Arteta squirms over press quotes + TIME FOR HALE-ENDERS TO SHINE!

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What’s that you can hear? It’s Arsenal’s Safe Space Thursday™ brought to you in association with Europa League.

NO ONE CAN HURT YOU THERE.

We head to Ireland for a game against Dundalk. I can’t wait. We’re going to see free-flowing football, intricate goals, shots on target, balls into the final third, the passes will be on the ground all game. It’ll be a feast of football and I can’t wait.

Mikel said he’s going to take some of the kids over.

Will Balogun land a start? I hope so.

We’ll certainly see AMN, Eddie, and ESR. We MIGHT even see Miguel Azeez. Might be too early for Patino, but you never know what sort of madness the gaffer might drop after he’s been well and truly told by the fans this week (just kidding).

Tonight won’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but you know what, who fucking cares? Just give me a 4-0 win to keep me breathing until Burnley smash us at the weekend.

What are we looking for? Signs of life. A clear plan. A little bit of joy.

My hope is that the Hale-Enders smell blood in the water. They need to sense their chance is coming soon, and they need to be extra motivated to put the dossers in the first team to bed. I’ve spoken about that AMN interview all week, because it said to me the young players gossip about the senior players not putting in a shift. Water cooler gossip about how much better you are than the person above you only matters if you eat the chance when it arrives.

We need the kids to show us the way. Arteta needs to prove out what a future with young creative players with athletic profiles could look like. He needs to take every opportunity he can to put a bit of confidence back in the project. Dundalk away is probably the best place to start.

I’ve watched all of Arteta’s press conferences since he joined and the show he put on yesterday was very interesting. He was grilled a little bit and put in situations he struggled to fight his way out of. There were two notable moments he tried to back out of.

The first was being asked about his DAZN Spain statement regarding the need for 5-6 new players to get to a 4-3-3. He really squirmed because he knew he’d fucked up there. He tried to make out he needed some sort of specificity, but he poorly tried to insinuate he could evolve players and he might have some of them in reserve. Super awkward. Everyone knows he needs new players, but you can’t really say that at the start of December if you want a turn out of the bums you’re currently trying to motivate to put their boots on.

He was then asked if the senior players in the league were letting him down. Again, you know he wanted to say OF COURSE THEY ARE, but he tried to smooth his way out by saying he wouldn’t pick the seniors if they were letting him down, and, by the way, he wanted everyone to be reminded he gives the kids games in cup finals and important games.

Not his finest performance. He looked very uncomfortable, usually, he’s very chipper. It’s all getting a bit twitchy. I’d imagine he’s very hurt by how quickly the fans turned this month and how fast the players he pumped have gone down the shitter. Still, no time to feel sorry for yourself, time to get this show BACK on the road.

10 good games in a row and all is forgotten.

He needs that 10 games to start from now. A huge ask, but all the good managers have the stardust to make it happen. Does Mikel? I hope so. I want to go back into the comments section on my own site this year. SO FFS MIKEL PULL IT TOGETHER MAN.

A short one today, but before I go…

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718 Comments
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TheLegendaryDB10

bacary

Mustafi has the face of someone who’s had every single neuron obliterated. Hence the blank expression in is face that you get to see most times.

Montana Gooner

ESR had a good half. Trying to take his chance.

curse

we should bring in a set piece coach. smh

Dissenter

bacaryisgone
“I can’t wait for Mustafi to be off in the summer. It’s got to the point where I just can’t stand to see his face.”

I guess you were spared a coronary since he declined Arteta’s contract offer.

Nelson

Mustafi almost has an assist for the enemy.

Graham62

Pepe is in his Moskvitch mode.

All you miserable fuckers putting OUR Mikel down. See how he’s masterminding a win against the European giants Dundalk. No one else could of managed it. Long live Mikel

TheLegendaryDB10

TYAG

Laughing with tears in my eyes….

London gunner

The irony is mustafi is one of the best technical defenders i have ever seen just has the mind of a complete reetard

Guy has a silky touch great long ball amazing with ball at feet for a defender mind of a hamster

TheLegendaryDB10

2 really nice goals!!!

Really nicely chested by Eddie and did well.

But that strike in the top corner by Mo!!! I agree! Please do more of these in the PL!!!!

