The best thing to happen to Arsenal this season was ‘sickness.’
That was the reason Arteta gave for dropping Willian and Luiz.
Two players rumoured to have complained to Edu about how things have been going for them.
Two players that share the same super agent as our well-heeled Brazilian Technical Director.
This could have been the best bad luck ever, or it could have been a clever ploy to give the manager room to try something wild like… play the players that care.
Whatever went down, it worked.
Mikel Arteta picked the boldest line-up of the season. In came ESR, Martinelli, Mari and Granit Xhaka (yikes).
Auba, Ceballos, and Mustafi were benched.
What a huge difference it made.
I was unsure which Arteta team would show up, but thankfully, proper Arsenal returned to The Emirates. The players pressed with vigour, the passing was fast, crisp, and progressive. We battled like it was a cup final. It was a new manager bounce type of game. The sort that had us dreaming when Mikel landed a year ago.
Lady Luck was sitting in the North Bank. Our first goal came from a dubious penalty. Xhaka played a dreamy ball to Tierney, the Scotsman cut into the box and was downed by James. Lacazette sent the keeper the wrong way with a simple spot-kick. A lead in a big game?
Our second goal was even wilder. Granit Xhaka smashed a 25-yard freekick into the top corner. The sort of goal I remember seeing on his Youtube comps when he played in Germany. Absolutely stunning. While we’re talking about the Swiss, arguably Mikel’s riskiest selection, he had a great game. What a difference it makes for him when he has runners to aim fast-release passes to. He’s normally aiming at Pepe or Willian who don’t give him that.
We took a real liberty in the second half after Chelsea made two aggressive attacking subs (CHO + Jorginho). ESR played Saka in on the edge of the box, the England international saw Mendy off his line and clipped a delightful cross/shot into the top corner. Masterful. Lucky as hell. Exactly what the moment called for.
Things were nervy for the run-in. Frank Lampard had his team panic crossing like we did a few weeks ago. I think they tried 32 times. They broke our clean sheet on the ground, Tammy narrowly slotting home, kept onside by a hair on Bellerin’s leg. They also won a penalty of their own, the ref evening up for his first half mistake. Jorginho wasn’t to be the difference-maker with Bernd Leno saving well.
It didn’t go unnoticed that the introductions of Mustafi and Pepe made us less effective. Both players need to go in the bin. AMN was the choice, odd that he’s overlooked so often. Regardless, we managed to see the game out and record an absolutely huge win for our season.
The big question after the game is a simple one: What did Mikel learn?
ATTITUDE
Bernd Leno complained before the game that ‘bad attitude’ had held the club back over the last few weeks. True. Whether strategic, or an act of god, two of the worst offenders were dropped. They were replaced by people that cared. That wanted to fight. Guess what? We saw a performance. A team like Arsenal can’t carry bums, especially famous bums with big trophies to their names. We dropped them and the difference was intense.
The worry is that Arteta will let politics carry the season.
He invested £250k a week in Auba > yet Gabriel showed why he can’t play through the middle.
He was part of the decision-making committee on Willian > yet a £40k a week youngster showed why that was a disgraceful mistake.
Factor in Sokratis (£90k p/w), Soares (£90k p/w), Pepe (£150k p/w) and Mesut (£350k p/w) are all out… well, it doesn’t look good to the cheque signers. Especially when you’re losing games. Arteta either flogs people that don’t care and loses games, or he takes an expensive L and moves forward with players that form a better collective, and ultimately, will likely win more points.
I hope you all saw The Telegraph story about senior players demanding the reinstatement of Mesut Ozil. The story landed after the game citing ‘senior players’ backing his return. It’s clear that’s come from players that assumed we’d lose. They wanted the pile-on from the media post-game to be focused on how Ozil under a new manager could be the saviour the club needs. Think about that. Some of Arteta’s most experienced players thought they were starting against Chelsea, they knew they’d lose, they had a plan to sink the manager under a sea of online hate before they put a boot on. Very grim.
Mikel should put that Telegraph article up in his office. He needs to remember this lesson for the rest of his career. We need to exit these toxic bums ASAP. Give them free transfers in January.
