via Arsenal Instagram
We did it. Arsenal finally broke their 5-year ‘WE CAN’T WIN AWAY AT A BIG 6 CLUB’ hoodoo (29 games). The last time we won away at United in the league was 14 years ago, I was like, 8 years old or something?! Make no mistake, that wasn’t a lucky win, that was the performance we’ve been waiting for in a big game. Arteta is the first Arsenal manager to win his first two games against United since Herbert Chapman. A super day for Gooners all over the world.
The starting 11 saw quite the reaction on the cyber terraces.
‘HE NEEDS TO GET OUT’
‘TOO NEGATIVE’
‘SERIOUS QUESTIONS MUST BE ASKED’
It’s quite a stretch to suggest that taking a pragmatic approach to United away was ever an incorrect way to think about this game. They absolutely destroyed RB Leipzig in the week. 5 goals against last seasons Champions League semi-finalists who have the best young manager in the world was a warning sign that things could go awry if we weren’t at our best… and at our best defensively we were.
I am rubbish at blow by blow football reports, but I’ll give you a list of things I really liked.
I thought Gabriel and Rob holding were absolutely excellent. Our new Brazilian centre back shaded it for me, he was unbelievable. He’s such a monster defender. He didn’t give anyone an inch all day. The performances of both were made all the more monumental by the fact they both picked up bookings around the 25-minute mark, Catnip for a ref like Mike Dean. Gabriel made 5 tackles, 4 clearances, combined with a 92% pass completion rate. Stunning numbers. It’s early days, but my word does he look like an incredible signing. Rob Holding also went a long way to justifying the faith Arteta has shown in him, rocking 91% pass completion in an assured return to action (after 1 training session). Also, side note, a massive shout out to the medical staff for getting him back ahead of schedule!
You need more than a good defensive pairing to win in games like that. Thomas Partey started his first big one for us and boy oh boy was he fucking unbelievable. The man is the coldest, crispest beer after running a marathon in the Sudan desert. How have we not addressed our midfield with someone this classy? He is such a difference-maker. If he loses the ball, he gets it back. If he breaks a press, he controls the ball out the other side. His passing is elite and he is so, so efficient. Most importantly, he gives us power in a place we’ve been weak. Watching him slug it out against Paul Pogba and win was special. Seeing him do it with 92% pass completion, with 12 of his 53 attempted passed heading into the final third was joyous. He had the most take-ons, he had the most ball recoveries, he made 4 tackles, 2 interceptions, and he had a shot on target. A superb game. What is even more amusing for me is there was actually a debate about his arrival because the Twitter spreadsheet merchants didn’t like his radar. It just goes to show you that data without good analysis is just a shit opinion.
My man of the match though? It was Mo Elneny. I give him the award mostly because he gets so much shit. People are having to face up to the reality that he’s actually a very tidy player. He’s been good all season. He was immense yesterday. His engine is outrageous, watching him lead the press in the 91st minute like Maradona after a bathroom break in the 94 World Cup was nuts. His passing has added some much-needed verticality, and it’s always fast and positive. He reads danger really well, he fouls when he has to, he plays with a smile on his face so he gets away with more. It already looks like he’s the bag man for Thomas Partey. Arteta says that the players love him and he transmits special energy in the dressing room. Good for him, that was his best performance in an Arsenal shirt, let’s see that consistently.
The game was won via a Mike Dean awarded penalty, which was super odd. Not sure many had that on their ‘how it happened’ bingo card. Auba buried the kick, he said after they practice a lot, which is nice to know. I think the biggest critique of our performance is that the players you need to be the difference makers aren’t firing on all cylinders yet. Auba isn’t taking his chances or gambling on balls like he was last year. Willian looks out of sorts, his composure is a little off, though he did show some nice moments. Saka was a bit overwhelmed by Wan-Bissaka. Lacazette had a better day, creating two chances, but he is still very easily overpowered by fridge like defenders. He had to drop really deep to involve himself and I wasn’t always sure that was part of the plan. It’ll come, but the fact we still won with that going against us made it more special
Still, you can’t argue we didn’t have the better chances. We tried harder to make things happen in the final third. The game was more Dundalk than Leicester. That part is important as well… Arteta used the Europa League as a live test run for what he did versus United. Mo was brilliant in that game as well. Our manager is young, he will make mistakes, but if he learns quickly from them, the fans will always forgive. He set out to make us competitive in big games, and we are exactly that.
