Damn, waiting two weeks for football after getting spanked by Villa is a very long time. I hope Arteta is sitting in a cupboard for the first week thinking about what he did, and more importantly, what he plans to do when we come out the backend of this.
The good news is that after the break, there are three big games where we can show to league what we’re made of… Leeds, Wolves, then Spurs. Put 9 points on the board there and we go from ‘OH MY GOD IS THIS IT?!’ to ‘OK MAYBE LIFE MIGHT BE OK.’
That’ll be three very different challenges. Leeds will spray attack-minded football our way, quite simply, they have no other way to play. Wolves will be tough, they tried to bully us last time and we beat them the way we caught a lot of good sides out early on under Arteta. Then it’s Spurs. Everyone is loving Jose now. He has three of the best forwards in the league at the moment, that, combined with a solid base has Spurs looking like they might do something this year if he can get more performances out of the team. It would be huge to down him.
All of that is a long way off. If you were on death row, you’d pray that your last two weeks were during an international break… it’d be the longest two weeks ever.
The brief to Arteta is very simple, he has to figure a way of making us better going forward. He’s never been under this much pressure as a young manager. Some wither and die, the best rise to the occasion and find a way to succeed. The thing ringing in my head is Steve Round saying the Moyes project was going places but they didn’t win enough games to justify it. That’ll be Arteta if he’s not careful. Points is the best stat for any manager.
Arteta’s struggle is he doesn’t have a City squad to call on. His attacking options can’t do what they could do at City. His coaching projects have gone from making £50m Raheem Sterling world-class, to turning Reiss Nelson into a Premier League player. He knew the challenges when he took over. He cannot hide behind ‘it’s not possible’ because currently, we’re near bottom for shots in the second half across 92 clubs in English football. It’s a stupid stat, but that’s the way football fans work, and the reality is, we don’t need stats to see that this current side has no ambition in the final third.
What Arteta might need to learn is that when you manage a non-elite spender, imperfect attacking options are better than total caution.
He might have to learn to trust people he doesn’t believe in for a period of time, because sometimes, these people surprise you.
He has to innovate on something that isn’t really working this season.
Currently, we have one of the best sharpshooters out on the wing and he’s not getting the ball or being served chances. The purpose of the move out there was to give him more space to shoot. I don’t care what the stats showed last year, the core narrative of this season is BIG chances keep falling to the guy in the middle, and that guy is not converting.
Watch this video.
Here are the numbers on those goals that I did really quickly.
31 goals scored:
- Inside 6 yards: 14 (45.16%)
- Inside the Box: 15 (48.39%)
- Penalties: 2 (6.45%)
So what can we draw from this sort of data?
Well, the eye test told me a few things. Auba is at his best when he’s fox-in-the-boxing. He has a sixth sense for knowing where he needs to be. It’s a bit of a myth that he relies on his pace for goals… he relies on instincts and fast thinking.
That particular Dortmund team has a few things our side doesn’t really have. Namely, a Dembele. His electric pace and final delivery is currently unmatched in this Arsenal team based on form. That said, if there’s a player that ‘could’ be him, it’s Nicolas Pepe. They both have electric pace, they can both ghost players, and let’s be honest… final ball is a form and coaching thing. Currently, we don’t get our wide players on the ball high enough up the pitch for this sort of player, and we don’t move the ball fast enough.
You could also argue that Gabriel M and Reiss could be trained to be more direct. They both have the pace for it.
The biggest miss we have compared too that Dortmund team is final ball merchants. Dortmund had Kagawa, Gotze, and Guerreiro, and Dembele. But more specifically, they have players that can do things through the middle of park. We don’t have that, but right now, we don’t have players taking chances from wide positions either.
My rough conclusion is that the best way to temporarily deal with a creativity problem is:
1) Put your best finisher through the middle. If Auba had played centrally all this season, we’d have more points, and we’d have taken the first goal in a lot of big games.
