Morning all.
It’s fair to say that Arsenal had been sat in a comfort zone for a while and we weren’t growing. From the top to the bottom, everything was too casual. Or that’s certainly how it seemed for a long while. But not now. Even when we’re playing poorly or are under the cosh, we’ve learned to dig in deep and not give up. Better teams might punish us but we can only play against who we’re up against on the day.
The day started well as far as sport goes, Europe carried on where they left off yesterday in The Ryder Cup and then West Ham gave Utd a thrashing. An Arsenal victory would top it all off nicely. We got it too, how I don’t know, but I don’t care either. For too many years we’ve tried to play beautiful football with the perfect goals and won little to nothing. Now we’re grinding out victories and securing points. Seven games in a row now.
I’m sure the football we play will improve with time but as I’ve written before now, winning in the meantime is what counts.
Having only seen the highlights, the game looked pretty even. Another penalty shout turned down by Anthony Taylor for the foul on Lacazette and a golden opportunity to take the lead squandered by the same player. The little chip was perfect but the direction was all wrong. Xhaka fired one in too but it was an easy one for Foster to save. Watford’s best chance probably fell to Will Hughes.
Somewhere in that first half Mustafi put his team in a tricky situation when he grabbed a Watford player around the neck and tugged him back which rightly ended with a free kick. A wicked ball was sent in which Petr Cech did well to finally get his hands to. The big keeper had to be replaced just before halftime, handing the armband to Aaron Ramsey on his off. Pff!
Ramsey himself was the first change with 63 minutes on the clock and he appeared to not like the decision one bit. Tough I say, be a team player. On in his place came Iwobi and it was the Nigerian who had a big say in our opening goal. A great ball whipped in from the right towards the near post. Lacazette couldn’t make any contact but Cathcart did and Foster was beaten. Before then though, Watford had had a couple of decent chances to break the deadlock but like us, just didn’t seem to have their shooting boots on.
Welbeck was the final change and again, the change made a difference. After a strong challenge, a ball to Iwobi who in turn found Lacazette, again down the right. The Frenchman looked up, made his pass and there was Ozil to ensure another victory was done and dusted. Lovely goal.
There was one incident during the second half which I thought the Sky Sports commentator Tony Gayle got totally wrong. Torreira was in possession of the ball out wide of our own penalty area and just as he kicked the ball up field Deeney went through him. No big deal but the Watford guy knew exactly what he was doing when he left his leg out so it made contact with our midfielder. Torreira went over but didn’t roll around or make a fuss. Gayle said there was nothing in the tackle, not a free kick he muttered before going on to suggest Torreira could have been sent off for simulation. I have to wonder what these blokes see because on that particular occasion it was certainly different to what I saw. What a chump!
Another win, another performance which had plenty of room for improvement and yet they dug in deep, kept going until the end and grafted for the three points.
I thought Iwobi and Welbeck made a difference, Leno did ok too and Holding had a good game. Unlike his central partner who whilst Holding was making sure we didn’t concede a goal, was stood with his arms aloft pleading for offside instead of making up for the error which I believe he made in the first place. He seriously is a liability in our defence.
A quiet match for a number of our players though. Aubameyang, Ozil, Ramsey especially. Still, we got the job done in the end. Just how long Lady Luck stays with us though is anyone’s guess…
She was certainly with us yesterday evening when the League Cup draw was made. Another home fixture, this one against League One side Blackpool. Still, it’ll be another tough one I’m sure.
Have a good Sunday guys, it’s singles day today and the Russian GP. Enjoy….
Now Rico, labelling Ramsey not a team player is fine, but a few days after saying you loved Alexis, one of the most selfish footballers ever to wear the shirt 🙂 🙂
Aaron is on the outer and partly due to his poor form, but probably more to do with this ridiculous contract situation.
If he wants more money, from us or another club, he ain’t showing he’s worth it!!!
Whoever is advising him is an absolute moron!!
100k a week that he was already on is now at risk because someone told him he’s worth more?
His current form has him at 40-50-still a ridiculous sum for any player, but we are speaking in relative terms.
Unless he pulls his head in, pisses his agent off and just starts playing the damn game, he will fade away to a mid table club, on less money than he currently earns and what a waste of his talent!!
Still, he, and his “help”, have made his bed…..
Leno did a fine job but the circumstances under which he got his gig are not great, as Cech was finding form.
Cleaning Sean’s suitcase out and I found his ticket to the Bayer Leverkusen v Düsseldorf game.
8 Euros was the price.
Yep, 8.
