Pheeeeeewwwwwwww!
Did Arsenal need that win yesterday!
WBA made 11 changes. They rolled with kids. BUT WHO CARES.
6 goals was the medicine to the illness of the last two weeks.
Bukayo Saka dominating the game with his special talents.
Martin Odegaard showing that, actually, he’s pretty decent.
AUBA SHOWING UP LIKE A F*CKING KING.
Scoring 6 goals after barely threatening for two games was a huge, huge relief.
West Brom away in the league cup 2nd round is exactly the sort of game bigger players don’t want to play and can quite often tank in. The side they rolled out was particularly weak, so there was never really a chance they were going to do that… but be honest with me, you would NOT have been shocked going off the reaction of the last two games.
So what did we like?
Auba turned up like a captain with a point to prove and it made me feel footballistically frisky. I don’t care who knows it either. We have not seen that energy in a while. He played through the middle, he chased down lost causes, he made speculative runs… and he finished like a demon. I liked all his goals.
Is he going to do that against City? Probably not. It’s an entirely different game, but if he gets two chances in that game, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him score one of them.
Bukayo Saka looked the sharpest physically he has all season. He was relentless with his runs, his passing was sharp, and the goal he scored when Martin Odegaard backheeled a ball into his path was PEAK Arsenal. That’s what we need to see more of in the league this season.
Can I have a little shout-out for the away fans? You could hear them over the other side of the pond. I thought the home fans were excellent at the weekend, but the away fans for a midweek game were exceptional. I’m so happy about that.
Martin Odegaard looked fit and raring to go. He has a great connection with Saka, he controls the ball under pressure really well, and when he’s ready to make a lethal pass, it’s usually a good one. He’s the missing finesse we’ve been waiting for in the final third. He doesn’t have the all-action hero vibes of ESR, but he compliments what he has with a devastating final pass vision. I am VERY happy we signed him for a relative pittance.
Can we touch on a negative? What the hell was Arteta thinking with Kola as centre-back? We’ve been trying to kick him out of the club for months, now he’s taking minutes in defence? Felt a little bit nuts, I have to say. It was either some galaxy brain aberration, or it was a weird cryptic statement. The only way I could accept this is if Cal Chambers is right back for the City game at the weekend.
We also might want to have a little conversation about Nicolas Pepe. Have we regressed again? He’s just not the full ticket. His decision-making, even against kids, was very off-key. I can’t work it out, he’s either about to explode… or this is just him, hot and cold, all the time.
Aaron Ramsdale looked really solid. His kicking was strong, he’s brave from crosses, and his shot-stopping was pretty sharp. Early days, but he looks like a character.
Great pic.
Despite all the negativity from our fans and the media, there really is a togetherness amongst our players. pic.twitter.com/ahjRC8in3d— Martin Wengrow (@MartinWengrow) August 26, 2021
Also… I love this picture. Cleansheet on his debut. Great stuff.
Ainsley made an appearance. He set the ball rolling in midfield for one of the goals and his speed helped bail Mo out of another loss of position in midfield. I’d love him to just accept he’s a right back. It seems such a waste of talent to watch him piss his career down the toilet over a preference when he could be one of the best right-backs in the league.
So what did we learn? Well, more senior players in the starting 11 will generally make Arsenal better in any game. We will still get beaten by City on Sunday, we likely have to accept that fate, but after the break, when everyone is back, there’s no reason we can’t go on a run of games and catch up. I totally get that there are problems at Arsenal, but the reaction to two defeats has been absurd considering the number of players we’ve missed, and the circumstances we lost them in. A 6-0 win against WBA kids doesn’t prove anything… but that feeling you got after it shows that if Arteta gets it right after the break, he can start to win some hearts and minds… something he really, really needs to do. It’s still a big lift, but let’s maybe hold back the #ArtetaOut banners until we’ve seen what the football looks like with our best players.
One final thing. There’s not a lot of it, but there’s a bit to merit comment. If your first thought after a 6-0 loss is how to frame other fans joy as an issue, you’re lost. You either don’t understand fan culture, or something is broken. Football is about joy. If you cannot enjoy your team scoring 6 goals and keeping a clean sheet, why bother? Being unhappy with a mauling isn’t standards, it’s a misunderstanding of fan culture. It’s such a shame that there’s traction for that sort of carry-on, because if you went to a pub after a game with that sort of reaction, you’d be laughed out the door. I’ve no time for that. Weird that some people do. What a sad footballing existence.
