Morning all.
Another away game with a less than convincing performance but unlike others since November, we won this one. Had we previously played better on the road we might not be scrapping around for points in desperation for a top four spot. I’m not sure we’re worthy of place in the Champions League next season in any case as based on what we’re seeing from this Arsenal team right now, I doubt we’d make it through a qualifying match let alone a group. BATE Borisov might be a tough nut to crack on Thursday that’s for sure but winning that European competition is likely to be the way back into the big time, or should I say big money. After all, that’s all the Champions League has ever really been for Arsenal. A cash cow.
When Lacazette scored our second after Iwobi had rather fortuitously given us the lead, the delight on Emery’s face was clear. He’d already intimidated that one of Chelsea and Man Utd were favourites for the prestigious fourth spot but perhaps that’s just him trying to take some pressure off the players. Players who the Spaniard was keen to praise after yesterday’s victory. They worked hard he said. In the second half they needed too.
“This victory is very important and gives us confidence in our target of reaching the top four,” said Emery. “After 26 matches we are one point behind Manchester United. The top-four is our target. It will be difficult but our motivation is very great.”
Well if yesterday showed the height of our motivation then we’re in trouble. The win is good, any win is of course but from what I saw it was Huddersfield who showed more motivation than Emery’s team. When a central defender wins the man of the match award, as Koscielny did, it’s saying something.
As said earlier, we travel to Balysaw in Belarus next to face a BATE side who I believe are at the end on the winter break. During their break though they’ve been playing friendly matches in order to be fit and ready for our arrival. At 37 years old, Alex Hleb plays for BATE and he’s already made fifteen appearances. Anyway, that’s another day and a different competition.
As far as the Premier League goes, just take the three points and be glad we were playing Huddersfield because any other club might and the three points might not have come back to north London.
Enjoy your Sunday guys and let’s hope Man City can do us a favour…
Morning Gooners
Morning Rico, I really enjoyed your post.
In fact I’m going to read it again…
Morning Wavy, Kev.
Glad you enjoyed it, more than I can say about the match. Awful.
This squad needs an overhaul imo and it can’t come soon enough.
Hope to see changes too on Thursday. I’d much rather watch Willock than Iwobi, Medley or Mavropanos rather than Mustafi- and I haven’t seen much of the latter two but I’ve sure seen enough of the German. He’s a liability..
Morning all.
So did I Kev! But I’m not going to read it again. Just like to say it reflected all the thoughts I had too, especially after watching MoD.
New week, new challenges, new team to face, new outcome? A win, a convincing win, a conduit to the next round of the Europa Cup? We’ll see. We’ll see.
Really miserable morning here, overcast, grim and wet. The positives? It’s not cold!!
I listened to the game on Arsenal Player and all I kept hearing for most of the game was how much possession we were giving away. Now that could have been down to Huddersfield hustling our players as they’re fighting for their lives and they probably saw Arsenal as a possible scalp given our recent drop in form away from home.
It could also have been as much a lack of quality from some of our players as technical, Kolasinac for example had a pass completion rate of 55%, or in old money he kept giving the ball away!
I guess there’s only so much you can do on a training ground because if a player can’t pass properly then what can you do – other than replace him? And so it seems that Emery needs to replace quite a few next summer and to do that we could do with Champions League finance.
I’ve always liked Kolasinac but that view is changing. AMN isn’t the right back answer either. I don’t blame him, it’s the situation we’re in but unless there’s someone ready to step up next season, signing one is a must in the summer.
I enjoyed it better the second time around Wavy, give it a try. 🙂
I’ve not seen MotD so I’ve not heard their commentary or post match analysis, which isn’t a loss tbh. It sounded a bit of a slog on the radio, but at this stage of the season that’s not really unusual is it mate? Apparently Huddersfield have only been beaten convincingly at home by Man City (0-3) this season, they usually lose by a single goal, so despite their position they’re probably still a difficult opponent to beat.
A positive twist Kev, I like it. 😜
Rico, it isn’t just him, Maitland Niles isn’t a full back for sure, apparently Emery was coaching from the sidelines for most of the game. All I hear when listening to games is AMN being caught out by being too casual, well if he can’t sort his dopey head out then maybe he hasn’t a future at Arsenal?
I will Kev. 😜
Sounds to me like AMN just needs taking to one side and read the riot act. If that doesn’t work then yes, perhaps his future is elsewhere because his approach certainly doesn’t mirror what Emery is striving for. Or rather what he says he is.
Just call me Postive Kev, Rico… 😄
Morning Rico and all. There’s over half a team that need shifting out. I have often wondered if we are a team of very good players operating well below their potential or a team full of very average players punching above their weight.
My inclinations vary as the games come and go😬
Morning Adam. I think the answer is in your own comment. Like you I think there are so many who need moving on. Perhaps only then will we see Emery at his best. How can we move on from Wenger all the time his players, most of which have proved to be poor signings, haunt us?
