Just a quick blog today so we can start a fresh thread of elite comments for the Leeds game.
Mikel Arteta clearly took a pilgrimage to Arsenal Internet and he has been baptised in the knowledge of the fan selection demands.
Joe Willock starts. This game is huge for him. He has the chance to show he’s more than Europa League player.
Auba looks like he’s starting through the middle. Again, this is huge. It’s an acceptance that our best striker should play through the middle and it’s an end to the rein of Lacazette.
Willian gets the nod. Arteta clearly loves the player. He believes form is temporary, class is permanent. He wants to see if he can make his stuttering free transfer rock today.
Nicolas Pepe also gets the nod. The Ivorian is a maverick, he lacks consistency, but deep down, we all hope there’s a rocket man waiting to blow.
I think Saka is being rested. He’s played a lot of minutes and we don’t want to break him.
The only other notable exit is David Luiz. He didn’t make the game-day squad. I think he’s fit. This could be disciplinary action. To my mind, he’s too slow for a game like today, but we will miss his abilities in the build-up.
UPDATE: His wife had a baby. Damn, I just went straight to drama.
So, in short, we have seen a reaction on the line-up, now let’s see if there’s a reaction on the pitch. We need to see high energy, we need to see smart on and off the ball movement, and we need to make some chances.
See you in the comments.
‘The criticism of Pepe has always been his character rather than talent’
Eh not sure about that, he’s got a weak mentality alright but his talent was overrated.
Never close to being a 72m player.
I thought Auba through the middle was a positive today.
Willian is clearly on his retirement paycheck at our expense. How nice…..
As Dissenter is saying he really is using a valuable place in our team. He showed absolutely zilch today.
Once a Chelski cunt, akways a Chelski cunt.
Correction – Leeds xG: 1.96
Kaz
Yea and again, I’ve not changed any tune and have been one of the most vocal about our needs for a much better CM so your point remains as vapid as most of your posts.
Nothing Torreira and Guendouzi wouldn’t fix though according to you.
Pierre
Not even worthy of a response. Grown man spends everyday talking about Mesut Ozil as he’s personally slighted that a guy getting paid 250k a week isn’t a professional anything in what he does. Not all heroes and all that.
Just saw the highlights and thank fuck for the cross bar and Leno. Had the game at a full time draw in my ACCA. Just need Valencia to win, Leicester to win at Pool and Napoli and Milan to end in a draw and I’m taking a much needed holiday next month
Pepe is dim as fuck.
Auba is playing like he’s won Ballon Dor and UCL 5 years in a row. His overconfidence and pathetic body language sets a shitty tone for the Troup.
Aside the defenders only Ceballos earned his wages today.
And as amazing as Saka is, his finishing is pathetic.
Arteta had nowhere to hide now. He’s sapped the life out of this team. There’s no sense keeping him around if the only thing he’ll be consistent with is being average.
Who would have thought with all the talk of Man City sauciness when Arteta was appointed that he would in fact bore us to death with his football.
Please don’t do the Man Utd mistake and keep the manager because he’s likeable.
He’s so clearly out of his depth here.
Jamie
Now will Pedro mention this I wonder???
Arteta knows his season could unravel in the next few games. If someone has not contacted Kroenkes they should. They need to ask for about 40M this Jan. 25M on DS, and the other amount on another AM …. in the mold of Santi or David Silva… a dribbler in close quarters who can wriggle and turn, ball stuck to the foot type. DS is a beast- with size and strength, we need the midget creator and ball retainer as well…. Add those types in the middle and we will do much better… SO get on the phone Edu, Arteta… Read more »
On the bright side Pepe selection not an issue for 3 to 4 games, but than Arteta doesn’t know shit about selecting a team. P.. Evra on Sky, Leeds dominated Arsenal, how is that possible, oh wait Arteta is selecting the team, don’t think that would happened with Morinho. Arsenal took an hour before a shot on target.
Honestly questions have to be asked whether Arteta has the skill set to solve some of the problems besetting the club.
Some of them were created by him.
-Holding is not well suited to counter attacking football. Why is he the designated starter?
