Morning all.
Man City were knocked out of the League Cup last night, the competition they’ve won for the last four years. It took penalties for West Ham to beat them, just as it did Leicester City to get past Brighton at the King Power Stadium. Brendan Rogers made ten changes to the team which last turned out in the League. No surprise. Toots, Liverpool and Brentford all progressed too.
But back to our victory over Leeds and the way certain players performed. AMN, the man who wanted to leave in the summer because he felt unwanted. Understandable I think because his playing time had been restricted. Considering I’ve read many times around the blog world that Mikel Arteta is a bad manager of players, he clearly sat down for a chat with AMN and as a result, the player stayed. And he’s playing. Admittedly he’s not starting League games but he’s often finishing them but in the League Cup, he’s played more. His performance against Leeds was probably the best he’s played in his favoured midfield position. His speed, energy and awareness has improved greatly. I hope Mikel Arteta sticks with him for the quarter-final regardless of who we draw because as the year turns, he’ll be needed.
Bernd Leno. What a strong performance from him on Tuesday night. He kept us in the game during the first half and his distribution was much improved I thought. That’s the way to play when you want your place back in the first team.
Rob Holding. Much much better on the ball as proved when he suddenly thought he was a midfielder turned striker. He looked stronger and as odd as this mind sound, just better at everything he did and he wasn’t that bad before.
Eddie Nketiah. His goal ratio in this competition is excellent and like many Arsenal fans I’m sure, I think wherever he ends up, he’ll score goals for fun. He’s bulked up, doesn’t get beaten on the ball as much and his awareness is very good. I really hope he wants to stay at the club and tells his agent to make it happen.
Calum Chambers changed the game but not because of his defensive abilities. If Mikel Arteta needs someone to score goals, stick Chambers up front. I jest of course.
Mo Elneny and Sead Kolasinac didn’t disappoint. Nothing fancy, just did their job. Kolasinac did his rather well I thought and when he’s in that mood he’s good to watch.
Gabriel Martinelli struggled to stamp his mark on the game and looks a shadow of the player we saw when he first arrived. Whether that’s down to the lack of playing time or being low in confidence I’ve no idea but we know he’s a very good player because we’ve seen it. It’s difficult for him I guess because he needs playing time but if he struggles when he gets it, his opportunities are likely to remain limited. However, with Pepe and Aubameyang both disappearing after Christmas, his time will come I’m sure. As will Eddie Nketiah’s if he’s still at the club.
Seeing the so called second string of players come into the team and perform well is a huge positive for the club and of course Mikel Arteta because at some stage of the season, they’re all likely to be needed so to see their attitude and level of commitment so high when they do play is so good.
What I especially loved seeing against Leeds was the way Calum Chambers celebrated with the staff in the dugout. From the outside looking in, it seems that Arsenal are in a good place as far as togetherness goes. The players, or at least most of them are back playing with a smile and look as they’re enjoying themselves the pitch. Happy players equals better performances, better performances equals better results.
See you in the comments.
Morning Rico
My thoughts almost exactly.
Leicester be a good test, in good patch of form themselves. Snuff out Teilemans in middle and we should beat them.
Leno v Rambo II . A twelve rounder slugfest
Morning Rico, a nice upbeat post and very welcome, yes I thought that, despite the best efforts of the online naysayer trolls there is an obvious togetherness among the squad with all the key members of the squad buying into the project.
Dr Sogut must be so gutted.
Morning Kev, Ferk.
I try and drop one in every now and again Kev. 😂
I read NN headlines this morning and the majority are really negative. It’s a shame but then a lot of the negative stuff comes from websites who cover football/news etc rather than Arsenal so that’s probably why.
Yes Rico, I have noticed that and I’m very grateful… 😄
Do football fans prefer a bloodfest or a romcom.
Excuse the massive global generalisation please
Yes Rico, the headlines on Football.London and Just Arsenal (recycled) News is pretty nauseating, but it gives the guys producing that crap and good living.
You can’t always tell who among the youngsters are close to the 1st team by their inclusion in training with the senior players, it often has something to do with the next opponent and what that youngster can bring to the session.
Who knows Ferk, what do you prefer?
Adam has always struck me as a romcom kinda guy.
😂 Kev.
I can’t believe people still get taken in by the headlines Kev.
The Europa League was good for the youngsters and hopefully we’ll be back in it next season.
I like a good murder mystery Ferk which keeps my grey matter working.
A murder mystery Rico, I can well believe that, what about Coronation Street, hows Dirty Den getting on, I’m a bit out of the loop? 😉
Who knows Rico, we might just sneak into the Champions League?
I’m mood driven . Like a good tale , well told, but not averse to a bit of blood n guys thrown in to help the drama.
NN headliners haven’t got our attention for 100 mins so they gotta go full drama , I guess. Sadly they clearly think that there is more clicks from anti Arsenal/ arteta stories ( fairytales quite often) than positive news. Many of our own fan base feed into this . More games like the last 2 , hopefully the axis might start to shift
I’m a coronation street girl Kev, Emmerdale too but haven’t watched EastEnders for year. Den is still floating in the river isn’t he?
