Morning all.
There was a time when the Arsenal midfield what a thing of beauty. Powerfully destructive in it’s defending of the oppositions attempts to threaten, dynamic in turnovers, brutally efficient, with a Gallo-Romance twist or a South American Samba. The names trip off of the tongue; Petit, Vieira, Edu, Gilberto Silva, Parlourinho.
They drove us to two Domestic Doubles, three League Championships, the unbeaten season – and then it was gone!
To replace those previous champions, in came Cesc, Hleb, Song, Denilson, Flamini etc. The more technical, easy on the eye, less resolute, a bit flaky Barca lite period arrived on the scene and we gradually lost our grip, culminating in the 8-2 humiliation at Old Trafford after which the panic buying followed.
Among those to arrive was the cultured Mikel Arteta from Everton and he held the breach for a short while although he wasn’t really enough and ultimately our midfield issues continued throughout most of the second half of the Wenger years and they remain to this day…
Last summer Sven Mislintat with his stats and his scouts brought in Lucas Torrieira and Matteo Guendouzi to try and address the problem of our midfield fragility which help to address the glaring problem of Arsenal’s endemic soft centre. The simple fact that both played such huge roles last season showed how much work was needed and how much remains to be done.
Our midfield still fails to provide the protection that our defence requires. We are still waiting for the big personality in that department, the guy who’ll take responsibility when the pressure is on, when in moments of stress he’ll say, ‘give me the ball, I can deal with this.’
Cesc could do that to a certain extent but in truth he needed more physicality alongside him but that was an issue ignored by the previous regime and it continues to be an issue today.
Torrieira initially seemed to be the answer but the English programme, with no mid season break, just wore him down and nobody else in the midfield was capable of helping him. He looked empty, out of gas and lacking in energy as the Arsenal team around him went missing in Baku.
Guendouzi splits opinion. Some like him and see him as the 19 year old youngster he is, developing into a player who may one day be the ‘give me the ball, I can deal with this’ type of player we lack. He has drive, always looks to pass forward, always looks progressive in his approach and I like him. But there are some who think he’s a bit of a dramatist, falls over too easily, gets caught in possession and would happily cash in on him if a big offer came in. Yes, Matteo can be a bit of a Marmite player – but I like Marmite.
Mo Elneny is a nice guy, everyone likes him, I like him, but he isn’t what we need. I’m not saying that he’s a bad player because he could do a good job in another team. He just isn’t Arsenal Player, or the kind of player I’d like to see in our midfield.
The promotion of Freddie Ljungberg onto the senior coaching staff could do wonders for the progression of some our youngsters, none more so than Joe Willock. The replacement of Ozil with Willock in Baku, was as clear a sign as I’ve ever seen by a football manager and the impact Willock made in his cameo was all the more impressive. Yes, you could say at that stage of the game it was easier to make the kind of impact he did but his energy, his running, his link up with Iwobi for our goal all pointed towards this season being the breakthrough for Joe and maybe a few of his Academy team mates.
Granit Xhaka had his contract extended up to 2023 last summer, sealing his position as a major player in the future and someone who Emery sees as a captain and leader of the team. His new deal protected his value too if the club decide to move him on in the near future. He is another Marmite player, his supporters claim that those who criticise Xhaka don’t really understand the nuances of football citing the fact that Wenger always picked him and Emery almost always picked him last season when he was fit. However, he does have this habit of making monumental and very costly mistakes. Maybe he’s just unlucky, but those errors inevitably result in Arsenal or Switzerland conceding a big goal. I’m not sure what his best position is, is he a defensive midfielder or is he the Jorginho of our team, the creative hub?
Concentration seems an issue at times, he has a habit of switching off, just like Mustafi, but he can be a major influence on our progression in games but I just wonder if we can continue to accept the many errors in his game if we want to have success at the top table.
Emile Smith Rowe has too much talent to be stuck out wide, he has that Ramseyesque quality of arriving in the box to finish moves off. ESR to me is the successor to Aaron. But he’s young and the game seems at times to pass him by.
When you go with youth you have to accept that the form of youngsters can fluctuate and this can be frustrating to fans who want it here and now. I understand that, but we’ve tried the here and now method and what we have at the moment are some guys on mega wages ‘here’ and they’re damned hard to move on, now!
