Arsenal took a defeat away at the Etihad in the first game back after the international break. There are no two ways about it, the result was disappointing, but probably not the disaster performance many are trying to paint.
Our truth right now is very similar to what it was last season under Mikel Arteta. We are well organized, we are resolute, and we’re tough to beat. We are… good at defending. Arteta wants to build a side based on strong foundations. He’s not far off cracking that code. Before yesterday, under Arteta, we were top 4 for total points since he took over. This is our best start in the league for 7 years.
… we are, however, a little bit shit going forward.
It doesn’t really seem to matter what combination the manager uses, we’re one dimensional. Arteta tried Willian in a false 9 role yesterday and it wasn’t very effective. Our front three weren’t really given much to work from. We tend to deliver one type of move and it’s not that hard to defend against. I think it’s fair to say that we attack with the handbrake on.
The hope was that we’d get runners in behind City’s centre backs yesterday like Leicester did but it didn’t really happen. We lacked ball speed when passing. Our attacking moves seemed almost over-rehearsed. We didn’t possess that extra 5% that comes with confidence. You don’t feel that we have the extra gear to kill a game when there’s blood in the water.
That might be a little unfair. We did have some good chances but we fluffed our lines. Bukayo Saka, having another excellent game, forced a brilliant shouldered save from Ederson. Nicolas Pepe didn’t do well with two pretty sound chances for headers. The opportunities were few and far between, but we really should be doing better with the pace and pedigree we have in the side.
I think Pepe will look back and be disappointed with how he played. He was very meek again. His passivity is infuriating to watch and his pressing is very hit or miss. Quite often, it looks like he’d prefer to be fouled than fight and beat a man. Willian also didn’t seem at the races, not what I was hoping for after dropping such a huge amount on his contract, he looks less settled than Gabriel.
There has to be a way around it. I’d be excited about ESR if he could stay fit for longer than 6 minutes. Having someone that can run with the ball and play in the pockets is what’s needed, but it’s quite a reach to think he’s bailing us out this season. Saka is great out on the left, I’m sure he could play through the middle, but you’d be teaching someone on the job which would require a steep learning curve. It is always tempting to think that Mesut Ozil is saving you here… but be real, our dismal away record isn’t going to be solved by someone that has bottled tough away games for 5 years at Arsenal. Wenger used to let him have days off. If you can’t commit behind the scenes, what makes anyone think he’ll do it on the pitch in a game like yesterday?
I think my biggest worry is that we sold the wrong keeper. The mistake we made for the goal was a catalogue of errors, I don’t doubt that. Bellerin and Luiz both have to do better in that situation. However, I find it difficult to look past Leno palming a shot like that right back into the feet of Sterling. This is now a pattern. He repeated the same thing about 10 minutes later. Emi Martinez was very much a catcher and he mostly palmed shots away from danger. The keeping coaches need to get on top of this issue because it’s starting to look like a tactical opportunity to shoot from distance against him.
Outside the goal, our defence was pretty good. David Luiz was originally dropped, then had to be called upon when Rob Holding tweaked his hamstring in the warm-up. It seemed like he was sulking a little bit. He’s a player that you can’t really drop because he takes it badly. I think this will become apparent as he transitions behind younger models this season. Also… stop indulging the garbage freekicks. He’s not a specialist.
It’s still early days in the so-called process. You can’t fix everything at the same time. We’re solid defensively, it is an objective fact that we did not get battered like we usually do in away games. That is a massive shift forward regardless of how offended your sensibilities are. It is an objective fact that we were still in that game right until the death. It is objective fact that when we were battered by them in June, we conceded 20 shots and yesterday and didn’t hit the target ourselves… yesterday, we limited them to 5 shots on target from 13 attempts. We had 11 attempts and 3 on target.
This is a process and things take time. Let’s see what a difference Thomas Partey will make to our midfield. Let’s see what happens when Willian settles and Saka grows in confidence and experience.
Things will get better. I want to get over the novelty of Arsenal being a competitive team, because we can’t be celebrating failure like this past January. We want to be the best, there’s no glory in losing, Arteta has to learn from these games and push the team forward… because this attacking conundrum has to be addressed with the players we have.