2) Take a chance on players that aren’t hitting the mark. If Pepe is whining that he wants to play in the media, give him a go. Be explicit about what you want from him. Pump his confidence in the media. Tell him to be more like Dembele 4 years ago. Do whatever it takes to max out the skills he’s not bubbling up… stop focusing all the attention down the left. Bring some balance by making your focal point involved where he’s most likely to score goals. Also, maybe give Reiss or Willock a go. Willock centrally is the only player that might be able unlock us centrally. Reiss is direct and his career is on the line. Try is, couldn’t be worse than what we’re seeing now.
Ok, done.
What do YOU think?
P.S. Carrying on from yesterday’s post, namely, keeping players on that should be sold… I cannot believe we turned down a good bid for Lacazette from Roma. Shocking stuff. The biggest learning for Arteta in 2020 is that he needs to be more ruthless. No more old players that can’t deliver. Move them on. Go with elite young players with high ceilings.
raptora
“A richer Dortmund that could actually keep their star players would be my ideal scenario in the next 5 years”
Dortmund’s culture is not Arsenal’s culture. Remember, we have been regressing for 12 years. The only way we will be considered an elite club again is if we stop thinking of ourselves as an elite club and start applying logic to our decision process.and structure.
Our arrogance has been our downfall.
I echo Graham’s sentiments. Elite Dortmund is fine as an aspirational model, but it requires good practices to be introduced now and for a time, not a fanciful approach to teenagers of Europe. – Go through Dortmund’s business last year and you’ll see it was a good mix. – Go through Liverpool’s business under Klopp and tell me who their über talented teenager is. Arsenal need to get a squad in place that’s fits the needs of the manager and the premier league. I’m talking suitability, competencies in all positions, and a degree of depth. I’d much rather see Klopp’s… Read more »
International breaks, why?? Does anyone actually give a shit? Do away with the whole internationals thing, honestly couldn’t care less, radical, but just my opinion!
It’s good Arteta gets a break to perhaps reassess what we need to be doing but overall he may just wish we could get to the next game quickly to put it right.
With the way the world is right now it is ludicrous that international friendlies are being played.
Let me break it down for you. Auba is not a world class threat. He never was. His goal scoring record against top teams both in Germany, and now England, is terrible. He’s not an Henry. Can’t run for shit with the ball. Can’t hold it up. Isn’t a threat in the air. He’s a tap in merchant which is fine but not if you choke at the first sign of a decent defender. He’s also got a questionable attitude. This may be about form but for me, it’s about his deal. He’s 31 FFS and we’ve just made him… Read more »
I’d rather see us get in the very best players we can afford, one or two a window if need be, trim the wage bill and squad of our dead wood, and fill in the rest of the squad with the youth players. We have collected too much average ness even this year in the likes of Soares and Mari, our youngsters could be taking these spots. Get one or two in who are top quality and that will elevate us, not continually picking up journeymen or those looking for a payday like Willian, who I am sorry to say,… Read more »
Joe Gomez out for most of the season after an injury on international duty.
Liverpool’s defence decimated.
Raptora your on point
Spending has to change we evidently have enough cash to attract top quality but we need to be absolutely sure of the return on investment.
If the manager wants to persist with playing auba and laca then we need ditch the 3 central defenders and reshape the midfield, maybe sign 2 players for the 8 position.
Ornie thinks we are going for an 8 who can double on the right (the dream will be benardo Silva)
I’ve seen us linked to Aouar,Nkunku,szobozalai,isco over the past couple of weeks
it requires good practices to be introduced now and for a time, not a fanciful approach to teenagers of Europe. Explain the first part cause the second part just sounds like hipster nonsense being spouted. Again the consistency by which you argue for years is just shocking sometimes. Don’t buy this player he’s too young and comes from an inferior league why aren’t we buying players from Ajax in the Dutch league. You argue when we’re linked with highly regarded players who end up at better more ambitious clubs than us and make cases for older players to join us… Read more »
Due to the fact that the euros were cancelled this year, there is really no need for international football at this present time as all countries are already qualiified for that competition.
The nations cup is not a serious competition.
Jamie
His old pal Sokratis is available for peanuts in Jan.
