Well, sometimes you go big for an idea… and you get absolutely spanked for it.
I went big for Arteta this season (week), excited by the things he’d learned at City, happy he’d dealt with some of our major issues, hoping that he’d be a fast learner.
The faith was absolutely rocked last night.
We drew 1-1 against Slavia Prague. Not the worst result we’ll ever have, but it was a very, very bad game for Arteta. It’s all about performances now for our rookie manager. Every game is an opportunity to make good with the fans, show them the trend is linnear in the right direction, a chance to earn back some of the cratered capital he lost in the winter.
He botched his chance again.
That performance was absolutely disgusting and it was all made by Arteta.
In advertising, there are three jobs you have a creative. Come up with ideas, sell them, and get them produced to the highest level. The same is true of football managers. The best managers have an idea, they sell it to the fans, and they produce it.
Arteta has great ideas, he’s done an ok job selling them… but he can’t produce.
What’s worse for Arsenal fans is that maybe… just maybe, you could forgive a creative director failing to produce an ad once. Everyone makes mistakes, we work with bad directors, we pick bland models or actors, we work with the wrong partners. What cannot be forgiven and what will not be tolerated, is picking the same cast again and getting the same results.
Arteta nearly lost his job at Christmas picking bums. He’s doing the exact same thing now and shock/horror… he’s getting the same results.
That’s a sackable offence.
He made a bold decision a few weeks ago to drop Auba for lateness. He then tried to get him back on track, it didn’t work. Not through the middle. Not by hiding him out wide. So he dropped him again. The BIGGEST statement he could have made, one that the fans would have adored, would have been to put Gabi in his place.
What did he do? He started Willian. The player he hyped pre-game as one of great ‘potential’… can you imagine saying that of a player that killed the Chelsea careers of KDB and Salah?
This was disastrous. Arteta dropped a lifeless 31 year old for a lifeless 32 year old. He did exactly what he did in the bad month of 2020 and got the exact same results.
Here’s the thing, the word is that Gabi is on FIRE in training. There’s nothing untoward going on. The only issue is Arteta is more invested in his personal rep as a transfer savant than he is as a coach in need of results.
It’s disgraceful.
What’s worse is this actually a pattern of bad behaviour now. He doesn’t like the kids. We have so many players that stink out our starting 11, but there’s always a way back for them if they’re 28+ or someone Edu shipped in courtesy of his own personal super agent. Gabi had one bad 50 minutes and he’s out for 8 weeks (can you believe the punishment?!).
David Luiz drops a disaster class? He’s right back in.
William Saliba has two rough games at Colney? Moved out to Nice on loan.
Mo Elneney drops countless 5/10s in midfield, who is moved on? The player man-marking big big names in cup semi-finals.
Under pressure, Mikel Arteta falls back on the bums Edu loves.
The Slavia Prague performance was problematic for so many reasons, the main one, he now has senior player issues that are all of his own making.
If Arteta bums his way to a Europa League win, it’ll start to feel like we’re basically in the same situation we were under Emery. A manager that is scared of making tough decisions, unless they are against young players that have a future with us.
This weekend is going to be a disaster. The squad has no confidence and no one will be focused for the game. It’ll be another shite performance ‘that is not to the standards of this club.’ I am already NOT looking foward to it.
Arteta is now burning fan capital the same way Emery did. His principles only hold true if you’re a small name. There’s no leadership around him to course correct the shitty inclinations. His coaching staff is kids and the assistant that worked with Moyes when he cratered United. He has surrounded himself with people that think Willian is a better choice than Martinelli. He has a team of ‘innovators’ that think David Luiz makes us play better, despite the league table indicating the opposite. He has a team that’ll let him hide Auba on the wing against Liverpool, rather than dish out some meritocratic justice. If everyone surrounding Arteta thinks this way, who is there to lead him into the light? Edu. Who has a vested interest in all the problematic names.
First rule of hiring a young person into a position of authority… surround them with elite experience. Give them a defined box to play. Be ruthless about what they can and cannot do. What did Vinai do with Arteta? Promoted him to an even bigger role he was nowhere near experienced enough to do. Unbelievable.
That is Arsenal.
Arteta is back to failing again. This is round two of a deadly disease. I’m not sure how he survives it, because his solves are the oppposite of what saved him last time.
I am deeply, deeply disappointed.
Now listen to my fucking podcast. x
Pedro bashing Arteta again.
