Morning all.
For one minute there I thought ITV were bringing back This Is Your Life with Unai Emery as the host. I can see a similarity to Eamonn Andrews.
Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira return to the squad today. Just what, or rather who we need in the side to prove we don’t lack cojones.. At least I hope that’s the case. Personally, I’d like to see Mesut Ozil on the bench for this one with Ramsey taking his place. Just a thought but then you’re probably thinking ‘thank goodness she doesn’t pick the team.’
With two fixtures in four days, both crucial to our season, Unai Emery has big decisions to make. Ozil brings creativity, but no grit which is similar with Mkhitaryan. Having both in the side really doesn’t work as the game at Everton proved. Does he opt for Jenkinson at right back with AMN ahead of him in midfield? Does he go three at the back therefore sticking with his two wingbacks in AMN and Kolasinac, something else which didn’t work well last weekend away from home. Sokratis is banned for this match so it’s a toss up between Mavropanos and Mustafi. As long as Koscielny is fit of course, otherwise we’ll see both at the heart of defence no doubt. I can’t see Emery sticking with the Elneny and Guendouzi partnership of last weekend that’s for sure. That was a disaster really, not helped by the early booking for the latter. Does he go with one striker, or risk playing both? Does Nketiah come into the picture today or John-Jules even? Amaechi is another option, certainly from the bench. Is Emery brave enough to believe in his younger players? Can he afford to be brave at this stage of the season with so much still at stake? Financially I mean. It’s not like his senior players are doing well away from home is it? Just a thought.
Gerard Deulofeu is Watford’s danger man but Emery will know that having managed him before. He’s good apparently, as is Pereyra. Deeney is their highest goal scorer but unlike us, Watford share the goals around. Any one player can and will hurt us if we continue on this poor away journey. Their a funny old side though, one day up, next day down but I think they’re playing better football under Javi Gracia. They’ve certainly done well to get to the FA Cup Final.
But Watford are tenth in the Premier League, seventeen points behind us. If Arsenal are serious about getting top four this season before pushing up the league over the next couple of years, we really should be winning on nights like tonight. Watford will believe in themselves, they’ll chase down every ball, they’ll press us all over the pitch I’d imagine and they’ll try and ruffle our feathers. Blokes like Deeney and Capoue will be ready for us that’s for sure.
Arsenal need to match their work rate. For once away from home, we need to be the team pressing, wanting the ball and challenging hard for that 50/50 ball. Show a bit of discipline both in the way we play as a team, and individually. Do that and we’ll have a chance of taking all the points. Anything less and this Arsenal team will make the short trip home with nothing yet again. Unai Emery is supposed to be a master tactician, a motivator who leaves no stone unturned as he prepares for each game. It’s his job to get into the heads of these players and get rid of what can only be a mental block.
Get them doing yoga, light incense sticks, burn candles, listen to self help CD’s. Yell at them if that’s what it takes. Just do whatever it takes to turn our dreadful away performances and results around.
Here endeth today’s lesson….
Coygs…..
Play the best team available , trouble is i don’t think he knows exactly who that might be .
Is the best team the right team though?
Morning Rico,
And nice pre-match, too.
It must be very difficult for Emery to pick the best team for any particular game, because broadly speaking the team, whatever their make up are a bit like Jekyll and Hyde, sometimes brilliant-ish, and sometimes downright awful, depending whether they are home or away.
I think we should abandon the fancy-dan pressing and attacking tactics for away games, and go for a dour defensive ‘over my dead body’ approach until the team learn that ‘away means away’ and we will not be messed with attitude, and just hope it is not as awful as the ‘Brexit means Brexit’ deal you British guys are screwing up. 😁
Go Gunners!
Morning RA, are you not British?
Why can’t we have both? Defend well and go forward well too? It worked for Arsene Wenger in his early years but then he did have one of the best back fives football has seen…
We can aspire to being both good attacking and defending, Rico. But at the moment wen re not – especially away. So dour defending is the way – maybe – tonight.
It is many since our days together at Avenell Road and the early Rico years at HH, so maybe my nationality did not come up then, but I am American, and that in turn might explain why my Post writing was rubbish then, and still is now. 🥺
But the best way to defend is from the front Ra. I think a lot of our problems stem from our inability to keep the ball. Our passing goes astray all too often which hands the opposition the advantage. But a solid defensive performance would be great, however, I don’t think we have the kind of players to do that.
I didn’t realise you were American. Living over here I take it?
Morning all.
