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it's gone JJ, it's gone
here's to Lord Emery and the era.
Hopefully he can bring back the much missed St. Totteringham's day.
here's to Lord Emery and the era.
Hopefully he can bring back the much missed St. Totteringham's day.
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I’d rather Ramsdale in midfield than Xhaka.
And again …why is Kolasinac still
I think there’s a good chance Kronke FC go into the NLD with no wins.
And again …why is Kolasinac still
I think there’s a good chance Kronke FC go into the NLD with no wins.
By the way…do I need double jabs to go to Championship games?
Someone told me today that 8/11 players were still there today from the Wenger era.
If that is true then we deserve no sympathy at all.
How we can still be playing the likes of Xhaka, Kolasinac, Elneny, Holding & Chambers three years after everyone could see they should be nowhere near an Arsenal team is beyond belief.
Whoever is doing or has dished out these contracts should be dismissed instantly, and Wenger cant be blamed for all of them.
I have always said that until a complete dewengerisation occurs we will never start to improve, as that loser mentality is inbred in these players.
And to be fair to him , we are still watching Wengers shambolic defending but what we have lost is his great style of football going forward.
I always maintained on here (though in the minority) that Emery was treated very badly , and that given the mess he inherited he was a step back up from late Wenger.
But Arteta is serving up fayre much worse than even Wengers late days.
At least in the 8-2 or 10-2 aggregate defeat we did have attacks !
A non league team would have given Man City a better game today.
He simply has to go.
Who would touch us with a bargepole with these owners i dont know, maybe Big Sam?
I would take going down if we could flush out all the rotten eggs at the club, of which i think there are now many.
We will be back at the top one day, but there is sure to be a lot of pain before that day comes.
If that is true then we deserve no sympathy at all.
How we can still be playing the likes of Xhaka, Kolasinac, Elneny, Holding & Chambers three years after everyone could see they should be nowhere near an Arsenal team is beyond belief.
Whoever is doing or has dished out these contracts should be dismissed instantly, and Wenger cant be blamed for all of them.
I have always said that until a complete dewengerisation occurs we will never start to improve, as that loser mentality is inbred in these players.
And to be fair to him , we are still watching Wengers shambolic defending but what we have lost is his great style of football going forward.
I always maintained on here (though in the minority) that Emery was treated very badly , and that given the mess he inherited he was a step back up from late Wenger.
But Arteta is serving up fayre much worse than even Wengers late days.
At least in the 8-2 or 10-2 aggregate defeat we did have attacks !
A non league team would have given Man City a better game today.
He simply has to go.
Who would touch us with a bargepole with these owners i dont know, maybe Big Sam?
I would take going down if we could flush out all the rotten eggs at the club, of which i think there are now many.
We will be back at the top one day, but there is sure to be a lot of pain before that day comes.
And we thought we were good enough to play in the european super league, lololololololololololololol
https://twitter.com/MesutOzil1088/status/1431614541130080257?s=20
Mesut Özil
@MesutOzil1088
·
17h
Trust the processBroken heartWorried face
This tweet from Ozil shortly after FT yest indicates the reason he was banished was Arteta and not China.
The end is nigh now surely.
Mesut Özil
@MesutOzil1088
·
17h
Trust the processBroken heartWorried face
This tweet from Ozil shortly after FT yest indicates the reason he was banished was Arteta and not China.
The end is nigh now surely.
We are a mid/lower table club and the time is right for Allardyce to dig us out of the shyte. The players are not playing for this clown and yesterday was the worst back 4 to ever put on a red shirt, and ive been going since 1968.
Re Mesut Ozil, he's watching us, either sitting on the bench or in Turkey for a long time now. No player that Emery/Arteta played in midfield was fit enough to lace his boots.
Re Mesut Ozil, he's watching us, either sitting on the bench or in Turkey for a long time now. No player that Emery/Arteta played in midfield was fit enough to lace his boots.
Ozil ffs. Some short memories here.
Is this the same player who never once turned up against top sides?
Is this the same player who never once turned up against top sides?
I think you're the one with the short memory.
Do you not remember us last season prior to the Chelsea game and how woeful we were in attack? We had 14 points and 12 goals in 14 games, 6 points and 5 goals came in the first 2 games. The team was crying out for a No. 10 type player, which is why he got Odegaard on loan after Christmas.
Everyone gave Arteta a pass because they thought the Chinese were the reason Ozil couldn't play. Now it looks like it was all down to him and he let us go out playing toothless football for at least 10 games with Willian starting. We went 5 games without scoring during that period.
Ozil was a flop and Emery dropped him too but we didn't have a problem scoring under Emery so it was completely different. Arteta didn't even have him on the bench once for more than an entire season. Not as if he's ever got more out of any of our other players.
Do you not remember us last season prior to the Chelsea game and how woeful we were in attack? We had 14 points and 12 goals in 14 games, 6 points and 5 goals came in the first 2 games. The team was crying out for a No. 10 type player, which is why he got Odegaard on loan after Christmas.
Everyone gave Arteta a pass because they thought the Chinese were the reason Ozil couldn't play. Now it looks like it was all down to him and he let us go out playing toothless football for at least 10 games with Willian starting. We went 5 games without scoring during that period.
Ozil was a flop and Emery dropped him too but we didn't have a problem scoring under Emery so it was completely different. Arteta didn't even have him on the bench once for more than an entire season. Not as if he's ever got more out of any of our other players.
i was at the game yesterday . it was unbelievable how we caved in , even by our recent standards . smith rowe was fighting midfield on his own , our centre halves were shocking and , in fairness, auba soon went sulking . so , so much work to do .
Ozil, great at the start, then he signed a career ending contract worth a fortune,
seems to happen a lot at our place, thats what happens when you don't have any leaders,
we have'nt had a leader since Viera, and have'nt had a decent manager since we moved to The Emirates
seems to happen a lot at our place, thats what happens when you don't have any leaders,
we have'nt had a leader since Viera, and have'nt had a decent manager since we moved to The Emirates
I think you're the one with the short memory.
Was referring to the fact Ozil was routinely hopeless against the top sides in the EPL.
Was referring to the fact Ozil was routinely hopeless against the top sides in the EPL.
I'm not disagreeing with you. But it wasn't just top sides we couldn't create against during that period, it was everyone, we were that bad. I saw today a rumour that Ozil is going to make a documentary and part of it will be about his side of what happened.
And that Amazon doc that is being filmed this season will surely make it harder to get someone decent in as a replacement. It will make more of a laughing stock of the club than AFTV I'd say.
Mesut Ozil went missing in the big games? So did all the side. Regularly turned it in, so MO wasn't on his own there.
At Madrid he was a superb player, prob the best in the world in his position at the time. After joining us he only looked for Alexis Sanchez with his passes. Nobody else was on his level of thinking.
