A wise man once said…
‘You CAN read into preseason when it’s one game out from the start of the season’
… and I believed him.
Arsenal ripped Sevilla apart in an outrageous afternoon of elite football.
Calling us City Lite last season felt like a sleight; this season, I think it’s going to be a warning.
We pressed like monsters. We were setting traps to get the ball back. Everyone knew their job and there were NO passengers.
Our defence looks fabulous, Saliba played like the VVD Regen we’ve been dreaming of, we didn’t miss Tomi or Tierney, there were no weaknesses.
Thomas Partey was absolute silk in the middle of the park, he was at ease on the ball, he pinned the midfield on his own, and he had a stunning flair about his game.
Have you been whinging about Granit Xhaka? How many assists does he have to get before you realise he’s the best midfielder in world football right now? Ok, I took it too far, but he has been in great form.
CAPTAIN ODEGAARD. Perfection, the kid is a leader, he’s a role model, forget about my daughter, I WOULD MARRY HIM. I just love his intensity, he’s playing like a man on a mission, it is a delight.
The front three were electric. Bukayo is BACK. Top class all the way. Martinelli is clearly LOVING his Brazilian pal to play with, his diagonal cross was outrageous.
GABRIEL JESUS! As Benny Devito said in the comments of The Arsenal Opinion Podcast. He IS the resurrection of Arsenal.
What a talent. Forgive me father for my blasphemy about his height, I AM A SINNER, punish me with goals. SO MANY GOALS.
Then to cap a wonderful day off… a moment that said it all about CULTURE. Granit released Martinelli through the middle, the Brazilian could have gone solo, instead, he put his mate EDDIE KRUEGER in for a tap in. That’s when you know the squad like each other.
So where are we?
Our squad looks fit and cooked to the perfect temperature.
Everyone knows their role.
The squad is VERY strong.
We are scoring goals for fun.
I’m telling you, this season will have ups and downs, but keep focused because we are going to be a problem this season.
Everyone can play the ball out the back.
Everyone is press resistant.
Everyone has a fighting spirit.
Now we have goals.
We’re on a very exciting journey this season. Let’s enjoy it. Let’s not catastrophise bad results. Let’s buckle in. The hope is underpinned by truth this season.
I CANNOT WAIT.
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Ishola – you are talking from some high mountain where you will offer your beneficence to Arsenal if they achieve hurdles you have set. It’s not even a manager or a player ( usual groans on this site ) it’s the whole club. Do you realise to some ears that you sound a totally , fair weather , dallying little lightweight. The sort of supporter who gets the piss ripped from them by virtually every other club supporter. There’s nothing , nothing old fashioned about you , you’re the modern “is it Arsenal today or shall I pick up my… Read more »
What a pathetic nasty little post from Markymark.
And all because I wait until the first competitive game of the season before making true judgements about the team.
Yes what a villian.
Dry your tears Markymark.
And all this silly outburst over a friendly match.
Ishola … I don’t understand the desperation to announce the team as great before a ball has been kicked in anger in a proper competitive game.Relax guys … Exactly!!! Many cannot even place their money where their mouth is to predict their expectations of the team. This team is good, this team is ready I keep reading; okay how many trophies do you expect or league position? Silence or saying things like between 3rd to 6th. How can we measure success if we don’t have a goal. Hopefully Pedro writes a post or podcast on the expectations of this season.… Read more »
Benkind
I think only AFC forever and his goons will be scared to hold Arteta and Arsenal to a 4th place finish at least this season. We all expect it to or its burst
If we smash Palace as well let’s when I will be taking more note and see it as more noteworthy. –
you are setting hurdles here for your support . People are calling you out left right and centre in regards to your comments
Pathetic- I stand by it
Nasty – truth hurts
Get off your mountain top sunshine
Partey will be pleased that Gallagher is no longer at palace as he gave Partey a torrid time last season before he went off injured.
I suspect that Vieira will put someone on Partey to stop him controlling the game.
