Arsenal capped off a very odd year with a win.
Do I care how it happened? No.
Am I happy? Yes.
Should you be? Yes.
If you thought the path back to midtable was going to be Chelsea performances week in, week out, you were mistaken. Arsenal’s pivot in football strategy landed with a warning label: It’ll be non-linear.
Arteta did exactly what we the people asked for. He binned two senior players that have been problematic. He stuck with the kids that saved his career in the last game. He was rewarded handsomely with a very sound win against a Brighton that are tough opponents.
The only change from the last game was the intro of Auba for Lacazette, who had a back issue. Our start was painfully bland. We reverted to playing out the back, revisiting the over-rehearsed slow football we’ve seen all season. Xhaka and Mo were crabs, they looked more interested in their pass completion stats than moving the ball with the pace they had done for the whole game against Chelsea.
Our front 4 were barely involved. Auba looked isolated. ESR wasn’t involved. Gabriel and Saka barely touched the ball.
I WAS WORRIED.
The second half saw a HUGE change in attitude and belief. We came out roaring. The players reverted to the Chelsea game plan. ESR dropped deeper and started to control the game. Gabriel, Saka and Auba all livened up.
The break came when Lacazette came on for a very tired Gabriel. Saka turned on the halfway line, powered into the box, cut Laca in, the Frenchman took his time and curled a shot near post to perfection. A wonderful goal, but most of the credit went to Saka who did so, so well in the build-up.
We stopped pressuring after that. It was a bit grim at times. We started time-wasting in their corner flag area like it was a cup final and we were Yeovil Town. But that was the pressure of the day. Brighton didn’t really have much to offer. We took the three points. Neil Maupay cried (I can’t prove this).
So what did we learn?
The blueprint for the future is youth. Two games, two wins. What we lacked in quality, we more than makeup for with passion and hunger. There cannot be a return to the seniors that have let us down so badly. The fans don’t want it. It hasn’t worked, and it won’t work.
Willian can go in the bin. David Luiz too. Play those that want to be a part of the project, fuck the rest.
We just have to accept that there will be days like today. Kids are inconsistent. Teams like Brighton will be tough. The upside is that we’re working with players that’ll grow and get better. That is the path forward.
The future of our attack is ESR, Saka, and Martinelli. It wasn’t quite the Chelsea game, but it was still brilliant in its own way.
ESR is just so impressive. He fast, he’s strong, and he moves like a #10. His first half was slow, but he listened at half time and he made an impact in the second half. He takes passes on the half-turn and seamlessly moves the ball at speed. I love how hungry he is, his late-game defensive work, his movement for throw-ins, his confidence to put his hand-up for freekicks. I love it.
Saka is our best player now. Let’s not continue to debate this. There’s no one more consequential in our squad. The maturity to own the game in the second-half belied his age. HIs run for the goal incredibly powerful, the pass was so composed, he’s a fucking hero. What’s more, he likes playing with ESR and Gabriel.
Talking of the Brazilian. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN. He is all you want from a forward in 2020. He does not stop, what a fucking terror that boy is. The goals will come, no doubt. The most difficult thing the club is going to have to deal with is how hard he runs himself. We need him fresh. A cult hero before he’s twenty, we are very lucky.
Our midfield needs an upgrade. Arteta said after the game certain senior players make the younger players better. He needs to understand that long-term, that’s not Xhaka or Mo. The two of them work hard, but honestly, together, it’s painful to watch. The return of Partey can’t come soon enough. There was a very incorrect rumour before the game yesterday that he was in the squad, it was wrong. I’m reliably told the hope is Partey will actually be about for the Newcastle cup game. He’ll help, but we still need to add speed to our midfield play.
If you don’t move the ball fast, there’s no point in the attackers we have. Arteta needs to give more time to AMN in midfield. He offers ambitious passing, he’s an elite athlete, he has swagger, and he’ll grow in value if he’s given time. Why isn’t he offered more minutes? Maybe it was hard to drop GX and ME because of Chelsea. For West Brom, we have to start AMN and give him what he deserves.
