Arsenal Banter Archive August 19 2018

 

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19 Aug 2018 23:32:17
The hysterics continue - give him 5 games and he’s out! Has to play Torreira and Guendouzi, and for me all four of PEA Laca Miki and Ozil . Simply because these are our best players . I assume they practice playing out from the back in training and I have to think Cech is better or no worse than Leno . If Leno was so much better surely he would start. I also think Cech has been decent overall made some crucial saves at vital moments. I also think Lich for Bellerin and with Monreal back a bit more stable at the back especially with T and G in front of them! I really wanted Xhaka to be good for us even to the point of always looking for the good things he did! No more! Bench at worst sold at best - but think he must train fantastically well as he has that new contract! Still very confident in manager and don’t forget should have been 2-5 at half time yesterday COYG.

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20 Aug 2018 12:56:44
Xhaka probably does look good in training with all the passing drills we do, come match time when it matters though he contributes next to nothing. He can't tackle well, does not get back in to good defensive positions nor does he make decent runs offensively, not quick nor can beat a man with the ball, and his passing is mixed at best. He does have a decent shot on him now and again and that is it. This is Arsenal you need to offer a lot more than than what he shows.

Agree we have to start playing both Aubu and Lacazette up top and pick just one AM to start and not try and squeeze in Ozi, Miki and Ramsey in the same lineup it leaves us to exposed playing all three.

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20 Aug 2018 14:03:01
Absolutely Ryan Ramsey Mesut or Miki. 1 is sensible 2 is extremely risky all 3 is crazy play ground football with jumpers for goal posts and no offside next goals the winner stuff :-)

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19 Aug 2018 18:03:20
Xhaxa came to us with a reputation as technically gifted and a leader on the pitch. Well somewhere from leaving Borussia and joining us he has lost the first and no comment on the second. Quite frankly the bloke is awful and unless he changes should be sold at the earliest opportunity. With that off my chest, I could not get why Leno and Torreira did not start the game. Leno for Cech well let's think about that but Torreira for Xhaxa is a no-brainer. On the plus side I am liking Unai. His passion is clear to be seen. Whether he can do the job only time will tell, me personally I think he can. The next seven games are against opposition that in my opinion we should be getting points against no disrespect intended, that brings us to the next major test Liverpool where hopefully we will see us compete better against one of the main challengers for the title. On a major plus we are only six points away from top😂😂😂😂😂.

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19 Aug 2018 18:38:51
I would like to see lichesteiner come in for Bellerin, torreira for xhaka, lacca for ozil or myki and Leno for cech. I don't think cech has been bad, just a fish out of water being asked to do what he cant.

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19 Aug 2018 18:41:52
When Xhaka arrived in didn't really know anything about him but many people were very excited by his arrival and we paid 34 million for him so I was very hopeful about him.
Ed007 described him as a nothing but a thug before he kicked a ball for Arsenal and it soon became apparent why because his tackling was crude poorly timed and resulted in fouls and cards consistently so Arsene had to stop that part of his game which left us with a completely non player.
He can't tackle his key passes are as rare as his goals and his work rate is pretty much non existent.
If other teams can find a place for him take what they offer and cut our loses because after 2 years there is absolutely no sign of a player in Granit Xhaka.

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{Ed001's Note - I think that was me who described him as that mate. I certainly told you he was crap and offered nothing but late tackles and needless cards.}

19 Aug 2018 19:15:04
Oh sorry Ed001 mate, it's me age ya know :-)
But you were right Ed mate that's for sure, I can't ever remember a player who offered less than Xhaka yet somehow managed to have an army of supporters backing him 100%.
I just don't get what anyone sees that makes them rate Xhaka in any way, during the world cup I watched him for 90 minutes to see what I've previously missed and help me understand others points of view, I genuinely couldn't see anything to change my opinion of him in any single way.

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{Ed001's Note - I had watched him a few times before he joined Arsenal and never figured it out. I have watched him repeatedly since and still don't know what it is that made Arsenal buy him. I have given up on trying to figure it out now. I have had to admit I am just never going to find it.}

19 Aug 2018 19:49:21
I'm with you 100% mate I've given up too but find it really frustrating to see us go into a game with him in the side, I hoped when Arsene left that might be it but unfortunately so far two starts two substitutions, difficult to understand why you would waste 45 minutes.

