Morning all.
History, past results, Monday night football and playing in Yorkshire are all things in our favour tomorrow night. It’s amazing how much positive data can be dragged up from days gone by and used in a positive way before our next match. Which of course is against Sheffield Utd.
We’ve won our last seven league fixtures in Yorkshire, the best run by any club in the premiership apparently. I guess we lost or drew the eighth. Lol. Monday night matches have been good for us too because just one defeat in eleven matches says so. Head to head, Arsenal boss the win/loss stats so let’s pop the cork and indulge in a few bubbles eh…
No, let’s not. All history does is tell us what previous Arsenal teams have done, none of which is relevant today. 2006/07 was the last time Utd were playing Premier League football before earning promotion last season. December 2006 was the last time these two sides met in a league fixture at Bramall Lane and guess what? We lost!
After floating around in the Championship or League One during the following years, a big boost came their way when in September 2013, Saudi Prince Musa’ed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the royal House of Saud had bought a 50% stake in United’s parent company ‘Blades Leisure Ltd’ for the fee of £1 with the promise of providing “substantial new capital” with the aim of returning the Blades to the Premier League as “quickly as possible. (Yes of course that’s from Wikipedia) It’s funny really, when I read a Prince in sport I often think about the racing and one exciting event taking place in November is the Breeders’ Cup. Many football fans will also be looking at the Breeders Cup entries, with a number of horses from the UK heading over.
Perhaps the more relevant information about this fixture is the fact that Liverpool huffed and puffed out a 1-0 victory when they faced Utd away from home just a couple of weeks ago and that solitary goal came because the goalkeeper made an absolute mess of a 70th minute shot from Wijnaldum, Liverpool’s first one on target in the game.
I think tomorrow night will be a tough match for us. Perhaps one of the toughest tests on the road this season. Not in the way the likes of City, Chelsea, Liverpool and probably Leicester have or will be but I get the feeling Chris Wilder will have an organised team who’ll make life hard for our attacking players, not to mention our midfield or defence.
We are competitive and we fancy our chances and we are bullish. At the same time, however, understanding the threat and pace and power that Arsenal have in the top end of the pitch – we must respect that.” – Chris Wilder.
In other words, they’ll give us little time on the ball, they’ll be strong and physical so it’s not a game for any Arsenal player who isn’t prepared for ninety odd minutes of hard graft.
There’s no doubting the quality we have in our squad, even more so now with the threat Tierney and Bellerin will pose down both our attacking channels but we’ve yet to see our players really click together in a league match.
Aubameyang is the only playing firing in goals on a regular basis with eight so far this season. After him, it’s Martinelli which says a lot. We need more from our midfield and wide players, our defenders on set pieces too which sums up this Arsenal team really because not everyone is pulling their weight. Not every player is doing enough for the team. Whereas I bet every single player for the home team tomorrow night will.
We need more control and discipline from Xhaka, Luiz, Sokratis and Kolasinac if all play. More assertiveness and confidence from Leno and certainly more focus and direction from everyone, including Emery. Pepe needs to shake off the £72 million price tag and just play football the way we know we can and if Tierney gets the green light to start, then surely there’s a case for Martinelli to start too? With Nelson injured, I’d imagine it’s a battle between the Brazilian and Saka for that left hand side place.
I think we’ve got something like seven fixtures in nineteen days now so rotation will be key to keeping players fit and fresh but the Premier League is the big one, it’s the one which has to be the priority over all overs in my opinion and we need our strongest team out there tomorrow night to get maximum points and strongest doesn’t always mean the best. Certainly not if best is judged by a players value or salary.
After all, what was it Arsene Wenger once said about Rob Holding after he’d had a great game? ‘I’m sorry he didn’t cost £55 million’ – yes, he was being ironic because the media weren’t interested in our twenty year old Englishman back then but they will soon I’m sure. Once Gareth Southgate selects him. Yet if fit, he’s my first pick for defence with Calum Chambers not far behind right now.
With virtually a full squad to pick from, It’s time for Unai Emery to get the best out of this team.
See you in the comments guys…
Great post Rico, thanks for that…
Chambers and Tierney at full back for me and I suspect Emery…
I’d start Holding as well but I expect to see the chuckle brothers at the heart of our defence tomorrow.
good morning!
Two important games in a week.
I hope they are 3 +3 points.
Who comes to Portugal to see Arsenal in November? I go 🙂
Thanks Kev.
Ditto re the chuckle brothers- same with Xhaka..
Who are we playing Jm?
