Morning all.
Arsenal lost for a second time this season against a Newcastle side who scored once from a brilliant cross and header to match. Gabriel will be feeling disappointed to have let Isak get the better of him I’m sure but sometimes one just has to admire a really good goal. As much as that pains me to admit.
The rest of the game was scrappy really with Howe’s side preventing us from finding any kind of rhythm. Not that they needed to try very hard. Defensively, we coped with the rest of what Newcastle tried but once more, when it came to the attacking side of our game, we were pretty timid. The chances we did create were either dealt with by Newcastle, or messed up by our own players. The closest we came to scoring came from Mikel Merino but his shot was blocked on the goal line.
Our set-pieces, and we had more than a few, weren’t as clinical as usual, in fact they were more often than not, pretty poor, especially from the boot of the usually reliable Declan Rice. Leandro Trossard continued his run of poor form and in hindsight, probably could have done with sitting the second half in the dugout. Gabriel Martinelli, for all his running, looked out of ideas when he was closed down.
But, to single out players is perhaps unfair after a game when no player in red and white were really at it. As for Newcastle, well they got their goal early and that was that. The stopped us from playing our game really well although to be honest, they didn’t have to try to hard as we were making things tough for ourselves. We were pedestrian, we lacked movement and we certainly lacked creativity in the final third yet again.
Arsenal simply aren’t quite the same team without Martin Odegaard, our right hand side isn’t as productive when Bukayo Saka doesn’t have his trusty teammate Ben White behind him and our midfield hasn’t been quite so strong when Thomas Partey has dropped into right-back. These are reasons perhaps but they’re certainly not excuses. As Mikel Arteta said in his post match press conference, it’s his job to bring more creativity into his team.
When the changes eventually came, they didn’t make a lot of difference but to come into a game like that can’t be easy. The tone was long set and it stayed that way. As said yesterday, the Declan Rice header at the end pretty much summed up Arsenal’s performance.
Now is not the time for Mikel Arteta’s players to feel sorry for themselves though, in fact it’s totally the opposite. Of course they will be disappointed, sad even as William Saliba said after the game but coming out the other side of this tricky time is what matters most. How the players as a group deal with the disappointment will decide how this season plays out. They can either shrink or come back fighting and I’m quietly confident we’ll see the latter because this group of players are too good to drift away and out of this title challenge.
As for Mikel Arteta, well I don’t always agree with his decision making and feel that he too slow to make changes when players are clearly struggling with form but that’s just my opinion. To be fair to him, he’s had a lot of injuries to deal with, a lot of decisions against us as a team too but he needs to get this group of players playing better football than we saw yesterday. Oh, and in January, sign a player who can score goals, something the club should have done in the summer. In my opinion of course.
Hopefully we’re over the injuries now and Martin Odegaard will return along with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney. I think either one of the latter two is a better option at left back than Oleksandr Zinchenko and Tomiyasu is certainly a better choice at right back than Thomas Partey because our number 5 is needed in midfield.
Anyway, Man City were beaten by Bournemouth yesterday and with eleven players!
Next up it’s Inter Milan in Italy. Sofa time…..
Catch up in the comments.
Great post Rico, as always…
Erland Haaland hit the post from less than a yard out yesterday and Man City lost – so there you have it arguably the best centre forward in world football missed a sitter.
I agree with everyone on here, we do need a striker, someone who fits in with our squad of players both technically and in terms of personality and of course that narrows down the gene pool, so no Toney etc.
We couldn’t get him last summer so Arteta took a gamble on Sterling, a player he knew well from his days at City. We all know this but it bears repeating because Rome wasn’t built in a day.
What I find most irritating is the rest of our team, what is wrong with them putting the ball in the net? If you want to blame Arteta, well fine, but it’s not Arteta’s fault if highly paid professionals can’t put the ball in the net from really favourable positions and we’ve seen a lot of it this season.
Rico and I have constantly mentioned it and it’s now becoming an issue in some of these games…
Thanks Kev.
Just what I suggested on the last post. It’s all very well criticising Arteta but jeez, what on earth has happened to our players who last season would have buried a percentage of the chances they’re now getting.
I wouldn’t mind the Villa guy Kev, I forget his name now but he was looking to move on in the summer because Watkins is ahead of him.
