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
“I’ve not seen lots of him”
You should have led with this as you clearly know nothing about Andrea Belotti
Zacharse
How much is being touted? Often two types of 27 year old, one that’s desperate to land at a big club and peak there, and another who just wants the contract or indulgent trimmings of a big club. Hunger has to be a major factor when recruiting these kind of players, but having been a piece of furniture at Torino perhaps he wants to take that step in his career while it’s an option.
Didn’t start at the Euro’s, maybe he’s got designs on raising his profile and cementing a place in the World Cup starting XI.
Oh look out, the authority on Serie A has arrived.
I don’t like belotti bang average player
21m fee for belotti in papers
We discussed this while the euros was on Italy really making a proper striker these days nothing like the top top players of yesteryear coming through the ranks over there
Belotti looks like bif from back to the future looks like he plays like him too
“Oh look out, the authority on Serie A has arrived.”
Doesn’t take an authority to know Belotti is not a midget, just seeing him once even in passing and you know this
Id like to see bamford in an arsenal side after bielsa
Leaves. Think hed suit us better than any other big time besides Lpool
Mr Serge
If belottis biff then eddie is one of the three stooges
City got the group of death then!
Although that said…-Liverpool’s doesn’t look to good for them either.
Id like to see some fresh blood in the CF spot even if a backup option
Great news willian leaving and not sitting on his contract
Weagle
If that’s the case he could be a very viable option, no grapplers in the front line whatsoever. No idea how/where Laca could go mind you, looks for all the world like he’s here until he walks out for nothing.
Maybe swap him for Aouar and bring in Belotti? Too much?
Groups B and C tough as Adamantine
West Brom`s team of yesterday could likely have a go in group G
I like to put in a word for Elneny
When Favourites come back after an absence they are afforded some tolerance for not being ‘match fit’
Elneny’s lack of first-team opportunities means his match fitness is no different from any other player returning after an absence
Last night he consistently tried to do the right thing and, yes, occasionally his pass was in the right direction though short — BUT he was attempting to be progressive and do the right thing…something the team has notably lacked so far in the league
Lol Real Madrid’s group is close to identical to last season’s one, swap out Gladbach for Sherriff FC [what a name btw]. These draws are always so crooked.
Most interesting group for me is Liverpool’s. No lightweights in there, expect that AC Milan will give them competitive games and Atletico Madrid look very strong. Porto’s reputation in Europe is legit too, no mugs.
Emery and Atalanta getting out of United’s group would just be perfect, you’d love to see it.
Charlie
Would give us an aerial threat at least, Tierney would love him. Proper old school targetman CF that is great at getting on the end of crosses.
He’s a good ST but that is likely his limit, no better than Lacazette really for me other than having a better profile and maybe being hungrier to succeed [not that Laca has won much at all but he’s 30 and on big money/inside a year of his deal expiring].
PSG and Citeh will slap around Leipzig, not a group of death for me.
Charlie
“But, Aouar has ridiculous ability and there will be a side out there weighing it up surely.”
The only thing that’s ridiculous is anyone thinking that Aouar has ridiculous ability.
Weagle Don’t mind that so much, the value for me comes in bringing traits currently missing from our CF options. Being something of a target, using your head, and battling defenders is something none of our crop manage, even further down the list in guys like Eddie, Martinelli, Balogun. Just read he too is in his final year, so maybe you’re talking about a very modest fee for him too which lowers the risk that much more. I’d like a change at CF, Belotti not my first choice, but if I’m choosing between him and Laca then fresh blood gets… Read more »
Aouar is no Joe Willock Pierre, got me there.
Will Villareal win the CL?
I mean the lad has performed extremely well in the Champions League latter stages against Bayern Munich, Man City, Juventus and Barcelona.
How many 22 year olds can you say that about?
Don’t know a lot about him Charlie, although Porto were very impressive in the CL last season and looked a very resolute and well coached side. He good? 2 League titles in 4 seasons is a solid return considering Sporting were legit last season and Benfica are always up there.
