CAN ARTETA RESIST ‘GALAXY BRAIN’ THIS THURSDAY?

by .

Arteta and his squad of inconsistent merry-men saw off a very poor Newcastle United team in a 90 minutes of pure control.

Elneny scored after 5 minutes, burying a mistimed shot from Auba. You can’t knock the Egyptian, he tries his hardest, spent the season practising his shots, and made the difference when he needed to.

Our second goal was a little sexier, Odegaard found Martinelli in space on the left, the Brazilian crossed beautifully to the back post where Auba was on hand to finish acrobatically from 6 yards. A great goal and a perfect piece of delivery from the under-appreciated Brazilian.

It was another game we dominated and the result didn’t really demonstrate the true power of the control we had. 19 shots, only 5 on target… we really should have mauled them, but this current side doesn’t really have that gear within them.

The build-up play was so much better with David Luiz in the side. It’s such a shame he’s ruined his hamstring because he really does add a layer of confidence to a defence lacking crucial pieces. It’s amazing that a player so unreliable can be so important to this process.

Gabriel Martinelli was absolutely exceptional. His direct runs, his movement, and overall energy should always make him a required started. Arteta made an interesting comment about his partnership with Xhaka, claiming his game suits the Brazilian more than Tierney’s. That’s a level of football nerdom I’m not equipped to comment on, what I can say is it’s an abomination that we go into the most important game of the season with him on the bench and ESR in the false 9 role.

Arteta was actually quite tetchy about the criticism of his reticence when it comes to playing him.

‘I can tell you I love him more than all of you’

It wasn’t said as a joke, he was seething underneath. The mask slipped as he reeled off other players he’s been hammered for dropping. I can’t have it. Arteta dropped Gabriel for 12 weeks after half a bad game, yet here we are, watching Willian drop nearly a whole season in the Premier League without a goal. Ruthless standards for kids, not for the seniors he’s invested in.

Another interesting perk of the game was watching Mat Ryan control his box with his hands and with the ball at his feet. He’s a fast mover of the ball, he’s almost thinking about where he’s going to pass as he’s catching the ball. Apparently, he was talking Spanish to communicate with certain players. Arsenal are likely going to lose Bernd Leno this summer, he’s done with the club, and he’s let his bosses know. Apparently, there are big problems in the coaching department. We’ve seen loved coaches leave, new coaches make questionable recommendations, witnessed the shocking dips in form, and now one of our big players is angling for an out this summer. How has it come to this? Who is being held accountable? That’s all on Arteta who seems to have selective non-negotiables when it comes to his staff.

Regardless, it does pose a big question. Who does he start on Thursday? If Leno is looking to exit the club, are we running into the exact issue we had when we rolled with Petr Cech in the Europa League when he was about to take a job at Chelsea? It’s a tough decision the manager has.

Thursday night is absolutely huge. It is a must-win. It is also reputational damage control for Mikel Arteta. His arrogance last week cost us the game in Spain. The decision to play a teenage creative midfielder as a #9 when he had Martinelli at his disposal was all about him. That he didn’t have coaching staff around him strong enough to call bullshit on him is another story.

Villareal is not a great side. Unai Emery knows he is in trouble. We have to take this home game by the scruff of the neck. Simple ideas for the right players. No galaxy brain thinking. No ‘maybe he’s fit’ gambles. No slow start. We need to pull them to pieces and make the final.

Let’s see what Arteta has, this is all on him.

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Owen

Winner?

NJ Gooner

Second?

NJ Gooner

Tro4phy?

NJ Gooner

Perhaps this time????

NJ Gooner

Yes, back in Europe again….. off to read the blog

MLC

Hi there

NJ Gooner

I suspect that Auba and Martinelli (if he starts) will miss Luiz’s long diagonal balls over the top on Thursday. Apart from Xhaka, when he has time, space and the (occasional vision), I can’t even think of another Arsenal player who can make them over 40-50 yards. Maybe Partey if he isn’t pressed too hard? I am not a great Luiz fan but that will really be a problem if we play for speed up front. Pedro, I am also a little surprised that you didn’t reflect on the events at Manure yesterday, and whether it’ll jilt the Kroenkes into… Read more »

Gazza

Glad Pedro that you are finally seeing the light with Arteta & his stubborn & blinded Management…he has 2 games to save his position

Sid

Elneny is a better midfielder than Xhakalson for gegen press, but Diet Pep plays crap tactics.

