Morning all.
Still feeling chipper after the weekends results? Yes, me too, even more so after the Arsenal Women beat Brighton 3-0 in the FA Cup semi-final yesterday and do I dare add that Emi Martinez conceding another four goals made me smile too? I loved him as an Arsenal player and I totally understood that he wanted first team football but he’s been too vocal since he left, just like so many before him who’ve left the club so my days of wanting him or Aston Villa for that matter, to do well are well and truly over. Plus of course, Arsenal have a gem of their own now in Aaron Ramsdale who really has become a fans favourite. I’m not one who believes in ‘I told you so’ but it was obvious when the club paid as much money as they did for Aaron Ramsdale, he wasn’t joining to play second fiddle to Bernd Leno. Too much was made of the fact that teams he played for ended up being relegated, too much negativity surrounded him signing and all long before he ever donned an Arsenal shirt. A quick check on YouTube would have shown what he’s capable of.
Same applies to all our summer signings really, Nuno Tavares who? The signing of Takehiro Tomiyasu was scoffed at in the back pages, as was spending £50m on Ben White (guilty as charged) and Sambi Lokonga was a signing for the future surely? Yet Tomiyasu has settled in nicely and making a big difference to the team while Ben White together with Gabriel are forming a good relationship together. As for young Tavares, well that so called pointless signing is a fantastic young player who Arsenal did well to find. Lokonga and Partey get stronger together as each game goes by and Martin Odegaard might have had a few up and down performances since his permanent move to the club but there’s no doubting his quality and ability. Also, let’s not forget the young striker who Arsenal snapped up from Fulham, Mika Biereth.
So here we are, the 1st November and things are looking so much better for Arsenal and much of that is down to the signings the club made back in the summer and of course, the way everyone has got on board with Mikel Arteta and the way he wants the team to play. I’m not trying to suggest all is perfect because it’s not. I know that because Mikel Arteta has said it time and time again. We’re not always going to survive the kind of battering Leicester City gave us in that second half and I’d imagine that’s just part of what Mikel Arteta is referring to. Then again, not many clubs can do what Leicester City did in my opinion. Barring the obvious ones of course. The next big test for this young team will be Liverpool at Anfield right after yet another international break.
Before then though, Watford at The Emirates is big test but in a different kind of way. Yes we’ve had two great results and we’re on an unbeaten run of nine I think it is but sometimes in this game, it’s the club’s we expect to beat which can cause Arsenal problems. Take Watford lightly at our peril I think. After all, they put five past Everton at Goodison Park.
Arsenal have a week off now whereas the clubs around us like West Ham, Leicester City, Man Utd etc, all have European fixtures to contend with. Why were playing on Sunday though I’ve no idea…
See you in the comments.
Nuno Espirito Santo sacked
That’s a bright start to November JM. Not really surprising though . I suppose all the Conte speculation will come to the fore again as they try their luck on the merry go round.
They really are a pathetically run club in some ways.
Manager of the month in August, sacked in November.
Morons, but bless them.
Shame about Nuno, I thought he was doing a great job.
I reckon Dean Smith is on thin ice, the Norwich manager too.
Morning Rico, J M.
I was concerned when Ramsdale was signed, not because I doubted his ability, wasn’t he Seff U’s player of the season? I was far more worried by the ‘runes’! The omens and portents seemed very badly aligned. Two relegations in consecutive seasons! The future looked bleak for us, with him between the sticks. Especially with our, then defence. But I was wrong. After three absolutely disastrous games, Leno was dumped and the age of the new ‘goalie’ had arrived, and how! The best since Seaman? I think so. At present he’s been faultless, nearly. A great start for a young goalkeeper in a young team.
Perhaps the ‘project’ is taking shape and moving forward with pace, power and performance. Watford first, another must win and then the dippers. It’s time we beat them on their own merseyturf! Here’s hoping.
