CREDIT: Arsenal Instagram
Arsenal kicked off their Europa League campaign in less than sexy fashion. If that game were a human being up in the cluuuuub, it’d be the ugly guy that pulls at the end of the night, picking up someone crying in the corner because they’ve messed their pants.
It’s difficult to knock a win, but as wins go, this was another you’d put on the unimpressive list. Now, you have to caveat that the Europa League is not the competition young kids dream of growing up. It’s a form of punishment. It’s detention for elite clubs. We shouldn’t be there, the players know it, and that clearly impacts motivation on some level. Factor in that a chunk of that starting 11 was fringe, here on a favour, or we attempted to sell them this summer as well.
Rapid Wien were out the traps faster than us and their young side nipped, shoved, and kicked with vigour. The interesting thing is that the physical approach didn’t impact our spirit, it just kept the game from really flowing. We nearly conceded early when Bernd Leno had to claw at a Gabriel block that was heading over him. We had one good chance as well, David Luiz steered a beauty of a header across their keeper, but he managed to palm wide. They were the better team in the first half. We were slow on the ball, we didn’t create chances in the final third, and we looked a little bored.
The second half was different, we started badly, then conceded. We were playing out the back like we have done for 9 months, Luiz passed to Leno, the German took a touch, lost the ball, then flapped at the shot and it went under him. It was a poor mistake. He doubled down on it by making two more horrendous errors with the ball at his feet. Very concerning.
We eventually kicked into gear. We played with a bit more urgency, we moved the ball into pockets that caused problems, and we looked a little more interested. Our luck broke when another of their tactical fouls gave us a freekick. Nicolas Pepe whipped it into David Luiz who was on point to nod into the net.
Our second goal came when we brought on Hector Bellerin for Cedric and Auba for the anonymous Eddie. Mo Elneny drove through midfield, slipped in Hector B who controlled the ball and weighted a perfect pass into Auba who finished with casual ease.
There were no real problems after that. As a sign of respect, we ran the ball into the corner to see out the game.
An away win in our first Europa League game of the season, against the best team in our group, is not to be sniffed at… but we’re football fans, so let’s sniff at this like we’re looking at a semi-naked Newcastle fan in December after one too many.
ATTACK
We dropped 650 odd passes, had 68% of the ball, but only managed 4 shots on target. That might have had the Özil weirdoes in our fanbase rubbing their knees, but for everyone else, it had us wondering where the solve is coming from? I understand that the system is rigid because we want to be solid. We are solid. If that game doesn’t have a bad keeping error, we’re doing what we should be. But here’s the thing… we are always going to have to deal with mistakes, and we cannot rely on an outrageous conversion rate in every game. The pattern is clear, we do not create. This cannot go on all season.
MIDFIELD
Now, I thought our midfield looked pretty decent. Mo Elneny gets a lot of stick but he covers a lot of ground and he’s a good passer. He lacks ambition in a 4-4-2, but he didn’t do too badly… his assist for the assist was vital.
Thomas Partey was the star though. I think he’ll surprise people this season. He looks like a Rolls Royce outside a chip shop in EL. His positioning is excellent, he shields the defence really well, and he seems to have that special knack of knowing where danger will come from. More encouraging is that he was pretty sharp going forward, he progressed the ball nicely and he’s certainly no sideways merchant (sorry, Mo). Owen Hargreaves called it ‘one of the best debuts I have ever seen.’
After the game, Arteta seemed to make a point that he can control the midfield on his own.
‘I think he held the midfield by himself in the second half when we were a little bit more open,’
‘He started to take more chances attacking certain spaces with some players.’
‘I think he was fantastic and there is much more to come from him.’
That hopefully means there’s a 4-3-3 coming our way at some point. That begins to open up some options for a more progressive approach to our attacking play. Overall though, a really, really good debut. Controlled, classy, decisive.
- Touches: 102
- Completed passes: 83
- Pass completion: 90.2%
- Duels won: 10/13
- Possession gained: 8
- Tackles: 5
- Interceptions: 1
- Clearances: 1
DEFENCE
Well, a lot to unpack here. Firstly, someone needs to get Kolasinac and Cedric off of my screen. It is astounding that Cedric had to be yanked to save the game. Both can’t even perform against minnows in the Europa, shocking that they are still here.
