Anything But Easy But We Close In On Citeh
Oct 6th, 2019 by 'holic
The team pretty much was as expected for the visit of Bournemouth. I had speculated about Joe Willock and Gabriel Martinelli having opportunities but Dani Ceballos and Nicolas Pepe held on to their Premier League starting status.
We went close in the sixth minute with a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang effort from the inside-left channel that missed the far post by inches. We had started the brighter but this was the first real opportunity. Two minutes later we had the lead with a glancing header from David Luiz, his first goal for The Arsenal, from Pepe’s perfectly flighted corner.
The Arsenal 1-0 Bournemouth
We were served due warning that Bournemouth had some ambition when Solanke headed just wide of the target on seventeen minutes. A one goal lead is never comfortable, is it? Pepe attempted to double the lead with a delightful curler that just avoided corner off post and crossbar.
Midway through the half Aubameyang’s goal-bound effort was blocked to safety. Remarkably Martin Atkinson denied Pepe what appeared to be a blatant penalty, and VAR deemed it not to be a clear and obvious error, when he was brought down by Rico. Fair enough, you live by VAR and sometimes die by it too.
Granit Xhaka avoided a yellow card that would have earned him a suspension for a lazy trip on Wilson. Stacey was not as fortunate when he hauled back Sead Kolasinac.
Bukayo Saka lifted the spirits with a driving run at the Bournemouth left-back but he couldn’t cut the ball back and the ball was smothered at the near post by Ramsdale. Calum Chambers attempted a nigh on impossible volley from the inside-right channel and was closer than anyone expected. The half-time whistle should have seen a greater advantage, but didn’t.
The industrious Saka denied Solanke on the edge of our box as Bournemouth attempted to level affairs. The visitors had clearly come out with a little more appetite for the battle. Wilson all but equalised when he rounded Leno but cut the ball back square and Chambers cleared, much to everyone’s relief. Stacey drew a vital parry from Leno from a tight angle. How we needed that second goal.
Just past the hour mark the crowd were lifted by the sight of Gabriel Martinelli getting prepared for his Premier League debut. Pepe made way with another assist to his name. Bournemouth sent on Fraser (remember him?) for Solanke. Immediately Chambers had to be alert to deny Fraser as the Cherries again sought an opportunity.
Martinelli’s first involvement saw him get a yellow card for bringing down Wilson from behind. Joe Willock joined him on the pitch with a quarter of an hour to go in place of Ceballos, largely ineffective in the second-half. Bournemouth too rang the changes, with Stacey and Wilson replaced by Groeneveld and Francis.
Martinelli’s sighter was narrowly high and wide before Unai Emery decided to protect our slender advantage by sending on Lucas Torreira for Saka, who had enjoyed a mixed afternoon. It’s all a part of life’s rich learning curve. The signal of five additional minutes did nothing to settle the nerves. Chambers, outstanding on the day, teed up Aubameyang but for once the golden boot winner misfired.
We held on, and were treated to the sight of Wolves taking a last gasp 0-2 winner at the Emptihad. In the end not a bad day, eh? Third place and closing in on the Citizens.
134 Responses to “Anything But Easy But We Close In On Citeh”
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up with a virus at half sparrowfart to watch the game. bournemouth played well the second half, and we did enough to win. very satisfactory.
now, if the city of manchester ends their top flight weekend winless, it will be even better.
Agree with Cynic. Calum did
well today. Nice goal from
Luiz. Decent corner from
Pepe. Leno was fine.
Er…..that’s about it for the
positives
I thought of another positive
– Laca is back after the interlull
Nice report thanks Guvnor.
You’re kinder than I’d have
been about the 2nd half
performance but we didn’t
give a stupid goal away and
that is some progress I
suppose
Emery is known to play safe in the league, a reputation he earned in Spain and we see it in every league game. Not surprised he brought on Torreira for Saka but I can’t fault him on this occasion.
Saka, Chambers and Ceballos had another good game. Martinelli was more influential than Pépé but needs to work on his strength to really fit into playing in the league.
We were lucky not to concede and though we kept a clean sheet there is still a lot of work required to get a reliable defense.
Third in the league and a point behind City is a great feeling.
Very accurately described Holic although I found the second half a hard watch . Props to Guendouzi who covered every blade of grass, Chambers and Luiz and in the first half I thought Pepe was more effective and we almost saw a sensational piece of play in the second half . We lost momentum in the second half and Bournemouth clawed their way into it and looked likely to equalise . I’m going to scold Xhaka again because he had zero positive effect on the game and gives us nothing going forward and little defending . Auba was far too isolated as the team shape needed tweaking earlier than we did. But we won and it was an important three points
Didn’t see the game but it is nice to read that Chambers played well. Thanks for the report big man. 🙂
Man Utd down by a goal with 12 mins left at Newcastle!
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If we’d beaten United on Monday we’d be sitting in second place in the table, with most of our supposedly knowledgable fan writers wanting the manager sacked.
Football eh?
Utd lose. My regret is we didn’t beat them.
I thought Carroll was a bit lucky
not to give away a penalty in the
last minute. But amusingly
Manure lost again.
Cynic,
As one of the supposedly knowledgeable fan writers I’m not going to revisit the Emery debate but this is a very good squad and we aren’t playing to anything like the potential we have nor do we play very attractive football. We were reasonably good in the first half but really should have drawn . When this defence keeps a clean sheet it is a major cause for celebration. We’ve played efficiently today against Burnley and Newcastle but the only exciting football has been played by the midweek team who have scored twelve goals without conceding . It’s very gratifying to be third but it’s a long old season and if we hope to make the CL we will need to improve
It’s more those who make a living from Arsenal writing I’m having a mild pop at, but it does strike me as odd that the sense of perspective that was cemented in place during the Wenger years (and remained for far too long) has disappeared.
Are things perfect? Far from it.
Should we be sacking the manager because of that, this early in his reign? Absolutely not.
We could be better – a lot better. We could be much worse.
We could be United.
Spuds 9th, Manure 12th and
Everton in the bottom 3
There’s been worse weekends
OM,
He walked into his elbow and wasn’t during play time anyhow…not sure how that can be given as a pen?
Emery said we lost confidence in the second half, who on earth is responsible for that? This team performs brilliantly when Torriera plays as DM and the young guns fill in the rest of the midfield. This Ozil debacle is just getting silly now.