I agree with both of you. But we were similar to Dortmund for a while under Wenger. In the dark period we won zilch. Yes, we didn’t win anything but we were highly competitive and that’s what we need right now. Cesc, RvP, Ramsey, Nasri, Walcott, Wilshere, Diaby, Szczęsny, Song, Vela. Average age of probably 22 yo. We need to get the world class young talents in, surround them with as I said – marquee signings of already settled experienced players. It’s what I would see as the best case scenario. We already made several of the transfers I’m talking… Read more »
Rap I’d kinda agree with that but not really there was a lot of times where we could have signed up some really good young prospects and Wenger dithered and they ended up elsewhere and joined the nearly signed list. Now I feel like I really want to see us go more the Martinelli/Saliba/Gabriel route for the foreseeable as opposed to the Lichsteiner/Sokratis/Willian route that hasn’t benefited us at all.
CC,
Klopp did exactly what I’m asking for Arsenal to do (and more or less what they’ve been trying to do).
Mane, Wijnaldum, Salah, Chamberlain, Robertson in his first 2 summers. None of them was older than 24 yo. None of them above £40m.
Marko Yea that’s it, I don’t get it while you’re over there with enough knowledge to write a book on the subject. Let’s not forget you lost your mind with excitement over Pepe, lauded Spurs signing N’Dombele, and waxed lyrical about Naby Keita for 12 months straight. 190 million between three players that have been muck here. I’ll skip the note taking from you on the subject, it’s one to skip tbh because you’re a hysterical teenager yourself when it comes to transfers. Cant even bring yourself to make an honest argument when someone disagrees or has an alternative view.… Read more »
Trap,
I’m a huge fan of Bernardo Silva. No idea why Pep is wasting him for another year. He is a magical player in the mould of Santi, David Silva, Mata, Cesc. It would be a fantastic buy. Really high money though.. Probably not realistic.
Truth be told I’m not even sure if we could judge a player in hindsight.
If Pepe was to join Chelsea or spuddies, maybe he would have fit right in.
Maybe Ndombele or Lo Celso or Naby Keita would have absolutely killed it for us.
It’s so hard to know if a player would fit right in like Bruno Fernandes did in Manure.
Raptora
Very true ….if only pep could do Arteta this one favor though say 60m
Read Arteta is also open to letting Nicolas pepe go to fund Aoaur
I think we are headed in a good direction.
Raptora That’s what I’m agreeing with, I’m disagreeing with this alternate idea that the Saliba’s of the world are our golden ticket. Klopp never spent 25 mil on a teenager on his way to dominating Europe and the Prem. Liverpool have also yielded greater success than Dortmund btw, so make of that what you will. Self sustainable transfer strategies are obviously the ideal, buy young, get value, sell high. But when you don’t have the basics in place you really need to add what you need when you need it. Relegated clubs, Championship players, free transfers (Wijnaldum, Robertson, Gomez, Matip).… Read more »
Interesting positions for the manager to fix
Long term right central defender
Central midfield partner for Thomas partey
An 8
Probably a winger on the right and aubameyangs long term successor
Let’s not forget you lost your mind with excitement over Pepe, lauded Spurs signing N’Dombele, and waxed lyrical about Naby Keita for 12 months straight. Yeah but I’m also here arguing for the signing of a potential great bit of business for around 20 million in Szoboszlai while you’re arguing against it for some reason. Let’s not go down that other road I seem to remember a certain someone making a case for Willian and Lichsteiner and even Antonio Valencia as a RB option. You’d have the club bankrupt just so long as we get whatever’s hot that window. Szoboszlai… Read more »
According to Fabrizio Romano , AC Milan wants William Saliba. . Let’s see want Arteta will do this time.
