Well, the Premier League really is turning out some batshit crazy results.
I’m currently watching a very lost Manchester City lose 5-2 to Jamie Vardy’s Leicester AT HOME. West Brom went 3 up against Chelsea before bottling it and drawing the game, Frank Lampard is no longer the plucky upstart, he’s a greedy chequebook manager getting called a fraud after 3 games. Jose Mourinho was joy suckered by Newcastle United, cancelling out the ‘will Spurs actually be amazing this season’ vibe I had after they turned over the Saints last week. Son also picked up an injury.
United were bang average, having to earn a penalty AFTER the game finished to beat the ever-improving Brighton (told you Potter was good). The OGS miracle of spending a shit ton of money last season to give United the lowest points 3rd place in EPL history might be landing for some now as, you know, not a miracle. Still, I’ll take the MSM propping him up like the only thing stopping his genius flowering is the wicked United board that won’t sanction another £150m worth of talent on his ‘vision.’
Everton also won again, keeping them top of the league. Carlo has some saucy players, I’m not sure he’ll have enough all season, but they’ll certainly be better.
So what have we learned? Well, the Premier League is going to very tough this season. The top 6 is probably going to look like more of a top 8 for quite a bit. I think Liverpool, as things stand, look like the most obvious standout (only the hottest takes here). But 2nd to 8th looks like it will be very unpredictable. Hey, who knows, we might see a SHOCK winner like in 2016 this season? Could it… no… but?
Arsenal really needs to add to their squad if we’re to play in the upper echelons of that top 8 scenario. We’re well-coached, young players are improving, and the senior players left are a lot more accountable. We still need to add a bit of depth if we’re going to be a force for the full season.
The wheels of speculation have gone into overdrive over the past few days. We’ve bid for Houssem Aouar. The Lyon top dog, Aulas, is telling the world the player will stay (standard practice from him), and the top french pubs are saying we’re about to go back in with a bigger bid. Creativity is the absolute #1 requirement from this window. Even Auba agrees.
“Of course we are in favor, I will not hide it. Even if he is a Lyonnais”
I appreciate a lot of people are worried that Houssem doesn’t have 19 assists to his name, but I think his play is about more than hardcore assists (and Lyon were shite last season). He’s a vertical mover of the ball, something we only really have with Xhaka and Ozil. More than that, he can move with the ball at his feet, and he’s great in tight areas. We don’t have many tricky fast players that can open up the field in a split second. Aouar can do that. Add to that we’ve seen him put in dominant performances against dominant teams in the Champions League… well, he just makes a lot of sense. Also worth noting that he’s only 22. The perfect signing as we move to a model that supports resale value and the circle of transfers in and out. Player was also non-committal on his future after the game today.
“We’ll see what will happen in the future”
EXCITING NONCHALANCE.
I think we’ll also continue to pursue Thomas Partey until the death. I suspect he’s more of a ‘if these 4 things happen’ type reach, but he’s another one that gives us elements we don’t have currently. Firstly, the biggest thing Partey gives us is elite level experience at the very highest level. He’s played in huge games and come out on top. He’s an ultimate competitor playing for a monster of a manager. He also gives us the mobility we desperately lack in midfield. He’s aggressive and rapid over short distances. His height, weight and overall frame also makes us more imposing. We’ve been weak from setpieces, he adds something. We’ve had to build out a very body heavy structure when out of possession, he gives us options to change that. Partey also comes from one of the most rigidly defensive systems in football, firstly, give me some of that, secondly, he might have more attacking inclinations that could come to bear fruit in a more progressive system.
Sign those two, we are being more than realistic when we hope for top 4 this season.
We still might see some other signings. If Lacazette leaves, we might be a little short in attack. I still worry that we’re a bit light in the keeping area. But overall, we have created a pretty decent squad without going too crazy. Elneny looks like he could be a really decent squad player this year. Reiss is doing his best to make a statement that he’s ready for us this season. We have a whole group of young players that are really hungry.
Still, as Mike Tyson says, everyone has a plan until that get smacked in the mouth. Liverpool, tomorrow night, is Mike Tyson. They are a team of brutal warriors. We’ve had two really decent games against them. Last season, we turned them over in the league, despite being totally mauled by them. We then used that confidence to win the FA Cup. This season, we were much more structured against them and we were more than equal to the 1-1 draw.
We’re now into the season. Liverpool will be fitter, sharper, and they have buried a couple of teams. The game to look at from a tactical perspective might be the Leeds opener where they were run very close. Leeds kept on getting in behind their defenders with quick counter attacks and long balls in behind their defence. Arsenal has to work out a way of dealing with their waves of pressure and there can be no West Ham like lapses.
