Morning all.
In the words of Sokratis Papastathopoulos:
I am here to show I am first a defender and after that comes everything else. Of course, you have to know how to play with the ball, in the last five or six years football has changed a lot.
A lot of coaches and a lot of teams now look at only how to play, not how to defend. But with the new coach we work also on the situations when we don’t have the ball and this is very important. On the first day, the coach worked on this. With him, all the players work on tactics, we look a lot at videos, what was wrong, what we have to do better. I think and hope this year things at the back will be much better.
My first step was in Italy and Maldini was a great player. I played with Nesta, that was one big school for me. Also with Thiago Silva, great players to learn from – they were defenders who were defenders first. I learned a lot and now I am ready to give what I know.
Since the big announcement came back in May, for must of us the banners were flying high, trumpets were sounding and a big sigh of relief was let out. What followed was great debate about who should be the next man in charge.
Anyway, here we are today and shock horror, the players are being coached on defending. Imagine that being an Arsenal defender eh? Walking onto the green green grass at London Colney to be told you’re about to get involved in some defensive stuff..
Mesut Ozil was rumoured to have muttered ‘What’s defending?’ Mustafi nudged Sokratis saying, ‘Jeeze, I haven’t done that for years’ while Hector Bellerin needed a dose of smelling salts wafting under his nose. Took him a while to come round apparently and all the time Sokratis was rolling around on the floor in fits of the giggles. ‘Boys, we’re defenders, why have you not been practicing this before? ’Its a long story’ said Calum Chambers, ‘but there was this bloke called Arsene Wenger………’
An hour had passed before normality returned and the players went about their business on what was a bright and sunny afternoon…
I enjoyed yesterday’s match although watching on an iPad isn’t great. Better than not watching at all though. Last season I probably wouldn’t have bothered.
Ok, PSG fielded an understrength side but even so, the focus for us should be on us and whether or not things are heading in the right direction and I’d say yes, a big fat yes. We never really looked like conceding a goal from open play regardless of who was on the pitch and even when the numerous changes were made throughout the game, they were seamless. Emile Smith-Rowe came on when the scores were even and he soon got involved by supplying the ball for us to take the lead. The header from Holding was not only a confidence builder but a well timed jump and finish. The goal Eddie scored towards the end was a cracker and one many top strikers would be proud of but our opener was up with the best of the day. The fast breakaway, precision passing and great movement from Ozil to be in the right place when Aubameyang slipped the ball into his path.
No, I’m not going overboard at all because tougher tests are not far away but I just think we’ve seen enough to realise that things are very much improved and isn’t that all we asked and hope for?
Social Media is awash with negativity suggesting that any old team couldn’t have beaten that PSG team yesterday but that’s fine, let those people swim in their own pool of negativity. Personally I don’t care. I enjoyed watching us play, just as I enjoyed many individual performances as well as the entire group of players who turned out for our club. Watching Lacazette smilie was something new and the subs dancing on the bench was a sign that happiness within the camp has returned. The body language of players like Mustafi and Ozil has changed and for the better.
Beating a much weakened PSG side might not be too much to shout about but the way this group of players are playing is.
At least for me it is.
In the gossip pages, Chelsea hope to land Aaron Ramsey this summer for £30 million. I’d tell Roman to take a long walk off a short pier for that low offer…
Morning Rico and everyone… It was really a fun game to watch… The happiness is spreading across the team.. Energy level is also high..we are almost good to go I believe… Its going to be a great season for the fans and the club.. Still not expecting much. The only way I see us challenging for the league is if world cup fatigue affects the other teams.. But I expect us to finish above Chelsea, spurs and man u.
I will sell Ramsey for anything about 45mill if I were the coach and get a suitable replacement. But looking at our team currently the midfield seems choked up, we still don’t have Toriera and Xhaka back.. Where are they going to play?. looking at the young guns too wondering how they will all get playing time, the league cup will be fun this year I guess… back to Ramsey I don’t mind we selling him and investing in a natural winger… Seems Nzonzi is joining AS Roma.
Morning Mexzy and all.
Certainly don’t expect us to win the league but who knows, things are certainly looking better. Really chuffed for the younger players. Not only have they been given playing time but they’ve done really well too..
I’ve mixed feelings on Ramsey, but if it’s all about the money for him then his heart can’t be in Arsenal. Is Smith-Rowe good enough to replace him? I’d say yes easily and I doubt Emery would over play him either.
