Morning all.
Finally, points on the board and all three after yesterday’s victory over West Ham. It was hard work though, especially the viewing. Saying that, I knew we’d won when I sat down to watch on Sky Sports last night so that took away a lot of the panic when time after time the Hammers were on the attack. They didn’t give up either, not until the final whistle blew.
The result might be deemed harsh on Pellegrini and his his players but considering we lost our last two fixtures because we failed to convert so many goal scoring opportunities, I can’t feel sorry for them. We too missed chances to score yet again but this time Lady Luck was on our side. Monreal, an OG and finally Danny Welbeck secured the victory which turned a concerned looking face to a smile for Unai Emery.
The goal West Ham did score highlighted just how much of a problem we have in defence. Anderson had all the time and space in the world to bypass our midfield before Arnautovic gave his team the lead. Emery said after the game that work needs to be done and who could disagree? In all honesty, I’ve seen better defending on a Sunday morning at my local park. I know it’s early days under the new coaching team but let’s be realistic, the basic rules of defending have flown out the window. During the match a friend texted me, ‘the defending is worse than it was under Wenger’, surely not I thought but later that evening I got to see it for myself and he was right. January can’t come soon enough imo because this team needs a central defender or two who know how to defend properly. Players who can read a game, anticipate danger and have positional sense in their footballing brain. Bellerin looked decent going forward but what was he doing just before Anderson set up Arnautovic, or any of the times West Ham broke down our right? On a postcard please. For everyone’s sake, I hope Emery can sort this huge problem out because other teams might not be so wasteful as yesterday’s opposition were.
Granit Xhaka was a lucky guy I thought as he could so easily have been given his marching orders just before half time when he went in hard on Snodgrass, hard but not fair at all. Not even a booking came his way which was a huge surprise. The same could be said about Issa Diop who was also a little fortunate not to see red for a nasty one on Aubameyang. He did get booked though. Late on, we were denied a penalty on Danny Welbeck who being man handled in the box.
We took the lead thanks to an own goal and from then, we appeared to be more in control. West Ham continued to get through us but as already said, they fluffed their final ball or Cech got in the way. A few bookings came only as did the changes with both managers using all their substitutes and when Danny Welbeck, with all the time in the world, controlled a Bellerin pass, turned and fired the ball past Fabianski and into the top of the net, it was definitely game over. How unlucky was Ramsey though with his fine strike from distance? It looked destined for the back of the net before Fabianski tipped the ball around the post. Mustafi was unlucky too when his earlier header was tipped over the bar by the ex Arsenal keeper.
We won and perhaps that’s all what mattered yesterday. We were fortunate to say the least but maybe that’s exactly what we needed, a bit of luck to settle things down a bit. Cardiff up next, now that will be interesting as we all know what Warnock will dish out.
In the meantime, we’ll find out who we’ll face in the League Cup and in the group stage of the Europa League. Hopefully they’ll be a lot of defensive coaching over the next seven days too, and shooting practice…
Have a good Sunday guys, we’re up to eleventh now…
The big hole in front of our back four is because of the players we have . When you play Ramsey on the right as Bellerin goes forward a gap appears because Ramsey goes forward and drifts into the middle to get into the box . Any team that has any thought knows to attack down that side as they break out. Mkhitarian also joins the attack and Xhaka doesn’t move over to cover .
When Torriera comes on we always look sounder because he sweeps across the middle and fills the gaps that the others leave. In my opinion he has to start and the midfield needs to be built around him. If that means some players are surplus to requirement so be it.
Possibly Welbeck on the right might be the immediate answer , we know that he will chase back and Reiss Nelson is young enough to learn and supplement his natural right winger play.
BTW I would like to add that I was not having a go at Meerkat per se just that I thought she was a bit harsh and that Emery needed time to get things sorted.
Further more something has to give so that Lacazette is on the pitch , when he and Aubameyang are there together we suddenly look more dangerous in front of goal.