Sid

Capoues red card is a blessing in disguise for villareal

NJ Gooner

Why is it a blessing, Sid?

And would you say the same of Ceballos for Arsenal? No choice is better than having an alternative off the bench?

Northbanker

If we stumble on Thursday then our priority should be to find a new coach. The club has to stand up and admit its errors of strategy and how we will build for the future. No more Super league crap. let’s get a sustainable model where we’re not forced to sell world class goalkeepers and not signing up old men seeking a huge retirement annuity based on an old reputation

If we get through then the strategy should be imposed on Arteta

andy1886

Can’t say I’d miss Leno, heard previously that he’s not well liked amongst his team mates. Ryan suits our game better anyway.

Guns of Brixton

Would you take back Scezney?

If Donurmana goes Juve from Milan it becomes a serious option to consider

Guns of SF

Leno nah
Guen stuck up for him and got canned for his behavior. Leno did not say a peep in defense of his teammate. Did he go to Mike and say, come on… let it go? who knows…

Seems like a selfish prick
Wont care if he leaves. Again Emi was the one for me

Aidan Kabudi

I find it very surprising from you. Just a few weeks ago or a month ago, you were praising Arteta and said that the coaching you heard is phenomenal and we will click next season. Now you tell us leno is leaving , coaching staff changed isn’t good, my question in just a few weeks what has changed from coaching being phenomenal to this? And what changes has been made to the coaching staff and who has left? My take on your criticisms on senior players, some aren’t really good like willian it’s true but we can’t just play kids… Read more »

Captain Tierney

If Leno leaves, it will be a punch in the face for Arteta and his staff as they sold the better keeper to accomodate Leno as the #1. Also if he wanted to leave he should have just left last summer, the GK coach has been here for 18 months. What a troubling situation. Anyways we shouldn’t even be replying to offers below 25 million. Theres going to be a keeper merry go round this summer I believe with Donarruma being the first domino. Not many good keepers our there in our price range who would be an upgrade on… Read more »

Sid

Sczeny is crap at high crosses serie A suits him, he would be like leno in the EPL

Captain Tierney

Henry says Ek is serious and will make an offer in the coming days. Also that Ek has the required funds and he is in for the long haul.

Captain Tierney

Not too sold on Szeczny either. Have seen him in CL games this season and last. He’ll most probably be a downgrade from Leno.

Ishola70

Yes he will avoid “Galaxy Brain”

A five year old can see Aubameyang is looking to be primed for this match so we will see a more convential line-up.

Highbury Boy

Can’t believe it’s 50 years since my greatest night as an Arsenal fan. You have to understand the context. My dad was an Arsenal fanatic often reminiscing about Chapman, Alex James , Boy Bastin and the great team of the 30’s. He was written up in the programme as having seen more home matches than any other fan.We lived round the corner to the ground. My paper round covered the streets adjoining the ground. In the 1952/53 season I saw virtually every match, with my dad, standing behind the goal at the Clock End although we watched the final match… Read more »

Mr Serge

We should go for domarouma on a free and sell Leno that money pays Dom’s wages he is 22 already has 40 caps for Italy bring him in

Mm

Where is Leno going to go anyways?
Can’t see any big team interested

Captain Tierney

Donnarumma is reportedly headed to Juve. Raiola wants big money for the player as well as himself. Dont think we can afford thay right now.

+ Why would he even want to join us ?

Captain Tierney

Leno will definitely have suitors, especially in Germany.

Dortmund are in need of a keeper upgrade, their options in that position are quite poor imo. They also wont go big as its against their policy. If I were Edu, Id be advertising Leno to them. For 25-30 mil would be a good deal.

Armourist

Surely, it’s 433 … MO TP ESR/ GM PEA BS and go full attack.

Pierre

Matthew Ryan looks to have a similar attitude to Martinez in goal , in that he regards the area as his domain and looks to dominate…….unlike Leno.

