Ugh, kind of irritating that we’ve had such a piecemeal month. 2 game postponements, wasted downtime when we’re in momentum mode, and now a massive fixture pile-up in October.
These things are sent to try us BUT we have done as much as we can.
We are top of the league heading into the international break.
We are playing the best football bar NO ONE.
All our numbers and underlying metrics are looking top, top level.
The 12-day break is weirdly pretty good for most of our players. One of the benefits of a young talented squad is that 23 years old is usually too green for international call-ups. We won’t be able to count on that forever, but let’s enjoy Smith Rowe, White, Jesus, Big Gabi, Fast Gabi, Fabio, Zinchenko, Odegaard and a few others all staying at home.
Arteta needs to resist the urge to send them sprinting up mountains or whatever he’s been doing of late. Keep them fit, but don’t break them. Use the downtime to get some rest into the legs because 9 games in October is going to be outrageously savage.
I was thinking about how crazy this World Cup is going to be for certain clubs. Arsenal might not have crazy representation, which could be a huge benefit in the back half of the season.
Teams with older players might struggle to find momentum in the back half of the season and SURELY there has to be consequences on some of them? Imagine how pissed you’d be if one of your key players gets brutalized at one of the new stadiums and it derails your season?
Let’s hope it’s not one of our boys.
Right, short one because i have to preserve content ideas because we’re about to enter a dead zone of ideas for the next 12 days.
GET ON THE PODCAST:
Hakuna matata!
NLD on 1st October!
CL spot
The dead zone.
Treetops Hotel was a hotel in Aberdare National Park in Kenya near the township of Nyeri, 1,966 m (6,450 ft) above sea level on the Aberdare Range and in sight of Mount Kenya.The hotel is where Princess Elizabeth was staying in 1952 when she acceded to the thrones of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms, upon the death of her father, King George VI
Europa place
Special Sauce AI Edition 🙂
I can’t wait for the spurs game. We don’t need to commit as much men forward. Nullify their counter attacking threat and they will have nothing. We need to hand them a result their performances have merited this season so far.
Realistically who is getting call ups for the WC from Arsenal?
Locks:
Matt Turner
Thomas Partey
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Granit Xhaka
Near locks:
Aaron Ramsdale
Bukayo Saka
Gabriel Jesus
Highly likely/Possible:
William Saliba
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Ben White
Emile Smith Rowe (currently injured)
Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Magalhaes
Fabio Vieira
Cedric Soares
That’s a lot if you ask me.
I don’t think Lokonga is anywhere near making Belgium’s final 23 unless they have seriously declined in talent since the last one?
Also think it is too soon for Fabio to break into the Portugal NT, they have ridiculous strength in depth with the likes of Leao not even getting a look in.
Jesus should be a lock for Brazil, he is their best 9 by miles.
Id imagine a lot of Belgian midfielders have aged out no? Axel Witsel, Dembele, Fellaini etc etc. Who is there now? Tielemens, Dendonker, Praet?
Weagle
Agree about Jesus, I just put it in the near lock section due to that whole national team positional issue that apparently stunted him for awhile. You expect him to be there though.
I didn’t realize Sambi has only one cap for the senior team. Even if he goes he probably doesn’t see much time. Same for Fabio.
I’m concerned mainly for Partey and Tomi, who will undoubtedly be playing nearly every minute of every game.
Wenger eagle
‘Also think it is too soon for Fabio to break into the Portugal NT, they have ridiculous strength in depth with the likes of Leao not even getting a look in.”
Leao was called up
It would be sheer idiocy not to call him up.
Ronaldo won’t start for them, if the manger has any sense.
I touched on this the other day about our players going to the WC.
Likes of Tomiyasu, Xhaka and Partey are the only certain starters for their teams if fit having said that Japan, Switzerland and Ghana are unlikely to go deep in the tournament,
Saka, Jesus,Saliba who should be selected should see some minutes, Ramsdale I doubt Southgate is set on Pickford.
