Morning all.
Ask yourself one question. Do you think Unai Emery is happy with what he’s watching from the touchline? My answer is no, of course he’s not.
Ok, ask another. Is he seeing the positives he and his coaching staff are having on certain players and the team in general? My answer is yes.
I’m not overly enjoying watching the football we’re playing, it’s slow, messy in a non Messi kind of way but I’m not stupid either, I know or rather knew, whoever took over from the last regime had his work cut out. As I said in yesterday’s post that first half against Qarabag was far from the best but as has been pointed out, Emery was trying a different formation with different players. That’s the time to try it too, against a weaker opposition rather than in the League or in a Cup fixture against a better side. Emery gave it forty five minutes and that was enough. In the second half we reverted to a back four. That doesn’t mean playing three at the back isn’t his thing, perhaps he felt it just needs more work on the training pitch. Isn’t that what good coaches do? Of course.
Despite the level of football we’re playing going up and down more times than a yoyo, the team spirit is soaring, the results are dropping our way and there are plenty of positives unfolding right before our eyes.
The progress of Holding, Iwobi, Smith-Rowe, Welbeck. The return and back to his old self Kolasinac. Monreal looking even better than he did, Sokratis becoming the defender we thought we’d signed and Leno, ahhh, Leno. And who could miss Lacazette playing with a big fat smile on his face and scoring goals. Creating them too for his team-mates. The rapport he has now with Aubameyang both on and off the pitch is only going to get stronger as I’m sure this season will prove as it goes along. Sorry if I’ve missed any player out but I hope you get my drift.
Just because I don’t think the football is great on the eye, it doesn’t mean I’m trying to suggest Emery is failing. Far from it as think his style of coaching and playing is working for many, just not for all. He needs time but more importantly, different players, players of his choice. For the previous few years it didn’t matter who the club signed, nothing changed. Same old same old regardless and it was failing. Badly! But as already suggested, the improvement to players listed above suggests that who we sign now is far more likely to make a big difference. Not one of the five summer signings have been a failure imo. Every single one of them has proved to be very very good at what they do and not one of them broke the bank as far as transfer fees go.
As Kev said to me yesterday, Liverpool are proof that you can vastly improve without oil money but that’s taken three years. I won’t compare us with City or Chelsea because they’ve spent big money to get where they are on managers as well as players. Saying that, neither of those two clubs have won the Champions League recently, in fact Liverpool are the club which has been closest to doing that and their net spending under Klopp and I think Fenway Sports is less than ours.
Unai Emery has barely had three months in his new job so back down to earth with a bang. But just because we’re going through positive changes, it doesn’t mean all of us have to like what we see on a match day. It doesn’t mean we can’t be critical of the teams performance or that of individuals and for me personally, as much as I’m not enjoying watching Arsenal right now, it doesn’t mean I’m blind to the positives, or too blinkered to see what Emery is trying to achieve. You can’t dig the garden with a paper fork, no more than Emery can get the team playing his way with some of the players he has to work with. He can’t turn Mustafi into Tony Adams or Sol Campbell, Xhaka into Petit or Gilberto, Bellerin into Dixon or Lauren, or Ozil into Liam Brady. And he certainly can’t turn Elneny into Ray Parlour. He’s given up on Ramsey and I don’t think he’ll stop there once January and the summer transfer windows open.
He needs money and a few transfer windows to sign his kind of players just as every manager does and in the meantime, we’re not always going to like what we watch. It might be horrid when the fixtures against City and Liverpool come around but at least we all know that Emery will be working hard to improve individuals and us as a team.
It’s funny though really isn’t it, as the board and owner backed Arsene Wenger for the years beyond his best, some serious money was spent by the club. Yet when he left, we were in the worst place we had been for years. Now we’re in a situation where only money will improve us and not only did we lose out on a big fee for Alexis Sanchez, but we’re set to lose out again on Aaron Ramsey and possibly Danny Welbeck.
Around £130 million lost I reckon, £130 million which would go a long way towards helping Emery get the players he needs to turn this side into his own.
