Morning all.
Do you remember the good old days of vinyl? My parents had loads of records, my siblings and I did too but some of the really old one, the 33 1/3 rpm mainly had a scratch here and there. We’d be sat listening, well behaved of course, and the needle would get stuck. Over and over again the same few words of a song would play as the needle refused to budge. We weren’t allowed to interfere so we had to wait until either one of our parents picked up the needle arm and moved it on…
This is how I feel watching Arsenal. The needle is stuck and until that much needed adult steps in to move it, we’re stuck playing the same old game over and over and over again. We score, we concede, game over. In between scoring and conceding, we’re rubbish.
A friend of mine questioned the pride of these players, where is it he said? Good question I thought as I recalled the same question being raised during Arsene Wenger’s final few years.
My answer was this. In my workplace over a six year period in one department, Along with the rest of the team, I had two different bosses. The first was excellent. He knew his stuff, had an open door policy and what was expected of me/us was clear. We all worked hard with good results I have to say and we had fun along the way. He moved upwards and in came someone else. Everything was fine to start with but then little cracks began to appear. Without going into great detail, the cracks began to appear because as changes came, his ability to implement them were non existent. His communication skills were poor, not because of a language barrier or anything similar but because he was a ‘do as I say’ kind of person, an impatient one too as he expected us to understand what was required after the one and only time of telling.
We all muddled through, doing our best but over the months ahead, the happy workplace was no longer. I’m not sure of the timescale but eventuality, even the most conscientious and hard working, no, not me, had pretty much downed tools. Not because we didn’t want to work but because we’d been worn down by someone who didn’t have a clue what he was doing. Eventually, he was gone. Sadly though, many of my workmates had too, mind you, so had I. To a different department with a better manager.
So this is how I see it. Arsene Wenger had 22 years at Arsenal and received much praise for securing a top four spot during most of those years. Early on, it was first or second place but then as football changed, we faded away. He and his players continued to battle hard for a Champions League spot and in the main, bar the odd few, with the same group of players. My opinion is that eventually they got bored, frustrated, disillusioned even. Inner pride will only take you so far I think before you either quit, or down tools.
Unai Emery came in, the inner pride returned as a new beginning injected a bit of hope of something better. I felt that as a fan so the players must have felt like they’d been given a new lease of life. Admittedly, the football was still poor but that’s when inner pride earned the long unbeaten run. We saw a much improved Bellerin, a confident Holding who alongside Mustafi helped us through that good run. Welbeck was in great form in Europa and AMN looked an assured left back. Iwobi suddenly looked a different player too. There were many positives early in the season even when City and Chelsea had beaten us.
Clearly though, behind the scenes and on the training pitch, all was not well and that’s where my experience as described above perhaps kicked in at Arsenal. Remember though, the majority of the players we had back then had been through it before during Arsene Wenger’s final few years so perhaps the realisation kicked in earlier.
Emery had problems with Ramsey, Mikki and Ozil which regardless of how we feel about the players, was bound to have an effect on the squad. The unbeaten run came to an end, the workplace was no longer a happy one despite the photographs of training the official site publish suggesting otherwise and tedium set in.
From being in a position to secure Champions League football with games to spare, we crashed. A second chance in the Europa League Final was well earned yet we crashed again in embarrassing fashion as Unai Emery got it all wrong on the day. We ended up with nothing more than Arsene Wenger had achieved in his final season yet we had a slightly better squad.
New players arrived in the summer, our young players were a year older and as the new season approached, my optimism returned, with a large chunk of caution I hasten to add. Probably similar to when Arsene Wenger signed Alexis Sanchez, I was thrilled with the signing of Pepe.
It was soon clear though that the issue with Mesut Ozil had not been resolved, Aaron Ramsey had gone of course but there was a new problem emerging as Lucas Torreira was the next out of favour player and Mustafi had been cast aside too. No big deal re Mustafi as he’d been struggling for a while but as the defending continued to be a mucking fuddle, Luiz and Sokratis were all at sea. As was the totally disorganised group of players around and ahead of them.
Nothing had changed despite an entire summer of planning and Arsenal started the 2019/20 season in the same vein they’d ended the previous one.
When Arsenal and Arsene Wenger parted company, I’m sure we fans wanted something similar. Not miracles because they don’t occur but something constructive, organised, disciplined, improved. Consistency too.
