Well here we are. The day after. I’ve been doing some thinking. Ignoring the ‘haters’ as American’s would say, and I have some thoughts. Some people say ‘the best thoughts.’
Enjoy.
FRESH IDEAS FOR AN OLD PROBLEM
I bought into a hipster vision of a manager that would play exciting football that was so expressive, they’d put it in the Louvre. We haven’t seen that yet. There have been improvements, we’ve been more effective, and we’re solid… but, the football has paid the price.
We’re now into the Emeryzone when it comes to tipping points. We’ve lost 50% of our Premier League games, we’re averaging the lowest number of shots per game in about 50 years, and the football looks badly lacking in sauce.
Arteta needs to find a solve. If you’re going to bin of Mest Ozil, you have to have something up your sleeve that is more interesting than David Luiz playing Hollywood passes from deep. We need better ideas and we need them fast. Lose against United, and things are going to look very dire.
GIVE THE KIDS A SHOT
Arsenal Wenger is on a press tour, have you noticed? Of course you have. Well, one thing I liked that he said was about giving kids a chance, even if they cost you some points. Wenger gave Cesc a chance and he thrived. He overplayed Jack Wilshere when he was 18, giving him 56 appearances. Now, I’m not asking for that, but if we have kids that can break the lines with a pass, is there not a squad we could line up with that could protect the player? Is some creativity better than 8 attempts at goal for the rest of the season? ESR, where are you? Willock? Saka? Patino? THERE MUST BE ONE KID THAT CAN CREATE. We are not City where it takes 10 years to break as a youth players. We’re Arsenal. We could be Dortmund. Is there REALLY a difference between watching kids with high ceilings make mistakes… versus watching senior players make mistakes?
MOVE ON FROM THE SPINE OF DOOM
I know it was one bad game, but let’s be honest, it’s been coming for a while. Mustafi always has a switch-off moment, we know what he’s about, why is he being offered a new deal? Granit Xhaka can do many things well, but we are now at a stage where the experiment can end. Thomas Partey can do all the things he can +++. It’s time to move on from player that have failed us for years. It’s time to give our new players a chance. It’s time to make Arsenal better again.
GET GABI MARTINELLI FIT
Look, I know we over-rank players that are broken… but imagine Gabriel as a focal point in attack? Powerful, aggressive, great in the air, and HUNGRY. Surely he’ll at the very least get into that front 3? I really cannot wait to get him back in the squad. Anything is more interesting than having to watch Nicolas Pepe fall over himself.
SIGN JACK WILSHERE
Ok, I’m sorry, but he’s on a free. Would a pay as you play be so bad? He’s 28, not 39. Am I dreaming? Could he help out? Just for one game? Give him a shot? Ok… maybe I took this blog down an incorrect path.
That’s me done, listen to the podcast, it perks up after we get over our depression.
Just read a comment from Martin Keown
“‘It was very static, the front three never really moved from positions, they didn’t make themselves available.’
Hopefully, Arteta also saw what most of us saw. The offensive system still needs a lot of work.
WE – Back in the early 00s there was premiership plus channel on Sky which lasted for a couple of years. Around £5 to watch which was decent enough value to bite.
Don’t know what planet they’re on with the £15, especially when a lot of the games now are glorified kickabouts with no crowd.
Buzzy, fuck off then.
Yeah, buzz off.
guys, no politics.
Pedro
Chill out my friend.
I realise it’s not been a great last few weeks but if someone wants to criticise, they have a right to do so.
We’re all frustrated and a wee bit angry with what’s going on.
By your very high standards though, the post was slightly below par.
Interesting debate on xG stats. Do they actually really mean anything?
“Guys, no politics”
Sorry Pedro.
Graham, you want to come here and call my writing pointless, you can fuck off and tell someone on Reddit. I really don’t care of unconstructive criticism or disrespect on a site I write and pay for.
AFC, I think xG gives context to to the good and the bad.
Liverpool hired Klopp after working out that his terrible run with Dortmund was more down to shit luck than coaching.
We all saw that Emery’s amazing run was based on luck, we hoped he’d fix the underlying issues, he didn’t.
Now Arteta is underperforming xG. He either solves it with his new players as they settle, or he tanks and we have a bad season.
