Morning all.
Another great weekend of sport is upon us. The Ryder Cup kicks off later today, there’s a big clash at the top of the Premier League table between Chelsea and Man City and the big fella is back in the ring. Anthony Joshua whose reportedly an Arsenal fan. Then on Sunday afternoon, it’s the big one as Arsenal take on Toots at The Emirates.
Sunday’s fixture is huge for Arsenal for many reasons. Obviously we want bragging rights and all that but more importantly, Arsenal need the points and Mikel Arteta needs to win his doubters over. What better way is there than to spank the neighbours?
What worries me though is goals and where are Arsenal’s going to come from. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can’t hit a barn door right now, our midfielders aren’t scoring and nor are the defence on set-pieces. Not in the League that is. The League Cup has brought goals galore for Arsenal but of course, both comprehensive victories came against lower League clubs. Our PL goals, all two of them were against clubs which could find themselves in a relegation battle come May 2022.
What’s the answer though, how do you think Mikel Arteta can solve our goal scoring problem?
Is it as simple as dropping Aubameyang for Gabriel Martinelli or Alex Lacazette? Has Eddie Nketiah done enough to suggest he’s ready to lead our front line or Flo Balogun? Or does Mikel Arteta simply stick with his captain, hoping that once he’s got one or two goals, the floodgates will open?
See you in the comments with your thoughts.
I’ll like to see an attacking line up of Aubameyang, Lacazette, Pepe and Odegaard.
I think the issue is more structural than individual.
For example, since Arteta has taken the helm the front three combinations have changed (Auba.Saka.Pepe.Laca.Willan.ESR.Martinelli,Nketiah and to a lesser extent Balogun) yet the struggle for goals remain a constant.
I’d go as far to say that Bar Saka and maybe Smith Rowe, hardly any of our attackers have improved. The opposite in fact.
I think when it comes to the final 3rd Arteta needs to relax a bit and release ‘Zi handbrake’ a bit more often.
Good morning Rico, thanks for reminding me about the Ryder Cup, although I didn’t actually need it, the Telegraph Spots section has devoted the first seven pages out of sixteen to it. You may get the idea that I’m less than impressed by a tournament that consists of blokes walking round a field with a bag of sticks and a little white ball. They even have a servant to carry their bag of sticks.
Rant over back to football.
I do hope Arteta is brave enough to drop Aubameyang or we will again be playing with effectively ten men. Which, given the sluggish way Kane is playing the moment, will even things out quite nicely.
good morning Rico and all
An intelligent post Rico….one which can make a sober fan think properly about the current options.
The first thing we need to look at is chances created. Are we creating enough chances? Whilst the answer, imo, is that we are not creating enough clear cut chances due to our playing style of passing until someone vomits, we also have to see whether or not the present strikers we have at the club are good enough for it.
We have good shooters at the club. Players who can have a pop from a distance, outside the penalty area. We have Partey, Odegaard, ESR, Saka, Tommy, Tavarez, Xhaka, Sambi. They can all shoot from quite a distance. However our players need to let rip some shots in the first ten minutes because that is when you get them guessing. Do we defend deep and allow them to shoot, or do we defend higher up and limit their chances?
Both Auba and Laca need to up their finishing. They were good strikers who were prolific with their previous club and also with us. So they did not become bad strikers overnight. There are two problems with them though…..1) They cannot play together, AND 2) both need game time to find their momentum and score.
In the last game, I was a bit disappointed with Laca, because whilst he scored and also assisted one, I felt that his output should have been much more considering he was captain and also the most experienced of the team.
Is it that easy to drop them and in their place put one of Nkletiah, Balogun, Martinelli or even Biereth?? No I dont think so. If they were to be thrown there either they would need a big slice of luck or else have the confidence of Zlatan and/or CR07. Its not easy on them especially with our fanbase. The expectations would certainly be big for their shoulders in the NLD. Had it been a different game like for example against Brighton, Watford, Norwich etc then yes try one of them for the first half and see if it works out. But certainly not in the NLD
Imo….Laca should get the nod seeing that he brings others into play much more than Auba.
Morning Rico and all
On because we are playing Tottenham I don’t think this is the correct match to introduce a younger players, a win here could place us nicely in mid table.
As we a few players that can shoot from a distance I would start with Laca, not only does he lift the younger players but he can score goals in a tight position in the box and if needed bring Auba on in the second half.
Afternoon Cicero, Devil, all.
Ben, I’m not sure it’s a case of handbrake on, I think it’s all in the players minds. We have the shots, just not on target. I don’t include the first three fixtures in that.
Ha ha Cicero, for the golf lovers, it’s a great four days…
Devil, I think the team have created plenty of chances since after the City game. Like you, I just don’t think Aubameyang or Lacazette areas clinical as they once were. That’s why I think both could leave next summer, Lacazette possibly in January.
