GOOD MORNING TO YOU ALL!
Waking up to a new keeper signing was the fuel I needed to get me through the day.
Matt Ryan joins us on loan from Brighton for the remainder of the season. The Aussie comes with over 100 Premier League appearances worth of experience. He’s a very capable signing and he will allow us to all breath a sigh of relief when we watch Bernd Leno play. Make no mistake, Runnarson would have been deadly to our season if we’d needed to have called upon him.
Signing for the club you grew up supporting as a kid ✔️ @Arsenal
Buzzing to be beginning this new chapter and will give everything I’ve got to contribute to the first club I ever loved. pic.twitter.com/IUohEjFKVK
— Maty Ryan (@MatyRyan) January 22, 2021
Some folk are pointing to poor save percentages, and sure, he’s been out of form this year, but this Brighton fansite points out that maybe covid and family separation has added to that. Overall though, he’s been a big part of keeping a very underfunded team in the league and he’ll add the strength we’ve lacked to the keeping department.
There also sounds like there are rumblings on the left-back front. Currently, Kieran Tierney is backed up by Pablo Mari or Bukayo Saka. Neither option are satisfactory. We’re apparently looking very closely at Ryan Bertrand. The experienced 31 year old is running low on his deal and could be loaned in like Cedric was last year. Not the ideal age profile, but ultimately, we’re up against it this window and as long as there isn’t a 14 year deal at the end, I’m fine with this.
The really exciting rumour? Martin Ødegaard. The NORWEGIAN youngster has gone from ‘no chance’ to ‘very good chance.’ Kike Marin about-faced on his doubts. He’s now leading the charge with Ornstein that the player is very close to making the move to London.
This would be a real coup. We’re not in the financial space to be dropping mega-money on Buendia this window. The best move was always likely to be a loan. What I love about bringing this precocious talent to the club is that it ‘seems’ like a shift in mindset from Edu and Arteta. The easier move and the sexier one might have been Isco or Eriksen. They’d give you instant impact, where Martin Ø might take some bedding in.
… but man, this makes us instantly more exciting. Last season, he played an important role at the exciting Real Sociedad project. He was 2nd to only Messi for progressive balls. I think he was also second with through balls. Third was Santi!
There are limitations to his game. Zizou doesn’t like his nice hair and the defensive lapses in his game. Let’s be real, Madrid is a long, long way from where we are as a club. The bar for making us more creative is quite low. We’ll be better for having him in the squad.
The 22 year old Norway international had a hand in 16 goals during 36 Sociedad outings – and they wanted him back. Solbakken said Arsenal would suit the Madrid playmaker and fits the Arsenal style of play.
“It (Arsenal) is a team with great traditions that have underperformed for a while now. I like Arteta, I think he is a very good manager. But he is not going to a club that is a self-propelled machine. He is going to another country, another league, a different tempo. It shows he has great belief, which makes me happy. The way Arsenal play can fit him well, a kind of football that suits him. He can also play in different midfield roles, whichever Arteta chooses, different formations. He will get assists and be a good team player.”
David Nielsen, his manager at Strømsgodset, likened him to David Silva and Lionel Messi. International teammate and Rosenborg winger Morten Gamst Pedersen dubbed Odegaard “The most talented player I have ever seen. For his age he is unbelievable – his knowledge of the game is unbelievable and his technical skills are fantastic.”
Those quotes are SEXY.
We are not hitting the top 4 this season. This sort of signing for me is all about showing the fans what the future of our football ‘could’ look like. What we’ve badly lacked is quality in the final third, we’ll land that with Martin. Imagine him feeding the runs of ESR, Martinelli, Auba, and Saka.
Finally… Matteo Guendouzi having a bust-up coming out for the second half with one of his teammates? COLOUR ME SHOCKED. He might be talented, but he is Mario Balotelli levels of ‘loose cannon’ and he likely always will be.
See you in the comments.
‘Edu probably thinks Ødegaard is a ski lodge’
via @trentmcginn
We both hope this ages badly.
— Le Grove (@LeGrove) January 19, 2021
Omg that was so bad from Pepe on that break. Jeez what did we pay for? Worst bit of business we’ve ever done.
China
“. He literally looks like a 10 year old playing with 13 year olds. He’s so far off looking relevant.His first touch is absolutely miserable on most of the times he does get near it”
First half.
Eddie 11 passes 100% completion
Martinelli 9 passes 78% completion
Pepe 12 passes 80% completion
Looks like eddie was the best of a poor bunch.
