Afternoon all.
Injury news is in and basically no-one is back anytime soon but the good news is we’ve no new injuries after the Chelsea game. Another Unai Emery Press Conference has been held and I bet he’s desperate to face the media with a victory together with a much improved performance under his belt.
We’ve a slightly easier run of fixtures for the next few weeks, on paper at least, so it’s a opportunity for the team to build some confidence. The more the team play out the new tactics on the pitch, the better they’ll get. Hopefully anyway. To be honest, I’m not sure many other teams in this league would have coped well with the opening two fixtures we’ve encountered, certainly not those outside last seasons top four and let’s not forget, that’s where we are right now. We shouldn’t be, but the last few seasons saw us slip and slide further away from being a club which competes with the best.
Not until November 3rd do we face another top four club so between now and then it’s all about building momentum game by game and mastering the game plan Emery and his coaching staff are putting out there. Personally, I think he think he needs to be looking at other options to one or two who’ve played in the opening fixtures because they’re letting him and their teammates down. I’d like to see Welbeck instead of Mkhitaryan and replace Ozil with Ramsey or Smith-Rowe. If I had my way, there’d be no place for Xhaka either. Right now you’re probably all thinking, thank goodness she’s not a manager… lol
So, what’s Emery had to say?
On how different West ham will be…
In our process, we are going 38 matches [in total] against all the teams. Whether you are playing against Manchester City, it’s the same as if you’re playing against West Ham on Saturday. There are three points on this game. It’s clear that every game demands different things tactically. After the first two matches, we have two defeats and we need to win this match against West Ham. The difficulty is in this game because West Ham are a good team with good players and a good coach. They know the Premier League very well and they have a lot of new players. We are thinking in our way and about our work to create our ideas and our system on Saturday with our supporters at the Emirates. I think it’s very important to show them a better performance than in the two first matches. We are preparing well, I am feeling well when I look at the players in training every day.
On Iwobi’s goal summing up the way he wants his team to play…
We want to go forward and score. Maybe we can do it directly with one long pass or by progressing with the passes, controlling possession to [help us] win the games. We can find a goal like on Saturday against Chelsea, or with less passes on the pitch. For me what’s important is that all the players know how to [use] the ball in each match and that they use the [ball in] the best moment or the best way to attack against the opponents.
If Koscielny is ahead of schedule…
He’s working very hard. First he was in France. He came back to us last Sunday. We are happy to have him here with us, because he’s our captain and he’s showing us his spirit to stay with us. We need to be patient with him because the injury was an important injury. It’s clear that it’s very important to stay with us, working here and showing us that he wants to help us.
When will he play?
It’s difficult to know. You look at this morning, he’s running, he’s working on the pitch. The progress is very good progress.
On if he’s happy to change his style based on the opponent…
My idea is first control, but the opposition want the same. With this control, you can be near to win and then know when you need to change the rhythm. I know we need intensity in every moment in the games. This control is to not let the opposition play. For example in the two first matches, we didn’t have the control [enough – only in some moments, but not like what we need to find to win. Saturday is another match, tactically it will be different. It will be demanding and I want to have more control to find the win in this match.
On if he will change his formation…
We are working on different situations tactically. In the first we are playing with four at the back, then we have two and one, and one and two. With two and one, it is like a 4-2-3-1 and one, two, is for a 4-1-4-1 or a 4-3-3. We have players who train in this system. The moment on the pitch is different. If we need to improve in this mobility, the quality is very important, but also how the player is moving on the pitch. I think with two systems, we can continue to progress and think about winning the next match.
On if he could play with two up front on Saturday…
At the moment, no. At the moment, I think we need to have the control with the possession, with the positioning on the pitch, with more players inside. And after this possession, to do the attacking moments and defending moments with this balance. But, it is one possibility to continue in our progress and in one moment to try also to play with two scorers. In the last match of the pre-season, against Lazio, I did it with Lacazette and Nketiah. But also, this position also for the players, they know that in one moment we can do that. But at the moment, no.