Hahahahahaha
Watching the replay just now and the commentator asked his colleague is it reasonable to think that Arsenal can with the League?
Bloody hell.
Now, a top 4 finish is extremely possible, imo, but can I have what he’s smoking lol
So it’s Blackpool another chance for the fringe players , they need it and the club needs it , lets hope we get through and they get another run out.
Deeney ??? “”Sorry ref I got there as quick as I could “” anyone that’s played knows he left his leg in if not to injure but to try for a reaction . It was a two way street injure him off or else red card and he goes either way . Luckily it didn’t work.
Taylor however was Taylor . We made 11 fouls they made 17 we got 2 bookings as did they and how Will Hughes didn’t get one for repetitive fouling is a mystery.
As for Ramsey he has his choices , he either sucks it up realises that he is earning well and take a reasonable contract or leave . If his agents are trying to compare his salary with that of Ozil , I am afraid that ship has sailed . The people that were blackmailed after Alexis went have gone too and the new regime is staring to show the future as they are being more pragmatic in their dealings. I believe that we will pay well but we will not break the bank again to acquire a player Europa league is the practical target 4th place and Champion’s league a bonus.
Just a thought though , how about Sokratis and Holding as a pair. ?
Still onwards and hopefully upwards Carrier Bags Thursday , early kick off , the saga continues.
I’m sure I was critical of Alexis at the time Scott when he sulked after being subbed. Lol
Sokratis and you Potter would be better than Mustafi. Lol
Spot on re Deeney, nasty and dirty player.
I know, Rico 🙂
I do wonder if any players today are playing for the shirt.
It’s sad but then, money will do that.
Good morning all.
A nice win if predictable, at least by The Telegraph’s nerd. He looked at all the stats and came to the conclusion that neither side would come sprinting out of the blocks. Further, the second half would be much livelier than the first and late goals would decide the winner.
Have we seen the last of Ramsey? His reaction to being hooked off was telling, he barely acknowledged his replacement Iwobi and ignored Unai Emery completely and then sat shaking his head on the bench.
One report this morning suggests that the total wage bill was the reason to withdraw the new contract offer. That in itself suggests the club didn’t see sufficient reason to further increase it’s offer.
With the resurgence of Iwobi, I see no reason why we would retain an obviously dissatisfied Ramsey and, if the Nigerian can sustain his improvement, no reason to pay for a replacement either.
Carrierbags next eh? Plastic ones are banned and the paper variety fall apart in the rain, let’s hope for a wet Thursday night in North London. 😀
Cicero,
I reckon Emery has decided to keep Ozil, so it’s the end of Ramsey.
Two attacking guys who both play best when central, and both on large salaries.
Ramsey is being linked with Liverpool, apparently.
Hi
All the Watford players were mean and dirty, Deeney was just the worst. I was really pleased with our attitude under that sort of pressure – Rico was right about Tererra’s reaction, there were lots of others. Under Wenger we would have folded, started moaning to the ref non-stop, and finally kicking back, getting someone sent off and losing by a pen. I can still hear some of his excuses now. Instead we absorbed it, waited until they ran out of steam and punished them with great substitutions.
I’m glad Laca didn’t go down for the penalty incident, we already have a player who goes down too easily and that’s with no-one near him. I’m surprised he hasn’t had a yellow card for the repeated offence of tripping himself!
Brian
I noticed that too re Ramsey, snubbing the manager is not the best way to get picked for the next match, and not nice for Iwobi either.
We’re away on Thursday Cicero… lol
And Chelsea, Utd Scott. I think Juventus are interested too..
Perhaps we could swap Ramsey for Martial or Rashford..
Rico, I reckon it’ll be Joe Say that Utd are offering us hahahahaha
Trouble is Brian and I know it’s not right but this bunch of useless officials don’t seem to give a penalty when a player stays on his feet. Certainly when it’s our players. I think it’s three now and that’s just in the last couple of fixtures.
Can’t think who you’re referring to…. lol
He can’t last much longer Scott, if what’s in the press is true, it’s a mess at Utd..
I hope he stays for the duration of his contract, Rico, but I doubt it lol
Poor little bugger 🙂
I would think he’s dragged Utd through the mud too often already Scott. He’s got to be very close to getting the sack..
I honestly couldn’t believed they signed him, Rico.
He’d already burned too many bridges and left club after club in strife for such a massive club with their history to take the chance.
Best move they’ve made in decades though, at the same time lol
Morning all, good report Rico. Ryder Cup is my sporting event of every two years. Recorded 7-7pm and watched all with a little fast forwarding! Engrossing stuff and golfers are the most sporting of sportsman imo. Fleetwood and Molinari, what stars, and nice people without egos.
