Morning all. Just did an (admittedly intense) half hour on some sort of bike in the hotel gym, and I am genuinely a lot lot lot more exhausted than after any half-marathon. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea after all. Less stress now all got sorted by yesterday, but today is not going to be quiet, with several hundred people noisily mucking about in a room with noisy equipment.
Looking forward to a drink at the Welcome reception at the end of the day though. Have a nice one, arses.
Preventive ‘well in Bruce!’
Forest have an even tougher set of fixtures. I think Spurs will stay up.
Forest probably only need one more win to stay up which hopefully, fingers crossed, they can get from Sunderland. I do think it's West Ham we need to worry about.
Spuds and Hammers both have pretty daunting schedules left. Gonna be a nail biter.
Forest have an even tougher set of fixtures. I think Spurs will stay up.
Just watched Adrian Clarke's analysis of yesterday's game. Interesting, especially in his analysis of what could have been better in the run-up to the two C115y goals.
https://youtu.be/YKA7-tev7AA
Agree with his assessment. Zubi was not at it, Martinelli taking the heat, he was pressing but Zubi has been a disappointment and Rice was well off it too.
Just watched Adrian Clarke's analysis of yesterday's game. Interesting, especially in his analysis of what could have been better in the run-up to the two C115y goals.
https://youtu.be/YKA7-tev7AA Spuds have one gimme against Wolves which should be a slam dunk win...oh.
Mind you, now Wolves are down, they might be able to play with a little more freedom!
As we know, even 2 goals up!
Spuds have one gimme against Wolves which should be a slam dunk win...oh.
Should be on paper but…
Yes, Hazza the Wolves extinct.
+are
Wolves relegation confirmed
Yes, Hazza the Wolves extinct.
Spuds have one gimme against Wolves which should be a slam dunk win...oh.
It would be utterly hilarious if they lose to Wolves...
Wolves relegation confirmed
Spuds and Hammers both have pretty daunting schedules left. Gonna be a nail biter.
Spuds have one gimme against Wolves which should be a slam dunk win...oh.
Spuds and Hammers both have pretty daunting schedules left. Gonna be a nail biter.
West Ham face Everton and Brentford before they face us. They need to win to be safe. Our game against them comes after 4 games as we play Newcastle, Atletico Madrid, Fulham, Atletico Madrid. Assuming we beat Newcastle (we don't deserve to win it if we cannot beat them at their current lowest form), both Fulham and West Ham are potential banana skins.
Do you even know what "bottled" means? It means that we failed to win the league because we lost our nerve. Rhyming slang: Bottle and glass = arse. If you bottle it, it means you shit yourself. We fai...
We did shit ourselves against City twice, then draws against West Ham, Southampton (who got relegated btw), lost against Brighton at our home, lost vs Forest . Most of these results came in April and May of that season. The draws against West Ham and Southampton in successive games really killed our momentum and by the time we got to City, we seemed to be done. We lost 2 games in succession to Brighton and Forest in May. Who knows what kind of pressure it might have put on City?
Palace more open than I expected. Thought they might give City a game when that fixture is finally played, but they're likely to rest players before the semi final or the final, if the game is played ...
West Ham away is the tougher of the two games.
Fantastic post. I really believe that's hindered his development. Playing him as a striker sometimes, perhaps a second one, could have honed his instinct for goal and developed him as an all round for...
Martinelli 50 m same as we paid fur Nomi and nufc for Elanga, Ancellottoni picks martinelli for Brazil national team. Psg captain is Brazilian, he has rated back in brazil. Psg could probably do with a versitille attacker, also hard working defensively player. 50 m is coins down the back of the sofa for oil rich psg
Palace more open than I expected. Thought they might give City a game when that fixture is finally played, but they're likely to rest players before the semi final or the final, if the game is played before either of them. Annoying.
Listening to to Arsecast, there is discussion on Martinelli’s mistake of not tracking back O’Reily for their goal. I think an equally important question is why we didn’t take advantage of such an atta...
Both teams made mistakes- typically what happens when a chance is generated. On the whole I think the game was fairly balanced in terms of real chances. They took theirs and we did not take ours which is the story of this team.
Listening to to Arsecast, there is discussion on Martinelli’s mistake of not tracking back O’Reily for their goal. I think an equally important question is why we didn’t take advantage of such an attacking fullback (and Doku). We created nothing from our right except for the last cross from Trossard.
Mavrapanos with a superb header, but the Palace keeper makes a brilliant save.
Should have scored
Mavrapanos with a superb header, but the Palace keeper makes a brilliant save.
An unorthodox choice that will raise a few eyebrows. 😄
Been on the cards for years.
Only if they throw Kvaratskhelia in the Deal! 😄
Heh any one of their front four or their midfield. Vitinha could wriggle his way out of quicksand.
I like Palace as a club but........
Come on West Ham!!!
I 100% agree that we have not developed him well. At his best he's curling his runs and doing his damage centrally. All of the classic Martinelli moments are him running straight through the center. H...
Fantastic post. I really believe that's hindered his development. Playing him as a striker sometimes, perhaps a second one, could have honed his instinct for goal and developed him as an all round forward player.
An unorthodox choice that will raise a few eyebrows. 😄
Remember when Martinelli played centre forward at a pinch at Anfield last May? Actually looked useful and scored a header (he's a demon in the air but never gets the chance). Why did that never happen...
I 100% agree that we have not developed him well. At his best he's curling his runs and doing his damage centrally. All of the classic Martinelli moments are him running straight through the center. However asking him to keep width and the LB playing inside does not allow him that flexibility.
At the same time he is severely hampered by his head down technique.
Henry would make a good attacking coach I'm guessing. That is, if Arteta will ever have him
Thierry likes the smell of his own farts too much to ever be a serious coach
Remember when Martinelli played centre forward at a pinch at Anfield last May? Actually looked useful and scored a header (he's a demon in the air but never gets the chance). Why did that never happen...
Cos he's shit and has to be sold!
Perhaps Luis Enrique could be persuaded to play his trade in a league with more than one or two big teams?
I mean, who tf shall Arsenal replace Mikel with?Friggin Samuel Beckett?
He’s in his first managerial job and to be fair he’s learned and pivoted over time. I do not think he is blinded by ego. He’s seen first hand working for Pep how important coaches are in their capacit...
Henry would make a good attacking coach I'm guessing. That is, if Arteta will ever have him
We played fantastic, attacking football in 2022-2023 with Zinchenko and Jesus being added. Then we bottled the league later that season because we didn't have a backup for Saliba and Arteta instead of...
All opponents know how to frustrate us and that is by parking the bus. Something's gotta give. I don't know what the solution is but Horseshoe ball is not the answer.
Remember when Martinelli played centre forward at a pinch at Anfield last May? Actually looked useful and scored a header (he's a demon in the air but never gets the chance). Why did that never happen again?
Do you even know what "bottled" means? It means that we failed to win the league because we lost our nerve. Rhyming slang: Bottle and glass = arse. If you bottle it, it means you shit yourself. We fai...
Arris
Aristotle
Bottle
Bottle and Glass
Arse
Well in Pontus
I would think he sees them longer term , Arteta had just signed a contract extension himself before he bought , from memory.
Metro says martinelli to psg for 50 m
LOL he is nowhere near the technical level of that team.
Time to get Big Sam in, for sure.
Either that, or "Linkedin Liam the David Brent motivational speaker" (© Rory Jennings) may become available ...
Only if they throw Kvaratskhelia in the Deal! 😄
heh, snap
It’s a bit strange comparing with Slot. He won a title last season, will get CL this season and his job seems to be on the line. Are Liverpool just a bit more ambitious?
I think in short yes, they are a bigger club with loftier heights. But there is also more complexity to it outside of that.
Slot is deemed to have man managed very poorly this year, in particular his treatment of Salah.
And the real hammer blow which Arteta needs to be mindful of, is that Liverpool fans hate the slow, laborious football Slot has them playing.
I would think he sees them longer term , Arteta had just signed a contract extension himself before he bought , from memory.
Metro says martinelli to psg for 50 m
Only if they throw Kvaratskhelia in the Deal! 😄
ha ha, Nelli plus cash swap for Khvicha, done and done.
I'm afraid Arteta doesn't "do" attacking coaches. That's just not his style. This season is the one. The excuses have run out.
He’s in his first managerial job and to be fair he’s learned and pivoted over time. I do not think he is blinded by ego. He’s seen first hand working for Pep how important coaches are in their capacities. For example there is no way Kompany is the architect beyond Bayern’s attack. Pep brought in Klopp’s guy.
I mean, who tf shall Arsenal replace Mikel with?Friggin Samuel Beckett?
Time to get Big Sam in, for sure.
We played fantastic, attacking football in 2022-2023 with Zinchenko and Jesus being added. Then we bottled the league later that season because we didn't have a backup for Saliba and Arteta instead of...