London gunner

Elneny has to be first 11 in premier league if his name is not on the team sheet there is no meritocracy

RockyRoe

We can’t even dominate a team, I didn’t know existed before the europa draw. The state of us.

Useroz

Pepe’s awkward movements and runs look as though his legs and feet have just been taken out of the freezer and are still being defrosted!

Have absolutely no fluency and finesse on show

Gazzap

I’m not even sure we should bring Pepe back into the team. ESR and Nelson are more deserving. And AMN.

bacaryisgod

Dissenter-true, I was spared that coronary but then my blood pressure went up knowing that Arteta made the extension offer.

Useroz

Dun is bottom of the group. As long as we don’t help Dun make history and win,, Arteta earns a stay of execution.

bacaryisgod

London gunner

Couldn’t agree more with you about Mustafi. What I like least about him is his instinct to point the blame at anyone but himself. Ozil was lucky he had Kola with him in that knife attack instead of Mustafi. Mustafi would have pulled Ozil out of the car.

MidwestGun

Damn that Gartland dude they subbed on looks like a bruiser.. could definitely play some rugby.

Jim+furnell

ESR would contribute a shedload more than Willian, but Willian will play at the weekend. Can’t wait for his mesmerising dribbles . . . Now you see me . . . Now you see me . . . .

Useroz

Honestly we don’t need these back passes. It’s Dun ffs!

Gazzap

Reverting back to 3–4-3 will get arteta sacked. 100%

Useroz

Willock needs to wake up that he isn’t a good dribbler. Pass the darn ball.

Montana Gooner

Eddie seems unable to play the ball first time unless he’s shooting.

Montana Gooner

From the 6. Sorry premature post there.

Gbat

The Mustafi contract that was reported by one source. That Mustafi himself then said hadn’t happened. Same with that ridiculous claim of Runnarson being on £40k.

Useroz

Ffs Willock

Our players don’t know how to make runs and end up running into each others!!

MidwestGun

Mustafi and Chambers at full sprint made Duffy look like Usain Bolt.

@Useroz

It’s a clever ploy from Mikel. Getting the players to play shit so Dundalk will let their guard down. Genius

Montana Gooner

Ha! They did well to get back in position tho.

Nelson

AMN always smiling…

salparadisenyc

Duffy could be carrying a pint in each hand and still out sprint those two.

bacaryisgod

Gbat

Pretty clear what’s going on with Mustafi based on what his father says:

https://www.goal.com/en/news/nothing-is-ruled-out-mustafis-father-says-arsenal-future/17djrloh8syx71luf6uy1aeefc

Useroz

Chambers could have passed first time to pepe and chose a 20 yard back pass instead.

Honestly everyone moaning. We have a once in a lifetime generational coach, sit back and enjoy the entertainment

Useroz

Esr hasn’t the physique to thrive in the PL at this stage. Where are the coaches in body and strengths ?

The+Godfather

Don’t care if he scores a hat trick later,
Pepe is nothing more than another brain dead Walcott type ..

Really dumb player

Useroz

30 min for Balogun

MidwestGun

Duffy could be carrying a pint in each hand and still out sprint those two.
_________
Now there is an Olympic sport I could get into… Beer stein sprinting. Rather that then freakin break dancing. How is that a sport?

The+Godfather

Laws have mercy CALLUM CHAMBERS IS SNAIL LIKE.
please sell him ASAP

TheLegendaryDB10

Gbat

https://dailycannon.com/2020/09/runarsson-deal-details-fee-contract-length-wages/

Now would The Daily Cannon lue about Runnarson’s weekly salary??

Jim+furnell

MO
ESR
AMN
PABLO
CEDRIC
Yes Please

Taxi For
Hector
Holding
Xhaka
Willian

Ambulance for Thomas

TheLegendaryDB10

Lie

Gazzap

This refs terrible for both sides.

Nelson

Mo may play on Sunday!!!

bacaryisgod

The+Godfather

It’s his first game back after nearly a year out-just a little slack, maybe?!!

London gunner

Good sign elneny is off early he will be starting on the weeknd

Useroz

Poor control and shot by Esr. Good build up

The+Godfather

@Bacary:
I take it he was fast before the injury or was ripping it up them?
Nah the dude is gash and looks even worse.
Is. A championship player at best.
Get rid of ASAP

TheLegendaryDB10

Nelson

I really hope so as he deserves to play in the first XI regularly. Why he hasn’t is a mystery (bar that Covid quarantine) .

