Morning all.
I thought once the club had a new manager etc my passion for the game would return but in all honesty, it hasn’t. I don’t know why though and that’s the hardest bit to understand. I’ve always loved the game, played it too for many years, albeit at a very low level I must stress but even so, football and Arsenal has been a big part of my life.
A fixture like today’s against Chelsea couldn’t come quick enough once but now though I’ll just switch the game on, watch it and as soon as the final whistle goes, off, gone. I’d love my enthusiasm to return but I really don’t know if it ever will. The game has changed, just like kick off times have because money is what it’s all about. It shouldn’t be that way though and it doesn’t have to be and I hope Arsenal prove that again one day just as Leicester did a few seasons ago. I loved the early Arsene Wenger years but that’s not just because we were winning, we had players who wanted to play for the club and they showed it week in week out but before then too when when ‘The Arsenal’ was in the players blood. A different kind of footballer, but a very different attitude towards the club than there is today.
Maybe one day the money will run out or Bt Sport and Sky will go bust and we can get back to 3pm Saturday kick off times with just Match of the Day for catch-up. Wouldn’t that be so much better?
No, ok, BT Sport it is then for tonight’s 5:30 kick off against the West London club who like us, have a new manager. I’ve actually lost count of the number of managers they’ve had since Roman Abramovic decided to buy his little toy but it’s a few. More than most that’s for sure.
Olivier Giroud might be up against his old team later but Fàbregas won’t as he’s reportedly injured. Kolasinac, Koscielny and Maitland-Niles are missing for us and will be for a while. Jenkinson is injured too but I doubt he’d have been in Emery’s thoughts even if he was fit.
The good news, Lucas Torreira is ready to start:
“Yes, he is okay every day and is training good,” said Unai Emery. “He is now with the team and knowing and learning English conversation with us and can understand all the things we want to do tactically on the pitch.
“He is okay, the first match against City he played 15 to 20 minutes and I think this is good, I want to continue with him improving and to be okay to play.”
Danny Welbeck is ready too so that gives the manager something else to think about with his team selection. Away from home against another tough side, perhaps he’ll start, after all he’s not one to shirk his responsibilities, certainly when it comes to helping out at the back when it’s required.
Hazard is their danger man in many ways. He’s superb on the ball, he’ll get at the defence but with just the slightest of touches, he’ll be rolling over on the floor like his been shot in the leg. Martin Atkinson will probably fall for it too, no pun intended. Jorginho is meant to be a tidy player too so another we’ve got to try and get a hold on, William too. Actually, there’s a whole bunch of them over there who on their day can be quite good but they do have a rookie keeper who our forwards need to put under pressure at every given opportunity. We’ve certainly got the players to do so but they’ll need to show a lot more conviction in front of goal than they did against Man City.
Arsenal we’re dreadful away from home last season, the worst for years and many pundits expect that to continue later today. Wouldn’t it be great to see Emery shut them up, the team to show a bit more organisation and discipline and then when the final whistle blows, the players walk away from Chelsea with something.
I’d take a point but three would be so much better..
but it martch needs steady artention otherwise we are bound to loose again
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Good morning Rico, it is with a certain amount of trepidation that I’ll switch from the Test Match to our game this evening.
Perhaps it’s the doom and gloom fostered by the all knowing pundits and their constant harking back to the Wenger years but it does seem that much of the gloss has already been rubbed off our shiny new manager.
None the less we are Arsenal supporters and we need to get behind the manager and his team, I’m sure they will give of their best.
Morning all
Me too, as well, also! I really can’t find much, if any enthusiasm for the Arsenal at the moment. The last three years of the reign of Wenger took its toll on my love of all things Arsenal.
I think this malaise comes from the knowledge that the club has accepted the fact that they cannot buy from the top drawer bit has to accept the poorer players on offer. And worse the club owners are just not prepared to help propel us us the greasy poll by inserting some real money. Skinflints or what? If you know your team cannot and will not compete at the top table what is the point of competing at all?
I think that’s the position of our club at present. They have settled for being in the second tier of the football hierarchy and so, as fans we have to go along with this abject lack of ambition. Where once, ten years ago, a real sense that when we went to old toilet there was always a chance that we could and often should win, now, we are content not to get beaten by too many or if the gods are on our side we might just scramble a draw.
This nag activism is not to be encouraged but I don’t think our beloved club are ever going to win the Premiership again as Kev often reminds us, we may have to rely on winning the odd cup competition from time to time.