My hope, as always in these games, is that we’re at least competitive. That means everyone showing up to execute a good game plan. The interesting thing to watch out for this season is how coaches approach us now they know we’re not going to be the same old Arsenal. There’s a body of Arteta work to look at. I don’t for a minute think we’ll ever be predictable, but I also think there will be more answers to what we’re doing. Everyone knows about the overload to Auba switch. They all know that we play out of the back like demons. They’ll know we are pressuring for turnovers in their area. It’s all very exciting knowing that we have these clever ways of playing in different parts of the game.
I am very much looking forward to this game. Let’s see what Arteta has planned! See you in the comments. x
Hope holding and mitland niles never play for arsenal again, bang average at best, bbc five live guy, just said holding should be in the England set up.
I would put on Pepe.
Yes I said it.
When he cuts inside he moves the defense with him, usually someone is being pulled out of position.
Saka on as well. Whatever semblance of creativity we need on the pitch now
Ernest
We don’t have to be so accepting if mediocrity
Some of us just want is to get closer to them. We have too much handbrakes on. If we are going to lose at least do so fighting.
Forget all these “arteta made me sign” nonsense from these players, they signed on because of the bigger wages we offered and it’s showing. What has Auba done today? Willian?
Problem is Elneny at best destroys and interrupt but couldn’t make meaningful l passes forward Xhara not far off for some reason We have no midfield per se and disconnects with the front 3. Bellerin worse than AMN going forward. May be under instruction? Cheap, cheap goals to concede. Well. Same as the Laca goal I suppose. Would have taken 0 – 0 at HT. but…. Not all is lost if Arteta could tighten the back. Is Gabriel part of the solution?? Sooner or later we need some creativity. Saka? Ceballos isn’t robust enough at times. Mane is in a… Read more »
All very one dimensional as usual. Where is the power and pace from midfield. We are letting AA and Robertson have a field day with crosses and that as any casual fan will tell you is the first thing you nullify when playing Liverpool.
Arteta made selection error I guess , Ceballos shouldve started wouldve kept the ball better and made passes forward.
Put on Dani too, he can do a splitting pass unlike the back pass master called Mo El Neny
Half time subs are required. If it were me I’d sub in both Saka and Ceballos.
Ernest mate, there is a difference between playing a great side that is tearing us a new arsehole and this performance at present which is like a team 1 to 2 divisions below giving them far too much respect and making schoolboy errors. All 3 goals have been mistakes but the way we are “playing” right now suggests we have plenty more to gift them.
Those calling fir is to be ambitious have forgotten about the recent mauling at the hands of the big teams? Not nice to watch, but at least we are not being spanked….
I know they are better than us, but surely we can at least give them a game not dissimilar to Leeds. We are not so great defensively to only be in possession 25% of the time.
This is a spanking in everything but scoreline Buzzy. Every way possible, we’re fortunate it is just a one goal difference at this point.
Yes it’s Leno’s fault that we can’t string 2 passes together, and can’t actually defend to save our lives!
This is on our average and shite outfield players as much as on Arteta s negative football
Yeah really poor performance too negative but I kinda get it teams are supposed to be scared shitless of going to anfield and playing Liverpool. But you’re going to get goals like that when you play the likes of holding, Bellerin, AMN, Xhaka and Kolasinac you know the usual types. No tracking braindead moments that cost you against good teams.
Ernest Reed……..not drunk or an asshole just dont like to see us bend over and take it up the shitter…….other teams seem able to at least put up a decent fight and adopt a different tactic against liverpool or man city…..glaringly obvious that liverpool press so stop taking short goal kicks push 20 yards further up the pitch and hit it a bit longer…….I have every right to expect better when newly promoted sides with far worse players than ours can do it……
Not sure they have it in them today, Dissenter. This is a different Pool side, certainly not the group that lost twice before. One might even think that the mistake gifting Laca his gaol may have served as a wake up call?
We are being spanked, simpletons with the mentality of it being only 2-1 thinking otherwise.
Some brainwashed fools wanted Rob holding as captain.
Yes, Auba is very quiet.
Its only the champions at Anfield. What a bunch of negative cunts your are on here. Literally no perspective.
Come back Emery, all is forgiven.
Dissenter
Expect your fave Nketiah to appear soon
Ben+D
“ Those calling fir is to be ambitious have forgotten about the recent mauling at the hands of the big teams? Not nice to watch, but at least we are not being spanked”
At this pace, we will get spanked
Liverpool are operating like airplanes queueing to land at Heathrow. It’s a matter of time.
Not happy but losing is fine if we give it a real go.
Happy got Arteta to go aggressively somewhat. Pepe in for Willian. Saka on for AMN.
Auba twitched something in tight tihigh??
