Morning all.
Unai Emery has made Granit Xhaka our full time captain which I personally feel is a big mistake. He’s the leader in a pack of five which consists of Aubameyang, Bellerin, Lacazette and Ozil. Ozil being another mistake in my opinion.
Why Xhaka?
First, he is mature and he has experience and we are all living all the time under pressure, under criticism as coaches, as players, as a club,” our head coach said. “The most important thing is to stand up in each moment, go ahead and [for him] to show his quality, with his behaviour, with his commitment and in the dressing room the players voted for him as the first.
“After, I spoke with him and we want to change that opinion outside because that respect that he has inside the dressing room is very, very important. And also keep moving ahead, playing, improving, and with behaviour, and his commitment. Each match for him, for me, for everybody, is a very good opportunity to show our capacity.
“I trust and believe in him and he is a good man, a good professional and a good player. Sometimes he has made a mistake, yes, but the most important thing is to analyse, to learn and to correct that in the future.
“His challenge, and our challenge, is to change that opinion and above all, show personality and improve in each match and give us his help every time. The first match is on Monday at Manchester United.”
In other words then, Emery knows Xhaka makes plenty of mistakes, he knows he’s been the target of much criticism but because the players like him and Emery likes him, he’s got the job. I get the impression that Emery believes the Swiss midfielder will improve with the role of leading the team onto the pitch. Cynical perhaps but I don’t see any other qualities in this particular player which would suggest he’s captain material. Not on the pitch anyway but I appreciate the fact that off the pitch he might do an outstanding job
But it’s what he does on the pitch which matters most surely and all I see is a slow, undisciplined and clumsy play. A polite way of saying he’s a liability, especially in and around the penalty area. Just as Sokratis and Luiz are. I don’t think decision is going to to be well received by the fans, certainly if the match against Aston Villa is anything to go by as after the number 34 was raised on the touch line, he was jeered, booed, whatever you want to call it, all the way on his walk to the dugout. I don’t recall an Arsenal captain being booed before. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, this decision is bonkers. If Xhake is a proper leader of me, then I’m Florence Nightingale and trust me, I’d make a lousy nurse!
I get Aubameyang, Lacazette and Bellerin being part of a five man team of leaders, although Emery needs five leaves me scratching my head, but Ozil? The toothless tiger he is, is another player who doesn’t have a ounce of captain material running through his body. His body language after his number was raised against Notts Forest said it all. Head down, a slow trudge towards the dugout when really, he should have been upbeat and ready to welcome the player replacing him onto the pitch with words of encouragement and positivity. Pff, nothing but a sulky look of resentment having been substituted.
No player wants to be substituted, or at least they shouldn’t and I get that but football is not about individuals it’s about the team and a captain should be able to accept his managers decision. Publicly at least, what is said and done behind closed doors is a different matter but all the time public showing of discontent does nothing other than give the media another stick to beat us with and right now, that’s the last thing this team needs.
Out of the five, Aubameyang and Lacazette would have got my vote…
See you in the the comments guys, your views on who should or should not be club captain will make good reading I’m sure…
What an excellent article Rico – I HAD thought of cutting and pasting it (minus origin of course)and posting it to UE. What IS that man thinking?
Perhaps Xhaka, off the field, is a convivial individual who inspires confidence, and has a rapport with his team-mates, but that can’t be because it isn’t conveyed on the field and his body language is like Özil’s – charged with negativity.
I am an ardent follower of HH, my name is Busayo Olawole and I’m from Nigeria.
To the topic of discuss, I honestly like Granit as a person, but as a footballer he’s nowhere near the potential I thought he had. How does a player who has such a long passing range never seem to be able to complete a long pass, he takes too long to make decisions when he’s with the ball, never aware of his environment. Always playing the “they won’t get the ball off me pass”. Doesn’t know how to create space, he’s been very annoying to watch to be honest. Emery says the players voted him, on that basis I can’t fault their choice. But him been an Arsenal FC captain just sucks. Look at players like Lacazette, Rob Holding. I wonder what level of votes they got. Let’s just hope this pans out well. Have a lovely day Boss.