Not a good start to the season our tilt at the windmill of the pursuit of the elusive title may well be over after just two games. What a prospect!
However, I shall be there, in front of my tv watching the game at 5.30, hoping against hope that we get a result and not another pasting!
Sunshine and wind here, a bit chilly the prospect of Autumn is fast approaching! (We’re all doomed!)
Have a happy saturday😀
Nag activism, nice expression but should have been, negativism.
Should add that the same sense of failure will be felt at 5.30 as I doubt very much we will come away with many points from Stamford Bridge today, either! What an attitude!
Morning Cicero, Wavy and all. Welcome Aia.
I’ll always support the club and be behind the team as I have no choice, it’s just in me but I know that if someone offered me a ticket to go to a game, I’d seriously have to think hard before answering. I’m hoping my feelings are just because of so many seasons of Wenger boredom, but I’m not convinced.
Glad I’m not the only one Wavy, if football was on television I’d watch it, regardless of who was playing but not anymore. For once I watched a lot of the World Cup this year but apart from the odd match, I thought it was as boring as heck.
Cricket Cicero, just tuning in. In the words of 10cc, Love it.
Morning Rico and all. Chelsea away and Martin Atkinson is not a combination that gives me much confidence. Like you, I will certainly watch.
Wavy makes a good point about our club’s inability or reluctance to buy ‘elite’ players. I think that, at the back of our minds, there is a certain apathy and acceptance that we are perhaps a second – tier side with a lengthy period of re-building ahead. Can Emery maintain a decent level of performance during that period? How long will Guardiola stay? Or Klopp, for that matter?
We’ve got some good players, but nobody of the quality that some other sides boast. We will certainly see what Emery is made of soon enough.
Wavy. I think next summer we’re more likely to find out where we’re at financially. Kroenke by then will have wrapped up all of the shares, Emery will know who he wants to sell and together with Sven will go about their signings.
As sole owner, Kroenke will know it’s his head now on the block, no one else’s and if Emery doesn’t get some financial backing and I don’t mean the kind of money City have, then the daggers will be drawn.
That’s just my opinion anyway. This summer was the wrong time to splash loads of money on the squad, this summer was about steadying the ship and seeing what’s what within the squad. Again, imo.
Morning Adam. Chelsea are saying the same about Atkinson so it could be interesting.
Did you read the comments from Keith Hackett?
Rico. About Riley? If so, then yes.
At least that dickhead Madeley has gone. Some rather unpleasant rumours as to why.
What are the rumours Adam? I only read Hacketts view and thought he made a good point. It needing saying by someone outside of clubs.
I agree about Riley. He has been involved in affecting matches by careful referee selection for years. How many points has he cost us?
As for Madeley – Who knows?
Riley needs replacing and soon. I agree, in one way or another he’s cost us points and plenty of them…
I’m all for nag activism myself – whatever it means… 😉
Yep Rico/Adam, my enthusiasm should be booming, new manager, new backroom staff, new players, new playing style, new start, new CEO (well probably not that one), but I can’t help but feel a bit meh…
Maybe it’s the effect of the old owner?
Normally I’d be busy finding somewhere to watch the game, but not this time, I’ll be at work.
And that has nothing to do with the Man City game.
Rico, have you got a link to the Hackett stuff?
Nag activism is what my wife bombards me when she has ‘little jobs to do!’ And I steadfastly won’t do them!😥
Good Read, great topic. I think the lack of enthusiasm for sports in general is the unintended effect of super teams. Overwhelming majority of sports fans like competition or the “spirit” of it; super teams are destroying that, two team leagues. It’s not only in football, but in many other sports, the fans are discouraged even before the season starts because there is no competition. Even many of the athletes don’t want to compete. i.e., NBA an EPL. The lack of effort by even talented players – Ozil as an example – is offensive.
Or the after affects of Wenger Kev. Hopefully we’ll all perk up a bit soon…
I’ll find the link Kev.
https://talksport.com/football/412271/former-premier-league-referee-slams-mike-riley-and-the-standard-of-premier-league-referees-after-bobby-madleys-shock-departure/
Thanks Obi, I don’t think that’s what’s done it for me. It’s the game in general. Apart from City and perhaps Liverpool, I think the standard has dropped big time. Whether that’s down to the managers, the players, money, attitude I don’t know but the passion for any one club has gone out of the game. Now players move to who pays the best rather than what’s best for them imo.
Afternoon all!
