Morning all.
Well did you pretty much sit in front of the television yesterday, watching the Ryder Cup? Yes? Lazy devils. I did my ironing whilst watching the mornings play but in the afternoon, it was just me and the woofa watching Europe fight back. Some of the guys in the galleries made me laugh as they shouted at the European players straight after they teed off. The best had to be after Ian Poulter. ‘Arsenal.’ The worst, ‘Potato.’ Fifty five thousand fans a day will be attending Golfs great rivalry over the next three days, incredible.
Hopefully there’ll be an even bigger crowd at The Emirates later today, certainly a lot more than there was for the Europa League fixture and our League Cup match and there should be for a 3pm Saturday afternoon kickoff.
Unai Emery addressed the media yesterday afternoon and as expected, the future of Aaron Ramsey was the hot topic of conversation. I liked the way he dealt with the question too. None of this ‘I think the player wants to stay, or I think he’ll stay’ etc etc, just a bit fat swerve.
Does he consider Aaron important?
For me, every player is very important with their relation with the team. I consider each player an important space in the squad.
Has he told the board he would like Aaron to stay?
There are three elements, three aspects. One is the player and also the player with their family and representatives. The other is the club and the other is the squad. My focus is always on the team. My focus is preparing with the players and only thinking about the match tomorrow. Each player has individual aspects to work or to do or to speak with the club or with the team, but my aspect for the focus, only to think, is the matches and preparing for the matches and to speak with the players if they are thinking and are very concentrated on work for giving us the best performance and to help the collective performance.
Smart. Ramsey is off I reckon and I wouldn’t play him if he is. Use the squad players, the younger players, anyone but Ramsey. Stick him in the reserves and let that be that. Would we miss him? No, I don’t think so.
He’s had plenty of time to agree a new deal but clearly money is more important than Arsenal FC so use the players who want to be at the club. They are our future, whereas Ramsey is clearly the past. Sounds harsh maybe but he’s allowed his agent to play hardball, so we as a club should do the same.
So, after are victory against Brentford on Wednesday in the League Cup, it’s back to the League. Watford are our next challenge and for once, they sit above us in the table. Surprise eh. They’ve lost just the one match in the league so far with one of their victories being against the Totts. Other than them though, their other matches have all been against clubs further down the table. Even so, they must be full of confidence and ready to give us a good battle for the three points on offer.
We’ve been on a good run too, not so much in terms of playing great football but certainly as far as results go.Two early and consecutive beatings turned into a winning streak and Emery is happy.
Wish he’d explain a bit more about defending to them because that remains our biggest weakness. Perhaps today is the day it all clicks into place. Ozil will move around with a smile on his face as he runs the Waftrord defence ragged, Mkhitaryan will offer more support to Bellerin when he’s under pressure and Xhaka will sit tight, read the game well and dominate the midfield. Mustafi will stay on his feet and not get turned inside out or fall foul of a ball over the top of him. He’ll be strong in the box and get his head to every corner, cross or free kick which comes his way. Better still, he’ll make every ball his.
On a serious note, I’m looking forward to Sokratis v Deeney, that’s if the latter is fit to play, and my money is on our man winning that battle.
I’d like to see us cut out the crosses, not out, theirs. Stop the ball being played into the box and we’ll stop a lot of the danger. Walcott, Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison were allowed too much time and space last Sunday. Thankfully though, they didn’t capitalise on it. Other teams will.
Arsenal need to start quicker too, we’re at home so get at Watford from the off. Move the ball around with pace and meaning. The players need to do the same too. Don’t stand still, move, give a teammate an option and not one which means playing the ball back to the defence. I know sometimes that is the only option but it’s about time we played with a purpose. Nice crisp, accurate and smart passing instead of slow and ponderous stuff which Watford will lap up all day long. Be more decisive defensively, especially Petr Cech.
Pereyra is one of the Watford players to watch out for as he’s been popping up with goals from midfield. Ajayi, Deeney and Gray are their other main goal threat.
Back to the Ryder Cup for me…
Nice post rico. Thank you.
I normally find golf a boring game to watch, but I enjoy the Ryder cup. So pleased I decided to give it some air time yesterday afternoon. WOW, what a turnaround by the Europe boys, fantastic stuff.
I will be following it closely this morning before watching the mighty Arsenal at 15:00.
Spot on ala Ramsey. If he doesn’t want to sign then put him in the reserves. We can cope without him, he has been nothing special in my eyes lately, play the boys who want to wear our famous shirt.
We must start with a fast tempo today, and put Watford on the back foot. It will be interesting to see if Socrates and Mustafa can keep Deeney quiet. If this is the case, I think we will come away with all three points.
Fingers crossed we can keep our winning streak alive.
COYG
Thanks Vcc, Europe are going well this morning as well. Some great golf being played.
Deeney needs injections to play apparently. My money is on Sokratis keeping him quiet though. Same here, let’s have a quick start for a change, not only with a goal but the way we play. Out of the blocks and really get at them.
