Morning all.
Well that was an odd couple of hours of football from start to finish. The squad and staff had to switch coaches because a Blackpool protester parked himself on top of the original one, the stadium was missing a few thousand home supporters because of ongoing troubles off the pitch and then to top it all off, Koscielny stretched, something broke and that was his game over before it started. In came Carl Jenkinson and the game got going.
Eddie Nketiah led the attack on his lonesome, Maitland-Niles, Willock and Iwobi filled the midfield together with the more experienced Ramsey and Elneny. With Lichtsteiner, Jenks, Sokratis, Kolasinac and Cech making it eleven. Three substitutes were used, Lacazette, Saka and Medley who during the second half replaced Eddie, Kolasinac and Iwobi.
Playing in front of a less than half full stadium must have felt weird. Another patchwork defence isn’t helping our cause either. Hopefully soon, if not this month then in the summer, we’ll have a stronger, more balanced and certainly more settled back five. I know it’s the FA Cup so changes were made but even so there’s been too much, mostly forced, chopping and changing going on for any kind of rhythm or understanding between the players to be formed.
It’s hard to believe that not too long ago Blackpool were playing in the Premier League under Ian Holloway. Admittedly they didn’t hang around long but even so, they’d earned their right to be there. Now though the off field problems are dominating the headlines more than their football. I personally didn’t think they were particularly good. A big guy up front was their main threat but as the crosses came in, none were really good enough for him to cause a serious problem. They got at us though and had their fair share chances to score a goal or two but their finishing was woeful. Thankfully.
We’ve also got to be thankful that VAR wasn’t in action last night for our game because had it been, Iwobi’s two errors would have been spotted. The first was a sneaky handball just before he crossed for Willock to score his second of the night, the second was him being offside for his own goal. Still, there was nothing wrong with our first which all started on the edge of the box. Ramsey took the free kick which ended up blasting into the woodwork and as the ball flew straight back into the box, there was Willock to head home. Smart from the young Englishman. His finish for his second goal was tasty too. No such good fortune for Eddie though as his early chances came and went. It wasn’t quite happening for the youngster last night. Well, not in front of goal but the rest of his game was pretty good I thought and only an offside flag denied him of a hat trick. Willock had a very good night. He was everywhere. He’s coming on rather well.
After the game, Unai Emery was once again asked about transfers, particularly Denis Suarez:
I think the club is working on the possibility to bring in some players who can help us during this next four months of competition.”
“It’s a different situation. If the transfer market can help us find a centre back, the possibility to bring them in is not easy because we also have Mavropanos coming back from injury.
“If we have the possibility to sign some important players, we can do it. At left or right wing, perhaps one player can help us in this position.
“We will only sign players who give us quality.”
That last little gem sounds oh so familiar but he’s right, there’s little point in Arsenal signing players of a similar standard to those we already have because the only way we’ll improve is with better or different qualities.
There’s lots of speculation going on that’s for sure. The Suarez stories look like they might have legs as Sky Sports are reporting them now but as for the rest, well pie in the sky maybe.
Emery mentioning the return of Mavropanos when talking about defensive signings is understandable but he’s talking about a player who is yet to prove he’s ready for the league so relying on him is a risk I’d have thought. Koscielny is finished at this level I reckon, his body isn’t going to get any stronger now so regardless of how good Mavropanos may or may not turn out, we’d still only have three central defenders at best. We need one more with experience and quality.
We can afford to let Mohammed Elneny go though. Sell him to the highest bidder and reinvest, although I doubt those bids would be high. Yesterday he was outshone by young Joe Willock in every area of the pitch I thought. In fact if it wasn’t for his scuffed shots on goal, I wouldn’t have noticed him at all. These are the kind of matches fringe players should be bossing, staking a claim for first team selection but in truth, the youngsters were the ones who shone. I thought anyway. Eddie might not have scored but at least he was trying and causing problems with his movement. Perhaps he just needs a lucky break in front of goal. Perhaps he is simply trying too hard.
Anyway, we’re into the next round of the FA Cup and I think the draw for the next one takes place later today.
West Ham away is our next fixture when we’re likely to see Sami Nasri in action for the home team. Who’d have thought he’d end up there eh….
Have a good Sunday guys, let’s hope some of the ‘big’ teams get knocked out of the Cup later…
.
By the way. I thought I’d leave it for someone else to remark on how refreshing it was to see an Arsenal defender out jump an opponent in our own penalty area and actually win the ball. Even though he was fouled in the process I hasten to add.
I’m sure you know who I’m referring to…. 😉
If we are to start depending on this crop of youngsters to supplement the squad then we will have to learn to be patient.
One of the merits of this site is that in general that contributors take a level head when it comes to the machinations at the club. When you read around some of the others however patience is not always on display.
