It’s the BIG ONE.
Arsenal vs Manchester United. Away from home. The reignition of a classic? Maybe.
Both sides head into this game out of form in the league. United haven’t won at home for three games. We haven’t won away against a top 6 side in 359 years. We are both not where we should be in the league.
It is a must win for both sides. Both sets of fans will be immensely frustrated with a sharing of the spoils
Arteta needs to win because though we’ve been tough to beat, we’re not racking up points in these big games.
Ole G needs to win because he’s spent a lot of cash for not a lot of output so far.
Arsenal fans are looking for a performance. I don’t buy that we have to have 62 shots on target to make a performance count, I think we just need to do better than we have been. Averaging 8 attempts at goal a game isn’t good for the soul. We need a bit more today. I don’t want to be celebrating a glorious loss again. We need to move beyond being competitive at this stage.
I think Arteta plays a fine margins game, but we’re not quite a fine margins team yet. To get a performance, he needs more than 6 of his players at the top of their game. I’m not sure we’ve seen a game like that so far this season.
These are the moments that are built for big players. Backs against the wall, low expectations, a grim record to surmount.
I want to see a ferocious Arsenal today. I want to see players like Willian show why we invested so much money in them. I want to see what Thomas Partey is all about. I want to see captain Auba impose himself.
Aside from that, I want to see some purpose and intent behind our attack. I think Arteta has cut out a lot of the nonsense we’ve seen from this squad in big games, but that’s led us to become a very low-risk side. When the objective is not to make a mistake, you improve defensively, but you also reduce the taste for risk. I want to see big players gamble. I want to see us take chances. If things don’t work out, I don’t want to see players hide… we need to keep plugging away until something good happens.
This is a huge game. It feels special. I am very excited.
You should feel the same. Let’s enjoy the game and see where we land. Catch you in the comments!
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1st
If the midfield “block the spaces” we should get a result today.
Blocking those spaces absolutely key.
4th?
Boom
4
Top 10?
Ohh well….
Saint Maximin is the new Gervinho.
Raptora, he’s a really fun player
Pedro
” don’t buy that we have to have 62 shots on target to make a performance count”
Your keyboard broken mate – the point button isn’t working that should read “6.2 shots on target”.
Ish
By blocking spaces I think he means being able to cut off avenues for passes.
Honestly they’re both below par and a little too unreliable.
I’d rather the unremarkable guy who keeps it tidy.
Ishola
Positional sense
Being in the right spaces .A team whether it presses high or defends deep,does so in a block.
Good positioning is important to prevent the opposition from getting access to your penalty box.
Xhaka is positionally very good.
He’s like Gervinho juiced to the gills, explodes past and through defenders.
Le Forehead had the softer touch in front of goal though.
“Xhaka is positionally very good.”
As seen for the Leicester goal last week.
“As seen for the Leicester goal last week”
Not a positional issue, slowness issue which why he should never have been playing cb.
“I don’t want to be celebrating a glorious loss again.”
Precisely. I don’t want to hear another “at least we didn’t get battered” shit again.
Saint Maxim shouldn’t definitely be poached off of Newcastle.
Marc
Xhaka has enjoyed a couple of goals against United in the past, players usually have favourite clubs to score against.
Hopefully he smashes one in from 30 yards today, and it’s into the opponents net, and not his own……
Andrea Belotti post Covid restart has now scored 13 Serie A goals in just 17 matches.
He’s a bit of the Jamie Vardy/Ciro Immobile about him. Had an excellent prolific breakout season only to have an underwhelming follow-up season to be branded a one-season flash in the pan and then go on to slowly seep back into people’s consciousness putting up multiple respectable scoring seasons.
Maxim is an unpolished player, not good enough for me.
Pedro,
Your post hyped me up. Thanks for breaking my hopes and dreams if we end up empty-handed. I’ll pour me some Famous Grouse and drink my pain away in advance.