Tomorrow, Pedro’s love-in for Arteta will begin all over again.
Pedro’s obsession with Arteta is akin to Arteta’s obsession with Willian.
Looks like Pedro doing a talk shiit…… bad cop good cop on you all.. Now the real Pedro steps out no more click baiting from him he’s had enough and is telling it like it is…. Welcome home Peter we always loved you……… Arteta has to go and I’d do it now then and only then is there half a chance we could win this competition the players are no where near as bad as these results have been and I do think we could win this……. With who ..? I don’t know I have a soon knowledge of who’s… Read more »
Bertfish
Unfortunately, Arteta is not a risk taker.
What’s the betting he’ll go all conservative?
Was just thinking, if Arteta’s English was as poor as Emery’s, what would we all be thinking?
Exactly!
Seems like what Ornstein forgot to mention was that the project to keep Arteta on for years is to ensure Arsenal always attain 10th to 15th place in the PL so that Arsenal would not be relegated. Even the Kroenkes can’t be so dumb as to believe this manager with this squad has a snowball’s chance in hell to make Champions League or now even Europa. They have no clue how to hire a top notch manager, so instead of pissing millions firing a manager after one or two seasons, the stark reality is that Arsenal FC finishing in the… Read more »
Nice to see Marko and Eagle on here again
Wiglaf
Brenda absolutely is a bottle job, and needs to work against that history in his managerial career. Present at Liverpool, Celtic, and Leicester last season. He’s improved since Liverpool, but don’t rebrand him all of a sudden on the strength of one season.
Same goes for your favourites in the Arsenal team, doesn’t matter how much you talk up Holding and Pepe they’re not the answer to anything.
There is no project. “Projects” aren’t built around players like Xhaka, Willian and Luiz. For a while there I believed there was one but MA is proving he’ll default back to the old dross any chance he gets. What Balogun is doing signing a new contract is beyond me. Poor kid will tank his career because at this rate we’ll bring in Higuain next season on a 5 year deal as the second phase of the “project”
CC.
rodgers has bottled at times but he is a young manager and intelligent one with a real vision and style of play unlike arteta. There is a chance that he can learn from his mistakes and become a non bottle job. If he can finish out the season in the top 4 it shows he has grown as a manager and has shown real tangible success and inprovements unlike the wishy washy performance based reviews of arteta.
Either way I certainly wouldn’t turn my noise up at rodgers.
London
Well you can show improvement given time and a history of performance. Easier to see in a manager that’s been at 4 top flight clubs and has a CV spanning more than a decade vs one feeling out his maiden season.
SidApril 9, 2021 17:14:54
You can call it a farm coz Sid is a dark stallion
Or more commonly referred to as beastiality sid
Athletic saying Balogun on the cusp of signing for 4yrs
Some good news at least.
With 1yr on his deal, It probably sees Nketiah squeezed out, which I’m okay with tbh.
Champagne CharlieApril 9, 2021 18:15:06
WiglafBrenda absolutely is a bottle job, and needs to work against that history in his managerial career. Present at Liverpool, Celtic, and Leicester last season. He’s improved since Liverpool, but don’t rebrand him all of a sudden on the strength of one season. Same goes for your favourites in the Arsenal team, doesn’t matter how much you talk up Holding and Pepe they’re not the answer to anything
Charlie?
Oh yeah? Been riding the crest of a wave since the inception of your Brazilian revolution haven’t we?
Ooooooohwaaaaeeeeeaaaaoooo
Wiglaf
My Brazilian revolution? Wtf are you on about?
Eagle He made that Liverpool team what it was. He lost sterling Suarez and Sturridge to injury who were 3/4 of the best attack I’ve seen outside of our 03/04 quartet of Henry Pires Bergkamp and Freddie. How many come back from that? I think the job came a tad too soon for him. He was very green. Still very talented and seems to have a much better way with players than either Arteta or emery. He may not bea master tactician but he gets his side playing good attacking football with flair. We aren’t winning the title any time… Read more »
Champagne CharlieApril 9, 2021 18:40:29
WiglafMy Brazilian revolution? Wtf are you on about?
Oh don’t you remember getting a damp patch this summer with Gabriel and Willian joining Luiz and martinelli? With the talk of Coutinho to follow?
