I attended my first game since football returned yesterday and it was GOOD to be back.
It rained. It was cold. The opening 20 minutes were dreadful.
Then things started to get very fun.
My big takeaway was the fans are all very much with the team. The temptation on a very cold day is to moan and groan when things are going badly and that didn’t happen. It’s all well and good being with the team when they are doing well, but it’s more needed when they’re not.
The start of the game felt very Everton. Granit Xhaka was having a very torrid time of it. Odegaard couldn’t find his range. They both gave the ball away, and didn’t look at the races. It was clear that Southampton were there to rattle us early on to see if they could capitalise on our shakiness.
The team didn’t panic though, they worked their way back into the game, then made it count with some precision passing. The team had heart, I was looking for that are the mental fragility on show in the week.
Aaron Ramsdale looks good on TV, but it is a different experience when you see him do his thing in real life. He’s a massive character, his confidence really does radiate… he’s almost a bit of a troll how he sets up out the back. The Southampton players were getting a little bit annoyed with him, they wanted to catch him out, but his passing is so accurate and breathtaking, they just couldn’t.
Our first goal came from one of our classic moves out of the back. Everyone connected well, then Saka drove into the Southampton box, looked up to see Lacazette there, threaded him in, then let the Frenchman one-touch finish into the top corner. Masterful stuff.
The second goal was scruffy. Tomiyasu looped a big ball to the back post. KT headed his second attempt at a cross hopefully at the front post, Odegaard was there to grab our second and his third in three games. Does anyone still think he’s shit?
We entered halftime with 3 shots and 2 goals. A nice change of pace to be so efficient, but we really needed to open up our game in the second half and show the home fans that the Everton game was an aberration, not the start of a shite attacking run of form.
That happened. The second half was loads of fun. We had 12 shots, 3 on target, 2 hit the post, plus a goal that was disallowed. The football was fun, it had variety, we even played through the middle on occasion. The players ate up the horrible weather. Everyone in the ground was bouncing.
Our setpiece game was on fire. Gabriel was a total monster in the box. He had one goal declared offside, but he came roaring back to score a little later, celebrating the news of a baby on the way. Martinelli put a peach of a cross into the mixer, no one was beating the Brazilian to it. Isn’t it nice to have a centre back that can do John Terry like things from corners? All our players that take corners now beat the front post and the movement from everyone is so much more positive.
We had two ‘nearly’ goals of the season. One from Saka making some magic on the edge of the box only to hit the post with an innovative striker from under his feet. The other was Martinelli firing at the back post and striking it.
Our defensive game still needs sharpening. Southampton managed to get 6 shots on target, which is pretty high for an average team away from home. Aaron Ramsdale has to do a little too much work in most games this season. Now, what I will say is I do think it’s sustainable for him to keep making those saves. That’s the point of him. It’s why we paid so much. He’s an absolutely top-class keeper that will be knocking on the door of world-class before long. The issue is when we play better finishers, those clean-sheets don’t happen. The struggle Arteta is battling is that when we open up attack wise, we open up at the back.
I do love that our players are so interactive with the home crowd. Martinelli, Odegaard and Saka are all very engaged with the supporters. They were geeing us up to make some noise. I love that. Patrick Vieira used to do that back in the day and we responded to it. These youngsters all have big personalities, it’s nice to feel that in the ground.
Did anyone out there miss Auba? No.
I’m always shocked to read the cold sludge takes when a player is dropped. He broke the rules, the manager dropped him, he had to be honest about why that was because Arsenal Twitter makes up stories if the club feeds us innuendo.
It is not the job of Arteta to coddle badly behaved stars.
It is not the job of Arteta to shield players like Auba with fake stories if he’s disrupting the squad.
It is never acceptable to create a dual structure of rules: One rule for him, one rule for everyone else.
He’s not giving us performances, he’s being emotional in training, now he’s breaking club rules.
Are we at the point now where it’s time for a new captain?
The biggest criticism of Arteta for me is that he gave Auba so long to sort himself out. Where has it got us? Nowhere. It’s clear the player has dropped a level, it’s clear he can’t be the striker we need for this system, now it’s clear he can’t function as the leader we need him to be.
I keep seeing fans using the Nagelsmann comment on management being 70% about emotional intelligence. I have to tell you people, emotional intelligence in football management doesn’t mean ‘let Auba do what he likes.’ There isn’t an elite manager in the game that would let Auba get away with the things he’s been up to.
