Morning all.
Yesterday Mikel Arteta said in his press conference that the Arsenal players under contract will be at the club next season. A big fat white lie if ever I’ve heard one. What’s he supposed to say though? He’s certainly not going to tell the media that player x, y or z is leaving, not unless they’re out of contract. To do so would have been disrespectful and rather silly. I doubt for one minute that he expects any Arsenal fans to believe that the group of players currently at the club will be at start the new season. Some will of course, the majority I suspect but as he’s said recently, change is needed if Arsenal are to improve and he expects the board/owners to back him. If they don’t, how can he do his job probably?
He also said he’d made mistakes which he’ll learn from. Yep, one doesn’t have to be a footballing genius to spot mistakes but with the season drawing to an end, what’s important is not making the same ones this summer or next season. That goes for the players too. School boy errors all over the pitch have cost us points. The most obvious being the Wolves fixture away from home where poor finishing cost us a clear victory and with it, an opportunity to build momentum. We can’t change the past of course but we can learn from it. I say we, but I mean the players and manager.
Arsenal play Crystal Palace tonight and Roy Hodgson, managing his penultimate fixture for his club, his last at Selhurst Park, will make it difficult. In fact Arsenal have struggled to overcome Palace for a few seasons now but why I just don’t know. I watched a bit of their match against Aston Villa at the weekend, one minute they were trailing, the next they’d secured all three points. Benteke, Zaha and Mitchell with the goals. Palace will have 10,000 of their fans back in the stadium this evening, certainly enough to give their players a boost and their manager a good send off. I hope Arsenal ruin his night of course.
Luiz misses this one with a hamstring injury and Xhaka is a doubt too but the rest are fit. Folarin Balogun and Arthur Okonkwo trained with the first team yesterday but I doubt we’ll see either in the squad. Yes, I’m trying reverse psychology.
Lastly, Daniel Ballard had another good game yesterday as his Blackpool team thrashed Oxford 3-0 at the Kassam Stadium so unless Blackpool have a disaster at home, they’re heading to Wembley for the League One playoff final. Good luck to them, it’ll be a great experience for our up and coming central defender/midfielder.
With a bit of luck, Toots, West Ham and Everton will all lose tonight. At least then we might have a chance to nick that 6th place on the final day. That’s if Arsenal can win later of course.
See you in the comments.
Hi Rico, yeah I’m kinda wondering if Niles is actually sensible enough to take on board what Allardyce has told him, maybe he needed to hear it from someone away from Arsenal?
He could save Arsenal a big transfer fee if he got his head right and when Hector leaves, he needs to work on his defensive game but that’s not beyond him if he really takes it seriously.
I actually thought that some of his best work for Arsenal was when he played left wing back as he’s often come inside and track runners, to be a full back he needs to be more disciplined and I wonder if he has that in his locker?
Morning, thanks for report rico. Kev, I always think ANN looks like one of those players who through his laid-back attitude will never fully fulfil his potential. But hope I’m wrong, and hope it’s with Arsenal. But after a few good games, he certainly didn’t like being played out of position. Whereas Xhaka just got on with it in a professional manner.
Good post Rico, it’s ‘take it with a pinch of salt time’ – who knows who we’re going to sell this summer? Or course Football.London know don’t they and all the other click bait sites who put out lists of players leaving Arsenal but usually just ape what they see on Social Media. We can all do that.
Exactly Andrew, you nailed it, he comes across as all laid back but maybe he’s just a very stubborn guy who won’t shift. He doesn’t lack confidence at all and he shows that when he’s taking spot kicks, he’s brilliant at penalties and that comes from an innate belief in himself and where he should play.
I was intrigued when I read that Man United were said to be interested in him this summer, I’m not sure where that came from but it does make you sit up and take notice. Could be United have seen something in him whilst he’s been at West Brom?
Hi Kev, perhaps he’ll realise that not everyone is wrong.
I’m not convinced he wouldn’t be good in a midfield alongside Partey as often playing alongside a better player can improve the other. Xhaka has certainly looked better alongside Partey.
