Morning all.
Yes, Ben Godfrey should have been sent off for stamp on Takehiro Tomiyasu’s face alone but let’s not use that as excuse for being beaten.
Everton had the ball in the net before we took the lead and after, but both were ruled offside, the second by the smallest of margins. Smallest of margins, like these options, can make a difference too.
Odegaard put us 1-0 up with a nice finish from a Tierney cross, but really, that was the only Arsenal highlight throughout the 96 minutes.
Before the game, Mikel Arteta said that Granit Xhaka was progressing well and it wouldn’t be long before he’d be looking to introduce him into games. Not for one minute did I think he’d start at Everton and even though he did, how on earth was he expected to play 96 minutes after a long absence? Why didn’t Sambi Lokonga or AMN replace him at halftime or on the hour? If Xhaka suffers a setback, they’ll be only one man to blame.
Talking of Lokonga, has he suddenly dropped out of favour I wonder? Yet I think he’s been playing better than Partey overall. On the opposite side of the coin, Nketiah, who has reportedly told the club he won’t be signing a new contract, is suddenly in favour. Is Arteta putting him in the shop window for January or hoping he’ll change his mind? I’ve no idea.
What the Arsenal plan, or rather the Arteta plan, was last night I’ve no idea because I thought we looked slow, lost and often disorganised. The passing was negative, with safety in mind first and foremost. Or that’s how it seemed to me. If I’d not known before, I’d have assumed it was Arsenal who’d not won a match since the middle of September, not Everton.
In a way, I’m not surprised we lost because even during the unbeaten mini run we went on, there were clearly problems with the team losing its shape and discipline after 45 minutes. Sometimes earlier. Against Brighton and Crystal Palace, two teams who had a go at us, we struggled to get the ball let alone do much with it. Only strong defending prevented us from losing both games, and a bit of attitude from Lacazette late in the Palace game. Leicester City ripped us apart time after time during the second half at The King Power but by then, unlike since that game, we’d managed to score more than the one goal.
Arsenal simply don’t know how to take a lead and then go for the jugular. I feel like I’m repeating myself but we score, we drop back, pass sideways and backwards and the opposition say ‘thank you very much and goodnight’.
Mikel Arteta’s substitutions don’t fill me with confidence. Not necessarily the players he brings on but those he takes off and at what time. Unless Tierney was injured, what was the point in switching him with Tavares? We needed a second goal yet he made a defensive change. With Saka getting kicked to pieces, Lacazette and Martinelli struggling, Arteta had Pepe on the bench but once again, he was ignored.
With the score still level, Nketiah had a chance to give us the lead, a good one at that, but like Aubameyang at Old Trafford, he hit the woodwork. Then Gray scored a stunner, although both White and Partey could have done more to prevent it in my opinion. The six minutes of added time were already up when the ball fell nicely for Aubameyang in the box. Needless to say, he didn’t score.
Another defeat for Arsenal at the hands of a club who’d previously been struggling. Well, it’s clear to me that Arsenal are themselves a club whore struggling. Too many players simply aren’t playing well, too many for it to be a coincidence perhaps. Arteta’s approach to the game resembles the way he played, safety first, attacking football second and quite frankly, it’s boring to watch. It’s probably boring to play too. The new signings gave me hope, but I’m not entirely sure they believe in how the team are being asked to play anymore. From a spectator point of view, I’ve no idea how the team is meant to be playing because it all looks a bit of pass and hope in my opinion. Even our throw-ins are awful, one of which led to Gray’s goal.
Mikel Arteta needs to somehow turn things around and fast because otherwise this season is going to go the same way as the last one. Perhaps worse even as the top half of the table is so tight.
Arsenal face Southampton on Saturday at The Emirates.
See you in the comments.
Win or lose its just so depressing!
Thanks Rico, your article sums it all.
I am sorry to say this but, “Losing 2 games in the Northwest in the space of 4 days is the most Arsenal thing in the world!”