The absolute positive is the team didn’t need him. Others stepped up and took the lead. I’m not sure there was anyone in that ground bothered he wasn’t in the starting line-up and that is very telling.
Martin Odegaard is starting to find his way. I thought he was fantastic yesterday. He’s scored 3 goals in 3 games. His movement off the ball is getting better and better. His passing is opening up games. The early season criticism of him was very unfair. He’s only 22 years old, there’s so much more to come from him.
I also want to give a shoutout to Martinelli. He’s been so good at waiting for his moment, now he’s owning it. He was very good yesterday, he never gives up, and his really trying to focus his game on finding the balance between Bang-Bang and a player that can play with a bit more thought and control.
Beating Southampton for me was expected. Now we have to really make a difference to our season by taking down West Ham on Wednesday. That will be a real test of character, they’ve been magnificent against bigger teams this season, they have been extremely consistent, and they’ll do damage if we’re as open as we have been this past month.
Still, one step at a time, win that game, which is a 6 pointer, and we’re right back where we need to be for the season.
Let’s see what the team has got.
Podcast will be landing a little bit later.
P.S. The most majestic thing I’ve seen at The Emirates was Bob Holding rolling onto the pitch with a full head of hair. Receding men around the world rejoiced… ANYTHING is possible if you have enough money. Such a touching thought heading into Christmas.
2nd
3rd
Where the fuck is my 1st comment, eh?
Tr4phy anyways
Love from India goonerd of Le Grove ❤️
Where’s DM & Bankz !??
Bobby Holding with a set of hair rolling around the Emirates.. Glorious
RH
You should give Holding a call. He may have a secret formular.
Arteta fucked up when he gave Auba that huge deal. He was a always a limited footballer with supreme goal scoring ability. And when that faded away, we were always going to be in trouble. Westham is an important game for sure. Win that and we are back in the mix for top 4. I don’t think we can get it but we could compete. Arteta’s real test now is to show something away from home. So far we have played a good game only at Leicester. We have been terrible every where else apart from that. Even the win… Read more »
That Frednerk character yesterday was genius Pedro.
Martinelli is really good and his corners and crosses have given us something different. Won’t be easy to drop him for ESR unless he plays upfront, problem is he always seems isolated when upfront but I feel a few runs would give him confidence and if he starts banging them in we won’t need a new superstar striker to replace Auba.
That first goal yesterday was absolutely superb, and the 2nd half performance appeared to be very encouraging.
If such a coherent attacking display was helped by Aubameyang’s absence, then continue as we are without him.
We demand more Frednerk.
Can we have a guest write up from Frednerk?
Don’t miss the grand final in F1!
Frednerk must be allowed to remain . I hope he’s made his way back safely after travelling the entire London Underground from Uxbridge to Ongar ready with his fists to sort out us plastic , Bourgeois, Ballet loving , Polenta munching Nouveau Arsenal fans .
I’ll be sucking my craft IPA through a straw when Frednerk catches up with me
Don coming back to challenge strangers to a fist fight outside the Emirates is evidence that he’s hung like a cashew.
‘’ Arteta fucked up when he gave Auba that huge deal. ‘’
I’m sure you were saying that at the time when he was banging in 25 a season
I know Tierney has been spoken of as a future captain many times and quite rightly so, but surely it isn’t out there to suggest Ramsdale could also take the armband in the years to come.
Pedro, your report is so exhilarating to read after a grimy flood of moans and groans from the doomsters. An eyewitness account of a committed team and an enthusiastic crowd.
Fingers crossed, Eddie Howe will take Auba off our hands come Jan
With Balogan loaned, and maybe Nketiah gone, does Arteta have a high-calibre striker ready to bring in?
Can we talk about tomiyasu please! What a baller
Good post.
I agree, Martinelli is starting to flow and Aubameyang should have been dropped way back.
What’s your take though on GX?
Based on your “dual structure of rules” principle.
If we’re paying Aubameyang the reported £15 mill p/a
Then maybe if we offer to pay his wages until the end of the season, we’ll find someone willing to pay £15 million for the final 12 months of his deal, taking him for 18 months
Anyone seen Kulusevski play?
The most solid link for January, but would certainly require Pepe departing on a permanent deal, or a loan that leads to a permanent deal
Agreed Raulishuss – so impressive how quickly Tomiyasu managed to adjust to the pace of the PL.
More of these £16m deals please!
BOB tomi is so smart in games as swell. He interprets any roles given to him very. Watch him play cb and won’t believe he can play as an inveterd rb that builds up play fluently
Vlahovic in Jan please !