Players like Sambi,Vieira ESR and looking like White highly unlikely to be selected the two other Gabriel’s also outsiders to make the Brazil squad. Any of those players go they will be bench players not starters.
The fewer the players in the world cup the better for the Arsenal season. World intensity is too much in a normal year. In this fixture pile up you are looking at definite fatigue if not injuries.
16th? Too old to play for Arsenal.
To add any team that doesn’t make it out of their group the players will be on the plane home early December the last group games are 02/12.
The PL doesn’t restart until 26/12 plenty of time to rest up and treat any niggles let alone players disappointments.
Luteo
Most of those players will not be selected and it is likely that only a small number will play more than say 3 games max
Japan unlikely to get out of a group with Spain and Germany in it. Ghana have reached the knockout round two out of the three times they’ve qualified, but tough group for them too with Portugal and Uruguay, although I wouldn’t rule them out.
Didn’t realize until just now that Ghana and Uruguay were in the same group, lots of history there with the Luis Suarez red card in 2010 quarterfinals. Should be a fun one to watch.
“The dead zone”
Great film … an early Chris Walken classic …
Nobody is mentioning Tielemans any more. Xhaka is actually having a great season so far and looks a superior player. Besides, the next midfielder we buy should be cover/competition for Partey.
p.s. Well done to Alex Iwobi, doing really well in central midfield for Everton.
Lloris and Ben Davies injured. Now, if someone could just take out Kane…
Luteo etc,
I think the real fatigue will be for the players that play game to game and reach the Q/F onwards.
Last 16 games are over 06/12 so again the teams that go out players will at least get some recovery time physically and mentally, the heat is going to be sapping.
By the time we’ve reached November and played our hectic fixture list most of our players will be out of the WC injured- so they can recuperate during the WC and be ready for the Prem to restart!!
We should quit worrying about what MIGHT happen in the stupid Qatar WC. Let’s enjoy where we are, let’s be glad injured players are given time to recover.
FROM THE LAST POST Pedro When playing deeper his biggest strength were his long balls. But this strength couldn’t cover up for his ridiculous tackling. Saying he’s all of a sudden a great player is OTT. If we’d bought another 8 we wouldn’t expect less than what Xhaka is delivering now. He’s basically been taken to a part of the field where his weaknesses aren’t so glaring. The columnist on arseblog once indirectly alluded to this in a full length article detailing how Xhaka has practically been asked not to tackle because it doesn’t suit him.I think to be considered… Read more »
Thorough
Lighten up a bit, you are thoroughly depressing
the further-up-the-pitch-makes-his-mistakes-more-correctable argument is imo BS
Xhaka was very effective Sunday — chip shot for GJ applauded by MOTD and most Grovers, lost the ball twice and chased back and recovered, and generally was aware of what was going on and did the right and productive thing in addition to being an effective on-field captain
to a hammer everything looks like a nail…try looking at the game in front of you without the baggage you bring Thorough
Can see future football becoming about building robots instead of buying players. It would be eleven I Robots vs eleven I Robots.
The teams that wins championships will be those who can build the most efficient robots. A bit like NASCAR.
Thorough
“. Because someone like Nketiah will look so lost playing with Xhaka as an 8.”
I’m not sure why Eddie will be lost with xhaka playing at no.8.
He seemed to do perfectly well at the end of last season with xhaka in the side, and didn’t xhaka play in europe this season when Eddie scored and assisted for marquinhos goal ..
Pierre.
UCL final and in the whole o0f Europpe you had to chose a number 8 and you go for Xhaka. Right?
Ray in LA
He definitely was. Just like his long balls/passes were a thing of delight while he played deeper. It’s the other parts of the game that’s missing. First of a number 8 should be very mobile and dynamic, Xhaka is lead footed and everything but nimble.
Thorough there is a time and place my friend.
No one wants Xhaka off of this team more than I do.