MidwestGun

Think their keeper pulled a beer muscle on the Ceds free kick save. Time to put some more shots on target.

The+Godfather

Smith Rose has to finish that…Very game shot.
Nice hold up and pass by Balogun

Danny

Well done Joe!

Useroz

Finally. 3. Willock

Karsa

Get in.

Montana Gooner

Sweet

See what did I tell you. This will put the fear of god into our rivals in the premier league

MidwestGun

Ok .. that should be game.. empty the bench..

Montana Gooner

Balo already showing what a decent first touch does for you.

salparadisenyc

Balogun pretty god damned composed compared to his competition.

TheLegendaryDB10

Well done Joe!!!!

Come on The Arsenal!! That team should be thrashed now.

I say Balogun to score next!!!!

Nelson

Eddit wouldn’t be able to hold up the ball and passed to Joe.

London gunner

Balogun has great hold up play seriously strong dude

Gazzap

Balogun looks really good. He looks 25 to me. Physically very mature.

Useroz

Would anyone hearet alone listen to the yelling from both benches? Let ’em play.

Gbat

TheLegendaryDB10

They just link it back to the one report. One report doesn’t make it true. There were also reports linking us with signing about 50 players in the window.

bacaryisgod

The+Godfather

Chambers has never been quick but he’s not that slow. He’s quicker than Mari and Holding even if that’s not saying much.

Valentin

Bacary,

For their goal, yes Pepe inadvertently push the ball back, but Mari got attracted to the ball and vacated his spot which gave space for the Dundalk player to run into. If he had kept his position, he would have have a simple clearance.
The shot was hard, but any decent premier League goalkeeper (even No2) should save it or at least get a glove on it.

The+Godfather

@Bacary,

Please stop posting under the influence LMAO

Gazzap

What happens if a player receives a yellow card after ref allows advantage and its that players second yellow but while he’s on the pitch he scores a goal?

London gunner

Fucking hell balogun is looking these 35 year old Irish builders look like kids

Useroz

Qillock doesn’t fucking learn. Wot a waste

The+Godfather

Willock is an idiot

Montana Gooner

Pepe doesn’t move and take the ball from ESR and then does that.

bacaryisgod

The+Godfather

It’s just a little weird to go after a player in his first game back after a year out..

MidwestGun

Balogunner is definitely a hold up play savant.. we could use that in the first team at some point. We haven’t had that since Olly Geeeroooo

The+Godfather

@Bacary,
I’ve never liked the stinker and it’s not his first game back.
Again stop posting under the influence lol

Valentin

Pepe has been poor, but for a dribbler that pitch is really an awful hindrance.

Useroz

We aren’t playing expansive football. No improvements coming from the subs. Yet.

Bet you Newcastle are gutted we got Arteta.

The+Godfather

These guys can’t handle Balogun.
It’s like he is the man and they are the boys.
Better lock this lad down.
I’m sure other teams are watching.
This boy is a player

Nelson

Who is this Ben??

Anonymous Commentator

nice, we get to see 15 minutes of Ben Cottrell.

Karsa

And another.

MidwestGun

NIce and Easy… Good to see BaloG get that one.

Montana Gooner

Why is Eddie playing over this kid? I know you reward good practice but games are worth more.

The+Godfather

Balooooooooo
What a goal
By Arsenal

The+Godfather

Bye Bye Edie ..
It’s time for Balogun

Venga, Dani

BALLS DEEP BALOGUN

@Montana

Eddie has some incriminating photos of Mikel and gunnersaurus. That’s the real reason they sacked him

Gazzap

Balogun needs games at a higher level. Sub appearances will do for now. Over to you Mikel.

Zimmie2652

Balo!

MLC

Better Nketiah to be careful, otherwise he will lose his place to Balogun

Jim+furnell

Mins per goal Auba v Balo? We must not lose this guy.

Valentin

Azeez is a real baller.

Useroz

Another kid came on.

TheLegendaryDB10

Glad to see that Balogun scored!!!

John Munoz

Really weird that Eddie gets a nod over Balogun so often. Balo seems to offer so so much more than Eddie.

The+Godfather

Azeez In for brain dead Joe

TheLegendaryDB10

Thought he would!!!

NORG

442 with Moller and Balogun up top –