OMFG A RESULT.
Sure, sure, winning in the Europa League last 16 isn’t busting out the red panties and champagne, but a win, is a win, is a win.
The game followed a very familiar pattern.
Total control + massive unforced errors. The main difference this time is we took our chances going forward.
The first half was painfully dominant. We controlled the play, had lots of different answers in attack, and we hit the target with TWO freekicks. It was quite the scene.
… but lurking in the dark, like a sweaty pervert at a work party, was an unforced error. The biggest one came from Martin Odegaard, he played a hospital pass across midfield, the ball was intercepted and we were lucky to escape the counter with a nothing moment. David Luiz also had one of his standard brain farts that has cost us so often in his short career with us.
The Norwegian loanee did make amends down the other end though. He took control of the ball on the edge of the box, looked up for the pass and decided instead to fire off a fizzing shot at the Olympiacos keeper who totally made a hash of the save. SCORCHIO was all I could say. What a way to open your goal-scoring account.
The second half should have been more comfortable than it was. The mistake was a Leno/Ceballos class in clowning. Bernd Leno received a fairly standard pass back him on the edge of his box, he had three options open, he chose to go back to a tightly marked Ceballos, the Spaniard didn’t have the skill to protect the ball, and we were punished to the max as usual.
I think we were all a little worried Arsenal would shut down like we normally do after a mistake. It didn’t happen this time. Willian came to the rescue with his immense creativity again. He dropped a deep cross from a short corner, Gabriel barged in front of Auba who was tracking, putting a sublime header back across goal. Inch perfect stuff from the Brazilian.
7 assists for Willian this season. The new Ozil? No. The new Arsenal GOD. He’s not my fave, but if he’s contributing, it’s a good thing for everyone.
The final goal was all about Mo Elneny. He picked the ball up in midfield, drove at goal, and unleashed fury. Stunning stuff from the best Egyptian in world football. He loves a goal in the Europa.
Arsenal left Greece for the 2nd time this month, but far happier. We beat a solid Champions League side with ease and left with a whopping 3 away goals. That means Olympiacos have to score 3 without a response to win. A tough ask against a team that doesn’t ship goals like they used to. Also a risky game to attack if we spring load our forward line with pace merchants like Pepe and Martinelli.
Some negatives?
Thomas Partey came off on 55 minutes, he didn’t have his best game, but I am sure he’ll be available for the NLD at the weekend. Even when he’s having an off night, he contributes. His assist set the ball rolling. I think we have to be fair with him, his fitness is precious and he’s still adapting to the club. I can’t wait to see him develop the way we know he will.
The main talking point was Bernd Leno again. Martinez fans were running around aroused after the game, keen to whine that we sold the wrong keeper. It’s certainly not that simple to my mind, but the more this new system evolves, the clearer it is that Bernd needs to sharpen his game with the ball at his feet. Leno made the error today, but let’s be clear, it wasn’t his at the weekend.
Some moan that it’s a system issue. I disagree. Playing out the back is part of the way Arteta wants to play. It has more benefits to our play than it does negatives, so to bin it would be a weakness (Emery caved, and he’s meek management 101). It’s about the players making better decisions. Everything else in the German’s game is electric. He just needs to double down and concentrate a bit more.
7 of the 14 goals we’ve conceded this year have been from unforced errors. Arteta knows this is a problem.
“We have to be very clear and honest with ourselves. We gave three chances to the opponent, they took one and at that level they are going to punish you,”
“If we want to go to the next level we have to stop that and be more ruthless and when we are that dominant, kill the games off.”
It’s annoying, but it’s also a gift. It means it’s absolutely clear the job that needs to be done this summer. Some of this can be eradicated over time. I do not expect Martin O to make those mistakes next season. Some of it can be addressed with coaching. Some will come with the natural churn in the squad as we upgrade.
Overall though, what we’re seeing on the pitch is exciting. As I’ve been saying for a while, there’s something brewing at Arsenal. The football has a clear identity, the players all know what they’re doing, and we’re producing high-quality chances over and over again. 18 shots, 8 on target… that’s a good outlay considering where we were a few months ago.
We have a really solid group of players at the moment. Look at the squad reaction when Martin O scored that goal. The players are together. Look at how they reacted to BIG Mo scoring his goal. There’s a culture building. It’s exciting.
