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.
their great leader
Good question Wengereagle, Both exceptional young talents. England’s attacking options with Rashford, Kane, Sterling, Sancho etc are fantastic! Now they’ve got Saka and Foden their only problem is Southgate who’s too conservative.
Habesha
Kovacic is the only Chelsea midfielder I really rate. Jorginho better than Xhaka for sure but I would still pass on him. Not only midfield, even in defense why Chelsea have technically challenged players such as Zouma and Rudiger is a mystry to me.
Watching 2nd half of Chelsea v ManCity and I have no idea who is playing striker for Chelsea.
ManCity is like a predator playing with a mouse.
I was excited when we beat them, but they are sinking now.
None of the new buy have really lighten the league.
Even Kante looks poor.
Graham, it’s all very well to be fully committed but Scotland has lacked talented players for years. Right now they have a core of decent players for the first time in decades! I rate McCann at Villa too. Not too sure if they’ve got any quality up front, Burnie McBurnie is quite up to standard!
I’d rank them in terms of potential:
1] Sancho
2] Saka
3] Foden
4] Mount
5] Greenwood
And where they are at now:
1] Sancho
2] Mount
3] Foden
4] Saka
5] Greenwood
If KdB had Messi short burst acceleration, he would be unplayable.
I’ve followed Arsenal since 1968 as a boy and I can honestly say I don’t ever remember a period such as this where we’ve got from an all time low to an incredible high in such a short time period of a couple of months. Really don’t know what to think now but I do hope that the manner of our last 3 performances is a real blueprint for how we go forward. I just hope that if we’re stuck with Arteta, and I fear we are, that he re-thinks his whole negative views on using younger players and looks… Read more »
If I had wings I’d be able to fly.
Bye bye frankie boy!!
wenger eagle
greenwood that low? he seems like the next rvp from the little I have seen of him
WE
Saka edges it for me because he’s younger and plays on a weaker team thus attracting more attention from defenders, since he’s been the main source of creativity for us.
Should Mount be in the conversation?
London
Was grappling between him and Mount, it’s not that I don’t rate him I just have yet to see what his other exceptional attributes are besides finishing and pace.
He’ll need more than that alone to be an elite player.
What the fuck? How many cunts bemoaning three wins in a row as “only” Chelsea, Brighton and WBA. We thrashed Chelsea and WBA and Brighton didnt really trouble us. If we just about scraped through, i could understand it, but we didnt. Its like there is no pleasing some people, so desperatev are they for a scrap of negativity. There were some posts after the game saying “yeah, but Willock was shit.”
Graham62 – 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.
Now I was a great Charlie Nicholas fan but I am really struggling to tie those statements up.
Bob
Not positionally maybe but he’s that same age bracket, all 21 and under.
I would not laugh at the Chelsea display too much – remember in 5-10 years time when they are Chelsea pensioners they will be all playing for us on 4 year contracts.
Not trying to diss Foden but I have never seen him dominate a game. Flahses of good play sure but never really stamps his authority.
I hate green Bay
what are you on about? we are over the moon over the victories long may it continue.
WengerEagle
I’d take Saka over Sancho.
Sancho appears to like the good life, and has had a few disciplinary issues, could easily get distracted.
Saka looks like he has his head securely screwed on, appears a very level headed young man.
He’s got the talent, the athleticism and the mindset.
Saka will fly.
Ngolo Kante has lost his energy at ’29’, something doesnt add up
I guess those MC players, they are trained to prepare where to pass the ball before they actually receive the ball or not. They can pass so many accurate one timer.
Wengereagle I was questioning Mount’s quality not position. Tidy player but….
Bob
Disagree, Mount’s a very good player.
Likely won’t end up as good as those other lads but he’ll go on to do very well. Reminds me a lot of Ramsey.