The problem Palace may have is that with the arrival of Zinchenko, Arsenal have another outlet.
Have to say Zinchenko looks a superb footballer who looks so comfortable with the ball at his feet, never looks rushed, plus his decision making is very good.
He and Jesus have definitely raised the level at Arsenal.
Not crying Ishola . Just pissed off at your preaching and deeming when and where you offer your loyalty.
No Markymark
My comment about smashing Palace is in relation to people’s reaction to smashing Sevilla.
I would be be happy with a 1-0 win over Palace. Even a draw isn’t the end of the world.
You have it totally wrong that I think Arsenal owe me something.
OC Interms of the weakest players in our squad of players that will definitely stay, it would go like this from worst to best for me. Cedric, Elneny, Pepe (if he stays), Holding. There is also Sambi, who I think is being used in a role he isn’t ready for. Play him as an 8 and he will come good. He isn’t ready to be a 6 at all though. The jury is still out on Turner. So that’s 5 or 6 players put of a 23 man squad that are not up to the standard yet. We need a… Read more »
MarkyM, feels like your comments are overly harsh on Ishola. In my view, he has a perfectly reasonable opinion that we should get properly carried away if/when we start the season with similar victories. It’s a personal decision to allow yourself to get massively excited by pre season or not. Without wishing to lose against Palace, if we do then the deflated reaction would be all the more intense. Completely agree Pierre, the word transformative should be used sparingly but I think it’s fair to use it about our ‘ City rejects’! In addition, Saliba’s composure and touch under pressure… Read more »
Spurs are going to have the same problems as last season when they face a low block team. Roma were moderately comfortable looking at the highlights. They badly need a creative midfielder to turn things around. Maddison would be a game changer for them. They don’t have one cultured midfielder between Bissouma, Hoijberg, Skipp and Bentancur. Although Bentancur can do it once in a while. Their threat is minimized if Kane doesn’t drop deep to help with build up play. I still feel we made a mistake by not playing a low lick in that NLD derby last season. If… Read more »
Low block* 😂😂😂
And Palace look very good too. They smashed Montpellier 4 goals to 2. And that was a very flattering scoreline for Montpellier. Former Arsenal academy player Mavdidi scoring 2 goals in the end. Palace also look ready. Eze has been playing in midfield. He won’t be as pressing as Connor Gallagher was as last time we were there. But he is more creative in my opinion. Their new DM Docoure seems to have settled. And there is also Jeffery Schlupp who has transformed himself to a good CM since Viera joined them. I would say we will win the game… Read more »
Bob N16 I get the hyperbole argument.
If Ish says Arsenal, don’t owe him anything I’ll take his word
It drives me nuts when Arsenal supporters on this site suggest rule setting about their support or interest
All I’ve seen is a complete slate off of the pre season and comments about when he deems his interest will begin
Simply stating despite the great preseason form I’d settle for a close 1-0 win or even draw is far more balanced
But hey ho
Habesha – tactically at WHL I’d agree. I think Arteta wanted lots of energy early fearing we’d had a few low energy games (Everton / Southampton/ Brighton away was poor ) Early doors we’d actually stretched them and Saka had drawn fouls.
When Son and the dodgiest ref since Mike Riley had their chat my thoughts were Arteta should have risked swapping left and right backs . Inevitably on the signal Son starts playing up and there we go.
Newcastle was pure belief collapse I’d guess
Hopefully Jesus and Zinchenko can add some mental steel this season
The frustration with our CM issue is that the club has actually invested hravily in this area of the pitch over the last few seasons but the new players apart from Partey when fit have just not delivered. We bought Torreira, Lakonga and Guen plus there was the AMN option but none have proved of the right level to play centre MF in the prem and upgrade on Elneny and Xhaka. Lakonga is a real frustration as he should be ready to rip up the Prem in his second season but looks lost like Torreira became, plus Patino and Azeez… Read more »
MarkyM, I get where you’re coming from. I get triggered too by a need for some to seemingly always seeing the worst in whatever aspect of Arsenal they are posting about. I don’t think Ishola’s views were unreasonably negative.
