If you came here expecting TRUST THE PROCESS propaganda, you’d be absolutely correct.
The Mikel Arteta fan club just had its servers crash after a masterclass under pressure.
We downed Racist FC. No, we smashed them. It was an absolutely brutal takedown. Majestic under any circumstances, more so because of the context of the scuzzy team, and the moment in our season that felt do or die.
The big worry is we’d see a return of players we’ve not been happy with.
Auba didn’t start. Was he the leaker? Did we have another Ozil situation brewing? Was this because of the authoritarian management of a novice manager reported in the French press?
No. Turns out flu was actually malaria. Yikes. That’s not good. If I remember correctly, Kolo Toure took quite a while to fully recover from the disease way back when. Wishing Auba all the best though. Sounds like he was doing captain duties from his sick bed, that was great to hear.
The ‘you are a terrible person for having an opinion’ police dishing out ethics lessons on Twitter need to pipe down. The club told us he had flu. He’s been playing poorly all season. He’s had discipline issues. If you’re above making a comment on that, fine, but please, don’t lecture people for working with the information they had.
Back to the game.
Things blew up pretty quick after 10 minutes. ESR tapped in the second ball after Saka hit the post, VAR cancelled it out, you immediately wondered if that was going to be our night.
It was not. No one felt sorry of themselves. We powered on, sticking to the plan, creating chances, and most importantly this time… taking them.
Nico scored a superb goal, breaking the offside trap by inches, then holding off shooting until 3 players had dropped to the floor before rifling into the next.
Bukayo Saka had another crack cutting in from the right, instead of gong for the far post, he caught the keeper off guard with a stunning low near post shot. Beautiful angles.
Lacazette made amends for his sins last week. He buried a penalty with his usual coolness. His second goal was outrageous footwork that blinded 2 defenders, his drag back perfectly executed in tandem with a clean striker.
Bob Holding and Pablo Mari kept things incredibly tidy for the game.
Thomas Partey pulled midfield strings again whilst also offering up a masterclass in shielding our backline.
Granit Xhaka, left back to the gods, dropped another good game.
We qualified. But in style. Performances matter, that was a performance.
So what do we have to say about that?
Playing your best players is usually the best option. Arteta didn’t start Martinelli, but I don’t think you could argue with anyone he had in the starting 11. Smith Rowe was absolutely explosive, he is the absolute real deal and I can’t believe we’ve landed him at the same time as Saka. His running is exceptional, his off-ball movement is so modern and difficult to track, he’s decisive and so alert. This kid will be a 15 goal a season player when it all clicks for him. You also couldn’t argue the inclusion of Pepe. He was brilliant again. He’s confident, increasingly decisive in big moments, and he finally looks like he’s enjoying himself. His goal was a thing of beauty, shades of Kanu, exactly what we were hoping we bought.
It’s becoming hard to deny that Lacazette is the better forward for this system. Auba is great if you want to build your game around feeding him chances. For me, Lacazette connecting 3-4 players with his quick passing and deft movement feels really promising. Our forward line in the last 2 games has looked devastating and incredibly dynamic. Now everyone is finding the Midas touch, it’d be tough to break the flow up. Interesting that Eddie is picking up minutes now, clearly to get him into shape with Auba out for a while. Shame it’s not Balogun, sounds like he’s going to leave Arsenal this summer, what a shame. Final point on our attack, we’re doing this without Tierney, Auba, or Odegaard.
Defensively, we were very strong again. Pablo Mari and Rob Holding dropped clean sheet number two. Do I like that? Yes I do. Can we move away from the idea David Luiz needs to be the future of our central defence? Isn’t it time to move on from a once elite player that will never give you reliability? Bring Saliba into the fold next season and age down our backline. It’s time.
Let’s also talk about Arteta. He had not showered himself in glory over the last month. He invited the doubters back in with familiar mistakes. It looked like the team was floating away from him. Made worse by the leaks. But here we are again, watching him do the business in a competition he needs to win. His tactics were spot on in both legs, the personnel not so much. Last night, we banged, every player worked for that win, there were no passengers. He needs to remember this. When his back is against the wall, who does he turn to? The hungry players that want it. I love that the players are reacting well to his systems and that his systems are starting to work better for the players. Arsenal, collectively, are becoming a more intelligent team. We just need to do it on a run of games. Pockets of form do not qualify you for the Champions League.
