HALE-ENDERS ENERGY INFECTIOUS AS ARSENAL DROP A PERFORMANCE

by .

Arsenal turned up the heat in the❄️snow❄️in a game we’d historically have trouble in. It was freezing, our form has been shaky, and we were up against a Sam Allardyce side. The perfect concoction for an afternoon of potent shit-housery.

Not January 2nd 2021.

Arsenal blasted out of the starting blocks and found themselves a sexy performance. Our 4-0 victory was more than worth it. We could have had 6 on another day. 21 attempts at their goal, 12 shots on target, dominant in possession, and plenty of variety to our attacking play.

There were so many great performances, but it’s hard to look past Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka as the standouts. The Scotsman really found his stride, opening the scoring with a blistering run and strike. He turned Darnell Furlong inside out before cutting inside on the left, drilling a thunderbolt into the top corner.

3 minutes later, the Hale-Enders took over on the right. Smith Rowe and Saka drove through the middle, Lacazette found Smith Rowe’s run, the young creator kept his composure finding Saka for the tap-in. A proper Arsenal goal. Saka’s 3rd g/a contribution in as many games. Smith Rowe’s second assist.

The third and fourth goals were taken care of by Lacazette. Good work from Saka out wide for the third, Smith Rowe’s deflected shot fell to Laca who buried it. Tierney did all the work for our 4th, placing a perfect cross at WBAs 6 yard box where a loose knee pushed it over the line.

The game was simple enough for us to take Bellerin off to give AMN some minutes. We were also able to take ESR and Saka off early, and we didn’t need to gamble on Martinelli. Nice to see Willian given a few minutes to show why he’s a spectator these days, though he did register his second shot on target for the season (someone told me that stat, is it really true?).

That’s three wins on the bounce. We’ve gone from relegation fodder to being laughably within 6 points of 2nd place in the league. That’ll all change, no doubt, but the truth of the league this season is it’s tight and likely to stay that way.

The Hale-Enders have made a huge difference to the energy on the pitch. Hungry players make it difficult for the not so hungry players to mail it in. These kids have careers to play for. That’s the energy we need. Strong characters that just want to play nice football.

Also worth mentioning some of the more seasoned guys out there. Rob Holding is very reliable and had another solid game at the back. Pablo Mari looks pretty sound, he has a nice touch, he passes well, and he’s dealt very well with 3 very different teams. I also like his hair. Alex Lacazette is back from the dead. His finishing has been great, his workrate has been top-notch, and he’s adapted to this false 9 role like a pro. He’s more important to this system than Auba. Shades of Teddy Sherringham in his latter years? Maybe.

Now, though our captain had a bit of a shocker again, it’s clear he’s deeply frustrated with the way he’s playing. He gives a fuck. He was running right until the end. He wanted a goal. He celebrated with the kids like he cared. That made me feel better about his form, he’s trying, it’s just not landing right now. It’ll click soon, hopefully for the cups when we’ll need his sharpshooting.

Arsenal needs to keep racking up the wins. It’s frustrating that we had so many discipline problems earlier in the season. Lose those red cards and maybe we’re even closer. Cut our losses earlier on Pepe, Luiz, and Willian, maybe we’re in better shape. Rest Partey for one more game and maybe December looks better. Still, we are where we are because we deserve it. Now things are looking brighter, the hope is that the lessons have been learned and this is the next chapter in our season.

Gabriel M is going to be a difference-maker if we keep him fit. Our best centre back is coming back into the side. Thomas Partey should be in contention for the Newcastle game, that’s our hero signing and he’s played 3 games all season. He will be massive for our run-in. ESR looks the business, he’s strong, he moves rapidly, he can take the ball on the half-turn, and he’s making the difference in big games.

The transfer window might give us some additional ammo. Firstly, we’ll move out toxic players that aren’t contributing positively. Then we’ll add some additional bits. Smith Rowe has played a big role in our mini turnaround. We only have one player like that. It is essential we find another that looks like him so we can rotate and maintain creativity. We desperately need a back-up keeper to protect us from the horror signing we made in the summer. I also think there’s a shout for a back-up left-back with Kola gone.

I hope we make mostly loans. I don’t want to load-up on panic buys that’ll cost a premium. It would be nice if we could be more thoughtful about what we do this time.

Right, short one today, listen to our on the whistle podcast and I’ll see you in the comments.

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Gladwin

There’s no better looking Spaniard in the Premier League. Amazing how guys change opinions in a couple of weeks. The damage the club had inflicted on themselves is a decade old problem. You can’t fix it in 10 months and sack coaches if the players were the problem. Most of the senior squad needs binning. Let it begin now.