There has to be a climate that alternative views from the majority are welcome though . Smacking down anybody who has a different way of looking at things is tedious too.
First games of the season are always strange with Arsenal over the years having a record of losing to newly promoted clubs. Palace are however moving into dangerous second season territory when anythong can happen just ask Leeds. Gallagher will be a big miss and it may take them a few games to get their act together. We need to hit them quick with a couple of goals like we did in pre season before they can settle and grow in confidence.
Foxy, I hope you’re righting off Lakonga too soon. He’s going to have more chances in cup games to establish himself this season. I have confidence, hopefully not misplaced, that he can step up in his second season. Last season was underwhelming but he deserves more time before he’s rejected.
What does it mean?The reality is pres season games aren’t a predictor of league success. Friday will give us a better perspective as it will be a proper war and Paddy’s team won’t be taking prisoners.
Bob N16 – it brings in the great Policing argument doesn’t it. Alternative views should always be heard Those who tend to want to do glass half full ( more me ) need to hold back from conspiracy theory as found on Untold etc that becomes tedious. Those that naturally more it’s half empty or should I say cautious should imo take a look at their outlook. Does it serve them well ? Are they compensating for an expectation of failure . Dare to dream I’d say There is a weird element found pretty much habitual within the Arsenal fanbase… Read more »
Marky
To be honest we would have played a better game if we had white and Tierney in that backline last season at the WHL. My frustration is Arteta not noticing the shortcomings of Holding and Cedric in that game. They aren’t made for high line pressing teams. I don’t even know what Cedric is suited to to be honest. But we are much better equipped this time. Zinchenko and Saliba in our backline means we will still put out a strong back line even with Tomi and Tierney out like this week.
We should beat Palace no questions. How can we have these big ambitions and we go into games like this on a 50/50. We will most likely play the same starting 11 from sevilla & Chelsea unless there is an injury. So, even though it is away, I expect a win 100%. This season we have to monitor our wins and losses. Some will exaggerate our wins and losses. Even yesterday there were still some issues e.g. with defending Gabriel especially had some moments that could have been bad. We must allow ourselves to discuss the team without everyone thinking… Read more »
Habesha- I’ve wavered with Arteta tbh I’m pretty firmly in his camp at the moment as I feel he did meet the general plan laid out and the expectations he created could not then be used to punish him.
WHL though was a real setback but maybe positively a huge learning curve for him.
I agree wrongly set out wrong players with wrong expectations of performance delivery . Appalling referee just added to the unfolding events
I think people have wrote off Sambi very quickly. The number of games I have seen him be crap are very few last season. Nottingham Forrest away when he played alongside Patino, and the 3 successive games that we lost when he played alongside Xhaka, Palace, Brighton and Southampton. And all these have a common thing. He played as a 6, a lone DM. And he isn’t ready to play that role. Certainly not alongside an immobile Xhaka and a green Patino. I have seen him be good at that once, away to Anfield in the league cup with a… Read more »
The question of course to ask is if Arsenal had lost 4-0 to Chelsea and 6-0 to Sevilla would we all just taken it lightly as it’s only pre season or been in a scat throwing contest at Arteta ?
Palace 0 Arsenal 3 – throw poop at me if we lose . I’m all in on a first 2O minute blitz then a late third goal
Marky man Yeah Son dived. And Holding was stupid. But he wasn’t suited to that game. Had we played a counter attacking game with a low block, he would have played a good game. Arteta should have compromised his playing philosophy to suit the ability of the players in that game. Arteta needs to deliver this coming season though. No more excuses. And our targets must not hinge on one off games. If we had won 3 or 4 or drew some games of the 11 that we lost, then we would have gotten in to CL. We need to… Read more »
Markymark you make a fundental mistake mate. A reality check isn’t negative. On the contrary Johnsonian boosterism without evidence is bollocks. Im excited about the new season but I don’t take pre season run arounds too seriously.