I also feel that there would be some discontent behind the scenes, as evidenced by Arteta’s substitutions, ignoring the obvious like Xhaka in need of some rest, fielding a player in Nketia who wants to move on, yet leaving Pepe on the bench..
I feel that this team ( and Arteta, of course), on current evidence may not be live up to the club’s/fans expectations/vision. We’ve already been treated to several false dawn’s.
It is Warren, I think the squad is better than the football we’re seeing.
Kyalo, he’s living up to my expectations.
Morning all.
This is the season Arsenal were supposed to push build silently. No European exertions, mostly one game per week which allows for more time to better understand your team and maximize their potential. Conte had that type of situation & he drilled his side to a near perfection play, winning the league that season.
Just imagine Arsenal are 7th on -4 GD!
I think, even with Arteta’s inexperience, we should expect way much better in terms of defensive discipline, midfield domination and more firepower/productivity in attack.
Good morning Rico and everyone.
We are quite embarrassing… I really don’t know what’s wrong with this club, we can obviously do better..
Let’s see how this go tho, let’s see what happens in January.
Rather that go into the details of any recent game (victory or defeat – both as important to properly understand) it surely is time to take a higher level view and not get caught in the weeds.
If Wenger can be sacked for finishing 5th and 6th, and Emery can be sacked for finishing 5th (1 win from away from top 4 place) and reached the Europa League final (2nd rate competition, admittedl), then why are we sticking with Arteta who has finished 8th, is now no closer to top 4 after 2 years, has just spent £150m odd in the summer, and most of the squad is his own? I don’t get why anyone would think we are moving forwards?
I’m not an advocate of changing manager every time we lose, but to be sat here with a negative goal difference (when was the lat time that happened?!) and playing dreadful “football” after 2 years of someone getting his ideas across then a change of direction is what we should do. Chelsea did it and look at the difference it made.
the only problem is, who? The landscape is pretty bleak. Rodgers maybe? He’s got to be better than Arteta. Ten Haag? Not sure – Dutch league isn’t exactly competative.
I don’t have the answer, but I know Arteta isn’t it. Or if he is the answer then I’m not sure what the question is?
Remember, Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tavares, Partey, Lokonga, Odegaard, Mari, Cedric and Willian were all his signings. His squad. His decisions. The fact Willian came and left shows what clue we don’t have. And let’s not even get started on William Saliba. Arsene might have run out of steam in the end, but it was miles and miles better than this dross.
Good morning Rico, Arteta couldn’t bring on AMN as a sub, he was not in the squad. Elneny was available however.
I rather suspect that we will be having another season without European football, unless we can win the FA Cup. With our third round match kicking off away to Nottingham Forest that won’t be easy.
Exactly Kyalo.
Morning Mexzy, I suppose January depends a lot on what the club’s plans are as far as Mikel Arteta goes. If the board are concerned with things on the pitch, then maybe they will think twice about signing more players.
Morning Rico.
From where I am sitting Mikel has had quite a bit of backing. He’s been here 2 years and he has certainly lowered the age of the squad and got rid of the usual suspects. Like many, I couldn’t see a real way forward for him because we seemed stuck in this awful “Process” thing that seemed to be at the core of his plan. From the outside the is seems to stifle creativity and be a pre-programmed nightmare. But, like a lot of fans, I stuck with it because I figured he might come up with something and he bought some decent players in the summer.
You are Ramsdale and you’ve got the ball in your hand. You look upfield and wonder if you should go long. Auba is lurking or hiding up there somewhere and our wide men are too. So you know that if you put your boot through it, it will come straight back. The ‘process’ dictates that you roll it out to Gabriel or Ben who will then either roll it back to you with a short pass that means you’re going to have to go long. Or, they push,it to Partey who is facing you waiting to mis- control it or get sacked by two opposition players who know that he can’t turn with it. That is a dangerous situation. It comes back or gets played to Tomi who pushes it up the line. Martin comes wide to accept it and tries a pass to Bukayo who has two players trying to foul him. It comes back to Martin who pushes it back to Tomi. Then the whole thing recycles in an endless stream of tedious, unimaginative boredom. This is, we must assume, the on field process.
