Don’t say it…
Don’t say it…
Don’t say it…
Don’t say it…
Don’t say it…
IT WAS A GAME OF TWO HALVES!
Yes. Yes it was.
A lot of Arsenal fans were furious at half time. We hit the target once from 7 shots. The football was slow and ponderous at times. It looked like the start of an episode of ‘oh wow, how did we botch that.’ I wasn’t too concerned. If we had last seasons Auba, he’d have finished 2 of his three good chances. If we have David Luiz of Chelsea, he’s hitting the target with his header.
The second half saw a different vibe. The passing kicked up a notch, our front four took control of the game and we started finding the target. Our break came shortly after Lacazette was denied by an elite save from Darlow.
Cedric defended a long ball by heading calmly to Lacazette just outside our box, he played in Partey who broke the press, moved left and curled a 40-yard pass into the path of Auba (fast release). Our out of form captain powered into the Newcastle box, he faked right and smashed home from 8 yards into the inside post.
Auba had the assist to the assistor for our second. He gave the ball to ESR who drove at Newcastle’s full-back, turning him inside out before passing to Saka who comfortably blasted across Darlow into the bottom corner. A thing of beauty.
Our third goal saw Saka with the pre-assist. Cedric did well to get on the end of it, he kept the ball in play by a whisker, but found Auba with deadly accuracy for the tap-in.
The game finished with another clean sheet. This time, we were able to finish them off in the 90.
So what did we learn?
Smith Rowe is starting to look like the real deal. There’s obviously a long way to go for him, he’ll still have to prove his fitness, and work his way out of an inevitable slump… but right now. Wow. What a great player he looks. There’s so much to like. His touch is sublime, he can receive the ball on the half-turn, and he has explosive pace combined with tight control. He has been ruthlessly efficient since he started his run and you feel he has the air of a player that is going to be a big deal.
Saka feels like a veteran in our side because he’s so consistent. He had another great game. He’s starting to impose himself in games. He has that weird knack of being a bit of a silent assassin on the pitch, he glides, like Pires… he doesn’t make mistakes, and he’s very patient. His stats are starting to reflect his importance in the side, that’s good news.
Our problems are now squarely sitting in midfield. We’re just never going to be an elite side with Granit Xhaka in the team. Sure, the second half was good, but it’s really difficult for me to get behind the long-term partnership of Partey and Xhaka. We shouldn’t have to have counter-weights for painful weaknesses. Granit did not have a bad game, his second half was nice, but against a proper team, you know he’ll be found wanting, or at least threatening to be found wanting.
That said, Thomas Partey is a fucking dream. I remember working in a factory when I was young. I thought the babes in there were true babes… then I’d head into London town and realise the truth. We’ve been looking at factory babes in midfield. Mo and Xhaka look sexy together when we have injuries, but put them in All Bar One in Fenchurch Street next to Thomas Partey in his Top Shop stilettos and you suddenly realise what you’ve been missing. He’s press resistant, his off the ball movement is elite, he defends, he releases fast, he can drive a team. 36 of his passes were FORWARD. We need to get him a partner like Bissouma so he can truly flourish.
I was starting to worry about Auba. He hasn’t looked the player he was last year. What did spur me on though was that he was missing chances, versus not being the right place to get them. He’s a top pro, he proved that in the second half when we saw a bit of the old Auba. Hopefully he’s found his shooting boots in time for our two HUGE games against United and Southampton. Let’s see…
Finally, a word for the defence. We’re the 4th best in the league now. When we could boast that last time, we weren’t able to attack. Now we have a solid foundation, and we’re having 20 attempts at the opposition goal. This is where we need to move to as a football team. Two or three additional players in the right posisitons that can offer us true quality in the final third and we’re cooking. Shout out to Cedric, he made a cheeky backheel I rated and his delivery was excellent. Also, big high gives to Holdinho, another solid game.
Last word goes to Lacazette who wiped snot off Willian’s face. That was to brotherly love, but also, very grim. Tissues next time.
Ok… now listen to my podcast. Johnny is back. It’s a cracker. Enjoy!
1st
And
The
Tr4phy
Nice!
no
Top 10
Woke up in the middle of the night to watch us beat beat Newcastle then carried on watching India beat Australia!