Well, I’d say we’ve got one of those traits and that’s consistency and I know that regardless of how much I love the club, I’d lose the will to keep giving my all eventually when that consistency is a negative and destructive one.
I fear for Arsenal ahead of Saturday, I really do but if that’s what it takes to bring change, then so be it. The board shouldn’t have let it come to this though. There’s patience and then there’s stupidity and if Raul and co don’t act soon, they’ll fall into the latter category.
By the way, I thought we were dreadful yesterday. Again!
Well Rico, I certainly don’t get bored with your daily articles – a very pertinent vinyl analogy.
Morning everyone.
Look forward to the day when we have a new manager and I can say, Good Morning!
I tuned in on the TV around the 70mins mark, noted the 0-0 scoreline and then watched with horror as we played so negatively,
When we finally scored, (a well-taken goal it was), we mirrored the performances of recent times.
Yes, the weather was chucking it down but where was the enthusiasm to get involved. Weather like that makes it tough on the keeper so where were the shots from our players. Backwards, sideways….same old song!
Thanks Andorra.
I didn’t see much point in repeating how the match went. It’s been the same all season…
WHERE is the “defending”? Yet another example of allowing the opposition to cross the ball from the bye-line, in extra time.
There’s no spirit or fight in the side and Saturday is going to be be an embarrassment.
I’ll watch of course and get very angry with the fact that upper management do not appear to be doing anything about the demise of this once great club.
Your right Rico, repetition, lol
Poor old Arsene-gone for 18 months and still being dragged into the mire lol
Surely, enough time has past for us to see some positive changes, all things being equal.
That is, of course, unless he’s not actually at fault as much as we think.
The common denominator does remains Stan.
We were successful before Stan arrived, but have been on a slow decline since-is that a coincidence?
Arsene copped the bulk of the blame, but the issues have worsened since he left, yet Stan remains…….he’s a genius at avoiding criticism.
Arteta, apparently, missed the replacement gig because he wanted complete control of transfers.
Hiring him would have cost Stan.
Emery was rapt with our squad at the time, had a dossier on every player so was the perfect manager for an owner not wanting to spend.
We are watching that brilliant choice fall to pieces.
Settling for mediocrity and expecting miracles is lunacy.
Then again, I’m sure the share prices are still going up so maybe it’s genius.
Unless, of course, you’re a supporter.
Morning all.
It’s boring Andorra.
If you read it again Scott, you’ll see the Wenger bit was a positive…
I wondered how long it would take before Stan Kroenke was blamed for what’s going on.
Best squad in years yet Kroenke is responsible for the way we are failing. Hmmmmmmm
The only thing that I took from last night was after they scored we just panicked and could easily have let in a couple more.
It emphasised the lack of discipline , and the way that Guimaraes got the space to play in that 5 minutes was criminal.
We are totally disorganised with no leadership on or off the pitch . If I was buying in January to rectify , I would not be looking for another superstar but a James Milner type with bags of experience to knit things together because even if we get a new manager we still need an influence on the pitch.
Rico, I must have missed the positivity lol
Seems the club are going for the younger players though Potter, with the future in mind. Hope they have a manager in mind who will improve/organise them too.
Good morning all and well done Rico another very good post thank you.
Whatever the failings of the present regime, surely nobody is suggesting that sacking Wenger was the wrong thing to do.
I think Martin Keown was right last night in suggesting that as we are so bad at defending, the only way forward, literally, is to attack all out. If we can’t stop the opposition scoring we just have to outscore them.
We managed one shot on target last night and failed to create more than a handful of chances with “create” being the operative word. to give us that creativity we need Ozil in the number ten slot, working behind Aubameyang and Lacazette with perhaps Pepe in support on the left. Saka needs time and our present situation does not allow that time and much as I like his attitude he needs to sit the next match out.
Thanks Rico, Morning Everyone !
Your post is spot on I think Rico, my feelings exactly.
Andorra , The non existent defending and in the last minute AGAIN allowing a cross into the box AGAIN. AGAIN. AGAIN!
And the lack of fight is even more frustrating. Pepe and Saka must be 2 of the weediest people in the league. They pretend to track back (sometimes) but won’t even attempt to get the ball. You might as well have a dog poo to swerve around as those two defending.
To be fair , Mustafi did his best and Martinelli ran himself to death.
