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!
Reg Martinez
” Fighting for his place ”
is another slippery cliche like ” law will take it’s own course ”
ina Banana Republic assault on human rights
Pedro
“Ernest, reckon we’ll go back for a keeper in January if we can.”
Isn’t that the same short sighted waste of money type transfer dealings that used to be criticised on here?
“Watched those errors again and again Pedro, and to be honest there just seems to be no rhyme or reason for them. Brainfarts? Lets hope we don’t see those again too soon and more so, not in clumps“ Actually, there’s is some rhyme and reason to them. First one is clearly on Leno who instead booting the ball from Luiz decided that a four v three rondo in his own penalty box was a better option. The second one was partially on Elneny who played a bouncy ball under pressure back to Leno, who himself was being closed down. Sure… Read more »
@S.Asoa
Shhhh it’s part of arteta’s master plan
Through some amazing Russian software, I’ve managed to locate a picture of “Jay”, Le Grove’s latest and most vociferous troll.
Here you go folks.
http://www.peorian.com/images/Troll.jpeg
Words
Jay is just Bob in a new guise.
Apparently a fan of Bob and Silent Jay, their not english so why not.
*They’re
Not sure why it’s worth repeating when it’s fundamentally flawed and is predicated on a mistruth altogether. Martinez was on 20k but had he stayed it would’ve been on a much, much higher salary as per the contract offered. In fact what happened was we sold a backup GK for 20 mil and brought in another backup for 1.5 mil. So we never ‘replaced a 20k backup with a lesser 40k backup’ as is being dishonestly represented by the commander-in-chief of truth and virtue. More factoids that go hand in hand with the terrible analysis about how it’s wrong to… Read more »
Poor guy has just recovered from seeing his darling Jacky boy leave the club so cut him some slack.
Prior to lockdown, all players on board, good results, half decent football, back in competition for a champions league spot , nice little unbeaten run going domestically, all running smoothly.
Arteta had covid prior to lockdown.
Since lockdown we have seen some questionable decisions from Arteta, i think is fair to say.
Is there a link…just a thought.
Look if people want to talk about an upgrade at the goalkeeper position we can do that there’s some very decent goalkeepers in Europe at the moment that we could target in the summer like Onana, Unai Simon, Maignan of Lille, Lafont and I’ve always liked Lopes at Lyon. But this shouldn’t be a Leno vs Martinez conversation if we’re talking about an upgrade. Unfortunately for fickle Arsenal fans who have trouble letting go it is
“Unai Simon”
Something about that that makes me feel it wouldn’t go down well with a section of the fan base, can’t quite put my finger on it…
Left, yes, you are more accurate there.
Emirates & excellent post.Couldnt agree with you more.Analysed where Arsenal are at Present to perfection.And a call out to the hellbent few who no matter what are critical of Arteta.Theyll NEVER be satisfied.unless their proven right.Then they’ll move on to savage the next manager.Maybe they’re a secret wenger sect?
Than you and goodnight, do I really keep saying that?
“Someone like Grealish perhaps if we make top four?”
We will probably not make top 4 without someone like grealish.
Grealish type players + improvement in Saka/Pepe.
Either of them have to score 15.
This is what we need for top 4.
“Again buggles the mind why we didn’t take the Wolves offer for AMN of we knew he’d barely even play Europa league games, it’s all head scratching at the moment really.”
Yesterday’s game is just one of many to come and AMN will surely get game time. So, don’t understand the frothing
Also if we’re talking about making it to January and making signings in a particular area then we are still avoiding an important aspect of why we are currently struggling offensively. Technically true we should be looking at strengthening in that area in the summer but there’s things now that can remedy our problems that we continually don’t do
@Pedro
Yes mate you do. As of up to now I genuinely haven’t a clue what type of football he wants to play.
Leno’s howler was responsible for the big chances. So, don’t understand the noise about the so called big chances by some posters here like we were calved open for the big chances.
Leno should work with a good sports psychologist. It’s clear most of his mistakes are not due to skill deficiency.
