It’s tough hyping yourself to write a match report after beating a very average side in a tournament that generally doesn’t heat up until the semi-finals, but we have to make it work for a few hundred words, so keep with me.
Firstly, we won. You can only beat what is put in front of you and we did the job. We’ve qualified for the knockout phase of the competition which means our last two games should see some real minutes for some of the kids that are taking our fancy.
The performance wasn’t exactly electric, but we saw what need to from certain player. Nicolas Pepe had a major reaction after his dim sending off against Leeds. Again, he’s usually quite good against sides that give him the luxury of time and space that he doesn’t get in the Premier League but he still looked motivated and purposeful. He had 6 shots, he made the most passes, and his goal from a Joe Willock cross was lovely.
Arteta was pleased after the game.
‘He had a great performance, he scored one goal and could have scored another one or two. He created some good moments in the game and worked really hard for the team, so I really like it, I am pleased with that.’
‘We all know what his level is, and all the time the question is how often he can get to that level and how he contributes to other aspects of the game.’
‘Today is the example of the level he needs to hit, and he needs to keep doing it because he is capable of it and you can see that every time he gets in those positions win the final third, he is a real threat and a very difficult player to control because he can go with his feet, he can come inside, he can shoot, he can create crosses and he can go in behind you as well. That is what we can expect from him.’
It’s a shame we won’t see him for three games in the league now.
That might open up some opportunities for others. Reiss Nelson put in another good performance. His runs were direct, he was fast, his passing was crisp. I loved the goal he scored. He showed a lot of energy to get on the end of another Joe Willock cross. Again though, it’s in the Premier League where he needs to make it count. When the pressure is high and spaces are tighter.
Joe Willock had another game where you can see what he could offer the side. I think the glimpse of Emile Smith Rowe might have been a little more exciting, the manager seemed to be adament that we have a very good player on our hands. He created an assist very quickly, his clever run into space found the ball from Tierney, he’d already spotted Balogun who took a nice touch and bundled home for his first-ever goal for Arsenal. There’s something special about the two of them combining. Hopefully, that’s a partnership we see more of in the future.
Overall, the more attacking approach to the game had a positive impact on our numbers. We had 19 attempts at their goal, hitting the target 8 times. I’m not sure we landed a ‘performance’ out there, but I do think we are increasingly seeing why we’re not where we need to be as a squad. Another 2/10 performance from Lacazette who looked shite against a pub team. Another fairly anonymous runout for Eddie. Xhaka was far too slow in midfield again, even at this level. He doesn’t move the ball at pace and he’s a fairly one-dimensional player. We desperately lack craft with our final ball, even with space and time. Speed and precision is so important to this system Arteta is trying to move us towards. We need to find some of that in the January window otherwise it’s going to be more of this bland football we feel is unbefitting of a club like Arsenal.
The good news is Thomas Partey should be back this weekend. It’ll be interesting to see if he plays next to Mo or Ceballos. Then we’ll wait to see what he does about Joe Willock. Still, I’d prefer to play an attacking system badly, than give up and stick 11 men behind the ball. We need to move faster towards a creativity production line, so let’s see what we do against a very good Wolves side this weekend.
I hope it’s not the slap back to reality we had against Leeds at the weekend.
Or are we just good against proper shit teams?
” Another 2/10 performance from Lacazette”
I must have missed the bit that took him from a 1 to a 2.
Pedro
” Xhaka was far too slow in midfield again, even at this level. He doesn’t move the ball at pace and he’s a fairly one-dimensional player. ”
Mate honestly the daftest thing you’ve ever written on here – this is Xhaka’s 5th season with us and he was exactly the same last night as he’s been since he stepped off a place in 2016.
What next an expose telling us Chelsea fans are cunts?
tr4phy
27 shots to 12.
Rich https://footballwhispers.com/blog/brendan-rodgers-transformed-jamie-vardy/ “sid, Leicester are simply a much better run club that we are, their scouting and recruitment is exemplary, they buy low, sell high, their succession planning is superb.They’re a club with a clear and concise way of operating.” You’re missing the point. I think that what Sid is implying is that Arteta is not getting the best out of Aubameyang and co., whereas Rodgers has devised a way of playing to Vardy’s strengths… Similar to what i was saying earlier. Does that make Arteta clueless …what I would say is that it’s criminal to have one of the… Read more »
Top Ten?