He is also similar to Martinez in that he looks fully focused on the job…….unlike Leno.

He is of course a few inches smaller and a few pounds lighter but so far I have been impressed with his game.

Is Arteta brave enough to start him on Thursday ..

englandsbest

It’s seems to have become the habit on here to search out every possible flaw in Arteta, exaggerate them and, for good measure, load everything wrong at the Club on him even though he wasn’t around at the time. Fairness and commonsense are in short supply. Let’s remind ourselves of what he inherited from mostly Wenger. A bunch of overpaid underperformers. Well, he’s got rid of most of them, not an easy task. Right now, he has created a squad that is about three players away from one that can genuinely compete for major trophies. Every sensible person knew that… Read more »

Sean M

The leaks that will come out once Arteta leaves. My goodness none of us are ready for them…

Good performance from the boys yesterday. Mat Ryan was fantastic. Emi esque performance.

Not only Bernd L also G.X’s time in London looks to be coming to an end. Need to reshape the coaching staff & football leadership ASAP, otherwise we’re gonna waste another season.

Guns of SF

There are grounds to believe that the Kroenkes will give him whatever he reasonably asks for.

Isn’t this part of the problem? Reasonably? KSE seems reason as being as cheap as possible and staying away from the team and letting others be the fall guys.

This is the attitude of the doped masses.

KSE needs pressure on them. If Mike had an cojones, he would tell Josh I need xy and z, even if it costs Stan 150 plus M… At some point, he is going to have to invest. That time should be now

Habesha Gooner

Well count me excited. This guy ek is serious. He already spoke to Henry, Viera and Bergkamp. He already spoke to Arsenal supporters trust and is going to make a 1.8 billion bid. I hope this will be the end of accepting mediocrity. With the amount of insanely talented young players we have, it could go right for us.

Matt

Yet another laughable situation occurs. We allow a world class keeper to leave so that we can keep a suspect German as number 1 only for that same German to decide less than a year later that he wants out.

Seems like another situation that could only happen to this Arsenal.

P.S. Leno can get fucked!!

Ishola70

Sean M

“Not only Bernd L also G.X’s time in London looks to be coming to an end.”

Will suit a lot of fans.

Both players are not the real deal although of course Leno has his stronger attributes and Xhaka is a trier.

Hard to see Arteta ditching both of them though going on past events with him.

Sean M

heard a rumor a few months ago. Any truth in Auba having a clause in his contract that states he can leave for free/minimal fee this summer if we don’t get UCL football/win a trophy, Pedro?

Habesha Gooner

No way should we allow Leno to leave without a proper replacement. There are good keepers if you look for them. Leno as good as he is, will only be good enough for a top 4 run. We won’t have more than that with him in the side. There are weaknesses in his game in departments like commanding his area, Claiming crosses and proper distribution. If he wants to leave he can but we should get a good replacement. Not a hyped up player but one that is backed by data. I am not even sure if this is worth… Read more »

TheBayingMob

“Not many good keepers our there in our price range who would be an upgrade on Leno. We’ll have to be real smart if we want to come out of this as winners.” Well I was taking from the conversation until now is that Leno shifts on for (25m, whatever) and Matt Ryan moves to be #1 … then it’s not a case of finding an upgrade on Leno but finding a decent understudy to Ryan, the question then becomes is Ryan better than Leno? Leno has been good at times this season but then also a total liability, I… Read more »

bacaryisgod

This is the most likely line-up for Thursday. Possible Odegaard will play after seeing his minutes increase but he was poor against Newcastle. Martinelli and Odegaard on if we get desperate for a goal. There’s another possibility in that Odegaard will play deeper alongside Partey instead of Elneny. Gabriel might also be retained but I think he’ll go with the more experienced Mari.

