Morning all.
The first fixture of 2021 is upon us and what a place to go to. What a manager to face too in Big Sam. Does it get any worse?
Big Sam has been employed by West Brom in attempt to avoid relegation. He started his mind games almost as soon as he walked in the door by saying Arsenal are a relegation rival. He was right of course but could have disposed of his chewing gum before spitting out his words. Oh how I laughed when Leeds Utd rocked up at the Hawthorns and battered his team 5-0. Leeds play like they’ve been drinking Red Bull for five hours before they go onto the pitch. They are lively and their football is quick.
Logic says Arsenal need to play in a similar fashion to Leeds as far as attacking football goes. A repeat of the first half against Brighton and well struggle, a repeat of the second half and we have a good chance of coming away from the Midlands with all the points.
Thomas Partey misses out again but having seen him involved in training on the official website photos, I think he’ll be back for the next game. Gabriel remains in isolation but Willian and Luiz are back. Although I hope they’re not back if that makes sense.
If it’s not broken then don’t try and fix it is my motto and with two victories under their belt, I hope Mikel Arteta plays the same team which has earned maximum points. The only question Mikel should be asking himself is who out of Lacazette and Aubameyang starts. With next weekend all about the FA Cup, that’s the ideal opportunity to give anyone a breather if needed. Right now we need points and in my opinion it’s not the time to make big changes.
Let’s not forget that a week ago, Big Sam took his team to Anfield and nicked a point. After going behind early in the game, they dug deep and snatched a draw in the 82nd minute despite having just 28% possession. So tonight’s game isn’t going to be easy regarding of the struggles West Brom are going through.
I watched a bit of the Leeds fixture and the West Brom defence were all over the place. The own goal was a shocker but credit Leeds for putting pressure on the defenders in the first place. Our forwards need to do the same. Press from the front and force the errors. Be direct, decisive and aggressive. Want the victory more than West Brom.
As said yesterday, our two recent victories are a positive end to what’s been a dreadful first half of the season. That dreadful first half was a result of a few things I’m sure but what was evident to fans is that certain players really couldn’t give a toss out there on the pitch. They let the manager down, their teammates down and the fans too. They got us into a mess which the kids together with the right senior players, are trying hard to bail us out of. Many managers would have been sacked during that awful run but Arsenal have stood by Mikel and I think they were right to. Mikel has done with some of the senior players, what he did with Ozil. Given them their chance before moving on, in this case, to the younger guys. The guys who waltzed through the group stages of the Europa League. The result being Willian, Luiz, Ceballos and Pepe left out of the starting eleven. Had Partey not been injured, Xhaka might have found himself sat on the bench too.
What Mikel Arteta can’t afford to do in my opinion is to go back to those players who weren’t performing and let them back in because not only will they ruin the rhythm we’ve seen in the last two games but I fear they’ll ruin Mikel Arteta’s career at the club too. Not to mention the younger guys who’ve not put a foot wrong.
Go forwards Mikel, not back.
See you in the comments.
Morning Rico and All
What to expect from Micky?
I’ve backed Micky from the beginning to reshape
our way of playing and to change our mentality
so to read in the gossip columns Arsene would
fly back in a jiffy to sort out the mess makes me
want to buy a Millwall scarf.
I think a bit like you in as formation and players
the only thing is can Micky be brave enough to
stick with it.
The Brazilian influence could be toxic.
.
Looking at the wage structure again around our
couch potatoes who it seems are quite happy to
just train and sit The club cannot move forward
and may have to sell one or two with potential if
we are going to progress.
On that,glad to hear Hold-on-a-minute is perhaps
getting a wage increase,he has improved with games
after a very bad injury and come through a potential
leader,I think.
Good morning Rico.
I’m with you on selection, stick with the winning combination as much as possible but if we are to “Press from the front and force the errors. Be direct, decisive and aggressive”, there’s no point in playing any of Aubameyang, Willian and Pepe.
Nelson apparently has a muscle injury, so that explains his recent omission rather than being lined up for sale…I hope.
