Hope is a wonderful drug and damn did we just hoover up a couple of grams of it off the bathroom floor.
United LOST to Sheffield United.
Leicester drew.
Chelsea drew.
Villa LOST to Burnley.
IS THE DOOR OPEN TO TOP 4?
Well, technically yes.
Remember, the objective of the club was always to be within spitting distance of top 4 come the end of February. Where are we? 5 points off 4th after 20 games.
Sure, there are plenty of teams that could bypass us, but however you cut it, we’re a 5 game winning streak away from being very competitive.
At this point, the season becomes a cup run. By ditching the FA Cup, we have given ourselves enough breathing room to stay fit and focus on two potential entries into the Champions League. We can make it the old fashioned way or we can win a very competitive Europa League.
After the disgusting run we had in December, we in no way deserve anything this season, but we are where we are, and things are CERTAINLY looking up.
Firstly, we have options for creativity. Arsenal finally landed Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid on a 6-month loan deal. The Norwegian is one of the best creators in La Liga, he has a saucy pedigree, and Arsenal are very likely looking at the longterm with this guy if he comes good. This is a superb piece of business from Edu, it really is. What impresses me the most is the easier sell to the fans would have been Eriksen or Isco. This was a harder decision with a long view in mind. That takes courage and I’m glad we did it. It shows we’re learning after our summer fiasco with Willian.
The new boy doffed the cap to his new leader.
“I spoke to him before coming here, of course,”
“That was very important for me and he seems like a top manager and I liked his ideas, the way he sees football and also the way he is.
“He gave me a great feeling and that was important for me to come here. He was crucial.
“I think every time you go to a new place, you want to make sure that it feels good and that there is a plan. But I think everything here just seems good.
“I like the club and I always liked the way that the club wants to play. Everything about the club and now how the manager wants to play, I think it’s a club that really suits me well. So I think it’s a good match.”
I know we shouldn’t read too much into what players say about the words of a new coach, but let’s be real here, he was going to Sociedad until he landed the Mikel call. Arteta is very good at selling a vision, the question is still out if he can deliver on it, but at least he’s tempting players to join him on his quest. Another little basic, but Arteta doesn’t just sell himself, he sells Arsenal, because he loves the club. That’s important.
If you want a superb breakdown of the players, check out the BTL scouting report on him here.
I’m hoping there’s a deal to be done for a left-back but after the solid showing from Soares, maybe we don’t need to worry about that right now.
Transfer wise, it’s been a strong window.
We’re also witnessing something of a CLICK with the squad in general. There are less unanswered questions. We know Willian is not going to cut it. We know Saka is best in the front three. We know ESR can take on senior levels of creative responsibility. We know Pablo Mari, Gabriel, Rob Holding, and David Luiz are our center-back 4. Bernd Leno is a world-class goalkeeper and our back-up is Premier League standard.
We now know that the future of the Arteta system is about young, intelligent, energetic players ready to do the work.
We know that Mikel Arteta does NOT intend to play shit football. He has found the right blend of players that give us defensive control and attacking flair. Still a long way to go, but we can finally see what the vision is.
The squad is finally fit. Say what you will about the first half of the season, but even the most ardent #ArtetaOut fan has to cede that we had problems with injuries. Thomas Partey is a fucking dream midfielder, he’s hardly played, he will be a difference-maker. ESR was injured. Gabriel Martinelli was injured. Those players change the dynamic of who you are.
We’re also fitter from a mentality perspective. Mesut, Sokratis, and Saliba were all problematic. Now they’re out the picture, the strength of the outcasts has weakened. The power of David Luiz and Willian has also been put in check. There can be no big dick swinging when you are a peripheral player and no cheerleading misery from pissed players out of the squad. That’ll be huge for the atmosphere.
Now, all of this feels very positive, but it’ll still be really tough for us to make a mark on our objectives. We’re one or two injuries away from disaster… but the hope is we’ve had our ground zero moment and the rest of the season will see a bit more joy.