Do you even know what "bottled" means? It means that we failed to win the league because we lost our nerve. Rhyming slang: Bottle and glass = arse. If you bottle it, it means you shit yourself. We failed to win the league because we didn't have backup for Saliba — that is not the same as losing our nerve!
I would think he sees them longer term , Arteta had just signed a contract extension himself before he bought , from memory.
Metro says martinelli to psg for 50 m
Metro? Nailed on then
To be fair Southampton is the 2nd highest scoring team in the Championship and they are right there in the mix to finish 2nd and get automatic promotion. On the day they were so well organized.
I ju...
yes. He's not a bad keeper, he's jut not our best keeper.
And also, a bit like Gyokeres, who isn't our best striker, but also not a bad striker, he can't play the way he's asked to
Bite their fucking hand off!
Welcome! Anthony Gordon!
I'm afraid Arteta doesn't "do" attacking coaches. That's just not his style. This season is the one. The excuses have run out.
We played fantastic, attacking football in 2022-2023 with Zinchenko and Jesus being added. Then we bottled the league later that season because we didn't have a backup for Saliba and Arteta instead of trusting Kiwior stuck with Rob Holding. His reaction to that bottling was "control, control, kill them with a 1000 passes". We were still great in 2023-2024 somehow but last season botched it partly because of injuries but also because our attack became horse shoe patterned. He has become even more cautious in the way we play resulting in our goalkeeper having more touches than the ball than our £60M metronome that we bought last summer. I highly doubt that he will go the Arsene way and allow players to express themselves... he comes across as someone who wants to micromanage all key phases.
I would think he sees them longer term , Arteta had just signed a contract extension himself before he bought , from memory.
Metro says martinelli to psg for 50 m
Bite their fucking hand off!
I'm not even talking about how to sell them but if the manager would even consider it at all after just buying them? I'd be surprised.
I would think he sees them longer term , Arteta had just signed a contract extension himself before he bought , from memory.
Metro says martinelli to psg for 50 m
Remains to be seen if Slot was a good appointment. He’s got his title but can he build a team for sustained success?
I still think Arteta was a wonderful appointment. But now it’s time to win. It’s a...
I agree, actually. Raid the attacking coaches of Bournemouth, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, PSG, etc. The way they pass and move was deeply impressive and worrying when we played them.
Remains to be seen if Slot was a good appointment. He’s got his title but can he build a team for sustained success?
I still think Arteta was a wonderful appointment. But now it’s time to win. It’s a...
I'm afraid Arteta doesn't "do" attacking coaches. That's just not his style. This season is the one. The excuses have run out.
Christ, are we going down the Wenger In and Wenger Out route? Having different opinions about our manager reduced to this. If he leaves, so be it, but let's not be moaning if it goes tits up. Not ever...
Remains to be seen if Slot was a good appointment. He’s got his title but can he build a team for sustained success?
I still think Arteta was a wonderful appointment. But now it’s time to win. It’s a fair criticism that he’s hd some gaps from an attacking perspective.
If he stays not only do we need some player personnel changes but we need an attacking coach.
Arse
Well in Bundas
The Quadruple is on I guess
The problem with finding a good striker is that there aren't many in the game. 20-30 years ago there was an abundance of quality strikers throughout Europe and the world in general, nowadays I struggl...
That was a truly good Transfer. Ace Player.
Christ, are we going down the Wenger In and Wenger Out route? Having different opinions about our manager reduced to this. If he leaves, so be it, but let's not be moaning if it goes tits up. Not ever...
If Arteta goes, and we get lucky in the way of Arne Slot that means that the new manager will win the league with Arteta's team, but it's all downhill after that.
(in today's market, that is... sigh)
Cherki went for £30.45 million
The problem with finding a good striker is that there aren't many in the game. 20-30 years ago there was an abundance of quality strikers throughout Europe and the world in general, nowadays I struggle to think of ten quality strikers, and as far as availability is concerned that is another matter.
Merino isn't a great example of money squandered (as an attacker maybe but he was never signed as an attacker). £30M for a well-round all-purpose squad player is not half bad.
(in today's market, that is... sigh)
I see quite a few pro-Arteta fans blaming Berta for the summer signings. Mainly the Gyokeres signing. This is a pathetic narrative to shift the blame from Arteta to Berta. Mikel was the one who insist...
Merino isn't a great example of money squandered (as an attacker maybe but he was never signed as an attacker). £30M for a well-round all-purpose squad player is not half bad.
I see quite a few pro-Arteta fans blaming Berta for the summer signings. Mainly the Gyokeres signing. This is a pathetic narrative to shift the blame from Arteta to Berta. Mikel was the one who insist...
Christ, are we going down the Wenger In and Wenger Out route? Having different opinions about our manager reduced to this. If he leaves, so be it, but let's not be moaning if it goes tits up. Not every club can strike it lucky with a Slot-type appointment.
And look what joy Sesko brought to ManUre. Currently on nine PL goals. That is an astonishingly shit return for such an hyped player (and the fee paid).
Our options weren't great, to be fair. I think the only striker available (as it turns out) last summer who would've had me more excited was Isak and that hasn't exactly gone to plan for Liverpool either.
I see quite a few pro-Arteta fans blaming Berta for the summer signings. Mainly the Gyokeres signing. This is a pathetic narrative to shift the blame from Arteta to Berta. Mikel was the one who insisted that the club spend £50M on Madueke (when he was not doing well at Chelsea), £60M for Zubimendi, £30M for Merino and also £65M on Havertz .
Havertz was signed as a midfielder but can not play that or even as a#10. That he worked out to be a good striker is simply because we didn't have any other option.
Merino is someone who cannot really dominate in midfield nor he is some excellent playmaker but turned out to be a good solution as striker. Fabio Vieira around £35M is another one.
Arteta has been very poor at profiling attackers.
Each and every signing at the club is not made without Arteta's approval.
It's was the only other team in fir Vik they bought Sesko. Did anyone else want Noni? Name a club who there was speculation of ...
And look what joy Sesko brought to ManUre. Currently on nine PL goals. That is an astonishingly shit return for such an hyped player (and the fee paid).
By giving them away for free, like we did with Aubameyang. Ownership can and should take the hit. The transfer market was never and should never be a profit centre if we're serious about winning.
If we're going to do that this summer for anyone it'll be Jesus. On huge money and no longer really offering much of anything for that money.
I'm not even talking about how to sell them but if the manager would even consider it at all after just buying them? I'd be surprised.
Very unlikely. Apart from the serious lack of suiters, it would be publicly admitting he got them both wrong. They are both here for at least another couple of seasons.
Liverpool bookies and pundits title favourites in August after Isak and wertz signing
And look what joy that brought them. Wirtz still looking for a role is one heck of a 160 mill punt gone sour. Etikite, a success in my view, has currently one goal less than Gyökeres in the PL. Gyök is not the answer to Arsenal's need for an elite 9, but neither is he the dud, that people make him out for.
Couldn't agree more with the statement 💯
But, damn, those are tiny, tiny steps!
And there will be others making those same steps, perhaps bigger ones, next season. It could be a 3-horse race. Or more, if players are all knackered after the WC.
There's only one other manager I could envisage potentially doing a better job next season, but he's supposedly on the verge of signing a new contract at PSG.
It's was the only other team in fir Vik they bought Sesko. Did anyone else want Noni? Name a club who there was speculation of ...
there are plenty of mid table clubs who would've taken Noni last summer (and still would), just nowhere near the price we paid.
Howevers the manager or sports director, new or current who u signing them , on the wages . Admittedly Big vik is oNly !! 100k a week. Same a noni. How do you get the players off the books ?
By giving them away for free, like we did with Aubameyang. Ownership can and should take the hit. The transfer market was never and should never be a profit centre if we're serious about winning.
Howevers the manager or sports director, new or current who u signing them , on the wages . Admittedly Big vik is oNly !! 100k a week. Same a noni. How do you get the players off the books ?
I'm not even talking about how to sell them but if the manager would even consider it at all after just buying them? I'd be surprised.
If necessary, by selling them to a willing buyer.
It's was the only other team in fir Vik they bought Sesko. Did anyone else want Noni? Name a club who there was speculation of ...
I mean, who tf shall Arsenal replace Mikel with?Friggin Samuel Beckett?
There's plenty of candidates. We're talking about someone who's in his *first* management job. He's not indispensable.
I don't question Arsenal's ambition these days. Josh Kroenke definitely wants to win now. But Liverpool have just been better at running their football club. You just need to zoom out and see how gene...
Liverpool bookies and pundits title favourites in August after Isak and wertz signing
Howevers the manager or sports director, new or current who u signing them , on the wages . Admittedly Big vik is oNly !! 100k a week. Same a noni. How do you get the players off the books ?
If necessary, by selling them to a willing buyer.