The fundamentals are there. We defend well, our off-the-ball movement is great, we have style, and we create excellent chances. Arsenal are on the right path. Now we have to prove our mettle by beating Spurs on Sunday. A huge ask, but a do-able one. That game is our Premier League Cup Final. Win, and it’s all smiles, anything else, it’ll be a problem.
See you in the comments. x
Tom
speak for yourself. you’re inability to understand the game is there for all to see
Sorry Zacharse
You said it was class, not world class. But, still, I think we are at completely different ends of the
spectrum with regards to how we rate Willian.
I loved how the players celebrated Elneny’s goal. He seems to be a great guy to have as a backup midfield option. Loved by the players and the coaches, never complains, always gives his 100 percent on the field, scores a banger every 12 months.
Matt
fair enough. I’m still very happy about the win personally and I expect some momentum to build from it
Zacharse
Of course, I am very happy with the win as well, despite our usual attempts at shooting ourselves in the foot.
Zacharse living up to his name talking absolute rubbish. Willian assist was simply a lob into the penalty area which every EPL footballer should be capable of doing, It was hardly a pinpoint pass which imo is what constitutes a real assist.
Gabriel had to time his run to perfection and still make a phenomenal leap and an awesome header to convert from quite some way out. Great goal and only one player deserved credit – Gabriel (had to spell that last bit out for Zacharse’s benefit)
https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/pure-bad-luck-or-cause-for-concern-a-thread-of-all-the-major-decisions-to-have-gone-against-arsenal-this-season/
I don’t give a shit about xg I care if we win
So Tom is concerned that Leno fucking up will ruin him… like he’s some sort of fragile child.
We’re also no pushing ‘bad assists’ which is interesting.
I actually think the ball was going to find Auba at the back post, Gabriel just took the initiative with an amazing intervention.
Willian ain’t my fave, but slagging him off for bad assists is a real low.
If you’re right Pedro and Arteta sticks to that system (personally I hate the rigidity – it should only be used sparingly and much more discretion whether to go long or not; a fast long throw is the best option of all when possible and certainly for when in transition; which is why I preferred Emi as he had the upper body strength to do this. But this isn’t about Emi, huge mistake as that was. It’s about Leno – he’s a great shot stopper – possibly the best in the Prem. BUT his judgement is so suspect so often… Read more »
Deflecting the blame from Leno for the Ceballos ball would be like approving of Arsenal playing a game of monkey in the middle ( rondo) five v five in their own penalty area( almost) but in a real game environment.
Even peak Barca never practiced even numbers rondos.
When five attackers close down four defenders it’s up to Leno to dink it over the top no matter what Arteta tells him in training.
Pedro
What’s worse, slagging Willian off for bad assists, which I don’t think anyone is actually doing, or trying to use his 7 ‘assists’ to justify his repeated inclusion in the team when most people with eyes can see he shouldn’t be!?
Pierre, paints quite a picture…
Matt, hard to deny his inclusion if he’s consistently popping up with the goods when it matters.
Like complaining about a striker you don’t like scoring goals and it being unfair to use their goals as reason for inclusion.
There’s a tough run of games coming up, plenty of rotation is needed, putting Willian in a Europa game is justified.
Northbanker, you are right… he has to adapt to the principles Arteta has.
Took City a while to work out that kink in their backline.
Good thing about Leno is that if we do decide to sell, there will be plenty of takers because he’s top drawer.
‘Like complaining about a striker you don’t like scoring goals and it being unfair to use their goals as reason for inclusion.’ Nice try Pedro, but it is nothing like that and you know it. You know that the majority of Willian’s assists have simply been very simple passes than any competent footballer could have made. If you are honestly going to tell me that makes up for his overall lack of contribution in every other aspect of the game then you really do surprise me. Has he actually had a shot on target yet in his 28 games for… Read more »
Na me ooo, I would have preferred that we kept Emi but we didn’t so that ship has sailed. Can Leno play from the back in the way Arteta wants ? So far it doesn’t look like it.
