A bit of positivity, we are still on top.

“real bad” you mean like Scousers?

Ambarish

Nice piece although some of the issues we’re seeing aren’t going to go away this season. We have young players who have been relentlessly played and they are now showing signs of burnout.

I can now reveal Arsenal’s summer transfer window after Leipzig revealed they will not sell Josko Gvardiol even for £100 million.

We’ll spend all summer chasing him, talking about how we’re going to get him to see him either stay put or go elsewhere.

At least you know what you’re going to get with Arteta and Edu.

Haha, Scousers it is then.

I hope it’s more of the confidence than the burnout. Saliba with the world cup break, Martinelli after Trossard came in.

This Barca utd game is fabulous entertainment in fairness. Kinda hoping utd go through,keep em busy, but it was sweet to see bruno done for the penalty. Looking at the earlier results all the big guns are progressing, it will be quite the achievement to win the Europa this year.

Marc,,
That Gvardiol is going to top a lot of shopping lists this sunmerci reckon. There’s a dearth of quality cb’s just as most top clubs seem lacking. Saliba’s new contract is the second most important deal in the Arsenal universe,including any transfer targets. Only tying up Saka trumps it.

There’s undoubtedly reason for optimism, as it would be asinine to suggest otherwise when you’re sitting at the head of the table…that said, I just can’t help but remain steadfast in my pursuit of holding this team to an even higher standard than those presently in charge…the very fact that the majority of our most pressing problems are predominantly self-inflicted, simply isn’t acceptable, at least not in my estimation…whether it be squad rotation issues, misguided transfer window maneuverings, the favortism shown to undeserved members of the squad, the glaring lack of a Plan B and/or the seeming insufficient amount of time spent on the training pitch when it comes to honing our finishing skills, it appears as if finding a plausible remedy isn’t a managerial priority, as none of these particular issues are even openly and objectively discussed by MA…one might logically ask, how is this even possible, especially considering the fact that these are the very issues most astute fans preach about each and every time we seem to struggle against a particular opponent or two…the only time MA “really” broaches any of these subjects is when he wants to oversell a new recruit or deflect attention away from an even more glaring deficiency

in the end, you get what you deserve, so if you lower the standards by which you judge someone or something, don’t be surprised when things don’t progress over time…in fact, under these particular circumstances, there’s a much greater chance that things stay the same, or get slightly worse, results-wise, yet the powers that be actually expect kudos for reaching those exceedingly attainable heights…fact remains, when you have built something sustainable consistent results usually follow, for obvious reasons, whereas when you’re unable/unwilling to adapt or aren’t exactly sure how success has landed in your respective lap, you will tend to struggle as the pressure mounts…I guess only time will tell what model best reflects our current situation, although I would suggest we’re undoubtedly closer to the latter than the former, minus certain aspects of our youthful initiative

Aluminasaynomore—agree with your assessment regarding the United/Barca affair…I likewise hope that United progresses so that they have other irons on the fire so that they can’t place all their focus on the title chase…as expected ten Hag is proving himself to be a manager of consequence on the big stage…of course, it’s not done and dusted yet, but they’re in the driver’s seat with 10+ minutes left

Marc—no doubt that we will feign interest in the seemingly most unattainable of targets…maybe we will announce our intentions early, like with Rice, so that we look even more foolish when things inevitably go sideways come the summer…on a side note, the more that I look at the financial particulars of the supposed Nkunku deal to Chelsea, the more I can’t fathom why we didn’t pull a Mudryk on them and get him locked up for vastly less monies than both the aforementioned and Caicedo

Today’s footballing results went my way. 1st seeing the mafioso run Barca out of Europe and hopefully in for more financial hurt was pleasant to see because they deserve it. 2nd Man Utd being busy in the EL competition and hopefully some of their elite players will drop form because of their increased playing time. Hopefully they will be tiring and even perhaps will pick up injury niggles.

