Morning all.
Without sounding like I’m about to burst into a Sinéad O’Connor song, it’s been two months and three days since Arsenal last won a league fixture. I’m not sure I was even alive when that last happened. Sure we’ve had a few bad results at the beginnings of a season but such an extended run without a victory is not something I can remember. It wouldn’t have been so bad if among all those results we’d played Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool both home and away but no, those are yet to come. (Bar the trip to Anfield)
A much needed three points won last night but lets not kid ourselves, that was a dreadful game with another poor Arsenal performance. Certainly the first half which understandably ended with a few boos coming from the away stands.
It was quite clear that both ourselves and West Ham are two clubs dreadfully low on confidence. Neither team seemed to want to take the initiative, to press forward too far in fear of losing possession and going behind.
Before the game, Bellerin had to drop out due to a late injury. In came AMN at right back. Kieran Tierney didn’t last long either as an ongoing shoulder problem got worse and it now looks like he’ll be missing for a while. One day we might have a back four of Holding, Chambers, Bellerin and Tierney but not anytime soon it seems.
The goal we gave away smacked of déjà vu. A scrap around in the box, half hearted clearances before one of our players wasn’t strong enough to challenge with his head. On this occasion it was Granit Xhaka but as much as he deserves criticism for being such a wimp, those who failed to clear the ball before shouldn’t be forgotten. Another gloomy night for an Arsenal team, different again from Freddie’s previous two team selections, looked certain.
I thought we’d start the second half with a bit more purpose after a few stern words from our interim coach who if looks could kill, could have caused serious damage as the cameras made him their focus, but no, it was pretty much more of the same.
Then from nowhere, Arsenal came alive. A burst of pace down the left by Kolasinac showed a bit of attacking intent. His cross into the box was perfect for Gabriel Martinelli to run onto and his finish was clinical. The Brazilian’s first Premier League goal in his first Premier League start. A rather purposeful few minutes followed, nine to be precise, when we scored two more goals. A wonderful left footed strike curled in from Pepe followed by a volley from Aubameyang.
Hugs galore at the final whistle between Freddie and his players, especially Torreira, Sokratis, Ozil and AMN before the cameras moved away. A bit of fist pumping too from our captain. Relief for the Swede. Smiles too.
We needed that big time but, let’s not get carried away.
- Ditch the playing out from the back Freddie.
- End the cross field passing into danger Xhaka.
- Forward passes instead of the easy backward ones. Especially Ozil who also needs to stop encouraging others to pass backwards too.
- Shoot! Ozil!
- Be more brave like Calum Chambers.
- Stop going to ground so easily Pépé, you’ll make a name for yourself for being a diver.
For that short spell after Martinelli scored our equaliser, I thought we looked more comfortable than we have at any time this season. The accuracy of passing was there, the crispness of pass too and in general, there was more flow to our game. Before anyone says ‘it was only West Ham’, it was only Sheffield Utd, Brighton, Crystal Palace etc…
Arsenal looked like, well, Arsenal. Or rather the Arsenal we last saw at The Emirates in 2018 when we defeated the neighbours in style. Everything just seemed to click and for once, we made the most of it by scoring three wonderful, yet very different goals. Could we hold on was the only thought running through my mind. Yes we could was the answer.
As the heading said, it’s a start. We’ve broken the duck, the horrid run but the performance can be vastly improved on. The midfield still needs a lot of work doing on it but all the time we’re relying on Xhaka, I don’t think it’ll improve. Therefore our defending as a team won’t improve. A great defence always has a strong and sturdy midfield ahead of it and if the club only sign one player next month, it simply has to be a central defensive midfielder in my opinion.
In the meantime, I hope this win lifts the mood in camp a little and with it, a fraction of confidence and self belief returns too. Just defending a winning scoreline is a start, scoring three goals away from home is a boost, three points on the board was much needed.
The halftime boos had turned to cheers, a tuneful ‘we’re staying up’ could be heard in their place. The irony clear of course as that threat has far from been removed.
But you know what, sometimes in life, all it takes is something small to turn into something big. As easily as one draw became the habit for two months, with a couple of defeats thrown in for good measure, one win can turn into a new habit. A better one.
There’s work to be done, an awful lot of it because one win thanks to ten minutes of good football won’t suddenly turn us into the perfect team, far from it but at least the players might relax a little, play with more freedom and get back to playing as a team who want to win together rather than squabbling amongst each other.