The defence returned to solid. The jury is still out on Pablo Mari. He’s looked a little shaky, but he’s barely played. Holdinho, to be fair, has been absolutely excellent. He’s just really solid. His passing isn’t always that sexy, but you can’t knock his leadership skills, aerial ability, and reliability. Hector is a tough one for me, he looked a mess in the first half, but he was sharp in the second. There was one point where he broke in the second in spectacular fashion, no one followed, I couldn’t work out if that was discipline or people knowing he’d not land a final ball.
The January window needs more than one signing. The major move is for creativity. There’s a lot of buzz around Isco. Outside everyone fat-shaming a guy who is depressed over his lack of game time, you’d be hard-pressed to tell me he wouldn’t give us something in quality an experience. I like the idea because he has something to play for. 1) A final contract because he’s old. 2) He probably wants to play for Spain this summer. 3) HE’S NOT ERIKSEN.
It’s clear we need more than just an Isco type. We need to shift on the deadwood. There simply MUST be a back-up keeper. I think we need more than one creative midfielder. BUT WE HAVE NO MONEY. So not sure what we’ll do this month.
Football might also be in the shitter. Covid seems to be going pretty wild again. I am half expecting the suspension of the season again. We’ll see though. I can’t work out if it’d be good or bad for us, but at least we could get everyone fit. BUT YOU, READING THIS, MUST STAY SAFE. I need those clicks. x
Right, before I go… LISTEN TO OUR LATEST ON THE WHISTLE PODCAST.
1st?
2nd
3rd
Tr4phy???
I think Auba needs some time in the reserves to get his mojo back!
Surely this is the way forward for now
Laca’s finish looks better with every viewing.
Saka made a very similar run to set up Auba, but on the opposite side of the pitch.
Bit scary how good that boy is.
“There was one point where he broke in the second in spectacular fashion, no one followed, I couldn’t work out if that was discipline or people knowing he’d not land a final ball.”
Just brilliant 😂
Saka and Martinelli are the best players in our club right now . Auba close second , Rest need to catch up . I have liked what I have seen of Mari, he is good at passing and he is catching up with the pace of PL . Comfortable with the ball too .
Pedro
Do you genuinely think that Willian and Luiz were binned or do you think Arteta decision was made for him through them being sick?
Some might argue that the reason for them not being picked doesn’t matter but for me it very much matters.
Good 3 points, lets keep going.
Hi Pedro, I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, our team is better with Laca leading the line instead of Auba. I’ve heard enough on Auba and what a lethal finisher he is and how he’s saved us countless times, the truth is, if he doesn’t score, he’s no more better than an Ozil. i.e. goes completely missing. Case in point, the first half. second case in point, pretty much the whole of this season after the Fulham game. Our future is bright, ESR, Saka, Martinelli, Gabriel M, AMN, Saliba, just to name a few. Can’t wait for Partey… Read more »
I think Pablo Mari has been excellent, Brighton are a very good side, they have beaten Villa , Drawn Liverpool, and many other good side this season. That’s a very tough game against an opponent we have struggled with in the last 4 games against them.
Surely, now CC’s presence should grace us now
Good post Pedro. My main criticism is you calling Martinelli, Gabriel. Nobody calls him that, He is not known by that (in football fan/commentary terms) and his shirt doesn’t say that. Plus we have another player is actually known by that.
Just stick with Martinelli, it suits him better.
A minor gripe but as an arsenal fan we have to moan about something.
Ps. 6 points feels like we have won the lottery.
What we KNEW was the future was youth. What we LEARNED was that Mikel Arteta is the man for the job.
Naturally, the ‘fire the manager’ wailers will disagree. They will search high and low for reasons to support their view, often coming up with utterly daft ideas. Needless to say, they will blame Arteta for anything they perceive as misguided.
