SALIBA DEBACLE NEEDS RESOLVING

by .

Arsenal seems to bounce from crisis to crisis with the fans.

William Saliba is the latest exhibit in the hall of ‘WTF ARE WE DOING?.’

The young Frenchman bossed a lot of games in Ligue 1. He made a cup final he wasn’t cleared to play in. He joined up with Arsenal 3 months ahead of time to acclimate… then he was binned from all the squads. Consigned to the U23s.

The French media are now whipping up a furor with a fanbase that doesn’t need much fuel to rage these days. They reckon Saliba’s people have been told Arsenal will look at loans AND sales this transfer window.

This has sparked all manner of conspiracy theories on the internet, which aren’t helpful.

The simplest explanation for all of this nonsense is that Arteta simply doesn’t rate the player. For some reason, he looks at him and doesn’t see talent. I find it quite bizarre that the man who insisted on rehabbing Mustafi, giving Luiz another deal after all those errors, whilst signing the 17th worst keeper in Ligue 1 (letting him die in a quarter final)… has a problem with a 19-year-old centre back that looked like a stand-out prospect in a league known for generating top talent.

It’s odd. To bin Saliba from all the squads was just plain vindictive. To even consider selling him after we’ve spent 3 months very publicly telling the world Mustafi is more important to us is quite simply maddening leadership.

Now, I’m not saying he’s going to be world-class. The French league affords kids like Saliba game time because the overall standard of the league is very low, I’m not sure why this offends people, but if it does, ask yourself why their teams tend to do so badly in Europe (One European Cup since 1993. Never won Europa). They have one major team. The rest have business models geared solely around farming players to sell the big clubs. The opportunity is so big there for this, hedge funders have been picking up clubs like Lille to rake in profits from the transfers.

What this means is someone like Mbappe can land games at 16 he might not have done so in the Premier League. It also means that it’s easier to look like a worldie. For every Gabriel, there’s a Nicolas Pepe who looks like he’d struggle in the Championship. For every Eden Hazard, there’s a Gervinho. Being elite in Ligue 1 for 12 games doesn’t mean you’re ready for the Premier League.

Still, we’re grown-ups. We can accept that some make it and some don’t. What we’re all struggling with is why Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff didn’t even try with someone that looks like a generational talent? Not good enough for Dundalk, but good enough for full games against Marseille, Lyon, and Monaco? Please.

Now, to be clear, this whole debacle to me reads like trouble being brewed in the French media. Edu isn’t stupid enough to sell a 19-year-old at a loss before he’s pulled on an Arsenal shirt. I think the loans manager will be looking to shift him on to a Premier League outfit, or maybe even a London club in the Championship. I worry his agents will try and send him back to the comfort of St Etienne, which would be a big mistake. He needs minutes here, to learn the culture, and to toughen up.

Bigger thing here is this: Where is the leadership here? How has the club let this story snowball like this? Why is Arteta allowed to bomb players like this? Why isn’t there at least the forethought to show the fans what the player is all about… like he did when he showed us in the League Cup that Runarson was so bad we’ll need to replace him in January?

This lack of consistency needs to be addressed moving forward. It does look like certain players are given different treatment and opportunities. There’s usually an age bias involved.

United racked up another 3 points courtesy of a penalty. That’s 33 in 59 games. They are running at about a penalty every other game. When do people start asking serious questions about this? Over ten years, they’ve had +35 in their favour, Arsenal have -12. I’m not making this a bias thing against Arseanal, but Bruno Fernandes has 15 United goals from penalties in under a year. Tricky players? United has twice as many penalties as Liverpool despite having 400 less touches in the box (United has the 5th most touches in the box over 1.5 seasons). More dribblers? Liverpool smash United. Every way you look at this, it stinks.

Now, I’m not saying this is brown paper bags stuff. But, it is worth further investigation. You cannot have a team that wins that many penalties without questioning what’s going on. Pogba won one against Villa for tripping himself up, VAR missed it. Someone from the ref association needs to be flagging this with the refs so we can bring the game back into line.

If players keep diving, refs pay attention. If rotational fouls becomes a problem, they pivot. United winning obscene amount of penalties consistently over two seasons is unacceptable. It starts to look like the leagues biggest money-spinning club is being given an extra push.

There were several Asian plane crashes in the 80s and 90s that appeared to occur through no mechanical fault. They eventually concluded that the cockpit culture of Koreans led to fatal errors (same in South America). Due to the hierarchical nature of the cultures, and the taboo of challenging authority, colleagues would let errors slide even if death was assured.

Are we seeing a hangover from the Ferguson era? Do refs look at United differently because they were so dominant? Is there a North West sway of referees that leads to bias? Do we need refs to have training to make them look at United objectively?

Whatever the problem, you cannot deny the data. It’s compelling and in any other organisation, there would be an investigation if officiating were consistently that in favour of another team without clear reasoning for it.

WEST BROM today. 

