Well hello my darlings, how are we today? Good I hope. VERY good.
Hot topic of debate is the Eddie issue. He looks… good. Right? This isn’t just the one game he played, this is his mindset since preseason. He looks more powerful, his game is more deliberate, and he looks very focused. Amazing what the insecurity of having no new deal can do… and what growing up a little bit can add to your game.
I think there’s some concern at Arsenal that if he doesn’t sign up, he could be a sleeper-Emi Martinez for us next season. He’s a good player. He’s extremely young. He could add a lot of value to many clubs in the Premier League. As fans, we do tend to get into the mind that you are either an elite 17 year old or you are a failure. Not everyone can break like ESR or Saka. Ivan Toney is 25 years old, he’s making waves in the Premier League this season. There are loads of examples of players that are not great until they are. Patrick Bamford at Leeds is a prime example, even Leeds fans lamented how poor his finishing was… then things clicked last season and people were talking about big moves. He’s 28 years old! Let’s go a step further… Serge Gnabry was binned off by Arsenal at 22 after failing to stake his claim under Tony Pulis, now look at him? You can’t tell me anyone saw that coming.
It’ll be a shame to see him go. Folarin Balogun ain’t there yet. The third striker berth is open this summer with Lacazette going. It could be his. Let’s see if Arteta can persuade a player I’m pretty sure has little love/trust for a manager that benched him for a season.
I’m feeling pretty good about Arsenal at the moment. One of the interesting things about the Leeds game, which was a great spectacle, was the speed we were moving the ball at. The lethargic passing of last season seems to be cycling into something a little more one-touch and a bit more purposeful. There’s a rhythm to what we’re doing and it doesn’t look as one-dimensional as it did. When we spoke to Nigel Winterburn last week, he talked about working under George Graham and the relentless coaching of the defence. I asked him if he believed in over-coaching and he said he didn’t. The coaching is there to help you make better decisions on the pitch, but it’s down to the players to be bold and make them. I think one-touch passing is helping us. It wasn’t there before, now it is. Long may the confidence continue through every level of our squad.
Leicester at the weekend is another huge test. I do like that we set each game up as some sort of definitive moment in our season.
SPURS: Good side, if you can’t win the derby… well
Aston Villa: Good side, their midfield is better than ours, if we can’t beat them… well
Leicester: A real test, because they are top 4 contenders, if we can’t beat them… well
I’m going to keep it going. I think this is a real test because I see us at about the same level as Leicester City. They have great players, a well-coached operation, and they spring surprises. Brendan Rodgers is sharp and he certainly played us like a fiddle at home last season.
This game is a big one for us. We’re doing the business at home, but can we go away to a big atmosphere and win the occasion?
I really hope so. 9 games unbeaten has a nice ring to it. Moving 3 points past Leicester in November is a good omen heading into some really tough games. More confidence means we get to where we need to be faster.
3 points are important because there are a few games between teams that are rivals.
United vs Spurs
Liverpool vs Brighton
Villa vs West Ham
Wolves vs Everton
If we win our next two games, I think there’s a fair chance we’ll actually be in the top 4. That would be a lot better than how we were shaping up this time last season.
Right, that’s me done, see you in the comments.
Nketiah might not be the finished article but he’s one of the best young strikers among his age range. He’s about the same level with lutaro martinez,abraham etc and he’s ours. To find a replacement is going to be much more expensive anyway.
Bob N16
Yes we could offload both Right Backs and recruit another low budget second string. We
could be even surprised and Maitland-Niles finally accepts that his future is at RB.
However, I don’t see Arsenal spending mega bucks on this position.
The trend at Arsenal will follow what is going on at Liverpool. Spending serious money on
strategic players in team.
The team that Arteta selects basically picks itself tomorrow barring injuries.
Ramsdale
Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel , Tierney
Lakonga/partey
Saka/Lacazette/Smith Rowe
Aubameyang.
Tierney or Tavares is a close one , I would love to see Tavares given the nod and so would smith Rowe , as his overlapping and energy at left back opened up the spaces for Smith Rowe to do the business.
However, if fit i believe Arteta will go for experience and start Tierney..
