Gooooood morning!
I’m flying into London tomorrow, there’s a snow storm here, BAD times.
… but if you can all think positively for me, maybe, just maybe we’ll pull this off?
I’m still here sitting about channelling some peak victimhood. I just simply cannot fathom Martinelli getting sent of for two fouls in one passage of play… but Scott McTominay can drop 6, one which was a flying elbow that BURST open a players face, and he doesn’t get sent off.
Look at the smirk. He’s just seen a player getting brutally savaged, there’s blood pouring from his head, the player is so injured he needed to exit the field 10 minutes later… and… err… it’s… funny?
This is where we are with referees. They follow a similar path to politicians that are in power for too long, in the end, they get used to the privilege of running the biggest games, and they become smug, arrogant, and lawless. This is a prime example of ref privilege in action.
On loan watch, Ainsley Maitland Niles is getting a pounding in the Italian media.
‘Ainsley Maitland-Niles has has failed to make any impact so far at Roma & is ‘showing technical limitation’. Unless he improves quickly, he will be seen as a ‘real flop’.‘
Yikes. I don’t think he’s played a game in midfield yet. I think Matt Kandela, podcast hero of The AO, said: ‘Trust the Progress’… I think I would go one step further… trust the talent ID. If Ainsley was the answer in midfield for Arsenal, he’d be playing there. If Auba could do what we needed him to do with the right attitude, he’d be starting games. If we exited a whole group of players in January, it’s because they’re not good enough.
People need to stop challenging every player that can’t get in at Arsenal. It’s supposed to be hard. We need to be a club where it’s hard to make the cut. Not everyone can be saved.
You know I’m big into platforming next level propaganda, the excellent James of Twitter.com had this post yesterday.
Since the 3rd game of the season Arsenal rank:
• 3rd – PPG (2.10)
• 3rd – xPts/90 (1.89)• 4th – G/90 (1.8)
• 3rd – xG/90 (1.77)• 4th – GA/90 (0.85)
• 4th – xGA/90 (1.04)— James. (@afcjxmes) February 21, 2022
Look at those numbers… how are we living in a world where people need convincing that what is going on is pretty damn sexy and dare I say it?
Saucy.
One of the sauciest defenders ever to grace the Premier League – Rio – had this to saying on the project.
“Mikel Arteta is creating an environment that I feel players are going to want to play in. I think this window is going to be big for them, they’ve got to get it right, it depends where they finish & what type of player they’re going to have to go for”
When you have a man from a rival club looking in on the project with envious eyes, you know you’re in good shape. No doubt he knows a few of the players and coaches, it’s good to get a bit of outside perspective.
Mikel Arteta was widely lambasted for playing ESR in a false #9 role for the semi of the Europa League. Crazy ideas are generally only accepted if they work. Well, he’s trying to put that idea back in our heads, suggesting the Englishman would be a good #9.
WHO SAW THIS COMING?
I kind of like the thinking.
ESR is 6ft 0.4 inches. He’s fast. He can play with his back to goal, he can pass around corners, he can float in from the right or the left, and he has a taste for goals. It’s pretty clear that if the worst happens to Lacazette, ESR is most likely the option. It’s also an interesting idea because it would allow a structure to exist that contains ESR, Odegaard, Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka.
I’d be down to see how that played out at some point.
Finally, were you out here demanding Arsenal sign Djed Spence? Get in the bin, it’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy for me.
What a performance here, their manager says he’ll be a Premier League right back. Speed, power, the ability to beat people. I love it when a young player takes their chance!
Ok, if you haven’t already, get in on this podcast.
1st
2nd
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Tr4phy!
Where for thou art, DM, Bankz, Groovey? :))
Top 10
I was caught slipping today.
Will be back tomorrow for my tr4phy
There is a genuine issue with the double standards in refereeing decisions. Is it for PGMOL to sort out? I ask because I don’t think they can be relied upon to get their house in order.
Is there something the Premier League can do to force PGMOL to clean up its act? Could the Premier League even go so far as to change the refereeing arrangements to break the closed shop that seems to exist? Something has to change because the credibility of the league could be the next casualty.
Bankz, I’ll give it a little polish and keep it warm for you :))
Damm !