I think he was mainly dropped coz of his so called refusal to run back and tackle. That should have been the role of the 'water carriers' not someone of his class.
I know he had quite a few poor games but when he was on fire he was pure class.
At Madrid he was a superb player, prob the best in the world in his position at the time. After joining us he only looked for Alexis Sanchez with his passes. Nobody else was on his level of thinking.
I think he was mainly dropped coz of his so called refusal to run back and tackle. That should have been the role of the 'water carriers' not someone of his class.
I know he had quite a few poor games but when he was on fire he was pure class.
Let's face it he was a panic purchase after the Suarez fiasco.
Can probably count the number of times he lasted 90 minutes against top sides on the fingers of 1 hand.
Can probably count the number of times he lasted 90 minutes against top sides on the fingers of 1 hand.
looks like we have given these clowns even more money to spend, some unheard of japanese right back
in other news we still cant sell ANYBODY , only send them on loan to be given the same dross back next season
in other news we still cant sell ANYBODY , only send them on loan to be given the same dross back next season
It will make more of a laughing stock of the club
I don't think so. I think many football fans are sad about the demise of Arsenal. It really is not funny.
The treatment of the the young players is particularly shocking. If they are not wanted why not let them go? I think some of them would do a better job than those on high wages. How bad do you have top play to be dropped by Arteta? Not being funny but how sheite are AMN or RN not to get into this Arsenal team? or are they?
Anyone not getting into the current team should be given away on a free and have their wages subsidised but they will not let these kids go who just want to play football. We are not a laughing stock! it is way beyond that now!
I don't think so. I think many football fans are sad about the demise of Arsenal. It really is not funny.
The treatment of the the young players is particularly shocking. If they are not wanted why not let them go? I think some of them would do a better job than those on high wages. How bad do you have top play to be dropped by Arteta? Not being funny but how sheite are AMN or RN not to get into this Arsenal team? or are they?
Anyone not getting into the current team should be given away on a free and have their wages subsidised but they will not let these kids go who just want to play football. We are not a laughing stock! it is way beyond that now!
No different to Chelski a few years ago ,no youth players getting a look in, its all swings and roundabouts and most clubs just buy big and pay big wages with mug muneey,the ones who pay week in week out to watch and will there long after the sheite players and managers....
The point I was making about Ozil, and I was as Ozil-out as anyone but thought he deserved a chance in that period because we couldn't even create a chance, is that Arteta was willing to let a guy rot for over a season on 350k a week. If he had no intention of using him at all, which it appears he didn't because he wasn't even on the bench once, he should have loaned him out to someone for a €5m fee at least or maybe more.
But he would rather let a player rot than do what's best for Arsenal. That is the type of vindictive, narcissistic, egomanic we have on our hands. That's why he'll let anyone who crosses him rot or put them out on loan repeatedly, damage their careers just to get them back even though that is massively damaging to Arsenal. That's what he's doing to these young players. Maybe some of them have a poor attitude but more likely they gave him backchat or questioned his tactics or leaked something from the dressing room.
He is replacing players who have been around him 18 months and know he is a fraud with players who don't, who owe their Arsenal careers to him and who have got pay rises because of him when joining. Guys like Xhaka who he has given new contracts to are the same, loyal to him because they know they should be long gone and aren't because of him. He is dressing it up as 'project youth' just to buy himself more time in the job. He was signing Willian with a 3 year plan to win the CL a year ago. Wake up!
We are watching him completely destroy the club and making a mess much bigger than Wenger and Gazidis left behind them in 4k UHD!! Or at least we will be when the doc comes out.
He should be gone before the documentary is aired but of course other fans are going to have a field-day laughing at us and we will be wondering how we let it happen.
He hasn't developed any of our young players one bit and will sell them all for peanuts after banishing them for a period and devaluing them. He has massively devalued every member of the squad. These players he has signed aren't better than the players he has let go or banished. They are likely a lot worse.
But he would rather let a player rot than do what's best for Arsenal. That is the type of vindictive, narcissistic, egomanic we have on our hands. That's why he'll let anyone who crosses him rot or put them out on loan repeatedly, damage their careers just to get them back even though that is massively damaging to Arsenal. That's what he's doing to these young players. Maybe some of them have a poor attitude but more likely they gave him backchat or questioned his tactics or leaked something from the dressing room.
He is replacing players who have been around him 18 months and know he is a fraud with players who don't, who owe their Arsenal careers to him and who have got pay rises because of him when joining. Guys like Xhaka who he has given new contracts to are the same, loyal to him because they know they should be long gone and aren't because of him. He is dressing it up as 'project youth' just to buy himself more time in the job. He was signing Willian with a 3 year plan to win the CL a year ago. Wake up!
We are watching him completely destroy the club and making a mess much bigger than Wenger and Gazidis left behind them in 4k UHD!! Or at least we will be when the doc comes out.
He should be gone before the documentary is aired but of course other fans are going to have a field-day laughing at us and we will be wondering how we let it happen.
He hasn't developed any of our young players one bit and will sell them all for peanuts after banishing them for a period and devaluing them. He has massively devalued every member of the squad. These players he has signed aren't better than the players he has let go or banished. They are likely a lot worse.
Maybe Ozil wanted to stay put & didn't want to be loaned out?
£350k a week for a someone who never performed against top sides must've been terrible for the morale of the squad.
Tbf to Arteta, Ozil was a failure long before he became manager.
£350k a week for a someone who never performed against top sides must've been terrible for the morale of the squad.
Tbf to Arteta, Ozil was a failure long before he became manager.
Bottom line is, the whole club is a laughing stock from top to bottom.
Might be worth have a punt on relegation to soothe the pain.
Might be worth have a punt on relegation to soothe the pain.
i would take relegation like a shot if it guaranteed freeing the club of all the rotten eggs and starting again from scratch
but you know sooner or later we ll win a few games again and the cries will be to trust the process
but you know sooner or later we ll win a few games again and the cries will be to trust the process
I see AMN has stayed after 'clear the air' talks with Arteta today. Yesterday he said he just wanted to go where he was wanted and to play via his instagram and it apparently infuriated Arteta who blocked a loan move to Everton. Arteta reportedly convinced him he was still part of his plans and would get game time this season.
AMN played a good few games at wing back last season and even got called up to England in that position before going to loan to WBA to play in midfield.
It seems strange that he was negotiating a loan move if Arteta wants him, unless he did it without permission. AMN could be totally at fault here tho and does seem reluctant to play WB. And we've just signed that Japanese lad who plays on the right side of defence. Arteta put Cedric in as WB ahead of him against City and he was unbelievably bad, so maybe that made AMN feel that he was unwanted. But I wouldn't be surprised if Arteta is lying and banishes him to punish him.
AMN played a good few games at wing back last season and even got called up to England in that position before going to loan to WBA to play in midfield.
