Arsenal continued their solid run of results with a win against Leeds at home. That has taken our unbeaten record to 8 in all competitions. Not the be sniffed at.
The club struggled with a non-covid bug going around before the game. Pablo Mari and Benjamin White had clearly been sharing cheeseburger, the Spaniard missed the game entirely, White had to come off as a sub after a storming performance.
I’d call the League Cup starting 11 a serious team. It was a blend of fringe players and first-teamers. The objective clearly was to win the game and progress.
My overall view of the game is that we saw a vindication of the summer moves. There are certain players that stepped in tonight that can’t do the things that the new first-teamers can. Concentration, bravery on the ball, and movement was lacking in certain moments.
Nicolas Pepe had another night to forget. His pattern is to frustrate with the basics, then make a contribution to the result. His header to Cal Chambers broke the deadlock. It’s a real struggle for the Ivorian. He’s clearly very talented, can do things others can’t, has worked on his defensive game… but he’s can’t pull the package everything together into a consistent flow. Still, he’s working hard, there’s always hope.
Martinelli also disappointed. He’s lost his zest. The bang-bang player we loved has gone into his shell. Confidence is low. He’s a far cry from the player Klopp called a GOD OF MEN. He’s young though. It’ll click at some point. Every player goes through it. Part of it will likely be that he’s having to reimagine his game to suit the needs of the team.
Eddie was really good again. His link-up play was great, his touch was really sharp, and his goal was good. A little lucky after he scuffed his shot, but it went in. Arsenal are keen to tie him to a new deal, but I’m not sure the player will have any of it. Which is a bit of a shame because I suspect he’ll go on to score a lot of goals wherever he goes next.
Benny Blanco was a standout for me. Cries of ‘HE WASN’T WORTH THE MONEY’ are looking like they were very much formulated in a vacuum of ‘I HAVE NOT SEEN HIM PLAY.’ Still, if you’re an Arsenal fan, the best type of humble pie to eat is on a saucy centre back that has extremely unique skills. It’s like having Aaron Ramsey in defence. If you press him, he can power 50 yards past you. If you sit back he can find people from distance, consistently. It makes him a tactical nightmare. Against his old club, he was a nuisance all evening. You can see confidence is starting to seep into his game and players around him are starting to understand how to work with him.
Couple of other notable points.
Bernd Leno was superb. He kept us in the game in the first half with some very clever saves. That’s how an ex number 1 needs to roll. Like a total pro. I also loved that he dropped a daisy-cutter through the middle like Ramsdale. He’s been working on that move now he knows what gets rewarded in the new system.
I also thought Bob Holding was good. He’s not a sulker, he puts it all on the line, and did you notice he went on a mazy run like Ben White? Very fun. Good competition improves everyone. It’s great to finally have some.
So we progress to the quarter-finals of the first cup of the season. Two games to get to Wembley (I think?). That’s a nice reward if you can do it. Competition gets harder now as teams begin to take things a little more seriously.
The big one is Leicester at the weekend. Hopefully, we’ll have a full squad of players to choose from. I can’t wait.
This is a lovely story of the club and how far they went to make a fans first game special as he suffers from a form of Autism. Well done guys, credit where it’s due.
https://apple.news/AGX0yIo0oRa-HIjVWMIBgkA
@Jamie
Cheers. Quite sad how it still bothers people so many years on. Couldn’t give a fuck about someone’s sexuality, we’re all the same. Far more interested in if they’re a good person rather than who’s hole (M/F )they put there ding a ling in
Pepe is class if you basically take a zero off his price tag
My argument regarding the Saliba situation is ok he missed going out on loan at the start of last season, but that being the case then surely he could have played in the Europa cup and league cup games so that Arteta could assess him.
To not play Saliba in the cup games says to me that there was something else going on unrelated to Saliba’s football ability..
Pepe is a lost cause. Plenty of people seem to argue that we just adjusted our tactics by doing ABC he’d bang. Thing is, he’s not good enough for us to adjust every to his needs. And he’s old enough that he won’t learn those basics that are missing. Frankly, we need to cut our losses. And they’ll be big. I can’t see us recouping even half of what he cost us.