It’s also worth talking about the leaks. Someone went to L’quipe and complained about the same things that went into The Sun before the Sheffield United game. Authoritarian management, unhappy senior players, and Thomas Partey not being played correctly. 2 games, 2 leaks, 2 wins. The leaks aren’t coming from players we should care about. There’s no manager coming into to work with this lot that wouldn’t make the older player change their games. As for authoritarian, again, what is the counterpoint? Build out a creche like Wenger did? Cave to senior demands like Unai Emery? This phase of Arsenal cannot be a negotiation with players that aren’t doing it.
The path we’re on is the right one if Arteta learns his lessons, fast. Stick with the players that want to be at the new Arsenal. Give chances to young players with high ceilings. Develop senior players who want to learn. Keep improving how we do things week in, week out.
The next round of the Europa is against Unai Emery. We must destroy Villareal. There’s no other outcome that is acceptable. A see a lot of people crying about how classy he was. It needs to stop, this is a guy brought in by a super agent, late to the process, who landed the job without speaking English. He literally did a deal with the devil, and when Raul let him go kicking and screaming, a skint Arsenal paid him out in a lump sum instead of putting him on gardening leave like every other club would have.
This cut back merchant needs to feel the full force of the new Arsenal. Arteta needs to make a statement in both legs. We need make sure we see a bang-bang performance because I honestly cannot deal with the Emery fan club any longer. The weirdest fetish on the internet.
A final against Manchester United will be very tough, but in a one-off, you’d have to fancy our chances.
But first… we need to exact a lesson on Villareal. Last time we were in a semi against them we made a Champions League final. Time for us to make another European Cup Final and actually win one this time.
Onwards. Podcast on Sunday. See you in the comments. #ArtetaFanClub
@China1
The guy seems a bully to me mate. Bullies the younger players giving it the big I am, while bending over and taking it up the shitter from the older (shite) players like aubu, Willian luiz etc
Just disregard that midfield – defence. That’s the best front 4 at this club atm. Bit harsh on pepe maybe. Will be surprised if we don’t put at least 3 past Fulham tho.
Let’s hope the boys turn up.
With this lineup we should have more than enough to win
Not overly worried about that
‘I’d smash Sheffield united by myself playing rush goalie too.’😂😂😂
TYAGN he literally explained it was in no small part about seeing how he would react to having his ego in check being on the bench in spite of desperately wanting to play
Like how about we let the players who bring something to the table get chances?
Novel idea I know.
But at least he finally seems to be running out of excuses with martinelli as he already clarified that martinelli has reacted well and he expects big things from him
China1
This shows someone who is not confident in himself and too eager to show who is boss. Instead of earning the respect of the players, he is trying to force it upon them.
To want to bench a kid for a few games, maybe. But for as long as he did is pretty insane.
Man management skills is not Arteta’s forte.
Ah someone else who knows the term ‘rush’ goalie.
Feels like a game we’ll struggle with. Bellerin inclusion when we have Soares fit seems odd. Aren’t we just gearing up to sell hector in a couple months?
Let’s do it….
Scott Parker dressed like he is ready for a Polo match to start.
Anyhow.. Lets go!!!
Ola Aina, I quite like the look of from what I’ve seen of him this season , can play either full back position and also wing back…
Up against Martinelli today.
“Giving it the big I am, while bending over and taking it up the shitter from the older (shite) players like aubu, Willian luiz etc”
And
“I’d smash Sheffield united by myself playing rush goalie too”
Ha ha. This sums up the intelligent, analytical debate offered up by those who only ever come onto the blog to criticise Arsenal, the players and our Manager. Classic trolling from TYAG. Amusing, I’ll give the clown that much.
Martinelli almost….
Good signs to come… hopefully
Come on The Arsenal!!!
So close!!
Oh man almost scored in 1 min… close.
@AFC
I do apologise we’re all not super intelligent super fans like yourself. Forgive us all super fan
Must be hard for Pepe to build confidence when he gets dropped regardless of how well he plays.
Rush goalie I haven’t heard this term in 15 years!!!
Need more of these long balls sprayed by the Gabriel and Xhaka
AFC forever
Probably one of those fans who became a supporter because we were winning things under wenger. I’ve been a supporter since 1980, and sorry if this upsets you, but this is the worst board and worst manager we’ve had in all those years of supporting the club
Gabi already close twice
Martinelli again, saved
Should Martinelli leave to ceballos?? May be but cebLlos hasn’t scored for aves
anyone got any decent stream??
So close for Martinelli!!! ESR with an excellent late pass.
@Gonsterous
https://tv.fotyval.com/
Ceballos should have scored with the cut back.