One Ozil problem solved. One Willian problem in its place. Willian signed because we offered him a fortune AND he wanted to stay with his family in London. Well, that leaves West Ham, Palace, Tottenham (lol), Fulham?? Maybe a loan where they pay like 40k/week but other than that, Willian is here to stay and he offers us absolutely nothing. Maybe Juventus or Inter would take Auba on a loan where they pay partial salary but TBH I doubt they’d want him. So that’s what, 500k-750k a week on our wage bill doing nothing. Worse than the 350k we were… Read more »
I’d rather Pepe over Willian and holding over either Gabriel or Luiz all day, every day.
It wont be long before Dons alter ego Aubergi shows up, i suggest the self soothe box, before it gets out of hand
Now I haven’t seen anywhere near enough of him to know if he is the real deal or even close to Nketiah but on what basis are people hanging so much on Balogun ?
His stats in the junior leagues is ok ish but he is going to get a four year deal on probably not too bad a wedge but he needed to be tested out on loan or needed to be playing the odd PL game from the bench.
Far too much expectation being healed on his dhoulders
Right now I’d even take Buck Rodgers over the fraud Arteta
Think Gabriel would thrive if he had an experienced talkative organizer next to him.
Wiglaf
Wasn’t giddy at all with us signing Willian, said numerous times I’d be underwhelmed if he was all we added in attack.
Was keen on Coutinho and it never happened. Do you actually have a point to make, or just insecure about your continued fan Holding and Pepe fan club?
I’m not hanging all my hopes on Balogun but it is a ray of sunshine right now that he’s sticking with the club. Felt there was a chance after the way the same agent took things all the way to the wire with Saka. I’m sure we got hosed on the deal but rather that than lose him for nothing. Let’s hope that he develops into a quality first-team forward.
Wiglaf is the biggest spoofer of all time
I just can’t agree with the assessment this is a top four squad. If the club is keeping faith in Arteta they need to back him again. This squad needs huge change. However it is understandable that people may also be wary of allowing Arteta and Edu to spend a war chest (if one exists) this summer. I have my reservations even though not everything has been bad, but signings like Willian leave a sour taste in the mouth and shake the faith of what our actual plan is for squad building. We can only hope lessons have been learnt… Read more »
Holding positioning and aerial prowess in the box is suspect to put it mildly.
Sterling, Jota, and even for Slavia’s equalizer, he hasn’t exactly covered himself in glory.
@Chris “This squad needs huge change.”
The people in charge now – have they really changed the squad for the better?? They paid a bunch of awful players to leave, and have brought in some awful players too. I know I don’t trust Edu/Arteta to get the squad building right.
Was keen on Coutinho and it never happened. Do you actually have a point to make, or just insecure about your continued fan Holding and Pepe fan club?
😂 No. No point to make. I’ll just gnaw my nails down in continued anxiety over two men I’ve never met.
Actually, I’ll make my point. I’d rather Rodgers at arsenal than Luiz Willian and countinho all on bosman.
Label the man all you want. He’s still leagues above anything we’ve had since wenger got the boot mate.
TomApril 9, 2021 19:06:34
Holding positioning and aerial prowess in the box is suspect to put it mildly.
Sterling, Jota, and even for Slavia’s equalizer, he hasn’t exactly covered himself in glory.
One word
Leno
Wiglaf
You’d happily have Rodgers and then 6 months later bemoan the fact Holding and Pepe are on their way out, obviously after pivoting over the inevitable bottle job that would come our way.
If Balogun is signing it means either we are offering him far more money than anyone else or nobody else came in for him.
He is not saying because he thinks he can win anything at this club.
Champagne CharlieApril 9, 2021 19:19:16
Wiglaf You’d happily have Rodgers and then 6 months later bemoan the fact Holding and Pepe are on their way out, obviously after pivoting over the inevitable bottle job that would come our way.
Maybe. Charlie. Maybe. Either way I’ve lost my faith in Arteta but not holding and Pepe and that’s unlikely to change for the foreseeable
Wiglaf
Leno has been poor lately, no doubt, but your bias is clearly showing there buddy.
There isn’t a scenario where the cross ,from which they ultimately scored , ends up hitting Pepe’s leg and the two CB’s aren’t questioned for their part in dealing with it.
Or maybe Leno forgot to shout “ Away!!” lol.
I think Rodgers would play Pepe and holding
I wouldn’t bemoan any manager that was successful in relative terms. I’d disagree with decisions but how can you argue with clear and quantifiable improvements?
That’s not happening though
We are going backwards and the players I want to see given a real go, players who’ve done well when selected are co tiny ally being thrown under the bus for under performing cunts with pissy attitudes.
