Havertz back in midfield again. It might work but the evidence so far has been it is poor. When will mikel keep a balance? Give Merino a run out in his actual position instead of shoe horning Havertz anywhere. Havertz is one of our two CFs so if he doesn't start, keep him on the bench. No issues other than that.
There’s an unlikely but not impossible scenario about city by the end of tomorrow
If Fulham beat Southampton (probable)
Bournemouth beat Utd (possible) and Brighton beat West Ham (possible), then depending on the GD for Brighton and Fulham, man city could be 9th by Sunday night having played the same number of games as all the teams above them.
City were absolutely dreadful. As bad as I’ve seen them play since before the money bags arrived. But worse than being awful, they actually barely even tried in the second half. This leads me to think mentally they don’t have the hunger to win the league this season.
They’ll turn the corner for form eventually but you don’t win the league if you can’t be arsed. Today they didn’t give a fuck when 2-0 down. Slow, careless, didn’t press. Awful. Great to see
Meanwhile Villa were fabulous from front to back. Everyone was fantastic but Tielemans, onana, Robert’s and Duran were all absolutely incredible. Beautiful performance!
This has to be the start of a long winning run. Most players back now, some unexpected players finding their form, and on the back of a very good 2nd half against CP. Can’t be having another miserable Christmas period again! Coyg!
If they can do that, so can the A team. We can beat Palace if we stay focused.
I know we've had a very bumpy start to the season but I think we need to keep powering on and do our best.
But I genuinely think that this season we need to focus on the competitions as this is what will build a winning resilience in the team.
Getting to a final and winning is the best medicine if we want to win the biggest trophies (EPL and CL) and get that winning IP built into the team. Winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup should be on our radar this season.
Good to see Jesus have a great game. Hopefully he will get decent minutes too. Sterling played well too. Should have scored a goal. Made one great incisive pass that wasn't finished properly. he even made a key defensive play at one point. BOTH Jesus and Sterling need minutes to get back close to the former selves. They're older players so they need minutes to get their rhythm. Our top starters clearly can't do it night in and night out so they need a rest. And need to heal and not continuously be overplayed to the point of breaking. Arteta needs to rotate better. He will break Partey soon enough if he is forever played at RB. Trust Lewis-Kelly!! This allows Timber to play at his best position RB. if Arteta would play Nwaneri, Jesus and Sterling more then Saka, Odegaard and Havertz would be fresher and more productive when they get their minutes.
He could play ONCE a week rotating with Kiwior who was great last year when given a string of games. MLS can do this until either of Zinny, Tomiyasu or Calafiori get back
5 years look truth be told he's a bit lucky to still be in the job first 2 and a bit seasons he could have got the Emery treatment but in hindsight it was probably just as well he wasn't cause he did turn it around. But he's very close now to latter Wenger territory where his decision making, stubbornness and rigidness is costing him. Wenger very stubborn in the transfer market never addressing needs and Arteta is the same. If I see another keeper or defender signing (you will in the summer) over an attacker imma lose it. Also like Wenger very rigid tactically. Whereas Wenger was gung-ho and shit defensively tets is defensive and shit offensively.
Arteta has fixed nothing, he massively failed for his first 18 months and should have been fired but instead the Kroenkes launched their third "project" in past fifteen years and got rid of all our players instead of the novice coach.
Arteta is a proper DEI hire, zero expectations and he just all about the vibes.
For fucks sake stay off Elons Twitter, it’s a dangerous place for impressionable dumbfucks. Only use X like I do, just to DM Ciro and Mystic’s mothers when I want them to meet me in a public bathroom.
I'd say about 95% of that post was bollox. Third project? Got rid of shite players. DEI hire? Look buddy touch grass once in a while and limit your time on the Internet for your own sake.
Arteta was supposedly pushing for splashing decent money on Joan Gracia of Espanyol. It wasn't until Edu decided to stop that nonsense and get an actual backup GK.
Why do you go for a 23 yo GK, who's good enough to be the main GK of a club in a big league, when you've just bought Raya? And for £20m? When you've got holes to fill in your team? It's hard to defend the thought process behind it.
I wish Winner was one of the words they could chose to describe Arteta instead of Commitment or Passion. And in what way is Arteta accountable, he stays employed with Arsenal whether he wins anything or not.
True to be honest. "Incredible" is way over the top for lifting 1 FA Cup.
Yes, I like that we're back among the best teams in Europe, but at the end of the day, it's a results business.
For Kroenke Enterprises, they might be happy with the recent influx of money due to Arsenal qualifying to the CL again.
But for us, fans, in the 5 years as a whole, the football has not been an eye candy. And just 1 FA Cup to show for it? It's not enough to be classified as "incredible".
