I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that this weekend is a HUGE moment for the Arsenal project this season. Win, and we’ve taken down a strong United side in a low moment for Arsenal. Lose, and everyone will throw a shit fit on the internet and life will be sad for a while.
So far this season, the fine margins approach of this new Arsenal squad has not worked well for us. We should have done better against Liverpool, we should have taken points at City, and we really shouldn’t have been beaten by Leicester last weekend.
The new challenge we have is teams have now learned that coming at us like we’re a banter club is not a thing. You can’t bully and press us high up the pitch because we have a couple of deadly moves in the locker that allow us to move the ball up the pitch and kill. We have been sussed.
The common consensus at the start of the season was that we’d struggle against low blocks against the small teams… well, now even the better teams are playing that game. Leicester low-blocking was not expected. Arteta calls this a sign of respect.
It’s a lot of things that we’ve improved on in my opinion and we have all the stats to do that. Our thinking after Leicester, the reason why they did what they did in their game plan, to sit so low against us when they are not normally a team that do that – they’ve been really dominant and play really attractive football – I came to the conclusion that we have the respect from other teams for them to do that. Now we have to try to change our strategy a little bit and try to train against more certain blocks that I think are going to happen a bit more often. We have made teams think, ‘If we do that, we’ll be in trouble so we have to try to do something else’. We’re going to work on that and the moment we improve that, we’ll become even better.
I’d agree that it is a sign we need to develop the thinking and be a bit less predictable. The good thing is he’s acknowledging these issues. What we see with our eyes… he’s seeing, and he’s trying to coach us to a better approach.
Easier said than done. Our squad hasn’t developed at the pace we needed this summer. We made ourselves very solid, but we still lack a bit of magic. We need someone that can do the things that Mesut can do, but sadly, that doesn’t exist. That means we have to get more creative with what we have. The game in the week showed some options that might exist. Would Reiss Nelson offer a more direct option on the right? Would Joe Willock be able to function in a midfield that had the support of someone like Thomas Partey? Can Willian or Saka step up?
Arteta thinks we have enough options, but the players need to show up.
That structure is just to limit our opponents to certain things when we lose the ball. The other structure can flow. We have so many different patterns to try to attack these situations, depending on the formation that they play, and the value of spaces. That will be in different things. It’s more about our aggression, when we have the ball, our purpose, our aggression, our runs in behind. When do players take someone on and think, ‘I have to make something happen’? We want them to think about themselves, not him or him, we want them to take accountability. They need to want to put the ball in the box more often, because this is what top teams do. If the other team want to defend the box, make sure they’re defending the box all the team, and that we’re being very aggressive in the final third. It’s something we haven’t faced so much since I arrived here, but I think it’ll happen more and more.
I do think there’s been an element of passing the buck when it comes to making things happen. That might be because the system has been too rigid, or players might think that Auba can score the goals. Hopefully, this is a game where we see a different mindset. There has to be more purpose to how we attack, doing it against Dundalk is one thing, United? Hmm…
We’ll see how the basics of what we saw against Dundalk translate into the United game. We cannot avoid the middle of the pitch. We cannot assume Xhaka is the only player that can move the ball forward. We cannot expect to win the United game without taking some calculated risks.
That said, I suspect the cagey approach we thought might be the recipe of the day… might have changed after the midweek decimation OGS handed out to Nagelsmann. United don’t like to sit back and I’m not sure they’ll do that this weekend… but we’ll see.
News leaked yesterday that Huss is out the door at Arsenal. Ivan G set out with a dream, the dealmaker at Barca, the Diamond Eyes guy at Dortmund, and the contracts person at Sky Racing. Well, that entire vision collapsed inside 3 years. I actually think it mostly collapsed because Ivan left and created a power vacuum. He botched the succession plan by assuming that dual leadership could work and that someone like Raul, chancer in chief, could be trusted to run things to the betterment of Arsenal. Well, it was a mess, but it’s being cleaned up.