Good that Holding is in line for a contract extension, he’s too young to take that as an invitation to join the A.P.S. Arsenal Pensioners Society.
I doubt if Fat Sam has had enough time to improve the quality of his side’s football but he will have geed them up enough to give our boys a kicking if nothing else. Shin pads back and front this evening I think.
Morning all.
I’ll happily wager Mikel will be around long after many of our squad will disappear 🙂
We simply have to go through these tough times to bounce back.
More poor results to come, imo, but as long as it’s a step backwards followed by one or two forward, then there’s no problems imo
If Auba starts, let’s hope he bangs one in early and gets some coincidence.
I’m not sure that’s his problem, but I’m hoping it is.
Morning Fred, Scott, Cicero and all.
The Arsene Wenger story is hilarious. No, frightening. Lol
Mikel need to stay with the team he’s picked but I think we have to be careful with Saka don’t want him to be burned out as he has been the bright spark in a dismal run prior to the last 2 victories, need to wrap him up in cotton wall and you can guarantee the walrus will tell his players to kick lumps out of him and the other youngsters! Keeping fingers crossed for a good performance as we need one, willian and luiz should be on the bench maximum. Willian needs to realise he ain’t been up to standard but with the amount his paid every week will he care he’s not playing? Edu and Kia have seen that his retirement fund is very nicely topped up for 3 years!
Another point I’d like to make is why do you guys have to continue to disrespect Wenger, the guy transformed this club and it wasn’t just him who left it in the state it was, that’s the board and there lack of ambition. Read his book where he states that his objective every year was balance the books and try get top 4 in which prior to 2016-2017 season he got us top four 19 years in a row! 10 years of which he was under financial restraint. Everybody laughed at him when he said it’s like a trophy but now we are all wishing we could get back into! Take some perspective and stop the disrespect, his words were taken out of context, he loves the club like a fan and of course would welcome a return if needed in whatever capacity.
The here and now is players need to go and Mikel needs time blooding some fresh youngsters in we just have to be patient. Get the deadwood out and build for the future. Here’s hoping for a 3-0 victory and an Auba goal!
Good Afternoon fellow Gunners
Arsene coming back is like your ex coming in to occupy your time in the bed after you told your wife to leave because you are not getting on together.
Here we go today it should be drummed home to all of our players . Cut out corners .
We know that Sam will load corners targetting Leno . Set pieces , corners , free kicks are his best hope .
Ajayi is 6 foot 4 ” , he will be there and who will pick him up ?
John O’Shea is 6 foot 3″ ,
Phillips is 6 foot 1″
Ivanovic is 6 foot 1″ and about 5 others at 6 foot .
Zonal marking will be no good unless some one attacks the ball . A running jump is higher than a standing one .
This is where we need more aggression in our defenders but really we don’t have that type of player.So our option as Lee Dixon used to say is to stop the ball coming in , and he had Bould , Adams ,Keown and Seaman to back him up.
Goona87, there’s not been any disrespect towards Arsene Wenger. Everyone knows what he did with the club during his early years and yes, getting top four for so long was remarkable, certainly after the invincible squad. But, the very thought of his lack of defensive coaching ability was what prevented one or two of the top four years being title winners in my opinion.
Rico at 11.42 yes it is frightening Arsene coming back. As I feel it would send us back 10 years.
I hope Arteta stays. Because to set up a club from top to bottom needs time and change of culture does not happen overnight.
Good points Potter.
At least Mari is around the 6’ 4” mark but if Bellerin or Tierney are left to mark their big guys, we could be in trouble. As you say, cutting the service out is the solution.
Agree Devil. If the club jump from manager to manager, there will never be stability imo. Until Mikel Arteta isn’t hamstrung by our wage bill and deadwood, I don’t think it’s possible to see how good or bad he really is.
Hi Rico, well if Madrid want to sell Ceballos maybe Arsenal will just swap him with Isco?