Onwards and upwards… we have a month to fix these problems against two more top teams. Let’s see what the coaching staff can do to make good on this result.
I think today’s result clearly shows that Mourinho hasn’t been calling the Spud’s squad cunts often enough.
There’s something different about Spuds this season. I know it but I won’t say it.
It’s like common sense and basic understanding of English just died a little in that sentence. I love it
Calypso
Villarreal have played more league games than anyone in the top half, some by 2 matches. And they have a GD of 0 and have dropped 7 points already from 6 matches.
By all means stroke yourself to the photo of them topping the table though thinking about Mr Ebening..
‘Bamford makes it very difficult to not dislike/abhor him.‘
Again, the biggest c u next tuesday you’ll find on here.
Marc
Don’t bring up Emery here ever again.
That Villarreal 4-0 loss to Barca on la liga opening day is the end of the conversation
Hahaha Damford straight in to piss on Arsenals result against West Ham.
Classic.
We won you bender, a win beats a loss and a draw in case you’re unsure of the basics.
Dissenter
I honestly didn’t know they were top of the league – I don’t pay any attention to La Liga usually.
@Marc – Bale didn’t win once in his first 24 appearances – that’s longer than Emery’s unbeaten run (22 matches) for comparison…
‘It is surprising that a Mourhino led ream can collapse so badly in 12 minutes to draw a game that should have been in the bag.’
This is it though, it’s not surprising AT ALL that a Mourinho led team would collapse in that way if you have paid attention to his stints in this past few years.
You’re talking about him as if he were still the Chelsea/Inter Milan Mourinho.
andy
Oh for history to repeat itself.
WengerEagle
The Chelsea/ Inter Milan Mourinho were the best sides in the league before Mourinho arrived.
Leicester starting the 19 year old CB from France……….interesting to see how he does.
WengerEagle
Who is top of La Liga
—+++++——–++
Emery’s body of work in Spain is impressive, it’s his work outside of Spain that’s contentious.
As for the league Villarreal have played 6 matches, one more than the usual suspects. I’ll wait till the end of the season before throwing that line. I say this as someone who thought a lot of the criticisms Emery got in the first season was unwarranted.
‘‘Also, the West Ham we’ve seen in the past two PL matches is better than the one we saw play Arsenal, IMO. I’m not sure exactly what has changed, but they’re a better team now.’’
Classic, wouldn’t expect any less.
They were bums when we beat them and now that they’ve trashed Leicester, Wolves and put 3 past Spurs, they have a pulse suddenly.
Come on Tom, nobody does that surely….
Bamford
“I regarded Unai Emery as nothing more than a hard-working, competent, well-meaning guy”
You do Emery a disservice, he’s a lot better than that.
Bamford
You said…. „Spurs are solid. No question about it.“
‘The Chelsea/ Inter Milan Mourinho were the best sides in the league before Mourinho arrived.’
Chelsea better than us before Mourinho arrived? The season we won the PL unbeaten you mean?
Radio Raherm
Enery swept the board in Frsnce
Guys it’s fun to laugh at spurs.
But reality is we still have a gash squad and I would exchabge most of spurs players in heart beat
Am I glad Spurs ballsed this up? Yes
Are they still a stronger squad than us? Yes.
“You do Emery a disservice, he’s a lot better than that.”
The Calypso is Redtruth theory just grew legs again.
Andy
Why not ? May be the Leicester lad is ‘ready’
Saliba was simply ‘not ready’
WengerEagle
Chelsea did knock Arsrnal out of the Champions league.
WengerEagleWho is top of La Liga
Bamford
You said….. „Spurs are solid. No question about it.“
Leftside I’m not here often, and I don’t know the history. All I’ve seen is people abusing Bamford personally, for having perfectly reasonable opinions, which I don’t like. I don’t see him as being anti-Arsenal, I see him offering perfectly reasonable arguments on why we are where we are. I’d love to be wrong regarding our season and squad. Getting top4 would be a slight overachievement, the league is competitive and open. We’re an Aubameyang, Ceballos, Leno and Saka injuries, away from dropping into the bottom half. Our squad really isn’t good, and I don’t think our problems are coaching… Read more »
Calypso
Atletico Madrid are better than Liverpool than I take it?
