Morning all.
If we score a winner in the 88th minute tonight, I’ll be more than happy. A football match lasts for ninety odd minutes so whether a team scores in the first minute or the last, does it really matter? Not worked? No, not for me either, jammy b******s. Darn you Brighton, darn you for not holding on for a point.
At Watford, Southampton scored the quickest goal in footballing history. Just seven second had passed when Shane Long gave his team the lead but they couldn’t hold hold either as Watford scored a very late equaliser.
Our turn again tonight. At Wolves. Not easy.
Unai Emery has come out in strong support of Mustafi. Rather than fling insults around about him, he wants us fans to be more supportive.
“I say to our supporters, ‘Help our players.’ Because I want every player to have big confidence.” “He (Mustafi) needs to improve things tactically, his decision-making, but he has good quality and my work is to help him.”
Emery went on to praise the German’s performance against Watford and his performances in general. Hopefully with a view of getting a good transfer fee for him because if Emery really believes Mustafi is a good defender, we’re in trouble. Another player the manager has been gushing over is Konstantinos Mavropanos. Good. He’s young, he needs encouragement and he needs us to be patient. He’ll make mistakes I’m sure but he’ll learn from them rather than just carry on regardless. At least that’s how I see things panning out for him. A bit similar to AMN really who just a few weeks ago, and before, was being heavily criticised, yet just this weekend, his first half absence was deemed costly.
Emery is right, players do need supporting rather than ‘insulting’ but a player who cost the club £35 million shouldn’t be making the schoolboy errors Mustafi does on a regular basis. There’s a big difference between him and the likes of AMN, Mavropanos and any other of of young players, Guendouzi included.
We could really do with Granit Xhaka tonight because love him or loathe him, he and Torreira are our strongest central midfield pairing in my opinion. Unai Emery isn’t giving away whether the Swiss international will play or not, he’s opted for secrecy. A new tactic.
on who could come back tomorrow…
We are going to wait. I am not telling you what our idea is with the players, with the system, with the injured players or the first XI.
on Granit Xhaka…
I want to keep all information to myself for tomorrow. Sorry, I think it’s better for us.
on him not usually being secretive…
Yes but maybe today. It can change sometimes. It’s because maybe I don’t want to be clear on how the players are. I prefer it. It’s not you, it’s for our opposition.
Both Torreira and Xhaka were training yesterday though so my guess is both will start. Also training were John-Jules, Saka, Willock, Nketiah, Pleguezuelo and Okonkwo. Ramsey is definitely out but apart from our long term injured and our January loan signing, the rest appear to be fit and available.
Fixtures are running out now. There’s just four left and we need three points from every single one of them. Achieve that and Champions League football will be secured for next season. Simples.
See you in the comments guys.
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‘morning again Rico, I hope Emery’s new tactics include scoring from at least fifty percent of the chances created. 😉
Fine post by the way, thank you.
Morning Rico,
A particularly good pre-match Post, thank you.
In the days of yore (well, that is to say when we had Thierry, Sol Campbell, Bergkamp, Pires et al) we would be looking at tonight’s game to bolster our goal difference, in case it was needed, and for most of us the thought of being being a bit windy as to whether or not we might lose never came into it.
What an inversion of expectation. I believe Emery Belafonte has achieved far more with the team than many of us expected, and hopefully in the summer transfer window, Krankee will spend rather more than the rumoured £45m – and Unai Doai will be able to shore up our defence. Who knows? So many variables.
Hate to say the obvious, but I live in hope of a win tonight, but fear the worst.
Hi, Cicero,
You still doing your morning walks along the coast. I envy you — I’m trying to increase my physical exercises, but all I can do is hobble up and down the shitty pavements. 🥺
Morning Cicero, Ra, thanks.
I think it was Scott who said a while ago that if our players had a better goal conversion rate, the defensive issues wouldn’t be so destructive to our results. Both areas need addressing..
Out on the broads today taking boat for checkup . Hopefully get back tonight for a different type of stream
I did read somewhere that if Man City beat Man Utd and both Man Utd and Chelsea draw in the following game, that Arsenal will need 7 points to make top four.
So a draw at Wolves would not be a disaster, but a win would be better of course.
It’s set to go down to the last round of fixtures.
Morning Gooners
Morning Rico, btw Rico, what do you think of Edu joining us next summer? 😉
Too complicated for me Kev. If we win all our remaining games we will be doubly qualified for the Champions League, I’ll settle for that. 😉
Redders, still walking but we’ve cut down from six/seven miles to four/five. Gives us more time in the pub.