I forgot torreira is still ours. Needs to be sold this summer. I hope we can get 10+m for him.
Our right back doesn’t really play as a traditional right back, more of a right sided defensive midfielder in possession, then as a right back out of possession, White can certainly play that role This is how I see our squad evolving next season, much of our improvement over the next couple of years will be internal, rather than external, and there’s still plenty of deadwood to clear out: Ramsdale, New keeper If Leno wants out, genuine competition though White, Tomiyasu Tierney, Tavares Saliba, Holding Gabriel, New left footed centre back Xhaka, New central midfielder, I’d love Bellingham Partey, Sambi… Read more »
Rich Sorry we are not in agreement over your team/squad. White has been recruited as a centre back and we paid top dollar for him in that position. Second the club needs three top class centre backs on its books particularly if we qualify for Europe and Saliba would be my third option. He can cover both centre back positions. He played on left side for St Etienne last season. The central Midfield is covered currently by Xhaka, Partey, Lokonga, Elneny and Maitland-Niles. Elneny needs to be replaced and my view is that Patino who is by definition a central/… Read more »
ES White predominantly played the Cancelo role for Brighton last season, he can do both Tomiyasu is designed to play that same role, but can also play in either of the centre back positions What Arteta wants with his right back is to tuck in as a third midfielder in possession, but to have the athleticism to tuck back in at right back quickly during the transition What he wants from his centre backs in technical quality, intelligence, and athleticism His goalkeepers need to be able to build from the back And the left backs need elite athleticism, and the… Read more »
Rich
Arsenal could well play with three centre backs, but somehow I don’t think that is the plan.
Also I don’t see Arsenal recruiting another left footed centre back. We are not going to spend more money on CB positions unless Saliba leaves.
I don’t disagree that Arsenal are building a young team with focus on athleticism and technical ability, but we also need some players in the squad who are experienced and physically robust as well. That is why I expect Xhaka to stay at the club.
Thank you Tony, China1, and Pedro…your support means the world to me! You guys really are great!!
Thank you also Leeds, much appreciated.
My sincere condolences to you Ernest. It’s never a good feeling to lose a loved one, stay strong and stay safe.
You did the right thing Pedro, banter is appreciated but people shouldn’t cross the line on matters as sensitive as this
I have no clear idea who Arteta will pick against Leicester but I hope he has the nerve to put Auba on the bench and play Eddie from the start.
I also hope he he considers control of central midfield a priority. Which means Ode or ESR in the side, not both, and Lokongo or AMN alongside Partey. Fingers crossed, Leicester City will wilt under that kind of pressure.
Thank you LeSauce, much appreciated.
ES This is what we’ve tried to do in possession, and the shape where we had our best performances last season ……….Ramsdale ……White Gabriel Tomi Partey Xhaka Odegaard Smith Rowe ……Saka………Tierney ….…Aubameyang 2-3-4-1 Then out of possession we move to a 4-5-1 Liverpool play a different variation of it, they kick both of their full backs on, but that comes at the expense of an attacking midfielder, because they sit their 3 central midfielders across their 2 centre backs in possession, and pin their opponents in that way Chelsea, City, Brighton all play different variations of it, as did Italy… Read more »
When Mertesacker takes over, we will play with 3 CBs until we get a top quality between lines creator, to complement ESR.
We play a 631 most times, once in a while Tierny will bomb forward and it becomes 532
Rich, understand your tactical explanations, still believe we”d benefit from a back up RB upgrade. Yes White could play there and if Saliba comes in that would mean he wouldn’t be missed as Gabriel’s partner but I’m not happy at the prospect of Soares getting games if TT suffers an injury.
Sid, 6 -3-1. Never considered that as a formation Arsenal play!
The one fly in the ointment at the moment is Xhaka , as he is neither mobile or athletic. Fortunately he is out with a medium term injury and we can already see how in the last 2 matches it has benefitted the team by having central midfielders that are more mobile and athletic than Xhaka, especially in home games. It is quite interesting to see how Arteta’s team has evolved or is evolving since last christmas.. Has Arteta been fortunate in that injuries has forced his hand in bringing in players that have improved the team……in part maybe. Smith… Read more »
EB
I am still waiting to see a motivated Auba in an away match this season. If he is again just going through the motion, I hope that Arteta has the gut to replace him with Eddie. It may influence Eddie’s decision to stay with the club.
