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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Useroz

AMN made such a poor pass…

Dissenter

I’m nor is sure that Gabriel just waltz back to start when he’s available
Mari has given the manager a good headache

London gunner

I rate auba highly not jumping on him just pointing out that his confidence is shot right now just as it was for laca earlier in the season.

Mee

Xhaka momentarily stunned to find out Mari is faster than him

Mr Serge

Lacca motm

Dan T

MLC. I agree – I have never been overly impressed with him really. He’s still young though so you never know.

Useroz

AMN just not good and cool enough

Bob N16

Happy days Spanish Dave…

Dissenter

the field is slippery so the slide is understandable
That wasn’t a yellow card

LeMassiveCoq

I’m not sure if you are allowed to send out 3 players for an interview, but it should be our future. Saka, Tierney and ESR

Valentin

Can somebody explain to me why Willock is now playing striker and Lacazette is dropping as No10?

MLC

I really hope that auba manages to get out of this bad form, at least today I tought his attitudr was great

Venga, Dani

Mari very calm presence at the back. Weve missed some calmness and assuredness since Emi left.

Useroz

Willock hasn’t done much since come on

Bob N16

Just a snap shot Valentin

Captain Tierney

Tierney Motm.

Lovely performance from the team. Told yall to be patient with Arteta.

ESR is the real deal. World class ceiling.

Dont know why Arteta still persisting with his pet boy Willian when we’ve got one of the best 19 y.o and a 72 mil player on the bench.

Batistuta

Really don’t see anything with Joseph Willock. Can’t just see it really.

SAGG

All arsenal player that last name start with W are shit.

Willian
Willock
WAubameyang

Anonymous Commentator

@northbanker Cause I cba to come up with something arsenal related again. Last name on this blog was “Wenger’s used sock” but that was on a different phone and I can’t recall which of my emails was attached to it. Was using that during Emery’s time. It was going to be “arteta’s perfect hair” on this phone but I wasn’t sold on arteta being the final solution, oh well. Another potential name was “Tierney’s gym bag” but I don’t like hijacking players names for random blog and forum names. Anyway back to the game, cause I still have some game… Read more »

Batistuta

Tierney man of the match for me. Absolutely brilliant game

Valentin

Bob16,

Not a snapshot, clearly instructions.
Check where Lacazette drop when we restart. Willock is always ahead of him. Also before Lacazette was never dropping between Xhaka and Ceballos.

Venga, Dani

lol – USA announcers when Willian shot:

“Thats two shots on target for the season”

London gunner

esr
martinelle
saka

are all amazing young talents but yall better be patient and understand their forms will dip as they are young players don’t expect this level of output every week

John Munoz

I’m happy to have Martinelli on the bench to rest. This game is wrapped up and poor field conditions. No need to risk him. He’ll get his minutes in the FA cup game

Habesha Gooner

Mari has been very good.

Anonymous Commentator

Willock playing out of position in the 10 again, he’s supposed to be playing where ceballos is.
Oh well arteta send convinced how position is the #10.

Venga, Dani

Willock is useless on defense

Dissenter

The body language of the players when Willian has the ball isn’t good
I don’t think he’s well liked in the squad

Anonymous Commentator

Arteta seems convinced*

Batistuta

3 games behind Chelsea by the way. What a very weird season

JP

WBA are shit but some good performances from players who needed to regain some trust. Ceballos and Xhaka done well. Lacazette best performance for a long time.

Couple of flashes from Willian as well.

ARgunner

Nice Defence ..clean sheet

azed

Another shot on target by William.

By the end of the season, he might have 5 shots on target.

Nelson

For me, Tierney and Saka share the MOM.

Venga, Dani

3 wins from 3 lads, Ive wanted MA gone for some time but Im happy to be proved wrong. Lets keep it going

Samesong

Willock is useless on defense

A frustrating player to watch.

Northbanker

Great result – in the end even Willian looked half decent

MidwestGun

Brilliant start to 2021… Take that Fat Sam..!!! Can we play West Brom every week? hahaha Just kidding. sort of. Onward and Upwards.

Venga, Dani

Im glad HEctor got subbed off early. His final ball is just dreadful and he just doesnt seem to add much

rollen

Good stuff.

Jay

Every time I see willock play he’s bang average.
Championship quality, if that.
Same to be said of nketiah.

Bob N16

Relegation,,,,no way José!

WengerEagle

4-0 away from home.

21 shots with 12 on target, 62% possession.

Can we play in the sbow every week?