… but, on a positive note. David Luiz might be a joke when it comes to freekicks, but he was a demon in the box last night. Two of our four shots on target came from his head. It’s great to get a turn out of him in a bland game. BUT, the real star, was Gabriel. What a fucking player this kid is, 22 years old, slipping into a new team, bossing games like a champion. He’s right at the top of the passing charts in the Premier League, and he took that form into last night. He’s clever with his immense strength, he reads danger really well, he’s dominant in the air, and he’s plenty fast. He just looks so incredibly comfortable on the ball. What a steal he was at 30m euros.
WORRIES
Nicolas Pepe did not look good again. Not even close. He managed to land an assist but it masked a largely ineffective game again. His confidence is rock bottom at the moment and I’m not sure his game suits the vision of what Arteta is trying to do… but come on man… be a little more direct. Try and stand up. Stop looking for the foul. Take some risks.
EXPERIMENT
My main takeaway is we keep giving bum players chances and we’re not using these competitions to learn things. Where are the Willocks and ESRs? Why not give Balo a place on the bench? Are we going to give these players a go this season? I don’t know how many more times we need to see Kola and Cedric stink out the place. Do we really need to see Pepe in that game? Hopefully, that was just first-game jitters and we progress at some point to using players with high ceilings.
MESUT
Top social media-ing from our man back at the ranch. I loved the Arteta comment.
‘It’s great, what I want from the players who aren’t in the squad, I don’t expect anything different.’
OVERALL
We won.
Sunday is the game that matters. Let’s move!
The points matter. Good game from partey and gabriel
Will try to mix it up with a early comment
Pedro
This is what the stat guys were getting at.
Partey is world class but doesn’t address the biggest issues we have.
Yesterday’s performance should make it clear.
No one after the 4th?
Europa
” I understand that the system is rigid because we want to be solid. We are solid.”
Please, while Leno is in this team, refrain from describing us as solid
“Mo Elneny gets a lot of stick but he covers a lot of ground and he’s a good passer.”
Here we go again
This performance felt like the shit we were getting from the team 12 months ago. Not as bad and the result was better. I must agree with the player’s conclusion from the post.,also it was a very disappointing starting lineup. Why is Kola still getting minutes?
Good article, I think we have to go for a new keeper next season, we’ve seen this too often with Leno.
Even Keown was mocking him on BT. (Rightfully too)
Europa is Europa and an away win is a win but most definite learnings last night that Kola isnt near the required level . If Tierney is injured until Maris return we are in bother for the LCB unless Luiz or Gabriel are oved over to cover that position . Saka is sort of wasted in that role and further upfield we can get him the better . ANM is the man for LB/LWB transition position when we go to start a flat 4 . I thought Cederic was Ced and ok but again ANM should be used either side… Read more »
Gabriel is immense player . Like Sol Campbell in prime.
Why isn’t Arteta using reserve goalkeepers for this bullshit competition? Suppose Leno gets injured again on Sunday, who’ll take his place, Jens Lehmann?
Some of Arteta’s decisions are so weird. Drops Laca against Man City and then makes him captain last night etc etc
We are solid ? How many clean sheets this season ?
We regularly concede a goal. That’s not solid. And conceding against the likes of Vienna, WH and Sheffield – definitely not solid.
Not an ozil fan, but finding it harder and harder to believe he has been dropped for footballing reasons when Sead Kolasinac is still starting for the team.
The red flags are adding rather than declining.
Bad transfer ie selling Martinez and keeping Leno. Bad management ie Ozil, bad tactics ie drab football. Square pegs in round holes ie Willian and Nketiah VS city and yesterday
I actually thought Cedric wasn’t too bad, of course he’s a crap player and we should never have bought him (whatever Arteta may say) but yesterday he did ok.
Looking forward to seeing Party and Ceballos running the midfield.
“We were playing out the back like we have done for 9 months, Luiz passed to Leno, the German took a touch, lost the ball, then flapped at the shot and it went under him. It was a poor mistake. He doubled down on it by making two more horrendous errors with the ball at his feet. Very concerning.” the keeper is shit , he will be targeted and this is all on Arteta stupid dumb fucking move and it’s not like we can go buy another keeper Dumb dumb and dumb again suppose he could always tempt villa with… Read more »
Two huge pluses on the night in a very tight game
Gabriel and Partey who looks like he is going to be
the Dogs Bollock’s so assured wonderful News.
