Arsenal Banter Archive October 27 2018

27 Oct 2018 23:09:01
Good evening all. 1st time poster but I have been an avid reader for years. I've just broken up with my missus so now I have time for these great forums.

I was watching a highlight reel video of Guendouzi and the PSG youngster we were linked with before popped into my head Adli I think his name was.

I remember at the time being really disappointed when he decided to stay at PSG but I genuinely think if it was indeed one or the other I'm delighted it ended up being Guendouzi.

I love watching the way he moves around the pitch and he seems to have a bit of everything.

I won't pretend I'm the most tactically aware and someone please educate me and correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Guendouzi a better, more robust, quicker version of Xhaka who covers much more areas of the pitch in a game?

Why is he not starting as one of the double pivot duo alongside Torreria in front of our two centre backs instead of Xhaka?

I think a duo of Torreira and Guendouzi together is a tactically great combination that complement each other perfectly at the base of our midfield for the way Emery wants us to play.
It's got everything, great protection for our central defenders who are a work in progress and need the help, physically strong, energetic and reasonably quick, both can read the game, both are great passers, tenacious with a great work ethic and have positional sense.

I'm not convinced on Xhaka and personally think his level is that of a good squad player.

Torreira and Guendouzi are our future and the quicker they start playing together as first team regulars and get to know each others game the more beneficial it will be for our chances of success.

In my opinion a title winning team is made up of little relationships all over the pitch. Your fullbacks with their wingers, centre backs, offensive midfielders with the striker/ strikers and centre midfielders with each otter.

In this run of 11 victories Xhaka has stated nearly all the games and Guendouzi appearing from the bench but from what I recall Guendouzi, in his limited minutes has contributed more to this run than Xhaka.

Ps, that's for the years of work Ed's. So very much appreciated.

{Ed025's Note - welcome aboard the love train stu, well written post that mate and look forward to hearing more from you mate..

27 Oct 2018 23:44:37
Welcome Stu, can't argue with that, i'm also very excited by the lad, he is learning, he is still young but its been a long time since i was so hopeful for one of our young players to be a great talent. I think 6 months of torreira (who i'm also excited about) and Gouendouzi playing together would be time for them to form a real partnership to take us to the next level. It would need patience and time but they are both telented and for me complimentary too each others game.

28 Oct 2018 01:27:39
Welcome Stu.
Like you I really like the look of Guendouzi, who at the tender age of 19 is an awesome prospect, having come through at PSG, who reportedly were also interested in re-signing him when we manged to get him.
At the start of the season he looked full of promise, but very raw and slightly lacking in physicality. However, he seems to improve with every match and his progress seems to be being handled extremely well by Emery and his excellent team. In respect of Xhaka, he is one of Emery's 5 captains and had his contract extended almost as soon as Emery arrived. Since emerging at 18 he has been an automatic choice, won trophies with and often captained Basel, B Monchengladbach, Arsenal and the Swiss national team, where has won 70 caps despite just turning 26. He plays a seamless role linking the defence with the attack, which often goes unnoticed. Yes, of course he has room for improvement. The important thing is that Arsenal now have defensive midfield options. Against Sporting we were able to start with Guendouzi and Elneny, bringing Torreira on later and moved Xhaka to LB. We also have Maitland-Niles back from injury, who is also a defensive midfield player. As we enter a heavy schedule it's great to have ample options for the 2 defensive midfield roles, which wasn't the case under Wenger for many years.

{Ed001's Note - saying someone won 70 caps for Switzerland is like saying they won 70 caps for either of the Irish teams or Wales. It is meaningless as they do not have any options. They do not have a huge pool of players to choose from and a lot of those they do have to choose from choose to play for other countries. Even Xhaka only plays for them, like Shaqiri, because they couldn't play for the nation they actually identify with.}

28 Oct 2018 06:29:45
Stu, welcome aboard mate.

And just so I'm clear, you're using us as your rebound after the breakup? It's a little unusual but I hope it works out for you. Be warned though, some of the biatches on here can be quite high maintenance 😂.