I see Saka being already ahead of Sancho and with a higher potential. I think that will be reflected on the impact that both players have on the national team. I also think that ESR has a higher ceiling that Foden but with Foden still currently ahead of ESR. However in 4 years time, I am not even sure that Foden will be a regular for ManCity. To me Mount will be never be more than a decent premiership player. Greenwood is an enigma for me. He may end up with a great career, but may also become the next… Read more »
We need a strong B2B or an attacking 8 instead of a CAM
The more I think about it, the more it makes sense ( to me lol)
Partey with a Bissouma type or with a strong B2b will uphinge the Xhaka and El Neny / Dani midfield that sucks shit.
Adding this midfield will allow more attacking to happen, and middle of the pitch dribbling.
Also, with Martinelli coming back in, our attack is looking much more fluid.
Saka needs to own the right wing and Pepe needs to be sold
I’d take Mount in a heart beat is a very well rounded centre mid
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. ____ _ Only apply to kids with real potential and sauce though Afraid Willock, Eddie and Nelson who had been involved to various extent before the Chelsea game aren’t real talent. Barring miracles, they probably befit mid table or 16th placed sort of PL teams…. The real game changer was the… Read more »
wenger eagle
I’d argue that Mount is better athletically than ramsey.
Are Tammy Abraham and Giroud injured?
I don’t understand why Lampard is not playing them when one of the few ManCity weaknesses is in the air. Does ManCity not have the shortest squad on average?
Useroz ‘almost ruined Saka’ really?
Hudson Odoi, Saka and Sancho will have great careers. Not so sure about Mount and Foden.
Valentin
Currently, Foden has the best shooting ability among the players in your list.
I still can’t believe that some people rank Saka ahead of Sancho already now. Literally nothing to put Saka over Sancho in terms of production.
Remember Iwobi being overrated on here for a long time before people finally realised that he was shit when at Everton. Red-tinted Arsenal specs on any gifted youngster it seems.
Incoming people saying I don’t rate Saka…
London
He’s more mobile but he’s not as robust as Ramsey.
Funnily enough, like Ramsey was himself before the injury at Stoke.
Foden looks top quality to me, not sure what he could be doing more to impress.
I don’t disagree that Foden has a good shooting ability, but when he came to the fore, he was hailed as the future KdB. I don’t see it. Still a very good player, but way below that quality.
Meh, don’t see it with Hudson-Odoi.
Overrated hype. Should have cashed in when Bayern came calling.
As I said earlier, I wouldn’t trust Arteta with a single penny in the January transfer window. Having said that, I realize we could use some reinforcements, especially in midfield. Personally, I’d try Willian/Partey combo. It could give us some of that spark and creativity that we’re sorely lacking. It could also boost Willian’s confidence seeing how he’s been struggling of late. Maybe he can be our new Santi, who knows.
Hudson-Odoi’s injury robbed him of his short acceleration. He may need further time to fully recover. I also think that if he had gone to Bayern, the Bundesliga being easier he may have produced the same number than Sancho.
Suarez in stoppage, what a signing just finds a way.
Can only look back and think what if?
We reckon Tuchel getting tapped up by Roman?
Valentin
Lamps is just as stubborn as Arteta. Had he started Giroud today as well as against us, the results might have been different.
What’s funny Valentin is that Sancho isn’t even rapid and you talk about him like he’s a young Walcott.
His game is based on his already elite composure, technique, decision-making and physical roundedness to go with good pace.
Walcott was only ever elite pace [fastest player in Europe in his teens/early twenties] and very good finishing ability along with a good final ball. Technically he was always miles off.
Not even a Suarez fan but having Suarez fire Atletico Madrid to a title after Barca basically gave him away for nothing would be hilarious.
Upstate,
I understand that Lampard wants to prepare for the future, but right now he should be more concerned than he may miss on top 4. If thing continue on the same path, he may not even finish the season as Chelsea manager.
Lampard seems to have a blind spot for the Chelsea youngsters. He seems to overrate them. Last season Abraham was supposed to be the top dog striker and as many predicted he has been found wanting. Especially when you compare him to Giroud. Abraham would have been better off playing on loan.
