Morning all.
Credit where it’s due I guess although it’s hard for me to write. Totts did well to beat Chelsea yesterday evening to end their unbeaten start to the season. In one way it’s good for us as just Man City threaten our unbeaten season now but even so, a draw would have suited us better.
So be it eh, and to be honest, we’ve got bigger things to concern ourselves with than what goes on elsewhere. Well, Unai Emery has. A run of draws, during which we’ve not really played that well is a concern. The first half performances have been average at best although I’m not naive enough to ignore that there’s been some good individual performances during our slow starts.
The guys have have a break, Emery has had two weeks to work out how to approach this game but in theory, he can do all the work he likes on the training ground but it’s the players who need to execute his plan. I don’t care about a ‘slow start,’ certainly on days like today against a good Bournemouth team, but that slow start has got to be disciplined, organised and confident. Not open, disorganised and vulnerable to the counter attack. Harsh maybe as were on a undefeated run but we’re not going to return to the Champions League by way of the league if we don’t get back to winning ways otherwise the pack of four above us will soon be out of reach.
This is a big game for Arsenal before we enter a really tough month ahead. Xhaka and Torreira need to control our midfield and look out for the defence too. I hope Guendouzi starts too because he gives us energy and speed whilst not neglecting any defensive duties. Personally, I hope not to see Mkhitaryan and Ozil on the pitch at the same time, in fact for a game like this one, neither are ideal at all because it’s going to be a roll up your sleeves for ninety five minutes day.
The two managers:
Eddie Howe:
“Arsenal have outstanding attacking players and a good look about their team, it will be a tough match.
“If one to 11 we are very good, then we can do well. It will be an interesting game to see which attack comes out on top and it will be a great battle for our defenders as well.”
Unai Emery:
“I know Bournemouth and they are a very prepared team with tactically good movement on the pitch and with a big intensity.
“We need to prepare well, we need every player with a big mentality to fight strongly there against them with our quality but, above all, with a big intensity and a big mentality in the 90 minutes.
There you go, fight strongly, big intensity and big mentality and that’s exactly what will see us come away from the south coast with maximum points. Anything less and Bournemouth will make us pay I’m sure.
Let’s hope it’s a great game and a very good day for The Arsenal.
Good morning Rico, our invisibles season????
Rico, one spellchecker enforced error doesn’t take anything away from another fine post, thankyou.
I’m looking forward to today’s game with some relish. Two attacking sides that actually play football, a fine dry day just made for a spectacular match.
Should Ozil play? It’s an away game and he doesn’t seem to enjoy playing outside of the Emirates and this one may be a bit high tempo for him.
A win would put us within a point of fourth place and increase the gap over Man U. On yesterday’s showing Chelsea are looking vulnerable.
Morning Cicero, darn auto correct….
Thanks Cicero.
I’m looking forward to the game too, should be a good one if both teams are at their best. Really like Howe and think he’s done wonders with Bournemouth.
No Ozil for me, not today.
3 at the back at Bournemouth….
Leno, Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Holding, Kolascinac, Torreria, Xhaka, Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang. Lacazette doesn’t even make the bench, but Nketiah does.
No Lacazette, Ozil on bench, interesting, I hope the absence of Lacazette is precautionary…
Could be a whole raft of reasons for that selection?
Saving players for the NLD?
Playing a system that best suits the players available, namely Mustafi & Kolasinac?
Protecting Lacazette, who may have a slight injury – well let’s hope it’s slight…?
Matching up to the system Bournemouth use?
Tactical, as in a flaw in how Bournemouth line up?
Still, for me I’m enjoying Emery’s use of different tactics and system, we certainly aren’t predictable anymore…
Lacazette was injured apparently
Pleased no Ozil..
He got a late call up for france and then pulled out , so it might be political as well . Lets hope so.
Today will be tough these are no push over and breathing down our neck in league places . I would obviously want the 3 points but would not be surprised if a draw was on the cards.
Yep Rico, Lacazette trained yesterday but it’s a slight groin issue, so it makes sense holding him back for the NLD.
We really need to do some business in January, for sure…
Didn’t know that Potter.
Certainly need him for that one Kev.
So what was wrong with that tackle from Mustafi?
We are all over the place. Awful.
We’re playing three centre backs and two full backs with Xhaka and Torreria but Bournemouth are strolling through the defence at will.
They are all over us.
Alan Smith bending over backwards to support Bournemouth.
Doesn’t he always re Smith.
This ref is a dick too.
Thank you Bournemouth, all donations gratefully received. D:
Stroke of luck
😀
Don’t care how they go in for us…. 😝
Iwobi, Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan are decent in possession but out of it, poor imo.
No wonder we spend a lot of time defending.
Bollox!
Man over at the back
Horrible first half performance.
Why? Why? Why were almost all our players right up field with seconds to go in the first half? Suicidal stupidity! I thought Emery was supposed to have sorted that kind of thing out
Both wingbacks forward at the same time.Aquick break and one man spare.If Emery is a better tactician he really needs to ssort this out.
Just writing the same Cicero. Suicidal football and very school boy. I countered 8 in the box.
I’ve gone right off Iwobi and Kolasinac
Where is our sodding left back?
Now Holding is playing left wing, this chaotic!
Guendouzi on soon I hope…
Never realised you were for him
Yes Rico and any one of Iwobi, Mkhitaryan or Aubemayang can come off.
Ha ha Potter.
Or one or two others Cicero. Bellerin and Torrieira have been good.
Yet another miss by Aubameyang!
Eddie might cause a few problems in their box being small and nimble..
Really poor from Aubameyang
At last, nice.
Two of our dodgiest players combine to give us back the lead.
🤣🤣
Didn’t see that change coming
Would have been Iwobi for me
International fixtures I guess.
Arsenal’s Black Friday bargain coming on for Iwobi. That’s Ramsey, in case of any doubt.
Leno had it covered
More like January sales…
Mustafi again
Better second half.
Mustafi does my head in.
Phew! That was close. Three points in the bag.
Emery really has to sort this first half issue out and fast.
3points but not looking forward to Tottenham
Why are we never on the field in the first 20 minutes?
We were the best team but it’s always very shaky.
We are never convincing and the opponents perceive our instability and lack of confidence.
Myntharyan, defend zero.
45 Jm.
Last 3 players to touch the ball for our winner were Iwobi , kolasinac and aubameyang.
So I ask ,what do we know ?
Not surprised Kolasinac was up there for the goal, because he was rarely back at left back stopping a cross or tight to their players. Was a big fan of him w hen he first signed, but really want Monreal back quick! Still, three good points and another tight offside decision going out way.
Says a lot really Potter..
Maybe all the time out injured has had an effect on him Andrew..
Morning all.
Imo, Emery is doing brilliantly.
He’s walking that fine line of making the overhaul to the squad plus tactics against results, and I do think he’s handling it very well.
It’ll take time, and I reckon most of us would’ve been damn happy3 months ago to look at the ladder as it stands right now.
Performances should slowly improve, and yes, they need to, but if Emery purely focused on that aspect, we could easily be 10th or 12th on the ladder, so patience is required.
Scott, I think Emery is finding a lot out about some of his players. He needs transfer windows imo so yes, patience is needed.
New post up now.