The only thing that worries me is the fact that we have no style under Emery, the way we’re set to play looks broken. I don’t want to sound like a broken record here and I’m glad we won today but it will catch up with you eventually. His trust in Xhaka is really bizarre to say the least, the bloke doesn’t do anything in the middle of the park anyhow when CB’s pass the ball to him he passes it straight back to them, he hasn’t got a bloody idea on how to make a turn and run forward with the ball.
That second half was awful too no one gave a toss in all honesty maybe apart from Chambers and Gendouzi. Leno as well can be put on that list. Did we get scared of Bournemouth at home? If we would have lost or drew this one would Xhaka say again that we got scared?
He’s the manager and he should pump them up accordingly and at half time he didn’t do that properly. Glad we got away with it.
Solskjaer has that haunted look. He made a mistake by getting rid of Lukaku who for all his shortcomings could get around 20 goals a season. Now Utd can’t seem to score. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets sacked though I hope they keep him for this season.
The only difference between United and us right now is Aubameyang, sadly. We scored from a corner kick today, mind. Having said that, I’m excited about the crop of youngsters coming through. The question is who can take them to the next level? Unai, Ljungberg, someone else?
Very good points from ATG and others about us getting scared against Bournemouth at home . Xhaka says we were scared against Watford ( at 2-0 up ) . There are big scary tests ahead against good teams in tough places. I hope we can grow a pair
So there I was, under the brolly in the Tolly (not that it was needed despite the forecast, it was a beautiful afternoon in North London) when I was accosted by a good looking fella with snow white hair and a Fife accent. Countryman! he boomed and there he was. iBtM as large as life brandishing a pint of Guinness and talking nineteen to the dozen. A fine fellow, telling me of his first visit to Highbury in the 70s and falling in love with the Arsenal. Also of being thrown out of Club level for celebrating a Danny Wellbeck hat trick too enthusiastically.
He kindly invited me to a few drinks with Bath after the game at a den of iniquity in the Stroud Green Road called the Faltering Fullback. Sadly I was driving and had dinner plans. Next time for sure and I will take the train.
Dave you were much mentioned and we wish you all the best and a rapid recovery.
So we wandered down in the sunshine to the ground and parted ways, my Bristol Rovers pal and I to the North Bank, iBtM to the other side of the ground. I hope you had a great view Ian.
So to the game. A nervy sort of game well described above by the landlord. Not our fluent mid week best by any means.
But come on. Many of us in this bar are of an age. One nil to The Arsenal, with the winner coming from a corner from our centre half. Pure nostalgia.
Stands still the clock at ten to three
And is George’s team still exalting thee?
Outstanding performances from Callum and Saka. Well done to Guendouzi and Luiz. Bit lacking up front. Don’t care. Spurs lost. United lost. City lost. Third baby. Anyone who wants to badmouth the manager right now can do one. After the break we’ll see Tierney, Bellerin, Holding and Laca back as first choice. Pepe and Ceballos being pressed hard by Saka, Nelson et al. Xhaka getting suspended and morphing to the midweek team (we can but dream).
A damn good week. Begone thee of little faith! Cheers iBtM!
Supposing we fired Emery, who next? Allegri? What if that doesn’t work? Who next? Do we end up like United, with five managers since Ferguson went in 2013, chucking silly money at it and falling further behind with each appointment?
Pretty soon we will have Holding at centre back and our full backs will return. Defensively we should look better once Sokratis and Kolasinac are gone.
Lacazette will be back. We have options in attack. We’re almost spoilt for choice there with the emergence of the younger players and if Pepe wakes up some day soon…
If we’re patient, it should all come good.
Hopefully 🙂
C100@20 says everything I wanted to say, and includes best wishes to the landlord as well.
Deepest respect.
COYG
To be fair, he takes half as many words again as I was intending to use. But then again, he includes a society report.
A Long-Winded Blowhard
Premier league losses this season.
Liverpool 0
Arsenal 1
Everybody else – more
C100
A lovely report. Sorry not to have joined you and optimistic the Guvna will be fit and well soon .
Now is the time to take a pragmatic view and enjoy third place. It’s s good squad it could go places
I bloody love it when we score from corners. Especially when we win 1-0.
c100
no grub
no 5* rating from me
yer biggest fan
(have ye seen Misery)
and
pan G
don’t make me
go over there
and kick
the adorability
outta ye
ya fine big cunt of a fuck
?
moooooooooooooooooooooo
Hi cba.
Too close to home for grub in North London on a Sunday afternoon.
I had a bacon roll before I left. The ever loving Mrs Countryman had prepared a roast beef Sunday roast for when I returned.
Bloody lovely.
I am a lucky man.
you have a gift fella
everyone can buy a pencil
not everyone can write
always look forward to yer reports
and
+1 again
what osaka M said about Delia
it’s such a privilege to be able to feel yer along with people
on matchday
So, cba. Should I take it that any half-formulated plans I might have had to adopt AL-WD as a moniker should be left to either on the vine?
So be it.
COYG
…wither on the vine.
Bollocks.
if ever i could love you more
?
and
the result tonight
of the greatest drummer
cos
of Ginger Bakers death
is fraught
mainly cos of me
John Maher and Pete de Freitas
Stephen Morris was brought up
but he
brilliant though he is
was schooled by JM
I am calling it a draw
John and Pete (god rest him)
anyhoo
in other unsolicited news
i met Clare Grogan
obviously
i couldn’t understand a bastardin word she said
she’s from Scotchplace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUg6yzKrRXo
having put the phonetics
of what she said through
a modern electronic deconstructer
it appears
she missed out big time
.
.
.
what coulda been eh
she must be gutted
.
.
.
poor cow
.
.
.
I GLOW
.
.
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agL9ftHYrRQ
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_SW4IvWCIk
that’s where it’s from Dave
it’s the absolute opposite
Pepe le Moko
ommmmmmmmmmmmmm
(emoji-free)
alpha male, me
please don’t censor me
Dave
honestly
how are we ever gonna move forward
(i won’t be here but i was here before)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_byygue6gs&t=11s
hello 41
you want someone to talk to you
so
here i go
i think the music you post is juvenile nonsense
for people with more tattoos than sense with
the “HARDMAN ” rating of a soft 2
in my younger days
i’d a sent my pint out to beat the fuck outta you
ya fake
total daisy
allegedly
their only song above shite on the cliche radar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6utdlMvuD74
but
look at them
look
they’re queen with shorter hair
it appears nobody is talking
i’m off the beer
herself is brutal
i’m toking like a flared ding dong though
anyhoo
who is it we support again
@16 ATG
Yes, I should try to remember
the rules ?
