Arsenal Banter Archive August 25 2018

25 Aug 2018 23:23:47
Well I know a wins a win so to speak but I have to say, for about 60 minutes of the game we were utter, utter garbage. I have never heard an Emirates crowd begging the ref to blow the whistle like I did today, and sadly, that was only for half time. If we continue to play like that we will concede a ton of goals, and I can't see us winning any away games. The worse thing about the game today was that for large periods we looked just like a Wenger team. Too many players ahead of the ball player, all static, and narrow. This means no overlaps, and if we lose the ball, everyone is on the wrong side, so the opposition gets a free run at our defense. Whether we gave West Ham the ball outside their box, inside their box, or just about anywhere on the pitch, within about 2 passes they were in. One easy answer to the question how do we squeeze Miki, Ramsey, Ozil, in the same team, is we don't. Firstly Ramsey was shocking today, but more importantly the 4-2-3-1 doesn't work when none of the 3 either track back or try and tackle. Pressing is one thing, but not if you don't actually try and tackle as well, you are just going through the motion. I know there is the usual Xhaka bashing today, but he actually wasn't the problem today. For me if you want to play a 19 year old in midfield alongside Xhaka, then you need to play a 3rd midfielder to cover. We looked so much more balanced when Torra came on. On the positive side Lacca looked good, and I think we have to try and get both Lacca and Auby playing together. Overall slightly shocked at most of our play today, with sprinkles of optomism, assuming that our set up must surely improve going forward.

26 Aug 2018 00:42:52
It looks a mishmash right now mate I agree, I guess we have to take comfort in the fact that City in Peps first season looked chaotic at times and this time last season everyone was talking about how weak Liverpool were at the back.
I'm not saying it will work out for us like Liverpool and City only that it's still early days and Liverpool and City fans must have been worried in Pep and Jurgen first season in charge at some of their formations performance and obvious weaknesses.

26 Aug 2018 07:48:39
Great to get a win today and a much needed 3 points. It is still early days for Emery and I'm sure he knows the squad needs adjustments during the January window.
As I stated before the game, we cannot play Iwobi, Mkhitaryan and Ozil in the team, in fact only one of them should even be considered in the starting 11.
We are still suffering from having little or no cover for the full backs.
Against Cardiff, perhaps:
Cech
Lichtsteiner Mustafi Sokratis Monreal
Torreira Xhaka
Guendouzi Ramsey Aubameyang
Lacazette
Or
Cech
Lichtsteiner Mustafi Sokratis Monreal
Torreira Guendouzi
Bellerin Ramsey Xhaka
Aubameyang

In the PL it is extremely difficult to justify playing players in the midfield three that cannot track back and defend. If Iwobi is selected, we may as well play Aubameyang or Welbeck in his place on the left of the midfield three, as he offers no more defensively than either of these forwards, who both offer more offensively.
I cannot see a long term future at the club, under Emery, for Iwobi, Ozil and Mkhitaryan.

26 Aug 2018 09:10:22
I'm finding it difficult to guess what Dick will do as soon far he doesn't seem to address obvious problems but simply plough on with his ideas but isn't afraid to make an early substitution when he isn't happy.
With 2 man defence we are going to be involved in a lot of 50/ 50 shoot outs where we create and conceed lots and lots of chances each and every game like spinning a coin and callings heads or tails as to who will take the most chances.
Dick talks about controlling games but we look to be completely freewheeling at the moment and have about as much control as a child has over its ballance after being spun for an hour at full speed on a roundabout.

26 Aug 2018 10:07:35
I believe that, with the correct personnel, Emery's system can function, but at present with the likes of Ozil, Iwobi and Ramsey a strong press is nigh on impossible. I would be far happier too see our defensive line deeper, to stop opponents getting in behind the defence and I would like to see Lichtsteiner play at RB, possible in the short term with Bellerin played ahead of him. I am a huge fan of a fluid 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 formation, played so successfully in the first half of Wenger's time at the club.
With today's squad, we could play:
Cech
Lichtsteiner Mustafi Sokratis Monreal
Bellerin Torreira Xhaka Kolasinac
Lacazette Aubameyang

Using a creative midfield player or two at home or against weaker opponents, replacing the more defensive wide players.

26 Aug 2018 10:37:54
It's no good trying to make pancakes if you don't have eggs and flour
If all you have is a loaf of bread and a tin of beans your options are limited until you go shopping for new ingredients.
For any system to work it needs the right personel to work within it and what is possible at City and Liverpool after 2 to 3 seasons of finding and blending the right ingredients isn't going to be possible with an unbalanced poor Arsenal squad instantly.
If we carry on as we are with who we currently have available then we will definitely finish 6th to 10th this season which wouldn't worry me that much IF it means we let go of those who don't fit and bring in players who do fit into Dicks system for next season starting.