Sid is being homophobic and he needs to know that I will not accept that chat on here.
Censorship?
Jamie, part of elite level sport is understanding context. Context of Brentford was firstly 9 players out, then later… that Brentford are actually pretty decent. Not sure there was much to say on European Cup finalists. Now we’re seeing what the plan was, what having fit players offers us, and what a bit of time with 6 new players is doing for everyone.
I condemn labelling that leads to cancel culture.
I demand an apology from you Pete
Sid,
How many people get preemptively cancelled by your nasty rants? I can’t imagine LGBTQ Gooners want to participate in discussions when they’re being called mentally ill or worse by ignorant keyboard warriors.
Nasty rants? Do you need to make falsehoods to put your point across
Credit to Leno for a professional performance when he could easily have been sulking. Looked like he had been keeping sharp and improving his distribution.
Seems as if he will be a reliable and solid back up until he moves on next summer.
Rant -speak or shout at length in an angry, impassioned way
Sid,
OK, fair enough. Your comments are rarely long, probably because you don’t have the vocabulary for it. Nasty short comments then.
People should be free to have opposition to same sex relationships What they can’t do is harass anyone, tell anyone else how to live their lives, or treat people differently, because they don’t like their lifestyle choice If you don’t like same sex relationships, that’s fair enough, just don’t enter a relationship with someone who’s the same sex as you Freedoms should always work both ways, people should be allowed to have opinions we disagree with Shutting down someone’s else’s opinion, doesn’t change their opinions, it just pushes them to the fringes, and makes their opinions more extreme Shutting down… Read more »
https://www.football365.com/news/ranking-the-21-arsenal-invincibles-by-importance
Not sure if anyone has seen this article but a nice trip down memory Lane. Number one always a touch choice but at the same time would be my call.
Looking forward to the Invincibles documentary.
Rich, on this blog, I’d prefer to push people to the fringes who have grim views.
Football is about inclusivity, homophobia is rife in the game, I won’t have it on here.
I appreciate your input @lovesausage, i will work on my vocalbury
Pedro, kinda hard to take your elite sport understanding expertise seriously when you’ve successfully dodged every attempt to even remotely quantify Arteta’s minimum goal requirements to justify keeping him on.
Basically your position has been hoping for the best ……… buuut anything will do.
“”” I’d prefer to push people to the fringes who have grim views””””
I cant resist saying,’ you should start with yourself’, whatever the consequence of doing so brings.
Rich, tolerance is about recognising being different is okay however it’s semantics to suggest that it works both ways when suggesting it’s an acceptable point of view to suggest someone is a lessor person because of their cultural, sexual or racial background – that position is not acceptable in a decent society.
Sid isn’t homophobic. He’s a closeted gay Republican putting on a front.
It’s okay Sid , we don’t judge.
@positive Pete, we have alot in common, alote of your comments need curtailing, Kroenkephobe points this out.
Tom has had a crush on me from day one, i wont add on that because the owner of the blog will push me to the ‘fringes’
Stroller
“The only real contribution made by Nketiah was his goal, which was a fairly scruffy affair.’
Oh dear …did you watch the game or the goal…….serious question.
I see we’re struggling on football conversation – is that because Sid is active? Tends to change the dialogue somewhat
sid you’re still hilarious in my book.
SIKE
Pierre ””””To not play Saliba in the cup games says to me that there was something else going on unrelated to Saliba’s football ability..””’ 100% guaranteed its personal. What sane manager prefers Mari or Chambers over Saliba?? Seriously?? And you think Mari is keeping clean sheets against Mpbbabe? Facts are ,Arsenal have a negative goal difference and sit in 10th after a quarter of the season – they needed Saliba NOW, not next season or the season after. Arsenal supporters always fretting about next season. This season is the one that counts. its a very Arsenal thing: ‘ next season… Read more »
No issue whatsoever if anyone chooses to make their personal life known to others. On that it also would be very fair to say that in doing so one leaves themselves fully exposed to the pros and cons associated. This seems to be the lost component of involving others in ones life, it stops being private the second you make it public. Human nature being what it is, you will likely have to accept that there is going to be good and bad reactions, but equally know that you are the architect of your own situation by going public. Just… Read more »
“Tom has had a crush on me from day one, “
Sid I believe our first interaction was me telling you and CG to get a room and blow each other…….so hardly a sign of having a crush.