Think about the list of those on the fringe and it’s a long list of prospect , AMN , Smith Rowe , Nelson , Willock , Gilmour , Nketiah , Medley , Kelechi and I am sure that there are more but they can’t all play at once and neither should they . Jenks is 26 years old 9 years younger than the Swiss and there’s no doubting who TA4 thinks we should be retaining . Once Bellerin is fit he offers a lot more to the squad and for longer too especially when you consider the ages and fitness of Koscielny , Monreal and Mkhitaryan.
Our squad is metamorphasising , we will be seeing the end of many of the Wenger era and unfortunately they will not generate hard cash as they go which makes the jobs of the marketing team all that more important . Unlike Sarri who is going to his homeland to bolster his team with hard cash we will jog around Europe picking up supplements to the ones that we are bringing through . Lets hope they stay and want to get success where they are because as they grow into the stars we hope they will the predators will be circling and hopefully we can generate enough off the pitch to not have to cash in.
Jenks over Lichtsteiner for me every day of the week Potter. I know Jenks is not perfect either but as others have said, he’ll give 100% to the cause. I’m not sure I’m right but I think he improves too the more he plays. As much as Lichtsteiner brings a lot of experience etc into the squad, his legs can’t cope with the PL. but then I doubt Emery thought he’d be needed as much as he has been.
Totally agree re the youngsters. They are where they are in their progresss and years. We’d be foolish not to give them time and backing I think, if and I know it’s a big if, all get to make it into the first team over the next couple of years, it’ll be great for the club and the fans.
Good morning Rico, a defender of ours won a ball in the air? I must have been opening a bottle of beer and missed that gem.
I agree that it looks like curtains for Koscielny, time to give Medley a chance, it would be refreshing to have an Arsenal centre back who doesn’t need a step ladder to see over the head of a five foot ten striker.
Having watched the Iwobi handball countless times I’m still not convinced either way, but he was certainly offside for the goal. Do we really want VAR? 😉
Morning Cicero, it was towards the end. I’ll give you a clue, it was after our final substitution..
I think VAR might have given the handball, but it certainly wasn’t obvious or deliberate imo.
Ah! Was it Zech Medley?
Morning Gooners.
Morning Rico, I was listening to the radio yesterday evening, both BBC and TalkRubbish, Willock and Nketiah were the two players who were constantly being praised, it didn’t seem an issue that Eddie missed his opportunities, his pace, touch and football intelligence were what was repeatedly commented on. The goals will come for him, but the shame is as Cicero said, he needs a loan but I don’t think that Emery will let him go because of the lack of depth in our squad. He could do a job for a team in the lower reaches of the EPL or top of the Championship, like Villa or Leeds, but a loan to Germany would be favourite.
Of course Cicero.. 😜
Holding is good in the air, he gets those little flicks that divert a cross but don’t catch the eye.
I love his understated style, I really hope he comes back as good as before?
Medley looks really good Rico, he obviously has a great technique to be played at left back, that’s unless we went 3 at the back when Kolasinac went off?
I think that Mavropanos will be back for the 4th Round of the FACup – depending on who we draw and that draw btw is on Monday Rico.
Morning Kev.
If Reading weren’t in a relegation battle, they’d be an ideal club too. I watched them against Utd and they are turning a corner imo. This new guy is trying to play football and they passed well imo. They lacked a speedy striker who could nip and get them goals.
I like Eddie, whether he makes it is anyone’s guess just as it is for all young players but once the goals start going in, he’ll settle I think. He could do with being on the pitch with Ozil when we’re 4-0 and twenty minutes to go…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsRGDitlnX7/
Great point Rico, I remember Frank Stapleton struggling to get goals when he first got into our 1st team, he ended up becoming the most complete centre forward in England, Eddie will be fine, I’m sure of that…
Holding certainly goes unnoticed for all the right reasons Kev. Medley is a big unit too, I hope he continues to improve.
Thanks re Monday..
4th Round draw for the FA Cup will be live from Molinuex, on BBC Monday night.
Arsenal are No. 19
COYG
It’s a lot of pressure on Eddie to lead the line on his own Kev. I’d have thought being a tiddler, he’d be better playing off another striker, or a midfielder who’s right up there with things. He needs a very unselfish player around him right now imo.
At the end of The One Show no doubt Vcc.
Owen Oyston looks the kind of dodgy geezer you wouldn’t want to take your eyes off of…
If you get my drift…
A similar conversation filled my living room yesterday evening Kev. 😉
No then, now then Rico, with a big cigar. 😉
😂 Kev.
Hodgson has said he needs to sign a striker. Good place for Eddie to go perhaps?
What happened to FA vetting of prospective owners? Our leagues are choked with dodgy Russians, Thais, Arabs and all supports of money grubbing crooks as well as Americans with short arms and long pockets.
Sorry sorts, not supports.
Afternoon all.