We might Kev, who knows how the season will pan out. I worry about the effect the ACON will have on the team though.
I don’t think Arsenal fans feed of the negative headlines. What goes on on the pitch, what people see with their own eyes forms their opinion I’m sure.
Dirty Den 😂😂
Does he write for Football London now?
Rico.
You clearly don’t watch with my brother 🤦♂️
Apparently, Arsenal are interested in Denis Zakaria, Xhaka’s Swiss team mate.
https://twitter.com/cfbayern/status/1453432922489466885?s=20
Which bit Ferk, Eastenders or the Arsenal? 😂
Blimey, I wouldn’t dare watch Eastenders with him
Returning to the Newsnow/ drama analogy, sorry, been a dreamy drive home,… Classic house of Horror? They publish a headline ,that is the door that you KNOW you shouldn’t go through , all creaking and scratching on the other side, but you can’t resist. And there he is , another Swiss cheese coming to the gunners. Any good Rico?
I think he is Ferk, not seen much of him if I’m honest.
Good evening Rico and all
A good post. good read
If one were to look at Arsenal’s last 20 games in all competitions, they have conceded 18 goals and kept 10 clean sheets. Only Liverpool and Chelsea have fared better. At the same time, surprisingly, Man City have conceded 21 times and kept only 8 clean sheets. But maybe the greatest surprise is Manchester United who are rock bottom with 34 conceded and just 1 clean sheet.
Rico
Question is tho, is he a Xhaka upgrade, we’ve already got good Xhaka partners, don’t think we can afford another… despite on a ‘free’, ala Kola. These Bosman players are a big buyers risk with the wages and contracts they’re looking for.
Ferk….Kolasinac was brought by AW, in different times, in different circumstances. and he was brought because he was free.
I do not think that Arteta will be getting players with the same mindset AW had. just remember that AW did not vcare much about defenders…..or goalkeepers for that matter. If he took care of goalkeepers and defence I am sure he would have had at least two more league titles to his name. I am sure that between 2008-2010 he would have had one plus when we finished 2nd behind leicester. if we had a better defence than the one we had I am sure we would have been on 15 league titles.
Devil.
Despite playing slow and square out of the back and conceding soft goals aswell. Arteta has made us a much more secure defensive unit, as a team. If previous carnations had dropped energy / focus levels like we did at Brighton and Paddy’s boys, we’d have lost . No doubt in my mind. The Villa game had better be the blueprint to grow from , or I’m going to be sick licking all this egg off my face.
Evening Devil, thanks.
But what does that tell us really? That we can score enough goals?
He’s an out and out DM I believe Ferk, unlike Partey and Xhaka.
Devil
I’m in full agreement
My Kola example wasn’t wrt Arteta, more to the general numerous links with these so called ‘free transfers’ . They got to fit the profile, the upfront cost is not the price you pay, on many levels.
Despite his playing limitations, and his ongoing costs , I do like watching kola put himself about. Bit of blood n guts ….
Rico
Fair enough then. Worth opening that creaky door then. But do we go down the cellar?
Afternoon Rico and afternoon all, believe in the process, you know it makes sense.
Booster jab today for me, thank you Big Pharma, great to see so many people out yesterday evening enjoying themselves.
I’ve got a week to wait for my booster Kev. My wife got a text from our GP surgery last Friday with an invite to make an appointment which she did for Saturday 6th November. As I hadn’t received an invite by yesterday I called in at the surgery and was given an appointment same time and day as my wife. Half an hour ago I got a text inviting me to make an appointment.
Afternoon Kev, what process? Lol
I have to wait until it’s the turn of 25-30 year olds Cicero. 😜
Yes Cicero, I also got a text, at least we’ll be safe it’s all those whippersnappers like Rico who we’ve gotta watch out for. 😀
Rico, if we win at Leicester do you think you’ll start to believe in the process? 🤔
😂 Kev.
I’m a firm believer now Kev… lol
I think you jest Rico 😄
Not a trace of doubt in her mind.
Boosters tomorrow .
I have my booster scheduled for the 6th of Nov, at the local agricultural college. Do you think they’re trying to tell me something?
Moi Kev?
Absolutely Potter, not a trace…
Make sure you wear you green wellington boots Wavy.
It’s a walk in the park…
……..poo…….Kev🤮
Three hours to kick-off.
Good morning all.
good morning all!
Morning all , just had my booster nd back to read that Arsenal players are dropping like flies to a mystery stomach bug. So we are 3/4 hour to find out who is still standing . Seems use of substitutions is going to be important if electrolyte levels are low.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Castagne, Amartey, Evans, Soyuncu, Thomas, Tielemans, Soumare, Maddison, Iheanacho, Vardy
Subs: Ward, Bertrand, Vestergaard, Ndidi, Choudhury, Dewsbury-Hall, Lookman, Barnes, Daka
Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tavares, Partey, Lokonga, Smith Rowe, Saka, Lacazette, Aubameyang
Subs: Leno, Holding, Cedric, Kolasinac, Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Pepe, Odegaard, Martinelli
Apart from Tierney it’s as to be expected , Leicester look to be full strength as well , It should be a tight match .
Morning all.
New post up.