Balogun scoring for America on Thanksgiving. Such a touching tribute. A young hero and an example to us all.
I thought Partey was a definite no for this weekend??
The problem was the bad setup for our strikers. Arteta put two right footers who can’t cross with their left foot on the leftt and a very one foited left footer on the right. Neither side were able to send a cross in the first intention. They always had to come back to their dominant foot to cross making impossible for strikers to attack the ball with one touch. It took Willock to use his left foot on the left and right foot foot on the right to cross in dangerous positions. Football is not rocket science, both Eddie and… Read more »
And isn’t Mo still isolating?
How is it fair that the Spud’s will be allowed 2,000 fans into the ground for the NLD but not include a percentage of away fans?
During the return match in March by which time a vaccination process should be well underway and not far off getting us back to normal will it be OK not to have any Spud fans at the Emirates?
“I won’t even mention what I thought of asking Lacazette to play No10…”
It looked more like DM on occasions.
Valentin — You’re right the setup was slightly odd because we played 442, but the idea with Pepe is always to cut in and shoot. Would you have him on the left crossing to 5’3″ Lacazette instead?
For me the key message of the game is that Arteta must go with the young. The implementation of his method is being hampered by the elderly. As said before, the transformation of Pepe is down to the absence of Bellerin.
Dan, a thing of beauty indeed. The streets of Brooklyn clapped like Balo was a carer in March.
Dan A,
Please stop exaggerating the height of Lacazetter.
Laca is five foot one.
I didn’t catch much of the game yesterday but saw the last 20 minutes or so. Arteta seemed to be much quieter on the sidelines. I wonder if that was a conscious effort on his part…
Pierre Leicester have averaged 49% possession in the PL this season. Vardy is elite at scoring against the top teams, because he’s a counter attacking player. Soyuncu, Maddison, Vardy, Ndidi, Tielemans were signed for less combined, than what we paid for Pepe. Leicester struggled against Villa and West Ham, they’re a bit like us, they’re much more dangerous, sitting back, and springing counters Vardy does what Aubameyang does, but he doesn’t cost Leicester £300+k p/w I agree Aubameyang and Nketiah need chances, but outside Saka, we struggle to break sides down. Teams have worked us out. They’re happy to concede… Read more »
englandsbest
I agree.
Bellerin is a liability.
He is a weak link and when he’s not playing Pepe is a different animal.
Also, can someone please teach Bellerin how to do a throw in
“Teams have worked us out”
So so true.
We are the most predictable team in the EPL
Nelson/ Willock/ESR/ Tierney/Pepe have the pace, technique and dynamism to unsettle opposing teams.
Aubameyang and Arsenal would then benefit if they were allowed to do what they’re good at.
We’ve got to use our assets.
Graham
We have more than enough talent in the squad right now to not only be getting better results but also better and more entertaining performances.
‘Leicester have averaged 49% possession in the PL this season.’
Which is in the offensive 3rd while Arsenals possesion is in their defensive 3rd.
Same Auba has been competing with Vardy in previous seasons for goals, what changed?
Had to watch the match on replay.. due to Turkeyfest 2020. Was fun to watch knowing the results. But Europa league at group stage is such a dismal level of competition.
Few things I did glean from the match… 4 at the back again.. I like it! Absolutely hate the 3-4-3. I hope it is becoming a fallback formation.
Football on Artificial turf is ugly and abnormal.. Don’t like it.
American Dna… been telling you.. Get that BaloGunner some playing time.. #Balosdeep.
Get Gia Reyna from Dortmund now… and I’ll shut up about it. 😀
Marc
I agree.
Aubameyang is capable of getting us 20-30 goals a season.
We’ve got to get him involved far more.
Graham I agree. The problem is the fans. They don’t recognise we’re a club in transition, and that transitions take time So they won’t put up with indifferent and inconsistent form from the likes of Nelson 20, Willock 21, Nketiah 21 Smith-Rowe 20, but has had big injuries, so he’s not been an option. Pepe has been hailed a dud by plenty on here, then then he does well against Europa level teams, he’s hailed as the the big hope yet again,… Round and round and around we go…. Fans complained for years we lacked defensive structure, then we find… Read more »
Graham It’s more than that – under the right coach Pepe is capable of getting 8 – 12 PL goals a season, we’ve got a CM in Partey who can help us impose ourselves on midfield, Gab and Tierney give us half a really good back 4 and the other options are good enough right now and in Saka we’ve got one of the brightest young players in the PL. Measuring the time for a goal from open play in the PL in weeks is a joke, measuring the time since a good performance in the PL at over 330… Read more »
Rich
You would be 100% correct on all that if performances weren’t getting worse.