So I’m willing to be patient, give this season a pass to see how the youngsters go, to see how they develop. I know many will disagree, but the alternative is more of what we’ve had over the last three years and to me that’s not acceptable or affordable.
The sale of Alex Iwobi was a big surprise in this past transfer window, understandable to a certain degree as the books needed to be balanced and he was an asset who could bring in a good transfer fee. He was also uncertain about playing time given the arrival of Ceballos on loan and the promotion of Willock and Nelson, but I do wonder, if Emery could have moved on one or two others on big wages, might Alex have remained.
Finally, we come to the enigma brothers, Mesut Ozil and Henrik Mkhitaryan. Two players who between them cost our club £550k per week. Not their fault I know but if they were putting in half a million pound performances on a regular basis, I doubt that their salary would even be mentioned but it is and that is the crux of the issue, are they worth it?
The agents of these two players have done a great job but those who represented Arsenal in the negotiations did not do great job. We are stuck with these two as we cannot shift them without making a huge loss.
In any other industry, mismanagement on that scale would have resulted in a plethora of P45’s, but it is what it is and as with Mustafi, we just have to suck it up.
By AllezKev.
Morning fellow housers.
Great summary of where we’re at Kev. Interesting ly there is an article on BBC Sport web site in which Kronke jnr, has explained what happened post the Europa Cup defeat. He even ‘suggests’ that they ‘put in’ a few quid to supplement the buying cash pot. How the mighty have changed, for the better I hope. Perhaps the penny has dropped, the only way they are going to make money from this franchise is to invest in it!
Arsenal: Josh Kroenke on transfer window, Unai Emery & targeting Premier League title
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49401513
(I hope the url works, it may not so all I can do is recommend David Ornstein’s interview with Junior. It is very interesting and quite illuminating. Hope for the future, I think.)
Morning Kev, all.
As is often the case Kev, we agree. As much as we’ve needed a top defender, if we had a midfield as strong as it once was with the kind of players you’ve mentioned, our defence wouldn’t be under as much pressure as we constantly seem to be these days, and for the last ten years.
We lack power, physicality and height imo. A player to compliment the likes of Torrieira, Willock/ESR and Xhaka if the latter is staying. You can have the best defence in the world but if a midfield is weak, it’s bound to make mistakes at some stage.
Really good post btw, I enjoyed reading it.
Thanks for the link Wavy. Always said we should trust the Kroenkes…. 😊😜😜
How not to win friends Josh. 😆
‘There are six great clubs in the Premier League and unfortunately only four [Champions League] spots that are guaranteed. The economics involved – to be able to reinvest back into the club, attract different players who only want Champions League football… our goal is to get back and to win the Premier League.”
Morning All, cheers Rico, but I think today could focus mostly on Josh Kroenke and his intriguing interview. He’s obviously over in the U.K. and will almost certainly travel to Liverpool for our big match up, you know Fenway Sports vs KSE…
I guess the selection and system Emery goes with this weekend will be the window for us to possibly see where we’re heading and where we might end up. Our midfield will have an enormous job on its hands negating the Scousers, if we can stem the supply then the fearsome trio that lead the Liverpool attack will be blunted – and that all starts in midfield.
Will Emery go with a three at the back or a four?
If he goes with a three will our midfield be as competitive?
A three will obviously mean we match up against the Scousers, our wing backs vs their full backs, our three centre backs vs their three strikers.
Maybe Emery could start with a three, as George Graham did in 1989…
Then as the game progresses and Liverpool tire Emery could introduce Pepe and go for it.?
What we can’t do it concede early because Liverpool always go out fast, try to blow you away with quick goals, then ease up and pick you off on the break as you try to get back into the game…
Arsenal have had some truly massive games at Anfield and considering where we are as a club, the ownership, the manager, the new players, CL, etc, this game is right up there…
Probably Kev, had I seen his interview I’d have kept your post for another day and gone with the meeting of the two Americans.
I still believe we as a club are following their example. Makes sense too as other than City and the debt ridden Utd, on a financial level, we’re very similar.
As much as Liverpool have pace etc, so do we now. Personally, I think the game will be very open with the best midfield winning the battle.
Liverpool haven’t got into their stride yet, imo it’s a good time to face them.