Winger for me too on the left- a darn quick one.
Great post Rico, perfectly reflecting how I feel, no unrealistic expectations for this coming season but encouraged by the changes I’ve seen.
Facebook, Twitter and the advert driven blogs on NewsNow all feed on each other, positivity is bad for clicks, no clicks no dough, so they have to create negativity. Treat them collectively with the distain they deserve.
It won’t be overnight, the changes will be gradual, years of poor, irresponsible coaching by Wenger and his team have left our players with a deep level of poor habits, you can’t shake them off in a few weeks but the progress in our defending is very very welcome.
I like Leno, he looks calm and composed.
Mustafi has shown some improvement, maybe there is a decent defender in there who just needed some proper defensive coaching and I wonder how much work Steve Bould is now allowed to do under Emery?
Interesting and smart of Emery to mention and emphasise Koscielny and his position at the club when the post match chat came to the armband.
As for Ramsey, we need a few other clubs to show their hand, I’m sure by now that the likes of Barca, Liverpool, Man U, Man C, PSG, Real will aware that Aaron could be available this summer. He’s good to go, no World Cup fatigue, recent injury record has improved, got to worth at least £40m, but more interest in him will ramp up the fee.
Arsenal need to make a statement with Ramsey, recent contract extensions – Xhaka, Iwobi, Holding, Chambers etc – show that the club is being more proactive in that area. Ozil was lucky, he got his deal when the new management structure was still in flux and Arsenal were vulnerable thanks to the largesse of Wenger. Things have changed now and Ramsey may have missed the gravy train. No one out there is going to pay him £300k a week, so suck it up.
Thanks Kev. Agree re Mustafi and Leno. The latter made a great save in the first half and unlike so many of our previous keepers, he made sure the ball went to the side and not back into danger. Cech has a fight on his hands.
I missed the post match from Emery, what did he say about Koscielny please?
Spot on re the contracts, Ozil wouldn’t get his salary now in my opinion as he’s not earning it. Good point on Ramsey too. As said, if it’s all about the money, sell him to the highest bidder.
Rico, the journos were asking him about Ozil as captain and Emery said he could do that job in future, then Unai repeated what he said about 5 captains, Ozil, Ramsey (capt vs Atletico); Cech and then pointedly mentioned Koscielny as the club captain, a smart piece of psychology, letting Laurent know that he hasn’t been forgotten by including him in the group.
This 5 captains malarkey has more to do with Emery persuading the senior players to be more responsible on the field, I’m sure that Lichtsteiner and Sokratis will be like captains as well, the more strong characters the better.
Ramsey is a quality player, but tend to agree that if he was Arsenal through and through he would have already signed. However, selling to Chelski must be a definite NO! As for news and media response to us, it is business as usual – take BBC news who this morning mentioned City, United, Chelsea and Liverpool’s pre-season exploits, but guess what? I think you know who they didn’t mention:)
True words about Rowe – Smith replacing Ramsey Rico, he has everything, the fighting spirit, actually takes the game more seriously than Ramsey from what he has shown so far, he plays like he was on loan to a small club last season and has to fight for a chance to make the first team.. Same goes for Nkitiah.. So much fire in the young lads.. I guess letting them train with the senior boys is a good move after all…
Thanks for that Kev. Smart from Emery.
Not only the training Mexzy but to get match time too and plenty of it. That alone must give them great confidence in themselves. I don’t think many who’ve been on tour will be loaned out. These guys have shown that they’ve fitted in really well.
Db, me neither, sell him to Barca or Real, or some other overseas club. Or City if they offer a silly amount of money. But Chelsea? No way unless Hazard fancies a swap. Lol
Morning all. Didn’t watch the game yesterday, followed on text and saw the goals later. Seems it was a pretty comprehensive drubbing against a young inexperienced PSG eleven. Still you can only deal with what you are up against, and the Arsenal did that very efficiently. Hurrah!
Ramsey is/was a Wenger boy! He was always cosseted and comforted bt grandpa Arsene. It would seem he’s lost his comfort blanket and his protective shield and finds his position is vulnerable. He may well have recognised the writing on the wall, that is he won’t be first on the team sheet and perhaps not even on it at all. If that is the case then he knows his time is up and it is time to move on, just a question as to where that might be? Watford or Wolves? If he moves to a big club I think he will find himself in the same position as he is at Arsenal, not guaranteed a start every week. A middle of the range club is his more likely destination, just like Jack! And he’ll be hailed as a mega signing and a show of positive intent by his new, ordinary. Run of the mill club. Good luck to him and may he fill our coffers with gold!