MLC

Pisses me off that arteta gives william a chance ,a retired player, instead of gabi martinelas

salparadisenyc

We still relegation buddy’s Sam?

Artetas boys have saved him with this weeks results, Partey’s fit for next one. Roll on 2021.

Bob N16

Jay, check the score, we won!

Luteo Guenreira

Well done. Let’s keep it up. We can build on this!

Samir

Nice win, Tierney & Laca immense.
ESR & Saka very good.
Also a shoutout to Mari, Xhaka and Ceballos; good games from them.

Auba, AMN, Willock, Willian – would add them to the summer ‘out’ list.

Leftside

There is nothing there with Willock, Batistuta, nothing at all.

Nelson

Our goal difference is +1. Onwards and upwards!

MilanoGooner

Emirates is too slick for our liking, makes us put the handbrakes on, grow more grass there, make it lush FFS

AFC Forever

Jay

Weird comments.

Leftside

Great win, and good to start to climb the table. Up the Gunners.

Samesong

Keown glasses are bigger than my smart.tv 😂

englandsbest

Ah, the wailers. I feel like taking their hand and saying, ‘There, there, poor dears.. Don’t you worry, Auba will hit a purple patch.”

Luteo Guenreira

MLC why would you risk injury to such an important player when 3 points are already in the bag? Bringing on Martinelli at that juncture would be foolish.

Valentin

I wonder if the WestBrom board is already regretting hiring FatSam. It looks like they have gone backward under him. At least under Slave Bilic they tried to play decent football, now it is just if you can’t grab or kick your opponent, then kick the ball.

MLC

Anyway today was huge to boost confidence, lets climb this table!

Wardo

Fuck you mo fos

Luteo Guenreira

Time to sell Lacazette.

SAGG

Tierney
Martinelli
Saka
ESR
Laca
Leno

Need to be the core of. this team, and bulid the starting 11 around them

Add Partey, Holding and Gabriel and we look like a very solid team

We need that Arteta keep Willian and Luiz out and he needs to drop Auba.

Add a couple of “good signings” and we can close the season in a strong adn progressive way

But if Arteta starts with the same. old crap of. starting Auba, Willian, Pepe and Luiz we will. be losing games again.

Danny

3 points off Chelsea, 6 from top 4, of course WBA are rubbish you can only beat what’s put in front of you but win our next 3 against C.Palace, Newcastle and Southampton and then who knows?

Bob N16

Great stat, Allardyce has now lost to Arsenal with eight different clubs!

Anonymous Commentator

When willock plays deeper he tends to run from deep with the ball. There are times our game misses that. Willock is best when running at players having started from deep, usually behind the halfway line. When he’s in the 10 he doesn’t have any space to do what he wants to do, and his feet just aren’t quick enough for playing in the 10, ball gets stuck there in possession when he’s in the final third. But regardless I quite like the lad willock, can only wait for arteta to use him correctly or not at all, running out… Read more »

MLC

You have a good point Luteo, I just hope that arteta does not insist on William and realizes that martinelli can be as important as saka

Kaz

So Arteta doing stuff most of us wanted 3 weeks into the season.

Who could have fucking guessed it.

Batistuta

Left side

He just doesn’t look like he has anything about him. Same as when i watch Nketiah, nothing about them screams quality.

Watch Smith Rowe and Martinelli and you can see actual quality

AFC Forever

England’s best

I think some people are trolling. Wanting to sell Auba has to be clickbait. Ability is permanent form temporary. He will soon be banging them in.

Nelson

Val “Can somebody explain to me why Willock is now playing striker and Lacazette is dropping as No10?”

Because Willock is taller. He almost headed in a goal. LOL!

Bob N16

‘The boys are calling it a cross” I think I love Tiernay.

John Munoz

Most enjoyable game I’ve seen this team play in a while. WBA are bad but this a huge boost of confidence for the team. Lets keep pushing.

Gazza

Tierney if all the players played like him we would be in the top 4 no problem

Batistuta

Yea I’d cash in on Lacazette too now he’s on a bit of form. Would be bad squad planning if we give him a new contract

Pierre

Habesha
“Well done ESR. Completely showing we wont miss Ozil if we trust our youngsters.”

Agree, Smith Rowe has leant from the master.

take the ball , pass the ball is Smith Rowe’s game, he and Saka are QUALITY.

And do me a favour people, stop slagging off Willock , his time will come when he is playing alongside his contemporaries.

Leedsgunner

To think we are paying Willian £250k… for what exactly?

Jay

Tierney future captain.
Keown looks like brick top from snatch.

