Morning guys.
There’s being confident, sometimes cocky but when you’re a keeper being put under pressure by an opposition player in the opening minutes of a game, faffing around in possession is foolish. This playing out from the back is all well and good but the passing is too slow, Cech tries to be fancy and more often than not, the ball is played too short. It seems to me that the defenders and keeper are too focussed on the plan instead of its execution. Cech appears unaware of who is around or in front of him which is causing him to make error. Emery said he’s happy to play the long ball out of defence if that’s the best option so why isn’t he? Especially when after a couple of passes to each other, the ball gets played long in any case. I guess asking Cech to master this new system is like asking your 100 year old grandmother to use an iPad for the first time. No offence meant to those who can. His first mistake was bad, his second even worse. A soft attempted clearance straight to Harry Arter looked likely to end up in the back of the net but we got lucky. Cech got very lucky.
Yesterday was one of those ‘we’ll score more that you’ days and what fine goals they were too. The bullet header from Mustafi to open things up, a wonderful curling strike from outside the box from Aubameyang to open his account this season and then Lacazette sealed the win with a no nonsense rifled shot high into the back of the net. Three very different but superb goals.
We could have scored more, Cardiff could have scored more too but they didn’t. In fact their second should never have materialised because never in a month of Sunday’s was that a free kick. Regardless though, the subsequent defending of the free kick was a mess, just as it was for the home teams opener but I’m bored of writing that for what seems like years now. We’ll always leak goals until either Emery changes his team selection, signs a better quality of defender or works magic with who he has and that’s what this season is about. Finding out who can play the Emery way and if they can’t, then thank you and goodbye.
In two weeks time we travel to Newcastle and I’d like to see Leno in goal for that game with Xhaka and Ozil left as far away from the first team as possible. Seriously, I’d rather see Elneny in the starting line up than Xhaka because he’s so so slow although he does take a good corner. When he dropped that dreadful cross field ball at the feet of a Cardiff player, his desire to get back and put right his wrong was not existent. Surely Emery has seen enough now. Same with Ozil, certainly in an away match when you know it’s going to be physical. Finally, Petr Cech, he made so many mistakes I lost count. It can’t help the defence who must dread having to play the ball back to him. Who knows if Bernd Leno will be any better but my guess is he’d struggle to be any worse. What can be said of Torreira, our very own little terrier – talk about old head on young shoulders. He is superb. No frills, just a tidy little player who keeps it’s simple yet so effective. Once he starts matches, we’ll be stronger for it.
Now it’s the two week international break, a time when Emery can reflect, chat with his coaches and work with any players who haven’t been selected for their respective countries although I suspect Ozil will be on the first plane out to find the sunshine!
So much for Lacazette wanting out of the club eh? I thought he was superb yesterday and seeing him and Aubameyang on the pitch together was pleasing on the eye. Aubameyang is yet to find the kind of form we know he’s capable of but at least his first goal of the season is in the bag.
Lacazette:
When you’re friends off the pitch, it’s easier for you to play well together on it. “We work a lot in training, every day we work together and with the other players as well. Today it was good because I could assist his goal and it was a good finish from him. “We work every day and it’s not only with Auba, it’s with Aaron as well.
I wanted to start well and prove to the coach that I could be in the first XI. “I started for the first time this season, so I was happy. Even if we made some mistakes, I think it was a good game.
“He [Emery] wants us to keep the ball and possession. Today we made a lot of mistakes, even though he told us before to be careful. If we listen to what we asks us, then we can do a lot.”
Too many mistakes, especially in our own half and I fear it’ll be a while before that changes.
Good to hear the away fans in full voice again and great to see the players appreciate their support after the game. Torreira made one fan very happy by handing him his shirt..
Anyway, despite surrendering our lead twice, we fought back for the victory which we probably wouldn’t have done this time last season so that’s a positive. One day though we might actually take the lead and defend it.
One day.
Good morning Rico and everyone… Its was a game with more positives, the team can only get better, our problems are obvious and we just need to get players replaced… Xhaka, ozil, Ramsey, mustafi,cech, bellerin should never be in a serious teams starting lineup.. Hope we get better against Newcastle…
Morning Mexzy, all.