Jhon Duran..
I would say, after 10 league games that only Gabriel; 2 goals in 10 apps, Saka; 3 goals in 9 apps and Havertz; 4 goals in 10 apps have hit close to par for the course and that’s accepting some of the difficult games we’ve had so far this season.
The rest are below par or well below par on what they’ve served up from the opportunities created so far and what we and they should expect.
Is that the fault of the coaching staff, maybe, could be a bit from column A and a bit from column B..?
I’ve heard people say that Arteta should let them off of the leash, you know cretins like Roy Keane for example, the respectable face of trolling!
But wasn’t it being too expansive that cost us the equaliser vs Liverpool?
You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t…
Exactly Rico, what was it, 91 goals last season, that’s not bad without a striker, so what’s gone wrong this term?
Maybe Rico, although I thought that we’d lost a bit of interest because he’s been a bit disruptive at Villa.
Just what I’ve heard on the blogs…
Good morning Rico, Kev.
Both Saka and Martinelli are missing their supporting full backs, Timber is not up to speed yet, following his injury and fitness problems, and Partey is no substitute for White behind Saka. I do feel that Saka could take a leaf out of Martinelli’s book by going for the by line and getting beyond the fullback before getting a cross in or drawing a foul in the box.
In the Liverpool game we were criticised for breaking the game up by feigning injuries, delaying throw ins, and generally being streetwise. Well yesterday Newcastle did just that to us. The biter bit!
Don’t think we need to over commit going forwards but just do more with the ball than we’re doing. Creating clear cut chances are few and far between. Maybe if we quickened our play it would help but it’s all a bit slow and ponderous.
Can’t be as simple as missing Odegaard can it Kev? I guess we’ll soon find out.
I think injuries have played the part as Arteta has had to play players in positions which don’t suit his style of football. Rice is better further forward but Merino was injured, Timber, White and latterly, Calafiori have been in and out of the team too. Havertz too hasn’t been playing where he plays best..
Plus he’s signed a new contract Kev.
Morning Cicero, yep, what goes around comes around which is probably why Arteta didn’t complain after the game and rightly so. It’s up to us to find a way through, not the opposition to sit back and let us play.
Morning Rico and all.
Just thinking out side the box, but maybe some of the players have lost faith in Arteta as they see player the like playing leave, and then they hear fans calling for a striker but insteat he goes and gets another keeper, and then on top off that some players possible think it’s a bit childish that he hires a pick pocket and calls it keeping the players on there toes.
What has changed you ask , effectively from our side nothing from our opponents quite a lot . The Saka / Martinelli wing scoring and assisting has been sussed by other managers. We got away with it for two tears but now they are set up to stop it.
Saka is doubled up on and Martinelli is forced outside until he runs out of pitch or checks and comes inside and slows the approach.
We are missing Odegaard in two ways , he is the only player that sees things and plays the defensive splitting pass and he leads the pressing which slows the advance of their attacks . We all talk about another striker but what kind do we want . Over the years we have had many and although it’s easy to ask for an out and out scorer which style fits our way of playing.
Good morning/afternoon Cicero, there’s no doubt that suspensions and injuries have affected our rhythm and some players have lost form whilst others just haven’t had any form at all. It’s disappointing but it isn’t the first time we’ve been here and it won’t be the last.
A couple of wins and everything in the garden will be fine again.
That’s how it goes, as we all know. 😉
Good points Rico, no I don’t think it was just Odegaard getting injured, yeah it hasn’t helped but there’s been other issues that have affected us like loss of form, injuries and suspensions.
Liverpool have been very very lucky and maybe they’re the team to catch, if we can? Man City have lost one game so we know they’ll be in contention, the only thing I can confidently say at this point is that Nottingham Forest will not finish in the top four…
I still don’t understand why Arsenal players, having the chance to shoot, don’t do so. The lack of the center forward has been a long time coming. Last year there was still Nketiah who allowed the other players to be freed up a little, there was more depth and there was an alternative to the traditional game. This year, with no alternative, everything is more compact, more half-meter passes, greater slowness, less depth, less football. Then there are all the other issues related to players’ performance, injuries, lack of solutions, etc.
