Morning all.
Losing to Man City, even at The Emirates is no sin. Not really when one considers the money they’ve invested in both players and their manager. However, the way in which we lost this one, and most other fixtures over the last few years is not only sad to see but a true reflection of where Arsenal FC are today.
It would be so easy to say the job of head coach is too big for Freddie and perhaps it is. But I cant think of anyone who could walk into the job today and turn this group into players into a proper hard working and consistent team. Pep couldn’t that’s for sure and neither could Klopp in my opinion. But what they would do is rebuild.
That’s where we are I think and where we’ve been for the last few years. Arsenal don’t need Raul Sanllehi signing players for the manager/head coach to try and fit in, he needs to sign the players the manager says he needs to make his plan work. There’s no point in signing an attacking midfielder if the manager says his priority is a centre back just as there’s no point in signing a right back when the manager says he needs a left winger either. Sign who/what we need and not just someone, or anyone who happens to be signable – I’ve made that word up.
Arsenal still need a core of players who were born with a backbone and a love for the game. Two in each position in my opinion. The board need to appoint a manager who can identify the players who will bring some steel into the side and Raul needs to get them signed. If he can’t, then that raises another question. One for another day.
I don’t want this to sound like a knee jerk reaction and it’s not because the same players are doing the same things week in week out. Aubameyang went missing yet again, Ozil sulked his way through another lousy game, Guendouzi decided to dive in the box, Kolasinac ducked away from a de Bruyne shot before leaving Sterling with all the time in the world to score and City’s third was simply all to easy. But where’s the effort beforehand?
Pepe let Fernandinho go by him too easily. Chambers got caught the wrong side of Jesus and once the cross went in, de Bruyne was simply too good. What on earth was Guendouzi doing allowing de Bruyne to get past him so easily which led to a goal? Tackle him for goodness sake, better still, take one for the team as City players were doing time and time again. Clever, but oh so cynical. AMN, Chambers and Torreira could all have prevented the cross to Sterling but even before then, right back on the edge of their box, Pepe and Gendouzi had the opportunity to close the City move down. Meanwhile AMN could be spotted casually jogging back into position, not that it did any good. The defence in general had a nasty habit of backing off the City players when really, someone just needs to do more. A lot more. Tackle the guy with the ball. These guys are professional footballers, tackling should come second nature to them shouldn’t it?
To end on a positive though, I thought Martinelli was again very good, and young Saka, and he is still young don’t forget, filled in a left back and did well. ESR did more in his minutes than Ozil did in an hour and Bernd Leno showed again what a fine goalkeeper he is.
Just a shame those in front of him don’t offer more protection.
See you in the comments guys.
Morning rico, good summing up. Just heard Stuart Pierce on radio, said that urgency players show tracking back can be an indicator of the whole situation at a club. And ours was awful.
Everton were being made out as a very poor team a few weeks ago, and they have taken 4 points out of 6 with Dunc, against Chelsea and Man U. Something is rotten at Arsenal.
Morning Andrew.
I think it’s down to personnel, I really do. They seem to think they are better than they are and it’s been like it for years.
Morning all.
Our defenders all back off and have done so for quite a while now.
Id almost swear they were coached to do so but surely at least one player has to stand his ground and try and shut down the man with the ball-he’s the most dangerous player at any given time and all we do is invite him closer to goal.
Why???
Like playing out from the back, I fail to see the benefit.
Risk v reward and the risk always bites us on the arse so what’s the damn point???
The entire club needs an overhaul.
All the extra staff brought in to replace Wenger haven’t improved the place at all, quite the contrary in fact.
Stan, meanwhile, couldn’t give a shit.
What a mess.
I never thought I’d see the club in such a state.
Get Arteta in.
Sell Auba, Laca, Ozil-half the bloody squad, in fact, and start from scratch!!!!
Why are our superstars being shown up by an 18 year old Brazilian lad?
Shame on them!!!
Martinelli-i’d already be extending that lads contract.
Same with Leno.
Good morning Rico and all.
I had my say on yesterday’s game last night, so nuff said.
Desperate times need desperate measures. We need to appoint Emery’s replacement now and the obvious answer is staring us in the face. He’s already at the club Joe Montemurro! He’s doing a great job with the Arsenal Women, reigning Champions and top of the league. In fact why not replace the bunch of slackers we laughingly call our first team with our all conquering womens team. They would give the opposition a run for their money.