Klopp never spent 25 mil on a teenager on his way to dominating Europe and the Prem. Liverpool have also yielded greater success than Dortmund btw, so make of that what you will. No he spent 70+ million on a defender and goal keeper on his way to dominating europe and the prem. I think the point about Dortmund is copying their model which is successful but being successful and keeping your best players which we should be able to do. (Wijnaldum, Robertson, Gomez, Matip). Elite youth isn’t the only strategy to the top, it’s the most speculative though. Probably… Read more »
The squad situation is a mess
Arteta should never have been promoted to manager. He should be working UNDER a DoF
I mean that’s the other thing we’re out here arguing about this and that approach to the transfer market while we have a manager who can’t let go of the likes of Xhaka, AMN, Holding and Lacazette and who thinks signing the likes of Willian and Mari and offering up new deals to Luiz and Mustafi is the best way to go about things.
Marko To put it bluntly you haven’t a clue and you’re wholly intolerant of anyone disagreeing with your view in transfers. I’m fully understanding of the merits of youth, it’s not a hard grasp. I disagree it meets our current needs in certain positions, and it’s here where you lose all semblance of anything and start your hysterics patter because you’re a bit of a fuckwit. “I’m also here arguing for the signing of a potential great bit of business for around 20 million in Szoboszlai while you’re arguing against it for some reason” Yep, not explained my reasoning 4/5… Read more »
Fabrizio Romano: “AC Milan tried to sign him (Saliba) on permanent deal but Arsenal immediately said no. They want him in the future.”
Arteta has suggested that he hasn’t made up his mind over whether to send Saliba out on loan or keep him in North London from January.
If he is kept at the club, Arsenal will surely need to play him, though.”
We didn’t want to sell him. (Milan)
We didn’t want to loan him. (Watford and Brentford)
We don’t want to play him. (0 official apps)
Understood.
“Dominik Szoboszlai has no agreement with Leipzig or any other club, except of course his current club Red Bull Salzburg,’ he told Hungarian outlet Index. Though Salzburg are in no rush to part with Szoboszlai, it’s understood the Hungary international could be available for as little as €20million (£17.9m) plus add-ons” That’s positive at least, still hope for a deal in January. I get that some only sees that he plays in the Austrian league and dismisses his 54 G+A in 71 games for them (most as a teenager) but he’s also played in the EL and CL, scored a… Read more »
That the likes of Kolasinac, Mustafi, Sokratis, Xhaka, AMN, Holding, Lacazette are still here, in addition to the newly brought deadwood in Mari and Soares is mind-boggling. 9 players that having them in your team adds nothing to the table but random bodies. We used to have Armand Traore, Gibbs, JET and Frimpong doing their job for £5-10k pw.
First off let’s keep the insults to a minimum I haven’t insulted you and if you can’t get your point across without insulting then I dunno maybe get better at it I’m fully understanding of the merits of youth, it’s not a hard grasp. I disagree it meets our current needs in certain positions I’m not sure you do understand it given your arguing and you’re telling me that a young attacking midfielder posting up good numbers doesn’t meet our current needs? At a price we can easily afford mind you. Really? Absolutely no time for an alternative pov Your… Read more »
Where is the anger, venom and spite Pedro threw at Emery and Sanllehi during their time that was never directed at Mislintat (a complete disaster for Arsenal) and is now being called “have patience it’s going to take time”?
Freddie Ljungberg, I think he’s exactly the type of talent we should be trying to sign. £20m is an absolute bargain.
I do think that we’ll likely have to wait to remove players next summer Nearly a million a week they can remove in wages. Hopefully, we’ll sell Lacazette as well.
Marc, my correctly aimed venom that helped topple two footballing terrorists that you supported fully.
Where is your blind support for the new regime?
Hopefully, we’ll sell Lacazette as well.
I’m calling it now he’s going to offer new deals to Lacazette, Elneny and possibly Mustafi. And when that happens…oh boy
Marko
I’ve explained my POV numerous times and you’re still here peddling an alternative. If you don’t want to be dismissed on the matter at the 4th or 5th time of rehashing it then learn how to process info people are offering. It’s that easy.
But just nvm, because whenever confronted on a topic with an alternative view you resort to being a sanctimonious prick and it’s all rather boring. Meanwhile you’ll ignorantly continue your daily backhanders at the mere presence of an alternate view to yours. Be funny if it wasn’t tragic, as you were.