We’ll need to be more organised at the back at Newcastle that’s for sure. Trying to find out who’s heading off now for their respective countries and who’s staying put. Would be handy if all the defensive players remained at home..
Morning all.
We seem to want and expect all of our players to defend, but it doesn’t happen enough.
On the flip side, we don’t need all of our players to attack, yet they all seem to want to.
Imagine they all just did their jobs 🙂 🙂
Play out from the back when we are not under pressure, play it safe when we are.
You would think players can tell the difference.
And we all know where that attacking mentality came from, it’s going to take a while for that to be removed from them. I know Ozil is never going to be great a defending but the effort he put# in is zero.
Nice read, thanks
Rico, If our defenders defended, would we need Ozil to do so?
I’m not so sure.
We could carry him in defence if he were doing what he does best, but that’s not happening either.
Seems we need to go one way or the other with him because as it stands, we aren’t getting anywhere near his best in attack and he’s not offsetting that with defensive duties.
I wonder how things would sit with Stan if 300k a week sat on the bench.
Morning Rico and all.
If 17 million buys you a Sokratis and he was a Misinslat signing, then you have to wonder.
Thanks Sharkey.
Hi Adam,
It’d be nice to think Misinslat didn’t sign Sokratis as anyone with an IPhone knows all about him.
The guy should be trying to find the players nobody knows about, surely.
Scott, every player needs to do a bit of defending but in fairness, I was talking more about what he does overall, it doesn’t seem to put any effort into anything.
Morning Adam. Right now Sokratis seems a mystery to me.
Worrying about a £300m a week player sitting on the bench wouldn’t be top of Kroenkes agenda Scott and rightly so. I’d sell him if it were down to me, I certainly wouldn’t play him in away games like yesterday.
Rico,
I think we are stuck with Ozil, for better and for worse 🙂
It ain’t easy offloading a luxury player who’s on that money.
Defending aside, I think what makes him so good is that everything seems so natural with him, though.
Do we make the most of him, or try and change the game of someone his age, and a player who’s proven to be one of the worlds best, when at his best.
China Scott, they’ll pay him.. lol
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Cardiff didn’t score any goals in their previous three games (AFC Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town), not exactly the cream of the EPL. Yet, they manage to put two in the back of Arsenal’s net.
Unai may be enamoured with 4-2-3-1 and the pressing game, but if the team can’t, don’t or wont learn his system soon, maybe it is time for him to show his reputed tactical flexibility. Our current roster of players, as a whole, don’t seem to have the skills necessary to play his preferred game. Until he is able to sign the players required, maybe he should adapt his tactics to suit the players he has.
Rico, send him to the A League.
Ok, He will take up the salary cap all by himself, but that’s ok hahahaha
Howdy, CG.
How’s things in your part of the world?
Unai is walking a fine line with Ozil. He is obviously lacking confidence, but does need to be made aware of the facts of life. Unfortunately he is not the only one who still thinks they are irreplaceable on the team sheet.
We have no leader on the field most of the time. We need someone to strive for the mantle of leadership. A Tony Adams type who is willing to give our players a kick up the backside, figuratively and literally. Unai’s five captains idea is all nice and fuzzy, but it just allows a collective avoidance of responsibility. Designate a captain, at least until Koscielny returns.
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Good morning Rico and all others.
There is an old Spanish saying, with which I’m sure Unai Emery is familiar, “Loro Viejo no aprende a hablar”. Roughly translated to English as “An old parrot cannot learn new words”. This applies exactly to Cech. The sooner our new Head Coach realises that his new “play it out from the back” system is beyond Cech’s ability the better.
I can see the idea behind the ploy, faff about with the ball in the penalty box and entice the opposition forward, then having created gaps in the oppositions defence, hit them on the counter. Our problem is that none of Cech, Mustafi or Sokratis are comfortable enough on the ball to get it forward quickly enough or accurately enough to make the system work.
Morning Cg, Newcastle and Huddersfield are very defensive sides though….. 😜
Seriously though, shouldn’t the likes of Cech, Sokratis and Mustafi have enough experience to spot danger and know when a long clearance is the best option.?