It seems strange that he was negotiating a loan move if Arteta wants him, unless he did it without permission. AMN could be totally at fault here tho and does seem reluctant to play WB. And we've just signed that Japanese lad who plays on the right side of defence. Arteta put Cedric in as WB ahead of him against City and he was unbelievably bad, so maybe that made AMN feel that he was unwanted. But I wouldn't be surprised if Arteta is lying and banishes him to punish him.
Maitland Niles, Cedric, Chambers all played right back. All still at the club. All no good imo. Hector Bellerin i will excuse as he was never the same player after his bad injury.
Resign Xhaka when nearly all AFC fans would have driven him to the airport to go to Roma. Mari, nice enough on the ball but can't defend. White can't win the ball in the air. I would have thought that was a pre-requisit for a CB. - Holding too much of a gentleman to play CB. Apart from that things looking very sound defensively.
Next, we'll be playing 3 holding mids to protect this lot and Auba /Smith Rowe won't see the ball for 90 mins.
Resign Xhaka when nearly all AFC fans would have driven him to the airport to go to Roma. Mari, nice enough on the ball but can't defend. White can't win the ball in the air. I would have thought that was a pre-requisit for a CB. - Holding too much of a gentleman to play CB. Apart from that things looking very sound defensively.
Next, we'll be playing 3 holding mids to protect this lot and Auba /Smith Rowe won't see the ball for 90 mins.
Yeah, the only attacking players he has signed are Odegaard and Willian and Willian is gone! Everyone else is a defender apart from Lokonga, Partey and 2 goalkeepers! And the likes of Holding, Chambers, Kolasinac and Cedric are still at the club. The mind boggles.
Holding was signed for £5m from Bolton after they finished bottom of the Championship, 19 points from safety.
Holding was signed for £5m from Bolton after they finished bottom of the Championship, 19 points from safety.
I would like to see how a fit Partey and Lokonga go hopefully without Xhaka in the side, Pepe, Smiff and Saka in front with Auba up top. Maybe get Keegan on the sideline to exhort them on about scoring one more goal than the oppo. Just cannot get a grip of the Saliba situation and if we spent £50 on White then why not have spent it on Upamecano previously? Shirley a pairing of those two would have helped?
I Think we should get rid of Arteta NOW and get Conti in, before Man Utd get him,
as i think that could be the final piece of the United jigsaw. Solskjaer has a team good enough to win the league now,
and if they have a run of a few games without a win. He will be gone, and Conti will be there no1 choice.
We should have got rid of Wenger 5 years earlier and got Klopp in, but we were too late, again.
Lets not make the same mistake again
as i think that could be the final piece of the United jigsaw. Solskjaer has a team good enough to win the league now,
and if they have a run of a few games without a win. He will be gone, and Conti will be there no1 choice.
We should have got rid of Wenger 5 years earlier and got Klopp in, but we were too late, again.
Lets not make the same mistake again
I don't understand why people think Conti would want this poisoned chalice. They just spent £150 million! They are not going to get rid of Arteta now.
The best Arsenal fans can hope for is Big Sam for Christmas!
The best Arsenal fans can hope for is Big Sam for Christmas!
Anyone see the Paddy Power skit on Arsenal's transfer board? Would be funny if it wasn't true.
Would you take Aurier on a free if offered? Says he'd go to Arsenal if they wanted him.
tbh Arsenal probably only have about 4 players in their squad better than Auerier
Here is the paddy power Arsenal one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcTMgEFaVoM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcTMgEFaVoM
I wouldn’t mind playing White as the defensive midfielder in front of the back 4 and have Lokonga and Partey like two Rottweilers in front of him.
Pretty defensive but at at least we have more bite.
But that’s just me and I’m sure everyone on here has there own set up.
Problem is Discount Pep is all over the place.
Take Cedric for instance…scores 2 goals in a behind closed doors game vs Brentford but probably won’t be in the squad for Norwich…or will he? Will Tommy even make the bench?
I just don’t know with him.
If he names Kolasinac in the starting 11 vs Norwich then I say we sack him right there and then.
Pretty defensive but at at least we have more bite.
But that’s just me and I’m sure everyone on here has there own set up.
Problem is Discount Pep is all over the place.
Take Cedric for instance…scores 2 goals in a behind closed doors game vs Brentford but probably won’t be in the squad for Norwich…or will he? Will Tommy even make the bench?
I just don’t know with him.
If he names Kolasinac in the starting 11 vs Norwich then I say we sack him right there and then.
Touch and go on Tommy’s Work a permit for Norwich.
Top 4 is still possible for Arsenal this season.
If Brentford have a new boy slump and Palace are as bad as everyone is making out Arsenal might sneak into the Top Four London Clubs, which, could be regarded as a huge achievement. Of course a lot would depend on Brentford being absolute pants, which, I do not think is going to happen.
If Brentford have a new boy slump and Palace are as bad as everyone is making out Arsenal might sneak into the Top Four London Clubs, which, could be regarded as a huge achievement. Of course a lot would depend on Brentford being absolute pants, which, I do not think is going to happen.
Arteta talking about a medium to long-term 'project' now. It used to be a process, now it's a new buzzword. He has moved the goalposts again and is talking about the squad overhaul being 'unheard of' all while Cedric, Holding, Chambers, Elneny, Xhaka, Kolasinac, Laca are still at the club and he had chances to get rid of most of them but declined and offered some of them new deals. The XI isn't going to be much different to last season despite all the spending. I doubt the football is either.
The Arsenal PR media have also been this week talking about likely Auba replacements when the time comes. Very strange timing and not a good sign either. The club/manager definitely have a few plants in the media. Ornstein is one.
The Arsenal PR media have also been this week talking about likely Auba replacements when the time comes. Very strange timing and not a good sign either. The club/manager definitely have a few plants in the media. Ornstein is one.
I know Arteta gave Xhaka a new contract but who out of the others had prospective buyers, that MA decided to keep?
2022 sees the end of contracts for Laca,Elneny, Chambers,Kolasinac and Eddie. Don't see anybody being interested in that lot bar maybe Laca, who could play in Turkey for example.
2023 see the contacts up for Mari,Cedric,Torreira and Ainsley. Again nobody will be rushing to buy any of these.
You can see why MA says its a long term project. A very phuckin long term project.
2022 sees the end of contracts for Laca,Elneny, Chambers,Kolasinac and Eddie. Don't see anybody being interested in that lot bar maybe Laca, who could play in Turkey for example.
2023 see the contacts up for Mari,Cedric,Torreira and Ainsley. Again nobody will be rushing to buy any of these.
You can see why MA says its a long term project. A very phuckin long term project.