-Auba looks out of sorts. All those games out of position have dulled his sharpness
– Willian shouldn’t be a starter. He should be.coming off the bench to impact games when there are tired legs.
Also slowly just losing any faith in whatever Arteta is trying to do. Doesn’t look like there was a clue even before we went a man down.
Remember saying earlier this season that going on without creating chances would come to bite us later on and had folks telling me we were more solid defensively and we could go on nicking games by small margins.
Pepe 1st red card ever! It was too fucking stupid of him
but the Leeds player is a cunt of biblical proportions!
Auba the fucking captain was just as cunt today !
Arteta is slowly drowning in his own sauce!
CC
If you can’t see how Torreira and Guendozi in the middle of the park are an obvious improvement to Xhaka and Cebellos then I’d suggest you need new glasses.
But then again, you’ve been happy Ozil isn’t playing too and again that shows poor footie judgement on your part.
Jamie
How about only 4 teams have scored less than us – Wolves who have a game in hand and the bottom three.
@Guns
A better manager would get more out of this team as bad as they are. Fact is Arteta is clueless, a complete and utter less than average manager. Fuck I wouldn’t even have him in charge of my local Sunday team.
LOL We didn’t even lose after playing a full 45 w 10 men. Why is arteta getting abuse when Pepe’s the one that let us all down AGAIN.
i didnt know so many crackheads followed arsenal
Ishola70 Arsenal have been playing drab football for two seasons. That is down to having a midfield which produces zero creativity and contributes zero goals and assists. What is most worrying is that if Aubameyang is off colour there is very little end product in this team. I doubt that Partey will offer much in creativity department, but what I hope that he will add is more dynamism which is completely lacking in centre of the pitch. I don’t know if we have any transfer budget, but we need to recruit a central creative midfielder to our squad as a… Read more »
CC
And again, you had been backing Xhaka up big time until recently when Partey + El Neny took over.
Funny how you can’t seem to remember that though ey? Your mind is going already.
Pedro is rewatching “300” to cast today’s performance as the story of Sparta
Can someone explain to me again when a handball is and isn’t a penalty? Seen balls hit hands that are closer to the body, with ball having hit player first, given as a penalty. This one didn’t even get a second look
@Dissenter
Hahahahaha
This season the chance of top 4 was wide open, there’s a chance that the title race could be wide open.
In his first season Emery finished 2 points off 3rd – does anyone think we’ll be within 20 points of third this season right now?
Weagle “’Eh not sure about that, he’s got a weak mentality alright but his talent was overrated.Never close to being a 72m player.” Forget the 72m tag. It’s not his fault the club paid that ridiculous sum for him. His character is obviously more a concern than his footballing talent but of course if he doesn’t sort out his dubious character than the talent he may possess goes to shit anyway It’s so disappointing that this guy wasn’t scouted properly. I thought top clubs knew everything about a player down to what colour socks they wear yet Arsenal looked to… Read more »
Thank you goodnight
Please stop blaming the Manager. Our poor performance is down to the performance of the players.
Ish
Don Raul was getting major cutbacks in the deals.
Arteta is out of his depth when it comes to having us attack, and create. I am convinced he is clueless. What the fuck was he doing siting next to Pep all this time? Daydreaming? Bran dead from smelling Peps farts???? How can you come from a juggernaut like city and be so clueless.!!!! Fuck that, I would love Bielsa at our team. At least we can play with some soul. I think Auba center was a start, but outside of that, clueless. I said it before, Dennis Bergkamp wants to help. ( just to help with modern attacking techniques)… Read more »
Cone-y Pulis living in a world where we were dominant and great in the first half.
“There were two parts in the first where we were superior and dominant and created opportunities. The last 15-20 mins we gave balls away in different positions and gave them space to attack. We were lucky not to go 1-0 down. Second half playing this side with 10 men it is complicated.”
Emirates
Are you being sarcastic there?
@EmiratesRoller
Sorry but that’s bollocks. The blame is 100 percent the manager. Or are you saying that wenger had nothing to do with our success, it was the players?
Arteta clearly pissed with Pepe in the Sky post match interview. Can’t see him starting in a hurry even after his ban. More Willian then…..