Since he looks like the most beta male GK I’ve seen in a long while, maybe our golden-boy alpha-in-chief could himself big him up a bit. If you consider Arteta as alpha, that is, which sounds weird to me as the guy looks about as masculine as Bellerin’s clit.
LOL Mesut’s agent is a G. That’s a top tier smack down.
I have some concerns Arteta doesn’t try too much Pep stuff, just watched a lot of Zlatan interviews recently and my God, the way he lays into him.
Marko, The decision to sell our better goalkeeper is a baffling one, as nearly everybody is now in agreement that we need an upgrade on Leno. It is ever more stupid if the replacement cost is higher than what we got for Martinez. Do you genuinely think that any of the goalkeepers you named will cost less than the £17 millions we got for Martinez? Also they are good goalkeepers, but can they play the type of football start from the back Arteta wants to play? I know Lafont on which I had high hope is currently struggling with his… Read more »
@Kris
😂😂😂😂😂
Arsenal aren’t bringing in another keeper in January.
Leno has his problems but there are bigger problems needing solutions.
“Is there a link…just a thought.”
No link whatsoever, in fact his recovery was without many problems. I can speak from absolute truth that side effects from Covid can be debilitating and lingering. Arteta has not really gone back and expressed any such.
@Tom
Leno was at fault against Liverpool, City and now Vienne.
We’ve played 6 games fella. He is one of the biggest issues. Stop downplaying the importance of a solid goalkeeper.
The decision to sell our better goalkeeper is a baffling one
A player deciding to leave after the manager went with the safer more experienced keeper with the better career has you flummoxed? I’m surprised by that
“Since lockdown we have seen some questionable decisions from Arteta, i think is fair to say.Is there a link…just a thought”
We won the sweet FA cup without bugged eyes.
Any kind of analysis made on a team before they play 10 games and above is premature. Drawing conclusions at around this time always leads to error in judgement, and also magnifies our emotional insecurities.
Than you and goodnight, yes you do. You just don’t like it.
He’s building from the back. We play tight posession based football at the expense of flair… and we use Auba to nick goals.
Simple, a bit boring, but largely effective so far.
Arteta doesn’t have natural creators in the side. Until he finds them, this is what he’ll do.
It looks like I understated how much Gunnarson was earning at Dijon. It was £6kpw instead of £3kpw.
https://salarysport.com/football/ligue-1/dijon
However his £40kpw seem to be on point. Which is twice what our No2 was earning. Despite the best attempt by Leno main cheerleader to change the narrative and move the goalpost, the new No2 goalkeeper is now payed twice as much as the previous better player.
https://www.teamtalk.com/news/prospective-new-signing-takes-arsenal-medical-as-terms-are-revealed#:~:text=Icelandic%20outlet%20DV%20claims%20Runarsson,around%20%C2%A340%2C000%20a%20week.&text=Runarsson's%20arrival%20will%20allow%20Aston,the%20signing%20of%20Emiliano%20Martinez.
Valentin, using TeamTalk as a reference for salary doesn’t hold up.
Val you’re struggling
Marko
You’re doing yourself a disservice by this constants dissing of Martinez.
At worst, Emi is a co-equal to Leno, at best, he’s a more rounded goal keeper.
Emi Martinez dropped a Papiss Cisse run of games for us, after a decade of nothing, and fans now think that’s unequivocally his level. Mind-blowing.
Genuinely curious, but Leno has now went from player of the year candidate in his two full seasons at the club to “not good enough” following a smear campaign and 12 game run by Emi Martinez.
What exactly is Leno not good enough for?
“Icelandic outlet DV claims Runarsson will sign a five-year deal and is likely to command modest wages of around £40,000 a week.”
Special sources. ‘Claims’, ‘likely to command’.
“However his £40kpw seem to be on point. Which is twice what our No2 was earning. Despite the best attempt by Leno main cheerleader to change the narrative and move the goalpost, the new No2 goalkeeper is now payed twice as much as the previous better player” If it always escape your line of thought, we sold one for 20M and bought another for 1.5M. Just don’t understand what you are driving at. Martinez is now AVFC player and the earlier you realise this the better for your sanity. The most important fact is that Arteta didn’t force Martinez out… Read more »
CC
Catching, ball distribution, positioning.