Morning all.
It’s a start.
Not a hell of a lot more can be said but we are off the mark 🙂
I’m sure Emery will be relieved and I hope he now relaxes into the job as it must be a weight off his shoulders.
I believe Toreirra must start games from now on as we seem a bto tree side when he’s on the pitch.
I didn’t think you were Potter and Meerkat shouldn’t either.
Agree re Torriera, he’s a little tiger in our midfield and the sooner he’s ready to start matches the better. Imo, he and Guendozi will end up being our main central pairing. Lacazette and Auba in the same team is a must too, even though we don’t have much behind them bar Welbeck and then Eddie but I agree, we are a real threat when they play together.
Ramsey has always been an attack first, defend second kind of player but that was how Wenger appeared to play the game overall so getting that out of players dna will take time, but then I don’t think Ramsey will stay so there could be an opening there in the Jan transfer window or the summer.
I’d love to know the truth about Ozil, bust up or no bust up I wonder..
There must be a reason he isn’t tough Scott, could just be treading carefully after the WC..
Rico, I’m more than happy we haven’t thrown him in the deep end but I reckon it’s time.
Must be or very close Scott.
I’d say this week or next, surely, and I do believe easing him into the side will pay dividends in the long run.
Could do with him at Cardiff..
Only if we want to win hahahaha
I do think it’s time.
Morning you lovely lot and thanks Rico.
Oi M,kat !………………………I`m the doomer on here, just ask Kev` !
😆
Good to see you back even if only briefly.
Shearer spoke sense last night !………….going forward both FB`s were great, a goal from one and two assists from other, defensive wise the were pants !…………. its all about balance and getting it right and Dick needs lots of time to change old habits.
Guendouzi and Xhaka were too close together and thats why Bellerin and Mustafi were exposed to often aswell as Bellerin being almost our furthest player forward ( I`ve seen wingers less forward than him and some wingers in more defensive positions than him…..take a bow Geordie Armstrong !) as in this diagarm of players who were on pitch at time, it`s shows their average position…………..see how close Xhaka and Guendouzi were and the gap between Bellerin and Mustafi leaving a Bermuda Triangle of space where Kroenke`s wallet has probably gone missing ! 😎
http://sharemytactics.com/115965/
Shows what we already knew LC , we have problems covering the right hand side , we are too easy to attack and as I said earlier Ramsey drifts into the middle and leaves us exposed . Maybe we should think about playing Bellerin in front of Lichstiener who has the experience to be more disciplined.
Imo we should sell Ozil, he is so over paid it is laughable. Even on his best days which are far and few between he isn’t worth it. His ridiculous contact is going to cause
major problems with renewing contracts of other players and new players, just look at Ramsey as an example Ozil wages could lead to Aresnal downfall imo. Plus the fact We may have the worst own with the lowest ambition of all the top clubs.
I agree with Potter, perhaps Bellerin could be a right-sided midfielder who is fast in attack and who can also defend a bit rather than a defender who is fast in attack, but often gets lost in defense.
Wasn’t Bellerin a winger first and foremost?
Stevey, so would I but unless he takes a pay cut, who would sign him?
Could be catch 22 with Bellerin, he assists two goals, but leaves us exposed and on another day ( Stamford Bridge) we concede more than we score !
Although playing the better defender in Lickers is fine by me, Potter, what does Dick think ?…………………………..I have always been of the opinion that most title winners start with the philosophy of being hard to beat first and foremost, but the “new” style of pressing by the “top” teams seems to chuck that old adage out of the window .
Defending from the front is nothing new really as Ian Rush was considered Bindipopers first line of defense back in a day.
Playing the new style with players who have been on holiday with Wenger Sunsets will take time and needs discipline, positional sense, awareness of other players and dare I say it…………….mental strength !………………will take time and as I say, it should not be about fitness as they are fit fcukers anyway and if they are not then train them to be !.