Wow! What a player Brooke Norton-Cuffy is. Let’s wait and see how it all goes.
With our last summer transfers couple with the type of players we went after in January, I don’t see how we won’t be getting good players next summer.
The quality and age profile we are targeting makes me happy that we are gradually getting there.
I presently don’t get worked up when opposition is attacking. Not any more. Even when we are losing, one can see the fight is still in there. This crops of players don’t give up easily
I can’t believe that’s a highlight reel from 1 game.
Might be worth hanging onto Cedric for at least another season, see how Norton Cuffy develops out on loan, rather than signing another player than blocks his path.
Some of the talent coming through in this country is unreal
“Since the 3rd game of the season Arsenal rank: • 3rd – PPG (2.10) • 3rd – xPts/90 (1.89) • 4th – G/90 (1.8) • 3rd – xG/90 (1.77) • 4th – GA/90 (0.85) • 4th – xGA/90 (1.04)” These figures are actually nothing special, they are ok, i suppose if you added in the first 3 games they would read probably mostly 5th and 6th . I suppose it’s better than languishing down in 8th/9th or 10th. It will be a fine line between success and failure this season. Success is qualifying for champions league. Failure is missing out… Read more »
Please don’t keep quoting Rio Ferdinand, if you’ve ever listened to his opinions you’d know he’s an imbecile.
Thanks.
I welcome having ESR, Saka, Martinelli and Odegaard in the same line up. If ESR can become a number 8, then great. I’m sure we will still be signing a striker this summer though. Might be worth catching a bit of the Chelsea game tonight to keep tracks on Jonathon David.
Elsewhere, spare a thought for this poor girl! What a nightmare, a perfect hatrick of own goals!
https://amp.theguardian.com/football/2022/feb/20/meikayla-moore-new-zealand-hat-trick-own-goals-uswnt-new-zealand-shebelieves-cup-soccer
I’m pretty sure we should have a tasty summer TW to look forward to for the following simple reason:
All the players we binned this winter equates to saved money in terms of salary. That saving hopefully should translate into transfer funds/ salaries that can be used for players that will fit the profile.
It will be a crucial window mind you. We cannot fuck up the ST and MF that we need to push us over into proper top 4 contention.
We get this right and next season should be one to seriously look forward to.
Pedro,
thanks for the Norton Cuffy info. Sounds like a real option.
I have been saying against everyone including Pedro that Cedric is not a terrible fill in for Tomiyasu, and for people to stop saying he’s sh1t. He’s decent, and maybe we can avoid spending on a replacement now. Sounds like things may fall in place. Still hope we have a chance to get Tomiyasu a few minutes on Thursday, but the points are the priority obviously.
“they become smug, arrogant, and lawless. This is a prime example of ref privilege in action”.
And most importantly, complacent. Continuing with the politician analogy. just look at BoJo. That Homer Simpson-shaped clown has always been in a high profile job. From Mayor of London to Foreign Secretary to PM.
It’s no wonder he and his cohort were living it up on the taxpayer’s dime while most of the country were walking on egg shells trying to adhere to their COVID guidelines. I can’t even imagine all the appointments cancer patients had to miss.
From BBC coverage of tonight’s UCL game between Chelsea and lille….
“Kepa Arrizabalaga (£71m), Jorginho (£50m), Romelu Lukaku (£97.5m), Timo Werner (£54m). That’s approaching £300m worth of talent on the bench for Chelsea tonight”
That’s some hefty money spent there
I’ve watched that Norton-Cuffy clip five times now and the thing I like most is the lad’s balance. No, it’s his control. Actually, it’s his pace. Thinking about it, it’s his determination to move the ball forward at every opportunity. Scrub that, it’s the way he can take players on. On the other hand……
Seeing the quality of the kids coming off the Hale End production line is just mouthwatering.
Can’t accuse Mourinho of not giving AMN a chance. AMN was average at best on loan with an awful West Brom team and he’s showing no improvement at Roma.
As it looks unlikely Roma will keep him on, we’re in a tricky position having him return with just one year left on his deal. Maybe he can go to our ‘sister club’ Marseille when Saliba hopefully comes back from loan from there in the summer.
“Look at those numbers… how are we living in a world where people need convincing that what is going on is pretty damn sexy and dare I say it?”