Only then will we truly see just how good Unai Emery is.
Rico. Good post. Thought-provoking and realistic. 🙂
Thanks Adam.
I just get so frustrated over the money stuff. So much is directed at Kroenke but what about the vast amounts which have been wasted. £60 million City offered for Alexis and Wenger said no… just one example.
As for the rest of the post, I just thought my moaning at the way we play was being taken the wrong way perhaps.. lol
By the end of this season City will have spent appx £2B funding Pep. The fact is that almost any manager would be successful with that backing. If Utd were getting our results, the comments would be about character, resilience and showing that all great teams win when not at their best by grinding out a result. For us – we’re lucky, on the verge of collapse and going nowhere. Sour grapes. Facts don’t lie. Played 10 and won 8.
Good morning Rico, thank you for another great post.
I’m prepared to put up with some less than scintillating football whilst Unai Emery is settling in and assessing his squad, particularly as we are winning games.
I’ve been around long enough to have seen a lot of Arsenal teams and managers, some good, some indifferent and some frankly poor and I know that it takes time to turn around a poor situation.
So far this season we have won the games that we should have expected to, not always the case under the previous manager, the two losses were against two of the three strongest sides in the league and were played at the very start of Emery’s reign and before he could possibly have known his best eleven.
I’m with you Rico, all the new signings are doing well and the injection of youthful zest, in the shape of Smith-Rowe, has been a draft of fresh air. Ally that to the rebirth of Iwobi and Welbeck and we can see the effects of some decent coaching.
There are harder games to come and against better teams, but make no mistake those “better” teams will be looking over their shoulders with some measure of apprehension should our winning streak continue.
Db, any manager? Not sure I agree there.
Morning and thanks Cicero.
As am I re the football we’re playing because we’re aiming for something. Emery isnt Wenger, he’ll be working hard on the training pitch etc etc
You make a good point, the more we win, the harder it will be to lose. Self belief can often win games..
Morning Rico, another fine post, you really are on a roll.
We aren’t ever going to go down the Etihad route, so we’ll just have to have faith in our new management structure to rebuild the squad and we’re only some 3 months into a new project after 22 years of the old methods, so it’s still very early days. But if someone had offered me 8 wins from our opening 10 games back in July, I’d I’ve said thanks very much, that’ll do me.
As you say Rico, we’ve been called lucky this season, but nobody is lucky for eight successive games, certainly not Arsenal, so there has to be something more to our winning run?
The quality of our football has been criticised and I have to agree at times it’s not looked great, but I’ve been encouraged by the effort the players are putting in, players quickly suss out a bullshitter – look at United – and so far everyone is buying into it. Maybe the positive comments from players has more to do with how under-coached and underprepared they were under the previous regime and is borne out of relief.
I’ve been encouraged by the improvement and form of certain players who’d hit the buffers under the old regime, whilst some more experienced players are just not good enough and will be gradually sifted out and replaced, but that’ll take time.
So more work needs to be done on substance and style and more changes in personnel, but I’m enjoying it.
Morning Kev and thanks.
You make many good points as others have too about the positive things unfolding. For once I’m looking forward to seeing who the club sign, make that the second time as the summer wasn’t bad.
I’m enjoying the way things are unfolding and perhaps I’ll focus on that the next time Mustafi makes a cockup 😉😉
I had an interesting conversation with a Sporting fan earlier this week, I didn’t tell him I was an Arsenal fan but I asked him about his club and how they were playing.
He told me that a few months ago a gang of Sporting hooligans attacked the Sporting players at their training ground, this caused consternation among the squad and some 9 important Sporting players cancelled their contracts, leaving the club last summer and leaving the club in chaos.
I asked him how they were playing this season and he said they have been terrible.
I said where were they in the Portuguese league and he said 4th, I said that isn’t too bad and he said they only have three teams in Portugal.
So pick the bones out of that?
Arsenal are apparently rubbish and so are Sporting.
Should be a couple of rubbish games then?