Morning Rico and all. I don’t think that the captaincy matters much to Unai. He probably sees it as an honorary position so it probably doesn’t matter to the players to any real extent.
It’s a bit of a storm in a teacup for me.
Emery and Xhaka have a real opportunity on Monday evening to make a statement. I hope they don’t blow it.
Thanks for the post Flo, I mean Rico…
Very topical, it’s a decision that could be seen several ways, but from what I’ve heard, in Spain it’s quite normal to have 4 or 5 captains, although they don’t do that at Man City as far as I know or maybe they keep it in-house?
Why Emery feels the need to discuss this with the media is a mystery, is it even that crucial?
Most teams tend elect their own captains, those with leadership qualities tend to pick themselves, managers go along with it, using their common sense.
To me Rob Holding is captain material, but making him captain would mean that either Sokratis or Luiz are on their way to being dropped, so he’s not doing that, even if it’s an obvious choice to my mind.
Bellerin is a good pick, he’s respected and he’s intelligent.
Picking Ozil is, well a bit of a joke, but it’s the political choice isn’t it.
Xhaka is the players’ choice it seems, which is fine as long as that doesn’t mean that he’s undroppable. I wonder if Torrieira voted for him?
Lacazette and Aubameyang are senior pros who carry a lot of respect from everyone at the club, both have shown leadership qualities over the last 18 months so no qualms with that decision at all.
Tierney could be a prospective captain of the future, he’s Scottish so he’ll have that edge.
On a no news days it’s something to debate I guess.
Or not as the case maybe?
For anyone whose played team sports will know especially in Rugby your captain will put his body on the line for his team. Look at how Martin Johnson did for England when we won the World Cup he was feared even by the All Blacks. So anyone saying a captain is not that important is very wrong. Let me also say I truly believe that a winning team has leaders running through the whole team. Tony Adams and Patrick Viera epitomised what it took to be a captain of a winning Arsenal team. So on to Emery’s decision. I like most feel it’s a mistake, and I think this is quite telling from Emery. Since he joined Arsenal I have been impressed that he’s been his own man nobody has got to him when making decisions. Until now, Xhaka is a liability if Emery were to read his stats since joining Arsenal he could see that. And that to me would limit his long term future with Arsenal. For me Lacazette was the only person I could honestly see being the quality and personality to captain Arsenal. I don’t think any other striker defends as much as he does and that’s the kind of quality we need. I love Auba and Bellerin and they are leaders certainly but I would have added Holding and Leno to the list of five. That leaves a midfield without a Leader so maybe I would add Xhaka as one of the Leaders and made it 6 but may I would have asked Toreira as he’s a tough player a fighter although he may struggle the language still.i think Guendouzi will step into that leader role soon as well and chambers if he gets the games he so derserves.
Good day all.
The negativity surrounding Xhaka on-line is gleefully seize upon, and repeated, by the media is sure to have a detrimental effect on him hence Emery’s natural desire to demonstrate support for and confidence in his player. A player, incidentally, who is widely admired on the continent.
Emery has made it abundantly clear that he will not be forced into dropping Xhaka at the behest of either the media or the fans, so perhaps it’s time to get off the player’s back and show some support for him, it’s what fans supposed to do after all.
Morning all.
Xhaka, he’s no McLintock or Vieira, is he. However, I’ve noticed whenever a dodgy foul is awarded to the opposition, he is invariably first on the scene protesting the decision in a most aggressive manner. Does the captaincy give him the authority to carry on his Ref baiting with the leeway afforded to all captains to speak for their guilty colleagues? If that is the case then if, as Kev suggests that the role of captaincy is really rather irrelevant these days, it does give the chatty Xhaka a bit of a get out of jail card, I suppose.
However, it doesn’t make him a better player or even a more valuable asset. I think we have to hope that it doesn’t make him undropable either. Imo, his form currently is poor at best and as Rico has said many times recently, he should be dropped and urged to ‘move on’. That dream seems a bit unlikely at present, not ideal.