Arsenal fans do need to accept that we’re more Simeone than Pep G. That game was fine margins like Liverpool, City, and Leicester. All those occasions were battles of chess and we didn’t win out in the decisive moments. The United game was the first one that rolled our way. It was hopefully a watershed moment. The Halloween ghouls can go back in the cupboard for a few more games.
We need an Aouar like talent to really unlock those moments. In the meantime, we need to hope that Gabriel M can give us a focal point through the middle… and we need to cross our fingers that maybe ESR can be more than a star in the Europa League… but a good start would be to show he can start in the Europa this Thursday against Molde.
Last weekend people were calling time on the Arteta project, today, we’re 2 points off 2nd place, with Villa up next before the international break. We’ve also played 4 teams that’ll be in the top 6 this season. We have the BEST defence in the league after 7 games, pretty great, right? Things are starting to feel positive… let’s see how we handle the next two games, in the meantime, enjoy Zoom gloating to all those sad United fans.
See you in the comments. x
How about Giovanni Reyna?
Gambon, the way Haaland’s career has been planned out, I suspect he has a high but non prohibitive release clause of around 70-80m. We could afford him, but I doubt we would be the step up in class he would be looking for. Maybe in a couple of years, though, unless some crazy Irishman breaks his leg in the meantime.
Raptora The good ones on that list is probably out of our reach. Realistically would go for Edouard, or if we need someone that can be a plan B as well then Marcus Thuram. Aftwr this season Auba only has 2 seasons left of his contract and we need to start planning for life without him in time. Martinelli can most likely be one of our strikers and do it at a high level, no one else at the club has that potential, unless Balogun stays and really steps up. Can’t really bank on that. Should look at replacing Laca… Read more »
United fans having a meltdown today.
Jimenez would be amazing for us, good link up play and deadly finisher
And dear god can the endless xhaka experiments finally stop I frickin beg you
This silly game of having to constantly justify his inclusion based on hipster logic has to finally end. He’s probably our 4th best CM. He needs to stop getting picked every week
Will it be
Arsenal v Villa or Leno v Emi ?
So gambon what brings you back? Fell back in love with arsenal or the effects of finally defeating utd?
Either way, welcome back.
Jiminez will be 30 at the end of the season.
We need a long term successor to Auba.
He isnt that.
Can’t wait for martinelli to come back (thank luiz for the injury), but I don’t think hold up play is his style, he’s explosive and plays more like a aguero than a giroud, though he has a mean header on him.
Nketiah is a natural goal scorer. Who cares how he gets them? Gary Lineker was a poacher, nothing more. Alan Smith was far better – but Lineker got the nod for England and the big job at BBC.
For me the most important quality of a striker is that he never (or rarely) misses easy chances. Sure, the guy who scores spectacular ones is eye-catching. But add up the figures at the end of the season and it’s the one who rarely misses an easy chance who comes out on top.
Nketiah is getting there.
Xakha is shit, cost us too many points over the years, he would have difficulty dominating the midfield even in the Brazilian league
There’s going to be some financially desperate clubs come January. Particularly across Europe. I just hope we are in a position to benefit from this. Wiggy put his hand in his pocket for Partey, and we have Pepe payments outstanding. I think there might be some more in the pot, though we all know Kroenke inc won’t be able to control themselves when distressed real estate assets start to flash up in front of them like a whore’s tits. Hopefully there is some financial consideration for their sporting enpire’s greatest jewel.
Yeah, I appreciate Jimenez but he was a late bloomer. Not worth chasing him.