The relief at the end of the game was obvious, the rapport between the players and Freddie a very different picture to what the media has tried to paint. The fans got the thumbs up from our old invincible at the end.
Who’d have thought that was coming at halftime..
See you in the comments guys..
Hmm, it’s a Prince song. Just sayin…
Not the version I was referring to, smartie pants!
Just for you Jimmy. He who offers sod all to an Arsenal debate and tries to be clever!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0-EF60neguk
Morning Rico/everyone,
Spot on with your prediction,exact score too,I hope you had a little bet.
Xhaka just has to go,he is a liability in most games.Sell in January,he will do well in a slower league, hopefully we can still get a few million,even allowing for his massive contract.
I’m not sure it’s worth getting anyone in until a new manager is in place.
One thing I’ve noticed, for a long time really,is how ineffective our corners are.The opposition just head away easily, it’s hardly worth bothering.Cant we mix things up,a cutback followed by a long range shot,worth a try surely.
Still, great to win, I’d forgotten what it’s like.
Wasn’t Chambers good at Centre Back ? Pleased for Martinelli and Pepe too.
Jingle all the way…
Prince wrote it in 1984 but never released it . Skinhead recorded it and had a hit in 1990 , so effectively you are both correct however the song will always be associated with O’Connor.
On to last night :- A woeful first half where evidence were it needed that Xhaka is not the man to anchor our midfield became clearer and clearer as the ball was given away time after time ( Cyndi Lauper 1983 ).
The set up was better though as much as I like Lacazette it’s always had to be either him or Aubameyang if you wanted a balanced attack . It took Emery 18 months to miss this fact trying one way or another (Blondie 1978 ) to shoehorn them both in together. With Torreira anchoring the base of midfield all we need is a more mobile , less chicken , dominating player that doesn’t receive and return to sender ( Elvis Presley 1962 ) and playmaking attack minded player that doesn’t spin round and round like a record ( dead or alive 1985 ) instead of taking the more obvious pass forward into the box
Just before half time we were as usual up on possession but the commentator mentioned that we had not hardly had a touch in the penalty area and in fact throughout the whole thing we had 3 shots on target which goes to show you never can tell ( Chuck Berry 1960 )
Next up Frankfurt we need to lose by more than 5 to not qualify , taking into account that players were dropping like 9 pins last night , the team selection should be interesting.
Jimmy B-haven’t heard from him since the Communards disbanded.
Morning all.
Morning Limey, pure fluke with unwarranted optimism which turned out to be well placed. Lol
Jimmy S Scott, best get it right in case JB returns… 😂
Just one small thing-anyone watching the after goal celebrations, and the hugs our players shared with Freddy and each other and who still think the players don’t care are kidding themselves.
They’re were ecstatic and relieved.
I honestly think they’d just stopped enjoying the game of late
Liege it should be , We all make mistakes ( submerged 2007 ).
Rico I know, I was just playing the Bronski angle Hahahahahaha
I was hoping he’d bite 🙂
Our corners were better when Xhaka too them, certainly from our right side. Ozil’s, just like many of his set pieces are toothless. He floats them instead of whipping them in with power and pace. A bit like him really, too soft.
I know it’s easy to say after the event, but I’m sure most thought before the game that this was the best starting line up we’ve seen for quite a while.
Potter, Jimmy only ever comes on here to point out an error, he never talks about the club or offers something constructive – he’s just a troll. Polite term of course.
I agree Scott. The relief and emotion was quite clear to see. I thought Sokratis was going to shed a tear.
Same can be said re their thoughts on Freddie imo but then I’m repeating myself..
Rico, I reckon he waa damn close to crying.
It was nice to see, to be honest as plenty of us have questioned their endeavour of late.
Let’s just hope they gain some confidence from this result.
Pressure Scott..
Hi All I feel like the Christmas Grinch however yes we had a nice win but I will not start smiling until we win at least 2 to 3 more matches lets face it we had a ten minute spell that helped us they had first 70 minutes to bury us. Any of the top teams and we would have been in trouble.
Rico, it has to get to them, no matter how big their pay packet is.
The reason our corners are so ineffective is because we do not have a recognised number nine. Somebody prepared to stick his head in the danger zone and either knock the ball down for teammate or knock into the net.
Our defence of corners is equally as shoddy, no commanding figure to get his head on the ball, but plenty happy to turn their back on it, AMN for instance.