Hi Geoff. Perhaps we’ll see Auba and Lacazette start Sunday with Eddie and Martinelli on the bench.
Afternoon rico, all. Only four days should we win and celebrate afterwards for a day 🙂
I do fear for us this time, no crowd support, course set up to suit their longer hitters and only one of our players in the world top 10. Love watching though, even enjoyed Solheim Cup this year which was great and not seen fully before.
Not impressed with booing on the first tee, and shout of ‘get in the bunker’. Golf used to be better than that, but apparently some of crowd inebriated on practice day 9 in the morning!
Laca for me, but be surprised if it’s not Auba.
Afternoon Andrew, I fear a loss. As you say, the crowds are a tad hostile as always and so far, the Europeans golf hasn’t been very good. Early days I know.
Lacazette for me too but I fully expect to see Aubameyang and a return for Xhaka.
Solheim Cup was brilliant b6 the way. Absolutely loved it..
https://twitter.com/ArsenalAcademy/status/1441070325882572800?s=20
Hi Rico.. The fight is taking place at the Spud stadium, can you believe it??! £24.95 ppv, I’ll probably end up paying it as I do like AJ!
Don’t do golf.. The Gibraltar open (darts) is on this weekend though 👍
I’m praying for a derby similar to UE’s (4-2).. with Auba banging in a brace 🙂
Who will make way for Xhaka though, as he’s bound to play.. the nerves are kicking in already 🤣
We have a lot to gain this weekend and Taking in everything that has happened to both teams ( win / lose ) this season so far I recon this is could be our best chance of beating Toots this season and there for I am going early and saying 1 nil win to us only if Ramsdale in goal if it’s Leno 2 nil lose
Hi Sue, Lokonga I reckon. Be a shame though as I think he and Partey are our strong3st midfield pairing.
I hope AJ doesn’t win in the first round then. 😂
Golf a great walk around the country side on freshly cut grass, only spoiled by a little white ball that doesn’t do as it should do and a score card that makes it even worse. But made better with a cold glass of beer or wine in the club house.
Yeah , the nineteenth hole , got a lot to be said about it.
Like most I don’t want to see Xhaka get the immediate return but I guess he’s Arteta’s poodle so chances are that he will.
You never know there’s a chance that he might pull a hammy in training.
If only Potter, if only…
After refusing vaccination and endangering his fellow team mates, I will be pretty appalled if he walks straight back into a team that has won its last few matches.
Just put some diesel in the boat for a trip out tomorrow stopped off at a local pub with live music doing fleetwood mac , T rex covers . 4 pints later I’m off to bed.
Hi all,
I fear we might have the same result as when city played them. All the possession, no prenetration in their third of the pitch and beaten on the counter attack.
On who will play, I reckon same old boring selection Abaumeyang, Odegaard and Pepe. Middle will be Xhaka and Partey. Saka will be on the bench as an impact player.
I understand the dillema of playing our ‘best’ striker in hope he returns to form but for me he’s a winger converted striker and doesn’t have the killer touch or positioning required for this kind of attack.
Nuno has apparently been tinkering with his defence since they played City Brad and it’s not been working well.
Morning all.
Very quiet here so catch-up on another day…
Keep your powder dry for tomorrow’s NLD post Rico. 😉
Apparently according to Arteta :- ” Xhaka has been flying all week in training “.
Surely that’s why he got sent off , however I fear the worse coming.
Or it might be double bluff .
I read this morning that Arteta says he is confident that Aubameyang will start s boring goals again soon and he will be playing tomorrow. That’s good news then……for the Spuds. 😕
That should be scoring but I’ll be happy with boring goals if that’s all that’s available. 😉
Vieira is doing well at Palace.
Well Rico, Fernandes’ penalty has just landed in my garden 🤣
Man U manager has been complaining about not getting enough penalties, when they did get one today Fernandes put it over the bar. Yer gotta larf ain’t yer? 😉
Gutted for AJ, Rico. Fair play to Usyk though. Was an excellent fight..
Good Morning everyone
Derby day. Full of pre match tension, for me at least.
Gutted for AJ?? Well the fact that he chose WHL to fight says it all. Very very very few win trophies there….except if your name is Arsenal FC.
I saw Brentford WIN 3-3 yesterday. It was a thrilling match and they took the fight up to Liverpool. It shows that when you put the dippers under pressure and play with purpose you can actually get a result against them.
Win today…and we will be just 5 points behind Liverpool. So much for our bad start to the league campaign.
A boring 1-0 to the Arsenal is enough for me.
Morning all.
Disappointed AJ lost too Sue, didn’t see that coming. Shame Fernandes didn’t score though, a draw would have been better for the league, and for us if we can continue winning. (Cough)
New post up now