Huss was supposed to come in and sort out the way we did deals. I’m not sure he can walk away having achieved much. Our wage bill is a mess, we’ve lost players on free transfers, and we have a collection of duds on deals so sweet, they won’t leave. I suspect his exit is quite tightly tied to Raul’s. He was the bag man for the bag man. If he was there overseeing the deals Raul was throwing his way, then it’s pretty clear why he’s out. He’s been given the quiet exit route out… very American. Sam Dean reckons we’ll bring in a lower level Head of Football Operations. We certainly need some expertise going back into the club. The jury is still out on some high profile staff and everyone knows it there, I hope we don’t continue the trend of letting average talent make huge decisions that sets us back years.
Finally… I did a podcast ON VIDEO, with the guys at Elite Football Show. I spoke with Haider and Ciaran about United and Arsenal. It’s a good listen, especially the parallels they draw between the United project and the Arsenal one. I also think it’s interesting to listen to other fans talking about what we’re doing… because generally, they are a bit more positive.
The podcast can be found on iTunes and Spotify… but be daring for once in your life, click the video… listen AND watch. ENJOY. x
Pierre
Fully concur with your assesment
If the players want art out because of ozil n Mattie it’s s war they will win.
Also apart from personal issues why is musrafi getting a look in again…
As I say my love for football and arsenal is waning very quickly
Given I’ve said this since day one, no.
Wait you’re telling me that if things get really bad you remain the same time and transition Mikel deserves both? Well you’re consistent I’ll give you that
Marc, 11 points from that lot keeps us in contention.
West Ham really having a go here. Bit more metal about them these days
Marc, plan b is hard to come by when the club can’t shift players. Plan B was Partey.
The first goal tomorrow is the all important goal..if we concede the first goal i doubt if there is any way back..
United can drop off us and wait for the moment to counter.
We will be reluctant to push players forward due the pace of the united front line añd you will get a game of cat and mouse..
If united get 2 , then it’s curtains.
We desperately need an early goal and then we can be more in control of the game.
I don’t know wtf is going on with inter and late goals this season
PedroOctober 31, 2020 18:51:31
I will never ever miss Gervinho.
Pedro,you won’t miss that receding hairline?
Pedro
Of course 11 points does – do you think we’ll get 3 wins and 2 draws from those matches?
I actually think that’d be a fantastic return from those matches – however I think we’ll be closer to half that unless we see a real turnaround in form and performances.
Daniel, he was such a depressing player to watch… couldn’t stand him. Or the hair. What a miserable signing he was.
Joao Felix is starting to look like the joao Felix we all expected him to be
“Wait you’re telling me that if things get really bad you remain the same time and transition Mikel deserves both? Well you’re consistent I’ll give you that“ What are you talking about? I have expectations of Arteta as anyone else does. What I’m saying is they aren’t going to dramatically change if things “get really bad” as you suggest. My expectations are what they are, and they’re not subject to any dramatic change because all things are considered. New info can influence them, but this season for me has always been about going from 3-4-3 to 4-3-3 (or more fluid… Read more »
Marc, I think we’ll beat Villa and Leeds. Wolves will be tough, but I think we can get at them. Spurs is always a toss up, but if they press like they have been, we can get at them. I have high hopes for tomorrow.
We need our new players to come good. WIllian, Partey and Gabriel need to settle fast… and Auba needs to find some form.
Daniel, he was such a depressing player to watch… couldn’t stand him. Or the hair. What a miserable signing he was.
I never liked Gervinho but for me,the player that takes the cake during the banter era was chamakh…. genuinely one of the worst strikers I have ever seen play football
Felix was great in the week
Chamakh was definitely the worst, second that.
At times I pined for Bendtner watching Chamakh play.