I often remember his performance against City Kev, he sure kept Mahrez quiet
Andrew, I always think Saka looks laid back too, I think some people are just like that. Ozil was the same. Lol
Thanks Kev, yep, some of the headlines are hideous and so many in one day from the same website. I guess they’re trying to make a living but I think I’d rather give up.
Honestly, if we sell AMN, I think we’ll regret it.
Morning all.
Has anybody noticed that Leno often appears that there is very little going on behind his eyes, or is it just me?
AMN is sort of similar mostly because he displays little or no emotion no matter what the circumstances. Sort of lends and assists his ‘laid back’ attitude. Internally I’m sure his head is working as hard as a ducks legs!
Just asking and saying.
Let’s hope that the players lift with some fans in the stadium
G’day all a sobering morning, attended a former neighbour and long term friend’s requiem mass , she was just a few months younger than me.
We are on a run of three games unbeaten, tonight we have a fair chance of extending that run against a side with the worse goal difference than all but the three relegated clubs, we have scored ten more goals than Palace.
The danger man this evening is, as ever, Zaha. The ease and frequency with which he topples over at the merest touch is a prolific source free kicks, often in dangerous positions.
Predicting the result is almost has hard as predicting Arteta’s starting eleven.
Hope Ryan gets a chance in goal.
rico, Saka looks laid back in a nice way, but once he loses the ball and fights back for it, there is a steely determination. I just don’t see that from you know who, more of a shrug.
I think Saka has toughened up a lot over the season, all but the most Neanderthal of defenders have given up trying to intimidate him, knowing full well that should they miss a tackle they will be made to look stupid.
Evening Rico and the House.
I have only just seen thats a 7pm kick off.
Having seen the team is it the best inform team t6hat we have at the moment?
could we all acept it neaxt season??
Andrew, I must admit, his last performance at left back wasn’t good at all, but I’m sure I’ve seen him chase back on many occasions. 😆
No shocks in tonight’s team. No younger guys either.
Evening Rick.
No. Lol
Aubameyang is in the last chance saloon. He needs to show interest in the game, he needs to score!
Good Evening everyone.
Are you sure that Arteta is telling porkies Rico?? When have we ever had a manager who tells us porkies?? nah, you must be mistaken. I am sure. They are all as white as snow. Hang on….I have been told that its only in pics that snow looks so white.
Today’s team….Leno, Chambers, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Elneny, Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Aubameyang.
Subs: Ryan, Cedric, Mari, Xhaka, Ceballos, Odegaard, Willian, Lacazette, Martinelli.
Arsenal are at this 17-man maximum of non home grown players.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Pablo Mari
SEAD KOLASINAC
LUCAS TOREIRA
Kieran Tierney
Thomas Partey
XHAKA?????
Nicolas Pepe
Mohamed Elneny
Bernd Leno
Cedric
WILLIAN
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
GUENDOUZI
MAVROPANOS
Alexandre Lacazette
Alex Runarsson
Those in block capitals are expected to leave. Bellerin is classified as homegrown. that is why he is not in the above. Xhaka I have my doubts as no one is sure.
so essentially that gives us room to manouvre with 5 to 6 players who we can buy
Willock has scored again..
Great isn’t it rico, Willock must be loving life at the moment!
It is Andrew, really pleased for him. He won’t want to come back.
Schlupp or whatever his name is should have been shown a straight red for that challenge on Chambers.
Not even a booking! So he can kick him as many times as he likes then.
Hopeless centre defence. Zonal marking does no work for us. Free headers.
Pepe 1-0
Well done Tierney, shut the boo’ers up!
No love lost. Send Benteke off! How he get away with that?
Benteke should be off too.
These decisions are dreadful.
Can you imagine Arsenal committing those two? One probably two would be off. I’ve supported VAR but the implementation of it is a joke.
They all seem up for it tonight.
Hope they can keep it up
Totally agree, our players would have been off. Schlupp’s was worse than Eddie’s and Aubameyang’s earlier in the season. And to think Luiz got sent off when he didn’t make any contact.
Why wasn’t Zaha booked too?
Is Riley operating VAR tonight?
I really am seriously pissed off with the officials in this country, they’re just a bunch of fecking cowards, the fouling in the box from Ward and the other Palace defenders when we get a corner/free kick is endemic but nothing from these officials, they’re not worth a wonk.