Mikel Arteta needs this win badly. The game is huge. I expect a dirty reaction from Allardyce after his side shipped 5 goals against Leeds. This afternoon will be 10 across the back, the deepest of deep blocks, with nasty bully-boy tactics. This will be a cup final for their manager, they will be fired up, and we have to be ready to fight.

Arsenal has played a lot of matches in a short space of time. There might need to be rotation today. I’m half expecting to see Willian given another run out after his ‘sickness.’ His game in tight spaces might be useful. There certainly won’t be much need for last man runners. I would like to see Gabriel, Saka, and ESR given minutes with Lacazette again if I’m honest. It’s 7 days until our cup game with Newcastle, where they might end up resting players because survival is the most important thing to their season.

One performance I’m watching out for tomorrow is Pablo Mari. He’s been fairly decent in his last two games for us. Both technical games with the ball on the floor. How he deals with long diagonal balls into the box will be a huge test of his mettle.

I’m also interested in how the midfield is going to shape up. If he refuses to give AMN minutes in this game, you have to wonder if they’re ever going to come? I’d rather not see Mo and Xhaka in the midfield again. Having a midfielder that can offer quick passing and a runner into the box could be helpful, but we’ll see.

Currently, there are 9 points between 14th and 3rd. Managers go from HE’S WINNING THE LEAGUE to WHAT A FRAUD within the space of 3 wins or losses. If we win today, we position ourselves nicely for the second half of the season where the games are kinder to us, and hopefully, we have a couple of signings to bolster where we’ve lacked. I’m not placing bets for top 4, but with the pressure off, I am hoping the younger players can show they have more than the seniors that let us down.

Let’s see what we have today. It’s a banana skin and a half. Arteta needs to have pure focus and he simply must bring home three points.

Enjoy. Listen to the podcast if you haven’t already.

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London gunner

you yanks must be super soft if you think in England we abandon games because of a bit of snow.

Karsa

Any positives Spanish Dave?

lol

Frost

*with the

Cotswolds

‘GrahamJanuary 2, 2021 20:58:30
Why can’t ozil be on the pitch shovelling snow.’

LOL

Batistuta

Incredible how everyone seems to have turned on Auba. Bit mental really how fickle most football fans really are

Mr Serge

Spanish Dave would moan if miss world was giving him a blow job

ARgunner

Passing wont be ss crisp

AFC Forever

LG

Got to remember Americans wear suits of armour in their number one sport because they don’t want to get hurt.. Ironically, Snowflakes..

Dissenter

Why didn’t they bring out the red ball?

Hope they changed their cleats at halftime

Guns of SF

close wake up fellas

MidwestGun

Oh Fuck sake… almost a huge letdown in first minutes.

Jay

Yep if we keep the 2 goal adv no need to bring martinelli on.
Also if the game is safe saka needs a rest. Lads played alot of football

Habesha Gooner

Thank God.

Dissenter

Batistuta
“Incredible how everyone seems to have turned on Auba. Bit mental really how fickle most football fans really are”

People can deal with the lack of goals
It’s the low energy performance that’s drowning stick for him.

MidwestGun

LOL do we really want to compare snow sports between America and Britain? It was just banter London.

Northbanker

Pitch is awful and passing is difficult

Freddie Ljungberg

2 great goals by 2 players that has been hobbled by the system previously. Tierney at LCB and Saka as wingback.

Xhaka did his usual himunch over the ball and pray for a freekick routine when crowded in their half and they almost scored, apart from that we have been totally dominant.

ESR doing really well. Who knew taking out a CB and adding in a Cam would make us play better more effective football? (hint: everyone except dr Sauci)

Anonymous Commentator

I’m not turning on auba, he’s clearly out of form, I lay the blame for me going off on auba at arteta’s feet cause he keeps on picking him.
We have an abundance of wingers and a young striker who is desperate to play and arteta is picking this guy again and again instead like he’s just missing chances by shaves or something, when he’s actually not even getting to the chances.

Lacaqualidie

They haven’t figured out how to play in the snow.

ARgunner

Our D needs to he alert..incl leno

Nelson

HG

The problem is Auba didn’t even give an effort. He would pass the ball and then stand there and watch. That is not out of form. That is down tooling.

Habesha Gooner

I love the positions ESR takes.

Mr Serge

AMN on for cebbalos please

Dissenter

We need cut backs not lofting the ball into the air

SpanishDave

Cabin fever locked up , isolated by stupid politicians.
Still we are playing better, hope we can sot out the squad

Samir

Auba will be the next Willian if he continues like this, The lack of effort is very clear. He doesn’t care about the club…And he’s our captain.

Dissenter

Holding was smart there, showed good awareness not to touch him

Mr Serge

The youngster bashing on here from some was terrible until recently they need to get game time and they will come on leaps and bounds

gunnerman

Allardyce mooing

Guns of SF

smart sub

Mr Serge

What a touch

MidwestGun

Bellerin gets the hook.

SpanishDave

Auba should be taken off. Is he still on lol!!

Anonymous Commentator

AMN on for bellerin, I’m expecting that right side to ignite with some spectacular plays soon.

Gazzap

Just need martinelli on and we’ll get the team that should’ve started.