Rich ,
The last 2 games have seen us play less complicated football.
The 2 centre mids have actually been playing in centre midfield , the full backs keep to the touchline , there is no slow negative passing along the back 4 and keeper, the offensive players are closer together with more play through the central areas instead of the continuous play fown the flanks .
Mertesacker is more likely to become a football director of the club rather than a manager or coach. His role in the academy is administrative albeit that he does take part in the coaching side as well. What I do believe is that Arsenal are building a team of staff who have a background and passion for the club and are not mercenary. I am more than happy to see Wilshire come back to the club to rebuild his fitness and take his coaching badges. Sadly I don’t think that he will have a long playing career wherever he goes,… Read more »
ErnestReed,
Condolences from me about your loss. My thoughts and sympathy with you.
I’m glad Pedro acted swiftly as soon as Tony told him the line was well and truly crossed.
My thoughts are with you Ernest.
Bob This could be what we do next season in possession: …….……Ramsdale …….. Saliba Gabriel White Partey Xhaka Odegaard Smith Rowe …….Saka……….Tierney …….Aubameyang I’ve had sympathies with both Emery + Arteta, our squad’s been an unbalanced mess, some of our players weren’t up to much, and we’ve not had a good group in terms of character + commitment, the rot had long set in, turning it around was always going to take a bit of time Looking at our squad last October, there were few players I’d have been comfortable building around for the medium to longer term, or even… Read more »
Ernest Reed –
Sincere condolences for your loss. I hope your wife is in a better place.
Sincere condolences Ernest.
Thank you all for your support, all of you make my days better and better. I may not always agree with some as opinions and personalities differ, and if i cross a line with any of you please know that it is never my intention to bring hurt or harm to any of you. I have my days and am always striving to be a better person. I appreciate this blog a great deal and enjoy the banter and good football talk that it can bring. You all are my support and i am so very grateful and appreciative of… Read more »
“Good feedback about my performance from management at work.”
I should hope so China!!! You work damn harder than hard and it needs to be recognized. Enjoy your day off, my friend.
Don’t let a degenerate cunt like Don get you down, Ernest. He’s a small man full of self-loathing.
It takes immense strength to face pain like yours and still move forward.
“” Mertesacker is more likely to become a football director of the club rather than a manager or
coach. His role in the academy is administrative albeit that he does take part in the coaching
side as well.”””
Agreed!
Ernest
I just read the blog.
Some people have no respect or class, sadly. However, the way others have reacted here goes some way to reinforcing our faith that it’s just a minority.
Sincere apologies and condolences to you and your family. I lost my Mum last year, it was very sudden and put huge context into the noise and pettiness that surrounds us all. Our happy memories never fade and never should. Huge respect mate.
The said poster has mental health issues, he is to be pitied more than anything.
Oh my AFC, my heart just sunk on your news. My sincerest condolences to you and your family. You are never alone and may you always find happiness in your memories of your Mother. Your outlook, for me, inspires!
I know that at times we may not see eye to eye, but please know that i harbour no ill will towards you ever!
Take care and take strength where you can find it.
Jamie, as always you remain a seriously good person – thank you.
He’s just not a nice person Sid, nuff ced.