Well that’s because those numbers from the (conveniently) arbitrary sample show that we’re largely outperforming those metrics. How long do you think we’ll be able to sustain this?
“Please don’t keep quoting Rio Ferdinand, if you’ve ever listened to his opinions you’d know he’s an imbecile.”
Lol @ he is an imbecile. Really? What dies that make you?
If he had attacked Arteta, you will be here
repeatedly quoting him till it becomes stale.
*does*
“If he had attacked Arteta, you will be here repeatedly quoting him till it becomes stale.”
No, he wouldn’t. See who the obsessives really are? Picking a fight for literally zero reason. Why?
The referees are shambles. It’s Atkinson against wolves and he has sent off our players at every chance he has gotten this season. Don’t expect that to change on Thursday. I am not that enthused about ESR at false 9. It is completely different being a goal scoring midfielder and a false 9. I like it when he sees the game in front of him. He should play LW for me with Martinelli upfront if we are going to try something different. Martinelli can score headers, he can lead the press, plus he is a lethal finisher. He won’t be… Read more »
There have been*
Habesha, Norton-Cuffy is on loan from Arsenal. He signed a pro contract with us last year.
Inside
Oh, I didn’t know that. I am okay with giving a kid a chance as a backup. There is no other way to blood them in. But it will be tough to compete with Liverpool and city with a raw kid. I hope he is ready to play a backup role.
Oh I just saw he is playing for Lincoln in league one. Then he isn’t ready yet. He needs a lot more loan spells.
https://youtube.com/shorts/sAhEFuq62-I?feature=share
Almunia
This isn’t your Harrow and Wealdstone (as I think they used to be called) supporting mate is it? I gather this geezer is a legend on the non-league circuit.
I don’t think he will be rushed in, Habesha. He’s certainly showing he’s got talent and has been called the Islington Alves – and one article is tipping him as possibly another Trent Alexander-Arnold. Far too soon to say, but I like the look of the little I’ve seen.
Southampton’s Broja looks a handful up front…has power, strength and speed and looks hungry for goals.
Would chelsea sell him if we went in with big offer
I understand that former lead guitarist of Spinal Tap, one Nigel Tufnell, has an identical twin brother who goes by the name of the Wealdstone raider….
“Since the 3rd game of the season…”
Why stop there? How about the fact that we’re undefeated in the league since February 10th. Amazing… pats on the back, everyone.
My only quibble with Pedro’s post is saying that ESR can play with his back to goal. I’ve never seen that.
He’s amazing on the move forward with a head of steam… but maybe showing that all important nose for goal is the most important.
I wouldn’t mind trying him at 9 or false… Could be a game changer if it works out.
Remember the coaches see him in training and know a lot more. We all forget that.
*undefeated since Feb. 10th – make that a 100% winning record (is what I meant)
“No, he wouldn’t. See who the obsessives really are? Picking a fight for literally zero reason. Why?” As expected. Bruce Lee Jumping in two footed while frothing at both sides of the mouth. Except I’m not referring to you and Andy needs no one to fight for him. For you to even called my response a fight shows your mentality around here. How one can go on to call a once a season pro an imbecile because Ferdinand’s opinion doesn’t sit with him baffles me. You were here kungfu kicking Pedro’s post against Henry (even though pedro never called Henry… Read more »
Inside right
“and one article is tipping him as possibly another Trent Alexander-Arnold. Far too soon to say, but I like the look of the little I’ve seen.”
Looking at the brief highlights of him , i would say that to be a TAA he needs to be a better striker of a football on the move, technically he isn’t there in that area, however he looks quality with the ball at his feet running from deep…one for the future though, good to see
Top40 like in TOTP days!
That vlahovic guy is one hell of a striker. Openeong is UCL debut for Juventus with a goal within a minute
I’m curious to see if Tavares can play on the right.. I still want to see more of him.
Norton Cuffy looks strong enough to take a good full season loan next year, and we’ll still have Cedric anyway.
We’ll be able to assess it all then, no rush.
Pedro
Remember when it was all about xG..then xG was crap and now xG is back on stream
You pick and choose xG when it suits your “propaganda”, that’s what you called it in the post.
Happy travels
Joao Felix as Laca replacement this summer? YES PLEASE!!! But as an addition to a #1 striker whoever that will be.
