I didn’t realise the Leicester game was on so late in the day. I feel conned. I woke up early, worked out, dressed up to go to a pals house… then realised the error of my ways.
So I thought, fuck it, I’ll write a post.
Today is a huge game for Arsenal because part of the narrative is going to be about the lack of creativity, with Mesut Ozil sitting at home trying to run the social media manager at Arsenal out of a job. Before we get into the creativity piece, it’s worth highlighting the Rodgers comments before the game.
“The team have to operate with one brain. They have to function and work together.
“There will be teams where there is more freedom, but less structure.
“Ozil’s a wonderful talent and very creative, absolutely. He can make the last pass, but it’s about the team. It’s about marrying the individual qualities of the player into the team and if you feel that player can’t press the game or doesn’t want to press the game, it has an effect on your attacking structure and your defensive structure.
“If one person doesn’t do their job, then you can suffer.
“He’s a talent, but, as always with talent, you have to be a working talent.”
He’s basically said what Arteta won’t. What you’re reading above is one part of why the German isn’t in the squad. The second part is covered nicely in the tweet below.
This is fascinating from @TheAthleticUK. They’ve taken a look at what Özil will be going through after he was left out of the registered squad. Here’s what a manager, speaking anonymously, has to say about these situations. It’s illuminating… pic.twitter.com/SuqiwgKERv
— Matt Scott (@Matt5cott) October 25, 2020
The above excerpt from The Athletic is what you hear when you recieve leaks from Arsenal. The most important part outside ‘they don’t give a fuck’ is the bit where the source says ‘the players are watching.’ Wenger indulged the behaviour, remember Aaron Ramsey saying on Sky that Ozil gets special treatment? Not a good look in a failing team. Emery tried to impose discipline, then gave up, which sends an even worse message… ‘I am subservient.’ Arteta could not afford to have the biggest name at the club not giving a fuck. It’d ruin him. So he acted in a way that sends the strongest of message.
‘No one is bigger than the club’
Back to creativity…
Now, it’s tempting to say that Arteta MUST solve the issue right now. I don’t think that’s the case. I think he has to keep winning. People complaining about style and shots on target don’t have much of an argument if he continues to roll with 10 wins in 12 games streaks. We really do have to brace for the reality that this season might just be a year of foundation laying. Defending like kings (trying) and nicking goals could be the way.
It feels grim that we could be ‘that’ team, but if it’s effective, then it’s hard to complain. If Arteta doesn’t think he has the players to move the football forward into a ‘progressive’ world, then I’d prefer he does what works, versus placating fans with something we’ve seen fail quite a lot over the last decade. What I do find quite amusing is that I was SLATED for wanting a hipster manager that played progressive football, now the same people that wanted Nuno or Jose are complaining that the football isn’t hipster enough.
It’s also interesting that for all the ‘we’re shit’ chat that goes around, Sheffield United gave Liverpool a big scare yesterday, and West Ham took points from Manchester City. Complainers are in a bind on this one… was it good to get 6 points from those two, or was it poor that we didn’t do more against Liverpool and City? Probably that latter… maybe a little too much respect for two sides that look lost (City) or severely hungover (Liverpool).
Also, while we’re on the topic of average teams… United vs Chelsea, what a bore-fest. Both teams looked a mess. Chelsea, having spent £250m on talent, couldn’t muster more than 1 shot on target. Everton is currently losing 2-0 to Southampton (who have been excellent).
Back to Arsenal.
My main hope today is that Thomas Partey can show some class against a proper team. If he can control the midfield with the calmness he did in the week, we’ll be in good shape. I’m also praying for Gabriel. There are NOT many tests in the Premier League tougher than Jamie Vardy. He’ll do nothing for 70 minutes, then he’ll destroy you with a hattrick off 15 touches. This game is huge for the Brazilian’s concentration.
This 90 will also test Bernd Leno. He was a shambles the other night. Most notably with the ball at his feet. Now, we know that part of our game isn’t going anywhere, we know that Brendan Rodgers will have spotted what happened, and we know that Leicester will pressure Bernd really hard to make more errors like that. He has to clear his mind and put on the keeping equivalent of an early 2000s Iniesta performance. He also needs to dominate his box, teams put defenders on his from corners, that sort of shit only stops when you win all your battles.
We also need to cause problems going forward today. We need to start the game fast, we need to move the ball with purpose, and we need to make sure the ball sticks with our front three. I think this is going to be a good game. Two fairly evenly matched teams that both have plenty to worry about. Hopefully, we win, because we need it after the City game. We also need some form going away to Old Trafford next week.