His reflexes are superior but that’s it.
Before, we all blamed the defence but I think our goalie back then was equally complicit in the constant pressure they were under, we just didn’t see it. Until Emi stepped in and showed us how a good solid keeper elevates the defence.
And yes Emi wasn’t ready for 9 years, but then he was. He knew he was better that’s why he wanted the number 1 spot. (which Arteta DID guarantee with Leno)
I say this often enough, we never win the FA Cup with Leno.
Kris
“Since he looks like the most beta male GK I’ve seen in a long while”
He looks like he is going to cry at some points in matches.
You gonna cry? No don’t cry now.
He signed a 4 year deal, btw. But yeah, top reporting.
“What exactly is Leno not good enough for?”
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, isn’t it obvious? Hardly hear a shout from him!
“Despite the best attempt by Leno main cheerleader to change the narrative and move the goalpost, the new No2 goalkeeper is now payed twice as much as the previous better player.“
– Was Martinez offered a new deal that dwarfed his 20k?
– Did we receive 20 mil for him?
Pretty fucking pertinent points when painting the picture you slime ball. Your vendetta against Leno has been clear as day to anyone with a pulse since the off so skip the cheerleader bollocks.
Kaz
I’m not downplaying anything.
Just in case you missed it though, Martinez had a similar error for Villa against Liverpool, where he played a bad ball in his box only Firmino failed to capitalize, and he also dropped a super easy 20 yard shot against Fulham for a tap in that got called back for marginal offside.
That could’ve been two errors directly leading to goals some posters like to remind everyone Leno keeps making with some regularity.
And I’m a big Martinez fan btw.
Leno had an absolute mare last night, deserves all the criticism he’s receiving today.
As for Martinez he can’t be bothered with all this, he’s nearing a fix for the Corona Virus, the X factor is raging.
Has anyone actually seen Runarsson in action? Honestly, i haven’t any clue whether he is even a keeper, let alone a competent one?
“I say this often enough, we never win the FA Cup with Leno”
Saying it over and over doesn’t make it a fact but just your opinion.
@Tom
That’s two uncharacteristic errors though. With Leno it is characteristic.
He led the PL table for most mistakes of all keepers. He’s made 3 mistakes leading to goals already. That’s nuts!
I’m not trying to say Emi is the perfect keeper, but he is better than what we’ve had in long while and most of us assumed he was staying our number 1 after that run. You included, I think.
Pedro I love the head in the sand approach you have to Mikel and obvious errors he’s making with regards to personnel and approach to games but surely you must realize that what’s happening right now isn’t sustainable. I mean we keep struggling to break down teams and score goals and we’re going to struggle to get top 4 or go deep in the Europa. I mean can you explain to me why we’re not seeing more of what we saw for a really exciting period during the Sheffield United game when we were 4-2-3-1? Or why he purposefully plays… Read more »
This talk of Arteta building from the back looks to be on some thin ice atm.
This is because the Leno problems looks to be evolving and last time I checked the keeper is a key component of the back line.
Leno needs a bit of a resurrection regarding his overall keeping for talk of building from the back to be seen as on absolute solid grounding.
Tee
It’s an educated guess based on repeated outcomes and repetitive issues.
I see it as we HAD to sell martinez to fund Partey.
That spine needed to be fixed.
Sure we could’ve sold Leno.. But he didn’t generate interest.
“It’s an educated guess based on repeated outcomes and repetitive issues”
A guess is still a guess and no amount of education attached to a it will make it a fact.
Marko
The argument about the team results at the moment seems to be that we’re winning the games we should and losing ones that we shouldn’t be surprised about.
The big question is which matches do we expect to win and which can be be expected to lose if that’s going to be par the course for the season.
And yes Emi wasn’t ready for 9 years, but then he was.
If you don’t see a problem with a professional goalkeeper not being ready until he was 27 years old then I dunno what to say maybe sit out this discussion.
