Morning all.
Now the transfer window has closed, there’s not much to talk about really. Well, not until Sunday when we see how the team play, how Emery lines us up, changes things when/if needed, substituting players because it’s what’s needed and how he attempts to stop the current League Champions from kicking off this new campaign with maximum points.
We lost to City three times last season, it wasn’t nice and it certainly wasn’t pretty. In fact most of the season wasn’t pretty. The victory in the NLD was probably one of a few high moments. Our away form was dismal, our home performances, we’ll, results were better but as far as the football goes, it made painful viewing.
Tomorrow is a new beginning. A new beginning which most of us have been waiting for for a long long time. It’s exciting isn’t it? I wonder if Emery will wear a suit and red tie? Sorry, I digress.
Not only has the club made massive changes as far as the coaching team goes but ownership too with Stan Kroenke soon to take full control, news which received mixed views. Unai Emery has no concerns though:
I met the Kroenke family in Atlanta and he gave us his commitment in this project with Arsenal. For that this news for me is positive and his commitment to Arsenal is the most important.
How that ‘commitment’ works out remains to be seen but Kroenke has obviously convinced our new head coach that all will be well. As if he’d say anything else in public though.
Unia Emery also poured cold water on my theory that Joel Campbell might get some playing time this season:
Yesterday the window closed in the Premier league and today we had a meeting with the players to close all of the possibility to leave and the possibility of new players arriving.
We have three players Carl Jenkinson, David Ospina and Joel Campbell who have the possibility to leave, but the other players they are with us.
I’d totally forgotten about Carl Jenkinson but I guess his Arsenal career is soon to be over. Some club will soon snap him up as he’s not a bad player, just not at the level to convince Emery he’s got something to offer. Ospina going would be no surprise.
Finally, back to tomorrow:
Good afternoon.
We are excited. We have a lot of ambition to start [well] on Sunday against the last winners of the Premier League. Also, I think that it’s a big and great match that we can play to start this season.We are working to improve each match and each training session.
But Sunday, we need to show on the pitch our performance at a big level. The position is demanding our best moments tactically and also individually. It’s for that, that on Sunday I want first to be together with our supporters. It helps, if we’re together, for the players to show their best performance and to transmit with every supporter the quality, the energy and the spirit to go forward against Manchester City.
We want to start well, we want to play and we want to show our quality, our work in this month tactically and with our spirit. I want to show and to be together with the supporters and to start a new way, a new process, with the same players and also our new players with us, and with a new coach and new staff.
My first message [to the players] is clear. “Think about each match. Enjoy the challenges of each match.
I am looking every day and the players are smiling in training with a big collective spirit. They are working and finishing tired but with a smile also on their face.
For me, that is the best message I can give the supporters. It’s for that [reason that] my message for Sunday is [one of] optimism.
There you have it, Unai Emery’s first pre-match press conference for the new Premier League. He’s positive, optimistic, and so should we be too.
Have a great weekend guys.
Morning Rico, I see that a Unai is saying all the right things, as most managers do in his position, I mean he’s hardly likely to say that he could have done with Kroenke giving him another £100m to spend is he?
I’m prepared to see what kind of investment Enos puts into the club over the next three windows as Emery has a big job moving on and replacing those players who are dyed in the wool Wengerites. It’s going to take two years for Unai to change the mentality of the dressing room into a squad of competitors who are title material.
No Wenger and no Usmanov means no more excuses for KSE.
Good points about our defenders Obi, I’ve been amazed at how some of our new defenders and our new goalkeeper have been rubbished by Arsenal fans and they’ve barely got their foot in the door.
For me, I reckon that Arsenal will finish 5th if I’m honest, but we might just sneak into 4th.
Great post Rico, hopefully we’ll get at least a draw tomorrow and then we can go on from the there.
Rico, it wouldn’t bother me if Jenkinson and Campbell stayed, we aren’t going to get bugger all for them in terms of a transfer fee and they could help out the youngsters in the League Cup and UEFA Cup early rounds. We can always move them on in January if need be.
Danny Welbeck will do a job for us and is another we could move on in January. By then there will be clubs fighting relegation and others fighting for promotion who might be desperate enough to go in big for an experienced England striker?
There’s enough room in the 25 man squad for all 3 to stay, we’ve just gotta move on Ospina.
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Good morning Rico and others.
The sun is out, the sky is blue, hardly a cloud to spoil our view and it’s not raining at Lords right now. just the day for our batsmen to put India to the sword, just as Unai and the boys will give City a right shellacking tomorrow.