But have to say what Ten Had has done at Man Utd. is absolutely admirable because of the short period that he has been there. There rebuild is quicker then anyone else expected and they will be attractive for elite players that we may also be interested in.

Also agree to win the EL this year will be a herculean job with the different elite clubs hunting for it.

Moring lads
I’ll just reiterate from yesterday that Manure will be our biggest threat to attaining the title. The Barca win will only go to galvanize the club who under Ten Hag, in his first full season, is pulling up trees with the press likening him to SAF.

Marc is absolutely right re the summer TW with Arsne it were the last minute trolly dashes and under Arteta & Edu it’s dreaming the impossible dream then reverting back to Wenger type.

Ten Hag still has much to do, but the signs are firmly there from a manager who was always used to being at the top with Ajax.

City will push hard, but the financial implications have negatively taken their toll on Pep and the squad where they are playing below themselves being a yard short a lot of the time. Pep can sense the title running away from him and then the financial investigations will heat up exponentially.

The bottom line is which team will go on the longest points-haul run? We all play each other in the run in with the relegation clubs fighting for PL salvation.

In the mid 90s+ it was Manure v us before the billionaires decided that football was a great & fun way of dick swinging with bragging rights at the end.

Not to be outdone, middle eastern countries thought it was time to elevate from majestic horse & camel racing to Formula one & football.

As there is plenty of sand to expedite various forms of sand running making their players a very fit lot, sadly what is commonly known in the footballing world is they are generally ‘shite’ as footballers barring the odd anomaly, such as Salah and our own ‘culture’ signing: Elneny who is our longest last-gap emergency player since ………. Junior?

I haven’t fact checked, but I would imagine Elneny has the club record for the least minutes for the longest serving player?

Where’s Junior when I need him? Starting a 3-month summer school holiday, which will be fun learning curves for him:) .

I like Elneny’s attitude just being part of the club and squad. Always a smile on his face and gives his all on the pitch. A loyal servant who deserves loyalty for his service in always being race tune fit and rarely playing. That is a tough ask for any player who really wants to play regularly.

Arteta has already cost us with poor buys and zero understanding of dealing with either petulant or hormone fulled youngsters needing a calming influence instead of the non-negotiable for one and not another. Therefore, what’s a few £million spent on Elneny form his last year compared to the horrendous new deals Arteta gave to Auba and others?

I would love to see Elneny coming on as a sub to score the goal that wins us the title. Real Roy of the Rovers stuff right there.

Back to our Middle Eastern friends – loose woke term – and certain Qatari owners of PSG, which always sounded like a tea type to me similar to PG tips – have the monopoly in France, it’s also a Qatari also want to buy Manure I believe. Surely there is a conflict of interest if both clubs meet in a CL or EL cup round?

Then we have a Saudi owning Newcastle and Abu Dhabi owning City making the once revered billionaires looking like paupers compared to oil money.

In the PL to be successful: first comes the money, and then the football (manager & DoF).

So how does The Arsenal fit into the the country owning era of there PL?

Providing the FA and UEFA keep the fair play practices to an unbreakable level playing field, I think we can hold our own financially. KSE are investing in new club assets and doing their level best to hold onto our rising stars, which on that front Saka was reported to have been offered a £10m a year contract extension. He’s worth it and more as is Ode and Saliba.

As for our winning the title with 15 games to go? It’s impossible to predict. However, I’d say we have a 1:3 chance where our players are seriously up for it as Villa proved.

Arteta v Pep v Ten Hag?

Real hearts in mouths times to be played out this season, which will no doubt go to the wire.

Exactly what football is all about! (Providing we win 🙂 )

Of the three teams’ fans, I doubt constipation will be an issue between now and end May.

Almost weekend have a good one.

K’phobe hope the game’s fun at Leeds? With one of your twins. Something I’m looking forward to when junior is older. Do the Emirates and then certain CL games when he’s 18 in 3.5 years time.

10pm game time for us tomorrow, so will give some thought to the game for tomorrow.