Hell the man was invisible both towards the end of last season and even this season without Partey.
However he was solid against Brentford.
Like I said, the man can’t do anything under pressure but give him time and space and he can deliver a pass on a dime.
Defend one on one without fouling?
Not gonna happen.
But I will salute him when he plays well and point out what he is when not .::
My point?
Let’s just celebrate a great team performance
Hahaha loving big Gabi fast Gabi.
And just want to say from last post because I’m so slow,
Xhaka was piss poor as a left back.
I’m giving him all the credit he deserves of late but not going to rewrite history for the fella.
Pete if u see this check your site email, sent u something about ticket exchange etc
Thorough I get what you mean but Arsenal spent a bomb of $$ and clearly Xhaka isn’t a weak point of the team yet. (Team looks rock solid with all parts in sync) What you say is all true. You also need to mention that Xhaka seems to be able find space between the lines, times his runs into the box well and knows his team mates very well. He also seems to understand Arteta’s tactical instructions. He is also ever present. Maybe that adds to the despise. Someone will take over Xhaka eventually, he will likely be sold off… Read more »
It is really enjoyable watching this current Arsenal side.
Arteta must thank his lucky stars that Pep was so willing to hold his hand and gift wrap Jesus and Zinchenko for him.
Thank you Pep, for helping Arsenal to flourish, Arteta couldn’t have done it without you.
It’s reported today that xhaka is doing his coaching badges and has worked with Nwaneri. Looks like Arteta wants xhaka to succeed him ?
Nketia would very well have to lead our line against Liverpool as I think Jesus will get his 5 th yellow against Spurs. It’s better Arteta keeps Nketia primed by giving him more time against Spurs.
Thorough ” First of a number 8 should be very mobile and dynamic, Xhaka is lead footed and everything but nimble.” True, maybe because of this the opposition don’t feel the need to pay him any attention the way they do with the likes of Martinelli, saka, Odegaard and he is given the freedom of rhe pitch. Or maybe he has now mastered the art of finding space in the final third of the pitch, time will tell if Xhaka can continue to improve in the more advanced role or will the opposition shut down the spaces that he presently… Read more »
The spine of the team is now the strongest it has been for many years .
Saliba
Partey
Jesus
Still think we can improve on rhe goalkeeping front, who knows maybe Arteta may surprise a few and go in big for a keeper next summer if Ramsdale looks like being the weak link in the side.
I suppose xhaka has mastered the art of playing the game within his limitations..
Or Arsenal have mastered the art of playing well with Xhaka’s limitations
Not yet watched the full game but from MOD highlights it was good to see an Arsenal player hitting a clean shot for a goal from outside the PA. Get fed up with our players either hitting the ball way into the stands or scuffing shots. It is an area we have to improve.
Its the opposition that hasnt mastered Xhaka’s role.
What I think has surprised many is how good Jesus is in the air, the goal on Sunday being textbook. Movement, power and placement that we have missed for years.
Will Generational outsmart Conte? Ten Hag got the upper hand.
Iwobi at 26 is only just getting into prime years for a prem midfielder and Lampard seems to be using his limited talents well. When at Arsenal I always thought he would be better playing deeper as he progressed the ball well but his game would fall apart once in or near the opposition PA.
