The afterglow of a North London Derby day win
is unmatched in football.
That was the Arteta Cup Final.
If he’d won 3 of the 4 games after the break and lost to Spurs, we’d still be in crisis. The fact he’s beaten our biggest rivals means he’ll get away with a draw at Brighton.
It’s quite simple to grasp what the fans wanted to know:
- Can this new team play good football?
- Can this new team hack the pressure of a big game?
- Can this new team comprehend what the NLD means to the fans?
Seems like the answer to all three questions is unequivocally YES YES YES.
The first 45 minutes against Spurs was the best of the Arteta reign. We’ve had big wins, we’ve won cup finals, we’ve played well. But not to that degree.
We absolutely spanked Spurs. Johnny said to me pre-podcast that the goal we conceded was disappointing because it flatters Spurs.
Back to the positives. The football was sublime. I can’t remember every moment, but some things I loved.
Ben White slide tackling Harry Kane to perfection in the opening 10 minutes.
Ben White beating Kane in the air to start the move for the first goal. Good going for a midget that was going to get bullied by big strikers this season.
The off the ball movement on the counter for the first goal.
Saka and ESR creating an Hale-End production for the first goal to prove out their credentials as NOW players
Auba showing up. Working like a machine. Making the runs. Scoring a goal from a really, really tough angle
HARRY KANE DROPPING THE ASSIST FOR SAKA
That first half was extremely effective. Nuno and his boys had no answer.
The second half was different. I think we all wanted a jugular attack, but it wasn’t forthcoming and really… the pragmatic management of the second half was correct. Arteta says that you can only feel safe with a 3 goal lead, so why fuck it against a team you cannot lose to?
We did concede a goal which was a shame, but that’s Spurs, total shite, but loaded with elite attacking talent that can kill you. There were still moments of magic and lovely bits that showed we’re moving forward.
Granit Xhaka, a player we worried about, proved out the point that he is always elite after a dumb sending off. He’s included in starting 11s because everyone at the club knows he can be relied upon. There’s trust there. Most of the time, he’ll pass well, be in the right spots, and he’ll lead like a warrior. His performance was superb all game, he started the moves for both goals, dealing with Ramsdales hospital pass in one move. Let’s hope he’s not injured.
The most ‘WHAT IS THIS’ signing of the summer was Aaron Ramsdale. Sure, he can do it on a cold afternoon in Burnley, but could he do it against Spurs in a low margins game? Yes. Yes he could. He was great with balls into the box, his passing decisions were mostly great, and he showed up with the BIG saves. Harry Kane let rip from distance and he palmed the low shot away. Then he found time to give us save of the season, tipping over a Moura deflected shot he had ZERO right to get to. Face it folks, Ramsdale is a fucking great signing and we all have to back the fuck away.
Tactical fouls is now an Arsenal thing. Auba, pleasant as apple pie, did it all game. Xhaka dropped a load and didn’t get a yellow. Sambi came on and took a yellow for the greater good. Small things that show we’re building up a bit of an edge.
CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE THIERRY DRIP IN THE STANDS?
I will say this quietly. I really hope Daniel Ek and Thierry weren’t there to make a hopeful statement about our manager and ownership because they thought we’d lose. That is very negative, but damn, Daniel Ek best be in Thierry’s box for the Palace game.
Anyway… on the Thierry subject. Did all three Arsenal players copy the famous Thierry knee slide?
Yes they did. How. Fucking. Awesome. The nod the past is unreal. That’s how you get the fans on side. I love it. So sharp.
We won the game 3-1 in the end.
That result felt special (Big Tone showing the way). A pivotal moment in the project. A proof point that the process is moving to the next stage.
Now we can look back on the first 3 games and give them honest context. Not having 9 players for the Brentford game was a huge issue. Most don’t realise the difference between injuries and covid. When the Arsenal squad got covid on the Friday, the plan for the week blew up. They didn’t know who would be available on the Saturday. I’m pretty sure the players weren’t even allowed to get on the coach together… so the starting 11 ran right up to the wire.