" Will the owners pay for a pretty full rejiggering "
That's actually not the question that concerns me but rather would Arteta and Berta be willing to pull the plug on two brand new attackers...
Howevers the manager or sports director, new or current who u signing them , on the wages . Admittedly Big vik is oNly !! 100k a week. Same a noni. How do you get the players off the books ?
the head-in-hands gesture
I mean, who tf shall Arsenal replace Mikel with?Friggin Samuel Beckett?
It’s a bit strange comparing with Slot. He won a title last season, will get CL this season and his job seems to be on the line. Are Liverpool just a bit more ambitious?
I don't question Arsenal's ambition these days. Josh Kroenke definitely wants to win now. But Liverpool have just been better at running their football club. You just need to zoom out and see how generally good their recruitment has been and how exceptional they've been at calling time on a player and extracting maximum value.
I love his first exasperated head-in-hands reaction to the question. It feels like Arteta could almost answer every journo question like that.
the head-in-hands gesture
Couldn't agree more with the statement 💯
I love his first exasperated head-in-hands reaction to the question. It feels like Arteta could almost answer every journo question like that.
I think your last sentence is sadly accurate and leads to a question I've seen posed by quite a lot recently. If Arsenal don't pick up silverware this season, does Arteta lose the faith of the squad? ...
Technically the two biggest prizes are still on offer so I don't want to be premature but if we don't win one of them it is 100% fair that the players will question the manager and his methods and tactics. The manager of course will question whether the players are good enough.
Chelsea have just put Garnacho up for sale....
You'd have an empty Ashburton Grove because every Gooner died from frontal lobe explosion.
we should probably just stop talking about both him and Gordon, it feels like all our fear and talk that we might make such a ridiculous signing is going to bring it into being. 😬 😂
Couldn't agree more with the statement 💯
I think your last sentence is sadly accurate and leads to a question I've seen posed by quite a lot recently. If Arsenal don't pick up silverware this season, does Arteta lose the faith of the squad? ...
It’s a bit strange comparing with Slot. He won a title last season, will get CL this season and his job seems to be on the line. Are Liverpool just a bit more ambitious?
"Yesterday changes nothing for me - it comes back to whether we win"
for me it changes everything because now even if we win every league game to the end we still might not win. Yesterday too...
Yeah I just meant in terms of the big picture of what the expectations are from this season. Re hazza, that lot will likely drop points. Since Bournemouth, I struggle to believe that we won't. But if we win the thing, then I don't care how we did it.
Nope, still in our hands albeit loosely... We no longer can control the narrative of the title race.
Still feel C115eh will drop points and they do on paper have the slightly harder last 6 games.
mathematically true, it's technically in both our hands and in ¢115eh's hands, but can we really out score them?
As I was saying, all we can do is win all of our remaining games but even if we do that we could still not win.
I think Giannis is correct and through that lens you can still view this season as a failure. Previous seasons were a process and we extracted many learnings. This season winning something (preferably...
I think your last sentence is sadly accurate and leads to a question I've seen posed by quite a lot recently. If Arsenal don't pick up silverware this season, does Arteta lose the faith of the squad?
This obviously works both ways.
"Yesterday changes nothing for me - it comes back to whether we win"
for me it changes everything because now even if we win every league game to the end we still might not win. Yesterday too...
Nope, still in our hands albeit loosely... We no longer can control the narrative of the title race.
Still feel C115eh will drop points and they do on paper have the slightly harder last 6 games.
It's an opinion. Everyone is entitled to one, but I don't agree with it. For me, you have to view it with more context then just did we win or lose. 19 other Teams also wont win the league this year, ...
I think Giannis is correct and through that lens you can still view this season as a failure. Previous seasons were a process and we extracted many learnings. This season winning something (preferably the league) was 💯 the goal.
If we don’t achieve that it is a failure. If for nothing else it is going to shake the foundation of belief to its core.
This is a fact which cannot be disputed.
🧐
It was a decent performance and we probably deserved at least a point. The players gave a lot - hopefully not everything because they'll need to give more.
It's not a coincidence that we play more po...
"Yesterday changes nothing for me - it comes back to whether we win"
for me it changes everything because now even if we win every league game to the end we still might not win. Yesterday took it our of our hands.
That's one point in today's blog that raised an eye brow for me, that our defense was somewhat culpable for that goal. In such close quarters if any of them sticks the slightest foot any further in t...
I agree it’s Max and Eze who have that innate talent. Saka of course has been very effective too but in a different way. Gosh I worry about Bukayo ever getting back to his best level.
Very mixed emotions out of that one. We did play better than we have in quite a while. But we lost anyway, though a draw certainly would have been a reasonable result. xG was close. And if we play lik...
" Will the owners pay for a pretty full rejiggering "
That's actually not the question that concerns me but rather would Arteta and Berta be willing to pull the plug on two brand new attackers who aren't working out? That seems unlikely but can we replace Vik and Noni if we keep them?
With all due respect to them, we were playing Southampton. If our backup goalkeeper can't hack it against them, then we've got problems. It's getting to the Goldilocks stage with us in terms of player...
To be fair Southampton is the 2nd highest scoring team in the Championship and they are right there in the mix to finish 2nd and get automatic promotion. On the day they were so well organized.
I just feel like with Kepa the balance isn't right from the get go as the first phase of buildup always starts with the ball at the GK's feet.
And a second CL semi in two years and a fourth consecutive tilt at the Prem and yet people think MA is a failure
In the domestic cups he is.
I act like a dick all the time to be fair
This is a fact which cannot be disputed.
This is a very interesting choice of video, because when Giannis hadn't won a title, he was constantly pressuring the Bucks to build a better team around him. Two years after winning a title, he made the Bucks trade for a fellow star to try and repeat. Five years after winning a title, he's back to piling on the pressure (being coy about signing a new contract). He's also played a big part in hiring and firing coaches over the last five years.
So it's a nice sentiment, but that dude wants to win multiple titles. And he'll do what it takes to make it happen.
Somewhat like Nasri with that reputation.
That dribble into the box yesterday was unbelievable. The way he barely caresses that ball and weaves through traffic. It almost looks like those videos the ...
That's one point in today's blog that raised an eye brow for me, that our defense was somewhat culpable for that goal. In such close quarters if any of them sticks the slightest foot any further in there Cherki goes down. I just have to hold my hands up and say, goddamn that was some fancy footballing.
Other than maaaaybe Max, do we have anyone at all that could do anything even remotely similar to that? not really. Maybe Eze on a good day?
Really? Publicly so? At this stage of the season? Utd took the piss out of them as revenge for Mason Mount.
TalkShite mentioning the rumour. I’ve not posted a link. Would just feel unclean doing so
Thanks. I watched a few of his videos after defeats, mainly to try and make sense of it without the emotions skewing my understanding and perspective. He's excellent, as you say, and free of the need ...
Watch his videos after wins as well. You can see how happy he is when we win, but he doesn't get carried away. Has Blogs ever had him / thought about having him on an Arsecast?
Chelsea have just put Garnacho up for sale....
Really? Publicly so? At this stage of the season? Utd took the piss out of them as revenge for Mason Mount.
I'm the same, except that my "apart from" also includes Adrian Clarke. His analysis is very professional and calm and comes from the perspective of a true fan who was also a pro who never quite made i...
Thanks. I watched a few of his videos after defeats, mainly to try and make sense of it without the emotions skewing my understanding and perspective. He's excellent, as you say, and free of the need to grind an axe for the sake of clicks.
We simply don’t have an attacker who can grab the game by the scruff. Saka for a small window was that guy but I have concerns whether he’ll ever get back to that.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a new CF,...
Chelsea have just put Garnacho up for sale....
We simply don’t have an attacker who can grab the game by the scruff. Saka for a small window was that guy but I have concerns whether he’ll ever get back to that.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a new CF, LW or attacking mid- if we don’t get tha type of player in the summer we will go nowhere.
Raya sets us up fundamentally how we attack and how we defend. We are totally a different team with Kepa like it or not.
Against Southampton we needed to get back on track and stop the rot. For me th...
With all due respect to them, we were playing Southampton. If our backup goalkeeper can't hack it against them, then we've got problems. It's getting to the Goldilocks stage with us in terms of players.
Important lesson learned over the past few weeks since we started under performing. Media blackout is not just for Christmas, it should be for all year round. I've gained time and perspective in takin...
I'm the same, except that my "apart from" also includes Adrian Clarke. His analysis is very professional and calm and comes from the perspective of a true fan who was also a pro who never quite made it at Arsenal but loves the club and has no axe to grind. Strongly recommended.
Kepa against Southampton? When did he fuck up? Southampton was partly due to White's catastrophic balls up.
Raya sets us up fundamentally how we attack and how we defend. We are totally a different team with Kepa like it or not.
Against Southampton we needed to get back on track and stop the rot. For me that starts with putting Raya back in goal.