Can he improve? I don’t know. However my point stands he ain’t going anywhere soon so we will javevto love with those type of errors
“Willian ain’t my fave, but slagging him off for bad assists is a real low.“ Pedro There are no bad assists. There are ,however, assists that make you sit up and take notice because of the vision and skill needed, and then there are balls that end up being assist only because a player at the other end does something special. That’s why I gave the example of Adama Traore from last season who now only has 1 assist in 2000 minutes of play because the go getter Jimenez isn’t there to “ win” the aimless balls he used to… Read more »
Matt, again, the best players make things look simple. It’s like saying most of Auba’s goals are tap-ins. Negating the fact that it’s the movement and instinct that allows him to know where to be.
The Bard
and so will the opposition
Pedro
So Willian is now one of the ‘best players’?
Come on now, you surely cannot believe that. You keep saying that we need to judge progress on what we see with our eyes and not just stats, what are you seeing in Willian that is convincing you he is good enough for us – ignoring the 7 ‘assists’ for a moment.
Tom, you’re comparing a Wolves winger who has won nothing, to Willian, who has won it all with one of the most successful clubs in England.
The simple assists weren’t there last season, now they are, let’s just enjoy them over creating a new category to moan about.
In 14 years of writing this blog, I have never, ever heard about bad assists.
Pedro has gone full on Tony Atwood or whatever his name is at Untold.
Any hint of Arteta criticism, even indirect, is bound to get a repost.
For the record even when Arteta claimed Willian made the Tierney goal, which he didn’t, I said it was good man management trying to put some confidence into the struggling player.
Tom, when you’re on here spouting off that Leno might be broken by new demands / complaining about bad assists… it’s probably you that has the problem.
We’ve come away from Greece with 3 away goals and you want to talk about those two things? It’s odd the lengths you’ll go to be miserable.
The narrative around Klopp before he signed Van Dijk + Alisson, was that he was a defensively weak coach Liverpool kept throwing away leads late in games He then signed a few players, had time to coach his full backs, and turned Liverpool into one of the best teams in Europe There’s a few signs we’re becoming a much better team, but it’s hard to gage the exact level of improvement, because we’re coming from such a low bar before Xmas I think we should back Arteta, but we can’t afford to get our transfer business wrong, we’ve done far… Read more »
Arteta has explained what needs to be done to correct all these mistakes that lead to goals. The players have to play faster. His plan is to draw the opponents in. Once we play through them, it would open up a lot of space for our attack.
That sounds generational, isn’t it? He’ll need better players to execute his plan. Leno’s brain is not build to fulfill this requirement.
Fuck man, unreal levels of moaning after a win away from home. Save it for when we get spanked by Spuds.
So Tom is concerned that Leno fucking up will ruin him… like he’s some sort of fragile child.
Right, because professional players never lose confidence and go on a poor run of form.
Only children do, apparently.
I did enjoy the win last night, further more, even before the ball was kicked I said performance was secondary to the results so I’m hardly moaning.
Giving straight opinions used to be your thing too , what happened?
Performance, performance, performance.
We’ve been there with just results and everyone complained about it.
We need performances to map to the results. That’s mostly what we had last night and long may it continue.
There is no world where Arteta shithouses to wins and gets away with that with the fans going into next season.
He has to show the vision of what he’s trying to do, then get better players to execute it in the summer.
I’d be hopping the queue to have a go at Willian if he was performing at same level we saw earlier this season, followed by Arteta for playing him. Think some just need to accept he offers a variation on the left. That said Willian makes zero sense in the side with ESR and Øde both on the pitch but he’s got enough left in the tank duet with either given circumstance. Maybe controversial but it was a good call from Arteta to play him last night. Hard to argue with that 90 barring the ever present self inflicted bit… Read more »
Sal
The main thing is no Bellerin vs Son. Arteta has Cédric Soares fully rested.
“There is no world where Arteta shithouses to wins and gets away with that with the fans going into next season.“
I watched all top dogs in EL yesterday and no one looked great so it is absolutely possible to win this competition without play top level ball.
League is another story
Tom, doesn’t matter how others play… the deliverable for Arteta is convincing performances until the end of the season.
No good going fine margins, fans bitched when he did that.
‘He hates good football’
We played well last night and landed 3 away goals. Good performance. Good results. Same things to work on as before.