If only arsene would have made it £2.50 over the release clause we would have one at least one more league title with him in our side of the time
*won
Wenger Eagle
Sorry to jump in the way of your Sancho love in but adjust those rankings to reflect that Sancho is playing in a league where Werner was scoring for fun, Kola was a beast LB and Xhaka was a passing maestro.
The Bundesliga isn’t that tough, I agree that Hudson Odoi would be putting up Gnabry like numbers had he made that jump.
Lampard has a job on his hands, but who cares, let’s hope he drops Chelsea further down the table.
Good win yesterday, let’s hope Arteta looks back at these last 3 games and sees that his earlier negative tactics are not the way to go
WE, I disagree with your assessment of Sancho. I see a very good one trick pony who uses his pace to skin his opponent but can’t do against pure defenders. Most of his goal and assists are carbon copy of the same move and when he can’t execute that move he does not have the passing vision to still be effective. Robben was a one trick pony but his trick was so good it was very difficult to stop him. Every defenders knew what he was going to do, but still very few could stop him. However I don’t see… Read more »
I like Foden’s low hard shot to the corner. If only Saka can hit one of those, he’ll overtake Foden in the Golden Boy list.
We will never know how good Foden is because city have kept him back a tad too much, maybe because they had excellent senior players ahead of him in the past.
They should have let him go out on loan like Chelsea did to Mount.
Saka needs to be played in 1-2 positions to really gain full consistency. He’s been thrown around, which is good for his education but it makes it hard to do head to head with his peers.
Nelson,
Foden has a calmness in front of goal, but I think that with more experience Saka will get that composure.
I expect that Lampard will probably get fired. He’s got too many tools to be failing this season.
They don’t mess about over there.
I see Pedro is back to trolling his guests…..
The football and the Tierney goal got me out of my seat last night. Said all along play more of the talented kids we have. Still feel aonsley deserves a shot in the middle instead of xhaka alongside party when back but apart from that could fault the lineup last night.
More please.
Valentin
Pep will disagree with you about Foden’s calmness in front of goal. He’s publicity called him out on that.
‘Most of his goal and assists are carbon copy of the same move and when he can’t execute that move he does not have the passing vision to still be effective.’
And what is this ‘move’ then?
Dissenter,
I disagree.
I think that Saka playing in those different positions have help him understand how he can be interacting with the other players.
I always thought that he would finish as left winger, but now I have seen how effective he is as right winger, I have changed my mind and I think that may be where he will end up.
Dissenter,
Pep have such a high standard.
I have rarely seen Foden snatching at the ball.
I may be wrong, I can’t remember him shooting a full blast going sky high without composure.
Valentin
It’s good for his education that he can play so many positions but at some point he has to specialize in one or two positions.
It’s difficult to compare him to the other good young players because of the jack of all trades approach
Dissenter,
Just seen Pep interview, he may have commented on it a while ago. Right now, Foden has calmness and composure in spade.
Saka is 18 months younger than Sancho
It would be a nice problem to have, but I’d still 100% choose Saka.
Saka is starting to glide past opposition players as if there’s nobody there, he makes the game look easy.
If he maintains the hunger?
He’ll become one of the best players in the world
It’s vital we give him a platform that matches his ambitions, he’d have his pick of any team in the world if he decided to move on.