Rob Holding head lacks aerodynamics, creating too much drag
@pedro. Everything you’re saying about MA being generational, new age, innovative ect ect. From yesterday’s post. See what I think you’re missing is that we all would agree with you if… Arteta would do the things a generational manager is supposed to do. He plays seniors who are washed. He trys to re-sign seniors who are finished. He is overly harsh to young players yet flexible with seniors. He’s not using enough of the youth team from sakas age group. The next crop from 18 to 20. Nketia Willock Riess niles were all given first team opportunities before MA came… Read more »
Tom
Martinez stops the city cross for me. Leno doesn’t even come out.
Same last night too
Also, holding is far better with games and a regular partner beside him. He was pulled out the team when he was the lynchpin and only dropped back in for key games when Arteta knew he couldn’t rely on Luiz. Holding was excellent against city outside of the goal. But yes he played his part in that one. No doubt
SidApril 9, 2021 19:27:23
Rob Holding head lacks aerodynamics, creating too much drag
Keep praying and chanting mantra to labias dank stallion
Kendo – Emery was there 18 months and the football was disintegrating so don’t be so ridiculous – of course he should have been fired. He was lucky not to go after Baku.
If MA fails to get us into Europe then it is same for him too. He is also at the 18 month stage and time enough to end his errors. There were better glimpses than under Emery but if he fails then the club has to act. We’re not there yet – we need to see how the EL pans out.
Nketia Willock Riess niles were all given first team opportunities before MA came in. Where are Artetas young gems?
Yes croq
By a certain Arsene Wenger
ESR Saka Odegaard and Nketiah were all given long runs in the league by Arteta. Not a valid argument at all.
Almost forgot about ESR. Getting alot more minutes under MA but wasn’t discovered or promoted by MA. We need more. Alot more. This was the season to blood the youth and start a new era. As it stands. Next season is too important to “give the youngsters a go”. Artetas job will literally be on the line from Matchday 1.
Wiglaf
Totally, Pepe just needs a run of matches to prove he’s at Sterling and Salah’s level as you say.
Why would Rodgers , who’s on Leagues third highest wages at £10m, ditch Leicester and come to a shit show organization like Arsenal. Which according to Pedro can’t afford to fire Arteta because he’s too expensive to send packing at half that?
The whole debate is moot.
I wouldn’t be too keen on Rodgers either he’d likely frame it as a step down and he’d be doing us a favor and look for top dollar which he isn’t worth it
Totally, Pepe just needs a run of matches to prove he’s at Sterling and Salah’s level as you say
Aren’t you doing the same with Arteta. He just needs more time he’ll come good
Yeah I dunno about that
Marko
Reductive as ever. You defending Pepe? I’m shocked.
Dude. Don’t be that guy. Did Saka get a start under Wenger? No. That was Emerys risk. Guendouzi. Emerys risk. So who is Aetetas risk? Odegaard is 22 on loan. Embarrassing to even use a lonee as an argument to support Arteta discovering youth. I am describing the Arsenal youth. Not Real Madrids youth. This loan deal has been a disaster. Moving ESR LW for Real madrids risk. What are we madrids second youth academy? Anyway. Talk about Arsenal youth not Real Madrids recycling.
Northbanker
Sacking a manager is one thing, replacing him with a dud is a totally different matter, and most new it was a blunder hiring a beginner.
Did Saka get a start under Wenger? No. That was Emerys risk
Mate, Saka’s league cup and Europa form made it impossible to omit him and even then it was at left wing back with Tierney and kolasinac out
If Pepe keeps padding his stats against the shit Europa league opponents, as his critics have said, then why not let him keep doing that by starting him instead of …..Willian …..maybe?
Too much sense?
Champagne CharlieApril 9, 2021 19:38:22
WiglafTotally, Pepe just needs a run of matches to prove he’s at Sterling and Salah’s level as you say
Deflects after asking for a point to be made. Why bother asking charlie?
How’s zaha doing? League ready legend in the making that fella
“ The people in charge now – have they really changed the squad for the better?? They paid a bunch of awful players to leave, and have brought in some awful players too. I know I don’t trust Edu/Arteta to get the squad building right.” This is the concern I have as I said. However the club seem committed to Arteta/Edu and Vinai. As others have said previously, this particular set up invites scrutiny and I would prefer a typical head coach/director of football set up. It’s unclear who gets final say on transfers in our model. Whereas Odegaard was… Read more »
Wiglaf
How’s that deflecting anything? You just said you think Pepe should get more starts, and previously you said he was as talented as Sterling and Salah only for the players around him to be inferior or he’d produce their output.