Chelsea without key players is always going to be tough. City 2 defeats on the bounce with last seasons squad and 10 men was never going to happen.
Now we can see the future and we can answer some of the borinng ‘negs’ that have hung in the air.
‘PLAY WAS CLUNKY AGAINST NORWICH BECAUSE ARTETA IS A BAD COACH’
Well, turns out the occams razor here was that a new squad of players that doesn’t know each other might struggle to string peak Barca football with one weeks notice. Training a cognitive style of football takes time. Players don’t have an intuition for each other. It’s a learning process. Of course Norwich was going to be rough.
‘FANS SAYING THE PASSING WAS 5% OFF DON’T GET THAT THIS IS WHAT ARTETABALL IS’
Post-Burnely, I took pelters for saying the passing was off, but when it clicked, it’d be better. Well, Arsenal played a better team, on cut grass, and a watered pitch and guess what… the football was MUCH better.
‘THE SUMMER SIGNINGS DIDN’T MOVE THE NEEDLE’
Well, what a moment. If you said that, I hope you’ll be sharing out the sweet-tasting humble pie today. Every summer signing moved the needle.
Ben White is a huge improvement on David Luiz. He’s fast, aggressive, very good in the air, and his passing is getting better and better. Christian Romero, cost the same, had far more Twitter love… benched.
Martin Odegaard is not average or boring. He’s a leader, his passing is superb, he presses harder than anyone, and he connects with the fans. What a dream player. I love him.
AARON RAMSDALE is a star. So many people said that we didn’t need to invest in a keeper. Who agrees with that now? No one. Aaron is the shock package of the window. He’s already a difference maker. Let’s hope he keeps progressing. No one is saying he’s a poor man’s Emi today.
Tomiyasu. Remember Sky saying he was offered to all the clubs in the league? How is he feeling about that now? Emerson Royal, benched. Tomiyasu taking more touches than anyone, dominating in the air, not letting anyone go past him. He’s just good. That’s it. A top, top player.
… but let’s talk about the big difference-maker.
The fans.
Arsenal botched the summer comms.
Now they’ve addressed it.
Arteta is pumping players and bringing fans into the process. Per told it straight, this is a transition project, but it will be good. The manager thinks these players will be powerful. The honesty with the fans has changed the dynamic in the stadium. Look at how everyone behaved after the game, the fans stayed, the players did laps, Arteta bowed down everyone, and Saka jumped the fence to give his shirt to a little girl holding a sign with his name on it. That’s how you get us on side. Think about this: Arsenal only had 3 players over the age of 24 in the starting 11, the rest were youngsters. These players are going to get much, much better. There’s not doubt. The home fans feel this, they know something special is in the air and that was before the Spurs game.
Young players need encouragement and so do older players. If we want them to get better, The Emirates needs to be electric. It has been every game this season. That is special.
Let’s also talk about the football. Mike McDonald had to tell the fans what ArtetaBall was all about, it’s the biggest story on this site. Theory alone is not enough, you need wins and good performances to keep people in belief mode. The football against Spurs was EXACTLY what we needed to see. We were dangerous in the low block. We created from structured counters. We had accurate long balls in abundance (Auba received one from Partey so good, he didn’t know what to do). Our players gave our attackers so much service they’d not had before. That was the first proper showing of where the football is going. So hold that in the mind as the season goes on.
Arteta has had a rough start to the year, but what I like is the pivot. He’s behaving better. He’s pumping the younger players. He’s commanding the press conferences with calmness. He’s bringing us along for the ride. That is what we need moving forward.
Also, because I am plugging our podcast. Matt made an elite point. Auba is the only player at Arsenal you want swagging it up. If he’s not showing off in his fancy cars, there’s an issue. He’s a showman. He needs to be showing. Check out this video.