Valentin Pep said “ Phil has incredible energy, but in the final decision, the final pass, he needs to slow down a bit,” Guardiola said. “He needs experience to calm down [moments].. He plays soccer with the same rhythm, and soccer must play with different rhythms. Sometimes you need to walk, sometimes you need to have a rhythm, and sometimes you need to change the rhythm. “In the last third, especially in the box, the top top players have patience. They have this second or 0.5 seconds to be disposed of to make a decision.” ‘ Guardiola was asked how… Read more »
Dissenter If Sancho was ours the hyperbole would be of Biblical proportions on here. Saka is already getting heralded as one of the best widemen in Europe and he’s still a baby in terms of production. You seem to enjoy telling me how bad Sancho has been this season for some odd reason, tell us this, guess which is which from the stats below: Player 1: Mins played: 1236 Goals scored: 3 Assists: 1 Key passes per game: 1.1 Dribbles per game: 1.6 Dispossessed per game: 1.1 Through balls per game: 0.1 Crosses per game: 0.7 Passes per game: 30.7… Read more »
And if the Bundesliga is so shit, why have the best team in Europe in Bayern already conceded 21 goals in just 14 games? And have dropped points in 4 of their 14.
Wenger Eagle
You missed the part where I said it’s difficult, to compare Saka with other good young players because we’ve shifted him around the field like a fire man.
Then you have to factor in the way Dortmund play and the league Sancho plays in.
I’m not one of those who said Saka was better than Sancho.
I just wished Sancho had come to pitch his tent in the premier league so we can see him do his thing on a level playing field.
Well my backstabbing mother’s.How about that then? Still not satisfied ? But of course! This season was predicted to be a rollercoaster ride.For the uninitiated that means ups & downs.Still want Artetas arse on a plate🤫
Hard to be a Suarez ‘fan’ more appreciation for his effectiveness. Fitting he’s taken over from the dark lord or the underbelly Costa on Simeone’s death star to the top.
Dissenter
He’s performing the same in the Champions League this season, numbers across the board are all similar and he’s scored 2 and assisted 2 in 296 mins.
You’re one of those that fetishises the strength of the Premier League. 2015/16 was a similar story, winner finished with 80 points. It’s more a reflection of how poor the bigger sides are doing than how strong the lesser sides have gotten.
of the under b e l l y
Sal
Your boys and Imanol have gone off the boil a bit over in Spain, Que Pasa?
Wenger Eagle
Watch as Kola goes back to Shalke and becomes super competent again.’
The Bundesliga is not shit but is no where as competitive as the premier league or la liga.
The thing with Sancho that people havent seen is he is not the complete player yet. He barely defends and I havent seen him have a major impact in a major game yet. I think he woild find it a bit hard in the premier league. I think Saka has just as much potential as Sancho. I know I am a bit Biased but Saka’s decision making ability is why I think he can be as good a player as Sancho.He almost always takes the right option on whether to dribble, pass or cross. Iwobi was good when he started… Read more »
Eagle
Indeed they are had an Arteta’ish moment loosing three in a row now looking like its top four battle. Need a late winner here.
Still above Unai so were good there.
Where’s Marc?
Ended 1-1, no Silva no love.
Sociedad’s form crumbled when he did his hamstring should be back in next week.
Jamie,
Quietly flogging himself in room filled with Arteta imagery, Mik’s eyes following him wherever he looks. Good times i’m sure.
Ok Dissenter.
How did Sane do in the PL, did alri didn’t he?
Or:
Ozil until he could be bothered (2013-2017)
Kevin De Bruyne
Pulisic
Aubameyang
Firmino
Dzeko
Son
Gundogan
Emre Can
Mertesacker
Soyuncu
Kompany
Berbatov
Hojberg (who you cream over)
Alex Hleb
Rosicky
Hargreaves
Van Der Vaart
There are 4 Bundesliga teams in the CL last 16 so don’t even banter me with the whole it’s weaker nowadays line either.
Sal
Yeah they lack firepower as well as missing King David.
Don’t trust Isak or Willian Jose, both average strikers.
When your competition have Suarez and Benzema, you are in trouble.
Wenger eagle
Sancho is a very good player. But he has been made to look better than he is in an efficient dortmund team. I just happen to think Saka will do just as much if he was in that dortmund team. Assisting Haaland and playing with creators like Brandt and Rues while he doesnt have to the dirty work because he has Delaney, Witsel and Can there is why he is this good. Saka would be comfortable too in that setup.