I’d say we ought to pick the right side for the game at hand rather than just selecting the best 11.
Ok, form, injury etc etc plays it’s part but one obvious example is playing Ozil v aggressive, physical sides doesn’t work yet I’d rank him easily one of our best few players.
We need a win and a strong one!!
That’s my view too Scott. Playing Ozil tonight is like lambs to the slaughter. We need our strongest side, mentality wise and physically imo.
Horses for courses, Rico.
In a way, sfo, you have hit the nail on the head. How do you select a ‘best’ eleven?
Some players do not always play well together. Some are near the ‘red line’ physically, as you said, some players are better against tactical sides and not so much against bigger more physical specimen etc, etc
All well above my pay-grade! 😳
Good morning Rico, Potter and Redders.
A dour defensive strategy for away games sounds good but with our defenders? No hope!
A combination of, the accident waiting to happen Mustafi, Koscielny and Monreal in a back three is lightweight, slow paced and lacking the kind of physicality needed to counter the aggression of players such as Deeny. The use of Lichtsteiner at right back may put a bit of beef into the defence but we still need a big, forceful central defender in the mix.
If we are going to rattle Watford we need a midfield three of Xhaka, Torreira and Guendouzi.
Up front must be Lacazette and, if fully recovered, Aubameyang. No place for Ozil or Mkhitaryan. Maybe we will at last see something of Suarez.
‘morning Scott
I came to the UK to fill a contract Rico, and then another, and then another, mainly based in Manchester, with trips back home when needed.
Enough about me. 😋
Hi ya, Cicero, Cicero, Cic-er-ooo
[Can’t get that song out of my head now.] 🤪 You are well named, sir!!
Your team selection ‘must haves’ cannot be argued with — I still feel we should have a set up – 1 : 10 : 0 : 0
That’ll show Watford we mean business!! 🤩
Morning Cicero, Suarez is another lightweight isn’t he? Not sure starting his first PL match at Watford would be ideal. Agree on the midfield, it needs to be solid because if we can win that battle, it’ll give us a better chance imo.
RA, ditto. It’s easy selecting a team on the internet but it all honesty, what do any of us really know about our players other than one week they can be brilliant, the next, awful.
Morning Gooner’s
Morning Rico, I know it isn’t wise to put all your eggs in one basket, but I can’t help feeling the Thursday in Naples is the priority here. Shoot me down if you like, but it’s Europa right bust.
Would I risk Koscielny this evening, probably not but with the suspension of Sokratis and the underuse of Mavropanos we don’t really have a choice. I’d be tempted to go with a back four, Koscielny and three others – don’t ask me who? Perm any three from Monreal, AMN, Jenkinson, Kolasinac, Mavropanos, Mustafi..?
Europa ‘or’ bust…
Cicero makes a good point about Dennis Suarez, after all wasn’t that the whole point in taking him on loan?
All the same I expect to see Mkhitarayan and Iwobi on the flanks with Lacazette through the middle. Emery just has to rotate as best as he can with his wafer thin squad.
Then behind the attack Guendouzi, Torrieira and Ramsey, saving Xhaka and Ozil for Naples.
Plenty of scope for substitutions in this game, both tactical and saving legs.
Morning all from Sunland and thanks Rico.
I`m with Kev in that Napoli will be the priority, so that`s where the eggs are being stockpiled in this basket cases mind !
I will be pleasantly surprised if we win and yet pissed off if we lose or draw ! 🙂
That Redders is an AI……………..Brainiac ! ………………………………….I used to keep a dictionary with me when we were on AA, he`s responsible for my unstanding of words I had no idea about……………………more Thesaurus than Red Arse !
😆
Morning Kev. I can see where you’re coming from but I still think top four is a real possibility.
And I think we’ll struggle in Italy…
Morning Kev, Cicero, RA and everyone else.
RA, I learned on the weekend that a player with every single attribute a player can have to handle a certain position doesn’t actually mean they can play that position lol
Combine that with playing v certain opponents, playing alongside certain team mates and it’s an absolute minefield.
How these guys manage at this level is beyond me, It really is.
I know they are well paid, but their salary would be the very last thing on their mind during a game, that’s for sure.
As for tonight, Why not throw Mavropanos in?
He’s not playing Europa League and he’s a big unit so i’d go with him tonight, alongside Kozzer.
Slightly non Arsenal, but I saw some highlights of Bayern over the weekend and damn, Gnabry has become a player!!
The potential was always there but he’s a proper footballer now.