Leno,
Chambers, Holding, Mari, Xhaka
Elneny Partey
Saka Smith-Rowe Pepe
Aubameyang

bacaryisgod

Pretty scary that Ryan is even in the conversation as #1 after falling al the way down to third-choice at Brighton behind two not particularly convincing keepers. He’s done nothing wrong so far but we haven’t really seen him in any major pressure games nor in a fan-filled stadium. Come to think of it, he’s not even our player yet and we’ll have to work out a deal with Brighton to buy him outright. Still, he’s a perfect #2 for now. If Leno is leaving, let’s pray that Arteta doesn’t look to his goalkeeping coach for advice. The one encouraging… Read more »

TheBayingMob

“Pretty scary that Ryan is even in the conversation as #1 after falling al the way down to third-choice at Brighton behind two not particularly convincing keepers. ” I understand, but Emi had been with Arsenal for 10 years without a look in behind dross like Almunia and a has-been Petr Chec, sometimes you just need a new start and another chance … but yar I get it otherwise, but my other point is even with that being said I’d prefer to see Ryan starting over Leno on any given day as he’s a fucking liability … the goal against… Read more »

CORNISH GOONER

If the Premier League really do come up with a tougher regulation of the behaviour of The Super League 6 (not holding my breath), could Stanley & the 2 other loveable American owners decide to sell up?

bacaryisgod

The BayingMob,

I totally agree with you that a new situation for Ryan could be the reason for giving him a chance. He’s also an Arsenal fan. The situation is different with Emi though. Ryan was an established keeper and Brighton #1 but suffered a major drop in form.

I like him, but I would certainly like us to try to replace Leno with a superior keeper and keep Ryan at #2 if he does go this summer.

bacaryisgod

Cornish

Not sure it will make any difference. Any ESL reboot will be several years away so the new Premier League regulations would likely only codify the minimal chance ESL will reappear. Still, it could add an additional reason for Kroenke to decide to sell.

Either way, if he does sell, expect him to try to save face by buying another sports franchise in the U.S or elsewhere. This way he can frame it as strategic decision rather than an admission of failure. brought on by outside pressure.

Captain Tierney

Ryan as first choice ?
Is this a joke. He was third choice for Brighton.

Now, he is a good keeper but nowhere near good enough if we want to challenge for top 6 next season.

Almuniasaynomore

The discussion of who plays in goal Thursday shouldn’t be confused with who is our no.1. If Arteta is aware that Leno is departing then he should be finished with him. Ryan is better at instilling confidence through aerial ability and command of his box though is not as good a shot stopper as the German. But Leno has pissed us all off for long enough, the team doesn’t obviously benefit from his inclusion over Ryan (unlike playing Cole in the Cl final which was sickening but the right decision). But to be clear, Arsenal going forward cant consider either… Read more »

Mr Serge

Matt Ryan is a good number 2 not a regular starter for the club the size of Arsenal

Mr Serge

Even though I am tired of the EMI debate we got rid of the wrong keeper

Chris

Not sure about Ryan being number 1 for next season (I would keep him as back up) but the question should be, right now, do we play Leno of Ryan for the remainder of this season? Leno wants out, big red flag right there, Ryan looked assured yesterday although we are yet to know about high pressure situations. There are points for and against for either. The Cech comparison is a worthy one. We don’t owe Leno anything if what is being said about him is true. If we feel the defence looks more sure of themselves in front of… Read more »

Ernest Reed

Arteta is like a child being told not to touch a flame, but does it anyway because he has a point to prove.

I will say it again, should Arsenal take care of business and handle Villareal as they should, it wont be because of Arteta, but rather it will be in spite Arteta.

I have zero faith in Arteta as a manager, but most certainly i do have faith that the players can rescue themselves despite the handicap that is their current manager.

Ernest Reed

“Matt Ryan is a good number 2 not a regular starter for the club the size of Arsenal”

Sounds very familiar in regards to a former Arsenal keeper thought not to be a number one until given the opportunity to prove otherwise.

David Smith

If we need a new keeper, perhaps ask Juve nicely , and right a Wenger wrong

Ernest Reed

“And let’s not forget that the season is not yet over. If Arsenal were to win the Europa Cup, I will rate this the best season in many, many years.”

You are right, fairness and common sense are very much in short supply. Give your head a shake already!

Almuniasaynomore

Made some balls of that. Maignan is of course the lille keeper, the other guy,that we could get is Lafont, plays for nantes. Any more reports like that and I could get hired by our scouting department…….