Returning Arsenal to the elite is a process. Arteta has taken the first couple of steps. Let’s show a little patience.
As I posted earlier today Arsenal have in my view the fundamentals of a stable starting X1. There are now 3 youngsters in Saka, Martinelli and Smith-Rowe to play in team. The only issue for me is that they should not be overplayed for the present a lesson which should be learned from what happened to Wilshire. I have no problem with the 12 players I listed who should be the mainstay of our starting X1. However, I do think that Arsenal need to recruit in January a decent central midfielder and most certainly a second string goalkeeper. The latter… Read more »
ES
There is no way Balogun signs a new contract. He is out the door, unfortunately.
Englandsbest.
“Naturally, the ‘fire the manager’ wailers will disagree. They will search high and low for reasons to support their view, often coming up with utterly daft ideas. Needless to say, they will blame Arteta for anything they perceive as misguided.”
Before the game against Chelsea, saw an idiot condemning Arteta for starting ESR in such a big game. Have you seen the lengths they go to downplay our recent victories? Such a sad bunch.
Do they not rate Macey? I am sure he had some game time in the cup a while back and did okay. Anybody has to be an upgrade on the Icelandic chap. That setting up of the wall and positioning himself on the the far side was unreal to watch.
Arteta has accidently stumbled upon the front 4 of Saka, Laca, ESR and Martinelli but now he’s got to persist with them. They complement each other well.
Fairly positive post. Arteta hasnt been mentioned a 1000 times too. Who knew winning would make pedro a bit more reasonable again. Anyway there are a lot of good players out there and Isco isn’t one of them. If we have no money then I can go with that but if we have an option I would rather not. We need to buy players from the premier league. CMs Anguissa, Bissouma, James ward prowse are all good bets. Outside of England Fabian Ruiz, Zeleniski, Soumare, Houssem Aouar are all Some of my favourites. CAM is a bit complicated. Emi buendia… Read more »
ESR is anything but the finished product but loving his quick turns and smooth passing. As for Saka, he is an absolutely top class player in the making. He has got amazing maturity and brain for a player so young, truly gifted.
I swear I’ve seen in this blog that, Banega who was better at 29 was backwards move!. Now, big head lazy fat Isco is moving forward!.
The only difference is who’s the manager you support. It will be typical of a middle of the road manager picking a name over ability. Just like the boring one at Spud with Bale.
Absolutely no to Eriksen, Costa and Isco. Would much prefer younger and more hungry players to experienced players looking for the next big fat contract.
“you’d be hard-pressed to tell me he wouldn’t give us something in quality an experience.” Sounds familiar…ah yes, pretty much exactly what you said about that waster Willian. Isco is exactly the sort of player we all agreed we should be avoiding like the plague a few weeks back. Maybe he’s so sexily hipster that you’ve forgotten: Let’s see: On the decline – CHECK Unfit – CHECK Poor form – CHECK No interest in Arsenal – CHECK Making a step down – CHECK Not suited to the PL – CHECK Questionable motivation – CHECK Will block young player’s progress –… Read more »
No matter what anyone says, we’ve the best two 19 year old in the world. Not just skill wise, but hunger, power, pace, maturity, temper, balance, football intelligence and add to that manners.
I like that Arteta has finally realised some of our experienced players are complete bums, but the over reaction to performances of ESR and Saka is pretty ridiculous.
Saka has 2 goals, 1 assist in 14 games.
For now, he really should be a squad player fighting for a place in the first XI.
Ditto for ESR.
We need to go out and sign 2 creative players that can also share the goal scoring burden. Saka & ESR can then deputise for them and play 20 odd games per season.
“No matter what anyone says, we’ve the best two 19 year old in the world. Not just skill wise, but hunger, power, pace, maturity, temper, balance, football intelligence and add to that manners.”
This sums up the problem with Arsenal fans.