There aren’t many I’d be sad to see go….
I was sad to see Ramsey go, sad to see Sanchez go.
Saw some highlights from a while back, Torreira looked a star, so worth trying to get him back there. Agree on Martinelli, but how long before he joins the others if we don’t get proper leadership in. Lacazette used to put in a shift, Leno is one of few still playing well.
But first we need a Captain and a Manager. Auba is a joke as a captain, cannot believe two successive managers gave it to him. But above all, our Board are so slow in every decision, show no improvement from years back, so whole club is in such a bad state. Longer it goes, any decent manager will be less likely to accept especially if he can’t buy who he wants, and in fact is told little funds anyway. Can’t see a way out at moment.
Cicero,
The Aussie we’ve spoken of lately-Ange Postecolgou-is the best coach/manager this country has ever produced, mate.
That’s no criticism of Joe as quite clearly, he’s done a magnificent job.
Ange has had success everywhere he’s been, and his sides play a brilliant style of football.
Interesting though, Joe was pulled from obscurity so who knows?
Damn, two convicts over there-we did sort your cricket out, I guess.
And your Rugby, Netball, swimming, cycling hahahahaha
Rico, same.
Sometimes a fresh start is exactly what’s required, especially when the staleness is stinking up the joint.
Hi Cicero.
Me too re Alexis Andrew, great player, great attitude imo.
Scott will hate this, but I would have kept Sanchez, made him captain, and let him ball out the slackers. Can’t have been worse than this toothless lot. Look at Auba’s face when we are playing crap and he is captain, can’t see any annoyance at all. Absolutely no leadership.
Absolutely so would I re Alexis but Arsene Wenger couldn’t manage him imo.
I’d have made Sokratis captain this season. He might be a dodgy defender but he’s got the right attitude imo.
Aubameyang is no more a captain than a Ozil imo… Terrible appointments.
As for the manager, if Freddie isn’t in the boards plans, go and fight hard for Pochettino. We need a strong character imo and someone who knows the PL.
But why can us nobodies and plenty more Arsenal fans know that Ozil and Auba aren’t captain material, and yet highly paid managers can’t?
Hahahaha Andrew-thinking outside the box,
I love it!!!
Alexis was every bit as petulant as Ozil showed yesterday yet it was called passion in his case, a dummy spit when it was Ozil.
People loved the passion Emery initially showed on the sideline until things went sour and then he became just a man waving his arms around in desperation.
I guess everyone sees things differently.
Alexis would definitely have shown more ticker than some of our lot now, though, but then, that wouldn’t be bloody hard.
It would’ve been fiery, that’s for sure.
Seems we give the armband to the player closest to the exit door hoping it’ll change his mind.
The difference being, Alexis was scoring goals and winning us matches, Ozil just sulks. Also, one kept quiet, the other brings embarrassment on the club with his comments.
Morning Rico, and everyone.
You’re right about no shame in losing to City, Rico, but as you said, it was the manner in which we lost.
We’re a joke and Crystal Palace with almost the same goal difference are poised to sit above us in the league.
Is this where we have got to? As a club that used to be revered we should be ashamed that we’re conning the supporters into buying season tickets.
It is a depressing fact that a clearout of the obvious culprits is required, NOW!
Well, no later than January lol.
We can do without the surly display of Özil kicking his gloves into touch just as much as Xhaka discarding his Arsenal shirt.
Get Amazon to box them both (I’m sure they’ll find some big enough) and direct them to another club.
No comments from me recently as I’ve been away, and, regarding the group of individuals who represent our club, their lack of serious effort (which Freddie also touched on) has left me wondering where this will finish.
I watched the highlights last night and Sterling’s tap-in illustrated (as if we need any reminding) the complete lack of co-ordination and discipline of our joke of a defence – three guys in pursuit of, and pretending to be able to deal with, DeBruyne, while Sterling, unmarked, lurked on the far edge of the six-yard box.
Rumour has it that Torreira is unhappy and his agent might be looking for another club? For an ex-forward, his finishing is abysmal and has been for along time.
Auba given a good ball to run on to approaching the left side of the area made, dare I say it, a complete hash of the opportunity!
