Bloated squad huge priority going into deadline day

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Today, we go to war for 3 points that’ll keep us #Top4 over the international break. Before the season started, I wrote that 9 points would be absolutely ideal from this session of games, and I still believe that. The post-break games are pretty grim, we have City, Leicester, United, and Villa in the league, as well as 3 Europa League games. Going into those games with momentum and positivity is absolutely vital.

We need a performance from the squad today. We’ve been inconsistent this season. Fulham was great, but then we realised they were shite. We didn’t show up against West Ham and scraped a win. Then we were soundly beaten by Liverpool. Our xG is looking a bit Emery like at the moment. 3 games is not a big sample, but we need to be correcting that before it corrects our points tally.

The main problem we’re having is chance creation. We’re fairly comfortable defending these days. We’re solid and tough to break down. Going forward is a different issue. There’s no clean connection from midfield to attack and our offensive playbook routines are getting a little predictable. The thing I worry about is it doesn’t look like we’re trying to solve it, it seems we’re banking on low chance high conversion approach. That’s rarely sustainable.

Sheffield United will be an interesting side to come up against. They’ve been abject so far this season, but we know they are a force on their day. They’ll not play a deep block, but they will aggressively counter us. It’ll be a game that will require creativity, they can defend really well and they will not let up with the pressure.

Our transfer business, on the face of it, looks underwhelming in the extreme. We’ve signed a lesser second keeper, Willian looks good but he’s certainly not the force to unlock our forward play, and Gabriel is 6 months away from being the man.

We basically have the same problem from last year carried over. That can’t be an excuse. We need to find ways of creating more good opportunities in attack, because it’ll be games like this that undo us this season.

If we don’t bring in suitable solves, the fans will look to Guendouzi and Mesut Ozil. It’s obvious. Especially as both are training with the first team. I hope that’s not the cloud of PR noise that a shoddy window brings, but you know it will be. From what I’ve been told, the big issue for Arsenal is that the squad is too bloated. Our wage bill hasn’t really been attacked this summer and we’ve done a very poor job moving on players. As I said yesterday, I don’t think anyone thought we’d struggle to move on players like MG and Lacazette, but here we are.

That is still no excuse for not having an 8 or a 6 at this stage of the summer.

I understand Arteta just wants Champions League level players for the now, but as I’ve whined about for the last 5 years, sometimes you need to build out talent and take a little longer to get back to the top. If our shopping list is Aouar, Jorginho, and Partey… or bust. Then that starts to look like negligence. We finished 8th, improving on our squad is not a precise science or balancing act like it would be a Liverpool or Bayern. We should be able to find an 8 for less than £40m that can do a job. We should be able to find a #6 that has the athletic profile we so desperately need.

I know I am not a scout, but Dominik Szoboszlai plays on the left, he can box to box, and he’s at a franchise that supplied the world with Mane and Werner. He’s 19 years old, he scored 12 goals last season and landed 18 assists. His buy-out is rumoured to be 25m euros. Is he blowing up the league this year? Maybe not. Would he be a better bet than nothing? Yes.

The same with the #6 position. We have no one with athleticism in our midfield. Don’t tell me there isn’t someone in Ligue 1 that we could pick up at less than £45m. Sangare/Sourmare look like talented player, clearly both need coaching, but that’s what clubs with fucked finances have to do.

There has been a real lack of creativity around our transfer business. I really, really hope this isn’t like seasons past where we break a season because our perfect choice wasn’t available. There are always options that can improve the squad, we cannot let the biggest problem of last season go unaddressed again.

That said, I think fans are forgetting that spending a shit tonne of money doesn’t always translate into points. Spurs blowing a load of cash doesn’t mean they’ll be electric. OGS dropping pound notes on Cavani doesn’t mean they’ll close the gap. Leicester are just as capable of bottling the season. What new players does is create excitement for the players, the staff and the fans. It signals progress and it creates good vibes. If we fail this summer, you’ll get the covid-lockdown histrionics and it’ll be a slog.