Thanks C100, enjoyed your report
as always.
As you say goals from corners
are nothing to be sniffed at.
We even tried some near post
flick ons- a homage to GG
perhaps. Though without
Bouldy’s mastery of the art
to make it look easy.
1-0 to the Arsenal indeed.
There was even a Bournemouth
free kick into our area where
as one the defensive arms were
raised in a synchronised appeal
for offside. Nostalgic stuff.
But, for some negative balance
….I don’t remember
the originals doing it while
looking so nervy and lacking
confidence. And none of this
lot would get into THAT defence
C100@20: Good words, well written. Nothing to disagree with at all.
Guv’nor: Hope today pepped you up a bit and you are on the mend.
A fine N5 day in the sunshine. Lots of wise, sensible, silly words shared and laughed at with people of the very same wise, sensible, silly persuasions. Thanks and so much the better for all of that.
My silver tickets work like platinum bullets. Yesterday brought a magic seat in Block 133 with a great fellow fan and surrounding Gooners foisting polo and murray mints (definitely too good to hurry mints) upon me. A fine antidote to boiled eggs and Guinness. I’ll zoom in there for future games.
Fairly good first half in which we pressed well from the very first minute and covered every blade of grass well. Exact opposite in the second. I thought we should have had a penalty when Pepe was upended. My new companion didn’t. The high balls up the middle to Auba just aren’t his game. And shouldn’t Leno have noticed earlier that their No 29 out jumped Martinelli every single time he booted the ball to him?
A huge difference in entertainment value in the three days elapsed since Thursday. Kieran Tierney’s swashbuckling runs and measured crosses were a key factor. Hurry on back young man, the Faltering Fullback is no substitute – but the company at Kolasinac’s place is always good. So’s the Guinness.
Fine report Guvna. I agree that we were worth more than a 1-0 lead at HT. Whilst we weren’t at the standards of times past, I thought our midfield ran the half (despite Xhaka) and had one of the better halves we have seen this season.
Mindful of our recent tendency to have only one good half , I was concerned at HT that we might not be as good in the second but I did not expect us to be as feeble as we were. Without question Bournemouth ‘won the second half’ morally. It remains astonishing to me that we did not concede and had we done so early enough then they were the only side that would have won the game.
Despite all that Chambers and Luis emerge with credit for old school defensive work The highspot of the second half was a superb sliding challenge by Luis on a pacy Bournemouth striker. Both made key interceptions/tackles at other points of the second half. Ceballos looked a quality MFer in the FH but was a shadow of that player in the SH. Guendouzi put in his usual shift. I fully agree with TTG on Xhaka. We need to learn how to use that potentially potent attack to full effect.
This was certainly the ‘game of two halves’. Whatever was said at HT or put in their tea was extremely counterproductive.
However a win is a win. Even the Invincibles had their off day and flukey wins. It’s time for this team to have an on-day though.
Coming up on the quarter mark
for the season and time to count
our blessings from the first 8
games. I am thinking only good
things…….
Goalie
Leno has started solidly, very
few mistakes and comfortingly
calm with the ball at his feet.
Three clean sheets for Emi in
3 games – he’s been much
better than I expected to be
honest.Good job to both of them.
Tomorrow in the next thrilling
instalment of PosiGooner I
will be saying happy things
about our defensive situation
so far.
It’s often claimed that the captain is the manager’s voice in the dressing room because ,especially in the modern game , the boss doesn’t spend much time with the players. Emery apparently leaves most of the coaching to his assistants.
It’s a strange concept in many ways . I don’t think Frank Mclintock would have expressed himself in the same way as Bertie Mee would have , and Tony Adams would have had a different style to Arsene Wenger. He might have been a better reflection of George Graham who made him captain at a very early age. Vieira might have been closer to Wenger’s style off the pitch, a quiet , quite cerebral individual. Maybe quieter coaches like tough guys expressing tough words to the lads .
Apparently Xhaka is brilliant at the little things like remembering player’s birthdays and collecting fines but what all teams need is someone to drive the team on the pitch. Yesterday I watched Xhaka closely and you get little dynamism from him in the style of the three gentlemen I mentioned who would have projected their personality and stimulated the side when it needed it or calmed the team when under pressure.
As many commentators here have said the team lost their way in the second half and needed an injection of adrenaline . It wasn’t forthcoming from the skipper but we did see real commitment and leadership from Guendouzi and Luiz . Guendouzi is 20 but much more the heartbeat of the side than Xhaka will ever be . Like Ozil, Xhaka is a different character but one whose brainstorms and erratic judgement threaten us particularly in tight games like yesterday.
Xhaka could be club captain ensuring everybody has their favourite flavour of birthday cake but in the heat of battle we need someone much more dynamic
Cheers H. Nice one.
I’m very happy with the result yesterday. Three points to take us into third was exactly what we needed. The first half was pretty good, the midfield functioning fairly well, thanks entirely to Guendouzi and Ceballos as Xhaka added nothing apart from a series of poorly judged fouls. Luiz looked better and obviously scored a good goal off a good corner. We need more of these ‘cheap’ goals and it got us the three points yesterday.
The second half was poor, despite good games from Guendouzi and Chambers. Chambers looks a much more solid performer than ever before. I even like his willingness to shoot and look forward to him hitting a spectacular at some point. He is well ahead of AMN as a right back and I am happy with him as RB backup, especially since he can play CD or DM if needed.
I’ve seen people complaining that Unai thought we lost confidence because we lacked experience but then tried to change that by subbing on Willock and Martinelli. The only more experienced option he had on the bench was Torreira, so if he wanted to make subs he didn’t have much experience to call on apart from a player who he would probably have got pelters for putting on as Torreira is our go to guy when we are trying to shut up shop.
I’ll gladly take the result as we head into the interlull. Coupled with Manure and Spuds losing that makes it a good weekend (can’t really see us getting close to City after 38 games so I’m not overly excited that we are one point behind them)
What we need is to keep getting points on the board and, if we can, to solidify that third spot. Given we have already played Poo, Manure and Spuds (two away) I think we are doing fine.