Our new manager has chosen not one, not two, not three, not four but five captains. Yes five! Koscielny, Cech, Ramsey, Xhaka and Ozil. a veritable cornucopia of captains. The centre circle is going to be crowded when it comes time for the toss.
At least we’ll get some money for the ill-fated three, and get their wages off the books.
Morning Kev, Cicero, all.
Thanks Bondex.
Kev, that’s what we needed though, out with Wenger and his coaches, now it’s down to Kroenke to flex his muscles. He’ll know that any flack now will be coming his way should things go wrong, or investment isn’t handed to Emery. Americans don’t like bad press, he and certainly Josh imo, will know what might be heading their way if they aren’t seen to be competing with the other clubs.
I get it this summer though, it’s about change and new things and too much can be too soon.
Me neither Kev, certainly Campbell, Jenks too could easily play in the domestic cup matches depending on the opponent and the under 23’s if that’s allowed to keep him match fit. Ospina can go though..
Xhaka being one of the captains I find interesting. More responsibility could lead to better performances and he’s no stranger to wearing the armband as he did for Bayern Munchengladbach. (spelling)
Morning all.
Having completed my Fantasy Football teams for this season, I found, whilst compiling them that I hadn’t a clue who Dick was going to pick for tomorrow’s game. Goalkeeper? Cech or Leno? Fullbacks Mitland Niles and ? Lichsteiner or Bellerin? CBs? Not a clue but probably not Mustafi plus ??? Midfield? Ozil, ( I selected him!) plus, Torreia(sp) Xhaka, Guandozy! (Sp again) plus Ramsey when fit! Front three more obvious Auba, Lacazette and Myki. Managed to select two out of three there. But as for the rest???
I just hope the Dick knows what his best team is and they perform really well tomorrow. A draw would be progress a win would be wonderful a defeat would not be best!
Sun has got his hat on again today after yesterday’s downpour! Grass is nearly green again, already!
Afternoon Rico and the House.
The sun is shining where I am , for the start of the season.
The first goal of our new season has been scored by Balogun (u18s)
who are beating villa 1-0.
Good day at Chigwell Spuds losing 3-1
I’d take a draw right now Wavy, but I think a solid performance is equally as important as the result.
After Rick, you in the Maldives? 😜
Nelson in contention to make the squad for the first team. Will train with them today. 8 minutes ago
Arsenal U23 v Man City: Iliev; Osei-Tutu, Bielik, Pleguezuelo, T. Bola; Gilmour, Willock; Amaechi, Smith Rowe, Nket… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 10 minutes ago
HT. Arsenal 2 Aston Villa 0. 17 minutes ago
Oyegoke replaces Dennis. 25 minutes ago
Musah makes it 2-0. He’s definitely one to watch this season. Still a schoolboy and was wanted by Juventus. 36 minutes ago.
Tweets from J.Bird
My mind keeps drifting towards the vision of a friend of mine, with knobbly knees and resplendent in a kilt, och aye…
U18s still 2-0
U23s City scored on 7mins Smith Rowe has just mad it 1-1
Bielik makes it 2-1
And Amaechi makes it 3-1
U18s Villa make it 2-2 and and then we make it 3-2
Sounds like an exciting match Rick.
Finished 4-2
Rico if the game against city is anything like the U23 game we are in for acracker.
At Ht /we were winning 3-2 it then went as follows
3-3
4-3 City
4-4 Smith Rowe
Eddy missed pen
5-4 city
About 10mins to go
86 mins 5-5 Mavididi
90 mins 6-5 city
Its a rugby Match.
Blooming heck Rick…
We lost 6-5 I bet Eddy is feeling pretty sick missing Pen.
Defences on top then.
I bet he is Rick, especially after missing one in pre season..
It’s quiet….
Morning Rico and all.
Confident?
Morning Adam. I’m confident we won’t get thrashed.
Morning all.
Great start so far, all the usual suspects winning !……………………………playing catch up already ! 🙁
Welbeck at Left Back !…………..as much chance of doing Mansour City any damage than if he was clean through on goal ! 😆
Dick could look a Dick or a genius with that one ! 🙂
Thought we would struggle against a City side lacking all their WC stars, but aparrently and miraculously they are all back ………………..now if that would have been Wenger they would still be on holiday.
Only chance we have is for me to buy all the rabbits foot`s, four leaved clovers, black cats in the world, but even that wont be enough as I have already failed in looking for some old Romanian gypsy woman who would normally be cursing me for not buying some lucky heather into actually buying some !