Alguns torcedores do Arsenal conseguiram parar o carro do Aubameyang agora na saída do estádio. 🤦🏽♂️😬 pic.twitter.com/gdFJWHfLKj
— Joao Castelo-Branco (@j_castelobranco) September 26, 2021
LOVE THIS. Auba needs fans as much as the young players. This is what we’ve lacked over the last year. More please.
We have it all to do again next week, but beating Spurs is what we demand as fans. Arteta and the players understood the moment, the fans gave it their all, the result was glorious.
As for the project and the bumpy nature. That’s a learning on my part. Check out this graph Danish Gooner tweeted me.
Anyway. Enjoy the feeling today. Listen or watch our podcast. Let’s see what Paddy V has for Brighton.
Btw, the podcast is our best yet. Matt and Johnny were absolutely electric on it. If you haven’t given us a chance, download or watch it today.
P.S. Who thinks the Amazon Doco just got a bit more interesting?
Takehiro Tomiyasu is so much better than Cedric and Bellerin. He is a in your face defender. He also has the physicality to win header. Cedric must be the shortest RB in the EPL.
Dont know the London slangs. but can some one tell me what is the meaning of “Oleing”. Couldnt find it on net.
Loved the game yesterday. I think Pedro is right about why Henry was there. he was wearing a Vintage Arsenal shirt, may be to show that Arsenal never lost to spurs when he was playing.
Cheap shot if its true.
Ashwin
The crowd shouting ‘olé’ every time a player on our side touches the ball, especially in long spells of possession.
olé / (əʊˈleɪ) / interjection. an exclamation of approval or encouragement customary at bullfights, flamenco dancing, and other Spanish or Latin American events.
Used when the game is won and the denial of any possession to the opposition is celebrated as a manifestation of the dominance.
Elmo
Thanks a ton for that explanation. I thought it has to do something with ManU’s manager 🙂
Glad to know it is not…
Arsenal 3 Spurs 1.
Deserved 3 points.
China, you’re a bed wetting malcontent and no amount of explaining can get you rehabilitated in the era of Legrove’s DEFCON 1 like readiness to pounce on any dissenting opinions.
Even if you manage somehow to slip past Pedro’s watchful eye the merry band of self appointed hall monitors will get you.
great win ,Partey for me different level put Bissouma next to him and you dare to dream ..that spud expressions is one funny brother “they came in the back door fam …he he
Top three attacking plays:
-Partey’s 60 yard diagonal ball to Auba with zero back lift.
-Ode’s first time cushioned volley to Auba from the lofted Xhaka pass , and the smart run into space and clear on goal which Auba failed to spot
-the entire sequence for Auba’s goal
COME ON ARSENAL
You’re damn right I’m watching Tom, if you are bitching about hurt feelings after a NLD win, you are literally shining a light on your own bad fandom.
WHAT A DAY!
I don’t want to sound rude or what not but Tierney looks out of shape. Just hope.he comes back to form or is it just that he isn’t the only brilliant one in the back four?
I still can’t get the smile off my face because of this win. It was phenomenal. The only player I didn’t think should have been in the team was Xhaka. He was okay yesterday. But I think he hast to earn his place now. Sambi should be playing ahead of him because of how he has performed so far. But Arteta chose a starting line up that made sense. And we were playing some great football. My key takeaways were. 1. Odegaard in the N 10 role and ESR on the wing works. And it allows us to put Saka… Read more »
I’m going to go out on a limb and predict a 2-0 win at Brighton. I have a feeling they’ll get slapped around at CP. That’ll take them down a notch just in time for our game. Big Patrick doing us a solid.
Middy
Great points on the Pep style gegenpressing yesterday, like a switch was flicked and everything was operating in unison. First time in too long we had runs being made ahead connected to the midfields train of thought. Epic 45 minutes of balling. But it all started with the press to gain back possession, there was no answer for the work rate.
That Arteta picture leading the blog is all time, tells a story within the story. Well done Stuart MacFarlane if that was you.
Habesha, but shy on Ramsdale considering you were the first Arsenal fan on the globe to scout him and realise he’s decent.