The Bard agree to disagree when it’s professional sports
We have such minor impact on what will happen of course anyway .
But as being reported in the ground, atmosphere is up leading to increased expectations and confidence. That’s boosterism if you like played out at the ground . It’s vital for the team and creates a virtuous circle
Call it bollocks if you will but what’s the alternative? Sit at the Emirates in silence ? That worked well for the past 5 years or so.
I was at the Emirates yesterday for the game, truly great atmosphere, it felt great to be back. I’ll echo the optimism from a few posters above, the team looked good despite it only being a friendly. I had high hopes for Gabriel Jesus but man the guy is legitimately top top quality. We now have our striker. Its great to see. I suspect the only thing that will stop him this season will be skulduggery and targeted attacks aimed at stopping him from playing. I’m referring to “Holding on Son” types of play, because that’s the only way to… Read more »
HG I think the general disappointment with Lakonga is to do with expectations. He was built up as a top talent and we paid quite a lot for him, but despite some promising early games he looks more Elneny level than Partey and does not appear to have physicality to make a good no 6 in the Prem.
I also see Palace as a must win game. I will be gutted with a draw as it will bring out season down right away We have a relatively benign start in fixtures and we really need to capitalise on that. I want the team to aim for 4th min and I’m really hoping for 3rd. The Prem is as tough as it’s ever been but with top 3 all in some form of transition everything is up for grabs. There is no reason to believe Man U and Spurs will beat us to the post although they will be… Read more »
Normally clubs will see Arsenal as first game of the season as an opportunity, but I bet the Palace players and Paddy are already on tbe back foot and desperately looking for ideas how to contain us, which could involve deep defensive for the first 20 mins or so. I just hope Arteta has evolved enough to tactically change things if needed
Of course the team could take the pre-season form in terms of goals scored into the first EPL game and maybe even beyond that for a certain period and grab another comfortable win at Palace.
But I think most expect that Palace in a first match EPL game away from home is going to go up a level or two in terms of a real test from the pre-season friendly matches.
We will see.
Anything possible.
I actually like Sambi and think he might become a really good player. I’m not writing him off myself
Whether or not he’s ready to take our midfield to the next level right now which is what we need tho remains to be seen. I’d rather we got Tielemans for now
Northbanker
. “I will be gutted with a draw as it will bring out season down right away”
Shouldn’t be the case really so early.
Arsenal could draw and still be seen to play well overall.
Any real concerns will be if the team obviously perform well below standards.overall.
Saliba is such a beast Some players are just miles away from their age group. We’ve seen it with saka, we saw it with cesc, wilshere before his injuries etc Some players need until they’re mid 20s to even begin to make a name for themselves like raphinha, but some others are just so clearly ready by their late teens and need to be managed differently For those truly prodigious talents you need to fast track them and set them free. They’ll make a few mistakes along the way or have the odd bad game but the benefits they will… Read more »
Friendlies are what they are, friendlies.
Some teams are more advanced than others in their preparation than others.
CP away will not be easy, we all know that.
Three points would be fantastic and that’s what we should be aiming for.
Beating Sevilla 6-0 is irrelevant if we can’t get a positive result at Selhurst Park.
Anyone else starting to think Arteta isn’t going to sign a player that would displace Xhaka?
China Yeah. I don’t want us to risk it on Sambi either. But I don’t want him sold. He can a very good rotation option if we have Partey, Tielemans and may be another No 6 better than Elneny. We need a genuine top quality starting CM though and we have needed that for years. Xhaka isn’t it for me despite recent improvements. I don’t believe he can sustain it over a long season. And he isn’t press resistant. Zinchenko playing left back yesterday showed more press resistant ability than Xhaka has shown in 6 years. And for that I… Read more »
Habesha
“But we are much better equipped this time. Zinchenko and Saliba in our backline ”
I suppose you are saying had we not sent Saliba on loan the result at the lane may have been different with Saliba in the side.