It’s odd because Arsenal were in for Isco big style when Wenger was in charge and before he moved to Madrid, Wenger couldn’t get it over the line, finance related no doubt, but we’ve retained an interest. At 28 he isn’t at the veteran stage and if we actually signed him he’d probably give us 4 or 5 good years but we’ve been as a club and fan base so bruised by some of these transfers that I’m reading a majority of negativity about him, even on loan, than you’d expect. I guess if he is intended as a short term loan then how long will it take him to settle, a month, six weeks? Then we’re getting into the realms of what is basically a 3 month loan once he’s adapted – that’s if he does fully adapt? And what effect would his arrival have on the development of Smith Rowe, a young player yes, but a player already contributing or those just behind Smith Rowe who would see their avenue to the 1st team blocked off, like Niles…
Yeah signing Isco sounds cool, signing a player always is because as fans we look for the positives, just as we did with Runarsson, but I’m not convinced on this one, I’d rather give those opportunities to one of our Hale End boys if I’m honest as long term that would I believe be more beneficial to the club going forward.
For me, Isco is (was?) a better player than Ceballos. More complete.
Partney, when he is fit, is to replace Elhemy.
Today, there is only one possible score: win, win and win.
I’d rather top 4 or close than relegation
Hi Kev. I’m not fussed over Isco. No fussed about Ceballos anymore either. Both can stay in Spain as far as I’m concerned.
Afternoon Rico/all
I’ve heard the Isco in Ceballos out stories too, I think he’s a good player,he might settle straight away, look at Cavani at Man Utd. I’d rather give opportunities to to the likes of Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith – Rowe, even U23 players though.
Tonight’s game will be tough, referee Martin Atkinson(hates Arsenal) manager Big Sam(hates Arsenal)
Keep the momentum going, it’s 7 days to Newcastle in the Cup, 12 days to our next league game.
COYG
Afternoon Limey.
Another thing with Isco is he wouldn’t be able to play in the Europa League. Just saying. Lol
Seriously, why the obsession about how we need to protect our young guys, there’s 19 and 20 year olds ripping it up all over europe, right here in the premier league, Lamptey is 20 and everybody wants him, no one is talking about protecting him, Reece James, Fabinho of Wolves, Curtis James, Phil Foden, Mason Greenwood, are we forgetting how young these lads are, come on, just free up the youths let them flourished.
Kev, I am totally against either Ceballos or Isco. Neither on loan nor as being bought. First of all I do not think they are suited to the EPL. Secondly I do not deem them strong enough to dominate midfield. Both are technical players but in the EPL you need more than that.
Personally I would prefer Buendia. He has played in the EPL. He has acclimatized to England. And is still young at 23. And he would not come on big wages like Isco. So he can alternate and/or play with ESR, Martinelli, Nelson, Willock and Saka. That would give us 6 players of equal mentality and good attitude who will give their all for the team. And when the going gets tough they will dig in. I dont feel Isco and Ceballos have that mentality.
Dawud, where is the obsession?
Personally I feel that Arteta would love to have two teams one of which plays in the weekend and the other plays midweek. We are still a long way from that scenario however that would point to Arteta buying more solid players with a good attitude than going for the tippy tappy type. But it does grate that he went after Willian. The Luiz situation I felt that Arteta was tied with his hands behind his back since we had many injuries at the back. Atm we are settled with fullbacks but we do need another CB provided that more leave and if Chambers is sold. We need 10 defenders at least…..5 CBs and 5 FBs. We need another keeper as well and today I read that Raya may be considered again.
Hi Coach, yeah I’ve seen bits Buendia and he seems a very good player, but the guy I like is Brandt from Dortmund, apparently he has the same agent as Mertesaker so we’ll know who we’re dealing with, but finance could be an issue. If we can’t do it in January then set it up, agree terms and complete in the summer, I’d rather wait and get the right guy.