Important lesson learned over the past few weeks since we started under performing. Media blackout is not just for Christmas, it should be for all year round. I've gained time and perspective in taking a step back apart from here and Charles Watts.
We need to go with a clear head and target going into the last 5 games. Win at all costs and score as many as you can.
I really hope none of you are exposing yourself to the inevitability of Wednesday nights game.
No way am I watching that. It’s going to be a bloodbath.
I agree not winning the league from where we were/have been is a failure.
It was more a general point about how that term is used.
Yeah fair point. My first post was typed through the context of our season, not all other teams. Clearly if West Ham don't win the league, they won't consider that a failure.
I really hope none of you are exposing yourself to the inevitability of Wednesday nights game.
I think it’s a given, we just have to hope the goal tally is catchable in the remaining games
I really hope none of you are exposing yourself to the inevitability of Wednesday nights game.
that would be masochism at its finest.
I’ve learnt that the closer we get to something the more entitled people seem to get
Entitled? Seriously?
I really hope none of you are exposing yourself to the inevitability of Wednesday nights game.
It's an opinion. Everyone is entitled to one, but I don't agree with it. For me, you have to view it with more context then just did we win or lose. 19 other Teams also wont win the league this year, ...
I’ve learnt that the closer we get to something the more entitled people seem to get
I wonder if this defeat will give the players a boost, a second wind so to speak.
Personally I think the CL is going to be our best bet, Pep has a knack for peaking at the crucial moment and I believe...
"they will now go unbeaten until the end of the season."
unbeaten, nuthin', they'll probably drop no points at all. we need to win out the rest of the season, simple as that.
You realise coming second is not winning, and therefore failure?
Apart from City and perhaps the Liverpool team last season there’s not many supporters of other clubs in the Prem who wouldn’t kill for the seasons that we have had.
Not getting to a position to challenge for the title is a failure
It's an opinion. Everyone is entitled to one, but I don't agree with it. For me, you have to view it with more context then just did we win or lose. 19 other Teams also wont win the league this year, ...
I agree not winning the league from where we were/have been is a failure.
It was more a general point about how that term is used.
" it’s still ostensibly in our hands "
heh, ostensibly, well put.
Oh God, you're not the real one, are you?
Very clever. Pat yourself on the back
I act like a dick all the time to be fair
In lots of agreement with Blogs. Martinelli was poor. Eze was the wrong man to bring off when Odegaard hasn’t started a PL game since January. Could’ve had Havertz and Gyokeres together for a time (we need to have another formation otherwise we are too predictable). Also would’ve thrown the Dowman card in last 10.
Arteta is the one making millions but honestly I think a few of us armchair pundits would’ve made better decisions yesterday.
A Moby acting like a dick is new 🙃
Nice one.
It's an opinion. Everyone is entitled to one, but I don't agree with it. For me, you have to view it with more context then just did we win or lose. 19 other Teams also wont win the league this year, but 19 other teams also haven't been leading for however many weeks we have. 19 other teams are not about to finish second for the fourth season in a row. If failing is not about winning, but about learning, what have we learnt?
You realise coming second is not winning, and therefore failure?
I don’t think you can say Arteta’s time has been a failure. But the question is can we get someone who can get us over the line if we don’t win anything this season. I think that’s a fair question to ask.
Arse!
Well in, bundas!
Kudos to those still managing to keep the faith. My hope lives on but my belief that we can actually do it died when we lost the advantage. In the mini league of 5/6 games that is about to come, at this stage of the season and in the current form of the respective teams... 😓
A Moby acting like a dick is new 🙃
You realise coming second is not winning, and therefore failure?
And a second CL semi in two years and a fourth consecutive tilt at the Prem and yet people think MA is a failure
You realise coming second is not winning, and therefore failure?
And a second CL semi in two years and a fourth consecutive tilt at the Prem and yet people think MA is a failure
Would be good to win one of those things.
Kepa against Southampton? When did he fuck up? Southampton was partly due to White's catastrophic balls up.
His distribution hampered the team, but I agree thats not the main reason for the defeat. It’s more the whole bigger fish to fry approach which hasn’t worked at all.
We really need to rejig our approach play. Unless we are willing to sell Gyokeres, the team needs to adapt to him too as I think it is too late for him to really adjust well. We need a quality winger on the left and I am praying it is not Gordon. We need a sprinkling of magic there. I am hoping Madueke can eventually improve as he seems to have all the tools but his application leaves a lot to be desired.
Zubimendi can be really quality at times but how did he have less touches (41) compared to Raya (43)??? Rodri, who plays in a similar position, had 85 touches. He is unable to impose himself on games here.
Right now, the quickest players on the wings are Madueke and Martinelli but both seem to play at times like headless chickens... Doku had 3 dribbles yesterday to Madueke's one. The less said about Martinelli, the better. We don't have any wingers barring Saka who can trouble the opposition defence and the way we use Saka is so bad...
It was a decent performance and we probably deserved at least a point. The players gave a lot - hopefully not everything because they'll need to give more.
It's not a coincidence that we play more positively when the manager's back is absolutely against the wall. He's done this before - changing how he approaches games only when there's literally no other option but to win. If we'd played this way against Bournemouth, we would be fine despite yesterday.
Yesterday changes nothing for me - it comes back to whether we win (which we still can). If he can't, he needs to go. If "being up there" was the only criteria, Arsene would/should have a lifetime job. We moved on to win a PL or CL title, so that's the standard.
Very mixed emotions out of that one. We did play better than we have in quite a while. But we lost anyway, though a draw certainly would have been a reasonable result. xG was close. And if we play like that, I'd say we have a pretty good chance to beat Atletico in the CL. A very close close second place and the CL final is something all but a handful of teams will never see.
But it also reminded me of the the matches we lost while playing much worse and much more conservatively. And of how shit our attack is now. Credit to Havertz for hsutling for the one goal we did get, but beyond that, he didn't take a raft of chances. And the wings have been terrible for all of 2026 (not helped by Mosquera and Hincapie as converted CBs being poor in attack and White being out of form). Gyok has scored some goals, but only the bare minimum of what you'd expect. Eze and Odegaard get some credit out of yesterday, but that's about it.
Rice and Zubi weren't great, but not sure that's the priority right now. Will the owners pay for a pretty full rejiggering of the front line? That's pretty much what's needed right now.
Somewhat like Nasri with that reputation.
That dribble into the box yesterday was unbelievable. The way he barely caresses that ball and weaves through traffic. It almost looks like those videos the ...
Thing is Nasri was alright I think while playing for us. Perhaps Mikel doesn't want another Mattéo Guendouzi on his hands.
This is fuckin it.
Semi of the Big Cup and in the race for the title.
It doesn't get much better than this. Wenger never managed it pre or post Abramovic
And a second CL semi in two years and a fourth consecutive tilt at the Prem and yet people think MA is a failure
This is fuckin it.
Semi of the Big Cup and in the race for the title.
It doesn't get much better than this. Wenger never managed it pre or post Abramovic
Doubt it will be forgotten (or forgiven).
Focusing on Big Cup to the detriment of the league is a huge risk consiering the league just about remains in our hands.
Les fuckin do dis
Fuck it Arse
Well in Bundasssss. Well assessed Blogs.
City have the more difficult games but they are obviously going to be favourites now. Maybe the focus for Arsenal should be go all in for the three (possible) remaining CL games? Win "Big Ears" and all will be forgiven if we choke the prem?
By the way, was it a foul on Gabriel from Haaland when he scored their winner? Or shall we attribute it to the usual pushing and pulling that occurs with strikers and defenders?
No foul
I don't know why everyone is so miserable, it's as good as in the bag!
The whole world wanted us to lose that match , mainly so they could call us bottlers and laugh at us even though we don't actuall...
Now you're talking.
Fuckin easy
I don't know why everyone is so miserable, it's as good as in the bag!
The whole world wanted us to lose that match , mainly so they could call us bottlers and laugh at us even though we don't actually care what other fans think. They have their ammunition. It's a good distraction.
City will beat Burnley, they'll go top , the whole world will laugh some more and call us bottlers again. All good here.
Our run of form has been poor, but that's all it is. We looked a lot better yesterday with havertz back, and we should try and build on that . Statistics say we should now start a better run of form.
Regardless of yesterday's result, we always had to win our last five games in my opinion.
Those games are against Newcastle, Fulham, West Ham , Burnley, Palace. All winable. We do now need some goals to guarantee the first prem to 20 years, which could be tricky, but we can do it .
City, also have to win their last five games: Everton, Brentford, Bournemouth, Villa and Palace I assume at some point (where has that match gone?).
I wouldn't take any of Brentford, Bournemouth or Villa against our run in. There's a least 2 points dropped in that lot for me, maybe 4.
But we only benefit if we win every on of ours.
How hard can it be?
