Morning all.
I’ve not seen the game, nor have I seen any highlights but I do know we won. Lol
30 shots on goal, 10 on target – whichever way you choose to look at those numbers, has to be an improvement. Of course we want to see more chances converted but hopefully that’ll come.
Takehiro Tomiyasu made his debut, Aaron Ramsdale started ahead of Bernd Leno and Ben White, alongside Gabriel, the centre-back pairing we probably all wanted to see, started too. AMN was given a start in midfield too. For those who watched the game, how did he perform? More efficient than Granit Xhaka? In fact how did Arsenal play against what I assume was a defensive Norwich City?
Our goal was scrappy I read. Who cares? Getting the ball across the line is what matters, not how it goes over. Arsenal needed a goal just as they needed a win and both came. Relief all round eh, as Arsenal shot up the League table.
Mikel Arteta spoke to Arsenal Media after the game. He talked about how the past few weeks have been for him…
I must say, it’s probably been the best 10 to 15 days I’ve ever had since I’ve been in football. I’m not saying they were the easiest, but probably the best. You have to find a purpose for why you do what you do and why you’ve made the decision to be a football player or a coach. It’s all made sense in the last week or so. It’s about the relationship we have built. It’s about the level of trust that everybody at the club has. It’s about connections and emotionally how players react, how everybody in the team – and I’m talking about every department at the club – supports and tries to improve and be positive around the situation. You have to win football matches but, for me, that’s an absolute joy to watch, how everybody has been behaving around the context that we had around us.
I’d have thought the last couple of weeks would have been awful for him. The criticism which has been all over the back pages, social media and Arsenal blogs too, can’t have been easy for him or the players and just because we beat Norwich yesterday, that same criticism of him isn’t suddenly going to go away. But, as a few of us here have said, once the squad was fully fit, a change of direction might come.
Yesterday, Mikel made some big decisions. Starting Ramsdale instead of Leno the biggest in my opinion. I don’t think we should read too much into it, although I’m tempted too. I’d like to think the back five he started with yesterday will be the base of our team for a long time to come. Just as I hope AMN is the one who plays in midfield should neither Sambi Lokonga or Thomas Partey not be available. All three look to move the ball forwards instead of opting for a safe pass. Their play in general is quicker which helps speed up our attacking play. When midfielders hog the ball, pondering over where to play the next pass does little but allow an opposition defence time to regroup. The best football is played at speed.
Burnley next weekend will be tough but at least we’ll go there with a win behind us and hopefully a bit of belief. Yesterday’s result was good, it was much needed but it’s just one win. One win in four which isn’t good but it’s a start.
See you in the comments.
Morning Rico. I’ve seen a few clips and we looked ok. But we’re just not converting our chances. I heard an opinion that said individually the players looked pretty good but, as a team, it’s not happening yet.
As you say, it’s a start.
Hi all,
Maybe AMN will be happy there. It’s a Midfield role as he wants, Cazorla did it and AMN has better tackling ability and pace. That surely takes Xhaka’s place or let’s Xhaka be lazy and slow but able to use his range of passing. Will also allow Lokonga to have a box to box role, he seems to suit it and the runner as well as frees up Partey to get more forward in the Midfield.
A win’s a win, even though our finishing is poor.
Lastly, at least Abaumeyang looks like he wants to score but let’s see against teams that press if he picks his games to be energized
Good Morning Rico and all
Watched the game with my old Pa at his residential home. And boy, was it nail biting. We should have hammered them. 28 shots and we were fearing the worst…they might nick a goal.
Thankfully and finally, the stars aligned….even though Auba’s goal was a bit scrappy.
But I was happy we got off the mark and also got our win.
I was impressed by both Ramsdale and Tommy. Tommy got tired in the 2nd half, understandably so. The EPL is faster than anything he has ever played. But seeing how he fared and also Aarons in the Norwich team I must say I was more impressed with Tommy…..though I would not mind if Aarons was bought from Norwich and both of them shared the RB spot.
Ramsdale is here to stay. I hope to he continues to build on from today. Another clean sheet speaks volumes.
I also felt that AMN did quite well and he is offering Arteta a number of options in CDM. He broke up play on countless occasions and drove Arsenal forward towards the Norwich goal. He was subbed in the 2nd half but he did enough imo to warrant a more regular spot. Not only to rotate but also in his own right.
White and Gabriel have a good partnership going. We looked more solid at the back and even though the threat was there I feel today was a good foundation for the next game.
I still think that the problem with our team is the attack. We should have buried them today. Yet, even though a win is a win, 1-0 is not enough imo.
The most important thing I saw today??? The change in attitude and the will to fight for each other and work as a team. Now that is something which makes me smile.
I too haven’t seen the match yet but as those attacking stats point to a huge improvement. Also good news that we have Partey coming back in but I hope AMN played well and can keep Partey on the bench, not because I don’t like Partey but kore for allowing him the time to recoup properly this ankle thing has been going on from last season. But also for AMN building confidence and getting some game time he badly needs. Not meaning to stick a knife in but I saw that Willock was substituted yesterday it was a tough match but maybe AMN is the real deal and just needs game time to prove himself.