Rich Yes, it was an unbalanced mess. Worse than that, we had too many problem players and contractual issues that needed to be sorted. As you know, I thought it was an almost impossible job that would take years. I was not a fan of what Emery left us with defensively. However, the past is the past. I said last season that it was crucial we bought players who fitted the way Arteta wanted to play. Our backline was unable to do that and made us laboured in possession and largely ineffective against the press. We let teams get set… Read more »
AFC Forever
Good post, agree with the vast majority of that
I see Tomiyasu’s role a bit differently though, in possession he’s usually playing 7-10 yards further forward than our 2 centre backs, more of a right sided defensive midfield role in possession, and tucking in at right back out of possession
Which creates a 3 man midfield shield across our 2 centre backs
AFC “Tomi, White & Gabriel form the three-man backline in possession. Tierney is high and wide – which allows the life-sided player to drift inside vacating the space Tierney now occupies. The opposite wide player moves inside too, forming the wider parts of a U shape in midfield with Partey and a.n.other forming the narrower base.” Way too complicated . Against villa( and Leeds) , there was none of this bullshit , and how the team looked better for it. We had 2 full backs in position who overlapped, we had 2 central midfielders who stayed in the centre of… Read more »
I’d like to see an extension of Eddies contract with Laca leaving, because even if he doesn’t become #1 choice for us, we can still buy a new #1 to replace Auba. Give Eddie a fair release clause if he’s wary of getting stuck as third choice. He looks more ready, and his youth record of goals for Arsenal and England show definite skill.
The problem with Diet Pep is that, when he stumbles on a winning formula, he sticks to it, then the opposition plan for it.
Tavares and Lokonga have Not yet been indoctrinated to Diet Pep football.
Pierre
No, it’s not at all. It’s fairly simple.
PhD,
How does posting the record of Graham invalidate anything Pedro said in the post?
Pedro is talking to knowledgeable professionals, adding a bit of context, and applying it to our current situation. You’re sitting in your basement excitedly rubbing your hands thinking, I’ll use my George Graham statistics to show them all how brilliant I am.
Good job sniping.
Pierre
The right-back doesn’t do overlap runs. Tell me when you have seen Tomi do that? Sometimes he plays on the angle but he doesn’t overlap Saka or anyone else. That’s not his role. The team relies on the left-back pushing up, the U is important. You don’t need four at the back with the ball, that’s the whole point you have the extra player in more advanced positions. You have four when you defend. This isn’t rocket science. Watch the games you will see this.
Tomiyasu is quick to grasp things, you can see the difference between how he played the first game, the next games he started following Diet Peps instructions
Nigel
“How does posting the record of Graham invalidate anything Pedro said in the post?”
It was irrelevant and pointless. Like most of those triple space, extra-long copy and pastes.
Sid
Good point. I think we sometimes forget not only the age of these players but the time it takes to learn the tactical disciplines. Experience & confidence gained will reduce inconsistencies.
Pierre Since we’ve brought in our new players to the back line, we’ve been one of the best sides in the division for limiting opposition chances, and as partnerships grow, we’ll get better at it This isn’t some crazy or innovative system we’re trying to implement, Arteta didn’t invent it If he 3 top clubs in the country including the Champions + European champions, Brighton who are one of the best coached sides in the division, Italy the European Champions did exactly the same thing for the majority of the tournament, Conte who’s got his own stamp on it, all… Read more »
“n a nutshell, the Arteta system is designed to invite pressure”
Is this by design or an unintended consequence, AFC? I must admit, this aspect of your analysis caught my attention.
BTW, really really good analysis, AFC!
The “bedwetting” term, you realize that it can apply equally across the board, right Pete?
Im not convinced thar Arteta is the right person to take the team forward, does that then make me a “bedwetter”, by your definition? Have to say that i find this analogy an odd one, mainly because it can be applied to both the pro and con camps of said topic.
Ernest It is the deliberate tactic. It’s how you create space between lines and against the press. Rich has added to what I said, see his comments above. If you can get a team to commit players in advanced positions, space is behind. The problem we had before our recruitment was we couldn’t effectively beat the press. Now we can. This is why we play quicker. It’s still a work in progress but the overhead cam shots show this clearly. When we draw teams on, we have three press resistant players at the back plus the advantage of a ball… Read more »
To me, that makes sense AFC.
will arteta play it safe tomorrow or will he gamble with eddie up top?
I suspect it will be as usual. Ode back in the side and push ESR wide, Auba starting with Laca coming in as a sub. The back 5 pick themselves. partey with lokonga i suspect sitting at the base
4-2-3-1 may be better than 4-1-4-1 that mikel deploys with partey being the lone anchor at midfield
Is xhaka still injured/ suspended (i dont remember, which was it?)
positive pete
Leicester in the main have around 4 players who can hurt us.Vardy as always.In the prem era I think only Drogba & Rooney have scored more agains us.Vardyscreads 11 in 13 games.pace is the key to keeping him quiet.The others are Barnes( pace again) needed by our full backs.