Dan, Pepe was on a mission to prove he could score, but there was time when he would have been better off sliding a pass to a teammates. His constant shoot on sight policy did not yield any goals. Being a good header of the ball is not just about height, but about technique, timing and desire to attack the ball. Peter Crouch was a poor header of the ball despite his height advantage. On the other hand Tim Cahill timing was quite often perfect that allowed him to out-jump bigger opponents. Lacazette is a poor header of the ball,… Read more »
We shouldn’t get excited about beating a pub team.
Unless we agree that this is a new level.
Pepe should be able to piss on such a team, but once he plays in the premier they close mark him and he fumbles along.
Eddy is not ready or steady put Balogen in give him a go, why not?
We have to win the next one but we’ve been saying it every week lately and it’s not happening.
We should at least get a draw ffs
“Also, can someone please teach Bellerin how to do a throw in”
ESR for a start. Having pressed an opponent to concede a throw in he took not quickly to set another attack in motion.
“Bellerin is a liability. He is a weak link and when he’s not playing Pepe is a different animal.”
Would be interested to see AMN take his place – think him and Pepe would be far better combination.
Right now Nketiah is a better bet than Auba. Yes, I know he misses easy chances – but he makes chances for himself, Auba doesn’t. And he is yet to reach his peak, whereas Auba is past his. So extra minutes with Nketiah will pay off. Same rule applies with AMN and Bellerin,, with Willock and Xhaka, Holding and Luiz, etc. The young will improve, the elderly get worse. And another factor: young players are eager to learn, old ones need convincing. I’d bet Arteta spends far more time convincing than he does teaching. Finally, who excites me on the… Read more »
Bellerin can’t do a throw in properly utter tosser of a player.
Get rid
I enjoyed the game last night a lot. More glimpses of our future team and hopefully the new ‘old’ formation. I am optimistic about the Wolves game if we stick to the set up and have Partey back. It is a shame that Pepe is out as last night could have sparked a run of fork for him, but ultimately it his his fault he won’t be playing, he’ll have to pick up wheee he left off in a couple of weeks. Regarding Eddie and Balogun, as it stand I would prefer if both stayed and we managed to sell… Read more »
Will Le Grove turn on Martinelli the way they turned on Wilshere for being unfortunately injured… Wilshere’s name is dirt on here despite him joining Arsenal as a kid and being an exceptional talent who’s career was blighted by injuries . Martinelli has been at the club for a little over a year and so far he is on to his third injury , 2 out for a short term and one long term.. It is quite normal for a player who is returning from long term .injury to suffer little niggling injuries when he returns to competetive football. This… Read more »
Englandbest
“Finally, who excites me on the pitch? Not the elderly, they are boring. It’s Saka and Tierney and Pepe and Willock and Nelson and,, yes, Nketiah.”
Praising willock and Nketiah….Is that allowed.?
Pierre
You mean the lucky heads down merchant Martinelli?
If he stays injured for 10 years, only have a handful of good matches per season and keep getting new contracts so we can’t properly strengthen the team and get better then you can compare them. Go wank in your Ozil sock troll.
Yeah Martinelli situation is just like Wilshere… Have you been drinking Pierre?
What a bizarre post.
Pepe received all the plaudits but Willock was superb last night, man of the match for me.
94% passing completion and Willock is a very progressive passer of the ball .
2 assists despite playing a very disciplined role and the couple of times he advanced intonthe final he produced the final ball , one left foot , one right foot.
Would like to see him in a 4-3-3 with Partey and Elneny/Ceballos.
I am also keen to see more of Willock. He received criticism against Leeds but he needs more than one game, I’d like to see him get a run of 10-15 games in the league.
Karsa
Not bizarre at all .
Wilshere’s name is dirt on here through no fault of his own .
I would hate to see Martinelli receive the same treatment..
Fred’s comment above typifies the laack of respect wilshere receives on here..