Deeney will play and as much as Sokratis will pick him up , he will pull onto Mustafi whenever he can . The confusion will allow others space . Can we do man to man ? maybe we need to. Today is not going to be easy our biggest test since the openers , should be interesting.
Cut out the supply to their forward players should solve that.
Good morning Rico, a great post today thank you, I enjoy most sports but find golf tedious in the extreme and never watch it.
As far as I’m concerned the only good thing about it has been the fact that the presence of Cromer Golf Club on the cliff top between Cromer and Overstrand has preserved a beautiful stretch of countryside from the encroachment of housing development and caravan sites.
Somebody, Oscar Wilde probably, once described golf as “A good walk spoiled”. I heartily agree. 😉
Morning Cicero and thank you.
I’ve heard that expression many times but I think that view can change once one has played the game. It certainly did for me. Strange really as before playing I found watching it as boring as anything.
Golf isn’t a spectator sport, imo.
It’s a game where you struggle through round after round and then you play 18 holes of quality, suddenly it’s worth the effort.
Twice I’ve went around in 4 over, and the hundreds of rounds played in 15 over or more more seem Insignificant lol
Watford-their run is over and we will do them easily 🙂
Morning all.
Try telling the 50 odd thousand in the galleries that Scott… 😜
Cicero’s quote was actually uttered by Mark Twain, but who’s counting. I can assure I’ve had many a good walk ruined by errant shots, but not all!
Watford? Are they our bogey team, no pun intended, but they do seem to do quit well against us, recently at least.
Il go for the win although I think it’ll be close.
Blue skies and sunny again here. Shame there’s no beach nearby!
As Cicero has already said golf cources have their benefits . I used to enjoy my walk round Mundesley watching the rabbits and other wildlife whilst the kids knicked my golf balls and then tried to sell them back 2 holes later. it was a pleasant way to spend a summers evening .but I have noticed as I drive around Norfolk and Suffolk the number of cources offering deals to get green fees without membership . Does this mean that the bubble has burst.
As a parallel golf was too expensive and took too long to play if you just had a spare hour or two to kill.Now what about football , played all hours and every day of the week. It now takes the best part of your day to travel go and watch and it is very expensive as well both on tv and in the ground.
How long before this bubble bursts as well. ?
Is that an American spelling because my computer keeps changing Courses to cources. ?
Mine used to do that Potter with a lot of words. I’d had my goggle account set to USA English instead of UK.
West Ham 2-0 up v Utd 😂😂
No Sokratis….
3-1 Hammers.
Great to see Kolasinac back on the bench
A great start to the day’s sport, I don’t count golf, Hammers 3 United 1. The Ego (Mourinho) hooked the Personality (Pogba) after 70 mins, and brought on the Nonentity (Fred) in his place. It didn’t make much if any difference, The Hammers were on top for most of the game.
Xhaka is going to have to play deep alongside Torreira as Ramsey will go walk-about.
Mustafi must stay on his feet.
Afternoon all!
I’m trying to watch the game somewhere at the computer.
The TV only broadcast later.
15 minutes dropped again.
Useful, for those who want to have a heart attack to see the Arsenal.
It’s very complicated.
The midfield does not work.
They are on the field physically but do not give themselves to the game.
I do not understand why we always choose the side of the field against the sun. With Cesh on goal, without having a paddle in the protection he habitually uses, he is always having difficulty seeing the ball. It seems obvious to me.
Lacazette (own goal?) and Ozil make it 2 – 0.
Well that was a smaśh and grab. Love it.
Yes, a good win.
Watford were the worst closing, bullying, long ball and set piece team I’ve seen since Stoke under Pulis.
They deserved to lose.
Brian
Don’t be so pessimistic J M, it’s never over ’till the fat lady sings. 😁
Glad Rob holding is showing me why I rate him. It was coaching all along. Even iwobi look the dogs bollocks. 7 wins in a row with a make shift team??? I shudder to think what he ‘ll achieve when he finally gets his players in. COYGS .
we were very lucky.
A wrong replace in my opinion but fortunatelly, the first goal appears, when we were defeated in the game.
I’m not agree with bripriuk. Watford took what they wanted out of the game and did it well.
Arsenal, must to play a lot more and do a lot more to become a predictable favorite. Not assuming, is always in trouble and is reduced to the level of the opponent.
The midfield does not work.
Evening all and thanks Rico.
Well well well……….this is confusing and unusual, apart from the EL win we have won 7 on the trot being quite fortunate, could it be possible that we will win the league playing flattering to deceive football and a ton of luck ?
You know it`s bound to happen that the first game we completely outplay a team we will lose ! hahaha
Usual boring sunshine here with beautiful beaches looking like paradises !
Golf !……………..I have to deliver to a few and the only way I know the Ryder Cup is on is that they order a lot more cakes and the Golfers are walking about with a bulge in their trousers !………………………………a case of….” are you glad to see me or is the Ryder Cup on ?” 🙂
Blackpool at home in the Carabao Cup……………..another step closer to the Quintuple !
