Morning all.
Stan Kroenke has sent the fans a message via today’s match programme which reads:
Welcome to the start of a new Premier League season here at Emirates Stadium. The first home league game of the season is always a special moment in the calendar and this season it’s made even more special by the fact we are finally able to greet you back properly. It’s been a long 18 months since that last Premier League home match without capacity restrictions against West Ham just days before the pandemic took hold.
Yes, football has continued but it has not been the same without supporters in the stadium, so we are delighted to welcome you all back and thank you for your continued support. Your presence has been sorely missed by us all.
We know there is much work ahead to get back to where we need to be but are confident about what can be achieved by this great club and our people. We are building a squad, rich in young talent, much of it developed through our wonderful academy. It is clear looking across Europe that we are dealing with a difficult transfer market due to the impacts of the pandemic but at the time of writing, are delighted to have signed Nuno Tavares, Sambi Lokonga and Ben White. We have also renewed the deals of Kieran Tierney and Emile Smith Rowe, both on a long-term basis. These are all young players that we are convinced can develop further and have a bright future with us.
They are supported by a strong group of more experienced players including Granit Xhaka, who has signed an extended contract. This is an important step in terms of maintaining balance and stability in the squad.
In the meantime, the transfer negotiating team has been working hard behind the scenes to improve the squad further.
Did someone forget to tell him that Flo Balogun and Kido Taylor-Hart have signed new contracts?
Both Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Odegaard have moved to Arsenal since then. Maybe, just maybe, Arsenal’s transfer negotiating team are still working hard.
Arsenal started this new campaign in the worst fashion possible. The form the team showed post Christmas last year went out the window as Brentford outfoxed us. Men against boys it appeared but in reality, that wasn’t the case. I’d imagine that Mikel Arteta had been preparing for that game all week with a certain group of players only for Aubameyang and Lacazette to drop out at the last minute because of positive Covid 19 tests. Runasson and Willian too but not for one minute would either have been expected to start. Both Arsenal’s main strikers gone and with it, Arteta’s plan (cough) had been blown apart. That’s not an excuse, it’s a reality.
Both goals Brentford scored weren’t without controversy but even so, Arsenal’s performance was pretty grim. It felt like we’d gone back in time to the beginning of last season. What Arsenal, and particularly Mikel Arteta can’t afford to do is emulate the remainder of the first few months of last season, this time around.
I don’t expect Arsenal to beat Chelsea this afternoon, after all, there’s no comparison between the two squads or managers really. One has a squad full of experienced and ready made players, the other has a younger squad mixed in with a few older heads, one or two who look like they’d really rather be playing anywhere but at Arsenal. In particular, the team captain. What I do expect though is for Arsenal to be well prepared for the challenge and to be competitive. Another toothless performance would be a disaster.
Mikel Arteta needs a response to the Brentford game and it’s his job to make sure he gets it. He and the players, baring the Covid hit ones, have had an entire week to prepare for this game. How to stop Chelsea from running away with the game, how to nullify the strengths of the opposition and how to keep the 6’ 3” Lukaku quiet.
I’d like to see Rob Holding back for this one and I’d like to see him fishing Lukaku out of his pocket as the final whistle blows. If he could keep Diego Costa quiet, he’s more than capable of doing the same to the Belgian.
Part of me hopes Mikel Arteta would throw new boy Aaron Ramsdale in at the deep end but I know that’s improbable. There’s something about him which makes me believe he’s more rustic and robust. He’s also said he’s versatile in relation to playing out from the back, or playing the ball upfield. Knowing when to do one or the other is crucial for any keeper in Arteta’s team.
Anyway, as said earlier, Arsenal need to compete with Chelsea. Match their energy, their commitment both on and off the ball, their will to win and their urgency to press high. A great team attacks from the back and defends from the front. Mikel Arteta simply has to get his team doing both if we’re to improve.