Bellerin is another matter. I think he has all the qualities to make an excellent leader. He is a good footballer, usually reliable. He is bright and thoughtful, a well rounded individual, I believe. He too can be quite aggressive towards officials, especially he he thinks a wrong needs to be righted! And, if his form returns he will not cause any selection problems, he will be an automatic pick, week in and week out. ( Unlike Xhaka!)
We will need a leader of men at old toilet on Monday we shall have to see what our newly appointed ‘coach on the pitch’ has to offer to get us the win that their form should allow us to achieve!
Morning Rico.
We have a saying here in Nigeria that you don’t beat a child and expect him not to cry. I am with you as regards Xhaka but I hasten to ask why a coach will see a player generally condemned by the fan base and still stick with him. Do you remember Wenger with Song and Ramsey?
Ozil did not finish the Villa match, was not taken to Germany as Emery claimed that Ozil needed to rest. Then in the match against Forest, he was yanked off, even though he was playing well. Come on Rico, you don’t destroy a player’s career and confidence the way Emery is doing and expect him to be in high spirit. Even by treating him the way he does, how can he realistically get any reasonable offer for him?
I am not an Ozil fan, but we have devalued him as a player and mocked him as an individual.
Imo it is no coincidence since Xhaka has been our main midfielder we have turned into a europa league team. I remember Graham Rix being booed at Luton away when he was captain in fact the fans were singing Graham Rix ia a wanker song we lost 3 – 1 .
Why not Leno?
or Macclintok 🙂
Hi Adam, Dan, all.
I didn’t know the Spanish teams have a number of captains Kev. Makes no sense to me though as it can surely create little rifts.
I’d sell Xhaka and Ozil, not make them captains..
Thing is, Xhaka’s captained numerous sides, including his national one. You, on the other hand, write a blog…
Very true Jimmy, it’s where I and others express an opinion. Are you familiar with that word?
There’s always one….
Xhaka imo is the worst captain we could have had. I’m absolutely amazed UE has given him the arm band. Sheer lunacy.
Ballerin would have been my choice. Recent quote from Hector Bellerin. =
“I used to love Thierry(Henry) and I’ve always loved the kits, because I used to play as Arsenal on the playstation. So, when I signed for them, I already had a connection. I don’t hate Tottenham because they told me to hate them. I hate them because I love Arsenal”
Now thats what I call captain/Leader material. NOT, someone who keeps giving stupid fouls away, keeps pulling players shirts because they out fox him continuously, keeps passing sideways, has no pace, cannot tackle. He will go down as one of Arsenals all time worst Captains, just watch him give needless fouls away in dangerous positions on Monday night. ManUre will target him, especially with the helping hand of Mr. Riley.
Hi Rico,
Xhaka will play. Being captain won’t make a blind bit of difference. It’s significant that the players voted for him and therefore must respect him. .All the outrage will do nothing, his performance will be telling. I think Shakespeare wrote a play that describes it — Much Ado About Nothing..IMHO
Btw I think you are being a bit unfair to Jimmy. His comment sounded like an opinion to me. Isn’t this the site where it’s OK to disagree?
Sounded more like a dig to me Reg. Not much in the way of an opinion.
Isn’t there just Adam.
Hi Reg, not at all. I think there was a subtle dig at me and my opinion in there.
Spot on Vcc.
Thanks Ricflo.
Made my succinct point on the previous post………………the only way we will get rid of Xhaka for a while is when he is on maturnity leave having Dick`s baby !
Emery is doing himself no favours with his curious decissions whether tactical or his choice of lover to his broken promise of Bindipper type pressing
The best part of his management is seemingly giving some trust in our talented youngsters, but like I say his tactics are bewildering at times for example playing narrow against Bindippers and giving their wingbacks the freedon of Anfield…….totally idiotic imo.
I have always said a bad point of Wenger was not him not discussing the opposition with the players, but Emery takes the video watching too far !…………………google it and you will find that getting staff in any industry to watch videos educational or wotnot is totally useless after about 15 minutes !……….I should know as I`ve been put to sleep by many of them.