Pepe I’m afraid is alway’s going to be Pepe not at the
level required badly scouted.
Heads the ball like a kid with a party balloon.
Wanders round like a nomad.
And then can produce brilliance but not often enough
very Walcottish.
I’m willing to give him the season but should be moved on
if his performances continue to be pretty rank.
It does feel like we will be there or thereabouts getting to Top 4.
Because we solid and hard to break down. And Leno will on,y have the occasional brain fart like he did yesterday.
But it’s a good job there are no fans, because our football is lifeless and turgid.
For those who defend still Ozil I suggest you read the article of Oliver Brown the Chief Sports Writer for Daily Telegraph. It is headlined “Do not fall for Ozil’s cynical posturing as the victim” As fair “comment” it is a damnation of Ozil’s behaviour and cynical conduct and attempt to portray himself as the political pariah. The article also condemns the people behind Ozil who are advising him . They are attempting to sell the idea that he is a loyal player honouring his contract when the reality is that all he is doing is protecting his massive financial… Read more »
Who is Balo 😂
4-4-2?
Kola yanked?
Pedro’s defo drunk.
We had 68% of the ball last night, nobody should be surprised we got outshot, and struggled to carve open chances. On the plus side both Partey + Gabriel give us something physically, both look good in the air, something we’ve lacked through the spine of the team for a long time. Arteta is going to do well to keep our squad happy and motivated, 2 players not registered, and plenty who can’t get anywhere near the League Cup or Europa League qualifiers, a first team squad of 31 is too big. Saka playing last night was a mistake, 3… Read more »
There is some good news from yesterday’s performance which is that Arsenal have recruited during the last transfer window two excellent players in Gabriel and Partey.
Let us hope that Arsenal’s future transfer policy becomes less speculative when we spend mega buck and is directed towards recruiting “proven quality”
As I have posted many times in past I would prefer the club to spend its money on recruiting annually one or two class players than making wholesale changes to our squad just for the sake of it.
Leno is turning into mustafi lost confidence and will cost Arteta a top 4 spot and for all those idiots who harp on about Leno saved us …bollocks he is a shot stopper with zero command of his box pretty sure Almunia dyed his hair blond
Re:: Leno “Very concerning” For me this is far more than very concerning. In fact, I would go as far as to say that he is the weak link in our team. Yes we have other issues but please please please, not another duff keeper. You would have thought and hoped that he’d come back and prove he is our #1. The truth of the matter is he has become a massive liability to the players in front of him, the team as a whole and AFC. He looks lost and can’t even shake his head in anger or disappointment… Read more »
@Shaun –
“pretty sure Almunia dyed his hair blond”
Hi Shaun, you probably don’t remember, but 1) Almunia’s hair was blonde for a period of time and 2) Almunia wasn’t a shot-stopper, he was the antithesis of one in fact.
Oktoberfest time Pedro.
Gentle reminder 😊
Rich
As a follow on from what I have just posted I agree with you that offering longterm contracts
to second rate players particularly if they have no resale value is ill advised.
The only justification for recruiting Soares and Willian was that they came on Bosmans.
Arteta says how badly he wants to keep AMN in the team, then declines £20m for AMN, plays him in the games before the Summer’s deadline day to lure him to stay, and now in 4 games he has 7 minutes played including being an unused sub vs Rapid Vienna. What is Arteta’s game? If he’s not getting a game vs Rapid Vienna, when is he going to play? Maybe he kept him just for the games vs the big 6 – false, cause he didn’t start vs City in the EPL, he didn’t start vs Pool in Carabao cup.… Read more »
Agree Graham62 people do not realise the size of the fuck up Arteta has made as all that flapping and punching shit will start to affect your defence which it already has we need to get Leno checked that’s looking like Almunia DNA to me all he has to do now is chuck the ball in his own net then we know it’s a done deal
Captain Tierney
“Who is Balo”
Balogun…
We would have had a good spine if we kept Martinez and played Auba centrally.
Martinez
Gabriel
Partey
Aubameyang
We could have built around that.