Told Pepe was shit after watching him in just 4-5 odd games, makes me wonder whether our scout actually watch players around the globe or do they scout players on scoutnation on YT.
Funny to see Bellerin getting grief again even though he produced our one great move today with that run and a terrific pass.
MotM was the post.
Arteta is very fortunate that Leeds don’t have a killer final pass or else they would have scored a few on us today.
what you smoking Emirates?
Next game back to laca William wide, oh joys this is really joyless now
This was why I was annoyed we didn’t sell enough fringe players. Arteta kept everyone and he didn’t recruit someone of creative stature. AMN was there to be sold. and He kept him anyway. Arteta needs to figure out this mess really quickly. the way we are going he might have a shorter reign than what we all hope for.
P.S Bukayo Saka is officially our best player. he missed that chance but he is a colossus. Deserves a huge mention.
Is it to late to get the Italian GG in?
Wow Stroller!
Let’s blame a 25 player squad instead of the person responsible for them showing up and winning games.
You can’t make this shit up, really.
It’s every players fault but not Arteta’s.
Wonder how does other managers manage to play better with inferior clubs like Leeds, Villa, Everton, Leicester, Southampton, West Ham, Wolves, Palace. Baffling take really.
Kaz
You’re handing out free footie advice while longing for a return of Guendouzi, Torreira, and Ozil. So spare me.
Elneny and Partey were the bollocks against Villa, again you’ve schooled me. Enlightening stuff indeed.
Supporting Leicester for the late game, can’t wish ‘Pool well under any circumstances except against the Spuds.
And Pepe may be a mentalist but his sending off must not deflect from how poor we were. We were so tepid with 11 men that game could have gone on for 2 more hours and we wouldn’t have scored.
WINTER IS COMING!
Guns of SF
As a matter of interest what changes would you have made to today’s team, which would have improved significantly our performance?
Partey, Elneny, Luiz and Martinelli were all unavailable and Saka needed a break after playing in all three games for England.
There is as usual too much blame game. Our performances reflect the quality of our playing
personnel..
I thought we played okay today. Was not nearly as bad as the last league game. We were missing Partey and Elneny and played with 10 players for around 40 mins.
Now this from orbinho:
“Only three players have created more chances for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta in the Premier League than Mesut Ozil, although the German hasn’t played since March.”
I hate ozil but i hate arteta more.
Bring back Hleb TR7 Cesc
All of them busted up and old players can easily do better than this shit show……
I mean, Arteta played alongside them, and he somehow “forgot” how to play attacking football?
Fuck Arteta,… and your constant barking instructions. GO coach under 10 team with that shit
andy
Arteta needs to be careful – if the players see that getting sent off gets you out of this shit it’s going to be a competition as to who can manage to be red carded before the match is abandoned.
Andy.
God forbid.
That’s the only game left on my accumulator.
Of course joking about bringing them back, but you get the point….
CC
You say it like Torreira and Guendozi are trash players.
You say it like our best 2020 matches with Ozil in the team didn’t happen.
Your arrogance needs sparing, but as someone has already mentioned, you’re the David Brent of this site. 😂😂
Watching AFC these days is a waste of life. Let’s see what happens in Napoli vs AC Milan. Can’t stand watching Pool vs Leicester.
@Kaz
😂😂😂
I’m happy with the result and I know with a midfield of Partey and anyone else but Xhaka and we prolly win this game easily
Whoever it was on here last night that mentioned Pepe in the same sentence as Joao Felix hang your head in shame.Said that Felix was shit last season [he wasn’t] and that like him, Pepe can turn it around.
WE you probably missed the part where I said he isn’t as talented as joao Felix but if it suits your agenda fine
Kaz
Now it’s arrogant to say Torreira, Guendouzi, and Ozil aren’t the answer? Brilliant.
Pepe was stupid there but we had our first SOT in the 60th minute….nothing should deflect from the performance
Daniel
Agree but we all know Pedro will be putting a piece together telling us how Leeds are a machine and no one could expect to win when down to 10 men yada yada yada.