We have won 2 games in a row, and in the last 12 hours I’ve seen people say Holding, Mari, Bellerin, Xhaka are all good enough for Arsenal.
I’ve seen people say ESR, Saka & Martinelli should be starters and that we dont need to sign creative players.
We are 13th in the PL, but apparently we now dont need to change anything because of the last 2 games.
https://youtu.be/FSQNwt640J4
Just a thought. Two footed to.
Gambon,
According to your logic, Xavi was bad players he used to end the season with 10 assists and 5 goals for a team that scored more than 100 goals.!
The reason Saka low goal and assists struggling team and bad finishing.
Two footed too
Nothing has been realized
Willian and Luiz are is isolating. So is Gabriel. They were not dropped for poor performance. Only person who seems to have been dropped is Ceballos.
Saka is mustard, ESR has something about him, more than Willock but shouldn’t be playing games for us.
The bottom line is Arteta is making it up as he moves along, there is no clear vision, he wants to win enough fine margins game to buy time and buy better players. He isn’t a good coach, he is a younger Marco Silva.
“The reason Saka low goal and assists struggling team and bad finishing.”
Erm no.
The reason Saka has low goal and assists, is because he doesnt shoot enough, and doesnt create enough chances, as you would expect for a 19 year old.
Saka is terrific, very simplistic to judge him on goals and assists alone.
Saka is terrific.
However, you dont get awarded points for giving minutes to terrific young players.
You do get points for winning games.
“We are 13th in the PL, but apparently we now dont need to change anything because of the last 2 games.” And apparently all Arteta doubters should be ashamed because we won two games. You should really question your faith in a coach if winning two games is all it takes after absolutely tanking the start to the season. We have scored 16 goals in 16 league games but all is well cos we won the last two. Arteta made a song and dance of signing two 30 plus players to mega deals running three years but apparently his focus… Read more »
Pedro An encouraging win yesterday and a workmanlike performance against a Brighton side who carried absolutely no threat going forward. The three youngsters are excellent prospects , especially Saka, but I think you’re being unrealistic if you think those three will be enough to get us back to where we want to be- meaning top four. Having said that, I agree that youth is and will be the way forward for arsenal. However, it’s not necessarily for the right reasons.. Firstly there’s no money and secondly arsenal fc seem incapable of making an effective big money signing. The last and… Read more »
“The reason Saka has low goal and assists, is because he doesnt shoot enough, and doesnt create enough chances, as you would expect for a 19 year old.“
How can he do that while the team have a defensive don’t cross the half way line manager? He’s playing wing back in some of those games. Remember Fabregas had run the show, at 17/18, Saka and Martinelli from the same school. The only difference is the team struggling and the manager is not good enough.
Matt Macey is in final year of contract. I am fairly certain he will leave on Bosman at end of season and free up place for one of academy goalkeepers to be registered as third string. Runarsson based on what I have watched to date is not remotely good enough to play in first team as and when required. There are two options. The first is to recruit a goalkeeper who ie experienced ie in 30s with no expectation to be first choice and happy to sit on bench or play in less important cup games or someone who is… Read more »
Gambon play Saka in a well coached team and his numbers will improve,the kid has it all and I’m glad Arteta hasn’t destroyed him yet.
Nothing is wrong with Aubameyang, if anything Arteta owes him for his job. He and Martinez won us the FA cup, the same victory that made us hand over the keys to Arteta.
Our whole attacking play is suffering. Barely two weeks ago Lacazette was done on this pages now I have read a few saying wait a minute he is not that bad.
Would be funny if it wasn’t so sad.
Gambon
Saka’s numbers will go up if we have Partey and another good ball carrying midfielder playing along side him. At the moment he is single handedly carrying the burden of creativity and whatever support he is getting is from our fullbacks Tierney and Bellerin.
I fear our future – once the ill players return – is a youthful manager and an experienced team
It needs to be the other way round.