There’s no deflecting involved, both are ignorant opinions.
Terraloon Sorry, missed your post from earlier dude. My deepest commiserations on your brother being a Chav supporter by the way, Midwest also understands that pain. Mine is just a dirty, sweaty and slope-headed Manc supporter. Had to all but sever ties during the later Fergie years. Re Werner, I agree that they will not hesitate to replace him and upgrade. Not sure if it’s the transition to the Premier League per se, it is interesting that there aren’t a great deal of Bundesliga exports having said that. Firmino for a long while was one, Sane another and obviously KDB,… Read more »
Wiglaf
Is your standard rebuttal to bring in someone unrelated to the convo? Before it was ‘my Brazilians’, now it’s Zaha.
Zaha remains a much, much better footballer than Pepe…..next? It’s a long list.
Kendo
well not what you were saying earlier – you were against Emery’s sacking
The replacement is another matter and there were plenty of decent arguments as to why Arteta was worth taking a punt on. And while you are obviously one of those experts with hindsight, the fact is you don’t know how any manager will turn out until you’ve appointed and given them 18 months
Sid ffs would even gamble on Mertesacker, someone with even less experience
Champagne CharlieApril 9, 2021 20:00:03 WiglafIs your standard rebuttal to bring in someone unrelated to the convo? Before it was ‘my Brazilians’, now it’s Zaha. Zaha remains a much, much better footballer than Pepe…..next? It’s a long list. Really charlie? This all started when you brought my views on Pepe and holding into a Rodgers debate. Maybe try to remember your posts before slinging mud because now you look like a bit of a hypocrite. My view on Pepe being played is ignorant based on what? His goal last night? His overall performance levels since Christmas? You said yourself he’s… Read more »
Zaha remains a much, much better footballer than Pepe…..next? It’s a long list.
I vehemently disagree.
No thanks to Zaha. Too old
Dripping in ability*
Zaha too old? Then consider him signed!
Can’t co-sign on Pepe showing top ability if you were to give him more minutes. For anyone citing Henry looking rough around the edges and being raw when we signed him, he was just turning 22 years old. And the intelligence was always there even if the technique was yet to be fully refined. Pepe at 25 nearly 26 still shows really rudimentary basic technique on a regular enough basis and hasn’t at all developed his game in the two years since he joined. Largely brainless and lacking any sort of intelligence around timing and synching with his team mates.… Read more »
Wiglaf There is no Rodgers debate, was you trying to get a smart arse remark in because I’ve dismissed him previously. Just circled it back around to your ridiculous stance on two guys stinking the place out here and now. Of course you disagree, you’re besotted with a guy that drops a nutmeg during 90 mins. Fucking hell, now we’re comparing Pires to Pepe like the former was ever anything but a technical wizard. Anyone with a pot of eyes could see the footballer Pores was when he landed, Pepe can be bagged with talent, but that doesn’t make you… Read more »
Balogun is staying because somebody put their arm around his shoulder and told him to be patient – it wasn’t Arteta.. Oh – and they offered him a handsome signing on fee.
Zaha- 1894 mins (21 starts) played this season. 9 goals 2 assists.
Pepe- 1781 mins (18 starts) played this season: 9 goals 4 assists
Much much better?
Champagne CharlieApril 9, 2021 20:15:16 WiglafThere is no Rodgers debate, was you trying to get a smart arse remark in because I’ve dismissed him previously. Just circled it back around to your ridiculous stance on two guys stinking the place out here and now. Stinking the place out? Fuck me that’s a laugh? Not Willian or Luiz. Not auba or Leno? No, it Pepe and holding. Get a fucking grip charlie. You used to have your finger on the pulse but you’re slipping And big lolz on circling back round, repackage it anyway you want, rules change when it’s done… Read more »
Wiglaf
Another embarrassingly reductive argument being made. Pepe’s main criticisms go nowhere near pure output, it’s literally everything else he contributes to during 90 minutes as Weagle just alluded to.
He’s a shit footballer for the clout he has at this footballer club among the highest earners and ‘star’ of the attack.