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{Ed001's Note - it makes no sense to me. You just have to hope Dick has accepted he is not the answer when he took him off at half-time.}

19 Aug 2018 20:18:36
I have run out of patience with Xhaka and hope it wasn’t just the yellow card that made Emery sub him.

The squad is not a disaster but does have its challenges - a few too many luxuries that can’t all play at once Ozil, Rambo and Mkhitaryan.

Too many one paced midfielders - Elneny, Rambo, Granit.

Work horses with limited quality and not natural wingers with pace - Welbeck, Iwobi.

Lack of pace and leadership in back 4 plus a full back who can cross a ball. Seem to have mastered the cut back

A team that lacks ambition / energy or urgency

As I try to come up with a balanced side in the team - I am sacrificing players, width etc every time. For me, we should either play 3 at the back with PEA and Lacca up front or 4 4 2 again with the same two front guys. Surely our goal should be a team with them up front plus Torriera and Matteo in centre midfield.

Happy for Mavro to start in CD to be part of a new spine

The rest is work in progress but that’s the start of a spine.

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19 Aug 2018 20:21:47
I hope so mate because I like Dick and have high hopes he will do a good job for Arsenal, I accept he needs to try new things and not everything he tries will come off but sometimes you've got to accept things and learn from others mistakes as well as your own.

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{Ed001's Note - fingers crossed for you mate. I am sure Dick is not stupid enough to persevere with Xhaka. Mind I thought that of Wenger, so I wouldn't get my hopes up yet!}

19 Aug 2018 20:43:10
i was scared when we signed him because his discipline was terrible, 6 reds and 28 yellows in the 3 years before we signed him, asking for trouble and when you start to get a reputation the referees doubt will start to go against you. fun fact xhakas close to equalling his goal tally with red cards 8 reds 13 goals.

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19 Aug 2018 20:53:15
Xhaka and Iwobi both starting yesterday really did deflate me and made my question Dicks judgement but hopefully that was just a blip and not what to expect from him, fingers eyes toes ears all crossed :-)

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19 Aug 2018 20:58:15
He must talk a good talk because I put elneny in front of him aswell. Probably the single worst signing of the past 10 years. He wasn’t cheep for what he is, in saying things I was one of the ones excited to see him come, my own personal regret. Not a top player even if you squint real hard 🤢.

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19 Aug 2018 21:13:49
I'm actually wondering if he has a clause in his contract saying that if he doesn't start a game we have to pay him £1 million every game he sits out which is why both Arsene and Dick always start him :-) 40 to 50 million to give ourselves a chance? Could be the best money we spend all season:-)

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19 Aug 2018 21:36:06
I said he was crap also 62, he had a terrible disciplinary record, he’s done little right IMO

Has to be sold and it will be at a loss.

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19 Aug 2018 22:06:34
Your right Banbury mate but I don't see it as a loss more as a redistribution of funds.
What did Guendouzi cost us?
Let Xhaka go find another like Guendouzi and all is well.
Some you win some you lose but as long as the books ballance it's all ok in the end.
I think it would be good for Xhaka to move now because of the strength of negativity against him he's extremely little chance of turning it around with us now.

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19 Aug 2018 23:04:37
I actually saw shoots of hope for iwobi yesterday. I could not fault him for his efforts and Dick may be able to coach something into him. Its massive season for iwobi, last chance saloon, he has some tools, he just needs to be able to actually use them. At least he tried unlike some we have mentioned.

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19 Aug 2018 23:21:22
Correct, xhaka is never going to re sell for more than say 10 mil. Gouendouzi has the potential to be worth a lot of money. It's early days but xhaka is a dud and Gouendouzi could be anything with the right guidance.

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19 Aug 2018 23:44:54
I read lots of predictions of future greatness for some of our younger players and think of Tim Henman desperation wishful thinking of fans wanting something to be true more than really believing it, then I see Andy Murray true quality that really has what it takes if the player wants it enough, Guendouzi is in the Andy Murray catogary in my opinion.
The boy is the real deal and really does have every chance of making it big, reminds me more of Cesc than the long list of never heard of never quite made its.

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20 Aug 2018 00:04:03
In fact 8 more games like he's all ready played and his value will be more than we paid for haka.