Guns of SF

Ernest
I agree- I even go as far to think that the players are tuning him out with his weird tactics and just balling… doing what they know will work best.
Mike thinks they are stupid or something- anyone and their dog knows his lineups and tactics are shit. The players know right off the bat in most cases I am sure

Rich

Only Arsenal could go from Leno + Martinez fighting it out to be our No1

To Ryan + Runarsson fighting it out to be our No1, within the space of a few months

Our ability to do really stupid things, is the stuff of legends

Ernest Reed

Non-negotiables can be a good thing, in moderation. Over time i cannot help but feel that Arteta has taken this aspect a little too far, GunsSF.

There are far too many inconsistencies that border on absurd from Arteta. Something is not right and its more and more obvious now. It’s absolutely a control thing with Arteta.

London gunner

For all the football experts on here who laughed at me when i said lukaku was quality.

44 goals in 6 starts second top scorer after Ronaldo and spear headed inter to first seria a title in 9 years. Suck on those big ones.

London gunner

No Serie A player has assisted more goals than Lukaku’s 10 this season and his chances created, expected assists (creating a chance that would be expected to be scored) and distance carrying the ball are all at the highest level he has produced in the past four seasons

with eight goals or assists in 10 starts against their six main rivals – Milan, Atalanta, Juventus, Napoli, Lazio and Roma.

DivineSherlock

I think if Leno leaves than its really bad judgement from Arteta and I would really consider downgrading his position to Head coach for sure. And when You look at Edu’s work alone I think he has done really well all things considered. He has delivered every player Arteta demanded of and managed to tie several key players to good deals. Also managing to get rid of the deadwood players.

Pierre

Divinesherlock
” And when You look at Edu’s work alone I think he has done really well all things considered. He has delivered every player Arteta demanded of and managed to tie several key players to good deals. Also managing to get rid of the deadwood players.”

Will just point out that the supposed “deadwood players” are not culpable for our present league position…

Almuniasaynomore

Divine Sherlock
If my wife is trying to sell stuff on Ebay but cant and I tell her I’ll sort it for her, I’m not sure I’m going to get any credit if I just dump it all in the bin and then hand a brown envelope to the bin man to get rid of the extra rubbish. I don’t know if Edu or Arteta oversaw the disposal of our ‘deadwood’ but if operating like that is considered by them to be shrewd we are in a world of pain that isn’t ending til both are gone.

Danny S

Christ Pierre.

Every time I come on this blog these days to have a read I see a comment from you and I lose all interest.

It’s like being stuck in a time warp. Same old shit regurgitated.

Venga, Dani

So Leno’s gone then…if only we had a homegrown quality goalkeeper who loved arsenal and was a real leader on the pitch…if only… EMI COME BACK

Venga, Dani

just mind boggling incompetence this past summer between selling Martinez, and getting Willian in. Shocking stuff that really should be seen as sackable offenses for Edu/Mikel.

Dissenter

The set up that deemed Runnarsson good enough as back-up goalie cannot be allowed to have ANYTHING to do with securing a replacement for Leno.

Arteta has his merry band of assistants should be excluded from having any say in determining who Leno’s replacement should be.

Useroz

Arteta hired a bunch of journeyman assistant coaches just as he was a journeyman at Everton before joining Arsenal. I was unsure of what he brought to the team at the time…

The Runnerboy purchase was just one of many sackable offenses Arteta, Edu and cohorts manage to pick up in under two years. It’s quite funny if it isn’t happening to Arsenal!

Nelson

“Pedro, I am also a little surprised that you didn’t reflect on the events at Manure yesterday,”
————————————————————————————————————-
I read that the Manure supporter trust has posted 4 questions to their owner and demanded answer in a week. According to one question, they want the owners to allow the fans to buy shares. It appears that the British government will protect these minority share holders. Arsenal fans can learn a few things from what the manure fans are doing.

bacaryisgod

Bielsa stalling on a new Leeds contract.

What thoughts on him replacing Arteta this summer?