It’s been a great day so far!
ESRs run for the second was very Pires/Santi indeed. Ball stick to his foot. Great work
We’ve lead in 9 games this season and only failed to convert 1 into a win v Liverpool.
We’ve trailed in 9 games and only avoided defeat in 1 v Southampton (Draw).
Great that we have been seeing games out. 1 goal conceded in the last 5 games is lovely to see.
Need to be able to change it up though when we fall behind. Might need to be able to react to that in the next two games.
The maturity of ESR and how well he avoids injuries would help our market forrays. Prioritising the CDM (world class party quality) and maybe a back up left back would be very good for balancing the squad. Arteta has found a good steady formula. I have always felt partey’s injury was a dent on what he wanted to do but glad he is back. Partey is very key for this team.
From the last post 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… Read more »
4th
Pedro
At least we agree on xhaka. I think we will explode as a team if we sign someone who can actually be good enough next to partey.
ESR reminds me of one of my favourite Arsenal midfielders Paul Merson. Wenger never should have let him go to Middlesborough.
Excellent post pedro
I commented similar on our defense yesterday
I like the fact that we are not easily bullied by physical players like Andy Carroll etc which was the case in previous years
I know only Newcastle but our right back should be Cedric not Bellerin, very tidy on the ball and also dynamic looks like the real deal.
We’re still vulnerable Take out Saka, Tierney + Smith-Rowe, and we’re relatively easy to contain, and I struggle to see where the creativity is coming from. Really enjoyed last nights performance, it was mature and measured. No panicking, no impulsiveness, we controlled the game from start to finish, nobody did anything stupid, Xhaka was really good again last night, particularly in the first half, he broke up play well, kept it simple, only gave away 1 free kick in the whole 90 We need 3 signings Left back Goalkeeper Attacking midfielder And they need to add quality, genuine competition and… Read more »
Not more than a few weeks ago, most of the Le Grovers were predicting a relegation battle for Arsenal, demanding immediate sacking of Arteta and calling Holding a championship level defender. Knee jerkism and hyperventilation at LG knows no bounds 🙂
Good goals
Good clean sheet
Good three pts
Good performances
Puts us in the good half of the table.
Pedro,
Shit blog, even shittier podcast. Listening to 15 minute diatribe of how bad Xhaka is does not make good listening. I watched Xhaka very closely in the first half and he was our best player. It seems to me that its an LG fashion to criticise him. Yeah, he has shortcomings but that hardly warrants the torrent of abuse directed at him.
Let us be fair to Xhaka.He is starting to be a real defensive mid fielder, even if there is room for improvement and more consistency .Just watch our match with Palace again and see how many great tackles he makes and how important he is for us. He is always there for Arsenal and He is always fit. Little wonder all the past Managers always use him. The combination of Xhaka and Partey ( If he stays fit ) would be key to our making top four this season.Emile Smith Rowe and Saka are the real deals. Those two guys… Read more »
If you don’t like the content @I Hate Green Bay feel free to fuck off.
Debating this xhaka point is useless. He wasn’t our best player at all. ESR and then Partey were last nights standout players. Xhaka just didn’t fuck up. I tell you this though, As soon as we sign a half decent CM, Xhaka will be a bench warmer. Ceballos is leaving in the summer so it is a certainty one will come in. And xhaka will sit on the bench for a year and will agitate to leave because he thinks he is better than he is. Our fortunes will turn around so much that people will think why they defended… Read more »
A very solid display yesterday from the team as a whole. Our best player is now influencing games on a consistent basis and his link-up play with ESR will only help both of them grow and grow as footballers. It was also lovely to see Auba score a very Auba goal and as a few posters said yesterday during the game he was really up for it and working hard in the first half so a goal was bound to come. I’ll also echo the Xhaka sentiment in your post Pedro, he has been in what I guess we can… Read more »
Interesting to see Auba finally scored when he let loose with his left foot – whereas his (old) trademark cut inside and curl the ball in with his right foot (which worked extremely well for Arteta’s first half season) has really gone wrong this season
Xhaka is a squad player who we played WAYYYYYY over the odds for. No more no less. He has been error prone and hot headed at worst and average at best. We need better, much much better. In time I could see Guendouzi develop into that midfielder, if he ever learnt to get over himself. Maybe he will. Or will he? This Arsenal side is very different than the one he left. For one thing, he is no longer the sole boy wonder. Saka and ESR are younger and better than him. He can choose to learn and be part… Read more »
*paid not played
The Xhaka debate is the same as most political debates in this country. There’s no room for being objective Xhaka was good last night, particularly in the first half He’s a very experienced player, and from what is said, a model professional in the way he trains and behaves away from the pitch. He’s respected by his teammates and coaches, and having experienced professionals within the squad, who set the right example is important. He’s better than Elneny and Torreira More experienced than Guendouzi He’s our second best available central midfielder It’s perfectly possibly to recognise all this But also… Read more »
Rich quit being a fair weather
you either in or out
no ifs abd buts
any chance Torreira have a look in or is he done with the club?