Chamakh was a disgrace… how did we wait for 2 seasons and leave a vacancy in our squad for him? So, so slow
The first goal tomorrow is the all important goal..if we concede the first goal i doubt if there is any way back..United can drop off us and wait for the moment to counter. We will be reluctant to push players forward due the pace of the united front line añd you will get a game of cat and mouse..If united get 2 , then it’s curtains.We desperately need an early goal and then we can be more in control of the game Correct. We can all mock ole but that fucker is a counter attack maestro.I hope we don’t fall… Read more »
Amazing how West Ham can go to Anfield and not fold like a bunch of amateurs but Arsenal collapse as sure as a chocolate fireplace
Baptista was also outrageously shit
Pedro
I’d be thrilled with the 11 point return but I think we’re going to lose tomorrow, we’ll beat Villa, I think Leeds will over run us and win – Xhaka could possibly die, Wolves not sure about and I’m not confident about the Spud’s.
Unless we can start scoring goals we cannot win matches.
“Chamakh was a disgrace…”
Great song though
Marc, that’s a very miserable outlook, so let’s see what happens.
Felix was great in the week
He is playing very well today.I actually think atletico will challenge for the league this season.They have only conceded one goal this season.Their defence is back to being mean and their attack is looking good
@WE I know,Wenger giving us the option of bendtner or chamakh was some depressing stuff
Global with the kiss of death.
On field review? It’s a blatant foul????
He is playing very well today.I actually think atletico will challenge for the league this season.They have only conceded one goal this season.Their defence is back to being mean and their attack is looking good
I jinxed it…make that two goals
Charles things go bad for Emery he’s gone from inside 18 months while things go bad for Arteta it’s okay because we’re in transition and he needs more time? It’s incredible such leeway your expectations for Arteta meanwhile Emery’s the dud who bottled top 4 by a point with a top 4 squad. Funnily enough I agree with you that the manager needs time and a few transfer windows to implement his vision on the club though if like Emery there’s real struggle and not enough improvement in certain areas (for Emery it was defence for Mikel it’s the offence)… Read more »
I predict a number of 0-0, 1-0 , 0-1 and 1-1 scorelines in the league for the next couple of months..
Pep is showiñg that he can get results by being pragmatic in the league with the recent 1-0 wins..
Mane takes out Fabiansky as Jota scores. Naturally goal disallowed.
Don’t know how Mane gets away without a card for dangerous play . Refs have a complex towards galácticos
WE am I being too harsh when I say that I’m getting serious chamakh vibes from Lacazette these days
Spanish Dave Godspeed.
Can’t believe we’re talking worst strikers and no-one has mentioned ‘£50m’ Sanogo. He literally looked like his legs belonged to someone else.
Mane is a cultured thug. Routinely gets away with murder
Marko
Definitely, you must forget how distressing it was to watch Chamakh up top.
Laca playing absolutely shit though, no doubt.
Laughable how much time it took them to make the obvious decision. The bloody commentators were silently waiting for the refs to decide without saying it’s an obvious foul. We’ve talked about Manure getting help from the refs but in the past season or two Liverpool have gotten a decent amount of dodgy pens and decisions in their favor.
Jota winning games for Pool.
We could get 12/12 going into the Spurs game, we’re not favourites tomorrow, but we’re in with a decent shot.
That then gives us a bit of momentum.
9/9 from 2 home games against Villa and Wolves sandwiched between an away game at Leeds, are all games we’re capable of winning.
I wouldn’t bet on it, but it’s certainly not far fetched.
Jota scores. This goal ison. West Ham defence slumbered keeping a free run on the right
Marko: laca has it in him to be a worldie. Chamakh on the other hand was peak tripe. Wenger he bought Chamakh Gervinho, Sanogo. He really knows how to pick `em..
Andy
Sanogo was always a bit of a banter signing though, he was a freebie from Ligue 2.
Chamakh actually played serious minutes for us. As did Bendtner.
Looking back it’s hard to not sympathise with Cesc who was arguably the best CAM in football having to service those two donkeys in his prime here.
Torreira has just scored a striker’s goal in less than 3 minutes in the pitch!