My take on the goal is that although Leno and to an extent Dani were at direct fault the ball would never have been back with Leno if Xhaka had not passed it back from around the half way line! Xhaka and the other back pass addicts must be instructed that in the modern pressing game all they are doing is putting our back line and Goalie under pressure. A back pass must be a last resort only, not an easy way out,
We’re in with a decent shout of winning the Europa
If Arteta wins two trophies in two seasons, getting us back into the Champions League
That would have to be seen as success
Hopefully our players earn the right to dance around with a trophy at the end of the season
What was immediately clear when ESR came on is his non stop movement into space and how quickly he looks to move the ball on and how it speeds up our play. maybe next year he could even combine well in midfield with Partey as his strength, engine and defensive side is pretty good.
Pedro
Great performance would be a bonus but no one in the right mind would complain about getting CL football next season after playing forgettable style football the rest of the way in Europe.
I sure wouldn’t.
There’s a difference between complaining, which seems you think it is what I’m doing here, and giving straight opinions in a cold light of day as to what I saw happened.
I don’t do favorites and always call it like I see it.
My only agenda is that Arsenal, and by extension, anyone associated with the club do well.
What the hell is a bad assist ? Seriously crazy shit being stated today
If a player starts their Arsenal career terribly but improves and ends up having a very good season are we allowed not to hate them anymore ?
Asking for a friend
Pedro One topic of discussion, which we need to cover before the end of this season is which players should we keep and also the positions on the field which need beefing up. I had this discussion today with a friend of mine who knows a lot more about the club than I do. GOALKEEPER A lot of posters agree that Martinez should have been retained. However, I would reluctantly keep Leno this season. His view is that we should retain Ryan as second string provided that the fee is modest. The third string should be promoted from Academy. CENTRE… Read more »
Correction
RB Soares decent squad player.
Emirates I agree with a lot of that however
I would
Sell bellerin and bring in a top replacement
Sell xhaka and bring in a mobile quick forward thinking cm
Sell lacca and bring in a proper 9 that can score and assist
It’s crazy how people change as they get older
Pedro’s moved from 19 successive top 4 finishes is failure, and we need to sack the manager
Emery finishing 5th and getting to a Europa League final is failure, and he should be sacked for having us in 8th place, and 5 points off 4th
Onto us being 10th, and the manager needs time….
I agree Arteta needs to be given time
But it also shows as people get older, they mature and become much more reasonable
Also sell certain squad players like nketiah chambers toriera guen and bring in up and coming players that can add value like Dortmund do
Oh and for the love of God give martinelli game time and develop Balogan
Rich I don’t thin Pedro has changed I think arsenal has and as such our desire has too
Now we need to see improvement and progress once that happens build a squad to deliver results then trophies will follow
We are not at the stage anymore where we have a team full of superstars
I’d be inclined to take a punt on Odegaard for between £30-£40 million An upgrade on Bellerin would be nice, providing we can move him on, I really like Matty Cash from Villa I don’t want a journeyman though as cover for Tierney, we need to genuine top class competition Full back is one of the most physically demanding, and most important positions in the team, we need to be able to rotate, particularly if we somehow get back into Europe The drop in our attacking output on the left without Tierney, is really big, we can’t afford to put… Read more »
The main take away from the Leno/Xhaka/ Ceballos episode should be that we need to mix it up and show future opponents Leno will kick it long when required.
Right now there’s no evidence that he will so that needs to change.
Burnley press had four against six in and around the area, and Olympiacos upped it to five v five and Leno still wouldn’t budge.
Expect teams to keep bringing heat until Leno and Arsenal can show they can mix it up.
Players have been compulsory passing back, irrespective of what better options available. Arteta the manager about as average as manager as his playing days. This is a non negotiable for Arteta and the seniors and politicos like Xaka and William do this consistently.
Ceballos mishap is documented ,bit even within 30 minutes there were cases involving Odegard (2} and Xaka ,as usual..
If Olympiacos moved the ball faster we would have been in trouble
David Luis as well at 39 minutes
Ha ha, just read the Arseblog’s take on the game at he’s giving Gabriel 99.9999999 % credit for his goal so his creditometer is even more fucked up that mine…….or just maybe he too has a sense of humor, which apparently the Untoldlegrovers have lost somewhere along the way.
I’d like us to bring in two centre midfielders. A Xhaka upgrade and someone who can cover the ground quickly.
Fabian Ruiz/Locatelli
Cheaper Bissouma type. I like Boubacar Kamara as he can also play CB.
For right back I like Aarons/Hakimi. Neither would be cheap though.