Goobergooner

Pedro, I’m an Arsenal fan, I want us to win and like I was posting after the win I was just as pleased to see improvement. But I wasn’t happy to see Emery in charge, and his 22 game unbeaten streak did a lot to change my mind. But he took us to 5th and got to a final Wenger couldn’t get to. We actually improved somewhat on the season before, albeit with worse play. If you want to talk about goal posts moved, how about the absolute dropping of the bar to accommodate Arteta. You wanted progress from top… Read more »

Henry19

We beat an off colour Chelsea a Brighton who failed to win a a single game at home in 2020 and a West Brom side who Leeds beat 4 days earlier 5-0. Yeah let’s break out the champagne.

WengerEagle

Sal

Yeah he turned even stranger when he went to MarbleHall.

Actually enjoyed his Redtruth stint more and then he went back to being a bore with Calypso.

Up 4 grabs now

Pedro,

The positivity is good, and we certainly need it.
If your arteta in, or out we all want arsenal to win.

He’s made mistakes, and some really puzzling decisions, you’ve admitted it yourself.

If we can now put a run together and we are three for three now so thats a good base to build on. He will win the fans back.

With players coming back from injury we look in a stronger position. But we’re still a work in progress.

Sid

Supreme leader should add the prefix ‘Att’ to his surname.
Lmfaoooooo

DivineSherlock

Pedro

Anyone who didnt enjoy last night game is a cold hearted troll . Last night was beautiful , long may it continue . I think we all know it will continue as long as Arteta plays the ones who are deserving rather than his favorites . Thats all we wanted throughout that wretched run.

SpanishDave

Beating a rubbish side doesn’t mean didlysquat
We are mid table side at best now, with a room full of overpaid has been which will continue to drag the club down.
Paying Willian 27 million for his three years of continued downward performances was shear crass management. Watch Auba off the ball and ask if 12 million a year is worth it?

Goobergooner

I also base my view that we should be competing at the top on the fact our wage bill is so freaking large, and if spent more wisely over the last 5 seasons could have seen us with a proper balanced squad. It’s been to much of the square peg round hole. I’m just annoyed at the fact Raul was brought in and we pretty well wasted the last 2 (well 3 including this) seasons not actually making any proper progress. Whether on or off the pitch. Like I said, I’m pleased with the last 3 games. If Arteta proves… Read more »

Henry19

Pedro

You didn’t give Emery till February.,.double standards I say lol

Henry19

Pedro

Not everyone, only you lol

Goobergooner

Like I said Pedro. I don’t think the club got either managerial position since Wenger right.

I’m just saying if Emery is so shit then Arteta has a fucking lot to do by the end of the season to not be a shit manager.

SpanishDave

Grabbing at straws, Arteta is not worthy, he’s proved that already

SpanishDave

Still in purgatory

Goobergooner

Pedro, I’ll cheers to that mate.

Duno why my rants have come after the wins though 🤣🤣 maybe it’s the hangover talking

WengerEagle

As good as Smith-Rowe has looked, we still desperately need to sign a creative player in the window.

Has been said on here yesterday but it really is important to reiterate that the youngsters blow hot and cold and Smith-Rowe will go through a lean patch where we will need other players to step up and shoulder the creative burden.

Building the side with Saka, Martinelli and Smith-Rowe as centre-pieces rather than support pieces would be a massive mistake. Easy to forget that they are still teenagers and ESR is just Twenty.

Goobergooner

It’s such a shame that Raul was the big dog after Wenger.

Way to lose class in an instance

Up 4 grabs now

Pedro i didn’t think we had a chance of top six ten days ago. I’ve either had too much Christmas brandy or starting to lose it but weirdly enough I think we could finish in the top four. It’s a long shot, a very long shot but nobody really can put a consistent run together, and that’s what makes me think we could slip in the backdoor. Its only because I think arteta has woken up and realized it might be the kids that save his job, and he’s had to be a bit more flexible and let the handbrake… Read more »

DivineSherlock

Pedro

Any inside news on Saliba or are we really dumping him ? IS there a chance he could have a career at Arsenal

TR7

Pedro

Not going to lie I enjoy Dial aka Marble aka Red aka Calypso aka Henry being around here on LG. Funny though his stint here at LG resembles with the stint of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. Dial and Marble avatars were like breath of fresh air – short, crisp and to the point like Wenger ball. Reached absolutely invincible status with his Redtruth avatar. Calypso was more like somehow managing to get in to CL places and the Henry one is more like the last two seasons (odd FA trophies).

Up 4 grabs now

I’m not sure about getting a big money player in to supplement ESR.

Unless the long term plan is loaning him out again.

as much as it pains me to say it we could use ozil for the next six months, after all we are paying him already.
He will put the effort in to showcase himself for his next club and payday.
Might be better than bringing someone in that we can’t afford at the moment anyway and will block Smith Rowe.

DivineSherlock

A loan stint at Brighton or Palace should do it , I doubt any other club would be interested apart from championships.

