Morning all.
Is it time for Willock and Nelson? The question which has been asked before and will continue to be all the time Pepe dawdles on the right and our creativity is little short of a pile of poop. Forget Mesut Ozil because that ship has sailed. Regardless of whether you or I think it’s right, Mikel Arteta is the one making the decisions, or the club but either way, it’s their reputations on the line. Despite his talent, Ozil will be gone in the summer and Arsenal will finally be able to move on from the never ending questions about him. As well as his hideous salary.
When we lose a game as we did on Sunday, it hurts. We vent our anger either towards the manager for not doing what we think he should have or the players for their lack of effort. Suddenly, those same players who won at Old Trafford are no good. The tactical beating of OGS by Arteta was a fluke. We can beat the big teams but not the so called lesser ones. All because we’re frustrated, disappointed or even angry.
In reality though, we were beaten by a team who are not only looking pretty strong this season, certainly away from home, but a team which thumped the current league champions 7-2 at Anfield. No excuse or an attempt to justify our shoddy performance I know but just worth remembering.
As for Nelson and Willock, why not? In my opinion, there are many reasons why Mikel Arteta might be tempted to try them because of the way they’ve performed in the Europa League but Villa aren’t Molde, Dundalk or Rapid Vienna are they? Nor are Leeds, Wolves or Toots who are our next three opponents.
I think it’s often easy to believe an alternative player is a solution to any problem a team experiences. Whereas for Mikel Arteta, he probably knows his strongest/best squad and believes it’s up to him to solve any issues individual players have and the squad have as a group. After all, that’s his job. He is the one responsible for identifying and rectifying what went wrong on Sunday, not just Sunday mind you, and put it right.
What was it about Willian which convinced Arsenal to sign him? Only Arteta knows but it’s fair to say he’s not playing anywhere near the level he was at Chelsea. Aubameyang has gone from being the striker every club would love to have in the team to a player who looks lost and quite frankly, disinterested in scoring goals. Why is Pepe struggling to make his mark, after all, we know he’s a very good player.
I don’t doubt that Nelson and Willock would bring something different to the team but as Nketiah is experiencing himself, Premier League fixtures are a lot tougher. The opposition are tougher physically and in general, more skilful. Certainly harder to beat.
It’s only my opinion but Mikel Arteta’s man management skills are important now for this Arsenal team if we’re to improve. A kick in the backside for some perhaps, an arm around the shoulder of others but either way, it’s he who has to get the best out of who he has. Find their strengths and play to them.
See you in the comments guys.
Morning Rico. This is a conundrum that Mikel is going to have to sort out. Clearly, we are very limited up front, despite the names and their wages and reputations. We aren’t creating enough chances and our defence which has looked decent was shocking on Sunday. The Auba situation is worrying, Laca is looking like he’s finished at Arsenal and as you say, Willian looks awful value right now.
There are so many things that are wrong, despite the away win at Man Utd.
We all have our ideas about what’s wrong though and I doubt there will be much consensus.
Morning Adam.
Something doesn’t seem right does it and I don’t just mean performances and results. The player’s body language was all wrong on Sunday.
Not just Sunday I hasten to add.
Rico. I think we had a chat about the “not right” thing last week on a WhatsApp.
We did Adam.
Morning all.
Is it a simple case of these players not wanting to hear some home truths?
Arteta seems clear on what he wants the club to be and some just can’t handle the hard work it’ll take to achieve that.
The time could be perfect to give the Arsenal kids a go.
Proper Arsenal players, not money chasers.
Just to add to that….
We have a League club here in Oz who’ve had very average results for years now, and not due to a lack of talent at the club.
2 years ago, they employed a real hard headed coach who hasn’t had any better results so far, but he has weeded out a lot of deadwood who left the club whinging about how hard training was, how he wasn’t patting them on the back and telling them everything would be ok or words to that effect.
They were bloody soils, basically, and they’re gone.
They now have the basis of a very, very strong side who will improve next season without question.
It’s not a 6-12 month job to turn a club around.
We all know it, we’ve all said it so we all need to stand by it, imo.
Soils?
Try sooks……
Well see against Leeds Scott.
I’m looking forward to the Papa John’s Trophy this evening…
Afternoon you miserable lot…
Afternoon Rico, I’ll excuse you from the miserable squad… 😉
Has anyone noticed that none of the dead people voting in the US election voted Republican!
Very odd….
Afternoon Kev, that’s very kind of you. Lol
Is that a battle of the pizzas? 😂
Arsenal will be playing Gillingham this afternoon, at the Priestfield with a 5.30pm kick off…
Arsenal will be fielding an U21 team, so it’s possible that Smith Rowe could play and maybe even Willock as he’s not been called up by England.
Gillingham are allowed to field Zech Medley and Trae Coyle, both on loan from Arsenal.
Rico I like a Papa John’s, spicy vegetarian with extra cheese and a thin crust, very tasty but it plays havoc with my waistline… 😄
Man management skills or lack thereof…..Being an inflexible control freak does not usually lend to proper management skills.
Nor does being a straw blowing in the wind Maxcat.
Is that on the Arsenal player Kev?
I’ve never had a PJ pizza, I’m clearly missing out. 😂
Maxcat, if you’re implying Arteta is a control freak, your opinion is based on what?