Unless of course I’m watching from next the room through a fake mirror.
Sid’s got repressed issues.
Im telling you this for free!
“that position is not acceptable in a decent society.”
Totally agree Bob, it took immense courage for this individual to “come out”, knowing that for the most part he would be accepted and supported by many but equally, likely to still encounter those who remain ignorantly intolerant of anything perceived as not normal in their view.
Pedro – I get it. Context for sure. 9 players out with a squad of 25 though.. New signings Blanco and Sambi played. Mari, who he signed last season, Xhaka, ESR, Pepe, Chambers, KT, Leno all started. Can’t say it was a cobbled together squad of strangers. Brentford will finish in the bottom half of the table, most likely. It was a poor result and that’s it. Beaten in the EL by the bum he replaced at Arsenal and who himself had more time to coach his players (1.5 seasons) than his opponent (first season in charge of Villareal and… Read more »
Amen to that Bob.
Sid
and some others.
Keeping an orientation under wraps is a tension because of the prejudice of a majority. So let us not make it difficult for the minority. Those people will have their own community, and it is unfair being bugged by them, when they are not getting bugged by the majority.
To each one, it’s own. Although lots get bugged at the pretty lesbians, admit that is your gripe.
Jamie, the preparation was set for a certain 11 players. The virus hit on the Friday. No one knew who had it. Tests were carried out on the whole squad on Saturday. Players couldn’t travel on the bus together. We started with a striker that had never played a minute of Premier League football. We had two debuts. … it was against Brentford, one of the most impressive teams of the season thus far. That situation, for any manager in the league, would be nightmarish. I was sad about the Villareal result, but he also beat United, who finished 2nd… Read more »
Was having a good debate with someone the other night. *If* we win against Leicester, the record would be; P10 W5 D2 L3- and we are still in the EFL Cup. In that time we time we would of played; Citeh A Chekski H Spuds H Leicester A +the other 6 So question was- would you have taken that at the start of the season? I would of.. especially given the COVID start & late signings on top. The uptick in form, performance & metrics that have coincided with those results is the big plus from the start we had.… Read more »
Jamie, also, one more thing… the uptick in BANG performances, yes, agree, they are recent. But results? Not really. We’ve been fairly consistent since last December at grinding out points, goals and a good defence.
Bob N16 We already have the equalities act + harassment laws If someone has an opinion you don’t like, and you tell them to leave you alone, and they don’t listen, then that’s harassment Someone having an opinion you disagree with, is just someone having an opinion you disagree with Surely you can see the difference? Where does it stop? Do we have to conform to the idea that men can get pregnant + give birth, and that men have cervix’s? That giving puberty blockers to kids isn’t child abuse? That there’s 100 genders? I’m happy for people to believe… Read more »
Bob N16
Holding too slow to be a CB? Like John Terry or Adams?
Pedro – Can’t agree that Brentford is one of the most impressive teams in the league. They’re in 12th. And they’ll probably finish lower. We should’ve beaten them with the players we had on the pitch and didn’t. I feel we’ll never meet on this. Sad about Villarreal is an understatement! It was humiliating on the day. I think Emery should’ve been sacked after our final loss to Chelsea in his maiden season, so not in and of itself weak. Elite behaviour would’ve been dismissing Emery and replacing him that summer rather than faff around until November to pull the… Read more »
OGS defensive system….
https://www.reddit.com/r/LiverpoolFC/comments/qgbw65/hello_and_welcome_to_oles_positioning_masterclass/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf
“the uptick in BANG performances, yes, agree, they are recent. But results? Not really. We’ve been fairly consistent since last December at grinding out points, goals and a good defence.”
This I agree with. It wasn’t always the results, it was the performances that were poor and more often than not devoid of creativity.
Funny though isn’t it, religion’s have been telling millions of people what to think and how they should act for the last 1000 years.
The speculation about Saliba is ridiculous. It’s all smoke and mirrors. If we sell him then we can have a debate but as far as Im aware he is on loan and playing well. That’s the end of the story.