I honestly expected a major clear-out from Arteta during the summer – you know, Ozil, Xhaka, Bellerin, etc.. all gone, replaced by the young and vigorous. Perhaps that would have happened in a normal year in a normal market. After all, a new broom sweeps clean.
Instead, we appear to be at a kind of half-way house, a mix of brand-new cluttered y old and creaking. Time for an early Spring clean.
Last time we beat Molde 4-1 and subsequently got spanked 3-0 by Aston Villa the following game.
Pierre.
Not bizarre at all .
There are no similarities between Jack and Martinelli. None.
Maybe Jack and ESR at a push.
Englandbest
I said earlier that in hindsight it might have been better to have perservered with freddie as he would have fast tracked the kids into the first team and cleared out the players you memtioned.
Pierre
I agree
Martinelli will need time coming back from a big injury, he looks a big talent, but at 19, he’ll need to be managed.
I’d love to see Willock given a run of 20-25 games, where he can learn on the job.
He’s not the finished article, but neither are we.
We should be building a team for 2-3 years time.
And that means having patience and persevering with young players, rather than building them up after a good performance, then tearing them back down after a bad one.
Pierre
White man speak with forked tongue
Karsa
Not yet ., I’m talking about a year or 2 down .the line if he becomes injury prone , his style of football will attract the more physical players from the opposition.
I think all injured players should be respected by the fans, they don’t choose to be injured
Pierre.
If he only manages 10 games a season for the next 5 years you may have a point.
But, at the moment, that’s quite a stretch.
So your worried about abuse a player might get from fans 2 years from now? That’s your big concern today? Ok then.
I remember getting heavily criticized here not too long ago for suggesting that Balogun should be given a run a la Eddie as I think he has more dimension to his game than Eddie. Anyway.
Good win. Hopefully Partey has made a recovery otherwise it’ll be back to watching a turgid midfield.
Englandbest
“White man speak with forked tongue”
Speaking about Martinelli in anything but glowing terms will always get their backs up.
He is our saviour you know, when he returns from injury .
( i wonder how many times will we say that over the next few years).
I am excited about his return, the day when our kids make up the majority of the first team is hopefully not too far away.
Pedro, we might butt heads, we might mock you and you do it right back but we still come to this blog because we like the content.
Just showing some appreciation for the continued posts 👌🏾and write ups.
It’s tough to write about us right now, there really isn’t much going on to excite and it gets repetitive talking about the same issues. Keep it up, like you have been.
Arteta – 29 games, 13 wins, 7 draws, 9 losses, win % 44.8
Emery – 29 games, 17 wins, 6 draws, 6 losses, win % 58.6
Grim stat.
I would refrain from making definitive judgments on any player while the whole side is struggling for form, but I haven’t seen anything from Willock and Nketiah to suggest future stardom. Pepe’s been disappointing but you can see why someone thought 72m might’ve been worth the risk. Likewise anyone can see Saka is something special regardless how bad Arsenal stink on a day, but the other two I just don’t see it. What are Nketiah’s strengths at a glance? Not particularly fast, or physical. His attempted header at Pepe’s cross in 57 minute was the worst header I’ve seen from… Read more »
Beating a average Molde side does not get you anywhere. We have wolves – a side who knows how to play against us. Sit back, give the ball to Arsenal and move the ball to Traore asap and move vertically on the right. If we play 4-3-3 Partey will give you the cover for retaining possession and winning the duels. But the problem starts after that – what to do with possession and how to move it vertically with speed. This is where Arteta needs to learn – especially from Arsene Wenger. The man had many flaws – but moving… Read more »
I think some of you are seriously deluded if you think we can wait 2 or 3 years for project youth to kick on. Youth players are exciting of course for their potential .. but no serious competitor in the PL is developing 5 or 6 youth players and giving them serious playing time. 2 or 3 is about all that will get a look in. I think we still have to count Saka as one… That leaves room for about 1 or 2 more.. Maybe Willock or Eddie or Balogun or Nelson. .. If you count Martinelli when he… Read more »
Englandbest
“White man speak with forked tongue”
Stiff upper lip syndrome
Given our midfield options for this season, and if we cannot bring anyone in during January, I can’t see any reason why a player like Joe Willock couldn’t have an extended run in the team.