Potter is that a check up for the boat or for you? 😊
Morning Kev, I just wanted to be sure with twelve. 😂
Edu? Not heard that one…. lol
Afternoon Rico,
So pleased Sokratis is back,him and Koscielny are our most solid defenders. I didn’t see Sunday’s game ( I’ve been up to see my daughter and grandchildren,much more fun) I’ve seen the goals – no more Mustafi please.
A point might be a good result,Chelsea and Man Utd will probably drop points,unfortunately it looks like Spurs are nailed on for 3rd.Looking at our remaining fixtures,a win tonight would do nicely..
Afternoon Rico and all. We certainly don’t want to be going to Burnley, for the last match of the PL, having to win. I watched them the other night against Chelsea and they are, since the relegation of Pulis anyway, the league’s biggest shit-house team of cheats, simulators and hatchet-men.
Afternoon all.
I think Potter has sailed away in order to have his barnacles seen to!
Tonight a draw would be okay a win far better a defeat, disastrous…..again. I’m sure I’ve said that before.
Like the stats Kev, 7 points…..can we manage that….mmm. The jury’s out. 3 points tonight would put us in that box seat, I think.
Muggy here. Is going to rain for the first time in six weeks or not?? Have to say I’m not hoding my breath.
Afternoon Limey, Adam.
I too am relieved Sokratis is back for this one and hopefully the rest of the season unless he does something daft.
I watched that game too Adam. They are certainly a physical side.
Heavy rain right now with hail stones thrown in for free. Know king bell out of the apple blossom.
Knocking!!!
Cicero,
Your 4 or 5 mile walk is 3 or 4 miles more than I am doing at the mo’. But the physiotherapist has referred me to a higher authority to ‘improve’ my schedule. The said authority is better known as The Fiend – so see how I go. 🥺
I am disappointed that the Arsenal game is not on TV tonight, which is ridiculous – who wants to see some mangy derby between the two Manc teams. Well everybody but Gooner fans, I guess — but that is irrelevant.
Stick with it Redders, you know it makes sense. 😉
Kev, Edu Gaspar is currently DoF of the Brazil national team, as such he must be well aware of all the best players still playing in their home country, he could be a valuable asset in our hunt for good, but cheap, young talent.
It may be no coincidence that we are, apparently, close to signing 17 year old winger Gabriel Martinelli who plays for Brazilian club Itua. The price could be as low as £5 to £8 million. Martelli turns eighteen in June and qualifies for an Italian passport due to his Italian ancestry. The application is underway.
If the club need a DoG then Edu would be ideal.
Not a DoG, a DoF. Spellcheckers eh?
Ra……………………..the ancient Egyptian diety of the sun !……………………..may you bring some glowing rays of sunshine to Molineaux tonight for the Arse !………………………I could do it here from Cornwall but we need it for the tourists !
Evening all and thanks Rico .
Just been to the dentist and I`m starving !……………when will the numbness end ?
The brain is always numb but I like to taste my food hahaha
Woof woof !
Le Coq, 😁 😳 😂
Arsenal: Leno, Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal, Torreira, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Ozil, Lacazette
Subs: Cech, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Elneny, Willock, Guendouzi, Nketiah
No Aubameyang in the squad?, Mustafi on the bench and I hope he stays there.
Cicero,
Auba has an injured nose, apparently. 🤪
Disappointing our game is not on the box. Could easily have put on a different channel…
anyone found a stream scott ?
1-0 I will watch later
Here we go again! 1-0 to the Wolves! And I’d say UE has put out the best players he has available tonight. Still it’s a long way to go yet. Says he optimistically.
without Mustafi on the line up and 2-0!
forget it boys and girls were ain’t got the stomach for it… we’re bottlers
Now we’re in the Sh1te
Oh dear oh dear…
Forget top four I reckon…
70% of possession,,,
2 – 0 down…..and out!
Are you lot watching or just following the score
I’m watching potter… it’s a gutless performance…
rico personally I never thought we could get it tbh.. few on Aftv got carried away.
glad i cant see it
3-0 ; 73% possession; 3 yelow cards . half-time!
Embarrassing!
This could be a very embarrassing scoreline. We’re a mess.
it’s embarrassing, hope resting them players against palace was worth it.
napoli result papered over the cracks.
this team is utter shit.
I was 50/50 Kel, but I certainly wasn’t expecting this drubbing..
Apps on Apple are showing the match Potter, but I wouldn’t bother if I was you. We are dreadful.
I’ve watched the goals. The problem is not only Mustafi!
