely gone. Nothing against him but he’d be so far down the pecking order he’d probably start picking up fortnite as a side gig.
Are we just waiting a couple of days for the cash from the Martinez sale to show on our statement before we make a move for Aouar/Partey?
*ear charlie watts has an ear to the ground
Ok Charlie, we get it , Arteta is beyond criticism.
Do you really think that Mari is ahead of Gabriel, Luiz, Tierney, Holding , Mustafi.
Do you really think Cedric is ahead of Bellerin and AMN
I will go back to my original point, due to our change in circumstances in that AMN, Holding Gabriel and Elneny have impressed Arteta so much that he wants to keep and use them , Mari ,Cedric and possibly Ceballos (depending on new arrivals) would not have been signed by Arteta..
Asked Mikel about decision to make Leno his first-choice keeper:
“I was very clear with both of them that it wasn’t a one and a two, they had to compete for their place like any other position in the team.”
“Bernd was superb before he got injured and Emi was absolutely excellent with all the games he played and how much he helped us win the trophies.
But at the end of the day that created a big competition, some big expectations form both of them and we had to deal with that.”
WOAB
I was leaning more towards right now we don’t know what’s likely to happen with the squad. We’re clearly chasing 3 players and have a number of players who we’d like to move on and probably a few more we could be tempted to.
With that in mind declaring who’s going to be where in the pecking order is a waste of time right now. Personally I’d keep Elneny and sell Xhaka, on the other hand I’d still sell Xhaka if we only had a squad of 11 players.
Of course gabriel is a new signing and already impressed.
“Everyone’s assuming Elneny’s is back for the rest of the season, there’s still a chance he’ll be sold / loaned out.”
I will say it again, we will not reach top 4 with this pretender lurking about
Mari ,Cedric and possibly Ceballos (depending on new arrivals) would not have been signed by Arteta.
Feel like you don’t know what you’re talking about…
“Of course gabriel is a new signing and already impressed.”
To be fair, Fulham were never at the races, Gabriel was not put under any sort of pressure. Lets see what he does against formidible opposition, but so far so good
“Do you really think that Mari is ahead of Gabriel, Luiz, Tierney, Holding , Mustafi.” Well right now he’s injured so an irrelevant comment and even once he is fit we don’t know where he’ll be in the squad as he only had a handful of minutes for us. He could easily be in front of Mustafi and Holding, Tierney should be at LB or LWB and if Mari was to perform he could easily get in front of Luiz. What is clear is we have an excess number of CB’s at the club and need to move some of… Read more »
Charlie
I was not against the signings of Cedric and Mari, the opposite in fact.
I just can’t see them getting a whole lot of game time now that the situation had changed with AMN, Holding and Elneny , plus the recent signing of Gabriel.
Marko
Sorry but that’s clearly bullshit as it doesn’t fit in with Valentin’s agenda on Leno.
Arsenal has three matches left to play before the transfer window closes. My feeling is that Arteta will play “reliable squad players” like El Neny and AMN in all 3, especially if they maintain their form. If they do well, they’re in the shop window and can be sold for a higher fee to a Newcastle, West Ham or a team in Spain in Germany and help fund primary targets such as Partey and Aouar. If no one comes in for them (or for the less favoured such as Guen and Kola) then they stake a claim for the starting… Read more »
I wouldn’t get too loved up with AMN – the situation will change again as the season goes on and he’ll be gone next summer.
Steve g
“””””Lets see what he does against formidable opposition, but so far so good””””””
Correct.
Anfield in 10 days. Thats the fixture that defines this season.
Perform well there, keep and a clean sheet an win- and Arsenal all my fellow Le Grove patients will have one little finger on the League Championship trophy.
The rest are also in total disarray too.
Marko
“Feel like you don’t know what you’re talking about…”
If Arteta was offered Mari, Cedric and Ceballos today, he would look at the present situation and say “no thanks”
A month ago , AMN was leaving , Holding was leaving, Elneny was leaving and Gabriel hadn’t signed ….hence the rush to bring in Mari, Cedric and Ceballos.
CG
If you’re going to wind Pedro up you’re going to have to come up with a better plan and be more subtle.
Seems like Lyon are lining up Paqueta as Aouar’s replacement. Looks very much on to me.
Pierre
Ceballos joined us on the 5th of September (or there abouts) so I’d say Arteta had an influence in bringing him back to the club.
Why is Ceballos being lumped in with Cedric and Mari?
What’s that about?