Morning all.
Negative headlines, negative comments around the internet or on the back pages can all take a hike as far as I’m concerned because I think they are unwarranted. Ok, we didn’t make the most of our possession and scoring opportunities, our crosses were poor too but the areas of improvement Mikel Arteta and most fans wanted to see was in attitude, aggression and passion and I’d say we did. I did anyway, as did Arteta:
1. On his first game as our head coach…
I’m very pleased with some of the things I’ve seen, in terms of attitude, character, the passion we showed, and the fight and spirit the team showed. It was spot on. Probably better than I expected over 90 minutes. A lot of things that happened in the game, we prepared. They understood them and they tried to take them on board. We lacked the final product at the end.
2. How frustrating it was to lack that final product…
It would’ve been great because it would’ve given us a better lift in terms of the energy and confidence of the team, but we have to analyse the performance. There are positives to take and obviously is a lot of room for improvement in other areas.
3. How much psychological work is required to lift players…
It will be a process. I was worried what would happen if we conceded a goal. We did and I was very pleased with the character they showed. They came in at half-time and their faces, their reactions [were spot on]. It was about how much they wanted it. Normally, when you are in this process and you concede a goal, the confidence goes down and a lot of things that have happened in the past can come back. It didn’t happen, it happened in the complete opposite sense and that’s a really positive thing to take on board.
The style of football isn’t going to change overnight so why expect it to? Playing out from the back isn’t great but if the defenders and Leno and hoofed it long or into row z, I can imagine the moans and groans after the game. Mikel Arteta has made it clear that he wants entertaining and passionate football back at Arsenal. That takes time, hard work and patience.
There’s no doubt that between now and the end of the season our results will continue to be a mixed bag but I still think a Europa place is achievable. Anything else would be a bonus.
Ringing big changes mid season must be difficult enough but add the fact that the festive period is always hectic, must make it tougher. Unai Emery had two full pre seasons to work with his players yet still his message didn’t get across and I’m sure many other managers have had similar problems. Expecting less than a week to make a difference would be simply crazy. Just because the media, pundits etc expect jam yesterday, let’s not join them. Bukayo Saka is a winger, not a full back. It’s his first real season of playing for the first team and he’s been thrown in at the deep end and out of position. It’s no ones fault we have both of our left backs out injured, certainly not the 18 year olds. Similar on the right with AMN – but both are trying hard to get It right. I’m sure if Mikel Arteta thinks someone in the squad can do a better job, he’ll pick them next time or maybe he’ll have patience and belief in them.
More concerning last night was the bang on the head Sokratis received because he’s likely to be out now because of the compulsory two week concussion rule.
Anyway, onwards, upwards and Chelsea.
See you in the comments…
Morning all.
Apart from our end product, I can’t find a single negative from our past week.
Maybe I’m not looking hard enough, but I believe those finding them are looking too hard.
One week in and we’ve seen notable changes as you said, Rico, so who knows where we will be are seasons end?
I will happily take the money from anyone who thinks we won’t be a lot better than we are right now 🙂
I’m a firm believer in everyone having a right to their own opinion Scott, but sometimes it just seems that Arsenal can’t do right for doing wrong.
If there are fans, pundits etc who couldn’t take positives from yesterday’s performance, then that’s their problem.
Agree, I don’t give a toss who we sell next month or in the summer, apart from Leno and Martinelli because all the others are replaceable imo.
Agreed that we all should have our opinions and voice them and I also agree that I don’t understand the opinions of everyone but then, life would be boring if we all thought the same way.
A few goals and everyone would be ecstatic, though, and the irony is nobody has really been pointing the finger at the attack.
Things will come together, I’m very confident about that.
Hi Rico and all,
Did my eyes deceive me or did Mezut Ozil track back and tackle ????
Can’t be upset with that performance after what I’ve watched all year !
One game and a massive improvement in attitude.
Onwards and upwards.
If our strikers were as good as everybody keeps saying, we should have won that game with room to spare IMO.
Definitely the lack of conviction up front cost us the victory. Might sound stupid but it was almost like one or two were trying too hard.
On the subject of money,What to do with Xhaka ?
If we are looking to replace him then his perceived value only relates to how much it costs to replace him . Looking at Hertha’s squad there is not a lot to throw in to negate the loss but then is it their fault if Gazidis overpaid in the first place.?.
They do have a 29 year old international centre back with premier league experience at Man City that might be a make weight assuming that he fancies a last hurrah . A24 year old midfielder but that’s about it.
If Xhaka wants out then so be it ,he will only go through the motions so I would let him rot and promote Guendouzi and Ceballos and play Torreira deep as against Bournemouth.I would rather have players that want to be there rather than on sufferance.
Arteta has to bring the squad together and a bad apple in the heart of the team will make that nigh impossible.