Anyone with a pot of eyes could see the footballer Pores was when he landed, Pepe can be bagged with talent, but that doesn’t make you a good footballer. Suggest you learn the difference. Putting eggs in the Pepe basket is only ending one way for you. Pepe is nearly the same age now as when pires joined us. Pires was hardly setting the world on fire before he came. Talented? Yes. But it was once he was played by a man who believed in him in a system that got the best from him that he became the legend… Read more »
Wiglaf
You’re talking about fingers on pulses when two weeks ago you had Pepe next to Sterling and Salah. I’d skip it if I were you, you’re incapable of removing any bias you have for players.
Anyhow
This wasn’t a Pepe debate
It was Rodgers and you’ve tried your best to make it about Pepe.
Fact is your dislike for Rodgers comes from being a blue nose and his time at Celtic. I don’t recall you pissing on his rep before he went to park heed.
“We could be talking about Pepe in similar ways if Arteta helped him to flourish in the same way wenger did with Pires, overmars, Freddie, Sanchez et al.
You call others reductive then attempt to concentrate the argument on Pires’ achievements and status as a legend which is another deflection from my actual point“
Not a hope in hell of him reaching those levels, and I never talked about Pires’ achievements at all. I said he was a technical wizard who was clearly a brilliant footballer the moment he landed, Pepe isn’t even a ‘good’ footballer, he’s average.
Champagne CharlieApril 9, 2021 20:30:57
WiglafYou’re talking about fingers on pulses when two weeks ago you had Pepe next to Sterling and Salah. I’d skip
Says the man claiming Pepe and holding are the ones stinking the place out? I still have every faith Pepe can be in that bracket. He’s more talented than Sterling for me. He just needs belief. Bit like salah at chelsea. Or kdb at chelsea. Or Sturridge at chelsea. All became much better players in systems that suited them and under coaches who lit them on fire
Not a hope in hell of him reaching those levels, and I never talked about Pires’ achievements at all. I said he was a technical wizard who was clearly a brilliant footballer the moment he landed, Pepe isn’t even a ‘good’ footballer, he’s average.
Charlie
He’s average? Really? Funny, you pointed out last week how much talent he had but that he was a mental midget. Now he’s average?
Not a hope in hell of him reaching those levels, and I never talked about Pires’ achievements at all.
Not under Arteta.
I mean he’s outperforming zaha stats wise playing a hit part role, stop start for a man who clearly has no faith in him, bordering on spite. Could you imagine how good he’d be starting under a wenger or a Rodgers? Men who appreciate the sorts of qualities Pepe has and who makes him feel he can fly.
VAR is crap..that was not offside for Wolves
Soham
But it was offside
VAR is crap but as they say be careful what you wish for
Reductive as ever. You defending Pepe? I’m shocked.
I was more pointing out how you’re taking the piss out of someone willing to give Pepe more time while you do the exact same thing with Mikel… for some reason
hasn’t at all developed his game in the two years since he joined
To be fair to Pepe you could probably count on one or two fingers the amount of players who have improved or developed during the last two years. Very hard to flourish under two poor mangerial appointments under our poorest period in living memory
Wiglaf
Idk how else you need it bright to your attention, but raw output isn’t even close to the list when considering Pepe. And how many times do I need to say you can be crazy talented but shit at football? Having ability means absolutely nothing if you’re brainless.
Enter Pepe.
The performance of Laca in the last two games has really sealed his fate in Arsenal. As a striker, you have to do better with a clear break away. No wonder the club closed the deal for Balo at this moment.
Charlie
I know exactly what you’re saying. I’ve played with plenty of blokes who could do all the skills you could think of pre game and are lost on the pitch
That’s not Pepe to me. We have a guy here who can finish with both feet from 0-25 yards
He’s fast, skillful and tricky. Good at penalties and quite tall and often has the nack of getting himself in good positions on the area.
Now to me there is a player to utilise and it’s the coach’s job to find a way.
I thought Lacazette was good yesterday
His hold up and quick release was dangerous.
Once you saw the starting line up you knew it would be a bad night, especially with Arteta poor sub history this year…
Dear me Pedro what a very defeatist post. When the going get tough arsenal ‘fans’ get going.