Freddie,
I agree that Martinelli could be it. Reminds me of RvP. So smooth and silky, great positioning, fantastic finishing. Imagine if we have really hit the jackpot with him and he develops into a world beater. Way too early to speak but he was sensational last season. He was literally our only beacon of light at the time and is still so young.
I really doubt we’re buying any more 40m players this winter or summer without equivalent sales but I do believe we can muster up 24m in installments for BIG DOM DOM without sweating
Do it in Jan arteta. Dooo iiiit
yeah, both gambon and raptora are right about jimenez, right player wrong age
Rap
Agree, although I think we’ll need another striker if we sell Laca, a future Martinelli/Thuram lineup would be tasty.
China
I really hope the rumours are right, Szobozslai is on fire right now, if we miss this opportunity he’ll be out of our reach in a year. Peanuts for a world class talent.
Thing with Martinelli is that you can feel he is going to try his absolute hardest to succeed.
I’ll go nuts if he’s not given a proper chance to make it at Arsenal. A certain Gnabry comes to mind.
Very good win yesterday.
PS: Gambon do you know that Calypso is your old pal RedTruth?
azed
I didnt know that.
Guy is mental.
roflmao
Manu played four midfielders in a diamond shape. They were out played by our two midfielders. Bruno Fernandes was marked out by Elneny that he had to run back to their 18 yards line to collect the ball. And Elneny has played 90 mins on Thursday. What a player!
gambon is blessed he didn’t get to witness the Bamford enigma.
Gambon
I’ll say his something of an enigma.
What a player Gabriel is. 27m for an absolute rolls Royce of a CB. If we get Dom for 24m we’d have two elite young talents for less than the cost of Aouar.
“Yesterday was not like watching Man City go away to a big club, it was Roy Hodgsons Crystal Palace. “ Gambon, Crystal Palace had 24% possession at OT this season and are notoriously a counterattacking side, while Arsenal dictated the play yesterday and only ceded the initiative after going ahead. Our 46% possession and passing stats were skewed by the last 10-15 minutes, when Arteta decided that protecting the lead was a way to go. Arsenal’s inability to hold on to the ball then was the only disappointing aspect of our game for me, but comparing this Arsenal performance to… Read more »
I think Liverpool really missed a trick not getting Gabriel in the summer. A VVD Gabriel partnership would be absolutely ridiculous overkill. Would make them an absolute joke level of dominant defensively He’d be even more useful to them now with VVd out But one way or another seems like only maybe Man U showed any interest in Gabriel and that wasn’t serious. But wow the guy is absolutely born to defend. People always get excited about those action man performances from a CB but Gabriel’s brilliance is in how comfortable he looks as he absolutely roasts his man over… Read more »
Gambon returns!
Welcome!
I never left…
spiritually.
I’m happy for holding as well. He’s never likely to be a world class player but when he’s fit and sharp he’s a good player and has been on the pitch probably for most of our best results over the last few years When you think back to all the cup wins, our best league form etc, he was usually there and good. He is a bit of a senderos tho in that I think he’s susceptible to losing confidence and his form drops badly when he does. Thankfully not to the extremes senderos did tho. But yeah I’ve always… Read more »
gambon is the king of clashes!
I’m expecting him to bury a few guys.
It was a great win yesterday and I am very happy and incredibly pleased for the team and Arteta. However … and this is not a troll or a red rag to anyone, just a caution to not get too excited as yet. Weirdly, Arteta’s problem is not against the top 6. He has shown it in enough games – even the ones we lost – to show he can put out a team/structure that can handle those games. However, Utd are shite right now and possibly the ‘easiest’ of the top 6 to beat away from home. They are… Read more »
I don’t really follow the French league and I’ve only watched Aouar highlights. Saw his numbers regarding goals and assists are average. Saw him making a ton of dribbles down the left side of the penalty box taking on player after player.
Where could Aouar play for us – next to Partey or he would be the 3rd most advanced player in a midfield 3?
Watching him I got glimpses of Cazorla, Gundogan, Nasri, Isco. Is it a fair observation?
