Gooooooood morning! Arteta dropped some intel about some of the reasons we struggled early in the season.
DEADWOOD DEEPSTATE. Think I stole that from someone on the Arsenal Vision Podcast. Now it is mine.
The allusion was that certain players that aren’t here now were the problem.
I cannot imagine which part-time social media manager on £350k a week that could have been?
I cannot imagine which binned players might have been causing those issues?
I cannot imagine which players exiting might also have had a role?
The mess of the squad at the start of the last season led to dramatic decisions. Those decisions against big names were obviously going to hit the morale of the squad. You’ve all worked with a dickhead who hands their notice in and determines to burn the house down.
‘THIS PLACE IS A HELLISH VACUUM OF PUSS THAT IS GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM’
Actual quote from Sandra from accounts at my place.
The biggest issue, Mesut Ozil, was a problem because he was the king. Everyone knows that when the King is dethroned, you have to kill him, because their prior power will always be a threat to stability. The German was too big for Arsenal at that point, he was hurt by the rejection, so it was clear he’d be a problem internally and externally.
Form has picked up since we rid the squad of bad eggs. Things have been better since we discovered the power of creativity in our midfield. We controlled games far better with Thomas Partey in the side.
Everyone is whining on about how 23 games of form doesn’t count for anything. Well, let’s see how that pans out next season, but also dig a little deeper into some other elements.
Leicester beat us with their only run into our box. We smashed them at their place.
Fulham beat us without having a shot on target.
Wolves didn’t deserve to beat us chance. Self inflicted Wolves.
Spurs beat us off 5 attempts at our goal and 30% possession. It was palmed off as ‘genius’ at the time, but let’s be real, it was luck as shown by Jose exiting the building a few months later.
Burnley beat us off 2 shots on target.
Everton beat us twice.
Villa beat us twice.
Basically, a lot of very lucky stuff happened against some very average teams this season.
Turn 3 of the above games into more positive results and the last game of the season sees Arsenal in Champions League spots in our worst ever season.
Hardly a stretch, right?
Think how much better life will be if we have a settled squad come the summer. Creative players from the start. An Auba not dealing with family issues and malaria. Young players a season on.
Arsenal will sell a whole collection of players. I’m not sure reading the praise of the manager is indicative of who we are keeping, it’s a negotiation tactic. Do we really think Madrid believe their future hinges on Odegaard? Doubtful… but it’ll pump his price. Same for the players Mikel is saying are under contract. We are less desperate this summer, which will lead to bigger fees (or actual fees).
Arsenal will no doubt try and make Martin a centre piece of our rebuild this summer and I’d agree with that. I’d certainly prioritize him over the Norwich fella at £450m or whatever they are looking to charge for him.
Then we’ll go for a right back, which has basically been a dead position all season. A nightmare for many reasons, but mainly because we’re lopsided when we attack. If we can bring Tierney levels to the right, it opens a whole world of possibilities.
Ryan Bertrand is perfectly acceptable cover on the left (Leicester after him, so should be safe).
Then we need to address that midfield. I have no idea who we’ll look for in that role, but hopefully we have another press resistant player that can move in the role.
Shake out the deadwood this summer.
Have a 6 week preseason and bond the leaner group.
Make sure everyone is excited and knows their own personal plan.
There will be no excuses next season, but I don’t believe there will be a need for them.
The players are backing the manager. Look at the vibes in the training ground video for David Luiz’s send off.
The club is going to bat for the first team again this summer.
I think we’re on the up.
Final word for the Edu story doing the rounds. The gist is he was taking orders from someone banned from Brazilian football for corruption when he was over there. I don’t understand enough detail to give a running commentary, but the basics are pretty clear, he took orders, he knew who from.
Arsenal relevance:
- It shows real lack of leadership to keep quiet when things like that are going on. The guy giving orders was behaving like Pablo Escobar from jail. Shocking stuff.
- Subservience to shady characters is clearly part of his operating system.
Speaking up about tough things that don’t feel right is part of any big job. I’d say ‘imagine if that was Arsenal’ but let’s be honest, we’ve seen people fail to speak truth to power in our football braintrust to great cost. Shocking deals, cosy agent relationships, huge wastage that a layman could have predicted.