Martinelli should calm a little.. no need to rush and get overly eager. He’d have scored if hit the ball clean…
Really really nice start
Martinelli has to leave that for ceballos
Ryan can take a coffee break atm
I seldom see sunshine in London.
Lacazette looks very sharp today.. with the passes. Really good start… need a goal though to make it all pay off.
Bellerin is so useless now.
Martinelli overplayed it. Saka was playing merely the decoy. He can take that on
If only elneny could cut back on back passes
We have possession but not enough balls going forward
Ffs eleneny never passes forward..esr har made a run
Elhnehey, how is he a player? Can’t play a forward pass to save his life
Has Ryan touched the ball yet
Just thinking the same thing Buzzy, too many nothing backward or sideways balls that kill our momentum.
TYNG
not working for me. Thanx for the link anyway. Anyone got any other links?
What sort of pressing is this?
Dare I say it arsenal players all had their shredded wheat for breakfast, a Twix and a swig of lucozade before kick off
Good take Ryan q0byards out… keep it that eay
Leno would have been rooted there
Ryan catches better than leno oh, he distributes better too
Ryan seems more confident coming for crosses than Leno. I’d keep him after the loan if the deal is acceptable.
@Gonsterous
Sorry mate
Why the fuck are Fulham playing like a fucking Fifa troll who takes the piss by passing in his own half?
Funny how so many on here pick up on what seems obvious yet those running the club seem blind to the crab passing and lack of authority in the midfield and at the back.
It’s a competition between zhaka and elhneny, who plays back passes most?
Lucky.
Too close for comfort … why are we not blocking shots like against SP??
@Andy1886
How dare you be critical of the saucy genius and his style of football. Shame on you for wanting better
Elneny, ceballos? What kinda combo is this?
Oh wow… almost a Fulham banter goal… off the deflection.
That was a pathetic attempt at a tackle from ceballos
Not much pressing , hunting in packs, or blocking crosses and shots. Wots going on
Gonsterous
Try :
https://wwwtotalsportek.com
Hopefully a link there will work for you.
Bad corner. Too close to the GK.
Forgot the dot. https://www.totalsportek.com
Saka anonymous
Bellerin almost worse than Chambers
Ceballis in his old position wouldn’t work, especially being coupled with Elneny
Too many disconnects compared to the SP game
Xhaka most tackles and possession win by any Arsenal player this season. Worth repeating 😃
Such a bad decision to give all those minutes to ceballos this season. A loan player that we’re unlikely to keep. Why are we developing him when we send our homegrown midfielders out on loan who have a higher ceiling?
Bellerin is so useless
I think Saka and Gabi need to switch flanks..both unable to cut back to their favoured foot
Why not give Azeez a game at CM? There is very little chance he’ll do a worse job than Elneny/Ceballos there.
Bellerin giving the ball to Fulham consistently.
At times Esr comes too deep to collect.ball, bellerin and enemy destroy our momentum on the right. Saka at tail end is rendered useless practically
Or even better, play a youngster LB.
Xhaka back to CM.
Bellerin is definitely worse than Chambers, that’s obvious.
Saka switching to left to mix it up
Hand on sakas arm probably not a pen
Wouldn’t say Bellerin is worse. He just seems disinterested and wants to leave.
Xhakas been flawless
Bellerin is so so poor
This is going to be one of those games isn’t it?
Artetas shit line up costing us points.
Eleney passed the ball too hard.
Playing Bellerin and backpass Elmeny , it appears ArtetaOut is setting up the youngsters to fail, particularly Martinelli.
Arteta needs to be on a shrink’s couch to address his demons, instead of playing his perverse mind games
What really does elnenhy offer us???
Elneny definitively needs to be sold. For whom was that far too heavy pass to???
Very slow tempo to game.
Pepe is currently better than Martinelli. He has the X factor.
This game beeds Parteys forwardness
Thank God Elmeny Backpass is being substituted. Partey coming
It’s obvious once again that we have no game plan, no how to play against Fulham. What are we exploiting? Just ball passing aimlessly
Beauty
Are you drunk? What Partey is this? It makes little difference the combination of central midfielders we play. I’m only going by evidence though not some adolescent infatuation.
Yeah!!!
Yes!!!
Martinelli is a better player but needs game time. He’s hardly played and it’s showing. Decision making is the issue.
Now they have to come out.
Saka off?
Offside
Ceba ceba ceba
Excellent team goal. Good vision by Bellerin actually..
Saka looked offside though.