TRVL
The worrying fact is you’re right on all accounts. These are the areas that leave me untrusting of Arteta. Xhaka barring injuries cannot play as a starter going forward. Partey & Jorginho/ESR/Trossard all work well and far better than the Xhaka option. We can use the channels better and press with more urgency with the above interchangeable midfield.

We have to bring Bolagun back now or it will come back to bite us.

Throwing Bolagun with Eddie up top with Ode and ESR/Jorginho/Saka behind the front 2 and Partey at DM will be a great plan B.

We have the players to win the title – let’s hope Arteta is up to the task; no longer being a rookie with the youngest inexperienced team.

Ambarish, thanks for the moderation details, which make perfect sense. My apologies for being triggered too quickly.

I honestly thought the club had got to you, as there is no reality on LG just a monopolized agenda. If you were approached by the club to be asked to follow a certain agenda, please let us know. I’ll certainly back you and I’m sure others will, too.

You’re building a cool Arsenal community here, Ambarish. Thank you.

#keep-LIR-agendafree 🙏🏼😎🙏🏼

Will Michel get to the dizzy heights of his father’s football? Dennis MKII would be a pleasure to watch.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11779775/Mitchel-Bergkamp-son-Arsenal-legend-Dennis-scores-goal-non-league-Bromley.html

Hi Tony
It’s Norwich and therefore about the farthest west to east trip you can just about make in the UK. Via the east Midlands to pick up my (Chelsea) supporting nephew who likes visiting other grounds. 650 – 700 mile round trip. Cardiff missing their Irish international top scorer (Robinson) through injury so it could be a long game as well as a long drive… I liked the piece about Denno’s kid. I’d love him to succeed – at the Emirates. Have a good weekend everyone.

Hi K’Phobe
Really looking forward to doing the same with Junior it must be a great family spirit feeling win, lose or draw all different emotions to go through on the drive home. At least you’ll get some decent cakes. Enjoy my friend. 🙂

I thought Mitchel had had a trial with us and was let go…… we let Kane go as well, so I’m not putting much stock in his early misadventures with us and Watford.

Would love to see both father and son back at the club if the son is a late bloomer.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/dennis-bergkamp-son-new-club-29014016

Sporting Lisbon in the EL – it could have been tougher although it takes patience to overcome Portuguese teams. They’re fourth in their domestic league.

KP-as you’ve so wisely suggested, you should never sleep on Portugese opposition, as it could quite easily come back to bite you on the ass…I must admit though that I’m pleased with the draw, as I would much rather us play in a warmer climate than be heading somewhere where cold weather cold be a deciding factor, considering how we’re presently constructed…let’s hope that Sporting shit the bed like Braga did in the previous round…it’s clear that the Primeira Liga is still a hotbed for young talent, as some more recent windows would attest to, but I still think it would be a calamitous result if we couldn’t find a way to dispose of them…my only real concern is health, in that we have 3 games in 8 days in the week prior to our first leg matchup, so it will be interesting to see how MA navigates this upcoming period, from a selection standpoint…that said, there’s no doubt I would prioritize the PL over the EL, which I’m assuming MA would do likewise

could NOT cold be a deciding factor

so as to provide a bit of balance, I felt it necessary to speak to some of the more positive aspects of organizational life…so I’ll start from the back and work my way to the top of the pitch

I must admit my abject dismay when we first sold off Emi to Villa…my key concern was that we wouldn’t find a Keeper with a similar commanding box presence, fortunately Ramsdale has performed admirably in this regards…he still needs some polishing, but I do think his shot-stopping capabilities have been impressive at times