This story is a bad reflection on Edu, but an even worse one on our leadership. Did anyone check in with people that had worked with him to see if he was a determined leader, or a soft touch people pleaser?
I doubt anything will come of it, but at the very least, I hope Vinai V, Richard G, and Josh K are keeping an extra close eye on who we are talking to this summer. The number 1 interest should always be Arsenal FC, that clearly hasn’t been the case with a lot of the decisions we’ve made over the past 4 years. The weaknesses on show in this story aren’t hard to trace back to some if the things we’ve seen at Arsenal (subservience). It is also a worry that he can be so comfortable working with a man of corruption. It’s a canary in the coal mine. Let’s hope we’re not on the receiving end of one of these stings in the future.
Every break going against the Chavs today, just had a goal ruled out by VAR.
You love to see it.
Useroz no I don’t think so unless there is tie in pts for 7th place. Could be wrong though.. could be a play in game or something.
Amazing how many of you are out here whining while we beat a team so many of you said we’re going to easily beat us.
8 points off 3rd as it stands. Tuchel slumping to 5th. Arsenal above Spurs.
Remember when Arteta refused to play Pepe because of Willian?
Mid
If the Chavs lose to Pep next week and Leicester hold on today, could finally be a good summer for banter over your bro eh?
WE
And what I really like about Pepe is that he has learnt how to use his right foot. He has now done it twice now.
If he carries this into the next season, this will be a massive bonus.
Imagine pepe’s numbers had he been given Willians starts at the first half of season . Good numbers for a wide man especially shackled by arteta ball
Good to stop the rot of finishing behind Spurs if things remain as is
Pedro the whinners on here make me sick always a reason to whinge
We are winning and above them spurs wankers I am delighted
Auba wanted it too much… better options there
Db10
“And what I really like about Pepe is that he has learnt how to use his right foot. He has now done it twice now.”
He’s scored quite a few goals with his right this season actually, a couple of real crackers at that. His one footedness is greatly exaggerated on here.
7th place is better then 8th place last season…. progress? I guess… if you discount getting dropped out of Europa by Emery. That one is hard to get past for me.
Pepe doing wot?? Chipping from there?
Leicester still need to score 1 more to seal it I reckon.
Pepe is trying to play through the middle.
MidIf the Chavs lose to Pep next week and Leicester hold on today, could finally be a good summer for banter over your bro eh?
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Yep Eagle.. fingers crossed.. I bantered him pretty hard for doing the double over them.
Bissouma would be good addition but not over £30m…
Saka coming on
Pedro
If only you were this positive when We finished 1 point off 4th and lost a final.
Pepe 17 goals 9 assists that’s great for. A winger not pires numbers but great still
Villa welcoming tuchel to the premier league. Lmao, where any team can be a bottle job. My brother is almost in tears, I’m loving it lmao. Lad was making fun of arsenal the entire season, it’s nice to see a bit of karma.
Let him bag a hat trick.
Spot on Pedro.. many of u must have spent last few seasons wanting us to lose .. end of Wenger to Emery and now Arteta
Chelsea looks shit the honeymoon finally over for the new manger and Fat Frank Chelsea are back
Pedro
You called 4th under Wenger a failure, 5th under Emery a failure, now 7th under Arteta decent?
This is after Arteta had half a season to prepare?
Where’s the shame?
Radio RaheemMay 23, 2021 17:19:59
Season finished against Villarreal winning these meaningless matches are just that meaningless.Still expect Arteta to be gone by Christmas.
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I said it before that the worst thing that can happen is if the Spanish Tony Pulis goes on a winning run all the sudden to buy himself more time.
Parteyyyyyyyyyy, so close
Partey volleyball stopped by cross bar🤔🤔
It;s always good to watch the Spuds fail.. no matter what. the gift that keeps on giving.
Dissenter
They’re both wildly subpar senior players in our attack, and a massive reason why we’re hoping to finish 7th at best for the season.
But Pepe has 5 goals in 3 games so let’s pretend he’s been electric for the season – held back by Arteta I’m sure is the war cry.
Auba been getting shooting lessons from Thomas Partey.
That’s party time football
Oh man… Partey time was almost on.