Hi all,
Two names not mentioned above are AMN and Callum Chambers, I actually think that AMN could become an excellent attacking centre midfielder but am worried that he will never get the game time in that position. I also think that Chambers has got the defensive attributes required to be a very good shield in front of the back four.
However, after watching our display against Burnley, if we are going to keep allowing opposition wide players all the time in the world to put crosses in then in won’t matter how good our central midfield / defence are because eventually the quality of ball being put in will lead to goals, especially as we have a keeper who doesn’t seem to have the first clue as to how to deal with the high ball into the box.
Welcome Kevin, both players you mention were included in 5he article about the defenders as that’s where Emery has been playing them.
As you say though, both can definitely play in midfield and that’s where I believe their careers began.
Afternoon all,
Thanks Kev,I strongly believe you need a strong midfield to be solid defensively (all ten outfield players need to contribute in fact) I saw that Guendouzi played his 50th Arsenal game recently,a remarkable stat.However I’ve been even more impressed with Willock.
Xhaka is another divisive player, nobody is saying he’s a bad player, certain things he is better than most,I just feel his lack of mobility,pace, physicality, really costs us – and he has a great physique too.
The interview with Josh is interesting,things are looking positive for Arsenal for once, not that you would think so from the media.
KG, I see your point, but in truth, how many games have either of them played in midfield for Arsenal?
I can only recall AMN playing C/M once and Chambers never, so you have to accept that those at Arsenal see them as defenders, despite what we may think.
50 games already, is that right Limey, that’s amazing, I would have thought about 35, so I would have lost a bet on that one!
Rico, it’s interesting how many sites on NoNewsNow are reporting Josh’s plans for January, when he actually said nothing of the sort.
Do you think those sites will be reprimanded?
No, me neither.,, 😉
Just checked Wikipedia about Guendouzi,it says 48 appearances,I guess that includes substitute appearances, Europa League and everything else.The commentator on Saturday said 50, I like the player, Emery sure has faith in him.
You’re right Kev, none will be picked up for fake news being reported. Still, the truth doesn’t always get clicks/hits therefore doesn’t make money eh…
I thought his interview was interesting, certainly gives us hope for the future imo.
A very nice Post, Kev,
I particularly homed in on your comment regarding Mesut’s and Mihki’s agents, and quietly wondered, what happened to the FA/EPL intention of cracking down on such people, and insisting they were only to be paid by the player, and not to represent both the player and the club.
That was to stop jiggery pokery.
Anyway, it must have been an idle thought — or perhaps someone paid off the right person and that may have been enough to call off the dogs.
Look at Pogba’s agent — he was alleged to have received some £30m for the transfer of Pogba from Juventus to Manure, and it obviously would have been legal — but how have the clubs allowed that sort of money to go outside football? Beats me.
As for the roles played by our resident right full backs, I am not a believer.
Bellerin came in as cover when Jenkinson got injured, and another young Spaniard whose name escapes me who had been slated as cover because he was a ‘real’ defender, had been allowed to go out on loan, and subsequently disappeared from the club’s radar.
Anyway, Belli who was a winger, was converted and brought in to fill the role, but said he had always seen himself as an attacking midfielder or winger. He has skill and speed, and he used these attributes well, and often. However, he really had demerits for his defensive play, frequently going upfield, perhaps because he was instructed to do so by Wenger, and left major holes in defence.
When he was injured, another young winger/attacking midfielder, was given the right back position, and again was speedy and skilful going forward, but again left gaping holes at the back.
Neither, in my opinion, are ‘true’ right backs, and in fairness, AMN said much the same thing as Bellerin did, when he remarked that RB was not his preferred position, but he was willing to help out, in order to get some experience at first team level.
To show I am not oblivious to positional changes benefitting some players — Ashley Cole was another winger (left side in his case) and after being on loan, and on the verge of being sold on, he came in for Winterburn (I think???) and made a brilliant fist of the job.
His move to Chelsea ponged the place out, but it cannot be denied that he became possibly the best Left back ever in the EPL. So there is hope – even in my opinion – for either Belli or AMN to become very good at right back, but neither are there yet. 😜
RA, when did the FA etc say they were going to clamp down on agents though? I’ve a feeling it might have been post the signings/contracts you mention.
Mustafi could be heading to Roma on loan apparently, with an option to buy.
Hooray….
It’s not done though… yet.. 😆
Booo!
New post up now