The team has definitely still got issues that need solving but at least we are picking up points as we work on these. I’d dearly like to see us phase Xhaka out this season and simply put Torreira in as DM and tell him to hold his position and protect the back four.
I can well see that by the end of the season we will be seeing a lot of Willock, Saka, Martinelli, Nelson and possibly ESR in the prem team, which would be a great base for next year. I have the suspicion that Emery does not rate Torreira as much as most of us do in the DM role, so I think he may still be looking for a physically imposing destroyer type. And he will want to get rid of Sokratis and Mustafi, buy a new CD, get Saliba in, cement Holding and have Luiz as backup not first choice. I would also get rid of Kola (who had a decent game against Bournemouth) and find a LB to back up the brilliant Tierney. Get rid of Ozil and hopefully Xhaka.
Compare that lot to how much surgery we have needed in recent transfer windows and it is clear that we have a much better squad than we have had for a long time. I think we will be able to build a platform this year for a better one next time. We need Champs league football. Preferably with a third place finish. We are a strong Europa League side and should be looking at that as real chance to win a trophy (but not a necessary route to CL). Dunno about League Cup, depends what team Liverpoo field and how the youngsters do at Anfield. An FA Cup challenge would also be great. I like the fact that unless we get hit by injuries we have a squad that is both large enough and has enough quality to deal with multiple competitions.
So it is really up to the gaffer to sort out the system, drill the players and make the most of the most positive position we have been in for years. He has a lot to work with and I hope he makes the most of it.
I’ve seen people complaining that Unai thought we lost confidence because we lacked experience but then tried to change that by subbing on Willock and Martinelli.
It’s a weird point to make but then a lot of what’s written elsewhere sounds increasingly mad to me.
If Martinelli and Willock (who some had down to start) hadn’t got on the pitch at all that would be another stick to beat the manager with I suppose.
Crazy times.
Absolutely Cynic.
If he had not made any subs when we were struggling no one would have been happy. When he made subs they weren’t experienced enough. Not much he can do if that’s how people want to look at it.
There was enough wrong yesterday I just thought this was an odd thing to go after him over.
And I’ve also seen some stuff elsewhere that strikes me as a bit mad. Still, if he gets the team playing to their potential then I guess that will swing most of us back onto the same page. Some of us are more patient or reserved than others, but no one thinks we are making the most of our potential, and that’s still the problem regardless of what any of us say about the manager.
The bench yesterday had a
goalie, 2 defenders, a DM,
AMN, Willock and Martinelli.
At home to Bournemouth.
Why is it crazy to question
that? UE picked that bench.
I don’t question bringing on
Martinelli and Willock, I agree
with it. They were the only 2
options that might get us the
2nd goal it looked like we
needed. Or Torreira when we
wanted to keep what we had.
My questions would be
1) Why such a defensive bench
at home to Bournemouth?
Where are Ozil and Nelson?
Others deserved it more?
A nonsense reason.
2) What experience is it that
we lacked? Leno, Luiz, Papa, Kola,
Xhaka, Auba – all experienced
players through the spine of the
team. Guen has got a season under
his belt and Calum has plenty of
PL games. In PL terms only Dani,
Pepe and Saka lack experience.
To me it is perfectly reasonable
to question UE’s assertion as I
think it is clearly incorrect.
Our inability to string together
a 90 minute performance in the
PL has been going on for months.
We can be positive all we want
but I see no reason we have to
swallow bullshit wholesale and
without question.
Great post GSD. Very much in agreement with your main points
I echo TTG’s views GSD. You express my own thoughts in practically every regard.
OM Emery has the advantage over you of seeing Ozil every day in training. Now whether it’s through poor management or something within the man (Ozil) himself he clearly doesn’t think he is going to help the team. You can not dismiss this by memories of what Ozil was like when he first came in. He’s been through a lot and it seems to have scarred him. It happens.
As to Nelson he’s simply been overtaken in the pecking order by Saka and Martinelli. He’ll continue to get good chances.
C100,
I saw Ozil play in pre-season
and the 70 minutes he’s been
given this season. Didn’t look
scarred to me. I don’t believe
that’s my rose-coloured glasses
but it’s possible of course.
As you say he never plays so
we’ll never know.
My point on Nelson was more
about why we would have so
few attacking players on the
bench at home to Bournemouth.
Yes, Nelson’s chance will come.
I actually agree with lots of what
GSD said too.
My main point is that questioning
UE’s decisions is not a bit mad.
It’s been a year, we have better
players IMO and there’s no clear
progress judging by the
performances. Supporters are
not unreasonably asking
questions.
Jeorge Bird reports that Reiss Nelson has withdrawn from England U23 with a knee injury. This explains his absence from the squad yesterday.
Another 90mins endurance test of “football”, it was hardly enjoyable other than the result. So disappointing after another entertaining mid-week match.
When you saw Auba spending far too much time hunting for the ball in midfield , it MUST have dawned on Emery that he was getting no service and it was time to give Tierney at least 30mins, inspite of him playing the whole game on Thursday.
The fact that we are 3rd in the league is a miracle. Emery is far too negative in his approach in a home game where we had one shot on target in the second half.
Thank goodness for my travelling/drinking companions otherwise my 200mile round trip to the Ems would be a real slog. With bus replacement services for all weekend trains until Christmas and beyond my mood is unlikely to improve unless the football on offer improves accordingly.
Buck up Arsenal.
I appreciate I am sounding like a cracked record but wait until the first choice defence is playing, including, critically, Tierney. My only gripe with the manager is playing Xhaka and not a midfield of Torreira, Guendouzi, Willock.
I watched Ozil as well. Like Sanchez before him, he is not the player he was.
Chill out and enjoy watching this team transition into something special. May take all season. But definitely heading in the right direction.
Good @56 GSD, largely agree with all of that. The positives are very clear, youth, Auba and Laca. The negatives too. Watching on Sunday I was thinking, ‘Sokratis, Kolasinac and Xhaka have no future here’ – but I’ve been thinking that for over a year now. Hopefully their time and that of Mustafi is near.