Unless Saliba during this pre season training has just discovered unbelievable composure on the ball and an ability to read the game , then i suspect that he was more than ready to play for Arsenal last season.
Ish – I appreciate we can come back from any adverse Palace result or even performance but for me our sights should be on a clear win. It’s Palace and they are beatable and we have the armoury to beat them. Habesha – agree. Sambi will take some adjusting time still but he could in a couple of years be a massive find. We need to keep him and develop him at all costs. He is now where Saliba was a couple of years ago. We need a top CM now and my hope is we will sign Tielemans and… Read more »
Pierre I was never in favor of sending him out on loan. He has been ready to be at least a squad option since he is 18. Now though he is coming to fight for a starting place. And he has looked better than all our defenders in preseason.. And yeah, he would have been better than holding to play a high line at spurs. The other issue yo consider though, we had no European games so he would have played much less last season. We are ready for this season though. Especially the backline. Only Cedric is a liability… Read more »
He was 18*
Issue to consider *
Tomi stays fit*
I’ll be watching the girls Always have, but this time they’re in shorts and football boots – and mighty cute-lookimg in them. Never took any interest in girlie soccer before. Okay, the Arsenal cuties were tops in UK (and Europe) and that made me feel proud, but never watched them. Beguiled by Alex Scott – and that was about all. Until now. I guess after today though I won’t be watching Ladies soccer much, if at all. It will be back to the real bizness. My guess is that most of the Wembley crowd will be male, not female. In… Read more »
Habesha
“The other issue yo consider though, we had no European games so he would have played much less last season”
As it happens Saliba would have probably started as many as 30 games ( maybe more ) , what with Tomiyasu injured , white and gabriel out occasionally, plus league cup and FA cup games .
Smashed a top 4 La Liga team for 6 and people are still not happy, wtf. That was a great performance, Jesus is literally all we needed to be honest, his runs and his ability to be where the ball will be is absolutely A grade. All the players have stepped up a noticeable notch from last season and Saliba looks like he never left. This is the season boys, let’s enjoy the fucking ride and stop moaning over shit. Accept that Arteta is the man for the job and support the fucking club. COYG!!!!
The debate goes on with Saliba! The reality is he got loads of game time with St Etienne and Marseilles. He was almost certainly going to be a great player but there is a reasonable argument that the amount he played at Marseilles would have greatly surpassed his game time at Arsenal if he’d stayed and accelerated his development .Of course when TT got injured in January he might have been an ever present in our defence after that. You can’t factor the benefits to his sense of well being by remaining in France after deaths in the family. He… Read more »
Berg10kamp
“Smashed a top 4 La Liga team for 6”
As a few who noted during the match they will do well to finish in the top four again this coming season in La Liga if they do not replace the two first choice CBs they lost in the summer and haven’t replaced as yet.
Saliba’s loan to Marseille was hugely successful, if he goes on to sign a new long term deal, you could call it a masterpiece. Signing world class players at the peak of their powers is very difficult and usually very expensive, signing world class players at the back end of their careers, when their clubs are ready to dump them and their wages, should be avoided. We need to identify world class talent, before they become world class, then manage their career trajectories, and that will either mean loans, or initial teething problems, while we develop that talent Similar to… Read more »
Ishola, agree that’s a factor but we dominated midfield and our defence kept their attack relatively quiet, they have some top attacking talent. We haven’t really replaced our first choice CB since Mertesacker and Koscielney left until now and that didn’t stop our own fans from ripping into us. Our intensity was also way above what I have seen in the past 5 years and that’s what killed sevilla.