Shame about Nuno the spuds could have fallen further with him in charge. That’s not to say their revival will come any time soon. They do look to be in a sorry state ….again. Oh dear, what a pity, never mind. Roll on St Totteringham’s Day. It’s been a while. ( or am I getting in front of myself?)
Great weekend, the men win 2-0 and the women go one better 3-0 and a cup final to look forward to.
Thanks Rico, yea all the summer signings performing quite well, except of course Martin Odegaard whose form has dipped a little, I believe he possesses the necessary quality tomake a comeback sooner than later..again people trying to make a lot of fuss about Saliba shinning elsewhere, let him back and prove himself in the premier League.. personally I think it was good for him to go out on loan to gain the necessary experience..
People trying to make a lot of noise and blame the club for the “messy” departure of Emi Martinez to Villa, yet he wanted to leave the club for more first-team opportunities.
Morning Wavy.
Is it a coincidence that since Leno was dropped, confidence in defence has increased. It was similar I think when Martinez played as I think the defence had more confidence in him than they did Leno. I could be barking up the wrong tree of course but I think a more vocal an animated keeper can be a good thing.
The demands are ridiculous these days, Rico.
Clubs just expect immediate success or else, very few are prepared to build anything.
Sad indictment on modern times.
Rico, I think it’s a combination of things.
We can’t blame Leno imo, as we could have had two keepers and still would’ve lose them first 3.
White and Gabriel came together which, imo, was massive for us.
I’m not blaming Leno Scott, certainly not for the first three fixtures, I’m suggesting the defensive mindset might have changed because of the change of keeper. Similar to the way it did when Martinez was in goal.
My only doubts about our signings is Odegaard , and the way that he is used . To my mind I don’t think the club expected Smith – Rowe to seize the day and become so important to the team at the speed that he has.
Odegaard is much more a replacement to ESR but not as good .My Norwegian Arsenal supporting friends said when we were buying him that he’s very pretty but lightweight and certainly when he replaces someone in Lacazette’s position we have to change our style and often we get forced back.
He is a nice player but I don’t think he was £ 40 odd million but then again I could say the same for Pepe at £ 72 million.
Whilst ESR is ripping up trees I can’t see where he fits , perhaps when the inevitable injury or lack of steam hits our number 10 he will get his chance but in the meantime I see him as an expensive fringe player.
I hope he proves me wrong.
But we had different defenders.
Unless they’d played in front of Leno it’s impossible to say and not relevant imo
They did last season Scott.
Must admit Potter, as I was writing the post I pondered over Odegaard as I too think he’s been disappointing so far. But, I don’t think he’s been played his his right position so far. Personally, I don’t think he fits into a team with ESR and Saka in it and I certainly don’t think he’s the answer to Partey needing a midfield partner. As you said, he’s a replacement for ESR when the latter needs resting etc but at the moment, he’s nowhere near as good, or effective. Or is it affective? Lol
Toots after Conte, offered him an 18 months deal according to Sky Sports and Conte is on his way to London…
Another underperforming Portuguese manager bites the dust.
But Nuno Tavares is looking an absolute steal from Benfica, you Benfica fans you just keep on laughing because I’m laughing at you….
Ha ha Kev, morning to you.
Afternoon Rico, it’s quite a nice sunny day out here in the ‘sticks’…
Good Afternoon to all you Spurs fans out there, doesn’t the heady excitement of 3 Premier League games and being top of the league seem like an eternity ago…
Morning Rico and all
All our players seem more confident with Ramsdale who is possible our best recruit from the transfer season. To me he seems to be more motivated than Leno.
I am happy with all the recruits how ever if I had to pick one that concerns me sum times for the price we paid for him is Ben White may be I am just expecting too much out of him to soon.
So Auba had a go at Ramsdale last match telling him to ignore the crowd, I have mixed feelings about this action, As the captain that’s fine if he does not like it. but at the same time he needs to take a look at him self as the captain and main striker he needs to set an example by score more goals.
Kyalo did you see the first two goals Martinez conceded against West Ham, he really should have saved both of them, yes Villa haven’t got Grealish anymore to save their skin.