Btw, if anyone’s looking to prolong this warm and fuzzy feeling I recommend spending some time in The Athletic’s Spuds section. It’s truly glorious.
Going against the flow on many, but I thought Xhaka played very well yesterday. He was part of the flow and you rarely saw a backpass from him. He was a pain in the you-know-what to Spurs yesterday and when on his game its tough to criticize his contribution. He also knows how important the NLD is and you have to know that he imparted his attitude on some.
Have to think Levy played wrong hand at this moment, he went big in keeping Kane without looking down the road and around the bend. As many have stated including Pedro that City type bid will not resurface.
He had a Bale like moment to fund a rebuild and has bottled it.
Xhaka is much more important that many seem to realise Partey has completed only 10 PL games Xhaka is much better than Elneny Sambi looks decent, but with a young team, and new players settling, I’d prefer a more gradual transition Niles is a decent squad player, but Xhaka is a better fit in central midfield If we lose Xhaka, then Partey gets another injury, then we’ll likely suffer, Xhaka played well yesterday, hopefully he’s ok He’s going to brain fart again at some point, but outside the 2 Burnley games, he did well overall last season, was the least… Read more »
Nelson
“Takehiro Tomiyasu is so much better than Cedric and Bellerin. He is a in your face defender. He also has the physicality to win header. Cedric must be the shortest RB in the EPL”
Remember telling Paulinho some time ago that I preferred full backs who can also play as center backs i.e. full backs that know how to defend first.
That said, you have a few converted wingers that play that full back tole excellently, een if they can’t win headers.
My feelings aren’t hurt, Pedro.
You deleting none offensive , subject related posts from anyone not towing your party line is funny , not hurtful.
But like I said before, your blog, your rules.
Anyone spending their hard earned money and time to put out free of charge quality ( most of the time) content can do it in any manner they please.
No complaints, just a bit of banter.
Tom, I didn’t say you were offended. But people on here have been and they are rightly being slapped down. I don’t want those sorts of comments on here, towing the company line is supporting the club. Criticise, but if you are on here saying Arsenal fans are enjoying the win too much, you can get in the bin.
Pedro
Are you still waving the machete around looking for Emeristas who may have looked at you the wrong way before?
Someone said something wrong about Ramsdale, White, etc.
Lets get it out on the table now … whew
At the end of the day we all delighted in seeing Spuds gutted out in 45 minutes and enjoyed the electric Emirates atmosphere.
Ernest, hope you had a nice weekend.
Kane will rediscover his scoring touch but Spurs aren’t going anywhere this season with him or without.
Nuno was a totally wrong hire.
Keeping Kane and giving Nuno the job two bad decisions.
Rich
Nonsense, Xhaka should have been sold
Let’s not do revisionism now because he had his customary one in 7 good games yesterday.
I’m not one of the typical Xhaka bashers, Ishola will corroborate that.
Even then, it was footballistically wrong to recall him from his Italian lessons
Dissenter, no, just looking for people to enjoy the win, not cry over their dead agendas.
I say don’t delete anything, everyone should voice their views on Arsenal regardless how dim, dull or agenda based they may be.
Pedro
Very well
Congratulations to you especially. You went out on a limb.
You have every right to want some heads on a pike, we went after you two footed because we too were fighting for our Arsenal.
Hope it’s the birth of a new era.
It is Arteta’s Arsenal now. That was his statement victory.
Eh Pedro, nothing about the ladies kicking the piss out of City yesterday??!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBMhRRGELOA
Watch just the first minute and if Ian Wright’s exuberance doesn’t make you crack a big grin… you might want to check you are alive… and an Arsenal fan.
Rewatch the first minute and watch Glenn Hoddle’s expressions as Wrighty celebrates.
I can’t decide which is funnier! 😂😂😂
China1
An admission that your judgement of Arteta has been notably unfair might help resurrect you
I’m truly delighted that Arteta has decided to replace his erstwhile tactic of Juega de Static Posicion to Juego de Passio and Movio Rapidio. 😜
Sal, Facebook does that and look where that landed them on COVID fake news. Toxic people stop others commenting.