WE
That’s a nice comeback, I couldn’t be bothered to think of any other recent players other than your man Firminho and Son. That’s a nice list you have there.
You do have to add Haller and Werner to that list, they aren’t replicating their Bundesliga form yet.
Hopefully Sancho moves back at some point and he sets the league on fire.
Frankie Lamps is gonna get the sack by morning.. At least that’s what my Chelski loving brother tells me… hahaha I truly hope we have turned our ship around … because I am trash talking up a storm and there will be retribution. Anyhow, yep Sal… the word on the street is Tuchel would be the next in line over at the BlueScum side of London.
Ruched won’t last a season at Chelsea
He’s too headstrong to survive there, just like Sarri had problems.
Habesha We’ll agree to disagree on them, don’t want to take up anymore space with Sancho talk as much as Dissenter touches himself to the thought. I just think that Sancho is still very underrated considering the numbers he has put up for over 2 years now, consistency which is the hallmark of a world class player. He’s also been very good in the Champions League, scored a worldie last season vs Barca at the Nou Camp, put in a top performance vs PSG in the first leg of the Last 16 and has scored 4 goals with 4 assists… Read more »
Gio Reyna is best Dortmund midfielder… you heard it here first and for free. 😀
Christ Eagle you’ve missed Xhaka.
So after all that shit talking from Chelsea fans a few weeks backs about how they are title contenders and our relegation battles, we are now just 3 points off them. God is good. Another 9 points from Palace, Newcastle and Southampton might move us within striking distance of UCL spots. And someone needs to two foot Theo in the Southampton game, not to hurt him seriously but just a “gentle” reminder that we made him who he is today, the ungrateful little cunt.
Dissenter
Sure you get a few duds too in Joelinton, Haller, Kolasinac [was a freebie though], Naby Keita, Mkhitaryan, Xhaka but the same can be said for every league.
Are we never to buy from La Liga again because of Kepa, Di Maria, Morata, Otamendi, Falcao, Mustafi, Bailly, Soldado, Fornals, etc?
Or Serie A because of Jorginho, Rudiger, Cuadrado, Felipe Anderson, Lamela, Toreirra, Moise Kean, Zappacosta, Marcos Alonso, Jovetic, Shevchenko and Veron from back in the day?
Don’t even get me started on big transfer flops from France/Portugal.
Middy
Hope Lamps stays on for just long enough until we overtake the Chelskis
Sal
He makes a list at least.
Haters will differentiate between the lists.
I can’t really comment on the Saka v Sancho debate as I’ve not seen enough of Sancho but I will say this: I don’t recall seeing a player as young as Saka so obviously having the combination of ability AND a football brain.
The usual thing with young players is thTine minute I’m admiring their skill and/or audacity and the next minute I’m groaning at a mistake they’ve made.
Not Saka
Imo Sancho is currently the better player than Saka and by far. Saka has a very high football IQ he’s just not usually in the position to make use of them enough for me but he’s going to be a star as he learns really quick. He’s already consistently getting into positions lately
Lampard getting sacked as Chelsea fall below Arteta’s Arsenal would have been peak 2020, with Covid bleeding into the new year can we still use that saying? Lol.
Jamie, to summon the spirit of Marc, the ball must strike the Arsenal net within the first 5 minutes of the Newcastle game this weekend. Only then will we be blessed with his punishing negativity, for his hunger dines on the joy of Arteta’s failings, all in the name of avenging Father Unai Emery’s hideous treatment at the hands of LG.
Pedro,
You’re being unfair about Marc: it’s not negativity.
He is just as scrupulous as a Jesuit about fairness, and in his eyes you wronged Emery and are almost obscenely lenient on Arteta.
He has a point.
Words, listen to yourself defending someone who spends all day shitting on The Arsenal to avenge Unai Emery… then hides as soon as we start winning. The weakest of sauce and the most pathetic of callings.
Imagine defending someone that couldn’t master the word evening in 18 months. Tragic.
We should have a new manager ready for the summer window.