Instead we have
Flappy Leno
Gabriel
Partey
Nketiah
Not so good.
i mean if you wanted 20m so bad you should have sold AMN and kept Martinez. wait a year / 6 months and sell Leno. i still dont trust this management team. this fuckin Vinai cunt has been around for the entire Emery and Raul time and now he is a fuckin CEO ? if arteta and edu continue making footballing blunders like selling martinez, not playing ozil, not selling AMN, signing cedric / Mari and Willian….and vinai coming up with immaculate timings for firing your mascot and many of your scouting and backroom team….things are not going to turn… Read more »
Partey and Gabriel excellent last night. Everyone else very poor. Leno becoming more and more of a worry. I’ve expressed numerous times on here how terrible I think the decision to let Martinez go was, but I was always hoping that Leno would still do very well for us regardless. That just isn’t happening right now. We lack any drive. That was a perfect game for Pepe to shine, but he looked very average once again. When he gets the ball he needs to just get his head down and run at the defence, cause them problems. He runs one… Read more »
and fuck off with Eddie Nkeitah – the kid doesn’t have the balls for big time. That’s obvious. get 10 odd m and invest in the squad. i still don’t get this chat of non-negotiables. okay so my NNs are run around like a headless chicken look busy and that’s okay even if you have sub par talent. how do you have eddie in the team, and not Ozil ? simply put, yesterdays team would have been worse or better off with Ozil ?
Lads ye are very quick to get on the Leno is crap bus but the man was superb V Liverpool just two weeks again and again v City the weekend .
Far sooner seeing him make a mistake with his feet than flappy under crosses .
Decent honest post.
We must all hope and expect better against Leicester.
Rapid created 4 big chances to our 2. Good thing they missed 3 of those. If they scored from all big chances created like we did with our two I doubt anyone will say our “spine is looking good”.
Whatever Leno does will have fans throthing at the mouth because he doesn’t score hattricks like Martinez,. Jesus get a load of yourselves.
Bottom line is we can’t keep taking credit for teams missing big chances against us. Its become a trend.
I’m not sure if I’m missing the trick with Eddie but I don’t see what he brings to the side that is worth putting Auba on the left for. Auba needs to start through the middle for me. A midfield of Partey Elneny and Ceballos will do with Saka pulling in from left and one of Pepe/Willian/Nelson on the right.
and do me a favour with the reactionary forever looking for a reason to cry or portray class Arsenal fans online. I never knew Ozil had this much “support” until now. Ozil in 2020 offers not much more than a Willock (who I don’t rate at all) or ESR at this point. Three managers have sussed him out. I don’t think I can recall seeing a more self indulged, entitled footballer.
Europa Cup
Arsenal have played their most difficult fixture away against Rapid Vienna. They should now
select only fringe players in the remaining fixtures in this group.
Our second string players should be more than able to beat Molde and Dundalk. If they are not
then frankly they should not be playing for our club.
ES
“Our second string players should be more than able to beat Molde and Dundalk. If they are not
then frankly they should not be playing for our club.”
We will struggle against them too.
There is a certain player profile we lack,in the squad.
That’s causing all these problems.
Leno is actually playing exactly like his stats from the previous two years predicted: + 1 mistake that directly lead to a goal every 7 games + 1 mistake that indirectly lead to a goal every 4 games + 1 extremely poor performance every 7 games + 1 extremely good performance every 7 games The stats were there. We all suffer from confirmation bias. Confirmation bias meant that Leno’s extremely good performance reinforced people’s belief that he is a very good goalkeeper while his extremely bad performance were viewed as the exception or blamed on the defenders/coach. The reality is… Read more »
The good news last night was that we used the right side more often.
Build on the left, commit the opposition’s defensive block and switch to the right.
Mix it up, build on the right and switch to the left.
Should open up more pockets of spaces btl.
Due to absence of natural btl creators,we won’t be able to exploit them perfectly but hopefully we do it well enough.
Aasim Let me try to explain something to you. How many times have we seen footballers play badly, miss easy chances, etc, and fans say things like “200 grand a week and he misses that!”? These sort of sentiments are very common. What people don’t seem to understand is that the amount of money you pay someone doesn’t intrinsically make that player better or worse. A person has a certain amount of talent and potential, and no matter how much money you pay them to do their job, they can’t just magically make that talent and potential grow. What they… Read more »
After watching Partey yesterday, you can’t help but thinking that we should have gotten a result if he had started against a weakened MC.