Bloody miserable here today. Wet, cold and autumnal! But the grass has greens up already. Remarkable stuff grass!
I think you have a point re Wenger and Ramsey Wavy. If he was fit, he usually played regardless. He’d even be moved about in order to squeeze him into the side..
Hi All
Not sure Smith-Rowe is ready to replace Ramsey. He is only 17 and has played against second teamers and U23s mixed with a few pros.
if it were me, I would sell Ramsey. The reality is that there are teams who are probably interested, but by coming forth in the media would drive up the price. If it Gomes as the replacement, I would bite. He was really good at Valencia enough for Barcelona to come in.
That being said, he will probably sign a new deal. I will be interested in seeing how he does under some structured management.
Rumour has it that Ospina is off to Besiktas.
18 yesterday Begeegs, older than a lot of players who have burst onto the scenes at other clubs. I reckon he’s ready to be part of the squad.
Rico. Personally, I would like Ramsey to stay but he might have looked around at our midfield prospects and wondered about the future. Perhaps he figures that, with a year to go, he’s in a good position to financially negotiate. But, the club have stuck by him through many injuries and that dreadful incident at Stoke. Does he owe the club? It seems a bit old fashioned to mention loyalty these days but,for most players, there is simply no depth to their greed. Not necessarily Ramsey.
Adam, perhaps if he’s thinking about money, he’ll try and run his contract down, although I’d imagine the club would be against that happening especially so soon after Wilshere left for free.
As said, I’m not fussed either way as we have a glut of midfielders if we include the younger ones.
Rico- he’s definitely good enough for first team, but you mentioned earlier that he was easily a good replacement for Ramsey.
Adam – I would say as a British midfielder in the prime age, he is in a very good bargaining position. I would like him to stay too, but have my doubts. It really depends on who the replacement will be.
Arsenal won’t miss Ramsey if he leaves, we have had bigger players leave us under Wenger and the heavens didn’t fall, and this time around we know he will be replaced…
Afternoon all and thank you Rico.
Just finished watching the game and a good win albeit just a friendly against an under strength PSG ……….although I think the commentator said PSG had a bout 6 teenagers on in the 2nd half and straight away thought so have we !
I`ve always said age is imaterial if the talent is great and all the worlds best players have proved that, so although I dont agree ESR is already Ramsey`s replacement as we haven`t really seen enough of him I can see him being in 1st team squad if Dick knows best as he sees him more reguarly than we do.
The 1st team squad of midfielders is huge and even though Dick has bought to cover problem areas it seams unbalenced to me, we need a proper fast skilfull winger for starters, we seem to play central strikers there or any makeshift player………….or maybe it`s not as important nowadays with the fascination for wing backs !.
These games are good to judge the potential of the youngsters, but I`m certainly not going to have my head swayed that this means we are going to win the EPL by havingh a great pre-season as we always had great pre-seasons under Wenger then wilt in the important stuff of EPL.
The time to judge will be after the 1st EPL game against what could probably be a weakened Man C team………………a loss will be bad imo as we should be way in front physically due to World Cup.
As I have previously said……….because of WC and CL “fatigue”, I expect nothing less tha CL qualification this season. Wenger could not deliver in the lsat 2 seasons when we had an advantage because of his tactics etc`, lets hope Dick can.
G’day Rico and all you other happy Gooners.
I watched the whole match and was initially impressed with the speed of transition between defence and attack. This was to a large extent due to the awareness and passing ability of Guendouzi. However, we got what we have come to expect from Iwobi, set free on our left, he got into a couple of good crossing positions but hit them hopelessly too long and then wasted a clear scoring opportunity and all but disappeared from the action before being subbed off at half-time.
Ramsey, Iwobi’s replacement, did no better stumbling over the ball when through on goal and, later, greedily ignoring other better place players on his right he scuffed another chance into the ‘keepers legs.
It was good to see Mesut Ozil get a goal and show the broadest of grins as he took the plaudits of his team-mates. I think we are going to see a rejuvenated Ozil this coming season.
Eventually the goals came and a good victory was wrapped up.