Yea, but he hasn’t had a good 10 matches under Bruce Weagle
I want Spurs to lose every game they play but that being said I’m not sure about tonight. I want them to have some horrible journeys to some real shitholes in the EL conference so maybe winning tonight is worse for them. I’m a little conflicted, what does anybody else think?
The common concesus on le grove is that if we brought in a tall centre forward it would cure all( or most ) our ills in front of goal ……. I have news for you , it won’t. What we should be focusing on is, if we are going to continue attacking down the flanks , that we get behind the defence no wider than the width of the penalty area so we can cut the ball back or hit the ball into the corridor of uncertainty. Crossing from any wider than the width of the penalty area is very… Read more »
Belotti is a one trick pony. Auba and Laca have their own weaknesses but surely both of them are better than Belotti.
Weagle
Not too sure, he’s a good record in Portugal and still just 46. Imagine the next move in his career will be more of an eye opener.
https://footballbh.net/2019/03/28/sergio-conceicao-porto-head-coach-analysis-statistics/
Lots of buzzword stuff, but promising and maybe one to look out for come his next move.
Charlie
“Aouar is no Joe Willock Pierre, got me there.”
At least you got that right…
One is a natural goalscorer , the other flatters to deceive.
Belotti wouldn’t be my cup of tea because barring 1 season that now looks like an outlier four or five years ago he gives you roughly the same/less of a goal return as Giroud did for us along with bringing similar limitations to the board in terms of movement and ability to create for himself or get in behind defences. As much as Giroud has been getting his flowers since we sold him between being a favourite of Deschamps as well as carrying on at an impressive level for his age in spells at Chelsea, over his time here he… Read more »
The charlatan has convinced the sheep that passing the ball is more important than goals in football
Have to say that the Saka goal last night was a throwback from the wenger era, nice one two with a delightful flick from Odegaard right through the heart of the defence…
A little more of that wouldn’t go amiss.
It was Arsenal’s lack of ambition which prompted Van Persie to leave Arsenal.
Charlie
Porto seems to be a breeding ground for gaffers to get their big career break, certainly financially anyway. Mourinho, AVB, Lopetegui, Nuno.
It really is a pretty remarkably influential club for one with such limited resources compared to the Euro elites, suppose all of the 3rd party ownership loopholes and links to South America helps them always filter in the talent.
Belotti was one of Italy’s least impressive players during the Euros. Laca and Auba for me in preference. That isn’t a step up at all. Our best hope for this season is that the old Auba is back rather than gambling on a totally new player.
We got some good buys this summer though
Tavares looks like a good talented wing back waiting to explode with good coaching.
https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3Ag3H1OrxbLg4J%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fdefector.com%2Fpersonally-i-feel-this-jack-wilshere-interview-summary-could-be-even-more-brutal%2F+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=safari
Weagle
That piece gives a good background of how he picked up a struggling Nuno side and turned them into champions once again. Definitely and interesting name come his next gig, imagine he’s the sort of manager your Dortmund’s or Lyon’s will look at.
https://youtu.be/axmYekyV7ZE
“The only thing that’s ridiculous is anyone thinking that Aouar has ridiculous ability.”
The overrating of Aouar only happens on le grove. Tidy player but nothing ridiculous about his ability, he is literally being offered around Europe with no takers.
Will Villareal win the CL?
______________________________
More likely drops down to UEL where Emery belongs.
Villarreal will top the group and progress depending on the draw and circumstances.
ZacharseAugust 26, 2021 18:17:12
Id like to see bamford in an arsenal side after bielsa
Leaves. Think hed suit us better than any other big time besides Lpool
—————————————————
I’m quite sure he would prefer a dream move to Utd to play under his idol Ole. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ole has already got a memo from his ‘agent,’ a certain Mr.. Dariano
Well according to Google we had £57 million bid for Belloti rejected – in 2017.
Seems that Kounde is on the move for £43 million. Have seen him a couple of times and find it hard to believe he is 5foot 10 ins which makes White look like a giant.