As well as xG, statistics analysts also assess xA, which means expected assists and calculates the likelihood that a pass will subsequently become a goal assist. Is this really football? Stats can be used for anything you like, they are a wet dream for a Politician. The same stat can be used as a positive as it can for a negative. When calculating xG it includes: the type of assist, whether it was a shot or a header, the angle and distance of the shot, and whether it was a big chance. (Yep big chance according to who?) It is… Read more »
Thought it was a great post and a great podcast.
It’s just teething problems for Arteta right now and the attack always suffers when a new coach comes in and starts rebuilding with the emphasis on being solid at the back and hard to beat.
Let’s not forget this is Arteta’s first season. Yes he took over last Xmas but he inherited this team when their moral was at an all time low. Let’s see where we are this Xmas before the knives come out.
I’m still fairly serene. We looked better with 2 CBs rather than 3 and created enough chances to score in the 1st half. Some positive signs at least.
If we play that way against Utd, hopefully we’ll make some of those chances count.
bennydevito
That was very sensible and well put. Agree.
Thanks Benny, you are too kind as always!
This is one of those occasions where we need another match ASAP that isn’t against a pub team in Ireland.
Get this out of our system – everyone just seems too depressed by Arsenal at the moment.
“I realise it’s not been a great last few weeks but if someone wants to criticise, they have a right to do so.”
Rich talk from a guy who has spent an inordinate amount of time espousing just how crap a manager Arteta has been, eh Graham?
To criticize is to criticize, just not sure if what you have been grovelling over equates to said criticism?
Talking about giving Arteta time and the players at his disposal, Klopp went through something similar. When Jurgen Klopp arrived at Liverpool, they were mid table and had won one of their previous nine matches. They had scored only 11 goals in their previous 11 games. This was Klopps first team for the game against Spurs: Mignolet Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno Lucas Can Milner Llana Coutinho Origi What does this show? He essentially changed the entire playing staff. The only player still at the club is the journeyman Milner. Klopp had warned: “Despite everybody longing for a very quick success… Read more »
But it is more interesting to hear good suggestions to correct the current deficiencies. I am not satisfy with those assistant coaches. More design plays and more chemistry among the players are needed. The three attackers should not just stand there and waiting for supplies.
Pedro mentioned Wilshire!
Spends most his time on his arse complaining to the ref.
We have one of those in Xh
Peter
What’s this ringer FC lark ?
Graham I can’t say I’m angry or pi**ed off I’m disappointed that in tight games we didn’t push the margins in our favour. But I’m not too surprised that we: Had a difficult game at Anfield A tight game at City A tight game against Leicester where they sucker punched us, they’ll do that plenty of teams this season providing Vardy stays fit. A tough game against West Ham, they’re causing plenty of teams problems, they’re a really big and powerful team. And a tight game against Sheffield United, who just gave Liverpool a really good game Has anything that’s… Read more »
Jack on a 30 k a week contract till may may not be silly
.. however if when he’s injured it goes down to 5k
SpanishDave
“Pedro mentioned Wilshire!
Spends most his time on his arse complaining to the ref.”
You need a pill, every time you make a comment it is mind numbingly ultra-negative and complaining about someone or something. Jack was a quality player who unfortunately suffered from some pretty nasty injuries, not least that disgusting tackle from McNair which Mike Dean waved away while Jack had to have surgery. What did you make of that tackle, tat left Jack waving for medical attention.
Sorry the site crashed on me
You can probably guess the point.
We will loose v Man U so it will get a lot worse before it gets better we hope!
Graham
Did you read my bit above about Liverpool and Klopp?
I think the over reaction is ridiculous. Klopp changed the entire team to get to where they are, Arteta has barely changed his socks.
Stupid question – I know we can sign players who are out of contract but as we can’t add players to the PL or EL squads what good would bringing Wilshere back do if he can’t play?
Rich
What you are basically saying is that we are playing with fear.
Fear of the counter.
Fear of losing possession
Fear of taking risks with ball
Fear of losing our shape
Fear of conceding
Fear of losing.
The best teams have the fear factor and the sooner we create a fear factor in our game , the better.
Pierre
You’re right teams aren’t afraid of us because we’re too easy to counter.