NEXT CONTENT PLEASE:
We did an On The Whistle last night. Johnny was back after ditching us for BBC 5 LIVE. We talk about the goals, the psychology of an audience, what fan opinion is all about, and some of the new signings.
P.S. Can I just say, I am VERY thankful for the people that support our live streams, videos, and podcasts. It’s been a bit of a slog building an audience, but it’s blown up over the last 6 months and I am VERY thankful for the support. x
Manure with a Cronaldo and under a different manager, would be seriously competing for the league. Under Ole, no way.
He called Cronaldo a sucker, not Manure lol
I guess then Martial is available
Sid – we didn’t get long enough to test that but the few games Freddie was in charge didn’t change anything. He struggled to cope with the enormity of the task.
Yes Charlie they are, huge wages for a player you don’t need at 36, does he make them EPL favorites or UCL favorites? Not with Ole in charge, not enough tactical nous.
They don’t need him hence they are suckers for getting involved because they heard City want him, now City have pulled out.
That’s my take… Live with it
Hey Northbanker, what’s up my AKB buddy?
Ronaldo makes Utd title contenders if they aren’t already.
Think people seriously have not been paying attention to him over in Italy, 101 goals in 134 apps ffs.
Really dim take to suggest that Ronaldo himself has been responsible for any Juventus decline.
Where was it suggested he was responsible for Juve’s decline?
RH
Don’t need him? Cavani is their sole out and out no. 9 and he scored something like 9 goals in the PL last season. Martial is flaky and unreliable, leaves the goal burden to fall to widemen in Sancho, Rashford, Greenwood and Bruno from CAM.
Ronaldo is a walking 25+ league goal guarantee.
“Ronaldo makes Utd title contenders if they aren’t already.”
Contenders not favorites… So he makes them what they already are…brilliant!
RH
Not levelled at you, is a fairly common perception amongst people that do not explore in any more detail Ronaldo joining Juventus and early CL exits/no Scudetto last season.
Ronaldo himself has easily been their best player for 3 seasons, problem was that they could not afford him (unlike Man Utd) so could not surround him with the quality he needed at this stage of his career.
If united get Ronaldo I think they are the favourites along with Chelsea. City may regret not going for kane when united and Chelsea have 30 goal strikers in Ronaldo and lukaku
Easy, you don’t want to lose what’s left of your hair over this argument.
Ronaldo significantly improves any Team he signs for, duh.
Can’t call them outright favourites with City now, can you?
With Ronaldo I would back them over Chelsea, without I would take the Chavs.
Chelsea favorites? I don’t think so.
Tuchel hasn’t got it in him, neither do his players. Don’t be fooled by a CL win in a Season where most of the European heavyweights were below par
If I could get 2 years, similar to the ones at Juve, off of Cronaldo, I would take him ahead of any other CF right now bar Haaland.
It’s not like there is a ton of talent in the CF position of late, Cronaldo is head and shoulders above almost every striker atm. Maybe Lewa, Haaland, a bit below that Lukaku.
Zlatan proved that you can do well in the EPL as a 35-36 yo CF. Ronaldo is better than Ibra.
Away for months, return and Rambo is still obsessed with my hair
Nowhere was it suggested he doesn’t improve any team, question is at what cost. He is a player that literally wants to be the focal point of everything, we never saw the real Benzeama till he left, can Ole handle him? Why bring in a walking soap opera unless it absolutely guarantees you success
@Eagle
city have no striker I rate, the goal burden as you put it is squarely on the wing players and midfield, why doesn’t Ronaldo make United favorites considering this?
And TR7, I love Messi too and take him over Ronaldo all day but how can you call Neymar’s move to PSG a joke move and not Messi’s who has actually joined Neymar’s team now?
Was a flat-track bully move if we are honest, Ligue 1 is a significant step down and he is playing for essentially the Globe Trotters now.
Ronaldo’s move to Utd would actually be a more competitive one given City, Liverpool and Chelsea are three of the top 4 clubs in Europe arguably.
The levels some go. Fully get Ronaldo not many’s cup of tea but he not only brings the goals, what 25 least amount he’s hit in last 15+ seasons? But a winning mentality not may have. With that as Eagle stated last night it’s the big match presence and ability to convert in the most critical of circumstance.
Absolute title contenders along with Chelsea, City and Liverpool bringing up rear of that pack. Top four locked, the gap gaping between 4th and 5th at this stage.
United won’t win the league even with CR7.
Ronaldo at any club in the EPL including City is by far a more ambitious move than PSG was for Messi.