What is the universe in which Havertz scores the header and how do we travel to it? That’s what I will be working on.
😂
As I said last night, though, if Arteta gets us to the CL final then I'd soften my position a touch.
Funny what you realise you miss when it’s not there
Such a smart footballer. We've missed him dreadfully.
It’s his cup records that makes the decision for me. I still cannot believe he played Kepa against Southampton. If we had won a few trophies, then the whole outlook of his tenure changes.
Kepa against Southampton? When did he fuck up? Southampton was partly due to White's catastrophic balls up.
Also, metrics in other competitions matter. I'd never dismiss the 22/23 and 23/24 league challenges but they were helped in no small part by exiting cup competitions early. Only one deep run in six cup competitions.
I dunno. Statistically Arteta is the greatest manager we’ve had. His team have some of the best metrics of any teams in our history.
I’m not here to defend him because I’m in no mood but he has done ...
Shame about the failing to peak when it matters thing.
Somewhat like Nasri with that reputation.
That dribble into the box yesterday was unbelievable. The way he barely caresses that ball and weaves through traffic. It almost looks like those videos the ...
Gabriel should step forward not back , he did it, later. But it's is good skills. It's the sort of skill gabe seen martin o. Do a couple of seasons go and Eze but usually only against spurs. It's courage and knowledge you could also get a penalty if mistimed tackle
As for Havertz's miss late on, I think he scores that earlier in the game, or if he's fully back from injury and playing regularly for the last months. I thought that our players left everything on th...
Havertz never scores that. That’s why he’s Havertz.
It’s his cup records that makes the decision for me. I still cannot believe he played Kepa against Southampton. If we had won a few trophies, then the whole outlook of his tenure changes.
No arguments from me.
I totally agree that starting Kepa again was a key blunder. I know progressing would have meant facing City again but under no circumstances was losing that game helpful imo. Should have been a ruthless moment about standards but he allowed the rot to go on.
I think it's very harsh to put it all on Martinelli.
City still had to go up the other end where we were numerically superior and score. It wasn't like a transition where we committed too many bodies...
Nellie was fucking gash. As was Noni
Our best clutch finisher is probably Merino..
Funny what you realise you miss when it’s not there
What is the universe in which Havertz scores the header and how do we travel to it? That’s what I will be working on.
Not the one we live in. The one we live in is the one where we fail to convert the key moments and that’s why we don’t win.
Can we point to any other big moments than the Declan freekicks against RM where a player really rose to the occasion in a pressure cooker moment?
I dunno. Statistically Arteta is the greatest manager we’ve had. His team have some of the best metrics of any teams in our history.
I’m not here to defend him because I’m in no mood but he has done ...
It’s his cup records that makes the decision for me. I still cannot believe he played Kepa against Southampton. If we had won a few trophies, then the whole outlook of his tenure changes.
I heard cherki had a bad reputation, bad boy rept...in france ...So pep. Took a gamble when other clubs didn't, probably to not risk upsetting the dressing room
Somewhat like Nasri with that reputation.
That dribble into the box yesterday was unbelievable. The way he barely caresses that ball and weaves through traffic. It almost looks like those videos the kids post these days where it looks like they are walking on air. That is absolute top shelf technique.
What is the universe in which Havertz scores the header and how do we travel to it? That’s what I will be working on.
Also, for all the (eventual) good Arteta did to help the club surface from the wilderness years, I'd query the argument that he inherited a midtable side. In reality it was a top 6 side (top 8 at wors...
I dunno. Statistically Arteta is the greatest manager we’ve had. His team have some of the best metrics of any teams in our history.
I’m not here to defend him because I’m in no mood but he has done fantastic work. Is there still a glaring issue? Yes 100% no doubt about it.
Was Cherki destined to go to City? I'm only asking cos I hadn't heard of him until that crisp strike against Man U in last season's Europa League. Made me sit up in admiration. Lyon had another player...
I heard cherki had a bad reputation, bad boy rept...in france ...So pep. Took a gamble when other clubs didn't, probably to not risk upsetting the dressing room
Our best clutch finisher is probably Merino..
Just replayed the open play chance where Odegaard played in Havertz. Had we scored that.....
Was Cherki destined to go to City? I'm only asking cos I hadn't heard of him until that crisp strike against Man U in last season's Europa League. Made me sit up in admiration. Lyon had another player liked, a winger called Malick Fofana. A dribbler and ball carrier who would have cost less than Noni and likely produced better output.
There's an interview with Alex Oxlade-C. He talks of the players laughing at Santi's physiological stats. when he joined the group. Shuttle runs, recovery rate, body fat index, jumping height, physical height, VO2 max. Some of the lads knew pub players with much better physical attributes.
They were laughing again when they came off after the 8 a side. This time in amazement. They had never played with someone as technically gifted. Santi was a very good footballer.
So was Liam Brady, my fave. Liam hated training. Bobby Pires was too , although he ran like Charlie Chaplin. Dennis natch.
Ozil was as well. But he was suffering from some existential malaise. He needed to preserve as much energy as possible to return to his mother planet.
Martin Odegaard used to look like a very good player. But now, although flashes remain, he looks like an emaciated prisoner of war.
Through gritted teeth I have to admit that Cherki and Bernardo Silva are good footballers.
I'm not sure which current Arsenal players are really good footballers as distinct from being really talented in their position. Which isn't a criticism. Just an observation.
Wenger was allowed stay on several years too long and given free rein over everything. There wasn't much ruthlessness there...
I agree Wenger stayed a few years too long and could have done with a Dein-like figure to act as a sounding board and challenge him on recruitment. But in the absence of football knowhow at board level, we should be grateful that Wenger was there to steer the club through a challenging period. Are we going to be so revisionist as to question the immense contribution Wenger made to guide us through when cheats were merrily getting away with it in west London and the blue half of Manchester?
Also, for all the (eventual) good Arteta did to help the club surface from the wilderness years, I'd query the argument that he inherited a midtable side. In reality it was a top 6 side (top 8 at worst). While the 19/20 season started disastrously, many of the players that Arteta inherited narrowly missed out on 4th place and reached a Europa League final the season prior. Losing Ramsey was significant but the side wasn't really midtable-level.
Ingrained by whom? We had owners who were high up in society, then proper hard nosed owners like Fiszman and Dein, now as arch capitalist owners as you can get in the Kroenkes. They don't strike me as...
Wenger was allowed stay on several years too long and given free rein over everything. There wasn't much ruthlessness there...
This is still (just about) the third most successful club in English football. 14 cup finals in the last 25 years (12 in 20 before Arteta). For every three seasons, the club gets into a decent positio...
Ingrained by whom? We had owners who were high up in society, then proper hard nosed owners like Fiszman and Dein, now as arch capitalist owners as you can get in the Kroenkes. They don't strike me as owners who achieved wealth and material success by settling for mediocrity.
We looked much better with him at top. Gave us a much-needed focal point.
The whole "bottlers" tag is absurd. We were a laughing stock just over six years ago. It's taken painstaking effort to get us...
You can query it, sure, but how is it absurd? Remember Baku and Wembley in 2011?! Those absolute no-shows... the leagues that should have been won even in Wenger's heyday.
Club has come short far, far too many times for it to be some more cruel quirk of luck of twist or fate.
I said this yesterday that my overriding feeling was just sadness and numbness.
We've sat on the sidelines for 22 years and watched City, United, Liverpool and Chelsea make hay.
In the past six year...
This is still (just about) the third most successful club in English football. 14 cup finals in the last 25 years (12 in 20 before Arteta). For every three seasons, the club gets into a decent position to win something in two but usually comes up short. You're not entitled. It is immensely frustrating and it speaks to a club where underachievement is ingrained.
Havertz is a big chance, black hole. He makes us tick as a team better overall but he is a catalogue of horrendous misses when it matters.
On the plus side, at least he was in position. Gyokeres woul...
We looked much better with him at top. Gave us a much-needed focal point.
The whole "bottlers" tag is absurd. We were a laughing stock just over six years ago. It's taken painstaking effort to get us here. That's not to say we can't do better, but fans of other clubs are piling in hoping we'll undergo the sort of managerial merry-go-round which, until recently, made a mockery of Utd, has them lot on the verge of relegation and Chelsea off the pace despite spending the GDP of a developing country.
Jim Cannon the Crystal Palace captain ,famously said with wry Scottish humour "The time to name a side "The Team of the 80s" was 1989 not 1979."
A lot of people were celebrating the brilliance of last...
After summer transfer window it's worth remembering Liverpool were favourites , then city , then us third favorites .
Scousers had just signed Isak and wertz
As for Havertz's miss late on, I think he scores that earlier in the game, or if he's fully back from injury and playing regularly for the last months. I thought that our players left everything on th...
Havertz is a big chance, black hole. He makes us tick as a team better overall but he is a catalogue of horrendous misses when it matters.