YOUTH
Our pass completion rate was about 69%. Well below where it should be. The quality quite simply isn’t there at the moment. However, energy, hunger, youth, and a future in the game can work wonders for output. What the kids lacked in polish, they made up for with desire.
A lot of people called the starting 11 desperate. ESR shouldn’t have played, apparently. I found this deeply irritating commentary. We were 15th. We haven’t been creating. We’ve not had a performance this season. This was exactly what was needed, even if it failed. Young kids that are talented make big debuts. ESR had a big debut. He was not out of his depth. He was not bullied. He was a big fucking problem and he landed an assist. He played so well, Arteta smacked his backside when he came off in what can only be described as a serious HR violation.
Arsenal had 15 shots, 7 on target. Not a bad return.
As for the line-up being desperate… please. What was the non-desperate starting 11? What would all these so-called experts have done under the same pressure?
The biggest question was not why that line-up happened, it was why it hasn’t happened sooner.
The Chelsea game is the blueprint moving forward.
ESR shouldn’t have been blooded yesterday. It should have happened 9 months ago.
It shouldn’t have taken ‘sickness’ to bin Willian and Luiz.
We should have taken the back half of last season as a blessing and hacked out the rot in the summer.
Arteta didn’t. He thought he could coach out bad character. He couldn’t. Then he doubled down on his underlying issues by giving Auba, Luiz and Willian long-term deals. That was a shocking error. He tried to shortcut success with old players… no, no, no.
The beauty of the Chelsea game was he learned the lesson against the best team we’ve played in a while. An expensively-assembled monster of a squad at full strength. If this win came against Southampton or Burnley, people would say, ‘so what.’ When it’s against an elite team, it’s hard to ignore.
Gabriel Martinelli is what the future of centre forwarding looks like. Powerful, fast, dogged… innovative. The only worry about him is he goes TOO hard on opponents. How could anyone ever make the case for Auba through the middle after seeing that performance? It was extremely arousing to watch.
We need Saka going forward. He’s so impressive, but he looks a different player when he’s operating with quick thinkers who play sharp combinations with him, or release him off the last man. I love him. Power, speed, and invention when it comes to cross/shooting.
ESR, I’ve already gone over it, but his energy, quick thinking, and threat heading into the final third has been sorely missed.
We also have to give credit to Bellerin who looked much better. His end ball is still very sad, but he looked solid. Kieran Tierney was nearly MOM for me. He never stops, he gives a fuck, he’s going to look very good when we make this squad better.
If you put that forward locomotion in an 11 with Thomas Partey and Gabriel (defender), you start to have a core of a team that might do things better than 14th.
We still need to have a better midfield. Xhaka ain’t it. We can’t have a player that needs carrying like he does. I love Mo Elneny, but this isn’t his level. He’s lost confidence, he made a lot of bad decisions, he will never be what we need. We need players that can break lines with power and pace… and we need that person to be able to release our forward fast. It’s not those two. Big wins should not deter transfer inquiries for anyone good for glue.
If we’re letting Edu and Mikel spend in Jan, it can’t be on Christian Eriksen. Even on loan, he doesn’t have the mobility we need. It needs to be a young player that glides. Or a senior player that has the speed and power to go past people, like an Isco type.
We don’t need players to tip us into the top 4 now, we need names that can grow with us. No more older players. We need young intelligent athletes that are hungry to succeed.
Unfortunately, that requires a Technical Director with a degree in football architecture. That ain’t Edu. The puff piece in The Athletic was painful reading. They literally had an Arsenal source with an off the record comment that basically said ‘he looks the part, which goes a long way.’ Can you imagine being a professional trying to help out a colleague and that was the best compliment you could give? Utterly embarrassing. What looks good in Technical Directorship is smart decisions, discipline, and an elite vision. I wouldn’t swipe right to Luis Campos, but I’d hire him. I don’t need to see Ralf Rangnick on the front cover of Vogue to determine his worth. His value is in his record and his decisions. Edu’s record is bad.
