Morning all.
Yesterday, Arsenal Football Club announced that after a short illness, Steve Rowley had passed away. He was just 63 years old. Having arrived at The Arsenal in January 1980 and went from being in a part-time role in our youth scouting operations in Essex, to being the chief scout during Arsene Wenger’s time at the club. Steve Rowley left in 2017 having given more than half his life working for the club we all love. I wonder what it was like for him having worked with two managers so far apart in their ideas of the game. One, a defensive genius, the other being all about creativity and attacking football. RIP Steve Rowley and thank you for all the greats you spotted for Arsenal.
The race for the 4th spot is still on for Arsenal. Not because Mikel Arteta’s team are winning but because West Ham and Totts dropped points this weekend too. Totts dropped all three at home whilst West Ham have a Burnley penalty miss to thank for their point. Utd managed to sneak past Norwich City for maximum points. I think it’s going to be a case of which club loses less fixtures rather than who wins them which will decide who finishes where come the end of the season. By that I mean not one club out of the four chasing Champions League football are taking the challenge by the scruff of the neck and owning it. I thought Totts were, until Brighton turned up in north London for a second time in a week.
As much as I hoped Patrick Vieira would take his team to an FA Cup final, it’s better for Arsenal that he won’t because the two Europa places up for grabs are now safe for whichever club finish 5th and 6th in the League. If Arsenal can at least manage to finish in one of the two positions then this season will have been an improvement on last. Still, there’s a way to go yet but unless Wolves beat Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea, I think Arsenal will be playing some kind of European football next season.
I’m sure none of us want Arsenal to finish 7th, a position which will take us into the Europa Conference League but is it really much different than the Europa League? The fixtures are on a Thursday, the level of opposition will be similar to the Europa group fixtures and as long as the competition is used to give under 23 players and squad players minutes on the pitch, it’ll serve a purpose.
I don’t think Arsenal fans can be snobbish about the competition. Just because we might think Arsenal FC should be aiming higher than the Europa League and the Conference League, the harsh reality is, that’s our level right now. That’s probably been our level since 2010, give or take a few years. The board allowed the club to drift along, Happy with 4th place and the money it brought in but when the season arrived and top four was no longer, the poop hit the fan. Suddenly, decisions had to be made and after a few years of bad decision making, were not really any further forward. Three different managers, not counting Freddie, lots of different players have come and gone and yet here we are, hoping three other clubs lose more fixtures than us so that we can secure European football, mostly because Arsenal have bottled their own challenge.
The Arsenal journey over recent years really has been a case of rinse and repeat. (Thanks Lee) Squad shortages, do nothing in January, injuries, a Spring slump.
But it’s ok, we have a young team who’ll only improve. We have an academy producing wonderful young players, not that we’ve seen many of them this season, and we have a young coach who’s likely to be headhunted by Man City when Pep decides to leave. Yes, I’m being ironic.
This is a genuine question, in your opinion, have Arsenal improved this season and have individual players improved their game? For example, Is Bukayo Saka a better player now than he was under Unai Emery, has ESR come on leaps and bounds? Has Sambi Lokonga improved, Nuno Tavares or even Ben White? What about Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe?
Over to you…..
.
My first reaction is that the arrival of Odegaard has stalled Smith-Rowe’s progress somewhat but in the same argument I believe that Saka is in danger of being over played and the same thing may have befallen ESR.
Lokonga , Tavares and to some extent Pepe have been under used and are now showing their rustiness when getting called upon for their 20 minute cameos..
At the back White and Gabriel look good when Tomi and Tierney play but seem to go walkabout when
they have to look after a less experienced player.
Midfield at the moment as much as it breaks me up we have to play Xhaka
but
I met Steve Rowley once when I was a guest of Terry Burton at Highbury . I was a little disappointed that he didn’t offer me a contract but , That’s enough name dropping .
He was in the same box as my mate and I and as we passed comments he joined in . A nice man sad to see him go . R.I.P.
Morning Rico and all
RIP Steve Rowley
As a team I recon we have improved but only about 10% how ever I have been wondering all season if Saka has a hidden injury that we don’t know about as he seems to have stalled this season.
I f West Ham should win the Europa league , don’t we all drop down one place or out all together ?
