Morning all.
If someone had asked me whether or not our winning ratio was better when Mesut Ozil plays than when he doesn’t, straight away I’d have said the latter. I’d have been wrong. The margin might be small, but nevertheless, our results are better when he’s larging it up on the pitch.
It’s not as simple as though is it? Ozil thrives on what others around him are doing. What spaces they are running into and whether or not they are digging in, doing the donkey work he avoids. If nine work their socks off, Ozil will invariably flourish.
I am a big believer that you can have all the talent in the world but to win trophies like the great Arsenal sides of the past you need to back it up with the correct attitude and work ethic, and that is what Emery has instilled in his side. – Alex Scott.
For a long time, I’ve been saying the same which is why I’m not overly fussed about big money signings, or players who put money before the club and the game when their contract renewal is due. I think Unai Emery thinks along the same lines as his success story in the past has been about players who graft, certainly more so than big stars. Until he arrived at PSG of course.
It’s hard to disagree with Alex Scott when she says our attitude and work ethic on a match day has improved because it has. When we’ve had to dig deep to secure points, we have. But I think our squad still contains a few passengers. Ozil is always the first name which pops into my mind but close behind him is Mkhitaryan, another very talented player who just doesn’t seem to want to work hard.
Hard workers is term we’ve heard Unai Emery talk about since he first arrived. It’s what others who know him well have said is what he’s all about. Hard working players gave him three European Cups. Perhaps that’s why he pulled the plug on Aaron Ramsey’s new deal and the reason behind Jack Wilshere departing back in the summer too.
Every top club needs quality players, but they need to have a strong work ethic too. Torreira has it, Guendouzi, Sokratis and Lichtsteiner too and they’re all really good players too. The latter are hard so and so’s and take no rubbish thrown their way during a match. Neither will Torreira I reckon.
I think that’s the way the club will continue to go forwards. The southern softies label is on its way out, of that I’m sure. In fact take Mkhitaryan and Ozil’s name out of the frame, I reckon it’s already gone.
Liverpool tomorrow evening. Looking forward to it or praying for six foot of snow between now and midday tomorrow?
Morning all. Agree re Özil. He doesn’t seem to thrive if he’s doing all the work. But if others around him work their socks off, then he’s a different beast. A bit the same with Auba. You don’t get the impression that he is a workaholic, but give him one good pass or half a chance and he’ll score. I don’t have expectations for tomorrow whatsoever but if we bleed for the cause and still lose, i won’t be too downhearted. Remember Pep didn’t do too well in his first season (or Klopp for the first 2 seasons). As long as we get the points against the “smaller” teams, we’ll be alright.
I’m optimistic Adk, we could nick it I reckon..
Good morning everyone,
Spot on Rico – “I’m great and gifted, so let the others do the donkey work” has never worked for me either.
A team has to be an engine with all parts contributing to the same goal.
Mkhitaryan, apart from being a slacker, also had a decent chance from an excellent pass from Torreira – should have cut back (?) and slotted inside the far post just like Henry used to do?
Mkh appears to me to be rather lacking in dribbling skills with a splash of trickery thrown in for good measure.
Yes I know there’s only one Messi but I think you get my drift?
Fingers crossed for tomorrow and we survive the inevitable first half onslaught from Liverpool.
Strange thing is Andorra, Mkhitaryan was a quality player before he went to Utd. I can see him being sold..
Just hope Monreal or Kolasinac are back for tomorrow.
Afternoon Gooners.
Cicero, your father in law should have written a book, seems as if he had an intriguing story to tell.
Afternoon Rico.
My Grandad used to shoe the horses of the last horsedrawn taxis in between the wars and then went on to do the last horses of Express Dairy. During the winter a stop at his forge was a good idea for an hour after school.
I forgot to say that he learned his trade at a certain army barracks based in Woolwich . Which is the family’s Arsenal connection.
That’s interesting Potter, did your Grandad go to any of the matches in Woolwich, or had Arsenal moved when he was there?
Don’t know and there is no-one left to ask. But he was heavily into The Arsenal and Rum and I was only 9 when he suddednly died.
G’day all, Rico I would like to see the stats for Ozil, home and away. I get the impression that he is a lot more effective at The Emirates than he is elsewhere. Actually, I don’t want to see the stats, I don’t want to see any stats, but if someone can confirm my impression I would be grateful.
Kev, one of the few stories he told was when he was working in north London pre WW2 he got a fare to Wood Green station which he dropped off at about 6pm. Money was scarce and he couldn’t afford to drive around looking for business so he sat outside the station hoping to pick up a fare as people came home from work. No such luck, he sat there until the passengers from the last train of the night had come and gone and the station was closing around midnight, that’s when he went home.
Afternoon Kev..
I couldn’t find them Cicero, good point though and I bet they’re not good at all.
Morning Rico and all.
Unai gained a reputation in Spain for being something of a tactician so it’ll be interesting to see how we cope with Liverpool this evening.
Happy 47th birthday Unai. Foreezajollygoodfeller, Foreezajollygoodfeller, Foreezajollygoodfeller, Foreezajollygoodfeller, and so say all of us!!!
Morning Adam, Cicero and all. True, he’s also known for his love of the pressing game so I hope we see that on show today.
New post up now.