@G8 –
“Yes it’s Leno’s fault that we can’t string 2 passes together, and can’t actually defend to save our lives!”
If Martinez was playing we would be dominating that midfield!
AMN, Holding and Bellerin are so average. So shite.
Still can’t believe we declined how many millions for AMN? £20m ?? Jesus, imagine we had the money to reinvest them in Aouar and Party… Now we have AMN instead.
Games like today make you wonder why we don’t just try out Gabriel and Saliba, why do people at the club not think that we need a new RB but also appreciate the fact that we’re trying to sign up two new midfielders
CATCH THE FUCKING BALL LENO.
DON’T PUSH IT TO MANE.
What a beautifully ugly goal from Lacazette lol This match is a re-run from the home league match against them. Getting rinsed again. Tierney couldn’t handle Salah for their first goal but who can when he is running on the ball like that. Willian should have covered the run from Robertson for their second goal but didn’t and he taps into an empty net. It’s embarrasingly one-sided against them again but you never know. Arteta’s team has shown before that it can get completely outplayed but still pop up with a goal or two on just scraps and just a… Read more »
That second goal was down to Willian not tracking his man.
No ozil amd mustafi to bash of today, sad low life’s
Leno should have done better on the Mane goal, no getting away from it.
Ernest.
It’s one of those games where both teams are making silly mistakes at the back.
If we apply more pressure. I’m sure we can give them more of a challenge.
That attitude of they are the champions is precisely why we are losing!
No offensive plan is getting me bored. If we had a press resistant midfield, I think we can compete with this liverpool side. Really need to show something more in the 2nd half.
Red-
Never miss an opportunity for a troll moment do you?
What a fucking dismal performance, Arteta said we have moved on, doesn’t look like it. Our midfield is packed with the creativity of Xhaka & Elneny. Don’t see any way where the goals will come from unless Liverpool fall apart which is unlikely. But hey mediocrity seems to be the norm now at Arsenal, this is too painful to watch. If nothing changes in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half I am off too painful any time the ball is in our penalty area they can’t play out and I am screaming at the TV and close my… Read more »
This is Arsenal Dave, not Leeds nor any other team. This team rarely plays with a “nothing to lose” attitude, but rather more like somehow they believe they belong with the better teams, and doing so without playing tough football consistently enough.
Nothing about the current roster of talent should ever give anyone reason to feel that way and Arteta aside, sometimes you just aren’t going to get results from a group who consistently flatter to deceive.
It’s embarrasingly one-sided against them again but you never know. Arteta’s team has shown before that it can get completely outplayed but still pop up with a goal or two on just scraps and just a few counter attacks.
This!
The hype around mitland niles,when he got called up England was disgusting.
Leeds went to Anfield and play decent and Arsenalnis scared asf, like it’s thier first day in England.
Kloop asked Mane to run around to confuse the Arsenal defense. Arteta has no response to this tactics.
Honestly we need 4 at the back and 3 bodies in midfield, we need to contest some control.
Chuck Willian in midfield and put Pepe on the wing, one of the defenders to come off.
Ernest
The game is not over yet. A good manager would change things up.
Nketiah and Pepe! will come on in the 70th mins!
Arteta s so predictable!
Holding nearly gave away a goal with his suspect passing out from the back again and the 50/50 challenge between Xhaka and Fabinho in midfield was funny to watch.
Xhaka also nearly got the team in trouble losing the ball in front of his own penalty area which we have seen a thousand times before.
Arsenal were actually quite good. It’s just that Liverpool played like the best team of all time. Superb performance. Bellerin should have been marking space instead of following the man. But mistakes are inevitable if the outlets don’t give you relief from constant defending. This is the big problem everyone faces when Liverpool cross,you can’t really clear the ball,the Liverpool players will win 2nd balls against most teams, outlets can’t help relieve pressure. We have to do something about those balls from VVD. Laca’s lack of intensity hurts us there,we should sub him for Nketiah. Tierney was not at fault… Read more »
Then its really down to them Samesong, isnt it? If they really want it they can take this one, but they have to want it and so far nothing about their performance from the back offers anything resembling movement forward. I fully expect Arteta to get on the feebleness in defending.
Kaz
I wouldn’t mind that. It’s not working for us. But I would go for Ceballos to come in for Niles and a flat 4 if nothing changes in 10 mins. We need to move the ball forward.
Oh to have someone in midfield like Arshavin these days, or anyone with a goal threat would be nice.
“In case you were wondering we were winning 1-0 and given away 2 stupid”
Yep, Liverpool playing shit and we gift them 2 goals. You can always watch a sport you know something about.
Other than 1 good pass Laca in the build-up to the goal, Xhaka has been very very poor.
Bellerin mindlessly banging into Holding, gifting Pool a goal.