Arsenal’s losing run may prove to be a blessing in disguise. If we had started the season with half decent results and floating around the top 6, I can guarantee that ESR and Martinelli would be nowhere near the starting line up. Having a dreadful start , playing boring listless football with little or no creativity has forced Arteta’s hand. Somebody should advise Balogun to hang around at Arsenal as there is a good chance that he will be given his chance …it looks like Arteta’s stupid non negotiables have come into effect due to Balogun not agreeing to sign… Read more »
I am yet to be convinced by Leno,but I thought he was excellent last night.
Didn’t Isco disrespect Big Tone? He can do one.
In all seriousness. I agree with those who would rather we build for the future. Someone like Buendia should be the focus of our January window, not more has beens.
Even against Brighton, Saka put on a platter 3 clear cut goal scoring opportunities of which only 1 was converted.
Unless Macey has regressed, he was and most likely still is far better than Runarsson.
Pierre,
Apart from Saka, Martinelli and ESR, I can see Azeez and Bola that’s good enough for the future, the rest I’m afraid championships level.
Just your obsession with Eddie is worrying, you comparing him with young Wrighty and Kane.
“Even against Brighton, Saka put on a platter 3 clear cut goal scoring opportunities of which only 1 was converted.“
That’s what Gambon can’t understand, he’s so obsessed with the numbers, he forgot to watch the players, the game or even football. I still think, he thought Xavi was shit player because he just pass the ball in the middle.
Saka is a wonderful talent, and it’s been great watching him develop – the football highlight of 2020 for me. He needs to practice his corner taking though!
If we sign erricsson, Isco or any other similar player then for me It proves that this club will never learn under the current ownership and management. It really will be yet another decision to rue and given our precious mistakes, it will be unforgivable in my eyes.
Is Guendouzi still a £70m player?
The talent judging here is exceptional.
Bergkamp 63
Macey has clearly not got a long term future at club and the only game he played this season was for U23s.
What I do know on evidence of games I watched is that Runarsson is a “high risk” option if
Leno is unavailable. No team in EPL should be taking a risk with such a player.
Lets not pretend Saka is creating a huge number of unconverted chances. Its just not true. He has 1 assist in the PL, with xA of 1.61. At best he could say he should have 2 assists. Saka is an exceptional 19 year old, he isnt an exceptional attacking midfielder in comparison to the rest of the Premier League. Villa wouldnt swap Grealish for Saka Everton wouldnt swap James or Richarlison for Saka City wouldnt swap Sterling or Mahrez for Saka Liverpool wouldnt swap Mane or Salah for Saka Spurs wouldnt swap Son for Saka If Arsenal are going to… Read more »
Modric last 5 seasons average goals and assists are around 8/10. With average of 30 games played.
Even in the year he won the best player in the world,
Games 41
Goals 4
Assist 8
This Modric is really shit player. Vardy should have won the best player in the world that year lol.
Time out “Just your obsession with Eddie is worrying, you comparing him with young Wrighty and Kane.” I’m so obsessed with Eddie that I’ve been calling for Balogun to start for the last 3 months …makes sense.. I’ve never compared Eddies game with Wright or Kane, it’s just that some idiot on here said that anyone with an understanding of the game can tell if a player will make it after few games( or something similar) and i had to put them straight and remind them that Wright slipped through the net and Kane was decidedly average until he was… Read more »
gambon
Excellent point regarding Saka. Like me you remember the days when arsenal used to score loads of goals from midfield.
I’m encouraged by the last two games but at the risk of being a party pooper, having three or four promising young players is a start but it doesn’t mean arsenal is anywhere near a return to the ‘elite’ in the PL.
