Oh hello Buzzfeed headline 2014. Here’s a quick run down of what I’d like to see this evening.
1.A lite version of what our future attacking structure could look like
It’s dangerously close to the end of the transfer window. There’s no Aouar yet. There might not be. We are absolutely toothless, still.
What I can’t have is that there is no way to play attacking football this year without that one player. If we are really going into the season with the least creative midfield in the league, that is pure negligence. I would LOVE to see a lite version of where this process is heading. Is there a young player that can play in the pockets, like ESR? Will we give Saka a role at #10? Is there a system the younger players will be put in that can at least guide the way this evening? I hope so. We can’t pin out hopes on Auba all season. Leeds are out signing Cusiance from Bayern. If they can shower teams in shots on their budget, we should be able to do something.
2. The future of our CB spine
Tonight, one would assume, we’ll get to see Willy Saliba and Gabriel in the centre of defence together in their first competitive match. This is exciting on many levels. The two of them are very capable with the ball at their feet, they have the requisite height to make us hard to attack from setpieces… the question is, do they have the power and wherewithal to deal with an explosive Premier League team this early? We shall see. We’re mostly here to see where Saliba is in his development, hopefully he surprises everyone with an elite performance.
3. The future of the #13
I can’t remember the last time we had a #13 back-up keeper. Manninger? It almost feels a bit quaint. I like it, but will I like the keeper wearing the jersey? He’s handsome, no doubt. But good? Who knows. Arteta and his coaching staff took a big gamble binning off Emi Martinez. Tonight, we’ll get a glimpse at whether Iñaki Caña, the keeping coach, has good taste in students. Runar had some pretty grim stats from his time in Ligue 1 last season. Are we rescuing a diamond in the rough, or are we making the mistake City did at the beginning i.e. signing a keeper who can play passes like Pirlo, but couldn’t catch the ‘rona in an emergency ward sneeze box? This game will be a huge baptism of fire, longballs, and shots… will it be Massimo Taibi? Or Alex Manninger? We’ll soon find out.
4. What is a Willock?
Arsene liked him. Emery liked him. Freddie LOVED him. Arteta likes him.
What is it about Joe Willock they all love? Because I’d really like to see some of it on the box tonight.
We know he makes excellent runs off the ball. We know he can dribble. We know he can move at speed. We know he is capable of goals and assists… can we see it happen at some point? If he splutters again this season, he’ll be out in the summer. This is make or break.
Time to shine, Joe. We believe in you.
5. How quickly can we adapt to being found out?
I pontificated before the last Liverpool game over whether teams in the top 6 would suss us this season. We are very well drilled now. We defend better, our off the ball movement is great, our pressing is very good. However, we’re a bit robotic. Klopp knew how we’d try and attack down the left in the last game and he tried to deal with it (we still scored from the left). We need some new party tricks, we can’t get by on the same one all season. Now Liverpool knows where to double up and over-commit in the press, what is the plan? Could we do something mad like play down the right? Are we going pure long ball? Would we dare play through the middle? We were sussed the other night. There needs to be some innovation in how we play or the same will happen tonight.
Oh, how about a 6th point… WIN 4-0. Amirite? Of course I am.
Enjoy the game, I’ll see you in the comments. Come at me with your bullet points!
P.S. Congrats to Saka on his England call up. To commit to the three lions on Nigerian Independence Day. Man is going to the very top. Cold as ice. A natural killer. What a talent!
Satisfying win at least!
Couldn’t take any more cunting from those Scousers!
Why kola still in the team only Arteta knows!
If we beat City, I’m sure we’ll get either Bayern or Madrid in the semis. What are these draws man.
Shit football against a mainly Liverpool C team.
Leeds would have spanked them but the mighty arsenal playing like West Ham under Allardyce because sauce?
Another tough draw ffs.
Worrying number of reports about PSG bidding for Aouar.
Hope it’s all talk. If not, the whole of the transfer window a waste of time.
Should have a chance against City – Pep coming to the line at City IMO.
“Self confidence is a good thing.”
Exhibit A: Nicklas Bendtner.
I’ll take the win, who wouldn’t.
Well played Leno. Deserves the plaudits.
Who did we get in QF?
Words
“”””Looking forward to CG and Guns of Hackney’s analysis of the game,…..””””
(1 Word)
Excrement!
Further analysis , after my beauty sleep, some stage tomorrow
City Graham, at home.
Liverpool without Mane is one class below.
Salah has his moments ,but he is not the same player 2 seasons ago
And PSG could really do with Aouar, was surprised to hear they weren’t in the race.