There was talk over the last couple of years of bids for Laca and Elneny. I think Laca's wages were a problem for the buyers. The club apparently values Elneny at £5m and won't sell for less. They have extended Chambers deal in the last year. They could have paid Kola and Laca to get rid. It may not have been an option in previous years but I'd have thought some of the £150m spend this summer would have been used to pay some of these guys a lump to go. Cedric and Mari were initially loanees and Arteta made them permanent. Cedric signed a 4 year deal last summer and they're trying to get rid of him already. Holding signed a new contract earlier this year until 2024 with an option to renew for a year.
Also don't get why Torreira is banished when guys like AMN and Elneny are still at the club. I liked him as a player and he was at least a useful squad player. He was often played out of position by Emery and we never really saw the best of him in an Arsenal shirt but he loved playing for us. You don't see any Spanish or Italian clubs looking to take Elneny on loan. But that's all on the manager and his personality more than anything else.
For all the money we've spent this summer, I think we'd be better off with Torreira, Saliba and Guendouzi in the squad and having not bought any of the additions this summer. They are all fairly young too.
For all the money we've spent this summer, I think we'd be better off with Torreira, Saliba and Guendouzi in the squad and having not bought any of the additions this summer. They are all fairly young too.
That's why this 'project youth' nonsense is more horseshít from the manager. He is decimating the value of these 3 players and they are better than what we've bought this summer.
Arteta knew Mari from Man City. Never made an appearance for the club. Seems he played 20 odd games for Flamengo Serie A, but nearly all of his other football was at lower levels.
Cedric wasn't a regular at Saints, and i presumed we brought him in as cover for Bellerin who never properly recovered from his injury. This would suggest that Ainsley or Chambers wasn't what Arteta wanted. So why were both Mari and Cedric given deals after their loan spells.
Must have been MA making those decisions and not Edu?
Cedric wasn't a regular at Saints, and i presumed we brought him in as cover for Bellerin who never properly recovered from his injury. This would suggest that Ainsley or Chambers wasn't what Arteta wanted. So why were both Mari and Cedric given deals after their loan spells.
Must have been MA making those decisions and not Edu?
Fair points regarding Torreira, not really given too many chances, but of what i did see, don't think he cut the mustard.
Matteo Guendouzi i have omitted from my posts as i think he could have been a very good player. But he was banished for a foolish mistake he made as a very young man. Now MG may prove to be a troublesome character, but a decent manager would have taken him to one side and educated him in the ways of top football.
You have to say there were times when Guendouzi was our only player on the pitch busting a gut for the team.
Matteo Guendouzi i have omitted from my posts as i think he could have been a very good player. But he was banished for a foolish mistake he made as a very young man. Now MG may prove to be a troublesome character, but a decent manager would have taken him to one side and educated him in the ways of top football.
You have to say there were times when Guendouzi was our only player on the pitch busting a gut for the team.
Watched the game just now. Unimpressive win and wasted a lot of chances near the end and could have cost us. Not much to be encouraged about given it was Norwich at home.
But my God that Ben White is an absolute liability at the back. Letting balls bounce in the box, giving away needless free kicks due to poor positioning etc. He is not a defender and looks like he's as bad as Mustafi with a similar mentality of shirking responsibility. Basic schoolboy errors throughout from him.
But my God that Ben White is an absolute liability at the back. Letting balls bounce in the box, giving away needless free kicks due to poor positioning etc. He is not a defender and looks like he's as bad as Mustafi with a similar mentality of shirking responsibility. Basic schoolboy errors throughout from him.
Please tell me we’ve sent a private plane to pick up Conti
Sep 11, 2021 -- 11:05AM, EastLower Gooner wrote:
Please tell me we’ve sent a private plane to pick up Conti
Conte would require a massive player overhaul if he were to join Arsenal. Unlikely after Arsenal have already spent an absolute fortune this summer. Even Conte couldn't turn Ben White into a competent defender.
Wait till Boxing Day!
You know who will be available!
You know who will be available!
I watched the whole game too and couldn't disagree more with Lurka about his analysis/slating of Ben White. I thought he was excellent and composed throughout the game. Finally we have a player who can really play out from the back and some of his passing was simply sublime.
Considering he is still settling in, I thought he showed tremendous potential....and remember, he is only 23....that's still very young for a Premier centre back.
Considering he is still settling in, I thought he showed tremendous potential....and remember, he is only 23....that's still very young for a Premier centre back.
I didn't mention his passing. Only his defending. He made some very basic errors again and will be found out repeatedly against better sides. His passing was good and is a lot better than Mustafi but defensively I saw a lot of similarities between them today. If you are going to play with 2 CHs then they both need to be able to defend.
I guess it’s welcome back square head Kolasinac tonight…looks a nice game for this Patino kid.
He’s got….if Partey gets injured tonight and misses NLD
Don’t have a problem with him playing Partey last night, even at risk of an injury. Can’t wrap him up in cotton wool and then expect him to turn up and perform in the “bigger” games. It’s frustrating that his injury record since signing is so poor yet he barely missed a game at Madrid. He just doesn’t look match fit and needs game time. The last couple of injury scares have been cramp.
Going into the Derby, I can’t remember a time when both sets of supporters were quite so downcast, both half expecting to lose. When he was at Wolves, Nuno had a good record against Arsenal, so am expecting a tough game. Despite two wins, we’ve only beaten the two teams at the bottom of the table.
Going into the Derby, I can’t remember a time when both sets of supporters were quite so downcast, both half expecting to lose. When he was at Wolves, Nuno had a good record against Arsenal, so am expecting a tough game. Despite two wins, we’ve only beaten the two teams at the bottom of the table.
Yeah apparently Partey needed game time. If he'd been injured tho it would have ramped up pressure on Arteta before the derby. He only played an hour.
Wins against those 3 sides don't really tell us much. Not expecting a very entertaining game in the derby but they are well beatable. So are we, I suppose.
Wins against those 3 sides don't really tell us much. Not expecting a very entertaining game in the derby but they are well beatable. So are we, I suppose.
Just got back. A good day all round.
Wish we started every game like that. And would be helpful if the home support actually got behind the team like today.
Seems like our totally hopeless manager has bought himself a couple of weeks. Hope Spuds get a a few wins now. We could do with Nuno being there for at least a couple of years.
Wish we started every game like that. And would be helpful if the home support actually got behind the team like today.
Seems like our totally hopeless manager has bought himself a couple of weeks. Hope Spuds get a a few wins now. We could do with Nuno being there for at least a couple of years.
Great win and great attitude from the players. Shades of the Chelsea game last season tho. They were as bad as Spurs so I won't be getting carried away that we've turned any corner. Need to see a performance like that against a top side playing well. Spurs were easier to beat than Norwich and Burnley. Tomiyasu looks like a good signing and a big improvement on the right.
Really don't like the way we sit back on a lead and invite the opposition onto us with little threat going forward. It just encourages them and they didn't even turn up today. The last 10 mins of the Chelsea game last season was the same. Can understand it at 3-0 but this manager tends to do it with a single goal lead too. Not as if we have a rock solid defence to rely on.