Lol azed
Pedro,
Weren’t you calling for Arteta to be sacked a few weeks ago?
Parteys volley was like the Zico volley at the World Cup!!! Except it didn’t go in
One dilemma we have going forward is where Saka fits in the XI. Pépé has scored double the amount of PL goals in 1000 less minutes. Martinelli is more prolific on the LW as well. Our priority this summer should be a right footed playmaker who can play on the left and central.
I would like to see Saka more at LB.
i’m not a big fan of the manger no doubt but cannot deny that the player are not firmly playing for him.
They didn’t drop their heads after the shambolic loss to Villareal.
I believe you tend to start the next season from where you left the preceding season. This strong ending to 2020-2021 sets us up for 2021-2022.
The last five games had less pressure but then credit to the manager that can still keep the players motivated.
Pedro’s task just got a lot easier.
He’s trying isn’t he? One will go in at some point.
*clapping* nice season ESR. love that kid.
Joy to see young good player off for another on.
Minimum progress was 7th place finish and a cup final. So not sure much progress for me.
Pedro, surely you must understand how people feel about Arteta. It’s like how you felt about Emery.
But I feel there’s more merit in being anit-Arteta then there was anti-Emery. You made the case well enough in some of your posts recently.
TR7May 23, 2021 17:21:07
7th place finish suddenly doesn’t look as catastrophic.
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Haha you were just waiting for these type of comments.
Ohhhhhh! Partey is really getting closer and closer!!!!
Freddie
Fair’s fair. It is really good to see him getting better and better. He is keeping his down and working hard.
omg Partey!!! super bad luck, moving like Henry out here. that goal would of been a madness, sublime first touch to create the volley.
Test
We’d still support Pedro if artetas sacked
Benching players in form has been one of Arteta’s specialties this season.
Mental. Over thinks it.
Our corners most toothless….
Chelsea get 1 back
Imagine trying to paint this train wreck of a season as progress or whatever. Pepe performance highlighting Arteta’s failures as a manager
CC’s stance on Pepe is getting embarrassing.
Fuck sake, you knew it was coming.
The second half been Wenger pick football.
Arteta appears determined to not have Martinelli on the pitch, unless desperate…
Lava for auba
Charlie
Yes, Pepe could have done more but like i said at the start of the season, Willian’s signing threw lots of confusion in the mix because he denied Pepe precious minutes to settle into the season.
Pepe’s slow start can easily be attributable to the mirage of Willian’s presence, Arteta had to see for himself that Willian was unsuitable. until then Pepe was moved around.
Even a subpar Pepe was still miles ahead of the 2021 version of Willian, they aren’t in the same bracket.
Spuds score
azedMay 23, 2021 17:28:01
PedroYou called 4th under Wenger a failure, 5th under Emery a failure, now 7th under Arteta decent?This is after Arteta had half a season to prepare?Where’s the shame?
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Pedro is just another Arteta cult member at this point. That’s why you’re seeing these nonsensical things from him. Doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.
I literally have not heard or seen a single person say Brighton would beat us easily today. Pedro stooping to straw man arguments there. Sad the depths some people will go to.
Spuds equamised
Remove ode and send him back to Madrid with gratitude
Put in the crowd favorite Martinelli, just to say thank you to the fans in the stadium
Own goal from Schmeichel oh no
A big howler.from Kasper
Lecister bottle champions league football
I support Pedro no mater what.. who else is gonna give all us crazy fuckers a place to trash talk?
So …. if he wants to go all in on Arteta…. still.. go for it man. Ill hold my reservations until season starts next season. Hopefully Josh K being there means he is there to hand them a sack of cash. Not overly optimistic though. that they will open up the war chest.. or spend it correctly.
The next 10 minutes would be worth £2m
Ummm. Some Gooners rather look at their phone tjan watch the game. SIGH.
Lecister won’t score now I just can’t see them getting a goal with 10 mins left. Ashame as I hate Chelsea with a passion
Left TesticleMay 23, 2021 17:29:54
Pedro,
Weren’t you calling for Arteta to be sacked a few weeks ago?
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Again Pedro doesn’t make any sense anymore. He just says whatever is convenient at the moment.