Far far from sure how he will get on in the PL
Arsenal need exceptional talent if they ever want to get out of this slump.
Mbappe is such a talent Arsrnsl should be investing heavily in.
If Kounde moves for £43m the guys at Arsenal deserve to be shot for £50m White.
Le grove – Jorginho is shit wouldn’t get in our team and isn’t an upgrade
The reality – UEFA men’s Player of the Year.
Jorginho is shit. Have you ever seen him and thought. Wow thats a must have player!. You can win great things in world football while being fairly average yourself. Look at Giroud. He won the world cup in a tournament where he didnt have a single shot on target let alone score….Then again he is certainly an upgrade on Xhaka
Global, Jorginho is not average.
Im sorry Pedro. You have lost the lofty position of decider on this forum. Jorginho is better than Xhaka. Thats all
Jorginho might be another case of how influential a manager can be.
Under Lampard he looked average to shit.
Under Tuchel and Mancini looks like a world beater.
Arsenal’s squad isn’t balanced enough but can’t shake the feeling that under a better manager the players will perform better than they are currently (West Brom reserves aside).
jorginho average lol
OldSock – I’m sure Mbappe can’t wait to sign for Arsenal.
Let me put it another way. You never notice Jorginho on the pitch but you always notice Kante
Kante or Jorginho…you choose
Kane brace
What a season
Pep leaving at end of contract, bet Arteta is dusting down his Etihad security pass lanyard
Global
Kante is class of that there is no doubt but Jorginho isn’t Kante he adds another dimension to a midfield.
Try watching how he opens the whole pitch , how he is always available to take the ball .
He isn’t every ones cup of tea but one thing is for sure if he were up for sale there almost certainly would be some very interested clubs and probably for a decent fee.
Bob I want Spurs to go through so they play Thursday Sunday every week, apart from that I want them to lose every week
Kounde to Chelsea agreed 43 m 5’ 10 let’s see a bunch of le growers go off on his height now please
Radio
Seems pretty obvious Arsenal’s problem is a coaching one
Shouldn’t take 24 months for a coach to imprint identity on a squad
Tuchel knows
Someone on here asked about RBs the other day, Max Aarons seems a lazy option.
Is he that good? Surely, Valencia, Spartak Moscow, Flamengo, Rapid Vienna, even Division 1 ala Robertson for Liverpool etc…have some lightening quick Alphonso type with good delivery…..RBs can’t be that hard to find
Jorginho convo is interesting. I feel he is an improved Xhaka….more responsible
In other words…..he is Ozil/Xhaka like i.e. he needs a particular environment to thrive…he is good at what he does though but needs water carriers for sure…ala Kante,Verrati, Barella,Kovacic
150m bid accepted by PSG for Mpappe. Insane how foorball has become
One year left on his contract..
So if it wasn’t for corona, would we have seen transfers in excess of 200m this summer?
We really need to start puting things into perspective.
Man City v Arsenal in the last eight Premier league encounters:
Man City 19 Arsenal 2
Kounde is elite in the air Mr Serge, it was never just about height with Ben White it was more that he is weak aerially.
Im hoping we move back to a back 3 when Ben White returns.
Rams
White-Gabriel-Tierney
RWB-Tavares
Partey-Sambi
Martin-Auba-Saka
rotate ESR w/Martin/saka
Imagine Arsenal landing Belotti 5 years late, after us good lads on Le Grove we’re calling for him.
Fab Rom talking up the fact City are listening to offers for Sterling to make space for Ronaldo.
That should be a player we tap up Kroenke for if at all possible. Hard fucking sell, but he’d move the needle in attack without question.