26 Aug 2018 12:09:42
I certainly wouldn’t call it a great win, it’s 3 points that’s all that matters. WH had their chances, we are still the same defensively IMO

Let’s see how we fair away to Cardiff next who as yet haven’t scored a goal. I will wager that changes next week.

But in saying the above Dick needs time.

26 Aug 2018 14:16:44
Agree BG a great three points, not a great win.

26 Aug 2018 17:53:42
I think everyone knows in reality it was a very welcome win rather than a great win.
We are going to have fasten our seat belts and hold on tight for a while as this season isn't going to be an easy ride to enjoy at times.
Dicks ways might be proved right or wrong long term but whicheverway it goes over the next couple of seasons it's whst we've got and we simply have to see it through.
Dicks got an awful lot of work to do to make his ideas work at Arsenal and only time will tell us if he's capable of making us a success again and we won't know that until at least next season, this season is a cup season at best much like last season but the only difference is what is being tried now is new apposed to last seasons and the season before that and decade of groundhog.

25 Aug 2018 21:32:53
Encouraging signs. The team seems fitter now than they were under wenger. Torreira was excellent when he came on. xhaka, bellerin, mustafi were alll poor as usual.

Bellerin, mustafi, xhaka, ramsey and mhitaryan all need to be replaced. This is the most technically deficient arsenal team in my lifetime.

I reminisce over when we had the best striker in the world in Henry and the best number 10 in berghamp. Every poor touch and every misplaced pass today somehow reminded me of dennis and sadly that is how far we have fallen. we are far off from city and liverpool.

25 Aug 2018 21:59:05
2 years ago Liverpool and City were far off from City and Liverpool mate, then in came Klopp and Pep but even they needed some time.

25 Aug 2018 22:34:43
Just watched game (obviously knowing result) there are things that are obvious. Some players are not playing the pressing game, i was impressed by myki, Gouendouzi, torreira, auba, lacca and monreal, just because you can see they are trying to press. The problem is you can't press on your own and expect to get results, you need to press in twos and threes. Bellerin was great going forward again but his defending and general play was awful. Ramsey, what position was he playing and did he think he was playing on his own. Still think defensively our problems stem from central midfield and right back leaving mustaffi and papa exposed and they aren't good enough to cover for the lack of protection. Going forward we are ok going back we are in trouble. We are either pressing as a team or we might as well not bother. The cozy club are being stubborn.

25 Aug 2018 23:04:26
Some people are of the view that Bellerin should be tried at the RW position with Litchsteiner playing the RB position. Seems to be a great idea but don't know if it will work.

25 Aug 2018 23:22:30
It would work in some games willy but he lacks trickery. Still worth a try if it gets him away from right back though.

25 Aug 2018 23:46:32
Having watched the highlights on motd it seems obvious to me the only way to play the high press without being sitting ducks at the back is to play 3 5 2 allowing the full backs to be more attacking than defensive without leaving the CBs helplessly exposed.
As for Xhaka I'm none the wiser for the motd highlights because they really show enough of the game to notice his good half hour but I'm happy to accept the general consensus that he was better than usual ( obviously that's not difficult) But most reports on the game agree he did well once Torreira came on.
Xhaka Ramsey Mesut? Well they'd have to fight for their right to party.

26 Aug 2018 07:56:44
Agree with your comments Steve. We clearly need to learn to press as a team and I am not sure certain players will suit this style. In respect of Bellerin he has little defensive ability and am wondering whether we should try Lichtsteiner at RB, with Bellerin on the right of the midfield three? On the left the same may be an idea, with Monreal at LB and Kolasinac, when fit, on the left of the midfield three. With one creative midfield player in the centre of the three, THis may work away from home, giving more defensive cover, but at home, we would need one more creative/ attacking player in the three,

26 Aug 2018 08:09:44
G62 - The idea in Emery's 4-2-3-1 is that the 3 drop back when defending to form a 4-5-1 or at times a 4-4-2. The problem is that Iwobi and Ozil in particular are useless defensively and in any type of press. Mkhitaryan and Ramsey are not much better.
Perhaps Maitland=Niles, when fit, could play in the three or away from home play Lichtsteiner and Monreal at FB and Bellerin and Kolasinac, when fit, wide in the three. This will aid the team defensively away from home.