ENJOY!
1st
And
The
Tr4phy
Trophy?
Nice!
top 10
So close
Proud of that one as a lurker for many years. Cheers Pedro.
I think we nick this….2- 1
Waiting for the ‘DO YOU REGRET CARLO’ people to come on here and tell me how 2 shots on target against Southampton is title-winning stuff.
RED!
Up the Arse. Been a humble pie type week for the ‘what about them’ sorts that have been heavily vocal after 5 league games. Pants getting pulled down all over, drab and boring football from teams “a level above Arsenal”. Shut the fuck up and appreciate the fact this is an exciting journey we’ve went with here in Uber green Arteta. Arsenal 1.0 is back heavy dominance and the cutting edge is struggling, Arsenal 2.0 will be the transitional goal this season for Arteta outside of results, Arsenal 3.0 will be the polished article a few windows into the project… Read more »
Great post. It’s obvious that playing football is not Ozil’s priority or he would find a way to play somewhere and somehow. He’s destabilizing the team and the further he’s kept the better. We don’t have the players to play truly expansive football right now. I understand people being frustrated with the lack of style, but we need points while we build to that.
And now Toffees down to 10.
Pedro
The issue with “writing” off this season as one that we’re laying the foundations for the next couple of years is that this season looks as if it’s going to be as open as 15/16 – maybe more so.
That could genuinely mean a title challenge is on for anyone who can get it together – what will you post when the Spud’s win the league because Arteta played it too cautious?
It’s not going to be easy but Arteta needs to find a way to make this squad work.
Pedro “People complaining about style and shots on target don’t have much of an argument if he continues to roll with 10 wins in 12 games streaks” They do,not about style but about shots. All our games basically come down to whichever team makes the least mistakes win. It’s would be lucky to continue this streak of efficiency. City match could have finished 1-1. We could have lost to west ham. It’s too close and can go either way. But one thing can be said. 38 games is not that big a sample size so it is possible to be… Read more »
That hurts. He was stepped on the back foot.
Fuck my life, intentional or not, that was a potential leg breaker. Holy moly…
Leicester City got hammered (pun intended) by West Ham a few weeks ago. Surely we can take all three points from them as well, no? This team is more than capable, and it’s up to the manager to bring the best out of them.
Marc, which is why just plodding along in unspectacular fashion with no drama might be a good approach.
Still a bit of a crazy expectation to assume that we’re in good enough shape to challenge for the league title.
Upstate, they also beat City 5-2. Football doesn’t work on the basis of a result you like being the key to a win.
Also Marc, I’m not writing off the year… I’m just saying that there is a very good chance the type of football we’re playing is intentional because the coaching staff are prioritising efficiency over glamour.
I’d love the football to be sexy, hopefully, we can find it, but it seems quite intentional based on the squad as it is.
Yes, a shit City team that also drew with West Ham the other day. You completely ignored the part about manager getting the best out of his players though. Is he at the moment? The answer is resounding No.
Without Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin is completely crowded out.
Pedro
I keep getting a “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute.” message?
“Still a bit of a crazy expectation to assume that we’re in good enough shape to challenge for the league title.”
Under normal circumstances I wouldn’t even suggest it but this might be one of those odd years where the points tally is lower and the bigger teams drop points you’d never expect them to.
Would hate to be looking back in May thinking if only.
Upstate, 10 wins in 12 seems solid.
Win today, we go clear in 4th, 1 point of 1st.
… and you are moaning.
We’re currently sitting 9th in the table behind the likes of Villa, Crystal Palace, Leeds, and Southampton. This, quite frankly, is unacceptable. If it doesn’t change soon, your golden boy is gonna find himself in some hot water. And rightfully so, I might add.
Marc, I know what you are saying… still, to be in the pack having played the best two teams in league is good shape.
Take it a game at time, if we beat Leicester in convincing fashion, I’ll start to dream.
Good read
City look out of shape at the back a good sign that it’s art that did the donkey work of defence…
Now just get the strikers firing ..
Maybe he should do something different up front…
Pedro
That’s twice now for this ‘scheduled maintenance’ thingy.
Is this the new normal?
Well, there’s only one way to shut the likes of me up… and that’s by winning games in convincing manner. Today would be a good start.
Charlie is telling fans how to be fans again I see.
The shut up and support the team idea has worked wonders for us in the past. We totally moved from a title challenging team to a Europa League team after a fortnight.
Protesting is bad boys. It has never helped anyone. Be a sheep and leave the men in suits in peace, they are faultless and always do what’s best.