Pedro
To be honest, I don’t like “I told you So”s. And Champagne Charlie was the first one to defend him. And I just tried to dig in. That is all. I am glad he is turning out to be very good.
Jim, I tweeted about it.
Dissenter
Yes Tomiyasu has played both full back and centre back roles. He’s tall for a full back, 6ft 2 and very strong in the air, which is why he tucked in against Burnley.
Apparently he impressed at a trial at the FC Barcelona youth academy and was offered a place with La Masia. However, due to difficulty relocating to Spain the move was cancelled. So the boy can certainly play, as we’ve already seen in just 3 games.
“Congratulations to you especially. You went out on a limb.”
What?! How about we do this consistently until the end of the season before popping the champagne?!
Let’s judge him in May! 😂
“Jim, I tweeted about it.”
👍
Dissenter
It depends on the need of the team. Arteta’s system is designed to have Tierney bombing forwards most of the time while the right back is to help out the defense and midfield. Those converted winger to full backs usually good supporting the attack.
Englandsbest it hasn’t been unfair tho
Arteta tanked last season. This isn’t really up for debate imo
Having a few wins and a great one vs Spurs doesn’t undo that. He needs to make this the overall direction from here on rather than the exception
*whether you are alive…
Jim, I’m on the look out for someone to cover Women’s football. Ideally a young female sports writer that wants a platform… so if you know anyone, lemme know.
Leeds
I saw all Wrighty’s celebrations. My favourite was when saka scored. He was jumping up and down saying ” What a great day”. 😂😂😂
I enjoyed that as much as the goals. He is amazing.
Yeah hang on a minute lol
The Spurs game was fabulous. 10/10. Full credit to everyone and Arteta
But the season is 38 games. Not 6. And we haven’t exactly won the 6 game league table anyway have we lol
Let’s enjoy this game then Arteta has to do it again. If it’s a one off it will have been for nothing
Diss, I really don’t care for heads on a pike… what gets me is that after a win, some still can’t move on. That win was for every Arsenal fan, if you are complaining about it, you’re not much of a fan (not you)
Pedro etc, Some things a manager does can be well thought out or almost fall into his lap years before your time Howard Kendall Everton the best example I can remember. Many all know about Ferguson winning at Forest in the FA Cup when also a lot of fans wanted him gone. Corners can get turned as a manager I am not taken with Arteta with fans in the ground last season imo he would of been sacked the crows would of turned on him. If he sticks with the side he had out yesterday barring injuries (Sambi over Xhaka… Read more »
“Jim, I’m on the look out for someone to cover Women’s football. Ideally a young female sports writer that wants a platform… so if you know anyone, lemme know.”
That is a nice step, Pedro! Kudos!
I taped MoTD last night for the first time in ages.
I am not a fan of Arteta, I don’t think he is up to scratch for a team like Arsenal. But I always want us to win no matter what, and yesterday was fantastic. First time in a long time that I have enjoyed watching us play. Now, let’s do it against Brighton.
Jamie
I agree that judge him in May but that NLD win was catharsis on a massive scale
I have to be gracious because it takes more than wee courage to back a signing of a keeper that was on three relegated teams.
Pedro backed that signing so he does deserve some praise for it.
Awesome weekend, Pedro! First ManU lose, followed up with a terrific Brentford/Liverpool match, and then the icing on a perfect cake, Arsenal handing Spuds their rancid crying towels!
Hope yours was equally great!
Remember everyone, last season, it was the sheer number draws that sunk our European push.
We enjoy this win but we need to be like this in the big games CONSISTENTLY.
China, let’s all calm down after a NLD win? Weird that you can’t show that sort of patience after we lose. If you want to call for measured behaviour, you should try practicing it yourself.
Brilliant result yesterday. Made a healthy sum staking on the men’s and women’s team to win yesterday. One time a gamble on the Arsenal men’s team didn’t let me down.