And then Elneny gets an elbow in the mush and a yellow card from that bald headed tosser with the whistle, it’s a joke, I bet if the roles were reversed that Peter Walton would be apoplectic in the BT studios, what a total fraud that arsehole is…
4 midfielders on the bench, really Arteta, is that the best you can do?
Balogun should be on the bench, he’s the future not Ceballos ffs…
Spot on Kev re the officials, appalling.
So pushing both Elneny and Aubameyang is ok
Feeble defending yet again
Unless I’m the most biased supporter ever, there were three big VAR decisions, and ALL incorrectly and hard to even explain, went against us.
Playing Aubameyang is like playing with ten men. I don’t think he’s fully fit.
Is it feeble defending?? or a case of a player scores when he should not have been on the pitch? Benteke should have seen red in the first half
Match officials are a pathetic anti Arsenal bunch
Feeble defending. Imo.
no one likes the shenanigans of players who fall to the ground feigning the end of the world if they get winked by an opposing player….but Elneny should have done so. That was blatant by Benteke. Its a testament to the player’s mental toughness that he stood his ground
Great goal if it stands….
Ffs, hold on to this lead!!
Martineelllliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Excellent Pepe, just excellent.
It pays to run at defenders…
Pepeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 3-1. Not only we held to the lead…we increased it
Pepe.
Auba would have stood still at back post whereas Martinelli moved in to meet cross.
That what 72 million gets you.
If only we saw more of it.
Zaha,He should be at the Olympic ffs!!
His triple pike is superb.
and we have two more points than last year and still a game to go.
Arteta is a stubborn man….he sticks to his guns. and it pays off
The Odegaard assist makes me wonder why people wouldn’t want him permanently.
He’s young and will get better.
Superb vision.
Devil, Arteta is doing one of the toughest jobs in football.
We all like to think we know better, but we do not.
Agree Andrew. Aubameyang just doesn’t seem interested in putting the work in. He wants it n a plate.
If WHU, Everton and Tottenham all lose their final game and we win……we go 6th
So pissed off with earlier VAR that when offside cleared, then they turned to handball check, if that had gone against us, I would have internally combusted😀
I really want Odegaard to stay, Scott. In a flowing team playing good football, which we hopefully will eventually, he will shine and be the Ozil that wasn’t!
Spuds one point above us and away to Leicester last game. Saturday could be that special day when Tottenham can’t overtake us in the league😀😀
I couldn’t believe VAR or Taylor tonight. Zaha moaned at Taylor for a throw-in which went our way. It was clear to see Taylor say “don’t blame me” because the linesman gave it…
Great to see the we finally shut the Palace “Same old Chants” up.
Loved it
Just why was Aubameyang on the pitch? He’s about as useful as a chocolate teapot.
In the few minutes he was on the pitch, Martinelli did more than Aubameyang has managed in his last three appearances.
To me Leicester have always been one of those clubs who just made up the numbers, but now I just want them to win their last game of the season.
I’ll say it again, Odegaard is not worth the money Real Madrid will want for him and we already have a much better player in Emil Smith Rowe……and on that note, I will wish one and all a very good night. 😴
Andrew, spot on.
When/if we start playing more attacking, free flowing football as you say, he will link up beautifully.
Cicero, how much exactly do Real want for him?
DG it was feeble defending because Elneny and Gabriel combined could have done enough to affect Benteke and stop him having a clear header but they were more interested in falling over and looking for a free kick.
Both Benteke and Schlupp should have seen red in the 1st 45 but of course MotD said feck all.
Yesterday evening was a microcosm of why Arsenal more often than not suffer in these finely balanced fixtures, it was a game we could have easily lost after Palace equalised and it’s happened that way many times this season already.
Interesting to see that Arsenal give away the least fouls of any team in the top five leagues in Europe, we dare not because we’d be down to 10 men every week, but what I’d like to know is where we stand among the most fouled?
So far the talk from Marca is that he’s not for sale at any price because they want him for themselves to build their midfield around.
However they are broke but if they do sell they will be looking at more than we are likely to bid and as Cicero says with Smith-Rowe the two of them is probably a luxury that we can’t afford.