A good point about Odegaard as well, he’s just in the midst of a dip in form it’s as simple as that, he’ll be just fine and back to his best when we need him most as the games stack up and the ACoN guys are absent.
Finally Saliba, there’s a lot of dishonest reporting going around concerning him, the usual suspects on NewsNow raking up mischief to get hits and fill their pension pots. Arteta has absolutely no intention of telling anyone outside of the club what he has planned for William and why should he, if he told anyone his thoughts then they’d get twisted. I’m totally calm about Saliba and fully expect him to rejoin our squad for next season – Guendouzi is gone, fin…
We knew it wouldn’t last Kev.
Morning Geoff, where did you read that about Auba and Ramsdale?
Geoff/Rico, I smell the smell of online mischief making…
Kyalo, a little birdie told me that Arteta told both Leno and Martinez that both keepers would start that new season with a clean slate and whoever was picked it would be on merit. Looking at the way this season has gone, Martinez wouldn’t have had long to wait for his opportunity.
Rico there is an article in London . com but I herd it first on a soccer show but can’t remember which one
As do I Kev. It was probably Football London or somewhere similar.
Thanks Geoff. As Kev suggested, it’s probably someone stirring the pot.
sorry should be football.london apparently Auba and Arteta had a go at him claiming that his reaction to the fans made him make mistakes when playing out from the goal area. How ever Ramsdale claims his action with the fans keeps him focused.
Good afternoon all.
I’m happy with all our summer signings, Ramsdale, Tavares and White in particular, Sambi has the potential to develop into a good player, my one reservation is Odegaard, perhaps it’s a fitness thing but he seems to have lost his confidence which is affecting his decision making, we’ll just have to wait and see.
I was alarmed to read this morning that Arteta is still keeping tabs on Dani Ceballos, 😒
I find it hard to believe that Conte will take over at the New Swamp, as he has said publicly that he did not want to take over any club in mid-season. in addition he would want far more control over player signings and sales than Levy is likely to allow.
it was more the sports show than the web site that made listen.
…mind you, Conte might just be the person to stick a rocket up Kane’s a**e and get him running around again.
Afternoon Cicero, I think that Ceballos story is a non starter. I’m sure Arteta would have gone for him in the summer if he wanted him. Instead of Odegaard.
I find it hard for any manager to accept an 18 month deal.
Ref watch on Sky Sports
INCIDENT: During the second half at the King Power Stadium, Jonny Evans pulled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the floor as the striker looked to be through on goal. However, on this occasion, the referee only showed a yellow card with VAR not recommending a sending off.
DERMOT’S VERDICT: Incorrect decision.
DERMOT SAYS: “It was an error of judgement [to not send Evans off] because of where the referee’s start position is. He’s looking down the barrel of a gun so when the ball drops, he doesn’t know the distance between Aubameyang and the ball. Once Aubameyang spins him, you go through the questions. It’s most definitely a foul, he’s not in control of the ball but he will be and there’s a clear path to goal. I think the referee’s position dictated his judgement and he made the wrong decision.
“VAR checked it and we don’t know the conversation with the referee. If he said he felt like it was a yellow card because of so-and-so, the VAR checks it, the subjective decision comes in and they decided backed the referee’s on-field decision, but I feel like it was wrong.”
Rico. I heard that Gallagher nonsense about Evans and the red card that should have been but wasn’t. He must think that referees have no depth of field vision whatsoever if he believes that. But, isn’t this exactly what VAR was invented for? What stopped the twat at the screen asking Oliver to go and take another look? The system has failed us again.
Gallagher seems intent on not irritating Riley and applying the low standards that he himself operated at to all refs.
Until Riley is gone it’s easy to imagine that this cheating will just go on and on. Because that’s what is, but now it conceals itself behind the rancid cloak of VAR.
I wonder if Man city can / will appeal their players red card and use Auba / Evans decision as a reason to have their players red card over turned or down graded to a yellow card.