Sid

Turns out the men are microsoft while the womena amazon over at silicone

Dissenter

The Kroenkes own 100% of Arsenal so I’m pretty sure that no amount of fans demanding answers will make them give up shares to fans It will be a slippery slope for “government” to “protect” any fan who’s forcing the sole owner of business to give it up. Surely the UK government won’t try to act like Idi Amin Dada. This is the of these fait accompli situations; the deed is already done – live with it. Unless another billionaire makes an offer that the Kroenke’s can’t walk away from, Arsenal belongs to him. I mean you can’t just go… Read more »

China1

Runarsson has barely played. Maybe he’s going to come in and do a Martinez? 😀

China1

Runarsson has to go down as one of our truly bants signings

We’ve had a LOT but he makes the grade

Tony

“Fairness and commonsense are in short supply.”

From those who are blind to Arteta’s continual mistakes and poor man management as has been pointed out here every day. That’s without Arteta being the worst Arsene manager for at least 50 years.

Try introspection re Arteta Englandsbest and make a list of Arteta’s pros and cons see what you come up with. If you’re honest with yourself the pros will be a very short list compared to the cons.

Tony

Certainly up there with Kallstrom, China1

Guns of SF

Bacary

I dont think so, that would be too much for conservative Arsenal. Hiring a older, experienced coach, who loves to attack but speaks little English… Too many flags-

I would love to see him with us. He is a coach and only a coach.
With a proper defense and defensive coach, we would be a joy to watch again

Guns of SF

Kallstrom gave us like one good game and that was it…
If the fella was healthy, I think he could have helped us a lot more.
But I guess having a broken back made for a cheap Jan transfer

Guns of SF

or loan or whatever he was

Zimbogunner

It’s funny how some people here think. Wanting Arteta out ? Even poor Jose Mourinho said we are a badly run club and he won’t come coach us. Who else can come and do a better job than Arteta given that…1. we have very sting owners 2. We have too many overpaid dross in our squad who won’t move any inch from thier comfortable life ( PEA, Kola, Element, Xhaka) 3. Everyone out there thinks we are a joke club including players coming in good form from Thier previous clubs(Partey) The best at the job is Arteta. Let him continue… Read more »

Zimbogunner

After 1 game some here are calling for Ryan to start over Leno….ooh poor arsenal fans😆😆 It’s not the first time…Last year you all went ballistic for Ceballos after seeing a few 360 degrees turns in a few games…Today you don’t want see that man near the lineup You saw MO scoring against Spurs and a good game against Westham and you are saying he is the one to wipe out sorrows next year. I’m pretty sure when the club signs him on permanent you will start abusing him after he drops poor performances. Mind you he is a reject… Read more »

TheBayingMob

Zimbogunner starts with

“It’s funny how some people here think”

Then ends with

“The best at the job is Arteta. Let him continue doing whatever he is. The only black spot is his favorites are shit like Willian and Leno”

Yup, it is certainly fucking funny how some people think …

TheBayingMob

Zimbogunner

“After 1 game some here are calling for Ryan to start over Leno”

I’d rather have Helen Keller in goal over Leno

Kenyangunner

Sam Johnstone looks the business. Should probably arrange a deal with baggies with AMN making his move permanent

Dark Hei

Tony

Kallstorm didn’t costs 1 M.

And he scored in the penalty shootout.

And he is a legend in the old championship manager.

Guns of SF

Dont look now, but Alexis S won the Serie A
Good for him!
Leaving for manure was a huge mistake. But in the end, he wins….

China1

Kallstrom was an ok player but signing short term loan deals for a player with a broken back is as bangs as it could possibly get

It’s sitcom levels of absurdity

We should add runarsson into the baby’s hall of fame. I suppose he walks into the starting 11 with the n1 jersey

China1

Banter hall of fame

Dark Hei

China

Yup, even if its free, whats the point of signing a guy with a broken back

Tony

China1
Mart Poom as Runnerson’s number 2?

Makes you cringe when you read the list of incomings since 2000.

Farteta has just continued Wenger’s poor judgement of players including Ozil’s last minute panic buy.

Cue Pierre.

https://www.transfermarkt.com/fc-arsenal/alletransfers/verein/11

Tony

Dark Hei
“Yup, even if its free, whats the point of signing a guy with a broken back”

Being charitable or maybe philanthropic?