Klopp fixed the attack 1st then delt with the defense, shows the difference in thought process between him and diet Pep
Upstate… I know this football things is really hard for you… but only 2 teams ahead of us in the league have played 5 games. The rest 6. One of those teams is Leicester.
Beat them 2-0 we go into 3rd.
Then what will people think about my golden boy?
GD, getting it looked at
Peter on advertising front
TV ads seems to be dying to me…
Don’t think people are sucking it in like they did
Going forward what happens next
We’re 100% focusing on efficiency over glamour.
I quite like our competitiveness, for years we’ve looked like we could combust at any moment.
If we stay in the game today, and pick up three points with a scrappy 1-0
I couldn’t care any less, that’ll be 2 more points than we picked up off Leicester last season, and 3 points off a team who’ll likely be in the same mix as us this season.
Raptora, think you’d look a bit of a prick protesting the manager if we win and go 3rd today.
RSPC, more money heading into digital, but don’t underestimate the power of TV ads to hit people at mass scale and land hard… especially in sport.
People complaining about style and shots on target don’t have much of an argument if he continues to roll with 10 wins in 12 games streaks. It’s weird how that works all of a sudden because under Emery and during the 22 game unbeaten streak there were warning signs. Xg stats told a completely different story to the streak and they’re saying similar things now. As in it’s not sustainable in the long run Also this notion that he’s forced to play this way because he doesn’t have the players to play differently is a cop out and it wasn’t… Read more »
Pedro
I’m not attacking Arteta – just feel we need to be a bit braver. The results at City and Liverpool will not define our season but we’ve made hard work of far too many of our other matches.
Who knows maybe Partey will get things to click and allow midfield to impose themselves in matches.
It takes an exceptional level of either optimism or dimness to expect overly defensive approach is not going to end with too many draws in the long run. And no, the only alternative is not going for 4-3 every week. But I suspect Partey WILL liberate some of our players to have a second or more to make that pass (okay, Xhaka. I mean Xhaka). “People complaining about style and shots on target don’t have much of an argument if he continues to roll with 10 wins in 12 games streaks.” How can you post that with presumably a serious… Read more »
Yes, Pedro, it’s so complicated. Please, teach me, the wise one! We lose today, we stay 9th. Newcastle win, we drop to 10th. Spurs win, we go 11th. City have a game in hand. They win, we’re in 12th. Got anything to add?
A few seasons ago, Burnley got into Europe with lots of undeserved, lucky narrow victories. Following season their luck ran out and they fall down back to earth. Most of their 1-0 victory becoming draws and narrow 2-1 defeats. Arsenal could be lucky this season and keep getting narrow victories, but could also be at the end of a raft of draws and narrow defeats. In the long run, giving more chances to your opponents than you create for yourself is a recipe for bad results. Aubameyang will not be able to continue scoring from his one chance per game.… Read more »
‘We’re currently sitting 9th in the table behind the likes of Villa, Crystal Palace, Leeds, and Southampton. This, quite frankly, is unacceptable. ‘
Have you properly looked at the table mate?
We win and we’re sitting in 4th one point off the top of the table and ahead of City, Chelsea, United, Spurs.
Season has been a shit show so far, any team that put together a string of wins will pull away at the top.
“Charlie is telling fans how to be fans again I see.“
Not in the slightest, but after 5 games it’s full af reading about comparisons to this team or that team.
Says a lot that youd translate ‘leave the neighbours garden comparisons alone’ to ‘never question the suits they’re magic’.
Pedro, most criticize the negative and boring football when itsnt working and we are not winning,
Arteta should stop complicating things and play it simple, if it’s not working try to change things early
and stop this 70 min like for like sub nonsense !
Give me the old 1/0 boring arsenal and I take it anyday!
Marko,
I think he plays players out of position because it helps his system as he tries to build out a squad that works for him. So far, not so bad.
I don’t think people bring up xG because we’re a solid team that defends well and competes. The problem is we’re too cautious… not getting away with kamikaze defending through luck.
It’s weird that everything has changed and you can’t shift your mindset… but then again, conceptualising a world where things change in realtime has never been your strength.
Kris
The problem with how shot shy we’ve been is sooner or later the opposition will get a goal whether it be though sheer luck or a moment of brilliance and we just won’t have any idea how to respond.
G8, 10 wins in 12 and people like you are still complaining.
Who’s the fuckwit on Sky saying the red card was harsh? It was a nasty challenge.