Looking at how Kane is playing it makes you wonder why clubs keep players that don’t want to be there. Kanes is hoping he will be sold in January I recon
Geoff the way he’s playing for both the Spuds and England, what club would want to sign him?
Adam, it’s easy for him after the game to cast his opinion but as you say, VAR should be making these decisions during the match. As I often said though, the idiots operating VAR are the same people who fail to be consistent on a match day. It’s ridiculous really.
I wouldn’t have thought so Geoff as a decision was made on the day.
Way he’s playing Geoff, the price will be going down weekly. He signed a nice big deal for wage increase but you can see he’s not up for this season after City fell through. It’s not right but players can force the issue 98% of the time.
What about consulting the linesman, they seem to be an irrelevance these days.
Kev, the ref shows a yellow card for a foul, the linesman indicates it should be red, VAR can’t get involved as it’s not a clear and obvious error, who decides?
Josh Butler does it again. 101 not out off 67 balls as England set Sri Lanka a target of 164 .
If VAR is confident enough that Oliver had got it wrong , he tells him to relook. But that upsets the applecart. And Oliver.
Remember it happened to Mike the strop Dean last year.
Apparently there is dialogue before the decision to relook …. Which doesn’t seem very independent to me.
It’s a shame VAR can’t view incidents without knowing what decision the referee has made. Perhaps then better decisions might be made.
It’s going to the wire Cicero
Brilliant wasn’t he Cicero. Took a while to get going because the bowling was good but once his eye was in. Bang.
Touch and go now though. Superb by Roy.
Great wicket keeping by Jos, brilliant.
Wow.
Skittles now. Thanks gents. I’d v missed this otherwise
England win by 26 runs. 🔔
Sounds comfortable but was anything but. What an all rounder Jos is. Mills looked expensive again before injury. Hope Mark Wood back soon.
He’s a remarkable cricketer Andrew. If he and Ben Stokes are on form this winter it could be a good tour.
allezkev & Rico, your thoughts are well put, totally agree
A referee in lower leagues told me that Riley runs the pgmol with an iron fist and that certain members of the refereeing community are scared of him.
It seems that you do what you’re told or you don’t get the gigs .
Which might explain the stats on the number of games each referee gets and their level of importance.
Game 49 suggests that Riley can be influenced and that’s a nice way of putting it. We have to wonder if his private agenda drives the way referees and VAR operate .
If so the sooner he is removed the better.
Leno was fantastic before his injury-suddenly, he was rubbish?
I don’t agree.
He tore apart Tottenham.
A few average games off the bench and he’s suddenly an issue?
Guys we can’t jump off the bandwagon so quickly, or we shouldn’t imo.
Damn, how many said Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Tavarez etc etc weren’t at our level?
Too many are on the bandwagon as quickly as off it.
Things change quickly in football, but nothing changes as quickly as fans opinions.
Odegaard is a gun BUT, he won’t do well against certain opponents and that’s what Arteta needs to address.
It was obvious we he came on the other day-Arteta wanted him to get on the ball and control things but it didn’t quite work that way as Leicester dominated possession.
Not everything works all the time but Spurs wasn’t that long ago.
Kev, I asked JM about his comment a few months back that Tavarez was worth £1.
Nothing to report 🙂
100% Geoff.
People still occasionally bring up RVP, Martinez etc etc but I’m with you, when a player starts making demands or hints they may leave, open the door and piss them off.
No good ever comes from it imo
Tottenham.
I don’t think anyone has said Leno is rubbish.
The comments on Odegaard are right imo, he’s been struggling. Doesn’t mean he’s been turned against though.
I have nothing against Odegaard , to me he is a good back up to Smith -Rowe . I just tend to agree with JM that the two do not go together too well .
As I said earlier I think the progress made by ESR has taken Arteta by surprise and he has become undroppable while his current form continues.
Yep, keep them apart but there’s definitely room for both.
Arteta has to work how out how to beat utilise them.
Morning all.
New post up now