I suffered a brief bout of diarrhea when Holding was injured and Xhaka was preparing to replace him.
I agree with the players assessment / ratings. Gabriel, Holding, Partey and Mo did look immense. However, on a side note, I think they were made to look good because of lack of pressing from ManU. Throughout the game, Leno looked like a great passer as well, because there was no high pressing from the opposition. allowing our players time
I believe we will start winning games vs the smaller teams the moment we move Auba central and put another player behind/next to him – Saka, Willian, why not a front two with Laca. Then it will be a matter of getting our full backs/wings in good positions to cross the ball and we will get some goals in. I truly believe it’s an easy solution. Arteta needs to try it so we know if it’s as easy or not.
And we have Martinelli coming in the next month or so who should completely change the status quo with the possibility of him occupying any of the attacking positions.
Lol Kenyan
Spare key activated
Tom, Regardless of your thoughts on Artetas Arsenal, it cant be denied that we are a backs to the wall defensive team right now. Its not really up for debate. We basically only win games by one goal unless we are playing an absolutely shite team. It really is upmarket Roy Hodgson right now. Its clear Arteta knows how to build and coach a good defence. The big test for him, and the thing that will define if he stays as Arsenal manager, will be his ability to actually get us attacking. Our current style will see us finish between… Read more »
I want to see saka on the left and auba in the middle
Martinelli Pepe and Willian can battle it out for RW and rotation on the left
gambon the fair weather le-Grover is back.
Only here in good times
All the same, welcome before your fuck off again.
Still think two up top is the way to go with auba and laca.
Laca can drop a little deeper but auba must be in and around the box.
Saka pepe and willian can play wings and rotate so theres no burnout.
Can play a back four if mustafi and xhaka arent in the side.
And partey and big mo hold the midfield.
442 or 352 even.
”I still think we are at least 2 players away from sneaking CL football, and 6-7 away from challenging for the PL ”
Think we can sneak top 4 this season and are 3-4 players away from challenging the top 2
“gambon the fair weather le-Grover is back.
Only here in good times”
I guess I must have imagined being here from every day from 2008 to 2015 in the darkest of the dark days.
I suspect Xhaka will leave voluntarily when he realizes that he’s not first choice again.
He’s not the kind of guy to hang round when he’s not wanted.
Partey didn’t look good playing next to him against Leicester. Elneny seemed to grow bigger next to party and they my just have that synergism.
Pedro
You recycle your jokes better than Elneny recycles the ball. 😉
Shout out to mystic cleaver
You’re the only one I know here who fancied Elneny from the start
…you and TR7
gambon
We were still a CL team back then, now we are playing Dundalk and Molde on Thursdays.
I thought we had plenty chances yesterday and the execution of them chances and or near misses had nothing to do with Artetas managaerial skillset more so Auba, Laca and Willian our most senor experienced professionals not taking them chances with enough conviction or determination . Get them three on a purple patch and we could have blown UTD away yesterday . Yes I might be fair weather but man above there are some manic depressants on here . WE won with a well drilled professional performance against Utd at OT . Credit where credit is due we won by… Read more »
Raptora Listening to Arteta on Saturday, I doesn’t sound like he see’s Aubameyang as a long term solution down the middle. Aubameyang’s a match winner, he’s averaged 19 passes a game over 420 games, he’s not a player who’s hugely involved in our build up play. Lacazette is technically very good, and he’ll bag us his fair share of goals. But physically he’s not it, he provides little presence in the box, lacks the relentless running power and stamina of the elite strikers, and regularly fades in games. I like him, he works hard, and I thought did a good… Read more »
Nice piece Pedro although I’m surprised you didn’t mention that Xhaka was dropped.
Our whole midfield operated on a different level because of this – Elneny is a solid player who had a good match yesterday but compared to Xhaka he looks like peak Gilberto. Xhaka must not play for us again in the PL unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Gambon
I don’t disagree that Arteta needs to be more expensive going forward. Also ,I think the lack of a creative midfielder as the reason for Arteta’s conservative style is a bit of a red herring.