“We win and we’re sitting in 4th”
We have to win though first. We do, and I’ll shut up… at least for another week.
Pedro, I’m not protesting anyone. I read a laughable post and commented on it. I feel we could do a bit better than being 18th in the shots per game list. But I’m not calling for Arteta’s head. I stated I believe he is the 3rd best manager in the league. Some of his decisions though, I don’t quite get them. So I’m coming here to share my thoughts. I want to see a front 4 of Auba, Saka, Willian and Pepe until Martinelli joins after new years. But the CF to be Auba not Willian. If Arteta picks a… Read more »
Peter
.true
I can’t remember the last TV ad I saw that I thought wow…
Having worked in it for 40 years..
Even like the tango man in the 90s
That was the last as I remember people talking about.
Adverts have become so sterile that the restrictions have affected it maybe.
People laughed at them before not now.
Upstate, so if we lose, then Arteta is in big trouble and we have to start questioning him.
If we win, we could go into 3rd 1 point off the top and we what? Give him a new deal?
You are making yourself look like an arse here.
Pedro,
It’s important to make the difference. Moaning doesn’t mean I’m not supporting. Shut up and support the team is stupid and you’ve said it a million times at the end of Wenger’s era.
Fairly confident of a win today..the only screw up I can see is Arteta not starting Partey..he’s a must for this game
Pedro
“Upstate, so if we lose, then Arteta is in big trouble and we have to start questioning him.”
No but it can’t fill the squad with optimism when we should be going to Old Trafford next week thinking they are there for the taking.
“Klopp fixed the attack 1st then delt with the defense, shows the difference in thought process between him and diet Pep”
I’m sure that’s the only way to build a title winning team. Surely.
If we’re about making strides forward this year then I do agree though that tonight is a must win.
Relatively confident that we will, 2-1 my prediction.
Raptora, we all moan… but talking about protest when we can go 3rd today doesn’t feel like good timing.
Like, imagine hanging with Upstate as he’s pre-writing his Arteta obituary if we don’t win today. It’s embarrassing carry-on.
The Good defence wins titles talk has to be crap I’m sure. Definitely no truth in that.
WE, yeah, big game. Not just because we’re playing a good team, but because we’re in a pressure moment as those around us drop points.
We have lost only to City and Pool, the two teams widely expected to finish top two. And yes our results are not fluke like they were under Emery 22 games unbeaten run. Under Emery we were conceding a lot of shots but somehow the opposition teams failed to take their chances during that run. Under Mikel we have reduced the no of shots conceded significantly. So the narrow wins are due to our good defensive play, not due to luck. With Partey in midfield hopefully we will get better in attack too.
https://www.facebook.com/20669912712/posts/10158553578602713/
Good goal vs Leicester
Results are not bothering me. We’ve won where we were supposed to win and we lost where we were supposed to lose. The play, however, has not been anything close to impressive. We haven’t looked well in almost any game so far, it’s just a matter of time for the points tally to dry out IF we don’t improve.
Good to see everton lose today. We need them to drop momentum. The fight for top 4 is congested enough.
If we win today arteta has done a fabulous job for my mind lecister have quite a bit better first 11
I think he plays players out of position because it helps his system But it doesn’t. It’s not helping at all and it’s not sustainable. As things stand now for example Auba will be on less goals come the end of the season and Saka will be on less assists and influence come the end of the season. How does any of that help? It’s simply not sustainable for the whole season given that we’re struggling to create and score goals and we’re still conceding chances (not Emery levels of shots on our goal mind you) it’s not something to… Read more »
There is one other point to remember with regards to tonight’s match and I don’t think it’s one Pedro will be too fond of.
In our last 10 home PL matches against Leicester we’ve won 9 and drawn 1.
The 1 we drew was Arteta’s match last season!
Raptora, if you are bitching about style and we’re top 4 this year… it’ll be a great year.
It’s weird that everything has changed and you can’t shift your mindset… but then again, conceptualising a world where things change in realtime has never been your strength.
It’s weird how you take any sort of criticism towards Arteta as personal. It’s okay I can be objective enough for the both of us don’t worry.
We have only played 5 games this season out of 38. It is way too early to judge Arteta and his knowledge on coaching. For now, he has come up with a system to minimize the weakness of our defenders. He is still in a trying phase in the offense. He has convinced me that he is a smart person. I hope that he can settle down with an offensive system with the players that we have.
‘If we win today arteta has done a fabulous job for my mind lecister have quite a bit better first 11’
Not that I highly rate our side or anything but you way overestimate the quality of Leicester’s, quite a bit better?