Just looked at the first team composition. We currently have 30 first team players. 6 are under 21 – so will not count towards the 25 man squad. That leaves 24 players. 8 of the 24 are home grown but this includes Bellerin, AMN, Nelson and Nketiah. 2-3 of these could leave before the end of the window and maybe only Bellerin would need a direct replacement. There are 16 non home grown players but this includes Runnarson, Cedric, Kolasinac, Elneny and Willian. Without any movement out, there’s still space for one more non homegrown player. If as expected Runnarson,… Read more »
Pep truly likes Sterling
There’s no way they sell him to make room for Ronaldo
As much as i’d like to see us get Sterling whats he going to move for, has to be a pretty limited market for that calibre transfer fee in this current market.
Ideal scenario clearly selling Pepe and doing the deal. About as much chance as Margot Robbie banging on my door round about midnight, but theres always the hope.
Sal
Quick phonecall to Raul to get the breakdown for a multi-year payment structure a la Pepe and we could get it done. Raheem would have to slum it out of Europe though which is a hard pill at 26, nvm being a leading light for England.
Much sooner we add him than play about with Belotti/Trippier transfers myself. Likelihood being a solid 0.2%, which is basically twice the necessary to get my hopes sky high. With 4/5 days left I’m all in.
CC In future try not to relate Ms Robbie to Raul, my minds only so expansive. I use to really like Belotti, didn’t progress in right direction. Think he needed to move to bigger club 5 years ago (👆🏼) to take THAT step up. Some players like that, others can thrive anywhere. Certainly in the camp that thinks new right back should be on the younger end of things, many options out there but Trippier would be SOO this club at moment. Front three of Sterling /Auba / Saka is definitely moving needle as you said, in fact i’d double… Read more »
Sal
That’s my bad. Obscene transfer waffle doing the rounds on Twitter right now, and I’m here for it.
Ready? Cristiano to City, Laca to Juve, Sterling to Arsenal. I mean these journos are stupendously creative fellows, super original stuff there. That said, he’ll be unveiled Monday imo.
But semi-serious for a second I concur, much rather we land a sexy forward player than plug a couple of gaps with ‘good’ players. We desperately need a difference maker, and he’d inject plenty of sauce into the front 3.
Sterling is quality- were a few on here before the Euros that were bagging on his ability and were lukeawarm towards links which I found bizarre at the time.
Yes he’s not world class perhaps but he is the next best thing and as the lads above have said, he really would add a different dimension in attack as well as adding a massive goal threat.
Pepe isn’t on the same planet as him, would be a huge upgrade.
Messi to PSG and Ronaldo to City feels a little underwhelming somehow, kind of boring moves on a competitive basis. Mbappe to Real Madrid at least shifts the pendulum away from a sure thing PSG CL win. Really fascinated to see 36/37 year old Ronaldo back in the Prem, just a shame it is for City. He is still a top class goalscorer and focal point and will give them a massive boost in Europe. He beat Lukaku to the Golden Boot last season in Italy one must not forget. Lukaku being the heavy bookies favourite to the Top Scorer… Read more »
CR7 back in the Premiere league, scoring against United under Pep is certainly intriguing.
I like the move, level gets raised in the upgrade if you can – in the now mentality. Which only winning clubs abide by. Grealish must be loving this one almost as much as Sheikh Mansour.
Into Spain Don Simeone needs some competition in La Liga and fucking hell does Mbappe to Madrid do that. In fact they may now be favourites, Don Carlo will not be out done.
This summers transfer avalanche is forming nicely above all.
Atletico in for Celik at RB, giving Trippier to Arsenal serious legs.
Classic Edu signing the wrong profile, opening door for another club to sign right profile in same position.
Paging Marc Overmars can watching this?
Does Ronaldo improve City? Didn’t improve Juve
Chelsea favourites for the title.
“Atletico in for Celik at RB, giving Trippier to Arsenal serious legs.”
Why not get Celik who’s 6 years younger at half the price?
Ronaldo doesn’t make city better
Harry Kane’s transfer failure is having a very bad spill over.
Why not get Celik who’s 6 years younger at half the price?