Henry19

Pedro

Arsenal lost 4 straight home league games and you have the cheek to question Emery’s credentials.

Habesha Gooner

Hakim Ziyech is so good. We fucked up when we picked up pepe instead of him and he was at 25 mil. 45 mil+ and we picked up the wrong player. And I fear we might do the wrong choice with buendia again.

Habesha Gooner

Debruyne should score that.

Leftside

Great finish there

WengerEagle

Get the Popcorn out lads, Lampard shit-fit incoming…

Aussie+Gooner

WE I don’t think it matters how old a player is – it is what they do on the pitch. Yes some youngsters can go off the boil pretty quick, but if they are performing then let them perform! Some older players can go off the boil to but I don’t see many of them being dropped! It should be a meritocracy all day! The mystery around Saliba deepens. I have heard that he wants out permanently as he is dissatisfied about the way he has been treated by Arsenal since the refusal to let him play in the French… Read more »

TR7

Lamps job under threat I reckon

Habesha Gooner

Wonderful goal.

Henry19

What is evident is how poor the standard of the Premier league is.

Leftside

Chelsea in trouble here. Funny how confident theyre fans were before the game started seeing the lineups.

Up 4 grabs now

2-0 city fatvfrank for the chop

Habesha Gooner

Lampard is getting sacked. We are in our worst season and he spent 250 mil to be 3 points ahead of us.

Up 4 grabs now

When I say the chop i mean the pork chop.

DivineSherlock

City looking at their absolute best , Fat Frank needs a miracle now . I say its gonna be 5-0

Leftside

The confidence was misplaced as this is still a more than useful City lineup inspite of absences.

WengerEagle

Aussie I agree that ESR deserves his place but competing for Europe or titles [hopefully] in the near future depends on the strength of your squad. If Saka gets injured we’re fucked, never mind just go off the boil. Same for ESR. As great as the last week has been, we are just coming out of the darkest period that the club has seen for decades and it was largely predicated on an overwhelming lack of creativity. A couple of in-form teenagers doesn’t change the fact that we’re still incredibly limited creatively and it will rear its ugly head again… Read more »

Upstate Gooner

So we actually beat not two but three shitty sides in our last three games

Aussie+Gooner

Look on the bright side – the Chavs backup keeper cost 72m and ours cost 1m. Both are useless but hey whats 71m down the drain for Chel$ea!

Leftside

Not to mention that ESR has had trouble staying fit for the last few years. Imperative that we use this window.

WengerEagle

It’s incredible that Chelsea will only be 3 points above us given the situation 8 days ago.

WengerEagle

Atletico bottling a crucial match here, were one up and a man up away to Alaves who just equalised with 5 mins left.

Anonymous Commentator

Allegedly real Madrid want to end ceballos loan at arsenal cause they (Zidane) thinks he should have played more.
Supposedly they’ll recall him and then send him out to ac Milan before the window closes.

I’ve personally seen enough of ceballos and would be happy to see him go back to being Madrid’s Beyblade.

Habesha Gooner

City are really in the mood.

Habesha Gooner

Watching these midfielders, Defending Xhaka feels mind boggling. We really need better.

TR7

Bernardo, Sterling, KDB and Foden can all play in wide areas as well as through the middle. What City are doing is they are stretching Chelsea defense in wide areas through any two out of these 4 and then the remaining two are using acres of space in the middle to hurt Chelsea. That Fernandinho joins in with his late runs makes it even more difficult for Chelsea to handle City. Superb stuff really. Chelsea midfielders don’t have the engine to press hard and stop City from playing.

Kris

Premier League is really fast losing its shine despite all the money.
You can’t buy class with money.
Brexit is going to speed it up.

WengerEagle

And Suarez just scored the 90th winner, looking like it’ll be Don Diego’s year!

Leftside

Thought City fluffed that attack but its 3-0.

Lamps is on the ropes.

Up 4 grabs now

Goodnight Vienna frank

Nelson

Sterling is still very fast.

WengerEagle

Could get really embarrassing for him this.

Fat Frank turning into Fat Sam out there.

TR7

Not Fernandinho but Guendogan

Danny

Lovely to see Chelsea doing so well!

WengerEagle

I wonder if he’ll ‘take’ responsibility post-match before lashing out at the players again.

His message ‘clear’.

DivineSherlock

Well that was the Martnelli goal replay except Sterling couldnt finish it !

Buzzy

Lol I’m high as fuck and I’m fucking loving this..surely Franks a goner after this

Up 4 grabs now

I think we’ve had enough suffering these last few months its nice to see it happen to somebody else.

Habesha Gooner

Wow chelsea are getting a spanking tonight

Sid

‘Sid, I dropped 314 posts in 2020, averaging 980 words, in a pandemic. 27 posts in November. 29 in December with 8 podcasts.I’m always here.’