Footballing terrorists? Really?
Where is your blind support for the new regime?
So you admit to blindly supporting Arteta? That’s step one
After 8 PL matches last season Emery had won 15 points, he then only managed 3 points in his next 5 matches.
Our next 5 matches:
Leeds – A
Wolves – H
Spud’s – A
Burnley – H
Southampton – H
Arteta needs 6 points out of those to match Emery’s sackable start to last season.
Marko, follow the thread mate… and yes, football terrorists. 100%.
Oh god, Marc is back on the ‘Emery was wronged’ train.
We need a hotline.
Fucking depressing being an Arsenal fan. I thought things would be better when we got rid of Wenger but NOPE the bizarre and ridiculous things keep happening. Fucking cursed is the only explanation. Hopeless.
Sure charles let’s drop it. But you have to realize that if you say something really thick I mean a real doozy like argue with people who think that we should sign up a highly rated CAM for just 20 million euros you should expect a response to your really dim narrow minded alternative view. It’s inevitable.
Pedro
I call the 2 football terrorists and raise you 3 football terrorists you’ve supported blindly.
Gazidis
Mistlintat
Arteta
The reason your touchy on this is because I’m calling you out for applying double standards. If you checked back you’d see that during the Interlull last November I said we needed to sack Emery and now was a good time to do it.
yes, football terrorists. 100%.
Just a very interesting word to use I thought a bit extreme but not expected. I wonder what word you’ll use if the football doesn’t improve from Mikel leading to a potential sacking. Football terrorist? Nah maybe misunderstood martyr? Possibly
Marc, you are bent out of shape STILL because you made two horrendous calls… you backed Raul, even when he was fired, so I’m not shocked you’re back with the ‘why aren’t we firing Arteta’ nonsense like the two scenarios are the same.
I’m quite happy to be positive about the future, your MO nowadays is constantly reminding people that should we lose all our games, we’d have a problem.
A miserable vision considering we are 6 points from top.
Marko, pretty boring thing to be wondering right now.
Marko
Classic example of everything I just said. There’s no alternative view to this lads signing, if you have reservations you’re “dim witted, narrow minded”.
That’s as per Marko of Le Grove, sayer of words and user of the word “honestly” in place of a breath because his vocabulary is stunted beyond belief.
A transfer sage as ever.
Pedro
I’ve told you before that I don’t do favourites – the reason you can’t get your head round the fact is because you do.
Everyone is disposable to me – easy come easy go.
You should also remember if it wasn’t for the “special” circumstances we’re all living through at the moment I would’ve been at the ground Sunday and for the Leicester match cheering the team on.
“so I’m not shocked you’re back with the ‘why aren’t we firing Arteta’ nonsense like the two scenarios are the same.”
I’m beginning to believe that Arteta is stopping players leaving because their agents won’t give him a back hander!
Marc, you told me I didn’t love Arsenal because I helped raise the red flags over the dirty dealings of Don Raul. Don’t tell me you don’t do favourites, you absolutely do.
OK Pedro I admit it you are my favourite!
I lied.
Not sure I can do another 10 days of this deep introspection.
sal
It’s only just warming up!
Everyone is disposable to me Marc, not to worry.
Pedro all I’ll say is be thankful that you’re not an actual football journalist writing for a serious publication or a major site cause if you did you’d be sacked and sued or at very least asked to provide evidence to how someone is a football terrorist.
Pedro
“Freddie Ljungberg, I think he’s exactly the type of talent we should be trying to sign. £20m is an absolute bargain.”
Provided Arteta knows what to do with him.
We were all saying Saliba was a great talent and see what Arteta has done to the lad in 6 months.
Dissenter
Well everyone’s seems unsure about the new keeper and even less sure about Leno so it would give us options!
Pedro getting schooled about journalism now, the expertise is far reaching. What a blessing
I know charles I know. I only wish I could be as bright as you. Arsenal struggling with creativity and linked with a highly rated CAM for 17 million pounds? I simply must argue with this he’s not Jack Graelish after all
Ilkay Gundogan captained Germany to victory over the Czech Republic in a friendly.