Again it’s okay for people to want to talk about an upgrade on Leno he’s not world class there are better attainable keepers out there but it shouldn’t be a conversation about Martinez. It really shouldn’t be
“And yes Emi wasn’t ready for 9 years, but then he was. He knew he was better that’s why he wanted the number 1 spot. (which Arteta DID guarantee with Leno)“ Kaz do spare me, Martinez himself said he was told he was “95%” certain to start opening day and still he ran for Aston Villa and guarantee of playing time. I’ve no sympathy when a professional shirks a challenge being laid in front of him. He was the number one for a few months, Leno had returned by the end. He bottled the gauntlet plain and simple. If you… Read more »
Marko
Why should I sit out?
Some players are late bloomers you unthinking ass.
Question
Do the non negotiables only come into play for supposed off field indiscretions, or does making 3 schoolboy errors from our goalleeper bring the non negotiables into play.
Marc my thing is that it’s not sustainable because we seen similar under Emery where during the 22 unbeaten streak there was real struggles and often times we were winning and drawing games that we shouldn’t have been. Now we’re not quite at that obvious time but the way we’re playing now isn’t going to work throughout the season
“I’m not trying to say Emi is the perfect keeper, but he is better than what we’ve had in long while and most of us assumed he was staying our number 1 after that run. You included, I think.” Yes , I it were up to me, I would’ve given Martinez a raise and kept starting him to see whether the impressive 13 game run he’s had was a purple patch for a pressure free, 20kpw second stringer, or a beginning of something more substantial. Neither hat to be sold based on duration of their contracts. Arteta made the call,… Read more »
CC, Martinez was in £20kpw as No2. He is now paid £60kpw as No 1 at Aston Villa. Gunnarson is being paid £40kpw as No2. So we used to pay £20kpw for a decent No2 and now are paying £40kpw for a goalkeeper deemed not good enough as No2 for a team in the lower echelon of Ligue 1. In view of the higher profile and his much lower initial salary, we could have offered him the salary than Martinez was on and he would have accepted it. Instead we increase the wage bill by £20kpw for no benefit to… Read more »
Marko
While I agree with you that keeping on about Leno v Martinez is pointless many including myself don’t agree with your view that Leno is an undoubtedly better keeper than Martinez.
Many on here are of the opinion that Martinez is a better all round keeper than Leno. Many.
But you have totally dismissed this notion despite so many on here stating that this. Totally dismissed it.
I can’t change your mind that Leno is “better” than Martinez but at the same time I wouldn’t dismiss and give out you should be in bedlam for your view.
“The big question is which matches do we expect to win and which can be be expected to lose if that’s going to be par the course for the season.”
This has been a constant theme for well over a decade now, isn’t it Marc?
CC You can rewatch Martinez’ exit talk. He said he should have been assured 1st place and he didn’t get it. Leno himself has stated he was assured 1st place. I’m willing to bet this was an Arteta fuck up. The glimpses I saw of Emi before last season were few, but he looked decent. Further back I don’t recall seeing him. But so what if he was pants then and now comes good? We’ve been letting Xhaka play for years and he’s been pants the whole time. Clearly he is a late bloomer, why is that a bad thing?… Read more »
Think people just like Martinez cuz he’s seen as ONE OF OURS. Helps that he looks calmer than Leno back there.
But here’s the thing, his competition was basically top 2 player of the year for us.. 12 games from martinez wasn’t going to change that.
Memo was, sell one of your keepers & strengthen your spine. No matter how good martinez is, if Partey didn’t come in, we won’t have a shot at top 4 this season. That’s a fact for me.
Some players are late bloomers you unthinking ass.
I would also argue that some players ought to be judged by more than 12-15 games but apparently for some fickled Arsenal fans 12-15 at 27 years of age is enough to warrant forgetting everything else that happened in his career. You know I’ll never understand why the 6 loans he went out on can be discarded so easily
Marko
I firmly think we have the available tools in the squad to improve performances – if that happens results should follow. There’ll always be results that are random, some will go against us some for us but I just don’t feel confident going into matches at the moment.
I just feel we’re being really meek in matches – doesn’t sit well with me.
