Morning all.
That’s it then, pre-season is done and dusted and now the real football begins. Although we beat Lazio quite comfortably, little can be taken from the game really as not only was it just another friendly, but a mixed bag of players too from start to finish. Perhaps for one or two it was their last chance, certainly for the younger players as Unai Emery makes his decision on who stays and who goes out on loan for perhaps the final time.
Both Stephan Lichtsteiner and Lucas Torreira made their first appearance in an Arsenal shirt and neither disappointed. As we’ve said throughout the summer though, they’ll be tougher tests ahead. Even tougher now that Nacho Monreal has suffered an injury and is a doubt for our opening fixture of the season against Man City a week today. Maitland-Niles must be favourite to fill that void.
Reiss Nelson, suspiciously offside, opened the scoring by tapping in from close range after Iwobi hit the post and Aubameyang grabbed our second. Both sides had further chances to make the game more exciting but 2-0 it remained. Worryingly, Lazio were gifted plenty of chances which should be a great concern for Emery. I know it’s unlikely that Holding and Chambers will be our first choice central pairing, nor will AMN’s be the preferred left back, but even so, they might all need to be called on throughout the season so it’s a worry. Mustafi and Papastathopoulos themselves have a lot to do if they’re to convince many of us that they’re the real deal. Mavropanos is the only other option until Koscielny returns from injury and honestly, I’d choose The Greek over our two English central defenders every time. Perhaps I missing something?
Granit Xhaka, another mysterious player who has yet to win over the fans. He’s our current Mr Marmite although not many seem to love him. Captain yesterday but could find himself on the subs bench on Sunday. Iwobi did ok though, in fact I’d go as far to suggest there was signs of much improvement. Did I really just write that? Lol
Guendouzi though, I love him already. This guy looks to have everything in his locker. It doesn’t always come off but he’s nineteen years old, still young enough to learn. I like the way he gets up after losing the ball and fights to win it back again. He’s a grafter that’s for sure and leaving him out of the side will be a tough decision for Emery to make.
After yesterday’s match, Unai Emery wasn’t giving much away ahead of the new season, nor would he be drawn into transfer talk. Rightly so too as his job is about preparing for the Man City game.
On what he learnt from the Lazio game…
Each match is giving us information to continue to improve and continue to develop. Today we played with 4-4-2, to try this system and tweak our mentality, style and ideas, but for me in the first half the possession with the ball and control with the ball wasn’t as good as I wanted. It’s for that reason that we started the second half with three midfielders. I think in the second half we controlled the match better with this system. Today we tried in the second half and second half to choose the best system with the best players and best ideas, but I’m happy with this performance because they are working very well and improving also
On whether he will sign anyone before the window closes…
My focus is on the first match and preparing, and not for the window and the possibility to sign another player. Maybe we need some players to leave because we have lots in the squad, but at the moment, my one focus is on our work.
So I think it’s fair to assume that we’ll see a few more departing the club over the next five days but I wouldn’t bet against one or even two joining either.
Enjoy your Sunday guys, this time next week the excitement returns…
Up early this morning ? must be the afternoon snooze !
Watched the game on Lazio tv as Arsenal player was being difficult if not impossible. So no commentary , not that I need it to watch football. Keeping up with the subs was not easy but there you go.
Liked the look of Lichsteiner , he doesn’t take prisoners and Guendouzi is certainly making his mark . We got away with it getting an offside and a deflection but despite looking good going forward a more clinical forward line and we might have shipped a few as well.
We are allowing too many crosses and look shakey dealing with them . I think Leno will start ahead of Cech against City as he is quicker over the ground and we are short of a pacey central defender.
That’s it then , either we are ready or not. Eyes down for the first encounter.
Sleeping isn’t coming easy in the heat Potter..
Agree re the crossing, need to cut that out before the season kicks off. I was impressed with both the debutants and it must be tempting for Emery to start Lichtsteiner on Sunday but City have so much pace it could be an issue.
Morning all and thanks Rico.
I think Holding and Chambers are better on the ball than Mustafi and Sokratis, not sure about the Mav` (dont know how to spell the rest of his name) as he needs more games to be assessed. Only Koz looks a genuine top defender to me, but we all know he has to nurse his injuries and will never be the same as he was when he was at peak.
The defense will be our downfull imo and thats where top money should have been used, it was not attended too by Wenger …………………..and now Dick !.
We always looked comfortable going forward especially when Auba, Ozil and Miki came on.