Let’s fast forward a few years now and imo, AMN and Nelson are every bit as good as he was salt this stage of their careers, so I hope we keep playing them (Nelson when he comes back, obviously), because they will develop beautifully, along with some of the other kids.
Bayern can afford players like Gnabry time as they are so dominate in their league . We however face the problem that a kid not performing ( See AMN a few days ago ) gets all sorts of crap thrown at him. We are under a much greater pressure than the Germans who really have only one main contender for their titles , we are are scrabbling to be top of the also rans .
It’s been a particular England problem where our homegrown players get so far in the system and then hit a glass ceiling and can get no further due to the lack of opportunity. I know it’s before the days of going out and buying in a nice shiny new player every window but when we had the south east counties , the Northern and central leagues and then the football combination there was a structure where players advanced and had the opportunity to grow into adult football at their own pace.Sadly now it’s all or nothing and for many shit or bust.
Potter, I reckon if we fans show patience, the club may follow suit.
Torreira, Xhaka and Ramsey in midfield for me. In fact, flood midfield and catch them on break a couple of times, win 2-1, sorted.
I agree Potter. Oh to have such a luxury but then I guess it’s better being in a more challenging league.
Not easy to predict Emery’s team selection but surely not a night for Ozil,I fear Mustafi will come in for Sokratis, maybe Lichsteiner/Jenkinson too.We were overrun in midfield by Everton,and that looked our easiest away game.
Hopefully they will be distracted by the cup final:just show some fight! Second thoughts..Just win.
Cocker, I did laugh at thesaurus and red arse… 😄
Cup Final is a while away yet for them, but they can still get a Europa spot I believe so Watford have a lot to play for…
Hi Scott.
Rico, I get what you mean, but if we get past Napoli, as we should, then surely we can deal with Valencia – and we have history with them and owe them a fecking bloody nose – then anything can happen in the final?
To finish top four we probably need to win a minimum of 5 of our last 6 games (maybe 4 wins and a draw?) and as we should, hopefully, win our two home games we need to win at 2 or 3 of Watford this evening, then Wolves or Leicester and finally our old chums Burnley.
I can’t really see us winning at any of those away grounds, we just have too many players who are inconsistent and unreliable away from the Emirates.
Tonight I think we’ll draw at Vicarage Road, which will stop the rot and just keep the top four door ajar – just.
Lose and it’s finished for me…
So it’s Europa or bust and I’m with Cocker on that one – God help me…. 😄
I’m not as confident as you though Kev, not unless something drastically changes with our away form.. not even against Valencia or Napoli with a 2-0 lead..
I’m clutching at straws hoping they will be distracted by the cup final.
They will love to beat Arsenal, anytime.
If your with me Kev forget about God helping you …… 😆
We are highly unlikely to see anything of Denis Suarez in the near future. It appears that he is suffering from a long term groin injury. Despite having been paid around £850,000 pounds in wages he has hardly spent anytime at all on the pitch.
A great example of Arsenal’s expertise in the transfer market. Another Kim Kalstrom?
tonights team,
Leno, Mustafi Kossy Dinos Monreal,
Torreira Xhaka, Mikky, Ramsey Iwobi Auba
SubsCech, Niles, Kola, Elneny Guendozi Ozil Lacerset.
U23 away to ChelseaOkonko, Tutu, Ballard Medly, Sheaf (c)Jenkinson
Gillmour Burton Amaechi Nktia, Saka.
U23 1up Eddy after 4 mins
2-0 Eddy
I hope the first team can follow suit Rick. An early goal would be a good start.
Terrible fire at Notra Dame in Paris, it would be like St Pauls Cathedral burning down.
Evening Rico.
H/T 3-0 Jenkinson with no3.
Pleased for Mavropanos
It sure is Kev..
Evening Rick, the under 23’s game sounds better than the first team whore a bit all over the place at the moment.
Great from Auba.
And Pawson, that took balls…
I must say, that was a soft sending off imo. Still, we’ve been on the end of a few of those I guess.
I’m listening to the Arsenal Player, so I can’t judge the sending off Rico, but don’t worry, there’s plenty of the game left for the officials to stitch us up…
If one of ours had been sent off for similar Kev, we’d be livid.
I’m sure we can cock it up without the help of the officials. Mavropanos is having a nightmare at the moment. We need a second that’s for sure.