I’d rather have a slightly inferior poacher who has at least *something* else about their game If you’re going to be such a specialist you have to be a monster at that one thing you’re good at (like auba). There’s no room for Eddie to be a good poacher and an otherwise bad footballer at this level. Auba gets criticism for his overall game not being enough and he’s one of the top few poachers on the fricking planet. If auba can get criticized for his overall game then Eddie should be concerned because he’s not in the same league… Read more »
Embarrassing. Gabriel seriously off form.
Hindsight is marvelous isn’t it, most of you now blaming the coach for resting the first team players would have still be first up in arms berating him if he stared them seeing as Tierney, EsR and Saka have had little rest all season
You cant have it both ways
How many games will Nketiah get to prove he’s not good enough?
Holy Crap… one pass from the Keeper and in on goal.. Team is in zombie mode.
No Eddie looks out of place in an Arsenal shirt
Now you see the real Xhaka. He only looks good against teams packing the bus.
Pierre if you only judge a performance by selectively picking out one favorable stat then sure
You’re absolutely kidding yourself if you think Eddie looked anything other than a youth team player in that half
As for being the best of a bad bunch. Sorry is that like the 4th place trophy? I’m not impressed by that and neither should anyone be
Victorious, nobody would argue changes were not needed. This many were always going to be a disaster.
Glad to know Pierre has had a quick turn around since Ozil left
Eddie Nkettiah is the lucky lad who’s the focus of his affections.
Soon there will be ‘Eddie obsessives’.
Arsenal players playing like they don’t care. No urgency. No real desire to get forward
I mean sure we have Nketiah in there to pay attention to his pass completion and not that he’s barely a threat to the opposition defence
Please see how xacka hasn’t touched the ball, can’t deal with a team pressing him, the small man comes out, scared to get on the ball
“Eddie 11 passes 100% completion
Martinelli 9 passes 78% completion
Pepe 12 passes 80% completion“
Denilson all over again, just like Uncle Arsene good old days lol.
Throwing the cup away without a fight! Willian & Pepe suck big time
This is fucking awful……what has been said at half time as we have started worse than the 1st half….. Said it for a long time we have zero leaders at the club bar Tierney…… Its just too comfortable for them they play shit and no one says a fucking word to them……
Agree the unfab 4 are the big problem
All need to be shunted out this summer for whatever we can get. They are blocking academy players who would have put up a lot more
Gabriel does look shaky but seems to be picking up as the game goes on. He just needs game time
Resting the first team players is the right thing. It’s just a shame our experienced and players on big contracts are so poor. This isn’t Artetas fault. (Only Willian).
I hope we get rid of every player in the starting 11, bar Leno, Gabriel and Martinelli.
I never like Holding’s passes.
If Arteta can’t see how bad Eddie is then he should go.
No changes will be made until the 67 min just watch.
Martinelli s energy and runs are impressive given his lack of games His sharpness is off as you’d expect
Pierre
Your defence of Eddie is admiral. But I am sure Elneny has clocked up more passes – short backwards and sideways passes. When you try something different to break the line the success rate is bound to be lower but still has more potential of getting a goal!
Hold on there’s hope.
Criticising Cedric? Seriously? What the fuck is up with you people?
Also made no tackles, so he’s just running vertically, zero. Impact.
Too. May passengers in here right now
Pierre you’re such a disingenuous guy as well lol. At your age it’s really sad to see
What passes does a CF make? Most of them are sideways and backwards or to players in space, unlike a winger or midfielder who is more likely to try some crosses and occasionally adventurous forward passes that are less likely to find their targets
But by all means from now on Pierre, let’s just judge all performances by pass completion stats.
Absolute moron lol
Partey coming on.
Demeanor of Eddie isn’t on. No one needs to give you 6 inch tap in on a platter.
You need to work hard to get the ball and create a half yard to shoot…
Partey on??
Now Southampton are bullying us
Looks like Saka on too.
Once we bear the Southampton press we’ll get some joy. But we cannot show enough quality on the ball. Really poor from us.
Saka on too.
What I really like about Gabriel is his passes are the most progressive of all of our defenders
He’s has to put Laca on quickly to give him enough time.
I wonder what percentage of times the ball is hit at Eddie that he successfully managed to keep it
He has no touch or deftness. Balls bounce off him. It’s a massive issue
Must be protecting Martinelli as no logic why we’d keep Willian on
Martinelli off. Why?? Saka on creates partnership
What has Eddie done to staying on?
AshburtonJanuary 23, 2021 13:24:45
Two French league centre backs bought… 2 duds, Leicester got the the one proper centre back… Typical arsenal
Jesus….they’ve been at the club 5 minutes
Here comes the cavalry.. Hopefully they get some energy going.