Agree, results are what matters at moment, but Arsenal really do need more cohesion soon.
I’d have Sanchez back in a flash. Selfish?!!
Player of last five years who would put more effort in than any other, with aim to win matches. Up there with our best players in my 55 years of watching Arsenal. Ok, not quite Armstrong or Henry or Bergkamp. But in next bracket. Sicily decision going to play for Mourinho, he must regret every day, don’t believe it’s all about money, he was so happy for many years at Arsenal. But he had to leave Wenger-Arsenal if he ever wanted to win more than a cup again.
Okay Rico a wet Thursday night in Agdam. 😉
Andrew, I doubt many, if any of his teammates were sad to see him go when he left.
I think One player publicly wished him well, if I remember correctly.
That says it all, imo.
He certainly wouldn’t be my choice Scott.
Thanks Andrew, so would I re Alexis, Wenger was his gripe I’m sure, he might love it under Emery.
Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, love them both. Fleetwood and Molinari have been incredible…
😂 Cicero.
That’s the good thing about the Internet, wankers like Tony Gale can’t peddle their negative spiel without being called out and long may he get the kind of criticism he deserves…
Good post Rico, Europe are on a roll.
Probably because they wouldn’t all buy into the work ethic of Alexis Scott. Too many of ours were happy to jog around the pitch like it was a training session.. imo of course.
Thanks Kev, shocking attitude for a commentator to have. I wonder how much he gets for his biased opinion. He’s just as bad on sky sports news…
Scott, most of those teammates were probably berated for putting in 80-90%
And let’s face it, when a transfer is so drawn out and delayed a transfer window, then obviously many will think if you going, just go. But for me, apart from last few months (when he still contributed more than most), he made Arsenal tick. Nothing personal against Ozil, but so wished it was Sanchez that stayed on an absurd salary rather than O.
Rico, he’s been like it for years, he’s made a career out of snide remarks about Arsenal, he used to love it when we were a soft touch, it allowed him to really pontificate on our failings…
Maybe, Rico, but when a player who has the highest amount of turnovers in a PL season has the audacity to abuse his team mates for a single errant pass, as he did quite often, it doesn’t sit well amongst the squad, surely.
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gunners in residence.
Not Arsenal at their best, but a win none the less. The team seem to be slowly adjusting to Unai’s system. They were playing a more fluid and less disjointed game. The introduction of Iwobi and Welbeck made them more direct.
Potter – I too think that Holding should be given preference over Mustafi. He is much more composed on the ball. Mustafi has cost us goals with his impulsive pushing, pulling and barging into players in dangerous positions, he did it again today. Fortunately, Watford didn’t manage to capitalize on his mistake.
Andrew, fair enough, but I was rapt to see the back of him lol
Rico, maybe, but again, he’d happily abuse team mates for errors, whilst making more than anyone in the League.
I can’t see any justification in it, personally.
On Ozil, it’ll be interesting to see how he plays now with hard working midfielders around him.
I’m hoping it brings the best out in him.
Ramsey is a good player, but not as good as he seems to think he is and certainly not worth the money he seems to be asking for. He doesn’t fit well into Unai’s system of play. When he and Ozil both start, that pushes Ozil out to the wing where he is less effective.
The major loss, if he leaves at the end of his contract, is the loss of a transfer fee. In the meantime he is doing the club no favours with his below par play so far this season. He is also not doing a good job of putting himself in the shop window to attract offers from new employers. He should look at Oxlade-Chamberlain and especially the dejected looking Sanchez at Old Toilet. The grass isn’t always greener elsewhere. However, other than the lack of a transfer fee, I wont consider him a great loss. We appear to have a number of Young Gunners capable, eager and willing to replace him.
Scott, hope same as you re Ozil. To play so many games for a winning Germany speaks for itself. But I’m not sure we can build a team around him like he needs. And if Ramsey’s wages are a problem, paying Ozil so much has caused much more of a problem.
Doesn’t surprise me you say that Kev. He’s not alone either. We’ll wake up you horrid lot, this Arsenal is slowly but surely on their way to losing their soft label.
Players often get stroppy on the pitch Scott, Alexis no doubt because he was cheesed off with others being so sloppy- yes, he might have lost the ball a few times but I’d love to see where other players were stood when he did..
Morning Cg. Well I hope?
That’s true, Andrew but I’ve a feeling Emery has decided we can’t play with Ozil and Ramsey, and it’s obviousky easier to let Ramsey to at this point in time.