28 Oct 2018 07:20:30
In the most up to date FIFA World rankings that I could find Switzerland ranked at number 6,
Switzerland has a population of approx 8+ million, Wales 3+ million, NI 1.8 m and Eire 4.7m, so it's a bit unfair to compare playing for any of these minor nations to Switzerland which is 6th in World football and has a population much larger than any of the 3 nations you mentioned. Switzerland won the U17 World Cup finals when Xhaka was playing for the team, I can't recall any of the other International teams you mentioned winning a World Cup at any level. Indeed the Swiss have a sophisticated League system that has provided the basis for the footballing success of the nation. The Swiss national team has qualified for the last 4 World Cup Finals. None of the teams you mentioned qualified for the last World Cup Finals, never mind the last 4 finals consecutively.
Xhaka is of Albanian heritage and his brother plays for Albania, both were actually born in Switzerland. Of course Granit Xhaka could have played for Albania, he chose to play for Switzerland, opposed to Albania.
It will be interesting to see if you publish this article and I don't mean to be rude, but belittling Swiss football and Xhaka's success as a football is simply unfair. I accept he isn't everyone's cup, but he has been a successful footballer, with trophies and international caps to his name.

{Ed001's Note - you really do talk some crap. No one cares what their populations are, it is irrelevant. Otherwise we would have China winning everything. Switzerland's nonsense FIFA ranking is just a joke, those rankings are moronic and are cheated by teams on the regular, just ask Poland how they got so high up to ensure a favourable draw at the World Cup despite being cack.

It does not matter what their league system is like, it does not matter what youth trophies they won, as a large proportion of players at those levels not only fail to make it but regularly are not representing the nations they will at adult level, it only matters how many top quality players they have available to choose for their international side. Switzerland simply doesn't have many, no matter how much crap you borrow from Google.

You never bother to read anyone else's posts properly that is why every single one of your replies just ends up being ridiculous. Your ignorance shows through every time as you just post up poorly researched crap you find on Google. Have you even heard of Kosovo or Kosovan-Albanians? Oh wait, I am sure you billion-pound financial empire probably takes you out there every day....}

28 Oct 2018 07:44:25
Hi Stu sorry to hear about your marriage breaking up mate, tough gig that mate hope your ok Geeza.
Great first post mate hope to hear to keep hearing from you mate, welcome aboard.

28 Oct 2018 08:17:44
Hi Stu mate,

Nice post and totally agree, Xhaka really is more of a liability to be honest, Guendouzi brings so much more but I just think Emery is not rushing him which is good.

Spot on Ed01 mate. That has to be the most pathetic argument to try and make out a player is something he’s not. 🙄.

28 Oct 2018 09:12:23
ROI at some point in 1995 were ranked 7th. Portugal in 2001 - 2002 were ranked 7th or 8th. USA in 2002 were ranked 8th and in 2004 6th.

In 2006, for large spells, the Czech Republic were ranked 4th or something. In 2009, Egypt were 10th, their best ranking in 2010 was 9th. In 2011, Greece were 10th. In 2015, Wales fluctuated between 9th and 10th. For a spell in 2014, Chile were 5th.

My point is, there is something inherently wrong with the way they do the rankings. I won't profess to know what it is, but more often than not, you'll find teams in there that make you wonder why and how.

Anyway, this was meant to be a welcoming thread for Stu. Stu, I hope this is the kind of rebound girlfriend you were after mate!

Oh and stay away from Stoner; he's a bad influence.

{Ed001's Note - you forgot to mention England being 5th right now, that is a massive red flag that they are bollox!}

28 Oct 2018 09:39:02
Ed001, I live in Scotland mate and if I mentioned England, I'd just have Brow and Stoner taking the mick out of me. I think you should ban them.

{Ed001's Note - that sounds like quite the opposite of what I should do from what you have said. However, having met Stoner, I think you would have a case for banning him because of his misleading name.....}

28 Oct 2018 09:54:44
In all fairness Ed001, even I'm on my best behaviour when in Dubai. Not sure if one of my hols next year will be to Dubai, but definitely the year after, and we'll definitely meet up.