Martinelli is the young man that the other players should be emulating – never gives up and has great flair and talent.
I believe that it’s not confidence that is lacking in this team, it’s a red-blooded heart and character.
Rico, it doesn’t change the fact he was petulant, though, or selfish.
I Have not seen Ozil tell a team mate to f**k off.
Nor have I seem him set a PL record for a season of turning the ball over to opponents.
Yes, he was energetic and early on, he was fantastic for us but unfortunately, that changed.
Again, we all see things differently and it doesn’t make us right or wrong.
Morning Andorra.
I think a clear out has to take place because we’ll have limited money if we miss out on CL football again and right now, Europa looks a step too far.
We’ll agree to differ Scott.
The Arteta rumours are warming right up atm.
Bring it on!!!!!
We always disagree, Rico 🙂
If Arteta gets the job, good luck to him.
We will get behind whoever gets the job, Rico.
We have to.
We also have to cross our fingers.
Of course it was passion Scott. When Alexis scored, the delight was all over his face. When Ozil scores, he ….. sucks a dummy! I know what resonates most for me.
Not always Scott but I think we interpret things differently
HI Rico and every one This board should have already had a coach in place before we sacked Emery as for Freddie I liked him as a player but not as a coach. I just wish we would select a coach this week and give him time to say who to sell and who to buy in the mid year draft, Been a long time since we had a back line that stood there ground
Andrew, neither have set the world on fire since they stopped playing together so maybe there’s something in that.
https://arseblog.news/2019/12/arsenal-duo-pictured-leaving-artetas-house/
Hi Geoff.
Scott, we won’t ever agree re Sanchez but think we do on Ramsey. I was thinking the other day, if I had been a Pro footballer, who would I like to have seen myself as. Ramsey and the general way he carried himself through good and bad times, without being the most talented, would do for me.
Hi Scott not bad a two Aussie coaches in the china super league
Geoff,
I’m sure Ange is the type of manager who’d fire our squad up but really, I cant see it happening.
Andrew, well said.
Rambo always put in a shift, was thrown around position wise and just got on with the job.
Never complained, never did anything but what was best for the team and was a great clubman.
Shame he was so maligned by many but again, it’s just differing opinions.
He’d have made a great caption, imo, because he led by example.
Rico, I saw that article about the late night rendezvous.
Interesting times.
Interesting times with or without Arteta Scott. What happens next could define the clubs future perhaps.
Absolutely, Rico.
If we get it wrong, today’s situation could suddenly look pretty decent lol
Scary thought.
I would support Arteta …….. until about the third minute of his first game, when we get caught playing out from the back! I joked the same about Freddie, but unfortunately it came true. Even if he thought that’s the correct way, with us looking so inept at it, and supporters deriding it, I never thought we would continue, or at least, not 90% of the time.
😆 Andrew.
Andrew, don’t get me going on that hahahahaha
I can’t stand that practice one bit!!!
I think it can make sense, if your defenders are amongst the most talented ball players in the world. Are ours?
But to then let the opposition know you are going to do it, and rarely get out of your own half without losing the ball, is frankly, hilarious. Well it would be if it wasn’t Arsenal doing it.
Andrew, the very, very best sides can make it work, no question, but my issue is that we have an already dicey defence, so why would we want to add to the pressure?
It’s just suicide.
Arteta has just firmed with bookies to 1/5.
Could it be we’ve made a choice?
Olympiacos for us in Europa
Almost seems secondary who we get in Europe, as at moment we couldn’t win anything. But just maybe, if we get a Manager in place, a few astute signings, then a run in Europe could save a season that is finished in December.
Greek tragedy?
This Arteta story has to have very strong legs imo. Why, after just playing City, would Vinai go up north just to hold further talks? Arteta could have easily stayed in north London, or flown down earlier yesterday. Sounds to me like he’s set to be our new head coach.
I thought David Platt would make a good manager, and Arteta seems a similar studious character. Was wrong on that one, but maybe worth a punt this time. We need to do something urgently. Poch would have been the real deal, but why would he want Arsenal when other jobs would be so much more appealing.
Followed him up north rico, because when he asked him after the match, he said ‘are you having a laugh’!