Well that sounds like the referee will probably send off one of ours to even it up…
Really disappointing half considering they’re down to ten. Lack of killer instinct could undo us if we’re not careful. Great save from Leno in there somewhere…
Mkhitaryan isn’t even in the game…
Don’t tempt fate Kev.. lol
Build up is so slow we are keeping them in it . Bit physical Ramsey playing it safe and Mkhitaryan didn’t fancy it at all
You’d think we were 4-0 the way they’re approaching this. Emery should just reinforce the fact that they’ve got through us more than once and but for a top save from Leno, it’d be 1-1…
Is this time for AMN to get a gig in midfield with Ozil or could that be too weak
Spooky, I was just thinking AMN could replace Mkhitaryan. We get a bit of both then, defending and creativity from the right.
10 v 10 then… 😂😂
That’s a bit harsh Rico, you’ll have Adam after you…. 😄
Are we really going for third
True though Kev.. 🤣
Hard to believe Potter.
This is woeful from Arsenal, 11 v 11 and they’d turn us over with ease…
I know that playing against 10 men can be difficult, but don’t we make fecking hard work of these situations…
Doing our best to foul it up
Got away with that
Well, all to be said is job done. Three big points..
We might have been better against 11 Kel… 😜
imo we haven’t a snowball’s chance in hell of taking the necessary points at wolves, Leicester or Burnley..
I just can’t see it… holding on against a 10 man Watford lol
happy to get the pts but that was terrible.
😀 Rico
We’ll have Sokratis back after Palace and we’re gonna need him.
I’ll take the points and forget this game at the double.
Never in doubt 🙂
Scrappy, but 3 points.
1-0 to the Arsenal!
Nothing else to add.
Never heard so much moaning, we got 3 points. Just read BBC Sports and Chris Sutton saying how Watford should have won”. An old friend (now deceased) who used to support Newry City in Ireland used to shout “put it in the onion bag thats what counts”. Never mind “Watford should have won, Arsenal were lucky”. Arsenal put it in the “onion bag, Watford didnt. 3 points, job done.
I can’t believe some of these comments. We contained Watford for the first ten minutes and then pressured them into a stupid mistake and offering us the gift of a goal.
The Deeny expulsion was absolutely NOT a soft red card. Deeny saw an opportunity to, in his words at the weekend, “put one on an Arsenal player and see if they’re up for it”. Well the referee was certainly up for it and duly issued a deserved red card.
We then played keep ball and created enough chances to put the game to bed by half-time, but Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan contrived to miss a hat-trick each. The second half was a repeat of the first, again we created and missed more scoring opportunities.
The referee, in my opinion had a very good game.
Think about this. 1) a clean sheet. 2) no injuries. 3) an away win. 4) three points. 5) back in the top four.
Give Emery and all the team a bit of credit. They earned it tonight!
Very optimistic view from Aylsham here on the broads a little more circumspect. To garner solace from a confessed situation where at least 2 players should have scored hat tricks against 10 men for 85 minutes is remarkable in itself . Throughout the whole second half we were on the edge of disaster,I can not say that I was ever comfortable and felt that if we gave away one it was quite likely that we would have let in another.
As panic seemed to be overtaking so many players,giving away possession and failing to hold the ball , thank goodness for Maitland-Niles who displayed a coolness beyond his years and hardly put a foot wrong.
He and Leno deserve plaudits but the rest need to take a long hard look at themselves.
In late from a table-tennis match, fortunately watched whole game knowing the score! Thanks Troy, absolutely no reason to raise arm after ball had gone, justice is sweet. Great tracking from Auba, great block from M-N. And super save from Leno. The rest, sod it …….we won!
I said to a mate that before the game, very few Arsenal fans would’ve knocked back a 1-0 win, so circumstances aside, job done.
3 points.
Another step towards the top 4.
Some stats from a bus ride away from Aylsham. Arsenal possession 66%. Watford 34%. Arsenal shots 19. Watford 11. Arsenal shots on target 6. Watford 3.
Statistics never lie. 😉
No I agree they don’t but they can be construed in different ways.. 66% possession but not really using the latest buzz phrase :- controlling the game , 19 shots but less than a third making the keeper save , An opportunist goal ( thank you very much ) not one worked from any of the overwhelming amount of play , many misplaced passes , Iwobi and Mhikitarian I am looking at you . Reticence to exert the pressure and make the game safe against ten men for 85 minutes.
We got the points and that’s great , should we finish the season above Tottenham it will be amusing but that’s all it will be . There is a long long way to go
Morning all.
Just why I detest stats. They lie.
New post up now.