Sevilla are dirt poor in comparison to EPL clubs. They have sold players this summer for a total of just over 78m and have bought in one CB from Galatasaray for 10m. That’s their summer spending so far. They are on record as saying that they realise they have to buy some first team players before the La Liga season starts which include defensive positions but they will likely not go massively deep into the 78m they have received in transfers out this summer because as said they are a bit skint really in comparison to the wealthier clubs in… Read more »
Agree with ish Seville are weak at the moment but we did take advantage of the fact
Palace is the real test although I am delighted with the. Way pre season has gone
So that’s the context regarding Sevilla.
They are weaker compared to the end of last season atm and their league season starts later than the EPL so Arsenal will naturally be in advance in terms of sharpness and fitness atm.
Arsenal played well to hammer them like that but if Sevilla thought their friendly draw against Spurs had any significant meaning for them just over two weeks ago they now realise after their hammering yesterday that the result against the orcs had no significance.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11066273/Former-Arsenal-boss-Unai-Emery-gives-fan-middle-finger-mocked-English.html
Pedro, is this you 😂😂😂
When we smash Palace and the teams that follow United will become the real test. Goal posts keep shifting it seems.
Bergkamp
“When we smash Palace and the teams that follow United will become the real test. Goal posts keep shifting it seems.”
Some might but not across the board I would have thought.
I would think it is common sense to suggest that an away EPL match looks to be a bigger test than a friendly match tbh unless you are playing the equivalent of Norwich last season.
Guys. We beat a Spanish pub side 6-0 at home. Relax. They did a job and that’s peachy, but let’s wait until December at least, before we start handing out the blowjobs.
We are not saying we winning the league, but can we at least be fucking excited about this season
Some guys just cannot wait to slate the club, some supporters they are. They complained about so many things and were proven wrong, yes we didn’t make top 4 but we never were supposed to and we made 5th without a proper striker and a make shift back 4 at times with a dead midfield when partey got injured. Now we cooking with some proper defence and attack, midfield will be sorted but it’s not that bad as we have players that can fill in there.
Excitement is the first step to disappointment.
Ofcos Palace is a better measure, but let’s not take away the brilliant performance from the boys. Last season we struggled to dominate weaker teams like we did against sevilla, this shows that we will dominate them this season and at least give a proper game to the bigger teams.
Guns, if you are not excited about how we playing then I feel sorry for u cos your life must be miserable mate
My life is so wild, it should be illegal.
I have perspective. We have been here before with performances that look like we’re world beaters, only to rank at the crucial moment. Anyone remember last season and totally throwing away CL football?
Our team is looking really good. Balanced and hungry. Fantastic! However, we are still missing a couple of players and we still have a couple of rotten eggs in the team/squad.
We also have not been tested.
Markymark what you’re talking about is excitement and I’m all for it. I’m excited about the forthcoming season but it doesn’t mean we will do well or indicate we’ll be top 4. It’s just a feeling.
Guns of HackneyJuly 31, 2022 12:22:55
Excitement is the first step to disappointment
Guns that’s a really sad philosophy on life
Every football fan has a right to be excited at the start of the season we all start on 0 points
The Bard – Judge me in May , was I’m sure something that someone associated with Arsenal used to say . I guess it still holds true .
Here’s to a blitz on Palace Friday
The contrast between our starting line up for Palace and Brentford last season is dramatic. If you could match up those teams in some sort of cosmic PS game then 2022 would beat 2021 by around 2/3 goals. Our first eleven is more than a match for pretty much every team in the PL. Being excited is completely to be expected. ‘Excitement is the first step to disappointment’ sounds like a tragic take on life. Every season has high and lows, last minute wins and defeats. As a supporter you have to accept that. Hope, despair… Last year for the… Read more »
Lol Guns, life being wild doesn’t mean its not miserable mate. But too each his own, me as a gooner am fucking excited I almost jizzed when Jesus scored his hat trick, trickled a little onto my undies. But that’s just me mate, we have been starved of good football for years now and what I have seen in preseason from our first team is quite frankly phenomenal. Granted we a few players short, but we got 5th place with much less last season.
Bob N16
Why temper our expectations of where we end the season? The worst that can happen is we’ll be disappointed.