Giving yourself a go at his age in the toughest league in the world where you have a lot to lose making a dummy of yourself is far, far riskier than going to PSG.
The only Ronaldo Diet Pep will attract is the fat one, the one that likes trannies
Receding, sorry you must have me mistaken for my Aunt’s sister’s shortfuse, Ramsey-loving Son.
I’m Rambo, first time interacting with you.
Receding Hairline
Because City have a stronger XI and much stronger squad than Utd.
They have Jesus and Ferran Torres that can play up top, have Mahrez, Sterling, Foden that all give you double figure + goals in the league alone along with KDB and Gundogan’s contributions from midfield. Haven’t even mentioned £100m Grealish or Bernardo Silva yet.
United still have an ordinary CM besides Pogba and are weak in goal and defence (do not rate Maguire myself). And have no depth at all for fullback or CB.
Weagle just said it all. On what planet is Ronaldo a player either City or United don’t need? Cavani, Gabriel Jesus, and Greenwood the only recognised strikers at both clubs. He immediately transforms the potency at CF for both, and in turn makes their pursuit of PL/CL that much more realistic whether favourites or not. The very definition of ambition. Concerned with the finances? Please. Talking about a side that pays 80 mil for Maguire and live above financial sense. Difference this time is they’ve targeted players that unquestionably make the difference in the final third. Only question remaining for… Read more »
“And TR7, I love Messi too and take him over Ronaldo all day but how can you call Neymar’s move to PSG a joke move and not Messi’s who has actually joined Neymar’s team now?” People defended Neymar’s move suggesting it could give him an opportunity to compete with Messi for Ballon D’or and stake a claim for being the best player in the world. Well he hasn’t won a single CL or Ballon D’or since his move. Pretty much certain had he stayed he would have won 2 more CLs at least. So yes a meaningless move. As for… Read more »
Fred and Matic is a garbage midfield pair. Manure will not win the league with those 2 starting their games. McTominay is of similar class albeit a bit better. How are they not playing Donny is beyond me.
Ole is an idiot. He also lost to Emery. Mind, he’s still better than Arteta.
raptora, what would you say if you realize Man Utd and Ole are what inspired Arsenal to go for Arteta. In-house talent given money and time to grow and improve gradually…
Meanwhile Arsenal are still trying to offload Willan and will probably end up paying 90% of his wages
Martial the obvious out, hard pass for me i’m still refreshing the arsenal.com awaiting Sterling coup.
And still waiting.
Romano : Jorge Mendes have just received official contract proposal by Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo. The comeback is more than close – now at “final stages”. 🔴🇵🇹 #MUFC
Cristiano wants to re-join Man United. He’s ready to accept “as soon as possible”.
Eagle Foden scored two league goals last season, Jesus doesn’t guarantee you goals nor does Torres, Gundogan was the surprise package in front of goal last season, no one is doubting City’s strength but they struggled for goals in some games last season.
You say Ronaldo guarantees 25 goals, I rate Greenwood. Cavani is Cavani, and I don’t have the same contempt you seem to have for United’s midfield.
If Ronaldo doesn’t make them favorites what will ?
“Only question remaining for me is who becomes the fall guy, they have a lot of attacking talent now.”
Always on the look out for that attacking talent that comes in and saves Arteta. This is what true love love looks like
Rambo,
I will say that both clubs have failed in their assessment although Manure under Ole are in a stable enough place, football wise, where a top class manager can come and compete right away. Arteta has not stabilized us but the complete the opposite.
I would rather CR7 joined City because we are anyway million miles behind City but now even United are way ahead of us. Top 4 pretty much sealed for United with CR7.
Ronaldo is a good signing for United on the commercial aspect alone… even if he only plays CL matches…. and adds the odd goal. Throwback shirt sales will go through the roof. just to start. He has the biggest commercial impact of any player and it’s not even close.
We signed Ben White though … as our impact transfer.. so it’s all good. Kids lining up to get their Ben White shirt even as we speak.
Hairline
What source are you pulling those numbers out of? Foden scored 9 PL goals last season and he has been improving his goal count each season. He doubled his goal count from 8 in all comps to 16 last season.
Meanwhile Greenwood who you rate scored 7 in the league last season.
Cavani is not Cavani, he is close to 35 and didn’t crack double digits in the league last season. Guy was a goal machine at PSG and Napoli.
Not like we had any chance for top 4 with Arteta. The guy’s best finish is 8th place. We should be aware of what’s to come and that’s not Arsenal fighting for top 4. Top 6 is a mirage even.