Dissenter, Pepe has also got a lot better since the turn of the year. Let’s not pretend he’s looked anywhere decent off the minutes he’s had.
Willian a huge mistake, no doubt. But we do tend to jump down the path of ‘this has always been x player’ instead of looking at the improvements they’ve made over time.
Also… to those of you wanting to fight me as we win. You are embarrassing.
We’re going to the moon people, no space for people that can’t be happy today.
To be fair Arteta is sneaking results in. Disastrous season but seems to be ending on a bitter sweet end. Never know what to expect with Arsenal nowadays.
Arteta had no intention of playing Pépé this season. If Willian performed at a 6/10 level, he would be restricted to eight minute cameos and the odd start on the Left. Please let’s not bullshit and try to give Arteta credit he does not deserve
“Own goal from Schmeichel oh no”… last you’d have thought
The day is ruined if Chavs go through, real shocker from Kasper
I don’t want Tuchel’s Chelsea to qualify for the CL by default.
Leicester have to find one more surge
Leicester and Roger are more bottlers than Spud.
They’re down to 5th
Many career divers between Spuds and Leicester…. hopefully more late drama…
Yeah schmeichel though not on the same level as his dad is a world class keeper in his own right after his heroics in the fa cup final sad to see him making a howler today
Pedro with all due respect you sound like a scamcoin peddler with that talk
Partey boots up before releasing balls
DissenterMay 23, 2021 17:30:10
i’m not a big fan of the manger no doubt but cannot deny that the player are not firmly playing for him.
They didn’t drop their heads after the shambolic loss to Villareal.
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That was the worst mistake. They were supposed to down tools to get rid of the manager not playing to save his job. Idiots.
Crazy last day!
Come on Leicester get another goal- beat the spuds!!
Yep Brenda does enjoy a good bottle job.. plus when he speaks it makes me cringe.
Pedro
Are we supposed to pretend that Willian’s signing didn’t complicate matters for the attack for the first 12 league games and give Pepe less minutes?
Why are you so reflexively against highlighting any. mistake Arteta may have made.
Fuck
Arteta got Covid again !
Martinelli coming in
5mins for Martinelli, that really fucks me off. Auba is completely off the boil and gets loads of mins
Spurs going to put Chelsea in Champions League… feel for Rodgers.
Pepe and Odergaard stand out performers. Get them both in the first 11 next season.
Ode off.. wonder if that;s the last time we see him
Dissenter Pepe has 5 goals in 3 games which has completely skewed your perception of him this season. He’s been abject, a nothing player in the league, just like Willian who has been benched since Xmas. But by all means, dismiss Arteta’s managerial record from Boxing Day and talk up Pepe following his 3 game improvement in relative dead games. Super consistent as ever. We’re 7th at best, our attack is mid table. The stars of our attack are academy graduates, not the guys earning big money (Auba, Laca, Willian, Pepe). But you want to split hairs on the value… Read more »
Partey rubbed juju on his boots
His shooting has improved exponentially, so much that he needs to be escorted to the drug testing stand
Ask Sid, he won’t charge you a fee.
Spud 2/2 and trying to waste time lol.
Are they stupid or what?
Ffs spurs better not win
Just for today I want a penalty hatrrick for VARdy ! !
Dissenter
“I believe you tend to start the next season from where you left the preceding season. This strong ending to 2020-2021 sets us up for 2021-2022.”
In the all important post-Christmas league (coinciding with Tets’ appointment) in 2019/20, we were on CL form in that second half of the season.
We didn’t carry that over. We had this mess of a season.
Seeing as Tets isn’t being removed, we better hope that there’s some continuity this time.
Have to say Areta has done enough to get another season he has completely aligned with my expectations. I said we should be getting 7th and a deep run in the europa league he has done that.
He has made a ton of mistakes this season but pulling his seventh place finish out the bag is impressive in the end.
Spuds score.
Spud 3/2
Spuds score again. Bale.
I’m biased as I like Pepe, but his numbers have been there all along.
If he played consistent over last 2 years, he would have racked v good numbers.
Issue has been has never been given a chance to get a head of steam
Spuds s scored again
Spuds wins. We’ll be 8th.