Thanks James means a lot
We don’t need one creator in the team. We just need to pass and move. This will speed up our play. Currently everyone takes too many touches and stand still after we pass. That is one things Leeds does very well. Everyone is always moving and we are the opposite.
We have always been at our best when we do 1-2’s and 1 touch football. Limit the backwards, sideways and dictating play through the very slow Luis and Xhaka.
Post Adebayor in 2006, Wenger couldn’t spot a good CF to save his life.
Bendtner, Chamakh, Park, Sanogo, Gervinho.
Giroud and Podolski dont deserve to be lumped in with that group but top drawer neither were.
I don’t think people quite get how bad chamakh was.I mean dude could only use his head because his feet were absolutely shite.That said,he actually scored 7 times and assisted 4 in his first 20 apps
Jota is a complete player ready made for the Klopp system.
He’s twice the player Adama Traore is who’s a one trick pony and can’t even get a start for wolves at the moment.
Spanish Dave, good luck.
Rich
It is incredibly far fetched, what planet are you on that it is feasible that we beat United at OT (something we have failed to do in the PL since 2006), and go on to rack 3 more wins on the bounce against top opposition in Villa, Leeds and Wolves after the way we have started?
When was the last time that we won 4 consecutive PL matches?
Top opposition is overdoing it, how about tough opposition.
Weren’t some people questioning the acquisition of Diego Joys by Klopp?
“Charles things go bad for Emery he’s gone from inside 18 months while things go bad for Arteta it’s okay because we’re in transition and he needs more time? It’s incredible such leeway your expectations for Arteta meanwhile Emery’s the dud who bottled top 4 by a point with a top 4 squad.“ Where are you plucking this “in transition, needs time” stuff from? The only “transition” I’ve talked about is seeing us go from a pragmatic football to a more exciting brand over the course of the season (I expect a formation change and think Arteta is a back… Read more »
We have a couple of games go against us and people are hanging themselves on here. Fuck me people, get a grip.
I was there when Sanogo scored four….
Daniel Altos
“I don’t think people quite get how bad chamakh was”
Oh they do alright.
But when you have been slating Lacazette since time immemorial you use the shittiest of shit sticks to beat Lacazette with.
Daniel
Chamakh was as bad with his feet as Gervinho was, neither could strike the ball to save their familes.
Gervinhos saving grace was that he was rapid and a good dribbler (albeit inconsistent).
Chamakh as you say had literally nothing going for him other than his noggin. Like an anorexic Rudy Gestede.
“Weren’t some people questioning the acquisition of Diego Joys by Klopp?“
I think the term used was what is Klopp smoking? Lol.
JJ
“We have always been at our best when we do 1-2’s and 1 touch football. Limit the backwards, sideways and dictating play through the very slow Luis and Xhaka.”
It’s not rocket science is it JJ.
But apparently this is absolutely beyond the capabilities of top professional footballers.
Heaven forbid that there is an actual choice here by the manager that is occuring.
Tom fapping over a Jota goal, Bamford-esque in the joy it brings him.
WengerEagle
I’m on the planet where we’ve dug results out against Liverpool, City, Leicester (league cup) Chelsea (FA Cup final) in the last few months.
We’re perfectly capable of getting a result tomorrow, we’re just not favourites.
I’d imagine we’d have 3 tight games against Villa, Leeds and Wolves, but we’re certainly capable of beating those teams, particularly if we gain some confidence with a good result tomorrow.
Like I said I wouldn’t bet on it, but I don’t think we’re in as bad a place as some seem to think.
Hopefully things go our way tomorrow.
These media are toilet.
I don’t know why the government even entertain them in such circumstances.
They certainly don’t talk for me and I’m sure that is the case for many others.
At least we can all look forward to Trump winning a second term – I’m going to need cheering up after tomorrow.