Scott,
The smoke from the forest fires is clearing and the weather is moderating. Life and Arsenal seem to be returning to normal. At times boring, exhilarating, frustrating and/or rewarding.
How are things in New South Wales? Dry and drier, I hear.
Fancy all these people talking, but we only started really playing in the second half when Mezut started playing. Arsenal supporters starting to sound like MANU supporters, as long as you run around like headless chickens you are OK.
Morning Cicero, spot on. January transfer window is key imo, because sometimes only money will buy who we need.
Rico,
True about Huddersfield and Newcastle being very defensive teams.
I think Cicero made a good point though “…Our problem is that none of Cech, Mustafi or Sokratis are comfortable enough on the ball to get it forward quickly enough or accurately enough to make the system work.”
Tongue in cheek Cg. Lol
1963
I think you are part of another discussion or have missed the points being made or proposed.
Let us see your sage analysis.
Rico,
It is hard to see the bulge from this distance. I’ll have to pay more attention to your emojis – wink, wink, nudge, nudge; although they are a foreign language to me.
CG,
The entire country is in drought, and parts haven’t seen a drop of rain 2 years.
Of course, up north, there’s enough water for 1000 lifetimes but the government have never thought about a simple pipeline lol
Seems everyone but the politicians know the answer, but that’s the same everywhere, I guess.
1963, don’t compare us to those wankers 🙂 🙂
Ha ha Cg..
Can’t say I saw anything to suggest Ozil started playing in the second half but then I have slept since then…
Scott,
We have a pipeline here on our west coast many of us would be glad to ship to you. You’ll have to clean out the oil residue first though.
Morning all and thanks Rico.
How to put this in a light all can understand ?………………………….using Cech as a sweeper keeper playmaker is akin to having the worlds best midfield with only Sanogo up front ! 🙂
Like most I understand the idea of playing out from the goalie, but we all know there is a time to leather it !…………………had Cech leathered it up field instead of playing an exquisite ball to Arter we would have cleared lines and defenders could have pushed up to leave Cardiff pressers in offside positions, may even had scored like Aguero did when Mansour City of all teams played route one from goalie to striker against Huddersfield!
Although some are trying their best you can`t turn a simple game like football into rocket science !
Lol CG,
Black gold!!!
Anyway, what`s all this blasphemy about getting rid of Ozil ?
If Oz has a drought and Scott has no water for his beer making then what the fcuk is he putting into the process of making that yellow coloured drink ?………………….talk about taking the piss !
LC, one must learn to adapt 🙂 🙂
Seems that Mustafi could be in trouble with the FA for making an Albanian eagle sign to Xhaka after he scored our first goal yesterday. The media are sure to keep banging on about this during an Interlull, with nothing to write about other than Gareth Southgates waistcoat.
Good to see Krystal Bielik playing well for Charlton Athletic and scoring the winner for his club last weekend. With Lee Bowyer as his manager, Bielik is sure to relearn how to be a bit of a midfield git, something we could do with at Arsenal. Lovely to see our players employing the dark arts at Cardiff, like everyone else.
Good afternoon Gooners btw, good post Rico, odd comment 1963, do you prefer to see our midfielders strolling around, do they stroll around at Man City or Liverpool?
Well Le Doom, two wins on the trot, are you breaking out the Schler in celebration yet? 🙂
Afternoon and thanks Kev.
I’m no5 sure what Mustafi did that was offensive. Odd imo.
Rico, it was the type of thing that Xhaka did in the World Cup when Switzerland scored against Serbia, the Albanian thing with his hands, it was nothing really, but the press will big it up with nothing else to write about.
Hiya Kev.
Bloody hell, an Albanian Eagle signal is offensive?
Everything else is these days, so why not it lol
Ah that, thanks Kev.
Mustafi is German but of Albanian origins. Him making the Albanian Eagle gesture is like me making the Churchill V for Victory sign, or in the case of the PC press brigade, the sign in reverse.
Xhaka is a static player, he doesn’t move and create space. Gourdouzi is on the move all the time, he helps his team mates out by moving into space for them to find him. Whereas xhaka just stands there, most of the time behind the opponent making very difficult for our defenders to move the ball out.