Morning all,
Solid result-haven’t seen the game so can’t xomment on the performance but I doubt I’ll enjoy it as much as an aussie mate over for his first ever game, and he’s a Hammer fans 🙂 🙂
Joe Say, stay as long as you like!!!
Ozil’s goal was very classy imo.
He could easily have got the ball tangled up underneath him but that balance and footwork is superb.
We are on a run if good results and we really should only get better as the season progresses.
7 wins on the spin and some people still can’t find anything positive to say, I guess you just thrive on moaning and picking holes…
Hiya Kev,
Plenty to like about what’s happening, atm I reckon.
The football isn’t superb, but it’s effective and that’s what counts and as I say, I can only see us improving as the season progresses.
Lots to like.
Sean’s home so a great day all round 🙂 🙂
Morning Rico, all.
Lately am just a spectator on here. Am glad how the team is slowly moving upwards the table and the media finds that boring so we’re quietly going about our game.
I wasn’t expecting the winning run as I thought it’d be rough for us before Emery’s style of play beds in. So far so good. Up the gunners!
Morning Marshall, All.
Agree Kev. Yes, there’s room for improvement but this is a team barely three months into a whole new regime. I still maintain this season is all about stability, finding out who is right for Emery which Ramsey has now realised it’s not him, instilling some confidence and starting afresh. And that’s exactly what’s happening.
Great things weren’t going to happen overnight, but here we are, fifth in the table, on a good winning run and all achieved while still learning new things. I think it’s something to be positive about.
Good to see you back Marshall.
Also, what really should make us believe in Emery is Alex Iwobi. He was dreadful, ran around a lot but seldom did anything useful but now look at him. He’s making a difference, he’s causing the opposition problems and it’s like watching a totally different player. If it’s in the player, Emery and co will bring it out and improve it. Imo
Same with Welbeck who again yesterday made a difference. If it wasn’t for him, we’d have never scored the second. A 50/50 ball which he made his.
Holding too. Yes, he’s still learning but it wasn’t him giving away stupid free kicks in dangerous areas, no, that was Mustafi. It wasn’t Holding stood waving his arms hoping for an offside flag, no, that was Mustafi. Meanwhile Holding was making sure the ball was cleared from danger.
Ramsey won’t be the only player to be moved on in January or next summer, of that I’m convinced.
Looking forward to another 10 points from the next 4 games. Fulham, Crystal Palace away and Leicester, Liverpool home.
Morning Rico and all.
As you said to me yesterday, we might well have lost that game yesterday under Wenger.
I know that we are not playing well and that, after the opening two games, the fixtures have fallen decently for us. Top teams would surely have exposed us in a few matches lately. Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool look a class apart to me at the moment.
But there does seem to be a dynamic within the team at last. A sense that Emery is seeing things he doesn’t like and trying to change them within the game instead of just sitting there and watching the games play out with a predictable substitution in or around the 70th minute.
Things are changing and the fans are beginning to respond. Seems that Ramsey simply cannot lift his game to do what he is asked and behind the obvious sentimentality that the fans feel for him, the club are set to make the difficult decision about his future, if they haven’t already.
Like you I see our defence as a problem. There will be many times this season, against better teams than Watford, when we have to hold steady for periods of the game. With Mustafi charging about like a mad chicken, I doubt we can do that yet. If there is a quality CB on Emery’s radar, I reckon he’ll have to buy him for a push after Christmas.
Morning Adam.
It’s slow, but yes, I think we’re on the rise. Mustafi is awful, absolutely awful. Kos can’t come back quick enough, yet even he was far from being perfect…
At least we can see that Emery is doing something positive. I like the new steely approach. Nearly as much as watching Welbeck win that ball before our second. We wouldn’t have seen him do that last season I’m sure..
Yiannis, Liverpool? That’ll be a really tough one…
Morning Gooners, morning Scott, yes there’s always positives if you want to look for them, we’re 2 points behind a Chelsea team we should have beaten earlier in the season who have just gone 2 games unbeaten against Liverpool, the team of the century, who are only 4 points ahead of Arsenal alongside Man City.
Holding played well, Iwobi played well, Leno had some good moments, we got our 2nd clean sheet in successive league games, Lacazette had another good 90 minutes and was robbed of another penalty, Ozil scored.
New post up now…
Watford let us off the hook a few times, after exposing our weak defence and a wonderful save from Leno.
Ramsey is just going through the motions. I was pleased he was substituted. On his way out I think.
Ozil, although he scored a late goal, is a luxury IMO.
Holding showed his weakness yet again, being exposed by average strikers. He will struggle against top quality forwards.
Lacazette is becoming a first pick on the team sheet.
No easy games in the EPL, Fulham up next.
COYG
Morning Rico, constantly harping on about the team and the way they’re playing makes no sense to me, we know it’s not great but it’s not been great for a few years now.
What I do know is that under Wenger we would have lost to Watford and probably lost to Everton and Cardiff and West Ham . As it is Everton was a big test before the game and ‘only’ Everton after we beat them, the same with unbeaten Watford who we’ve now beaten.
We keep on winning these games Rico, so there is a pattern, it’s not just luck, it’s hard work on the training pitch.