Ignore what Mark Gonnella is putting out there, people at Arsenal know his level, they are concerned by Kia’s involvement (because it lacks creativity or smarts), but worse… they just don’t think he’s up to it… and if you didn’t believe me when I was saying this last year, just remember, it wasn’t me that demoted Edu to the same level as Arteta. Vinai did that. 10 good games from Arteta won’t change reality. We need better football leadership, more checks and balances, and a clear vision of how we move forward.
The short term message of today was clear: Bin those that are fighting against the project. Trust the youth and hunger. Win games.
Now listen to the podcast I did with Matt on the whistle.
Pierre
Dropping into the midfield, taking 1 touch and passing the ball back to the player who passed you or to a CB is not link up play.
And one instance if crisp passing doesn’t make Eddie a good link up player
Let me help you understand.
Eddie has 1 assist in 63 senior appearances.
Balogun has 2 assists in 4 senior appearances.
We’ll also move for a keeper on loan or pick up a free… Macy and Runar are not good enough.
Pierre
I think it’ll prove to be a catastrophic loss and the blame will lay firmly with Arteta.
Tierney
“Pierre probably the only person in the world who might rate Eddie over Gabi.”
Your words , not mine …2 completely different players that could potentially offer a lot .
I don’t compare them as i like them both
Jesus can you imagine Leno getting injured on the 1st Feb (or whenever the TW closes) if we haven’t got better back up?
Agree with that marc…
We should make him an offer he can’t refuse.
Pedro
I’m willing to bet William starts against West Brom. The Brighton game is too soon so I don’t think William will start.
Pierre, competition for places is there even without Eddie… how is he going to displace Gabriel?
Pierre
‘Your words , not mine …2 completely different players that could potentially offer a lot .I don’t compare them as i like them both’
Said that because iirc you were always ahead cautioning us over Martinelli’s flaws. But when it came to Eddie you constantly talk about his U21 record and knack for goals.
Ofc I like them both too and hope both become great players for Arsenal.
People also need to calm down a little on Martinelli – he’s just back from almost a year out we cannot play him in every minute of every match.
I’d say partey and guendouzi in cm. Guen is young and clearly talented. If he comes back having cut out his errors he can be immense for us. ESR in the hole, saka on the right and Gabi as a striker. The left wing we may need to either buy or shove pepe there if we don’t sell him. We should sell Auba and Willian in January imo.
Tierney
“Let me help you understand.
Eddie has 1 assist in 63 senior appearances.
Balogun has 2 assists in 4 senior appearances.”
Is that the best you can do …obviously you are beyond education.
Pedro, Gabi was playing across the frontline. You can have Gabi and balogun playing at the same time.
Azed, depends what he’s dropped for… if the story about him complaining to Edu is true, might be a bit longer.
I just don’t see how he fits the system if we want to play well.
My concern is, what message does it send? If Smith-Rowe comes in and plays well in a few games, shows promise, and we then go out and sign a player in the same position? It was the same with Nelson and Willian. Soares and Niles Arteta’s reluctance to back young players, is what’s turned me against him a bit. Unless we enter the market for a player who can make an instant impact, and we’re certain is a clear upgrade Then I’d much rather persist with Smith-Rowe + Willock. Let them fight it out until the end of the season,… Read more »
Pedro
“Pierre, competition for places is there even without Eddie… how is he going to displace Gabriel?”
Er… …Martinelli has been playing on the wing i do believe
Pierre
eddie isn’t a link up play striker that would be a Firminio type. eddie is a poacher and that’s it.
Yeah balogun should be given a chance like Eddie was
I’d love to know how all these geniuses on here would sell all of these players they want to get rid of?
Sell Auba? He’s just signed a huge contract who the hell is going to buy him?
Marc I agree.
Yes he’s chomping at the bit to play because he is Sanchez MK2, with higher potential even. But he’s still growing and we know how we have a knack for our players breaking down when fast tracked back to the squad after injury.
They Partey debacle surely has to be on Arteta’s mind when thinking of playing Martinelli, considering his injury was a lot worse and was out for way longer.
‘Is that the best you can do …obviously you are beyond education.’
Lol. That is the only thing you have to say when faced with hard facts.