26 Aug 2018 08:47:45
Having a system you prefer is fine but if you don't have the right people to play that system it simply can't work.

26 Aug 2018 10:17:36
G62 - yes, that is the problem Emery was left by Wenger who had poorly balanced squads for a decade.
Emery made 5 signings during the window, which is about as many that can be successfully integrated into the squad in one window. So far he has only played Sokratis and Guendouzi in the starting line up.
I am certain he knows that we need to make 2 or 3 signings and 2 or 3 departures in January.
Possible January departures, if possible: Ramsey (contract issue and overrated) , Ozil (a costly waste of space) .
I would also like to see Iwobi and Mustafi replaced as soon as possible.
Signings in January, 2 wide players that can defend and attack.

26 Aug 2018 10:58:40
I just hope people are prepared accept some high scoring defeats as well as some high scoring wins and draws along the way RG.
This season much like Pep and Jurgen first season is going to be full of ups and downs with some shock wins and defeats along the way because Dicks playing system isn't going to happen quickly and certainly not smoothly.

26 Aug 2018 11:42:15
G62 - Emery has been left with a poor squad and it will take time to rebuild. When you think we sold or released the following players since the start of last season, the squad which was already lacking was weakened further:
Giroud, Wilshere, Oxlade, Sanchez, Coquelin, Perez, Ospina, Koscieny (long term injury) , Chambers, Campbell, Akpom, Cazorla, Mertesacker, Walcott, Szczesny, Debuch. Many had to go, but a massive rebuilding job.

26 Aug 2018 12:15:35
RG that’s some talent we’ve let go and arguably some much better than what we have.

25 Aug 2018 17:44:10
Credit to West Ham, they played really well but didn't take advantage of the chances created. Arsenal have one of the weakest defence in the league. We simply cannot defend well. What really gets to me is retreating when the opposition is running at us giving them more time on the ball.
Secondly our defenders are too slow. There is no aggression or whatsoever. I watched the wolves vs City game and I liked their defending. Our players just stand in front of the opposition and watch them, waiting for them to pick a simple pass that will split up our defence. Only is Laca was a defender.
Thirdly, I don't see why we allow the opposition to make crosses easily without having to put them under some bit of pressure? And even when they do cross, our players don't pick up players who are free in the box. They all watch where the ball is going to land. While it may take time to get them defending well, we have no time because teams might punish us for defensive errors. We need to play Mavropanos and bench Mustafi. Then buy high quality center backs if it doesn't get better.
Nevertheless I am excited we won the game but I was not that impressed with our play. More work to be done as usual. Laca brings more fire power to the attacking side. Hope he gets paired with Auba in the next game. It's clear they can play together.

25 Aug 2018 18:40:05
But Chaka was better when torreira came on. What about the first 60 minutes. Lol. I can't wait to see how good he was tonight. I will fast forward to when torreira came on.

25 Aug 2018 19:33:49
If the bloke looked good next to Torreira then surely that's good news for Arsenal, no?
I'm no fan of Xhaka but if he really did look good then surely we should be pleased.
I don't know Granit Xhaka personally so for me it is not personal and I'd rather be proved wrong than right about him, as I say I've not seen the game if he looked good for 30 minutes then that's a huge improvement on the last 2 seasons where he's looked like baseball player stuck in the middle of football match, out of his depth is putting it mildly but you've got to give credit if and when it's due otherwise it just becomes a stubborn grudge.

25 Aug 2018 20:16:58
Yes agree gunner but there is looking good and there is being good. I see a problem for arsenal with him and it will take a mighty big change for me to change. We haven't looked good since he joined and he's had more partners than anton dubeck.

25 Aug 2018 20:52:23
Steve your roaring distaste for the player makes it impossible for you to be objective when ‘analysing’ his play. I’m no Xhaka fan-boy but can tell you he looked a different player when Torreira came on the pitch. It’s something to explore going forward.

25 Aug 2018 21:50:27
Q I'm probably Xhaka biggest critic I really don't rate him in any way shape or form he's been an ever present in the team for 2 seasons without ever having a game to remember him positively Inn but if today he showed something different then I look forward to seeing it and hopefully a lot more of it in the future because he needs to produce big time from now until May just to get back to where he came in 2 years ago. If he does that we are all winners and I will buy Xhaka shirt as recognition of it :-)

{Ed0333's Note - you know have witnesses that you said you’ll buy a Xhaka shirt if he has an upturn in performances. It’s on the internet and everything 🤣

25 Aug 2018 22:41:39
Q, did he really, i must be blind, he was flimsy in a few defending situations and most notably at 2-1 when lucas should have scored. He strolls about keeping it easy ozy and he seems not to want to press. I don't like him because he is a massive problem in our defending. And boy do people moan about that. I admit, he was no worse than many others today but he wasn't especially good or imposing and that's something i like to see.