We have a crop of very good youngsters coming through, how they progress will depend on how many minutes they get on the pitch, and that will depend on how many of the existing fringe players are retained.
I would like to see us buy a decent left winger, one with some pace. We should sell both Ramsey and Iwobi in order to free up wages and generate some cash to buy the winger.
I reckon he is Begeegs.
Yes Mexzy, thankfully those days of selling and pocketing the money seem to be over, or I sure hope they are.
I think most of us are with you re a winger Lc, there’s plenty of time yet to get one. Lol
Hi Cicero, the first goal was a super fast break, loved it. Still think there seems to be a lot of sideways and backwards passing during a game but it’s funny how that doesn’t bother me quite so much as it used to.. 😜
I think the tic-tac man on the touchline will soon sort out the over elaborate passing habits Rico.
Me too Cicero. I think we’ll soon see more of the promised pressing game too. In the Asia where the humidity and heat is so bad, it must be difficult to play that kind of game.
Makes sense rico, we can’t play tika taka football all the time, when in Asia chicken tikka is definitely the way to go !
: Steve Nicol makes worrying prediction over Unai Emery’s signings
ARSENAL are nowhere near good enough to finish in the Premier League top four this season – even with the signings they have made this summer.
Shall we all hold hands and take just ONE MINUTE to think about that.
For once Micko, you’ve left me scratching my head… lol
Shut the door behind you Steve Nichol….
That’s a blast from the past rico, what do I remember about Steve Nicol, three things, his massive feet and the header he scored against us at Highbury from the edge of the penalty box in the late 80’s…..Ginger tosser !
And his one minute to hold out before Micky Thomas did the business.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/jul/30/premier-league-2018-19-preview-arsenal-unai-emery
Morning Kev, all.
Not much news around today…
Good article Kev.
Did somebody actually pay the Guardian journalist to write that? A dogs dinner of a re-hash of everything we already knew.
Oh, good morning to all.
Wasn’t it Steve McMahon who did the one minute at Anfield in 89..?
Morning Rico, yes a quiet day, no point writing anything because there’s nothing happening.
Emery will have his full squad together for the first time today, there’s bound to be some heavy legs, but by the time we face Chelsea there should be more sharpness in terms of passing and hopefully finishing.
Yeah I thought it was a good piece Rico, no hatchet job like you get in most other outlets and finishing 5th seems a fair reflection of where we are atm, and based on the last two seasons. That will hopefully change as the season gets underway and fatigue hits those other top six clubs who had more players at the World Cup than us.
I’d like to see one more midfield signing if I’m honest, especially if Ramsey leaves, but I think we have a decent squad, as was the case last season, all it needed is more direction, better coaching, more emphasis on the defensive side of the game especially and it seems we’re getting that now.
Ramsey brings goals, we’ll miss them if he leaves as goalscoring from our midfield is atrociously poor, Ozil should be a 10 to 12 goals a season, Mkhitaryan likewise, it’s what Jack always seemed to lack.
Morning all.
I thought it was a good article too, but I must quote this line from it……………..”Emery has his work cut out and it remains to be seen if Arsenal have made up enough ground on their rivals. These, ultimately, are uncertain times in north London and it will only take a couple of bad results for people to start questioning the wisdom of parting with Wenger.”………………………………..No !…………….I will never question the wisdom of getting rid of Wenger, if it goes bad I will question the wisdom of two things………………1) Not going with Arteta who was my choice after the impossibility of getting Pep and then Simeone and …………………2) A hopeless majority shareholder who has still not improved on his player investment of £0………….but, lets see what happens, personally I expect top 4 !……………………anything less is a disaster !
Atm……..lets keep Dick In !
It’s odd Rico, I was sad when Jack left, but not as sad as I thought I would be, Jack is synonymous with the Wengerball style we’re leaving behind, a young Jack would have been brilliant now at the pressing game, but he’s just too fragile after years of mismanagement by Wenger and hopeless medical care by those recently released by the club.
Hey Cocker, I occasionally visit AA (the blog that is 🙂) and notice how few of the regulars are blogging on there from when you was a regular, VCC for example, doesn’t he blog anymore or Mancini’s Hairpiece?
As for Stan Kroenke, he might release some more funds before the window closes Cocker, although it could be that Emery is giving his new squad a chance to impress, after all I’ve seen a definite improvement in Mustafi, so maybe there’s some better footballers in our squad than we give them credit for? There’s still time to make one or two more signings, maybe those deals are in place, just waiting for Arsenal to trigger them?
