Morning all.
The above instagram post is from the agent of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. A not so subtle dig at Mikel Arteta for Arsenal’s style of football. It’s not his players fault of course, oh no, it’s ok for him to sign a new contract and then down tools. Aubameyang was happy enough to lift the FA Cup, take his whopper of a pay rise and commit to playing football under Mikel Arteta for the next three years. ‘He’s creating something nice’ our captain said not so long ago. Oh how things change is such a short space of time.
I’m not trying to suggest all is perfect in Mikel Arteta’s world of footballing manuals but just as fans expect him to change his ways, to take responsibility for the football we’re playing, surely the players have to take responsibility for themselves too. Aubameyang’s agent has done his client no favours at all.
Aubameyang isn’t getting particularly good service but there comes a time when instead of losing interest during a game, you make things work yourself. Like Thierry Henry used to. From nothing he’d make something happen and he’d win us a game. Robin van Persie was the same, Wrighty and Bergkamp too to name just the obvious. Remember the Kanu hat-trick?
Top quality footballers win matches by raising their own game and making magic happen. Our so called big players are not giving big performances and the majority are those who helped get Arsene Wenger the sack, Unai Emery the sack and didn’t seem to want to play for Freddie either.
Yet put Lacazette in with the younger players and he turns it on. Pepe too plays better on a Thursday night than he does in the League and Cedric looks like a right back the first team could really do with. I know, I keep rambling on about the Europa Cup team and I’m sure many people reading reading this will think I’m clutching at straws by expecting a second string group of players to be the answer to Mikel Arteta’s prayers but why not?
With just two goals scored in our last seven League fixtures, anything seems better than sticking with the players who week after week let the club, manager and fans down.
We’re going through a bit of a phase where luck isn’t really on our side. We maybe just need one to deflect off someone and trickle into the net to give the forwards the confidence again to score some goals. It’s frustrating watching from the back when we’re pushing up and trying to get as many chances as we can and we just need a bit of luck. We had so many chances second half and we just couldn’t put the ball in the net. It’s been a problem for a few games now.”
Rob Holding added that as long as the team stay together, our fortunes will soon improve.
We stayed together and kept pushing right to the final whistle. We got men in the box and we just need to stick together and not let anyone pull us apart. We need to keep going and hopefully, things will change for us.
Things will only change when changes are made and I can remember writing the very same words when Arsene Wenger was going through his troubled times as manager. We know what happened. He buried his head in the sand, ignored the need for change, ignored the teams needs and quite frankly, left the squad in a poor state. That’s not a dig at Arsene Wenger by the way. However, some of ‘his’ players are still at the club and that same sulky attitude and disinterested approach they showed him, has reared it’s ugly head again.
Not Holding though and not the younger players either as they are the ones who seem to be playing well, as are Partey and Gabriel who joined in the summer. Tierney is another who doesn’t seem to know what ‘giving up’ means. Elneny needs a mention too who despite being barely played by Arsene Wenger and then cast aside by Unai Emery, has come back to the club and showed his true ability under Mikel Arteta.
But as for a few of the rest, perhaps it’s best they went before the Arsenal board start thinking about sacking another manager.
See you in the comments guys.
Morning Rico, yeah funny you should include Rob Holdings comments because I felt just that leading up to last Sunday’s game, sometimes you just need a lucky break as we did at OT when we got the penalty – we’ve certainly not had any since.
Carragher made some damning comments Sunday about the end of days signings or as he put it “joke signings” bequeathed us from the Raul/Kia combo.
You have to maybe question the oversight from the ownership and that KSE allowed those deals, were they really the deals we needed and how much influence did Arteta actually have in them, maybe he was told that they were all the club could afford?
Arteta spoke well of Mari as he knew of him from his time at Man City, Gabriel has been a stellar signing as has Partey (or he will be), Saliba was a Raul signing and there is a lot of questions surrounding why he has been seemingly sidelined?
Maybe the loss of his parent or parents has had a more devastating effect on him than we know? With all the leaks coming out of the club it’s surprising that there’s been nothing regarding William and his situation. Maybe a loan in January and a fresh start next season? Maybe a quick turnaround and we sell him?
Morning Kev. I always forget Mari and Cedric were Arteta signings, probably because they cam in on loan first. I like both.
I’d love to think Willian will find a spark from somewhere but fear he’s in easy street now. Arteta seems to believe him though.
The Wenger, Gazidis, Raul stuff really left us in a mess imo. It’s a big job for Edu but he’s got people around him I’m sure, who know what they’re doing.
We sure need a lucky break though..
no manger is not the problem
When I wrote William I was referring to William Saliba, but Rico I could have been easily talking about Willian as well…
I don’t think that Edu is without any blame Rico, he was at the club when Raul was doing his deals and Edu is also friends with Kia. I guess, tbh that you need to be on friendly terms with agents in any case?