United on Saturday is going to be huge for us. We beat them earlier in the season before falling off a cliff. Can we repeat that form? Can we really put a stake in the ground and show that we can manage the nerves of a big game on a good run? Can young players step up again? Can Thomas Partey and Auba lead the charge? So many questions are ready to be answered and I can’t wait… and that’s the plus, right? Looking forward to Arsenal again.
Right, see you in the comments.
That’s what grates me, they went and spunk almost 30 quid for Semedo, meaning we could have negotiated a much higher fee and added to our coffers instead our manager and Edu decided to keep a player who was already surplus to requirement. Amateur hour stuff
Kooks like AMN is going on a 6-month loan to Southampton. Not bad if he gets regular game time.
Zacherse I hear you brother. It’s true that a lot of the mess we are in right now is a carry on from Wenger and the negligence of the Kroenkes. Wenger got so powerful (deservedly) and didn’t have anyone to check him. This means that he could do whatever he wanted as long as it felt right to him. Frankly, that’s the problem I am already seeing with Arteta. He is barely 18 months in and already has Wenger-like powers. And he’s 18 months into management! A coach must always be checked by a manager or director while a manager… Read more »
Mb
Agreed. If a loan is the only option Soton a far more sensible destination than WBA. One thing about Tuesday’s game that struck me was Soton’s energy and ability to track back. Our wide players were often surrounded by 3 or 4 Soton players working to regain possession. And the managers are on different planets in terms of reading the game. Those sorts of influences could really help Maitland to improve.
We all wanted to keep AMN, Arteta waxed lyrical about his potentials and skillset. We saw it on the pitch too. It wasn’t sustainable because we weren’t always going to play a reactive 343 hybrid. We then signed Cedric. If Arteta felt the way he felt about AMN why did he sign off on Ced? If he found out AMN wasn’t all that, why then didn’t he sign off on selling him? Head scratcher that one
Nobody offered us enough money.
AMN is no different from every player he is competition for his place in the starting eleven. At the moment he’s a squad player. Cedric has taken his chance, Ainsley didn’t do the same. Arteta and his coaches obviously feel he’s not ready for a regular starting position and therefore it is sensible to send him out on loan; to give him playing time and get his wages off the books. Seems pretty sensible to me. We need to remember Arteta and his coaches are on the training pitch with these players. They know everything about them, their personalities, ability… Read more »
AFC Forever,
This !
All these muppets oh here think they know better than those working with these players every single day of training, fact is, they know nothing at all about coaching or Managing a PL football club, Period.
Bergkamp63
“All these muppets oh here think they know better than those working with these players every single day of training, fact is, they know nothing at all about coaching or Managing a PL football club, Period.”
So basically, you ignorant fool saying “SHUT UP AND SUPPORT THE TEAM” follow my opinion or you’re negative muppets!!!!.
Come on, let’s at least try and be objective. For sure usually you’d expect that the coaches would know the players best but be honest, football fans don’t watch thousands of matches and develop no nose for a good player or a poor one. Plenty on here have been watching the game for years before our manager was even born. Given for example MA’s persisitence with Willian it’s difficult to claim that coaches are always right. In this case thet clearly weren’t and it took a long time for the penny to drop. By all means keep up the cheerleader… Read more »
Mediocrity will always be threatened by talent. There is nothing mediocrity fears more than talent.
Im telling you for free
“they know nothing at all about coaching or Managing a PL football club, Period.”
This is great. Only people with experience managing a PL football club should post their opinions on le-grove. Period.
Time up, Tell me, with your extensive knowledge of working with these players daily, which of them are performing during training, which are trouble makers, which of them have bigger ego’s than their team mates or the club itself, which of them fit into the system you have decided to play against our next opponents and which of them are injured. Oh, you don’t know ? Thought so, why don’t we then leave it up to those who are better qualified and far more knowledgable to do the job they are being paid to do by the owners of the… Read more »
Northbanker,
I think 433 could work with the defence still being covered if the full back don’t go up at the same time and one of them move closer to midfield.