And I have a feeling we’ll see Odegaard back next season on loan.
Zero chances we win Europa. 0% Zilch.
Anyone who has watched even half of our games will know it’s unrealistic and virtually impossible. We are closer to the level of Fulham and Brighton than to Manure, Milan, Spuds, Roma and Ajax.
People who believe that we stand a chance are either idiots or agenda (Artgenda) driven.
Auber needs to get back to doing his front post runs like he did last year. His confidence is low and he is making central/back post runs to give himself more time. However, you score less goals that way. He needs to take a chance and back himself!
Raptora
We have as good a chance to win it as anyone remaining in it.
Tottenham looked good yesterday, which is a worry since we play them next, but no one else played particular well.
United were very poor against a none full strength Milan.
No agenda here.
Auba played crap yesterday, just not doing it.
The Leno thing glossed over his poor performance.
We need a new cf next season or maybe use our eternal sub Martinelli when Arteta wakes up.
Glad to see the back of Xhaka , this position needs freshening up.
Partey fell apart last night not sure about him, he seems to be struggling to fit in.
Boringnho already at the media aiming sly digs at the arsenal! What a prick
Arteta please shut the fcker up with a blistering performance and a result on Sunday! Don’t care if you have a hard on for Willian and hate Martinelli
Just please don’t let those mouth breathers beat us at home!
Watch the BT Sports highlights of the UEL games and listen to Martin Keon’s damaging assessment of Leno. Keon is in the never should have sold Emi crowd and believes these unforced errors are the goalkeeper’s fault because he can’t play passes to his defenders that are in the position to receive them. That pass from him should have never gone to Danny who had 3 players surrounding him, what was Leno thinking?
Arteta knows this but can’t get his players to learn and stop making mistakes in their own half.
Betting experts have Tottenham at 7/2,
United at 4/1, and Arsenal at 9/2 as third favorites to win EL , so apparently a lot of Arteta agenda driven idiots out there.
I wouldn’t bet on it, but our recent head to heads vs United have landed in our favour
The NLD is usually decided by small margins
We dispatched AC Milan with relative ease in 2018
We’re certainly capable of beating Roma, Granada, Rangers, Ajax or Villarreal
We’ve been to the semi final and final in recent seasons, no reason we can’t win it this season, the bookies don’t often get it wrong, we’re in with a good chance
“Looked like a pretty easy header to me, jumping over a guy he was 4″ taller than.”
Always amusing how the ones accusing other of unable to “read the game” make the craziest statements without fail.
I suppose the four inch height difference between the players was the reason Gabriel was able to elevate 30 inches higher.
Another blogger thought the goal should’ve been disallowed for elbow to face, while having the exact opinion when
Pedro Opening comments:
‘Sure, sure, winning in the Europa League last 16 isn’t busting out the red panties and champagne, but a win, is a win, is a win’
Pedro closing comments:
‘There’s a culture building. It’s exciting’
Diagnosis: Schizophrenia
.
*while having the exact opposite opinion when Alonso did the same to Bellerin for his Chelsea goal.
I would prefer it if someone took out Spurs before we met them in the EL, a semi final or worse a final would just be unbearable, not good for the heart. Milan look like they might take care of United and they would be a different prospect than the last time we played them. Lots of teams left in made of stern stuff, Rangers, Roma, perhaps Ajax, and Villarreal???? Just not taking anything for granted at this stage, we should be looking to the semi finals as a minimum but we have been so erratic even if heading in… Read more »
There are no bad assists, but definitely there are lucky unintentional ones, and Willian has 7 of them !
Anyway he is putting a better shift than captain Auba, and that’s a real concern
Hopefully he shows up on Sunday
I do agree with Pedro on the improved team spirit.
Most telling was after the game when Gabi Martinelli was giving big hugs to players like Elneny when you would think from all the comments that he would be sulking in the top corner of the stadium. It’s clear he’s fully involved and motivated despite the limited minutes he’s getting.
Rich, depends which Kane and Bale show on Sunday.
They are Jose’s strategy.
Sit back, give it to those two.
I think we’ll have planned really well for the game.
Can’t give them a thing
Chris, agree. No team more worrying than a Jose Spurs over two legs.
United play better away so they still should have enough to get past Milan and then it’s them and Spurs, it must be. The Jose Bowl
Arsenal get Villareal for best ratings ever in Europa league.