I agree with Dawud, 20 isn’t too young it’s just at the optimum time so I’m not worried about playing the young ‘uns, as long as you’ve got the right experienced players with them then you’re alright, so Tierney, Holding, Lacazette, Mari, they all set the right standard, no stupid fouls or attempted tackles when the going gets stressed and they’re motivated every game, none of them hide. I think the balance is about right and bringing back Willian or Luiz would be stupidity in the extreme at this point…
If you must play them then play them in the FACup, but not this evening ffs….
Few headlines suggesting Saliba is set to be sold.
Can’t see the benefit of having different teams for weekend/weekdays Devil. Imo, we need a settled PL ream/squad who get used to each other and know each others game.
Kev I would not play Luiz and William in Fifa game let alone in the FA cup
Coach, I think that Arteta kept Luiz because Mustafi was injured, Chambers was injured and he wasn’t sure about Holding so he went with the devil he knew. Saliba is another situation, I don’t know wtf is going on there…
Inexperience also plays its part, Mikel is or was maybe listening to others he deemed more knowledgeable in their fields, ie the goalkeeper coach and his Runarsson punt. Was that his choice to send Holding on loan to Newcastle or was that Edu? Arteta certainly changed his mind sharpish and stopped that deal and I don’t mind my manager changing his mind as long as it’s the right decision.
Rico, that Saliba news is so depressing…
I know what you mean Coach about Luiz and Willian, but tbf Luiz did ok in our run to the cup final, but Willian is a scar on Arteta and his judgement if it was solely his call?
Luiz will be gone by next summer, probably off to Benfica where he can retire gracefully but Willian is going to hang around like a bad smell, that why I’d steer clear of signings like Isco, we don’t need anymore of those deals.
Kev, I think it’s for personal reasons if he goes.
When we bought Saliba he had been injured so we left at his old club on loan. Since he’s been at Arsenal he has hardly touched the pitch due to the fractured season and further injuries. Even without considering Sokratis and Luiz he’s way down the pecking order. I frankly don’t see the point of another loan deal for him. Better to get what we can for a young but largely un-tried central defender, at a time when many clubs are looking to fill or reinforce that position.
Just to say I loved Arsene mate.we had some
great times ..Didn’t we..
But he hung around to long,and we drifted..Didnt we
We needed a change in the end…Didn’t we
Lets be fair We all knew he was goner be hard to
replace …Didn’t we……So it’s proving.
The problem we have now is the amount of
players drawing big dough just to sit on their
arses..Who won’t go..That we didn’t know..Did we.
Yh I agree Rico defensively shocking and cost us especially the 2015-2016 season! When we could of and should of won the title. I agree though depressing news about Saliba, when you outlay 27 million for a defender you think to yourself hold on he must be the real deal! A year and half later and it’s not looking good. I thought they were talking of loan deals? As you rightly said Rico it’s been well documented about the problems he’s had off the pitch, maybe it will be for personal reasons. But shocking in the fact that we had all hoped our centre back problem would be sorted for years, potentially even starting this year but he’s been overlooked and the likes of mustafi and luiz continue to be picked or on the subs bench! I must admit tho Gabriel, Mari and Holding give me hope that we are heading in right direction just a shame it’s not looking like saliva will be a part of it. Anyway keep up the good work Rico and here’s hoping for a good result tonight!
Don’t forget the alleged loss of his parents Cicero. That’s hard for a kid his age to get through.
Goona87, at least we should get our money back on Saliba, unlike with Pepe. But yep, I thought Saliba and Pepe meant our central defence was sorted for a while.
Something about the Saliba situation doesn’t make sense , It’s all under wraps but somebody sanctioned £ 27 million to get him and if he really is a duff budgie that person should be summarily dismissed.
But then he already has. In mitigation you have to say that Saliba signed his contract on July 10th and Edu rejoined on 9th July . Part of Saliba’s deal was that he went back to St Ettiene for the rest of that season got injured and only played a few games.