As you said, with low block teams we MUST use it.
Knowing Arteta, for now he will be using 4231, he’s not at the stage to be adventurous, by nature he’s cautious manager. He waited to move from 343, which was a nightmare, after we were in the relegation zone.
You could take some of the comments more seriously if they had something positive to say when result have been good, which they have.
I get it if we were still around the relegation zone but we are not.
Bergkamp63,
I can tell you with my “limited knowledge” that,
Run boy was a shit keeper and I didn’t need to be goal keeper coach.
I can tell you Arteta hard on Willian is not healthy, without even saying hello to him.
I can tell you, I knew after 2008 I knew Uncle Wenger went mental after telling us for 3 years Almunia was top top top quality goalie, without even visit the training ground.
So, what’s your point????.
JamieJanuary 29, 2021 15:35:05
“they know nothing at all about coaching or Managing a PL football club, Period.”This is great. Only people with experience managing a PL football club should post their opinions on le-grove. Period
One can only assume if results are good, and comments constantly negative, they are simply trolling !
Bergkamp63,
“I get it if we were still around the relegation zone but we are not.”
Even if we win the CL every year, we’ll still have an opinion, that’s what football fans do. You like to shut up and support the team!. Good for you, let’s mortals have an opinion without being called muppets 👍.
You said it,
“Limited Knowledge”
Understatement of the highest order !
Bergkamp63,
“Understatement of the highest order !”
At least you said something funny and stopped being miserable bastard.
Ben Cottrell had a stormer this afternoon apparently with the U23s against the Spuds.
Worth a consideration for the future? Miguel Azeez, Matt Smith and Ben Cottrell are three midfielders I wouldn’t mind seeing more of. If they could make the step up and contribute to the squad firstly as squad players they could save the club millions!
The people that run the Academy deserve plaudits and securing for the future.
They are extremely effective in producing EPL grade players. The next step is to start achieving better financial returns for those we decide not to keep on Arsenal’s books.
Leeds
Ben Cottrell has been very good everytime I’ve seen him play. My only worry with him is he’s quite small.
One player you didn’t mention was Catalin Cirjan. One of my favourite U23 players, he’s very impressive, would love to see him given a go at CM.
Anyone else think that indications are positive that we haven’t heard anything from either camp, the club or the Balogun’s agent that he has decided to move on? Surely, in this case, no news is good news? I know earlier int the window the vibes were quite negative that there was an impasse and that it was a foregone conclusion that he would leave. I would have thought of this was indeed the case, that the agent and the new club would have made a big fanfare about it?!? I mean, think about it, if the relationships between club and… Read more »
Samir
What’s Catalin Cirjan‘s strongest position? Is he an attacking mid?
The way i see it is, Willian was a starter and now he’s not a starter. Obviously this means that Arteta is losing faith in him but is giving him game time here and there in the hope that he can play himself into form and gain some confidence. If he doesn’t play himself into form then i presume he will go further down the pecking order and other players will be tried .. Odegaard coming in is a clear indication of where we are going . If Willian continues to be given chances and continues to under perform then… Read more »
Leeds
Yes, mainly attacking CM but has played on either wing too. He can dribble, he’s got some tricks, great passer and can finish. Exciting talent for sure.
Hopefully we get a real look at all these players next season.
Doesn’t matter how many times they zee these players in training, he club ultimately had to make money somehow and player sales has always been a huge part of that and something Arsenal football club has been very bad at. Everyone can’t play so no need hoarding players and reducing their value. You get a good enough offer for a fringe player or a youth player who’s not up to scratch then you sell him immediately. Again, while its cool to waive pon pons and rejoice in the good form, its also okay to point out aspects where the manager… Read more »
Leeds Like you, I have a passion for seeing young players breakthrough. It is really hard for them because of the pressure to win at the highest level. The step up to PL level is massive, it should not be underestimated. That is why Wenger used to use the League Cup as a competition to get young players game time and assess them in more competitive games. I know I repeat this often but with young players, one of the biggest factors is their on-field decision making. Two technically identical players are not the same in that respect. The reality… Read more »
Can’t keep a full squad of average joes and then keep whinning the next transfer window that the owners don’t put in money when you keep letting players run down their contracts or like we’ve recently learnt to terminate said contract having cost the club millions of dollars, it’s not feasible.