We will be better this season regardless of where we land with the squad. We have 20 wins out of 34 games under the new regime. The longer the process goes on, the better we’ll get. We are very well-coached, we’ll be tough to beat this season, and hopefully, we’ll find a solve externally before the window shuts, and if not, maybe we’ll have to reach for a ‘like a new signing’ type of pivot.

Let’s enjoy today and pray that we can make some magic happen by Monday.

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China1

At the end of the day we’ve demonstrated conclusively that we can compete with and beat technically superior teams with the 3-4-3 and we also manage to get wins one way or another against the dross like Sheffield utd, west ham, Fulham, Villa etc. There’s no particular game where I don’t fancy us to win currently even though we are not as good on paper as a handful of teams and struggle to make light work of the weak teams Raise your hand who here would’ve felt up for us to play city this time a year ago, or two,… Read more »

Bamford10

DNA

Nah, Solskjaer is smart. He’s just getting a few things wrong at the moment. And he may even have reasons for what he’s doing. Hard to say.

Dissenter

Lamela did elbow martial on the face as well
Ref should have sent both off…just for the laughs

Jay

£80mil Maguire+£49mil Wan-Bissaka+£190 aweek Shaw = Pure English toilet trash.

Dave

Jesus, you keep defending Man Utd and OGS.

Dave

That was aimed at Bamford

Buzzy

Seriously United comepletely went to the drain after feegie left…the club lost its winning mentality..they were too dependent on red nose…i actually feel bad for them

Dissenter

Bam
You’re so forgiving of OGS and have an endless stream of excuses to explain away his incompetence. .
Seems you hold Arteta to a higher standard.

Jay

The person who signed harry maguire, needs the sack, as for harry maguire needs a loan to the championship, England’s finest defender 🤣

Leftside

Bamford is a joke. Look at the lengths to defend this team, get stuffed.

Bamford10

China

“only a fool would bet against us to beat [City] when we play”

You seriously think smart money will be on Arsenal when Arsenal play City? I agree Arteta has made us more difficult to beat, and I agree that this team is showing it can eke out wins, but I think you’re getting a little carried away with what our results thus far mean.

City will be clear favorites when we play. Could we manage a draw or even a win? Sure. But they’ll be favorites, and for good reason.

Leftside

And its worse because your a victim, you antagonise Gooners then cry foul when they take the bait.

China1

Son has 7 goals and 3 assists in his last 4 games

He’s a diving cheating twat and a spud, but he’s the one player who I wish we’d got first because he’s criminally underrated as an elite player imo

If he was Brazilian or even worse English, the media would never stop raving about him but he’s Korean so will be largely forgotten to the PL history books

That refs off united Christmas bonus list

Bamford10

Dissenter

Huh? Where have I criticized Arteta? I think you have me confused with someone else.

Jamie

OGS an excellent manager managing a team that were ranked 95/100 in the Elite Power Rankings to an absolute spanking at home to a team ranked 87/100 in the Elite Power Rankings.

What a weekend.

Tom

Is it ok for Arsenal fan to hope Spurs do Man U 8:1 and avenge our disgraceful score?
Asking for a friend.

Maguire’s defending for Spurs first was the re-enactment of his Mykonos brawl.

Chris

It’s unfortunate it is Spurs enjoying this battering of United, but nonetheless there is much satisfaction to be taken from United’s implosion in this game. They have spent the best part of half a billion and still look miles away from a competent outfit.

The media and Gary Neville will still say they just need to spend another 100 or 200 million to compete, but will continue to not mention that Ole is woefully out of his depth.

Champagne charlie

I don’t want to hear any bullshit from posters coming to the defence of Bamford. If you can’t see why he gets the stick he does then you’re a moron too.

The guy is defending a United manager as they’re 4-1 down to our North London rivals. This is two defeats in three for Man United, and a win massively against the xG he trots out against a win for us.

There’s nothing about him that screams Arsenal fan. He’s a fraud, a troll of epic proportions. This is comical.

Bamford10

Leftside

You’re one of these people who thinks that all Arsenal fans should think the same way about certain things, that they should all agree on this or that point. This is nonsense. Some people here rated Pocchetino and sang his praises constantly. When he was criticized, they defended him. I was not one of those people.