would love to see that partnership that Simeone wanted though
I want to see Xhaka plays against some top 6 teams before I judge Xhaka again.
Let’s face it, when Partey was out, Xhaka looked almost average in our midfield (that tells you all you need to know about our midfield currently), he wouldn’t even be looked at by any top 4 side in any major league in Europe.
Auba main problem last night was that he was being forced by the defenders to shoot with his weaker foot. As long as this obvious tactic of not letting him cut inside onto his stronger foot continues he is going to be less effective.
I want Tierney on a new contract next summer, 5 years at 125 with captain armband, basically a deal which keeps him at arsenal for most of his career.
Apart from being an elite footballer his vibe and energy are different class. If we can pay shit merchants like William silly money let’s reward our own
Willian did okay when he came on. He is starting to look like the Chelsea player he once was. How bizarre if he turns out to be a masterful signing.
Xacka needs out the squad he’s a bad apple and peddles a weak mentality wrapped up in hardman. What’s great about partey is people on here can debate merits of xacka until Blue in the face, only when you see him next to a real top guy do you see the difference, partey doesn’t play small, he isn’t trying to show off, 2 touches out of feet boom always forward, can beat a aman and open teams up. Xacka plays for himself or doesn’t have ability to do any of the above. I want a duck load more from my… Read more »
Xhaka was meh without Partey. Partey made him raise his level. Sell Xhaka come the summer and go for someone younger who and better.
If Guendouzi is willing to pipe down and work hard fair enough but if he still comes back with the attitude that he’s somehow God’s gift to football let him go for a big fat profit and reinvest in the team.
I like Torreira but I think Arteta doesn’t want him so that ship has sailed. Fortunately there seems to be plenty of interest in the Uruguayan so we should receive most of our money back.
Nelson – Do you really need to see Xhaka against more top 6 teams? I think we all know what he delivers even on his best day.
I’d also like to see Torreira and Partey in the middle but I’m not sure if Arteta will allow LT to play for us again.
ESR with his assist for Saka and Cedric with his assist for Auba illustrated the difference when a wide player puts in a measured pass or cross to a player or dangerous space rather than hopeful cross especially as we do not have any strong in the air CF’s.
If Cedric does not start the next game Arteta is truly Bellerins Uncle!
Not fair, Pedro.. Damn I miss the All Bar One now 😐
Pedro and Gary Neville mentioning Bobby Pires.Stop it .Yourself making me Cry.
My concern with Xhaka partnering Partey is that will Partey inevitably have to cover for Xhaka’s lack of mobility which could end up in us running him into the ground and get injured again. With a more mobile box to box player alongside him Partey could fulfil the Gilberto type role.
I would even be willing to give Partey, Guen & Torreira a go ?
Bring in Guendouzi to partner Partey, if we don’t have money.
This summer bisouma is a priority for me, him and partey would be a wall, could cover ground, bisouma ia also a tidy passer.
I’m. Afraid guen and torreira are gone, we need to sell them + xacka, although in all likelihood xacka will be here for a few more years, sigh
40.m from Stan + clear out money would basically buy a new mid which would be lovely.
I would have ceballos, torreira and Guendouzi everyday of the week than xhaka. Areta preferring him doesn’t make him our 2nd best CM. It’s just makes him the coaches preferred player. Anyway, Loan watch Kolasinac is as terrible as he has ever been. He cost them a goal clearing a ball straight in to the face of his team mate. He also had mistimed an interception and it ended up being a goal and for the third he was nowhere in position. I don’t think anyone will buy him in the summer with this form. Saliba’s nice were also hammered… Read more »
It was a good second half.