I wonder if you watched the video clip of the squad in training? Xhaka passes straight to Auba playing in the opposing team. The Golden Boot sharer slams it into the net. In training Xhaka does this stuff! (By the way, in the same clip, Mavropanos looks very good – I assume he’s on the mend and Mesut Ozi looks happy, not scarred).
I don’t think anyone will question the merits of a win, 3 points and a clean sheet. It was nowhere near convincing and not my idea of entertaining either. I don’t understand why all of this talk of ‘lacking confidence’ keeps seeping out from the coach and captain. Bournemouth were rank bad in the first half. What was there to dent the team’s confidence? They should have been straining at the leash to get out for the second half and murder the Cherries. Everything changed very noticeably from minute 46. Was it something Unai said or was Howe’s half-time tactics talk just much more persuasive?
The substitutions were essential efforts to reverse the Bournemouth tide. I thought Willock should have come on earlier. In the event, they had minimal impact and Lady Luck played a bigger part in securing the win. (Sign her up, Unai!).
Cheers, Holic !
Hope you’re recovery is sure even if slow.
Take care.
Cheers TTG and Countryman.
OM. If you disagree with Emery’s assertion that we lacked experience then that is fine (and I’d tend to agree). However, my point was not that you or anyone else should agree with the manager’s analysis.
My point was that he did not have much on the bench to change it and, as such, my response to the idea I had read that he was wrong for bringing on inexperienced players when he perceived that we lacked experience was that he had no other options (apart from not making substitutions) therefore I thought it was a daft criticism. I still do.
As to your argument that he chose the bench poorly I can’t honestly see much value in that. He has to choose it from our squad. As Countryman notes Martinelli got the nod ahead of Nelson this time and Nelson is not yet the kind of experienced professional that would help us see a game out more so than the other two. Neither is Ozil who was the only other player we could have had on the bench and who Emery does not trust. Who else do you expect him to have on the bench?
Also, what is wrong with choosing a GK, 2 defenders, a DM (who seems to be being played higher up the pitch but that’s another issue) and 3 attacking players for the bench? Would you have swapped out a defender for Nelson or Ozil? Would having a choice of 4 attacking players instead of 3 (when we were only ever going to use 2 anyway) have made a big difference? Is it too defensive to have cover for GK, CB, full-back, CM and 3 attackers?
Complaining about that bench when the only remotely contentious choice was Ozil and it is exactly the kind of makeup we see to benches up and down the league every week… Well, you ask why that is crazy? I never said it was. But since you bring it up is does strike me as, if not crazy, then at best wholly unimportant. The issues that most struck me in that game were not to do with Emery’s 7th choice sub.
I’m much more interested in, for example, why we only managed 2 shots on target against a poor side with the players we had on the pitch?
Big shout for Calum Chambers from me.
Most people expected him to come up short of the required standard this season but he has been one of our best players so far. And that after another change of position following his loan at Fulham as a DM last term.
Regular first teamer ? Possibly not, but he could yet form a longer term partnership with Holding at centre back.
Salibe is clearly the long term first choice but Chambers is currently proving himself wirthy of a squad place at least.
I have said many times I think there is plenty to question about what Emery does and why our team looks so disjointed given the quality of our squad. Anyone doing so is not mad- you’d be mad not to!
I just don’t always see the value in some of the weird criticisms (ie. His bench) when the actual team is struggling to beat Bournemouth and playing second halfs like someone has been injecting morphine into their oranges.
C100,
Thanks for @63.
I certainly hope you’re right and
I don’t want to be a cracked record
either but I’m frustrated about the
same point Delia makes on our
negative approach. I’m worried UE
will waste the best squad we’ve had
in several seasons.
Away at Sheffield Utd will be a good
test after the break, get the win and
maybe the confidence will grow and
we can go on a decent run with
some entertaining football.
Cheers BTM and totally agree about this lacking confidence claptrap. Why are we lacking confidence at home to a poor Bournemouth side whose decent second half was still not great but looked good compared to their abysmal first half?
OM. Entertaining football is EXACTLY what we need! Our defence is poor and our attack lacks fluency and consistency. Unai has a lot to do not to waste a great squad because right now we look less than the sum of our parts. That is what needs to change and that is squarely on his shoulders.
Right now we have scraped the last two wins whilst looking distinctly average and it’s enough to drive me to drink! Both literally and in here.
There’s one on the bar for anyone who needs it. With the prospect of an interlull ahead I may tuck straight in to the tequila!
GSD,
As Nelson was injured
it seems pointless to
argue. Anyway your post
at @68 was just annoying
and misrepresented what
I said but have it your
own way.
Guys
We won.
We have only lost one game this season and that away to the team who lead the league by eight points. All our major rivals and City have lost more. We are third.
We have virtually stitched up our Europa group after two games and advanced in the league cup, with performances of verve from a side largely under 22.
We have done all of this while missing 4/11 of our first choice team through injury. All should be back against Sheffield United.
There is considerable room for improvement but the results are there if the performances are not. Top
Why is everybody so unhappy?
“The bench yesterday had a
goalie, 2 defenders, a DM,
AMN, Willock and Martinelli.
At home to Bournemouth.
Why is it crazy to question
that? UE picked that bench.”
-OM
My post @68 explains what I thought about the bench issue and speaks directly to what you said. If you meant something else and I missed it then I’m happy to listen and I was not trying to misinterpret or misrepresent you.
If you think that having my post characterised as annoying as you do not bother to reply to it or explain whatever point you were trying to make is having it my way then I assure you that it is not.
Countryman. Of course you are right on one level.
I would separate the league team and Cup team because everyone is chuffed with the second string. But the first team have at the very best managed par (and drawing with Watford at home from 2 goals up probably means we have underachieved) and not looked very entertaining doing it. My personal issue comes from us not making the most of a great squad or having a clear playing style or identity. Coupled with the fact that I could have written the same sentence a year ago and it would have been equally true. We are not progressing.
I am however hopeful that we will improve. I’m not really unhappy. But I am aware that we still have a lot to improve on.
Once again, I think Countryman100 nails it @75. I find much to agree with in GSD’s various posts.
I look forward to a cogent response to C100’s final paragraph “Why is everybody so unhappy?”
COYG
Why is everybody so unhappy?
Probably, and this doesn’t necessarily apply to anyone drinking here, because they’ve made up their minds that Emery is wrong for the job, no matter what happens.