If a 20 year old striker can tear up the CL for Real Madrid then there is no reason why Martinelli and/or Balogun cannot do the same for us next year. Sell Laca for what we can get and move Eddie on as well
I just do not understand Arteta’s substitute problem. The manager is allowed 5 now so tactically use them, – they are not just for replacing tired or injured players. At least Emery understood
Wiglaf
Doesn’t appear you do, you’ve drafted in Pires as a comparison despite Pires showing right from the off his intelligence, collaborative abilities, and control of what he was doing. Took him time to acclimatise to the speed of the league and it’s nuances, but that’s not what’s holding Pepe back. Even more petty to cite Zaha, he’s a player that’s delivered in this league for a number of years and is doing so again this season for a side worse than ours. Neither elevates Pepe
Pires was sensational in the months before he did his knee, never quite got back the dynamism he was showing on the ball.
Zaha delivers consistently and on a team with lesser overall quality, but there’s something to say about having the trust of the manager and never having to look over his shoulder every time he might have a poor game, which he has had plenty of times.
I would argue that that’s a whole lot better environment for a player to thrive in than a stop start career under three different managers , one of whom you called the worst ever, another a stand in, and the third probably just as bad as the first one ,CC.
Excerpt from 7amkickoff ====================== For me, the starting lineup was all wrong: we needed more speed up front, someone who would take up more central forward positions, and who would make runs in behind the Slavia Prague defense. After all, my logic goes, if they are going to press high, they are going to leave space behind and when you do break their lines (which you will do), you want a speedy, intelligent forward. And I was left frustrated watching Arsenal yesterday. There were at least two times when Thomas Partey broke the press, started a counter and Lacazette was… Read more »
Why didn’t Jesse Lingard set the league on fire at United this season line he has at Westham?
Surely United have the better players.
Zaha any day over Pepe. Even with the age difference.
Zaha ability to take on defenders and win, even beating 2 regularly is what WE NEED from Pepe. Pepe hardly ever beats his man. is dispossessed regularly with ease.
Zaha is a bigger and stronger player as well. Its a no brainer.
Worst part of this Zaha issue is that he is a Gooner- waiting for us to get him.
We got Pepe.
Let that sink in. Idiots
Tom Various players have excelled or delivered in the past two years on a personal level, both academy graduate and purchase. It’s disingenuous as fuck to continue to give excuse after excuse for why a 25 year old international is unable to demonstrate he has the basics of football sussed. I will never get on the back of a player for having a bad game, or games, I’ll get on the back of someone who shows no real value subject to the investment and prestige they hold in the squad. Pepe is the quintessential failure of the last few years… Read more »
Guns
Agree with most of it except you keep missing two important facts: one, CP asked for £80 m,, and two, the payment would’ve been a bit of a problem since Arsenal were kinda too broke to meet their requirements. Which they made because £20m would be going straight to United due to the sale on clause they had installed in his original transfer.
Other than that your on the money.
CC
I’m not making excuses for Pepe, not in the least.
I’m stating undeniable facts regarding the club’s situation vis a vis coaching during his Arsenal career, and pushing back at the notion Zaha has been over performing in spite of the CP shortcomings as a club, when probably the opposite has been more true.
Would you bet you house on Zaha having better numbers at Arsenal under Emery, FL, and now Arteta, than his CP numbers under old man RH?
Because I sure as shit wouldn’t have.
The 72m Pepe fee was insane. But unless he’s got a % of it somehow somewhere, then you can’t really hold it against him can you.
A more accurate metric to judge him by would be his wages, and at 140kpw he’s hardly robbing the club blind looking across the leagues salaries.
Tom “Would you bet you house on Zaha having better numbers at Arsenal under Emery, FL, and now Arteta, than his CP numbers under old man RH?“ The numbers aren’t a primary feature of my concern with our attack, otherwise I’d inevitably say Auba has to play no matter what because of his goal record – clearly that’s not my stance. I bet my house Zaha would’ve been an immeasurably better fit for our attack than Pepe because he’s a superior footballer providing a much more valuable skill set missing in our attack. I’ve never looked at Zaha and though… Read more »
If Conte is available this summer is the only solution. He keeps winning.
Are we still 4th on the table since December???
What I love about this post most is the critique of Edu and Vinay. Far too long the burden of this abysmal, mediocre season has been laid at the feet of Arteta. For Arsenal to progress next season, a full clear out is needed, starting with the CEO/Tech Dir/Manager, and finishing with the sale of Auba, Laca, Xhaka and Bellerin (no way we’re getting rid of a comfortable Willian). Sure, the likes of Eddie Nketia, Elneny, Pepe, Rob Holding and Calum Chambers need to push on as well but the aforementioned four have been at the heart of this uninspiring… Read more »