Oyston is a bit of a limpet! Blackpool don’t make much profit but he sees it as his pocket money fund and his delightful son, the same. Very little cash is left in the football club and so they are struggling to survive. They have a strange 8dea of how to progress a business….but what do I know. However, Cicero is quite right to point out the dodgy geezers who own our football clubs. As for the FA and due diligence they couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery so how could they possibly vet a prospective owner who may or may not have darstedly intentions.
Our kids? The little I’ve seen or rather been allowed to see of them, team choices are my complaint, but I really do think we have a very talented group of players many of whom need to be playing far more than, hitherto they have. Several have had short cameo parts to play I think they need longer pitch time. Will they get more playing time? I rather doubt it except in games where the opposition is deemed weak, like yesterday or last season against Forest!! There’s always a bit of history that slows down real progress. Etc etc.
If little Dick is allowed to venture into the transfer market I think any one who comes in will only ‘be in’ for a very short period of time, unless he buys a superstar or two! I’ve a feeling they are going to use some of the kids to supercede some of our more seasoned regulars. IMO, Koz, Cech, Montreal, Leichsteiner, Ramsey, (though I don’t know why) Micataryan(sp), Welbeck and Ozil will all be levered out of the club at the end of this season. Only a few newbies will come in and the rest will be promoted from the juniors. Still, we’ll see.
Dry here a bit like my January😀
Funny enough Wavy, I’ve been writing the post for tomorrow and it’s kind of about what you’ve just said. I too can’t see many mid twenties kind of signings this month. I reckon older and experienced will come in.
HI Rico
I’m a bit worried about Eddie, do you think he’s turning into a bit of an Emil Heskey?
Brian
Afternoon all and thanks Rico.
I`m with a few in that Eddie did well getting into the right positions, the goals will come I`ve no doubt !
Blackpool`s owner is raping his club, but what do you expect from a convicted rapist !
From a new book I see that Chavs owner wanted to buy Arsenal, but was put off by bankers who said we were not for sale !………….David Dein believes Arsenal would have sold had he made the offer !…………………….and we get tight Kroenke instead !
However he did also look at Spuds and love this quote from the new book…………………………Another claim made by the book is that Abramovich met with Tottenham but ‘while his Mercedes trundled along Tottenham High Road, he looked out and said in Russian, “This is worse than Omsk” — the grim Siberian outpost where he had a refinery.’
😆
good afternoon all!
Nketiah could be loaned but for a championship that is not of constant physical confrontation and allows him to play. Holland would be better than Germany.
I’ve read that WH is interested in Elneny.
Leicester were interested in Elneny last summer, now if West Ham come into the mix and maybe a couple more from the bottom half of the Prem, then we have a bidding war and can hopefully get a much bigger price than the previously quoted £15m, more than Solanki at least?
In some ways I would be sorry to see Pharoah go as he has been a solid professional and has gone about his business and although never spectacular is quietly efficient. However I suppose that with the emergence of our spate of young players filling shirts he can be seen as surplus to requirement but no-one is going to break the bank for him . £ 10 million plus a little is the maximum that I can see and coupled with his £55k a week salary is hardly going to cure the national debt.
Buenas tardes, a todos,
Loved your comment on Abramovich LCM.
Yessir, I thought the youngsters did an admirable job in a real cocktail of a team that might have got a couple more.
Lichtsteiner is too fond of not knowing what to do with the ball once he’s received it and advanced towards enemy territory, panics and then sends the ball back to Cech, who, in his misguided attempt to emulate the footwork of our very own Auba, almost gifts the enemy a goal.
Surely L’s and C’s days are numbered as they are fast approaching a duo comedy show?
I concur with the general mood about Elneny, Kosc (injuries), Mkh (not very effective frankly) too.
Pleased to see Jenks back in, think he just needs some playing time to gain confidence which can’t be easy with some of the dodgy defenders around him.
Brilliant – Santi Cazorla scores two goals against Real Madrid. Can someone explain to me why we let him go?
Will Welbeck suffer the same fate?
WHY are Arsenal funding their prospective buying of new players when the owner is as rich (apparently) as
Croesus? Seems like he’s milking the club?
I can’t see us getting more than £7/8 million for Elneny…
Benik Afobe went from Wolves to Stoke for £12M !………………..so why not £15M for Elneny………………..there`s some silly prices ……………like £35M for Mustafi !
Makes you wonder what we have got for Ramsey and Alexis if they would have been sold with longer contracts !…………………enough money to buy decent players like Bindippers ahve done with their Courtinho and Suarez money, same as Spuds with their Bale and Modric money !
It will take years for us to catch up both on and on the pitch with those savvy clubs !
Exactly Lc re Ramsey, Alexis etc but Wenger apparently blocked the sale of Alexis to City and let Ramsey to enter his final year..
Strikers always go for more don’t they?
New post up now.