Has Aubameyang’s agent become the next Dr Sogut?
Ah, sorry Kev. Saliba is a real weird one but imo, he’s not in the squad because of his domestic situation. Fully expect him to go out on loan to France in January. I’m surprised he’s hasn’t gone home anyway.
If Kia/Edu are behind the Willian deal then yes, Edu has to take some blame. Wasn’t Raul ‘above’ him though?
The big question which need answer is why we cannot score anymore?
When this will be answered then the goals will come naturally.
Let give time to time and pray.
Saying that, I thought the Willian deal was a good one at the time.
Afternoon Rico and All
Let’s hope we give Micky the backing as a club.
When results ain’t going your way
A.Bad luck.
B.The manager.
C.The players
All time sensitive
A.If you’re playing good and creating
B.The manager loses the dressing room
C. Players get their agents involved
We don’t know if Micky can sort this out or will be given the time and funds,he has no experience so it’s a gamble which,only he can solve with the players giving everything for him the club backing him 100%and of course a bit of Lady Luck
Hi Rico and all The Daily mail wrote a story back in October stating that Arteta wanted Aouar but was over ruled by Edu who wanted Partey if this true then how many more players do they disagree on.
As for sacking the coach I am not talking about players who don’t care as there is nothing we can do until we sell them no matter who the coach is.
I guess it will come down to 3 things
( 1 ) how happy are the clubs sponsors seeing us so low on the table showing there names.
( 2 ) is Stan starting to get worried about the amount of money we will loose if we finish near the bottom.
( 3 ) does Arteta have bad / poor person to person skills that are turning players off him.
Remember that was one off the complaints the players used against Emery
Hi all and Rico. I would like to see some changes in the PL squad. Take the under performing players out and give the youngsters a chance. I’m not saying they will win games, but I’m sure they will harder for the team and not take their place in the squad for granted. Bring Mezut back in January for some creativity, as currently we have none.
Afternoon Fred. I reckon we had our Lady Luck for the season at OT.
If the board back Arteta in January, there is still time to finish the season in better shape than were in now imo. Inject a bit of creativity and speed into our midfield for starters.
Perhaps we should look at Edu .
He was with Brazil and his purpose was to identify young Brazillian talent that had dual European passports and to find them before they went to other countries.
I.E Martinelli had a Italian passport which is why we were able to sign him . With Brexit in a few weeks the Premier league has accepted that we now can no longer sign under 18’s from European countries and the access is therefor curtailed.
Therefor I ask what is EDU’s purpose ? His knowledge of Brazil’s European up and coming players is now no use to us as their age limits their ability of becoming home grown because they can’t be signed young enough .
It seems that with all the upheaval in the boardroom we have a policy of appointing whoever is left. Hopefully with Tim Lewis coming up to the 6 month period we may begin to see some logic in our squad building , something that has been very much off the cuff for quite some time.
Dino , Ozil may well be at Fenerbache in January so I would not be hanging my hat on that.
Hi Dino, Geoff, I wouldn’t believe a word the Daily Mail write.
Yes, Mesut running out onto the lush turf of the Sukru Saracoglu has a certain finality about it.
Roll on January…
Question if Arsenal sack Arteta between now and the end of the year should Edu also be sacked after all they are meant to be working as a pair.
I would hate to be in Arteta position if Ozil joins another big club and helps them win the title and we just survive relegation The media would be at that like a dog to a bone. Not to mention Ozil loyal fans
rico, in relation to yesterday’s answer: it is obvious that the medical department said that Partney was fit (or was pressured because we felt we would be too fragile in the midfield …), but why did Luiz stay on the field? He couldn’t play it head on, other than doubting that he were all ok.
The game with Totts is already over.
We won in all statistical aspects, except for the most important ones: in shots and goals!
And it has happened in most cases.
The players are the ones we have. The game system needs to be changed and the necessary players out of the 25 available to be adapted.
And it was good that Ozil left in January. To those who talk about Ozil, when was the last time he played? In the meantime, he lost his game pace, aged, lost confidence, etc. Return it for what? Does Arsenal have any “Masters” team?
It’s about time the specialist coaching staff start taking some responsibility for what is happening or is it time to change them.
I see Martinelli is expected to play for the U21s tonight against Wimbledon in the former paint pot trophy.
I believe that you can get it on Wimbledon F.C TV . It will cost £ 10.00 though.
Jm, the Luiz thing still remains a mystery to me. Logic alone should have said he needed to be replaced, regardless of what he said. Crazy crazy decision.