Sick with some of the football professors on here. They can crusify someone on the basis of what they perceive of 20 minutes of a football game
Liverpool are a distance better and fully emphasising that in their collective performance. It’s the overwhelming influencer in the match so far, they’re been a nightmare pressing us and we’ve found no answer to it. We have to manage that best we can but what we can improve is the initial ball out from the back through midfield. Get that right more often and they won’t press as hard, asking more from Holding and Tierney in that regard. Could see Ceballos coming on shortly for Elneny, lose the discipline but gain the technical ability and cuteness at playing a wall… Read more »
Only 5 successful passes in the final 3rd.
The first goal was Leno’s fault and the second was Willian’s fault. We will regret letting Emi go and keeping Leno as undisputed No 1. He unsettles his defenders with his less than assured displays. Arteta was not ruthless enough in this instance.
Whatever you say we are still in the game..ultimately its all about the scoreline and we are only one short..this wasn’t the case under wenger and emery
Leno’s decision making, jeez.
Leno got to stop these suicidal passes Putting defenders under pressure. Rather he boots it high up and takes a punt.
Jesus Christ, shut the fuck up about Leno. He is gone.
COYG
*martinez
Don’t give the ball to Leno . It always comes staight back 5 seconds later
Tierney got cooked for their first goal.
Shouldn’t overlook that just because he is a favourite.
Tierney having a torrid night.
Didn’t mention our former keeper.
Rob Holding 🥴 what are you pushing up to mark there?
Pool off the ball positioning is just incredible.
we are still so reactive – pool is like a machine. automatic
We should have pulled some subs tho….
Just hope we dont get pounded… GD will come back to haunt us
Rather Auba tries a shot than passing which isn’t his forte exactly
better this..just need to watch the counter
Much better so far
Laca has to shoot more. He can’t pass anyway.
Leno, Leno, Leno – You’d think that Emi was the second coming of Jesus F’n Christ the way some of you go on harping! How’s about supporting the guy for a change?
Leno needs coaching about his passing out – is this him or MA instructions?
Arteta HAS to address our RCB position. Its not too late to sell/loan holding
Seriously we get caught with Leno not passing properly out of the back. WBs getting pressed hard if the ball is off a bit. Fine margins
Leno is the worst passer.
These 10 foot passes under pressure are going to haunt us.
Just fucking hoof it
Fucking hell
It’s not lenos fault we can’t beat their press. We have average Midfielders. Wjinaldum and Keita are running rings around Xhaka and Elneny. It’s not his fault Luiz came out like a stupid defender, Bellerin didn’t mark Mane and Willian didn’t track Robertson. Any goal keeper would be against it in such circumstances. I feel like we sold oblak with selling Martinez after the commentary on here.
We need Pepe and Ceballos on for Xhaka and Lacazette
Partey would be immense in this type of game btw, can receive it, turn, and drive through a press.
We don’t have that so the passes need to be electric. Cmon lads
Holding is comical.
Holding is a joke. He doesn’t belong to the game.
Pool just toying with Holding now.
Right from my line of thinking CC. This game screaming out for that type of player in our midfield.
FFS, take Holding off already
Holding…. What crap defending… just gives it to Mane.
I mean what the fuck???,
Partey here would be immense ffs
Damm!!!
Laca looks tired and who can blame him
We need to get Nkettiah in early because pressing in that role is very important
Why are we insisting in trying to play it out of the back every time with donkeys like holding.
Bring on pepe
Damn… between Mane and Salah.. you can see why Pool doesn’t ever lose at home.. Just constant pressure on both sides of the pitch.
FFS. Stopping this rubbish. Holding isn’t suited to this and defo not with Pool pressing. They are too fast for Holding and Xhara. Xhara mustn’t receive the ball in front of our box. Has two immediately onto him. He’d lose the ball in most dangerous area. Pool is too strong Arteta needs to come up with something else. Subs quickly I
You can see that Leno has no chip ball meaning that we can’t bypass the press like Martinez could with a quick ball to the wingback.
Lacazettes touch there !! Shite
Compare it with Liverpool players first touch
Salah all the way back to spoil a very decent Xhara cross to Auba. Very fit and willing.
Fuck this. Let’s bring in Pepe!
Yep, Liverpool playing shit and we gift them 2 goals. You can always watch a sport you know something about
Bojangle stick to not answering my comments and I’ll do the same in future. Does that work for you?
Like you know the game inside out.
I can still kick a ball at my age. Wonder if the same can be said about you, You sad case.
Yes. Our first touches compared to Pool are shocking. Mane, Salah not surprises buy their full backs too.
How was that not a foul…? nowhere near the ball and slid across him?
Ref missing all the fouls on Arsenal players