Hopefully the team finds a bit more consistency moving forward
Leeds, we’re usually pretty decent in big games. It’s the little one’s that killed us. Wolves, Burnley, Everton, Leeds, Villa… Leicester at home.
Pedro
Excellent podcast episode… your best yet.
Pedro “Sal, Facebook does that and look where that landed them on COVID fake news. Toxic people stop others commenting’ Agree. Some of the abuse you have taken on here has been ridiculous, there is no way you should have to put up with that mate. One thing nobody can level at you is that you don’t care about the club. Fuck me, the amount of time and effort you put in to provide a platform for opinion means you have every right to do whatever you want. The fact some of them were warning about setting up their own… Read more »
Bati, how much?
Thanks Leeds, everything is more fun when we win! Can’t beleive how electric everyone has been today. Totally changes the week!
NLD only really became important to me when I lived in London, growing up both outside of England and at a time when Spurs were a mid-table team, they meant nothing to me. United were and always will be the real enemy to me. Beating Spurs to me was like beating Crystal Palace or West Ham, another low-tier London side. Hopefully, that is the way it will return!
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1497272/Jamie-O-Hara-s-impassioned-outburst-Tottenham-Arsenal-get-a-grip
You love to see it. Cunt. It is as if Tottenham didn’t celebrate that Kaboul winner like cunts a few years back.
TheLegendaryDB!0
The manager HAS improved. Arteta came as a rookie, now he’s an old hand. A matter of patience on our part
But congrats for swallowing a mouthful of humble pie.
Wait, Pedro has been vindicated in his Arteta is the bee’s knees manager already? Not sure this post will survive more that ten seconds, but as enjoyable as yesterday’s game was, Arsenal haven’t lost a home game to the Spuds since 2010 and a certain worst manager in Arsenal history, who’s name must not be spoken, beat them 4:2 in his first months in charge and with a squad full of “rejects” Arteta didn’t want to touch with a barge pole. Same Spurs who went to the CL final with their best manager to date, apparently. Yesterday’s stats Arsenal possession… Read more »
Spurs certainly missed the boat on Kane..he was poor over the summer,….but then this is Levy we are talking about and despite hearing too many times over the years that he’s some kind of genius, I think he’s a bit of a mug…1 trophy in 20 yrs…hiring the likes of Gross, Ramos, Santini, Villas-Boas, Nuno…blowing the Bale windfall… Villa on the other hand look like they’ve reinvested pretty well and may be better after selling Grealish ( seems like a win-win for all involved there)….thank god we didn’t sell ESR to them! With him and Saka, I can’t remember young… Read more »
TOM if you can see that it was a different game. With different context to it surely eveb you ain’t that dumb? Or maybe you are
Pedro If we are going to push on to Champion’s League football, we need to replicate yesterday’s performance against Man United, Man City, Chelsea, and Liverpool. If we draw against those sides but make sure we win against everyone else we should qualify for Europe at a canter. Plus, another two important factors after yesterday… a great win like this does amazing things going forward. 1. We begin to rebuild the fear factor from the teams coming to us. 2. It convinces our discontented loan signings like Saliba to give Arsenal another chance. 3. It convinces contract rebels like Nketiah… Read more »
*three factors
The thing that would have made the weekend perfect was Liverpool losing. I can never relax until every team has lost at least one match and the Invincible record stays unique.
dissenter
No praise at all is better than grudging praise. At least it’s honestt
Pedro
Clearly exceptions as AFC has stated, speaking more of those operating in the here and now with actual footballing views.
Yesterday’s win was just ONE game though
We blew out Chelsea in December too, got Lampard fired but didn’t push on afterwards.
After the hangover ought to come some clear headed questioning. I don’t mean to pee on the party.
Can we sustain that level of creativity against a well coached pressing team like Brighton. Spurs were pathetic yesterday- they gave Ode to much space for 40 minutes and he punished them.
We have to convincingly beat Brighton with the same exhilarating verve ,not by shithousery.