Is this the same Ronaldo that regularly couldn’t get past Juve’s bench?
And for the record, Saka > Sancho.
“We signed Ben White though … as our impact transfer.. so it’s all good. Kids lining up to get their Ben White shirt even as we speak.”
It really had to be said… i’m glad it was you Middy.
Sal
Martial has much better raw ingredients than anyone we have playing wide forward imo. Just not convinced his head is right at all, very poor 12 months football. Sterling a much better player for my money, not that any of ours will be put towards either.
Trippier is the real mvp 🥲
It’s the same Ronaldo that scored 29 goals in 33 games in Serie A last season.
Haha Sal.. Pedro still loves me.. I stopped judging his haircuts.. I could tell it was causing him emotional trauma.
If Pep wins the league again without a top class striker, he will enhance his reputation further as a great manager especially when other competitors have great strikers in Kane, CR7, Lukaku, Mane etc.
“Always on the look out for that attacking talent that comes in and saves Arteta. This is what true love love looks like“
Comical you think it’s anything to do with Arteta at all, it’s about having the right kind of attacking talent at Arsenal irrespective of who is in charge.
Newsflash, the team that scored the most goals inevitably wins the PL – at the very least they contend.
Our attacking talent has been an issue for a few seasons now, through Emery and Arteta. The club needs better up top, really that simple.
Eagle got my numbers crossed there, sorry
As for Greenwood I expected him to blossom this season, but not with this signing, as that will again limit his game time. Look I don’t really care where Ronaldo ends up, doesn’t impact us one bit, we are no longer playing at that level.
We are now worried at how well Everton, Villa and co do. If anything we should be observing the Mbappe transfer, he leaves they want Richarlidson, that weakens Everton.
Be excited
Can’t wait for the hastags and the Piano reveals
#pogback
#cr7gatestoheaven
#RonniesRed
I just dropped in to see if we were lining up anyone for a last minute… signing… but it’s not looking good is it?
Middy
Pedro has upped his game in all facets of life, fact he’s still able to do this space speaks volumes to the commitment. Did you see that top on twitch? Elite levels.
Oh I know Sal.. Peds is a media maniac. I’m doing good if I can accomplish one thing a day.. besides staring at the ocean.
“Comical you think it’s anything to do with Arteta at all” Trouble in Paradise? “Newsflash, the team that scored the most goals inevitably wins the PL – at the very least they contend.” Thought a replacement for Luiz was essential for that, a ball playing rolls Royce of a defender, weren’t you all for that? Lol on the winning the PL bit, cute. “Our attacking talent has been an issue for a few seasons now,” Third highest scorers in the league in 18/19, but of course you have credited Iwobi, Mkhi and Ramsey with that, our decline has nothing to… Read more »
Well Arsenal are also making waves
Willian’s return to Corinthians has ‘never been so close’. The club are eagerly awaiting a ‘yes’ from the player. [@brunovicari] #afc
Saka>Sancho , but the problem is Ole>Diet Pep
The best thing about Willian leaving is I can stop cringing everytime I see him with the warmups pulled off jogging slowly on the sideline in the 75th minute sub.. queue.
Receding
No, I wasn’t all for splashing on a CB if it meant we didn’t touch the attack. I suspended criticism on the back Pedro’s shopping trolley analogy, but I’ve been nothing but critical of our recruitment priorities. Only been going on about our attack for two years now.
Emery was scoring at a lesser rate than Arteta when he exited Iwobi, Mkhi, and Rambo come the start of 2019. So instead of aiming to improve on what we had in 2018, we massively regressed and haven’t touched anything in the final third save Willian and Odegaard since.
Charlie
” I wasn’t all for splashing on a CB if it meant we didn’t touch the attack”
Given our budget it was a foregone conclusion that we were not going to fix our attack if we spent 50M on White and that’s why most people were against his signing.
Before everybody rejoice at Willian departure, I would want to know the term of his departure. If he is going to leave, but still pay nearly all this wage for two years, then we may be better off keeping him. Maybe the next manager would know know what to do with him. Anyway it is clear that something went really wrong between Willian and Arteta for him to be willing to leave now. That must really grate Willian. Left Chelsea to join Arsenal and win the Champion’s League within 3 years. Within 12 months, Chelsea just win it. He could… Read more »
New post fuckers
After thrashing West Brom six nil, nobody is allowed to call for Arteta’s head. I see. I see. 😂