Really don't like the way we sit back on a lead and invite the opposition onto us with little threat going forward. It just encourages them and they didn't even turn up today. The last 10 mins of the Chelsea game last season was the same. Can understand it at 3-0 but this manager tends to do it with a single goal lead too. Not as if we have a rock solid defence to rely on.
Well done Mikel Arteta. You have showed your mettle by coming through what must have been a terribly stressful and deeply painful period of vile abuse - mostly verbal but much of it physical intimidation of you and your family - from so-called fans of the club you manage. Your club is not out of the woods yet but you have good reason now to be proud of yourself and to never trust an Arsenal fan again.
Early days but does anyone really take the knee-jerk r soles that inhabit the likes of AFTV seriously?
Great win and did we need it. Agree with Lurka about the sitting back tactic. Hopefully onwards and upwards, but we've been here before many times.
Agree blackrock.
First half was best we’ve played for ages. Great to see some pace up front. Front four looks potent.
We have a run of ‘winnable’ fixtures, which has always proved a problem in the recent past. Don’t think we can afford too many injuries as squad lacks depth. Still, a step in the right direction at least. Pleased for Arteta. But that’s football. Lose and you’re clueless. Win and you’re a man with a plan.
First half was best we’ve played for ages. Great to see some pace up front. Front four looks potent.
We have a run of ‘winnable’ fixtures, which has always proved a problem in the recent past. Don’t think we can afford too many injuries as squad lacks depth. Still, a step in the right direction at least. Pleased for Arteta. But that’s football. Lose and you’re clueless. Win and you’re a man with a plan.
News is getting better by the day
Xhaka might be ruled out for three months by knee injury!
Nothing against Xhaka personally I am sure he is a good lad but just too slow for me. I would like to see the new kid get a chance to play with Partey whom I hope will stay fit!
Xhaka might be ruled out for three months by knee injury!
Nothing against Xhaka personally I am sure he is a good lad but just too slow for me. I would like to see the new kid get a chance to play with Partey whom I hope will stay fit!
Salina and Guendouzi both playing fir Marseille tonight and it’s live in BT Sport 2. Interesting to see how both play
All quiet on here. Arteta must be doing ok. A shadow of our former selves atm
It’s usually quiet on here. Never more so than when we’re not losing....
This place has been dead for years now. Even when we were appalling under Wenger.
Tbf, there was a daily discussion when Wenger was still in charge with the pros & antis.
Shame Judge Judy disappeared when the old forum went kapoot - he kept things ticking over.
Shame Judge Judy disappeared when the old forum went kapoot - he kept things ticking over.
We are doing OK beating teams who play very poorly against us. Leicester were dire in the first half. We are still sitting back on leads and inviting the opposition to have a go at our defence, with little to no threat on the counter attack and that is asking for trouble. Leicester were better in the second half but still not at their absolute best and could have scored 2 or more if it wasn't for Ramsdale, who has been very good.
Ramsdale MOTM says a lot about the game. Very little output from Auba or Saka. Gabriel was very good. White OK but still making very basic errors and giving away needless free kicks close to goal - he is not a defender in the pure sense and will cost us a goal very soon.
Not getting carried away with these results, the performances are fairly ordinary but better than poor opposition on the day in Villa, Norwich, Burnley, Spurs and Leicester. On paper it looks better than it is.
We have scored in 4 games in a row from corners and have a new set piece coach who seems to be a massive improvement. That is much needed because we still look devoid of ideas in attack a lot of the time. Saka and Auba not performing ATM makes it difficult but we have rarely looked effective in attack in 2 years under this manager.
Ramsdale MOTM says a lot about the game. Very little output from Auba or Saka. Gabriel was very good. White OK but still making very basic errors and giving away needless free kicks close to goal - he is not a defender in the pure sense and will cost us a goal very soon.
Not getting carried away with these results, the performances are fairly ordinary but better than poor opposition on the day in Villa, Norwich, Burnley, Spurs and Leicester. On paper it looks better than it is.
We have scored in 4 games in a row from corners and have a new set piece coach who seems to be a massive improvement. That is much needed because we still look devoid of ideas in attack a lot of the time. Saka and Auba not performing ATM makes it difficult but we have rarely looked effective in attack in 2 years under this manager.
Tend to agree with you. Hate sitting on a lead and inviting them on. Palace bossed us for most of the game and sat back with 10 to go. We nicked a goal deep into added on time. You have to ask yourself why did Palace change their tactics? It was working fine up to then.
We do the same as do alot of sides. Throwing 11 behind the ball and crowding our own area is not guranteeing anything.
Still don't think Arteta knows his best 11. I don't mean rotation but just a best 11 when all are fit. Will he put Xhaka back in when he returns from injury? Think Lokonga needs to stay in the side to gain experience. Very impressed with Tavares. He'd keep his place if i were the manager.
As for being quiet when we are on a winning run think thats only natural. Far less to discuss when things are going well.
Do miss Gman, JJ and even Pixie.
We do the same as do alot of sides. Throwing 11 behind the ball and crowding our own area is not guranteeing anything.
Still don't think Arteta knows his best 11. I don't mean rotation but just a best 11 when all are fit. Will he put Xhaka back in when he returns from injury? Think Lokonga needs to stay in the side to gain experience. Very impressed with Tavares. He'd keep his place if i were the manager.
As for being quiet when we are on a winning run think thats only natural. Far less to discuss when things are going well.
Do miss Gman, JJ and even Pixie.
Enjoyed your post Blackrock...
Gman, JJ, Pixie... Golden days when you’d get some balanced debate instead of endless moaning about Arteta and how we’re not 10 points clear and at least a few posts a week. Hope JJ is well and enjoying his/her self imposed retirement. Would love a post from him/her (Christ, I’m so woke), just to know he/she is still alive.
I think there are are two types of Arsenal fan. Pre-Wenger, Pre-Graham (me), when we were basically carp. Then the ATV generation who think we are bigger than the other clubs with much larger spends.
Seems we’re making slow progress at the moment, but at least we’re not losing. It seems in the Wenger days, we’d lose with defensive fallibility, but because of the buccaneering style, much was forgiven. The last few years of his tenure weren’t great and there’s a lot to sort out, which won’t be done overnight. Feel we’re slowly getting there.
Interesting appointment by our nearest and dearest. Hilarious if he fails. Suspect he’ll do well there and that will up the ante. I know we can’t measure success in terms of Spuds’ performance, but it will at least keep the board honest.
I’d be happy with Top 6 this year personally.
Gman, JJ, Pixie... Golden days when you’d get some balanced debate instead of endless moaning about Arteta and how we’re not 10 points clear and at least a few posts a week. Hope JJ is well and enjoying his/her self imposed retirement. Would love a post from him/her (Christ, I’m so woke), just to know he/she is still alive.