I didn’t see the game so I’m only going on opinion and past performances, but how did Nwaneri do when he came on, did he do enough to show that he deserves to start, did he have any shots or make any great passes to create anything?
Hi Geoff, can’t think that’s the case re Arteta.
Potter, imo, he does have to be an out and out striker like Haaland for example but just a player with a bit of pace and the ability to score goals.
Ha ha Kev, nor many other teams.
I understand the injuries but I’m still cheesed off about the sending offs as they were avoidable.
Not really Kev re Nwaneri. He tried to repeat his goal against Preston but it flew high and wide. There was one moment when White played a good ball through the defence as he often does but Nwaneri wasn’t on the same page as him.
Totts have just gone 3-1 up against Villa..
Personally I want a forward that gets in the box and has the movement that drags defenders out of position and also has the ability to put his head in and make half chances count.
From our old players I think Alan Smith would do for me , not spectacular but consistent and of course Wrighty’s , Bergkamps and Henry’s are not available
Yep, or a Giroud kind of player…
I can’t stand either Man United or Chelsea,so a draw probably best,its 1-1 in injury time.
Certainly best for us as far as Chelsea goes.
A striker that takes one touch and just shoots and doesn’t stop to think about it first.
Reports of Edu leaving to join Nottingham Forest
So it sounds like the board are starting to fight and Edu is about to call it time.
I wonder if the are worried about all the money spent and no trophies.
Really? That’s not good…
He’s leaving according to Sky Sports…
Gotta wait and see what’s occurring before we lose it, there’s going to be a lot of rumour, counter-rumour and general mischief making across both MSM and social media.
You know, sometimes one door opens when another closes.
Edu does have previous in walking away from Arsenal…
Surprised to hear about Edu,when Arteta signed his new contract,wasn’t he talking about a beautiful project,money talks I suppose.
Agreed, what’s more important always is who arrives..
Nothing from David Ornstein yet.
The only thing that remains constant at a football club is the supporters.
As you say though, there is going to be much speculation as to why he’s chosen to leave and that could destabilise what’s going on on the pitch. Perhaps as Geoff suggests, it already has. We’ve been awful on the pitch that’s for sure and our summer transfer window was disappointing to say the least…
Certainly a surprise Limey, a big one.
Sky Sports are reporting Edu is leaving .He was in Brazil last week and only recently returned .Arteta has been subdued these past few games and if this news is correct it comes at a time when we are in the worst run for ages and can Arteta cope with the inintal pressure ?
Everywhere now ,he is leaving for better paid job It is understood that Edu has been under consideration for a role with Evangelos Marinakis’ group of clubs as head of it .Money talks all languages.
If does go luck to him and fingers crossed we have a replacement on the cards as the mid year draft is only around the corner
11:59am Should read if Edu does go
Seems like it’s true about Edu.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5806690/2024/11/04/arsenal-edu-leaves-club/
The Kronkes need to act quickly to identify and appoint Edu’s successor Arteta urgently needs the support of an experienced D o F at this time before the sudden drop in form turns into a crisis.
Yep. Hopefully the board knew this was coming and have already planned for his replacement
There’s a couple of guys at the club already Rico who work alongside Edu, an assistant director of football plus one etc, so they can step in to keep the ship going and I’m fairly sure that Edu going, (and we don’t know when that is?) had anything to do with Saliba getting sent off at Bournemouth or the late Liverpool equaliser.
It’s a shock I know because the club has been an example of stability since Raul left, but the wheels aren’t coming off any time soon.
But be sure guys, there will be plenty of trolls on social media and MSM telling you that the sky is falling in on our collective heads and that our season is over and that Arteta is leaving and that Gunnersauraus is resigning and that Mable in the club shop is retiring blah blah blah.
People leave, it happens, maybe one of our other old players who does the DoF elsewhere will come in?
What I do know Rico is that I’ve just been in the butches and the price of sausages and stewing steak and chicken has shot up. 🙄
Good afternoon Rico and all
I believe Edu leaving is not a decision which has been taken on the spur of the moment since yesterday. I believe (and its only my opinion….call it conspiracy theory or whatever….however far fetched it seems to be) that the real reason began when it was reported that Madrid want Saliba. If RM want Saliba they have to pay good money seeing that his contract is (i believe) up till 2027. I feel that the Arsenal board, having players like Maldini and Heaven coming through plus White can play there as well, are in favour of selling Saliba for a big amount of money…like BP150m plus. At the end of the day the club can sell the said player and invest the money in two/three positions.
