ARSENAL TARGETING TWO BRITISH PLAYERS

by .

Hello people. Sorry for the intermittent posting. I’m on two pitches. What a start to 2021.

Talking of pitches, whoever pitched Mesut to Fener, is a genius. The German finally ended his sad Arsenal career, completing his move yesterday. The Turkish fans aren’t just welcoming a player, they’re welcoming a newly adopted child to their country. The engagement on the tweets is next level, they’ve taken him from Germany, and it’s all quite sweet. I like to see the man smiling.

Good luck to the player. There was never any valour in sitting out the best years of a career for money when you are already loaded. Sad that his agent advised him to behave like that, but here we are, the 10%er usually wins out in these moments.

So, £350k, in theory, back on the books. Reality is we already burned that money on Auba, Partey and Willian. I don’t think we’ve really opened up much in the way of manoeuvring for players.

I think it is almost certain that we’ll bid for a keeper. The hot money is going on Freddie Woodman of Swansea. The Welsh club has signed a replacement from Huddersfield potentially opening the path for us to nab the English 23-year-old. He’s such an unknown that he doesn’t have an ELITE SAVES & BOX COMMANDING 2017-21 video on Youtube. Still, people are telling me he’s good, so I’ll take that advice.

We’re also rumoured to be back in for Emi Buendia and Ryan Christie of Celtic. Ryan has a WHY ARSENAL SHOULD SIGN THIS TOTAL DREAMBOAT video.

Ryan Christie is interesting. We often turn our nose up at Scotland, but hard to of late, they’re churning out some top-class players. Christie scored 20 goals and made 16 assists last season. This year he has 11 assists and 4 goals and Celtic have been shite. He’s on his 3rd season with Celtic, he has 37 goals, 37 assists in 120 odd appearances.

He’s a late bloomer, he just turned 25 years old, one year older than VVD before he arrived here. He’s slummed it with loans at Aberdeen and Inverness. If we’re interested in him, you can’t help but imagine some of the interest has come from KT pumping him. They play together internationally and his numbers stack up well there as well. He can pay right, left and through the middle. I would be interested in this sort of move, it’ll be inexpensive, it could have a big upside, and who are we to turn our noses up against Scottish talent? John McGinn, Andy Robertson, and KT show that they’re doing awesome things up north.

Emi Buendia is also a player I’d be happy with. He’s young, has done it in the league, and he ticks all the boxes we’re looking for. It would be very dangerous for us to head into the rest of the season with ONLY ESR for creativity.

Newcastle this evening. Great news that Tierney is fit, Gabi is returning, and maybe we’ll see Gabi CB back in contention. We are nearly fully fit.

We need to win. We can’t let this go to extra-time because that option isn’t available to us. We need to find our scoring boots. Auba and Lacazette need to find some magic, and hopefully, the service is a little better. I assume we’ll see Thomas Partey starting this one, which will give us a better dynamic. Newcastle are pretty average though, we’re not in need of a shield, we’re in need of some bravery.

Let’s see what the boys have got. On the whistle pod after, keep them ears PEELED. Enjoy tonight, I hope you’re all safe at home. x

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AFC Forever

Midwest

That was an odd analysis mate.

MidwestGun

It was accurate .. I guess that;’s odd. Wengerball that was not.

Crabregas

The one touch play of ESR in particular is a joy to watch. Sky even touched on it during their analysis before and after the game,

He doesn’t just stand there either, he gives and goes looking for a return

AFC Forever

I agree about running at the defence but there was a lot of one and two touch play around the pitch, it doesn’t just have to be the final third. It’s how to beat the press for example..Although ESR, Lacs & Saka were doing that, a few first touch passes around the box.. It’s the easiest way to beat a player – the ball moves faster than a player. It also encourages movement hence why previously we’ve been too static passing in front of the block.

AFC Forever

Mid, that’s true.

Pierre

Mid
“It was accurate .. I guess that;’s odd. Wengerball that was not.”