Marc
“Stupid question – I know we can sign players who are out of contract but as we can’t add players to the PL or EL squads what good would bringing Wilshere back do if he can’t play?”
Going by the number of cock ups recently, signing Wilshere and not being able to register him to play ,it must be a foregone conclusion that we will sign him.
Marc
“You’re right teams aren’t afraid of us because we’re too easy to counter.”
Xhaka?
Pierre
Christ we might as well assign him a shirt number!
Rich
When you say that we would be under the same situation with any manager who is to say that someone rather than Arteta wouldn’t have continued the process of seeing Xhaka out of the door which occurred at the end of Emery’s tenure.
That was a chance for Arteta to begin the path to revamp the midfield. He declined to take it.
Pierre
I didn’t actually mean counter attack against – my fault I meant to easy to negate our attack meaning we’re not a threat.
How about Jack starts at 0, and then earns his weekly wage based on him being able to play?
Pay to play? or is Play to pay?
SF
Could he play for us though?
He has no team so I suppose he could? But whether he should or not is to be seen.
Perma crock mostly
SF
That was my earlier point – we can sign him but can we register him for the PL and EL squads?
“The best teams have the fear factor and the sooner we create a fear factor in our game , the better.”
How do you accomplish that Pierre, given that when one looks at the lineup there really isn’t anyone there that could instill fear on their own? And i mean no one, those on the active squad and those not registered for EL and EPL. Truth be told, there are players who have come from winning cultures, buts its clear they were not the drivers or driving force withon.
AFC Forever
Yes I did.
Very good.
Arteta is not Klopp, Arsenal are not Liverpool and the Kroenke’s are not the Fenway Sports Group.
My gut is telling me things aren’t right.
Seeing things that really concern me.
Good question… not sure.
Thought we already submitted our 25 person roster
Play the kids in europe and let them play with a little more freedom and let them take risks with the ball.
In the league , be pragmatic, dig out a few 1-0 wins and low scoring draws, keep in the title or champions league race
Don’t expect any freeflowing football anytime soon in the league , all the excitement( if you can call it that) will be in the cup comps….
“How about Jack starts at 0, and then earns his weekly wage based on him being able to play.”
How’s about we just don’t, there are enough crocks on the squad already.
Pep really does have a Foden fetish.
Criminal how Bernardo Silva doesnt start on a weekly basis.
“My gut is telling me things aren’t right.”
Thats the bad sausages you ate screaming back at you!
Who keeps trying to bring politics into it.
Bore off.
I want to read perspectives and insights into our team.
Not which tosser took a politics class.
Pierre What I’m saying is: *Clubs are largely happy for us to have the ball, because we struggle to create chance, and we’re susceptible to a counter attack. * We can either walk into that trap, or we can battle it out, and try and force them to make the first mistake * It might not be pretty, but over the course of the season we’ll get results, and gradually improve what we do. * I think we’ll incrementally gain some internal improvement through building cohesion within a group, but this will take time * As Arteta gradually alters his… Read more »
Anyway, I think Rodgers telling everyone how he sought to target Xhaka and press the team was actually a bit of charity from him.
He could have absolutely kept his mouth shut and still been smug but he didn’t he let Arteta know he’s being a basic bitch.
Blast from the past tonight with AVB facing off against Pep.
I always felt that he was an interesting gaffer, not surprised that hes landed on his feet doing a job at Marseille.
Mourinho 2.0 he was not though.
SF
We have submitted the squads for both competitions hence Ozil being out of both and Saliba not included in the EL one.
So bearing in mind the fuss we’ve had made over those events why could we just suddenly drop Wilshere into either?
I think Pedro’s mind might have been wondering a little too much off the leash!
Arteta is not Klopp, Arsenal are not Liverpool and the Kroenke’s are not the Fenway Sports Group.
AFC very good post.
Arteta never had managed a team before. Very big factor. Klopps managed two decent teams in the Bundesliga. Came to Liverpool with a wealth of experience.
I cannot see us competing for the league, winning the CL
and the winning the league the next season even with Arteta and his own players.
Whatever anyone says we are seeing some of his style of play.
“Anyway, I think Rodgers telling everyone how he sought to target Xhaka and press the team was actually a bit of charity from him.”