Holding done more than Eddie.
Lol! Takes off Martinelli and leaves Wilian on the pitch
Martinelli off and we persist with pepe and Willian……….why???????
If only we had a player like Ward Prowse who could take corners
I cannot stand watching Willian or Pepe in an arsenal shirt.
This sort of ‘crosses’ show how poor bellerin can be going forward. No consistency whatsoever
Pierre
Eddie may come good in the future but atm, he has to improve on so many levels. How can a player improve if he’s not being pressurised to perform?
100% pass completion for a FW means he isn’t taking any risks.
I’m just guessing but martinelli might be off to protect him because he’s still coming back from injury and he was banged around a bit first half
Ned to protect Martinelli and so I don’t have a problem per se
Willian and Pepe need to prove themselves now or they’re both finished
Bellerin is so bad.
Partey was a wasted sub
I’d like to see ESR and Lacazette come on.
We don’t get close enough to goal without ESR and it doesn’t stick without laca
why persist with this retired player aka william
FFS. FOUL throws again by Soares.
Cedric with another foul throw
I mean Lacazette can’t be any worse
Bellerin again??
He really is a poor footballer than bloke
I hope this means he doesn’t start Tuesday
Arsenal. Foul throw central. lol.
Looks like Benitez incoming
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/23/rafa-benitez-china-dalian-pro
Pathetic defence of the cup
Pepe is a horrible horrible footballer
Shocking scenes Pete creates
Eddie really looking out of depth here.
I’m starting to feel embarrassed for Pepe.
And another foul throw. I’m embarrassed for everyone.
So so so slow
It’s painful
What’s an Arsenal game without a foul throw?
Nketiah is a very limited player
Arteta is making droplets substitution. Saka looking frustrated like left fending for himself. Arsehole got 5 subs entitlement , in case intention is to change the game from the shitshow
Looks like Benitez incoming
”
Wish Benitez can sub Arteta on 70″!!!
Sorry scene. Is Arsenal playing ?
We have a set piece specialist coach and we can’t stop making these foul throws
There something wrong with the coaching structure.
Time for changes
Laca ESR and Saka please
Who was picking Walcott up there when he pulled away? So much space given to him.
Martinelli did fuck all either….
The cup remains our best hope of European football next year
We need to take this far more seriously
A silver lining for your thoughts?
At least Willian isn’t stinking up our EPL squad…
Meek finish from Eddie
With 5 subs, put Martinelli back on. Don’t want this Eddie guy stinking it out …
Didn’t connect with the. ball taking that shot!!
What other teams get pulled up for foul throw ins?
Refs told to watch us from Mr Riley
This Southampton hipster goal kicks are hilarious
I’m shocked how slow Willian runs. I always thought he could run but he can’t. Opposition always catch up with him.
Leeds gunner
William shouldn’t be anywhere near this team
Great ball from Pepe there
He’s created two great chances for Nketiah
A bit sorry that our 2nd string is so devoid of quality that we had to bring on Partey and Saka to rescue this.
If the Southampton keeper and defenders were all 19 years old, Eddie scores that every time.
How the fuck is that not hand ball??!
Saka needs credible partner(s), not only his own…
Is ESR on the benxh?
Absolutely disgraceful performance so far from the holders of the fa Cup…… Embarrassing stuff…… Southampton should be out of sight….. Arteta will say we created enough opportunities to win blah blah blah……. Truth is this is the end of our season here……. And shoukd be the end of Willian, pepe, elneny, nketiah, soares, xhaka but we all know they will be pulling on the arsenal shirt for a a long time yet……
Handball. Walker Peter got away with one.
Foul flows WTF!
Why is Willian still on the pitch?
That’s a fucking penalty
Oh my god
How is that not a penalty?
Laca coming
It could be goodbye FA cup.
Arteta out
Was that a poor effort from Nketiah? should he had done more with that shot instead of that toe poke?
Laca ready. Back 3 nkw?
Please please sell bellerin this summer. I can’t bear him any more
That’s a very bizarre change
Saka drops back to defend???
I’m surprised that wasn’t a penalty. 9 out of 10 of those were given earlier in the season.
Was that a poor effort from Nketiah? should he had done more with that shot instead of that toe poke?
I think he’s getting a bit of the scape goat treatment personally
That effort from nketiah was a scuffed chance that was made to look better because it took a deflection off the defender.
Nketiah, Willock and Nelson should all be on loan right now. None of them are good enough even as squad players.