Osimhen being in Turkey says nothing about his level by the way. Turkish league is probably on par or better than Portuguese league and we are all wanting Gyokores eh?
He's absolutely beasting Turkey and seems in a hurry to leave if you ask me. Get that man at Arsenal ASAP
Yea that will be the dream signing for me as well, tall, good in the air and very mobile as well, misses a fair few but he'll guarantee you at least 20 goals a season.
Another aspect of his game that seems to always be overlooked is he's a hard worker as well plus being great in the air fits well with our High profile set pieces
It's very rare that Arsenal sign obvious players to plug obvious holes though. Only time I can remember off the top of my head is when we signed Auba. He was ready made and gave us trophy. Osimhen will do the same. But club (Arteta) is more likely to sign Sesko or another wannabe striker.
Eze isn't available. That is a huge threat off the table.
Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus.
Nice to see that MLS is being selected again.
And really happy to see Oartey back in MF.
With that line-up, we really should be beating Palace this evening.
Havertz back in midfield again. It might work but the evidence so far has been it is poor. When will mikel keep a balance? Give Merino a run out in his actual position instead of shoe horning Havertz anywhere. Havertz is one of our two CFs so if he doesn't start, keep him on the bench. No issues other than that.
There’s an unlikely but not impossible scenario about city by the end of tomorrow
If Fulham beat Southampton (probable)
Bournemouth beat Utd (possible) and Brighton beat West Ham (possible), then depending on the GD for Brighton and Fulham, man city could be 9th by Sunday night having played the same number of games as all the teams above them.
Wow watched the city game.
City were absolutely dreadful. As bad as I’ve seen them play since before the money bags arrived. But worse than being awful, they actually barely even tried in the second half. This leads me to think mentally they don’t have the hunger to win the league this season.
They’ll turn the corner for form eventually but you don’t win the league if you can’t be arsed. Today they didn’t give a fuck when 2-0 down. Slow, careless, didn’t press. Awful. Great to see
Meanwhile Villa were fabulous from front to back. Everyone was fantastic but Tielemans, onana, Robert’s and Duran were all absolutely incredible. Beautiful performance!
This has to be the start of a long winning run. Most players back now, some unexpected players finding their form, and on the back of a very good 2nd half against CP. Can’t be having another miserable Christmas period again! Coyg!
What are the chances Jesus, having scored three against them midweek, starts today?
20% start, 100% come on!
MG42, put you in the sin bin for a week so you can think about how you conduct yourself daily on an Arsenal blog.
It's very boring.
That’s gonna fix it, for sure.
Fixed mindset or Damascene conversion?
He might experience the latter if Arteta wins a treble
Look, we demolished Palace with the B team.
If they can do that, so can the A team. We can beat Palace if we stay focused.
I know we've had a very bumpy start to the season but I think we need to keep powering on and do our best.
But I genuinely think that this season we need to focus on the competitions as this is what will build a winning resilience in the team.
Getting to a final and winning is the best medicine if we want to win the biggest trophies (EPL and CL) and get that winning IP built into the team. Winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup should be on our radar this season.
Can’t wait till tomorrow because in the end it’s all about this amazing club and the privilege to be a fan of the greatest club in the world
https://youtu.be/_DivH1dWGbw?si=l5yUO7XY1O9DaW-9
Good to see Jesus have a great game. Hopefully he will get decent minutes too. Sterling played well too. Should have scored a goal. Made one great incisive pass that wasn't finished properly. he even made a key defensive play at one point. BOTH Jesus and Sterling need minutes to get back close to the former selves. They're older players so they need minutes to get their rhythm. Our top starters clearly can't do it night in and night out so they need a rest. And need to heal and not continuously be overplayed to the point of breaking. Arteta needs to rotate better. He will break Partey soon enough if he is forever played at RB. Trust Lewis-Kelly!! This allows Timber to play at his best position RB. if Arteta would play Nwaneri, Jesus and Sterling more then Saka, Odegaard and Havertz would be fresher and more productive when they get their minutes.
Whilst I agree with many of your points, I suspect it's a bit too early in MLS's career to start him 2/3 times in a week.
He could play ONCE a week rotating with Kiwior who was great last year when given a string of games. MLS can do this until either of Zinny, Tomiyasu or Calafiori get back
Calafiori supposedly back today!
I’d be happy to see MLS getting some minutes in midfield. No offence to Jorginho but I’d give his minutes to MLS.
The dot com sez-- Rice and Califiori are cleared to play tomorrow.
Apparently Zinchencko too.