…with his Turkish heritage and all
Are you watching Ozil
Quickly charles run to mother
Pedro Think we’re losing out if we wait until the summer, he only stayed at Salzburg for the CL and it’s unlikely they’ll get out of the group stages so he’ll probably be on the move in January. Rumblings about Leverkusen still being interested in Kolasinac for January, Laca needs to be binned off, better to do that when he has 18 months left than 12. Either way we need to find the money, we know we’re freeing up a lot of space in the wage bill in the summer so just move the funds forward. His release clause can… Read more »
“Rumblings about Leverkusen still being interested in Kolasinac for January, Laca needs to be binned off, better to do that when he has 18 months left than 12.”
What sort of heartless bastard are you Freddie?
Taking some of Arteta’s toys (admittedly he doesn’t play with them anymore) off him over Christmas..
I’m contacting the RSPCM I hope you end up in prison.
Marc
“After 8 PL matches last season Emery had won 15 points, he then only managed 3 points in his next 5 matches.Our next 5 matches:
Leeds – A
Wolves – H
Spud’s – A
Burnley – H
Southampton – H
Arteta needs 6 points out of those to match Emery’s sackable start to last season.”
mmmm
That’s a naughty one.
Naughty.
Ideally we get Edouard/Daka/Thuram in as Laca replacement
I dunno man young and coming from an inferior league. Might be met with resistance
Arteta is a keeper
Arteta is a hoarder
Arteta is a ditherer
That’s why a proper DoF ought to be making these calls about the squad.
Who selects Pablo Mari ahead of the 29 million signing?
A journey man ahead of one of the best prospects in French football?
Marko
More like quick, another irrelevant backhanded remark from yourself. Grealish, Pepe, any other baseless nonsense you want to concoct as you continue your dogmatic crusade?
Has Xhaka been used yet? He’s usually a go to for you no matter the subject.
Idk why anyone bothers talking transfers when they can come straight to you and get the truth.
Dissenter
“Who selects Pablo Mari ahead of the 29 million signing?
A journey man ahead of one of the best prospects in French football?”
Above his head.
Insider dealings.
Ishola Pedro needed a slap for allowing some of the bullshit to be pushed on here that went on with both Emery and Sanllehi. Pushing VAT on transfers – when did this happen before or since? Adding National Insurance onto players salaries – when did that happen before or since Repeating crazy agent fees on low value transfers that would’ve been half the money spent on agents for 5 odd % of the business we’d did during that period. The real point of this is these conversation need to be had but when the guy running the blog is encouraging… Read more »
Idk why anyone bothers talking transfers when they can come straight to you and get the truth.
Yes cause that’s what it’s about. Certainly not you arguing against signing up a CAM for 17 million while we struggle with no CAM. Very good very good
Marc you’re playing with fire mate. Kudos
Marc, I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Well sourced bloggers calls attention to scandal going on under the noses of ownership at Arsenal.
Leader fired.
That’s the story. A win for Arsenal fans on every level.
Well the narrative can’t be that because we have a young inexperienced manager he can bomb at will and be given copious amounts of time. There is bombing and there is bombing. It could become a case of how hard he bombs. And then the question that would need to be asked if we get into a scenario where we are really underwhelming is why did Arsenal get in a young inexperienced manager in the first place. Let’s put it this way. At this current time Arteta has lots and lots of work to do with this team. Not little… Read more »
“Marc, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Convenient amnesia
If Arteta has indeed improved us defensively, then with the additions of potentially world class players Partey and Gabriel in that area, we should be more than well equipped to handle bottom 12 clubs regardless of the stadium, and any team bar Pool and City at home, while being decently dangerous in attack. Am I asking for too much?
I start to question about our training method.
– Reiss Nelson sustained knock and bruising to right knee in training
– Gabriel Martinelli suffered a left knee injury during a training session.
Is the training so dangerous that players can injure their knee?
raptora
That depends – are you looking to apply the same rules that would apply to any other manager?