Kris – no to Roberto from me
“he’s not great in any position” – nuff said. I want us to only sign players who are truly great in a given position. Utility players are two a penny. I’m happy to keep the likes of AMN for that reason. Actually he had a great game imo last night as did Cedric
Rich, let’s just leave it there. This isn’t about changing Sid, this is about telling him to take his grim views somewhere else if he wants to… because this is a private business, not a public space.
If someone told you before the season’s start Arsenal, after spending more than anyone, would be 10th after 9 games with a -3 goal difference having played opponents with a 9th place average league position according to five thirty eight’s soccer predictions………..would you take it?
I doubt anyone would.
But once it happens we get used to it and rationalize every little thing ( and big one too) to justify it.
I’ve mentioned ‘creativity’.
Expecting Pierre to drop his wankbank youtube reel of Ozil highlights any time now.
@Jamie – LOL
””’If someone told you before the season’s start Arsenal, after spending more than anyone, would be 10th after 9 games with a -3 goal difference having played opponents with a 9th place average league position according to five thirty eight’s soccer predictions………..would you take it?””’
Well put Tom.
They can get a pat on the back when they climb above Brighton Hove Albion in the league table.
Tom
Half of this summers spend weren’t here for the first 2 games
White came down with COVID, and missed game 2+3
We then played City, an established team that’s taken over £1 billion to construct
Since our new players have been here, we’re unbeaten in 8, winning 6
Arteta has to deliver this season, not just top 6, but also the performances have to improve
But your 9 game argument after the biggest spend, is flawed
Actually our opponents average league position was 10th, and I only bring it up to push back on the idea Arsenal’s schedule has been difficult.
Rich, all true, just as it will be again in January when AFCON hits and you’ll be here detailing again who didn’t come back 100%fit to justify another bad result.
Just as you most definitely will do again in May.
To your credit though, you did the same with Emery at the helm but surprisingly Pedro wasn’t on board then.
Freedoms should always work both ways, people should be allowed to have opinions we disagree with. Wow – a new low. You don’t mean ‘have’ exactly do you? You actually mean being allowed to express them. That’s not OK and you know it – neither morally nor legally. And if those opinions you’re evidently so fond of contain hate, prejudice, discrimination or all three, then that’s fine by you it would seem. Typical right wing pseudo intellectual justification for all kinds of violent nasty crimes proposed by people who cry like bedwetting babies when they’re confronted. Pedro – please read… Read more »
Well, it just goes to show that the comments section at Le Grove is no longer a space for debate than for people to push their agenda’s and make sure their personal optics dont get crushed by Arsenal doing well. My point again.. *if* Arsenal win at Leicester; P10 W5 D2 L3 Having played 4 of the usual top-4 contenders. I would say thats no worse than par. Factor in the COVID start and the signings; double of trickey away games in there where other teams will come unstuck (Brentord, Brighton)- thats not looking too bad- thats looking OK. My… Read more »
Surfer most agree with your take i’d say
I’m pretty excited for it but i have a sneaking suspicion it could be a tougher game than i’m expecting. Realistically see 0-0
Surfer… I’d agree with you there. It’s always a bit weird when people start rolling off expected wins and losses.
We are 9 games in. We’re within spitting distance of top 4. If we’re this close come what Jan, it’s a cup run until the end of the season.
Things that need to be worked on:
More open play goals
Tighter defence
Master those automatons
I’m with you on Leicester… this is a winnable game, it’s high pressure because of the run, it’s the sort of game that gets you into the top 4.
(it’s also away)
Tom, I’m under no illusion we’ll have bad results this season, but we’ll also get our fair share of good results as well I’m not surprised we’ve delivered 2 consecutive 8th place finishes, I could see the rot setting in a mile off I’m now as optimistic as I’ve been for a while, and I said this even after our first 3 games We’ve got a much better balance to our squad, we’ve got some really good young players, and over the course of 38 games, I’m confident we’ll edge into 5th, and be within spitting distance of 4th With… Read more »
Lol, Tom and CG talking about 10th after 9 games… not 3 points off 4th, 6 points off 3rd.
Very typical.