Leftfootcurler “Xhaka is positionally very good.” Xhaka’s positional play in matches is dictated by his weaknesses physically i.e basically being slow. You have said before that you are impressed that he gets into positions to receive the ball. These positions he is getting into to receive the ball are around the edges. Either deep, wide or sometimes central when the oppossing midfield drops off. He doesn’t like to demand the ball or get into position to receive the ball in higher risk areas or where it is more condensed. So basically he is a safety first player in regards to… Read more »
Yeah agree TR7, Newcastle definitely his level. Jeremie Boga is an elite St Maximin.
On his day he’s a handful for anyone though.
“I’ll pour me some Famous Grouse and drink my pain away in advance.”
Pour that Famous Grouse down the drain and drink some single malt. Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Ardbeg..
I haven’t followed Daniel Podence, the Wolves player, much. But the other day he dropped a prime Nasri performance. Impressed me a lot but it could have been a one-off. Showed everything we need in attack.
Not a fan either. Think Marcus Thuram is far more polished with a bigger ceiling as well.
Weagle
Was remembering another player I had a crush on years ago who we never landed. Remember Diego?
How many times do we see Xhaka intercepting opposition passes?
If we are talking about very good defensive positional awareness surely that would be reflected in intercepted passes or winning tackles made on opposing players.
Xhaka could be termed though as being good at “blocking space”
Like a traffic bollard could be termed as good at “blocking a space”
Gonner Joe, not sure this is the day for something new… we just need an aggressive performance where big names show their worth.
This feels like one of those Wenger games where he eas under lot of pressure from back to back losses and always managed to pull out a surprising result and eacape. Arsenal to win this by 2 goals at least.
Marcus Thuram will be big time.
So will Rafael Leao.
I think Maxim is a good option for sure and is a bit of a late bloomer.
I agree his ceiling isn’t as high but he’s a lot cheaper and can make an immediate impact.
WE
Belotti is a phenomenal player. I watch plenty of Serie A games and always thought he belonged in a bigger club. Could never figure out why he hasn’t moved yet. And he’s also only 26. Having said that I haven’t seen too many Italian players who made it big outside of their home country, specifically strikers. So that may have something to do with it. But surely Juve or one of the Milan or Rome clubs could use someone like him.
“Not a positional issue, slowness issue which why he should never have been playing cb.”
Which demonstrates he is A) a moron and B) is positionally piss poor because he’s miles off Under who provided the cross for Vardy to score.
Ish, against Leicester, Xhaka recovered the ball 7 times, he made the most successful tackles (4/4), and he had 1 interception.
Jamie,
I don’t make much difference between a £20 or £60 whiskey. Certainly not an alcohol savvy. As long as it does the job, it will do.
Fucking watch this and tell me his positional play for the goal is good?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4c-2_ngwes
“If we are talking about very good defensive positional awareness surely that would be reflected in intercepted passes or winning tackles made on opposing players.“
No, if you’re in the right place then the passing option isn’t open and the ball gets moved laterally to find a gap. Interceptions come from anticipation of a pass or being out of position and recovering, largely.
Charlie He still plays for Flamengo. Was one of my favourite players to watch at Werder Bremen. Another one imo that may not have had the mentality needed for an elite club but excelled as the big fish in small pond setting. He was the best midfielder in the Bundesliga for years, amazing player to watch in his pomp but never quite could replicate that for Juventus or Atletico Madrid although he had his moments like that CL goal at the Nou Camp that sent Barca out in the QF. Another good one was his Bremen predecessor, Johan Micoud. Lad… Read more »
Auba is a world class striker but I’m pretty sure we’ll never see him impose himself on games.
Ishola
“Xhaka’s positional play in matches is dictated by his weaknesses physically i.e basically being slow.”
Nonsense.
If what you say is true, why the hell does he press high?
He is deep into the final third pressing the opposition’s midfielder.
You can check that for City’s goal,if you like.