We get gripes abpout the manager being too negative, for example, but when the Europa team plays well and more expansively, he gets no credit for that. It’s the same manager.
Then, of course, he picks some of that exciting team that really has nothing to do with him at all (until it loses obvs) and still that selection is used as a criticism.
And people used to say I had an agenda with Wenger…
Most commenters have stated they can’t wait to have the long term injured back along with Laca
Can you see UE doing this , if this is going to happen it will take many games IMO he’s not going to change 3 out of 4 defenders it’s going to take time , how much time does he have to change the dynamics of this team
The performances have been very similar since UE started , how long does he have to turn it around when see what the cup team can do compared to the league one
I will enter this fray and suggest that people are unhappy because the first team are awful to watch, fill us with no confidence and have achieved their temporarily elevated position more by luck than judgement. The hand of Nemesis will no doubt fall on our shoulder in due course. The ‘B-team’ on the other hand are proving an unexpected delight.
how long does he have to turn it around when see what the cup team can do compared to the league one
It’s the same manager unless he has an identical twin, with an Errol Flynn like approach to life, to take care of the Europa games.
If you look at it from one angle, the team is third and getting results so why would he make mass changes? Why would he change three of his back four, two of his front three and tinker with his midfield?
No doubt if he made all those changes at once and we dropped like a stone, it would be “We were fucking third before he changed it!” lol
The changes will come and they will be gradual, I think, although I hope for a fastish gradual rather than ‘by Christmas’. We’re going to ease the changes but that’s what you do when you have a plan and three of the players coming in are coming back off injuries. It’s chucking things up the air that gets you into trouble.
@69, Trev, good to hear from you. I think many had written Chambers off, or at least put him in the ‘unlikely to make it at Arsenal’ category prior to his loan to Fulham. I wondered myself and I didn’t make much of an effort to watch him play at the Cottage.
I’ve been impressed by his contribution. Most importantly, he appears to really want to give 100% to win starts and stay in the team. He looks faster than I recall and his skill level has developed well. He, like AMN, is a very sound deputy to Bellerin at RB. Neither are at their best in that position and I think debating which is better is pointless. Neither will be first choice, it’s great that both can do it.
I can see Chambers and Holding being a potent CB pairing (as the were for young England). I would really like to see Chambers play in the DM role and the Ropey League provides Emery with an excellent opportunity to give him (and even Luiz) a run there. Neither can do less well than Xhaka.
@80, SV, you’ll see Chambers, Holding, Luiz, Tierney within a fortnight (or my name isn’t Stanley Mathews). Bellerin isn’t ready to start in the PL. A great luxury to have three sound deputies until he is.
Cheers H!
GSD,
After a good nights sleep I
read through the posts and
think my post @74 was
overreacting. My apologies
for being dismissive.
A good discussion tonight and it’s hard to answer the question about why are people so unhappy? I guess it is because after years of very exciting football at home under Wenger, albeit flawed defensively on occasions the fare is dull and the contrast between first and second half is marked ( but not always in the same way.
Overall Countryman has exactly the attitude that supporters should have. We are doing well in the league despite not having played well for ninety minutes in any of our league games. Does that make us lucky or does it presage a very exciting season if when the new/ returning players back we should be able to improve significantly? The midweek team is a delight even with Mustafi in situ. We have had some good performers this year- Leno, Chambers , Willock, Guendouzi has been outstanding and Auba is a fine striker. Lacazette is also top-quality. We have others to come in like a Tierney .I also see improvement in Pepe. I remember a French winger who struggled for over half a season after a big money transfer- Bobby Pires. I wonder what happened to him??
The damper on all of this is Xhaka who is likely to play all season unless this rumour about paternity leave is true! With him in place the midfield is unbalanced and lacking defensively and offensively . There have been fine teams with players I didn’t rate in the past but I can’t remember one in such a pivotal role or who was captain .Strange that one player can depress so many !
But overall we are third and the Totts and Manure are having a mare of a season . That is a cause for jubilation in itself!
And while I’m trying to be
more agreeable
@69 Trev – Calum has done well. Certainly
proving doubters like me wrong
@73 GSD – agree with all of that. I
should of read it before I replied @74
@81 Bath – I agree with all of that too
@82 Cynic – I agree we shouldn’t
make wholesale changes suddenly.
I’m worried about the point SV made
@80 that the changes will be too slow
and only reactive
That’s enough agreeing:)
Anyway, enough of the cut and
thrust of discussion and on with
the quarter way reflections on
only our good points
The defence
In 50% of games they let in
less goals than we conceded
🙂
AMN must have learnt from
his spell as a RB.
Calum was involved in both
of our clean sheets – clearly
he’s good luck
Luiz is exactly as I expected,
no signs of age withering his
charms.
Rob, Mus and Mavro haven’t
played in the PL but we now
have 6 CBs ! The wanton
decadence of such a thing was
just unimaginable a few short
seasons ago.
And Kola has been touching the
heady heights of not bad as his
run of games has gone on.
All good and the relief troops are
bearing the battle. Just get that
50% average and we’re all set.
Tomorrow I will discuss the good
points of our attack
OM,
I agree with all of that ?
You didn’t mention Sokratis. I find him less impressive than last season and suspect his pace is dropping. His distribution is very basic whereas both Luiz and Mustafi ( yes see last Thursday’s first goal ) can play very good passes from deep. My only criticism of Chambers in the past has been his lack of pace . Either he has found a yard or his experience is enabling him to cope against fast wingers. I noticed on Sunday he was almost up Solanke’s backside ( in a non-sexual way) making it very hard for him to turn. Maybe a good example of the value of good loan spells.
Interested to see If Mavropanos gets a go. Apparently Emery doesn’t rate him I hear .
I meant the defence let in less goals
than we scored in 50% of games!
TTG – I think Calum has got
smarter as he’s got more experience-
seems obvious but it doesn’t always
work that way in football 🙂
You spotted my cunning omission of
Papa 🙂
Chambers and Saka were the ones who had good game and if you do not concede, your centre backs did alright as well, rest i have nothing to say. Oh, wait I do-
Ceballos- I am sorry but for the Burnley game I haven’t seen him create much, the so-called hard-working midfielder argument doesn’t merit for we are creating zilch, yes he tricks and turns and bends and what not but boy what he does not do is create chances to pepe/auba. Am I saying this because I wish Ozil plays, no ways, if Ceballos it is so it, just do what you are expected to do, that’s all.