Back at Arsenal he has been looked at by Bould and Arteta and their opinion is that he’s not ready for the first team and his performance at Wimbledon didn’t help . https://www.caughtoffside.com/2020/12/09/video-william-salibas-inexperience-shows-as-hes-sent-off-for-arsenal-u23s-vs-wimbledon/
Yesterday I mentioned that there are rumours of us resigning Donyell Malen from PSV Eindhoven and today stories appear of Saliba going there on loan with a view to purchase . It could be agents priming journalists who are linking things or maybe there is something in it . Who knows ?
If we sign Malen then it must mean Balogun is going, and/or Eddie.
Don’t think Balogun is staying , certainly if it’s true Liverpool want him . The Americans Fenway will have that sealed .If he is going back to his American roots and is comparing Fenway with Kroenke it’s a no brainer .
Anyway I am not predicting this outcome , just bored with everything and been reading around various sites .
Only 2 hours to go to kick off.
Reading all the gossip sites can drive you nuts. On social media though, Balogun is quite positive towards Arsenal.
Rico, if you reflect on it (team for weekend and team for midweek) it makes sense. The will be settled. Team 1 always plays together on weekends and team 2 play together midweek. Obviously they all have to be the same level plus with a good attitude.
Imagine this team….Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney-Partey, Xhaka-ESR, Martinelli, Saka-Lacazette. This team plays on weekends whatever the competition.
The midweek team will be completely different…..Keeper (a good one) Soares, Chambers, Mari, AMN-Elneny, Azeez-Pepe, Willock, Nelson- Aubameyang.
Obviously, some of the players above need to be moved on, changed and better ones replace them. But there were moments when I felt that Arteta’s aim is simply that. He always went with Leno the majority of the time because Runarson is simply not that level. And whilst he wanted to give him games I am sure he does not trust him much.
Team 1 is a good team. One which only 1 or 2 players can make it better. But team two needs a complete overhaul. So its not an easy situation to do so. Hopefully the club plays its cards right in acquiring new players and selling the dorks, plus promoting some of the academy players.
The most important thing to look for when acquiring players is their attitude and commitment. Plus age levels should be 22-25.
Can we exchange Saliba for Malen? And Maybe Pepe for Brandt?
The above comment should have been Devilgunner not Hell Raising Devil. The old name keeps cropping up. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Mari, Tierney, Xhaka, Ceballos, Saka, EMS, Lacazettel, Aubameyang.
ESR, not EMS.
Arsenal: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Mari, Tierney, Ceballos, Xhaka, Saka, Smith-Rowe, Lacazette, Aubameyang.
Subs: Runarsson, Willian, Maitland-Niles, Pepe, Luiz, Elneny, Willock, Nketiah, Martinelli.
Why Ceballos for Elneny??
You won’t convince me Devil
Why not AMN for Elneny?
Mickys thought this one out hopefully
two creative mids.
Fat Sam as far as I know wouldn’t
have a clue how to work out how
to break a team down,we have to
concentrate,dead balls.
COY Gunners.
Evening. However this season goes, don’t you just love Tierney and Saka? Best left back in league?
Dominant first half and some stunning goals.
The Arsenal we love are coming back.
Indeed Andrew, both are a delight to watch. ESR is slowly catching them too.
The enthusiasm and energy of youth is contagious.
An enjoyable game so far. Quick passing. Incisive. Diagonal or vertical passes in place of sideways or backwards. That is how it should be.
As Scott pointed out…..the enthusiasm of the young professional and their energy is contagious.
Today I decided to follow mostly Tierney. He did not disappoint. His aggressive attitude needs to rub on the others. I was pleased to see him score such a wonderful goal and get an assist as well. Is he captain material….definetely. Auba wears the arm band but I feel that KT has more of a say than PEA.
But anyway…I still think that Holding will get it, as he usually does when Auba does not play. And that is two leaders already at the back. I am still not convinced by Bellerin as captain material…..he only gets it because of seniority.