Get out there Arsenal and give a full Emirates Stadium something to shout about.
See you in the comments.
1st
Up the Gunners
Morning Rico,
I can’t praise you post enough today. I was at a party last night with lots of Arsenal fans, none of us really think we will win this one, the chasm in the squads and the experience of Tuchel versus Arteta. We get we’re building a squad for the future which will become better as will Arteta they will grow together. I believe, with the money they have they are heading in the right direction but I’d guess until they have had a season or two to gel we shouldn’t expect miracles too 6th finish should be achievable.
Picking up on your note, I totally agree that the fans want to see desire motivation and some steel snd grit. If we lose but we at least have shown we have combatted hard and left everything out there, who can criticise that. I hope every player plays with the passion Tierney, ESR, Holding, and Saka show, Martinelli still needs a few more games to get back to his best but he will, and Balogun needs to learn and emulate his peers. Most of all I want to see that Xhaka we saw in the Euros him playing like a Trojan for his country and pulling the team along with him. We need that in spades today. Good luck Arsenal and may the fans be with you!!
Thanks for the post Rico.
I agree that Ramsdale will not be thrown in immediately but I do wish it. I guess I have to wait till the WBA game though.
Today I would love to see a pairing of Holding and White as CBs. I was hoping for it last game but it didn’t materialize.
And maybe Saka and Pepe can dominate the flanks.
Morning Mig, Devil all.
Thanks Mig. Totally agree by the way. This group of younger players will need time but during that time, at least let’s see a plan, an idea of how we’re going to play and some commitment on the pitch. I can accept defeat when the team has given everything. This squad, bar a few is Arteta’s now, let’s see what he can do with them.
I did read somewhere that White is a doubt Devil.
Arsenal have 31 first team players on the books, only 25 can be registered. Seven players need to leave within the next ten days if we’re to sign anyone else for the first team.
Merlin , Both Kolasinac and Torriera are being actively touted to leave but as they hold the cards they are being selective about where they go
.Kolasinac only wants to join his mate Ozil in Turkey and it seems that a deal with Fenerbache may be happening , albeit if it follws the Ozil one, it’s unlikely to be of great advantage to the club’s finances.
Torriera has openly stated it’s Italy or nowhere , he has turned down South America and Germany and although Roma appear to be interested any deal involving Mourinho needs to be kept at arms length until it’s delivered .
Willian however I can’t see going , he may want to but only on his terms and no-one else will give him the deal that he has here . He is Ozil mark I don’t know how many.
Of the English ones Nketiah is injured and unlikely to go without a medical , probably a loan is the only hope after he gets fit again at Christmas and Amn and Nelson getting rid now is just financially bad business as football finance recovers English players will be more of a premium . We need to keep control of them either here or somewhere else.
What we can’t afford is to just throw young English players out otherwise it will undermine the hopes of those coming through and if we just leave foriegn players in limbo as we did with Ozil , other overseas players will think twice about joining us.
We are treading a very fine line.
Hi all,
They will set up 3 at the back with their flying wing backs. I don’t see them pressing us high up the pitch so should give us space to build from the back.
I think their style suits our game and maybe Abaumeyang comes good as no one is expecting him to and probably will afford him space then.
If Chambers is playing, he needs a smarter game as there will be pace against him again.
Morning Rico and all
It seems Kroenke has given Arteta the money he needed to buy new players which is great but as everyone else is saying now we need to see a game plan and hopefully Arteta relaxed a bit more during the match and show confidence in the team he picked too play his game plan.
I may be dreaming and if so I blame the lockdown we are in, but I can see us coursing an upset against Chelsea Arsenal 2 Chelsea 1
The two English players I’d like to see stay is Eddie and AMN. Both have a role to play in this team imo. We have FA Cup and EFL fixtures where they will needed.
morning Geoff.
Morning all.