More likely taking the piss out of Arteta for being one of only 3 coaches in the world who doesn’t think he’s utterly shit.
Damn right, Kaz
Lets try to make sense of all this. Klopp struggled at first and he went through a stage when they were losing to teams like Hull City and fans were on his back. He ended up using the transfer windows to change the entire first 11 players (see earlier post) before winning the PL. Now consider some of the over reaction on here. Arteta inherited a side that under Unai Emery had no identity and was too easy to play against. He improved our defensive structure with the same players and won an FA Cup beating man City and Chelsea,… Read more »
Pep really does have a Foden fetish.
Foden in good form at the moment. I think Silva also has that charge from the FA pending over him with the Mendy cartoon. That maybe a reason Pep not playing him.
Ern You create a fear factor by playing football that is difficult to defend against . At the moment, when the opposition lose the ball our transition is way too slow, which makes it very easy to defend against. What we have is the boring factor , in that basically we bore the opposition into making a mistake. The number of times i see us play a negative ball when a positive pass is on is very frustrating to watch.. As i said , we are where we are , Arteta i doubt will change his tactics , so we… Read more »
Marc
“More likely taking the piss out of Arteta for being one of only 3 coaches in the world who doesn’t think he’s utterly shit.”
Well we must remember that Xhaka was virtually out of the door by the end of Emery’s tenure so it took Emery over just one season to basically throw Xhaka under the bus.
It’s the old fella who had lost his marbles Monsieur W who actually rated the guy and made him a mainstay in the team.
It will be very unfortunate if Arteta sits alongside the lost marbles Wenger on this one.
“Arteta i doubt will change his tactics”
Tantamount to insanity then Pierre, doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. Sounds vaguely familiar…
Same
Hes on the bench though so hes not banned or anything.
I actually quite like Foden. Hes still far off of Bernardo imo having said that.
Pedro
What are your plans for Christmas etc – can you get home to the family or does COVID mean that’s a no go?
Or are you just using it as an excuse to avoid family!
“Arteta never had managed a team before. Very big factor. Klopps managed two decent teams in the Bundesliga. Came to Liverpool with a wealth of experience.”
That’s a good point. However, Arteta is not a complete novice, he has played at the highest level and will have learned plenty under Pep, who is arguably one of the very best coaches. Irrespective of this he deserves to be given more time and respect than some want to afford him.
“More likely taking the piss out of Arteta for being one of only 3 coaches in the world who doesn’t think he’s utterly shit”
I assume you are including the Swiss National Coach in that number, Marc?
Where are the goals coming from, ? We have no second natural scorer.
Martinelli was dropped by Arteta before he got injured, do we know why?
Marc If you press Xhaka + Luiz, who else looks to play it forward? Xhaka + Luiz for all their flaws are decent if you give them time, pressure those two, and you stop us getting through. Our best form since 2010/11, was with Cazorla at the base of our midfield at the beginning of 2015/16 and 2016/17 Cazorla got injured both seasons, and our form and quality of our game nose dived. Stand off him, and he’d run the whole game. Press him, and he’d beat the press and create overloads. Cazorla is our greatest player of the Emirates… Read more »
AFC
I’ve played F1 on a playstation and sat next to Hamilton for 50 laps – does that mean I’m qualified to get a Super Licence?
I actually quite like Foden. Hes still far off of Bernardo imo having said that.
100%
Rich
You don’t press Xhaka because he’s one of a few players who make forward passes – he doesn’t do any special in that regard anyway – you press him because he’s a mistake waiting to happen.
“you press him because he’s a mistake waiting to happen.”
Totally agree, Xhaka when pressed reveals himself to be a slow responder, slow runner, and typically just slow. If given time and a pace that suits his style, he actually can be quite effective, but a lot of teams are fully aware of him by now, so he is what he is, a mistake waiting to happen.
Marc, my visa doesn’t allow me to go home… so I haven’t been back for a year. Really shit. One of the many reasons I am praying for a new adminsitration
Lol Rich,
You don’t press Leno because he kicks it forward, you press him because he cracks easy under pressure and has a mistake in him.
Same as Xhaka.
But yes, Cazorla is one of the best players we’ve ever had.
A shame injuries did him in.