25 Aug 2018 22:43:10
Gunner, there is more chance you will be buying an iwobi shirt.

25 Aug 2018 22:51:19
Yeah I'd have to do it too Ed0333 mate :-) long way to go before I need to start window shopping mate.

25 Aug 2018 15:59:07
Our defending is ten times worse than last year. top 6 at best I think.

25 Aug 2018 16:41:36
Played much better since Torreira and Lacazette’s introduction. It’s clear that those two HAVE to be starting and playing the majority, if not the entirety, of the match. got to say Xhaka’s Been pretty damn good today when paired with Torreira.

25 Aug 2018 17:00:15
But what was Xhaka like against City or Chelsea.

25 Aug 2018 17:07:32
Banbury what was arsenal like against city and Chelsea terrible.

25 Aug 2018 17:09:40
Obviously he was poor mate. But you’re only as good as you’re last match and today he was very good.

25 Aug 2018 17:17:52
Didn't see the game but look forward to seeing Xhaka playing well on motd then. If he did fair play to him and Dick for sticking by him and getting a result.

25 Aug 2018 17:21:39
It doesn't matter how well xhaka plays, he's the main problem why we are letting goals in, he is crap at defending and team work.

25 Aug 2018 17:30:00
G62 he played great once Torreira came in. Was unconvincing when Guendouzi was out there and that is simply not a midfield duo Emery can play going forward.

25 Aug 2018 17:41:01
Fair enough mate, I've actually just read a report saying the same as you so really am looking forward to seeing hin shine in an Arsenal shirt later tonight.

25 Aug 2018 17:51:03
It was WH it’s no place to judge how “good” he was

WOW!

25 Aug 2018 17:55:47
If he was good he was good no matter who we played.

25 Aug 2018 17:58:28
If he played poor he would’ve been judged, and judged very harshly at that. So why not give him his due when he does the job?

25 Aug 2018 18:34:39
We won't progress with the defensive side while xhaka and Bellerin don the shirt. They are not on board with the tactics. We are stuck with papa and mustaffi, we don't have to be with the other two, especially xhaka. Still a win is a win is a win.

25 Aug 2018 19:00:12
I'm not sure I've heard you're only as good as your last game before, one game isn't form. If you're poor for 4 games and have a good game that doesn't mean you've turned a corner and should be stuck with and if you're good for 4 games and have a poor game that doesn't mean you should be dropped imo.

25 Aug 2018 19:19:46
Emery is the problem he hasn’t got a
Clue.

25 Aug 2018 19:47:46
62, that’s mad . It’s the level of opposition. I don’t give a damn about him being good today, it’s against better opposition that counts

Don’t pay someone on the back for a performance against a poor side, a side that we beat regularly.

You’ve been dining with Wenger lol.

25 Aug 2018 20:20:12
BG, when he starts dominating, getting regular MOMs and does it for runs of games, then i will cut him some slack. Not holding my breath. Lol.

25 Aug 2018 20:26:58
But we'd have slated him if he hadn't preformed mate, surely it's got to work both ways if not it's simply a witch hunt.
Personally I think he's a non player who somehow founded himself in the premier league but you've got to recognise any good bits if and when they happen for any criticism to be balanced.
If he had a good half an hour by his standards that's huge because I personally haven't seen him have a good 3 minutes in the past.

25 Aug 2018 20:36:15
Steve’s mind won’t be changed even if he turned in to stevie g and won us the title single handed.

25 Aug 2018 20:50:09
fair point 62 but a wolf in sheeps clothing and all that, one good performance keeps me in Steve’s gang.

25 Aug 2018 21:27:35
No one is saying the guy is Xavi now, mate. Simply saying he played well once Torreira was introduced. I’m skeptical as hell he’ll be able to keep it up but it was, at the very least, encouraging to see a midfield partnership play so well together. It’s funny because there’s all this chatter about Xhaka between all of us right now but the real hero is Torreira. Kid is tenacious with a knack for getting the ball back and the lad can play an incisive pass or can dribble past someone. They’ve needed this kind of a player for so long. Only thing I’m worried about is City going after him in a few seasons.

25 Aug 2018 21:51:45
Totally agree QTRN.

25 Aug 2018 21:55:33
Fair play mate and if I had to bet 50 quid either way I'd say he will be back to his normal self next game and long afyer but let's wait and see and hope to be wrong about him.