I don’t believe all this Martinelli up front bollocks. He’s a left goal scoring wing forward. Balogun doesn’t quite do it for me tbh. Don’t think he will make the grade. Looks like another Nketiah.
“Joao Felix as Laca replacement this summer? YES PLEASE!!! But as an addition to a #1 striker whoever that will be.”
It won’t be easy but never say never in football
Balogun starting again for Middlesbrough tonight, we really need him to have a successful loan, Norton Cuffy also starting for Lincoln. We need to be strategic with the amount of youngsters we throw in at once: Saka Dec 2019 Smith Rowe Dec 2020 Martinelli Dec 2021 We can’t throw more than 1 novice in at a time, we need to use the loan market smartly. Omari Hutchinson is far too good for the under 23s, technically he’s outrageous, he’s as two footed as Cazorla. The problem with selling Pepe and replacing him this summer, is that if Hutchinson needs a… Read more »
Diss, I remember the xG argument.
Eye test + Context + xG
What happened?
When it was Emery, the xG showed we were lucky, the eye test told us we were shit, the context was ‘if it doesn’t correct, we’ll go to hell’
We went to hell.
What happened when it was Arteta? The eye test didn’t match the xG. The context was the xG was blitzed by the covid outbreak. What happened? It all corrected itself.
I call it propaganda… but that’s just a joke, it’s not propaganda if it’s truth.
Pedro
Our xG was bad when the manger was trying to find a fix to Auba’s woes
Now that he’s sorted it out, xG has improved.
The xG was true then, just is it’s reflective of the improvements now.
I’m desperately waiting for the next time a referee decides to give a double yellow card in one sequence of play
The Hailey’s comet will repeat itself faster that the likelihood of that happen.
Hope Kroenke puts a cap on how much we can spend on a player on a single player in the summer
It’s too easy to waste money on big figure signings like Lukaku, Pepe and Joao Felix.
A good player doesn’t have to come with an exorbitant transfer fee.
Diss, if you watched the Spurs game and felt we deserved to lose, then sure, it’s true. But xG is not always true, it’s just one metric used to paint a story
Kroenkephobe,
That guy reminded me of Alex Higgins in the last few years of his life,scary stuff! A one man firm. Still,with the pint a the cigarette he’s a good advertisement for heading down to your local teams next game …..
Diss
Not sure if Joao Felix would come with a big transfer fee, his stock isn’t exactly high, his transfermarkt value of £54million seems inflated, can’t see us paying anywhere near that,
Agree about finding bargains though, Tomiyasu, Odegaard, Sambi weren’t massive fees, Ramsdale was a lot of money for a keeper, but so far he’s looked good value
If you look at the overall cost of White vs Varane, White is so far looking better value for money.
Hopefully we can identify value, big transfers don’t have a great success rate,
Very sad.
Light up your life
Diss
Joao Felix is 22 and his stock has gone down since Simeone has no idea how to use him. He won’t be costing a fortune 60 mill should be enough.
I have a feeling that if KSE had increased the ownership to 100% during the Wenger years, Wenger would have signed all those players that he has missed. They are more willing to spend now. No more that fucking s.s. model.
Screaming trees. .. rip
WHY is it a Thing to be first? Banks and Dm squabble over it! Very sad lives. Nobody cares.
Christian Pulisic scores. Laca would have missed the goal.
Nelson is going to tell us now, how to kick a ball..
Why be negative?
I remember seeing Screaming Trees and Sponge play the Astoria in (I think) July 1996 ….. just 2 months before Arsenal appointed an unknown Frenchman as manager.
“A massive black bear named Hank the Tank is wanted by California police for breaking into dozens of homes in a Lake Tahoe neighbourhood since last summer.
The bear burglar weighs 500lbs (227kg), much more than the average bear, and appears to have skipped hibernation in winter due to a constant food supply.”
I was just thinking…why not send this bear to Zouma for taming
Invincible! 🖤 what a year.
Before we knew what would follow
Crimson what are you on about?
It was definitely some year Crimson
What’s your favourite Screaming Trees track?
Watching Vlahovic today was so frustrating. It’s obvious why Arsenal went in hard for him – exactly what everyone has been talking about in terms of a taller, faster, more clinical version of Laca.