That’s awful stuff st Sporting Kev. I’m follows them doesn’t he and he thinks we’ll struggle against them.
Yes, JM has been telling us consistently how bad Arsenal are and how we’re going to struggle over the two games against his team, so it’ll be interesting to see what transpires Rico…
I think that Wolves have one or two of the ex-Sporting players who fled the club last summer.
Now Wolves look a really good side, much better than, say, Everton.
I reckon we’ll win Kev or draw.
Wolves look very good and are doing well..
When Wenger left, we were in the worst positions we’d been in years-in over 20 years, in fact.
We all really do need to get over the Wenger era, imo.
He’s gone, and we are in the Emery era, so I say we should allow the manager to start building his legacy now, rather than wallowing in the shadows of the great frenchman.
Onto Liverpool.
Seems a year ago we were all raving about Pochettino and his superb side down the road, yet now they’re just plodding long like us, so it’s Liverpool who’s flavour of the month.
Granted, at that time, Spurs were better than us and right now, Liverpool are but what have either club won in the last decade or so?
It really doesn’t matter how close they’ve been, because getting the job done is what counts.
As it stands, Emery has won as many trophies since his time in England as Pochettino and Klopp combined so let’s all get behind the man.
He will produce.
Not stopping you getting over the Wenger era Scott but the club is still paying for his mistakes in a big way. Wenger still haunts us imo
Hi Rico
Excellent assessment as usual. The only thing I would argue with is the importance of transfer money. I think all transfers fees are ‘Funny Money’, it’s the wages that make a difference to the accounts. The money was always there for transfers and I don’t think we were ever in the position of not affording a player that Wenger wanted. I don’t think Unai will be going for a superstar 100M player after his experience with Neymar and the problems withPogba, if you pay big money all you get is big heads and big egos.
The current Man City team was built over years, not all in one go.
One thing about Unai’s team that I’m pleased with is the careful starts. In the past we suffered time and time again with giving away a goal in the first five minutes, especially in Europe. Now we start slowly while the opposition run round like rabbits, biuld up pressure slowly then bring on a fresh runner with 15 minutes to go and the defence knackered, as we did on Sunday and Thursday.
Along with everyone else I would love to see scintillating football, but lets not forget our heritage and how we all loved the ‘Machine Gunners’ and ‘One-nil to the Arsenal’ era 🙂
Brian
Hi Brian, thanks.
I agree re City and didn’t Pep inherit an ageing old squad which he had to rip apart and start again?
I still maintain that to win the league you don’t need to spend hundreds of millions but be smart with the money spent…
One of your best rico! I reckon in just 12 months Emery will have full control over the team, and by the start of next season we will know where we really are. If Kos doesn’t look back to his best by end of Jan, we surely must buy a CB that improves on all we have. If Ramsey goes, a proper winger would be a nice addition.
Then by end of the season he can really make changes to those he doesn’t see having a future, whether that includes Ozil, Welbeck, Mustafi will be interesting. Personally I’d always keep Welbeck for his energy and attitude, even if only as a sub, but still think he has about the same chance as Iwobi of really making it, both about 50/50.
Rico,
I am over the Wenger era 🙂
Never to be forgotten, but equally, not to be blamed for everything that goes wrong.
Thanks Andrew.
The Liverpool fixture will possibly tell us more about this team, I’m actually looking forward to it, even if it is with slight fear.
I too would keep Welbeck, Ramsey and Mustafi can go though and the sooner the better imo. Ozil too although I know not many here will agree..
Allez: Only 3 players left sporting: Patricio (Wolves goalkeeper an International); William Carvalho (Bétis, midfield an International) and Gelson Martins (A. Madrid and International) There are more 2 or 3 but were belong to the squad but only played int he reserves.
However, they were already in the plans of the club, because the policy is to sell the good players after a few years to make money to get new talent and above all, to raise the players of the young layers (which are many and good).
Nowadays, in addition to the ones that were there, they have a new goalkeeper and many kids who have had to play in other clubs and youth. They have been the base of the young selections.