“QuestionDo the non negotiables only come into play for supposed off field indiscretions, or does making 3 schoolboy errors from our goalleeper bring the non negotiables into play”
Jay is on the way to answer this
You can rewatch Martinez’ exit talk. He said he should have been assured 1st place and he didn’t get it.“
I just have to interject, 12 games and Martinez truly believes that entitles him to 1st Keeper assurance? Thats gutsy but equally not realistic. Show little for a decade and then on the back of a dozen good performances you deserve to usurp the #1? Thats a head scratcher if ever there was one.
emiratestroller
Spot on, especially about the need for patience.
Anyway the stance has changed somewhat regarding Leno from some.
Now there is actually talk of future upgrading of him.
That is a position many would not have entertained at all not too long ago.
I really do see this Martinez/Leno debate as pointless.
Btw you don’t run away from a challenge if you see yourself as the better goalie. You simply don’t. He did.
Frost
“Memo was, sell one of your keepers & strengthen your spine. No matter how good martinez is, if Partey didn’t come in, we won’t have a shot at top 4 this season. That’s a fact for me.”
I always presumed that the keeper is part of the spine…
The issue isn’t just which ‘keeper is the better overall, the real issue is which ‘keeper is a better fit for the way the manager wants to play. Fact is Emi was very comfortable with the ball at his feet and Leno is very much not. If we stopped playing out from the back Leno would probably be less of a risk, but it makes no sense to play that way and keep the GK who isn’t very good at it.
I’m happy to see a player like Martinez come along, put in the work taking the long road littered with loans to find his place. And find it he has, fact some on here want to dismiss that is weird. There is no denying he is on the best keeping form in the league at the moment.
Many on here are of the opinion that Martinez is a better all round keeper than Leno. Many. Yeah but once you realize that it’s Arsenal fans who are saying these things and by and large they have real struggles with letting go and with being able to spot good players it’s not surprising. Given our decline the last couple of years I personally wanted an overhaul of the squad (not literally at once but literally) bar like a handful of players. Everyone else I thought was underperforming and not good enough. And yet despite all the recent struggles the… Read more »
Only a coach who doesn’t know his onions would give first 11 assurance to a goalkeeper, who has been in and out for the past 9years, over a 12-game performance.
If you believe Martinez should be forced to stay against his will then I have nothing to tell you.
“Gunnarson is being paid £40kpw as No2”
The same source that claims Rúnarsson will earn £40k a week at Arsenal is the same source that claims he’s signing a 5 year deal.
Have to say that i am a little surprised there is such a staunch defence of Arteta’s decision to sell Martinez after the performance from Leno last night.
Some need to be a little honest with themselves.
What vision is arteta trying to do please tell me because I can’t see ,it just looks clueless
Marko you are actually one of those that have just recently changed your stance on Leno.
No way before in the not too distant past would you be talking of upgrades on Leno.
Now you are.
“The issue isn’t just which ‘keeper is the better overall, the real issue is which ‘keeper is a better fit for the way the manager wants to play. Fact is Emi was very comfortable with the ball at his feet and Leno is very much not. If we stopped playing out from the back Leno would probably be less of a risk, but it makes no sense to play that way and keep the GK who isn’t very good at it.” The issue is you are shying away from the fact that Martinez asked for the transfer. He wasn’t forced… Read more »
That means I would have to have doubts about your judgements in what constitutes an overall top keeper just like you have been expressing your obvious doubt on all these posters on here that have rated Martinez.
I firmly think we have the available tools in the squad to improve performances We absolutely do we seen it against Sheffield United. Look we certainly could still do with some upgrades up top a couple players who could do with replacing but I see absolutely no reason why we couldn’t see Saka, Willian and Pepe as a 3 behind/either side of Auba up top. No reason. But instead we’re seeing Auba on the left with Saka further back and Tierney who can cross extremely well too being stuck at LCB. I mean Auba is our best scorer and he’s… Read more »
Kaz
Martinez didn’t get unequivocal assurances that he was number one?
So the offer of a new contract in light of his contribution, plus being told he was 95% certain to be starting opening day wasn’t intent of his importance? That’s a ridiculous cop out. He completely bottled the competition with Leno back, and a new season beginning.