DM, You, just like me, put a lot of hope on Martinelli’s shoulders. Why I want him back in the team asap has more to do with him forcing Arteta’s hand into making some much needed chances in our attacking lineup/setup. And while I”m pretty sure Gabi will deliver, I’m not sure Arteta will play his as much as I’d like. Before his injury, Arteta was playing him in the LW position, the position that is Auba’s. As a consequence Gabi wasn’t getting minutes. Now he could be behind Auba and Saka on the LW. Weird thing is that Gabi… Read more »
Auba And Laca said when they remained for extra shooting training, it was with Martinez. Guess it’s paying off now. He should have been captained: A long serving player who was also very vocal. Now we are stuck with a keeper who can’t pass for shit, suspect at coming out for crosses and doesn’t communicate with the defenders.
Martinez should have been captained: A long serving player who was also very vocal. Now we are stuck with a keeper who can’t pass for shit, suspect at coming out for crosses and doesn’t communicate with the defenders. Are we supposed to ignore a goalkeeper who costs us a goal every other game?
…and Rúnarsson isn’t going to provide competition.
Pretty hard game to watch bar the individual class of Partey and Gabriel. No surprises our winning goal came from Auba through the centre.
Why does it feel like Arteta is a more eloquent Emery? Lots of squad tinkering but still placing round pegs in square holes.
At least Partey is premiership ready. We need to kick in from this with a less-Evertonian-more Arsenal of Oak performance. For all the videos Arsenal keeps showing us of behind the scenes training on the passing and finishing and rondos, we have nothing in actual games. Pitiful.
Can we now face reality that Pepe ISN’T A 75 million player, seriously over paid for him by 50 million. Surely Nelson would offer more than he his right now?
“After the game, Arteta seemed to make a point that he can control the midfield on his own.”
Most depressing comment I’ve ever heard uttered about Arsenal. Basically that’s code for “Hooray I can still play Xhaka because another player is good enough to cover for his lack of mobility”.
We cannot expect to impose ourselves on matches – which is what we need to do to start creating more chances if we are basically playing with 10 men all the time.
“Auba And Laca said when they remained for extra shooting training”
REALLY. Laca appears to me to be so shy to shoot recently.. He is thinking of passing more often and he is bad at it.
DM Football is the ultimate meritocracy. And I’m unashamedly a meritocrat. Fans will always have opinions about formations, and which players should be playing. But it’s the manager who see’s the effort put in by the players day in, and day out, on the training ground. It’s a bad look for Arteta if he picks players who aren’t putting the effort in, over ones that are, particularly if you’re trying to install an elite mentality within a group. Rewarding socially rewarding behaviour, and punishing us socially rewarding behaviour is how our society should be run. Do society can thrive or… Read more »
Leno was excellent against city lol…………………………….lol he saved a few shots then handed them a goal on a plate ,seriously we know why we had such a hard time getting rid of wenger with some of these blind fans , like the poster above said Leno is not a good goal keeper simple as that , it is not debateable unless you are blind and now he will be the target of an intense press and will be giving away goal chances every game he plays it is not rocket science .The goal keeping decission from Arteta was just as… Read more »
Pedro can’t you ban the consistent OZIL bollocks it’s fucking boring
It’s pointless bleating on about Martinez. That ship has sailed.
Martinez is less relevant that Ozil, if such a thing is possible.
HighburyLegend
“After the game, Arteta seemed to not want to admit that Leno is shit.”
lol
He’s definitely a concern overall.
Not quite as good as some thought he was.
Yes, some fans confuse honest critique with being disloyal and won’t have a bad word said about any player. ie that black guy on AFTV who wears all of the merchandise, all of the time.
“Football like society should be run as meritocracies”
People should be judged on their performance not on what they do during training.
Kolasinac, Cedric may have been the best trainers but that does not stop them from being poor.
Any experienced manager would take a competent, lazy employee every day over a willing, obedient but moronic, incompetent one. The lazy one may not save your bacon when you need him, but the incompetent one will get you the sack.
I love watching Elneny, his ball security is superb. He’s so efficient. Banishing the days of Denilson and a young Ramsey.
If we’re going to a midfield 3, I’d think about pushing Ceballos higher up where he can hurt, and using Partey and Elneny together to keep us fluid.
Kolasinac must be great in training!
…versus the bollards.
Martinez coming in deputising and doing so well just turned everything upside down though and he showed what we have been missing in regards to Leno.
How can you have both goalkeepers on a big wage both on No.1 goalkeeper wage.