Ishola
Agree 100%
Rich Liverpool had mathematically won the Premier League when we beat them. When was the last time that we beat them in a PL game that mattered? League Cup, clue is in the name. Again in the PL when it mattered, Leicester put us to the sword. I’m hopeful that we can pick up enough points to avoid a looming disaster but we are definitely up against it with how we have been playing. In an ideal world, you would go into that list looking to win the middle three games and get a point at OT/Spurs. Youd take anywhere… Read more »
“Heaven forbid that there is an actual choice here by the manager that is occuring.”
Yea apparently he isn’t getting what he wants from the players but praises them after each lethargic performance nonetheless
Our match against Leeds worries me. They will play at supersonic speed and the first name on our teamsheet got beat in the sprint trails by an asthmatic snail.
Wenger Eagle Football is so much more than stats. The Jota goal , on his end, was a simple run and pass the ball into the net next to the helpless Fabianski, the real trick and genius was the nutmeg pass by the alpine Messi to Jota. Jota created his own bit of magic just minutes later dribbling up field only for Salah to choose the wrong option and Jota would’ve been on goal again. The fact you don’t see these things is the indictment on your football acumen so spare me the Bamford jabs. Anyone who watched Wolves play… Read more »
Aubas speed is a bit of a myth really.
The comparisons to Henry always made me laugh. He can’t for the life of him dribbling or control the ball running at speed like Thierry thrived at.
Not even convinced of his speed off the ball, can’t off hand ever really remember him vaporising a chasing defender for a goal. Few examples at Dortmund, maybe age played a part.
Any team that includes Xhaka and Mustafi will get hammered tomorrow. Guaranteed
JJ
19 passes were played between the team that led to Pepe scoring against Sheffield United.
Yeah but of course the players are totally incapable of quick one time passing.
There is a choice being made here by the manager at this time.
And it’s not quick one touch passing.
Has anyone heard any updates on where we are with injuries or who’s available etc?
Ishola
Did you see the clip – can’t remember who put it up the other day – of Partey losing his rag during the Leicester game when we just kept passing along the back line?
WengerEagle
That’s a reasonable analysis.
But Leicester didn’t put us to the sword, they beat us in a pretty close run game, that could have gone either way, same at City.
We’re overdue a result at Old Trafford in the league, hopefully our midfield has a bit better shape to it tomorrow, and last week was just early teething problems.
The concern is Mustafi hasn’t had much football, but I do think that we can get at the United back line as well.
Rich
Our midfield last week wasn’t teething troubles – it was following Arteta’s instructions.
Our U23s bottom of the league with two draws only to show for their efforts. Not to sure that the project is going too well
Tom
Are you really going to bring Jota up every week just to prove a point on here? He wasn’t great at Wolves last season, that is literally fiction.
Already said that I’ll hold my hands up if come the end of the season he’s been a success. A handful of matches proves nothing, do I need to run through a list of players that have put goalscoring runs together?
Keep it up though by all means to showcase your brilliant footballing acumen.
RH, cunting players off in the press 1) not smart 2) would have you complaining about excuses
Make up your mind.
Marc
“Did you see the clip – can’t remember who put it up the other day – of Partey losing his rag during the Leicester game when we just kept passing along the back line?”
No I haven’t. Doesn’t surprise me though.
Pedro
No one’s suggesting doing a “Mourinho” on the team but saying you’re proud of a result when you’ve lost 1 nil?
Come on – you’re marketing you know there’s a million ways to word that without getting fans backs up.
Marc
“Our midfield last week wasn’t teething troubles – it was following Arteta’s instructions.”
So correct.
Ceb you keep pissing off right please. Xhaks stay out of the way on the left please.
And Tommy. You are on your own. Good luck son.
Rich
True that but how often over the years has that been the case? Playing well but dropping the points.
I’m more worried about our source of goals tomorrow than our midfield. Auba and Laca couldnt be in worse form and we literally have nobody else that looks likely to put up a goal.
Marc
A midfielder who’s been in the country 10 days, and never played with his teammates before is teething problems.
If you’re still having those problems in December, there’s something much more worrying going on.
WengerEagle
Is Lacazette in poor form? He’s bagged 3 already.