Xhaka- I really think he gets played at the wrong position, he is often played as a DM and not a CM where we can use his obvious talent, as a dm when he makes a mistake, it is is more often than not suicidal. Unai knows right. Yes he has brain fad moments and goes completely missing.
Torreira- this was one signing all of us were so excited off and after a year, he does not start. hardly off the bench to protect a lead and even when played, he is at times alongside auba!!!!!!!!!!!!!wonder what happened to the DM the world raved about and we cried about not having till he came, again Unai knows.
Guendouzi- the kid is been run to ground, i worry about him the way we did with jack, Matteo is really good but at times this nonchalance and petulance he shows are going to hurt, especially against better opposition.
Pepe- I really want him to succeed yet i see him not being physically fit, even when he tries to cross, the ball just doesn’t even seem to reach the intended target, are those legs that weak? he is obviously trying too hard as well.
Unai- well he knows and good luck as long as the bubble does not burst, we went some 22 games unbeaten last season and even then we all knew we weren’t playing well, this time as well the same pattern is happening but then hopefully for Arsenal sake, we sustain than crumble. Unai can do what he wants but seeing the teams around, if we do not finish top four, he definitely does not much then.
Cheers OM.
I assume it’s late enough in Japan for you to have a drink on me. Enjoy, sir!
TTG @86.
That all sounds right to me. If Unai left Xhaka out for a few games we could see how it changes the balance. Right now it looks obvious to me that he is the square peg in the round hole. A lot of supporters think the same so he gets a lot of stick. If he came out of the firing line for a bit and we could have a look at a midfield with three from Guendouzi, Ceballos, Torreira and Willock I think that would be good. Even if it did not go well it would quietien the narrative that if we take Xhaka out we would instantly become more cohesive (although at the moment I do think this is true)
And in the cups I’d give Chambers and Luiz a game at DM to see how they go.
Remember when we used to hammer at least a couple of teams a season? Until the last year or two it was common for Wenger’s teams to have a day when it all clicked and we ran out with a four or five goal victory. Obviously we have had three fantastic results in the cups this season which I have thoroughly enjoyed. But I would also like to see a first team performance which makes a statement and gives the players a template for how they want to play consistently.
Our goal difference is rubbish and with the attacking players at our disposal I wanna see us bury someone under an avalanche of quality final third build up and finishing. I’ll be dreaming about that for the duration of the interlull (until our functional, unconvincing 1-2 win over Sheffield ?)
Cheers GSD
Right on time for Caol Ila
Hi GSD
I would be delighted with a functional, unconvincing 1-2 away to Sheffield United on a wet Monday night.
The mighty Liverpool only beat them 1-0 at BDTBL
Banana skin written all over that game.
GSD top comment and rest too!
The issue here is he just made Xhaka captain and he will start him every game. I’m not sure on the paternity leave but if he gets another yellow we will get the taste of what it’s like without him.
Let’s face it, it’s certainly not all gloom at all, as I have mentioned earlier we will get found out if we continue in this way as it happened last season. Things however are definitely looking better this season. With all the wounded coming back and those additions we purchased in the summer to make a mark we are in for a good chance to finish the league in the top four. To do so Unai needs to develop a style into this squad and boost their confidence levels, these are after all great football players as we have already got a glimpse of so far this season and if coached to their maximum potential who what we might achieve this season.
Why are fans so unhappy? Because there is a re occurrence of last season already forming, the players are not pumped up for these games so if Emery can get rid off this I’m sure we will be seeing an improvement going forward.
iBtM, good to see your regular contributions too, Ian.
Not much time at the moment but I always read at least.
Toward the end of Joker, the clowns are taking Gotham apart and White Room blasts. Brilliant and eerie timing for its movie debut. But HTF did they know Ginger was going to die this month?
cba will have the inside track……..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5BF1V1pbTs
Deftly touches it into the path of goal of…
A goal hanging bastard!
Well in Cynic.
Countryman @ 95
On this occasion I would agree completely. Yet I remember supporting a team that did not consider this the height of its ambition. And when I look at our current squad I am perplexed as to why it should be that way now.
We cannot be upset that our manager and team seem okay with the idea that we get scared and lack confidence against Watford and Bournemouth if we are simultaneously okay with the idea that we should be scared of Sheffield Utd.
If you think we should be scared of all three then at least you are consistent. I don’t think we should be worried about any of them. And that is not based on any right of a previously successful club to win against ‘lesser’ teams, it is based on the relative quality of the players available. I am not happy that despite a squad clearly miles better than any of those three we have long-standing and knowledgeable fans like yourself who would be chuffed to scrape any sort of win against Sheffield. And not in a one-off “it’s a tough place to go and they made it hard” sort of way. Simply in a “I don’t really back our team to win that game” sort of way.
So, yeah, right now I’d take a dodgy 2-1 with Mustafi coming on as a sub and scoring a deflected goal off his left arse cheek. But I’m not exactly ecstatic that that seems like a good result based on what we’ve seen from the team recently.
Sure, we are third, but last year at the same stage we had 3 more points and were a place worse off. I don’t want to give us too much credit for getting worse at a slower rate than our direct rivals.
Evening all. Great to see you all here.
Trev, welcome back. You have been missed.
Esso, my old mucker, you too are missed lots.
Morning Guvnor, though it be
already past your bedtime in
England.
Interesting to read through the
class of 2014 in the online
Grauniad today. They pick one
player from each PL club and
follow them for 5 years. Our
2014 player was Chris Willock.
Many are called but few are
chosen.
I can’t attach the link for
technical reasons (I’m stupid
and fail to learn but let’s say
lack of confidence), however
it’s easy to find on the Online
Guardian sports page (no
paywall)
Stage 2 of diagnosis today. Abdominal scan. Wish me luck please.
Everything is crossed here!
All the best, ‘H
All the best, Holic.
All the best. Make sure they warm their hands first.
The very best to you, Holic. Sending positive vibes.
A fine analysis, GSD, ‘getting worse at a slower rate than our rivals’ prompted a smile this morning.
We’re third but only one point ahead of Chel$ki, Palace and Leicester and three ahead of Burnley and West Ham, so it’s early and margins are tight BUT we’re only one point behind City and if we can be five points off the lead at Christmas we can win the title. FACT.