I happen to rate Solskjaer for a number of reasons. So be it.

To each his own opinions.

Chris

Also, Mourinho won’t admit this publicly but he will be absolutely relishing destroying United here.

Radio Raheem

Pogba shouldn’t be starting for them. Talented player but hugely inconsistent 2/10 80% of the time.

GunnerDNA

Bamford,

“DNA

Nah, Solskjaer is smart. He’s just getting a few things wrong at the moment. And he may even have reasons for what he’s doing. Hard to say.”

He might be smart but not smart enough to manage the most successful Club in England. Sentiments is the reason why he’s still their.

London gunner

I prefer martinez but ffs leno is not at fault for a worldie strike.

Marko

Solskjaer is just getting his XI wrong…Recall, however, that United got off to a terrible start last season as well. They ended up finishing 3rd.

Arsenal fan btw

Sid

Elneny/Torr are better than Xhakalson at DM

Nketiah is great, it the managers fault playing a small guy to lead the line against physically superior opponents.

Just like Nketiah Pepe under the right system is great

Kaz

Seeing and hearing Evra so down is just too tasty.

G8

That red card is a joke!
If that slap deserves a red then the cunt lamela should have been sent off as well because he did it first!
Terrible refereeing and var did fuck all to correct it

Leftside

Bamford,

You can’t speak for me because I’ve never said that. You are not an Arsenal fan, just a weirdo who spends his time being the antagonist on an Arsenal blog and playing the victim.

When that gig is up you then log on with your second email as Dariano.

Clown.

Dave

Keep digging Bamford, keeping digging

I’ve always said it, pogba massively over rated. Can’t believe I had a row with a moronic Arsenal fan who told me pogba was a better player than the king , Patrick Viera .

Leftside

Then you have RH who will come on and tell you the sky is red to be a contrarian defending your nonsense. Your wedded to everything but Arsenal and he is wedded to Unai Emery of all people more than Arsenal.

I’ll be gutted if they sack OGS, absolutely gutted. Makes David Brent look a world class manager

Valentin

Levy told Mourinho that both Aurier and NDombele were going nowhere and now Spurs are reaping the benefit of a decision, ruthless guy in charge.
I wonder if Mourinho has suddenly realised that if he were to fuck up this early he would be done as a manager for big club. Swallow his pride and started working with the players he has been given instead of whining for reinforcement.

Samesong

Jay reminds me of two Bob.

Leftside

Bamford also came on here belittling our victories and said West Ham are one of the worst teams in the league, now today they’re solid and up on his dumb power rankings.

Freddie Ljungberg

Jay has to be that cunt that used to be in here on the daily slagging off Wilshere, has to be. We get it, you hate english players, now move on. As for the game today: Gabriel looks immense, wins everything bach there and looks very good with the ball, excellent short and long passing game. Eddie, should never be a starter for us at this stage, needs either a loan or to play in only cup games. Criminal to play Auba out of position to accommodate him. Pepe changed the game when he came on, needs a run of… Read more »

Leftside

United really getting the pipe here.

Champagne charlie

I fucking love the rhetoric from Neville and co. that skips any blame for OGS and makes it purely about ownership and players.

Please keep Ole at the wheel, he’s toilet.

UTarse

Fuck my old boots it’s 5…. such a shame it’s Tottenham doing it.

OGS is utter toilet.

Bamford10

Ah, the you’re-not-a-real-Arsenal-fan police are here. I love the idea of Charlie calling someone a “fraud”. This is a guy who lied about being a season ticket holder in order to big himself up. I have never pretended to be anything other than what I am: an Arsenal fan who is capable of seeing things impartially. Part of what makes this place an interesting place to discuss Arsenal and football is that it is not a place where everyone simply shouts “up the Arsenal” or some variation thereof. That’s why this place was the one place that criticized Wenger when… Read more »

MidwestGun

haha… You just know Moyes is watching this thinking,… damn I wasn’t this bad.

GunnerDNA

Disgraceful performance by United

Leftside

Ole is utter trash by the way. I hope they keep him in just off sentiment.

raptora

Jay is certainly the Bob that was obsessed with Wilshere. One that hated everything English.