Not sure his many here follow the Women’s team – hopefully everyone – but worth noting their astonishing performance this weekend.
Tottenham should of sold Kane the summer gone 100-120m that is never going to be on the table again.
29 next summer still has a good few years left in him but when a player wants out, generally when does it ever work out for the better especially in a non trophy winning side.
25-30 goals a season alongside Son who would be absolutely mustard in our team.
When a player wants out you take as much money as you can and reinvest…….didn’t do us much wrong when Anelka wanted out.
Dissenter My reply to Leeds answers your question: Leeds “We enjoy this win but we need to be like this in the big games CONSISTENTLY” Spot on. The team have barely had more than 120 minutes together so we have to temper expectations. When we win we have to avoid doing what we do when we lose – going over the top. This is a young team that can only get better. However, there will be blips along the way because that is how football is. When people claim games are easy, challenge them to put a bet on and… Read more »
Last season against Leicester in the 1-0 loss, we dominated the first half, Luiz went off injured, they man-marked Xhaka, and let us have the ball The more of the ball we had, the less dangerous we were, and the more dangerous our opponents become, Villa, Wolves, Spurs, Burnley, Southampton, Everton, all then pulled similar tricks Rodgers had shown the blueprint on how to stifle us What changed our season was the introduction of Smith Rowe, the loan of Odegaard, and the return of Partey, because they provided a link between our attack and the rest of the team Xhaka,… Read more »
Ramsdale is a bit of a showman, right
Am I the only one seeing this?
He’s like Mohammed Ali on there field, some of the touches he makes may hurt him/us.
That unnecessary touch to dribble…..hmmmm
I predict that Leno will leave in Germany to preserve his German team place. He didn’t move all the way to England to sit on the bench. Arteta will be wise to let the player’s ego handle that problems for him.
Don’t start rotating keepers.
AFC
The lack of European games may make this possible. He can play the same starting 11, week in week out barring injuries or drastic loss of form.
The bench is stronger now, even Tierney is benchable.
I just wish we has another forward going central defender. Elneny is a lateral thinker/passer. His field of vision is restricted severely.
Sal, for sure. I’m game for a wide variety of views, hence being in the minority on my own blog… but if you are only interested in slagging the club, I don’t want you here. AFC, my happiness is none of that is in the ground. Fans are fully behind the project. Leeds, we have to find consistency for sure. It’s a shame we played those two massive games so early, because we’re not losing like that now. However, those three bad games impacted the club and the manager. Arteta found forgiveness for AMN, big progress there He’s started to… Read more »
Tom
This is a bad use of statistics. Arsenal tore Spurs apart in the first half and then sat back in the 2nd. Comparing the team with the one that won 4-2 is also a mistake.
We had a back 3 of Mustafi, Sokratis and Holding with Kolasinac and Bellerin as wing-backs. Do you want to go back to that?
*I just wish we has another forward going central midfielder. Elneny is a lateral thinker/passer. His field of vision is restricted severely.