On Aubameyang and his form in training…
The first is to create chances, situations and attacking moments where the player arrive in the box and with the balance to use the small space the opposition gives us. And then, I am sure they are going to score if we create a lot of chances in the game. The first idea for us on Saturday is to create these chances and then the players’ confidence for starting to arrive in the box, to score. Maybe the players can not score three good chances in one match and on another day, I am sure they are going to do maybe the same chances in one match and score three. For that, Aubameyang is a player who, in his career, has scored a lot and he is going to do that here also.
On Jack Wilshere returning…
I spoke with him for 15 minutes here in Colney before he left. The first thing for me is I have respect for his career here. And then, he chooses what the best was for him in his future. It’s for that, on Saturday, I know that here, the supporters like him and have this respect also. I think there is a good reception for him here. Then we are going to play and we are going to think after that, for us to win. But, I [hope] the best for his career.
Well I hope Jack has a shocker on Saturday, I really do because he’s a dangerous player and one who can cause big problems. After that though, good luck to him and I hope he has a great season. Well, until we travel to West Ham of course. I’m sure he’ll get a great reception though because as Emery said, he was and probably sill is a fans favourite. I’m still quite surprised he left really, especially after finally looking to have overcome his injury problems.
Finally, I’ve nicked this picture from Arseblog and I hope they don’t mind. Seems Mustafi and Sokratis have no excuses when it comes to tracking back at pace according to these results. Well, either that or the rest behind them in the table are snails..
Enjoy the rest of your day guys..
Good day Rico and everyone, I just want us to win on Saturday, we need to start raking in points… Hopefully by November we will be in the top 4… Mhki is still good to go for me, the players I just don’t want to see wearing an arsenal jersey currently are xhaka, bellerin, ozil and mustafimustafi..
Hi Mexzy, Bellerin might be ok if he had better support which he’d get from Welbeck..
Thanks Rico.
The more I read from Dick the more I`m convinced he has more variety in coaching ability than the last manager.
Still shocked by the speed test results !………………………….Sokratis must have gained his speed from dodging plates being thrown at his parents Big Fat Greek Restaurent !
Lol Rico I love xhaka. He’s an enigma. Play him and we ‘ll unbalanced in the middle of the park and players past us like wildebeest in the Serengeti but don’t play him and we look lethargic and can’t move the ball forward. Case point is the second half against the chavs. Once xhaka left it was obvious. You can tell our passing lanes collapsed. I think I ‘ll rather mhki in the number 10 role than ozil ma’am as for bellems am his biggest critic but even him too showed a bit of promise against Chelsea. January is really going to determine if we ‘ll make the top 4 or not. Kronks need to pull his finger out and nab us few new shiny players. Afternoon Rico and all.
Hi Goonie, seriously re Xhaka?? He barely did a thing whilst on the pitch from what I saw..
Yeah but guess what😁😁 When he was substituted we couldn’t break the lines against Chelsea all through the second half. He’s slow and ponderous I give you that but he’s essential to how we play. For long spends during the second half we couldn’t get out of our own half. Yes we looked more solid and less prone to balls over the top but we were also toothless up front. One more thing I may be in the minority here but I think laca is better up top than auba. If laca had both chances that auba miscued against Chelsea we could have won that game 4.2!
Morning ma’am
Morning Goonie, all.
You’ve not convinced me… lol
Morning Rico and all. Like the esteemed Goonster, I prefer Lacazette to Auba up front as a lone striker. As for Xhaka, I stuck with him through his somewhat mediocre time at the club but can’t, at the moment, see him in the team – if Emery wants to play the fast pressing game that everyone says is his aim.
I would also add a couple of others.
Morning Adam, I’d like to see Lacazette and Auba in the same team with Auba out wide.
Rico. Yes, me too.
Welbeck on the right Adam?
Morning all.
I’m still hoping Lacazette becomes the player we saw in France, and I think he will.