And Sporting is in fourth but hey were played in Benfica (1-1) and dropped 3 points in Braga (first in the table now).
Afternoon all and thanks Rico for a decent debatable post.
Agree with Scott along lines of what have Dippers and Spuds won, although without Mansours Cities massive £2B spend I`m sure both would have been parading trophies over the last few years, so imho it is all about the money as I have no doubt that Mansour City and Chavs would not have the trophies they both have had without the billionaire take overs and anyone who doesn`t agree with that must be off the trollies……….jsut an opinion !.
So it`s obvious I agree with DB10 that anyone could win trophies with MC`s money……………………last 3 managers have won EPL !
Agree with Bripriuk that most could have bought DeBryune etc`, but it`s the wages !
Seems we all agree that our football has been less than convincing and I just happen to think lady luck has been on our side…………………on games we have played so far, we are only up against Newcastle compared to last season, we played rubbish there last season and lost, we played not great this season and won !……………………we drew twice last season with Chavs………………………..we beat Watford, W Ham and Everton last season convincingly and this season unconvincingly !…………………………we are higher in league this year compared to last year only because of the way the fixtures have fell compared to last season !
Nothing against Dick and I believe he deserves time as needed, he will not get anymore help in funds than Wenger did, it will all be self sufficient related with nothing coming from Kroenkes own pocket.
Here is a list of the richest owners in the EPL and surprise is MC`s is not the richest, but he dips into his own pocket where others are run like our model………….yes even Chav owner has become self sufficient now !.
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/uk-sport-news/man-united-owners-richest-liverpool-2027304
As much as it may annoy you Rico about me and some going on about money teams and Kroenke`s lack of it, have you considered the other side of the coin that it may annoy those of us who know it`s about the money and that some of you think it`s not about it !………………………………I just think it`s ok to disagree and I like the opinions of everyone which always makes for better debate when they are contrasting.
Although I will come up again with the FACT (apart from the anomaly of Leicester !) that the 3 biggest spending clubs……………………you know who……………………. have won the titles since we last won it !
Not surprising about Man U as they have been the worlds biggest club for years, but what a coincidence that the near £4B spending of MC and Chavs have won them so many trophies !
🙂
Blimey, just seen the latest score at Mourinchester !……………….nice if it stays that way ! 🙂
Just one thing Lc, I think I said frustrated, not annoyed. You are free to think what you like as we live in a democratic world…
PS…………………….spoke to my Wengerite mate who goes to games and he said he has seen no difference whatsoever in performances under Dick apart from being very fortunate against W Ham, Everton and Watford !
Hope it didn`t come across as a dig Rico or in the wrong way as it wasn`t meant to be, also sorry you are frustrated ……………………………….hope that didn`t come across wrong aswell !
😆
Both did actually but that’s the internet for you.
If we were speaking face to face Rico and not on internet you would know it wasn`t nasty, so apologise for the way it reads although not meant.
🙂
That’s what I want by the internet Lc
Meant, not want…
Man U 0- 2 Newcastle, I if it stays that way, Mourinho sacked in the morning?
Le Coq, no difference? How about winning eight on the trot?
Or tonight Cicero 😂
Has Alexis Sanchez saved Mourinho’s job?
There’s always next time 😉
Nighty..
The curry will be on the table shortly, the beer is cold, Good night Rico,
Just quoting my mate, Cicero, about the teams performance in games he has been to, nothing to do with 8 wins on trot !……………………my remarks are about like for like games from last season .
I`m not being a Wengerite but we beat W Ham, Everton and Watford last seaon with better performances, this season although we won we were fortunate in these games. My friend said Everton could and should have been out of sight in the first period.
We are two points better off than last season and in the same league position (before todays games) as last season, but imo and quite a few others our performances in the same games as last year are no better and in at least half of them worse, but we are in transition.
Winning 8 games on the trot will do wonders for the team, but me personally, I will not get carried away untill the we (if) start rolling over teams with dominance, if you think we have not been slight fortunate in some of these games then I`m sure there is a Spec Savers somehwere near…………..