Q -If you don’t move the ball fast, there’s no point in the attackers we have. Arteta needs to give more time to AMN in midfield. He offers ambitious passing, he’s an elite athlete, he has swagger, and he’ll grow in value if he’s given time. Why isn’t he offered more minutes? A- because he praised Ozil,’s talent and thereby breached a NON-NEGOTIABLE bullshit “ Our front 4 were barely involved. Auba looked isolated. ESR wasn’t involved. Gabriel and Saka barely touched the ball..” >>…..ESR looked scared lest his enthusiasm would break the tinpot dictator plodders game plan , the… Read more »
Gambon
Never mind Sterling or Mahrez, city wouldn’t swap Fidel for Saka and I’m not sure I would either.
I like Saka, I think he’s a great player and has lots of potential, but some of the comments are pure hyperbole.
*foden
Time Out You mean Modric the central midfielder? If we have Saka playing RW, scoring 5 goals per season, where are the goals going to come from? If we have ESR playing #10 scoring 4 goals per season, when he can actually stay fit, where are the goals going to come from? If we have Martinelli paying LW, scoring 8 goals per season, where are the goals going to come from? We know none of our CMs, FBs or CBs contribute very much. So we need a CF that can score 60 goals per season, if we want to get… Read more »
“If Arsenal are going to finish above these sides we need attacking midfielders that can score 10 and assist 10 per season, not talents that score 3 PL goals because they are still learning and developing“
You mean inside forward, no attacking midfielder would get close to those numbers now days. That’s yesterday’s football, now most successful teams have creative inside forward or full backs.
See Liverpool and Bayern.
Thanks Pedro, balanced post and good post match pod! Saka is a worldy for me, he’s up there with the best youngsters in the game. ESR and Martinelli are coming along nicely. Mari was solid yesterday and as long as he is content being the backup left sided CB then I’m happy with him in the squad. Holding had a good game but lets not get ahead of ourselves if a decent offer comes in he should be sold. I think if the intention from day one for Arteta was to play the youngsters in the league and we were… Read more »
The year 2020 couldn’t go away soon enough. It is one of the worse year in the mankind. As for Arsenal, our offense was so lost and helpless a week ago. Now we see light at the end of the tunnel. With pressure from all sides, the fans, the dressing room, the bad results, Arteta managed to fight through it. There will still be a lot of challenges ahead. There is no easy game in the EPL. As an Arsenal fan, I wish the manager good luck in year 2021. He has shown enough fighting spirit to be given a… Read more »
Gambon,
I agree, we need goals, the system we’re playing with 5 at the back with tow shit holding midfielders (El and Xhaka) and Auba on the lift, even if you’re a good player would struggle for goals.
When we play with 4 at the back, Most of the time you find Saka defending at left back or right back when our full backs move inside plus Xhaka or El and we end up with 5 central backs, even against shit teams in the EL.
Afternoon couple of points. Isn’t laca in final 6 months of his contract and hasn’t been offered a new 1? (Could be wrong) maybe he’s putting himself in shop window or waiting for AFC to offer then just like his pal will revert to type? 2) our 3 muskateers and D’artangion (KT) will be the ones where our play will stem from therefore I suggest from now on then shall be known as S,T,E,M, Geddit? Ok I’ll get my coat
Chika, England’s best. Just because we don’t suck off a manager that had us at our lowest point for 50 odd years doesn’t mean we don’t want what is best for arsenal. Having an opinion that our manager isn’t up to scratch considering his abysmal start to the season is not an unfair viewpoint to take. I have not “LEARNED” from 3 victories in 12 that he is the man to take us to the PL title. Having blind faith does not make you a “real fan”. I’m stoked we won the last 2. But that isn’t enough to make… Read more »
“If we have Saka playing RW, scoring 5 goals per season, where are the goals going to come from?”
Is this an assumption for this season alone? Or have you calculated this to be his average … ??