Good Afternoon Rico and all
A nice post Rico. and a good question to ponder.
Whether or not the team, both on the collective and the individual levels, has progressed depends on from which side you see it.
Imo, with regards tactics and team play we have progressed although the losses seem to deny that. However the defence has a certain degree of stability which hasnt been seen since the days of GG and early days of AW when essentially it was still the same GG defence. And as you pointed out…..BW and GM play much better when there are KT and Tomy with them.
With regards the midfield and attack the chances are being created….however the last three games have seen us having 63 goal attempts and scoring only 2. That shows a lack of finishing and lack of improvement in this area. And as PBarany (I think it was him) pointed out, had Saka not been the darling of everyone at the Emirates the fans would have been calling for his head with the miss he made.
Those who are calling for Arteta’s head do not know how to read the game of football. And for many reasons. First, as I pointed out, the defence has been stable and tight and its been a long time since we saw a defence which operates in this way. Early days yes especially as when personnel are lost, like Tomy and KT we suffer and the slightest mistake goes punished. Secondly, Arteta can only go as far as to coach the runs, the positioning and the style of play. He cannot tell the players to miss from inside the 6 yard box or to shoot straight at the keeper, or to miss when clean through with only the keeper to beat. Thirdly, when we miss chances which can put the game to bed there is often the possibility that with their few shots on target they score one, two or three. And however much coaching Arteta can do he can never determine certain outcomes.
A few days ago I read an article which said that Emery was pleased on how Arsenal were shaping up basically with the ideas he wanted to put forward. But was not given the opportunity because he fell foul of player power….Ozil, Auba etc. They were still there when Emery was sacked. And we all know that both these two were in essence the trouble makers. Arteta had a difficult job removing them…..and replacing them was no easy task since the wages they had were like a millstone around Arsenal’s neck.
Last time I heard was that Fenerbache wanted to cancel Ozil’s contract and were trying their utmost to do so. Not Arsenal’s fault then was it? And while Auba is atm revelling in the glory of scoring regularly I wonder what his attitude would be when Messi returns next season besides Lewandowski joining Barca as well because the BM no9 is going there next season. So I am looking forward to see how it will pan out
Personally I feel that the playing style, ethos and tactics are there. The plan is clear….and with certain players it is clear that parts of the jigsaw are there. But certain players need to be moved on and others to take their place. Ramsdale, Tomy, KT, White, Gabriel, Partey, Odegaard, Saka, MArtinelli, ESR, Lokonga are parts of the plan and team. But definetely others have to be added on board.
Yesterday I heard that Schlager will be available on a free transfer for the Bundesliga and that Arsenal might be interested. Now I know that NN come up with all sorts of crap however being a free transfer and with him being an Austrian international and a good one at that as well, I feel that this might have legs. He is only 24 years old and plays as a DM.
Will Xhaka stay?? I dont know and personally I feel that he should be sold. He is not getting any younger and if Arsenal get good money for him then yes sell him.
Have Saka, Martinelli and ESR improved?? I feel that yes they have….maybe not what is meeting the eye but certainly they have improved because each game is a new learning experience for them….we are talking about 3 players who are 20 years or younger…..so improvement will not be seen quickly….this year was an added experience for them. What I feel Arteta should have done was rotate ESR with Saka, MArtinelli and Odegaard more. That way he would have kept all of them fresh and playing regularly as well.
I go out and a few of you appear, I won’t take it personally.
Afternoon to you.
Good point re the likes of Saka, which in itself raises another question. Is the reason we’re not winning down to injuries, players knackered from being overplayed, or a bit of both?
In what area Geoff, just out of interest.
Don’t think so Potter but would need to check. Bit of a pain if we all drop down a place though, especially if we finish 7th and they win it.
Should a Premier League club win the UEFA Europa League they will automatically qualify for the group stage of next season’s UEFA Champions League regardless of their league finishing position.
If a club win the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League and finish in the top four, their qualification for the UCL through their league position is not transferred to another team.
A maximum of five Premier League teams are eligible for UEFA Champions League qualification.
In the event that a Premier League club win the UEFA Champions League and another win the UEFA Europa League and neither of these clubs finish in the top four of the Premier League, the club lying fourth in the table will drop into the UEFA Europa League group stage.