Emery beating Arteta is the best chance we’ll hear from Marc again.
https://www.twitch.tv/arsenalofficial
Arsenal vs Blackburn U23 live on twitch. Currently has 30k viewers.
Our recent record against Spurs is dire
We’ve not beaten them since the 4-2 in December 2018, that was 6 games ago
We’ve got 3 wins, 6 draws and 6 losses in our last 15 fixtures
We’re overdue a win
There’s not been bigger that a 2 goal margin win for either side since we spanked them 5-2 back to back in 2012
Had some great fun with both those wins, used to txt my Spurs mate every day at 13.55
With “It’s 5-2”
Emirates Stroller
I usually love your stuff and positivity but comparing Leno with Fingers Furnell ! Leno is a German international . Furnell wouldn’t have been good enough to play for Luxembourg. I take your point about Leno’s capacity to self- destruct but if some of those old goalkeepers had to play with their feet we would have seen some amazing rickets ! !
Partey fell apart last night not sure about him, he seems to be struggling to fit in.‘’.
Lol.. if your not sure about him mate then I suggest u take up another sport
“Pedro Opening comments:‘Sure, sure, winning in the Europa League last 16 isn’t busting out the red panties and champagne, but a win, is a win, is a win’Pedro
closing comments:‘There’s a culture building. It’s exciting
’Diagnosis: Schizophrenia”
Bac, are you insinuating that Pedro is Geoff and Geoff was Pedro? And that Pedro killed Geoff with his meds then fled to the US to lay low?
I think this might have legs…
Willock is still a nothing player in the Newcastle’s lineup. AMN is more involved in the WBA team.
Shit! Villa just scores. There goes our targeted #9 spot.
Fucking Newcastle deserved that bit of love.
Newcastle ties it with the last kick of the game.
This new Villa goalie is shit.
Emi would’ve come out for that Murphy ball like he always does.
Graham, Pierre and Winthorpe are gonna have a field day with this Villa Emi replacement
When a 75minute sub is your player of the match then maybe you picked a wrong squad to start with ,Steve Bruce.
Bertie Mee
You are of course absolutely correct that Jim Furnell was not at the same level of Leno. He was actually more Plymouth Argyle level where he played.
The comparison which I made was that he could on occasion produce some spectacular saves when he played for Arsenal. Leno does likewise, but unfortunately he is also error prone when under pressure.
Leno is not going to leave the club in immediate future and be replaced. There are too many moree immediate priorities before we change the goalkeeper.
I watched the U23s tonight . We have about 10 CBs ahead of them but Dinzeyi and the other CB were awful, Lopez is sooo right-footed land Alebiosu gave a very naive penalty away. Bould looked totally outcoached . Reiss Nelso played in midfield and did a Xhaka/ Ceballos to perfection . Only the keeper and Azeez looked impressive and Azeez is very small and a little bit of a show pony . We had Moller, Balogun and Nketiah upfront but if you’ve no midfield they don’t get proper service….and they didn’t . I was very, very unimpressed . Why… Read more »
Pedro ready to die on the Bern Leno Hill. I am adamant we sold the wrong keeper. Bern Leno is the better stopper but Emi is the better keeper and the eye test doesn’t fail me. He’s the reason we managed to shithouse an FA cup. The calmness and confidence he gave the backline is something I had never seen before. With Leno I feel we have a cross breed between Seamen and Alumnia. Brilliant stopper with calamitys inside him. Emi was pinging balls to our wingers while Leno is failing at 5 yard passes. Sterling could never score a… Read more »
” Saliba should be brought back pre-season and assessed before decision is made whether to keep or sell him.” I’m a bit confused as to why we need to assess Saliba and decide whether he should be sold or not? What has happened with regards Saliba that a hot prospect that we fought to beat Spurs and other clubs to, waited a year for as St. Etienne wanted to keep him, who hasn’t yet played any competitive minutes for us and is now excelling whilst on loan . Getting stats that are better than the majority of defenders still here… Read more »
I also disagree that Leno is a better shot stopper than Martinez. He’s good at that but better than Emi🤔🤔
Go rewatch the Brighton game where he pulled off great save after save. Balls just stick in his big fuckin hands , he has Great reflexes, gets down quickly for such a big guy and he extends his massive frame to pull off fingertip saves.