I watch most other teams, especially the youngsters and they are throwing themselves in front of the ball and busting a gut to make a tackle for the team, at all levels. But apart from Martinelli the Arsenal lads look like it’s too good for them, especially when they lose the ball and throw their hands in the air or fall on the floor.
We need to get some gumption and pride back into the team SOON.
Morning all.
Thanks Rico. That post has reminded me why I was happy to give up the day job and concentrate on the satisfaction of being able to please myself and not have the sword of Damocles approaching around the next corridor corner, (at the end of my career).
In a happy, successful workplace with willing, able and talented workmates our institution was a vibrant place. Change of leader, change of regime, change of atmosphere. Change, very quickly of personnel. The good guys including myself didn’t hang around. We were a ‘team’ a very able, committed and fruitful unit. It didn’t take much to knock us off course, a few derogatory remarks here, a few snide criticisms of the former regime ther and, we all knew we were in for a rough ride. The team spirit, once so strong went very quickly. And so did we. Some years on and the place is just ticking along, rather unhappily, I’m given to understand.
The arsenal I think is in a similar place now to what I left behind. We know Wenger was an arm round every player, until they fell out with him eg Walcott, Gilberto and Edu. Etc. Not so this manager, he is distant and aloof. A them and us relationship. He has been to rally unable to get his team to become cohesive. His treatment of Ozil is typical of his management style and regime. How can you ditch your most talented player and then expect the ‘team’ to respond positively without him? Kozza was another in whom he had an issue with! I suspect Koz, like myself made up hi s mind very early that the new guy was a bundle of crap and he was off…what had he got to lose? And he went! Acrimoniously. A proper cock up. Totally mishandled by one and all. Was there a message there? Of course there was and it’s knock on from that stand off paved the way for the coach losing his influence in the dressing room, imo
Last night was a repeat of saturdays performance, just with a change of cast. I was looking forward to the game because I think the Europa team is better than the League team. There’s more spirit, more team work and more enjoyment, or at least there has been so far, till last night. Whatever is going on behind the scenes is enormously damaging. We all expect to see some progress, some vision, some coherence. There is none, if anything our ‘team work’ is going backwards, (both literally and metaphorically).
I’m looking forward to the game on Saturday. If we play to our potential we should beat the foxes quite comfortably. However, we won’t,, we’ll play drab, crab football, be outpaced and punished at the back and take a pasting! If the latter is the case I feel little Dick should be shown the door. I for one one mourn his passing. But will look forward to a new coach who has the ability to weave our highly talented squad into a well motivated and successful team again.
The door is open😊
And one last thing.
I was really amazed the we managed to wrestle a draw from the jaws of victory. So, so satisfying. Lol……
Yet again!
Gumption there’s a product that has completely disappeared.
It was an abrasive compound with a cutting edge. And yes that’s a fair description of what we lack .
I appreciate the desire to get young players in to protect their resale value but without the guy using experience to organise them they will go the way of all the other prospects to Orient , Brentford or Charlton.
Afternoon Rico, everyone,
I really enjoyed the workplace analogy,we can all relate to that.Arsenal have their very own open door policy, it’s when our central defenders and midfield part like the red sea.Its been the same for most of the last 10 years too, unbelievable.
As for vinyl records, the old ones were 78s surely ? My dad still had some of those when I was young.
I saw last night’s game,a new low,we were so dire.If the feared shellacking takes place at the King Power on
Saturday,things could get even worse.
Brendan Rodgers would be great at Arsenal too.
COYG
Hi Potter, I like your idea about getting a James Milner type player. A midfield general if you like. Nothing fancy, just solid and organised.
I hoped Xhaka would be that player but it wasn’t to be.
As you say, there is nobody organising on or off the pitch ( apart from a Spanish mad man waving his arms around on the touch line)
It is interesting that the same issues Emery is having at Arsenal, he had them at PSG. This the man who wanted to replace Brazil captain and regular UEFA Team of the Year member, Thiago Silva not only as a captain but relegate him to the bench, decided that Areola is his number 1 even though he was awful, sound familiar see Xhaka, didn’t played Pastore or Veratti and wanted to replace Motta with Nkunku, very questionable decisions.
His stubbornness is legendary. It is well documented that PSG did not renewal his contract and was let ago with a year left because the lockeroom was divided and there was about to be a players revolt.
Afternoon Rico. Interesting post.