Now please dont go and bring up England U21 numbers to prove your point. It doesn’t work like that.
Marc, it is an option. He doesnt look like he wants to be here anymore. If an offer comes in we should take it
Goober
That’s the problem – I don’t trust Arteta to not risk a player to save his own neck.
For diet Pep Jan tranfer is not about the future, its about his job.
I you dont know now you know
Berg10kamp
Massive difference between if someone bids we should sell and proactively looking to move the player on. Either way it ain’t happening.
Berg
Why would he want to be here when Arteta keeps playing favourites with Eddie.
Sid is that one for free?
Crushing dressing room politics. He should commit to the meritocratic route and bench players like Auba, Pepe and willian. Let them fight like dogs to make first team.
Cap T, regardless of favourites and where he plays he should give 100% for the team. He played thru the middle and did absolutely nothing. I know service is limited but at least show some desire. The difference yesterday was martinelli chasing down the ball like his life depended on it and that sparked the entire squad to do the same which made us look dangerous. As a captain he should be sparking the team.
Rich, I’m not sure I see a future for Willock, but agree with your sentiments.
We need a midfield technician that can give us something better for the next 5 months. I’d prefer it to be a loan, versus taking a punt on a panic move.
Hopefully the club can jettison some of the players with months left to go on their deals. No reason to keep letting them train.
No more freebies in 2021, its the new normal
Pay me like you owe me.
We’ve seen with Havertz who cost £90million Chelsea signed a talent who could potentially develop into a £90million player, they didn’t sign a £90million player. Werner who looked decent, is also having what Chelsea will be hoping is just teething problems. You get teething problem regularly with foreign imports, why not back our own lads to develop on the job, instead of looking at external investment? I’m not suggesting either Willock or Smith-Rowe are anywhere near the finished article, Oahu I’m pretty sure they’ll drop the odd stinker But I’d much rather a 20+21yr old drop the odd stinker while… Read more »
You really shouldn’t get too drawn in by the dressing room politics stories. They are a perfect scapegoat for Pedro to push as an excuse for Arteta.
If experienced players are calling out the shit show behind the scenes maybe they are right and the problem is the manager.
Sid
It’s still 2020 and I ain’t paying yet.
Willock, Guen, AMN should be the future at #8, priority should be an AM. Replace one of the three with real top quality not overrated Aouar
Marc, you’ve spent the entire morning telling people how to think and behave. Why does it bother you so much that people are having a nice day after a derby day win?
Diss, quite unfair really… they brutalise athletes.
Pedro
Not telling just offering free advice!
Rich, crazy thing is… if Arteta backed the kids, he’d be given more empathy from the fans.
Hopefully, he sees the good press around the kids today and picks up on it.
Pedro
The official story says they were dropped because of illness…
Let’s wait and see.
Azed, I watched the prezzer after… Arteta goes into detail about Gabriel. He was exposed, it wasn’t another player, it was a person in his pod.
Nothing on the other two.
Very, very convenient that the two Kia players were out.
Pedro Not sure about the technician, that would just be a bonus on top. I wouldn’t go near a player like Erikson, the PL is all about pace, power, stamina and aggression, the last thing we need is another lightweight. I’d take a snarling predator, who presses from the front, regularly goes hunting in the box, and who’s natural instincts are to directly go to goal in the fastest route possible. Martinelli is incredibly raw in aspects of his game, but he sets the tone, It’s the same with Richarlison at Everton, he sets the tone for the whole team… Read more »
azed
Arteta actually said in his pre match interview that Luiz and Willian weren’t in the squad because they weren’t feeling well but that they had tested negative for COVID. Gabriel had been in close contact with someone who’d tested positive so was self isolating.
Strong post Pedro
Rich, you are so right… this squad needs more tone setters on the pitch. I actually thought ESR did a great job of that. He pressed, found space… he even came vertical on throws to act as a 3rd option. It was such an energetic performance.
I suspect AMN was held back for the Brighton game. He doesn’t set the tone, but he’s our best athlete. Just needs to learn concentration.