I feel like shouting Stan down by asking where he’s been all this time, but I’m taking into account my own support of Arteta, which is clearly shared with Stan and Co., and so I’m thinking if it’s better late than never and I’ll applaud the man.
Let’s hope it continues, but more importantly, I hope Mikel and Edu manage the squad in a way we don’t need to buy 6-7 new players in 1 window to help us compete.
They clearly have the owners support, hopefully, all fans just out their opinions aside and support everyone representing the club.
We need a result v Chelsea, and we are more than capable of it.
If we do lose, we must see some good football and some passion!!
I believe the players we’ve brought in order both.
Good morning all.
If we are to face Lukaku this afternoon, we need to play three at the back, Holding, White (if fit) and Mari. Tierney as a left wingback and Tavares on the right. Xhaka, Smith Rowe and Lokonga in midfield with Pepe and (again if fit) Aubameyang. Oh! I almost forgot, Leno in goal, it’s too soon for Ramsdale. 😉
Are we that worried about Lukaku?
He’s hasn’t done that much in two PL stints, made his mark in Italy so we need to be wary, but I’m not overly concerned.
What do you reckon?
I watched as Drogba bullied our defence for years. Lukaku is a similar type of player. Yes, Scott we should be worried. 😒
Good job I’m sat down Scott. Lol
I think the Lukaku of today is a very different player to the one who left England for Italy. He’s full of confidence having scored 40 odd goals last season and our concern should be about his power and strength. If Brentford players could bully our defence, Lukaku must be rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
Just why I’d like to see Holding up against him.
The idea of a back three makes sense to me, although I suspect for much of the game, it’ll be a back five. 😆
Afternoon Rico, I flicked through MotD last early this morning, by-passed the talking heads as usual, but I was struck by the refereeing decisions again, one offside was very harsh and another scored by Man City wasn’t even discussed, double standards are still very much in operation by the PGMOL.
Shirt pulling for one decision that the referee reviewed and then changed his mind to give a penalty reminded me of how Leno having his shirt held was ignored last week by the same useless officials caught up in the Brentford party that Sky just loved, especially as it was at our expense and who could forget pre season. The parting gift from Joe Willock not given against Chelsea, yes football corruption is back guys….
Afternoon rico, all. Lukaku missed a few easy chances for Belgium in the Euro’s. Please let him miss again today, then he can score a few as he’s in my Dream Team!
Since when haven’t I called it as I see it?
Afternoon Kev, Andrew.
Who’s the ref today Kev, not that it matters really as they’re all pretty hopeless really. The lack of consistency with the decision making is awful. I’m surprised the club owners/managers don’t get together and put their thought to the PL.
Lukaku remains over rated.
He should’ve stayed in Italy.
Did Arsenal use a crypto currency to help pay for our new signings?
Apparently, Arsenal signed up to socios earlier in the summer along with more than forty of the top clubs around the World. Since doing so the clubs have between them banked in the region of £150 million. It is thought that Arsenal could have earned as much as £20 million.
Fans who sign up to the app can buy tokens in return for extra “engagement” with the club.
I’m all for the club using all legitimate means to raise funds. But this method, it is said, can lure fans into buying and trading in cryptocurrencies. Not a market that for the uninitiated.
Afternoon Rico and the House.
I am with you all the way Rico
Like most I think we will find it hard today and feel a draw will be
the most we can hope for.
But If we repeat yesturdays results anything can happen
Our u18s won at WBA 3-1 Spuds u18s lost at home to Chelsea 7-2 LOL
The womens team beat PSV 3-1 and have been drawn againstSlavia Prague
in the next round Home on Aug 31or Sept 1rst away 7days Later
However the best news of the day was
I receioved a phone call from my 13year old great grand daughter to
tell me that with her father they had at last tested negitive and recovered from
the virus.
We have no idea how they caught it as we have all had the double jab and
followed the rules
We will be seeing them in about 2hourslooking forward to it
Afternoon Rick. I saw the women’s result, excellent for them. Perhaps we should play the same U18 team at West Brom in the EFL Cup. Lol
Pleased for you all re the Covid news. Must be a big relief.