The disrespect shown to Arsenal player’s, manager and the club on here by some of the so-called Arsenal fans is just unreal.
Difficult to understand the amount of Arsenal supporters on here who belittle an Arsenal victory.
Some fucker warmed the balls
Yeah the bastards are determined to try & dump us out.Still.bring it on.
If PSG pip us on Aouar we either deserve it or the kid was never coming.
We’ve been looking thru the glass for weeks, two reported bids rejected fully knowing whats required.
Honestly the salty tears are pure comedy after we knocked Liverpool out of a cup at Anfield.
Very weird team at the moment though it has to be said. Like we look better defensively we’ve gone from having our goal peppered and getting 20+ shots on our goal every game under Emery to about 10 odd under Mikel which isn’t great but it’s much better. But offensively we’ve hit a massive fuck you wall. Partly a personnel problem but one would hope an Aouar type (maybe more i dunno) signing would help address that by forcing a change in formation. Cause right now the 3-4-3 is not good.
Kaz
“Shit football against a mainly Liverpool C team.”
I would give up watching Arsenal if I was you…
Lol they celebrated like they just won the Champions League.
Weagle
Baptista was a beast every now and again, but he was also CF, #8, wide player and general what the fuck in his time with us.
Willock is following that particular path, desperate for a loan imo where he’s going to get 20 league games under him. Fulham would be a shout with Chambers.
Artetas brand of football is horrible.
Even if PSG’s interest is genuine theyre working on a deal for 2021 according to reports which im skeptical about anyway. Lyon need funds and we need him now.
Most of these comments are coming from unrecognisable names tho about celebrating and HL who adds nothing to any convos just silly lols
Always said Emery should start with the defense and work his way up, i’m not bothered winning less than ideally to get that right. The rest will come if we get the right mix in.
Anyone complaining about the win tonight likely didn’t watch the entire 90. More than even in first 45 i’d even shade that our way, second half was clearly theirs and Leno’s. Xhaka and Leno played some great balls overall.
Winning at Anfield, i’ll fucking take that all day and night.
These rumors about PSG’s bidding for Aouar is just Aulas trying to get us to submit an acceptable bid.
He’s squeezing our balls really hard, that old bastard.
Leno clearly the weak link again. He should have never allowed so many shots against him. Terrible stuff. Clearly our only weakness. Gabriel didn’t put a foot wrong again and was great on the ball, again. Should have played against Pool in the league too. Pepe more involved on the left where he had Saka to interchange with and benefitted from Gabriels distribution, something he doesn’t have when he plays on the right but he’s wasted on the left, his main strength is cutting in from the right and curling one into the net or deliver a cross. Sure he… Read more »
Xhaka and Ceballos!
We face city? Hmmm
Revving up the LOLcano over here.
Where’s GunnerDNA?
TT
Don’t worry about CG.
He’s in denial and always will be.
He’ll never be happy until Wenger is honoured, given a statue and walks through the door again.
Then again if you supported a regressive regime for a decade, as he did, you’ve got to take out your frustrations on something.
Let him get his “beauty sleep”.
@Pierre
I guess I have a standards to how we should play.
Interesting how you didn’t contest my point that Leeds would have spanked this Liverpool side, but we’re busy playing like an Allardyce side against the juniors.
Gabriel didn’t put a foot wrong again and was great on the ball, again.
———————-
Yeah he was very good this evening, so why the fuck did Arteta drop him the other night?
For a brief moment I was thrilled we’d gone through then I had a premonition – we win the League Cup but finish 7th in the PL and then have Pedro tell us how it’s amazing progress.
The club should ask Pepe to watch that video posted by Pierre highlighting Pepe. There he ran past so many players at ease. Tonight, he had so many chances already ahead of the defender, but he stopped in his track. He has to trust his speed.
No way psg are going for Aouar it’s just Lyon trying to push price up
Earlier Lyon owner said deal had to be done by tomorrow
Now he may go psg ?
Also they signed his replacement today Aouar is coming
Marc, league and league cup double incoming. Buckle up
Danny he dropped him to protect him I think which was a bit of s mistake
Wingdings
October 1, 2020 22:23:21
“Lol they celebrated like they just won the Champions League.”
Nothing compared to how Spurs celebrated after beating Chelsea… via penalties.
I love to see CG crying after beating Liverpool in the cup.
Talks about good old fashioned values… not sure being against your own team after a win is one of those. Too much oat milk in his chai latte. Hanging around with the sorts that wear Balenciaga boots. He’s forgotten where he came from. Dyche would be appalled.