Re receiving positions, if you stand in a congested area and demand in the ball in 1st/2nd phase , your coach will kill you, your defenders will never pass to you.
1st/2nd phase is not about risks.
Xhaka defending vacant spaces at CB against Rashford, Martial and James is a nightmare.
Kind of crazy how from almost an equal start, Under outrun Xhaka by around 10 meters. Holy moly, talking about justifying snail speed. Most goalkeepers have better speed.
“How many times do we see Xhaka intercepting opposition passes?”
If your positioning is good, then opposition will not even pass the ball there since you have blocked off the passing lane already.
“Nonsense.
If what you say is true, why the hell does he press high?”
Because he’s a fucking retard
.
Champagne Charlie “No, if you’re in the right place then the passing option isn’t open and the ball gets moved laterally to find a gap. Interceptions come from anticipation of a pass or being out of position and recovering, largely” And how does this relate to Xhaka? Is he sprightly enough on his feet or quick enough in brain to keep closing these passing avenues down? Or is it a case of just standing in a certain area for a period? “Blocking the space” as leftfootcurler likes to tell us. tbf any player can be instructed to just place themselves… Read more »
A lot of word play to paint Xhaka as an effective midfielder
Ish, against Leicester, Xhaka recovered the ball 7 times, he made the most successful tackles (4/4), and he had 1 interception. He was also caught ball watching and slow to get back for the Leicester goal. Go back and watch that goal for me it perfectly illustrates who the intelligent defenders are at Arsenal and who’s not. You had Gabriel back busting a gut and positionally where he needed to be while Xhaka was caught ball watching and slow to get back and Mustafi was out of position nowhere near picking up Vardy. The clip shows what to do and… Read more »
Upstate Yeah pretty much mate as you say, Italians don’t tend to travel too well and generally opt to stay in Serie A. Immobile had a very tough time of it at Sevilla and Dortmund. Although then you have Luca Toni that was great at Bayern and Zola at Chelsea. Even Mad Mario Balotelli put up a couple of good years at City so there are bucks to the trend. He lacks pace but he’s no Giroud either, he can shift well enough. Clinical in front of goal, good in the air. Not the most well-rounded game but he would… Read more »
How after watching Xhaka who’s into his 5th season with us anyone can defend him is criminal.
Captain Tierney
I agree, Aubameyang has averaged 19 passes over 419 games.
He’s an impact player and match winner, who defensively puts in a shift for the team.
He’s never been a player who imposes himself on games, always on the fringes.
Blocking off the passing lines.
Right.
Block off that passing lane for me.
Only intelligent good blockers of space need apply.
What a load of bollox.
Any Charlie could do that.
Marko
It’s worse than what you say because as well as all of that Xhaka gave up chasing.
Have to agree with Marc, WTF Xhaka was doing there is anyone’s guess. No speed and no footballing brain…
Gooner Joe, not sure that Pepe in a front three is solving any problems
andy
If you have the self awareness to know you don’t have the pace you don’t put yourself in that position.
Xhaka has repeatedly demonstrated as well as being an OK passer, no pace, can’t tackle and can’t deal with being pressed to having no self awareness as to what he’s doing when on the pitch.
‘Auba is a world class striker but I’m pretty sure we’ll never see him impose himself on games.’ Bit of an oxymoron. The very best players always manage to impose themselves on the game. Auba for me has always been a tier below the very best strikers for how limited his game is, when it comes to sticking the ball in the net he’s up there with pretty much anyone ut he’s probably got the worst link-up/all round CF game out of any top striker. Look at Kane even for Spurs. I remember plenty on here preferred Auba and saw… Read more »
The criminal thing is that a lot of the starting players in Wenger’s last season are out, but bums like Xhaka, Mustafi and Kolasinac are still playing game in game out. How???
Pedro
“Ish, against Leicester, Xhaka recovered the ball 7 times, he made the most successful tackles (4/4), and he had 1 interception.”