———–
Makes too much sense for Edu and Arteta. They must’ve listened to Souness and co suggesting Arsenal sign ‘leaders’ who younger players can look up to. Forgetting we’ve just got rid of Luiz trying to get rid of Willian, Auba and Laca…but hey ho
Trippier hasn’t happened yet… but don’t get me started.
CF’s may be skint this summer but RB’s are abounding, quite a few options out there for the Arsenal depending on profile.
Celik right up near the top.
Ronaldo was the system at Juventus which he never should have been at age 33-36 and past his prime.
He will simply be a piece of the jigsaw at Man City, no chance that Pep rips up the script and panders to a 36+ year old Ronaldo.
Must be missing something with Atleti wanting to sell Trippier who was immense for them last season.
Massive mistake to break up a title winning team, also think they will regret letting Saul go.
Mr Serge
Kounde to Chelsea agreed 43 m 5’ 10 let’s see a bunch of le growers go off on his height now please”
Why would they, Kounde didn’t sign for us did he? What a weird comment.
Let’s be honest, clearly its a trophy signing for City. That will exceed whoever’s goal tally he replaces, likely Sterling if they can find buyer.
On the personal note, all for seeing how Pep deals in Ronaldo. Could go sooo many ways.
Sal Don’t agree that he is a trophy signing, can’t underestimate the CL angle of the signing imo. They are signing the best ever CL player, record goalscorer/assister and a guy in Ronaldo that has won it more times (5) than anyone else in history along with Maldini going back to Gento in the 50s and 60s for that great Real Madrid side. This is the only trophy that has eluded City since the takoever, they have won 5 PL titles and more domestic Cups than you can count. Like PSG, they are in a win the CL or bust… Read more »
Had they not just sent £100 million on Grealish then Ronadlo makes sense
Pep is still trying to fit in Grealish, now he has Ronaldo’s ego to manage.
The only player with a larger ego that Ronaldo would be Zlatan and Pep struggled to handle him at the time.
Then how’s KDB gaping to cope with all this upheavals
*Then how’s KDB going to cope with all these upheavals
Dissenter Those worry’s fall on deaf ears, Pep can deal in Ego. And make all the pretty girls feel unique and special. Eagle Trophy signing more in terms of from an ownership standpoint, truly signals his club has found its niche. But more importantly a trophy in line with competitors whom just signed Messi. Really these dudes have a life of dealing and competing in and for the elite. Thats the reality. On a playing front I like it, as said think CR7 replicates whosever goals he replaces and i’ll take your point of being big game player and double… Read more »
Nah, Zlatan’s ego wasn’t so much the problem as his inability to fit into Pep’s XI was. He was a square peg in a round hole with Messi playing as the false 9. Doesn’t get more out and out 9 as 6 foot 5 Zlatan either. So was always bound to create an untenable environment given his massive ego and the fact that he was worshipped over in Italy and not used to being an afterthought. Citeh need a 9, Ronaldo at this stage in his career is best as the ST as it utilises his finishing ability along with… Read more »
Pork ‘n Mendy, oops! I mean Mork & Mindy. Oh, well anyway, both are/were cancelled 🙂
Sal Agree, it is a massive statement of intent off the pitch too as he will bring hordes of sponsors and interest with him of course. Most followed person on planet earth on social media coming back to the most followed league on the planet to his former beau’s City rivals, doesn’t get more tantalising than that. Journalists and Paps are already rock-hard at the mere concept. I like the move on the pitch too as they clearly do not have a reliable marksman which is all well and good but are you really relying on Gundogan to score so… Read more »
I wonder why city can’t buy an attacker like Alexander Isak and be done with it
At least the league title will be open.
Good evening evening new and good morning to the breakfast club. Looking forward to the game tomorrow. Naija “Pepe is not a winger” Been saying that for a long time. As you say his best position is in the inside left/right. Sake can play both sides but is better on the right when ESR is playing centrally. Pepe should have Ode or CT feeding him on the inside right or Martinelli/Aub on the left wing. Right now that’s the best way to play to get the best from Saka and Pepe. Pepe hugging the touchline on the wing renders Pepe… Read more »