Victoria FC of Setubal. Wednesday 6th November. Rico.
Morning all.
It’s been a busy month or so with the family moving house, interlull put me to sleep but we are back.
Sheffield will be tough but we can’t sit back.
Our strength is up front so go at them but, as always, be careful of the counter.
Wenger was right with his “apology” but it wasn’t just aimed at the media, as most fans were living when we spent a mere 2 million on a kid from a lower league club.
We were a mess at the back so I can see why fans wanted a big name but Holding was under the spotlight from fans for all the wrong reasons yet has come out on top.
Let’s hope the lad stays fit and healthy as he has one hell of a career in front of him.
According to the Mail, Lacazette is aiming to return to action against Sheffield United this evening. He’s been sorely missed.
Kev, if Holding can stay fit I think he will become a mainstay of our defence alongside Chambers. Also, they could be the answer to Southgate’s prayers as he flounders around looking to replace Maguire, Gomez and Keane. Sokratis and Luiz are both getting on a bit and are unlikely to be starting Premiership matches next season.
I agree Cicero, Holding is a top top defender, you won’t see him when under pressure, pulling an opponents shirt or giving away a stupid foul in the box.
Arsenal’s priority should be a really top quality defensive midfielder next summer, someone who sweeps up in front of our back four, a player who is calm in stressful situations, whose mantra is to simply win possession and set us on to the attack again.
I personally think that Saliba and Holding will make a great partnership eventually so I’m not sure that spending £60m plus on Upamencano is the best way to spend our transfer fund in a few months time?
Hope the move went well Scott, exciting times in a new home….
I’ll hold my hands up, I thought Holding wasn’t going to make as Arsene cast him aside righ5 after that superb FA Cup. Credit where it’s due, Emery seemed to have more faith in him from the off and he’s repaying that faith.
That’s why I remain hopeful for Chambers and his Arsenal career.
No Cicero. Vitoria Sport Clube from Guimarães
Thanks Rico,
Moving is horrible 🙂
Smaller house but nicer area, a few minutes from the beach on one side and the lake on the other so surrounded by water.
Just lovely.
Emery definitely likes Holding and he should.
I’m with you in Chambers as well.
Fulham player of the year in a side under constant pressure at the back says plenty, imo.
Beach one side, lake the other? Sand flies one side mosquitoes the other, flood risk all round! Hope you’ve got good health and property insurance Scott. 😉
Seriously, I hope you have a happy home Scott.
Sounds a fab location scott, I’m envious.
Currently in Cyprus arranged bar for tonight,they better not screw up the holiday
Aubameyang has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or. Along with ten others but there are more nominations to come. More will be announced later this evening.
Guendouzi is on the final twenty name short list for Golden Boy award.
Potter, where you are in Cyprus?
It’s very hard for me to believe this is our strongest lineup. Emery’s selection is horribly frustrating. We have better midfielders and defenders on the bench.
Everytime I see Xhaka and Skoritas start I can not see how anyone will consider Emery as a top level manager.
I’m not surprised that Tierney is not starting, he hasn’t started a Premiership game yet and away to a tough Sheffield United team is not the time to do so.
Oh he’ll! Mike bloody Dean!
We will do it tough today.
How did Pepe miss that?
I doubt Pepe will get an easier opportunity to score.
Not good defending from us again. Really soft one to concede.
Plenty of time yet though. Lol
Freddie booked, not for the first time, I think it was Lee Dixon who told him “if you’re going to swear at the ref, at least do it in Swedish”.
What in Hell’s name are we doing, just playing either sideways or backwards. You can’t win a game playing in your own half.
It’s not pretty that’s for sure.
Great strike from Xhaka, good save though..
If Lacazette is fully fit, surely he’s got to come on now. Saka off with Auba and Pepe on the wings. Or Martinelli because Saka is lost out there. Mind you, so are a few others with much more experience.
Cierco @ 8pm. I am sure that if you ask Tierney he would prefer playing regardless of the grounds. Why sign a player to play in the EPL then be concerned about the grounds? Tops 4 teams managers don’t concern themselves with that.
Well that was a crap first half, a glaring miss by our record signing. A player booked for diving in the box. Hopeless defending resulting in a goal. Emery needs to kick a few arses at half-time and quit this idiotic idea of playing out from the back.
Only two bright spots, Guendouzi playing a blinder and two good attempts on goal plus some good defensive work by Xhaka.
1-0 half time. Always the same.
The opponent always takes the game where it wants.