From what I’ve read Andrew, Poch didn’t have the say-so on control of buying and selling players (Levy did), so was not entirely happy with his limited control over the players and his contractual obligations.
Because chaos reigns at The Emirates, Poch might have thought he could stamp his own dynamic on a side (half of which needs to be shown the door) and let’s not forget, he reached the European Cup final as we did with Wenger – if Lehmann hadn’t been sent off WE might have won……..!
Arteta? Just because he’s Guardiola’s assistant doesn’t neccesarily qualify him for the job, imo, as he has never made the big decisions….
If you think the rumour has “strong legs” Rico, perhaps Vinai got the approval from Guardiola to let Arteta go, at The Emirates, and he went up with the Contract to get it signed.
Who knows for sure and, will we find out shortly?
Just like Freddie, Mertesacker, Bould, and a variety of other backroom staff, Arteta was moulded by Wenger. A couple of seasons alongside Guardiola may have changed some of his ethos but there will still be a lingering whiff of the Frenchman.
We need a clean break not a half baked Guardiola lookalike.
What was going on with Sead ? He takes on two muggers armed with knives, WITH HIS BARE HANDS,and yet leans out of the way of…a football.
Unbelievable,he isn’t a very good footballer though,in my opinion.
Looks like Arteta is the chosen one,all good luck to him,he will need it.
At the moment confidence must be lower than a snakes belly.
Cheers Rico.
I would love it that VV and HF were at Arteta`s house at 01:20 in the morning negotiating, but it`s more likely that Arteta was still on his way from London and them two were burgling his house of the trophies Mikel has won at Man C………………come on !………01:30 in the morning is prime burgler time, I should know, I was around VV and FH`s houses doing the same !………..although I found no trophies, just a container full of contraband hairy beaver wigs!
Have been saying for years and all the time I`ve posted on HH………..Kroenke is the real problem, it`s chis club, so the buck stops at him.
Lets look at the facts…………………..Sheikh Mansour has invested £1.3 Billion of his own money since taking over Man C in 2008.
Abramovich has invested £1.17 Billion of his own money since taking over Chavs in 2003.
Kreonke has invested £0 of his own money since taking over Arsenal and that is why we are up shit creek without a paddle!
The breaking news on SkySports is that Arsenal are talking with CFG to the availability of Arteta………………….if that is true and he is available then he will be the next coach as I dont think you ask about the availability of someone just for an interview !
You know what Limey? I don’t think confidence comes into the equation. The majority of our players don’t seem to give a toss about how they play, how their lack of effort or willingness to put their bodies on the line or their rotten attitude is responsible for the mess the club are in.
Look at what we have, Mesut, couldn’t give a shit, Ozil a player happy to stroll around the pitch for an hour and then go off in a huff when hooked for lack of effort. One of our “Captains”
Aubameyang, a striker interested in only his personal goals tally, seldom provides an assist, never bothers with defending, already with his bags packed and hoping to leave in January. Another of our “Captains”.
Pepe, a £72 million striker who has scored four goals in half a season, one penalty, two freekicks and only one from open play. A player who when tackled a couple of times, quits attempting to beat the fullback and shovels the ball off as soon as possible.
Lacazette, not trusted by Wenger, the first to be subbed. Not trusted by Emery used mostly as a sub. Not trusted by Freddie a more or less permanent bench sitter. Probably also looking for the exit in January.
With examples like those four in front of them how likely is it that the rest of the squad will be inspired by their attitude.
Thing is Cicero, I have just read some comment by De Bruyne who criticised the Arsenal forwards (except Martinelli) for not coming back to help out. He said it was then easier to exploit the Arsenal defenders as they were allowed “space”.
One of the other forwards who always came back to help out was Lacazette.
It has been mentioned on this Forum that the club should be looking at players in the Championship for example, who display the
characteristics we all want to see.
I wonder if Kolasinac thought his header would deflect the ball into the goal. 😂
Evening All, Thanks Rico. It must get depressing for you to write about Arsenal these days ,but thank you. It gives us all a place to have a rant, which I really need !!!
Andorrabyte, Hi, I have just read the De Bruyne article. How embarrassing . He even states that they watch videos of how our players don’t help in defense. Are we not watching these videos?
I agree that we should maybe be looking for players in the Championship, who can show a bit of the spirit we need.