Liverpool have done, on the surface, some great business – I’ll guess we’ll see how great as the season progresses, but none of the other top six have done masses of deals, the next two weeks may see things loosen up.
Hiya Kev
Wouldn`t know too much about AA as I got banned for putting up a photo of a German Ski Jumper called Andreas Wank…………..pronounced Vank !……………………
Nothing as bad as Chas used to put up, but I wasn`t in their inner circle !
🙂
As for Kroenke……………………..I mean him releasing money from his own pocket like Chavs and MC do………………..not just the self sustaining stuff ! 🙂
Kev, I just don’t think Ramsey is of the quality to deserve a massive pay rise. Look at the wage structure down the road.
Yes, no hatchet job as you say whereas other newspaper reporters would be writing a similar topic quite differently..
I wonder what’s happening with Perez, I don’t think he’s played yet in preseason…
Re Jack, I wasn’t at all sad, but I thought I would have been, should have been really but I guess a lot of that is down to the way I’ve felt about Arsenal full stop.
McMahon , yes youre right.
Yes Cocker, Chas was the man with the vids, but you surprise me, you banned, I find that hard to believe, I’ve always found you very much an example of the modern man…. 😃
A bit like me…😄
That’s never going to happen with Kroenke is it Cocker…
We are run on the same lines as Liverpool. Tottenham and Man Utd, we spend what we earn.
I haven’t a problem with that, it’s how we’ve always been run. If you have good people at the club then that can bring success. I wouldn’t stress too much about Kroenke, he’s not great but there’s plenty worse out there mate.
Agree 100% Rico, Ramsey is a good player, a very good player even but maybe not as good as he or his agent thinks…
Will Chelsea pay him £300k pw?
Didn’t Perez play one half against Atletico last week Rico?
Interesting that Emery didn’t use him against PSG, but he used a Nketiah…
I didn’t see that game Kev, just a few highlights so must have missed him… 😉
Matt Macey has gone on loan to Plymouth.
Chelsea, Ramsey and £300k a week, not in a million years imo..
Good post Rico. Agree with Wavy. Ramsey was and still is a Wenger boy. Sell him for 40 mil. Never the same since his leg break (thanks Shawcross). He is now full of his own importance. Not worth more than 100,000 a week. ESR will step up but important that we don’t overplay him ala Wilshire. Important for players to know we are Arsenal and they can be replaced. Time for The Corporal, Akpom, Perez, Campbell and Welbeck to move on. Would sell Ospina Martinez also.
Reports are circulating that Arsenal will accept bids over €8 million for Perez. Note the price is in Euros not pounds. So I don’t think the reports started with Arsenal. Probably an agent trying to drum up some interest.
Macey on loan if Ospina goes Martinez stays. He ‘s a good keeper and Cech isn’t getting younger.
Thanks Paddy, I’d keep Martinez and probably Welbeck, the latter to have a season under the new regime…
I’d be disappointed if Perez went, but I guess if he does, it’s a sign of the club wanting better.
Rico, I’ve never been convinced by Welbeck, even before he arrived I failed to see why he was considered good enough for England, the very fact that Mourinho was happy to sell him to Wenger says an awful lot about the player.
allezkev. 11:29………..much appreciated mention buddy. Im still in the background, but almost lost all my enthusiasm with Arsenal under Wenger these past few years. But, luckily, its started to come back now we have a new manager.
I will stick around as long as rico allows me. 😉
I’m hoping our defenders will start to improve now that Steve Bould has been released from his shackles that Wenger so kept locked up.
We still get caught out at the back with some naive defending. We must stay focused and alert at all times. Under Wenger, they developed a casual attitude towards strict marking. I’m hopeful that Sokratis will have some influence on the others with his recent comments ” I am a defender first” something I hope UE and SB will install in our other back liners.
Holding, Chambers, Jenkinson, Bellerin were all good prospects when they came to our wonderful club, but after spending time under Wenger they went backwards.
There seems to be a mixed bag with Ramsey. Should he go or should he stay? I’m in the go if you want to. Certainly don’t pay him a high wage ala Ozil. We have The new Uruguyan, together with some real hot prospects who can step up and take his place in midfield.