Poor Cech, his time is up.
Hi Scott, difficult to separate sport and politics, I guess beating someone you despise at a sport is preferential to shooting them…
Ah, ok Cicero, I thought Mustafi was a German Turk like Ozil, but that explains it…
Kev. I’d rather shoot them. 🙂
Lacazette, was for me, the best Arsenal player yesterday.
Xhaha is a pendular player. Torreira and Ghendouzy maybe the best two in that position nowadays but are limited. The ball does not circulate at their feet, there are no long strides.
Ozil is a big problem. I think he’s the one who has to get into the game and be the architect of the Arsenal game. That’s not it. You do not see him in the game. When he appears, he seems to be playing beach soccer.
Ramsey played in the 1st half. On the 2nd, I did not see him.
The 2 central defenders can drive the ball with limitations, but no one appears to pick it up for free and uncheck it, not turning their backs on the game. So the ball always going back to Cesc’s feet which is scary (more and more).
Evening all.
Poor Cech must wish he had gone back to Chelski as second or third fiddle. He doesn’t deserve this in the twilight of his career.
He must dread his useless defenders receiving the ball, as the first thing they want to do is offload it (pass the buck) to the goalie.
I know Ozil is struggling physically, you can see he is exhausted in the second half. He looks ill to me actually. Against what everyone is saying, I happen to think he is the most gifted player we have and the last two of our goals did derive from his passing. He us a thoroughbred being asked to be a workhorse. It aint never going to happen.
I don’t see Bould on the touch line these days, is he hiding his head in shame somewhere?
I hate once again to sound like a doom merchant, but it was never down to poor coaching, it was about silk purses and sows ears, or about not being able to polish a turd. Or paying peanuts and getting monkeys. Enough of all that lol. Suffice to say, we are very average atm. January sales won’t bring any quality if we still only have peanuts.
I dread us playing Totts, Scousers, even the hard working defensive teams.
Still, we have some points now, so we must be doing something right. Unfortunately I am just not feeling it atm. This season could be the one that actually sees me become indifferent to football, and I never thought I’d say that. Watching Arsenal was always my raison d’ etre, now I find myself wondering if need to go outside and feed the visiting Hedgehogs! 🦔
Thanks Dick, thanks Stan, you may succeed where others have failed, to see me off. With a heavy heart.😪
I called the last two wins Kev, but because I called the first two losses people think I`m a doomer ! hahahaha…………………should have had money on it !……………………we shall beat The Barcodes aswell to prove that even Doomers have feelings of optimism. 🙂
Did I tell you that I lifted 195.5kg on my shoulders on Saturday ?…………………..that`s over 30 stone on my frail scrawny 10 and half stone body, told my Gooner mate Chef and he said I`m a fit as a butchers dog !………………..not quite, more like as fit as a fishmongers pussy………………….although not as smelly !
😆
Hey M`kat, you can be my apprentice doomster, I`m chief ! 🙂
Agree about Ozil, a wonderfull talent if ever there was one in our colours !
I read about Kroenke wanting Dick to win us the Champions League…………………but you just said something about peanuts didn`t you ? hahaha
Add he doesn’t track back too Charlie, certainly not with any kind of speed…
And who signed those ‘silk purses and sows ears’ Meerkat?
And who said they were good players, who just needed good coaching? Lol.
Well Dick clearly isn’t that coach then is he? Oh yeah, I forgot, he just needs time, three years or so.
Thanks LCM, I’ll take that offer, us doomers are in short supply, even though this is the forum where you’re allowed to disagree. Strange then that any who do disagree, are soon seen off.
On a more positive note, lol, Neymar would prefer to sign for us, or Chelski, coz he likes London! Hmmmnnn that will be Chelski for him then.
I can just see the phenomenon of a syrup turning grey, at the mention of wanting to actually buy a top player.
It’s all gone quiet on the subject of sleazy Gazedy too. Will he won’t he, slither over to pastures new?
Now, now Meerkat, I’m in the Ozil corner as well-how could you forget me 🙂
He’s as talented as any player in the League, imo, and I also said the other day we want a cart horse yet bought a thoroughbred, or words to that effect.