But its clear he was always going to Juventus, so it’s hard to think our pursuit was a decent use of our resources if it meant we didn’t look at anyone else.
This team would explode if we got a striker like that this summer and our youngsters continued their growth.
Invincibles,
Wax Ecstatic by Sponge. Great song.
We didn’t miss anything by trying for Vlahovic.. we took our shot, made Juventus pay much more than they planned. F them.
We would’ve pulled summer funds forward for Vlahovic. Nobody else was going for a price that wouldn’t have been robbery. So we walked away no worse off.
We’ve cleared a ton of salary to extend our stars and buy a couple nice players if we can in summer. Meanwhile this squad grows together until then.
It’s so excited that this kid is showing the promise he is, and with Ruell Walters not far behind. However, less than 50% of bright talents come through as hoped, and we are basing our excitement off one game (same with Djed). If we get CL and we have the budget, I say let’s get Livramento….Chelsea buyback doesn’t kick in for another season, and to make it worth Southampton’s while, will need to offer a chunk more than the buyback amount. But it will be worth it. Him, Saliba, and Nuno can drive our defence towards greatness, whether as first… Read more »
Juve didn’t even win. Lol yea definitely won’t be losing sleep over Vlahovic. Unai Gud Ebening Emery sussed him out over 90mins.
Nigel – yes agreed although “Plowed” is probably my favourite.
Chelsea are not all that and. Will be
Involved in the dogfight for top 4.,
At the end of the season Arteta will be judged by the Jan TW, if AFC gets 4th he deserves the praise, if he doesn’t may fire and brimstone hail down on him for neutering the attack and not bring in any attacking talent. But then the AKBs already anticipated that, thus the praise for getting 6th in his 3rd season and back into Europe not what one expects from “the best young manager in Europe”. In the summer TW it is vital that we have CL games because we may not attract the talent generational managers with trophy cabinets… Read more »
Killroy,
Since he dropped Auba, we have the 3rd most goals in the league, one behind Liverpool. If you’re going to focus on an issue, focus on the right one.
Laca works better in the defensive system we have; auba an attacking system.
Both aren’t up for tetaball
Goober, 3rd best attack since Auba was dropped, 3rd most shots per game, 4th most shots on target… we don’t played in a defensive system.
We are more compact than under Wenger and Emery.
And over Artetas tenure both our strikers have fallen off a cliff due to the rigidity of the system/not playing to strengths in order to be more compact.
Maybe I’ll say more** defensive system.
But anyhow,
But anyhow, I’m very intrigued as to who we will target after vlahovic fell through. For Artetaball to work with a striker actually scoring goals, we need an absolute workhorse who can press the defense aggressively, act as target man and/ or someone pacy to improve our counter attacking.
But peds. You can’t tell me a single player of ours apart from CBS at set pieces, are going to score goals from high balls into the box… Just hasn’t happened at all during his tenure.
Goober, plenty that can pick up diagonal balls into the box and create space for incoming traffic.
If we put the ball in earlier, or on the ground/lower, or cut back more.
Don’t get me wrong here Pedro, I’m definitely more positive with our new squad. This end of the season is going to be the most exciting in a long time. I’m just as eager to see the new faces and see how we push on into next season with the boys already here having a year together under their belts.
the problem with ESR at no 9 is that he isnt strong enough to keep the ball , it will only work if others around him are quick enough . So either it will work like Norwich wonder goal , quick first touch passing or it will fail spectacularly like the semi final . My choice for #9 would be Martinelli tho .
Haha like others said, can’t believe that’s just one match for Norton cuffy.
He was dominating everyone.
Divine, I agree there, but would go as far as to say none of our youngsters have built up that proper body strength yet.