“So your worried about abuse a player might get from fans 2 years from now? That’s your big concern today? Ok then.“
Yes, Pierre is concerned other posters will turn on Martinelli for his injury woes but not him, even though he keeps closer eye on his injuries than apparently anyone else.
Not trolling at all.
Midwest
Negative thinking …
Across Europe the last few years I’m sure we have seen teams like monaco and Ajax fill their team with kids and compete against the best in Europe ..
Sink or swim i say ..no half measures.
Rat
Fuck Emery. Wengers record was similar to Arteta’s after 29 games so what’s the shit point you’re trying to make here?
Grim indeed.
Good post pedro. .
Sorry Pierre but Monaco and Ajax aren’t in the PL.
“move the ball to Traore asap and move vertically on the right.”
We also know how to stop it. If they play Traore, we play AMN.
Midwest wins most sensible post of the day.
You dont get anywhere with a team full of youth players all the title winning sides have young talent as the sprinkle on the top not the foundation.
It’s just the reality of the situation… The PL is the richest most competitive league….top to bottom. . If Arsenal ..was in the French League or even German League.. Maybe we could afford a sink or swim mentality with the full on youth movement. But we can’t.
Tom
Nketiah has a knack for scoring goals. Nuff said.
Thought I’d throw in a Friday joke. Said to my ex girlfriend if she dies what is the only organ that will remain warm in her body? She said her heart? No. Her brain? No. What then she asked? My c**k I said. Ah well at least I can still read your posts after that
Midwest
As someone was saying the other day we’re going to be looking at extending / new sponsorship deals in a couple of years.
We can’t just take a few years out and think all will be OK.
Marc-
Yep .. you know if we lose our Adidas sponsorship .. I’ll be crushed. 🙁
Nketiah is quick, works hard, chases lost causes, has relatively good timing, has a knack of knowing where to be, doesn’t drop his head after missing, and he’s brave. He’s just beaten Shearer’s long standing under 21 record, he’s been prolific at every youth level. That doesn’t mean he’ll make it, but the idea anyone on this forum knows how he’ll progress over the next 18 months is insane. Look at Calvert Lewis over the past 12 months. Willock has qualities we lack. He was our top scoring midfielder last season, he’s got 2 goals and 3 assists his season.… Read more »
Willock never shows though when he has been given chances in the higher end games. People know when they see really good younger players. They know Saka is a talent. They know Martinelli can be a talent. With the others this hasn’t been the case. It’s all well and good shouting that the fans have to get behind every youngster but this is never the case until that youngster shows enough to be backed. And anyway if a youngster is good enough fans will naturally back him. They will not need to be told to do so. They will back… Read more »
The law of averages indicate that Arsenal will have a few youngsters that are currently around that will go on and become top players for the club.
A few. Two. Three at best.
Situations like Manchester United where so many of their youngsters came through at the same time during the Scholes, Beckham period are rare.
To think that all the youngsters currently around are all going to come good is wishful thinking.
Ishola70 Saka is the exception not the rule, The examples of young players who’ve been cut loose, or have sudden unexpected spurts in their development, is endless. I’d love an established goal threat from midfield. But we don’t currently have one, You can’t complain about Arteta’s lack of attacking football, but then claim that his only attacking midfielder is rubbish, and shouldn’t be anywhere near the first team. We either accept Willock is raw, but has qualities we lack, and since we’re in transition, we give him time and space to learn on the job Or we accept virtually no… Read more »
Rich
Just an AM isn’t going to solve the issues.
As Pedro pointed out and plenty of others realise our play is too slow overall.
It has been too slow in first transition and this phase sets the tone and tempo of the whole side.
But then again you seem to like this slow first transition. You call it “controlling”
Karsa
“If martinelli only manages 10 games a season for the next 5 years you may have a point.But, at the moment, that’s quite a stretch.”
Not even close , it shows your ignorance, you have actually proved my point to “fans” treating Wilshere like dirt
Wilshere played over 270 games during his time at Arsenal, playing on average about 33 games a season which is actually more than Martinelli played last season.
In fact , in his last season at Arsenal he played 39 times..