Ceballos for Willock,Lacazette for saka .
Polis JM
Do EPL referees get evaluated; I still don’t understand why Mike Dean has a job?
It’s horrible at the moment.
Obi Tierney came to us with a long term injury, he came from a team in a league that must be one of the weakest in Europe. Just like Pepe he needs to acclimatise to English football and he would need more cover than Saka could provide
Potter, that little square in the middle of the town is a great place to watch football while eating and drinking. We were there a few years ago while the Euros were on, a great choice of bars. I envy you.
Sheff Utd away and we don’t need Torreira? I despair. Throw in near their penalty area, it goes back to our goalie. Saka stays on. Despairing with Emery, just don’t get it.
Playing ourselves into trouble
This suicide football. We’re playing possession football almost exclusively in our own half. If the team are playing to orders those orders are just plain wrong. All
Almost gave away another goal. Get the sodding ball up field as quickly as possible and keep it there.
Cicero @8:58. The league one plays don’t dictate talent. Guendouzi played only 20+ games at Lorient, but he’s now our best midfielder, Martinelli talent is way above his Ituano team. Tienery hands down is a solid player who on pace alone changes games. Yes he was injured, but he is not now, so play him.
It’s been horrible since the end of last season Adam.
Peep off for Martinelli, not before time.
Luke Freeman. So that’s where he went….
Right on cue Emery just proved my point. He can play Martinelli but Tierney who played in SPL, and speaks English, is not ready.
Tierney has played in Europa and League Cup, I’d have thought he was ready for tonight’s challenge.
Emery has no answers his selections and tactics prove that…..
No Obi, the league one plays in dictates pace, competitiveness, intensity and pressure. Those are qualities that need to be learnt.
The SPL is a tough league, as tough as the PL physically I think.
How do we manage to make crap look good
Five minutes added time in which to save Emery’s job?
With practice… lol
Have the board seen enough?
Awfull!
Well done Sheffield Utd.
Emery should go now. This squad is better than this, it really is.
Night guys.
We attack on the contrary. Against these teams, it is not the player who drives the ball that will work the attack; It is the front players who have to constantly move to create spaces and destabilize the markings. By not doing so, the defenders are always in the game, confident and completely controlling the scoring and progression of the player driving the ball.
rico, don’t laugh, I’m not sticking up for Emery but I did hear the dog ate his homework earlier !
So Teirney needs time to acclimatise, that’s the funniest thing I’ve read in ages.
Tonite was all about digging in and we couldn’t even do that.
Give Ljungberg a go till the end of the season. If that doesn’t work, back to plan A with Arteta. No tactics can be worse than moment.
Shocking result from a depressing match.
Well, another bag of crap! There’s just no urgency. Just no dynamic forward running with the ball at defenders. No drive just a poor imitation of sideways, backwards, upwards, downwards Wengerball. Totally inefficient. Totally uninspiring. Totally unproductive. And totally unacceptable.
Emery? If he’s to keep his job, (I doubt he will,) he has to change his mindset and tactics, Pronto. Tonight’s team performance is all down to him, imo. And the result is down to him and his inability to inspire and motivate his players.
Another waste of two hours of my life😡
Player for player we are much better but they were organised and we were not . We had no idea players thrown on playing out of position – no plan or direction wingers in defence attacking midfielder playing deep 13 passes out from the back resulting in Leno booting it upfield. We nger is probably laughing his socks off
Potter, you just made my day. “Wenger is probably laughing his socks off”. LOL.
Cicero…… If Tierney can’t do better than Kolasinac , well then we’re in real trouble!
Tierney came from the Scottish League. It’s all ball, bollock and bite! I think he would have been great in this game.
How many times did we give the ball away??
And don’t get me started on corners.
Who trains this team… CoCo the Clown!
Is it me or are Ceballos’s feet huge! He and Pepe don’t like to tackle either.
Micko, I hope he threw it up over Emery’s feet afterwards.
Agree Mike re Tierney and Scottish football. It’s rough and tumble up there that’s for sure.
Obi I agree with you about Xhaka and Sokratis. I would add Luiz to that too.
They offer nothing going forward and are a liability defensively.
When will we see Holding? Tierney? Torreira ? Why can’t Emery see these are better players than the ones he’s fielding.
Arteta In 🙂
Morning all.
Emery is like a deer in the headlights.
Trouble is Scott, those headlights keep swerving….
Morning to you and all.
Happy birthday old man, your standard of football lives on at Arsenal… lol
Arsene turns 70 today…
New post up now