I agree on Marti as 9. But I’m not going to write esr off there just yet haven’t seen enough and he was played there in his first season in pl/Europa still adjusting his game. Could be a stroke of brilliance like you say or bring about the feelings of an outsmarting by Emery
ESR at 9 is better than Laca by far, and we have to work with what we’ve got due to a damp squib Jan TW. ESR is the better creator and more robust collecting balls on the turn than Ode, so I assume (may be wrongly) that ESR will have to play ST from deep and or hold the ball up to bring others into play in the box, which I feel he’ll do well at. He has a decent shot, so a few from outside the box will help against a mean Wolves defense with Martinelli and Saka looking… Read more »
Tony, This little snippet: “Wondering if this is an indication that Arteta wants to play more through the middle than before and limiting the crosses to no one in particular in the middle being mopped up easily by towering CBs” It would be a very welcome change. Where that falls down for me, at least at the very top level, is we would need a Cazorla type baller next to partey to play through the middle nice and proper. Actually have some control against top teams again. But if the final 3rd actions change from high balls into the box… Read more »
And as much as I would like to have ode next to partey, I think we’d have to alter too much. A cam playing cm and a cam playing striker. There’d still be a hole in the centre somewhere
@Pedro
As you requested I am focusing now on the right issue. Shots on target ESR in 18th position, Saka 20th position, Laca 60th position of EPL players. Those are the only Arsenal players in the top 60. Shambolic! You are so predictive with your supportive stats to make sure this Arteta turd is well polished.
“There’d still be a hole in the centre somewhere”
Agreed Goober.
I’d see Tommi and CT tucking in when necessary to cover Ode OR Partey on their forward runs. Maybe White play a DM role in stepping up reading the game.
I’m expecting changes for the better and hope I’m not just wishful thinking.
Yeah that could be what we see Tony, I guess it will depend how deep wolves sit. Tomi tucking in and/or white moving into a stopper/DM sort of area would help keep the structure and help a high press. And we’ve seen that before and know it’s a formidable tactic. White’s weakness in that scenario is when he gets turned further upfield he’s more likely to make a sliding challenge rather than trying to stay on his feet and he’s been caught out a couple of times.
Or more so, if white steps up, and xhaka holds back, then xhaka is the weakest link in the backline, especially against a quick counter
Wolves doesn’t have the speed at the back to pin a high line, and with Martinelli and co as our speedsters, it would be mad to think a high defensive line would keep our forward 3 shackled. Obviously, I’d be dreaming if I thought Xhaka would be on an Arteta bench. So I can’t see him anything other than as a starter. Just hope his forward movement is restricted and CT tucks in to cover his run. The last game he didn’t make one tackle; just kept in space to receive and release the ball. My son made that observation.… Read more »
Who would you choose between Podense and Yuri Teilsman?
Podence for me. I like YT, but he’s our level now and not the future level we need to attain to be challenging for the PL and CL. Podence can improve with the right players around him.
Just my thinking, Goober. It may not be other’s.
That is a very tricky one there mate,
Haha I’d have to say tielemans, as it’s our weakest area of the pitch and he’s an upgrade. But at the same time wouldn’t mind getting rid of xhaka and having tielemans and another quality cm. Who knows what will happen there.
Podence is an absolute baller though. And if we didn’t have such a young dynamic high potential forward line I’d definitely take him on board.
Also, not that I think whites weakness in that area is reason to drop him or whatever. I’d prefer him lose out a bit further forward and still have gabs and Tomi behind him.
Absolutely love the backline, really want to see what happens with Saliba. Such delicious prospects
Podence is too one footed for me. And he is a winger. I would take him if it came down to it but I would have other targets before him. Rapinha, Pedro Neto, Antony. All marvelous players going the top. Tielemans is a no brainer. I think we have to fight to even sign him. He would be great in Arteta’s Xhaka role that is drifting to the left attacking midfield. There isn’t a better creative CM out there that we could realistically get. Fabian Ruiz would be the other one but he doesn’t know the premier league either. I… Read more »
Habesha, last few games I’ve seen LCFC Tielemans he’s been largely ineffective without Vardy creating space for him with his lightning runs.
Good shout on the other names, though, I haven’t watched them enough to pass judgement.
Very interesting stats Killroy. Thanks for sharing. I can’t say that I’m surprised to see that. Pedro fails to mention that the increase in shots per match is largely due to more shooting from outside the box. It’s also seems to be omitted by Pedro that of the 8 EPL fixtures that occurred since Auba’s exile, 5 of the opponents were in the bottom half of the table. Of the 17 goals scored, 14 were against bottom fodder, the majority against Norwich and Leeds. Rightly, goals are always welcome but this was also why that “since Christmas” table of last… Read more »