Senior Squad as it stands;
Foreign;
Leno
Soares
Tierney
Elneny
Gabriel
Mari
Pepe
Odegaard
Aubameyang
Partey
Bellerin
Torrieira
Kolasinac
Lacazette
Xhaka
Lokonga
Willian
Runarsson
18
English;
White
Holding
Chambers
Ramsdale
Nketiah
Nelson
Niles
7
All our other players including Tavares are U21, so that’s Martinelli, ESR, Saka etc.
So we e got one space left for an English signing and we need to move on one foreign signing to make the 25, so if Torrieira and Kolasinac want to stay there’s a game for them in the League Cup, happy days…
I counted 31 on the books this morning Kev.. lol
Doh! I forgot the under 21’s don’t count..
Great news Rick regarding family, we’ll be getting another jab this autumn to keep us topped up and so it continues, the CCP continue to deny any culpability and the West continues to punish them by filling their coffers so they can expand their navy and intimidate their neighbours in the South China Sea. What an odd way to defend democracy as it crumbles around the edges…
It’s easy to do Rico, I’m an anorak and I still slip up 😉
Not sure who the ref is either, not that it matters they’re all hopeless.
Paul Tierney today’s ref.
The ref is Tierney ,
Good news re Covid Rick but the double jabs don’t stop you catching it they just reduce the affect it has on you and it seems that it only reduces the chances of you passing it on.
Here in holiday Norfolk , the only people adhering to the masks and distancing are the locals as it’s a well known scientific fact that when you are on holiday it doesn’t count.( apparently )
Mig , the Xhaka that plays for Switzerland is not the one we have playing for us. We have the cardboard cut out copy that’s not really suited to the premier League’s cut and thrust but as he appears to be an integral part of Arteta’s grand scheme , I can’t help feeling that Arteta’s future rests on Xhaka’s shoulders.
He likes booking Xhaka.
One of them was good last year for us Kev, just can’t remember his name.
NN headlines suggest White is out with Covid.
Is booking an euphamism ?
The crypto currency comments are interesting , I suppose that playing with other people’s money kind of suits our leaders and mentors ,. Something has to , because running a football club seems not to be their strength.
I think we had Tierney a few times last season and it was quite mixed, 50/50
Why has Pogba dyed half his hair in Man City colours? Is he looking for a move? ,😉,
Just read a report that Ben White is suffering from an un specified illness, but goes on to say all Arsenal players are tested daily for Covid. My guess is he failed a test.
2.24 Cicero. 😆
Arsenal: Leno, Tierney, Mari, Holding, Soares, Sambi Lokanga, Xhaka, Smith Rowe, Saka, Pepe, Martinelli.
Subs: Ramsdale, Aubameyang, Maitland-Niles, Tavares, Chambers, Nelson, Elneny, Balogun, Kolasinac.
I read yesterday White was seen leaving training straight after Covid tests, well, before training had even started.
Chelsea: Mendy, Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta, James, Alonso, Kovacic, Jorginho, Mount, Havertz, Lukaku.
Subs: Kepa, Silva, Kante, Werner, Chalobah, Zouma, Hudson-Odoi, Chilwell, Ziyech.
Let’s go and get our first points looked forward to seeing Lokonga
The gulf between the two teams is huge.
This could be a drubbing if we’re not careful.
What is this Strictly come dancing? Chelsea are waltzing through our defence.
If it goes on like this Arteta will not last beyond 1st December
This is getting painful. Twice Tierney has been caught inside as James is free . Either the Xhaka is not picking up his man or Saka has to stay back
Every time they go forward they look like scoring.
Mari is really struggling, now he’s on a booking so has to be very careful.
Holding booked too. I fear a red card looming.