And also Marko forget as well as being horribly caught out for the goal he was embarrasingly beaten again by an opposing player and had to revert to rugby tactics again to stop the player. Yellow card ensued.
Xhaka experiment has to end eh Pedro? Get on to Arteta about it.
Marc
Watch us versus Olympiakos last season and tell me Aubameyang is a good finisher? You’ve really got to drop the straw man stuff and taking any kind of appreciation as a sign of infallibility.
Every man and his dog knows decision making and concentration lapses completely undermine any inherent ability no matter the level. Asked DDG about that. Superman GK to banter keeper because of his concentration.
Xhaka is shit, plain and simple. And the fact that Arteta doesn’t see it or just refuses to only adds to the long list of why fans like myself are extremely frustrated with our manager. Mertesacker was probably the slowest player to ever play the game of football. Yet he made up for it by being extremely intelligent when it came to positioning and awareness. Xhaka and Intelligence should not be used in the same sentence. Ever.
Ok,this is how a coach will analyse the Leicester goal. Partey was too late to pressure tielmans. Gabriel’s positioning was too deep, if he pushed up to be in the same line as xhaka and mustafi then vardy would have been forced deeper. Xhaka was too slow to track the run of Under, forcing Gabriel to get across to close him down. Gabriel communicates to mustafi to track Vardy which he ignores to do.(vardy was Gabriel’s man initially when he left to close down Under,he told mustafi to track vardy) There is no problem with xhaka’s positional sense here, it’s… Read more »
It’s worse than what you say because as well as all of that Xhaka gave up chasing.
He also did his customary throws arms up in frustration after a fuck up he’d never admit moment. I tell you as an Arsenal fan I love nothing more than seeing the usual types like Xhaka, Mustafi and Kolasinac make a mistake and throw their arms up it’s like the closest thing to an admission of guilt from them. Lacazette loves a good strop too. Why is it always the shite ones who do it
Cc
What the fuck does any of that have to do with Xhaka being the worst player I’ve ever seen in an Arsenal shirt to make so many appearances over such a length of time.
Everton losing… 1 shot on target in 56 mintues
Marko
Imagine if peak Roy Keane was still playing and in the same team as Xhaka – how long before Keane either put him through a wall or deliberately broke one of his legs to get him out of the team.
Marko
” I tell you as an Arsenal fan I love nothing more than seeing the usual types like Xhaka, Mustafi and Kolasinac make a mistake and throw their arms up it’s like the closest thing to an admission of guilt from them”
Very true.
Many players do this. And it’s universal not just an Arsenal thing.
The guilty throwing up of the arms after conceding.
Weagle
Yea mate I loved him and that’s the only thing I can feasibly put forward against him (mentality). Just undermines the importance of what’s between the ears at the top 5% of the game. Fragile guys don’t cut it no matter the talent and ability.
Was he there when big Naldo was a thing? Always liked him too lol
Pedro
Trying to pad stats for Arteta by using a team that had a purple patch ain’t going to cut it I’m afraid.
“Because he’s a fucking retard”
Then why didn’t he do it under Emery?
Arteta’s instruction to close down opposition midfielders because he wants to press high and try to win the ball high up the pitch/prevent the opponent from building up the play and forcing them to go long and getting the ball back.
.
Marc: “Xhaka being the worst player I’ve ever seen in an Arsenal shirt to make so many appearances over such a length of time.”
It’s between Xhaka and Almunia imo. A really close one.
Said a couple of weeks back that Everton’s quality falls off a cliff without one or two of their star men and today proving that to be true without James and Richarlison.
Not a legit threat for a CL spot unless they can manage to keep their front 3 fit.
Hopefully some respite from Everton are top 4 contenders and we should have hired Ancellotti talks for a few weeks
Marc
Xhaka is the worst player you’ve ever seen in an Arsenal shirt….right, ok mate, maybe just skip chat about him altogether. Your bias is unreal, no idea why you bother lol
On current form, Maximin is way above any winger in the PL, probably in Europe too
Aubameyang is brilliant, he’s played in a team that’s struggled, and still been alongside the very best in terms of goals and chance conversion stats.