Update: How Zech Medley is getting on away from Arsenal at Gillingham
By Jake Sanders 10/11/2020
Gillingham appear to have a exciting prospect on their books in Arsenal loanee Zech Medley.
The 20-year-old defender has already made three senior appearances back at the Emirates, plus a host in the EFL Trophy in recent seasons, and already looks a genuine talent.
But Medley’s first proper opportunity of regular first-team football opened up when Gills showed their interest earlier this summer, which saw the former England Under-16s man make the switch on a season-long loan from the Gummers.
He’s already featured in nine of Gillingham’s 11 League One matches this term, all of which were starts.
Steve Evans has a host of experienced defenders at his disposal at Priestfield, but Medley is more than holding his own since joining from Arsenal, establishing himself as a regular in Evans’ side.
To epitomise Medley’s rapid progress was the fact he was rested for Gillingham’s FA Cup first-round win over Non League outfit Woking on Saturday.
However, he’s expected to return to the side in rather bizarre circumstances this evening – with the defender set to play against his parent club’s Under-21s in the EFL Trophy.
Gillingham’s league form is nothing to write home about, but with every passing week Medley is gaining valuable experience, and the signs all point towards his spell with the Kent-based outfit continuing to be a successful one.
Whether or not an impressive campaign will give Mikel Arteta something to consider back in North London, or just earn the centre-back perhaps a Championship loan move next term, remains to be seen, but the signs are positive.
I’m not sure Rico, I’ve not looked before, I usually get the updates off of Jeorge Bird etc.
I’m surprised that one of the minor TV channels aren’t covering these games.
Good point Cicero.
Can you imagine Rico, if there’s some incidents at Gillingham, you know it could be Pizzagate II or The Return of the Pizza, maybe even Pizza in the Park or possibly Arsenal show their Thin Crust at the Priestfield? 😉
Here’s a thought,
Don’t let them take your temperature
on your forehead as you enter the supermarket
because it erases your memory.
I went for macaroni and cheese
and came home with two cases of lager.
Afternoon Rico/all
The title of this post is spot on – I think we can all agree Arteta is a good coach,man management is a different thing though – he comes over as a smart cookie,I just hope he’s not inflexible (good point Maxcat)
Nothing good about the Villa game but one positive, for the future anyway,I was reading a Southend United forum and someone said James Olayinka was by far their best player at the weekend.
By the way I think the 7-2 was at Villa Park.
Scott: I thought soils was some Aussie curse word !
Good to hear positive stuff on Medley Kev.
I’m surprised TV channels aren’t picking up the u23 games, lots of English talent out there to be looked at.
Ha ha Kev, won’t be as good as the Cesc pizza flinging moment though.
Afternoon Limey, from what a number have players have said, Arteta is really good with them. There always appears to be a good rapport between staff and players on a match day.
For what it’s worth, I think a few of them have the hump over Ozil and perhaps Sokratis too.
People who wonder
whether the glass is half empty or half full
are missing the point.
The glass is refillable.
My glass is half full. For now.
Evening Rico and the house
The u23 team is
Macey
Monlois
Saliba
CHAMBERS
Lopes
Akinola
Cirjan
Cottrel
Smith Rowe
Moller
Balogun
Subs
Ejeheri (g/k)
Dinzeyli
Laing
Edwards
Ijehi (spelling?)
Afternoon Rico and All
Talking of centrehalfs I watched Mark Mcgunness play for Ipswich Saturday against a first Portsmouth team right old fashion player reminded me of big tone he got caught out one of the goals the other one came off him 0-2 he kep his head Very confident fought back 2-2 (Desmond) great right peg made lovely knock first Ipswich goal never see the rest.Danny
Ballard man of the match last two games for Blackpool just to add Kev.
Reality for Micky is something he will know about complacency,players at every level of football
Go through this process it always catches managers out Classic Sunday beat the mancs up their week before,rest near enough the whole team nice and fresh playing a team looking Like the back doors are open 7 conceded last two games we walk out smoking la-de-dars with our sleeves down The Villians rolled up.
Over to you Micky
Cirjan scores after 5Mins 1-0
Evening Rick, Fred.
No Nelson or Willock then. Good to see Chambers back.
H/T still 1-0
The goal came from a bad mistake by Medley
Joe oldest brother Mat is playing for the Gills
We have got the best Willock.
1-1
Tray Coyl good goal
It finished 1-1
We won Pen shootout 4-2 to gain the extra point
Finished top of group and into knockout’
4-2 on penalties then.
Oops, didn’t see your comment Rick.
How did Macey play?
Good to see Chambers back but I don’t know what the deal with Saliba is?
Great result and now we’re into the knockout stage, I read that Cottrell and Cirjan played well.
Monlouis is quite highly thought of, we do have a lot of centre backs at the club at this time, Awe is another who played well in the 6-0;win at Blackburn.
Fred, I read some Ipswich stuff the other week and they love McGuiness up there and yeah Ballard is impressing at Blackpool and Clarke is doing really well at Oldham.
We just need a couple of strikers
I see that Pepe is complaining to the press about his lack of playing time.
Probably was asked whether he wanted to play more and said yes. The rest is embellishment.
If he wants to play more, do more I say.
New post up now