Most FB`s were failed wingers, Rico, even going back to the past………..just a few off my head , Sammy Nelson, Gibbs etc`……………………………….Bale bucked the trend of being a failed FB to be a great winger ! 🙂
💡
Maybe it`s time to buy a great winger and have a great defensive FB !………………………I know !, too much common sense from a loon ! 😆
Rico maybe we should cut our losses try and off load him at a cut price. Mikka can play there so can xhaka. And that young kid lowe can. His wages and attitude will imo
Make Emerys job impossible.Did you read Ian Wrights comments about Ramsey stance he supports him and any player who want Ozil money if the club will pay one then why not more. Shocking really shows how greedy players are. Puts me right off the modern game sometimes. In the end it’s the poor average Joe who has to pay for it.
See Kroenke`s other “soccer” team had 2 players sent off in a 6-0 loss to Salt Lake City !……………………..bet he threw his syrup to the floor in disgust !……………….then had to watch in disbelief as a moggy tried to make love to it !
https://twitter.com/1burnm/status/1033451551828975617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1033451551828975617&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Farsenalarsenal.net%2F2018%2F08%2F26%2Fslightly-less-pants-than-west-ham-player-ratings%2F
As far as his Arsenal career goes Lc, I don’t think he’s ever been a winger let alone a failed one. I like the idea of pushing him further up the pitch with Lichtsteiner behind him.
Stevey, I don’t think we’d have any choice but to sell him on the cheap because I can’t see any club paying big money for Ozil now. I didn’t see Wright’s comments on wages, seems an odd view to me. I wouldn’t say any player we have in the squad deserves £300k a week.
I`m sure he was a winger at Barca and converted by Arsene to FB, Rico.
When I say failed winger I mean that with most FB`s in that they were not going to make it in the first team as proper wingers and converting to FB`s was the only way to succeed as professionals.
To have him with Lickers behind him means to me that we are settling for second best in buying a great winger.
Bellerin has pace but not the dribbling ability of a “true” winger imo. He plays give and go`s to get into positions and I rarely see him beat someone through trickery !
The young U23 players like Nelson, Amechi(spelling) have the skills, even watching Eddie the other night, he showed dribbling ablity that Bellerin doesn`t possess !
Lc, I think the suggestion of moving him into a winger is made on a shorter basis, how to get the best in the here and now. Long term, yes, we need a winger as well as defenders.
Apparently it was Bould who helped him cover to a full back. According to Wikki anyway.
Am glad people are seeing it now. I have been saying for 4 weeks that we need a formation change…… suggested 3 at the back with Bellerin and Welbeck as wingers and Torrieira and Guendo in the middle. Moreover Aubameyang and Lacazette puts so much pressure on opposition defense that they must start, which also helps out the defense because opposition midfielders must track back to defend . With this formation , who ever plays, Ozil, Xhaka, Mkhitaryan Ramsey or Iwobi is protected…. it so simple.
Sometimes I really wonder if some fans watch the games. To state the obvious, just watching the highlights don’t tell the full story. To compare Ozil with Ramsey is ridiculous and even more ridiculous is Aubameyang with Walcott. Really guys? On “ball intelligence” alone Ozil and Aubameyang are way ahead of the two, not to mention talent.
As an athlete nothing is more frustrating than playing with lesser talents who refuse to learn, work hard and keep making the same stupid mistakes; hence Sanchez’s problem with Ramsey. With respect to the reference that he doesn’t score against “big” teams….. Aubameyang is a frontman, if he’s not getting the service, he can’t score. The entire team shrinks in big games, what do you want him to do? If you need any references watch the guy in European competitions.
Let’s face, Arsenal buy Ferraris and try to make them into trucks. Xhaka is consistently gets picked on by fans, but this a player that was compared to Alonzo and with good reason. Watch the formation he played at Basel or Borussia, protection next to him and behind him, and he picked defenses apart all day ….in yesterday’s game the guys makes 2- 3 killer passes that went for throw in because lazy Bellerin stopped running. Stop putting the guy on the Island and we will see the abilities.