Just a quick point on saliba Arteta said he barely trained for 10 days prior to the game due to a knock Obviously playing him was the right decision in retrospect but I think Arteta needs to be a bit more cautious here. The season is long and fixture pileup is going to be a big challenge Why not play White or Tomi at CB and let Saliba have a break if he was only just coming back to fitness? Again obviously no regrets in retrospect but this is just a case of rolling the dice a bit when I… Read more »
Jesus is good in the air but I think it’s also largely impacted by his brilliant movement. Our previous CFs were mostly very static in the box. Jesus is constantly peeling off his man and drifting between spaces. That’s much harder to consistently defend against and sure enough when the defense don’t get it right he finds himself with a great chance
He is also good in the air as well tho which is a real asset
Pierre it’s an odd take that you glad we brought in someone of Vieiras size and stature because you want technical players Since when do technical players have to be frail lol? Plenty of good AMs over the years were more physically robust than Vieira (maybe he uses his body well to shield the ball in spite of his size) But the idea that it’s a good thing to have frail looking players because they will be more technical is strange. The ideal player is one who is technical AND robust. Not shitting on Vieira mind, but if he does… Read more »
Spurs can only counterattack like United. They have the most deadly front line of all Premier league teams and that is how they are grinding out results. Give them the ball, sit back and they don’t have a creative midfielder that can spot a pass. Kane is always dropping deep because they can’t play through teams. United are better in that respect as they have Eriksen and the highly erratic but effective Fernandez.. We need to manage our highline against spurs and things will be fine. But if we play like we did against United when Sambi was leaving his… Read more »
China
Viera needs some muscle mass for sure. But he isn’t frail. I saw him barging over players against brentford. I also saw him winning a couple of tackles. And Brentford aren’t a team with players with small stature. Viera will be fine.
We play a high line like we did with Utd , we will lose against Spurs for sure. I’d rather play like we did last season at home .
I thought he played physically quite solidly vs brentford as well
But I just find it odd that Pierre would highlight his frame as a bonus as tho more muscular players can’t be technical. Our invincible season supremely technical and also was a team dominated by 6’+ players who had more to their frames than vieira. Being slight is not an advantage
Luteo
Good points on the World Cup. Here’s a fairly lazy article from Football365. Of course, the key variable is likelihood of a club’s players advancing deep in the tournament. They don’t even address that. It’s such a key component of how club’s will be affected.
https://www.football365.com/news/feature-premier-league-clubs-ranked-how-badly-affected-by-world-cup-qatar
Saka is not having a bad start to the season; he’s just not carrying the team on his back.
Thank goodness for that! We look so much better for it…
Xhaka in his current role is playing great. What happened in the past is in the past. End of, please…
Why change the mode of play? Because it’s Spurs? Because of Kane? Because of Son? No way. Saliba & Co can handle them. The conversion rate is up. We should beat them the way we want to, controlling the game throughout.
Saka is an interesting one I’m actually very much in favour of rotating him off more. He’s not looking himself and his play is a bit predictable this season. He used to like cutting in but would often go down the line and terrorize his man. This season he cuts in for a simple pass almost every time and that lack of explosiveness from him can be felt THAT SAID for a young kid like him to be nowhere near his best and still putting up these numbers for goal contributions is awesome. He has 1 goal and 2 assists… Read more »
Yes agree with Saka there is definitely something currently missing in his play for his position on the pitch, mainly I think a lack of unpredictability and explosiveness. His play seems to have become too deliberate not helped by his poor ball striking from distance – an inverted winger needs to be able to score from distance as well as the intricate stuff – Henri, Robyn being good examples.
Watching the end of the Brentford game Tierney was struggling looks like he is ok training with Scotland this morning.
Something to keep our eyes on but no doubt Clarke will play him all three games. I really hope Arteta has contacted Clarke the guy is coming off a knee injury been carefully managed so far minutes wise.
Muscle alone is not going to solve Vierra’s potential physical issues with playing in the prem as his lower legs appear to me just too spindly in bone structure. More like twigs than tree trunks which skilful players in hid position usually have and what allows Saka to cope with the treatment he gets
GD4, Dark Hei
Of course he was amazing the last match. Nobody can argue with that. Indeed I love the way Pierre puts it ‘he’s learnt to play best within his limitation.’
Onwards and upwards, God willing.
Foxy.
Even better. May we not get found out anytime soon.