Someone needs to have a word with Arteta about his stupid and annoying antics on the touchline. I’m sure the players know by now that he wants them to run around like Duracell bunnies, he really doesn’t need to keep jumping up and down waving his arms about.. He may just as well employ someone to stand on the touchline to encourage the players to run around like lunatics, then he will be able to watch the match in a more measured way and can be tactically more astute. I can’t see that his antics are conducive in his reading… Read more »
Nobody is going to stump up Auba wages .
We are stuck with him.
The only way out is to give him away and agree to pay half his wages.
Another Ozil, whose next?
I would like to believe the days of handing out pension pots to Ozil & Auba’s are now firmly behind us,
Onwards and upwards.
Personally Raulishuss I would have a RB on our list of upgrades so if one of the first choice CBs is unavailable, Tomiyasu can play there, as he is at least our 3rd best CB!
His awareness, pace and size make him a great defender wherever he plays.
Newcastle might pay his wages til the end of the season ?
Bob N16,
I was thinking that a few weeks ago, if Tommy gets injured, we don’t have suitable cover in that position like we do at LB.
That reporter on Sky saying that Tomiyasu had been offered around the PL last summer, but the problem was he wasn’t really a right back, or a centre back… Tomiyasu is tailor-made for the way Arteta likes to push his right back forward to create 3 midfielders across his two centre backs in possession Really intelligent player, quick, powerful, good in the air, looks to win the ball back early It’s early days, but the signs are promising It’s the role White predominantly played for Brighton last season, be interesting to see what happens if Saliba comes back into the… Read more »
Apart from some spelling errors, a good article.. We need more characters like Ramsdale.
I am inclined to think that Dino Mavraponos is a valuable asset in the coming seasons as
is Saliba if we get a striker of value and a cam we might not embarrass us in the ucl..
Tomi is irreplaceable in this team
Tony First I am not ill, but I have decided to cut down on my comments and limit them to games we play and/or important events. Second you just cannot leave alone your barbs including calling me earlier today plastic. Let’s be clear I am in contrast to you consistent in my opinions about the club. I don’t blow in the wind whenever Arsenal win or lose games. You should perhaps take a look at your own opinions. Arsenal has a youthful team and as I have posted many times there are going to be up and down performances this… Read more »
I’m thinking that Arteta should employ at least 12 people who are skilled in the art of waving their arms about like a lunatic on the touchline. He could then place them at strategic points along the touchline so that when the ball is in their area of the pitch they can encourage the Arsenal players to flood that area of the pitch, or better still , maybe train the Arsenal fans in the first 3 rows to all wave their arms about like maniacs whenever the ball is in their area. I say this because it seems rather pointless… Read more »
Glad Rich that nobody realised that Tomiyasu is equally good at RB and CB!
#bringbackFrednerk!
Pedro, love hearing the real-time experiences of being at the Emirites’s. I can’t get enough of that. As for Auba???? AFC has a tradition going back to Ian Wright of the finest strikers in the land. Also, they’re humanity was always a shining example. Auba acting the bollocks when he’s playing utter garbage is proof of character. I’m not having it. Regardless of points, bin him now and never look back
A front four of ESR, Martinelli(Laca), Saka, Odegaard looks best. Martinelli deserves a run in the side so really it’s four out of those five depending on a need to rest, injuries. Liked the fact Arteta resisted the temptation to bring on ESR. That’s why Martinelli is so useful as he can play anywhere in the front three – we don’t need to be demanding too much of ESR and Saka in terms of games/minutes played. If PEA was banging them in, his transgressions could be quietly accepted but right now his form is rubbish and Arteta can make an… Read more »
Pierre
The waving of arms at the sidelines like a lunatic is Arteta shouting out “ look at me, look at me, so dandy and oiled “
No way , Arteta will have anyone else take away his thunder.
So petty to be on here after a win complaining about a manager encouraging his players from the sideline.
Especially when we know they need it.
I don’t know Pierre but look in the mirror or at Asoa if u what to see lunatics
I don’t know Pedro. I guess in Pierre case it’s just about him wanting to act like a smart guy(lol) and make yesterday all about him and what he thinks of arteta
I DEMAND THE RETURN OF FREDNERK
Tbf Frednerk is probably not banned he’s just busy having his brother beat fuckers up and doesn’t have time to log on
China, Fred has been banned.
Don’t think Fred can spell irony, keyboard warrior, let’s be having it!
Can remember criticism of Wenger for lack of animation on the touchline.