Habesha Gooner

To be honest Runarsson looked decent before the city game. That game showed him up in that he wasn’t able to play at that level yet. Kallstrom on the other hand was a banter signing. We didn’t use him at all and there was no point to signing him. At least Runarsson passed a medical and had no broken back. If we loan him out to the championship he might get better.

Foxy

Whoever we go for in goal has to be able to dominate the 6 yard area like Emi did and have fast distribution. Leno has neither for instance the 2nd Valencia goal the corner cross was right on the 6 yard line, Leno who was about 3 yards off his line then back peddled to the goal line rather than go out and catch or punch.

Emiratesstroller

Arsenal’s current goalkeeping resources do not inspire great confidence. The first team squad goalkeepers of Leno, Ryan and Runarsson have all got their weaknesses. Leno is currently our first choice. He does make some good saves, but his game in last two seasons has been full of errors, which does not inspire confidence particularly in tight games. My main gripes are that his distribution is not just predictable, but puts the team under pressure. Also his concentration can be off beam as we saw in the game against Everton. Ryan played on Sunday and to be honest was not put… Read more »

Valentin

Stroller, There was absolutely no problem with the U23 and academy goalkeepers. We could have had Martinez as No1 and João Virginia as No2 both home grown. He is now No3 at Everton at 21 years old. A few of our former goalkeepers are now enjoying decent career away from Arsenal. The issue was always with the senior team goalkeeper coaches. None of the goalkeepers liked them nor respected their training method. Leno made it clear a while ago that the goalkeeper coach brought in by Arteta who successfully got the other two sacked or not renewed was somebody he… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

Valentin

You are referring to the “past” and I am referring to “today”.

The U23s do not need SIX goalkeepers all of whom receive minimal game time. My feedback is that Arsenal have got one decent keeper in U23s who is Okonkwo and he wants to leave.

Woodman the senior academy goalkeeping coach is also leaving. So this does not suggest that everything is okay below first team.

DivineSherlock

Pierre Will just point out that the supposed “deadwood players” are not culpable for our present league position… I never said they were , dont post your agenda on every attempt. Read what I said . Alumuniasaynomore Will you read properly what I said ? I said I dont trust Arteta’s judgement . Since we’re told by Pedro that he was involved in transfers we have been given Willian , Saliba went on loan , Martinez was sold and Runarrson brought in . Maitland Niles bid was rejected and he went on loan to WBA subsequently . These are some… Read more »

TeeCee

Runarsson came with the second worst record in a very weak Ligue 1…….he’s lived up to that billing. A shocking bargain basement signing straight out of the Wenger ‘could be world class’ book! There are so many issues at Arsenal with management in general, from the top to some of the coaches, but there is NO-ONE at the club with any real knowledge and experience to change things for the better so we just bumble along making mistake after mistake. The biggest signing in the summer would be a DOF who knows what he is doing and who is given… Read more »

kjelli

we need to be bold on Thursday in every department, hope Tierney and Matt Ryan will start and
Laca is fit to go. Score early and kill the game

DivineSherlock

Also all this has been successfully accomplished by Edu so far without a. hitch . This tells me he is very good at what he does , Succesfully convinced Auba , Martinelli , Saka , Balogun to sign as well. Edu is not responsible for the football on the pitch , but as far as I can tell he has done everything Arteta required him to do . He has brought the desired players and sold/loaned unwanted ones. I would like to see Edu do his work without the manager’s interference . That means demoting him to head coach .

shaun

I think I saw somewhere that Martinelli is on a 100k a week and I would also think Balagon got the sixty he was after as his camp have gone very quiet , so with out a hitch in this case comes with overspending , Auba , Willian and Partey with the latter two being on well below the £200,00 mark and offered in excess of it to join Arsenal that is just poor and throwing money at the issue which we all know is the easy fix if you have it . I am not having Partey or willian… Read more »

Tony

Just another Arteta tentacle not performing for the better of the club.

Academy keepers witnessing the debacle would not be filled with confidence to stay and fight for a place at the top table.