China “Pierre it’s an odd take that you glad we brought in someone of Vieiras size and stature because you want technical players Since when do technical players have to be frail lol?” China, You are not normally deliberately stupid, like some (nigel Tufnell) that i could mention, it’s obvious that technical players don’t “have” to be frail. My point was that it’s good to see that Arteta recognises that you don’t have to be built like a brick shit house to compete in the premier league. If they have the quality then the size and the physique of the… Read more »
Technique comes first then size gives you an advantage….. im talking about football, get your mind off the gutter.
China
Not having a natural full back on his side is part of the reason for Saka’s drop off in one on one situations.
A natural full back would make the overlap to put indecision in the defender’s mind..
Ben white is doing a good job defensively but is probably not as effective in the timing of his runs as a natural full back , which is understandable.
China
“But the idea that it’s a good thing to have frail looking players because they will be more technical is strange”
What is strange is that you deduced such an opinion from this comment of mine .
“The fact that Arteta has brought in a player of Vieira’s size and stature is great news for me, the more technically gifted players we bring in the better.”
My take on Vieira is that he is probably not match fit, so is half a yard short of pace, meaning he is more susceptible to getting caught on the ball if he tried taking players on. He sensibly played within himself v Brentford but it was noticeable that his confidence grew as the game progressed. What i liked about him is wasn’t afraid to tell his team mates if he wasn’t given the ball when in space or if they made the wrong decision with the ball . I am excited for what he can bring to the team… Read more »
To put the conversation to bed:
Great technical ability = good
Great technical ability + decent muscle mass = better
Agreed?
No sensible takes allowed on here re FV’s weight Matt.
Show yourself the door. If he hits the gym and so much as lifts a barbell his muscles will explode and he will walk out of the gym looking like Alex Volkanovski in his Rugby days.
Lean muscle doesn’t exist.
It’s not like hitting the gym and putting on size helped a teenage Cristiano Ronaldo in the PL or anything.
Vieira should avoid headers, the impact will damage his delicate neck.
I don’t suppose Vieira has ever in his whole life been anything but the slightest person on the pitch. He has managed to reach the top of the footballing pyramid through his technique and skill but also because he’s coped with the physical challenges he’s been faced with.
Check out the two Silvas, David and Bernardo- do you think there weren’t critics suggesting they wouldn’t be able to handle the physicality of PL?
The guys a talent who the Arsenal hierarchy decided to spend £30m + on, they chose to discount the significance of his slim build!
Bob
David Silva weighed 20lbs+ more than FV does. BS weighs 10lbs+ more.
Nobody is saying that he has to live in the gym and emulate Adama Traore. Adding a little lean muscle to his frame will massively benefit him in England.
Now now weagle, have to be showing yourself that door
In all seriousness. I think for a first pl start away from home against the new Stoke City of the league, Vieira was a little quiet first half, but warmed into the game, to then come up with an absolute cracker of a goal. Cannot complain about that.
Vieira was dropping very deep and wide first half picking up the ball and making the simpler passes. But 2nd half he was trying to do a lot more with it. His confidence definitely grew as the game went on.
Can’t wait to see more of the chap that’s for sure.
Absolute rubbish on here about Vieira. Firstly, spindly legged athletes abound, consider Mo Fara. Secondly, the most serious problems afflicting footballers are to do with bones and joints and ligaments, not muscle. Thirdly, we’v seen Vieria strike the ball with power. Fourthly, he has the ball control and dribbling ability to ride brutal force. Fifthly, Arteta described him as a major asset, first one through the summer window.
WE I was a small,slight and compact boxer in my teens and into my 20’s. I was West Glamorgan County champion for 3 years on the spin, I never lifted a weight in any time at the gym. It slows you down massively- you’re much quicker without muscle mass. In (it kills me to say it) was correct when he said ‘jab is your friend’. Interesting to read the comments from the young uns on here pontificate on boxers and bouts(never fights if you’ve boxed)-when they’ve never lifted a glove in their life. That was then…now I like to have… Read more »
In was correct 👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻
Dammit….Un…
Jonny That is interesting, I’ll have to remember that the next time I cross you! You never lose the hands even if the hips and the back will go 🤣 I get your point and same with Un re muscle mass slowing down an athlete if too much is added. We are talking about just adding a bit of lean muscle though, not going on a Traore/Hulk level bulk. Nketiah looks a different beast physically this season after adding a few lbs to his frame. FV is literally the lightest player in the league right now or thereabouts, it is… Read more »
Jonnygunner.