These players are better than this. Arsenal fans certainly deserve more than this don’t they? We know it is Losing Football because we have seen it so very often.
Last night was just the latest nightmare progression on a road to nowhere. Mikel has hit a brick wall and the players have too. He’s had 2 years and substantial backing and in reality we are drowning in mediocrity and going nowhere. Closing the gap to the top clubs? I don’t see that myself.
Something broke last night. It had been creaking badly and we have all learnt to recognise the symptoms. Scoring the first goal is now just a trigger for the bloody process to kick in. It is painful but gloriously predictable. Our opposition must relish going a goal down against us because they know we have no reserves tactically and that we are such a soft touch.
The board must surely act. I spotted Tim Lewis in the directors box last night. He must have been sorely vexed by the predictability of the horror show too.
Sebastian, it’s not the loss which really ever cheeses me off, it’s the manner in which we lose, or win sometimes. Football is about getting results and being entertained. Very little this season has been entertaining, in fact it’s be3n the opposite barring 45 mins against both Toots and Leicester City.
Graham Potter would be my choice.
Morning Cicero, my mistake. There’s another question, why wasn’t he in the squad when Elneny is off to Africa soon and in all likelihood, leaving next month.
Morning Adam, perfectly summed up. Was Tim Lewis awake when you spotted him?
Agree though, the way the game planned out was so predictable. It’s either the constant recycling of nothing much or total panic in defence. Our own attacking game is non existent for most of the game.
I lost my temper last hight and later on I laid in bed thinking about the Arsenal , the squad and the team that played and in all honesty couldn’t work out where to put the blame other than at Arteta
. .
Throughout these two games and taking both opposing sides into consideration and the way that they played , I could not give you anyone that stood out as being better than what we have at our disposal.
However on both occasions despite not being inferior we lost .
We are not a team , we do not have a common purpose , we are not organised , and we don’t play with any determination .
We are a shambles and something has to give and that I am afraid is the process.
I don’t think that shedding players to buy more is the answer . If you want the so called wantaway players to stay then the leader and that’s Arteta has to go .
I don’t think that the players actually know what he wants . I get the impression that he over thinks things and complicates things far too much and If we want European football next year something has to give and something needs to gel the players into a cohesive group.
Normally when things are not going right for teams they chop out their manager and in comes a Big Sam or a Warnock . Somebody that shores up their defence and gets them survival points . That really is not our position . We need to get someone that will take us forward . our players at the back are good enough , our keeper is doing well defence is not our problem . We need someone to release the brakes , someone to say attack and when you get 1 nil up go for number 2 or 3 . Do not give the other team a break go for the throat and try to win games ,do not keep going out trying not to lose them .
Going out now , speak later.
Arteta reminds me of Andre Villas Boas – talks a good game, lots of charts and spreadsheets, flatters to deceive, but when it comes down to it…..his team’s rubbish…
Thank you @Adam for this; I have been a faithfully backed Arteta but unfortunately
I totally identify with your sentiments that “Mikel has hit a brick wall and the players have too. He’s had 2 years and substantial backing and in reality we are drowning in mediocrity and going nowhere.” I actually share your thoughts.
@Rico I totally agree with you that the issue is not merely losing a match, but the the nature of these losses is what hurts the most! Unfortunately such pathetic predictable, pathetic performance only serve to undo all the little, measured signs of progress we’ve all witnessed in this squad for the last “few” games..
Potter. Excellent comment.
I too lay awake last night with the Arsenal thing recirculating through my head and I imagined that I wasn’t alone.
Spare a thought for those loyal fans driving, or staring out of a train window, back from OT or Everton stressed and having the same debate.
Heroic or what?😩
Kyalo. Good morning. I’ve tried to buy into Mikel’s way but, as I said, that ended last night and I doubt I am alone.