If a Premier League club win the UEFA Champions League and another win the UEFA Europa League and neither have qualified for UEFA competitions through their league positions or by winning the FA Cup or EFL Cup, they will qualify for the UEFA Champions League and the club finishing fourth in the table will drop into the UEFA Europa League group stage.
Thanks Devil but I don’t agree re this bit.
“Those who are calling for Arteta’s head do not know how to read the game of football. And for many reasons.”
What makes good managers really good is being able to adapt when injuries or suspensions hit the squad, to shuffle the pack without losing momentum. Really good managers don’t allow their players to get to a point where they break. I know we don’t have a deep squad but imo, with better rotation, it’s possible that Tierney and Partey might still be fit. Tomiyasu too had he not rushed back.
Rico I recon our defence and keeper have improved and even to small point our set corner piece however with Saka he seems to look a bit tied and making some easy mistakes. like being a bit too slow when making a decision and missing easy shots at goal when last season he would have made there goal keeper work to save it. maybe he is just trying to hard or it’s the placement of other players.
I know it’s clutching at straws but he looked up to Auba and now seeing Auba scoring and enjoying his football, is Saka missing Auba around the club.
Devil going by your comments I am guessing you would give Arteta a 5 year contract
Playing out from the back has certainly improved Geoff and defending set pieces.
Playing out from the back is all well and good but it gives defences time to drop back and organise .
Also our forwards tend to switch off and not make runs because they know that they are a few passes away from receiving the ball.
As a tactic it’s only part of how to play . it should not be set in stone as it gives the opposition the chance to close you down deep in your own half. Once you see that they have set out to press high up the pitch then the midfield have to be more aware and ready to receive the ball over the top rather than the interceptable pass on the floor.
I don’t think in shot stopping that there is much between Ramsdale and Leno but the former seems to be more vocal and gives the defence more confidence.
However our malaise comes down to goal scoring and after the reported comments today from our captain I would not be too surprised if he hardly plays again for us which leaves us one injury away for Nketia to really see the proverbal scatter from the fan.
For the rest of this season we have to accept that we are looking to the clubs around us to be as bad as we are . Mathematically it’s still possible that we will qualify for Europe next season but we just have to scramble about and get as many points as we can and hope that the others miss out as well.
I’m in agreement re playing out from the back. As a whole I think Arsenal need to be more flexible from front to back but it seems it’s Arteta’s way only.
What’s Lacazette said today?
“I am in discussions with a lot of clubs,” Lacazette told Canal Plus, who has been heavily linked with a return to Lyon – who Arsenal signed the forward from back in 2017.
“I have never cut contact with Lyon since I left,” the 29-year-old confirmed, adding “I try to return to the club once or twice a year to see the medical staff because we are really close. Lyon know that I am free, they have to come with a proposal.
“I want to play in Europe, it’s been a long time since I played in the Champions League, I’m missing it. It’s a little more complicated, nothing is impossible in life, but it’s a little more complicated.”
I think the phrase is don’t hit the door frame on the way out.
As you say, that’s him gone then but if Arteta drops him because of his comments, it could be risky. Still, Eddie offers as much and with more pace. If only he could avoid the woodwork.
Is that the goal or the door frame ?
In my opinion, we did enough not to lose in Southampton (even win) and not lose to Brighton (even with the poorly formed team). With Palace, it was all wrong.
It’s time to say out loud that having a much higher % of ball possession doesn’t mean you play well, you deserve to win and above all, if you’re an objective in playing football. A lot of passes are made without progression and little is shot. Have a or b help; but if you have objective football or any opponent, just defend well, wait for the mistake, take advantage of the dead balls, to deliver the final blow.
Both perhaps 🤣
Agree Jm, possession means zero if a team can’t score goals.
I’m not sticking up for playing out from the back a lot as I prefer an attacking style of play but 2 or 3 seasons ago just about every time we payed out from the back we loose the ball at least now we have a much better chance of keeping it, It seems me and it sounds like others too that Arteta likes that style of play or he does not trust our forward line to run onto the ball and take the keeper on.
Potter it sounds like Laca want’s out then, by his comments unless we finish 4th
Does anyone remember Lukas Perez? The one who many considered to be a flop at Arsenal.
