Morning all.
So that’s that, a bit of news many of us wanted confirmed, Mesut Ozil is staying for another three years after this season. During his time at Arsenal he’s made 182 appearances, scored 36 goals and notched up 61 assists. The latter two factoids would be much greater if A) he had more self belief when a scoring opportunity arises and B) he’d had more clinical finishers around him. I’m not knocking the players we’ve had during Ozil’s time at Arsenal but since joining in 2013, it took until last summer for Arsene Wenger to sign a striker with high credentials in Lacazette. Even he’s struggling in front of goal though having started so well but similar to Ollie, the service he’s given has hardly been the best. Now though the German has different guy to aim for in Aubameyang, who brings something different to Lacazette. Two top strikers in the side should make for exciting viewing. Shouldn’t it? Certainly next season I’d say when the three of them, plus Mkhitaryan have all spent time together in training. None are young, none are inexperienced so with a bit of luck, they’ll work out how to play together themselves rather than rely on our dear French manager.
On paper, I’d say we potentially have one of the best attacking unit in the Premier League, baring City. Frustratingly so though, we probably have one of the worst defensive units in the League. Not player wise as I’ve suggested before, although it needs upgrading in the summer, but as far as being disorganised and undisciplined. Both our defence and midfield is desperately crying out for a leader, an organiser, a player who can sort things out as the game goes along. Someone who when/if we concede a goal will drag their mates chins off the floor and get them going again. Not someone who just shrugs their shoulders as if to accept what’s just happened. An Adams, Vieira, Keown or Campbell, all big characters who didn’t care about anything other than getting a goal back and getting the game won. Only two of those were our captain, but to lead, one doesn’t need a piece of material around the arm, they are born with it.
Most of our lot are too nice, a reflection of the manager I know, but these are grown men, where is their fight and passion? Did Xhaka switch off during a game whilst captaining Borussia Mönchengladbach? Was Koscielny born to give up? Mustafi had a bit of grit to him, as did Gabriel but one was sold, and the other has morphed into a typical Arsene Wenger defender post 2005. (Ish) As for Bellerin, well gawd knows what’s happened to him and the same can be said of Kolasinac and he’s only been at the club for six months.
Ramsey doesn’t seem to know what he’s meant to be doing but at least Elneny tries to defend when required. Why he was subbed against Swansea instead of Iwobi I’ll never know, actually, I don’t even know why Iwobi even gets selected. It’s certainly not on merit is it? Or do any of you truly believe his selection is justified? Perhaps Iwobi is the reason Marcus McGuane decided it was time for a new club.
Monreal remains reliable though so thanks goodness for that eh. Wilshere too. I wonder what’s happening with his contract situation as I’d have thought the club would have sorted that by now. If he stays fit for the rest of the season and then walks for free, I doubt they’ll be too many happy fans out there. He’s the guy who I believe should be given the captains armband after Merts retires because I sure as heck wouldn’t give it to anyone else in midfield or defence!
Mesut Ozil said he wants to help us really compete with the best and he wants to win more than just the three FA Cup medals he has and he feels at home. Ah, he feels at home, probably just like so many other players at the club. Home means comfortable, safe but happy, well, it does for most of us.
Seriously, give our lot a rocket up their backsides and a whole bunch of ideas on how to play as a team and we’d see improvement. Give the defenders and midfielders a specific job to do and they’ll do it. Work in training on how to deal with set-pieces and crosses and they’ll soon put it in to practice. Give them a concrete plan and the chances are they’ll execute it. Watch previous matches involving the upcoming opposition to highlight their strengths and weaknesses, or the way they play both home and away depending on where the next game takes place, well that would be novel wouldn’t it? How about dumping players who continually make mistakes during a match on the bench and give someone else a chance? That might take them out of their comfort zone eh!
We face Everton at The Emirates tomorrow evening and I bet many of us know what Big Sam’s approach will be. Defend strongly and hit us on the break. Theo Walcott will be out to prove a point to Wenger and he’ll be full of confidence after his brace in midweek. Twelve years at Arsenal and I think it’s fair to say, he hardly improved during that time, in fact many seldom do.
Here’s a question to leave you with. Who was the last player to join Arsenal post 1996 that has left us or retired having become a better player during his time at the club?
Wenger on Auba and Lacazette:
It means we can play two up.
On the other hand, we lost three strikers – Walcott, Sanchez, Giroud.
You need at least two top strikers to play in the Premier League.”
This from a man who has seldom had one top class striker in his squad…….
Holding midfielder?
“I don’t want to comment on specific names.
It is a team problem.
Players must take individual responsibility.”
It’s your problem Arsene Wenger!!