How about being 2 nil up before going down to 10 and then seeing the match out?
Guns of SF
Arsenal have a bunch of midfielders who have collectively created and produced almost zero goals and assists in the last two seasons.
You can hardly blame the Manager if Arsenal’s Owner and Senior Management have failed to address that problem. I hope that you are not suggesting that we should be relying on Ozil to solve our midfield problems.
Ben
When the ball comes off defender’s leg and hits his arm then it’s not a pen.
Is Arteta the new Di Matteo ? Or does he need time
I am always in the camp of give him a chance but the football is turgid
Rodgers Ancelotti hussenhutl all better than Arteta
CC
No, you’re arrogant in how you express things or are you too dim-witted to realise that?
You say we need improvements in the middle of the pitch then slag off three exiled players who improve the middle of our pitch.
😂😂😂
Can’t wait for Arteta to recall Ozil and you start saying it’s coincidence we’re playing fluid attacking football again.
@EmiratesRoller
Excuses excuses. You never answered my question, are you saying wenger had no influence on our success and it was just the players?
Torreira & Guendouzi are better off away from Arsenal, Torreira may even win a trophy away and Guendouzi is enjoying football again. More than what can be said about us watching the Fraudeta shit show. Thanks for coining that new name for MA.
What was said to Weagle was that it will be irrevelant what talent Pepe has or hasn’t got if he doesn’t sort his character out because if you lack in that area you are going to ultimately fail anyway.
At his age it could look doubtful that he can really change this aspect of himself.
So many missing parts mentally with this footballer.
Kaz
Yea I must be too dim witted, glad you’re here though being the academic specimen you are.
Ozil to come back and that’s us playing fluid football? Haha excellent. It’s that easy. What a guy.
Emirates Sorry but that doesn’t cut it – Arteta was sold as a coach who could improve players. Right now the only player who looks better is Saka and I very much doubt that is down to Arteta. Arteta stopped the sale of Xhaka for £25 million – that could’ve bought a good player. He turned down a bid for AMN who can’t get a look in. He turned down a bid for Laca. He sent Torriera on loan. He sent Miki on loan. He ostracized Guendozi (who I don’t think is as good as made out on here but… Read more »
MarcNovember 22, 2020 19:04:18
DanielAgree but we all know Pedro will be putting a piece together telling us how Leeds are a machine and no one could expect to win when down to 10 men yada yada yada.How about being 2 nil up before going down to 10 and then seeing the match out?
Spot on. I was impressed by the 2nd half performance but that is what worries me.We are now a ‘backs to the wall’ side
Thorough, sorry, hate to jinx you but I can’t stand the red Scousers!
CC
You’re very welcome, I only hope to enlighten you further. You seem like such an asskisser it’s unreal, you know Arteta isn’t hiring you right? You don’t have to brown nose everything he does quite so hard.
But yes, it’s no coincidence our fluidity and attacking play fell off a cliff once we benched Ozil.
Stroller the new recruit in the Sauce Corps ?
I know with a midfield of Partey and anyone else but Xhaka and we prolly win this game easily
Really? Pass the zoot mate
I don’t get why ceballos gets a lot of shit here.He makes vital interceptions,he wins us alot of fouls by sticking his legs in dangerous places and he has very good passes in his locker.People only see his misplaced passes. In fact you have posters here who chat all the shit about ceballos yet they cum for xhaka,it’s embarassing
Performance was poor with eleven players, we actually looked better with ten.
But I’m sorry that not even good enough.
Arteta had two weeks and we didn’t even look one percent better.
Auba finally playing through the middle and all he did was drop into midfield like lacazette did.
If he was worried about being over run in midfield why didn’t he play AMN.
Willan and pepe was awful. Willock tried to be on the front foot and run at Leeds but apart from that we looked toothless up front.
There’s no spark or dynanism in the side.
Shame.
Atm it all points to just midtable mediocrity or just a little bit above that unless Arteta can pull something from his arse.
@Marc
Spot on. He’s as bad or worse than Emery
Daniel
Yeah Pedro wanked himself into a state of delusion over the City and Liverpool performances post lockdown last season and hasn’t sobered up yet.