It was
Saka’s goal tonight i would say was a similar goal to Vieira’s goal at the lane when we won the league .(though obviously not as good)

Henry to begkamp to Vieira

Tonight it was Aubameyang to smith rowe to saka …

You mentioned wengerball , not me. .and now you mention it without realising it you were spot on.

Our 2nd goal was definitely wengerball.

Pierre

AFC
Mid is getting a little confused because when the game opens up, there is space for players like smith rowe and Aubameyang to attack , so of course they will have more touches.

It’s in tight spaces that the one and 2 touch pass and move is effective .

But I’m sure mid understands that .

bacaryisgod

Pierre

Saka’s goal was down more to lazy defending. We executed excellently but Newcastle were so sloppy in allowing Auba to isolate ESR one-on-one against Krafth.

MidwestGun

I guess it depends on what era of Wenger you want to credit …. late era Wenger was more 1 and 2 touch.. Barca lite, walk the ball in then net. Pretty sure the youth players were not here for Henry or Bergkamp. Your the one always trying to say Ozil was ESR’s role model.. No, ESR is more aggressive then that. I hope he doesn’t play like Ozil. That’s what we need is players willing to take up attacking space and be. proactive Less like Xhaka…or Elneny .. who actually played under Wenger. and More like Partey and ESR.

bacaryisgod

When I think peak Wenger-ball, it’s either devasting multi-player counter-attacks in our best years or even the dizzying one-touch flicks from Cazorla, Giroud, Rosicky etc in goals like Wilshere’s against Norwich. or Rosicky’s vs. Sunderland.

Midwest is right. This was not a Wengerball performance but it was a truly excellent second-half.

Bojangles

Pierre

”Changing to a 4-2-3-1 was the day it changed for Arteta.”

We had been playing 4-2-3-1 some 6 games before the Chelsea game.

Bojangles

Arteta had given ESR freedom to play his own game. Credit to the manager there.

Pierre

Bojangles
“We had been playing 4-2-3-1 some 6 games before the Chelsea game.”

If you check the formations you will find that the 3 games prior to the chelsea game we played the wing back system…city , everton and Southampton.

Pierre

Mid & bacaryisgod Wengerball was never mentioned by me originally. What I said was, and I quote. “The Wenger boys are showing the rest how to play the game and they have saved our season. Pass and move, one and 2 touch football, and what i like about Saka and Smith Rowe is they are not afraid to make the killer ball with their weaker foot.. They have been brought up playing football the Arsenal way” So as you can see , i was not referring to tonight’s game , i was talking about our football in general over the… Read more »

MidwestGun

They have been brought up playing football the Arsenal way
____________
Come on Pierre.. So the Arsenal way isn’t Wengerball to you? ok then. carry on.

Valentin

Pierre, Yes you are right. As Gary Neville and Don Goodman said, Arteta was forced by the circumstances (2 CBs unavailable + Willian out + Aubameyang out) meant that he was forced to switched to a 4-2-3-1, to switch Saka to the right and to play ESR and Martinelli. Thank god for Willian getting a COVID scare, because otherwise he would still be a starter and ESR not even in the bench. At least Arteta has realised that 4-2-3-1 should be the main formation and that he should rely on Saka and ESR. However tonight Newcastle were abject. Unless Steve… Read more »

Pierre

Mid
You were waffling on about how many touches we took for each goal…

My comment was clearly nothing to do with tonight’s goals and more to do with what they have brought to the side

I reckon the mere mention of WENGER triggered you …

Pierre

Valentin
I think Bruce thought his 2 strikers would cause us problems but Holding especially was superb and Luiz dropped off and read any flick ons .
.
We were also very good picking up the 2nd balls so Newcastle never really had a look in.

MidwestGun

Sort of… your trying to draw a straight line between Wenger and the youth… I don’t think that’s true and I don’t think we should play like the late Wenger era, Anyhow. Time to move on from Ozil… who you think is the arbiter of 1 and 2 touch play.. It’s not the same.

Bojangles

Look guys, go check your facts. We were playing 4-2-3-1 six games before the Chelsea game. The difference was the personnel not the formation.