😆
LC, winning is crucial, especially when not playing brilliantly, for the teams confidence.
Hopefully things start to gel quickly as having a nice run of games on paper surely means a horror run at some point.
I know very little about the Portuguese league JM, all I know is that Benfica are world class and the rest are not…
The Portuguese guy I spoke to, was either mistaken or lying, but he did say that he hated Benfica, so I guessed that that made him a bona fide Sporting fan.
Emery has shown that he doesn’t underestimate anyone, he’s picked two almost full strength teams in Arsenal’s first two Europa ties, so I’d expect him to fully show Sporting total respect and pick his best XI in both away and home legs against your team.
I hope that Sporting have the same low opinion of Arsenal as you do and that they approach both games accordingly and very confidently.
For the Sporting fans I’d imagine that the visit of Arsenal will be the major occasion of the season so far and that the stadium in Lisbon will be rocking and full to the rafters of Sporting fans expecting victory.
Emery will be aware of all of this, as a Spaniard, more so that Wenger would or any British manager. It’s always surprised me how England and English clubs underestimate Portugal and Portuguese teams.
Unai Emery won’t underestimate anything Portuguese JM, he is far too intelligent…
In Unai I Trust…
Hey Cocker, just catching up, regarding your Wengerite mate and what he told you – is that he has actually proved that you can watch a football match, several football matches even and learn very little or even nothing at all…
Apparently Man Utd tried to sign Sokratis before we got him.
And that Arsenal tried to sign another center half on top of who they got last summer as well as Banega, so more money was available it seems…
Scott, I get what you say about Wenger and moving on, but it’s impossible in reality to do that after 22 years as Wenger is so ingrained in almost every aspect of the club, the stadium, the training ground, Hale End, his fingerprints are all over everything, so how can you honestly talk about the here and now without a nod to the recent past, our squad for example is still essentially Wenger’s squad, you cannot escape his influence.
Emery has made our players fitter, there’s no easing up in games every competition is as important as the next, that’s very Guardiola and Sarri, substitutions are more proactive and varied, tactical changes during matches, coaching from the sidelines during games instead of fiddling with a zip, preparation before games, the players given more tactical instruction, you won’t get Koscielny in tears asking for more tactical help under Emery, it’s sorted.
The issue is the dysfunctional squad that Wenger left behind, that’s going to take a substantial time to fix, especially as Arsenal cannot throw the kind of money at the squad as Man City do, FFP won’t allow it for a start.
So yes Scott, the shadow of Arsene is long and will hang over us for another 18 months at least, so we’re gonna be bringing him up for awhile yet.
I wouldn’t let it bother you too much tbh, it’s only opinion after all… 🙂
Kev, I was labelled an AKB for years here and elsewhere when I really wasn’t.
I was a supporter of the club first, and the manager second, whoever he was, so now I’m an Emery man.
I don’t see the benefit in blaming Wenger for everything that’s wrong with the club, when failing to give him any credit for what’s right with it.
We can’t have it both ways.
I’d rather a clean break, so Emery takes responsibility for the good and the bad right now.
He’s earning millions, so surely is capable of taking the heat.
He’s also a damn strong personality, and passionate, so he’s perfect for us.
Morning all……………………..forgot to say, it rained here yesterday !………………….today a hot one again, back to normal ! 😎
I agree that Dick is having an impact as the players theirselves are saying the training is harder and then there`s the watching of the oppo` which Wenger didn`t do !…………………..and the substitutions as Kev says !
Add to the list………………………..just read that our Italian scout thought Salah was too wastefull, so let Dippers in !
Off to Wadebridge for a homebuilding show then a detour to Padstow for some grub and it wont be the rip off merchant Rick Stein !
🙂
Morning LC.
Funny, but I read on numerous occasions over the years how hard our guys trained under Wenger, leaving them flat for gameday, yet now we read they’re training harder.
I guess the experts can tell us enough lies to someday get things right lol
Morning you two, all.
New post up now.