Tony 2
Laca has 18 months left
Taking into consideration the age of Martinelli, Smith Rowe and Saka, for them to come into a struggling Arsenal side devoud of confidence and creativity , their performances in the last 2 games have been exceptional. It is a collective thing with our youngsters , too many look for the individual brilliance but for me it’s about putting 3 kids in the side and watch them pull eachother along with their special on field relationship. Our kids have not been given enough credit for their europa , fa cup and europa cup performances in the last 2 seasons. All we… Read more »
Gabon
Your goal math appears correct. But if we keep on leaving Bollogun out of sight of the bench , who has the potential for another 10-12 goals , it leaves us in the same grand total of Europa afterruns, and likely Balogun sign to Liverpool on a free. Guess we might know then .
This is urgent reason we have to stop believing the unbelievably flawed person Arteta and get someone else
S Asoa
If Balogun wants firsr team footbal then moving to liverpool would be unwise.
If he moved to chelsea, united, city or Tottenham he would have the same problem…
I would advice him to stay patient at Arsenal and sign a new contract. .
An inside view of the mind
“ Asked what Arteta said to Arsenal’s players at half-time, Smith Rowe replied: ‘Just to keep going really. ‘He told us the game would open up in the second half.”
Thank goodness for letting the kids expressing themselves away from a boring chessboard play
Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2020/12/30/emile-smith-rowe-reveals-what-mikel-arteta-said-at-half-time-to-inspire-arsenal-win-over-brighton-13824460/?ito=cbshare
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/
englandsbest
Do you actually proofread your comments before posting or are you just winding people up?
1. Arteta’s hand has been forced these past two games, whatever way you interpret things.
2.Your perceptions are based on what exactly?
3, If Arteta is the man for the job, why does he do things that are illogical and detrimental to the “process” you promote?
4. Don’t be deceived by these last two games. The youngsters came in because of fate, not because of Arteta’s unique man management skills.
5. Sorry but your slightly delusional take on things is rather amusing.
Anyway 🍺.
Pedro
Please drop the Isco idea. He would take at least 2 months to get fit, another 2 months to adjust to the league.
Agreed with Pierre regarding Balogun,
From what I understand, he’s been badly advised by those close to him. He’s been told by those close to him, he was too good to keep bouncing on loans or stay as a sub at Arsenal., and he should be starting for PL team, which’s he won’t.
He’s a talent, but I can see him ending moving form a club to another like Anelka.
As we don’t have a cat in hells chance of winning the league why don’t we stick with the youngsters and see who emerges for next year. They are never going to progress with 10 mins here and there. They need 20 games or so to feel confident. Its a far better strstrgy than to bring in players like Ericsson or Isco. Surely we have learnt our lesson by now.
Villa wouldnt swap Dean Smith for Diet Pep
Everton wouldnt swap Ancelotti for diet pep
City wouldnt swap pep for diet pep
Liverpool wouldnt swap klop for diet pep
Spurs wouldnt Mourinho Son for diet pep.
The Bard – yep that should be the strategy. The main aim for the remainder of the season should be more experience for our young players and seeing who rises to the occasion and who shrinks. The squad as a whole will be better for it come next season. In regards to Balogun – If he does leave are we not due compensation due to his age and being an arsenal youth player? I think if he was going to sign he would have by now and the fact he gets minimal game time Arteta has probably seen he is… Read more »
A lot of Arsenal fans are crazy. ESR is good for cup games and a few EPl games here and there. If you think this boy is gonna play 38 games as our creative hub and make us top 4 then you’re as crazy as Arteta who thinks he’s doing well and it’s only Lady luck that’s eluded us.
It is not beyond the realms of possibility that in the 2nd half of the season, barring saka, our Europa offensive players will become first choice premier league whilst our experienced players of Aubameyang, Lacazette , Willian , Pepe ,Ceballos , Xhaka, Elneny become our FA cup and Europa line up.
Looking gotward to Partey coming back , pity Guendouzi has gone as there may be possibilities there in centre mid .