On the plus side, at least he was in position. Gyokeres would have been on his heels on the wrong side of his defender.
As for Havertz's miss late on, I think he scores that earlier in the game, or if he's fully back from injury and playing regularly for the last months. I thought that our players left everything on the pitch yesterday, and, despite the "bottlers" tag, played without fear. I don't know how much of that, in comparison to previous games, was down to having Havertz and Ødegaard back, but had we been able to play like that over the last month without them, I'd suggest that we'd be in a much better position now.
Pissed off like every one else.
If we do come short at least Arteta's tactic of non football tactics and percentage football will die this season. Hopefully.
Despite the rancour on here at times, I feel really sorry for all of us as a collective. It's disheartening how the luck so many of our competitors enjoy eludes us. This goes back to Wenger days when ...
I said this yesterday that my overriding feeling was just sadness and numbness.
We've sat on the sidelines for 22 years and watched City, United, Liverpool and Chelsea make hay.
In the past six years all of the clubs around us have had their day in the sun. Even Newcastle and Spurs. When will it be our turn? Does that make me entitled? I don't know but it feels shit.
Trophies are always just the cherry on top, it doesn't wipe out the joy of experience great results or seeing great players emerge, but this feels dark.
Despite the rancour on here at times, I feel really sorry for all of us as a collective. It's disheartening how the luck so many of our competitors enjoy eludes us. This goes back to Wenger days when we should have won at least another three or four titles. Luck plays an enormous part in football and life, so let's not discount it as a factor. The Utd team of 1999 were a penalty away from losing the semi final and a post away from losing the CL final when Mario Basla danced through them the way Cherki did to us yesterday.
We've got Dowman, but I don't think that he's quite ready yet. Once he's been built up to play against men who will employ cynical means to stop him, we'll find out. Shame he's not 2 years older, he c...
Arteta would have binned him for his lack of defensive nous... how can an intelligent guy like Arteta want defensive work rate instead of attacking qualities in an attacker?
Arse. Well in bundas.
First paragraph makes a lot of sense to me, I'll read the rest now.
Hello Ollie, hope your trip is going well.
I’m really concerned about Gabriel’s temperament in these games - he was partially at fault for both goals (albeit not as much as other players) and focused way too much on the men and not the ball (I...
I don't blame him. The defence has been our saviour this season, but recently they've been exposed by our porous midfield and the inability of our forwards to put games to bed to make their lives a bit more comfortable in the last 10-15 minutes of games.
So fans of teams who can only dream of finishing second to oil-subsidised cheats are going to take the piss. Fuck them, I say!
Arse. Well in bundas.
First paragraph makes a lot of sense to me, I'll read the rest now.
Jim Cannon the Crystal Palace captain ,famously said with wry Scottish humour "The time to name a side "The Team of the 80s" was 1989 not 1979."
A lot of people were celebrating the brilliance of last...
I think that's just modern football. Not unique to Arsenal fans. We're in danger of tarring ourselves with as much tar as we're getting externally.
Jim Cannon the Crystal Palace captain ,famously said with wry Scottish humour "The time to name a side "The Team of the 80s" was 1989 not 1979."
A lot of people were celebrating the brilliance of last summers' transfer business by the middle of last August.
I think the time to judge it will be the end of May.
We really need a quality player who can dribble in tight spaces and carry the ball past 2-3 players with a good final action. They have an amazing player in Cherki who has amazing ball control, dribbl...
We've got Dowman, but I don't think that he's quite ready yet. Once he's been built up to play against men who will employ cynical means to stop him, we'll find out. Shame he's not 2 years older, he could have been a big influence this season.
By the way, was it a foul on Gabriel from Haaland when he scored their winner? Or shall we attribute it to the usual pushing and pulling that occurs with strikers and defenders?
You can see in the photo on the cover of today's blog that Gabby was pulling Haaland's shirt as much as he was pulling Gabby's.
I can't see City dropping any points now. They have just played their most difficult game of the season and come away with a win. Who else is going to stop them? We will just have to hope for some bad luck to come their way in the same manner as it did in e.g. the West Ham game, and maybe Rodri's injury to be big enough to keep him out for a few games.
Notice how nobody in the media is giving it the "treble winners in waiting" stuff for them now like we had with the supposed quadruple.
By the way, whoever talked about Joelinton saving himself for the World Cup - he's suspended for the game next week anyway.
I’m really concerned about Gabriel’s temperament in these games - he was partially at fault for both goals (albeit not as much as other players) and focused way too much on the men and not the ball (I also hate that he often turns away when pulling out the long barrier). Not only was he lucky to stay on, he was losing it at our own players in a way that didn’t always look productive.
Sp*rs Fans praying for Arsenal, whatever the circumstances is blasphemy! 😄
I think they're hoping we beat West Ham. After their unhinged and disgusting support for all things Man City when it mattered, fuck them! Absolutely fuck them.
Newcastle are in a horrid run of form... does anyone think we can beat them comfortably at home? Our inability to take advantage of situations where our rivals dropped points or opponents are weak, i...
Afc will win. Nufc fans ringing in phone in shows that Eddie H has lost dressing room. They have nothing to play for. Their Players not wanting to get injured for world cup. Anthony Gordan on strike) naughty step. Tripper leaving end of season for Saudi he won't want a injury
It will long be over before the final day. Only conceivable high points of season now will be a CL final spot and all Sp*rs fans praying for an Arsenal win against West Ham.
Sp*rs Fans praying for Arsenal, whatever the circumstances is blasphemy! 😄
All Arsenal fans are crying gout for that sort of player, but do you honestly think that is the sort of player that Arteta wants for this system? He has built a functional team and those sort of playe...
*out not gout
We really need a quality player who can dribble in tight spaces and carry the ball past 2-3 players with a good final action. They have an amazing player in Cherki who has amazing ball control, dribbl...
All Arsenal fans are crying gout for that sort of player, but do you honestly think that is the sort of player that Arteta wants for this system? He has built a functional team and those sort of players have no place in such a team. The fans that are saying they would be happy for Arteta to stay for second place and a CL final are accepting that fate, because he is not changing.
Gabriel was a moron yesterday... lucky that he didn't get sent off...
By the way, was it a foul on Gabriel from Haaland when he scored their winner? Or shall we attribute it to the usual pushing and pulling that occurs with strikers and defenders?
We need a top controller. Rice and Zubimendi is a horrible, crab like combination. The more I watch Zubimendi the more I wonder how we landed on him.
Limited passing range, lacks the physicality to b...
We need someone who can slot in and play a LOT next season because I can foresee a Rice injury next season with the way Arteta has rinsed him. Same for Zubimendi.
We really need a quality player who can dribble in tight spaces and carry the ball past 2-3 players with a good final action. They have an amazing player in Cherki who has amazing ball control, dribbling, passing and shooting. Expecting Arteta to blow the £60-70M on Anthony Gordon now...
Gabriel was a moron yesterday... lucky that he didn't get sent off...
Is Elliott Anderson available. Really like him.
We need a top controller. Rice and Zubimendi is a horrible, crab like combination. The more I watch Zubimendi the more I wonder how we landed on him.
Limited passing range, lacks the physicality to be effective OOP in the premier league.
The most damning thing about yesterday is that Rodri completed more passes than Zubimendi and Rice combined.
The club has spent £160m on a midfield that can't control football matches.
Is Elliott Anderson available. Really like him.
Yeah, well that's just like, your opinion, man.
Haha
Newcastle are in a horrid run of form... does anyone think we can beat them comfortably at home? Our inability to take advantage of situations where our rivals dropped points or opponents are weak, is costing us.
In which case it's more player availability than handbrake which has hindered Arteta and us. Some of the reasons due to him not fully utilising the squad, of course, and losing Merino and the unfathom...
Don't think Arteta was ok with Nwaneri centrally perhaps because of the physicality of it maybe.... Think we can still play progressive football despite the absence of our playmaker. Our failure to do so should be blamed on Arteta to get a tune out of these players.
Something I have noticed this morning is that the replies have been mostly if not all quite friendly and polite ;-) .
The past month has been a bit tetchy for all and some of us have been quite negati...
Yeah, well that's just like, your opinion, man.
Havertz is a good player but cannot be the guy who can be relied upon to finish consistently. I really wanted Gyokeres to do well (not having seen any of his prev highlights before joining us) but he ...
I also thought sub white in earlier as mosq. Was on yellow, could gave prevented second goal.
Something I have noticed this morning is that the replies have been mostly if not all quite friendly and polite ;-) .
The past month has been a bit tetchy for all and some of us have been quite negati...
A band of broken brothers.
Yes yes sisters too.
City have won 10 league titles ( 8 of them in the last 16 years) and this could be their 11th, just 2 behind us . They have been very dominant due to the oil money ...more so than what Chelsea did in the Roman heydays...