Dick also has his work cut out trying to fit in Torreira, Xhaka, Matteo, Ramsey, Elneny, Miki and Lacca`in the same team with Ozil and Auba dead certs to be in……………….that only leaves two spots and one is the Goalie ! 😆 You know me I`d have them all playing with just one known defender………..probably Bellerin as he cant defend !……….attack attack attack !!! 😆
The kraut Goalie is definately better with the ball retention and passing and will undoubtably give us all kittens !
Seriously though I repeat………………………..the defense will be our undoing and if City turn up with a full strength team( they are not Arsenal………or Wenger who let them have a long holiday, we`ll see !) we will be mince meat !……………………………………although who knows, Dick could do a Leicester, it could happen twice in a 1000 years !
🙂
Good morning to you both. Lichtsteiner looked the real deal to me, strong and positionally aware. A far better defender than Bellerin who relies on pace rather than taking the right defensive position.
The more I see of Guendouzi, the more I like him, a tidy debut by Torreria, there’ll be a lot more to come from him.
Ramsey to Chelsea for £35 million and Lucas Perez is off to Sporting Lisbon for £4.5 million.
Lovely sunny day here. Off to Wells-next-the-Sea for a family day out and dinner at The Globe. luvvly jubbly.
PS……….think we can all agree Matteo Guendouzi is looking the dogs !…………………19 !………………..always said……….good enough…………..old enough !
Off to Wells-next-the-Sea for a family day out.
Went there Wednesday took grandaughter on the train to Walsingham and back ( Enchanted Railway ) ideal for a 5 year old, then went on to Sheringham for ice creams , luckily the tide was out so a bit of beach play too. Then home to Mum and Dad via the Red Lion at Coltishall.
Ramsey £ 35 million , how his reputation has gone down , that’s cheap for an international midfielder.
Isn’t that how it should be though Lc? For too long we’ve had a midfield full of players but none to do a specific job, now we have a strong few for Unai Emery to pick from on a weekly basis depending on who we play. I got tired of being able to predict the starting eleven under Wenger because he seldom strayed from his favourites.
Morning Cicero, agree re Lichtsteiner, just goes to show yet again that all freebies shouldn’t be criticised until they’ve played. Enjoy your day by the sea..
is that Ramsey being sold for £35m a definite? That won’t get us Dembele.. lol
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Things are looking up, but next Sunday will give us better/true indication of the team’s chances for the new season.
It’s good to see competition for all places on the team sheet; especially for Bellerin, as he has been coasting and complacent for far far too long. Also, he is not the only one. It i good to see that Unai is willing to bech those not pulling their weight.
Agree Rico, just glad it`s not me trying to sort out the midfield/attacking side of it, abundance of riches !………………………then there`s the defence !……..hahaha
Bellerin !……………………..As a former utility player of the highest quality being able to play anywhere in the utility room, washing , drying , ironing nothing fazes me !……………………If up against a tricky player, just jockey them, dont dive in, it`s the easiest bit of defending you can do and him having pace it should be a breeze, I see he did it once on Arsenal player yesterday and the commentators praised him for jockeying and the great thing about jockeying an attacker is it usually gives other defenders the time to recover and position theirselves !…………………………………….ok, thats enough tactical stuff from me as you will all think I`m not as daft as i look ! 🙂
RIP Barry Chuckle
But some good news !!!……………
Patrick Stewart is returning to ‘Star Trek’ to play Jean-Luc Picard…………………….yippeeeee !
Le Coq – I’m sure we don’t judge you by your avatar picture. I, for one, am a great Muppet (only with a capital M) fan.
However, you are correct, learn the basics like jockeying first. I’m sure the Lazio defender that Mkhitaryan nutmegged would benefit from a lesson in jockeying.
LC – Is that Star Trek #?? (a movie – I’ve lost count) or another spin-off series?
New series aparrently CG !.
Some great work by Dick, Sven and Co ! 🙂
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/08/04/patrick-stewart-confirms-star-trek-return-as-jean-luc-picard.html
OK…………..out in the Cornish sun and unlike a Cornish cream tea ……………..the sun cream is going on top !
What will the sub title be? Star Trek, the retirement years!
Will it refer to the latter years of the Wenger years as its stories main themes?
Watched the second half last night. Stand out player Gwen Daisy(can’t spell it) got it all. Think we may have found a replacement for Cazorla……..at last. Don’t think he’ll start every game but I do think we’ll be seeing him during most games, especially when we need a game changing player. Really impressed by him. As for the defence I’m not sure which players are best in their respective positions but I’m sure, unlike Wenger Dick will have a plan!
Looking forward to next week because I think we have a chance of beating the current champions and setting out our stall for the season. Let’s hope so, eh?
Warm and sunny, again! Looking forward to the end of summer towards the end of the week!
Morning Cg, totally agree, City and Chelsea will tell us more than we’ve learned so far.