I remember my first stint in Dubai over 20 years ago, I stayed in Al Qusais and it was nothing but sand. Next time round I stayed in Bur Dubai for a bit. Company paid me daily for food and hotel stay. I soon figured I could supplement my nightly bar habit by staying in a craphole hotel in Deira and I was never happier. Good times!

{Ed001's Note - I live in Deira mate! There are some real crapholes but the worst (and usually cheapest) place is Naif. Stayed there for a few weeks and it was a case of pushing the coackroaches out of the way to make room in the bed each night.}

28 Oct 2018 10:27:01
Welcome to the forum Stu, great post to start your new relationship with :)

I keep thinking what are we all missing about Xhaka, why Emery think of him that high and Wenger before him. I can’t figure it out because I can’t see it. As for the swiss national team they had a player ibrahimi I think his name that plays for Stoke for god a sake.

28 Oct 2018 11:25:44
Sharpie, as if mate and what’s with the bad press! 😂

If you're out the following year Sharpie I’ll try and get out there again so I can actually see what a knob you are. 😂😂😂 would be great to meet up.

You know I love ya really, but clearly not in that way. 😜.

28 Oct 2018 12:04:47
Stoner, that'll actually be brilliant if we can meet up over there mate. I know it doesn't seem possible, but I'm actually a bigger knob in person. You'll love me! (get it? )

Mind you, if you and Ed001 start holding hands and walking down the beach again, I'm getting the feck outta there! 😂.

{Ed001's Note - I would never break your heart by cheating on you like that mate, don't worry.}

28 Oct 2018 12:35:48
Hahaha Ed001 - touché fecker 😂.

{Ed001's Note - :-)

28 Oct 2018 12:40:19
It would mate and hopefully I’m not going to GET IT! 😂.

27 Oct 2018 07:29:01
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 27th October 2018

27 Oct 2018 11:19:26
Nice touch by Klopp. Definitely not like a trampoline. Before he went to Liverpool, I always wished he'd take over from Wenger.

Regarding Ramsey, I'm actually surprised that he's surprised. I'd understand him seeking elite status wages if he put in MoTM performances in even 50% of his appearances, but at his performance levels, the lad should be taking a pay cut.

27 Oct 2018 11:45:51
Aaron is the last main stay of the cosy club who all had low targets for themselves to achieve but had huge expectations from the club.
They all thought Arsenal were lucky to have them rather than the other way round.
The sooner Aaron is an ex Arsenal player the better, I wish him well where ever he is next season as I do Theo and Jack but I'm sure like Theo and Jack Aaron will quickly realise it's not Arsenal who held him back but the other way round.
Up the Arsenal.

27 Oct 2018 12:46:43
The worst thing about the Ramsey situation is if he walks for nothing in the summer. I am not too bothered if he goes as we still have quite a few options for the sole role in the middle of the 3, in Emery's favoured 4-2-3-1 formation. At present Ozil should be first choice for that position. Alternatives could be Mkhitaryan and Iwobi. I have never liked Ramsey played wide in the 3 and I believe at present Aubameyang, Welbeck and Iwobi are all more effective than Ramsey played wide. It looks like we will either try and sell Ramsey and Welbeck in the January window, if possible, or let them go in the summer, when we could bring in a wide player. In addition, next season we will have Nelson back from what is proving to be a successful loan period and Smith-Rowe will also have matured. For a long period under Wenger we had way too many playmakers and Emery is changing that. Thoughts on playing Guendouzi in the centre of the 3, in a 4-2-3-1 formation. He has a great range of passing and could be an option, if Torreira and Xhaka sit in behind.

27 Oct 2018 17:48:26
I think you'll find most people will gladly make room for Guendouzi RG mate but in the vast majority of cases it will be at the expense of Xhaka not our formation.
I know you personally are a big fan of Xhaka being included somewhere in the starting 11 which is fair enough but it's not how most fans feel.