Seems to me that football at PL level has changed. Partly due to the money of course but also because of the level of coaching, sports science and tactical awareness. It’s no surprise that the really astute coaches are forever evolving and reinventing themselves. Pep has shown the way and Klopp has followed. They can see what is happening and have followed their instincts. Rodgers and Espiritu Santo are very good too. They make rational decisions, based on the evidence of their eyes and their experience of the game and the psychological make up of their players. If you see their teams exposed during the first half, they will compensate in the second and probably go on to win the game. Wenger was like that too but something happened and that something was the passing of time and the advent of new tactics and ideas that made him seem almost historic in his ways.
Emery just doesn’t see things that way it seems. He makes mistakes with selection, tactics, substitutions and plays people out of position on a weekly basis. He decided to take the you-or-me route with Ozil when he should probably have extended some sort of understanding and even tried to work more closely with him. The result has been catastrophic. Playing Torreira and others out of position too has been a real negative. But it hasn’t stopped there because he has continued to do it game by game. His handling of the team against Wolves seemed to be the very apex of his stubbornness and when he came out with the fact that he thought his tactics were successful I’m sure a lot of us doubted our ears. Twenty-five shots against us was it? At home, to Wolves? Successful tactics?
Last night we began our race to the very bottom in what was one of the worst displays I have ever seen from an Arsenal team. It was utterly horrible. If a manager’s job includes team motivation then Unai is an unmitigated disaster. A single shot on goal? Is that good or even adequate management? Has it even occurred to him that our results are a direct reflection of his lack of suitability for the Arsenal job? I doubt it. But he has become stroppy with it. I am sure he feels hard done by in the press and he can’t fail to have noticed that his support has ebbed away where the fans are concerned, so he’s digging in.
Any football club is only as good as it’s management and I had hoped that those above Emery would have seen the writing on the wall by now. But, with every passing day, it seems that they might even be prepared to let him go down with the ship. If they do, then next season we will have to start again. As others have said, we will lose players and have little income to buy new ones.
At this moment in time it’s looking pretty bleak.
But I still have hopes that Josh, Raul and Edu are going to make the changes we so obviously need.
Arsenal need to make that statement that they “have every confidence in their team manager”.
It’s usually the death knell, the pulling of the plug and hopefully he will be gone.
Good point about Milner, Mike – does anyone know of a James Milner equivalent out there who might be the glue to hold this team together?
We are going to get caned Wavy.
Man Utd 8 -2 in August 2011……………..Leicester ?
Folks, Just another little moan (WHAT ANOTHER ONE).
Did anybody else think that AMN wearing his big gold chain was really unprofessional ?
Did he think it was ok?
Just shows the lack of discipline at the club now.
Confirms that Ramsey did want to stay and the club did pull the contract.
https://www.justarsenal.com/arsene-wenger-reveals-how-arsenal-mishandled-the-aaron-ramsey-contract-negotiations/227900
Mike, one would have thought that some teammate or member of staff should have seen it and told him to take it off. Don’t the ref and his mates check players for studs, rings and necklaces before they enter the field of play?
Scott, we know the club offered Ramsey a new contract, Ramsey didn’t sign it, the club withdrew it, Ramsey left. why eep picking at the same old scab?
Afternoon guys. Thanks re the comments on the post.
What’s their to add which hasn’t been said over the last couple of months. Emery’s press conferences are becoming as comical as his team selection, tactics and devious in general. I’m really fed up with him…
Wenger said he tried many times to renew Ramsey’ contract. If he wanted to stay so much, why didn’t he sign it long before Wenger left?
Wavy, with the players we have, we should certainly be putting up a good fight on Saturday but as you say, we won’t because the Spanish tinker man will make it easy or Leicester.
Rico, Cicero I’m with you re Ramsey. If he really wanted to stay he would have.
Cicero you’re probably right regarding AMNs necklace. I think I have a downer on everyone at the moment, especially the youngsters for not putting a proper shift in.
Didn’t Wenger also say Ramsey had his head turned Mike? Imo, he’s no different to any other player who jumped ship for more money.
I think it’s as simple as that Rico. He had an offer, It wasn’t as good as he wanted , so he left.
Agree Mike.
He’s history now, just like the rest…
Excellant post Rico.
As pre usual I`m with Scott on the Kroenke thing and Ramsey`s contract……………..the club ( for whatever reason) pulled the contract.