I’ve no issue with Martinez being a late bloomer or whatever you want to suggest either, I’m just saying you’re overlooking a lot and speculating way beyond what we all know would’ve been a likely outcome of him staying.
“The same source that claims Rúnarsson will earn £40k a week at Arsenal is the same source that claims he’s signing a 5 year deal“
10-year deal, 12 million signing on fee too. Basically we spent the Martinez 20 mil on him.
Marko you are actually one of those that have just recently changed your stance on Leno. That’s not true at all. I’ve always said that if people want to have a discussion on upgrading the goalkeeper position we can but not with Martinez after 12-15 games. Did you not just read what I just said and have said… SQUAD OVERHAUL. Bar a handful of players like Auba, Martinelli, Saka, Saliba, Tierney and now Gabriel and Partey I’d literally bin everyone else. I’d add in Pepe because I feel like there’s still a chance for him to pop off. Under Arteta… Read more »
Just as an aside, whatever ones position on Leno/Emi is/was, pretty much everyone is in agreement Chelsea and Everton needed an upgrade on theirs.
Interesting that neither club came for Martinez isn’t it.
Fans talk about Ozil as if we don’t know Ozil
Ozil stop playing well couple of years ago
Currently not good enough to meet Arteta’s non-negotiables
On current form Saka is far better
Ozil has retired at age 32, not interested in playing the game again
He said he’s focusing on his humanitarian activities
“I always presumed the keeper was part of the spine”
The point I was trying to make with the four big chances Leno handed them yesterday, your spine isn’t solid if the goal keeper hands the opposition four chances on a plate.
I am a big Leno fan but if you decided he is number one and will apparently play every single game this season, as the keeper you just signed is untrusted, then do away with some of the playing out from the back, it clearly makes him nervous.
That means I would have to have doubts about your judgements in what constitutes an overall top keeper
That’s fine I don’t really hold much weight to the things that you say giving that 99% of what you say is judgemental negative shit. If it means anything to you just know that my judgement on goalkeepers extends past a 12-15 game period at 27 years of age while someone happened to be injured. I know crazy right
Arsenal are not paying Rúnarsson £40k a week. Who actually believes they are?
More nonsense from Valentin just like his “tactical” masterclasses.
Well I’m not sure about that Marko.
Recall that many times in the past the narrative from you has been Leno no problem. One of the best players in the team.
Time passing sees different opinions on that.
Still didn’t see too many folk drawing a definitive line in the sand re: Leno.
What exactly is he “not good enough” for?
You know the funny thing about the whole playing out from the back thing is Leno was targeted specifically with that in mind because Cech wasn’t comfortable at it. It’s just generally risky I mean we’ve seen Ederson get caught out a couple of times at City so it just seems like a risk managers are willing to take. Now Martinez on the other hand I’ll have to check the archives and see if it was something that he was known for during his time at Reading and Blackburn (can’t really judge him on his Gatafe spell it was so… Read more »
Marko it seems you don’t hold much weight to a large portion of posters on here considering your attitude towards them when stating that they feel Martinez is a better all round keeper than Leno.
It seems the Martinez episode has really niggled you.
Marko
“You know the funny thing about the whole playing out from the back thing is Leno was targeted specifically with that in mind because Cech wasn’t comfortable at it.”
Are you suggesting another master class in player accusation by Mislintat?
Recall that many times in the past the narrative from you has been Leno no problem. One of the best players in the team.
So you don’t listen then. That’s okay words are hard sometimes. But yeah I dunno what to tell you I’ve only mentioned half a dozen keepers that I like in the past so I dunno.
So since the return of football in June Leicester have drawn 3, won 5 ans lost 6 including their last 2 PL matches.
Does this mean we should go into the match on Sunday expecting to be able to beat them?
“I just have to interject, 12 games and Martinez truly believes that entitles him to 1st Keeper assurance? Thats gutsy but equally not realistic. Show little for a decade and then on the back of a dozen good performances you deserve to usurp the #1? Thats a head scratcher if ever there was one.“
Bravo, Ernest.
Aside from that point which I agree with, coming on here to Martinez is becoming as tedious as hearing about Nozil