Rico, Alexis would lose it when taking on too many players rather than pass it, or pass it straight to an opponent.
A guy copping 300k a week can’t be setting the benchmark for errors in the league.
CG, we really do seem to have some top kids coming through.
Maybe project youth will finally bear some fruit 🙂
Tony Gayle’s comments on the Torreira/Deeney incident left me scratching head. How did Torreira deserve a card for simulation when, as Potter said, Deeney was obviously trying to injure Torreira os goad him into a violent reaction.
With so many well spoken, insightful and relatively unbiased ex-players available to colour commentate; why do the networks continue to drag out dinosaurs from the obviously biased and/or Stoke RFC school of play?
Scott/CG, the group of young players coming through our Academy have a golden opportunity, maybe the best in years, to cement a long career at Arsenal if they can step up to the required level, because if you look at the age of most of our big players currently in the 1st team,
Arsenal are going to have to go through a big rebuilding job over the next 3 years.
That’s not withstanding the players that Emery can’t fit into his model, who he’lol have to move on anyway.
So Guendouzi, Torrieira, AMN, ESR, Holding, Chambers (?), Nketiah, Nelson, Willock even, have a big chance to secure regular football at the Emirates, especially with the limited funds that Enos will make available, or can make available due to FFP.
Scott – Yes, I think Project Youth is about to pay off in a big way, with some very talented players who could/should be with us for many years. Thanks Arsene!
Any prospects of rain this spring in NSW?
Rico – Fair to muddling.
CG, the drought continues bud.
All this rubbish about climate change is just that.
We’ve had droughts here forever and a day.
Doesn’t help our farmers, but it will turn at some point.
Project youth was always going to take time, and let’s hope it continues to at least supply quality kids.
The onus is on them now to go on with the job.
Kev, it’s be great to see an era of Arsenal kids coming through as hopefully the love of the club keeps them grounded when it comes to contract negotiations.
I don’t mean they should be Underpaid, but don’t want to see players with over inflated opinions of themselves.
Kev – Great to hear you you say that as I know you follow the Academy and U23 players fairly closely.
I was impressed with the youngsters that started/played in the League Cup game. Certainly much better than ManUre’s (Salford United) against Division 1 competition. It seems to be deja vu all over again for the Petulant Portuguese Pygmy and his Third Year Syndrome. Who is the Master of Failure now? Jose is like one those rodents in the Whack a Mole game, he’ll pop up again out of another hole.
12:17 Cg, I couldn’t agree more.
Kev. For once too, there’s belief in these younger players because the attitude within the club has changed. Out have gone the dinosaurs and in their place is new, younger, and highly likely, more hungry coaches.
Best time for years to be an academy player I’d have thought.
Blackpool should be an interesting match CG/Scott, the Tangerines are in League One, having lost only 1 game from 10 played in the league, so they aren’t a pub team but they’re not in the same class as Brentford, so Emery might feel able to use a few more youngsters in this game.
Kev, the more experience the kids get, the better.
Test them out!!
That’s right Rico, with less emphasis on tiki taka we might see youngsters coming through with a stronger mentality and more physicality in their game.
No more of a soft touch.
Iwobi looked to be going nowhere and now he’s suddenly a beast, charging through the midfield like a Nigerian Michael Thomas. All he needs is some goals.
Rico, after seeing Per in action as a coach when the club were in Sydney last year, I’m convinced he is made for the job.
He was absolutely brilliant with the kids.
If we have more with his passion and enthusiasm, we are in good hands.
Afternoon all and another great post Rico.
Dont get me wrong peeps, I`ll take lucky wins to the end of the season for the Quintuple, even if it means being labeled the worst team ever to win the quintuple……………….also the first to win it ! hahaha
Alexis !……………….I`d take him back in a heart beat as someione who would excell in a pressing team, not that I can see much of this so called pressing game !……………………anyway, being cynical, would he really like to lose his what is it £4-500K per week !
https://twitter.com/jp_AFC/status/1046111499113168896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.givemesport.com%2F1396737-mesut-ozil-shocks-arsenal-fans-with-his-actions-in-injurytime-vs-watford
Lazy bastard ! 😆
Personally I think we will get a Carabeo Cup record scoring win against Blackpool Illuminations !
I have been thinking on the same lines as Canadian Gooner, there are too many dinosaurs commentating on games spout 1950 attitudes resembling, ‘In my day tackles like that would break your leg and we’d just get a cold spong and get on with it’.
Being from the East End , Dick, I remember playing the rest of a game on two life support machines after being decapitated by a scything tackle !