Have we got a game plan,
Lukaku looked off side to me for his goal and I thought we should have had a penalty.
The red card looms large. Much depends on whether Chelsea just decide to play it out or keep going. We can have as many corners as we like but if we don’t attack the ball nothing will come of them
Mari is having a nightmare against Lukaku. Pull him off put Holding on Lukaku move Tierney to centre back and bring on Tavares.
We need to get ESR on the ball in the middle to run at the Chelsea centre backs.
The crossing into the box is either rubbish or just going in the wrong area. Shame we don’t have any big defenders to challenge for our set-pieces.
We keep getting caught out on the counter.
Why no penalty??
Faaaark, Luiz didn’t even touch a guy last season who fell down and penalty awarded for “accidental trip”,
The defender changes path which forces contact with Saka and it’s play on!
Holding lunges in, silly lad, but no context made and a yellow is awarded.
Same old, same old.
Certainly not offside Kev, I thought Leno should have done better. Saka penalty? Border line.
Both feet were knee high, Scott. Out of control, any contact and it would have been a red card.
Take it that I’ve been censored but we won’t get out of this malaise whilst Xhaka plays
Watched the game on telly.
My take is that Tuchel cleverly targeted our left flank, knowing that all attacks seemed to come from there with Tierney and Saka always caught out of position during counter-attacks.
Plus, Mari is slow and just lacks upper body strength to challenge Lukaku and James.
But the primary reason for those 2 goals in first half is simply Saka is terribly off-form, did not have the energy to track back; and can be seemed jogging back for Chelski 2nd goal.
What ails Saka?
He is not his bubbly self, tracking back and did look fit to play.
1st goal:
Defence too obsessed with Lukaku and instantly pounced on him, sucking defenders into centre field, with both Tierney and Saka moving in-field, Tierney inside the box and Saka somewhere halfway at out half guarding space with James way ahead of him running to our box.
Chelski created an overload at our right side, pulling all Arsenal defenders and midfielders there, and with Saka out of position, James was running free to cross the ball.
2nd Goal:
Again, some brilliant interchanging between Mount and Havertz to beat the press at our right flank; and again, with Lukaku occupying our centre defenders and drawing Tierney into centre, a through pass from right was slipped to James, who got a free shot at goal. Do notice Saka was again out of position, and reacted by slow jogging knowing he can’t catch James.
Leno?
Worldie save from Lukaku at point-blank range with a strong hand.
I cannot fault our defenders as they really standup to be counted in 2nd half and played out of their skins to hold Chelski to 2-0.
Back to the drawing board.
Every EPL manager knew how to drag Arsenal Defence our of shape with a physical and strong centre-forward like Brentford Toney and Chelski Lukaku that Arteta has no answer until Gabriel is ready to play by end-Sep.
Rico, our crossing is rubbish as long as we do not have forwards that attack the balls in the box.
Laca, Auba, Nketiah and Balogun can’t attack crosses.
Set-pieces not so bad.
One corner was the ball to far corner, Auba headed back into the box and Holding just missed scoring.
Look like we are having half-fit player in Auba and Gabi.
I see Gabi as our only forward that can attack those crosses into the box. More work in progress.
One out of how many Merlin?
Potter, once Partey is back, he could drop out, however…
Censored Potter?
Ignore my e mail Rico, all back to normal. Home or away, newly promoted or European Champs result the same, two nil defeat.
Common issue is the same as pre season. Bad defending, positioning and weak central defenders. Set piece defending we’re still no better with the new coach.
Zero points at the break will put pressure on Arteta when they return.
HH crashed on me too Cicero.
Sad to say but yes, I too think the pressure on Mikel Arteta will build. From what Kroenke says though, the club have faith in him.
As much as I agree with the previous analysis of the first goal, the reason that Tierney came inside was because Xhaka wasn’t picking up and frequently he was being left with two . The marking in midfield was terrible throughout with Sambi doing the work of two .As much as Arteta loves him , the team will not function properly until we replace Xhaka as the fulcrum.