The other two are midfield.Maddisson we a point to prove & Tielemans of course.Who needs v.careful closing down.Manage this & we have a chance
not sounding very positive from a guy named positive pete xD
Auba and Laca did fine last time out. Can’t see any real reason to start with Eddie.
karsa
Really not seeing what Auba offers the team atm,
Yes, he’s had a few tap ins in the last 2-3 games but other than that, he offers very very little to the side
Ernest, it’s difficult to explain things in writing really. Also, I’ve got a ton of work in Illustrator & InDesign to finish, so I dip in an out, usually when I decide I need a break…!!
Gons
Tap ins give you results and win games. Auba has been much better in his pressing recently. He can score 20 goals a season. Eddie and Laca can’t.
Gonsterous
“& Tielemans of course who needs v.careful closing down”
Top quality player. There are players in the game that are very difficult to stop when they are on their game, he is one of them. I like him a lot. Vardy is just a pain in the arse, likes playing us and if you stretch the game he can kill you with his pace and incredible finishing accuracy. When you think he was in non-league football like Wrighty, just shows the natural talent that exists outside the professional game.
Really not seeing what Auba offers the team atm,
He has something like 7 goals in his last 8 games in all competitions. He’s in a run of form.
Rich “I see Tomiyasu’s role a bit differently though, in possession he’s usually playing 7-10 yards further forward than our 2 centre backs, more of a right sided defensive midfield role in possession, and tucking in at right back out of possession. Which creates a 3 man midfield shield across our 2 centre backs. Sorry missed your comment. Head up arse with work here! Yes agree but it gets tweaked a bit in play with and without the ball. He’s actually been another smart signing, very disciplined. Obviously bit of a learning curve for him but he’s been a bit… Read more »
Theres one Vardy and 1000 Cohen Bramalls in non league football
I don’t understand why we should be more concerned about playing Leicester than we were last season. We beat Leicester 3-1 away last season and their team is not in my view significantly better or different now than it was then. The lesson that Arsenal needs to learn is that we must not allow opposing sides to dictate or bully us. We were in my view far too passive in games against Brighton and Crystal Palace playing too much on back foot. Against Spurs and Aston Villa we played much more directly and in the case of latter game operating… Read more »
Very sorry to hear of your loss Ernest Reed. You sound like an extremely resilient character and it’s a very admirable trait that is found in leaders of men, really hope that it gets a bit better with time for you. Lost an Uncle (only early 60s, fit as a fiddle and still swam every day in the Sea during pandemic) to Covid a couple of months back that my family were very close to, really put a lot of things in perspective for me. Here’s to moving forward and hoping that the Arsenal can put a smile back on… Read more »
Thank you WEagle, appreciate your support. Condolences to you and your family on the loss of your Uncle, never easy to deal with even in the best circumstances. Best wishes to you and your family. Covid discriminates against no one.
Yeah fucking Vardy loves a goal against, guy is in top form too so you can basically pencil him in to find the net tomorrow.
Never did like 12.30 early KOs on a Sat, feels like we usually drop points and put in a leggy game.
Same to you and yours Ernest. Certainly doesn’t, nasty disease.
How do you see tomorrow going? I think it’ll be a score draw which wouldn’t be a terrible result but 3 points obviously should be what we are after.
Leicester have shown a soft underbelly this season and are easy to get it. I watched Palace batter them up and down the pitch for pretty much 90 mins. Carved them open at will so I want us to be positive and go with pace and directness from the get go.
Saka, ESR, Auba, Pepe would be my front 4 tomorrow.
Just read that Christian Eriksen is facing the end of his career after Inter Milan revealed he cannot play in Italy.
Serie A rules prevent players from playing in competitive games with a cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) but he could potentially continue his career in another country. Not sure that’s either sensible or possible.
It just goes to show you never know what’s around the corner.