Anyway, what`s inevitable is that Emery will be gone very soon. Think Adam suggested or said it………………..can anyone see where the next big performance is coming from ?………………..as it aint been coming for a long time !………
We are the classic…..” Great team on paper, but footballs played on the pitch ” cliche.
The fact from yesterday was that we completed 520 of 589 passes and only one….yes one….. was in the 18 yard area !………..that was the goal !………………………not one in the six yard area !
Cant wait for Saturday, it`s a win win situation, always happy with a win, but the prize for another inept performance and loss is more exciting than a win !………………cant believe I`m saying it, but that`s my gut feelings, doesn`t make me a bad fan , but one who wants the best for our club and just like tough love for childrens discilpine or being cruel to be kind etc etc a loss will be best for the future if it results in Emery`s sacking !………………….and it`s come to this because I as a supporter have to think outside the box because our 3 muskamuppets of Josh, Raul and Apu lookalike from The Simpsons are dragging their feet !
Thanks Lc.
I too think his departure is inevitable and I still think he’ll go if we lose heavily at Leicester.
I am the only one here that thinks Arsenal will beat Leicester City. Unai just has to select the right players. A 443 lineup with the right players wins the game.
You mean like last season?
Yes Obi ……………not only the only one on here, but the only one in The Gooner Galaxy !…………………….but then again you did worship Sanogo so allowances are being made !
😆
Gee some people twist and turn things to suit lol
Better than admitting to being wrong I guess
Obi, I admire your optimism. Even if he selects the right players , they will probably play in the wrong positions.
Not liking what I’m hearing about Torreira wanting out. Lets see where this goes.
https://twitter.com/LUPE41678476/status/1192338746001281024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1192338746001281024&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthisisfutbol.com%2F2019%2F11%2Fblogs%2Fpremier-league%2Farsenal-fans-bemoan-lack-of-creativity-after-image-on-twitter-emerges%2F
Like who Scott?
I’m hoping that’s media garbage Mike.
Yeah, Hopefully Italian crap media Rico. Still quietly concerned to be honest.
Well he must wonder what his future holds under Emery Mike..
January comes Torreira leaves and Emery gets his 6 footer a reprieve until the season ends
If Emery lasts that long which I doubt..
I don’t see our board suddenly getting proactive and it doesn’t fit with the Kroenke‘s wait and see policy
Hi Scott, I don’t know about twisting things to suit,
People see things different ways. I probably simplify things too much, but that’s because I’m of exceptionally low intelligence(that’s what my wife tells me!)
But I am wrong most of the time too. lol
We don’t really know what goes on in these player negotiations, but I bet the agents make it a lot harder than it needs to be.
I intended to do this earlier, have a look at the cartoon on the comment page (18) of today’s Telegraph. Hilarious!
You will have to explain as I don’t buy newspapers
Go on line, how do you explain a cartoon? 😉
Mike, Ramsey publicly stated the deal had been agreed upon, and the club pulled out with no warning and no explanation.
Now, I can’t say whether or not that’s exactly what happened as I obviously wasn’t party to negotiations, but the club never said a word to deny it and these comments from Wenger certainly add weight to his version, and to question this version is just stubbornness with nothing to support anything to the contrary.
Plenty of fans said Ramsey never wanted to stay based on no evidence or facts whatsoever and he’s the bad guy, in their opinion.
The club treated him disgracefully, imo.
If they’d decided not to keep him and told him why then fine, but this was a total lack of respect towards a long term and loyal player.
Player agents are the bottom of the barrel in sports, no question at all.
I’m married too, mate, so I’m a dumb arse as well Hahahahahaha
I think that we have to agree about agents,
Succesful footballers are an elite group of cosseted young people that have been protected from the real world since they were at primary school age. I do not believe that they actually appreciate the difference in £100k a week and £150 k . Their agent runs their finances and if he says you are worth this , they take it as read..
Ramsey was one of the lads , the group , he was happy with his mates they laughed and joked at training , why would he want to go ? In all fairness he probably didn’t until the agent drove a wedge between him and the club .
The reports suggest that his agent wanted a deal and the club tabled a lower one which when it was refused was withdrawn . I don’t particularly blame Ramsey , I believe that he was led down a street and once he was so far down it there was no turning and going back.
Still it’s now water under the bridge , he has moved on and the club is stuck in it’s inimitable rut.
Potter, I don’t remember ever reading a positive comment about a player agent lol
New post up now
Ramsey who? Lol