I said this a little more forcibly and It never appeared.
That’s strange, nothing behind the scenes Potter.
Don Everly has died aged eighty four. With his brother Phil he made the music that I chased girls too in the late 50s and early 60s. All time favourite, All I Have To Do Is Dream. 😢
That’s sad Cicero, I loved the Everly Brothers.
Site was unavailable at about six for 30 minutes. Then I posted, saw one from Potter about Xhaka! then both posts gone and others about that time!
That was the best match I have seen Leno play, the look on Lukaku face when Leno saved it was great, ESR possible our best on ground.
As much as Kroenke says he backs Arteta I recon he will change his mind if we keep playing like we have, we really missed a leader on the field and Arteta jumping up and down and barking orders didn’t help.
Geoff, I’ve never played sport at a high level, but I played a hell of a lot of various sports.
Short of standing ten yards away, I never heard a coach and never played in a stadium with 40-50,000 people yelling so I’m not too sure it’s a bit issue.
You are right though, we lack a leader, a mans man, for want of a better term.
It’s definitely going to be a long season with highs and lows but I honestly don’t think we can escape that, no matter who’s managing.
We need to see individual progression, but obviously the team to start coming together, and after 2 games, we’ve already seen changes to line up due to illness etc etc
There’s nothing worse when coaching, even at the crappy level I’ve done, than having to swap and change players each week.
Let’s hope we are seeing big improvements heading towards Xmas.
Scott I played Aussie Rules under some very strict coaches and you may not hear them but you can see them waving there arms all over the place. Arteta Needs to relax a bit and show faith in the players.
Lets just wait and see how we go when Auba, Laca and white are fit and healthy then we can judge Arteta Better,
Geoff, not if the players aren’t following instructions.
Arsene was often criticised for not being animated enough.
Yep, once everyone is on deck and firing, we will know more.
Is it just my skepticall nature coming out that the amount of praise being heaped on Leno firstly by Lukaku and then Tuchel makes me think that they are happy to see him remain as our number 1 ?.
Sure he made a couple of saves , one in particular , but that is what he is . He’s a reactive shot stopper not a dominant force at the back..
Think back one week and ask . Would Seaman or Lehmann have put up with being held on the goal line for a long throw ? . In my opinion not a chance . Having said that if Adams , Keown or Bould been there probably a ten man brawl might have kicked off but the message would have been given that we were not about to be bullied and just maybe Lukaku might have thought twice about steaming through Mari for their first goal .
Still if the signing of Ramsdale makes him up his game to previuos levels then that can only be a good thing.
I think we must accept that there will be changes when the currently sick players return but I am interested to see where those players get shoehorned in and who gets left out.
It’s no secret that i would try every combination at my disposal to find a way to leave Xhaka out , A freeze frame of where our defence were when the ball was swung out to James.
Mari has a man , So does Tierney albeit he has been sucked inside because Xhaka is 3 yards away from his totally in space . Effectively Tierney has Xhaka’s man andJames is alone in acres of space.
The second they have a line of 4 against our 3 . Again Xhaka is 2 yards behind the play and puts in a tackle from behind which had James not gone on to score would have probably resulted in a dangerous free kick on the edge of our box .
I don’t think that Arteta has it in him to drop him when Partey comes back . Lokonga who looked far more mobile and more dangerous will probably get the chop and it will be more of the same with safety first passing and slow reacting with a season long struggle.
If Xhaka plays when Partey is back, the pressure on Arteta will increase even more I think. Heck, I’d rather we get Torreira back, show him a bit of love and stick him back in midfield alongside Sambi.
Agree re Leno, a good shot stopper, although could he have done better with James strike, but the rest of him is weak imo.
New post up now
https://highbury-house.com/2021/08/23/simply-put-chelsea-were-better-than-arsenal/