Habesha Gooner

Need to put this to bed.

ARgunner

Almost boom sala lacca again

Radio Raheem

Sal

Seems like a lifetime ago since we saw a 45 like that. I expected us to win this match but didn’t see a performance like the first 45.

Shame we haven’t kept it up as we’ve dropped off second half.

Playing with 10 isn’t helping.

Guns of SF

when Martin comes on its going to be lightning and thunder!

London gunner

was bellerin injured or did he have a yellow card?

Dissenter

Mari has lots of defensive nous
He’s not fast but he read the game very well. he also knows how to do the dirty stuff.

AFC Forever

Typical ref letting Ivanovic make unlimited fouls without a booking. Belkoerin makes one foul. It’s what Arteta said.

Mr Serge

London he was on a yellow

MidwestGun

Well Ivanovic is still a cunt … good to see. Some things don’t change.

Anonymous Commentator

I have to hold my hands up regarding Mari, he is more solid than anticipated.

Mr Serge

Lacccaaaaaa

Dan T

Lego hair taking Bellerin off? Could that be sign of learning from his mistakes?

Useroz

Well. Well.

3

Queuing up to shoot…

Guns of SF

SAKA LACA

Nelson

ESR should have scored.

MidwestGun

Get in!!!!! Yes!!! smash these fuckers.

Mr Serge

Anonymous mari only ssue is lack of pace but he is cultured

London gunner

mari and holding are both quality defenders easily good enough to be rotation defenders.

Habesha Gooner

Boom Boom Boom. Game over. Laca on form.

Anonymous Commentator

Another one!

curse

boom

Dissenter

C’mon lads
Wipe out the negative gold difference
Don’t stop now

Mr Serge

Dan t Lego head is learning on the job hence the Hale Ender’s getting s chance so I would not put it past him

Guns of SF

please lets see 5 nil

Nelson

Auba just hided behind their defender. He should move up to meet the ball.

InsideRight

I don’t think people should be getting on Auba’s back. We don’t know what Arteta has asked him to do, and nor, it seems, does Auba. But it does feel this game has been crying out for a bit of Martinelli to change things up some more.

Dan T

Laca deserved a goal. He has been immense. Really showing up Auba with his work rate.

G8

Saka is our own Salah
What a player
3 nill to the good guys

Gazzap

Adjeyi just desperate to give us a goal there anyhow!!

Dan T

Fingers crossed Mr Serge

Guns of SF

Sub off Auba get on Martin

TheLegendaryDB10

Laca!!!!

I almost thought that the WBA was going to score an OG… but nope.

Happy for Lsca as he fully deserves this with the effort he has been putting in!

DM

Get Saka off now before he takes a bad slip and tears a muscle or something

Dissenter

It’s no wonder why Big Sam wanted a covid-break.

Useroz

4

JP

Mari being decent shouldn’t be a huge surprise. He was the best defender for the best team in South America last year.

Lack of pace/mobility can be an issue and his long passing not great but can definitely play at Prem level, especially if protected

Guns of SF

The trident of Martin Laca and Saka with ESR is what will win us games

Elmo

Just got back to level goal difference from being negative all season.

Turning point?

Saladin

Mari reminds me of Mert. Kind of slow but reads the game very well with his high IQ.

Nelson

Laca for captain!!!!

azed

Time to take off ESR and Saka.

Job done for the day.

Guns of SF

laca is a god of football

G8

4 lol

London gunner

laca doesn’t get a lot of love and he was super shite earlier in the season but right now not only is his finishing superb but his all round link up play.

also laca and the youts seem to have some seriously good chemistry unlike with pepe or willian

MidwestGun

Boom!!!! We are rolling now.. Tierney to Laca.

G8

We want 7 say we want 7!

Saladin

Hahahaha smash the fat cunt big Sam

salparadisenyc

Get in baby

Mr Serge

No more lacca goals get in

WengerEagle

4!!! Fuck you ObeseSam.

Squeal piggy squeal.

SAGG

We are flying.

can we play WBA the rest of the season?

ARgunner

Oh so boom shaka lacca…brom are tiast

Useroz

Auba would want one badly

TheLegendaryDB10

Laca again!!!!!

Whooooooohoooooo!

Come on The Arsenal!!!!

So, so much better from us!!!

AFC Forever

Lacazette has deserved that. He works selflessly for the team. Great example for the youngsters. Great game.

Anonymous Commentator

Ha, we’re back on form, long may it continue.

Batistuta

West Brom and Stoke City. Two teams i despise

Habesha Gooner

Well this are the performances we need to be convinced to stop saying arteta out. 18+ matches to go.

Leedsgunner

I love that we are pressing our foot on the gas rather than taking it easy… come on let’s put five or six pas this lot!

curse

laca didn’t even ask for that goal. hilarious

NwGooner

Best game for a long time

ARgunner

@london totally agree….

Leedsgunner

*past this lot…

Useroz

Est should pass to laca

salparadisenyc

“Squeal piggy squeal.”

Loooool

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