Teams watching video`s of us !……………………..Emery was a great believer in that,trouble is he should have been looking at video`s of how bad our defence was not the oppositions!
Every team knows how bad our defence and so called midfield shield is, DeBruyne is the last player you want to give room to in our large gaping gap between defence and midfield.
I want Arteta for future reasons and he will need a long time to get us back to anywhere where we used to be, possibly impossible knowing who our non investing owner is.
Fat Sam says he would improve our defence tomorrow if he was given job, that I have no doubt about, but he will never be in the running.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7798111/Mikel-Arteta-set-meet-Arsenal-chief-Kroenke-final-interview-replace-Unai-Emery.html
It’s been pretty depressing since day one Mike. 😂
Amazing watching Kplasinac ducking for that goal, yet if a mugger had thrown knives at him he would have caught them in his teeth!
Evening all. (Dixon of Dock Green- 1960ish)
I imagine when they hogtied Arteta in his own home, the first offer they made was a sincere apology for not appointing him 18 months ago! But I bet they didn’t! More likely they asked why he hadn’t applied for the job yet!
Like many on here I was quite in favour of appointing Mikel to follow on from the ancient one. But, it didn’t happen they preferred little Dick. Having just been constructively sacked by PSG they saw him as a good fit. Well, as it would seem from some of their other decisions, they didn’t get that right. They may be on a roll. Although if we hail the arrival of Arteta then We have to hope he will prove to have the alchemy to turn this squad round.
In any event they need to make a permanent appointment tout suite! Hopefully they get the right man and he gets the cash and players that he needs, because quite clearly the ‘dream team’ haven’t got a clue! Letting Mislintat leave didn’t help at all. Not that we know what happened to him.
Perhaps we’ll get the grey smoke sooner rather than later.
We might see the new manager bounce at Goodison.
Hope its better than Freddie’s dead cat bounce Andorra. 😕
And a fine programme that was too Wavy…
I’m a bit concerned that it is our Managing Director and our contract man who are holding discussions with Arteta, followed by an interview with the Boy Josh. Not our Director of Football or our Chief Executive the only two members of our senior management with any serious football knowledge. Still the money has to be right ahead of the ability to coach ….doesn’t it?
The only dead cat is on Kroenke`s head, Cicero, although technically it`s not a cat, but a dead hairy beaver!
I sure hope so Limey.
Why Cicero? Surely the talks with Josh and co are just a formality. I doubt they’ll be talking about football, just finances, expectations and to get the thumbs up.
Morning all.
All this hype and conjecture needs to be ended by naming our new manager ASAP.
Whether that’s Arteta, someone else or Freddy is to remain, the entire club just needs it sorted as its not helping anyone.
I’m saying that, obviously getting the right man is more important than anything else, but right now, it’s hard not to feel for Freddy.
They have a process to go through Scott, it’s about getting it right, not done quickly. You have to be more patient. Lol
My son( a devout Gooner) and his lovely wife are expecting a first child around 14th June, they live rent free in the annexe next door and love it here, my daughter in laws dad is a spud and he lives 50 miles away and sees her once in a blue moon…………………spud says he`s going to buy the baby a spud shirt!………………..I`m ok with this as the baby will need plenty of nappies!………………..it will be one of the highlights of my life to post a picture of a soiled spud shirt on facebook! hahaha
What`s needed is for Ornstein to approve and rubber stamp it for Arteta! 😆
That’s just nasty LC hahahahahahaha
Rico, I agree but for all concerned, the sooner it’s done, the better.
Just heard this from someone who is usually as reliable as Ornstein…………………..
Mikel Arteta has been offered a deal until 2023. Verbal agreement and club waiting to find out if City demand compensation. He’s set to sign
Of course it would be better Scott, however…
I just saw this taken from an interview with Arteta, and it’s why I believe Emery failed.
Emery demanded players play the style of football he wanted and he made little or now effort to play a style that suited the squad,
Imo.
Here’s what Arteta has said…..“You can have an idea of a system, but you need to be able to transform it depending on the players you have – how much pace you have up front, how technical your team is, what types of risk you can take and whether your players are ready to take those risks.”
Pep says he’s ready so who are we fans to say he’s not?
Still, the proof is always in the pudding.
Not much of a mention of Ozil on here today?