Lucky you Wavy !…………………….It`s summer all year around here !……………………..I was sun bathing on St Ives beach mid October the other year !………and that`s the truth !
😎
Wells next the Sea, Sheringham, Cromer, lovely places to visit, if a tad windy.
Fish n chips, a buttered roll and a cuppa, then an ice cream cornet and a stroll down the front.
Think I’d jump straight to the ice cream Kev..
So Drinkwater is off to Palace then Rico?
Him and Max Meyer should make them a tough proposition.
Chelsea or Liverpool?
I don’t like Chelsea, but I loath Liverpool, so if Ramsey leaves I hope it’s to Stamford Bridge.
Are we still a selling club after all these years, all the promises, transfer war chest etc?
I bet that Liverpool wouldn’t sell, just as they refused to with Suarez.
Different owners, different mentality.
I hope that ours will gradually change if Josh becomes more involved and hopefully more ambitious.
Rico 😀
Ideally Kev, abroad but like you, if it’s between the two then Chelsea but surely for more than £35m?
I wonder why we didn’t go for Meyer if Ramsey is to leave. Someone better or different in mind perhaps..
The best line from Emery’s interview, “today we tried in the second half and second half to choose the best system with the best players and best ideas……..” Wow!!!!! Tactical changes and in game management at Arsenal, that can’t be????
Imho, I really dont get this fascination with Ramsey. He’s an average player. 35m is a lot for him, as I wouldn’t even pay 25m for him. He’s not even better than Tadic or Marchisio and they are not going for 35m. Arteta and Santi always coached him on positions take, Sanchez and Ozil stay yelling and getting frustrated with him, Xhaka just be looking at him annoyed, all of them can be wrong. The dude is a terrible footballer. He has a great motor, but so does Elneny, and Elneny if given Ramsey’s freedom will be better because he’s more disciplined.
That line made me smile too Obi, it’s all new for us eh..
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/arsenal-transfer-news-rumours-latest-lucas-perez-sporting-lisbon-lazio-west-ham-watch-video-a8478161.html
It may be an unfashionable view but I like Ramsey and hope he stays at Arsenal.
Do you think he will Adam? The downside to him going would be the way it’s seen..
So Lucas Perez wants to stay at Arsenal now Rico, no doubt energised by the prospect of working with a Unai Emery and showing us Arsenal fans what he can really do and nothing at all to do with the prospect of a pay cut if he left North London.
Interesting to see that the agents of Aaron Ramsey have come out and denied that they’re demanding £300k pw from Arsenal.
Has nobody shown any interest in him then?
I’m not fussed if Ramsey wants to leave. I think we have enough cover in midfield to get by without him. I would like to sell him together with Welbeck and Xhaka. Then we may have enough for a UE centre Back purchase which is sadly needed.
Fear we may be taken to the cleaners by City next Sunday.
I like Ramsey too, gets injured too often for my liking though.
I like Welbeck too, fast, works hard, but the finnishing 🙁
I like Xhaka too, cant think of a negative, I suppose if I was a Wengerite Id say he shoots too often !
🙂
Agree there Vics !………………..we will be the smartest looking after Sunday !
🙂
City played Walker and Stones today after a WC Semi and 3rd place play-off !………………………….Hope Welbeck is on holiday practicing his shooting !
I really dont get the Perez situation, his overall football abilities/ IQ are very high, I watched him for a while in La Liga before Arsenal. Could it be a problem of attitude?
You old cynic Kev, of course it’s nothing to do with money for Perez.. 😜
I read that about Ramsey too, he won’t get £300k a week at Arsenal any more than he’d get it elsewhere imo, he’s simply not anywhere near that kind of level imo.
Mind you, does any footballer truly deserve such a ridiculous amount of money?
Personally, if Perez stays and plays, I think he’ll only make the team stronger and were lacking wide players.
Vcc, I don’t think City will batter us. They might beat us but I reckon it’ll be a close contest.
Chambers is rumoured to be off to Fulham then, medical tomorrow.
We’ve got to be signing another central defender surely…
Didn’t see that one coming , thought he might be looking at using him as a defensive midfielder but I suppose Guendouzi has closed that door on him. Of the two I would have kept him and loaned out Holding , so young Greek , old Greek , Mustaphi and Holding . Monreal at a push or a nice big shiny new signing and another one goes to get squad numbers in line.
Me neither, like you I thought Holding could do with a season of playing a lot of football elsewhere. I guess there’s time for him to go too yet if we bring in another which would still give us five central defenders including Koscielny.
Morning all.
Ricardo Rodríguez Is linked to us today…
New post up.