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
Can’t believe Bellerin has an assist.
They’re going to disallow that for offside. Ffs.
Finally … nice… !!!! Needed that.. Var? …… ugh.
Fucking toe offside. Dear or dear.
A gnats bollock offside omg var
Pepe is a proper winger. Martinelli has been shoehorned . He would be deadly as a centre forward or false 9
Of course.
Fuck. He was not in play. Why it counts as offside???
It seems ceballos is never going to score a goal for us.
No way…. the offside looked so close….
In fact, they looked level to me.
VAR is a joke !
Football is so far away from making sense when goals are ruled out due to a 1mm infringement
So much for advantage to the attacker
Of course Dani would nevet have found the net without Sakas little toe gaining that clear and obvious advanrage
I’ve always said if you can’t tell without drawing lines then it’s too close, and basically level and the advantage should go to the attacking team.
Very sus decision. He wasn’t interfering and who decides when the ball is played? Hardly a week goes by without VAR fucking us over.
This one is clear offside.
Jim 😂😂
Yep that’s actually offside this time
VAR is sucking the joy out of football.
Kick var out of football
Var is absolutely rubbish
It’s consistently ruining games. Just bin it already
terrible game, terrible performance, apart from the disallowed goal we have been creating nothing.
No identity in this team, we dont play quick one touch football, nor do we play in traingles, we dont have any link up play, we dont have any game plan down the wing, its just pass around aimlessly and hope for an individual brilliance so we can score. Really playing like a mid table team these days.
Bellerin has given the ball away 6 times, just saying………cunt.
That is too close to be called offside. Ceballos goal ought to stand
Xhaka a better fullback than Bellerin. Chambers too.
I’m not sure what Reiss Nelson is doing but RB is a position he should be looking to make a career at Arsenal.
I refuse to believe VAR is accurate to within an inch.. with camera angles etc,.,.. It’s not like tennis where you have lasers down a stationary line. But… that’s what it has become… score a goal and wait for Var to over rule it.
Anyhow disappointing after that start … it all kind of went stale.
China1
“Football is so far away from making sense when goals are ruled out due to a 1mm infringement”
This. I said it before, they are making a mockery of the game. Gone are the days when you can jump up and celebrate a goal. Everyone knows no advantage has been gained, they need to scrap VAR.
Partey has to replace Elneny and cedric for Bellerin if we are to get anything here
You could show that VAR replay to 1000000 football fans and the only ones who would call it offside work for the FA.
It’s absolutely nonsense. Just cunt it off, please
Hopefully Wenger’s recommendation for daylight offside rule gets passed ASAP.
A goal like that should not be ruled out, the current rules are not in line with the tech in terms of the future of the game, a toenail length should not mean a goal is disallowed for offside.
Should definitely be up!
Var is still var. How do all the other sports get it right (or at least more right)???
Ceballos was looking decent that half. Ended it with a nice little backheel nutty.
Laca copped an absolute bruising and is still chugging along.
Now that we’re a mid table team I can see what xhaka brings to the table 😂😂
Offside is one of the the irrefutable decisions that VAR can make
Offside is offside, doesn’t matter, whether it’s by 1 meter or by one centimeter.
VAR did it’s work, no need to start stoking conspiracies
Terrible game so far.
This is actually embarrassing, we’ve been terrible and so have Fulham.
Saka should have been rested. He isn’t his usual self today.
Pepe plays great and is dropped, as usual?
Saka did moved back from an offside position when he collected the ball before passing to Bellerin.
Midwest, they have admitted the technology isn’t that accurate. It’s all very strange how they know it’s not accurate but treat it as if it’s. Also, who draws the line & decides when the ball has been released? As I said, they are ruining the game.
As someone else said exactly in which frame was the ball kicked? That is debatable and if you go 1 frame earlier he’s onside
So we’re back to people actually making subjective decisions and dressing it up as objective. It’s far far far too close to call a certain offside.
Stop fucking the game over ffs.
*signed – every football fan on the planet
It’s amazing how long Bellerin has been in this squad and how ordinary he’s been for 90% of that time.
I will offer Sid to Zeus as a sacrifice if we get good money for Bellerin. I cannot believe any will come for him in the summer.