During Big Dunc’s debut at Everton, his side made the most tackles in any Premiership game this season thirty-seven. Last night I don’t recall seeing Arsenal make a single serious attempt at a tackle. Our opponents know we are a soft touch, they know there is no risk of being tackled so they can waltz through our midfield and defence with impunity.
We desperately need a fully fit Holding, Chambers is fine as a replacement for Blunder but Thud is still the only viable (just) option until Holding returns.
Don’t know about Sokratis Rico…… I nearly shed a tear myself !! What a relief.
I think that game proved AGAIN that Luiz and Xhaka shouldn’t be playing for us.
I can’t believe that we can;t find better players than those two in the lower leagues that wouldn’t jump at the chance to play for Arsenal.
Ozil made two good chances,but lost the ball so many times. He just doesn’t offer enough.
Feel really mean moaning after a great win, but with gumption and a few changes we could be great.
Morning Rico, nothing compares, noth-Ing compares to a Rico post…
I only saw 3 minutes of highlights, but I’ve gotta say that the Martinelli finish was exquisite.
Beautifully controlled and directed.
Pepe took advantage of some slack defending, but his left foot is a wand.
Aubameyang doesn’t get tap ins, a convoluted finish but expertly taken.
That result will lift the gloom and will hopefully reboot our season, now we need more of the same in Liege on election night.
Cicero…….Martinelli was our best tackler last night and I’m pretty sure he put in more tackles than any of our players.
He’s the only one prepared to head the ball too……….I would like to think the other players are embarrassed at their lack of commitment when they watch him sprint all over the place.
I think Kev has said before on here that even if the players do track back, they pretend to tackle….We do have plenty of actors.
I’d like to see Calum Chambers get a run of games now, I know he’s certainly not Tony Adams or Sol Campbell, but he’s better than Luiz and Mustafi and the more games he plays the better he’ll perform.
Sokratis also had a much better game, which might have something to do with his partner not be Luiz or Mustafi.
We know that there’s still plenty of issues but we’ve done them to death so I’m focusing on the positives. A return to some kind of form by Torrieira, an improvement in Sokratis, the Martinelli effect, Pepe has finally got off of the plane from Paris and the ever reliable Auba.
They wouldn’t be human if it didn’t Scott. A bit more effort during the past months though and it might not have come to this.
Good to see Freddie drop Luiz at last.
The corners themselves are pretty rubbish though. Seldom to they have enough power on them or loft to beat the first man.
Ha ha Mike. Talking about Ozil, just before Pepe scored, Ozil was in almost the same position but instead of taking a chance as Pepe did, he looked for a pass and then lost the ball.
He’s got a super left foot, he just doesn’t use it enough when a shot is on.l
Yeah Kev, Chambers had a solid game and stuck his head in later on and took a wack…Brave lad…..Haven’t said that for a while.
Hi Mike, yeah tackling, an underrated skill and a skill that many modern players struggle with, in particular Xhaka. He’s had some high profile incidents when he’s gone in all guns blazing and cleared out opponents in the box, so I’m not surprised that he holds back.
Torrieira is a useful tackler, but in the Mike Riley World that we inhabit its dangerous for an Arsenal player to get stuck in…
What were stats someone put up on here, a booking for every 4 Arsenal fouls and a booking every 14 Liverpool fouls, with the other 18 clubs in between.
Are Arsenal a dirty team or horrendously bad tacklers?
Or unfairly treated by Riley’s boys?
Morning Kev. 😂
The ball from Kolasinac was pretty good too but yep, great from our young Brazilian. I hope he plays against City as he works so so hard.
Good point Rico, does Ljungberg pick an unchanged team vs Liege, to try and get some continuity or does he rotate with an eye on City?
There was also Ozil’s pathetic attempt at a headed goal, he barely got off the ground so put the ball high over the bar.
Ozil and Xhaka are products of Wenger’s walk the ball into the net philosophy, Both are well capable of scoring with shots from outside the box but have been brainwashed and are reluctant to take the chance when offered it. Elneny was another who had the skill to score from distance but who became ineffective when, apparently, ordered to pass instead of shooting.
Kev, I think he’s trying to find his own team but as far as Thursday goes, I’d be tempted to keep Martinelli fresh for City.
Hi Kev, …Bloody Hell they are some stats!!
We’re not a dirty team, no way.
Clumsy, not nasty tacklers.
Riley’s boys…Mmmmm.