ESR’s three assists in the league have all be to Saka. Those two work well together.
As for the squad, right now I’ll prioritize outgoings rather than incoming.
Keep our cash for the summer.
It’s probably also time to make a decision on AMN and Nelson.
Will be interesting to see if Arteta sticks with the 4-2-3-1 for the long term, or will he panic after a couple of poor results and return to the wing back system, as he did after a couple of defeats after lockdown. The good run of form was coming even before the Chelsea victory. I often said that we just needed a change of fortune as we were geting punished by own goals , red cards , suspensions and injuries.. All the signs to me were showing that Arteta was slowly turning it around and results would come. The positive… Read more »
“My concern with Xhaka partnering Partey is that will Partey inevitably have to cover for Xhaka’s lack of mobility which could end up in us running him into the ground and get injured again. With a more mobile box to box player alongside him Partey could fulfil the Gilberto type role.“
This.
I third that Leeds
The other encouragement to take from our recent games are we are finishing second half stronger than the first… shows a better attitude and willingness to fight. Long may it continue!
I’m really pleased for Aubameyang and the return of his shooting boots… every time he scores from the left like that I have visions of TH14…. Aubameyang’s goals are vintage Henryesque.
I would have ceballos, torreira and Guendouzi everyday of the week than xhaka. Areta preferring him doesn’t make him our 2nd best CM. It’s just makes him the coaches preferred player. Anyway, Loan watch Kolasinac is as terrible as he has ever been. He cost them a goal clearing a ball straight in to the face of his team mate. He also had mistimed an interception and it ended up being a goal and for the third he was nowhere in position. I don’t think anyone will buy him in the summer with this form. Saliba’s nice were also hammered… Read more »
Top post Pedro the last paragraph was amazing it made me smile
Posted twice with out finishing it first time. 😀😀😀
Just another customer
Things are rarely as simple as being either, in or out, or good or bad
If you want to see the rainbow, you’ve got to put up with the rain.
Xhaka played well last night as he did against Palace. Some need to take off the Anti Xhaka glasses. I am not saying he is the long term solution or that he would be my first choice but we are allowed to say he played well when he does and not just dismiss it because he did not make a mistake and we don’t like him.
Ainsley Maitland Niles partnering Partey can’t be any worse that playing Elneny there. Excellent podcast Pedro!
Could Arteta be vicariously living his playing career through Xhaka? Interesting theory Pedro!
Pedro
You are taking it too far first it was monaldinho now holdinho with the skills of Ron ,you are putting his name in the mud.
AMN is too loose in possession of the ball to play alongside Partey. Arteta is not interested in having a centre mid that gets ahead of the ball, and I agree with this. 2 solid midfielders ( preferably Partey and Bissouma) allows Smith Rowe to play with freedom in the knowledge that there is protection behind. 2 solid midfielders allows the full backs to overlap knowing there is cover from midfield.. Xhaka is ok but is unable to cover the ground quick enough if the full backs are caught out of possession, plus I don’t think he is particularly good… Read more »
Biggest win for me yesterday was bellerin not playing. We looked balanced as a team and threatening down our right.
With Hector, our attacks down the right dont happen due to him receiving the ball and passing backwards.
Xhaka is a problem but not the most glaring. Bellerin is our biggest area of weakness and has been for a long time
ESR messed up a relatively easy pass for Auba in the second half after he’d already made his mark and the game was won but he looked devastated by it. Just shows the mentality of the guy. Humble and desperate to do well.
Pierre
It would be an interesting experiment though, would it not?
If Shrewsbury manage to pull off an unexpected win against Southampton, I think I would be tempted to give our first teasers a complete break in the FA Cup this weekend and see what AMN could do in what he himself says is his strongest position.
If he still struggles against lower league opponents he can hardly complain can he?
Pierre
Not sure if you saw.my post at the end of the previous blog.
Those links you posted were fr last season, not at all relevant to our discussion.
Spudnik – ESR doesn’t care where he plays – no doubt in my mind he can play as a nominal winger just as well. Any AM we buy should be able to play in the same team as ESR as well as cover for him in the centre as needed, so the only players who should be negatively impacted are the ones who aren’t performing currently.