Good morning Rico, I have to agree that the aggression has returned…with a vengeance. Fouls committed :- Bournemouth 5 – Arsenal 13. With four yellow cards each, Bournemouth can feel aggrieved at the apparent imbalance, just as our own fans felt a week or so ago when we had bookings galore with a much lower foul count against us. The ref must have been filled with the Christmas Spirit, as he could well have issued a second yellows to Torreira and Maitland-Niles.
It would be nice if we could shake off the “easy touch” reputation, perhaps adopting Guardiola’s rotational fouling tactic would reduce the number of cautions to an acceptable level.
It does look, as Kev mentioned earlier, that Xhaka is headed for the exit door, a pity as he’s just started to show us what he can do, a coincidence perhaps, or showcasing his talents to Hertha Berlin?
It is to be hoped that Xhaka’s logical replacement, Dany Ceballos, will be fit enough to step up in a week or so. Alternatively, Arteta wants to sign France midfielder Adrien Rabiot, 24, on loan from Serie A side Juventus in January.
Our present left fullback situation has shown that the executive management are not quite as good as they were reputed to be. Letting Monreal leave and signing the perennially injured Tierney hasn’t worked out and has been compounded by the injury to the only other left back in the squad, Kolascinac.
Not the only blot in their copy book. Must do better.
Agree re Xhaka. If he wants out then sell him. I wouldn’t want a player swap included unless he’s someone the squad really needs. Wouldn’t go for someone without resale value either because we can’t afford too.
I must be one of a few who like Ceballos and now he’s fit, I hope he works for a place back in the team.
There were rumours flying around a few weeks ago about Xhaka’s Swiss team mate being looked at. A proper holding midfielder.
Morning Cicero. The rotational fouling is an art at City. Perhaps Arteta has brought it with him.
Denis Zakaria
Have to disagree re our left back situation. Raul and co couldn’t foresee Kolasinac getting injured, any more than Tierney dislocating his shoulder. Arsenal might get things wrong often but blaming them for something out of their control is harsh imo.
We looked much better I must sy, also what a shame lacca was so rusty, we could and should have wrapped that game up before the end of the first half, then totally killed it off in the second, but they had too chances too. Much better though, should have had three points there though. I’m sure it’s coming soon though. Come on Arsenal climb that table. I still think top four is possible this season, especially the way other teams are playing at the moment. We just need a winning run. Think i f2f we had won the last two game, we would only be four points off. It’s there if we won’t it badly enough.
Afternoon, just! Did I imagine it or did many Arsenal players quietly congratulate AMN (I think it was) for a tactical foul and getting booked?
Not so Rico, Tierney was recovering from not one but two operations at the time we signed him, he was also carrying another separate injury. With Monreal gone it was foolish in the extreme to expect the only left back in the squad to be available for the time that Tierney needed to complete his rehab and find his feet in the Premiership.
When it comes to footballers and availability the old adage applies, Hope for the best, but plan for the worst.
But nothing shoulder related Cicero. He was back fit and playing so I don’t see it as you do. Plus, back in the summer when we signed him, I don’t recall too many complaints. I see little point in shuffling the cards to suit what happens as the season pans out. In any case, we had a fully fit Kolasinac.
Imo, allowing Montreal to move was a sensible decision because his legs were slowing. I’d much rather he left when he did than struggle to keep up and the fans turn on him.
Morning all. Rico, how were the nut cutlets? And an advanced, “Happy New Year to you all.
Of our full backs, the norm at most clubs is two players per position. Kolasinac and Tiernny should have been sufficient. Selling Montreal was a great shame, he was a stalwart, always reliable and a much underestimated footballer. If Bellerin was fit then AMN would fill in at left back. Perhaps we’ll see that occurring next match, when Chambers returns. The whole thing is a bit of a jig saw, with a make do mend default position.
It’s little wonder that we find ourselves in the soft and smelly with so many of our better players lying on the physio’s couch, receiving treatment.
A good new year’s resolution might be to wish for no more injuries to any of the first team squad, ever again!
Have a nice day one and all.
Just a wee post script. I thought we looked like a different team yesterday. A draw was an underachievement but when they get it right someone will take a real pasting……….,
Welcome Robert. I’ve written off this season because of the enormity of the job Arteta has on his hands. Now is about rebuilding imo.
If they did Andrew, good.
Morning Wavy, just veggie ‘pigs in blankets’ and very nice thanks. 😂
Agree re the player numbers, having three in each position is something not even City can brag.
Rico, I don’t think Tierney has been fully fit since we signed him, otherwise he would have started more games and not been subbed off in most of those he did start.
Morning Rico and all.
If incoming transfers can be divided into Immediate and Strategic, then we certainly need an ‘Immediate’ left back in January from what I can see. Especially if Kolasinac is on his way.