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20 Aug 2018 00:27:53
Denilson was the tim henman.

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19 Aug 2018 23:47:23
The only explanation is that he does special things in training.
Same to Iwobi.

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20 Aug 2018 12:41:30
Yeah Steve R. Xhaka is the new Denilson really, offers nothing but basic passing which anybody can do. You should have to offer more as a midfielder to get into a Arsenal side, either on the defensive or offensive side. Iwobi is not great either but he has his moments and like Ramsey does get into good attacking positions off the ball.

Bellerin is not far behind Xhaka but in his defence he does not get any protection from anybody infront which is a Problem Emery has inherited from Wenger as he refused to buy any natural wide midfielder and just plugged gaps out wide with the likes of Ramsey.

We have too may central AM's basically and you can't really play them all without suffering defensively and losing shape and balance. For me we need to play both Aubu and Lacazette up front and stick with one AM weather that is Ozil or Miki. and have 3 or 4 more solid midfield behind. I personally think we are better with 3-5-2 system with something like this:

Leno

licesteiner Sokratis Mustafi

Torrieria Eleneny

Bellerin Guendouzi

Ozil
Aubu Lacazette


or go:-

Leno

Licesteiner Sokatis Mustafi

Torriera Elneney

Guedouzi Iwobi

Ozil
Aubu Lacazette.

Negating the wingbacks but a more solid core.

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20 Aug 2018 13:23:38
Yes Ryan that formation could give us the edge. With 12 players lol.

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20 Aug 2018 13:26:33
SY4 that was a really good analogy on our shortcomings. Wenger seemed to go down the route of having identical players, so if one doesn't work you just replace with the other, but always in the exact same set-up (unless its Ozil of course, who could punch a baby square in the face and still not get subbed! ) . This has left us void of any player who can offer something different, or a plan b.

Perhaps this is why we are all hopeful of players such as Maitland-Niles, and the young greek CB (who no-one knows his name! ) in that perhaps they will offer something different? Another for me was N'Zonzi, who may not be the best DM in the world, but was fairly decent and was way over 6ft, so just by that, would have offered extra protection on corners (and vice versa on our corners).

But we live in hope. I personally would love to ship out both Xhaka and Ramsey if there was any chance that we could get Rabiot, who in my mind is a better player than both, offers something different, and comes in a single salary package!

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20 Aug 2018 13:41:42
Yeah Steve R just noticed was thinking that looks too good to be true post updated.

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20 Aug 2018 14:28:44
My mistake 12 Players woudl be great if we could get away with it, lol, My lineup would be

Leno,

Licesteiner, Sokratis, Mustafif, (Obvs Kos comes in when back fit)

Torriera, Elneney,

Geundouzi, Iwobi, (Not great but better option than Xhaka/ Ramsey)

Ozil,
Aubu, Lacazette.

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20 Aug 2018 14:49:37
No, it looked better with 12. Lol.

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Premier League 2018/2019 Top 6 Prediction

19 Aug 2018 14:57:42
{Ed's Note - Banda has posted a new article entitled, Premier League 2018/2019 Top 6 Prediction

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19 Aug 2018 12:21:42
And by the way, chelski were as bad as us defending yesterday but they started with an easy away game and an home against us. If we had gone to Huddersfield and played chelski at home, we could probably have 6 points also. Away yesterday that game could have easily bee 6-6 and that isn't exaggerating. Our start has killed us in our attempt to change but the plus side is, it has shown up our show ponies very early, which in the long run should sort the deep rooted problems out that bit quicker.

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19 Aug 2018 12:51:51
Steve I think we should have won the game by half time. But why El Neny isn't played, I don't understand. He is better than Xhaka for me.

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19 Aug 2018 13:37:03
Willy, not good enough. He would not sort anything just give more questions. Another player wenger shouldn't have bought. So average.

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19 Aug 2018 14:16:15
Personally I don’t think Xhaka should be anywhere near the starting 11, I’m hoping Unai has switched on to that and we only see him in minor cup games.

Guendouzi and Torreira should be the base of our midfield end of.

I can’t believe people continue to put Xhaka in their starting 11, it’s like what are you actually watching. The guy is one of the worst midfielders out there. Utter pony.

A few more need to buck up big time.