Pierre

Mid
That’s a couple of times you’ve tried to sneak WHOzil into the conversation , I’m not biting , he’s history.

Words+on+a+Blog

Encouraging stats from the Goal site: in the five games ESR has played in the PL only Bruno Fernandes has created more chances than ESR’s 10 chances created.

Nelson

Now that we have Partey who can start a fast counter, we should try the same play for Pepe. Both Auba and Pepe are good run and gun. Then we have another weapon to score goal.

Pierre

Bojangles
It is open to interpretation, and there was a period when Lacazette was tried (and failed) as the CAM against Tottenham and wolves but the 3 games prior to the Chelsea game are down as a wing back system.

Though i do agree that it is the personnel as much as the system that is improving our football.

MidwestGun

No Pierre your the one trying to connect the dots between 1 and 2 touch play .. which is your code for Ozil… and the Arsenal way which is your code for Wenger… Anyhow. There are many ways to play successful football and I hope we continue to use aggressive dribbling in our Arsenal of weapons to unlock defenses moreso then possession based passing and intricate interchanges preferred by the likes of Ozil and Xhaka.

Ernest Reed

Comfortable win. Thats been quite rare this season.

China1

I’ll take that result any day of the week thank you very much.

Plenty of positives

Ernest Reed

“That’s a couple of times you’ve tried to sneak WHOzil into the conversation , I’m not biting , he’s history.”

You bust me up, Pierre!

Nelson

ESR surprised me today. Against CP he looked tired. Today he was full of energy and appeared so often closed to the ball carrier. For the 2nd goal, he turned up in front of Auba and provided an assist to Saka’s goal.

Bojangles

Pierre

This season in pl we have played 4-2-3-1 eight times w2- D1- l5. The two games prior to Chelsea, v Southampton and everton we played that formation. Fa cup v Citeh that formation. Last 2 Europe games that formation. So definitely didn’t change formation for Chelsea game.

Bojangles

Those 8 pl games were prior to playing Chelsea of course.

Guns of SF

another creative player in Jan would spell the end for Willian. I think its a big question. If ESR gets hurt, which could happen, who do we have? You cannot have a shortage of creativity. Seems like Buendia is being overpriced around 40m. This Scottish guy is a final ball specialist it seems. We need a dribbler in the middle … we need dribblers period that can actually beat one or 2 men If we opt for a DM, which I think we will not do, since Arteta keeps wanking over Xhaka, then my guess is we will get a… Read more »

HerbsArmy

Good solid result.
We need to wrap ESR, Saka and Martinelli in cotton-wool and tie them all down to long contracts.
If we can reproduce the second-half performance consistently against better opposition, we could be back in the mix.
Plenty of positives that offer hope for the future.

China1

Yeah guns Xhaka is going nowhere. Charlie can rest easy at night knowing this

China1

I dunno the contract lengths but I think saka and martinelli are both on long term deals since they both extended last year

ESR I dunno how long his deal is but he comes across as a good kid with his head switched on so if he’s in or around the first team at his boyhood club I don’t think he’s the sort to do a balogun. But if he has less than 2.5 years we should extend ASAP anyway

Kaz

Guns

Anguissa a better baller than Bissouma. His skillset fits the team more. Check him out.

bacaryisgod

China1

Here’s the best info for contracts:

https://www.transfermarkt.us/fc-arsenal/kader/verein/11

Go to Full Squad Details under the squad tab.

ESR good until June 30th 2024
Saka good until June 30th, 2024

bacaryisgod

Midway through the season and our squad has finally come into focus. About half of the players are guaranteed to be with us next season. DEFINITE (16 players) If we added no-one, this would be our first XI: Leno, Bellerin, Tierney, Holding, Mari, Partey, Xhaka, ESR, Saka, Auba, Laca 5 other players look certain to stay. Cedric, Gabriel, Elneny, Martinelli, Runarsson (as #3 keeper). That gives us 16 players. Then we move on to the ‘Maybe’ group. (12 players) I wouldn’t be shocked if Luiz was back for another season but with Chambers and Saliba also possibly in line for… Read more »

China1

Thanks bacary. In which case we should hold off extending for another 6-12 months because they’re both currently cheap as chips and we should enjoy the value we are getting out of them before they start to ask for proper money But if they play like this until the end of the season it might be worth offering another extension and wage increase now but with modest wage increases. I’m wary if they play this way for the next 18 months they will be able to demand major salaries so it’s better we get them tied down with long term… Read more »

China1

I can’t wait for mustafi to leave!