Good morning Rico and all, I enjoyed to post too but I don’t agree that we were as bad as you make out. Watching the highlights programme on Sky I thought we made some excellent counter attacks and, but for the erratic finishing by Iwobi, could have won by more than the odd goal.
Possession is important, but not the be all and end all, more important is what end product you can get from that possession. As I said more clinical finishing and perhaps a little more awareness of others in a better scoring position would have made a difference.
Playing on the break with pace only works if you can suck the opposition out of their own half thus creating to space needed, giving them possession encouraged them to leave that space for us to exploit.
Thanks are due to referee John Moss, others, Dean, Atkinson et al, would have awarded a penalty for Koscielny’s faux pas in the box.
Morning Cicero, it’s good to differ on views. The shot from Iwobi was odd I thought. From that angle it was never going in imo but a look up would have seen Lacazette (I think) with plenty of space..
Important game to watch at lunchtime, East Anglian Derby, Norwich can go top if they beat Ipswich which will push The Tractor Boys even deeper in the mire.
Follow that with England v France at Twickers and maybe a bit of cricket in between, what a prospect for a cold, wet and overcast Sunday afternoon.
A big deflection wrong footed the ‘keeper, the pass to Lacazette was the obvious option. Mkhitaryan’s impersonation of Bambi-on-ice when clear in their box was laughably bad for a player of his supposed class.
Cicero…..dont forget the ladies Rugby. England v France at 12-24
Is that on the box VCC? I’ll have to record it.
Koscielny’s Incident was never a penalty. But the deliberate stamp on Kolasinac was a red card.
I thought the same. Moss looked like he might give the penalty for a split second…
Adam 10.44……I’ve got everything crossed hoping we are a glass half full getting ready for next season.
IMO UE needs to unearth 3 gems ( this is all he will be able to afford) to get us competing for top four next season. New LB..New DMF….New winger.
Our manager needs to bang on the directors door and explain if he gets some serious money he can get us back into the Champions league next season and recoup the outlay he would be making on these three players.
I feel we have quality forwards in Lacazette and Auba, put a top quality speedy winger into that equation and we are good to go up front.
Our defence needs a big helping hand and that would come in the form of a top quality DMF.
Everyone and his dog can now see we need a new top quality LFB.
So with the three players I would bring in, we would have a starting eleven of
Leno.
Bellerin……Sokratis…..Holding…….New FB
New DMF
Torriera…….Guendozi
Auba…..Lacazette……New W.
With back ups
Macey
Medley
Koscielny.
Pleguezuelo
Monreal
Smith Rowe
Willock (like the look of this boy, got something about him)
Nketiah
Suarez?
AMN ( if he bucks his ideas up and erases his sloppysism)
Welbeck
Mavropanos
Sell or give away
Ramsey ( Wants out)
Ozil (too expensive and lazy)
Cech ( retiring)
Jenkinson ( not good enough)
Kolasinac ( enough said)
Mustafi ( Bambi)
Xhaka ( I’ve got a ready made replacement with more talent in one foot playing for me on a Sunday morning)
Mhiktaryan ( Manure cast off)
Then improve and invest the following season.
Hey presto.
Vcc, that’s how I feel too. Many of us wrote off this season before it began so for me, that hasn’t changed. This time next season will give us much more of an idea of how we are doing. I reckon anyway…
What’s the red.st Sylvia?
Are you an Arsenal fan out of interest?
Cicero…sky channel
Adam 12-06…totally agree
Morning everyone – Loved all the comments. I am so glad that I discovered Highbury-house. red.st
VCC. I saw Huddersfield at the Emirates earlier in the season and was surprised at how spiteful they were. That was a horrible game and a narrow win and we picked up 3 bookings for simulation which must surely be a record. Yesterday they certainly left their foot in a few times and the young Dutch boy who stamped on Kolasinac was kicking people the whole game. It was clearly part of their game plan. After the stamp, Moss actually awarded a free kick to them. I wonder if VAR would pick that sort of stuff up.
Afternoon all.
Wasn’t Kos the best player yesterday?
And the second was Leno.
In my opinion, Ghendouzy does not know how to defend.
Contrary to the opinions, Kolasinac was, for me, the third best player (in a weak performance, it is difficult to choose 3 players). He gave in to the game and if it was not for him, the physical imbalance had been much greater.
Iwoby is a fantasist. Failed a goal (or was the merit of the goalkeeper). If the goal scored had not been invalidated, the opinions were different.
Mihtarian. does not surprise me. I wrote here at the time of his hiring, that is a player that appears episodically and disappears of the game by very extended times. It always ends up being replaced because it is not given by him.
I already see in some opinions, to recognize that the great problem of Arsenal at the moment, is to have no right defense. As I wrote, it should have been our focus in January. A team without right defense of reference is an “amputated” team. As Arsenal plays, the right defense is also the winger.
The Huddersfield manager said before the game that his players would be tough tacklers. He got that right.
It’s all going well, England Ladies leading France 24 – 0 at half-time, Norwich 2 – 0 up after 76 mins.