Who do Leeds and Brighton have that’s so creative in their mid making them so easy on the eye?
Leeds routinely out possession the likes of Pool and City with no name players and on a shoe string budget.
Rich: “maybe his final destination on the way we attack, is more Klopp than Guardiola”
It’s what I heard many people say. We see Liverpool as the template both on the economical and on the purely footballing side of things. It’s why it feels that Arteta is looking for his Firmino rather than a Jota (Auba).
Ya good shout on Richarlson , wathed him a bit and the modern left winger come striker is based on Auba but more physical , I see Marcus Thuram, Meph Depay and think ya they can be wingers come strikers in the Auba role but with physicality .
But without doubt best example of that is Richardlson
Not a single word about Granité being benched ??
“Arteta is the first Arsenal manager to win his first two games against United since Herbert Chapman.” Ok… guess I must stfu for a while. Lol
A great midfield play resulting in an Arsenal win always gives me a lot of joy. The fact that the win came against United away makes it super super special. It has not sunk in yet. Totally in awe of fantastic midfield play from Elneny and Partey. Great midfield performances used to be a common thing under Wenger till about 2010 and now we are totally starved of it. The last such great midfield performance in recent times was against United again when we beat them 3-0. Santi, Coq, Ozil and Alexis were superb in that game.
Richarlison’s ceiling is really high. Though I could see his teammates getting annoyed at how many of the attacks he decides to finish on his own. CR7 individualism but of lesser quality obviously.
I think I was over critical of Willian when he lost the ball about half a dozen times in the first 10 minutes but unlike Saka he was enterprising, trying to make things happen on the right side. He grew in to the game and put United defense under some pressure. Good performance from him.
C’mon Pedro, the decision to drop Xhaka was so important in this win.
Very surprising you didn’t mention it…
I wasn’t the last one when it comes to criticize Elneny, but with Partey by his side, he’s not that bad after all.
Watching Partey yesterday was pure joy – having a midfielder who had both power, presence and pace was like watching Arsenal of yesteryear.
I think it’s no surprise that the Xhaka apologists aren’t any where to be seen. Right now both Ceballos and or Elneny must be names on the team sheet before him.
Unlike many of our previous games, this time it was the right wing that was the dangerous one. Willian had problems in the first minutes but even an unconvincing Willian did a lot – he managed to slide couple of great passes to Hector who was a real menace for the Manure’s defenders, he hit the crossbar and his pass lead to the penalty we got. He didn’t have a great showing but was still effective. Our right wing won us the game.
Richarlison as another poster has said likes to take to take his
goal chances on his own yet Lewin is not at his best without him
so something works.
Trouble with Richarlison is tempermant.
On that basis Lewin would be my choice.
Auoar has already said that he wasn’t disappointed not to join us last summer, I believe he has his eye on a move elsewhere so fuck him. Partey actually wanted to join us even though he was giving up CL football, that’s the sort of player we want.
I also agree with what was said earlier, seeing a player take the ball and run thirty or forty yards with it is what we’ve missed. Actual power in midfield rather than being predicable and 100% focused on just passing the ball.
We are quick to write of Xhaka but since Arteta took over all his performances have been 7 out of 10 , hes solid pro that will be good for certain matches . If hes happy with that role good and well, if not then should get decent price for him . is there really all this need to be saying not that hes gone we are great?????? Dani can be better than Elneny and certainly be a better bet for some homes games but if them too are in direct competition for the role alongside Thomas then we should… Read more »
Still burning with joy from our win at the ancient Trafford. I know Arteta trained under Pep but you can’t be faulted for thinking he worked under Simeone. The style of play, the mean defense, their ability to suffocate, the black on black attire. Loving it.
We always talk about adjusting to a new league, bed in period but most good players hit the ground running (Partey, Gabriel etc.).
Loved the Saka- Wan Bissaka battle, 2 young talented guys trying to outwit each other.