It just kills me some of these Arsenal fans on the net and their ridiculous post….. of course not here on HH……lol.
Saved by your last sentence Obi… Lol
Still a tad harsh though as people see different things in football, any sport really. Your reference to Auba and the service he gets did make me smile as in our opening two games he was handed goals on a plate, but he blazed them over the net… Perhaps you missed the City game..
Lol….. No. Actually I have watched the City game about 4 times and the Chelsea game 2 times. But that’s just 2 games Rico, as compared to the many crappy games Ramsey has had but wants a salary increase. Even the most lethal finisher in the league, Aguero, miss chances here and there.
And yes we all see different things, but even the most critical Arsenal fan will agree that there is a baseline for criticism….i.e., calling for Emery to be fired after, 3 games whether you like him or not is ridiculous or constantly slating Ozil and Xhaka without analyzing the formation or the system that they played in before Arsenal deemed them good enough to buy them.
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Good afternoon all and thanks Rico, for the post.
After watching a recording of the game, I’ve come to the conclusion that Emery doesn’t see Bellerin primarily as a fullback, in the strict sense of the word. If he did there is no way Bellerin would be allowed to totally abandon any idea of defending and swan off up-field at every opportunity. More to the point nor would he be allowed to jog back, after losing possession, leaving others to fill in for him in defence.
Wenger allowed him to do so for years, Emery seems equally happy with the situation.
I’m quite content to give ample time for our new head coach to settle into the job, assess the players at his disposal and work at integrating them into whatever formation he feels is best. He must, however, sort out the defence as a matter of urgency. I know it’s been only three games, discounting pre-season, but there doesn’t seem to be any more cohesion in the back five than under the previous regime. Maybe we were wrong in blaming Wenger, perhaps it was Bould who either wouldn’t or couldn’t coach his way out of a wet paper bag.
Chelsea beat Newcastle 2 -1 away today , we play them next . That makes a good marker to see exactly where we stand this season.
Just checked , We have Cardiff first who drew 0 – 0 with ten men Huddersfield.
Come on, please don’t tell me that most of you took what I wrote as literal. That’s the trouble with text speak, no nuance on words.
It was not me seriously wanting the new manager sacked. Another point I have to correct, is that I have never said or intimated that I told you so. Because I didn’t.
By the end of last season I wanted new blood as much as anyone here.
I wanted AW to leave, and he did, with dignity intact to a degree.
I would have loved someone to come in and take them all by the scruff of the neck and get things going.
Simeone, was my first choice, but wasn’t even in the reckoning , then I was up for Artetta with TH or Santi.
Sleazy Gadezy had other plans.
And so we have his choice, who I am not at all keen on, and don’t think I ever will be.
But it’s not what I want, it’s what is best for the club.
I thought he at least had a full pre season with nearly all the players, to get the gist of what players he had and their strengths and weaknesses. Clearly not, if the first game was anything to go by.
He does seem very naive re the EPL imo. The second game was similar, and yesterday more of the same.
We have all known that we needed a strong quick defender for yonks, so he must have seen that, so why didn’t he prioritise that, whilst the TW was open?
He doesn’t need until January to see that surely?
So we have now to wait, why when it could have been addressed sooner?
What if he doesn’t get one then? Will we still support him?
We can all see Bellerin is a weak defender, the others are too slow and unaware, why didn’t he see that in May or June or July?
Now, I’ve never said ‘I told you so’ before, but I may do in January, because now I am saying he is wrong for our club. We will see.
Another niggle I have, is that following our defeat against City he shot out from his seat and nipped straight down the tunnel. No handshake for their manager. Exactly the same at Chelsea, darted down the tunnel. Yesterday though, he shook hands with the opposing manager. Because we won. Trivial I know, but I don’t like that and I don’t like him.