I’m just resigned to Lacazette being Lacazette at this point, he’s a decent player who works hard and will bag us a few goals, but he lacks the dynamism and physicality to be anywhere near the needed level.
It’s just another area of the pitch we need a serious upgrade.
“Are you really going to bring Jota up every week just to prove a point on here? He wasn’t great at Wolves last season, that is literally fiction. First of all I didn’t bring him up, secondly, he’s a 23 year old player who’s spent his last three seasons between three different clubs so not sure how big of an impact you should expect from him under the circumstances. I don’t do favoritisms, I see a player over a period of a season and I render my verdict based on the evidence of my eyeballs. Jota was the most complete… Read more »
We know why Arteta placed Xhaka left and Ceballos right in that midfield against Leicester.
He wanted to show defensive solidity while using his fullbacks as offensive weapons.
Partey might actually want to play some football in central midfield. You never know.
Yes Pedro, that’s the only two options open to him, praise their performance or cunt them off.
The fact they keep playing the same way week in week shows they are playing to exact instructions.
Rich
I was referring to Partey being marooned in midfield all alone with Ceballos and Xhaka dropping into wide positions.
The concern was there with Arteta’s comments about Partey being able to control midfield all by himself after the Vienna match which were converted into tactics against Leicester.
Arsenal’s football atm is making season ticket holders like marc quite happy that there is a lockdown. I remember in the 70’s , a team that came to highbury (stoke i think) played the most negative , boring football you’d wish to see ìn a 0-0 draw. Their manager in the interview after the game was asked about the entertainment value of his team’s performance. His reply was , if you want entertainment then go to the theatre ………or something similar. Would be interesting to hear Arteta’s reply of he was asked a similar question. Something tells me the answer… Read more »
stoke manager
“My job was to send the Stoke supporters home happy, not entertain bloody Arsenal fans” – Alan Durban.
Pierre
“Arsenal’s football atm is making season ticket holders like marc quite happy that there is a lockdown.”
There really isn’t any reason to rub it in is there?
Inspired subs by klopp, shakira and jota combined to secure the 3 points
.
Didn’t quite get it right , it was in the early 80’s and Arsenal won . “Back in the early 1980s, when football was popular but regarded as rather grubby and uncouth and looked down upon, like a Wetherspoons pub, there was a fair amount of discussion about what represented entertainment. The general consensus was that Alan Durban’s Stoke team were not it. Often defensive, frequently rather ‘rambunctious’ in the tackle, Stoke were few people’s idea of a good time, and this came to a head after a particularly grim game against Arsenal early in the 1980/81 season, in which… Read more »
Just found out on average 5% of the world suffer from hemorrhoids and less than 1% have COVID.!!!!
Stop the World I want to get of the toilet
So there’s gonna be a month long lock down but football will be unaffected? Weird.
Dave
I hate to say it but you seem obsessed with the concept of someone sticking there finger up your arse today.
Personally I’ll pass but I’m sure you’ll find plenty of volunteers on here tonight!
The notable thing about Jota so far is that he is scoring winning goals for Liverpool in tight matches.
We all know about those players who pad their stats when their team is already 3-0 up don’t we.
I think the system has a lot to do for jota to excel under Klopp. Both Emery and Arteta couldn’t setup a system for Pepe to shine. You can’t just ask the player to be more consistent. You have to find ways to help him out.
Marc
Some of our players need a poke in that direction!
Particularly if we loose tomorrow. Lol
Pierre, he was probably under the misapprehension that they were playing sport.
It’s quite a feat for Arteta to have players of the quality of Aubameyang, Ozil , Pepe, Saka , Lacazette , willian Ceballos at his disposal and still manage to play such dull, uninspiring football…
System is one thing, another might be that Jota is a scrapper as well as a technical player which Pepe has shown no signs of ever becoming no matter the coach.
Pepe is a less sophisticated version of Mahrez.
Jota can thrive under any coach because he’s a complete player, just as is Grealish for example.