That’s how it should have been for the other younger players we’ve had Kev, right back to Denilson.. Imo.
Thanks Lc.
I do not understand the rush for Ramsey to leave. I see, and I do not understand how much money Ramsey is paid. Ramsey is 28 years old and has a history of injury. He has 10 years of Arsenal, plays regularly and relaunch his career in another team with visibility superior to that of Arsenal should be very difficult. On the other hand, he can still give something to Arsenal, who was the one who relaunched it to the limelight and to be a predominant figure in their selection. Time goes by and the performances do not hold.
As for Ozil, he’s 30 years old and his times are gone. It seems to me that he taste and motivation to play football has been lost. It is, in my opinion, a very expensive player and its cost-effectiveness is unfavorable in Arsenal’s favor.
Which one of the two should come out? For me, Ozil.
Iwobi is an interesting player but I have said and written here several times that Iwobi and Ozil can not play at the same time. And I explained briefly: both have a preference for playing on the left side; both intend to take the initiative of game; both do not like to defend. To look at opponents is not to defend; play the two, cancel each other. Yesterday, forced Torreira to do the work of two players and in my opinion, ended up going well when we were lost in the games and Watford over. As you play and as you are forced to play, Torreira will have (and hopefully only like that) a yellow in each game.
I already wrote here. Look out for Bruno Fernandes (Sporting). He played alongside Torreira in Sampdoria. It could be a hypothesis but it is not enough. Another one is that blond player who played Manchester United last night but is a midfield player; another is the West Ham Brazilian who came from Lázio.
We need another central defense and more.
Lemo still manages to play worse with his feet than Cesh ….
Jm, if I had my way both Ramsey and Ozil would be sold. Neither are lighting up the league..
J M, we could all list half a dozen players we think would improve our squad, but four questions need answering. 1) Would they want to come to Arsenal? 2) Could we afford their, wages and transfer fees. 3) Who would we have to sell to make way for them? 4) Would they be available anyway?
Rico as I said earlier, we wouldn’t miss Ramsey if he went and if Iwobi can maintain his present form we wouldn’t have to sign a replacement. Ozil is a different kettle of fish entirely.
The problem with Ozil is that we can’t sell him, or even give him away without his agreement, and after his huge pay rise why should he agree?
Perhaps we could loan him to a Turkish club and still pay most of his wages, but again it would have to be with his agreement.
If I were him, I would stay.
Brian
Cicero, I think players would come to Arsenal, especially now. We an afford them too imo, not the £60m plus players but certainly some really really good players.
There’s Emile Smith-Rowe too, I think he’ll be a great midfield player.
Rico, we are already seeing an increase in competition for starting positions, good players are not able to get the starts they are worthy of, Elneny, Guendouzi, Lichtsteiner and until yesterday Leno, as well as E S-R. I don’t think we should look beyond a central defender in the January window, unless a real bargain begs us to sign him.
There’s still Kolasinac and Maitland-Niles to come back oh, and don’t forget Jenkinson.
I agree re January Cicero, central defender is a must I’d have thought.
Jenkinson 🤣🤣
But then you never know I guess.
Please dont call the medics, but at one stage I thought Jenkinson with his athletism would make a decent CB and I`d be surprised if he was worse than Mustafi.
If anyone was wondering how ridiculous Tony Gale was according to Rico, then watch the clip on this link………….an unbelievable cupid stunt opinion !
http://www.thickaccent.com/2018/09/30/video-tony-gale-blaming-torreira-for-deeneys-foul-in-one-of-the-most-bizarre-pieces-of-commentary-every-heard-during-arsenal-v-watford/
Morning all.
Forget selling Ozil, imo.
His wage will out an end to that unless China want him.
Ozil will stay until he gets a better offer , which probably means a trip to Turkey at the contract renewal stage. No german team will touch him and no-one else will pay him what his agent screwed from the Wenger/Gazidis axis as they tried to save face as the disenchantment rose.
Jenkinson though is an interesting case , he was seen good enough to get an international call up and then came under the spell of the great Arsenal defensive system , got injured then loaned and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Who knows what a few months of proper coaching might revive , Perhaps if Bould can’t do it a few special lessons with Mertesacker might do the trick .
I always like Jenkinson, perhaps much of that was down to him being an Arsenal man through and through and we don’t have many of those. The more he played the better he got I thought but you’re right Potter, learning how improve on defending was never going to happen under Wenger. Good idea re Merts, if anyone can help him, I’d have thought he could. Bramall is another perhaps.
Anyway, a new post is up now.