I likewise appreciate some of our starters and depth pieces along our backline, even though I very much doubt all will remain on staff come the summer…Tomi and White have had rather contrasting experiences this season, as White has shown some major improvement as his minutes have increased at RB, whereas Tomi’s play has dropped off a bit with the lack of opportunities, which could have been easily remedied…that said, I would have preferred that we just played Tomi, bought another depth piece, then used the ridiculous monies spent on White towards other positional needs, as no one in their right mind would have paid 50+ for White to play CB, let alone as a RB

in the middle of our D we’ve seen some fairly consistent and promising play from our two primary CBs, whom I think both have considerable up-sides, especially Saliba…personally I think if MA allowed Gabs to play a more significant role in the build-up of play, he might be a little more mentally engaged in our end of the pitch

as for the LB position, it’s always a bonus to have two competing players of consequence…unfortunately I very much doubt Tierney will survive the off-season, as both the club and the player would be incredibly short-sighted if they didn’t move on before his value dries up…Chenko has been a real positive force, on and off the pitch, and I hope that he will use this opportunity to increase his offensive prowess, as I believe he has it in him

I’ll reserve any comments on our new acquisition until I actually see him on the pitch, but what I’ve watched of him bodes well…I would imagine that in the summer we will look to replace Tierney and maybe even add another CB…unfortunately I feel like Nuno will be sold off at a fraction of his potential future value, much like Mavro

as for our midfield, I have far less confidence…that said, I’m a massive backer of Partey and I do believe that Ode has shown some serious improvements from his original loan period…as for every other member of our midfield, minus some untested academy pieces, I just don’t see a viable future for any of them…I would have never signed Lokonga, Jorginho or re-upped Elneny, and I would have shipped Xhaka some years back…the only rostered player who I’m still unsure of is Vieira, who has the capacity to score from distance, which we’ve sorely missed, but not sure if he has the toolbox required to put his stamp on the PL…as such, we desperately need to get a seminal midfield piece above all else

as for our forwards, I’m a strong proponent of what our two primary wide-side players can bring to the mix both in the present and for the foreseeable future…it’s clear that both Marts and Saka need some proper cover…I certainly don’t buy that Trossard provides this as he has neither the pace or physicality required…now if the Tross pick-up had emboldened MA to tweak our tactics, by replacing Xhaka, I would be much more supportive of what I felt was a knee-jerk and short-sighted acquisition…moving forward, I can only hope that we up the ante when it comes to providing our young blue-chippers with the requisite amount of protection, so that they don’t get continually beaten up by double-teams, due to our oft-times pedestrian tactical pursuits

up top, I fully appreciate the multi-faceted skillset of Jesus…I think we still need to get him some proper cover, as I still don’t buy into the whole pro-Eddie narrative…I think Eddie’s an industrious player with a poacher’s mentality, but that really doesn’t fit our narrative, at least it shouldn’t if we aspire to greater things…that said, Balo really intrigues me…I so wish we hadn’t re-upped Eddie for vastly increased wages and term when we already had his logical replacement in the pipeline…if Balo can rise to the occasion it would be a real boon for us, both on the pitch and financially-speaking, as that position is typically a real drag on the wage bill, so if he fit the script we could devote the monies saved on other pressing needs

Any thoughts?

Morning lads
Almunia
Only caught your post late last night re the DVD recording. I remember those days, too, out of necessity.

It’s ok for me here as I just go to the room where the game was recorded make my instant coffee and pick up a plate of protein and carb bar’s with a banana and that me fed and watered until lunch as I watch the game. Music from Sonos huge playlists made over the last decade permeates the house to radiate energy. My meaning is there is no news in the house. Mrs T has long left by the time I get up.

TRVL
As always right on point with your thinking.

The usual pre-game tit for tat BS from Rogers and Arteta as to who is or isn’t fit, though, Madison was way off the pace against Manure. I’m assuming Partey will be fit and will play with Jorginho with Zinch at LB and Martinelli RW. Tomi at RB with Saliba and Gabs as CBs.

Ramsdale
Tomi Saliba Gabriel Zinchenko
Party Ode Jorginho (sub with Trossard if tiring)
Saka Martinelli ESR (pivot with Jorginho)

I believe this team can make reasonably light work of Leicester this afternoon.