Kaz

El Neny had a great game, a little frustrating at first as he seemed unwilling to go forward with his passes, so I’m glad Arteta was able to instruct him to start playing forward and he really grew more into the game, doing very tidy work. Willian at 10 flanked by Saka and Pepe with Auba upfront is such a good fluid quick attack. This should be our default. Need more games to get that chemistry but I liked what I saw. Ceballos has some really good qualities but he really needs to gain awareness and to release certain passes… Read more »

Rich

Gary Neville is a disgrace.

United have got a squad full of expensive internationals, and the answer is always spend more.

At what point does he demand his mate OGS improves the players that he has spent big on?

£80mill Maguire
£80mill Pogba
£50mill Wan Bissaka
£30mill Shaw
£50mill Fernandes

andy1886

Five now, give Ole a contract extension!

Tom

Thank goodness Man U have Ed Woodward and Ole at the wheel, otherwise with their financial power there would only be one top four spot to fight for and not two.

Pedro

OGS is MUST stay in his job.

Graham62

I hate MU more than I hate Spuds.

Sorry guys.

Champagne charlie

Banford

You’re as dishonest as you are clueless, throw up red herrings about me all you like it’s not as if you’ve struggled with that previously.

You’re a pricks prick and everyone is witnessing it in full flow.

Ishola70

It’s got to be the sack.

End of Ollie’s United.

Oh well. Pure gold while it lasted.

We want 10 we want 10. Yes I hate mourinho and spuds, but hate cheating united more as well. Sorry

Jamie

“I have never pretended to be anything other than what I am”

Ok, Dariano.

Freddie Ljungberg

Ah yes, Bob was his name. What a cunt, broken record he was.

China1

My current TV megastar power rankings

Gail platt (coronation street): 81
Kevin Webster (coronation street): 84
Nasty Nick (big brother season 1): 94 (sure to dominate this year)
Dot Cotton (Eastenders): 91
Led battersbea (Coronation street): 79

Leftside

He won’t be sacked off this

Globalgunner

United fans finally finding out how we Arsenal fans feel about EPL referees

UTarse

Bamford I offered to take your bet on Leicester over Arsenal…. you never answered…. your book abit lopsided on that bet ?

MidwestGun

Graham_
It’s ok.. I have more of a roughly equal hatred for them. But I know many many many more annoying United fans.. And I’m gonna get my trash talk in today for sure.

Valentin

Spurs are 5-1 up against 10 men and the manager wants more goals.
Meanwhile Arsenal shut shop when 2-0 up.

TR7

‘I fucking love the rhetoric from Neville and co. that skips any blame for OGS and makes it purely about ownership and players.Please keep Ole at the wheel, he’s toilet.’

Maguire 80M and Bailley 40M and yet Glazers are to blamed for United’s shitty defense.

Champagne charlie

No chance Ole is sacked, a lovely reticence about the owners is brewing which thankfully spares them from the obvious.

Poor Ole, back Ole, keep Ole, extend Ole

China1

Be careful what you wish for guys.

If ogs gets sacked utd might improve

You should at least hope for something vaguely resembling a resurgence which turns out to be a false down – and he gets sacked when they’re already miles off the pace and a complete write off this year

Kaz

I don’t think they’ll sack OGS.

Amazing how they’re trying so sign Sancho for 90m and they could have got Koulibaly for less.

As dodgy as our transfer window!

MidwestGun

Didn’t De Gea just get a huge pay raise too?

raptora

OGS must stay. Poch will make Yoonited compete. Their squad is actually really good. They need an actual capable manager though.

Bamford10

UT

No, I just didn’t want to upset the haters at that moment. You’re on. Twenty pounds or just for the record?

Pedro

Bamford, no cares that you have an opinion, they care that you are here trying to create mystique around United getting spanked whilst playing down another victory from Arsenal.

You behave like a verbose Redtruth.

Kaz

Hopefully they spunk money at some other player they don’t need a further imbalance their squad.