The trio of trash was ozil xhaka and mustafi

One down. Two to go!!

China1

Since we only play with two CBs now I’d suggest for next season we just roll with (in no particular order) Holding, Mari, Gabriel, Saliba, Chambers. 5 should be plenty of cover and if there’s an injury emergency you can promote an academy kid or use someone like El Neny as a last resort if needed There should be plenty of quality in that bunch to get us through a season in one piece with the need for the likes of expensive oldies like Luiz who is not especially consistent anyway Imo Luiz is just blocking a route to the… Read more »

China1

Without the need for oldies like Luiz*

MidwestGun

The future looks bright… if we don’t screw it up. The players out of contract this season can all go.. and I wouldn’t miss them. Papa, Mustafi, Luiz and Cebs. Most of our good players are tied up for 3 years or more. Only glaring error is Willian and Pepe if they are going to be at best squad players are signed for too long. And Runnar dude the Keeper. Xhaka 2 more years… no comment.. Don’t want to contemplate it. Elneny, Eddie, Laca expire next year and they all have some value for this summer to make some moves.… Read more »

China1

I actually think Luiz is really negative for the squad at the moment because his part in cock blocking other as good or better CBs who are much younger will only negatively impact that form A case in point is Mari and Gabriel who are now likely to sit out a large fraction of matches. All this will achieve is that whoever is least used of the two will likely lose a bit of sharpness and form that comes with momentum. Then people will criticize them when they do get back in the team and look out of sorts and… Read more »

China1

Midwest xhaka will extend we all know this

Guns of SF

Kaz

Anguissa looks great too… more a ball playing CM than a DM it appears on youtube
I think if Partey wants the B2B we need a more solid DM behind him…

But both Partey an Anguissa would give a real middle attack and some strength and power… would be great.

Guns of SF

Didnt Mari pick up a knock?

Dissenter

I only wish we managed to keep Balogun. It would have been great to have a core of young players with high ceilings in the first team Peopler will rightly ask whether Balogun was really that good since he didn’t feature so much. Clubs like Leipzig who have made a business of finding the best young talent definitely think he’s that good. He’s gone now and w just have to make sure we don’t repeat whatever errors we made with him. We have to make sure we provide an escalator to every good talent our academy produces in the future.… Read more »

Guns of SF

Diss

Leipzig will sell him in 3 years for 45 plus M likely

If Leipzig comes calling that means the YOUNG PLAYER WILL TURN OUT TO BE VERY GOOD… Mike Arteta are you listening?

Bojangles

Gabrielle is coming back from injury, Mari is out for a couple of weeks. No big drama. I’m sure Gab will play v Southampton.

Nelson

China1
“A case in point is Mari and Gabriel who are now likely to sit out a large fraction of matches.”

Europa Cup competition will resume on Feb 18. We are also still in the FA Cup competition. There will be lots of games coming up.

Bojangles

A word about Cedric. It may have been a one off and obviously was a rotation move but he took his opportunity and has earnt a place in the next game. Make Bellerin fight for his place in the team.

Guns of SF

2 of our goals came from cut backs….
This was Emerys bread and butter….

And its still working!

ESR to Saka and Cedric to Auba

Tony

Good 2nd half made enjoyable watching for a change.

Having stumbled into the team being more direct and balanced with ESR and now Partey – though still a way to go – Arteta has something to build on.

If we don’t buy, then more youth should be given game time.

Willian just looks lost and needs to move on to a lower level in Europe or US.

The next 6 games are going to be an interesting test for Arteta.