I think in the interview with Ramsey after the game, he made it clear he didn’t like his ideas. And telling Ozil at training on Thursday that he was out, was the catalyst for him ‘being ill’.
At the moment we are very poor defensively and not too hot on scoring either. It’s not like it’s exciting, attacking play, where we win 5-3. We will lose more than we win this season, imo.
For the record, I don’t want Ramsey to leave.
Are any of the youngsters ready to play in his position? Dick should have already sorted that, and got one of them in by now, not panic when Ramsey leaves.
Over and out.
Ah Arsene, Arsene, where for art thou Arsene? Lol.
I may be a doomer, but even I know we should score an EPL record amount of goals at Cardiff……………………………although our non existant defense could concede an EPL record amount of goals !…………………..11-10 to the good guys then………………..that is Arsenal if you dont know who the good guys are !
🙂
Looks like I`m the only one who agrees with Obi that Xhaka is a good player !
4 & 2 Obi, you need to get out more.. lol
Lc, doesn’t make you both right though.. 😜
Seriously, it’s all about opinion and what the players do for Arsenal and there’s a few who don’t do much…
Obi, Alexis made more than his share of silly mistakes, and repeatedly.
I had to throw that in Hahahah
Evening all.
LCM. Just read your 2.41 post. ROFL!!
Visions of Stan chasing it around the stadium. It was his favourite, match day, lucky one too. He could outrun Bellerin. Cue Benny Hill music.
Cheers for the welcome post. Us doomsayers have got to stick together.
Negative bastards 🙂 🙂
Scott, I agree. Three games in, players still adapting, what’s there to be negative about?
Morning guys..
Hi Rico,
I do understand Meerkats reservations but we can’t change it, so best we support Emery and hope things turn out well.
It’s a long season ahead and we are up and running.
Lots of improvement required, and lots of hard work to be done.
Morning all.
Morning Rico and all. I think that many Arsenal fans saw the West Ham game as an opportunity to put the manager’s ideas into practice and to show that the defensive frailties of last season were at least on the way to being sorted. After the first two games, which were always going to be difficult, a home fixture against the Hammers seemed just the job. For much of the game I did wonder what on Earth was going on as we looked hesitant, uncertain and in some cases enormously ineffective. To me there seemed little progress and whatever we did through midfield and attack, which wasn’t a lot, we still looked frighteningly susceptible to the booming ball played over our scarce defence. Still, we won 3-1.
I suspect that Emery is now understanding the scale of the job in front of him and the rigours of the PL. Add to this the somewhat cavalier culture at the club and I reckon he has a tricky balancing act ahead both tactically and as a man-manager. The whole Ozil situation has a few twists and turns ahead I reckon and I can’t see the club rewarding Ramsey to the level he wants at all. The January window is going to be critical.
Hi Scott.
I just prefer to wait a season or two before going overboard. If after January and next summer we still have the same five defenders in the squad then that’s the time to judge Emery and co I reckon..
Morning Adam, that’s certainly the way I felt before the West Ham game along with the next few fixtures too. A chance to sort things out, become more assured at what they were trying to do and build on confidence before facing Liverpool.
I guess each game will tell us more about what’s going on, Emery too.
This Ozil stuff is interesting I think.
Rico, I think we can judge Emery, but we must take into consideration he’s only been there for 5 minutes, so we should be kind, imo.
Anyone involved with the club will be judged, and often very harshly, but that pressure comes with being at a massive club I guess-their wages balance that out lol
Adam, yep, January could well be massive for us, and the weeks and months leading to it will certainly be interesting.
As we all know, nothing’s ever dull when the Arsenal is concerned.
LCM…26 @ 7-15……..looks like you’ve finally lost your marbles. “Xhaka is a good player”
Let me know what time the men in white coats can come round and take you away. 😉
We’ll all have an opinion on things Scott, that’s for sure.
Vcc, I called them last night, Lc should still be under sedation right now. 😜
New post up now – it’s a long one so grab a cuppa before reading.. lol