Confirmation from Thierry Henry
https://youtu.be/Xq56ql1fFHQ
Herpes army.Don’t think “ special sauce” needed peps hand at all on the contrary from recent reports it appears it was in fact Pepsi on the ol dog n bone to “ Generational “ asking advice.Learn to suck it up.If you can’t say anything positive at this moment in time.Keep schtum.🤫
FB is only 22 though, he’ll find it extremely hard to hold on to that 58kgs for too long. His body will naturally grow,and his weight with it.
P.s. W E….the back’s on and off now (occasionally)…my job 😉
Goobergooner.Interesting take on the new “ Stoke city”( orcs) in the prem.Playing wise.I’d suggest there is a cartel of them at present adopting the “ put the frightners on em” method.They would be Everton & fat Frank,Brentford,Aston Villa & slippy G,Leeds,Bournemouth & Palace & paddy( to a lesser degree) with the like of Newcastle adopting it when reqd,namely playing Arsenal.
Around Half a dozen or so to “ battle “ with if needed.If you don’t match the physicality with that lot your in trouble.
If you train for aesthetics muscle mass will you slow down, in rugby and sprinting muscle makes you explosive.
Clean and jerks, thrusts will Not slow you down.
Dont expect Vieira to do bench presses and curls.
Are you a spoilt child, P. Pete whose default setting is to hurl childish names if others don’t share your opinion?
The only conversation I can imagine on the ‘ol dog and bone, is how much Pep would have to charge Arteta for two players who significantly raise Arsenal’s levels without making it look too obvious to the rest of the world.
I think it’s naïve to believe anything else given they worked closely together at City.
So you suck it up and stop being such a rude disrespectful prick.
Haha positive Pete. I was being a bit harsh on Brentford, they aren’t the thugs Stoke were. Just a coincidence the colours are they same and they love a good long throw/high cross.
Also will never be able to not laugh at “slippy g”. Seriously hilarious moment that was. I did feel for him though haha.
But yeah PP, the PL is definitely the most physical league, no denying that.
Englands best says absolute rubbish on here about Vieira, then goes on to say:
‘Firstly, spindly legged athletes abound, consider Mo Farah’
Imagine using someone from a completely different sport as a reason why muscle mass is not important when that sport is long distance running. Classic!
Ok the BOTTLE Pedro what’s in it.
Is this what Arteta is feeding the troops
is this the elixir that has caused our massive
improvement is it a supplement for Vierra.?
I’m totally puzzled it looks very fiery (chilli peppers).?
Or is it sweet.
Come on panel help me out.
James, it’s the special sauce everyone told me Arteta didn’t have!
GoobergoonerSeptember 20, 2022 15:45:37
Haha positive Pete. I was being a bit harsh on Brentford, they aren’t the thugs Stoke were. Just a coincidence the colours are they same and they love a good long throw/high cross.
Goober..and Rory Delap…Southampton..red’n’white stripes….loooooooong throw in 😂⚽️⚽️⚽️
Media and some of you keep saying we’re young and inexperienced yet our so called young players have been playing in this league for +years so are they really still inexperienced??? For me the team is maturing at an alarming rate and its no surprise we are top pf the league. Anything can happen this season. If Leicester can win it then its possible to at least keep up with City all season long. For me 2nd spot is guaranteed. Just cover Partey by signing Danilo and get that extra winger(Mudryk) in, come January we will be neck to neck… Read more »
Hakuna matata!
Kenyangunner
Nice to see another Kenyan here!