It was also interesting watching Partey and Pogba compete. Pogba would be unplayable if he had something called determination and seriousness. Guy is too lackadaisical and its starting to affect his game , the anti-Partey so to speak.
“We are quick to write of Xhaka but since Arteta took over all his performances have been 7 out of 10 ,”
Another broken keyboard. Don’t worry I’ll correct the comment.
We are quick to write of Xhaka but since Arteta took over all his performances have been 7 out of 100,
James Wood
Patrick Vieira struggled with his temperament for a couple of seasons at a similar age.
It’s that nasty streak and natural aggression that we’ve been missing, Richarlison’s a bully, physically he’s a monster, and at 23, he’s still at an age where you’d expect him to mature
He’s gone through a learning curve at Watford and Everton, it would be great to snatch a player at a good age, coming into his best years, who’s been through his teething and shitting the bed stage with someone else.
I really would like to see ceballos at the head of a midfield trio -let’s see f he can do the no 10 role which probably most of us thought he was brought in to do originally. Playing in front of Partey and Elneny could really suit him- he’d have to look forwards then for the pass.
A front 3 of Willian / Pepe – Auba – Saka/Pepe and it could be an awesome attack. We have the resources here already – let’s use them properly.
Richarlison would cost a fortune. Everton paid something like £40m for him and his contract runs until 2024.
Ogs after the game : “we miss our fans.”
It is true that, particulary at Old Toilet, without the fans to put pressure on the refs, it’s not that easier anymore.
Poor baby…
Jamie
I don’t know what it is with people talking about signing players from PL teams and thinking they’re not going to cost 50% over market valuation.
Since we are not buying any star attacker any time soon, there are two things we could do to improve our attack. – Now that our attack is more balanced, there will be more high crosses from both RW and LW. The problem is that both Auba and Laca don’t have a good header. 99.9% of Tierney’s crosses are for header. Auba and Laca should spend more time to improve their header on the training pitch. – Free Pepe. Allow Pepe to move around in front of the 18 yard box. Auba and Laca will most likely be covered by… Read more »
To see Elneny score an auto goal at the end would have been heartbreaking, considering his performance. I’m glad we had a little bit of luck – for once.
Rich 13.47
You would have thought that learning curve would
have steered him away from leg breaking tackles .
It’s alright having aggression but a nasty streak can
be achieved in other ways and not by breaking someone’s
leg.
Why cant we play willian on the left, pepe on the right, auba Uptop and saka just behind the 3… against lesser teams at home….? I think it will work
“Auoar has already said that he wasn’t disappointed not to join us last summer, I believe he has his eye on a move elsewhere so fuck him. Partey actually wanted to join us even though he was giving up CL football, that’s the sort of player we want.” Fuck me, are people naive. You think Partey wouldn’t have said the exact same thing if we hand’t paid his release clause? Partey wanted a 250% increase in his salary, that’s why he joined, and if you think it’s because of the ‘Arteta project’, you’re hopeless. You think Auba didn’t have his… Read more »
So Arteta goes from zero to hero in a week
We had two shots on Sunday and no goals in open play for last three games.
Our attack is poor and he needs to sort it out, but can he?
Elneny is the closest #AFC has got to the archetypal Liverpool midfielder: 1. Great Athlete – can run for days 2. “Excels” at nothing but does everything – can shoot but won’t score many – good passer but little assists 3. Wont hug headlines but without them,, team doesn’t gel Wijnaldum, Henderson and Fabinho won’t win many awards for chance creation and assists, but what they will give you is a solid foundation for your creative players to excel. I have always believed that Arsenal’s decline started when we began replacing ATHLETES with ARTISTS in central midfield. Some might disagree… Read more »
Dave, yeah, when you beat United away from home for the first time in 14 years and dominate, people think you are a hero.
Our lack of shots was less about a lack of intent, more about an off day for our best attacking players.
That was a huge result yesterday and just reinforced that we are going to be a fine margins team until we invest in players that are more suited to the system
Spanish Dave.