I’d like us to sell Xhaka for what we can get……..probably £7:50 …….and buy three Euro tickets this Friday and see if we can win enough to purchase Steven N’Zonzi. Now then we would have a proper midfield.
As far as I know (and not that they need it with the amount of cash in the bank)……………under FFP each club are allowed to lose £100M over a 3 year period, so there, there is more money to land someone else!
🙂
Hiya Vickers, still cruising around Lakeside with that cut and shut Zimmer frame ?
🙂
Sure am Cocker. Keep well buddy. Going there tonight.
What do you think of our recruitments so far?
I thought it was a good catch when we got him Cicero. Although I don’t think Mourinho was at Utd then.
You’re as safe as houses Vcc.. 😉
Underwhelmed Vickers………………………..I`d prefer Bindippers signings and they are run as Kev says the same as us on a self sufficient basis !…………………………although Guendouzi looks a find !……………………………I`m just sharpening my knives for if and when it goes tits up !
😆
See that the Tour de France winner is a Gooner !………………………….no wonder Cicero was getting over excited !
Do seem to have Champions as Gooners, can they transfer that to our team in someway ?
Ones I know of……………… Mo Farrah…………..Kelly Holmes………..David Weir……………….Lewis Hamilton…………………..Jenson Button…………………….Anthony Joshua…………………..Audley Harrison………………..Frankie Detorri……………..other jockey forgot his name…………..oh yeah……AP McCoy !………………….anymore anyone ?
Oh yeah ……………….Arsenal is Andy Murray`s English team, think he is Hibs up in sweaty sockland …………….
🙂
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/goonermartin/famous-arsenal-fans/
Id like to see us line up with
Leno
Bellerin……Sokratis…..Mustafi……..Monreal
Torriera……Guendouzi
Ozil
Mkhitarian……..lacazette…….PEA
Subs
Cech……..Holding…..Kolasina…..Elneny….AMN…ESR…..Perez.
I like the look of this Guendouzi, he seems to have a pair. Got upper body strength and a good passer.
ESR is a find and will get plenty of game time, especially against the lower half teams ( imo)
Id like to see Perez get a run because he seems hungry.
Ramsey, sell or swap for N’Zonzi.
Break the bank for a proper CB. I’d love us to go and get Maguire, he is just what we need.
Just to balance it out with no bias, here are some Spuds celebrities !
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-au5MO4unTwU/UD528P-eb8I/AAAAAAAAAD8/07jMTeK3C50/s1600/timemachine_morlocks.jpg
The two CB`s there, Vickers dont feel me with optimism !…………………………………….I told Wenger about Maguire when he was at Hull for £17M ………………….as for Perez ……….aparrently he`s up for sale for £7M !………………………….so you have proven to me what I have thought for years !…………………..you`ld make a rubbish manager !…………………..so stick a satnav on your zimmer frame and bring me up some Pie&Mash instead !
😆
Not to talk the blatantly obvious, but surely we have lots of goals in Lacca and Auba !……………………..even the Invincibles only had Henry !………………………….lots of goals imo………………….now the defence …………….
😯
Cocker. I can only go with what we have my friend.
I agree our defenders are not up to the required standards of Arsenal, but we are stuck with them.
Its easy to say after the event, but, like you, I told my Son we should go in for Maguire when he was at Hull.
Ive also shouted from the roof tops to get rid of Xhaka, he is useless. Cant run, can’t tackle and a disaster waiting to happen. He isn’t even a Sunday morning player, just about get a game over Wormwood Scrubs on a Sunday afternoon.
You’re right Rico, was it Moyes or that Dutchman sold him to Wenger?
How about the latest rumour of Ramsey in exchange for Dembele !…………………………………..Goonster will be throthing at the mouth and have to be restrained, he already has a restraining order stopping from being within one continent of Dembele due to lustfull advances !..
😆
Ok VCC, yes I understand how you feel, so many bloggers have dropped off over the last 4 or 5 years, gradually ground down by Wenger and his inability/stubbornness to update his way of doing things, the club just stagnated and Kroenke was unable/unwilling to act, so he has to share the blame for the clubs inertia. Wenger should have gone after the FACup of 2014, the subsequent cup successes in retrospect, just covered up the malaise. Kroenke is to blame for not being proactive, but I think that Josh is more inclined to get things done because I think his input influenced his father and got Wenger out of the door.