Dan Burn of Brighton should be attainable and would be useful defensively.
To be fair Cicero ,Rico , we have been very unlucky with our left and right backs injury’s
I think selling Monreal was a last minute decision , we had Kolasinac and thought Tierney would be fit much sooner. He (Monreal) had been such a good servant to the club, I think it would have been unfair to keep him from going home just to warm the bench. (hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Bellerin is a worry though. AMN is ok but I do think we need some proper cover in that position.
Again though Cicero, he may have been subbed in these games to look after him, just as we’re doing with Bellerin, Holding and
His shoulder injury was not present when we signed him I’m sure.
Morning Adam. If Kolasinac is going then yes, a left back in January could very well be in the clubs plans.
Agree Mike..
Monreal is playing well at Real Sociedad. Full backs have been a problem since the start of the season. fFom another point of view, they are also the central backs.
Xhaxa, unfortunately, is on his way to Hertha. There is no substitute squad for him.
I hope Ceballos joins Ozil’s place.
And not a clean sheet again. Bad foreshadowing.
Understandably though Jm, the Spanish league isn’t quite as demanding or quick as the PL is it?
Morning all.
Nacho was, unfortunately, one of our fans scapegoats and at times treated very harshly imo
A fantastic professional who always gave his best for us, but showed time and again that he needed regular game time to find form.
We seem to have little luck with injuries, and this goes back years now.
Arsene was often blamed, but now it’s continuing, the club must ask why in fact this continues.
Maybe it is pure bad luck, though our lads do often cop a kicking so maybe that plays its part.
Maybe I’m biased as an Arsenal fan, but so many time our players are on the receiving end of a foot left in, stamp after the ball has gone, etc and rarely a booking to stop it happening again. At the moment Torreira seems particularly targeted.
Stamp wrong word, but a boot landing on ankle or foot
You’re right Andrew.
Someone posted a stat a week or so back saying that for every 4.7 fouls we “commit”, we receive a yellow yet Liverpool commit 11.7 for each yellow and apparently we are the soft touch in the League???
Numbers I nominated were from memory but I think fairly accurate.
Arteta needs to bring under notice some of the roughhouse treatment dished out to Pepe, before some thug puts him into intensive care
Twas me and it’s been the same for quite a few years
Potter, it sure has.
Kev, funny that he’s being accused of diving but damn he’s copping some poor challenges and they’re being let go.
Good morning one and all!
Does anyone here know what Referees get paid when in charge of a Premier League match?
I read the other day that the “average” professional player gets about £3m /year, or thereabouts?
The few games I have watched (mainly highlights) this year have left me wondering where this current batch of Referees come from? Did they ever play football themselves and have a feel of what is deliberate and what is accidental?
A lot of their decisions on some of the Roy Keane type tackles being dished out, beggar belief.
I realise there are serious doubts about using VAR but surely refs need to consult it because their knee-jerk reactions on bodies coming together, requires a closer look.
Well done Wolves! Big hearts and not giving up got them there, so Arteta has the right philosophy.
Hi Andorra,
I believe FIFA need to step in and condemn diving in the game.
Instead of doing something about players being taught to win fouls, the game and its authorities sit back and do nothing, which makes the officials job nearly impossible.
I wouldn’t just try to deter players who dive without contact, I’d do something to stop these cheats making the most of the slightest bit of contact.
Players are so good at it now, the refs have no chance and I’m recent years, we’ve had our share.
It’s cheating, no matter how often we get told it’s “part of the game”.
Morning all.
Sorry Andorra, my point was actually that refs are now scared to make a decision on fouls due to the divers.
They’re in a no win situation.
The boy who cries wolf…..
It’s not that fast but the technical quality of the teams is better.
Monreal is playing at Real Sociedad (San Sebastian), home of Arteta and I think he is also a fan.
Morning Scott, Yeah diving is one of my pet hates!
I wish I could say that we were innocent of it but we are as bad as everyone else.
It’s the worst kind of cheating, sneaky and underhand.
I don’t think we stand a chance of stopping it until the pundits etc call it for what it is….. Stinking, dirty cheating! Not..(he was clever there, he played for that foul).
To be fair, the women’s games are much better, they still have some scruples in their game thank goodness.
Morning all.
New post up now
Morning All,
Christmas celebrations over, I prefer New Year personally.
I’m all aboard with Arteta, can’t be doing with negativity, that’s mostly from the media though – nothing new there.
Monreal is one of my favourite players of recent years, great attitude, but I don’t blame the club getting a fee for him. To be fair they couldn’t forsee the injury crisis.
Chelsea Sunday, we have lost less. games than Chelsea and Spurs, and the same as Man City.
COYG
Guys, I’ll never understand why people don’t condemn divers as utter cheats.