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.
AFC Forever
Can’t split the saves, but Seaman’s was in an FA Cup semi, and we did go on to win the cup in 2003
So I’ll give the nod to Seaman, but only on the basis of the occasion
Kroenke I wanted Indian!!!!
Kris is heartbroken Ramsdale is a better keeper than Emi, and is 5 years younger.
Some interesting results at the top of the table
The Seaman save is an all time great. Best ive ever seen from an arsenal keeper
I think Ramsdale’s was better.. Seamans was amazing of course but it didnt have as much pace on it.. he was able to scoop it out. Both great though … splitting hairs.
Ramsdale is signing of the season so far. He has it all. What a find from the club.
I guess the two draws against Palace and Brighton were not as bad as we thought.
Ok then now all we need is a Spud v Manc draw and a West Ham loss and perfect weekend is complete.
Paddy well done our next manager please.
Two words
Great win.
The club made an error in backing Leno instead of Martinez previously but now they have looked to have remedied that error by the signing of Ramsdale which is fine.
For me it’s a tough call. The Seaman save was difficult because the ball was already past him and he somehow twisted to get it.
The Ramsdale one seemed to have gone past him too but I don’t see how he suddenly got that extra reach to it. Then he also got down for the rebound.
I’m going to say I just can’t decide, I’m still too emotional and buzzing!!
OGS is going to try a 3-4-3… hmmm that sounds like desperation.
Palace result only makes us look a little less disappointing, just like the Brentford success so far.
“What a find from the club.”
Val last season: We’ve sacked all the French scouts, our recruitment is fucked.
Pedro
Probably right but I can’t fault any of our signings. We have to give huge credit to the club for identifying players that fitted the required profile because for the total spend, we’ve smashed it.
Ramsdale, White, Lokonga, Tavares, Tomi – seriously someone has done their homework.
Alas, I thought Brighton was at the receiving end of a Liverpool beat down
Have to go watch excerpts from the game.
Be interesting to see how much effort the Man Utd players show. OGS should have read them the riot act.
That team has world class players but so far there has been no comparison to the effort our boys put in. Its damning.
18th in the league for running stats, shocking. Cavani coming in seems a no brainer to me, we shall see. Donny Van Der Beek must wonder, I t what he has to do to improve on the 10 minutes he’s played this season because he’s too good for that..
To get the power in his fingertips /wrist to push it onto the bar was incredible. That was an absolute worldly. That save won’t be beaten all season.
Diss
Brighton holding Liverpool 2-2 at Anfield, after Liverpool went two up, and Palace beating Man City 2-0 away, should surprise nobody really.
This is a tough league. Always amazes me when fans get bent out of shape when we don’t beat someone they have decided are ‘easy’. Small margins often decide games. If you’re not at, get a dodgy decision or make mistakes it’s over.
Just found out that we got Sunderland for the next round of the Carabao cup. What a day is today!
God damn Dissenter pleased to see your form still holding on LG with Liverpool getting the memo and drawing. Loving PV4 getting results he’s earned, been a harsh season for him thus far but win today. Huge win for the Arsenal, like how Arteta is playing whose in form and making substitutes that makes sense instead of the pre-set method we’ve seen in past. Really feeling like this is now his team at moment. He’s getting a varied performance out of Auba, has an overall quality that we’ve not really seen. Big marker for me on where this team is… Read more »
TYAG
Yes, agree. I’ve watched it a few times now it looks a better save every time. It was past him, it was that second stretch, whatever it was. Quite something.
Still not 100% sold on White /Odegaard just yet, but I will give credit to Arteta for the other 3 players. In fact that’s being a bit harsh on White as he hasn’t been overly bad. But I am still worried about him in the air. Tavares, Sambi and superman Ramsdale are excellent purchases
Some thoughts on the game Arteta’s formation is akin to Wenger’s team of old especially since in midfield and attack. 1. Two athletes in midfield who are both CM/DM Partey/Lokonga is like the new Vieira±Gilberto/Petit 2. A silky speedy forward is partnered by a robust/unselfish/skillful 9.5. PEA14 is TH14/Anelka; Laca is DB10/Kanu 3. Fast technical wingers who contribute goals and assists ESR&Saka are Pires and Lundberg Arteta, having stumbled upon the formation and personnel to execute it, must be commended for deploying it against Villa and keeping it for Leicester. And speaking of Leicester, was Rodgers naive to make the… Read more »
It’s the lack on consistency in the officiating that’s frustrating
There’s little difference between Laporte’s red, and Evans’s yellow
You put a cape on Ramsdale and Lois lane will be riding him like a bronco 😆
Pedro have to agree on ramsdale. He’s blown it out the park…. and it’s landed on a team mates laces lol
Those smashed long passes to feet on the halfway line are basically porn
Title race is on! No Europe as well 😉
The best thing about the save wasn’t just that it was world class but that it looked so Hollywood lol
Hey Sal… how’s it going? Yep I agree this match was a sort of litmus test for me.. and I was very pleased we stuck with the same game plan and players as Villa..