Marc
Re: dressing room politics I agree
There is a route now to get players to give 100%
If the senior players can’t make the grade they’re benched
They all want to play, make them fight the kids for spots and don’t have favorites
That should get the best out of the squad
Pedro deleting comments again. Can’t have anyone criticizing Arteta.
WingDings, contribute something interesting and I’ll keep it up. This ain’t reddit my friend.
I’d rather have some outgoings this window than to have Cristian Eriksen come in . Take a risk on young players , there are so many out there. Inexpensive too.
Sly, there are some dressing room politics you can’t overcome.
1) Senior players out the squad
2) Players leaving in June
3) Players that want to down the manager
That is a tough one to crack.
Pepe is suffering because his role isnt clearly defined , if he plays as Inside Forward like Salah or Mane then he doesnt need to track back that much . If you play him in midfield then Bellerin shouldnt have to occupy the same space he does. He has speed , directness and an eye for dribbles and passes, why restrict him to play on the touchlines. He isnt two footed so cant really play like Pulisic. Allow him to roam around the front 3 freely .
Divine, he’s suffering because he’s bang average.
Pedro Hopefully we can keep Smith-Rowe fit. Like you say, his energy was really good yesterday He’s got a turn of pace, and his natural instincts seem to be to move forward into space, and get into the box and on the end of things. I quite like Willock as well, he did well when he came on yesterday, put in a couple of tackles, got into the box and had a good chance, which he continually does. There’s no guarantees going into the market and spending big money will work, or provide an instant impact The two obvious choices… Read more »
Pedro
think my comment got blocked
why is eddie given so much game time do you honestly think he is good enough to make it at arsenal as even a second choice striker?
I cant see anything about his game that is special
rich
sanchez was always underrated phenomenal wrecking ball of a talent at his best could donit all.
score pass dribble shoot tackle take free kicks he was one of the best talents we have had playing in an awful side
Evening,
Great win yesterday, playing as a team, looking to pass forwards the youngsters earned there place yesterday.
Now if arteta drops them for his old favourites then he should be out on his arse.
If we beat wba or a Burnley yesterday it would have been papering over the cracks, the fact it was a strong Chelsea side has bought arteta a bit of time, but it won’t last if we don’t get three points against Brighton.
Pedro
They all have one common denominator tho
These guys regardless of salary want to play
They can play politics if they feel they have something to barter ie their skill
They lose power if there are alternatives
Pedro
A quick Pepe vs Pulisic comparison on PL tells me in 62 apps , he has had 13 goals and 13 assists compared to Pulisic’s 92 apps 21goals and 11 assists. He has started in only half of those matches . Bang average , a bit too harsh . Bielsa would disagree.
ESR,
Is our Jack grealish but without the hair gel.
Copyright sarcastic gooner
All joking aside, he reminds me a little of Wilshire, although let’s hope without the smoking and the horrendous injury record.
He put himself about yesterday and if he can do that against Chelsea midfield then there’s no reason not to let him loose against lesser opposition.
Players need to know if they plays well they stay in the team if they drop there standards then there hooked.
It’s been to easy for too long for some players.
London gunner
With Alexis it was his sheer force of personality.
He’d grab a game by the scruff of the neck, his natural instincts were always forward
He made plenty of mistakes, would constantly lose possession, but he never let the mistakes effect him.
He consistently looked annoyed, even after we’d won.
This current team lacks that competitive spirit.
Martinelli is the closest player we have in terms of desire and commitment
I’d love us to pull a Suarez, Alexis type personality and talent from somewhere, to play as a No8/10
Unfortunately there’s not too many about.
If Liverpool swoops for Balogun as is being
rumored then it’s all on Arteta.
Nketiah is one trick rabbit, while Balogun, who may be
unproven, but neither is Nketiah, has the size, speed and strength to be a multi dimensional attacker which we currently lack. Why should Nketiah keep getting a place ahead of him? Sorry if you want to keep him, loan out Edie and promote him.