Enery swept the board in Frsnce
———–
He did but who wouldn’t (apart from Tuchel)?
Then he bombed in Russia and second season in England.
Andy, I wonder whether Fofana is starting because of their injuries, or because he’s so highly thought of, or maybe both.
Either way I’m curious to see how he does.
Luteo
Just stating the obvious, sweeping the board in France and winning 3 European trophies in a row is more than just competence in my book.
Radio
You do realise that they could be 7th-9th if they lose next week?
Luteo
Theory ? That Calypso is Redtruth/Dial/Marble was never a mystry. Just like you don’t see Dariano posting when Bamford is around you will never see Calypso and Red posting at the same time. Moreover Red has a unique style of writing, easily discernable.
Again not an Arsenal fan. You know at some point you’d expect Bamford to realize that there’s Man united and Leicester blogs out there as well for him to frequent. I say United and Leicester cause I don’t think that he’s made a firm decision on either if I’m honest. One things for sure not an Arsenal fan
“Getting top4 would be a slight overachievement, the league is competitive and open.”
But we’ve got a generational talent in charge who dripping with sauce.
Frankly I could care less what kind of results Emery gets/got with another team. He lost the squad as the manager of Arsenal. Not sure what else needs to be considered at that point as an Arsenal fan for whether he was right for the job or not.
Red was banned, so Calypso is his version of Dariano.
3 nil and theyve fucked it up – brilliant. Suppose all the doomers were on here waxing lyrical about Spurs and now that theyve blown it West Ham are shite huh
“Also, the West Ham we’ve seen in the past two PL matches is better than the one we saw play Arsenal, IMO. I’m not sure exactly what has changed, but they’re a better team now.’
Dariano can do better than this. Bamford, please handover the phone or computer to dariano
Radio Rsherm
Would Rmery have bombed had he taken over Man City.
‘sweeping the board in France’
Hmm, what happened in 2016/17? Pretty sure that Monaco won the league.
Anyone who thinks West Ham are weak haven’t been watching them.
I can name four or five players who walk into Arsenal easy
I can understand Arsenal fans reminiscing about Arsene Wenger but Unai fucking Emery ? He was horrible for us, absolutely appalling.
Trask October 18, 2020 18:28:40 So WestHam got something eh? This is why the game yesterday was so infuriating You see teams like this giving it their all playing with belief and getting just rewards and then you see that nonsense yesterday from a meek coach with a meek captain and generally meek players aside from a few and then you wonder To make it worse he said he liked the performance. Sheesh! What an idiotic thing to say ——– you nailed it, i was surprised to see Arteta almost celebrating losing 1-0 to City, he said the gap was… Read more »
prvhc – Pedro said that nobody plays 19 year old CB’s in the PL that’s the point.
Today has been quite entertaining.
Wenger eagle
Villarreal? Yes, hence, why I said that comment was too hasty.
Oh I can see I might have inadvertently posted the quote again. Nah it wasn’t to draw you out.
andy
What are the odds on a MOTM performance?
That’s Leicester absolved for a few weeks then according to Damford.
Arsenal though? Young manager, defensive injuries ourself, that’s just part of the game and not worth even a word. We all have our favourites, Damford’s just happen to be other teams.
Those power rankings are going to be all over the place.
Villa quite clearly the favorites for this..in form and no Vardy for Liecester..they”ll go above Liverpool..Emi must be secretly laughing at Arsenal
Would Rmery have bombed had he taken over Man City.
—————
Unlikely considering their advantage. Arteta is doing alright outside of City don’t you think?
‘Very good work for team Let’s-Get-Bamford.’
You’re not that important, guy.
Your ego knows no bounds referring to yourself in the 3rd person unironically.
WengerEagle
Monaco beasted the league in 2016/17 as they beasted Man City in the Champions league.