For me any review of the game yesterday should include Auba being an absolute monster in attack and the kind of player we have on our books and we haven’t really used to his strengths much for one reason or another. Any takeaway from the game that needs to translate into at least the end of this season, and maybe 1 more, is how to make Auba enjoy himself. Base your whole game strategy around him. Buy him expensive gifts, get him a personal masseuse, give his kids VIP tickets for every home game, put him on every big ad… Read more »
Big respect to Arteta and his boys for weathering the storm with a covid outbreak and incredibly tricky opening fixture list. The starting XI he’s landed on makes itself with a clear few variations that can be made. We’re on single week fixtures for the foreseeable with what should be a fit squad looking down barrel of Brighton, Palace, Villa, Leicester and Watford in the league until we face Liverpool Nov 20. With Leeds wedged in for the League cup. Many criticism’s answered yesterday, interesting to see if we can carry this form thru that run in consistent manner. If… Read more »
Diss, Ramsdale get player of the season every year becaus 1) He’s good 2) because he is basically a fan on the pitch
A lot to love. Arsenal will push Leno out in Jan so they can get a fee
I’ll say it cause I think plenty are afraid to but BEN WHITE had a top class game and the stats backed him up. 5 interceptions 4duels won 2 tackles top class from h
Dissenter If it was up to me, I would plough the monies that we raise from selling Leno and get us another powerful DM in the Partey school of defensive midfielders. (Plus we have enough other fringe players at the club we should sell off to buy a real class player.) Thomas reminds me of PV4 in so many ways — I think we need another imposing young defensive midfielder to fill in when Partey is ruled out for one reason another. Sambi in my mind is a replacement for Xhaka not Partey. Bissouma would be great acquisition, but would… Read more »
Raptora makes the key point. That attacking strategy and line-up was set-up to bring the best out of Aubameyang yesterday.and as many have said as well as Pedro previously in reality if Aubameyang is not happy and buzzing then this team can suffer. Sure there are other players that chip in with goals as we saw yesterday but it all evolves around a happy Aubameyang. So many things mentioned in Pedro’s latest post but I think he forget a big point here that being the attack was so much better and more cohesive as a unit without Pepe involved. Sometimes… Read more »
For the recored I could watch Kane all day long in lead up to Saka’s goal.
From the moment he’s dispossessed on edge of our box right to moment he looks down in agony after Saka finds net. Poor bastard’s in the frame the whole way thru like a thread line of disbelief.
Arsenal gold.
Another thing I wanted to mention is that derby games are derby games. It’s usually not hard to get the blood pumping for a big day like yesterday’s. We were great. Fantastic. Unreal. It absolutely blew away every good expectation I had for the game. But can we show the same desire, energy and passion – the important word – passion! cause that’s what we saw yesterday and what we had so much more than the spuds is passion. But can we show the same desire, energy and passion in games that aren’t derby games. Games that don’t have the… Read more »
Tom The thing with statistics is, you can twist it anyway you like for your audience. Yesterday might not have been the best Arsenal play in the history of humanity. but it was certainly the best under the current manager given the start we have had to the season. Nobody is saying we are going to win the league this year. but sorting Spurs out with first half is the best thing Arsenal fans can expect. We will surely lose more games as the season progresses, but enjoy the moment now and take one match at time. Dont bring statistics… Read more »
Keep Aubameyang happy then results can be really positive.
But if Arteta reverts to galaxy brain again down the line then we could be back to square one.
We all knew deep down that if Arsenal were to have a good season then it had to entail Aubameyang firing.
Ishola,
Agreed. Arteta not finding a settled starting 11 that he can start in 90% of the games has been a huge minus for many fans including in this blog. Maybe we are one step closer to finally finding a rhythm involving the same players so they can start building up their in-game partnership as all the great teams have done before.
I loved seeing Lokonga commit that professional foul
The lad was trained well at Anderlecht.
I for one believe that Arteta should rotate heavily and chose players depending on the opposition. That would make us unpredictable and not easy to play against. Also, it will keep the squad fresh and motivated.
there should not be a settled starting 11.
Pedro
Made two thousand quid on both games, angry I didn’t maybe stake more than I did
If we sell Leno, then we need an quality replacement
Direct competition is healthy, we need someone who can push Ramsdale, and also cover for him in his absence
The last thing we need is Ramsdale slipping into the comfort zone
Can’t agree Ashwin.
In fact totally against your view.
Chopping and changing especially in the forward line can affect Aubameyang badly. Start going into slumps.
People have slated him but the simple fact remains that if Aubameyang has a good season so do Arsenal.
Sal, really good shout on the once a week thing. We should be fit this season. Loads of time to coach that cognitive style we’re looking for.
Funny how people get carried away. I love a win against the scum but Pedro & co should stay grounded. Emery’s team put 4 past a better coached and more balanced Poch team. String togwther atleast six such performances and we’re in bussiness. Thats what top teams do. Good win but its Too early to be posting such we should be demanding these performances evry matchday