Ishola70 You’re making up quotes or taking things out of context yet again, Xhaka + Luiz are our best options at progressing the ball, and controlling the game. I’ve never said I like those options. But until we get better options. For example Partey being fit, and signing a centre half who can do what Luiz does, but has elite levels of power and athleticism . Then they’re our best options. We’re vulnerable when they play, we’re vulnerable when they don’t. Our squads a mess.. Where are these players that are going to speed up our transitions? Partey maybe, Saka… Read more »
Is it just me who feels this – we were excited when Iwobi burst through the scene and then he was moved on for 25Mn to Everton and then we got Saka and we have started to get excited again that he is the next thing after slice bread. To burst on to the scene when you are not known is good for a season or 1/2. Then when teams figure you out – that’s when we will have to see if these players will come good. I really have my doubts on Saka, Reiss and Nelson. Eddie is still… Read more »
“Xhaka + Luiz are our best options ”
Any comment that includes Xhaka and best when it comes to anything to do with football should be followed up by immediate medication.
Saka is 10 times the player Iwobi is already.
Pierre.
And he scored 8 premiership goals between 2008 and 2018.
Marc
When our options have been:
Guendouzi 19/20
Torreira 22/33
Ceballos 23, in his first season.
Then Xhaka is our best and most experienced option.
Not a particularly good option, but the best of the available inexperienced and underwhelming options.
In a league that’s dominated by pace, power, stamina, physicality and aggression.
We’ve decided to collect a squad of physical lightweights
Our problems aren’t coaching ones.
We moved the ball much more quickly, mainly because we weren’t pressed hard. Lots of Hale End products emerging – Saka , Willock, Nelson , Smith- Rowe, Nketiah , Balogun , Cottrell, Azeez. That’s a very good sign but they have to do it in the Premier League
Rich
Just take your medicine like a good patient.
“Our problems aren’t coaching ones.”
Not all of them but a sizable number are.
Why were the problems coaching related under Emery, they were definitely coaching related in the later Wenger years.
This years squad is stronger than last years and we’re are 6 points worse off than after 9 matches last season.
Marc
What medication are we talking?
Are you planning on roofying me?
Ot are we getting stoned and ordering some pizzas?
Rich
Nah just you some nice pills and a padded cell!
Marc listen to rich you might learn something about football rather than your limited take that arsenal are shit and xhaka is a cunt.
Rob
You and Xhaka have a lot in common.
Admittedly not as quick as we used to be but a great progressive passer?
Recently, I only saw Xhaka passing the ball back to the CB. Maybe that is Arteta’s system (ball control).
Marc
Our problems under Emery weren’t coaching ones either.
We were treading water under Wenger for years, and we were starting to go under.
Clubs rise and fall in cycles, we’re just caught in the middle of no mans land at the moment.
We need to build a new structure.
I wasn’t expecting much this season, when Arteta took over I was expecting a couple of years of indifferent results.
The Villa performance and result was really disappointing, but nothing else I’ve seen has been particularly surprising
Rich
We have enough good players (or better) to be getting better results and performances.
Nothing is going to change my mind – we had two years out of the CL under Wenger, 1 year under Emery, 1 year Emery / Arteta and this year looks like we’ve no chance unless there’s a serious upturn in results and performances. That’ll be five years – when do we demand more?
‘ That’ll be five years – when do we demand more?’
Marc you are one deluded cunt.
Rob
You are by far the biggest cunt who’s ever commented on here which is quite an achievement.
Expecting Arsenal to be better with our wage bill and transfer spend over the last 5 odd years is not being deluded.
Against teams playing low block, Xhaka has time to look up field and pings the ball to the wingers. Against teams that press high, he tends to pass the ball back to the CB so as not to lose the ball. Luiz is the one who sends long ball upfield.
” Will Le Grove turn on Martinelli the way they turned on Wilshere for being unfortunately injured…”
Er… Yes
You’re perfectly entitled to demand more. But 5 years outside the CL, with 3 separate managers, doesn’t suggest coaching issues. Managers are not omnipotent. People rightly don’t rate Xhaka, Lacazette, Luiz, Chambers, Holding, Kolasinac, Soares, Mari, Sokratis, Mustafi, Elneny Some don’t think Bellerin and Leno are good enough. People go from Pepe being a flop, onto Pepe deserves more chances, between him failing in the league, and shining in the Europa, it’s absolutely crazy We’ve seen fans declare with certainty that Balogun is superior to Nketiah, after 27 minutes of first team football, and that Willock and Nketiah will never… Read more »