Morning all.
Toots sacked another manager yesterday which was funny until Sky Sports announced that Antonio Conte is likely to accept the position. Having already won the Premier League with Chelsea, he knows all about the English game. Mind you, so did Jose Mourinho and we know how that worked out. Exactly the same as it did at Man Utd, with the sack. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Rafa Benitez must be wondering when their time will be up.
Meanwhile, up in Newcastle, rumour has it that the new owners are trying to bring Unai Emery back to England. I hope he says yes because I honestly don’t think he was given enough support during his time at Arsenal. I don’t mean by the fans but the board because I believe it was they who decided who the club would sign and not the Spaniard which isn’t right in my opinion. A manager should decide the players he wants because it’s him who has to work with them, not some bloke in a collar and tie sat in a nice warm office. Thankfully, Raul Sanllehi is long gone.
Since the summer of big spending and the improved performances on the pitch, the criticism of the Kroenke family and Edu has quietened down a bit. After all, if your idea is to support the manager, then surely the same has to be applied to the owners and the board because they’re the ones who’ve stood by Mikel Arteta over the last two years. They’re the ones who’ve either freed up the finances to sign the players we now have and Edu has played a big part in getting those players inside the Arsenal door.
What about the players too? Be honest, no supporter of the club wants a player to fail but criticism of their performance doesn’t mean anything other than an opinion being expressed. If a player has a rubbish game or ten, of course fans are going to have a moan, just as if you or I think a different player to the one Mikel Arteta changed during a match should have come on or gone off, it’s just observation/opinion. That’s why there are so many sports blogs/forums out there in the big wide world. There’s something about Granit Xhaka which I really like but that doesn’t mean I hope he returns to the team when he’s fit. There’s something about Pepe which irks me yet when he plays, of course I want him to do well. If, or rather, when he doesn’t he’s going to criticised, so will Mikel Arteta probably for picking him in the first place but that’s just the way it goes in life. Praise and criticism whenever either is deserved.
Yes, the recent criticism of Martin Odegaard has brought this post about because so far this season, I think he’s blown very hot and cold but that doesn’t mean I think he’s been a waste of money, should be sold or Edu/Arteta should be beaten with a feather duster until they realise their mistake. I’m sure everyone wants to see him perform well and to see the side of his game we saw last season. It’ll come I’m sure but when the player ahead of him in the pecking order right now is in such great form as Emile Smith Rowe is, it can’t be easy. Still, to have a player of his quality on the bench is a good thing because on his day, he can be brilliant.
See you in the comments.
Martin Odegard has not been upto his 100 per cent fitness yet. He will be back to his best when fit.
I’d imagine that certain people would quite enjoy being beaten with a feather duster, but I’m not going to name names, even if I’d love to… 😃
Morning Rico, thanks for another excruciatingly good post. 😉
Morning Everyone, are we all up for a good old moan?
I am…
Brilliant again by our (England) 20/20 team but I find that I cannot possibly comment on the performances of our Colonial friends…
It’s a wonderful sunny day out here in the sticks but the temperature has dropped noticeably.
God help my gas bill… 😬
Hello Rico, thanks for a well thought out article, I think Conte to out noisy neighbors may not bear intended fruits bacause Conte is a heavy spender, while Levy is known to pull the purse strings alot…
I think Martin Odegaard can produce his best if his strengths for creativity are fully utilised….I think he’s kinder lightweight to be fully trusted in the defensive aspects of play..I also do feel that the constant changes in formation have further contributed, also, as you’ve already mentioned, the rich vein of form in ESR ain’t helping matters,..I still think in the long run, the increased competition for the number 10 position could lead be beneficial to the team…
Morning Kev, I’m up for a moan but it’s not Arsenal related. For once. 😆
Poor old Bangladesh though Kev.
Hi Kyalo, they’ll probably sell Kane to raise some funds. That’s if anyone wants him. Lol
I think as others have suggested before, it’s better with ESR or Odegaard rather than both imo.
Morning Rico and all nicely put.
So some people think that Conte will not go to Tottenham because he likes to spend big money we’re Tottenhams owners will not spend big money. All I can say is six months ago most of us complained about our owners not spending now look at how much money Arteta had last transfer season.
So is it possible that a lot of these top teams were saving money for the super league and now that it is going to happen for a while are the owners now willing to spend.
I don’t think Emery will come back to the premier league after the way he was treated.
Morning Geoff. Toots are in a lot of debt so I guess it’s a bit different for them but if they sell a few, you never know, Levy might kick start a spending spree in January. They and Newcastle could be very busy in the New Year.
Well well , Conte’s back and Emery is on his way what ever happened to Big Sam and Maclaren et al . The managerial merry go round is now truly inter continental now .
Good ebening bonny lads..
Afternoon rico, house. I liked the way Emery never gloated after knocking us out of Europa, when inside he surely must have felt it. Class which is lacking with many who move on for one reason or another. And I think he would love another go to be a success in the Premier. And if offered, hard to turn down with millions to spend. Just hope he improves his English this time! I was impressed when he came, but it seemed to go backwards.
Where they should be Potter, in the past.
Afternoon Andrew, I too liked Emery but he wasn’t supported the way Arteta is now imo. Zaha instead of Pepe, N’Zonzi instead of Torreira? Who knows what might have been. Yes, a very gracious man in victory.
What happened to Bangladesh then Rico?
They got thrashed Kev.
What is it about United and goals in injury time?
Twice away to Atalanta tonight. Both halves
Morning All, interesting thing with Stan when it comes to spending; I know he finally spent last window, but he doesn’t hesitate to go all-in on his NFL franchise the Rams. First an estimated $4 billion stadium and now the possibility of having four All-Pros on one team, after his latest player acquisition. Why can’t he go all in on Arsenal as he does with the Rams and the Nuggets? It’s obvious that the man loves his sports.
Obi maybe Stan supports the NFL teams and look’s at them more like a fan would, were he look’s at Arsenal as a business only
Morning all.
Potter, they’re jammy.
Obi, could it be as simple as the financial restrictions are different in NFL? I don’t know but just wondering.
I don’t think it’s luck they have been doing it for a long time , I think it’s psychological and I think it relates to the fourth official holding up a sign saying there’s a few minutes left .
Lets face it most teams go into matches against United as underdogs and when that board comes out , do they mentally switch off a bit ?
When I was playing , if you aked the ref how long ? if he replied it would be on the lines of not long but it wasn’t broadcast to the world . Whilst one team relaxes are United programmed to become more direct and double their efforts ?
I am just brainstorming.
Good point, but for teams who’re more switched in, knowing how long there is to hold on to what they have should see them dig in harder. But as we saw against Palace, that doesn’t always happen.
New post up now