It’s tough to get a balance that will please all.
Auba has a choice.
Does he want to be loved and remembered with fondness like Kanu and Cazorla?
Or does he want to be forgotten, ignored and avoided like Özil, Arshavin and RvP?
There is a legacy there at Arsenal to be saved but nobody can save it except him.
He needs to look in the mirror and sort it out with the person there because no one else can do it AND it is no one’s fault.
Some managers are animated on the touch line, some aren’t. Personally I don’t care, it’s much more about the effectiveness of the set up, instructions given during the week and players responding to team tactics. Getting annoyed by Arteta being busy on the touch line is more reflective on whether you like him or not. Don’t think too many Liverpool supporters are bothered by Klopp jumping up and down.
*no one else’s fault…
Where are the Odegaard haters now?
Everyone of our signings this summer has been successful.
Edu, the Invincible ON and OFF the pitch!
💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Bob
Arteta’s touchline antics don’t both me in the least, but I could see how tiring it would be to have your boss screaming over your shoulder the entire day
That would get exhausting really quickly
Wenger trusted his players too much, Arteta doesn’t seem to trust them enough, I’m not sure where the right balance lies
“Let’s be clear I am in contrast to you consistent in my opinions about the club. I don’t blow in the wind whenever Arsenal win or lose games. You should perhaps take a look at your own opinions.” No, ES I leave the flip flopping to you you’ve honed it into an art. My opinions do not waver. Been Arteta out since the Emi fiasco. Wanted Rangnick and Ten Hag all last season. Won’t get them now will we? wanted Xhaka sold back in Wenger days hated that we got Xhaka instead of Kante. You highly rated Xhaka until today.… Read more »
Doubt we have enough to beat West Ham the way they are playing this season. We’re not dominating them in midfield and their striker is a menace and will capitalize on the mistake prone White and even Gabriele. I see a draw 0-0 or 1-1 and if we make mistakes a slim 1-0 or 2-1 loss. Another fine margins likely borefest.
Rich, if you’re on the touch line, KT or Tomi, I don’t honestly think you’d hear Arteta clearly enough
I thought the atmosphere in the ground was quite good yesterday. Makes me pleased that its not polluted with Le Grove moaners. Considering the form / weather / temperature / Christmas, there were surprisingly few empty seats.
Thought Odergaard was magnificent.
What were those burglars thinking when they decided it was a good idea to raid Gabriel’s home?
‘ Borefest’ -Izzy? I think it’s going to be a lively derby – the crowd’s going to be noisy after a few bevvies after work!
The West Ham game can be a turning point. Gabi has been a breath of fresh air and Saka looks like he’s playing himself back to form.
For me, the concerns are the midfield and White, who again looked a bit shaky yesterday. If we start the game the way we did against Southampton, we’ll be two goals down inside 20 minutes.
LS I can see us being inconsistent all season, this is what you get with young players, and new players being thrown together There were moments in yesterday’s game where better quality opposition would have hurt us West Ham have got some big results this season, they’re the team that’s impressed me most outside the top 3, and they’ll fancy their chances We’ll be slight favourites at home, but it’s a game that could easily swing either way I hate sensationalising games, particularly when there’ll still be 63 points to play for after Wed, but this is a really important… Read more »
Rich,
It’s a 6-pointer for sure. At some point you have to start winning games like this or you’re just a flat track bully. I think we have enough quality to win but we need the right approach too.
Last season’s 3-3 game demonstrated all the issues and potential we’ve seen so far this season. One half of turgid Artetaball played in third gear where we were completely run over. Then one half of aggressive football with movement where they couldn’t touch us.
Ode is the prime example of what tactics can do to a player. He’s a very talented player who’s a bit slow and can’t set the tempo. When we play our slow horseshoe football he looks bang average and all the moaners are out calling him a fraud. When there’s movement around him, he can start picking the runners out with his passes, getting into the box as a second wave, and scoring goals. It’s night and day. We need to set the tempo from our front 3 rather than from the midfield. Xhaka will be playing for sure and… Read more »
If we want to eat West Ham we need to make most of our set pieces and convert them into goal scoring opportunities. Had we converted one or two of our corners against Man United and Everton we would have won.
*beat not eat… and had we converted one or two corners we would have won
United were so lucky yesterday, such a soft penalty, Norwich the better team, United were outplayed for large parts of the game
Hopefully Burnley + Newcastle can do us a favour this afternoon, and Palace + Everton play out a draw
Leeds,
They’re big boys and well organised. Not sure that we should expect too much from set pieces. I’d rather rely on Saka, ESR and Gabi to pull their lines apart.