K’Phobe
Safe travels on your journeys that’s a lot of miles on condensed roads.

Cheers

Cheers right back at you Tony—I’m sure those with a more rose-tinted perpsective of Arteta’s world would be quick to suggest that my offerings were far from positive, but I couldn’t give a flying fuck, as I have little time for those who can’t see the forest through the trees…I must say that I’m still a little concerned that MA will lean into the better safe than sorry “injury” narrative, which we’ve witnessed in the past on numerous occasions, and start Jorginho over Partey…I just think that MA’s in such a fragile mode that he will be incredibly fearful to make certain changes after the Villa result, especially considering our poor form prior..I hope that I’m wrong, but I just can’t shake this feeling…it’s my latter days Wenger conditioning kicking in, when Arsene’s burgeoning fragility made him prone to making poor decisions under the guise that they were instinctive in nature, when in fact they lacked any real substantive forethought…I know you’ve appreciated Jorginho’s contributions thus far, but when you look inside the numbers, especially on the defensive end of the pitch, which should be his first priority, he’s a liability of Xhaka-proportions…take care

Tony

Blasphemy – how dare you suggest the almighty Xhaka will be dropped.

lol, Marc, I see Arteta just can’t help himself with Xhaka.

Leicester is playing scared Backpass to all the way to back from Arsenal D.
We are winning this

Odegard as captain is trying to assert himself, maybe trying to balance Managee’s pet Xhaka?

Hey any psychologists over here?

Brilliantly taken by Trossard but stupid by White. Xhaka has been awful. ESR would be better

Hoopah, Zinchenko is captain today.

That said, Ode is a natural leader

Drab 1st half with Xhaka slowing down moves or getting in the way. ESR needs to replace Xhaka to speed our movement up on the left. Hope he’s fit for a goo 35 minutes and can change the game.

Prefer Tomi on the right with Saka.

Needed a big 2nd half last week, and now another big half to beat what looks like a toothless Leicester. Hope I’m not tempting fate.

The only benefits of having Trossard up top is that he provides us with a bit more direct intent in the final third and the fact that he can hit the target, unlike Eddie…Xhaka and Jorginho have provided very little today, minus the usual sideways nonsense…we’re fortunate that LC’s midfield is lacking any real quality because if they were healthy this game I feel that this affair would look decidedly different…LC parking the bus is nonsensical, as they don’t have the personnel to properly deploy such tactics, much like ourselves…now we must find a second before they make bring on a sub or two and catch us on the counter…we need to bring someone with goals in them onto the pitch and replace Xhaka sooner rather than later

Leicester are bringing in their heavy guns. Upto now they had nobody who would burst forward and shoot.
So they just backpassed

read the room MA, don’t just bring on Eddie for Trossard…they’re ripe for the plucking so don’t make us less likely to score a second

we might win this fixture, but the fact that we possess no managerial nous whatsoever is difficult to take in games like this…my grandmother could manage this gig, considering the lack of rotation and tactical rigidity…this game desperately called for some f0ot on the throat type tactics, but instead we get same old, same old…fingers-crossed we can find a way to get this over the line

Xhaka must have reminded MA about their “deal”, after being subbed off in the previous two matches

certainly not going to scoff at 3 points and a clean sheet, but if we’re going to play chicken shit football for the remainder of the season we could quite easily find ourselves in a similar situation as last season…here’s hoping that Jesus will be back in the not too distant future

Wasn’t pretty, but a moment’s brilliance from Martinelli won us the 3 points.

Everton and Dyche shouldn’t be a problem for us at fortress Emirates on Wednesday night.

Sorry to see the Cardiff result, K’phobe but hope our 3 points eases the hurt somewhat.

TRVL,
All Arteta has to do is keep Xhaka on the bench. He has the squad to do that now. Absolute madness, but true to form, for Arteta.

What’s the bet that Xhaka plays with Partey against Everton who has to do the work covering for the wandering Xhaka.

Time for bed here. cheers.