Chelsea though make a bucket load from those youngsters though, that’s the thing, not all the youngsters will make it, there’s so much money involved for anyone to carry along players who don’t seem to have the character or desire to make it in the first team or can stand the pressure associated with said club. Its a results business
We’ve got the likes of Miguel Azeez and co coming through the ranks which is brilliant but they’ll barely get their Chance in the first team because players like Joe Willock who hasn’t exactly taken their chances fully are still taking up squad places.
We need to be more decisive with our young players, they won’t all make it. We can’t carry them along till they’re 26/27 hoping for them to show any kind of promise. There’s more Afobe’s and Akpom’s than there are Gnarby’s or Malen’s.
Sell and promote from the academy and give other youngsters more chances.
Chelsea stopped players development. They didn’t need to bring young players through because their managers could spend whatever they wanted. So they used young players as commodities to trade. Of course, every club wants to turn a profit through player development but Chelsea took it too far. One season they had 38 players on loan which is why the PL were so concerned. They didn’t see youngsters as potential players for the club, they saw them as a money-making opportunity. Arsenal does it properly as do other clubs. I think we should be proud of how we encourage young players.… Read more »
Loris likes to fight with teammates!
Fact You could have got a great non-footballing man manager dealing with these players, on a daily basis, over these past few months and he could have done a far better job than Arteta. It doesn’t take an Einstein to see where the problems lie in a team environment and it doesn’t take an Einstein to read the body language of players. Just because posters have strong opinions on things doesn’t make them ignorant. In fact, I’d say there are many posters on here who are more experienced and knowledgeable at dealing with these aspects of coaching, than Arteta. Imo,… Read more »
Tuchel won’t last.
Roman is already pissed off.
Mount not playing against Wolves.
Crazy!
British vaccines don’t work, what a scandal
The greatest coach ever was Sir Alex.
Mourinho not even close.
Any manager who has the likes of Kane, Song, Bale, Lamela, Bergwijn and Moura in their team, who relies on OTT defensive structure to win games at home, against a shaky pool side, is not a great coach.
Just an opinion.
H19
Expand please.
According to france and Germany
60% effective
My oldest friend, someone I’ve known for 40 years, is a director for AstraZeneca. The vaccines work fine.
KT hopefully back for tomorrow, ESR and Partey fully fit.
Team for tomorrow
Leno
Bell (it should be Cedric but Arteta would go with our captain) .
Holding
Luiz
KT
Xhaka
Partey
ESR (Odegaard would be coming late)
Pepe (should be Martinelli as Bissaka would bully Pepe defensively and offensively)
Laca
Saka.
But Arsenal hasn’t been truly competitive in like forever. Not sure Chelsea and their multiple league and European championships will care that much that Nathan Chalobah is now at Watford or that Marko van Ginkel hasn’t kicked on properly since like forever.
We need a more ruthless streak with our young players, one immediately can spot young players that have got something about them and those that don’t.
Can’t tell me Liverpool are butt hurt with losing Harry Wilson and Brewster.
New post!
Graham62 “Fact You could have got a great non-footballing man-manager dealing with these players, on a daily basis, over these past few months and he could have done a far better job than Arteta” That is not fact. It is your opinion. It is one some will agree with, others will not. It is not a fact at all, it’s just because you have never liked Arteta and part of the anti-Arteta narrative on this blog. “The greatest coach ever was Sir Alex.” We get a lot of love for the Bully Fergie on here. This is an interesting debate… Read more »
Pogba looks like a starved version of bubba from Forrest Gump
Great header xakha
Please arsenal
Make this count