Our set piece goals have been on point. And I dont think anyone saw the Ramsdale coming except Edu and Teta .. I guess. Dude gets me fired up and Im like 5000 miles away from London.
Edu isn’t looking as bad as some where telling us!.
It might sound strange, but I’d all the signings this summer, I found Tavares the most exiting. He’s got something about him. Also, he could go completely Santos.
Tavares’ energy and unpredictability is refreshing
Downside is his decision making in the final third.
Man default setting is :Shoot first. Even if there’s a better placed teammate
*Man’s
Arsenal’s Amazon All or Nothing will have some great scenes from this Leicester game.
Arsenal vs Sunderland
Brentford vs Chelsea
Liverpool vs Leicester
Tottenham vs West Ham
*Quarter-final ties will take place on the week commencing December 20
hoping for a draw with red cards and injuries
Kroenkephobe First of all I did not refer to you in my original post. It was a general observation for all the criticism made by posters over the last two years. There are a lot of posters who are habitually criticising the club, manager and players even when they are doing well. Pedro has expressed that view on a number of occasions recently. What I have said during this recent run is that we have a young side and it is inevitable that they are still going to have an up and down season. No-one will argue that they will… Read more »
Congrats Arsenal, well done from Australia.
Oh look, he’s right again
Saw Pedro tweet something about Ramsdale going long being a weakness.
I totally disagree.
I think it’s excellent in-game management.
One of the most valid criticisms of Leno under Emery was his inability to make on field decisions about going long or short. Even when were being pressed and it was obvious that playing out from the back was dangerous, he was always putting the team under pressure with his passes.
I haven’t had time to check the stats but I am sure Ramsdale had a nice mix of long, short, high and daisy cutters
@Countryboy
Took words out of my mouth. Ramsdale def has common sense and a football brain. Seems to know when to go long or come short. Been massively impressed with him in every department
Countryboy
Arsenal have stopped playing a back and square passing game to goalkeeper[s] under the press. That is a major change.
Even Leno in Tuesday’s game was more decisive in his kicking and distribution.
Ramsdale has a great attitude and it really is infectious.
He is confidant and has great character.
Defenders can relate to this.Hence their better performance.
Arteta seems to have learned that fast forward movement is the way forward.
England’s T20 performance against Australia – magnificent.
England mullered the Aussies, nice!
ES
“Arsenal have stopped playing a back and square passing game to goalkeeper[s] under the press. That is a major change.”
Not sure that is totally accurate. We still do it on occasion. But I agree, major changes have indeed occured. Like CBs who are better on the ball and possibly better training on when not to pass to your goal keeper.
Personally, I feel Leno’s better distribution is due to Ramsdales game rubbing off on him.
Emiratesstroller, Of course you are right along with Pedro about the tone and hate here all summer, especially for Aaron and Ben White before they ever got a chance to play. It’s indisputable. We’ll try to forget it as much as possible for the many honest ones who admit that they were harsh, and basically incorrect. Even some of them that were over the top and insulting. What will be most annoying and unforgivable is the cretins that will jump all over Ramsdale and White when they eventually make an error that leads to a goal or a big loss.… Read more »
When you look at the Laporte sending off it isn’t too dissimilar to the Evans foul on Aubameyang. I’d have to see the latter again but could be a case of yet again inconsistent refereeing.
12 performances this season for ESR and 6 goal contributions
What a kid
Spuds disallowed goal, lovely!
Among the brilliance of Ramsdale and Tavares, we are totally forgetting about Gabriel.
He has been doing his work silently and he is the one who can score on corners now 😉
“Nobody who says, ‘I told you so’ has ever been, or will ever be, a hero.” ~ Ursula K. Le Guin
SpanishDave, that sounded like praise for Project Arteta? Love to read it.
Nigel, most Arsenal fans are eating that humble pie on the players and loving it. Even Johnny has converted on Arteta. It’s great to be a Gooner at the moment.
manu/ tottenham looking like old school mid table clubs
We’re not clinging on to fuck all. Just not 100 % convinced by white that’s all. Funny though where were you when we were losing? If any ones a fair weather supporter it’s you and few others on here who go missing when we lose. I’m on here win, lose or draw. The only one of you Arteta in fans I have time for is Englandsbest as he never hides.