I think there are are two types of Arsenal fan. Pre-Wenger, Pre-Graham (me), when we were basically carp. Then the ATV generation who think we are bigger than the other clubs with much larger spends.
Seems we’re making slow progress at the moment, but at least we’re not losing. It seems in the Wenger days, we’d lose with defensive fallibility, but because of the buccaneering style, much was forgiven. The last few years of his tenure weren’t great and there’s a lot to sort out, which won’t be done overnight. Feel we’re slowly getting there.
Interesting appointment by our nearest and dearest. Hilarious if he fails. Suspect he’ll do well there and that will up the ante. I know we can’t measure success in terms of Spuds’ performance, but it will at least keep the board honest.
I’d be happy with Top 6 this year personally.
Up to the heady heights of 5th. Fear that most of the squad will now get a nosebleed.
We’re in for a reality check next game though : away to the Filthy Dippers. Could be ugly.
We’re in for a reality check next game though : away to the Filthy Dippers. Could be ugly.
I used to post when JJ ran it (new forum name now - long story). Poor today imo but we get 3pts. Tavares good addition along with Sambi. Jury for me is still out on Odegard but happy with progress. Xhaka should be on the bench when he's back - we shall see. Good young squad that hopefully can grow and mature together
It will be interesting how Saliba fits into the plans next season
Fink - i think we have a chance of getting something at Anfield. Normally its a battering but watching Liverpool at West Ham gave me some confidence.
The scousers moved the ball so slowly giving West Ham time to get back. If they play like that against us we have a decent chance. But bare in mind i haven't tipped a winner in decades.
The scousers moved the ball so slowly giving West Ham time to get back. If they play like that against us we have a decent chance. But bare in mind i haven't tipped a winner in decades.
Talk of Liverpool being without Henderson, Mane & Firmino too
Picking the bones out of yesterday’s game. Where to start?
On the upside, thought we were committed throughout and were the better team for long periods without a real cutting edge up front. Some of the passing out from the back had me heading for the back of the sofa, but they got away with it. Like to see Martinelli being given a longer run in the side. There’s a player in there. Smith Rowe was very good imo. Tomayasu very solid at the back, but offered little going forward.
On the downside, we clearly lack a ruthless streak. Away from home in particular, we never seem able to press home an advantage. Stayed back and invited them on. White very sloppy for their equaliser. Partey pretty poor throughout. Saka nowhere near fit. Substitutions were baffling. No width. Tavares had run his race by the second half and I would have been tempted to put Tierney on down the left as at least he can get outside.
Lot of guff this morning about the opening goal. Great PR exercise if we’d have let them walk the ball into the net, but obvs wouldn’t have been the case if the boot had been on the other foot. Didn’t see Maguire saying to the ref it should have been a pen after he’d cleaned out Tomayasu.
Still, most of us would have taken 5th at this stage of the season. It’s a young side with the youngest manager in the division. Onwards and, hopefully, upwards. But it is Arsenal. You never know.
On the upside, thought we were committed throughout and were the better team for long periods without a real cutting edge up front. Some of the passing out from the back had me heading for the back of the sofa, but they got away with it. Like to see Martinelli being given a longer run in the side. There’s a player in there. Smith Rowe was very good imo. Tomayasu very solid at the back, but offered little going forward.
On the downside, we clearly lack a ruthless streak. Away from home in particular, we never seem able to press home an advantage. Stayed back and invited them on. White very sloppy for their equaliser. Partey pretty poor throughout. Saka nowhere near fit. Substitutions were baffling. No width. Tavares had run his race by the second half and I would have been tempted to put Tierney on down the left as at least he can get outside.
Lot of guff this morning about the opening goal. Great PR exercise if we’d have let them walk the ball into the net, but obvs wouldn’t have been the case if the boot had been on the other foot. Didn’t see Maguire saying to the ref it should have been a pen after he’d cleaned out Tomayasu.
Still, most of us would have taken 5th at this stage of the season. It’s a young side with the youngest manager in the division. Onwards and, hopefully, upwards. But it is Arsenal. You never know.
I thought it was a bit of a gutless performance really, pretty poor all round and it just shows you how bad United are that we could have got something from the game. The usual go 1-0 up and then try to defend it for 75 mins. After we scored we had 11 men goal side of the centre circle for most of the rest of the first half, with zero threat basically begging them to equalise.
They are a poor side defensively, out of sorts without a proper manager and gave us two soft goals, the first one a gift. We went a goal down and got one back within 2 minutes when we looked for one. What is the problem with this manager and not looking to kill teams like that off, instead relying on what is nowhere near a watertight defence for most of the match? No interest in going for a second until 2-1 down. With Ben White and Tavares at the back you are not going to get many clean sheets playing like that.
There are even some in the media trying to blame it on the players dropping off against the manager's instructions but that is bóllocks, it's happened from day 1 and the buck has to stop with the manager at this stage. Plenty of pace up front too but not even a threat on the counter, just slow build up play and losing it in our own half a lot of the time. How are you supposed to look for top 4 without the guts to go for the throat against a direct top 4 rival playing poorly? It was the same against Leicester a few weeks ago. Inviting them on for 70 mins and they would have got at least 2 if it weren't for Ramsdale.
Partey and Auba were woeful. Agree Martinelli should be given a run in the team but the manager is never going to get the best out of attacking players playing the way he does. I don't think he likes Martinelli because he plays like an individual instead of a robot. Saka has looked completely out of sorts since the Euro final. In fairness to Tavares he put in some good far post balls for Saka in space late on but he took far too much time to get a shot away. But Tierney should be getting a look in again at this stage.
They are a poor side defensively, out of sorts without a proper manager and gave us two soft goals, the first one a gift. We went a goal down and got one back within 2 minutes when we looked for one. What is the problem with this manager and not looking to kill teams like that off, instead relying on what is nowhere near a watertight defence for most of the match? No interest in going for a second until 2-1 down. With Ben White and Tavares at the back you are not going to get many clean sheets playing like that.
There are even some in the media trying to blame it on the players dropping off against the manager's instructions but that is bóllocks, it's happened from day 1 and the buck has to stop with the manager at this stage. Plenty of pace up front too but not even a threat on the counter, just slow build up play and losing it in our own half a lot of the time. How are you supposed to look for top 4 without the guts to go for the throat against a direct top 4 rival playing poorly? It was the same against Leicester a few weeks ago. Inviting them on for 70 mins and they would have got at least 2 if it weren't for Ramsdale.
Partey and Auba were woeful. Agree Martinelli should be given a run in the team but the manager is never going to get the best out of attacking players playing the way he does. I don't think he likes Martinelli because he plays like an individual instead of a robot. Saka has looked completely out of sorts since the Euro final. In fairness to Tavares he put in some good far post balls for Saka in space late on but he took far too much time to get a shot away. But Tierney should be getting a look in again at this stage.