Yes Wavy, that rings a bell with me… 🙂
Thanks Rico. I think there’s no love lost between Hackett and Riley.
Tbh both were pretty underwhelming referees.
I’m just glad he’s put it out there Kev, someone might eventually take some notice..
Arsene Wenger must have missed this… 😉
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45043408
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Just watched bits and pieces of the Cardiff v Newcastle game, an advertisement for mediocrity.
Neither side exactly overflowing with talent, both teams fully committed to doing as much physical damage to the other lot as possible, and some pretty poor refereeing to boot.
Cardiff coached by a fellow of the Jurassic Park School of Football Management, Neil Warnock.
If this is the way football is heading, I want no part of it.
Me neither Cicero but that’s Warnock, surprised at Rafa though..
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Rico, I suppose if your team doesn’t have the quality to handle the rough stuff being meted out you just have to reply in a like manner. That may not be the way Benitez likes his team to play but needs must when the Devil drives.
True Cicero only if we try that we know what happens next..
Chelsea
1Arrizabalaga
28Azpilicueta
2Rüdiger
30David Luiz
3Alonso
7Kanté
5Jorginho
8Barkley
22Willian
29Morata
11Pedro
Substitutes
10E Hazard
13Caballero
15Moses
17Kovacic
18Giroud
21Zappacosta
27Christensen
Arsenal
1Cech
2Bellerín
5Papastathopoulos
20Mustafi
18Monreal
29Guendouzi
34Xhaka
7Mkhitaryan
10Özil
17Iwobi
14Aubameyang
Substitutes
4Elneny
8Ramsey
9Lacazette
11Torreira
12Lichtsteiner
19Leno
23Welbeck
Good subs bench. Disappointed Torreira not starting for Ramsey.
Excellant post El Rico.
Just seen the team and I doubt that I will come out from behinf the sofa today,,,,,,,,,,still no Lacca` starting
🙁
Loved Wavy`s 10:44am and a great responce from Rico @ 11:07am, it is indeed all about Kroenke really…..will he or wont he invest ?……………………my thought`s ?……………..his investment so far £0……………..I cant ever see him changing, the Leopard Kroenke even has stick on spots, Leopard Syrups !.
Leno
Lichtsteiner Holding Monreal
Bellerin Guendouzi Torreira Welbeck
Ozil
Lacazett Aubameyang
This is as bad, if not worse than last season. At least under Wenger we knew what was coming.
Line up with 4 defensive liabilities Iwobi, Ozil, Mkhitaryan and Xhaka…..smh
Thanks Lc, behind the sofa is the place to be..
Another hideous miss…
We could be 6-2 up. Probably should be 🤣🤣
Not sure if I’m unlucky or lucky not having access to BT?
Christ knows what that was all about. 🙂
Really weird game of football..
The job of rebuilding seems bigger but perhaps clearer with each game. 🙂
Possibly.
What’s clear is we still can’t defend 😅
Blasphemy !
Yes, that too. 🙂
Rico at 7:48, I agree with you that we can’t defend. But it becomes even harder on the defenders when Ozil, Iwobi, Xhaka and Mkhitaryan are on the pitch together. The first goal was straight up laziness by Mkhitaryan…
Have to agree Obi, away from home the last thing the team needed was passengers.
What are our goals for this season?
It is a complete suicide as we are defending!
We defend “the man” forgetting the zone just like in the first game!
Bellerin and Monreal (and the others) went behind their players to the midfield (!!!) and cleared the back, without anyone doing any compensation because they are also covering “their player”! With players like Ozil, Iwoby and Mihtarian who do not defend or care to defend, it is easy for any opposing player to clear without being “seen” and when detected, is already 10 to 20 meters ahead. The goals against City and Chelsea (and more could have been) were all based on it.
To play like that, let’s play to not get relegated.
However, the first place is already lost.
And what is the idea of the two central backs going to the sides receiving the balls in a goal kick? Is it to unbalance the whole central zone? Is it to start playing from the edge of the large area from players who do not know how to carry the ball? Is it to give more chance to the opponent?
It will be a nightmare this Arsenal!
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Another defeat and the defending gets the blame. We conceded three goals so the defence have a case to answer. However, had we taken the golden chances offered to us by Chelsea’s hopeless defence we could have walked the game.
Just as against City last week we had numerous chances, I think Aubameyang, in total, has wasted nine scoring chances in two games. Add to that the chances missed by Lacazette, Mkhitaryan and Ozil and we could have been sitting comfortably on six points.