Roaaary,
I’m with you on that, Bellerin wasn’t good enough before his injury, let alone since, he offers very little going forward and often the play breaks down with his backward passing, can’t remember the last time I saw him take on a full back and beat him for pace and deliver anything that resembles a decent cross.
Just want to mention this from last post as raulishuss has said I have no clue but then goes and says this: “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” Look it’s your opinion that xhaka is better fit in mf, I don’t agree but its fair to say considering neither xhaka or Ceballos really are up to standard. But to say Ceballos is positionally poor compared to xhaka is quite something. Interceptions are not the only metric for good positioning, but… Read more »
Undoubtedly a good second half performance but it was Newcastle after all and they are relegation material. Currently we are 10th which is about where I would expect us to finishthe season. The way some on here are posting you would think we are only a couple of players away from challenging Liverpool. A triumph of hope over reason.
Bojangles
“Those links you posted were fr last season, not at all relevant to our discussion.”
Sorry, was getting late..
Here are the 3 games that confirm that the line ups were 3-4-3 ..
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://totalfootballanalysis.com/match-analysis/premier-league-2020-21-everton-vs-arsenal-tactical-analysis-tactics&ved=2ahUKEwiB36qFgKjuAhUEiFwKHSy5B74QFjADegQIChAC&usg=AOvVaw1bhxDf6D7dR9IXfBAcj5mL&cshid=1611059479125
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://eplanalysis.com/premier-league-2020-21-arsenal-vs-southampton-tactical-analysis-tactics&ved=2ahUKEwj09qK_gKjuAhXTQkEAHW9uCF0QFjADegQIERAB&usg=AOvVaw2McP17UQuP8PhY9Q4P5xRr&cshid=1611059562234
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55312316&ved=2ahUKEwjQ-6r9gKjuAhVMXMAKHd0dCaUQFjAFegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw3yPJ_r3MCyUP5s4FKmRa06
Spudnik I like Buendia. He is the best one out all targets for that N 10 role. But ESR has been making so much waves that I think we can wait till the summer now. It’s also because it is a ransom to pay 50 mil for buendia. He can be a 50 mil player some day but I don’t think we should pay more than 30 mil for him. I don’t think we are in a position to pay that much for players now. We should get 30 mil players that are good enough. And buendia will go at… Read more »
The Bard,
😂
Leeds
We have strong enough backup, except for keeper, to change the whole side for the fa cup.
Bellerin , 2 out of mustafi/ gabriel / chambers / mari….
…AMN at left back
Elneny ceballos
Martinelli willock pepe
Nketiah or Balogun
Is Xhaka a terrible footballer – no
Is he good enough for Arsenal – no
Will he ever be good enough – no
Will he likely give away lots of fouls in dangerous positions against Southampton which Ward-Prowse will punish us from – very likely
Bisoumma won’t help us break teams down. He’s not a good passer we should target another creative cm/cam before we think of replacing xhaka.
The Bard
Imo, we can still push for top 6.
Also noted that if Villa win their games in hand, they’ll be top 4.
Bissouma is surprisingly good at passing and carrying the ball.
For me getting rid of xacka is key to the operation, rather than say a directly creative player. Partey keeps pressure on teams he breaks up and immedietly zips it forward to get the attack going, recycles fast, ball pings around, 2 guys like that would speed the tempo immeasurably, you could have peak Zidane in there but if its getting clogged before he gets it its not going to change a lot.
We need fast tempo players, saka and esr ha e shown that
Bissouma lives on the edge of red cards. He’s always fouling.
When we played Brighton after project restart, he committed at least 4-5 yellow card offenses and finished the game because the referee was shit.
He’s super athletic and that tends to cover his flaws. We should be aiming for the likes of Morgan Sanson.
Not sure who exactly will take the Swiss Pirlo off our hand though ?
West Ham ?
Xaka didn’t fuck is the new definition of good. Xaka’s average to below average performances have simply averaged the bar lower. Even If we get a better midfielder Xaka will be played in preference with confidently pronouncement by Arteta that the new guy is not yet ready ( tried and tested to put off naive gunners ). Fortunately Arteta has stumbled into a formation due to injuries and suspensions. But not yet fully learnt since he has been starting with his bullshitting until it becomes apparent we might lose. That is the time the handbrake comes off. Thank God for… Read more »
Not more than a few weeks ago, most of the Le Grovers were predicting a relegation battle for Arsenal, demanding immediate sacking of Arteta and calling Holding a championship level defender.