25 Aug 2018 14:03:11
Xhaka starting again! Bellerin too which isn't such a surprise. Steve has to be thrilled.

25 Aug 2018 09:01:34
Apparently it's Aaron's agent who's the big bad Wolf stopping him signing a new contract, how many times have we read this where the player isn't greedy or trying to squeeze every penny they can from the club it's his selfish agent who's the bad guy ;-)
I finally understand what an agent role is now, scapegoat who takes all the blame for 10% cut.

25 Aug 2018 09:47:00
And I've read a few times it's all raiola trying to get pogba a move. But in this case was it not in the agents interest to get him a move this summer if he's telling him not to sign? Surely he gets a bigger cut if we sold him for a transfer fee than if he leaves for free or does the agent get a signing on fee if he can offer a free client?

25 Aug 2018 10:30:09
I'm not really sure how it all works Eden mate but I'm pretty sure these agents work for the players and not the other way round, I don't think in Aaron's case it's Aaron saying " I want to take Arsenals offer and sign up for the rest of my career " and his agent saying " no you can't because I'm not letting you "
I'm sure agents have preferences but ultimately it's the player who chooses what he wants not what the nasty agent makes him do.

25 Aug 2018 10:42:02
Ramsey is in a very strong position, as he is 27 years of age and a free agent next season when he can negotiate a financially advantageous deal.
We agreed absurdly high wages for Ozil, Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang, which is coming back to haunt us as we negotiate current and future deals.
Post David Dein the club has been very poorly run and it will take time for the new regime to repair the damage, both in terms of the playing squad and contracts.
We really should have tried to sell and replace Ramsey during the last window, as there appears little chance of negotiating a reasonable deal and ultimately he will leave for nothing. Playing-wise, I am not at all convenienced by him. The problem is that we need to make another 3 or 4 signings during the next window and the same again next summer. Quite how we will finance this will be interesting as the value of the players we need to move on is not high. In order to progress Kroenke needs to finance around £250 million out of his own pocket, otherwise the top 5 teams above us will remain above us.

25 Aug 2018 11:09:51
RG61 - so true. Our standing in the football world is heavily weighted by financial backing. We don’t have huge financial resources and never have. People should look at our accounts properly before they say we have loads of money and can spend 250m this window etc. Complete BS.

However, a number of individuals correctly point out that we do have a half decent budget ( Top 4 or 5 for sure ) and a decent wage bill ( Top 4 or 5 ) . Wenger kept us top 4 and in line with constraints and fir a period way overachieved. However, near the end others were using their limited budgets more effectively while previous average / ok signings were gradually lowering the standards of the team. Eg sell RVP and replace with who? Sell Cesc and replace with who? We downgraded everywhere to finance the stadium move and debt management.

The short conclusion is Emery must manage our small budget better while he’s got the handicap of an average squad that has limited variations in key positions and similar weaknesses in key areas. If he can manage that budget more effectively eg Xhaka Vs Matteo purchase, Silvestra Vs Lichtsteiner purchase then we will see gradual improvement in the squad. Then he needs to get more out of each player eg a Theo or Chamberlain or Rambo or Ozil. Then he needs to change the winning and general mentality of the squad. Then he needs to change how we defend across the entire team while keeping us entertaining!, it’s a big ask. I am not seeing the changes I would expect and seeing stupid decisions that make me question his potential impact but then I remind myself of all the challenges he’s inherited and it’s early days. For me I want to see some smart calls from him, setting the tone, making changes for the better - that gets him till the end of the season fir me with 100% support.

Sorry for the slight off piste rant.

25 Aug 2018 11:40:10
Or we find 5 more like Guendouzi?
Kante Mahrez and Guendouzi were all playing in the second tier of French football within 2 seasons of coming to England.
As Mulder and Scully told us all those years ago THE TALENT IS OUT THERE.

25 Aug 2018 11:41:03
Are we able to look at our accounts sy? I would be interested to see where all the money goes, I don't expect us to have the same amount as Utd to spend and I wouldn't expect Stan to pump loads of his own money in, the owners who do that I don't quite understand, surely most owners want to see a profit like any business. But I would of thought the club itself should have more than £50 million to spend, with the TV money, most expensive tickets in the world and some of the best shirt and sponsorship deals fair enough if there's no money, but on the face of it it doesn't seem to add up.

25 Aug 2018 17:28:43
Yes - on Arsenal.com plus search for Deloitte football money. Good report on our revenue compared to other clubs.

25 Aug 2018 07:29:02
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 25th August 2018