It’s only a matter of time before we’re exposed for playing Jorginho in a deep-lying position, in the same vein as Villa did when Coutinho was on the pitch…I bet Maddison would have been salivating at the space and time prospects, especially on the counter…hopefully Partey will be on the pitch to start mid-week, as Jorginho will get overrun by the size and pace of Everton’s midfield, which is quite a pathetic notion considering where they sit in the table…being at home, against such inferior competition, I can hope that MA grows a pair between now and then and puts out our most offensive starting 11, which should in no way include Xhaka or Jorginho…with Chenko venturing up into such advanced spaces, maybe we could even have Trossard tucked in behind Eddie, with Marts and Saka out wide…I doubt it though, as Xhaka we’ll undoubtedly get the starting nod, as per usual

after watching the incredibly leaky Villa keep a clean sheet against Dyche’s Everton, it makes me even more upset about our failure to secure a victory against that very same club a few weeks back…let’s hope that we don’t fall flat again in a couple days from now…it’s high time that we put forth a convincing performance before we totally forget what that actually looks and feels like

Morning all
I liked the false 9 Trossard played yesterday, which afforded him more space and play a similar industrious role to Jesus. Certainly, shows Eddie’s flaws as a 9 or false 9. By occupying the 2 CBs more space was left wide for Xhaka well er …….. to be Xhaka!. Now Martinelli on either flak in the box where Xhaka took up residence due to his lack of pace would have been perfect.

To reinforce a point I know is getting boring but…. Xhaka’s stats from yesterday:

90 minutes played
1 tackle
46 successful passes from 49 – most sideways and back.
1 long ball success

Is this acceptable from a starting midfielder for Arsenal? Have you noticed how Xhaka easily finds spaces because opposing players don’t deem him worthy of attention unless Xhaka’s in their box and even then he gets a cursory glance.

Xhaka creates chaos around him and Mikel thinks this is a good thing. Jorginho pulls strings and has an eye for a defense splitting ball in the channels hoping Xhaka won’t intercept such mesmerizing passes.

Jorginho is worth having the Xhaka free roll. Party is back and Trossard can be equally effective from MF or False 9. He’s not quite quick enough to be out on the wing. The old indside right/left position would also suit Trossard.

I’d like to see KT at LB and Zinchenko in MF with Ode and Jorginho.

Arteta has various interesting formation strategies he can engage now, and even more if Bolagun was recalled to give City and Manure something more to try to anticipate.

The The title will be won by the team with the strongest mental belief that overcomes tiredness and general fatigue as the last 14 games wind down. Obviously, fitness is a key role, but mental belief is at the very core of winning for every winner ever to have achieved greatness. In this case the PL title is greatness for the winning club.

Misguidedly, Arteta thinks Xhaka’s mental belief is the role model, but the reality is that Xhaka is just mental full stop. Xhaka’s nowhere near Vinny Jones’ hardness or Roy Keane for that matter. Even Vinny could play between kicking players and grabbing their nuts ala Gazza. Ditto Keane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQXEOBzl5_0 very funny Gazza account.

It’s easy to see why Xhaka doesn’t get injured, he doesn’t make any tackles where the stiff of an opponent coming in for the tackle: then up in the air Xhaka goes pulling a face that scares troglodytes perfect for the camera, which Xhaka always seems to know his best angle for the multiple broken-bones agony face close up.

Will Xhaka make it onto the big B movie screen like Vinny basically playing himself in every movie, as Vinny does?

I have no doubt if Xhaka was to grab hold of Bruno Fernandezes’ crown jewels the Internet would go into meme melt down.

Visualise this: all teeth right out of his flapping gums; bulging cue ball eyes and three Adam’s apples would be the stuff Disney would love for a future villain look. Maybe Syd mishap with Buck in Ice Age?

Be honest how many of you would want to see that on full screen close up?

Ok I’m done with my Xhaka is shite for the day. His stats proved me correct once again.

Have a good Sunday and all is well with you all.