Actually any normal person would probably bite your hand off for a draw today, but it doesn`t matter how shit we are I`m always disappointed if we dont win however brilliant the opposition are !……..so no win and it`s Dick Out for me !…..hahaha
Rico. I’m pleased to hear that. 🙂
There’s been no talk of Welbeck playing at left back. He did in training but that’s it. Unai Emery said he’s a right or left winger or striker and he expects big and better things of him because he has the talent.
What about you Adam?
Morning/afternoon all…
Up and at ’em..
Adam are you in attendance today?
Hi BT. No, not today. Unfortunately perhaps. 🙂
Afternoon All, the last time Man City won consecutive away league games at Arsenal was 1936.
The year of the Munich Olympics in Germany.
The year Arsenal won the FACup with a goal from Ted Drake.
It will be interesting to see how Arsenal will react if Man City take the lead, in the past we would just fold, but I’m more optimistic that we can get something from today’s game.
I just hope if we do lose that the majority of Arsenal fans keep the result in perspective because Man City are a fantastic team playing at their peak while Arsenal are at the beginning of a massive rebuilding job after a long long time of poor preparations, coaching and tactics under Wenger and his worn out coaching staff.
Ainsley Maitland Niles at left back or left wing back, depending on whether we go for a back four or a back three?
That’s the great thing, we don’t know, nobody knows and Guardiola won’t know.
Everybody knew how Wenger would play and the team he’d pick.
Change is good, we’ve really needed this.
Rico. I’m always confident. 🙂
Unless Emery’s hasn’t changed from his time in Spain Kev, you’re right. It’s exciting for all concerned with Arsenal really.
I’m in shock Adam. 🙂
You’d better have a lie down Rico. 🙂
I am Adam.. 😜
You could always gaze in wonder at Klopp and Firmino’s teeth. 🙂
Or their rotational, tactical fouling.
Ha ha, I’m watching the cricket..
Todays Team
Cech, Bellerin, Sokratis, Mustafa, Guendouze, Xhaka, Ramsey, Ozil, Mikky, Auba
Sorry Niles Left Back
Subs
Leno, Holding, Liechsteiner, Elneny, Torreira, Iwobi, Lacaset
I’m afraid that that line up has a home defeat written all over it…
India 50 for 4
I thought Torreira would start. Very attacking team selection..
Good goal disallowed at Southampton and Liverpool goal offside, I think their 2nd.
That’s two VAR decisions that could have resulted in different finales….
PGMOL Luddites
Somethings never change eh..
I hope MotD keep a tally of wrong disallowed and allowed goals Rico, it needs to done to force Riley and his bunch of wallys into accepting VAR
I doubt it Kev, unless we score one..
Rico 😀
City should have two booked…
City very quickly into their rotational fouling routine.
Very disorganised
Seems we’re doing well to keep it to 0-1.
Emery has never beaten Guardiola or Mourinho.
Carragher and Neville just can’t help themselves can they? Tyler is just as bad…
So ours get booked and sterling escapes a second yellow..
And no penalty? Pff!
Or two
Oliver was dreadful.
I know we lost and looked all at sea at certain times but I thought there was a lot to be optimistic about..
As per usual excited at the start of the season only for it to fall flat in the first game and send me into a depressive state even though Kev is right, we are under a new manager and we are playing the EPL`s best ever team ( that is fact as they got the highest ever points total)……..it was inevitable !
Still same owner though who will never invest a penny/dime of his own money in the team, so with that factual knowledge we will never win a major trophy unless we do a Leicester imo !
Kroenke Out !
How about this then !!!
http://www.sportbible.com/football/take-a-bow-14-year-old-remy-mitchell-makes-arsenal-under-18s-debut-20180812
I’m upset that we lost, but then I hate losing anyway.
We had chances, good chances, but failed to make the most of them, Aubameyang, Lacazette and Ramsey all missed relatively easy ones.
I thought that once we had a proper defender at left back, on the pitch, we looked more secure at the back, but the defence is still very much a work in progress.
Guendouzi is obviously very much in Emery’s mind as a regular starter and today he showed a great deal of promise. I would have preferred to see him and Torreria start in partnership instead of Ramsey, who once again failed to make any meaningful impact on the game.
I think we have a reasonable chance of at least maintaining top six, with more work on defending we could do even better.