Imo, we’ve never utilised the guy in a way to get the best out of him, and to magnify the problem, his persona doesn’t help things but thats just him.
I don’t blame him.
I do blame Arsene for not building around the guy, and now, I blame Emery for wanting him to be the carthorse so things will end in tears.
He will be benched and cost us an arm and a leg each week, or be sold for a pittance.
Meanwhile, those who have watched him for years will be laughing at our club for what we’ve done to one of the most talented players to wear the shirt, imo.
If you’re referring to me in your last comment Meerkat, yes, i did say more than once that I believed our squad wasn’t as bad as it was made to look. Also, of course Emery needs time, he’s been at the club three months not twenty two years. If you can’t see what he’s trying to do then fine, but perhaps the more level headed people can.
Not sure if you’ve read here much before leaving your comments but the general view seems to be see where we are after three transfer windows and if then little has changed then fine. Until then I think name calling Gazidis and writing off Emery is rather silly and shortsighted.
By the way, your constant dig at the agree to disagree is boring. I do wonder why you bother coming on here other than to try and start an argument or be sarcastic.
Doesn’t that make Ozil even more of a frustrating player though Scott? So gifted yet we don’t see enough of what he can do. I’m not sure Emery expects him to be a cart horse, just do a bit more as is expected from every player really.
Sloppy in attack or sloppy in defence, is still sloppy…
rico, just where do you get off having a go at the ‘Queen of Woe is me’ lol !!!
Didn’t some-one once say we’re not as good as we think we are when we win and not as bad as we think we are when we we lose.
After the last few seasons under Wegner our stock has been severely damaged, Emery has well and truly got his work cut out.
The cheek of it eh Micko..
Agree, just hope he knew what he was getting into, mind you, it would have been hard for him not to…
Ooo. Where to start.
Yes I do mean you who banged on about how bad the players were being coached.
No, I can’t see what Dick is trying to do with square pegs in round holes and don’t think I ever will, and quelle surprised, I am pretty level headed imo lol.
Calling Dick or sleezy Gazedi names is my prerogative. And when I compare them to some of the disgusting names Arsene Wenger was called and was tolerated on here, those silly names are tame.
But it’s your forum, so what you say goes.
There are a couple of posters on here that I can respect their views, and a couple who crack me up (LCM I thought the saying was ‘there’s more meat on a butchers pencil’!) and I like a laugh. Some have absolutely no sense of humour. But it takes all sorts.
What is the point of discussion or debate if everyone agrees with each other? The fact that I don’t agree should cause discussion not accusations of looking for an argument or being sarcastic. One persons sarcasm is another’s sense of humour. It takes all sorts.
That’s what I like about discussion forums usually, but if you’re telling me to do one cuz it’s your forum, then say so.
LOL! And I’m the one looking for arguement! ‘Queen of woe is me’ micro, hmm, good, but not as good as a previous name calling, Meerc**t I believe was that little gem. Hahahaha all so witty. Not.
Still Rico, they all love you that’s what counts.
So your sarcasm is humour? That’s that sorted then. Lol
And some on here have views you don’t respect and others have no sense of humour. Now is that sarcasm, humour or something else?
Lights out I think. You can stay or do one, I really won’t lose any sleep over either but then you’ve said before you’re done but still come back.
Bad pennies and all that eh.. oh, that’s a joke ok…
But it’s Micko sarcasm, you know, aka humour. That’s how it is with some folk and Micko loves humour… most of us do on here…
Rico, Ozil frustrates the hell out of me lol
He really does because I see a talent that’s very, very rare but I’m not sure he will change at this stage of his career.
I’m fact, I know he won’t.
I’m very direct and people can love or hate me, but they know exactly where I stand.
I do often find it difficult to understand when someone’s taking the piss or just being funny, as context is missing on the net, so maybe the people passing comments should understand how their words can come cross to others over the net, as it shouldn’t always be the recipient who’s deemed to be in the wrong when things go awry.
Just a thought, guys.