I don’t think it is realistic.
Regardless Leno will be causing problems for the team down the line as well as pulling off some eye catching shot stopping saves.
I think the term is a flawed goalkeeper.
Arteta will not drop Xhaka.
He has a blind spot for him and will partner him with Partey.
I cannot see us beating Leicester, they will now target Leno.
“It’s pointless bleating on about Martinez. That ship has sailed” Jesus christ …it is the thought process used to make the decision which is most concerning and the fact that we are seeing more absurd decisions with increasing regularity
“People should be judged on their performance not on what they do during training.“
That’s exactly how you make zero impact on a broken culture at a football club.
Training? Nah who gives a shit, just hopefully turn up at the weekend. Elite stuff.
Ishola70 Leno is a player who’ll win you points, but also lose you points. Football like life is a confidence game, when you’re happy and confident, your decision making flows more naturally, this is the human side of the game. We sold the wrong keeper, what’s done is done. But in all fairness Martinez didn’t want to stay and battle, had he had the balls to battle it out? Then after the start Leno has made, he’d likely have taken the number1 slot. But no manager should guarantee someone a place in the team, Martinez didn’t want to stay and… Read more »
Spanish Dave
“Arteta will not drop Xhaka.”
Well that will be another error to go along with the goalkeeping one.
Xhaka was basically transfer listed when Arteta first walked through the Arsenal door.
Ozil’s agent aka Pierre has spoken: “Arsenal fans deserve an honest explanation, not [Arteta] saying ‘I failed Ozil.’ You didn’t fail Ozil: you failed to be fair, honest and transparent and treat someone with respect who has a contract and was loyal all the time. “Every single person outside knows he hasn’t treated him fairly. He didn’t give him a chance to show himself this season. If he is still under contract, the player should have the option to stay and fight for his place. Mesut hasn’t been given that. Why would you put a player on the bench twice… Read more »
“Xhaka was basically transfer listed when Arteta first walked through the Arsenal door.”
He wasn’t transfer listed a deal was agreed and we were just waiting for the window to open – then Arteta got involved.
Rich “But in all fairness Martinez didn’t want to stay and battle” Why should he have been “battling” it out. It’s a case of you either have faith in me as No.1 now after what I have shown since deputising or your don’t. And another reason for him not to stay and “battle” it out is that he was offered No.1 position at another EPL club and a nice pay rise to go along with it. I don’t really believe that Arsenal would have two goalkeepers both on No.1 keeper wages and if one is seen as No.1 over another… Read more »
Just a general term Marc to say that Xhaka was virtually out of the door before Arteta arrived.
It’s pointless bleating on about Martinez. That ship has sailed” Jesus christ …it is the thought process used to make the decision which is most concerning and the fact that we are seeing more absurd decisions with increasing regularity
And constantly wringing your hands in anguish really helps?
Give your head a shake and move on for crying out loud.
Ishola
Mate he was packed and in the departure lounge. So fucking close to getting rid of him.
Valentin How you work everyday in training, is how you prepare to succeed. If players become lazy, show up to training with no desire to put the effort in, no desire to improve and innovate. Sure you must see that that’ll creep into their personal lives? Their diets, their sleep patterns, their rest and recovery, their training. You’re talking about multimillionaire footballers, and as we’ve seen with Ozil who’s one of the most talented players in our squad. Once your heads been turned, once you lose interest, and you care more about your lifestyle outside the game, rather than actually… Read more »
Our number 2 goalkeeper was on £3000 a week at Dijon, he moved to Arsenal to sit on the bench on £40kpw. Martinez was on £20kpw. So we replaced a No1 quality player by a worse goalkeeper that we pay twice as much.
“Our number 2 goalkeeper was on £3000 a week at Dijon, he moved to Arsenal to sit on the bench on £40kpw. Martinez was on £20kpw. So we replaced a No1 quality player by a worse goalkeeper that we pay twice as much.”
And not a Sanllehi in sight.
Let’s not fall for the ‘beautiful football’ ploy, we heard enough of that from Wenger. The game is about winning not whinging. Last night we won.
Mikel never whinges, and god bless him for that. He knows (and so should we) that he is conducting a process, and processes take time. Add in that he inherited underperforming players and a zero transfer pot. Under the circumstances he is doing a marvellous job.
Marc
“Mate he was packed and in the departure lounge. So fucking close to getting rid of him.”