Consider this….ever since the RM rumours surfaced, Saliba has been having a stinker after the other, even at national team level, the team’s performance has dropped considerably (granted we have injuries and suspensions), Arteta seems nervous on the touchline and it seems that the vibe has gone from some of the players.
The manager and the players know something we dont.
Edu must be against selling Saliba.
I might be mistaken…then again I might be correct.
Time will tell us more.
Do you think he’s simply fed up with the officials then Kev, or the fact that he’s leaving has caused the two things you mention?
Shame Overmars got himself into the naughty corner at Ajax…
Vegetarian food prices have gone up too Kev. 😜
Afternoon Devil. The Saliba to Real rumours started a while ago. Last summer and the summer before I believe and since then he’s signed a new contract.
It could just be that Edu wants a new challenge.
What matters more than the why imo, is the who. Who replaces him…
Yes Rico what matters most now is who replaces him. The board must be careful in choosing someone who loves the club. Someone who has a sound moral values, genuine love for the club and a good knowledge of football. Plus good in economics.
Arsene Wenger anyone???
If I had to put my money on someone it would be DB10. He was at the Emirates last week. So maybe that was the reason. I would love Marc Overmars however he was forced out at Ajax. Too much baggage although I think he has moved on.
Isn’t Wenger tied up in FIFA?
I don’t the Marinakas/ Nottingham Forest/ Edu link up is a runner. Marinakas is up S**t Street with UEFA and could be facing a challenge to his continuing ownership of Forest and another European club.
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/james-king-arsenal-fc-premier-league-2024-b1190061.html
Could this have had an influence on Edu, this and the big salary increase?
It has been said Edu has fallen out with the rest of The Board which could be anything and probably been going on for a while /
Sounds like edu leaving has been known for a while then Kev. I recall the links with Forest a while back now, so maybe there was more truth to the rumour than thought at the time.
By whom Kelsey?
Seems he is joining the Greek empire…
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13248437/arsenal-sporting-director-edu-agrees-deal-in-principle-to-join-up-with-nottingham-forest-owner-evangelos-marinakis
Overmars or Bergkamp would be great and popular with fans,more important is that they are good at their job,and get on with Arteta. I actually think we did OK with selling this summer,nobody wanted ESR to go and Nketiah was popular,but he isn’t exactly doing great at Crystal Palace.
Has he even scored yet ?
The selling wasn’t an issue really but the buying was imo.
Arsenal.com
Edu Gaspar has today resigned from his position as our Sporting Director.
Edu, our former player and Invincible, re-joined us in the role of Technical Director in July 2019. He progressed through the club and was promoted to Sporting Director in November 2022, where he oversaw men’s, women’s and academy football.
We thank Edu for the part he has played in our renewed football strategy and driving the club forward with the values of Arsenal in his heart.
Edu said: “This was an incredibly hard decision to make.
“Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club’s history. It has been a special journey and I thank Stan, Josh, Tim and Lord Harris for the support they’ve given me.
“I’ve loved working with so many great colleagues across our men’s, women’s and academy teams, especially Mikel, who has become a great friend.
“Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best.”
Our Co-Chair, Josh Kroenke, added: “We respect Edu’s decision and thank him for his immense contribution and dedication to drive the club forward.
“Everyone at the club wishes him well. We are all so fond of him and the positive energy he brings to everything and everyone.
“Change and evolution is a part of our club. We remain focused on our strategy and winning major trophies. Our succession plan will reflect this continued ambition.”
Four former Arsenal players for Fulham tonight,3 have played under Arteta,2 played this year.
Makes a change from Arsenal being a retirement home. 😝
Reiss Nelson having a good game for Fulham against Brentford
And with that both Nelson and Smith Rowe are substituted and I’m turning over to watch a film
You missed an exciting end😊
Tongue in cheek, considering Arteta likes ex Man c player, I wonder if he is going to try and bring in Man c recruiter to replace Edu.😁
According to TBR Edu and the Arsenal hierarchy have been at odd’s for a while leaveing both very uncomfortable which is why they have chosen to part way.