Excellent post Pedro but I would agree with Raptora that Luiz shouldn’t be included in the criticism unless there’s a definite link to him being a dressing-room troublemaker. On the field, he’s actually been decent enough this season and I think his contract isn’t a long-term one like Auba, Willian, Cedric etc. As for Balogun, this could be a screw up of Gnabry proportions but I think maybe it will fall a little short of that. Of course, he’s not entirely out of the door but let’s not forget that he was the one player Auba pointed out was the… Read more »
I’m definitely attached to the rail car putting Balogun into Eddie’s elevated place.
Play pepe striker flanked by gabi and saka.
I really like Eddie Nketiah . He is an out and out striker , finishes chances clinically, very determined and harries a lot of defenders. It seems though Arsenal requires to play certain way wherein the striker needs to hold up play as well. When so many people tell you that a certain player is talented than he must be . Its on Arteta though , should give Balogun more chances.
Well well well. Running around, shooting, being more direct, going forward and some mobility leads to goals and lifts the spirits. Who knew kids do more of that sort of thing? Pay attention Messrs Arteta, Willian & Aubameyang.
Nketiah is another Chelsea reject
Nice kid but I never rated him at prem level either
Arteta has to give Balogun games or he’s gone
Sell nketiah in the next window
I think they both have the same agent which complicates things
I also agree with raptora on Luiz
He’s been erratic but has added value in games and played with his heart
Willian has given nothing
Ozil has nothing left to give, should stay in the history bin
Pierre: “Link up play is when a striker comes off his defender and plays one or 2 touch football .
If you look at the goal scored by Aubameyang against Southampton (i think) in which Eddie linked with Saka and Aubameyang then you will have an understanding of what i am saying.”
Nketiah’s first assist in an Arsenal shirt in his 57 games. Definitely a top link up player.
PedroDecember 27, 2020 15:18:34
Divine, he’s suffering because he’s bang average
Are we talking about diet Pep here? To be honest he is below average
Lmfaoooooo
raptora
63* appearances. But then Pierre will hit you with this
‘Is that the best you can do …obviously you are beyond education.’
If we want to keep Balogun, then the solution is simple. Get Lacazette + Eddie out the door, take what we can, and create an opening. Right now he’s fighting Lacazette, Eddie, Aubameyang, Martinelli Can’t really blame him for wanting to go elsewhere and get opportunities to play, or to go and learn from Klopp at Liverpool, who are currently one of the worlds best. We’ve got enough players who seem more than content to not play, while picking up their wages Can’t really fault Balogun for having ambitions of progressing, doesn’t seem to be about money, more about playing… Read more »
is buendia of Norwich fame better than auoar of lyon fame?
We are reportedly in for Brandt.
Good player that.
Luiz? is he the same player that we blamed our loss to both Leicester and Wolves at home on him getting injured and taken off?
I know he is a liability but some should make up their mind
The elephant in the room is Arteta !
Klopp looks like he’s aged 10 years in the last five years.
In typical Le grove fashion , Raptora and Tierney making up their own version of events…
My comment of
“Pedro
Eddie’s link up play is no worse than any of the other strikers…”
Has turned into
“. Definitely a top link up player.”
Liverpool don’t really need Balogun
They are just going to keep him around their squad for one season and sell him for a big profit.
He’s not going to get games at Liverpool.
Arturo is a very poor judge of talent. They why he will never be a top manager.
dissenter
all managers age fast aside from pep who looks great for his age.
lampard has aged a ton it deffo causes premature aging being a top flight manager
Might be an avalanche 😬
Maybe that’s ok against our ‘rival fat Sam’
Pedro, ok, let me talk politics as well. Edu’s last job was with the national team in a developing country. I bet his salary is around than 350K/annum types. In the grand scheme of inefficiencies at the club this is nothing but I agree that he is not qualified for doing his current job (a lot of which was thrust on him because Raul and Huss is no longer there). So appoint an experienced tech director and let Edu learn from him. We already don’t have many football people at the club and letting go of someone who for the… Read more »
London gunnerDecember 27, 2020 16:07:54
is buendia of Norwich fame better than auoar of lyon fame?
Buendia provides better value for money
AC
areta won fa Cup in first season playing against better squads
Don’t worry, because we are doing better than last season! Who says so? Untold Arsenal and their weird maths, that’s who, and as we know Attwood never lies.