Auba adds that X factor so we have the attacking potency-stating the obvious, I know.
We need to turn defence into attack as quickly as possible and that’s what we’ve missed for years now.
We must beat West Ham for the sake of Emery and we really should, imo.
I’m pretty confident so here’s hoping.
Adamant ☺
Morning Rico,Brudder,Scott and Stanley,
Auba Laca Mahrez would of been a sexy frontline….I’d drop Ozil for the Hammer’s game and play Miki at #10 and I also think I’d drop Xhaka, he just doesn’t do it for me.
This unbalanced squad that Wenger has assembled will take at least two more transfer windows to sort out.
The run of relatively “easier” games will give Dick an opportunity to try different permutations hopefully finding a decent balanced team.
I really hope we get a comfortable confidence boosting victory on Saturday and build on it.
I think we showed start with the team that ended the Chelsea game bar auba. Let’s play this cech bellems sokratis mustafi nacho gwen Lucas Rambo mhki laca and iwobi. I think that team ‘ll be too much for west ham. Auba needs to sit this one out. It’s time to give laca a shot. Ozil should be relegated to the bench till he proves he is ready to pull his weight.
Morn lee ☺
Lee great minds re-ozil😎😎😎😎
Won’t happen but what about swap Ramsey (as he won’t sign) for Martial? I think he’d flourish at Arsenal but the poisoned pigmy would throw a spanner in the works….
Maureen won’t sanction that lee. I ll take him Any day. Shame we have that portuguese pygmy at the helms. Hey we don’t have Wenger again may be he ‘ll do business with us now.
Morning Scott, Lee.
I’d definitely drop Ozil, did think Ramsey in there but Mikki is a good shout Lee. If Ramsey won’t sign, don’t play him.
I’d take a Ramsey/Martial swap any day of the week.
Hiya Lee, Stan, everyone-good to be back.
Xhaka-I still can’t work him out, to be honest.
I’m not sure he’s suited to the PL, but the man can quite obviously play the game.
Ozil-against the Hammers, is start him because, imo, Emery needs to give him 6-8 games to sort himself out before sacking him.
Give him every opportunity to play the way the manager wants and if not, then banish him to the bench.
That way, nobody-Ozil included-can say he’s been treated harshly.
Ramsey-I think it’s a cop out for him to say he’s leaving negotiations to his agent.
The agent works for the player, don’t they?
If he wants to stay, it should take 10 minutes.
If he wants to stay but on ridiculous wages, then the problems and delays begin.
We have made a rod for our own back by paying Ozil 300k a week.
Think he ‘ll sign Rico but it’s looking ominous now. Why haven’t he signed yet?? Would hate to see him in another shirt. Maybe if he moves abroad then I ‘ll breathe easy but I think he ‘ll sign.
Scotty oz☺ am glad you ‘re back mate. Your posts are always a joy to read. Missed your input. Welcome back buddy.
Cheers mate.
I appreciate the welcome and chance from everyone and won’t waste it-that’s a promise!!!
I can’t see Ozil changing now. He’s fine for the games which we boss but when hard work is required, he’s gone..
Agree re the £300k Scott.
I don’t Goonie and I certainly wouldn’t double his wages if that’s what he’s hoping for..
Rico, I get what you’re saying but on 300k, I reckon Emery can’t afford to leave any stone unturned.
Let Ozil play himself out of the side, rather than push him.
Ideally, he fires up and gets the job done.
Benching him might fire him up Scott..
That’s true, too lol
“We have made a rod for our own back by paying Ozil 300k a week.“
This.
We are lumbered with him unless he fancies playing in China! Why are we such bad sellers of our players? We don’t seem to get anywhere near what other clubs get when they sell…..
Is it because they are on inflated contracts or that just really aren’t that good?
Lee, I reckon it’s because they joined under Arsene Wenger regressed and weren’t value for money unless cheap.
Rico but compared to the Wenger of the first half of his reign…he transformed some players into truly world class stars!