Martinelli was too far up. It staggered me to watch the acres of space he vacated for O'Reilly and Doku. Martinelli's defensive instincts are normally so sound, but twice yesterday he left them with t...
I think it's very harsh to put it all on Martinelli.
City still had to go up the other end where we were numerically superior and score. It wasn't like a transition where we committed too many bodies forward.
Our central midfield melted as they strode up the pitch and the defending in the box left a lot to be desired.
Think Arteta has to let go of the handbrakes now. Hoping to see both Eze and Odegaard start the game. Would be great if we can get Timber, Cala and Saka back.
In which case it's more player availability than handbrake which has hindered Arteta and us. Some of the reasons due to him not fully utilising the squad, of course, and losing Merino and the unfathomable decision to let Nwaneri go out on loan. I was against it simply because of our injury record, not because I could predict the future.
Havertz is a good player but cannot be the guy who can be relied upon to finish consistently. I really wanted Gyokeres to do well (not having seen any of his prev highlights before joining us) but he ...
Martinelli was too far up. It staggered me to watch the acres of space he vacated for O'Reilly and Doku. Martinelli's defensive instincts are normally so sound, but twice yesterday he left them with the freedom of Manchester when we just had to be compact. He didn't even put on the afterburner the way he did on Wednesday to stop the Sporting Lisbon player from having a free run on goal.
Really annoyed that a moment like that cost us the game and, unless my prayers are answered, the title.
Think Arteta has to let go of the handbrakes now. Hoping to see both Eze and Odegaard start the game. Would be great if we can get Timber, Cala and Saka back.
Havertz is a good player but cannot be the guy who can be relied upon to finish consistently. I really wanted Gyokeres to do well (not having seen any of his prev highlights before joining us) but he has disappointed me. We don't play to his strengths as we want something different from our centre forward than just goals. I think he didn't have a touch of the ball yesterday for the short time he was on. Jesus is meh...
Think Arteta made a poor sub yesterday by dropping Eze. Odegaard was tired I think. Eze should have been kept on.
Martinelli though.... We don't make the best of him offensively to be honest but with poor footballing decisions like yesterday, not sure what he can do for us now. His development has stalled.
Had Mosquera already not been booked, I think he would have tried to get closer to Doku and tackled him before he slipped the pass to O'Reilly (fantastic player by the way). Could Arteta have subbed him off earlier?
Much better performance than recent games. For me I can accept the defeat knowing that we went for it, that we were brave and played with some intensity and initiative. Compared to Bournemouth last week which was such an insipid and meek performance. In big games when time and space are so limited having players that are comfortable on the ball makes a huge difference. Havertz, Eze and Odegard helped us keep the ball at times, relieve the pressure and progress upfield. Though our deficiencies are still clear to see. We need to train more in combinations in tight spaces. And the signings are Gyok and Madueke are stark examples of how wrong signings not only fail to improve the team as hoped, but actually worsen the way we play. At times their anonymity or ineptitude in games is the equivalent to playing with a man less. I'm not sure how anyone at the club who scouted them could have authorised their purchase. Too many times this year Arteta has rewarded constant failure with game time. Feels like he's just been hoping things will suddenly change rather than actively training or coaching changes. I too would have kept Eze on as he is our best edge of the box half chance shooter. When we needed that impact from the bench to galvanise us and make us more dangerous we don't have those options. If we'd signed a real marque winger instead of Madueke, and even a sentient wardrobe instead of gyok, and if Arteta hadn't regressed us into panicked tortoise shell style of play, and liberated us to attack, then I think we win the league. Now I think it's City's to lose. And the most painful wound is that if we had played like this last week I think we would have beaten Bournemouth, rendering yesterday's defeat irrelevant. Too sclerotic Arteta. Can only hope he learns from this experience on his managerial journey.
The traditional football media is broken beyond repair. Absolute dorks who weren't even supporting the club a few years back representing our club on Sky. No wonder they didn't bring Clive back. That ...
Further coverage of his antics beyond the initial stunt? He's an example of what dregs social media and the thirst for fame has done to people. His explanation of how he obtained a bottle with our badge on it rung hollow. If true, that he and his son were thirsty and asked a member of Arsenal's staff for water and they gave him that which he kept for a year to pull off that stunt, well, he'll get his comeuppance one day.
I don’t think we see saka back until next season. I’m not even sure he makes the World Cup
Good.
Something I have noticed this morning is that the replies have been mostly if not all quite friendly and polite ;-) .
The past month has been a bit tetchy for all and some of us have been quite negative and confrontational, myself included.
It's as if a burden has been lifted and we can almost enjoy the last few matches of the season, and if this spreads to the players then who knows what might happen.
What makes you say this? Arteta indicated he should be back after the City match.
arteta regularly lies about player availability tbf and i read some things about his achilles issues and how we have exacerbated it by making him play through it. Nothing official, I know no more than you do, but I don’t think we’ll see him back anytime soon
Like you Andrew, I feel almost disturbingly positive this morning. We lost, and now the title is in the balance, but the performance yesterday was way better we've seen recently, with 3 (I think) first choice players still out. Keep this up and things are far from over.
Blog feels very optimistic to me as well. I am wondering what makes you think we can win the next 5 games based on our current form injury bill, and psychological levels. Maybe City will drop a fee po...
Players in mid team who are going to world cup , just don't want to get injured to miss it . they will not put up much effort against us , example joelinton , Fulham players , Gordan on strike at nufc.
Second point
The pressure is off our lads , happened last two seasons, certainly and we won all remaining games , I remember North bank pointing this out
Well in Bundas!
I read somewhere that we're set to earn something like 1.2 billion over these last 2 seasons.
Plenty of money to buy a couple more decent players.
That's all the optimism I have for this morning until I drink more coffee.
I wonder if this defeat will give the players a boost, a second wind so to speak.
Personally I think the CL is going to be our best bet, Pep has a knack for peaking at the crucial moment and I believe...
Yeah , pressures off the players , now we are the underdog. They will win every game. Then we see if that's enough
I’m so glad I didn’t have the radio on during the drive home. I reckoned that if we lost then the disappointment would mainly be when I got the score and I could have celebrated any other result while watching the highlights. It’s certainly deadened the misery at the moment and for now there is still some hope
Regardless of how this season turns out, I won't be as invested in football next season. Not because of Arsenal, more the incessant noise around the game and the preposterous coverage of us this seaso...
The traditional football media is broken beyond repair. Absolute dorks who weren't even supporting the club a few years back representing our club on Sky. No wonder they didn't bring Clive back. That fat wanker City fan and his bottle being plastered everywhere. Gee Arsenal fans are so unbearable guys!
I understand that it's a bit early to call this but if city spank burnley and we lose or draw against the geordies should we rest Rice and Zubi and only play them in the CL matches, not to forgo the title race but move it down the pecking order?
It sounds defeatist but it might also be the best chance for silverware.
Regardless of how this season turns out, I won't be as invested in football next season. Not because of Arsenal, more the incessant noise around the game and the preposterous coverage of us this season. Case in point, the pearl clutching following our withdrawals from the last set of international games. Where are the fucking apologies now that it's been proven we weren't taking the piss? I wouldn't bring it up had it been just the sad wankers online desperately trying to gain some notoriety in the cesspit that is social media, but when the BBC joins the fray, well, we've plumbed the depths beyond salvation. BBC football coverage of us has been highly irresponsible, and this comes from a supporter of it in the face of relentless right-wing demonisation.
What makes you say this? Arteta indicated he should be back after the City match.
"Days not weeks." In Artetes, that usually means 15-30 days or even longer
What makes you say this? Arteta indicated he should be back after the City match.
He better not come back when there's 4 games to go, and put in goal + assist performances for a dead cause, let me just say that...
I think I'm ready for the lawn bowls, even if I'm not ready to call Arteta a cunt. However, I do think it could soon be legitimate to ask whether he's taken Arsenal as far as he can. Not now, not yet,...
When you find an answer to that one let me know
Arse all
Very conflicted about yesterday but at the end of the day it's a loss which is worst case scenario territory. The likelihood of us bottling it is now the most probable. The only thing I can think about is that Gyok would have put that header on target. I don't personally rate any of our forward options highly and at the end of the day that's Artetas fault. He cannot get them to work together and that's been the case for a while now. But for all my past criticisms of him (not starting youth, useless substitutions, shit man management etc) he has improved. The question I'm asking myself if whether I want to give him another chance next season but for the money that's been spent, I just don't know.
I don’t think we see saka back until next season. I’m not even sure he makes the World Cup
What makes you say this? Arteta indicated he should be back after the City match.
I don’t think we see saka back until next season. I’m not even sure he makes the World Cup
Not on form. I couldn't give a fuck about England, so if he can't play for us he hopefully doesn't get picked and spends all summer recuperating and can play like we need him to next season.