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19 Aug 2018 16:48:49
Echo those thoughts Stoner, a few on here said that about Xhaka from day one . He was a dreadful signing .

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19 Aug 2018 17:27:20
So because we played city first we lost this game good one steve😂😂😂😂😂.

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19 Aug 2018 17:50:44
That’s not what he said CB

Read again.

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19 Aug 2018 18:08:22
Why so anti Arsenal crybaby? Is it just Arsene or are there other reasons too.

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19 Aug 2018 19:29:44
For the #Emeryout brigade there will be a certain Portuguese available in the not too distant future😂.

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19 Aug 2018 19:54:00
Jose and Xhaka? That should empty the emirates plus get all those odd jobs done around the house, in the garden and that drying paint watched with genuine interest:-)

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19 Aug 2018 20:39:12
Iam not anti arsenal I just don’t see any change from last year, in fact I think we are worse, these two games have been up there with the worst I’ve seen arsenal play, you lot moaned last year and I can’t see how your not moaning now.

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{Ed025's Note - probably because its a new manager who is new to the club and is still getting to know his players crybaby, plus the fact that arsenal have played 2 of the strongest sides in the league mate..

19 Aug 2018 20:43:02
Iam giving him 5 games if nothing has changed then he has to go for me, I thought we wanted to challenge this year dosent look like we will be challenging for about 5 years, and b4 anyone says it’s wengers fault I blame the board they will not let us spend and that is going to be our down fall yes Wenger should have gone along time ago but I still blame the board, if we don’t hammer West Ham next week then we I’ll struggle for top 10 and iam serious.

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{Ed025's Note - how magnanimous of you to give him 5 games crybaby, im sure stan will be on tenterhooks now waiting and grinding his axe and hanging on every word you type mate..

19 Aug 2018 20:56:57
are you jelfy crybaby?

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19 Aug 2018 21:39:09
Crybaby you are comical but great entertainment, imagine if Man U had given Frgie just 5 games. or are you too young to remember what happened? . rest is history as they say.

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19 Aug 2018 21:54:50
That’s it Eden, I’ve been trying to remember his name for days! 😂😁.

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20 Aug 2018 14:04:14
Don’t know if that’s a compliment or not 😂😂😂.

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19 Aug 2018 12:07:54
We had the toughest start than any premier league team wish for and it was a test which the team failed, and it was bold from Emery to stick with his idea and the way he want arsenal to play and it was better to test it against top teams and see you players weaknesses, which he can build on from there.

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19 Aug 2018 12:36:18
When we Emery has ideas fully installed in our players, we will become a force. A win next weekend could kick start our season and ease the pressure a bit. I like the fact that no one is untouchable and players are made to work if they really want to be selected by the coach. I think it will take some time for us to get the balance we need and when we do, I see us challenging for top 4.

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Premier League Previews 19 August 2018

19 Aug 2018 08:36:55
{Ed's Note - Reid the Red has posted a new article entitled, Premier League Previews 19 August 2018

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Review Of The Day 19th August 2018

19 Aug 2018 07:29:01
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 19th August 2018

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19 Aug 2018 06:31:26
When the fixtures were announced it was obvious that we had two of the most difficult matches to kick off the season. From next week our season begins in earnest and we need o secure a win at home to West Ham who also have lost their opening two matches.
What concerned me yesterday was how inept our team was defensively, with so many players that are absolutely clueless. In particular on our right flank, where Bellerin and Mkhitaryan have no idea of how to defend or tackle and quite frankly I believe never will. I would like to see us bring in Lichtsteiner to replace dire Bellerin and we somehow need to plug the defensive gaps left on either flank left by the wide players, particularly against the top teams, who exploit any weaknesses. In the next window we need to replace Bellerin and we need to sort out the problem of having too many wide players that can't defend. Before yesterday's match I commented that we have too many luxury players and we need to sort out who to keep and who to replace from; Ozil, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, etc.

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19 Aug 2018 10:12:42
It's difficult to see where we are going defensively because we look every bit as vulnerable at the back as ever.
But on the plus side I can't remember the last time we went to Chelsea and created so many clear cut goal scoring opportunities.
Dispite looking largely disorganised the work rate was noticeably far higher than for many many seasons from almost every player yesterday and Mustafi despite not playing well yesterday showed more effort than I've seen from him in 2 seasons and although i am probably in a minority of 1 but I thought Hector Belerin was very good going forward yesterday too although like the rest of the defence he looked lost at filling the job description of defender.
Guendouzi reminds me of a young Cesc simply because he doesn't look good for his age he just plain and simply looks every inch a premier player.