2 games 6 dropped points
shots 7-3 ,,, in the goal 3-0… score: 3-0
if I’m honest rico i did think wolves would beat us, I called it today in work, just knew Arsenal had no fight in them.
I was just harbouring hope.
who knows maybe 3-3..
if wolves have 2 sent off 😂
I thought, maybe hoped we might draw Kel, however. We don’t deserve anything other than what we get..
shots now: 9-8. In target: 3-0
The only sense I can make of this, is that we are playing such shit football so we drive all of our higher paid players to go elsewhere and save on the wages.
75 minutes: possession 73%; shots 11-9: in target : 3-0
we score!
The fight back begins… 🤔
too late
Ramsey gets injured, our form dies in the arse but luckily, he’s going lol
Incredible!
Morning all.
Anzac Day here.
Lest we forget.
Finish!
Saw the last half hour , Nketiah looked interesting.
Disastrous dahlin’ disastrous!
We’ve found our true level….8th!
No Ramsey no form. He’s beginning to make 400.000 look cheap especially when he commanded no transfer fee. Another fine mess the upstairs chaps got us into.
Stack my vitals
Wavy, he’d have stayed for 200k which makes it an even bigger joke.
We are choking right now and the next few weeks don’t look any brighter.
Anzac day remembering some very brave men, they certainly got handed the shitty end of the stick at Gallipoli, Scott.
Time to ditch Emery, he is not up to it. He quite obviously lied to the Board when he got the job. Bring in the Wolves manager he knows what he is doing, Emery doesnt. And dont give us that lack of money!! There are good defenders to be had in Championship, better than the crap we have. So despondent and I have suppported Arsenal since 1966!!!!!
Cicero, they sure did.
Our boys were hung out to dry in the worst possible way.
Paddy, it’s very disappointing to see no improvement in our defending.
We still see the same suicidal errors we’ve seen for years.
No excuse for it, imo.
You can’t teach old dogs new tricks and our defence has old dogs in it’s heart. Until we get a vocal leader at the back and people willing to listen it won’t change Remember the cup final where Mertesacker had Holding on a piece of string and the boy got man of the match.
We show all the traits of a lack of organisation and whilst each player on their own have merits as a group nobody takes command and although last night Sokrati shouting at people no-one was listening .
I didn’t see much of the first half but from the highlights last night and the showing against Palace they are like a comedy formation dancing team , some go forward whilst the rest go back , some go left the others go right or don’t move at all. They all seem to think that they have it right and that it’s everybody elses fault and it matters little what they are told because in the words of Simon and Garfunkel :-“” A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest. “”
Agree Potter. Too many Wenger signings remain. We need players with a totally different mindset. Until then, things will remain the same imo.
Morning Gooners
Morning Rico, I’m really looking forward to the post, well tomorrow’s post… 😄
Fatigue, there was a lot of tired minds out there yesterday and that tiredness meant that they slipped back into their bad old ways of pass pass pass whilst going nowhere, especially as we didn’t have Ramsey to drive us from midfield.
I guess that as the season grinds inexorably to its conclusion that Unai Emery is getting a crystal clear picture of his squad under pressure, under stress, those who step up and those who fold and hide, throw their hands up in the air and those who he can really rely and depend on when the going gets tough.
We might have our own personal favourites, those who we give more latitude to but basically it’s the same old faces who fail to turn up when the going gets tough, it was the same old faces under Wenger and it’s the same old faces now.
Emery still has a long way to go before he can seriously change the culture and the mentality of our squad, it may take a similar time frame as the the time it’s taken Klopp, now into his 4th season and still no trophy to show for his work.
Pochettino has been at the helm even longer for no tangible return but Levy and the Spurs fans have stayed with him, just as the Liverpool fans have in the main stayed with Klopp.
I’m not sure that our split fan base has the same resolve?
What I will say is, if we don’t back Unai Emery then I think that we’ll slip back into a period similar to the one that Man Utd are experiencing where every bad result brings a cacophony of complaints and ‘sack the manager’ Tweets and we slip back even further behind the top two or three as we regularly change managers.
Back in the 1950’s, when Tom Whittaker died (1954 off the top of my head) the club then went through a slow decline, under a parsimonious Board who hired managers who towed the line and didn’t make a fuss. Jack Crayston, George Swindin, Billy Wright, a 4,500 crowd at Highbury as the club ate itself from the inside, no leadership from the top just as we have now, we’ve been there before so it can happen again…
Rico, I reckon people need to stop blaming Wenger for “his” signings.
They’re professional footballers.
They were professionals before we signed them.
They’re still professionals now.
Some of our very best players were signed by him and yes, some of our worst were, but name any manager in history who always gets it right.