Anyone that is upset if we win is not a proper fan and should be banned from the ground forever
Oh and beaten within and inch of their sad lives
Pedro
I’m going to hold you to that – don’t ever fuck with a Salesman!
Marc- I’m celebrating anytime we beat the Fenway Scouser cunts. I don’t care if the ball pings off a pigeon flying across the pitch for the final goal in the dying seconds. Or Joe Willy shanks one under their keeper whatever.
I give you permission to celebrate as well. 😀
We just beat Liverpool away. The positives are obvious. 1) It keeps the overall squad happy because those on the periphery have another chance to play. 2) Leno was outstanding 3) Any win against Liverpool should be celebrated. Saw Spurs players go nuts when they.just beat Chelsea on pens. 4) Cedric looks very tidy and a perfect utility player. The negatives: 1) Kolasinac: I read a perfect tweet that said ‘Kolasinac just pooped in the shop window’Not o KT did he play awfully but the fact that he was playing means perhaps that fantasy 11m deal with Bayer Leverkeusen was… Read more »
Pedro
You created CG and loved him season before last. When I told you he was an Arsenal hating nutjob (I was being uncharacteristically polite) you told me he was like an eccentric English gentleman you’d meet in a country pub (which did lead to some concerns about the pubs you used to drink in) and made excuses.
No he’s attacking Arteta and it all changes – who would have thought eh?
Midwest
I’m happy but just have too much fun taking the piss out of Pedro to not double up tonight.
Pedro,
Not only is CG miserable, but he’s a miserable floozy.
After his dalliance with Nigel Pearson and Watford, he did a sharp turn towards Sean Dyche and had a fling with him.
Now he’s not so sure who to go with……so many managers to have a fling with.
We are back to the real serious stuff in three days time.
What do we see against Sheff Utd at home?
Dominating performance or unconvincing with no midfield on show again?
We need to see a dominating victory from Teets team and soon.
It will get fans really believing.
Yeah I really like Gabriel. Looks really positive so far
Some comments on here unreal. We won. Against Liverpool. Two mainly second string sides fought out a pretty turgid draw. Liverpool had the majority of play and the better chances, but you know what? We played to a plan and smothered them. We won. Let’s be clear, our last for games against Liverpool have resulted in 3 wins and one loss. Against one of the world’s best teams. If it was Mourinho, the press and certain posters would be lauding a “Mourinho masterclass”. You couldn’t make up some of the comments here – critical of others enjoying an Arsenal win.… Read more »
Marc,
Yeah but CG was right about Emery.
The trouble is: if you hate every manager who’s not called Wenger (or Dyche?) you’re bound to be right some times.
Cannot believe the sentiment from some that we play drab football, it’s like they’ve been absent for a decade where we’ve seen good attacking football utterly buttfucked by a deplorable view of the art of defending. When Bumery was sacked I was desperate for us to appoint Rafa for a two year spell to redress the balance in the entire club, academy to first team. I wanted to see us re-learn the basics of being disciplined, organised, committed to mean defending and keeping a clean sheet. That was priority number one. From there, and in that two year period, I… Read more »
WOAB
Nah it’s great – everytime CG backs another manager in the PL that team slumps. Burnley will get relegated this season.
We just need to find a way to get him to jump on the Mourinho bandwagon.
I have come to the conclusion that posts here aren’t pro Arsenal. We win they suck. We lose they are happy. I don’t get it. We won at Anfield for the first time since in What? 17years and you complain they celebrate a shootout? Christ!
Pedro you’ve to bin everyone and start re registration all over again. This time, censorship is goona be introduced. Let’s get our blog back now that we are getting our Arsenal back for real.
I only know what CG types by reading normal posters responses to him. The likes of him, GOH etc are to be scrolled past. Predictable usual nonsense from them.
CG said Watford would finish in the top 4 and in a cruel twist of fate, we were the team that sent them down. I wish he went with them.
Is it time to talk about Pepe?
I was calling CG a mug before it was trendy.
He’s been a waster since he arrived.
MCbright I am always positive the negative posters on here are just weird you can usually just ignore them.
They are probably sitting at home alone in a string vest eating wotsits
Words, basically CG says everything at Arsenal is shit… and he hates every player… which under normal circumstances is a good way to get quite a lot right.
You see that when he has no joy at an Arsenal win. He wants Sean Dyche football, then he gets it against Liverpool and he’s disgusted.
Sal
More like the least said about him the better, I’m pretending he’s 18 and this kind of form is normal before he comes of age. Soothes me
Jamie
Such a trendsetter
Where is Bamford to tell us how the squad ranking power league has been affected this evening?