The goal Leno conceded against olympiacos, Emi is saving that, all day long.
Thinking more on Leno’s poor decision making, seems that he is incapable of making decisions (the right ones) quick enough.
Good players know what they are gonna do with a ball before they get it, and have an overall vision of what’s happening over the whole pitch, who’s in space etc and can be passed to. Leno doesn’t have that ability. Hence the slow releases of the ball at times. Allowing the opposition to get back into position, losing any initiative.
Moving forward he should be replaced as soon as we can do so realistically.
Sell Bellerin to Barcelona and invest in a proper right back. Aarons or Lamperty would cost up to £40m and well worth it.
The emi vs bernd argument is the new Ozil.
Equally boring and pointless.
Cali,
It’s not really Emi Vs Leno as Emi is gone. They’re observations on performance.and a reflection on Arteta’s decision making, so are valid to many others.
The big difference is Ozil was dropped , Leno won’t be.
Glad that more people are questioning the continued absence of Martinelli. Keown rightly saying if he was his dad he’d be pissed off. There’s just no logical reason. This talk of him just getting over a serious injury so easing him in gently is bollocks. How is not playing somone at all, easing them in. The AKB’s are running out of excuses. However it seems like Mikel is just gonna double down on his decision as he doesn’t like his methods questioned, and like the continued playing of Willian, seems, he’ll bent to not be told anyting by anyone. Certainly… Read more »
Topical from our discussion about racism the other day – Asian Mum holding a baby spat at in NY just for being Asian https://news.yahoo.com/chinese-virus-asian-mom-gets-160839281.html there was an article next to it about a Korean grandma in her 80s getting knocked out as well by a stranger on the street
Not sure whether being black or Asian is more risky these days…
@China
“Not sure whether being black or Asian is more risky these days”
Disgusting no doubt, targeting people like that. I would say though this anti Asian thing is more a very recent thing brought about by the pandemic and the narrative that it originated in Wuhan and Trump’s ‘China!!” Comments.
Probably wouldn’t have happened 2 years ago.
Chris how on earth could you be worried about playing spurs in the final? Semis or whatever ok, but the final? This is a club that has won how many trophies in the last 30+ years? I just checked and it’s 3 trophies in the last 36 years and 2 of those were only the league cup. Drawing them in a cup final is an absolute gift because you can sure they will be spursy and are there for the taking For comparisons sake, in the last 36 years, arsenal have won 17 trophies and only 1 was the league… Read more »
https://news.sky.com/video/history-is-written-by-the-people-who-do-the-harm-cricket-commentators-view-of-white-privilege-12024274
Very well said by Mr Holding 👏👏
The league is over!
Except for Sunday. That is for pride. For Blood. For showing fight for the badge.
I hope Mike chooses to go full throttle at those cunts.
I hope we see Martinelli
A win on Sunday would do a lot of good for morale.
I think we could do it, but more and more now im thinking a 1-1
Yeah Mark it’s the pandemic that’s lead to an explosion of these incidents. Always existed but never on this scale before In recent times
Guns no chance Martinelli is playing against Spurs! You want it. I want it. Most of the fans would love it. But never in a million years. Arteta ain’t about that life!
I wonder what he has against Martin
Im not too worried about Kane we seem to handle him ok in games. It Son,
I hate that guy, he kills us all the time.
I hate him so much, that I think he should join our team. His skills are sick and he is quick as f.
That is the danger man we need to keep in check
didnt son score a Golazo against us last time?
WHen Mike pushed injured TP back on the pitch?
Whoever it was joking with me yesterday about walcotts coffee machine man it got a proper laugh out of me I guess it’s kinda impressive in a way and Theo and his wife never got sucked into the millionaire lifestyle. He always comes across as having a middle class background and being well spoken (his wife as well) so maybe it’s not surprising that money didn’t go to his head like most of the chavs we see in a typical PL side But really it was the most Theo comment of all time about getting that coffee machine and as… Read more »
Yeah guns you’re right
Son is the real fucker on that team. He’s the one who pulls your pants down on the regular and needs to be dealt with. Massive test for presumably bellerin and saka
Come on arsenal.
Fuck them in the league and lets fuck them in the EL. Tiny worthless little club that they are seriously needs bringing down a peg.