By the time the players have been watching vids about ManU and their alledgedly injury hit team they will be brain dead and Manshafter will again take us to the cleaners when they were there for the taking……………….but what do I know ?…………..like Ricflo I only write on a blog ………..
🙂
I agree Lc, it’s almost like Emery is writing his own p45.. Still, perhaps I’ll be proved totally wrong.. lol
That will make a few of us then ! hahaha
Question…………………………….
Are Arsenal defenders rubbish or are Emery`s tactics making them look bad because they are put under more pressure/constant pressure…………….or a bit of both ?
Rico,
I can see how you would read that. I apologize for my error in judgement.
Good comment Busayo, always nice to hear the views of our fans far and wide.
Yes Adam, there is always one, it’s boring but there ya go…
VCC you can almost taste the stitch up at Old Toilet, it’s 13 years since our last win at that dump and tbh I can’t see our winless run coming to an end.
There seems an almost psychological block to us getting 3 points at that horrible slum
Ricflo, that is so benchpress… 😄
Keep it up, Kev
You’ve lost me there Kev… 😆
Officials for out match tomorrow.
Referee: Kevin Friend (pictured). Assistants: Scott Ledger, Richard West. Fourth official: Chris Kavanagh. VAR: Mike Dean. Assistant VAR: Stephen Child.
Dean on VAR duty is as bad if not worse than him being the referee…
Ricflo, you’re up early…
Morning all.
Whether or not we see fit to criticise the decision to make Xhaka captain, there is not a single stand out choice-not even close:
Bellerin-just back from injury and nowhere near his best.
Holding-same.
Tierney-sane, and hardly had a foot in the door for 10 minutes.
Guendouzi-nowhere near ready.
Auba-imo, he’s heading off at seasons end and that’s just an opinion but either way, I don’t see him as a leader.
Laca-not Emerys favourite for some reason.
Özil-no.
Ramsey would’ve been the obvious choice but Emery sorted that.
Xhaka isn’t a fantastic choice, but sorry to say, we don’t have a fantastic choice at the moment.
When was the last top skipper we had?
Last on field leader of any kind???
Hi Rico and all, Yeah tough call this one!
I like what Mig said earlier. I do think a good captain is important. Trouble is we haven’t got any true warriors in the team. The nearest are Holding and Laca.
Everything Scott said is true… When was the last time we had a true leader?
Emery has bottled it, how easy was that to get the players to pick a captain for him?
We have some great up and coming captains. Guendouzi stands out, but not yet.
So maybe until Holding and the boys get a bit of a run Xhaka is a reasonable stand in choice…….. Although I hope Torreira plays .
Always Bt, need to let the hound out for a pee….
A true leader Scott, I’d say Vieira, but for what he did football wise, Henry…
Hi Mike, I too think a captain and the quality of such, is imperative to any sporting team. Kompany at City, Terry at Chelsea, Stevie me me me at Liverpool, they all had a presence about them. Our recent so called captain/captains have been weak imo both as footballers and men.
True, Rico-it’s been a while since we had one lol
Still, that’s now on our guys to find one, though it’s not easy.
Made more difficult because of the players Emery inherited Scott. None were leaders before and now we either have new signings who I doubt Emery would want to make captain right away, or youngsters who aren’t ready.
Like Kev, I think Holding seems the most likely in a few seasons time..
Malen (PSV) was an Arsenal under-23 player and where did he do all the formation?
The whole Emery/Xhaka love in is just so incredibly depressing. It will cost Emery his job and our minimum requirement of 4th this season. Emery deserves everything he gets going forward. His continued downfall will continue tomorrow as we inevitably go full Arsenal and give an out of form and completely beatable ManU a leg up. That is what playing Xhaka will do.
Wenger bought Holding 🙂 🙂
He got that one right, no question.
What a purchase it turned out, and will only look better as the years go on I reckon, especially if he becomes a captain, and at an absolute bargain price.
Scott, Wenger also bought Pascal, Sylvestre and a host of other donkeys masquerading under the guise of central defenders. Sooner or later he had to get lucky, a pity it wasn’t sooner. ..😉
😂 Cicero.
Morning all.
New post up now