Yeah. The manager is only in situ because the media loves him……jeez. It’s like a broken record.
Agree with a few of your other points though. Nowhere near enough quality up front. Auba is spent imo. 5th though. Not bad for a manager that is absolutely clueless….and it’s a very young side. Even if you loathe Arteta, as you clearly do, it’s not as they are going to poach Klopp or another superstar manager.
Agree with a few of your other points though. Nowhere near enough quality up front. Auba is spent imo. 5th though. Not bad for a manager that is absolutely clueless….and it’s a very young side. Even if you loathe Arteta, as you clearly do, it’s not as they are going to poach Klopp or another superstar manager.
Also think you’re being harsh on United describing them as poor. Draw at Chelsea is a commendable result. I’d certainly take it. They certainly have a better squad than us on paper.
Lovely to see the Old legend banner last night flown by who knows, even though the club Stalinists have already erased him from OT. Perhaps we should sack Arteta and pick him up…..
Lovely to see the Old legend banner last night flown by who knows, even though the club Stalinists have already erased him from OT. Perhaps we should sack Arteta and pick him up…..
Same old bollocks.
We beat teams we're expected to beat & lose to teams we're expected to lose to.
We beat teams we're expected to beat & lose to teams we're expected to lose to.
I'm talking about United on the night, not at Chelsea. And Leicester on the day too. The ref wanted to give a drop ball to de Gea and was likely to give them a dodgy decision and he invites them on.
Where did I say he's only in situ because the media love him? He's been playing for one goal wins since the start. Even against teams like Norwich and Burnley this season there is an immediately noticeable difference once we take the lead. Other posters on this thread notice it too. As soon as we went one up last night I knew he'd sit back and try to protect the lead for 75 mins against a team with Harry Maguire at the back and Ronaldo up front. I even said it on the match thread. He's been doing this since day 1, it's not the fault of the players after 2 years and you can't put it down to them being new either because the only new players starting last night were the keeper and 3 of the back 4. The fact he started Elneny in midfield should have told you how he was going to play - exactly the same as he did last year when United were even worse.
We are conceding chances at an alarming rate and are getting bailed out by Ramsdale a lot of the time and a large chunk of it is the manager inviting teams to have a go at us and offering little to nothing in attack at the same time, which only invites them on further. This is working against the players, most of whom are attack-minded, even White and Tavares at the back, and playing to their weakness not their strength.
Where did I say he's only in situ because the media love him? He's been playing for one goal wins since the start. Even against teams like Norwich and Burnley this season there is an immediately noticeable difference once we take the lead. Other posters on this thread notice it too. As soon as we went one up last night I knew he'd sit back and try to protect the lead for 75 mins against a team with Harry Maguire at the back and Ronaldo up front. I even said it on the match thread. He's been doing this since day 1, it's not the fault of the players after 2 years and you can't put it down to them being new either because the only new players starting last night were the keeper and 3 of the back 4. The fact he started Elneny in midfield should have told you how he was going to play - exactly the same as he did last year when United were even worse.
We are conceding chances at an alarming rate and are getting bailed out by Ramsdale a lot of the time and a large chunk of it is the manager inviting teams to have a go at us and offering little to nothing in attack at the same time, which only invites them on further. This is working against the players, most of whom are attack-minded, even White and Tavares at the back, and playing to their weakness not their strength.
Same old, same old. You go on about the media love in ad nauseam. I’d trawl through, but I can’t be bothered.
You have an anti-Arteta obsession. Yet no positive suggestions as to who we should get in. Literally not one suggestion. Just give us one name and I’ll do my best to get it through to the hierarchy…
I’m guessing from the amount of moaning that you started supported the club during the glory years. Championships under Graham, the Wenger revolution and the Invincibles…..All in all, that’s not Arsenal. 4th/5th is our pitch. If you want to win stuff, you really should be supporting Liverpool or City as most in London do these days.
You have an anti-Arteta obsession. Yet no positive suggestions as to who we should get in. Literally not one suggestion. Just give us one name and I’ll do my best to get it through to the hierarchy…
I’m guessing from the amount of moaning that you started supported the club during the glory years. Championships under Graham, the Wenger revolution and the Invincibles…..All in all, that’s not Arsenal. 4th/5th is our pitch. If you want to win stuff, you really should be supporting Liverpool or City as most in London do these days.
And are clubs now announcing how they will be playing?
We are Man City. We are playing you next Sunday. And we will be ****…….
We are Man City. We are playing you next Sunday. And we will be ****…….
To be fair Fink, i reckon Lurka is spot on. Our tactics do change when we go a goal up. We sit back and invite the opposition on [just like Southgate does]. The only way to guarantee victory is to keep scoring.
We are miles away from City/Pool but Man Utd are struggling bigtime and we should have enough about us to win these type of games. We all have our own opinions about how the game should be played, but coaches think they are reinventing the wheel nowadays.
Sitting back and praying you don't concede,without even playing a counter attacking atyle, is an accident waiting to happen.
We are miles away from City/Pool but Man Utd are struggling bigtime and we should have enough about us to win these type of games. We all have our own opinions about how the game should be played, but coaches think they are reinventing the wheel nowadays.
Sitting back and praying you don't concede,without even playing a counter attacking atyle, is an accident waiting to happen.
I’m not denying he has a point. He makes them eloquently. I even agree with him. As I said above, we don’t seem to press home an advantage.
I just find the relentless anti-Arteta, he’s only there because of the media love-in trope a bite tiresome. But each to their own. We’re all on the same side….
I just find the relentless anti-Arteta, he’s only there because of the media love-in trope a bite tiresome. But each to their own. We’re all on the same side….
I agree with Lurka. If 5th is Arteta's ceiling then he should go (I'm not sure it's that high)
I'm not sure there is a pundit love in with him though. TV pundits hardly ever blame managers for anything, as they don't want to call for a guy to be sacked and then find they are sitting in the next seat to them a few weeks later. Much easier to blame owners, or the players in a general way.
I'm not sure there is a pundit love in with him though. TV pundits hardly ever blame managers for anything, as they don't want to call for a guy to be sacked and then find they are sitting in the next seat to them a few weeks later. Much easier to blame owners, or the players in a general way.
I've never said Arteta is only there because of the media. I've said numerous times that he gets an easy pass from the media who have told us from day one that he's a talented manager without any evidence and that Arsenal are improving. He's spent £200m since he arrived. Outspent everyone this summer. 2 years in the job and still playing cowardly football that's not conducive to picking up enough points but we're not allowed to comment on that or criticise him for it because he's wasted the money on largely inexperienced players and flops and has thus bought himself more time?
Arteta is there still primarily because the owners aren't ambitious or ruthless and we have a large chunk of the fanbase who accept mediocrity, despite themselves and the club spending big, not because of the media. You don't get that at Spurs, Liverpool, Chelsea, City etc.