If the football was shit but the results were good it’d be one thing. Is anyone looking forward to next weeks match against Wolves?
“But yes, it’s no coincidence our fluidity and attacking play fell off a cliff once we benched Ozil.“
Kaz, please stop telling bloody bold faced lies!
Are you Trump in disguise?
Holy Cow!!!
Bellerin is fucking shit. Can’t even make a correct throw-in.
Emirates stroller
By all means blame the Board , the owner , the solar system and Donald Duck for the poor Arsenal performances
Just make sure you leave out the head coach who wrested more powers to himself to become manager. The same one who’s refused to sell non starters to improve the squad.
Your criticism would hold true if you added Arteta to that list you drew up.
Thank you goodnight
It is not excuses but fact. We have a mediocre and unproductive midfield and that has been
the problem over two seasons. Collectively Xhaka, Guendouzi, Ceballos and Torreira who have been the mainstay of our midfield over last two seasons have produced offensively nothing.
I doubt that there is a manager on the planet who would get that bunch would improve us
under a different manager.
Arsenal 8 hours without a goal from open play in the PL
Pepe against Sheffield United, back on the 4th of October.
And how come manure were gifted a penalty for a non existent handball yesterday and our blatant one got turned down today,
Some serious investigations should be underway!
NCIS style!
Kaz
But I’m the arrogant one right? I’ll be more like you for sure, picture of humility and knowledge.
You’re literally longing for players who were either shit here, or have been called out for being dickheads. Obviously you share a bond with them on some level.
When.a young manager on his first job is struggling, what does he fall back on
When.a young manager on his first job is struggling, who does he turn to for advice
I hope Arteta has a second gear in him because the current one he’s in will get him fired pretty soon
Emirates
” We have a mediocre and unproductive midfield and that has been
the problem over two seasons.”
What about 3 seasons ago? What’s the difference? We lost Ramsey a player who would’ve been injured today if still with us.
Why didn’t Arteta make a creative midfielder a priority in the summer? Why did we fuck about all summer for a player we either couldn’t afford or didn’t want to join us? Where was the back up plan?
It’s Arteta’s job to pick the players, train the players and motivate the players.
Right now he’s doing a poor job.
And people who are talking about ‘teething problems’ wtf?That wasn’t what was sold here. We were told to expect instant elite coaching methods and sauce. I tell you what,there is no sauce at arsenal,we should just admit that we are now a counter attack side…the first step is acceptance.. poor pepe he has now made himself a scapegoat and he will be taught a lesson by not playing in the europa….this means more of Willian and I am absolutely sick of him
Marc
Do you mean to say the results aren’t good ?
We’re just 7 points off the top after playing City and Liverpool away. We beat a strong United side at Old Trafford after ages. Not to mention we beat Liverpool 3 times in 4 attempts.
What more do you expect with the shit players we have ?
I doubt that there is a manager on the planet who would get that bunch would improve us
under a different manager.
I don’t believe this for one minute.
Brendan would have us playing expansive exiting football.
Even the Brighton manager.
Emirates
You’re missing the point’
Arteta is nit the head coach, he’s the manager who has a big say in how the squad is recruited.
You can’t blame everyone but him. That makes no sense whatsoever.
exciting*
Arteta is not getting fired anytime soon. I think he will get one more window to set things right. Pepe and Lacazzete are on borrowed times I reckon.
“ What more do you expect with the shit players we have ?” = squad poverty
If we don’t improve swiftly, it’s looking like Arteta could get fired before the end of the season. He seems short of answers just like Emery was.
CC
I’m longing for players who allow us to play at an elevated level and are a higher quality than our current play. Yes, how foolish of me.
You on the otherhand are jerking off to everything Arteta does and says, never seen such brown noser.
prvhc
Firstly 7 points off the top after 9 games – well that’s 30 points over the course of a season.
Results aren’t great the real concern is performances – what was the last good performance (not result ManU away was a good result but meh performance) in the PL?
Emirates
Pep Gaurdiola played Phillip Lahm in.midfield and managed to make him play like one.
Why don’t you write an essay about that ?