Absolutely agree Potter. Arteta is negative in every sense. Personally, I think he needs to go, even it that means employing an interim manager until the summer. I truly believe he’s lost the players support, if he ever had it in the first place.
He certainly talks a good game Sebastian but even though he tells us what needs to be done, nothing changes. In fact we’re getting worse.
Adam/Potter, you weren’t alone with your thoughts.
Adam , you posted whilst I was writing and it seems that we are on the same page .
It’s baffling,if the process had a visible pattern then perhaps we could get behind it. But there isn’t one, players get isolated they play reasonably well and then disappear into a black hole and are not seen whilst his flavour of the month gets his go .
I can’t work it out and I am sure the players can’t . No wonder half of them want out.
Potter. Agreed. I haven’t seen anyone this morning flag up a reasonable case for him staying. He’s had 2 years which is more than most get. The Kroenkes are going to have to stump up a decision and some cash.
Morning all. Good it is not!
Every criticism made above I agree with. Some of the individual performances were abject, absolutely abject. Partey, Gabriel in particular we’re v poor, couldn’t pass to a team mate, persistently gave the ball away and gave nothing going forward, nothing at all. Xhaka, well he was Xhaka, slow, ponderous and backward looking, consistent in that you know exactly how he’s going to play, mostly in reverse! As for the forwards, if they get no service how can you criticise them. Apart from the fact that when they are served up ‘unmissable’ chances and they miss the target, the conclusion has to be reached that they too are abject!
Excellent report Rico of yet another embarrassing performance from a group of people who turned up on the night, ran around a bit and played like strangers. What has become of ‘team Arsenal’
Morning Wavy, thanks.
Must admit, I’ve been really unimpressed by a number of players who’ve been little better than average all season, most of whom are senior players but now I think it’s not so much about them, it’s about who is coaching them. It’s a repeat of Emery’s final months and I fear were heading in the same direction.
Morning Rico and all
We need a true leader on the field who can show by example at the moment our so called leader is no we’re to be found.
As for Arteta he expects to much out of the young players, and not too mention that we are nearly half the way through the season and still reading minus goals.
Morning Geoff, we need a leader off it too.
Rico I don’t understand how any club or owners can say they fully support the coach when they have spent millions in just 2 years and the team sits 7th and minus goals.
What they say Geoff is possibly very different to how they feel.
Deep down we all wanted Arteta to succeed but they way we are going it’s getting closer to a tap on the shoulder as we can not keep rely on other sides loosing to help us climb the ladder.
As I have always said Arteta would have been better off coaching some were else or our under 23 for a year or two to gain experience.
Morning Rico and all
I wasn’t at all surprised by last night’s result, could see it coming.
Everton not won in 9 games then a team that loves to sit back and defend a 1 nil lead no matter how long is left to play.
Didn’t see the match but listened to it on radio 5, can’t remember who it was but 1 of the commentary dicks said if the arsenal players don’t stop wasting time someone will get a booking.
And there was still a good 30 minutes left to play. Says it all really.
Morning Anon, do tell us your name 😀
We time wasted a lot, until they equalised then we woke up a bit.
Rico anon was mog don’t know why it didn’t come up..
The last time I got so wound up was against Liverpool when Eboue gave away a stupid penalty in the 97th minute . I woke up a few hours later in the Norfolk and Norwich hospital having 2stents inserted.
Whilst I was in hospital we lost to Spurs I think and the ward sister told me stop following The Arsenal as it wasn’t worth the grief.
I met her husband a few days later a fellow gooner probably how she knew, if I saw her today she would no doubt tell me that she was to.
She was right , that should be.
Blimey Potter..
Hi Mog, happens sometimes if all the boxes aren’t filled. Not sure why as it never used to.
Hi Rico I can find HH on my ipad but not on my home computer
Hi Geoff, that’s odd. Thanks for letting me know.
New post up now