AFC Forever

Lacazette deserves a lit of credit today. Worked so hard.

ESR proved how important it is to have a number 10 to link play and move the ball quickly. We made runs today, something we have been missing without a number 20 and a lack of confidence.

Harsh to criticise anyone today, it’s a team game and we looked like a good one.

Samir

AFC Forever
Auba just can’t play ticki tacka football. Much more suited to Laca as you can see.

AFC Forever

*number 10 ( obviously)…!

Venga, Dani

@Leeds, we are #1!!!!

…At lighting cash on fire

WengerEagle

Agree Bati.

Saka, Martinelli and Smith-Rowe have all had an instant impact on the XI, their quality is obvious and they elevate us with their skill, confidence and enthusiasm.

Nketiah, Nelson and Willock are all still quite young and maybe there’s potential there but we have seen little to no evidence of it yet outside of games vs Europa League minnows. Need loans or to be moved on.

Quite a clear chasm between the two sets of youngsters.

TheLegendaryDB10

Saka MoTM with KT a very, very close 2nd.

MA needs to trust them

Really happy with that performance. Yes it was the Baggies but what counts for me is that we showed that we can go forward and get goals.

Onwards and Upwards The Arsenal!

Samir

I would also sell Lacazette now. Good time to sell him.
He’ll only have a year left on his contract come the summer.

Rich

It’s been really hard to get on board with some of these Arsenal players, but Saka is our best player to watch since Cazorla

He’s magnificent, just glides past opposition players as if there’s nobody there, makes the game look so simple.

We’ve got ourselves a real talent on our hands.

AFC Forever

Samir

We shall agree to disagree. Auba is class he is just struggling at the moment. Can’t jump on players every time they Lose form mate…

Le Sauce

Can’t wait for Partey to be back in that midfield. Saka, Marti and ESR are the much needed spark. Play the kids!!!
This clearly shows that the displays on Thursday nights is no fluke.

AFC Forever

Samir

You are trolling that’s obvious. You want to sell Aubamayang and Lacazette. Lol.

Rich

Samir

I’d sell Lacazette, but if we’re going to renew?

It should be 1yr increments on any extensions, make him earn his supper.

We’ve been burnt too many times handing out contracts to ageing players, Lacazette is 30 in May

We need to get back to 1yr deals for over 30s

Leedsgunner

Why is Willock receiving all this hate?

He has been our standout player in the Europa League and he’s patiently awaiting his time in the EPL. He’s being a team player and an professional rather than a whiny self entitled youngster who believes himself to be better than he is… like say a Matteo Guendouzi…

I like Joe Willock’s attitude humility and work ethic.

Pierre

Afc forever
Aubameyang will come again that’s for sure ….le groaners have a history of calling it wrong.

Bob N16

Agree Leeds

AFC Forever

Just thrashed WBA yet half the comments are negative or jumping on players backs. Same every time we win. Weird.

AFC Forever

Pierre

Yep. Seems like every player we have ever had goes through this. Anyone who doesn’t think Auba is a top player is either trolling or a moron.

Habesha Gooner

I think willock will end up playing in a deeper role. He is good when he is facing the goal. He is not great in tight spaces though. He is not a N 10. ESR is showing why we were struggling.

Pierre

I think it’s time to trust all of our kids and stop continually being negative about certain players..

Our academy players will be the dominant force in the team within a year or 2.

The difference in Saka’s play with Smith Rowe alongside him has been immense .

They have built their on field relationship over the years and they are proving they can do it on the big stage

Samir

AFC Forever
No trolling. I’d get rid of Lacazette this transfer window and Auba in the summer in a prefect world.

But I know that isn’t possible with the wages they’re both on and limited resources available to clubs currently, so we’ll have to make do. Same goes for Willian.

G8

I remember when Kane went through a dry patch and couldn’t score in a brothel not so long time ago,
hopefully it starts working for Auba soon,
though he needs to be more central and show some hunger and aggression in the box !
He did ok the first 60 mins but after that his frustration got the best of him!

Freddie Ljungberg

For once it was worth it staying up until 5 in the morning to watch us. Some really good performances out there. Please don’t play Tierney at LCB again unless we have a massive injury crisis, he’s majestic down that left flank. Don’t play Saka as wingback, he’s equally great on either flank. So frustrating that we didn’t start playing a 433 (and the right players) much, much sooner, would have made our season so far look very different me thinks. Hopefully now that Arteta has stumbled on the right formation and (some) of the right players he won’t revert… Read more »