It's not easy to see where Dick is taking us just yet but hopefully with the very welcome increased work rate we might have a much better idea come October time.

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19 Aug 2018 11:10:06
Ozil to me doesn't look like a starter. Perhaps he should come on as a substitute when we need some bit of magic. So in my opinion we should play Mkhitaryan behind Auba and Laca and put Nelson on the RW as he can help the RB defensively. Midfield paring should be Guendouzi + Torreira / El Neny. Ramsey can replace Mkhitaryan as a starter depending on the game. I can't afford to have Guen kid on the bench as he offers a lot. Then we can start playing Nketiah as an impact sub for either Auba or Laca. Mavropanos should replace Mustafi as he likes going to ground whenever he is tackling. Litchsteiner should start the next game so should Leno.

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19 Aug 2018 11:50:51
On another day you could have won that match but your finishing was woeful.

Ozil is a disgrace to your club. I can’t remember a Premiership player with such a poor attitude and work rate.

Although, his slow walk of the pitch when he was eventually subbed was funny.

Hope you have a good season lads.

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19 Aug 2018 03:09:55
Got to say Gouendouzi again yesterday was absolutely superb. 19 and his fist ever two games in the prem against citeh and chelski, he's a star in the making if we can sort the defence problems out. Unbelievably he ended the first half with a 100% pass success rate and his passing is top draw. I really like what i see.

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19 Aug 2018 06:39:48
I fully agree Steve and Torreira looked class once he came on. Interestingly both have been signed under Emery and both can defend.
One major problem is that we have a RB that is absolutely clueless defensivelyand has to be replaced by Lichtsteiner in the short term. Ozil, Mkhitaryan and Iwobi offered zero protection to the defence and the three should never feature in the same line up together. Our ful backs need cover when defending and currently we don't appear to have the personnel. Perhaps when Maitland-Niles is fit he can play on the right-hand side of midfield. On the left we have a problem. Aubameyang and Iwobi are way too offensive minded. Perhaps Xhaka on the left of a three in front of the back four, say alongside Guendouzi and Torreira. The problem is that he has looked poor in the opening two games of the season.
Against W Ham, perhaps:
Cech
Lichtsteiner Holding Mustafi Monreal
Guendouzi Torreira Xhaka
Mkhitaryan Lacazette Aubameyang.

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19 Aug 2018 09:33:14
Xhaka really?

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{Ed025's Note - im with you moe..

19 Aug 2018 10:27:06
I can see only one reason for playing Xhaka and that's because you want to improve the rest the teams fitness levels by playing 10 v 11 and a half.
If Xhaka has absolutely no impact on the game either positive or negative then he's had one of his better games.
Xhaka and Iwobi are possibly the two least effect players I've seen in an Arsenal shirt, 99% of the time they don't seem to have any kind of impact on the game what so ever.
Playing one is bad enough but both seems like giving the other 9 players an impossible task, have we ever won a game with both in the staring line up?

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19 Aug 2018 11:29:05
Guendouzi's passing reminds me of fabregas. That pass to bellerin was amazing.

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19 Aug 2018 11:48:16
G62, I see no reason why he should be on the bench mate.

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19 Aug 2018 12:00:29
RG xhska is one of the main problems, it embarrassing what he is doing, you knock so many of our players for not doing defensive work but xhaka is the biggest problem to this team than anyone. The sooner he is plaing for Basel or Milton Keynes Dons the better. I actually think most of the players are trying to buy into the process but not very well, like iwobi, myki and mustaffi but xhaka is most definitely not interested in working. I thought you would see that. He is hiding when the work is needed.

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19 Aug 2018 13:11:56
I think he is an amazing player for his age. He does everything a player should do in that position. Had some risky moves in the last two games and made a couple of mistakes, but he is still so young and those things can be eliminated with experience.

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19 Aug 2018 13:40:55
To think our midfield and defence were getting battered and he still managed 100% passing rate, is just phenomenal. Especially when his mate next to him was just tossing it off.

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