Considering calafiori is made of glass I think no need to rush him back. Play MLS and let Calafiori take a few extra days, or even the whole week off
5 years look truth be told he's a bit lucky to still be in the job first 2 and a bit seasons he could have got the Emery treatment but in hindsight it was probably just as well he wasn't cause he did turn it around. But he's very close now to latter Wenger territory where his decision making, stubbornness and rigidness is costing him. Wenger very stubborn in the transfer market never addressing needs and Arteta is the same. If I see another keeper or defender signing (you will in the summer) over an attacker imma lose it. Also like Wenger very rigid tactically. Whereas Wenger was gung-ho and shit defensively tets is defensive and shit offensively.
Arteta has fixed nothing, he massively failed for his first 18 months and should have been fired but instead the Kroenkes launched their third "project" in past fifteen years and got rid of all our players instead of the novice coach.
Arteta is a proper DEI hire, zero expectations and he just all about the vibes.
For fucks sake stay off Elons Twitter, it’s a dangerous place for impressionable dumbfucks. Only use X like I do, just to DM Ciro and Mystic’s mothers when I want them to meet me in a public bathroom.
I'd say about 95% of that post was bollox. Third project? Got rid of shite players. DEI hire? Look buddy touch grass once in a while and limit your time on the Internet for your own sake.
Arteta was supposedly pushing for splashing decent money on Joan Gracia of Espanyol. It wasn't until Edu decided to stop that nonsense and get an actual backup GK.
Why do you go for a 23 yo GK, who's good enough to be the main GK of a club in a big league, when you've just bought Raya? And for £20m? When you've got holes to fill in your team? It's hard to defend the thought process behind it.
Right. Never mind the forward areas. Let’s emerge from a messy situation of having two top goalkeepers and immediately repeat it instead
@Arsenal
Commitment. Accountability. Passion.
Five incredible years of Mikel Arteta - here's to many more memorable moments ❤️
___________________________________________________
While I'm grateful, we need to win trophies to make his time be remembered for more than Arsenal being second best.
I wish Winner was one of the words they could chose to describe Arteta instead of Commitment or Passion. And in what way is Arteta accountable, he stays employed with Arsenal whether he wins anything or not.
The man has won seven medals in his coaching career--
2x English Champion
18/19 Premier League
17/18 Premier League
2x English FA Cup winner
19/20 FA Cup
18/19 FA Cup
3x English Super Cup winner
23/24 Community Shield
20/21 Community Shield
18/19 Community Shield
Won a few things as a player as well--
2x English FA Cup winner
2015 Arsenal FC
2014 Arsenal FC
2x English Super Cup winner
15/16 Arsenal FC
14/15 Arsenal FC
1x Scottish champion
02/03 Rangers FC
02/03 Rangers FC
1x Scottish league cup winner
02/03 Rangers FC
True to be honest. "Incredible" is way over the top for lifting 1 FA Cup.
Yes, I like that we're back among the best teams in Europe, but at the end of the day, it's a results business.
For Kroenke Enterprises, they might be happy with the recent influx of money due to Arsenal qualifying to the CL again.
But for us, fans, in the 5 years as a whole, the football has not been an eye candy. And just 1 FA Cup to show for it? It's not enough to be classified as "incredible".
Arteta/Arsenal need trophies and swiftly.
We have 12 games in the next 36 days !!
Our non injured players are:
Tros, Gabi, Kai, Jesus, Saka, Sterling
6 for 3 positions, ideal for rotation
Ode, Ethan
2 for 1. Tricky rotation given how raw Ethan is. Fabio will be missed !
Merino, Jorg, Partey, Rice
If Partey stays fit, ideal for rotation and 2 for every position
Skelly, Kiwor, Gabi, Saliba, Timber, Tierney
(White, Tomi, Chenko, Calafori injured)
We’re fucked here !
Raya, Neto
Very weak position here.
Basically, we should be selling Chenko, Kiwor, Tierney, and Tomi by the summer window. Means we can probably buy someone in Jan.
If we don’t, then and we’ll lose more players to injury, we’ll be accused of being unlucky.
Osimhen being in Turkey says nothing about his level by the way. Turkish league is probably on par or better than Portuguese league and we are all wanting Gyokores eh?
He's absolutely beasting Turkey and seems in a hurry to leave if you ask me. Get that man at Arsenal ASAP
Yea that will be the dream signing for me as well, tall, good in the air and very mobile as well, misses a fair few but he'll guarantee you at least 20 goals a season.
Another aspect of his game that seems to always be overlooked is he's a hard worker as well plus being great in the air fits well with our High profile set pieces
Maybe the only striker obtainable, that could be a good fit in our pressing schemes as well.
It's very rare that Arsenal sign obvious players to plug obvious holes though. Only time I can remember off the top of my head is when we signed Auba. He was ready made and gave us trophy. Osimhen will do the same. But club (Arteta) is more likely to sign Sesko or another wannabe striker.