He’s just not particularly creative or involved in games, but as long as he’s consistently winning you football games, it’s not a huge deal.
I fear to think where we’d have been without him last season.
It’s not even about that for me Marc for me it’s more about peak Wenger or peak Arsenal tolerating someone like Xhaka for so long. Mark my words if this club was truly ambitious and had the type of manager who had us winning and challenging for major honours you wouldn’t have someone like Xhaka still here. Now the hope is that Arteta develops into that kind of manager…with us obviously
Gervinho scored 2 yesterday
Marc, I don’t understand why you’d be upset that Carlo’s Everton has only managed one shot on target against Newcastle?
Cc
Read my comment – I didn’t say the worst player I’ve ever seen in an Arsenal shirt – I said he’s the worst to make so many appearances over such a length of time.
“Your bias is unreal, no idea why you bother lol”
Because I love the club and I know that we’ll never get back in the CL whilst he is a regular let alone first name on the team sheet.
TR7, amen to that
Xhaka is a very good high presser now according to leftfootcurler.
Turn it in curler.
It’s complete nonsense talk now.
You say he is slow yourself but at the same time want us to believe that he is a very good high presser of the ball.
Pedro
I’m not upset – I’m not particularly surprised either. They were always playing above their level and were going to come back down to earth.
Team news soon!
Charlie
Absolutely, begs the question would you rather a trio of Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Park Ji Sung or Diego Ribas, Mesut Ozil and Rodri in a big CL away match all in their prime?
Laughable question on paper, very different on-field application to it. Mentality, durability and reliability can make an fairly average player a mainstay in a top competing team.
Richarlison is brilliant.
He’s relentless, bullies defenders, brilliant in the air, very two footed, physically he’s everything I wish Lacazette would be.
Richarlison, Grealish and a quality right sided centre half, would turn us into genuine contenders.
Marko
You’ll sit and puff your chest about Xhaka being here as an indictment of our ambition and then wax lyrical about Dani Ceballos, fap yourself silly that we signed Pepe, and spend 6 months telling everyone Liverpool have signed one of the best midfielders in the league with Naby Keita.
Safe to say the game is more complex than you make it out to be.
Ronaldo comeback, subbed on and within a minute puts Juventus in front.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r29HMvx4bYU
This is what I mean by blocking space.
It’s midfield basics and a lot of CMs don’t do it.
Not that Arteta is going anywhere soon and I hope he turns out to be the real deal but in case things go wrong, Hassenhutl should be one of the top choices for us.
Wonder if we will see anything bold from Arteta today.
I’m hoping he gives Nelson a shot and maybe Auba up front.
Praying Xhaka is no where near the defence or uniteds pace will tear him a new one.
We are hearing that Willian, Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette all start at Old Trafford.
Worst Arsenal player for me…christ there was probably some really bad ones tail end of GG or beginning of the Wenger years that I’m forgetting like Stephanovs but Andre Santos was pretty bad. Sanogo was a nothing player too. Squillaci too was god awful. Xhaka I dunno about worst but certainly he’ll go down as having one of the more average Arsenal careers and during a declining period for the club as well which is pretty bad
Ishola
“Xhaka is a very good high presser now according to leftfootcurler.”
Didn’t say that. Stop putting words in my mouth.
leftfootcurler
Explain to us how Xhaka is a good high presser of the ball but as you also say yourself is a slow player.
Tell us how slow and good high presser of the ball go hand in hand.
6-1 united I’m afraid
6-1 united I’m afraid
No mustafi… Saka, Willian and Lacazette start
Some real weak sauce on the thread.
Iwobi, who they spent a huge wad on, can’t get into this match with richarlison and James unavailable. That was such a rare good piece of business from us
Bellerin at right centre half, and Niles at right wing back?