I don’t think he’s good enough to be petulant at the moment.
Could have cost the club millions with his comments on China.
What to do with someone so talented but with such a crap attitude?
Sack him.
Seems Ancelotti will be the next Everton manager after agreeing a deal in principle.
At the moment I’m inclined to agree Rico.
Does he cost us more than he gains us?
Yes I think so.
Let’s see if a new manager can get him to pull his weight!
“Sack him”. Think I’ll join Mike in endorsing that move Rico, although, perhaps we should see if Arteta can pursuade Özil to stop his tedious negativity and rekindle his desire to demonstrate his abilities once more.
As Mike said, lets see where this goes.
Ozil shouldn’t be in the Arsenal first team in my opinion – he adds next to nothing.All I hear from his fanclub is that he needs good players alongside him, crazy,it doesn’t work like that.
I’d like to see Lacazette in his position.
Everton moving for Ancelloti,even they are mugging us off.
With 1 win from his past 10 games, Ancelotti comes to England as a sacked manager and rightly so.
Everton have taken the safe route but that won’t get them anywhere imo.
We, however, are showing balls and ambition by choosing a new manager with fresh ideas and no baggage.
Could this weeks game be the Leagues first ever mid season clash with brand new managers in charge???
We are stuck with Ozil, guys.
We probably need to accept that as nobody will buy him because of his salary so all we can do is hope the new manager finds the key to getting him back to his his best.
Olympiakos: Another (good) Portuguese coach on our way. (+ The stadium which is hell)
Naples very interested in Torreira as early as January
Arteta: Guardiola’s assistant doesn’t make him a good coach. It is a very risky risk.
I don’t understand why Lacazette doesn’t play.
De Bruyne says what is evident and what I have written several times.
In the next match in Liverpool we can have 2 new coaches in each of the teams.
What I wanted was any “Mourinho” that he won at least three sequential games, imparted claw and confidence and gave the team “new blood”.
And we are in the 10th place…
JM, Spanish, Portugese-isn’t it the same thing 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Nah, I’m with Mikel but not because he’s Peps assistant, though that surely can’t hurt.
Yes, we’re in 10th place JM, can’t argue with that….
And heading up the table, Kev 🙂
Well, Hopefully!!!
Hi Scott, well let’s hope so Digger!
I’m not sure if I’m really excited about the proposed arrival of Arteta or just relived that the Director of Football and his gang are addressing the issue?
I guess I’m just hoping that a bit of Guardiola or actually a lot of Guardiola, has rubbed off on him, a bit of his stardust so to speak.
Although as JM says it has risky risk about it as he’s never done a No.1 job before.
Kev,
I maintain any manager taking on a job is a risk for various reasons but everything I’ve seen in Arteta points to him being a great manager.
I’ve said that for a few years now so it’s not a heat of the moment call, and I’m not jumping in the bandwagons due to the fact Pep has stated he will make a top manager.
It’s all opinions of course, but we’ve seen that a guy like Emery who ticked all the boxes-European success, experience, managed massive clubs before-is still a risk.
The way Pep has spoken, seems some of Arteta has rubbed off on him to be fair.
Fingers are well and truly crossed as this is a massive fork in the road for the club.
Hi All I know most of you want Arteta but if it was me and I went for a fresh new coach with limited coaching I would go for Vieira
Afternoon Geoff,
I’d say the vast majority have big reservations about Arteta.
I’d love to see him get the job, but I’m definitely in the minority here.
I’ve seen lots of people say Ancelloti is a bad pick because he’s been sacked from his last 2 jobs.This makes no sense,most managers get sacked at some point,Mourinho has been sacked umpteen times, nobody says he’s a bad manager.
That said if we go for that sort of manager, I’d go for Benitez.
Truth is,as Scott points out,whoever we choose is a gamble.
Absolute joke that we seem to be haggling with Man City over a few hundred K.
Morning all.
I’m surprised City need to worry about the few hundred thousand too, not like they need it…
I wouldn’t want Ancelotti but not because he’s been sacked but because his better days are probably done. Perhaps he’d have been a better option when Arsene Wenger left because he might have steadied the ship better but ultimately, I think the club are looking for longevity, younger ideas and perhaps someone who is flexible with his ideas.
New post up now