I was not over confident and as such I am not disappointed. I expected to see what I saw. We are a team in transition finding the right blend against a well organised team that won the league last time at a canter. There were a few things to take from today . It showed that in front of goal the much needed selfishness is still not there. Too often we looked for a better placed player instead of just shooting . Midfield was wasteful and gave the ball away too often . It takes games to get the blend right and for partnerships to develop but we looked better with Guendouzi and Torreria I thought. dwefence was doing ok until AMN got “” In a tangle of Legs “” apparently . I would have liked to see a slow motion of it as I don’t think that Walker was innocent and one thing that comes up immediately is VAR and the PGMOL’s refusal to have it. Headbutts and pushes seemed to be order of the day.
If we get top six I will be satisfied. We are never going to make top 4. We have an owner who is like NUFC owner, a skinflint. Nothing much will change until SK goes. Cant blame the workman if you don’t provide him with the tools. Emery should be fine for top 6.
Expected result but didn’t expect us to be so wide open first half. Looked better with Liech instead of Niles, both out of position of course. In fact all three subs improved us. Perhaps we can regroup after first two matches. VAR may have resulted in a Pen and playing 10 men for a face in face push, nothing changes!
I’m in ‘realistic’ mode. It’s going to take more than a couple of months to fix the mess Emery was left and today it showed.
Disappointed not to take at least one of our chances..
Agree re Lichtsteiner, he looked good even though he was out of position. Thought Ozil struggled, AMN’s too.. Xhaka was, well, Xhaka..
I thought Guendouzi looked nervous at the start, improved as the game went on though.
Or nine Andrew as imo, Sterling should have had a second yellow.
Agree rico, not much difference between Xhaka’s and Sterling but we knew Sterling would escape didn’t we and that Xhaka would be an immediate yellow.
Guendouzi lucky that Cech saved his skin with a dreadful slip. Looks a future talent, maybe not a starter yet though.
Indeed Andrew and then the Sky pundits waded in on Xhaka disciplinary record. Idiots!
Baptism of fire for Guendouzi eh..
There’s no need to panic after losing at home to the obvious candidate for winners of this seasons EPL. Not many teams are going to hold them, they look extremely strong.
Although, it’s painfully obvious Mr. Emery has to relegate Xhaka to the reserves.
He has to somehow get into Bellerin’s head, and get him performing as he did before Barcelona turned his head. He looks all over the place at times, and his clearances are dreadful.
Our defence is our Achilles heel atm, Mustafi is a weak link. Steve Bould needs to work a miracle with the dross he’s been left in defence by Wenger.
Lichenstein ( ? ) gave us a little strength and stability when he came on, but I fear opposition forwards will be licking their lips when they know they will be playing against our back line.
Guendouzi, although young and relatively inexperienced, looks as though he can handle himself and make a statement this season?
Our forwards will just have to get used to the fact they will have perform well in future matches and outscore the opposition to give us a chance, until Unai Emery can sort out our abysmal defence.
Bernardo Silva is 20x better then Ozil in all senses and in all points of view
We played a lot to find Ozil but Ozil is out of shape (?), has no desire to play and has a rhythm different from all others. He unbalances the team, he does not give it depth, catches a great gap between the defense and the attack and I put many doubts if the team is with him.
It was necessary to take Ozil out of the team and put someone who takes the game, is respected and be the pillar of the team. Without that player, Arsenal, with these players, will never be a candidate for the League..
agreed joaquim. But i fear we are stuck with Ozil, especially as we pay him sooooo much per week. He offers very little in all aspects of the game when he plays against top opposition. He is fine against inferior quality teams. His desire, determination and demeanour leave a lot to be admired.
Another opening day defeat………we’re the fcuking Arsenal, we shouldn’t fear anyone at the Emirates, where was the character and perseverance shown today under the new manager, in Emery’s defence I did hear that a cup of tea was spilt at half time in the changing room, can’t reveal my sources but it’s something that wouldn’t have happened under Wegner, as for supporters rubbishing our defence, they’re perfectly entitled to do so.
I watched Bellerin in Dublin last week, worst player on the pitch by a country mile, watched him at Loftus Road 3 years ago and he was different class, where did it all go wrong, ok I admit it I don’t get out much in between games !
rico, wish I had your optimism.
Morning.
New post up now.
If we were under the impression that once Wenger had gone all we needed was a quick fix then that was blown up yesterday . One of the benefits is that we won’t be playing City again this side of Christmas. Accepting that they may well be the best team we will face this season our level will be clearer after Chelsea and West Ham . Yesterday we were light years behind them they were better all over the pitch and off of it too.
Emery needs days like that to learn and we need to have them too so that we can assess whether he can sort it and to lower the expectation of a sudden ressurgence .
I think the Wenger years should be remembered for the euphoria of the early part but tempered with the realisation that the second part was a gradual spiral of decline. Yesterday we saw just how far that spiral has taken us