I would have thought a lot rests on him
having Martinelli fit other than that Eddie
strikes as a it light at the moment.
Countryboy, that’s a good observation there.
Bit
James Wood
Vieira’s discipline problems cost us in 1999/00, 00/01, 02/03
We’ve had far too many choirboys in our ranks over the past 14 years, everything’s been far too nice and diplomatic, time to throw some lions into the chickens cage
Having naturally aggressive players is vital to a successful team, you just need to channel that aggression.
I commented on it already.
The reason I am being optimistic after yesterday’s performance is because player quality often times is as important as the manager’s quality. With Gabriel, Partey, Elneny, Bellerin, Auba, Tierney, Saka, Ceballos we have a really solid core of players that this team can shape around. Fans can rely on these players to make the difference in games regardless of the manager because they have the needed class. Now, if only Arteta grows a pair in the games versus weaker oppositions.
Why are we talking about Ricarlison? Links or just wishful thinking? Costs way too much I’d move on. Aouar looks like he’s waiting for someone else to come along and Coutinho looks set to stay. Szoboszlai and possibly a cheap Isco hoping to impress somewhere to make the Spain euros squad could be the way to go.
Another big reason to be optimistic is that if you settle a working defence and midfield, then the attack will settle on it’s own. We just need that extra player behind or next to a central playing Auba and we’ll start scoring goals versus most teams.
Spanish
You’re right, this time last season after 7 games Arsenal drew 1-1 away to Man Utd having had 5 shots on target compared to just 2 yesterday.
“Laca may not reach the heights of those two”
I love the “may not”.
@raptora : but you do agree that it’s weird to see Arteta refusing to play Auba in central position ?
If we can’t get Richarlison, let’s switch focus to Mbappe.
@Kris, yes I actually do believe that, Auoar never agitated for the move whereas Partey did. As for Auba you will probably have read that his father was advising him to stick with Arsenal before he actually signed.
I don’t have the inside track anymore than you do so I’m not sure how I’m ‘naive’ and you’re not. All I have to go on are decades of watching these things play out and a gut feeling you get when you read the snippets of information that clubs and players leak during the negotiations.
Country boy
You need both. Athleticism+ power.
Vieira wasn’t just great athletically.
He was technically phenomenal too.
As for auba moving 9, it’s not going to happen.
Arteta kept him at lw against City despite Pep playing walker at RCB to cover for him.
He played him on the left yesterday despite coming up against wan bissaka.
What we have seen is he is not satisfied with laca.
Has benched him for Nketiah, willian so far.
But he has rarely played Auba there.
He needs a mobile, clinical version of Olivier Giroud there.
Martinelli and Richardlison are similar type of players, similar at current levels and Martinelli has the higher ceiling.
Just play Ceballos behind Aubameyang already with Saka left, Pepe right so we can stop talking about Arsenal having creativity issues.
*athleticism+technique
It was a typo
It’s generally agreed that the Auoar move failed because his agent – his brother Brahim – demanded a huge fee.
The player said: “It wasn’t necessarily Arsenal or nothing else, even though at the end it was basically that. I had to make a decision and I am happy to stay here.”
Hardly busting a gut to get the move, it’s not as if we wouldn’t have paid him a huge salary just as we did Partey either is it?
It’s taken Arteta a while to get the defence performing better – which isn’t a criticism it was a major job. It 3 seconds to fix midfield = dropping Xhaka, my concern and my guess also the reason Pedro didn’t mention dropping Xhaka is because he’ll soon be back in the team.
We got a brilliant demonstration yesterday of how we can play in CM without him and it now free’s Arteta up to work on getting the balance the balance right in attack.
HL, Raptora
I see Arteta’s reluctance to play Auba centrally as not for a lack of belief in him but rather as a lack of an AM who can
1. Be the first line of defense
2. A genuine goal threat
3. Be part of the midfield
The three roles listed above are what Laca is currently fumbling at.
I believe this is why Arteta prefers Laca to Nkethia because he does it so much better.
If we get an AM in January, we might seen Auba play more central