27 Oct 2018 18:27:58
I’d prefer Guendouzi in Xhaka position.

27 Oct 2018 18:49:58
I'd prefer Gouendouzi in xhakas place, far better player.

27 Oct 2018 18:54:48
I also think we have options without ramsey but i think we will replace him with a different type of player to him.

27 Oct 2018 19:24:55
Who ever comes in needs to see playing for Arsenal as a great privilege rather than just there best financial opportunity.
Guendouzi certainly does, even when he's not on the pitch he's as excited on the sidelines as any Arsenal fan could ever be when we score a goal.
Love his attitude enthusiasm passion and his ability makes them equally, surely it's a case of when not if he starts ahead of Xhaka.

27 Oct 2018 19:56:10
Gouendouzi is living the dream gunner, he's an arsenal fan, when he is playing he is in dreamland, when he isn't he is a super fan. I think he has all the tools to be a legend but if he ends up not making it, he has lived the dream. I like the way he always has a smile on his face when he has the shirt on.

27 Oct 2018 20:05:03
Personally I’d play Xhaka at either left or right back.

Left back in the changing room or right back behind the goal! 🤪.

27 Oct 2018 20:39:37
Or in the holding role Stoner, holding the players drinks bottles :-)

27 Oct 2018 21:50:44
Maybe we can sucker Chelsea into a Ramsay Loftus Cheek swap in January.

27 Oct 2018 22:26:57
Better still a Xhaka Kante swap:-)
We won't ask them for the 4 million we paid more for Xhaka than they did Kante, we will let that go as a good will gesture :-)

Steve I hope Guendouzi especially enthusiasm sets a trend amongst all youngsters who come through and rather than Worry about their next contract offer and how much they can squeeze out of the club they simply enjoy playing for the shirt knowing the club will reward their performances rather than their running down their contact in order to try and hold the club to ransom with the threats of leaving for free.

I want players who regards playing for Arsenals fair offer more valuable than someone else's 20k extra because Arsenal is where they want to be, if Real or Barcelona come in one day I can understand a player might be tempted by the prestige of playing for them but not leaving for another club simplyb for a few dollars more when they will already retire in their mid 30s with more money than they can ever sensibly spend in their life time.

27 Oct 2018 22:36:40
I agree with your guys on Xhaka.

I'd play Maitland-Niles next to Torreira in the 4-2-3-1.
with Auba-Guendouzzi-Ozil
with Laca up front.

27 Oct 2018 23:12:32
Whatever we do we need energy in the middle of the park and scope. Gunner, i'm hanging my hat on Guendozi mainly because to go with his obvious ability, he has massive enthusiasm for arsenal. That is what we want, great players who actually love the club. Its obvious he loves the club, that is rare. He is in it for the thrill and the money is secondry to him but he will get the money if he achieves his goals, he knows that. Ramsey and the cozy club is coming to an end!

27 Oct 2018 23:20:47
254, i think tomorrow by all accounts we may need xhaka but i won't be calling him for taking on zaha, he isn't a left back or quick enough. But if he does keep him quiet, we may just have a new left back.

28 Oct 2018 01:38:26
At only 19 years of age Emery seems to be handling Guendouzi really well. Young players can suffer physically if played too often at the top level at a young age. You only have to look at Wilshere, who was destroyed physically by being overplayed at a young age when player are still growing and developing physically.
The Xhaka issue is no doubt contentious, but both Energy and Wenger always started him and Emery made him one of his 5 captains and extended his contract. I too would like to see if Guendouzi would be a success playing in the 3 ahead of the 2 in Emery's favoured 4-2-3-1 formation. Of course there are aspects of Xhaka's game that need work and I'm certain Emery and his excellent staff are working with the player in this respect.

28 Oct 2018 08:33:47
Just to be clear on the 5 captains, do they have a Tardis or not? :-)
Maybe Dicks ultimate plan is to change our strip from red and white to black and white with the players wearing sunglasses and for the 5 captains to be regenerated into the M. I. B.
Maybe if we play badly and lose the fans and pundits will be asked to look into the " flashy thing " and have our memories wiped :-)