We should start talking about the TEAM not the players. A team that works is greater than the sum of its parts. Great as, say, Messi is, he would not function without teamwork
I’m not sure anyone thinks ESR is our creative MF answer. I think most would agree we need an experiences CAM that ESR can deputize and continue to get some first team game time while his experience grows. He.is too young to be relied upon so heavily. Same with Martinelli and Saka.
I’m very much against the Isco or Erikson signing for the same reasons most have already stated.
Buendia or someone of his profile if we can find it.
We have some talented youngsters, but most of them would not be playing regularly for teams with top 5 ambitions. Even Saka. Our senior players are really quite poor, with weak mentality and often assets ill-fitting the league and style of football we try to play. We should therefore be playing the kids as they’re the best of what we have. We will get some good performances with them as well as some poor. But we need to accept that they are young and inexperienced. I don’t think it helps to overblow things. Many will not make it. The fact… Read more »
There are strong voices calling for the season to be halted amid concerns of covid cases spiralling out of control
Thorough
” If you think this boy is gonna play 38 games as our creative hub and make us top 4 then you’re crazy”
I think you are moving into jackanory territory with that assertion..
Let’s just see how he goes in the mext few weeks .
Gambon, not sure anyone is saying we have solved football over two games at the highest level. Kids take a while to find goals an assists. However, it’s clear that the new system is a big jump forward and if we aren’t finishing top 4, it’s worth persisting with players that have high ceilings.
But if we keep on leaving Bollogun out of sight of the bench , who has the potential for another 10-12 goals
I’d like to see more of Balogun too, especially from the start of games.
Up to know his best work has been in the last few minutes of games when the matches are won and the opponents tired.
‘ESR Is good for cup games’
Except the last two Prem games he’s looked really good in.
Go on a losing streak with a squad filled with senior bums.
“Play the kids, it can’t get any worse!”
We play kids and win two games on the bounce for the first time in ages.
“These kids aren’t good enough!”
Gotta love le-grove commentary.
“However, it’s clear that the new system is a big jump forward and if we aren’t finishing top 4, it’s worth persisting with players that have high ceilings.” First off there is no “new system”, we are still top three in terms of bland football in the league. This is what your MCM had to say on the forced changes Arteta: “The youth is great but you need the senior players around them to guide them. Now they are maybe becoming more highlighted because of the results we’re having. I want to respect the senior players and the work they’ve… Read more »
Jamie, really weird stuff today.
Pierre made a great point. The kids come into a squad on its knees, pick it up against Chelsea, then grind out a win at Brighton… and people are complaining?
Give them more minutes and see how high they can fly. Even if they lose the next game, it’s still a better approach than bumming around with players like Willian and Luiz.
Really hope the loans guy moves on some players
“Really hope the loans guy moves on some players”
Inshallah.
Can’t wait for Partey to return as well – he’ll make such a difference to our central midfield. Hopefully he’ll be back in time to humiliate Fat Sam this weekend.
After that, we have a decent run of games where we should be able to scratch our some wins until we face the excellent OGS at the end of Jan.
scratch out*
PUERRE. But we absolutely can’t wait. January is two days away, we have to be sure of what we want to do and set about it. If we wait to see what ESR and others can do for the whole of January then realize we need better and more consistent pro we would have missed a trick. And as opposed to public opinion there are gems to be signed in the winter. Fernandes was purchased in January and Manu have not been the same again. We bought Ade in January. Time is of the essence. If make an ace move… Read more »
The games are still going to come thick and fast. To play ESR in every single one of those games could cause burnout or injury. He needs competition still, so bringing in a player such as Buendia would be beneficial for the player and the team.
Wasn’t one of the mistakes made with the first iteration of project youth that they didn’t have much competition for their place in the team and became complacent? (Some not all)
Pedro.
I love ESR but last game showed us exactly why we can pin all our hopes on him. He wasn’t in the game except for very few involvements in the second half. He’s part of the reason we were so impotent in the first half.
*can’t