“They are probably sitting at home alone in a string vest eating wotsits”
Serge – before I find that funny I just need to check – is “wotsits”a euphemism for something I probably don’t want to know about?
Jamie I think everyone did, only the usual heroes and contrarians lept to CGs defence.
Pedro
“Words, basically CG says everything at Arsenal is shit… and he hates every player… which under normal circumstances is a good way to get quite a lot right.You see that when he has no joy at an Arsenal win. He wants Sean Dyche football, then he gets it against Liverpool and he’s disgusted.”
A lesser man would call you a hypocrite – fortunately one will be along any minute now.
Bold prediction is that we sell Pepe to Italy or France for a cut-price deal in summer of 2021.
Don’t see him working out here. Arteta doesn’t trust him and he’s struggled to adapt to the PL.
@Serge I have basically ignored the negative commenters for so long. In fact, they are the reason some jolly good fellow and folks here have gone under the radar. Prefering to just read or I should say glance through.
They are killing the joy and the enjoyable banter we are used to. Not these shenanigans.
Charles don’t get me wrong I’m happy that we’re no longer getting completely embarrassed in big games anymore but let’s not pretend it’s all rosy. The disconnect between defence and offence is ridiculous. We’re being bettered by shots and chances on the regular and I think a lot of it is down to the formation. But that’s just me
“Jamie
Such a trendsetter”
I thought about developing an app for hipsters, it would alert them to what was about to be trendy before the trend hit so they could always stay fresh. Being right about CG was a lay-up just to test the algorithm.
WE
What on earth makes you think we’re going to suddenly develop the ability to sell players we no longer want in time for next summer?
Glad we went through, super happy Leno put in that kinda performance too… Puzzling why Gabriel didn’t play on Monday and you can see just how much better we look going forward each time Cebllos has the ball and moves it compared to the sideways artists in Xhaka and El Neny… Afraid Willock just won’t cut it here, really doesn’t impress me and i maybe in the minority but same with Nketiah, too lightweight and not sharp enough… Praying to all the gods we do more than Aurora before Monday, afraid that might not be enough. Good game by Cedric… Read more »
And i hope too that Arteta starts to find a way to have us as a more attacking team, defence then counter won’t cut it for too long… Read Auba has had no big chances created for him so far, that’s a very damning stat. Arteta comes of as very conservative or defensive in his thinking and style if you like but he has to find a way to mix it up. El Neny being the first sub today at 0-0 with what 10/15 mins left when we had Laca on the bench was weird especially as Ceballos looked the… Read more »
Liverpool would beat 15-18 other teams in the league back to back…easily
I am so glad we aren’t one of those teams
Two seasons ago, city beat us 3-0 twice, back to back, in the league and the milk cup final. We couldn’t even muster a reaction for the second game.
Anyone who can’t understand why any team will celebrate after a penalty kick shootout win has never played any competitive sports.
We’ve beaten Liverpool twice in three weeks.
Caribou cup, charity shield notwithstanding, at least we aren’t walkovers anymore.
Batistuta
Arteta can’t set us up as an attacking team because we don’t have the reasonable complement of attacking players.
How do you set up to attack when we don’t have an AM or central midfielder that can progress the ball?
Arteta is being pragmatic because the reality of our situation dictates it.
CC
I see Pepe on the ball all I can think is Unicorn as that what my 9 yr old has nicknamed him.
Apt really.
Has the raw tools but lacks mentality, if that doesn’t change would not put anything past club doing. A loan out in January or sell in summer as Eagle just stated and take bath.
Even Marc the resident Raul shagger can spot the bantz in that buy at this stage.
Dissenter
Those criticising Arsenal players for celebrating should watch the reaction of the Liverpool players when the last pen goes in. They cared why shouldn’t our players?
Marko
I’m not sure how me arguing that I’m happy we’re starting a rebuild from the back to front is acceptance that all is rosy…
Read what I wrote, speaks for itself what I’m content with and how I see it panning out. I want improvement, but the process is what I was clamouring for so I’m happy about that.
If you had no issues with us then we’d be title challengers, there’s going to be issues over the next few years until we become them. There were at Liverpool despite their improvement. So big-picture it once in a while.
sal
The club rolled the dice and it hasn’t worked out.
I’d like to see some of Arteta’s secret magic sauce rubbed on him to see if it can make a difference – at worst it’d put his price up but I just don’t think he’s really in Arteta’s plans.