You’ve said before about Sokratis not using so much (and I quote) “Shithousery” since VAR came in. And to be fair to him he doesn’t look like an accident waiting to happen so much lately. Maybe just maybe the players are listening and learning.
But why did Emery not do something to change it I wonder Cicero..
Wow Elneny, Cicero, I thought he was ok when he first came to us. He could tackle , break up play and as you say didn’t mind having a shot. In the end he stopped running and having a go. It’s like he had the energy drained out of him.
Rico, the task was beyond his capabilities, he should never have had the job in the first place.
https://mobile.twitter.com/rehnato/status/1204169906675208193
Hi Rico and All just read a report that claims KSE would not let the board look or discuss a new coach until they sacked Emery as this is how they do it in America,
If this is true no wonder why we are all way behind the 8 ball we should all ways be looking in to the future. for both players and coach not waiting until the last second.
Sinéad O’Connor – haven’t heard that one for a long time,Rico. Loved the song, shame about the haircut😳
Who needs American owners, unless of course they put a reasonable chunk of their money into the club – is that going to happen guys?
First class goals – our three Musketeers delivered, Leno had an excellent game as it happens which was fortunate, because the same problems still exist at the back. City won’t be as generous.
Do we all think this problem won’t go away until we get a permanent coach who has the authority to free us of these pantomime players with all their arm-waving?
Afternoon all.
5degrees here, and a clear sky – hope that’s a good omen for our future and the start of more 3-pointers?
On paper Cicero, he was ideal because I think it was assumed we’d return to the CL via Europa. To be fair, we should have done so by finishing 3rd…
Hi Geoff.
I loved her haircut Andorra, suited her. Don’t think she’s very well these days.
Sad news about the lead singer of Roxette….
Loved seeing that clip again Kev, saw the hugs last night after the game and talk about every picture tells a story…
We don’t want Liverpool dropping into the Europa League,or Chelsea to a lesser extent.
Would be hilarious though.
Health
On a 4 October 2007 broadcast of The Oprah Winfrey Show, O’Connor disclosed that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder four years earlier, and had attempted suicide on her 33rd birthday on 8 December 1999.[90] Then, on Winfrey’s “Where Are They Now?” show of 9 February 2014, O’Connor said that she had received three “second opinions” and was told by all three that she was not bipolar.
In August 2015 she revealed that she was to undergo a hysterectomy after suffering with gynaecological problems for over three years.[91] O’Connor would later blame the hospital’s refusal to administer hormonal replacement therapy after the operation as the main reason for her mental health issues in the subsequent years, stating “I was flung into surgical menopause. Hormones were everywhere. I became very suicidal. I was a basket case.”[92]
Having smoked cannabis for 30 years, O’Connor went to a rehabilitation center in 2016, in order to end her addiction.[93]
In August 2017, O’Connor posted a 12-minute video on her Facebook page in which she states that she has felt alone since losing custody of her 13-year-old son, for the past two years she has wanted to kill herself and only her doctor and psychiatrist were “keeping her alive”.[94] The next month, O’Connor appeared on the American television talk show Dr. Phil on the show’s 16th season debut episode.[95] According to Dr. Phil, O’Connor wanted to do the interview because she wanted to “destigmatize mental illness,” noting the prevalence of mental health issues among musicians.[96]
Politics
O’Connor is a vocal supporter of a united Ireland, and called on the left-wing republican Sinn Féin party to be “braver”. In December 2014 it was reported O’Connor had joined Sinn Féin.[97] O’Connor has called for the “demolition” of the Irish Republic and its replacement with a new, united country. She has also called for key Sinn Féin politicians like Gerry Adams to step down because “they remind people of violence”, referring to the Troubles.[98]
In a 2015 interview with the BBC, O’Connor wished that Ireland had remained under British rule (which ended after the Irish War of Independence, except for Northern Ireland), because the church took over the country instead.[99] Following the Brexit referendum in 2016, O’Connor wrote on Facebook “Ireland is officially no longer owned by Britain”.[100]
She use to live in Westbourne Park Road, close to Lords Hill Bridge, I dropped her and her partner off there about 15 years ago.
I can’t say what she was like as I didn’t talk to her.
She seemed friendly enough.
@David_Ornstein
Everton contacted Unai Emery in the days after his sacking by Arsenal, leading to a meeting in London last week between Emery & #EFC majority investor Farhad Moshiri + chairman Bill Kenwright. No contact since but if the interest develops he would be keen:
https://mobile.twitter.com/BnsComps/status/1204204402220908545
Good voice though Kev. Lol
Are Liverpool losing then?