Diss, I agree there. But it’s just way too inconsistent it’s an absolute farce. Not even just the rules are applied inconsistently but also when it is used. There is a lot of occassions it’s not called upon when it definitely should be and vice versa.
Definitely ruining the game in its current form.
Lets be honest We aren’t the only team who suffers these calls..Liverpools goal against Everton in the dying minutes was a far worse call on Mane
Completely predictable first half given Fulham’s lack of desire.
It’s pointless picking anyone in the forward line if there is a massive disconnect between it and the rest if the team
This midfield will always slow play down and look to pass the ball sideways or backwards and the same applies to the back four….With the exception of Bellerin…who will continue picking out the opposition.
There has to be a definitive point where a player goes from being onside to offside
You can debate about where that line is drawn, but under the current rules, our goal was rightly ruled out
Dissenter
Nobody is talking conspiracy, and it’s not as reductive as ‘offside is offside’
Whatever happened to giving the attacker the benefit? It’s not the case with Lacazette here but the Bamford goal earlier in the season where he was pointing for the ball go be played and his arm was beyond the last defender well he can’t score with his arm/hand so why is he penalised for that? This is where the rules need to be adapted, as Wenger has suggested, to give some benefit back to the attackers in some cases.
No dissenter it was still based on which the officials interpret to be the first frame the ball was kicked (not clear cut) and which pixel they draw the line on (human judgment)
It’s subjective on both accounts
It’s too close to determine definitively
China
Whatever the methodology being used to freeze the film and measure the offside line, you have to expect that the same methodology is being used for all the games.
Offside is offside,
There;s no one in the VAR booth trying to get Arsenal.
Chris
“A goal like that should not be ruled out, the current rules are not in line with the tech in terms of the future of the game, a toenail length should not mean a goal is disallowed for offside.”
They had a debate on this and it’s where Dissenter is wrong. The technology isn’t accurate, so they cannot measure millimetres, claiming it’s a definitive is untrue. They are looking at improved technology. For this reason. In other words, these are guesses.
Wasn’t any point dropping Pepe by the way
Dissenter bellerin will get a movie to a club like Barca psg or juve because bellerin has been conning people into believing he’s the same player he was 5 years ago
Don’t ask me how he’s done it but somehow big teams still seem to like him
AFC
The point about the accuracy is that the majority of teams of which Arsenal were one voted for the technology as it is.
PGMOL maintained that as the same system would be applied in all similar situations it was felt to be fair.
Of course VAR is flawed but so many supporters, managers and pundits thought it would be the solution to tight and incorrect decisions all it has done is create far more issues
He’s the form player, we don’t have any game till Friday, why not allow him continue with his momentum? Doesn’t make much sense the constant chopping and changing and you wonder why no attacking player can seem to have any sustained run of form
Whole point of offside is to stop goal hanging – FIFA need to get back to basics and reform rule completely. A player in front of a defender cannot possibly be offside using any common sense definition
It won’t be easy to break down a defense with 10 men.
Chris
There are many subjective decisions that VAR isn’t great fir, but offside….that shouldn’t even Ben up for debate.
How is this different from the ESR goal that was disallowed on Thursday
One centimeter offside is not different from one meter of offside.
I’ve read that the lines we see on TV are just demonstrative for the audience, they use finer lines, sharp as lasers to determine it.
Let’s move on and win the game.
Diss.. is var that accurate though? , that you can tell within a inch? and when was the line drawn .. At the exact time of impact with the ball being crossed or a millisecond before or after..? So no… it is not irrefutable.
Anyhow…. I’m not into conspiracies… We need to play better .. but that was some crap. If Fulham had scored a goal like that and it got over ruled I would have said the same thing they got hosed. .
As usual the clueless cunt makes no changes
Doesn’t alter how poor we are overall
CM is the problem – both Ceballos and Elneny have been useless
Dissenter
You have missed my point completely.
If you get a minute or two, read up on Arsene Wenger’s proposed changes to the offside rule and you will see what I mean.
We need Xhaka back in CM and it hurts to say that
No it’s not dissenter it’s human judgment How do you determine when a ball is kicked when reviewing something recorded at likely 60fps? Is it the 1/60th of a second when the ball leaves the players foot or when the foot makes contact etc? Can you even see the difference in 1/60th of a second frames? Depending on the angle of the foot as it hits the ball and the camera angle used it might literally be invisible It’s a judgment call. It’s an educated guess and absolutely nothing more A 1mm judgment call is nothing more than that. Subjective… Read more »
Was offside I’m afraid.