Can you imagine the scene.
Xhaka walking through the departure lounge at the airport with his pulley suitcase heading towards the gates and up steps Teets and talks hold of Xhaka’s pulley and wheels that pulley back away from the departure gates and back out of the airport.
Ohhhh Teets what did you do to us.
But as Pedro said Teets don’t give a flying fuck what fans think of Xhaka.
Small matter of making 20 million on selling Martinez, coupled with the fact he was offered a new deal on much, much higher terms.
So in actual fact we earned 20 mil and brought in an alternative number two goalkeeper who is on less than either would’ve been had nobody been sold.
The question that should be asked is, why did AMN not start or play a minute of yesterday’s game as he is obviously fit.
Did he say too much in his press conference before the game.
Very rare to see a player put forward by the club to talk to the media about the forthcoming game and then not play him..
I’ll be interested to see what amount of game time our new England international will play in the coming weeks..
Ishola “Why should he have been battling it out” Because it’s competition that drives professional sports and business. If there’s no pressure on you? Where’s the pressure on you to come into work everyday and look to improve and innovate? Where’s the pressure on you to stay motivated? Where’s the pressure on you to perform or train harder, if you’ll be picked regardless of your performances, because the guy your competing with is never going to get in front of you. Where’s the pressure and motivation for the second choice keeper to improve, if he knows whatever he does, his… Read more »
Some people seems to have fallen for the fallacy that Treating people fairly and equally mean treating everybody the same. That is simply not true. You treat people according to a set of criteria that encompass everything (Not just training), and more importantly you take into their personal set of circumstances. You don’t expect the same level of performance from an experienced employee from one who just start his career. Also physical and mental impediment should also be taken into account. Remember Lesley King, who could not do training. He was still the best player come Saturday. You make judgement… Read more »
Ishola
The reports are that the transfer was worth between £23 and £27 million. If you went through all the CM’s transferred last summer or this I’d love to know how many cost less and would easily improve our midfield.
Rich
With keepers there generally is more a definite line on who is no.1 and who is no.2.
Martinez wanted recognition that he was now no.1 at Arsenal. This was not forthcoming hence he leaves.
He wasn’t wrong in wanting this recognition was he.
Marc,
Raul was a cancer to the club, but Edu (or whoever is now in charge of the contract) does not seem to have a full grasp of what is required to be successful in the transfer market.
If a player is on £3kpw, you don’t come and offer £40kpw. That’s Peter Risdale level of school of negotiation.
“The question that should be asked is, why did AMN not start or play a minute of yesterday’s game as he is obviously fit.”
Yet another conspiracy theory machination exercise from the Village Dissident, Pierre.
Valentin
I feel Sanllehi is unfairly criticised when you compare our dealings before ie Mislintat and since.
We were shit before and failed to sell any of the surplus players in the summer. Our transfer dealings remain a weak point.
““he inherited underperforming players and a zero transfer pot””
The why did he turn down bids worth £40 odd million for AMN and Xhaka?
I think that Leno’s weakness can be minimized easily. The most important thing is that he is a very good shot stopper. Problem #1: His long pass is not accurate. Couldn’t we ask a CB to start a goal kick when we want to kick it long? But that has to be really long since we started with a defender in the box. Problem #2 He appears to be nervous making short passes when building the play from the back. Currently, our two CB’s are positioning almost inside the 6 yards box during the play out . Couldn’t the CB’s… Read more »
Valentin
‘Our number 2 goalkeeper was on £3000 a week at Dijon, he moved to Arsenal to sit on the bench on £40kpw.’
And you know this for a fact?
Nelson
Whilst the problem may lie with Leno’s distribution the solution lies with the manager to find a way to deal with it.
So far Arteta is not doing that.
“And you know this for a fact?”
It all originates from a single source – the Icelandic version of the Daily Mail (DV).
Super credible..
“If Martinez was the better keeper — and it’s getting to the point where this is looking inarguable”
Would you say that perhaps the reason that Martinez was moved was because he was the more attractive sale of the two, Bamford? Given that Leno was coming off injury, perhaps that in itself may have been a flag? Or merely that Arsenal declared Leno #1 no matter what?
Pierre
“Did he say too much in his press conference before the game.”
You have a point here. AMN said that the team supports Ozil. We function as a team.
That is a NO NO for Arteta.