None do.
Emery is letting Ramsey go and he’s our best player right now, even though some fans still refuse to acknowledge his importance but that’s Arsenal fans for you.
Yes, it’s very easy and convenient to blame Wenger and indeed Ramsey for the situation but that’s rubbish.
Rambo agreed to terms and the club pulled the contract.
Why????
We look like idiots and the football world knows it.
Why hasn’t Emery got the defence sorted yet???
Wenger didn’t “coach defence” according to most so any manager with half a brain should improve our defence but it hasn’t happened.
Why???
Now to the young guys.
How about we start praising Wenger for the kids coming through?
Project youth was his idea and was laughed at for years by people, I always said it would take 10-12 years to s tart producing, and it has.
Everyone is saying how good the group of kids we have coming through are yet nobody dares applaud Wenger for that.
It’s no surprise really.
Morning Kev, maybe Sunday’s? 😜
I still think Emery needs this summer. Imo, only then will we see where he might be taking us. And what the direction of the club is.
Scott. Why, it’s a reality? Why do think blokes like Pep and Koop got rid of the players they inherited and bought their own? Not all I know and not all of ours are poor.
As for Ramsey, the offer was there long before the summer when Emery took over I’m sure, why didn’t he sign it? Our best player? I think that’s down to opinion.
When all those young players, like Giggs, Beckham etc got into the Man Utd team back in the mid 90’s, nobody said that Ferguson was responsible for developing them Scott, that was the Man Utd academy, it’s scouts, coaches etc who were responsible.
What Ferguson did was bring them intelligently into the senior squad, but he didn’t develop them and wasn’t responsible for them.
What Arsene has done is put a top guy in charge of our Academy in Per Mertesaker and we should thank him for that…
Last season he brought a lot of our young players through, gave debuts to a lot of youths, Emery has done so this season, but he’s maybe been a bit too reluctant to use our youngsters since the turn of the year and that’s disappointing but understandable as he tries to steady a ship that’s sailing up its own arse.
When was Merts appointed though Kev? Perhaps it wasn’t Wenger’s idea…. 😜
I think it was down to Wenger, Rico, wasn’t he earmarked for the job during his final non-playing year 2017/18 and then he took on the job properly last summer?
I don’t think that Raul was in place and Mislintat didn’t have the authority it was still the Arsene/Ivan combo running the club…
Interesting comment : It went
‘Who got the best out of the Mkhitarayan and Alexis deal?
Most probably Man City who dodged a bullet’… 😁
I had a look through the squad yesterday and IMO we have a big problem. I split the squad into my keep and discard list, I then looked at the discard list.
For a start there are far too many on that list for my liking and secondly most of them have very little in the way of resale value, thirdly the wages they command are all far too much.
I had my tongue in cheek Kev.. lol
I think when people refer to Wenger signings it’s just a general term for players signed when he was manager, a term probably used at every club. Of course he got a lot of things right but those things were undone over the years.
Hobart, spot on, we’ll struggle to sell a lot of players because of the reasons you highlight and unlike at City and Utd, we haven’t got the kind of money to throw at new signings.
Our money now has to be spent wisely imo, unless the board are ready to spend big..
One of the major questions of the dying Wenger years is whether he was in sole charge of the purchases or whether Gazidis was buying using Stats Dna . When you look at the pre Mislintat purchases and their cost in fees and wages how many of them are the ones that we are now trying to shift ?
It was suggested above, get Wolves Manager. I think we need Wolves team!
With Sanchez going, then Ramsey, it’s just getting weaker. Laca and Torreira look useful but it was usually Sanchez or Ramsey who drove us forward with purpose. Then with a powderpuff defence we need way more than 50m to put right .
Rico, Because of our lack of available funds, Emery must make the most of what he has as It’ll probably take several seasons for him to overhaul the squad to his liking, but will he be given that time?
I’m not sure but in the meantime, he should be improving the players he has.
Ramsey-I agree, it’s a matter of opinion but it’s still a waste, letting him go the way we are.
Kev, City were definitely the winners lol
That’s a question and a half Potter..
What if they can’t be improved Scott, after all, you said they are mostly international experienced footballers we’re talking about.
😀 Andrew.
Rico, they can be taught to play as a unit, even if their individual skills can’t be improved.
Surely our defence should be better.
But most of the time Scott, hasn’t it been individual errors which have cost us? I agree that defending as a unit can be much improved though.
Yeah fair call.
Emery seems to have the same theory as Wenger when it comes to defending 🙂
Same players pretty much though Scott…
New post up now.