Morning Ian
Drop of the good stuff in your coffee this morning?
A brilliant season for me, this year, would be third and a cup (any cup).
@Goonerholic, everything crossed and praying for your well being, hang in there sir.
All the best Holic. Everything is crossed here too.
All the best, H.
Best of luck with the scan
Holic.
Hope all goes well with the scan, ‘Holic. Stay strong. All in the bar are rooting for you.
‘Holic, your bar means so much to so many of us around the world, hope all goes or has gone well today. Everything crossed.
dave, may their findings be accurate, and inconsequential. best of luck today, dear man.
Interesting read.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49934256
Love this bit – “I just want to be happy and enjoying football, wearing the Scotland jersey again, playing with a smile on my face and just getting stuck into dirty tackles. That’s me, so that’s exciting.“
All, thank you so very much for your valued support and kind wishes. I had hoped to write something tonight but underestimated how tired I am after a long day. Hopefully I will remember it tomorrow and still go ahead.
Here’s to clinging on to at least third once we have reinforced the Premier League squad after the international break. Let’s be hopeful. We can be miserable a long time if we let it slip. I think our chances are good.
Luck in Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs and whatever else have you!!!
‘holic you are the best.
‘holic
?
The interlull must have reached its apex of drama and suspense with this headline:
“Petr Cech joins ice hockey side Guildford Phoenix”
It’s good that Cech is finding
a use for his headgear.
Now, on with the quarter mark
review of all things wise and
wonderful in our first 8 games.
Today, our vaunted attack!
Overall, in an amazing stat
coincidence they have also
scored more goals than we
conceded in 50% of games.
Currently the scores stand
at Auba 7 The Rest 6.
The much missed Laca got
2 and Pepe 1. Saka weighed
in with an assist and Pepe has
two.
So to conclude Auba is wonderful
and we were wise to buy him.
To conclude a bit more, we need
Laca back and can see Pepe is
making some contribution while
still finding his feet. Other good
news is that Saka, Nelson and
Martinelli have all shown great
potential and even if only one
of them becomes a regular
starter our attack looks well
set for a couple of seasons.
Great stuff lads!
The defence have chipped in
with a couple of goals and
assists from AMN (2) and
Kola. Well done gentlemen
(and Kola).
Coming soon, to a blog near
you, is a positive look at
the startling contribution our
midfield maestros have been
making so far ???
BREAKING NEWS!
Reuters report today that medical staff in Swindon are confounded by findings from a body scan conducted on a local man. “It’s something we’ve never seen before. Not only does ‘Arsenal FC Forever’ run in rings throughout from head to toe, every single double helix of his DNA carries the very same message.”
Come on, Holic. Let’s get you back in the saddle 🙂 🙂
Very best of luck Holic. Everything crossed?
Over on Arseblog News they have posted the video of Wrighty meeting God. I loved it and it was well worth a watch.
Dennis’ comments towards the end that it is sometimes painful to watch our current form, as we are not doing as well as Arsenal should be, did not strike me as an indictment of our current coach (who I think he wanted to avoid criticising) but more a recognition of the trends of our previous ten years which have seen us fall behind. And it’s great to see players from our trophy winning teams who still feel that is where we should be.
Clearly the landscape has changed a lot in the PL since we had either of them in the team but if we want to challenge for top honours again I think it will be through a combination of academy talent who make the top grade and judicious spending on the top quality players that will make the difference. I think we are closer to that than we have been in a long time. Saka and Willock look to me to have huge potential. AMN seems a bit too laid back at times, I think he needs more bite and to take a bit more responsibility, for all that he can be a very classy player. I’ll wait to see how far Nelson can go and obviously we have not seen much of ESR this season. Nketiah may prove to be a finisher similar to Wrighty himself and it will be interesting to see if he can gradually take over from Auba as he gets older. Martinelli has had a great start and it will be interesting to see how he develops. Saliba is obviously not from our academy but the club clearly believe he is a player we can build a defence with, despite his relative youth, especially for a defender. It is of course too early with most of these guys to know how they will develop in terms of quality, consistency and mental approach but there is no other club in the league who I would be remotely interested in swapping their youngsters for ours. They look hugely exciting and even if they do not fulfill all of our wildest dreams I thoroughly look forwards to supporting them for years to come.
Holding, Torreira, Bellerin, Tierney, Auba, Laca and Guendouzi I think are all from the top drawer (Guendouzi still has rough edges but also world-beating potential if he can reach it). I must admit that I expect Pepe to go on fire at some point and be a player who will get us vital points with individual moments of class in games where we don’t play to our potential.
I guess I’d like to add to my recent comments that I am unhappy with some of the current performances, and issues with system and style, that I am also as optimistic about where we are as a club as I have been for a long time.
And that I loved to see two of our all-time greats talking Arse.
Okay. This one is a bit controversial but I had a new thought and as it is an interlull I wondered what people think?
Apologies if this is too soon for anyone.
Imagine a situation in a couple of years, or five years, down the line when we haven’t done as well as we had hoped. Maybe we are having a bad season and the manager (whoever it may be) finds himself under insurmountable pressure.
Who fancies Arsene stepping in on a short term contract?
Sheared of all the roles he used to have, employed as a first-team coach with a remit only to look after that side. Buoyed by a perspective that he is clearly gaining in the wide world after years of being too lost in the Arsenal woods to see the trees. Wiser and invigorated, back at the club he loves, stepping up to the plate and finally winning Big Ears!
I know how pie in the sky this is. It just occurred to me that I bet he would be a much better Arsenal manager in the current setup and after his time off than he was for a few years prior to his departure. And the thought of him coming home to lead us to a league or Champion’s League victory put a smile on my face, even if it is silly.
Enjoyed your upbeat @129, GSD. Your @130 would only work if AW coached the Invincibles Legends XI.
Which is the polite way of asking if you have been jumping out of planes again, but without a helmet and landing head first?
Forgive the scene-setting self-absorption. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This is my first time posting,but @130 you were mirroring my thoughts……….Arsene would do wonders with this squad,he would be coming in with so much to prove,but thats a hypothetical situation which may never come to fruition.we are idealist,most of us are,so maybe we should rather hope for a very attacking coach with an okay defensive credential,for its almost criminal for us to fear any club, not to talk of watford,bournemoth,sp*ds and their likes.