Couldn’t all the criticisms aimed at Eddie this season also apply to Auba? How many of those 63 appearances were for 5 or 10 minutes? So we’ve simplified good link up play solely to assists? Sounds reasonable
“Sly, there are some dressing room politics you can’t overcome.1) Senior players out the squad 2) Players leaving in June 3) Players that want to down the managerThat is a tough one to crack.” Pedro, In the recent PL history has there been a situation where players down a manager but the manager is a genius. Manu downed Mourinho because he was really petulant and has a very shit personality. Chelsea players downed AVB because he was a novice and didn’t know what he was doing. Arsenal players downed emery because he couldn’t adapt his tactics to PL and the… Read more »
Winning FA cup is a good acheivement but not a special achievement. A special achievement would be to finish in top 4 or qualify to CL by winning europa league. He failed badly there
Brandt’s main position is left wing.
Yes, he can also play as RW and AM, but why would we not spend a huge transfer fee on an AM specialist instead (if we want to spend big on Brandt)? Similar problem with Aouar who also seems to prefer the left wing.
Better to find a couple of promising players and let them compete and progress with ESR.
Yes, yes, and yes. Without Dein, would Arlene have succeeded? We need a player director in the worst way. Pedro spot on. Wondering how Per developing……just a thought as he was always so cerebral, especially being slow of foot…….and seeing the article on Cech the other day, and his recruiting spurred the thought. Youth, energy, fun to watch. Ellen ya nice guy, but, but, gives away the ball soooooo much. Is there any chance really they will replace Edu, gets some scouts, and concentrate on the youth core? Just don’t see the vision from Kroenke Inc. The best way out……is… Read more »
Only on here Nketiah is spoken about like one of Europes top prospects. If it’s not Ozil or now Eddie (bizarrely), Pierre will find another player who is very unfancied and not that good to campaign for. Its what an attention seeker does.
West Brom look poor. Will we find it hard to break them down when we play them?
AC Players down managers they think they have a chance of downing. They succeeded with Emery, so why not try their luck with Arteta? They succeeded with Moyes and Van Gaal, so why not try Mourinho? Zidane is the most secure Real Madrid manager I can remember, because he’s in with Florentino Perez, and Perez would discard any player who stepped out of line. This is what we lack, where is our leadership? Who’s in charge? We can’t find ourselves in a situation, where our players create open warfare against our manager, and they think they have a chance of… Read more »
I read the athletic piece.
very interesting
Pierre
Nketiah’s link up play is worse than Lacazette. Period.
Eddie N, Pepe, Nelson, and all the others who are not cutting it need to be sold.
Willock as well.
We do have good youth coming in and those are who we need to stick with.
All the above mentioned have had ample time to get minutes and show their skills.
We need $, so sell em. We need to be ruthless moving forward. No sentimentality shit
Martinelli dusts Eddie N.
In his 100 odd minutes he has done better than Eddie has all season.
Its like letting a wild caged animal on the pitch.
HE has so many x factors about his game that Eddie does not. Even Laca or Auba for that matter.
If that bicycle kick goes in, it would be the first step to legend status….
There is an easy answer in Jan.
Buendia. Just pay he f-ing money.
He can play deeper in CM, and create and drive from deep which is what we sorely lack with Xhaka and Mo.
Partey and Buendia and maybe another CM will seriously strengthen our CM.
I like Bissouma at Brighton.
A midfield pairing of Partey + Bissouma, would add some drive and tempo to our midfield.
Would be our most athletic midfield pairing since Vieira + Petit
Nketiah’s link up play is worse than Lacazette. Period.
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But is better than Aubameyang’s no?
Liverpool made £42.5m from Solanke and Brewster. This is what you do to your youth players that are deemed as not good enough to play for a top club. I don’t believe that Nketiah, Willock and Nelson will make it at Arsenal or at any top club. We should cash in on them and use the money to acquire a starting 11 quality players. Others might disagree with my assessment, but we have ESR, Balogun already banging on the door to start games. Then in a year we’ll have Moller, Azeez, Cirjan. The academy has finally started to work well.… Read more »