DivineSherlock

Very very impressed with how Partey is playing at Arsenal. Both goals resulted because of his quick actions of releasing the ball . Refreshing to see that instead of Ceballos turning around and passing it to CBs. Hate to jinx it but 5 clean sheets in a row , that is a good sign for the defence as well.

Leedsgunner

Cheer for the Shrews everyone tonight… We face the winner from tonight’s game in the 4th round of the FA Cup on the weekend. Hopefully if Shrewsbury wins we can play the “B” team and give everyone on the “A” team like Tierney, Partey, Saka and ESR a break. If we want to go far this season we need to keep everyone in our strongest squad fresh and injury free. Plus it gives us a chance to field some of our youngsters like Azeez and Patino. This in turn will hopefully place Balogun under pressure to sign once he realises… Read more »

Leedsgunner

Please please please offer ESR and Tierney a new contract now so we don’t have to endure any more contract sagas… and tie them up for the future!

DivineSherlock

Leeds

They are tied up until 2024 . No worries there.

Nelson

After Saturday’s FA Cup game, we have only 2 days rest for the next League game. We should give Saka, ESR, Tierney and Laca a rest for the FA Cup game. Leno will have to play every game since the club has screwed up the backup GK position.

Steveyg87

Too early to be calling Xhaka, Pirlo 2.0 again?

Steveyg87

Went to bed at half time so I missed all the goals. But wow, Xhaka was absolutely bossing it 1st half. Partey also just makes us so much more mobile, this is our midfield now, and I like it. ESR doesn’t need a mention as his performances speak for themselves

Steveyg87

“A word about Cedric. It may have been a one off and obviously was a rotation move but he took his opportunity and has earnt a place in the next game. Make Bellerin fight for his place in the team.”

I’m torn between my 1st choice here, Cedric puts in some beautiful crosses and his game is tidy IMO, Bellerin has a bit of x factor though, either way, RB is not an issue for us anymore.

Steveyg87

If we have a few bob left I reckon we go hard and try and get Giroud back. If he was in this team now he would be the leagues top scorer. The crosses and amount of corners we get is crazy

Thorough

I still think we need a Draxler or a more matured playmaker to handhold/guide ESR. I’m one of the few who actually doubted him but I’m definitely coming around. When I saw the way he passed that defender before our second goal I felt for a moment like I was watching Bergkamp.

Thorough

I’ve never understood why people don’t value Cedric. This guy pinned a spot down in arguably the best Portuguese team of all time. Especially when comparing him to Bellerin who’s shot on so many fronts. Cedric is a better defender, a better crosser, more physical and can actually come up with the occasional magic a LA the reverse nutmeg of yesterday. Give him more games and watch him shine. When he and Mari was brought in I was more concerned about Mari. He’s done well in his last 3 games even though they were our easy fixtures. But Cedric? Never… Read more »

Northbanker

This continuous use of stumbling to pick ESR by posters on here is a bit of a re-write of history and doesn’t stack up. ESR was injured for a chunk of the earlier season and took som time to get to match fitness. Arteta was reported to have been impressed by his form at Huddersfield. So it was always inevitable he would use him at some point. It was also totally understandable he was still trying to get the best out of Willian and Pepe before finally giving up on both and playing Saka in that role. At the end… Read more »

Globalgunner

Beckhams Inter Miami sigh England womens team flop. Phil Neville as their new manager

WTF! Didnt they know Wenger is available. passing on managerial greatness for a dullard like Neville. Pierre will be pissed and rightly so. They also passed on Ozil too. Dumb Yanks.

Graham62

Thorough

I agree totally.

Cedric is a far better option the Bellerin.

This was obvious ages ago.

I don’t get paid £6m to know this.

Chris

Some lovely goals by Aubameyang (class is permanent) and Saka, supplied by Partey and ESR. We have now conceded one goal in six games.

It’s great to have positivity back again.

Graham62

Things starting to take shape, with a British core.

Holding✔️
Saka✔️
ESR✔️
Tierney✔️

Based on improvement in all players and definitely feel we have a chance of top 6 now, with even an outside chance of top 4.