Nice Sunday so far Cicero. Our ladies doing us proud in the rugby, we are playing some lovely stuff. Lets hope the boys perform as well later.
One of the things I really like on here is that you chaps take an interest in the women’s game as well as the mens and youth. It’s really rather refreshing…
Canaries go top by two points. The Red Roses leading 36 – 12.
Rico, women’s football is a lot more honest than the men’s game, far less simulation and down right cheating. Our Girls play fantastic rugby, strength, pace, handling, tackling and kicking skills are all first class.
You won’t hear me objecting to that Cicero. The pace in their game might not be the same but there’s much to be admired. The level is certainly vastly improved on my playing days..
41 – 12, 14 mins to go.
Afternoon all and thanks Rico.
Interesting read from The Master…………………….didn`t realise than Sanllehi has been given so much power !
Watched the Bindippers last night and they were very impressive, we are lihgt years away from playing such passionate football, I just hope Man C can overhaul them as there`s nothing more annoying than big mouthed Scousers bigging it up !
https://arseblog.news/2019/02/ornstein-on-the-arsecast-the-full-transcript/
What a great start by England, a try in the first minute, then three more by half-time, 30 – 8.
Shame the kicks didn’t go over too Cicero..
44 – 8, Job done! 🔔🔔🔔
Rugby reminds me of good honest wholesome food………………not poncy stuff you get in poncy restaurants which is what the game of football today reminds me of !
Rugby is like a battle on the pitch where warriors shake hand after with great respect for each other and the supporters can mix and banter with respect. Some times I wish I could be like that with Spud fans, but luckily I`m typical football fan who hates the bastards ! hahahaha
Jeorge Bird reckons Amaechi is more ready for 1st team involvement than Saka !…………………………Why waste money on a winger next tw when we have both of them and Nelson !
I think defenders should be our priority and a midfielder.. better than Xhaka.
Chelsea getting battered is amusing…
5 – 0, if City can score one more it will put us fifth on goals scored. Two more and it will be on goal difference.
And there it is 6 – 0 we’re up to fifth. 🎶🎶🎶
Come on City !………………….another goal and we can get 5th ! 😆
George Bird? Didn’t he invent custard? 😉
Blast I missed that because my commenting on here! hahahaha
Idiot Cicero !…………………..your confused with George Ambrosia ! 😆
Sarri’s PA has just booked him a one way ticket on the next Ryanair flight from Manchester to Rome.
Abramovich is trying to get Sam Allardyce’s phone number.
At least we scored against them…. lol
Sarri stormed off down the tunnel at the final whistle. Not a happy man.
Roman won’t put up with him for much longer if things don’t improve..
Still, did us a big favour.
Man City are certainly an awesome team, despite all the crap they bring to the game.
That’s what money can do Adam..
It can Rico. But doesn’t always.
As Everton and Chelsea are proving Adam…
Put it this way,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,would I rather have ManC`s owner and manager ?………………….now if I said no, then I would consider myself an idiot !…………………and I`ve already got a flying start on that and dont need extra help ! hahaha
True Rico.
I don’t think even Pep could do much with our lot…
That kind of performance is why I think citeh will win the League.
Seems they’re starting to get serious now 🙂
For all the money spent etc etc, still rather see them win it than the Scouse bastards.
Reiss Nelson featured in a three-goal comeback against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, as Hoffenheim snatched a draw despite being 3-0 down with less than 20 minutes to go.
George Ambrosia some say he was a bit of a pudding.
Saw the highlights on MotD, then looked at some highlights on Arsenalist and as you wrote earlier Cicero, our issue is our finishing, we should have had at least a 3-0 half time lead and Iwobi missed another good chance in the 2nd 45. The likes of Mkhitarayan and Iwobi have got to contribute more because so few of our players contribute goals other than Lacazette and Aubameyang. I mean, Welbeck has been out injured since November and he’s still our 3rd leading goal scorer on 5 goals, it’s reslly poor.
Then you look at Liverpool and their players are shooting at every opportunity, taking shots early and not overplaying it and then I saw Man Utd, Pogba, Lukaku, Alexis, Martial, Mata, all look so dangerous whilst a Man City are terrifying. We look so piss poor by comparison, no killer instinct, not if you can make a few more fancy passes and look artistic…
LC, it’s early days for Suarez, but I’ve not seen anything to make me think that Emery will actually part with £20m for him next summer, especially as you said we already have Nelson to return next summer plus Amaechi and Saka a matter of months away from developing into a pair of really interesting players.
Kev I’ve said for a while that we should shoot on sight more often and not try to walk the ball into the net, and then comes Iwobi who wasted opportunities to play Lacazette in by doing just what I have wanted our players to do, that is shoot on sight. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons I haven’t yet managed a Premiership side. In fact the only team I have had any interaction with was my son’s primary school five-a-side lot and that was because I was the only parent with a mini-bus capable of carrying the whole team to the away games.
I might apply for the job at Chelsea though. How hard can it be to do better than Sarri?
New post up.