Ridiculous end to the F1
Newcastle looking much better since we had them. Also Leicester missing Vardy.
By, the way, Willock is definitely not ” shit “. Can be better at positioning if coached properly. Largely deployed on defending but allowed his runs. St Maxim is speedy, strong and a monster.
Mad Max beat that knee bending motherfucker!!!! Take that you cunt.
That’s another really soft penalty, he did the superman into the challenge
Lewis Hamilton robbed
Leicester 1 up from a penalty, by a trawling leg of attacker. Full circle now the forwards are cheaters
Yep, Hamilton completely stitched up, 12 seconds ahead before all that, Mercedes should be making something of that
Perhaps Mike Dean was the head track steward
Hamilton is a whining bitch. Max is an old school racer and deserves every bit of his win. Hamilton would have everyone in shopping trolleys. Boring little twerp.
“My opinions do not waver.”
Don’t see why this is voiced as some badge of honour. Time and new information should continually shape opinions, being rooted to a view you took day one says a lot about a person’s character imo.
See it often with opinions on managers/players here, there’s a verdict delivered before a ball is kicked and then that view is worked into reality come what may……or roundly swept under the carpet in some instances (Ramsdale).
West Ham missing both their first choice CBs.
Verstappen takes it…Well deserved. Won more races ended with more points. Just what F1 needed
Guns, far too harsh….Hamilton up there as an all time great, Verstappen much younger but also outstanding. No need to be a b*tch about it!
We need Declan Rice to pick up a yellow card today, he’s on 4
Tommy has been brilliant, one poor game v Brighton but can’t remember any more
Yes, Hamilton may well be , but they have completely reinterpreted the rules to hand it to Max, cannot see Merc letting this go.
No complaints from Hamilton even though he got stitched up.
The complaints will be from Merc lawyers, the race administrators will need a water tight case on their decisions to keep this with their favoured driver , and I don’t believe they have anything like that
Tony you are combination of basil in fawlty towers and steve coogan as the pest exterminator/ex-deep purple roadie.
you need to find a book club dude. you’re anti arteta garbage takes are ancient history. to even look back at emi martrinez and blame that on arteta!?? WTF!?
Bob
On champs and wins, one can’t fault Hamilton. But his personality is just so atrocious. Sometimes the game isn’t about the medals, trophies etc, it’s about the person and how they connect with the public.
Best, Hurricane Higgins, O Sullivan, Senna. Wild and human. This is what brings the laymen in to a sport.
Maddison definitely dived, how VAR haven’t overturned that I’ll never know
What’s the point in VAR when they can’t even get the easy decisions right, even with the benefit of multiple repays….
Bob
Can you put the Hamilton/Verstappen stuff into a football framework for me, I’m not very F1 at all.
CC. Hamilton is like a boring winning woke machine. Mad max Verstapen is a crazy throwback when racers used to race.
This summer’s recruitment has been fantastic. Everyone of the players we signed have been good. White is the only one we over paid for and it is not by much either. Maybe Arteta should join edu as a football director. Odegaard is showing why it was right to sign him for 30 mil. He has ability. He just needs someone to get him to consistently work hard. If he does that then he will be a top player at Arsenal. 4 goals so far too. Keep going and he can get 10. Good for an AM. Tomi is what United… Read more »
Guns
Doesn’t really tell me much about the race lol
Champagne Charlie
Utd vs City in title race an then , last minute Aguerooooooo . The context to F1 race.
Defensive bloomer from Newcastle. Leicester 2-0 up
Bob
No idea why you want to play a weakened West Ham wishing for Declan Rice to miss the game with both their cbs already injured. That doesn’t help us get better. In the PL I want us to play against full strength opposition.
I turned off Hamilton when he tried to slow walk the entire grid and get others to help him beat his team mate Rosberg in 2016. That was an example of a conceited individual who thinks everything he sees belongs to him. F1 needs a new champ. Max is that guy. Lets see what happens next year. The true greats know how to do comebacks as well as leading from the front
Guns / Bob
Max Verstappen is deserving champion , ballsy driver I would say , just like Hamilton was during his younger days . This final race was unlucky for Hamilton , if that crash hadnt happened we’d be singing praises of him having overtaken Schumacher .
I want us to beat WHU. Anything that makes that more likely is fine by me.
CC. Max won and Lewis didn’t. Lolz.