Easy for somebody from the outside that doesn’t live and breathe football like Eriksen seems to to go and tell him to hang up the boots but going back and playing after having a Cardiac Arrest on the pitch would be madness. Thankfully in Eriksen’s case, him and his young family are financially set for about 3 lifetimes you would hope (unless he took financial advice from Keith Gillespie/Merse) and he even won Serie A which is a massive and prestigious trophy that he can look back and be proud about. Played a solid part down the stretch for Inter… Read more »
Sorry for your loss WE
I posted yesterday that this one gives me an uneasy feeling, WEagle. I remain firm in my belief that if the boys give a solid effort for 90 minutes then results should follow. Equally i am of the belief that Arteta should release the hounds (offensively speaking) as Arsenal should have more than sufficient firepower to match the majority of teams…Leicester remain one of those teams that seem to really get up for Arsenal and they tend to ugly their way to results. Arsenal are the better team for sure (in my opinion) but they need to play complete football… Read more »
“Screamers” i think, is probably a better term as well, Pete. Interesting times, but equally i think we can agree on on thing – Come on Boys!!!
Agreed on Erikson with many, nothing to prove and look towards spending as much time with the family as possible. Football will always be football, but life is precious and a one-time proposition, make the most of it for as long as you can.
“Saka, ESR, Auba, Pepe would be my front 4 tomorrow.”
I will exchange Laca for Pepe, Weagle. I think a draw is a good result and a win a great result Leicester are so iffy for me.
As expected 7th Ballon D’or for Leo Messi
Cheers Samesong, you too mate on losing your Dad. Must be a very hard time for you, seen it on here reading even when I wasn’t posting last while.
Whete did you see that TR7? Leaked list today says Lewandowski will win it.
Personally think that either Messi or Benzema deserve it.
WE
The leaked list which shows Lewa as the winner has 31 contestants and one player is named twice. Clearly a fake one. There’s another one floating around as per which Messi has won the thing. Apparently he gave PSG training a miss for Ballon D’or photoshoot which happens a month before the ceremony.
1. Leo Messi – 645 pts
2. Robert Lewandowski – 631 pts
3. Karim Benzema – 483 pts
4. Jorginho – 328 pts
5. Cristiano Ronaldo – 154 pts
If the above is true then it was pretty close between Messi and Lewa. For me Bundesliga is the easiest league out of La Liga, EPL, Seria A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1, so not all that impressed by Lewa. Even Benzema and Salah have been better than him. Jorginho doesn’t deserve to be in top 5 imo.
TR7
Benz actually edges Messi out for me based on being spectacular for basically the whole year. 15 La Liga goals from January-May and so far this season he has 9 goals and 7 assists in just 11 apps.
He was also great for France in the Euros/Nations League.
Messi hasn’t started this season well and it is a calendar year award after all.
“Easy for somebody from the outside that doesn’t live and breathe football like Eriksen seems to to go and tell him to hang up the boots but going back and playing after having a Cardiac Arrest on the pitch would be madness.:
Yes to all that.
I’m not sure his family would want to see him running around the pitch again. Personally, I would find it a tough watch too, worrying as he sprints for a ball. I know medical science is something else but.
If you take Benzema out of Real Madrid, they would fall off a cliff. Same for Messi and Barca as we are now seeing in front of our eyes.
As great as Lewandowski has been for Bayern, I agree that he is not as pivotal and they would likely still win the Bundesliga without him and be competitive in the CL They were very unlucky not to dump out PSG in the QF without him last season.
Rich/AFC ““I see Tomiyasu’s role a bit differently though, in possession he’s usually playing 7-10 yards further forward than our 2 centre backs, more of a right sided defensive midfield role in possession, and tucking in at right back out of possession. Which creates a 3 man midfield shield across our 2 centre backs.” But not during the villa game , our best performance of the season. Tomiyasu and Tavares played a similar role v villa, both supported saka and smith rowe going forward , both tucked in when the other full back advanced, maybe Tomiyasu a little more, ,… Read more »
That Messi single handedly won Argentina the COPA swings the balance in his favor. I agree with you on Benzema having a better claim than Lewandowski. Jorginho’s name in top 5 is a joke though. Italy won the Euro but Chiesa, Donnarumma and Spinazzola were easily better than Jorginho. I would say even Chiellini had more influence than Jorginho. Even for Chelsea, Kante was the best midfielder and won the important games for them.