Well yesterday Perez scored to give Cadiz a 1-0 victory over Barcelona. In the meantime Auba was not in the starting 11 and even though he came on as a sub he couldn’t score.
I don’t know what point you are making DG, during his time at Arsenal 2016/2018 he made 11 appearances and scored just 1 goal. That rather suggests that he was a flop. His goal against Barcelona will probate turn out to be the highlight of his career. Since his debut in 2007 he has scored a total of 104 goals for 12 different clubs. The word journeyman springs to mind when describing his footballing career.
Of course Devil.
Terribly sad news about Ronaldo’s little boy.
Morning all
Terrible news regarding Ronaldo. no parent should ever have to go through that.
Cicero….the point I am trying to make is not to glorify Perez. Far from it.
But I wanted to point out that while many are revelling in Auba’s scoring exploits since leaving Arsenal and how much everyone loves to beat us with the fact that we let him go and never consider the fact that he was underperforming (imo intentionally) for us, its safe to say that not all is rosy. With the reported signing of Lewandowski for next season plus Messi returning I am waiting a lot to see if the sulking returns and Auba gets itchy feet.
Haaland on his way to City apparently for his get out clause of £75m.
Morning Rico.. I echo your thoughts on Ronaldo. Heartbreaking and would you believe I’ve seen some vile comments mocking the whole situation? Disgraceful, what the hell is wrong with people? Should be ashamed of themselves..
Rico.. Did you see we’ve hired external consultants to improve the culture at the club? But I was led to believe Arteta had already achieved that!! 🤣 Crazy!!
Auba’s gone, Devil…
Love him or hate him your have feel sad for Ronaldo and his family at this sad time.
Morning Sue. Some people are just vile.
I did read that on LG about consultancy but I’ve no idea what it really means. It does seem bizarre, as you say, Arteta is meant to have been our saviour. Perhaps it’s a shake up of the board.
I don’t often read Le |Grove all the contributors filling my phone with the race to be the first commenter put me off.
However after your comments and having read it today one line stood out to me “” That means you have to hire innovators.”””
it’s what we had and what we lost as we sank into the spiral of descent after the highly conservative board got rid of David Dein .
Sure the man had his faults and some of his ideas were a bit hairbrained and he got opposition from long term supporters group when he proposed the rebuild of the North Bank and the way he funded it .
But he was innovative and correct .
His capture of Wenger was correct as well but then once things looked to be on the up and their futures were secure then all of a sudden he wanted to distabilise things and went looking for investment . He saw Abramovic , he foresaw Mansour , he saw the way football was going whilst the rest of the board looked away and the .mandarins behind his back went for the ” et tu Brute ” solution .
You can query his choices but he was getting desperate and fighting for his life and even as he went he persuaded Wenger to stay putting the club first.
The Arsenal Way is looking for a clone of that man , a person that looks and plans ten years in advance , quite where they find him is the conundrum . Is it mission impossible but that’s their task if they wish to accept it.
Ironically Potter, we’ve not been the same club since Dein left.
My point indeed
Good morning all, offhand I can’t recall which of the double barrelled directors used the phrase “we don’t need his sort here” when referring to Silent Stan, should we have listened to him and taken the same attitude?
Peter Hill-Wood Cicero.
Cicero….as Rico pointed out it was Hill-Wood who said that. But how was it possible that we should have listened to him when he didn’t even listen to himself and sold him his shares?
The story that I was told said that Hill wood sold some to Dein but said at the time that he could not understand why anyone would want them but agreed to sell the rest in the future. When Dein went back for them the price had gone up and Dein approached Fiszman for a loan to buy the rest . Fiszman agreed to buy them and sell them to Dein when he had the money but when the time came he refused to sell them and went back on the deal.
This was the basis of the animosity between Dein and the other two which eventually led to Dein being cast out.
As I said it was what I was told and it does seem to tick a few boxes .
However I have no evidence that it’s true though.
If it’s too contentious delete it Rico.
Not at all Potter, it’s not like you’ve made it up. Unlike some of the stuff online. Lol
Hope yes, Pbarany, I think we all hoped but without that much needed striker in January, our chances faded away.
New post up now