So because they joined the latter Wenger period would be more accurate I guess!
Ozil hasn’t regressed, imo.
He’s the same player we bought, I reckon.
We never really made the most of him.
Lee, he will be one damn expensive bench warmer lol
We signed Ozil just as the No.10 was going out of fashion with the proliferation of teams playing the pressing game, you can’t afford to carry passengers anymore.
Morning Gooners, morning Rico.
Yep, Lacazette for me as the lone striker.
Ak my cousin thinks auba is just a glorified “walcott” heck he feels Walcott is even better. Calls him the “gabonese theo “😂😂😂😂 jan is one crazy bugger.
Just why the decline under him was so hard to understand Lee..
Morning Kev, he’s certainly the more clinical striker..l
Take out Xhaka and play Ozil deeper with plenty of strength/aggression around him!!!
Take them both out Scott… 😉
That’d shore up the defence hahahahah
Sean is in South Korea, and they’ve played their first 2 games.
0-0 with SK and a 3-0 win over Japan so a solid start for the Aussie kids 🙂
Seems 24 hours in and he’s lost his bloody phone already!!!
He’s worse than his dad.
Afternoon Rico and all. I dunno about Danny out wide too but I’d like Emery to give him a real chance in the team.
Some interesting times ahead I think.
What’s with all the Mesut Erdogan Ozil bashing on here, surely a 300k performance is only just around the corner !
Stan I wouldn’t go as far as your cousin, but all I’m saying is Aubameyang hasn’t yet scored against any of the top five, only Everton and the usual suspects like Watford, Stoke, West Brom.
Theo had his faults, but maybe not as many as were thrown at him and 100 goals isn’t a bad return – he also scored against the top sides.
Ak I think a lot of people jumped on the “theo is shit” because leshite championed it and AFTV ran with it. I would have loved to see theo under emery. Now that we are playing balls over the top for strikers to tun into he would have flourished. With him in that team against Chelsea we would have ripped them apart. Theo has his limitations but scoring wasn’t one of them. Like you said he scored most big games and when it matters too. God I miss him.
I always found it frustrating that Theo was just as good at 20 as he was at 26-27.
He was never a bad player at all, though he lacked consistency.
Now I know plenty think his failure to improve was due to Wenger and that’s fair enough, but I’ve always thought he never really learned how to play the game when he needed to, at the youth level.
I can picture his coaches telling his teammates to bomb it long and his pace would do the rest.
I reckon he may well have been undercoached which is in contrast to most talented kids.
Hi All:
What’s good Scott. Good to see you back.
This idea that the only way to play “modern football is to press and play out of the back, is overrated. This pressing thing, with small sized players running around, only works if teams lack stronger, faster, bigger players. Imagine City 2018, trying to press the Invincibles, Chelsea 2005/6 or for that matter even City 2011. It didn’t work against Liverpool and other teams in the CL. Pep forced everyone to adapt to tiky-tac football and now he’s doing it again. Imho, so many managers over think the game.
I suggested it last week: play 3 at the back, put Welbeck on the wing to help out, because hes a workhorse, Bellerin is not a primary defender but a secondary one, so play him as rw – dude never tracks back anyway so leave him there and play Lichtsteiner at rb. With Torreira and Guend in the middle. This will improve the defense by miles.
Is not Ozil’s fault that Arsenal bought a Chef when they needed a short order cook. Goes to my point, managers want system players of the day, rather than footballers. If am paying a guy 300 p.w. it is because I want to build a team around him not integrate him into a system.
Afternoon Adam, all.
Me too re Welbeck, a new start and all that.
Scott, I believe Walcott learned a lot right through school and then Southampton, but was never allowed or helped to master one role. At 16 when he joined us, the coaching staff should have taken him to the next level imo. Sven taking him to a WC didn’t help, Wenger should have stopped that..
Lloris charged with drink driving. Bet he wishes he was at a club which paid him enough so he could afford a taxi….
New post up now