Love Messi and he was the player of the tourney but single-handedly? Come on. My boy Rodrigo de Paul was great as was Di Maria (matchwinner in the Final), Emi Martinez and more. Benz has been the most spectacular player of the year with some of the magic he has produced/ has gotten me out of my seat more than anyone else and he has been as consistent as anyone after Lewandowski. Agree on Italy. Amazing team effort but very much a collective and no real outstanding individual. Hard to even pinpoint who was their best player. Modric in 2018… Read more »
Still remain a big fan of Tierney but he has been alarmingly poor of late for us. He really has fallen off and regressed this past year or so and it is hard to pinpoint why as he is still performing well for Scotland.
Tavares was great vs Villa and deserves a crack at the XI for a spell.
Tavares is more direct than Tierney which I like. Not necessarily saying Tavares is better but his style is more suitable. Tierrney going wide and crossing aerially doesn’t help our play at all.
Tomiyasu was absolutely amazing in his initial two games for Arsenal but has looked a bit confused since then. Hopefully we will see him recover his form soon. Tavares and Tomiyasu playing well can really elevate our attacking game to a new level. Bellerin and Tierney combination was just horrible.
The best term for them is the one I use – anti-Arteta brigade. It describes precisely who they are and what they do.
And in no way does it target those who criticize Arteta fairly.
‘Bed-wetters’ for me are the chronic pessimists who fear the worst whoever is manager.
Not for any “I told you so” and all that but can everyone finally see the light with regards to Pepe and stop saying “he has got loads of talent, just need a new manager/set up”. I have always said Gervinho was better than him and I really meant it whenever I said it. The sooner we cut our losses on him, the better.
Tavares will soon learn JDP
Im telling you for free!
Maybe Tomiyasu and Tavares give Arsenal a better balance as they both have tremendous energy and recovery pace which enables them to play a little higher up the pitch knowing they can recover their position if we lose possession…
The tough away games coming up will tell us a lot about our full backs and this present Arsenal team.
A positive result and performance v Leicester will keep the momentum going and set us up nicely for the travels to anfield and old trafford
To add to your point Pierre, our two starting CBs both have excellent recovery speed.
Still think we could do with additional attacking RB option. At the moment we’re still biased towards attackng on the left. KT canhapily tuck inas a ‘third CB’ just as TT does on the right.
Depending on the opposition and their relative strengths and weaknesses I would like to see the option to push more on the right which would be faciltated by a RB ‘tidy up’ in personel.
TR7
Yeah, Pepe has been disappointing but he is still a potential game-changer. The problem is his predictability. Defenders know he is going to cut in and try to curl the ball in with his left boot.
What might work well is a switch to the left wing. Out there he has got to be more inventive and, who knows, we might have an actual game-changer on our hands.
WE
I would pick Federico Chiesa and Leonardo Bonucci as their best player. They can get into any team.
Englandbest
I don’t know if anybody else feels it this way but looking at Pepe I always get a feeling that he will fall over. It is almost like his mind and body are not in sync. No balance and poise. Laca, Auba, ESR and Saka the ideal front 4 for me with Eddie and Martinelli as attacking sub.
Bob, we mirrored it on occasions last season when Xhaka was filling in as a left back when Tierney was out Liverpool kick both Arnold + Robertson on further, but they use their 3 midfielders as a shield ………..….Alisson ……Van Dijk Gomez Keita Fabinho Milner Arnold…………. Robertson ……Salah ………Mane ………….Firmino Firmino sometimes drops deeper to create another central outlet, similar to what Lacazette has done for us on occasion Liverpool are more symmetrical, where Arsenal are asymmetrical But because we push our left back on much further, and tuck out right back into defensive midfield in possession, that creates room… Read more »
TR7
Yeah, out of sync, his mind half a sec faster than his body, or vice versa.
MailOnline reports that Mikel Arteta has concerns over a number of players who have not been able to train ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Leicester.
I seldom trust what MailOnline reports.
Accept that Rich but still feel we would have more flexibility and unpredictability if we had a decent attacking RB as an option.