A shame we didn’t sign him up in the summer, he was a free agent basically waiting to hear any news we were interested in him.
Wenger eagle
Bernard silva is quality but tbf to Forden he keeps making clutch impacts like goals assist or pre assists. Lad looks a talent.
Marc
I’m not making a case for Xhaka’s effectiveness, I’m making the case that for the last few years our alternatives in our squad being worse than Xhaka.
Which should tell you everything you need to know about the quality of our squad.
Rich and many of us disagree, we think Xhaka isn’t the best of the bunch.
Pedro
You really have to wonder about the bureaucrats and politicians who put these rules together.
Without getting into to politics I’d be stunned if Biden didn’t win.
On the other hand I was stunned about the BREXIT result and stupefied by Trumps first win so I might not be the one to rely on this time!
AFC Forever
Arteta will be given time by the fans. But the league is cruel. This is how it is. Team’s are going to want to steam roll us. A good test will be against United.
I want Bamford twitter handle if we beat them so I can abuse him!
Is it worth putting in a sneaky bid for eriksen in January…he’s out of favour at inter..
Marc, I was here when the Trump thing happened… they literally didn’t learn the lesson of Brexit, and Hillary was such a toxic selection.
Agree with you, it seems very unlikely it’ll happen again.
… then I can come home and go to a game (or see my fam)
Pierre, what about Delli?
London gunner
October 27, 2020 19:39:24
Foden a baller mate. Links up well with his teams also. assists and scores too.
Marc
I think you’re right it’s more likely his way to dick on Arteta as he was linked to the Arsenal job before and he’s basically saying publicaly that Xhaka is a liability. (Which he is)
Pierre
That’s an interesting thought – not the greatest AM ever but a good player who’s PL proven.
Trumps deffo losing this election
Record turn out among young voters who basically all vote democrat.
Trump is losing in every single battle ground state most of them losing by over 8 points.
Trump also losing states that’s not normally vote and are republican stalwarts.
He doesn’t stand a chance.
Pedro
You can tell your Mum doesn’t read the comments section:
“… then I can come home and go to a game (or see my fam)”
You’d be in serious trouble if she did!
“He doesn’t stand a chance.”
Landslide it is then…..
For Trump!
Pierre
No, if we can’t find a system that works with Ozil, it isn’t working with Erikssen.
Screaming out in pain when tackled is the new in thing and its pathetic.
A yellow card should be given to any player who acts in this manner.
Kaz
I’d forgot he was linked with the job – that’s a little snide one on being a better tactician.
Personally I can’t stand the guy – think he’s a massive twat.
Marc
It’ll be close, Biden wins the popular vote for sure,
Pensilvania + Florida up for grabs.
I’ve moved from Biden sneaking it in close race, onto Trump just sneaking it.
Biden by a landslide Rich.
You seem to have a keen eye on US politics
Biden blowout. TX, Arizona and Georgia in play…
Rich
My genuine prediction is a Biden win and then him kicking the bucket before inauguration day!
No idea what this Harris is like.
Guns, thank fuck it’s looking like a wide margin, Brett Ks write up yesterday was atrocious.
Marc
Lol, to be fair it’s the time to do it, let’s not forget manager’s have ego’s too.
I’m not against him but not in favour of him either. He got memed to death with his whole “the team showed great character” speeches but then again we’ve been a banter club for a long time and still are.
Kaz
“.No, if we can’t find a system that works with Ozil, it isn’t working with Erikssen.”
Its .nothing to do with sysytems or football…..Eriksen would fit.
No politics you cunts, no hexing this election with “Biden blowout” i’ve already seen that film.
He’s proper spurs though, the documentary showed he still loves them, just wanted something new.
I dunno, he’s a lightweight midfielder with an eye for a pass and was known to have his off days too…
Pedro
Deli in an Arsenal shirt is a no for me …he’s up there with steve perryman of players i despise
Not saying he wouldn’t improve our play, but would Arteta actually let him link forward?
You getting gun shy with the polls Sal?
Record numbers of voting has already happened. They could call the election now most likely.
I think Michigan and Penn go blue. Wisconsin too perhaps.
Texas may turn, Florida as well.
Obama’s speech in the parking lot was a classic one in the Florida rain…. the man is a gifted speaker