Anyway, no Wenger, no reason for me to argue 🙂 🙂
I’ll criticise Emery when I think he’s in the wrong but I definitely believe he needs a lot of time as it’s not only a squad of players who need a change of direction, it’s an entire club.
I just hope Emery doesn’t dig us into an even deeper hole as it’s a distinct possibility.
We simply don’t have the talent to play the type of footballer he seems to want so either he adapts, or he replenishes the squad.
It’ll be a hell of a ride either way.
Emery Out!
Scott, that’s called having common sense, expecting Emery to have turned us into the perfect team in such a small time is ridiculous. Doesn’t mean we don’t all have an opinion on what’s he’s doing which isn’t working right now but to suggesting he’s already failed is stupid imo and that’s what Meerkat was implying I thought.
She’s gone now after continuing with her stupid theory that women aren’t welcome here..
Morning all.
Rico, I’m behind the man 100% and of course, none of us will agree with everything he does but I’d say it’s unfair to want him gone until probably xmas next year, imo, unless a complete disaster occurs.
Lots of work to be done, and it certainly isn’t a 5 minute job but time will tell if he’s the right man for the job or not.
Morning all.
I love Rico.
I love Scott too…. sometimes! 🙂
Dick needs at least 3 windows to shape the squad imo
Exactly Scott.
😂 Lee, couldn’t change your name to Lisa or something could you… 😜
I reckon so too Lee, this time next year we might have quite a different team.
Lacazette and Toreirra have to start for me…. Xhaka is a liability and has to be benched.
I remember the famous transgender movie from the 60’s, Glen or Glenda, but Lee or Lisa would be hard to swallow. 🙂
Ditto. Xhaka is certainly playing himself towards the bench or out.
Wouldn’t start Ozil at Newcastle either.
Bit early for all that Adam… 😜
Sorry Rico. 🙂
We have a new Lee 🙂 🙂
Hello mate.
Hope all’s well.
I thought Torreira would start for sure the other day but maybe Emery is easing him in and taking into consideration he will have some travelling again this week, long term, it could be a smart move.
Other than that, buggered If i know why he isn’t starting.
It’s my terrible sense of humour Adam, or is it sarcasm- I can’t tell the difference 😜
All good this end Scott thanks.
Maybe the defence will be a little more solid with Toreirra sitting in front of them…?
Does everyone think Dick will get us playing proper football or will he be a stop gap?
I think our problem is interesting, we need someone like Luka Modric and we are stuck with Ozil, who was sold because Madrid were content with Modric and upcoming players. Ozil will never be a workhorse, Ramsey though a presser lacks the finesse and creativity to influence games. So playing Ozil is still our best option.
What works best was our tactic against City. Play Ramsey first then bring on Ozil to finish the job when Lacazette is on the pitch to act as the protagonist of the press. Notice when Ozil came alive in the 2nd half against Cardiff, the goals were flowing and he did something Ramsey never does, he dropped back into the center circle area to distribute the ball and the goals came.
I can’t remember the last top flight DM we had.
Torreira seems to have everything required-that’s why we bought him-so he must start soon.
I’m sure even Cech will look better because Torreira will do exactly what he’s supposed to and that’s perfect the back 4.
Protect the back 4, not perfect them 🙂
I think I’d rather have Coquelin in the team than Xhaka, he’s super slow, ponderous on the ball, gives the ball away a lot and is a yellow card waiting to happen. We should of bought Kante but hey ho hindsight is a wonderful thing..
If he can sign his own players Lee, I think he’ll work.
Gilberto Scott.
Morning all.
Back to a bit of Dick for a moment (shabby joke) I thought he signed for two years with a third as an option. Gazidis or whoever got his contract right. If he turns out well he has the time, if the whole ‘project’ goes egg shaped he can be shipped out without incurring the club any great expense. Good business really.
As for Ozil he’s a great player, a luxury player but every bit as gifted as DB10 only without the goals?
Cloudy and cool here. First real signs of Autumn
That’s him, Rico 🙂
Such an important position, for mine, yet one we haven’t sorted for years.
Agree Scott.
Wavy, I needed a lei down after you compared Ozil with Bergkamp. 😉
New post up now.