Champagne charlie

Tr7

Keep going…

Shaw 30 mil
Maguire 80 mil
Bailly 30 mil
Wan Bissaka 50 mil
Lindelof 30 mil
Dalot 19 mil

Who else?

Bamford10

No, Pedro; I’m just calling things as I see them.

TR7

When do you know a United manager is going to get sacked – when the likes of Scholes, Giggs,Neville start criticizing the manager.

Ole is safe.

Pedro

Valentin, not sure you’re going to get much of a bite convincing us Jose is above grinding out a result if he has to. He played 11 men behind the ball at Bournemouth last season

China1

Val I don’t give a shit I’ll take the arsenal win alllll day

In days gone by we’d have gone for a third and drawn the game. That was a proper wenger speciality. Outside of a single great shot, we shut up shop really well. They were completely starved of anything and if they hadn’t got a one off great goal they’d have never found the second wind. Extremely professional second half performance

Kaz

@Raptora

Yup, Poch is a quality coach, he could make this United team very hard to beat and very explosive.

MidwestGun

Isn’t De Gea on like 375k a week. Good use of funds.

Dave

Bamford, you can’t be that thick. It’s ok to have an opinion on Arsenal on an Arsenal blog and disagree with people. But you defend teams like Man Utd and if you had a shred of Arsenal in you, you would know that’s pretty shit,. Furthermore, you seem to take delight
in anything that goes wrong with Arsenal and want them to fail. You have no emotional connection with Arsenal. You’re not an Arsenal supporter, more like a „soccer“ fan who thinks that he superior in his analysis because of his impartiality. Cheers

Pedro

Bamford, you take anti Arsenal stances with the sole purpose of causing issues on here. All you want to do is antagonize. You place bets to assure people you are serious, but you are not. You are just a wind-up merchant

China1

CC that’s a quarter of a billion pound defense what the actual fuck

Pedro

See Dave’s comment? No one else elicits this sort of response… but you love it because everyone is circling around your silly games.

Mr Serge

Could be worse we could be man U fans 😁

Leftside

Peds you have the patience of a saint with Bam hes no worse than CG who is also repetitive and a troll looking to antagonise posters.

Chris

China, exactly my thoughts. Think Valentin is obviously on the wind up there.

TR7

Charles

Fergie bought Jones for some 20 odd million I think 5-6 years ago. Then you have Rojo, Smalling etc. too.

China1

Why is the answer to all of utd’s problems spending more money on big name players?

When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail

It’s like because utd have money to burn they feel compelled to do so irrespective of the concept of actual value for money

Leftside

Some are way too miserable, have a beer, get laid if you can

Champagne charlie

China

I’m sure there’s a few more in there too, how Smalling can’t get a game for them is a mystery. Jones another pony player, Darmian was another wasn’t he around 10 mil?

It’s a 300 mil pool of defensive players that are fucking awful bar Wan Bassaka. DDG is the highest paid player in the league too isn’t he? Big lols

Kaz

Guys, stop trying to get people you don’t like banned.

We hate that behaviour in players when they surround the ref.

It’s shitty here too.

Mr Serge

Van de beek would be lovely for us

Leftside

I really don’t think Sancho is required.

Champagne charlie

True, forgot about Rojo who’s another nothing player.

Imagine Arteta had half that cash to burn pffft

Mr Serge

Left side my sentiments exactly we won ffs

Mr Serge

So is the Aouar transfer off ? We need someone in that cm

Pedro

Rule 1 is explicit.

Samesong

I like CG. He’s an Arsenal fan but a bloody Wenger lover too. Or is that the other way round?

Thorough

Sis.
‘Elneny/Torr are better than Xhakalson at DM.’

Elneny/Torr are better than Xhakalson at FOOTBALL. Fixed it for you.

Ishola70

They stopped scoring.

Another three for Spurs and they would have no option but to sack him.

Champagne charlie

Man United at gash, but the underlying fear with them is that they’re one change away from being a massive threat again. They piss money and the second they smell the arabica my delight will be more cautiously forthcoming.

Pochettino needs a job quick, because he’s the most obvious football decision there’s been in a generation and I don’t want to see it.

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