Nelson
Well as Joe Gomez has sustained a knee injury requiring surgery that forecast to keep him out for a significant part of the season whilst on International duty I’d say it’s most likely just one of those things.
Marko It’s exactly what it’s about. You’ve been waxing lyrical about this Hungarian lad as a Jan signing and the mere suggestion he’s not what I think we need and your fanny has erupted and you’ve claimed my view “thick”, “dim”, “narrow minded”. The last one is especially comical given I totally understand the value in prospective signings and talents and the nature of their development and what they ideally give a club. But no, I just don’t agree that’s what we need right now specifically for attacking midfield. So, open minded. Then there’s you, who thinks anyone against the… Read more »
There was a time when CG, Valentin and Gentlebris were the darlings of the comments section for Pedro because they were insulting the coach at every turn, CG and Valentin particularly had it bad for Raul.
CG has long been banned, Gentlebris is in purgatory of some sort and Valentin is mostly ignored these days.
Why am i writing this? I don’t know
Receding
MentalBris actually made an appearance the other day – Isn’t it strange that out of all the people who get banned and return CG never has been allowed back on?
Is it because he’d be going after Arteta constantly now?
RH, are you… petitioning for the return of CG?
“Is it because he’d be going after Arteta constantly now?”
It’s because he’d be banging on about Sean Dyche’s elite ideas and calf index like a broken record.
Now let’s all settle down over a nice hot (and cold) international breakfast.
“RH, are you… petitioning for the return of CG?”
Lol..Nah Pedro. I could never do that to you.
You are already tetchy, CG will just push you over. They will be blood.
“Is it because he’d be going after Arteta constantly now?”
Going after is putting it mildly
“Sanllehi may have made some bad decisions on transfers, but the whole “he was fired because of shady dealings” line is not supported by the facts.”
This isn’t really the place to talk about facts
And as if like magic, Bamford is back to defend the old regime.
“You are already tetchy, CG will just push you over.”
Bring back CG! Give him a guest post!
Marc
It means that the England train also has problems with their training method. I think we need to prevent that from happening in the future.
Raul was shit though.
That was evident enough.
He only got the initial gig at Barca because he was mates with the top dog there at the time.
RH, I don’t want Arteta to be sacked, I just want him to show flexibility and look at the reality rather than what his perfect plan is telling him. Leicester, Aston Villa are defeats mostly due to HIS decision. The ManUtd victory was due to OGS inexplicable and fundamentally stupid decision to go with a diamond formation against us instead of a midfield 3. His tactics have an initial boost, but now teams have adapted to it. They have to defeat that defensive approach of conceding control of the midfield and try to nick a goal on the counter-attack. Our… Read more »
Nelson
The big question on this season is how much of it is down to the frequency of matches due to the compressed season.
“otherwise it is just another dead cat bounce”
Meeeooowww!
Valentin
“They have to defeat that defensive approach of conceding control of the midfield ”
It wasn’t that long ago we were being told that was a tactical masterstroke because it eliminated Xhaka’s weaknesses.
There were a few of us who just said drop Xhaka then. We’re stuck in a template with better players now – we need to sort this urgently.
Banford on his 4th moniker now is it?
Listen.
If Teets bombs there will be multiple excuses lined up with top of the list covid disruption. We are in strange times blah blah
He will have plenty of safety nets in place.
Gooner Joe, I am well-sourced, you are not. Don’t tell me what it was.
RH, good to know… because this is what happened last time. Everyone wanted him back, so I let him back, then everyone complained.
Highbury
Yeah Pedro’s holding an online seance.
If Arteta had to spend “the international break reviewing and analysing the games” we’re in deep shite.
Tell him to give me a call. I can save him all that wasted time by giving him a few simple explanations.
Ish, there won’t be.
What if he succeeds, will you bow down to my infinite wisdom? Will you cut me a check for your disobedience? Will you sacrifice your pet dog at the alter of Pedro’s righteousness?
Or will you say… ‘well, winning the league doesn’t mean much, Ranieri did it’