Looking at the five games left, they are all games we should win. Arteta has to lean into the team from yesterday now, hopefully with Timber, Saka and Calafiori coming back in at some stage, as they w...
I don’t think we see saka back until next season. I’m not even sure he makes the World Cup
Talking of yesterday's match in particular, I think Mosquera had a bad game. I am not picking on him and he is young but most city attacks that caused us problems came from that side. He was definitel...
Think he did as well as can be expected for a CB playing out of position. Thought Hincapie was worse tbh especially from an attacking standpoint
It is so debilitating to continue to play players at FB who offer you almost nothing going forward. That isn't on the players. They're doing as well as they can given the circumstances.
We've been hoping for this boost for a long time, I just don't see it coming.
I think it's a weight off of their minds and ours, we have a mindset of inevitability and with city now almost certainly about to claim control normal service has been resumed.
The annoying part for me is that it is not down to city brilliance but rather our own doing.
With this being a World Cup summer finding a top strike force is going to be difficult, selling the one we already have is going to be nigh on impossible.
Talking of yesterday's match in particular, I think Mosquera had a bad game. I am not picking on him and he is young but most city attacks that caused us problems came from that side. He was definitely not helped by Madueke (and later Martinelli) dropping crap performances.
Looking at the five games left, they are all games we should win. Arteta has to lean into the team from yesterday now, hopefully with Timber, Saka and Calafiori coming back in at some stage, as they were much better than in recent weeks. Hoping for a City fuck up somewhere, they definitely have harder games than us overall.
Last 6
W1
D1
L4
5 on the bounce with a trip to Mordor to face Dark Lord Simeone thrown in for good measure feels optimistic to say the least.
I’m not devastated by going to the Etihad and losing a close game on the margins to a City side stacked with quality and in great form.
We never win there anyway and it was a respectable showing.
The unforgivable part is allowing that game to be significant by losing to Bournemouth and dropping points from 2-0 up to one of the worst Prem sides in history
We made our own bed
Been a few sleepless arses over the past few weeks. Judging by the mood today, most people have given up, which is understandable, but our next three fixtures are games a title chasing team should win regardless of how far ahead we were in points. I have a feeling there might be a sting in the tale.
Mmm, I started to write that I agreed that I feel slightly better about our chances since (from what I saw in one half) we played far better than we have for weeks. We almost scored open play goals! T...
I think I'm ready for the lawn bowls, even if I'm not ready to call Arteta a cunt. However, I do think it could soon be legitimate to ask whether he's taken Arsenal as far as he can. Not now, not yet, though.
'We’ve got to turn this run of one win in six into five wins in a row, and at least one or two of those have to be comprehensive.'
I mean, what more is there to say than this. And in that context, I have no idea how/why any Arsenal fan has even the slightest belief that we have not blown this league for the fourth year in a row!
Mmm, I started to write that I agreed that I feel slightly better about our chances since (from what I saw in one half) we played far better than we have for weeks. We almost scored open play goals! T...
Or we go again next year with renewed optimism (unless one or more of our 'star' players picks up a long injury at WC)
Blog feels very optimistic to me as well. I am wondering what makes you think we can win the next 5 games based on our current form injury bill, and psychological levels. Maybe City will drop a fee points as well though…
Arse. Well in bundas.
Morning all.
When you play the best your flaws get exposed. Things we have discussed on here ad infinitum for weeks and months. Lack of midfield control (although they were better in the past two ganes), lack of creativity on the wings without an in-form Saka and worst of all, lack of a top number 9 to take the chances when they come along. The problems are obvious and have been for ages, will anything be done about them?
started reading the blog but i'll have to come back to it. it's really gutting
Let's nail down 2nd place? What is this? We back to 2nd place is a trophy again already?
I meant the blog title about race going down to the wire. No way do we pick up 15/15. Even if we manage a miracle, no way do we outscore City to win it on GD. Especially not with the offence and (curr...
Mmm, I started to write that I agreed that I feel slightly better about our chances since (from what I saw in one half) we played far better than we have for weeks. We almost scored open play goals! Then as I came to the end of my comment, I realised we would have to win 4/5 with one draw, and hope somebody beats Team 115, and then I realised there is fuck all chance of the former and limited chance of the latter, so best just to accept that we have fucked the pooch hard and we either suck it up and accept that we crept a little closer, but still not all the way, or we throw it all in the bin, call Arteta a cunt and start following lawn bowls.
that was rather disappointing wasn't it
The most damning thing about yesterday is that Rodri completed more passes than Zubimendi and Rice combined.
The club has spent £160m on a midfield that can't control football matches.
Damn. And that's with Rice being arguably out second best player yesterday.
Wouldn't be surprised if they had beat us with every stat.
arse!
well in bundas!
morning all!
We played the best we have in a month but it wasn't enough.
Give the lads couple of days off. Focus on CL and getting 4/15 points in run-in to nail the 2nd spot. I don't think any of us will be able ...
Let's nail down 2nd place? What is this? We back to 2nd place is a trophy again already?
The most damning thing about yesterday is that Rodri completed more passes than Zubimendi and Rice combined.
The club has spent £160m on a midfield that can't control football matches.
I wonder if this defeat will give the players a boost, a second wind so to speak.
Personally I think the CL is going to be our best bet, Pep has a knack for peaking at the crucial moment and I believe...
We've been hoping for this boost for a long time, I just don't see it coming.
We will need Villa challenging for champs league til the final day
It will long be over before the final day. Only conceivable high points of season now will be a CL final spot and all Sp*rs fans praying for an Arsenal win against West Ham.
"Bantz jacket" I got auto corrected.
We will need Villa challenging for champs league til the final day
Dream on
We will need Villa challenging for champs league til the final day
We played the best we have in a month but it wasn't enough.
Give the lads couple of days off. Focus on CL and getting 4/15 points in run-in to nail the 2nd spot. I don't think any of us will be able to handle mortification of finishing 3rd in a two horse race.
Only woke a couple of times in the night thinking about the game.
It wasnt one one of those queasy voyages of the soul.
The flak jacket was developed during WW2 -initially for flight crews. Flak is German for anti aircraft shrapnel. Combat soldiers adopted it on the ground , mainly against "frag" -pieces of shell casing.
I have developed an equivalent virtual garment which projects my mind . It's called a "banter jacket". It's going to see a lot of service today.
I need to put it on now fast. I must scurry down the road with 12 empty Abel and Cole recyclable plastic bottles to our corner shop in NW10. I must not bump into the local Man City fan or any other locals who support rival teams. Wish me luck.
Well in B
I don’t feel too bad today, well summed up blogs. Again it’ll be the silly games that cost us, Wolves, Brentford, Bournemouth - we’d be out of sight had we won those
I don't think I was that optimistic
I meant the blog title about race going down to the wire. No way do we pick up 15/15. Even if we manage a miracle, no way do we outscore City to win it on GD. Especially not with the offence and (current) defence we have.
If there’s a new way of making a bollix of things, this team will find it.
World Champions of that, for sure
Arse. Well in bundas
I like your optimism blogs. Personally I feel there is more chance of title race being over by the time our CL semis finishes than of us going 15/15 in run-in.
I don't think I was that optimistic
If there’s a new way of making a bollix of things, this team will find it.
Arse. Well in bundas
I like your optimism blogs. Personally I feel there is more chance of title race being over by the time our CL semis finishes than of us going 15/15 in run-in.
I wonder if this defeat will give the players a boost, a second wind so to speak.
Personally I think the CL is going to be our best bet, Pep has a knack for peaking at the crucial moment and I believe that they will now go unbeaten until the end of the season.
There's no shame if we end potless just the usual what if.
I'm reading this morning that it's on Arsenal fans to help will the team on to season end. I don't know if it's old, recycled news. I don't know when Rooney said it; I mean, he references the booing at the Bournemouth game. But it's on my feed now.
Regardless, it's part of a broader narrative that we are an entitled and arrogant as a fanbase. This framing never takes into account that we have had several recent near-misses, that we have finished second three seasons in a row and, crucially, that we have had to put up with an unconvincing durge of a run lasting several months, where we have only won through grind, Spurs game aside. I doubt there is a single Arsenal fan who didn't see this folly coming to some degree, who didn't sense the doubts growing. Even Demetrios, my glass-half-full always-optimistic mate, will have had these doubts. I'll have to ask him.
And you, clearly, Blogs, are also trying to put as positive a spin on this as possible. Fair play to you.
The point is, we're not entitled, let alone arrogant. We've been top since September. What do outsiders expect? I doubt any other fanbase would be in a different mood if they had been in our position and experienced what we have. Even the Geordies.
In short, I can't see how I can summon up enthusiasm for the games ahead. Even if we make it to Budapest, I see myself cancelling all previous plans.
And yet I know I must snap out of it.
Arse.
More fool me, I got home in time to watch the second half.