As for Arteta, I genuinely think he has enjoyed himself, reading between the lines I suspect the players have had clear the air talks and got behind their manager, rightly so, and this is what he’s enjoyed. It’s the first time we’ve had players back and new signings integrated and you can’t expect miracles with so many changes and new faces who haven’t played before. It was a good start, we needed a win more than an excellent draw and now with Burnley we can hopefully go there and get another result sit mid table.
I did also read an interesting article about how Chelsea are set up. Tuchel likes the fact he’s only the coach and reports to the Director of Football. He’s says it’s simple, I have my job she has hers and it works as he has full focus on coaching. Arteta was in that position when he joined but was promoted to sit alongside Edu, maybe that was an incorrect decision and maybe it’s a reflection on how Wenger operated. But one of the reasons Wengers reign ended was because he was anti football directors and and wasn’t moving with the times, he controlled so much it’s no wonder he didn’t have time for everything. Maybe that’s something the hierarchy can look at and get the structure right so like Tuchel was have a coach 100% dedicated to the team and players and working to improve the players and the on-field units.
I watched the 90 minutes on a stop start stream , We completely dominated for the first 25 minutes with Odegaard running the show spreading it wide to Pepe and Tierney making runs to the edge of their box . However once Norwich realised that we had nothing in the middle they came into the game and for long periods took over the momentum .
Effectively this enabled our defence to show that it looked more organised than it has for some time. All of our new signings played well in their individual slots and as you asked about AMN he was doing a lot of the dirty work and seemed to be under orders to win the ball and pass it off to Odegaard in particular.
However when ESR came on we went up a gear and looked more dangerous .
Three quarters of the set up seems to be showing signs that they have started to show improvement but the goalscoring department is looking rather toothless .
I can’t help but think that a bull dozing type centre forward is what we need to complete the job as yesterday the ball was being served up and being cut out by Norwich’s defence far too easily without hardly any personal pressure.
I t looks to me that our forwards treat attacking like a game of no contact 5 a side and if the pass doesn’t reach them . So be it , get back and start again.
Finally , Kudos to Ramsdale , the back line seemed to be a lot more assured , barring injury or some almighty cock up , it looks like he is the number one we have been waiting for .
THEN AGAIN , :- It’s only one game.
here we go again.
And speaking of farts…..
Morning Hasse , Nothing like a regular troll to keep us on our feet.
Some fans got HassLed when Auba scored and reacted this way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxCW83qSyJc
Good morning all from a bright and sunny Norfolk. Or should I say from a down right miserable one as all but a very few members of the population are still complaining about a VAR review for offside which didn’t go their way.
We have finally signed a player who not only knows how to tackle, but is happy and confident enough to do so.
いらっしゃいませ Takehero Tomiyasu.
NB,
いらっしゃいませ = Welcome in Japanese.
The one thing we are STILL crying out for is a competent striker.
I watched the game live . As I said during the match we started of well but then Norwich started to get on top. I felt we deserved the win but we wasted so many shots on goal, One thing I noticed was just about every time Saka got the ball he tried to pass to Auba even if someone else in a better position and Norwich new that and shut us down, I recon Odegaard was the best player for us with Pepe a close second, As for AMN he had good game and so did Ramsdale who seemed quite comfortable in goals. My biggest surprise was how settled our Japanese player Tommy looked but was surprised he was taken off when he was as I would have taken Saka off first but Tommy was looking a bit tired. White also helped our defence.
On a whole we looked much better and the players seemed to have more confidence in Ramsdale then they do in Leno
Let’s hope Arteta picks the same team next week.
Cicero always knows how to bring a smile. you learnt Japanese very quickly Cicero.
What is a fart in Japanese Cicero? hehehe
Did you see the game? I really enjoyed Ramsdale, Tommy and Sambi’s performance.
Geoff, Tommy got tired because the EPL is very fast compared to what he is used to. I felt it was a good choice on Arteta’s part. Remember he had only a training session and a half before the game. Now he has a whole week to rest, regenerate and train before Burnely.
We go a game at a time. Burnley next. And we hope we have a HassLe fart free situations with regards the team
I feel that some people were angry we won. Imagine we go on to win a cup or two this year. they would be really sick poor sods.
Not sure what the refs name is but he explained Auba goal.
At the start Auba is off side, however hen he steps away from the goal line and is then brought back on side by Pepe and the Norwich defender who are both Wright next to the goal line and goal post.
Scrappy goal yes but the correct decision
おなら = Fart. (onara)
Gotta go, time to rub in the three points to a few neighbours. 😉
Devil I like watching Sambi he has a lot more to give us in time I was very happy when we got him.
I know Tommy was getting tired but to me there seems to be something wrong with Saka hope I am wrong
Morning all.