Vardy, Maddison, Ricardo Pereira [injured], Tielemans and N’Didi [injured] and Castagne are all very good players but they don’t have a lot of quality outside of them. They are laughably overrated on here, truth is that Brendan vastly overachieved pre-lockdown last season.
Marko, I don’t take it personally that you don’t see the difference between Emery and Arteta.
That’s on you.
No Soyonccu either
I don’t take it personally that you don’t see the difference between Emery and Arteta.
You’re really struggling to understand what I’m saying if that’s what your take away is from what I wrote.
PedroOctober 25, 2020 16:05:52
“G8, 10 wins in 12 and people like you are still complaining.”
I complained about the 2 losses because we didn’t do anything to show we tried not to loose
We gave up too early, stopped playing and accepted defeat and the manager was happy about it all..
That’s not acceptable
Beating Leicester at home will not be of huge significance whether Arsenal get top four or not.
There has only been at most six games played in the league so far for gods sake.
Have patience.
Is it OK to point the lesser teams sitting above us and knowingly ignore that we are also sitting above mamciu, man utd, Tottenham and on equal points with Chelsea with a game in hand?
anyone have a good stream link? The peacock link is not working for me… UGH
Ish in there with the ‘points don’t matter’ comment nice and early.
Starting strong today.
Burnley have only played 4 games so far lol
The league has hardly started.
Really drab comparison drafting in an unbeaten run under Emery. Nobody is using results as the only marker to judge Arteta, but you’re wilfully ignorant if you don’t see the difference between conceding 30 shots against Watford to somehow claim a draw, and having a game of few chances so far being claimed by our efficiency. The two are wildly different. You can build on what we have (and we’re all aware that’s the necessity). You don’t build on consistent 20+ opportunities going the way of your opponent. Be interesting to see how Partey slots into the first team selection… Read more »
All points matter Pedro but to whip up that this game if won means that Arsenal are looking good for top four is a bit daft when the season has hardly got underway yet.
Patience.
Guns of SF
Ask Ishola. He is an expert with streaming.
Ishola can you send me a link? thanks!
“Beating Leicester at home will not be of huge significance whether Arsenal get top four or not.”
It will if the gap at the end of the season is a point.
Guns of SF
can you send me a link? thanks!
http://tvron.net/okko-sport
Ish, it’s a 6 pointer. It’s hugely important. If we win, people will say it means nothing, if we lose, people will be crying on here like the season is over.
This is a momentum game against a team we should be beating.
Upstate Gooner
I have never seen you ever post anything except negativity and criticism of something or someone.
Go on give it a try.
Marc
“It will if the gap at the end of the season is a point.”
Yeah
Better start reading those tea cups.
But the water has only just been put on running to put into the kettle.
Haha oh come off it Ishola, today’s obviously an important game.
Momentum has to start somewhere and Leicester are a good team, beating them will do plenty for confidence.
Not really about reading tea leaves… every point is important, especially those against your rivals. To say points are not important at this stage of the season needs a retraction and an apology
Really drab comparison drafting in an unbeaten run under Emery. Again someone else struggling to understand what is being said. I didn’t bring up Emery’s unbeaten run as a comparison but as an example of a streak all be it a positive one but with underlying problems long term and warning signs within it. For example under Emery winning games 3-2 and conceding 15-20 + shots on our goal wasn’t sustainable it was a fucking big fat red flag. And also as an example under Arteta still conceding decent chances at one end and clearly struggling at the other isn’t… Read more »
Steve Bruce is a relic of a manager, the same boring crap football season after season.
Montana Gunner, you are on!
Nice to see Afobe has found his groove in Turkey, scored today at Fenerbahce.
Pedro
“It’s hugely important. If we win, people will say it means nothing, if we lose, people will be crying on here like the season is over.”
Or if we lose we can always say it is very early doors in the league and the team can brush themselves down and recover.
You forgot that one but it may come to your mind if there is any unfortunate scenario that occurs
Enjoying reading the comments today. Have to say I’m in the more positive camp compared to some on here. The idea that any significant conclusions should be made based on our league position after today’s game is farcical, one point off the top or mid-table infamy. As any supporter can see, Arteta appears to be prioritising defensive solidity above creativity in the final third. With Gabriel still getting accustomed to our team and the league, I understand Arteta’s conservatism/ pragmatism. If after 15/20 games the right chemistry in the front three still hasn’t been discovered, we should be concerned. I… Read more »
La Liga is fucking shite, never bet on BTTS over there kids no matter how tempting the odds.