Calypso
Emery didn’t sweep it all in France was the point. Sweeping the board usually doesn’t involve coming 2nd in the league.
Bamford
Sorry, didn’t realize anyone commenting on your posts and pointing out that, actually, you’re not the great authority on Football is out to get you. You keep spouting out your opinions with no one coming back you then. Cheers
@Tom, probably being played at least partly out of necessity. I still find it a bit odd that Saliba isn’t even registered for the EL, I mean if you had to you’d play an U23 player in the group stages and surely he isn’t worse than that?
Another reminder to all those claiming that he was the greatest prospect last season not to go overboard about every single signing we make.
Marc 18.28
That was tongue in cheek surely.?😂
James
Just a touch!
Imagine crying to Pedro after spending months on twitter berating him whilst you were on a ban you jumped up rotund weasal.
Marc, could happen. Don’t expect Pedro to mention it if it does though!
Bamford
If you think Pete has any ‘Rules’ other than to plug his latest agenda you’re more delusional than Dariano.
Rich I got no problem with people sharing their views. See that no one here has said anything bad to you even if you’ve been echoing similar sentiments. But Bamford is shart stained panty that doesn’t even deserve to be thrown in the laundry with the other garments.
Sky Sports reporting that VVD is to have surgery for an ACL injury.
I can really see the trend in results being all over the place continuing for a while.
How can you go out of your way to troll then cry victim, if you or Dariano have ever got laid before I’ll be amazed.
WengerEagle
PSG – 2017/18
Ligue 1 – 1st
Coupe de France – Winners
Coupe de la Ligue – Winners
Trophée des Champions – Winners
I’d say that’s sweeping the board
If Bamford ever got a gf he’d only be pointing out how much skinnier and prettier her friend is compared to her.
God why is Emery a talking point still. Such a boring manager and all the talking points are so tired.
Luteo
He’d probably add that the friend gives better head as well.
We definitely sold the wrong goalkeeper although that’s now a moot point and Leno needs to…push shots away from the danger area in front of him and improve his speed of distribution.Otherwise we really do need to move the ball in a far quicker and snappier fashion.Whilst the team seem intent upon building from the back I really don’t understand why this build-up play usually originates somewhere close to the corner flag.Otherwise Aubameyang has to play down the middle as the alternatives are really not fit for purpose at the moment….and Pepe,Saka,Willian and Martinelli (when fit) can be more usefully… Read more »
Venga
Not meaning to be controversial but compared to our Manager Emery is fuckin’ exciting
Darianford will never get a gf.
West ham doing the remontada from 3 nill down is more damning to what we did or didn’t do against city yesterday when we were only one goal down
Kudos to the hammers they didn’t give up, went for it and it paid off
#CG is my friend, he tells me to tell y’all, tick tock tick tock
What a save by Martinez..those kind of shots can go in between your legs..clearly better than Leno :p
What gives West Ham the right to comeback from 3-0 down when they could of settled for a respectable 1-0 loss.
“He’d probably add that the friend gives better head as well.”
Marc it was enough of a leap in logic to imagine him with a gf, but pretending Bam would ever have enough game to pull this scenario off is flat earth levels to me.
“Darianford will never get a gf.”
Jamie gets it.
Brings up a no insults policy then proceeds to call people jerks two or three times.
Won’t somebody please think of the children
Noted some more Emi talk earlier. I agree it feels like we sold the wrong guy, but here’s the thing, was he was at Arsenal from 2012 onwards during which time we watched Szczesny, Ospina, Cech and Leno … none of whom were really top, top class (Cech was past it IMHO) so if he was that good why didn’t he make more of an impression before hand?
The baying mob
Maybe he was a late bloomer
“Exactly. I have been saying this for years. Thank you, Rich. Do not go anywhere. There is a group of jerks here who try to silence anyone whose views they don’t like.“
No you haven’t, you were banned for a year and spent that time slandering Pete and Le Grove on Twitter. Remember?
So you’ve had at least a 12 month break.