I have never tempered my expectations. Can’t remember many end of season disappointments because, though optimistic, my expectations generally were low. GG’s last season was one that disappointed me, and a few from Arsene – until I accepted that he was past his best and should go.
Under Arteta so far, no disappointments at all because he has fulfilled my expectations.
Being linked to SMS again for 50m, if we only make one signing more this window it’s a no brainer. Would make our midfield absolutely top class.
Take Xhaka out and add someone that is better defensively, much better on the ball, press resistant and is also capable of getting into double figure for both goals and assists? Yes please.
Biggest upgrade on the first XI w can do atm.
Under Arteta so far, no disappointments at all because he has fulfilled my expectations
So you expected two 8th place finishes and a top 4 collapse? Damn
‘’ Excitement is the first step to disappointment.‘’
Is that in the bedroom as well
Will a Friday night game at Selhurst Park be a tougher game than a Friendly against Sevilla? No shit. I’m from the states and I was impressed with Vieria’s management of Palace last year considering how average he was in the MLS with NYCFC . Point is, the arrow is pointing straight up for our team and i haven’t been this excited/confident for the start of a season since Sanchez joined. The schedule is finally kind to us as well. It would be a gut punch of course but we could lose against Palace and still make a realistic go… Read more »
Went to game yesterday.. observations were
White can deputise fit Tommy
Saliba better then I thought
Partey back to playing very well,
Jesus.. so quick and his movement is brilliant
Ode .. just love watching him
Saka.. if his finishing improves he’ll almost b the perfect player
G…..that’s a positive write up and what I saw as well…..but this isn’t the place for such things 😉
Will a Friday night game at Selhurst Park be a tougher game than a friendly against Sevilla? No shit. I’m from the states and so I was impressed with Vieria’s Management of Palace last year considering how average he was in the MLS with NYCFC. Point is, the arrow is pointing straight up for our team and I haven’t been this excited/confident for the start of the season since Sanchez joined. The schedule is finally kind to us as well. Even if we somehow lose against Palace; we have a run games through September that we would likely be favored… Read more »
If we don’t get Saliba’s signature on an extension before Christmas we will not be able to retain him.
That boy already looks like our best defender.
When I saw Gabriel stuttering and looking jittery on the ball in contrast to the smooth and cool composure of that young Frenchman I couldn’t help but clap at the screen on my own.
Big props to that young man. Club put him through unnecessary BS. Matter of fact he should’ve been extended before being sent out on loan. And don’t think BIG CLUBS aren’t monitoring his progress keenly
Saliba is probably waiting to see what happens when Tomi comes back re White. Tomi is our first choice RB and White used to be our first choice RCB. It’s obvious now that Saliba will do a better job there. So he might be wanting to see if Arteta drops him once Tomi is back before signing a new deal.
Ishola …
understood about the Champagne Charlie thing.
One point about Sevillas effort against us.
If they didn’t care about this game, why did they protest that early penalty like it was a cup final?
They went on and on fighting it for a full 3 minutes before Saka could finally take the shot.
Also, anybody curious about our new number 9 not being on pens?
I don’t care much, and Sakas been doing it well.. just curious.
Marko
We are talking about expectation at the START of the season, so, so yes, I expected a top 5 finish. Many on here (inc you) thought that was over-optimistic. I guess that makes you wise in hindsight.
Pedro eating humble pie on the pod about Jesus.
I’ll be ecstatic to do the same about Saliba.. but it’s never been about his abilities or quality. I never questioned that, only his personality and loyalty.
I just want to see him quietly extend with us, no drama, no spotlight, no dragging out the decision….
Just appreciate being part of our great Renaissance. He can be a huge part too.
I want to be his biggest proudest fan.