Martinelli started really well but I think Aina had him sussed after 15 minutes and Martinelli had to keep checking back.
That is one of the problem having xhaka at full back as he doesn’t create an overload out wide so Martinelli is blameless as he had no support, a good half from him though I do expect Pepe to come on about an hour into the game.
Could even move martinelli to striker , but I doubt that will happen..
Personally I’d bring Eddie on for lacazette and bring partey on .
Dissenter is just being predictable. Never heard him say anything supporting the club.
It doesn’t matter who you support, these are wrong decisions and open to interpretation because the technology is not accurate. When you start disallowing goals on the basis of millimetres knowing the decision is not definitive & can be manipulated by deciding when the ball has been played, you have doubt. They have to stop this because goals are what games are all about and fans are being let down.
Poor strike from Laca-threat
Granit Hollywood FFS
I’d like to see Martinelli central wirh Pepe on left
We need to get Elneny off
Supporting the club isn’t the same as peddling refereeing conspiracies
VAR worked, move on
By the way, Pierre agrees it was offside
Rotation is necessary but it explains our inconsistency. That’s the problem playing Thursdays. Had we started the team we had out the last 2 games we would walk this. .
Pierre the Oracle has confirmed it
Stand down boys!!!!
I hope Arteta makes his subs soon if the score line remains the same.
None of this 82 minutes change with less than 10 minutes to go.
Gabriel perpetually nervous..always a disaster waiting to happen especially in possession
“ hese are wrong decisions and open to interpretation because the technology is not accurate. When you start disallowing goals on the basis of millimetres knowing the decision is not definitive & can be manipulated by deciding when the ball has been played, you have doubt.”
AfcForever
I agree with all that but also even if the tech is accurate it still leaves a sour taste in the mouth. It would be great to see something that benefits attacking football and would stop so many goals being disallowed. This is basically what is being proposed by AW https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsene-wenger-proposals-change-offside-rule-favours-attacking-football-b922456.html%3famp
Dissenter
Behave,vstop talking conspiracy bollocks. I couldn’t give a toss what Pierre thinks, he is as entitled to his opinion as anyone else. He’s wrong because the technology is not accurate,vso it isn’t definitive he was offside. Also, you never support Arsenal, you disappear after good performances and only offer comment to goad after bad results. I know what you are.
I’d have liked we went full force and rest players once in a commanding lead… rather than started with neither here nor there
If this ends up as a draw I guess we have a ready made excuse with the VaR right?
I don’t understand why we play so timidly against teams like fulham who are sat at the bottom of the table. Wengers team never feared the bottom half of the table. We would be running rings against these players, how times have changed.
.Xhaka is a tough bastard .. I’ll give him that..
Elneny cmon… play the darn ball. Saka waiting….
Elneny too slow..Saka was open
Martinelli didn’t foul him. He kinda slipped…
Elhnehy is such a waste, jeezzz
Not a penalty ffs
Gabriel pulled back on his foot already in time…
Seems the guy was shot in the chest
Chris
Yep, totally agree. Football is about goals. Many teams have suffered with disallowed goals for armpits, toenails or elbows -this isn’t an Arsenal thing. The reason they are discussing rule changes is for these reasons.
Offside ?
Offside also… if saka was offside this is more than offside
Imagine
Have to say a penalty will be bloody harsh
Oh my God… seriously…
Dive
Sorry but that wasn’t a penalty. Not in million years
Maybe this will wake us up
Ugh VAR is ruining the game
Why are the ducking commentators spurring for fulham . Fuck sake
VAR is Definitely suspect!!! Do we get any VAR decisions?
That set of var decisions is scandalous
Fulham have never won away st the emirates
VAR fucking Arsenal over again
Scott Parker’s mum just dropped her knitting with joy.
Not a penalty for me.
Harry Kane would have been proud of that dive!!
VAR
Behave?
Like you repeatedly writing that I never say things in support of the club?
Keep wallowing in your paranoia
They have a penalty now
Time for you to moan even harder.