Hasse has gone in the bin. Don’t need his negativity and silliness on here.
Morning Adam, Devil.
I can’t believe the stick Ramsdale is getting on certain blogs. We win, he keeps a clean sheet and yet he’s still relegation material ‘they say’ – it beggars belief really, opinions based on the fact he played for two clubs which got relegated. Anyone would think he made up the entire team.
Morning Rico and all
Rico don’t know why anyone is having a go at Ramsdale, I felt a lot more confident in him as the match went on and I hope he starts next week.
Be careful where the bin is concerned Rico. with HassLe in it now you might think you have a boggart plying his trade. Just dont open it or else he might shape shift into your worse nightmare.
The stick Ramsdale has got is beyond belief. He has played two games and got two clean sheets. And he has performed well. one has to take the stick with a dragon sized pinch of salt……many ‘supporters’, especially some of those who play football manager, expect Arsenal to field a line up which contains 100M players in each position with a back up who costs 75M That is only fantasy. We could have got Donnarumma for free yes, but I feel we have an equivalent in Ramsdale I just hope that by the time January window comes around, Arteta sells Leno and AR claims the spot not only because he is better but also because it would be his own right. Ben Foster has claimed that given the chance AR will become a monster in that position.
Some people simply want to find only negatives and find only solace in spouting stick, vitriol and negativity. They are only a HassLe
Morning Geoff. I think as Hasse proved, some fans simply aren’t for pleasing.
I’d understand it Devil if people were sceptical over any new player but why not just let time allow a proper opinion to be formed. If we judged players on how they’ve played previously, Dennis, Thierry, Paddy etc would have be written off the moment they put pen to Arsenal paper.
Rico ‘If we judged players on how they’ve played previously, Dennis, Thierry, Paddy etc would have be written off the moment they put pen to Arsenal paper’………….back then we did not have social media and keyboard warriors Rico. And the fans kept their opinion to themselves instead of trying to shove it into other people’s throats with the premise that its their own right to voice their opinion in any way they want.
I am glad Ramsdale was signed. And i have high hopes that he will turn out to be much more than just a good goalkeeper for us.
Thierry???? was failing at Juventus.
Dennis??? was failing at Inter
Paddy??? was failing at Milan
Look how they turned out to be for us.
I bet AR01 will turn out the same.
I feel that eventually, Chambers, Holding and Mari will be sold. Tommy will not remain RB but will be moved into CB position. Likewise Tierney. And Arteta will buy Max Aarons and Tavares will be promoted to senior LB. Both Tommy and Tierney know how to play CBs. And with Ramsdale behind them it will be a very good defense
But we had the Internet Devil. I get what you’re saying though.
I too think Chambers, Holding and Mari will go. Aubameyang, Lacazette and Xhaka too. Maybe even Pepe and Martinelli also.
Taking a look at Man City’s team one cannot but notice that so far they have had 9 different scorers……Grealish, Laporte, Sterling, Mahrez, Gundogan, Torres (2), Jesus, Rodri, Silva. That is what I am hankering about when I say that we dont need a striker who nets 3- goals a season…..but a team which has goals written all over them.
11 goals between 9 players.
Many of us have pointed out that the reason we are floundering is that we dont take chances. As a team we need to do that. Otherwise if teams close down Auba it means curtains.
We need players to chip in with more goals. Arteta has a job to do….work on the damned finishing.
Fifteen mins into the game and only one player isn’t working as hard as the others when Arsenal are out of possession.
Guess who?
I disagree there. I think we need a 20+ goal a season striker as well as others scoring. That’s what wins titles imo.
Rico I don’t know if I would sell Pepe just yet he looked good against Norwich. The rest would not worry me if they were sold.
Rico it’s a shame you banned Hasse after all he made me sound very intelligent and not negative about Arteta and Edu LOL
Geoff, I just think Arteta will eventually want his choice of player. Pepe would be great if he could sort his feet out.. imo of course.
😂 re Hasse.
Back in the day , the local pubs were where the vitriol was spouted. The Triangle , Barn , Tolly , Tavern and Pins were a hotbeds of discussion It all started changing when the internet growth started and the new supporters started finding their own outlets. Red Action took to Holloway poly ‘s student bar and where there used to be a cross section it all got polarised.
Now those discussions take place online and although there are many of them generally they are inhabited by like minded people and ones that disagree with the agenda get shunned and leave.
I don’t mind people like Hasse but would prefer thsat they put some meat on the bones and enter discussion.
WSL Latest. Arsenal four nil win away to Reading
That’s my view too Potter. It’s the same old though, if people came on here screaming their opinion with a bit of substance as to why they hold such a view, then great but invariably, they don’t. One comment, usually consisting of a bit of nastiness and then they go for the day. I think it’s calked trolling these days..
Poor Reading. Lol
oh dear. this is too hilarious
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/ray-parlour-arsenal-worst-signing-24966507
Had you not read that story before Devil? It’s an old one. Lol
New post up now