Arteta still needs to be sacked or demoted to a head coach
Thankfully the crackpots have mostly skulked off into anonymity !
Raulishuss from earlier. “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, Bisoumma won’t help us break teams down. He’s not a good passer we should target another creative cm/cam before we think of replacing xhaka.” Xhaka and Partey offers gooď balance as does Elneny..i would probably choose Elneny above Xhaka but as I mentioned before, xhaka being the… Read more »
Davi
ESR we can see is outstanding a de Bruyne type understudy. He didn’t get there just 1-2 months ago but has not been given his chance to show up , of course with latitude for a young player. ESR has been in limbo and knows that a trifling fault can send him back to the U-23 with our Tinpot Dictator. ESR is scared when he makes mistakes. Just a simple Croydon lad.
Xhaxa is a teachers pet thats why he starts as he does everyfing off the pitch he asked why else does someone wot no pace or power playbin the most brutal league week in week out
I did say mostly !
regarding LT are AM just not playing him to diminish his value to teach us a lesson because of the Partey transfer?
or is he not good enough to play for them, either way there must be a termination clause so we can get him back to either sell him on or use him
In the last few weeks, we have learned from posters that: Leno is shit Bellerin is shit Cedric is shit Holding is shit Mari is shit Luiz is shit Elneny is shit Ceballos is shit Xhaka is super shit. Seriously? 90% of our defensive unit is shit yet we have kept five clean sheets in a row???? I mean, who are these cunts? Are they a buch of 8 year olds blindly following a troll, or a bunch of bored unemployed 30 year olds living with thier parents? Yesterday someone said Luiz head is still at Chelsea, well obviously said… Read more »
We have kept five clean sheets in a row, mostly against awful opposition!
Context is king!
We should reserve judgement until we have seen the PL results of the 4 weeks starting 31st January.
Man Utd H
Wolves A
Aston Villa A
Leeds H
Man City H
Leicester A
Smith Rowe is having the Coquelin affect when he was brought back from Charlton at the end of 2014, a real season saver. It’s great watching him make goals for Saka.
Cedric with a foul throw? Wanker.
Laca wiping snot of Willian, should’ve shoved it down his throat, what with him demanding to take the free kick. Finally got rid of Ozil, now to be rid of Willian.
* 30th
Must admit, a bit worried about ESR putting so much into the game chasing down everything, he looked totally knackered when he came off, hope he can last the season out like that ?
Someone posted a clip on twirra of Xhaka pointing to a safe backpass while ESR played a more risky, acute forward pass. It was a minor detail but very telling in the mentality of the midfielders in terms of ball progression and pressuring the opposition to be on the backfoot. Xhaka is a decent passer of the ball and can spank the odd 40 yard screamer but he isn’t built for pace. He’d not find room in Man City or Liverpool’s midfield. Bissouma/Buendia would be a definite upgrade on him as they have the recovery pace. All in all,, a… Read more »
Balogun has to be watching ESR+Saka, and if he doesn’t want to complete the Hale Enders Trifecta, then we should get a decent fee for him with a sell-on/first-option-buy-back clause.
Nketiah should also be sold, I don’t get why Arteta gave him false hopes. West Ham would have been a decent level to cut his teeth.
Couple questions to keep the discussion going. 1. Should we sell Laca or give him a new contract? 2. Who to blame for out of top4 finish? Laca has been decent this season. He is playing his heart out, scored some goals and fighting for everything. However, overall he has been a high paid substitute to Auba. We have a replacement in Maetinelli. Imo he should be sold. Top4 – we can’t keep shifting the goal post. If we don’t finish in top4 someone has to take the blame. Imo, it’s Arteta and his stubbornness for preferring certain players and… Read more »
We won’t be getting anything for Balogan, he is into his final 6 months and will see out his contract if he doesn’t sign on again.
We were never in the hunt for top 4 before the season began, we are not likely to for another 18 months at least.
That’s the owners fault.