Historically 4th/5th may have been our 'place' but only because we were underachieving. We were the biggest club in the biggest city in Europe historically but now we're behind Chelsea, West Ham and Spurs. 4th place in London is more accurate. We've finished 8th 2 years in a row, remember.
I'm not even looking for us to win the league, that's miles off, but we should be looking to get top 4 with our budget and size and build on that. I don't have to name another manager in order to be able to criticise Arteta either. When you see fans of direct top 4 rivals calling for him to stay like they did with OGS and with Wenger in his latter years that says it all. They know we are going nowhere with him.
Arteta is there still primarily because the owners aren't ambitious or ruthless and we have a large chunk of the fanbase who accept mediocrity, despite themselves and the club spending big, not because of the media. You don't get that at Spurs, Liverpool, Chelsea, City etc.
Historically 4th/5th may have been our 'place' but only because we were underachieving. We were the biggest club in the biggest city in Europe historically but now we're behind Chelsea, West Ham and Spurs. 4th place in London is more accurate. We've finished 8th 2 years in a row, remember.
I'm not even looking for us to win the league, that's miles off, but we should be looking to get top 4 with our budget and size and build on that. I don't have to name another manager in order to be able to criticise Arteta either. When you see fans of direct top 4 rivals calling for him to stay like they did with OGS and with Wenger in his latter years that says it all. They know we are going nowhere with him.
Top three is sewn up for at least a couple of seasons between City, Chelsea and the Dippers. If United get their act together, they should take 4th.
In his defence, he’s been handed a car crash of a club to manage. Loads of dead wood to clear out, which he’s doing. Don’t think we have anywhere near enough threat going forward. There were some mugs on here saying play Auba through the middle, which he’s now doing, but I personally think he’s gone and that apparently simple fix hasn’t worked. The spend over the Summer has to be contextualised. Chelsea and City went out and each spent £100 million on a single player because they already have very strong squads and don’t need total rebuilds.
In his defence, he’s been handed a car crash of a club to manage. Loads of dead wood to clear out, which he’s doing. Don’t think we have anywhere near enough threat going forward. There were some mugs on here saying play Auba through the middle, which he’s now doing, but I personally think he’s gone and that apparently simple fix hasn’t worked. The spend over the Summer has to be contextualised. Chelsea and City went out and each spent £100 million on a single player because they already have very strong squads and don’t need total rebuilds.
I'd really like Arteta to do well at Arsenal, but it just isn't going to happen.
Forget team selections, tactics etc, Arteta seems to be living in cloud cuckoo land. He said after last nights game,that we didn't MANAGE the game very well. We've never managed a game well under him, so wtf is he on about?
To be fair to MA, alot of these players are not performing. Is it coz they are not putting it in for the manager? We stumble through games no matter who the opposition is.
Forget team selections, tactics etc, Arteta seems to be living in cloud cuckoo land. He said after last nights game,that we didn't MANAGE the game very well. We've never managed a game well under him, so wtf is he on about?
To be fair to MA, alot of these players are not performing. Is it coz they are not putting it in for the manager? We stumble through games no matter who the opposition is.
Don’t disagree Blackrock. The post match interview implied that the players weren’t playing to orders, which is a worry. Embarrassing to see us trying to run the clock down with so much time still to go. We were unlucky with a clear sending off decision, but you have to balance that against Everton almost scoring twice.
The problem I have (and personally I’d still give him more time) is that if you get rid, who do you get in? No suggestions on here, natch. And that has to be viewed against the way the owners approach this. Spuds have paid top dollar for a superstar manager. Just can’t see us doing that. Though they are young and will improve, our players are well short of any sort of challenge. And our forwards, the ones responsible for putting it in the net, look hopeless at the moment.
The problem I have (and personally I’d still give him more time) is that if you get rid, who do you get in? No suggestions on here, natch. And that has to be viewed against the way the owners approach this. Spuds have paid top dollar for a superstar manager. Just can’t see us doing that. Though they are young and will improve, our players are well short of any sort of challenge. And our forwards, the ones responsible for putting it in the net, look hopeless at the moment.
After the United game he said we were 'in total control of the game' after we scored the first - they were all over us for the rest of the half and got the equaliser just before HT. Last night he said we were in control of the game after the goal but not playing well. His idea of control of a game or 'game management' is to sit back and try to contain the opposition and invite them on and not look for a second.
Benitez brought Gomez on to give them an extra man in the middle and the game changed almost immediately. He had Lokonga and Elneny on the bench and instead made changes at left full, left wing and up top. Why would you change Tierney (who was playing well) for Tavares when you are defending a lead? Why bring Nketiah on ahead of Auba when he refused a new contract only the other day?
Once they equalised we immediately started to attack them and look for a second. The difference in going forward was stark and immediate.
Re the players, I'd say the likes of Auba and most of the attackers cannot stand this brand of football. It is hard to motivate players or get them to play for you after 2 years of it. And it's not really that surprising that strikers are missing chances either, they feed off confidence and they must go into games wondering if they are even going to get a chance to score rather than expecting to score. The pundits are saying the senior players are letting him down but they are always the first to down tools on a manager. Not good but understandable and I don't think they've been happy for a long time. Just awfully slow, risk averse build up play which often results in us giving the ball away without getting near the opposition's goal and if we do they are set up to defend it.
Benitez brought Gomez on to give them an extra man in the middle and the game changed almost immediately. He had Lokonga and Elneny on the bench and instead made changes at left full, left wing and up top. Why would you change Tierney (who was playing well) for Tavares when you are defending a lead? Why bring Nketiah on ahead of Auba when he refused a new contract only the other day?
Once they equalised we immediately started to attack them and look for a second. The difference in going forward was stark and immediate.
Re the players, I'd say the likes of Auba and most of the attackers cannot stand this brand of football. It is hard to motivate players or get them to play for you after 2 years of it. And it's not really that surprising that strikers are missing chances either, they feed off confidence and they must go into games wondering if they are even going to get a chance to score rather than expecting to score. The pundits are saying the senior players are letting him down but they are always the first to down tools on a manager. Not good but understandable and I don't think they've been happy for a long time. Just awfully slow, risk averse build up play which often results in us giving the ball away without getting near the opposition's goal and if we do they are set up to defend it.
Really could have had 6 points from the last 2 games. Not under this manager playing this way but our team is good enough to have beaten both sides on the night. Both playing well below par and out of sorts. But even teams like that invited on to attack us will score 2 or more against that defence.
Back to the mid-table mediocrity of the pre-George Graham era.
Incredible that we're struggling to finish 5th without having to play in Europe.
Incredible that we're struggling to finish 5th without having to play in Europe.
Hiya Wes. Welcome back to the Arse after rucking on the Bryony thread. 
To be fair to Wes, they are as thick as mince on that thread.
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