Thing about Emi Martinez is disregard everything prior to that 12-15 game period where he impressed none of the previous 9/10 years matters the 6 times loaned out don’t matter and all the average goalkeepers that he couldn’t displace don’t matter. All that matters is that 12-15 game period and that’s it. He’s a great goalkeeper we just didn’t know it in fact nobody knew it except Aston Villa that is
Every time Leno makes a “mistake” another goalkeeping superpower will be added to Emi’s CV whenever someone inevitably lists why the club sold the wrong keeper. So far I’m pretty certain that Emi was a literal brick wall that could kick pinpoint diagonals to whomever he chose anywhere between 10-50 yds and also acted as a video game power up potion that gave everyone else more attacking strength.
Smith has really turned Villa into a proper side..he has retained the attacking flair he had infused into Brentford and at the back its as solid as …umm..Artetas Arsenal
Luteo
He was also a goal threat, good for half a dozen goals each season. Generational talent
Martin Keown stated on BT Sport’s that Wenger had decided to make Martinez the No1 the following season ahead of Peter Cech before he was sacked. Anyway, the question is not whether how good he was or was not in previous seasons. It should have been how good he was when called upon. Right now, the question is how Leno can improve his distribution and what adjustments Arteta is willing to make to compensate for Leno’s flaw. Leno can’t mix those short and semi-long passes, so Arteta need to be less rigid and devise a way to restart effectively with… Read more »
Buzzy
I guess Aston Villa don’t have ‘Player poverty’
Martinez alone makes them the richest team in the league.
Many people banging on here and there about how our club is not playing with electricity like attacking, and here is Leicester and Villa putting up an amazing 5 shots total at half.
Maybe Mikel has it right, right?
Good job Leicester didn’t discount Jamie Vardys entire career before they signed him up isn’t it.
Its quite possible a player can just click, especially with a goalkeeper as much of it is experience.
Build from the back.
Tighten up defense.
Lower shots conceded.
Score more than the opposition.
AFC 1- 0
ALL DAY LONG
Until Mikel gets the players he requires, he will adapt to the opposition.
Win Europa
League Cup
FA Cup
Top 4
A great season.
We shall see.
Are you ready?
Aaron
Absolutely right
Another thing about stats
xG for yesteday’s game was .84
My eyes said high probability of 2 goals easy.
1 game at a time.
Martin Keown stated on BT Sport’s that Wenger had decided to make Martinez the No1 the following season ahead of Peter Cech before he was sacked.
That’s super convenient. So Wenger had 7/8 years to make him number one but waited until the season that he was getting sacked before coming to the conclusion that Emi should be number one? I mean you factor in his track record on goalkeepers signed and played at Arsenal during his time and it’s really not a good point honestly.
Aaron
Why would you settle for Top 4 when we can walk the league by winning all our matches 1-0 ?
Still laughing at that Spurs result. Looking at the comments section the Spuds on here pretending to be Gooners revealed themselves. Can you imagine this blog if we did a’ Spurs’? Just a reminder. Spurs last won a title 59 years ago, so I guess you’ld need to be about 70 to actually remember it. Their last FA Cup was 29 years ago, so you would need to he approaching your 40″s to remember the season. My point? These are perennial gloaters. They always promise but never deliver. Big mouths with nothing to shout about. On this blog we have… Read more »
Martinez is better marginally than Leno. But he’s gone. Debate over. It’s boring.
The Premier league should have only women referees. ❤️
crimson
What do you mean ‘ marginally’ ?
prvhc
Just being realistic with my expectations after finishing in 8th the previous season.
spuds just spud’s it.
pool are in deep #$h*te without Van Dijk.
$h*ty are in pole position, but vulnerable this year too.
Aaron “Another thing about stats xG for yesteday’s game was .84 My eyes said high probability of 2 goals easy. 1 game at a time.” Exactly. Stats like these are for nerds glued to computer or phone screens Talking points for people who don’t trust their eyes. Same with possession percentage,.meaningless because it doesn’t count towards points. When I was young I could have gone out with 12 of the prettiest girls on the planet. Top models. I had a whopping xf of 12.0 Problem was I didn’t convert any of them because they all turned me down so I… Read more »