CG, I’m particularly disappointed in you. You spent 3 years campaigning for more British players, now we have them starring, you still can’t be happy about where we are.
Kphobe im sure theres a libertarian arsenal
Blog somewhere out there
Well, for me that fact is there are only two games this season where we have underperformed from a results perspective to what I would of hoped: Brentford & Palace. On the flip side, there havent been any results where we have over-performed. I would always expect us to beat the Spuds, Villa, Norwich at home. Burnley away is a good 3 points- but again expected given their form. Thats what I guess Im trying to say Zacharse- Id have it down as a draw too. A win or a loss gives a real indicator as to progress- or alternatively… Read more »
Zacharse
That implies you prefer a homophobic, racist, anti-semitic and misogynistic (to name but a few) forum in which to express yourself. You OK with all of that? Really?
Do tell.
Pedro,
“Master those automatons”?
I hope that was a typo and not a Freudian slip reference to Arteta’s players.!
An automaton is a machine that performs a range of functions according to a predetermined set of instructions.
A win and a good performance at Leicester is key.
Let’s hope Arteta’s automatons deliver!
The site finally died
I hear you Words.. but seriously, Id take a 95th minute shanked off Eddies shin pad against the run of play on Saturday- I dont care how the win comes. Its a game to get over the line however we can.
It takes the pressure off the Liverpool game after the intl break- it sets us up to get 9 points from 12 before we play United away. Lose- 6 points from 12 going into that and that United Away game starts to look must win rather do not lose.
MASSIVE game on Saturday for me.
P ”””’CG, I’m particularly disappointed in you. You spent 3 years campaigning for more British players, now we have them starring, you still can’t be happy about where we are.””’ Well I am disappointed that Arteta and Edu are still in charge so we can be disappointed together. If you think its clever spending £75 million on British players White and Ramsdale when the club already has Saliba and Leno – good for you- I dont I would rather integrate them and use the resources where they are most needed. ( on attacking players) And maybe if Arteta didnt waste… Read more »
Kronke flapping his fanny about all things in the name of social justice. What a fucking hero.
Get back in your little glasshouse.
Haven, Adams was not slow. But more to the point you can’t be suggesting Holding is in any way comparable to Terry and Adams.
Rich, I think you’re arguing for the sake of it. There is a red line in this country – if you’re being racist or homophobic then the law as well as common decency is against you. There is no equivocation or debate to be had. There are many other issues that can and should be debated but these tolerant positions aren’t among them.
Cannonball/Aubergine/Don/Bamford
If I’m getting under the skin of a miserable cunt like you, I might be a hero to lots of people on here. Thanks little man.
Now fuck off back to grieving about your idols at Old Trafford. Not been a great week has it?
Bob
Spot on (and not a fence in sight mate!)
Cannonball,
Can I add that I’d happily take a “Social Justice Warrior” like Kroenkephobe over a sad little man like you.
Well it’s not automatons .
Just plain old “ROBOTS.”
That all speak with a hint of Spanish..?
CG October 27, 2021 20:35:03 He is an appalling Arsenal manager. And I won’t change my mind on it. —————————————- See, thats what I mean about agendas. Why wouldnt you ever change your mind? If he wins the EPL / champions league in the next 5 years- I think most Arsenal fans would change. If he gets us relegated, I think they would too- whatever their starting position is. For me, top 4 is the target- Europa league is par. Anything less, not good enough. Jusy’s out for me.. but, compared to 10 years of ground-hog season under AW; 2… Read more »
James Wood,
Until the definition was changed (round about the time of the match against Aston Villa,) the Spanish term for a robot or automaton was “jugador del Arsenal”.
Arsenal going for the JUGULAR.
I’m not having that.😂
Kroenke,
I accept I do take the middle ground(fence sitting) quite oftenbut there are certain issues I do see in black and white terms!
You love accusing people of alter egos don’t you Kronke? Bet you’re a right laugh you utter libtard. Trying to be the king of cancel culture just because you’re a fucking pompous self righteous prick?
I’ll call a spade a spade. Or aren’t I allow to say that these days?
Here’s hoping our jugadors can go for the jugular so they can say “hasta la vista baby” to Brendan R and Jamie V as they cruise to a 3-0 victory.