I can’t work out who I want to lose more in this Spurs/United game. I know it should be Spurs but today it is ‘El Sackico’. Always amusing seeing United suffering and Solskjaer squirming yet further.
pedro i’ll savor tha humble pie 24/7
no more galaxy brain please
we need to get wins against the big three or at least put up courageous performances
@Pedro
As I said I give massive credit to Arteta for Tavares, Sambi and Ramsdale. Just not convinced by the other two. But I’ve given credit to Arteta over our last few games and admitted that Arteta and Ramsdale proved me wrong. If we keep improving at this pace and playing decent football I’ll def be sold on Arteta. Consistency is the key
By the time you add up all the offside calls together, the actual football can’t be more than 80 minutes game time.
TYAG – personally I have no interest coming on here for a couple of days after a bad result- I don’t want to feel any worse by being exposed to more misery.
Can’t speak for anybody else though!
Winker scores….
nice goal
@Bob N16
Difference is you don’t make out your some sort of SUPERFAN , and your posts are measured and well thought out. The other ones only come on here when we win them slate everyone else for moaning about the shite we’ve seen the last 10 months.
MMmmmmm Ronaldo scored. Surprised he didtnt rip his shirt off though. must be losing it. Need Spuds to get one now.
Sly, amen to that. Being a supporter is all about that.
TYAG, Ben White is absolutely elite and MO will come good with a bit of time. We had a banger of a summer. This team will be a big deal next. year. Looking forward to seeing who we add.
Things are definitely looking better that’s for sure.
TYAG, am blushing!
🤣🤣🤣🤣
don’t think manu will win this
Stroller “Arsenal have stopped playing a back and square passing game to goalkeeper[s] under the press. That is a major change.” I’m not sure we have “stopped”, my analysis of the 2nd half would be , we played too many back passes to the keeper who hit too many long aimless balls that invited pressure on the back 4. First half was excellent, we played through the press at times , Ramsdale’s kicking was spot on and we had the confidence to take the ball under pressure. From about half hour onwards we stopped playing through the press and from… Read more »
Dissenter, how you feeling about Romero?
Ronaldo with teh offside goal of the day…. hahaha Permature celebration.. anyhow. come on Spuds stop being so crap. Need you to get it together for one goal.. all I ask.
Nuno getting booed mercilessly. You dont know what your doing chants.. hahaha
Spurs fans have had enough of Nuno, booing his decisions and chanting “you don’t know what are you doing”.
Spurs getting cut open like a tin of heinz
Pedro I posted earlier in the week that I saw absolutely no reason why Arsenal should not win today’s game. First they won last season’s away game 3-1 and second there is not a huge deal of difference between Leicester and ourselves apart from perhaps their experience. The league table before game suggested this. I pointed out also that Leicester’s defence is fragile. They have conceded quite a lot of goals. I went on to suggest that Arsenal needed to play in a positive fashion and put them under pressure and for much of first half that is how we… Read more »
Winning this game truly seems to be a watershed moment. Most of the fans, I think have been won over by Project Arteta. And the good thing is that it looks like things can only get better from here. This win was not a fluke. There is now a core spine of this team which is of great quality, and character. I sure hope I am not proven wrong, though.
Spurs fans booing subs
Santos will get the sack tonight
Emirates,
Yep. Great game today, plenty to improve upon, but we’re moving in the right direction.
Still thinking back to the summer when people were quitting the blog in protest at me liking the players and the strategy.
Oh how times have changed.
So happy that we have a very exciting crop of players with BIG characters.
Fantastic win today… now watching this shite and wishing for a spuds goal… that’s a tough ask to be fair
Wonder who Spurs will go for after Nuno. Maybe Graham Potter?
Ramsdale is quickly becoming my favourite player. Would never have guessed that a couple of months ago. Feels amazing to have a keeper that can actually dig us out of a hole when we need it. It’s been a while.
Hoping for a draw between Utd and the Spuds. OGS will get fired soon enough anyway. Doesn’t have to happen tonight.
I am sure Graham Potter won’t sign for Spuds. He seems to be a very good manager.
Manures 2 up now. Seems like Ole may not be sacked after all.
Pedro
Agree 100%
I don’t know whether you read last night that Elneny will be leaving in January and is signing apparently for Galatasry. I suspect that Kolasinac will also be released.
It would not surprise me that Patino will be promoted to first team squad as replacement
for Elneny to give him some experience.
Ugh… looks like Spuds are too shit to win.. down 2 goals now.
Brilliant play between CRonalado and Cavani
Ooohffffff Romero…
Would of preferred a draw but it’s now bye bye Spurs…
Can we sign Bellingham pretty please!
I think Potter would be mad to go to the Spuds.
I can see them trying to pinch the Brentford guy
Last week the debate was about whether Sjolskaer would be sacked. It may well be that after
Spurs game today the debate will shift about future of Nuno.
Nuno is boring and clueless.
Marky, Potter has a 15m buyout clause, doubt they are going there next.
Kane is barely looking like a £10m player let alone £100m!