I wonder if Wenger has written a job spec for each player, set targets, efficiencies? Distances to run, where to run even. You can bet your sweet life he hasn’t. How he can say it’s the players responsibilities absolutely dumbfounds me.
These days I don’t think he could coach his way out of a bus station!
Morning all and Rico, just you and me it would seem!
Morning Wavy, a sign of the times I guess. New manager and hopefully things will pick up.
I reckon he says ‘off you go chaps, do your best’….
Afternoon rico and all
Good post and hope Ozil shows his desire and commitment on the pitch more often.
I was so frustrated by his displays towards last season that I wished he’d just fuck off.
He got a lot better this season, whether it’s because of his contract issue or not it remains to be seen. He needs to show a bit of consistency I reckon.
As for wengers howlers at Swansea you got it spot on imo. .
with the score level at 1/1 he made the ultimate mistake taking off elneny for mkhitaryan. .when it should have been iowbe or ramsay who were both had another night to forget.
Hell.. he could have taken xhaka off.
I guess we have been here many times before..
Afternoon Kk, thanks.
Wenger likes the credit doesn’t he, but sure is quick to lump blame on his players when it goes wrong.
His subs have often been odd to say the least. I do wonder what he’s watching because it’s certainly different to many of us I think…
Yes rico, but he has mad gazillion substitutions in his 30 years of management career!!
Is it true Laca , wilshere and Auba are all doubtful for tomorrow’s game?
Not sure about Lacazette Kk, but Jack is a big doubt and Auba has a late test I think…
So we could see the formidable combo of xhaka, ramsey, ozil, and iowbe again. .God help us all..
Afternoon Rico and All
In coaching terms defending is easier to coach
than attacking play,top strikers are gold dust,so
make life easier for the coach……….Em
Top defenders would be over 26/27 years old,
and would not take a blind bit of notice from
anyone.
Thats the problem facing Arsene/Bouldy with
this lot.
So what is the solution?
My opinion is.
The squad must be coached on the basic team
defending system,this way whenever we lose
the ball,no matter who we play we get back
behind the ball..It’s so simple.
Just them new signing alone tells you everythink
Arsene and who ever has a say,
If only he could remember what made us so
hard to beat…Nurse.
Afternoon Rico and the house.
Today is the start of a very busy month for the academy.
The U18’s are away to Middlesborough in the Youth cup.
I think it will be a tough game just like the Liverpool game but I hope
to see a good win.
This morning the following 6 players have been chosen for the
England U17 team.
Okonkwo, Campbell, Saka, Coyle Amaechi and John Jules
This showes the depth of our u18 squad.
Fred do you know how Harry Donovan is getting on where is he now ?.
Rick
Harry is on loan with greenwich borough,
not sure how his playing though.
Afternoon Fred, Rick and all.
Good luck to the young guns eh…
Seem a little bit salty there Rico. Calm yourself down and lets see if we can turn this season around.
Evening all and an excellant read, Rico.
I said the other day that Gabriel leaving had me scratching my head and I`m still scratching today on what has Kolasinac done ?
I`ve scracthed so hard that I`ve come up with an idea
💡
we get Gorgeous George back to just train the defence…………………………….bit like American Football where they have an offensive coach( and I dont mean a coach who swears and offends the players, although that wouldn`t be a bad thing considering some of the shite we have lost too !) and a defensive coach !…………………………………..if I remember rightly, GG used to drill the back four for hours without the ball !
As I said yesterday, great all these attacking players, but no defense means no trophies…………..especially as we are out of our FA Cup !
🙂
Dan, how many times has that ‘let’s see’ comment been written I wonder. I take it Wenger is still in your good books…
Thanks Lc. Wenger won’t allow Bould to coach the defence, no chance he’d accept help from Graham. I’d love to be a fly on the wall if those two talked defending….
Cracking first half.
Goals by Smith Rowe and John Jules made it 2-0.
Big fight back 2-2 half time
Can’t any of our teams keep a clean sheet?
Back in the lead Ballard from a smith Rowe cross
It’s difficult going up to the chilly north-east, midweek fixture, against a partisan crowd, our lads have done really well so far.
4Mins added time still winning
s
It has finished 3-2 and we now play Colchester or Reading away in the next round.
Tonights game was just what I thought it would be.
I hope the the first team were watching how to play away from home
Well done the kids and Keane Ampadu.
Good result..
I hope the first team know how to win at home tomorrow…
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/959532511557832705
One thing that has really pissed me off about the window is Lucas Moura . £ 25 million for a player that will run rings round Xhaka , Ramsey and Iwobi. I watched him when we played PSG and after 30 minutes I said to my son that we should buy him. Apparently he was offered to us but someone was not interested.
What a surprise Potter, the money from the Walcott sale would have pretty much paid for him.
New post up now.