Cannonball,
If Kroenkephobe is a “libtard” then you must be a freedumb fighter.
Bob
That’s cool mate. I like your stuff – it’s thought-provoking, reasonable and well argued. And anyone with a clubbing legacy even longer than mine is all right in my book. 🎧
‘I might be a hero to lots of people’
Oh dear. Kronke’s had another pint of delusion.
Good post Surfer X 20.54.
A fair few posters are making out that the Leicester result is a make or break match – I’m not sure about that. If we lose badly and it knocks our confidence to the extent that we go on a mediocre run then sure it’ll be significant. But if we lose ‘well’ a narrow defeat or draw then it’s as you were.
Surfer ”””’See, thats what I mean about agendas. Why wouldnt you ever change your mind? If he wins the EPL / champions league in the next 5 years-””’ Arteta is the type of manager , that will always let you down when you least expect it. eg Villarreal at home or Crystal Palace last week. He has serious flaws and his judgement is shocking, Off course Arsenal could go on and win the league and the European Cup in the next few seasons but they won’t under Arteta. ( maybe Conte) Arteta can’t beat Olympiakos at home in 2 attempts.… Read more »
And back to kissing arses. Back bone of a jelly fish.
Definitely was fingered at Trade.
Kroenkephobe- you’re making me blush!
Cannonball/Aubergine/Don/Bamford
House! I prepared myself a bullshit bingo card in advance of your reply. I got every right wing cliche correct. Libtard, cancel culture, calling a spade a spade.
They were all on there! For my prize, I’d like a highlights dvd of that 0-5 reversal you and your Manc mates suffered on Sunday. I bet you’re feeling less than klopptimistic about the rest of the season with Ole Gunnar Gobshite.
Bob N16,
The result (and the performance) against Leicester isn’t make or break for Arsenal or for Arteta.
But it would go a long way (for me at least) towards establishing that Arteta’s Arsenal is onto something.
In the past, under Arteta, whenever I thought that, finally, finally Arsenal we’re establishing an attractive and defined style of play and getting good performances and decent results under their belts, we would pull a stinker.
Hopefully we’re past that this time.
*Arsenal were establishing
WOAB, we could lose against Leicester, draw with Watford and then beat Liverpool( I know highly unlikely), beat Leicester and lose to Watford. Overall we seem to be on the up but our results and performances are inconsistent match by match.
Drawing with Leicester, beating Watford and losing to Liverpool is most likely but so difficult to predict!
Establishing hopefully.
But as weak as we are in midfield
with an injury to ESR WE ARE CATTLED.
We just don’t have the drive without him.
Saka ?
Leicester with largely a second string tonight, Rodgers’s priorities lying elsewhere
Quarter final draw on Soccer AM Saturday morning
If we’re going to draw a big team, I’d rather do it at home in the quarters, rather than over 2 legs at the beginning of January
What the are you talking about I’m arsenal you silly cunt. People other than aubergine/Don/bamford can think you’re tragic.
So fake and you don’t think you’re transparent which is even funnier.
Pedro,
Whatever happens to all the heroes, and all the Shakespearos?
.
Cesc Appeal,
Romford Pele
Marc
Marco
Valentin
And many, many more…?
We’re they banned, or did they just slip -side away?
Automatisms… automatons would probably be a bit more efficient if I’m honest. Surfer, agree. It’s taken while to get to this phase of the project for Arteta… but it’s more interesting than what went before and has a higher chance of success now there’s a clear strategy. CG just hates anything that isn’t Wenger. He could claim a big win, after telling the club to go pure British for 18 months. Instead, he’s now ignoring that he was essentially right by deciding he doesn’t like that now. Very weird chap. ‘I’ll never change my mind’… is a huge tell. Just… Read more »
Fucking spellcheck insists on inserting an apostrophe in “were” to make it “we’re”
What the are you talking about I’m arsenal you silly cunt. People other than aubergine/Don/bamford can think you’re tragic.
There, there cannonball. Maybe you’ve changed your mind after losing so heavily to Liverpool on Sunday. Nice try. Silly cunt? Moi?