Excellent news re Martinelli..
tbh I think our shift from 343 to 4231 is to blame too. Arteta has a great future but is still very inexperienced and need time to make his mistakes and learn. We forget too that he was only made manager rather than coach late in the summer. Now him and Edu work together on a transfers then Partey and Gabriel came in before the alliance between the two Willian was signed. I think as their relationship grows and artetas experience grows the quality of the squad will get better and the dross will be removed
Evening Rico and the House.
Tonights u 21 team
Hein
Alebiosu
Sokratis
Saliba
Akinola
Azeez
Cirjan
Cottrell
Martinelli
Moller
like to look at Moller and so glad Martinelli is back
That’s how I see it James
Some older players missing with Thurs in mind??
All the subsare u 18s and young players we signed this year.
Its going to be interesting to see Martinelli and Moller together
Agree James, the pressure was on to create more I guess but we’ve suffered because of it. I too think Arteta needs a bit more time. Support from the board too.
Evening Rick, nice to see Sokratis playing. He’s not thrown his toys out.
agreed mate, I was reading others blogs and they want him sacked if we lose in the next 3 games. They honestly believe we should be top 4 or having a title challenge.
Looking at it 11 games gone 27 to go long road ahead. I do have hopes well sign 2 players in January. Klopps first season was played 52 W23 D17 L12 and he has a stellar career look where he is now due to faith money and time
Some of my family are staunch Liverpool fans James, during his first year, they thought he was the wrong man for the job.
If we had a player who we could sell for £150m, perhaps we could make changes quicker but we’re stuck with ageing players who have very little sell on value.
Unless a club comes in big for Martinelli, or Saka etc. Then there’ll be a big decision to make.
If both Moller, and Balogun if he stays, progress well, we’re going to have two big central strikers in the team.
H/T Goal less.
Martinelli played45 mins.
Started on leftwing and looked like a player returning from long injury.
Improved as the game went on almost scored with header.
I would say a very impressive return.
I remember it Rico, alot of my mates being from Wales were LFC supporters and they were calling for his head without question. Bet they glad they stuck with him now 🤣
How fickle is the modest football fan
67 mins Dons take the lead.
Mistake by Hein.
72 mins 2-0
79 Mins Akinoler sent off Idiot.
88mins Saliba sent off down to 9
Finished 3-0
I dont think Bould will be very happy
Impatient too James. 😆
Crikey Rick, all going on in that match.. Not good either other than Martinelli returning.
Why was Saliba off ? Two yellows or straight red
Both sendings off were 2yellows
Akinolers first blaim hein his mistake put himin bad position.
2nd Idiot booted the ball away after commiting foul.
Saliba I think was unluckey 2nd should not have been a yellow
Martineli was a big bonus it looks like he will be back
very soon.
Just my opinion
Just seen some info regarding the Papa John Trophy and Arsenal lost 3-0 at AFC Wimbledon, having Tim Akinola and William Saliba sent off. That’s the bad news!
The good news is the return of Gabriel Martinelli who played 45 minutes – now I wonder if he’ll go with the squad to Dundalk? 5 subs, a 15/20 minute cameo at the end of the tie perhaps?
Cottrell and Azeez also both withdraw with possible their senior debuts in Ireland pending?
Apparently Saliba was harshly treated by a very average referee but had played very well before his 2nd yellow card, from what I read he wins the ball and quickly moves to progress it with snappy passes. Positive…
Akinola played well but then was dropped in it by the goalkeeper who playing out from the back put him in the brown stuff and he got sacked – which led to the first goal.
Akinola then lost his composure and got himself sent off by the pedantic man in the middle, a case of youthful enthusiasm. Don’t worry, he’ll learn to be cynical, they all do.
Finally for those older readers, Kenny Sansom has just had a brain operation and touch wood it seems to be that our old left back is on the mend. A bit of a tortured soul is our Kenny!
Seems like only yesterday when I was watching him making his debut at the Hawthorns back in the days of disco and wide lapels. 🙂
Good comment James on the switch from 3 4 3 to 4 2 3 1, that’s exactly how I see it.
A lot of Instagram Arsenal fans have been moaning about Arteta not going with a back four and now we’ve got a back four they’re still moaning.
I didn’t want to see the switch until our midfield was upgraded, we simply aren’t secure enough in that dept to use a back four at this time even if that’s the way Arteta wants to go. Even so we gave Tottenham a good run for their money and I actually don’t think we’re far off ending this terrible run.
Good to see some of the videos of Martinelli in action , Can’t see much but he is moving well and looking sharp . Treat him with kid gloves for a bit and get him back after Christmas.
I don’t think Martinelli can come back before the New Year as I don’t recall him being listed in the squad.
Afternoon all.
New post up now