The spectre of St Tott is on the horizon . Leicester will be playing and hoping that Liverpool slip up . But we have to win first.
Potter, and doubt we will keep him to be honest, but none of us really know how this coming transfer window will play out, especially after the ESL died and the Covid situation.
Clubs needing runs quickly will likely take a lesser fee rather than accepting a payment plan.
I’d keep him as I believe he is pure class and not as a replacement for ESR by any means as they’re a different type of player.
I could see ESR playing deeper as he varies the ball forward brilliantly which is something eve lacked since the days of Rosicky/Santi/Jack.
Interesting times ahead, as always, but this year has extra spice to it.
ESR “carries” not “varies”….
Real Madrid are carrying close to €1 billion of debt. They will not be flogging assets at bargain prices. They will want top dollar and payment in full rather than in instalments. Repercussions of the aborted ESL are likely to cause further difficulties as they seek compensation for breach of contract from the clubs that reneged on the deal, Arsenal included. A very expensive legal battle could further exacerbate the sour relations already existing between Arsenal and Real Madrid.
In these circumstances any deal between the two clubs seems as likely as a squadron of pigs flying over The Emirates at half-time on Sunday.
Just watched highlights but it looked like Pepe had a really good match, highlights showed Saka go down and they made it look like Saka went to ground too easily was that the case or just the way they showed it, finally a nice touch by both clubs to stand in line for Roy Hodgson
Cicero, any club requiring payment up front will be willing to negotiate rather than take a higher fee paid in instalments and that’s quite obvious.
Maybe we won’t keep him and I doubt we will, but Real could be desperate enough to shop plenty of players around.
No ESL, they have one way out of trouble-sell.
Geoff, did the highlights show the potential straight reds Palace players should’ve received?
I’ll bet they didn’t 🙂
Pepe has the talent and that’s clear, but like most of our players and the squad as a whole, needs to show consistency.
Early part of the game Palace were dishing it out and Saka has become a target and as time goes on he will remain so. I wouldn’t get too hung up on whether he goes down as easily as some others, the way Taylor handled the match should gain more media attention but won’t.
There is a case to answer for a couple of red cards most definitely for Schlupp and then Benteke about 10 minutes before he scored. I supposed our man from PGMOL didn’t want to spoil Hodgson’s last day at home. I bet they don’t get away with it so easily on Sunday away to Liverpool.
We however have a home match against Brighton who since relegastion has been lifted from them have found the freedom to start playing and wins against Liverpool and Man City plus drawing with Leeds and Chelsea show that they are not push overs . If we want to see us finish above our neighbours we must beat them and do so with style .As I said Last night they have a trip to Leicester who need to win to possibly get Champions league football which will not be easy . Maybe 2006 and 2013 will be repeated and we pip them on the last day.
We have to win first though.
Potter, that’d be a decent way to finish an ordinary season 🙂
They’re in real trouble moving forward, I reckon.
Good morning Rico and all
Fine win yesterday. that is a run of 4 wins, And Pepe has scored in the last two games for a total of 14 goals this season
imo the team for the last match should be…….
Leno
Chambers, Holding, Mari/Gabriel,Tierney
Xhaka, Partey
Saka, ESR, Pepe
Martinelli
Ceballos Willian, and Auba should be rested after such a gruelling season in which they ran their socks off 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Scott was that red card the one were one of our players was kicked from behind when the ball was out of play near the goal if so the highlights commentator said he should have got a yellow card for that as for Saka the commentator said Saka went down to easy but from the angle they should it looked to me that Saka was hit in the back of his shoulder and head.
Geoff, I’m still waiting to actually see any highlights on Fox Sports News hahaha
I wa a half asleep when watching.
Bloody 4am kick offs!!!
the Schlupp foul could be debated as people will have different opinions. However, the Benteke situation is totally different and it should have been a straight red without contestation. The ref let him get away with murder.
Devil, Gee you’re harsh hahaha
William has been very average, but at least it’s not been through a lack of trying.
Auba-well, it’s hard damn work carrying that pay check home each month :)!
Morning Devil, all.
New post up now
https://highbury-house.com/2021/05/20/arsenal-need-favours-big-ones/