Yes VCC I agree, I think that Bould is being allowed to do some defensive work and like you I also am really looking forward to this season even if my expectations are low, or realistic as the case might be.
As far as defending is concerned VCC, it seems to be a dying art, especially if the World Cup is anything to go by.
Atletico must be among the best in the world when it comes to defending properly, I actually enjoyed watching them in action.
Once Torrieira has been integrated into the team, our defence will start to look more secure. Despite a few hairy moments we’ve conceded only once in open play in these two friendlies and some of our defending, whilst not seeming too composed at times, is showing a more resilient side. Years of poor coaching is going to take awhile to rectify but I’ve seen some encouraging signs.
Van Gaal was in charge when we signed Welbeck.
Cocker, over the last 12 months Arsenal have spent in the region of £186.6 million on:
Lacazette, Kolasinac, Aubameyang, Mavropanos, Mkhitaryan, Torrieira, Leno, Sokratis, Guendouzi and Lichtsteiner.
All that while bringing in next to nothing on sales and negotiating a mega deal for Ozil.
It’s not been all bad has it?
I still think we need a rapid winger to get the coveted top four!
£186.6 million is a lot of money, especially for Arsenal allezkev. for that we got 10 players. How many of those would have been purchased by the top four clubs in the EPL? Only one imo. Thats where we are as a club, buying in the bargain basement
But my question would be….wouldnt it have been better to have bought fewer, but, top top quality players?
If that money had been split by x 4 players @ £46.65 million, surely that would have been wiser getting a better quality player. OR, even x 3 @ £62.2 million. Now that has to be better for the team.
We could have got PEA plus two others. A proper CB and a proper DMF, which is exactly what was needed. Get your spine top drawer.
These TQ players could have helped bring our promising youngsters through. We have enough of them to fill places when needed.
Then we would have had a better chance of finishing top four, and maybe, just maybe, we could even press to win the darn thing.
I just look at our squad and we have far too many ordinary players now. I obviously hope I have to eat my hat.
At least my zest for the Mighty Arsenal has been rekindled, which is the main thing for me. I’m a born again kid, eagerly awaiting the start of the new season. My Arsenal top is all ready, neatly ironed, looking majestic for the game tomorrow against Chelsea.
Beers are in the fridge already, seat all booked at my Sons house, channels all sorted, spectators all invited, and this is only a pre season friendly….cant wait for the City game.
Looking for the best prices on Bet Victor for an Arsenal win @ 16:00 Sunday week.
Lets F—— AVIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTT
A winger for me too, then we’re good to go I reckon and see how it goes..
Wenger spent plenty of money, just a lot of it on average players.. imo anyway.
Morning all.
Morning Rico and all. Yes, a fast winger would be good I think. I still have doubts about our defensive resilience but, hopefully, that will improve as Emery’s effect and motivation begins to bite.
Morning Adam.
My hope is the midfield, if it’s much stronger and more organised the defence won’t be under so much pressure. But I do think Mustafi looks as if he’s improving. I wonder if there’s much truth in this Ramsey/Dembele swap story.
Rico. I imagine that most Arsenal fans, certainly those I know, would be in favour of such a swap. Add N’Zonzi and we’re ready to go. 🙂
Probably.
VCC of that 10 players, I reckon only Lacazette and Kolasinac are out an out Wenger signings, the rest are probably Mislintat picks, so it’s a bit early, don’t you think, to start writing them off.
Aubameyang is the one I think you mean when you talk about the other top four teams and he cost a shed load.
We are where we are VCC, the players you’d like to see don’t see Arsenal as a first pick anymore, we have to look for potential or players in the bargain basement who we can develop, just because they don’t cost £60m doesn’t mean they aren’t good players, it just means we’re prepared to take a chance. And when you look at some of the big-time Charlie’s at the other big clubs, are they really performing?
I certainly am Adam. N’Zonzi too, especially if Ramsey goes which is looking quite possible.
Morning All and Rico, btw.
N’Zonzi would be a great signing Rico, at 29 he’s in his peak years, but isn’t there some issue with his father wanting a large payment. Interesting that Roma dropped out of the running…
I always think it’s a huge mistake to judge a players quality by his price tag.
Agree Rico, I’m always saying the same to Adam when I’m bigging up Joe Willock.
But he never listens….
🙂 Kev. You surprise me…
Rico. Steady on. 🙂
🙂 Adam
New post up now.