Nigel Jesus’s penalty record isn’t great 10 penalties for City 5 scored 5 saved 2 penalties for Brazil 2 penalties saved. Obviously that has no barring on what happens in future, he could score his next 20 straight. Saka has scored his last 3, he’s reacted like a boss to last years disappointment. I’m happy for Saka to take them as long as he wants it, big players step up at big moments, Saka is a big player, I’m not surprised he puts himself forward and takes responsibility. Saka is an elite talent, but his mentality is also elite, and… Read more »
Rich right there with the answer…
I love it.
With those stats I wouldn’t even approach the subject if I was Arteta, and it looks like he hasn’t.
No change is the right decision clearly.
Saliba has done well and looks composed. I’d be a little perplexed if he decided to go back to a middle ranking French team. For those who are claiming some sort of catastrophic oversight of talent . He was recently slated during a French National game. He’s young following a path. It may well have been that there was a view he’d be bullied last year causing the decision around loans Senderos springs to mind he didn’t want to listen to tips that Bould was telling him. Got to believe his own hype and was left I gather sobbing down… Read more »
Marko give it a rest already. We’ve signed far better players than Laca and Auba and we are clearly looking far better preseason or whatever. We get it you hate Arteta and the club because they didn’t sign your flimsy favorites from Europe Matheus whateverthefuck his name is or whatever flair player you’ve seen beasting farmers league level players into submission. Let’s not sign proven prem title winning players and fill the team with risky chancers who might hate their life after moving to England or can’t even adapt to the pace or the fact they get zero time or… Read more »
reading that reims who sold ekitike want balogun on loan. do it
Eh?
Nigel It’s why I fancy Saka for 20-25 goals this season, Martinelli also looks like a player who’ll improve his end product, he takes a really menacing corner, and he’s on a mission to play for Brazil at the World Cup. It was hard to tell exactly what was going on in our forward line, the cameras Arsenal used weren’t great. Jesus was dropping deep, similar to what Laca used too, in order to create the overload in midfield, and he was also interchanging with Martinelli on the left quite a bit Martinelli was popping up to create the overload… Read more »
Nigel Tufnel
“Pedro eating humble pie on the pod about Jesus.”
Oh Tim Vickery had an influence as well on Pedro did he.
Amazing what influence on people’s thinking these people have.
I know everyone is saying it, but I expect a breakout from Martinelli also, and a further step up from Saka.
Smith Rowe I worry about. It wasn’t just the second half of last season he was carrying a fitness issue, as some say. I’d like to say he’ll step up more too…..
But I can’t remember the last time he was able to go 90 at full strength. He may have to be managed carefully… always.
5 subs can help him a lot though.
Yeah love ESR and really sad that he doesn’t play much as he is such a good dribbler and good finisher. Hopefully he comes back stronger.
Always prefer ESR to Martinelli because he knows where theb goal post is but fans don’t recognize that. They prefer flashy type that don’t come with goals. Without ESR and Saka goals we would still be 8th.
Captain Odegaard dont make effort to score.
Let’s hope his new responsibilities will push him to work harder and provide goals
Just wished we had played more competitive friendlies to really test ourselves .
Personally I think someone like Rayo Vallecano or that team who drew with the Spuds would have been a stiff test …… 🙂
Managed to not say one sexist comment watching the womens final. Just started braying ‘get your tits out for the lads!’ When she whipped her top off
Howard, are you for real??
If you’re not excited by what Odegard has to offer then you really don’t know football. You should take you half empty glass and go watch Spurs!!
Ps. LeMassive… ha ha, I also didn’t make any sexist comments!!
Crying? A gorwn man like me crying over a women’s football game? No, it was just my allergies.
Here’s my biggest fear for the season. We have a group of fast, talented and mobile players in Saka, Jesus, Martinelli, ESR, Eddie etc. What will other teams try to do. 1. Slow us down 2. Typically counter talent with physicality 3. Immobilize our best players I want Arteta and the club’s management to get the word out early and publicly that the referees need to protect all skilful players from dangerour challenges which are often from behind. Of course, the most frequent victim of this is Saka who is so obviously targeted by opposing thugs. Hopefully, with the World… Read more »