As long as Arteta has learnt from his mistakes.

Graham62

I definitely

Bojangles

We have a long way to go. Going to be a few bumps along the road still. At least we have a bit of form and confidence going forward.

Chris

Nelson

I disagree. Let’s put a strong team out for the Cups and try to win them. The league will still be a tough ask to finish in the top 6, despite our recent resurgence. I would be more in favour of resting players in the league immediately prior to and after (if necessary) cup games to give us maximum chance of winning those.

Let’s win some more trophies and if we win a cup double and finish 10th I’d be more than happy with that for this season.

Raulishuss

Very impressive win after a rather unimaginative first half tbh. Emile’s football intelligence really is something, the positions he takes the way he reads situations in midfield, still has a lot to improve on but the future is definitely bright. Hope we keep this form and progress further. Arteta getting his team on point COYG

Raulishuss

Northbanker.

I’d just point out that there’s no need taking anything Val says seriously guys not an arsenal fan. Look up all the trends. He never says anything supportive even after a win there’s no Goodwill he’ll immediately pour cold water on an praise for Arteta or a player he doesn’t like.

Raulishuss

Pierre you always talk about the balance in midfield been right and I agree with you. What do you think of gx and partey? I know people don’t like gx for he’s our best midfielder to partner partey and offer stability compared to Ceballos (poor positionally) and el neney imo

Tom

“Based on improvement in all players and definitely feel we have a chance of top 6 now, with even an outside chance of top 4.” Graham 62 Arsenal landing six spot would land me a nice chunk of change but top four would land the club in some real CL, money so here’s hoping they will. However, as fun as the second half was let’s not get carried away, Newcastle are in a really tough spot right now as changing eight players to face Arsenal would indicate, not to mention their recent results and league position. Surprise, surprise but if… Read more »

DivineSherlock

Goobergooner / Aussie Gooner

Bad day for Aussies , hope yall are fine mate . Haha

Habesha Gooner

It was a good win last night. ESR has been making the difference no matter which way you look at it. He is clever in the positions he takes and the runs he makes. It is like watching an experienced number 10. This is what ozil used to do before his new contract. And ESR has that and more. He can beat a man and also tracks runners to retrieve the ball. His stats also look very impressive. In 10 appearances of which only 6 have been starts he has got 2 goals and 5 assists in all competitions. This… Read more »

Leedsgunner

So he has a good game and Cedric is now quality? Please. He was signed by Raul as a favour to Kia Joorabchian.

He was brought in on a loan to cover for Bellerin during his recovery and it should have stayed that way. We still have AMN p, who was playing really well when he was trusted and given a string of games. Cedric was not needed.

We so love to throw money down the drain at this club.

Bojangles

Pierre

Not sure how much reliance you can place on that link.

“Despite Martinelli, Saka, and Smith Rowe forming a passing triangle, Despite Martinelli, Saka, and Smith Rowe forming a passing triangle”

That was taken from the analysis. Obviously those three players did not play v Everton, although we did play 4-2-3-1 in that game and the previous game. Also v Citeh in the cup and in the Europy thingy, though we are not taking cup games into consideration.

Just rechecked those links. They are from season 2019-2020. So not much bearing on this conversation

Bojangles

Habesha

I agree with your comments re Xhaka but we are not in the hunt for a top 4 spot this season and I doubt we will be buying anyone in Jan, loan at best, so Xhaka will have to do until the summer I’m afraid.

Bojangles

This gk were looking at, Woodman, he’s a little shorter than Leno and Leno’s not that tall.

Bojangles

Seems like Auba was a bit shitty after being substituted, literally. He was caught short so to speak.

Emiratesstroller

Valentin

You and far too many others who post on here have a habit of picking out of hat obscure footballers whom you consider are better than Xhaka.

Let’s get real we don’t need to recruit yet another DMF. We have already got on our books 5
and that does not include Azeez who is in U23s.

Despite your aversion to Xhaka I doubt that Arteta is going to offload this player in the
foreseeable future. This is not a priority despite what you and others may think.

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