I don’t know who is responsible for coaching our back four in playing out from the back, but whoever it is is making a complete pigs ear of it.
What to say ?
Worst start in 26 years !…………………………..new manager who needs probably more than the length of his contract to sort out the mess !………………………can the players of Wenger`s philosophy become the players of Dick`s philosophy ?………………if they cant, then some serious money on the right players needs to be spent unless Dick/Sven can unearth half a dozen or more Guendouzi`s !
Oh well, at least we know for a fact it will be the cup`s for us this season !……………..all after only two games !…….
😆
Not forgetting it will give the Press and pundits something to get their teeth into……
😆
And I should imagine Arsenal Fan TV or what ever it is called now are throthing at the mouth…………
😆
I know I expected nothing from the 1st two games, but did anyone else ?
`
Be honest as well, did anyone who saw the clip of Barry Chuckles funeral not think when they lifted the coffin that Paul Chuckle was going to say……to me to you………sorry to say, it was the first thing I thought of !
JM, you are so right. The same mistakes made two weeks in a row. I really think is not due to coaching but we have players that can’t play the system, although, the desire and discipline is better this season than prior years. Also Emery needs to select different players, chances taken or not taken, today or last week they could’ve scored 10 and City/ Chelsea would’ve scored 11.
Seen enough of to convince me that he ‘ll get it right eventually. For 20 odd minutes we look the dog bollocks but for poor finishing it could have been a cricket score. What can we say about gwen that haven’t been said already?? What other superlative are they to describe this young man??? What a player. What a talent and such balls for one so young. Give him the arm band was the cry last night 😁😁😁😁 am not really worried like I said during the week we need 3 to 4 Windows to clear out the deadwoods and bring in emery’s kind of players. We looked really good for long spells. Imagine the damage we could have wrought with a genuine tricky winger. Upwards and onwards me fellow gooners. The next 8 games look favorable then we meet the scouse bastards again. I think we ‘ll be ready then. Come on you gunners.
Where are my manners…morning Rico and the house.
Check out @GurjitAFC’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/GurjitAFC/status/1030932695210242049?s=09
Gwen is going to be a legend if he continues on this path. What a man. The passion, the zeal, the enthusiasm to win. How about that pass to bellems that opened up the Chelsea backline like a cheap whore on the streets of Amsterdam. God in heaven this lad is something else 😁😁😁😁
Check out @ArsenalUrban’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/ArsenalUrban/status/1030912227505852416?s=09
Had that been kdb or other media darlings am sure the beeb, sky and bt sports ‘ll replay that piece of play for hours all day yesterday. Heck it ‘ll make the play of the week for ESPN here in the US but of course it’s an arsenal player so he’s not important. God I wish Stan ‘ll support emery with 200m in January to revamp this team. I promise you ma’am we ‘ll see fire works afterwards. Still believe in emery anyone saying otherwise needs to fuck off. No more negativity our fan base is the worst.
Check out @DezilDezz’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/DezilDezz/status/1030963197384314885?s=09
Emery has a plan we can all see it taking shape right before our eyes. Trust me when the players finally clicks with this style of playing we are going to be a force to reckon with. I say we put all our eggs in one basket and that basket is the Europa league. I ‘ve seen enough if the chavs that suggest they can’t beat us in 2 games. I think our only route into the CL next season is wining the Europa league and I think we can do it. Am excited people. The fight back yesterday would never have happened under Wenger. Make no mistakes about it. This is no slight to the great man but after the second goal went it our heads ‘ll drop and the flood Gates ‘ll open and a great deluge ‘ll be unleashed on us. Under arsene that game could have ended in a 5.0 white wash!!!
It’s been 2 games.
We are no different to last season at this stage, but it’s been 2 games.
Let Emery influence things and it’ll take time.
He’s definitely heading in the right path, imo, so everyone should support him.
The only disappointing thing around the club atm, is people are criticising him already, while others are still blaming Wenger for our woes.
get past the past, give the new man time to sort things out and support the club.
Shame nobody will see this but I still had to write it.
That surprised you Scott! Behave, don’t be rude, argumentative or start slating others on here and you’ll be fine. Debate yes, but start the insults again and you’re gone. Last chance.
Morning goonster, all.
Our performances remind me of Liverpool and to a degree, City as they started to build under Klopp and Pep. Lots of mistakes, especially in defence. I still believe it’s best to forget this season, this is about Emery finding out about the players he inherited and moving forward.
Next season is the Important one imo
New post up.