4-0 is a good result. But considering that we had 10 shots on target and 10 off target we should have buried 2 more. At least Fatso gets his arse whacked and his nose buried in his own garbage he spouts out of his mouth.
http://arsenalist.com/f/2018-19/goal-tierney-amazing-goal-0-1-2021-01-02.html
http://arsenalist.com/f/2018-19/goal-saka-0-2-2021-01-02.html
http://arsenalist.com/f/2018-19/goal-lacazette-0-3-2021-01-02.html
I have a sneaky suspicion ESR will
end up the best of our younger brigade, and that’s certainly no criticism of the other lads.
I see some genius in him, as much off the ball as on it.
What a player he already is.
Saka and Tierney deliver a cross like no Arsenal player has for years and it’s deadly.
Fantastic performance, and hopefully more to come.
http://arsenalist.com/f/2018-19/goal-lacazette-0-4-2021-01-02.html
That was a very entertaining game a joy to watch an Arsenal team wipe the floor with a Fat Sam side.
Saka and Tierney were terrific and Lacazette has found his mojo.
Tierney ,Holding , Smith Rowe , Saka add in Gabriel , Partey things are taking shape. Lacazette , Martinelli , Nketiah and Auba who will start scoring again things are taking shape.
Now Willian knows his place in the squad , back up to Saka , Martinelli , . I would not be surprised to see us get a little pay out for him in the summer.
Oviously I think that things are taking shape.
Potter, I actually thought Willian had a crack tonight.
I’m not disagreeing with your comment but he showed more tonight than in previous “efforts” 🙂
Thank god micky never listened to the
Elneny supporters for this game.
Surprised after the brighton game
the concern he wasn’t picked,he
nearly cost us two goal’s against
brighton.
Micky still has to justify every player
he picks,3 points or his useless,
not sure how he will confince our
fickle fans,who want to pick the team
yet are only right if we lose.
I knock around with a huge amount
of Arsenal diehards who can’t give a
monkeys about anything but the result
none of them have ever managed a team
or coached so I can understand a little bit
of whats said on here.
Gunner give it a few months before I react
on here again as I’m not I’m looking at the
same match as some on here,I could
argue with a lot of whats said to be honest.
Fred has left us awaiting the sequel.
Fred not sure what anyone has said that is particularly contentious. Pretty much everything said has been positive, If it’s my comment on Willian I believe that whilst the players are doing well his place is on the bench
We looked really good and Tierney’s. Play that led to his goal had to lift the team and I still hope we don’t sell Laca if there was any down side it was no goals by Auba
Geoff, there was little or no impact at all from Auba.
Scott, at the end of this season Lacazette will have one year left on his contract so if he continues and he has a good season then his value will shoot up and we might be able to get a good price for him next summer, especially as signing him to a new expensive contract could be an expensive mistake on the tail of many others in recent years.
We need to learn to sell better let alone better recruitment…
True, Kev, but it’ll be more expensive to keep the misfiring Auba haha
Hey,
Who’d be a manager?
Scott if I had my way Auba would start on the bench until he starts firing up
Geoff, he’s woeful atm.
I genuinely thought he’d thrown in the towel after signing his new contract, but the more I watch, the more I think he’s got absolutely no confidence at all, for some reason.
At one point last night Tierney played a ball up the wing for Aubameyang to run onto but our over paid striker either didn’t want to or couldn’t be bothered. The look Tierney gave him was full of contempt. That incident summed up, for me, all that is wrong with Aubameyang at the moment.
Big Sam has now lost to Arsenal as manager of 8 teams, he has a record of never being relegated, that might be about to change.
Great game, odd man out was Aubameyang, he tried but nothing worked.
Also all of the substitutions slowed things down.
Interesting what happens when Gabriel is available, Holding and Mari make a great partnership.
We were excellent last night against a poor team it has to be said, but the football was much better. Let’s hope it bodes well for the rest of the season.
Auba is a worry though and Willian is a poor fit.
But the football is becoming enjoyable to watch for the first time in a long while.
Limey, I hope Gabriel doesn’t walk back into the team just because he’s fit. Why change a back five which has conceded just one goal in three matches?
Morning all.
New post up now
Fred, I hope your comment doesn’t mean you’ve left HH?