I’d like to see Emery at Everton.
Rico 7.06 😆😆
I like following what they do Kev as it’s Usmanov’s old sparring partner running things isn’t it?
Jim Smith has died today too.. ‘Bald Eagle’…
Evening all and thanks Rico.
Great 9 minute spell, I think we will need more than 9 minutes against Man C!
After watching Kev`s clip of Pepe I dont agree that he is a diver he took some rough tackles there.
Martinelli !……………….20 sprints, twice as many a the next player Auba and most tackles !……………..and he`s a forward !……………….my kind of player, see if you run and tackle all game and work your socks off and dribble and shoot and head times(X) that by ten outfield players and you have Liverpool !…………………….I have always said it, if you have the workrate and the skill then you will not disappoint!
I know some of you dont listen like me and Kev do 😆
but seriously the interview on talksport today on Jim White show wirth Robbie from AFTV was interesting to say the least, I never heard so much arguing on the show and I think Robbie held his own against Simon Jordan………………it`s here if you can be bothered!
https://talksport.com/football/641485/simon-jordan-arsenal-fan-tv-robbie-lyle-heated-debate/
Christ you two………Rico and Kev , I’m depressed enough already! Kev gave me a lovely boost earlier with a great little video and,now I feel like my bottom lips been stamped on.
LC,
One thing coaches love is hard working players.
Part of the reason I was always a fan of Ramsey’s and Martinelli already shows why he’s all about.
He’s damn impressive.
What a future he has ahead of him and let’s hope we can grow over the next few years and be worthy of his talent, as it’d be a shame to lose him.
I’ll try and find another vid for you Mike…
Just been listening to the Arsecast and they made a good point about our lack of a left back on Thursday, as we don’t really want to risk Kolasinac, or it wouldn’t be wise to do so…
I wonder if we’ll go 3 at the back?
Play Nelson as a wing back?
Bring Mavropanos and/or Medley into the squad?
Lacazette, Guendouzi, Mustafi and Luiz should all come into the team.
ESR?
AMN?
Willock?
Saka?
Burton?
Ceballos??
John Jules?
Here ya go Mike…
https://mobile.twitter.com/IanWright0/status/1204324875407699969
Fans love hard workers aswell, Scott, nothing new though as I`m sure a few on here would tell you about the late great Geordie Armstrong………Mr Perpetual Motion!
Eek Ajax into the Europa League as things stand,I hope they get another goal.
Thanks Kev…..Merse scoring was it and Wrighty dancing. What’s not to love . LOL.
Who’s our under 23’s left back ? Freddie should know if he’s good enough.
Going back to earlier I believe that Chambers and Holding got rave reviews from Boothroyd as a pair in his England team and Mavropolus appears to be developing well under Bouldy. add in Saliba and there is the making of a future triumvirate
Also it appears that Elneny is doing well at Besiktas and is returning to the player he was before he had the misfortune to come under Arsene’s spell .He is of course only on loan so a recall might be on the cards.
Potter , I liked every thing you said there and then TRIUMVIRATE appeared before my eyes and made me feel a bit unworthy !
Very impressive vocabulary , I must admit I had to look it up. LOL
Evening All
Just a short visit.
Potter I think Steve Bould and Ryan Garry are a very good team and are doing
a great job with the u23 side.
At this moment the team is mainly aged between 17 and 19 with Mavropanis
the only one over 21, the fullbacks in the last game were both 17and are both very talented.
However they are no where good enough to play for the first team.
Mavropanise is looking a lot better since the start of the season and seems far more confident.
Kev your 3.36
At a push I would bring Mavro in play 3at the back with Joe Willock as a wing back.
I would also give Robbie Burton a place in the suad
The more I see of Harry Clark the more I like him and he loves working with Steve Bould
All for Tonight
Cheers Rick, yeah, that’s how I would like to see us go defence wise, Mustafi and Luiz are better in a three, then again, if Freddie fancied really experimenting he could do what Emery tried when it was too late and give Luiz a go as a d/m, then Medley could come on the left of the three alongside Mustafi and Mavropanos.
That’s probably all a bit too radical, but Freddie hasn’t got many, if anymore games to try things out, so why not?
Anyway, happy dreams everyone….
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kev!!
Happy Birthday Kev…
New post up now
Chaka needs to go in January I just hope there’s a club that wants him