You are misusing stats like Pierre(no pun intended)
Ozil is still ninth in the league with 2.1 chances created per match.

Habesha Gooner

Whats annoying is I thought we put down a marker beating chelsea but it turns out they aren’t very good right now.

Habesha Gooner

Kante has regressed a bit.

Aussie+Gooner

WE/Leftside Agreed but we do not need to break the bank for a first 11 starter. I do not want any more retirees stinking up the joint. We have to buy smart and/or utilise the talent being developed at the club. ESR has endured 3 injury concerns in his career thus far including groin issues, problems with his adductor and his last a shoulder injury. Nothing too serious recently so I don’t forsee any long term concerns. The same goes for Tierney – all the doom mongers were writing him off at the start of his Arsenal career now look… Read more »

WengerEagle

Werner, Havertz, Pulisic, Abraham, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi for their attacking options.

Kante, Mount, Ziyech, Kovacic, Jorginho, Gilmour for midfield.

Chilwell, James, Thiago Silva, Zouma, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Alonso, Christensen, Tomori for defensive options.

And they sit on 26 points after 17 games. Likely getting sacked, that’s a squad that should be competing for the title.

Aussie+Gooner

Chelsea being schooled by City! Fat Frank had better hope that the chavs are more generous with ex players else his arse will be booted out pretty soon! The money they have wasted makes us look frugal!

Bob N16

Sid, Ozil hasn’t played all season and you’re quoting a historical stat!

WengerEagle

This past year and a bit City have to be the weirdest side I have seen in the Premier League.

On their day nobody can live with them, not even Liverpool. Spanked Pool 5-0 in the summer and blitzed them, same is happening here at Chelsea today. Outplay anybody and ruthlessly punish them.

But they’ll go out and draw next week to a West Brom/West Ham.

Bob N16

City back to their best today. Love watching de Bruyne and Foden in particular.

DivineSherlock

WE

Its a motivation issue for City , they dont like playing small teams. Complacency and to be fair this season they have lacked Aguero and Jesus in those matches

Gunnernet

This year’s premier league a true roller-coster. Clearly attributed to covid. Big chance to break into elite clubs has been lost. Leicester won’t bottle it this one imo. They will finish in the top4.

TR7

Said last week Kante is a shadow of the player he was a few years ago. Jorginho is Xhaka lite. Mount not good enough for me. Chelsea midfield is soft even though on paper it looks star studded.

Gunnernet

Huge pressure will shift from Arteta to Lampard soon. Huge investments equal performances/results. So far chelski have failed to deliver. I guess it is good news for us.

Aussie+Gooner

Remember Foden is just 20 years old – City don’t seem to have a problem playing him!

GunnerWomble

Wonder how long it will be before Fat Frankie getts his P45. That lot don’t tolerate failure for long…

Gunnernet

TR7,

still cant believe though, how on earth Wenger opted for the swiss intead of his compatriot back then.

WengerEagle

Aussie

Fair enough when your backups are Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva.

Ours are Willian and Pepe.

Habesha Gooner

TR7
Jorginho might be a bit poor now but I would rather have him than Xhaka. I suspect you are right about their form. But they are all class players. And if we had some of their midfielders, I bet we would be up for a fight for a top four place.

WengerEagle

Divine

I agree and to be fair, even in the games that they drop points they usually create a stupid amount of chances.

Who’s door does the motivation blame lie at though, surely Pep’s?

Rich

Chelsea to go out and spend £70million on Declan Rice after this?

WengerEagle

How do people rank Saka vs Foden?

An interesting one for me, right now Foden edges it but Saka for me has the higher ceiling.

Tom

“An absolute pleasure to read the goalpost movers at it again today.” With all due respect Pedro, but there aren’t any bigger goal post movers than yourself in here and by a long shot. You’ve dismantled and shipped them out of the stadium on more than one occasion to shield your boy as if he was doing the job pro bono and all players lost their previous ability completely due to some catastrophic event outside of anyone’s merit. Getting three wins in a row against anyone is great because it gives us points and confidence. Getting them against piss poor… Read more »

Bob N16

If Chelsea concede a couple more Fat Frank could be gone!

Graham62

Anyone on here with Scottish blood in their system will understand where I’m coming from on this. When you have a Scotsman in your ranks, you just know that they’ll never give up, always give 100% and, significantly, die for that badge. Those of you who bemoaned the fact that we had purchased a crock in Kieran Tierney, I think CG was one of these folk, failed to take into consideration one simple fact. Mr Tierney is from Scotland. The great Liverpool teams of the seventies and eighties succeeded because of the makeup of their sides, specifically some outstanding Scottish… Read more »

London gunner

wenger eagle

foden is a great finisher and better off the ball

saka has more talent on the ball and has overall better game