Sal
Was underwhelmed by him last season and got taken to school about his “numbers”. Said at the start of the transfer window that either he explodes this season, or he’s first person out next summer to boost the coffers. 40 mil, thanks and goodbye. Has a truckload to do to convince me that’s not where he’s headed.
Marc
Eh his stock will still be high in France and Serie A clubs generally aren’t bothered by players that fail to excel in England either, look at Toreirra for example.
He’ll only be 26, definitely has re-sale value. We just will have to take a huge loss on him, it happens.
Marc
You and I both as the tools are there, but the head is another question which is why its quite possible seeing him shipped. One has to be available to bathe in the sauce.
Marc
Exactly.
There’s nothing like a sudden death penalty shootout win to foster team bonding.
Leno probably needed that too.
Dissenter
We can’t be pragmatic all season no matter the personnel, he has to find a way to get the balance right with whatever resources he’s got even if it means finding a way to integrate the “non-negotiables” at some point. There’s games to be pragmatic in and there’s games when you have to dominate and be attacking.
I’d be very upset to see us set up pragmatically against the Villas and Sheffield and West hams of the league
WE
You’re assuming football finances are going to be back to something more normal come Jan or the Summer.
Maybe everyone can take it easy on Leno for a few days? Until he flaps at a few crosses against Sheffield at least.
Bati, we can absolutely be pragmatic all season. The job is to make Champions League. I don’t think Arteta is going to care about pleasing the aesthetic crowd, especially if the only way to do so is to play Ozil.
I’m not sure how me arguing that I’m happy we’re starting a rebuild from the back to front is acceptance that all is rosy… You need to read the room better. I know tones are hard to judge in writing form but at least try. If you had no issues with us then we’d be title challengers It’s not that and it’s not even got anything to do with any of that Arsenal values shite you hear about where we have a divine right to beautiful football or anything like that but what we’re seeing right now is bad and… Read more »
This Guendouzi situation is a bit baffling
How does he go from being on evert top-20 best young footballers on the planet to a player that no one wants?
We can’t loan him out because he has only 2 years left on his contract and we won’t have leverage next summer
I don’t have an answer to this Guendouzi conundrum, I’m glad I’m not Edu.
We can’t be pragmatic all season no matter the personnel, he has to find a way to get the balance right with whatever resources he’s got even if it means finding a way to integrate the “non-negotiables” at some point. There’s games to be pragmatic in and there’s games when you have to dominate and be attacking. I get what you are saying here but as long as we win and get top four so that we have the money to change over the squad. This year is get all the points we can at all costs. Then we can… Read more »
Dissenter, agree with all your points, especially the bonding after a penalty shootout win.
Why do people have such an issue with us setting up to be hard to beat?
We used to get arse fucked on the regular especially at difficult grounds.
Less you concede the less you have to score to win. It’s not a difficult thing to work out.
Marko
Again, what I’ve said is billy basic. Not looking for a boring argument because, as ever, you want things a certain way only.
Bati
We have to be pragmatic on Sunday too.
We are playing a side that was top-10 last season who don’t have a single point in three games.
Sheffield are going to be very tough to beat- our goal is to get three points and not get any major injury setbacks. How we do it…doesn’t matter.
We can’t go gung-ho on offence because this season is like a marathon with no proper warm-up.
Pedro
We barely scrapped through against West Ham, that can’t be the level we are looking at against the lower teams. I’d like to think there are games where we can be a bit more flexible.
And no we can’t be pragmatic all season, we can always mix it up depending on the opponents and still get results.
We’re barely scoring or creating chances as it is, that can’t carry on for an entire season if we’re being honest
Said at the start of the transfer window that either he explodes this season, or he’s first person out next summer
What does he need to do to “explode” what are we thinking 20 goals and 10-15 assists? I’m not even going to point out that the much lauded Zaha has got paltry numbers his whole career and he still gets talked up big time.
The behind-the-scenes technical and medical people are also doing a good job.
We’ve avoided major injuries till date [knock on wood]. That’s a big deal for a season with no pre-season.= when games are coming hard and fast.
because, as ever, you want things a certain way only.
Not a certain way just you know better.
Genuine question but are you actually happy with what you’re seeing from us?
Marc a wotsit is a cheetoh a cheese corn snack 😀
Dissenter
Again no one is saying go gong ho against any team, I’m saying we won’t win games if we don’t score, we don’t score if we don’t create chances and that’d an area we’re currently struggling in. It’s on the manager to find the right balance to both the defensive and attacking sides
Arteta on AMN penalty: “I told him in the dressing room, ‘I’m going to have a heart attack’, because with his body language it was like ‘Jesus Christ!’… and then he puts it in the net.”
Lol