When the season began, I was positive and happy that we were competing for 4 trophies – FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Premier League and Champions League. I was hoping we would pick at least one of the them and put an end to our trophy drought. But things have not panned out as we expected.
Things started going wrong from January. We were ousted by Manchester United in FA Cup third round on penalty. City is most likely going to win this now.
Next was our Carabao Cup run coming to an end in semi finals, where Newcastle beat us twice – both home and away – with 2 to nil.
West Ham (loss) and Forest (draw) have killed our Premier League title chase. Yes, it’s still mathematically possible but we are 13 points behind Liverpool with a game in hand. Even if we win ours, that would be 10 points difference with only 10 games to go. I doubt Liverpool are going to drop that many points and I doubt we are going to take advantage of that situation.
That leaves us with the Champions League.
We are visiting the Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in the last-16 today for the first leg. Champions League are usually very unpredictable and you can’t take lightly any of the games. We have seen City only somehow managing to get into the knockout games of group stage, and we have seen some big teams losing out to qualify.
And the fact that we have a non-existent attack further complicates it for Mikel and team. We are going into the game without our StarBoy Bukayo Saka, our left winger Martinelli and without a CF (even a make shift Havertz). Defence looks okay, Ben White is back from his injury and MLS is back from his suspension. Saliba and Gabriel will hold the fort for us.
It’s not tough to guess who would be starting today, Trossard, Nwaneri and Sterling and it’s not a good sight for the Arsenal fans. We should try scoring first and hold on to the lead because we often complicate it for ourselves and I don’t want to see us leave everything for the 2nd leg.
The players must have been demoralised with the recent run of games and when asked about it, this is what Mikel had to say :
on how to instill belief into the players:
Well, try to explain how we’re going to do it and why we do things, and they try to deliver that in the best possible way. In the last two results it’s been very different, in terms of performance as well, not getting the right result that we want, but we’ve certainly been better, especially in the last game with the opposition. And the fact we still have gears, even with the players that we have, some of them have gears to take us to a different level. When it comes to that stage, it’s about lifting the level and the standards, every individual has to be at their best. When we do that, with the team that we have and the connection we have between us, we are a really strong team.source : Arsenal.com
If we manage to get past the PSV in round of 16, we would face one of the Real Madrid or Atletico in quarters.
Right, so with whatever is available for today, I would personally love a back 4 of White, Saliba, Gabriel and MLS. Cala has been making some mistakes lately so MLS sounds a better option to me. Timber has been doing well but if White is fit, he has got better runs in overlaps and I would try him. Keep Timber on bench in case we need him later in the game.
A midfield of Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and Merino will start but I would never be happy with both Rice and Partey starting in a game. Pick Jorginho ahead of Declan and stick Merino on the left.
Front 3 has been a conundrum but the only option we have is, Trossard in the middle, Sterling and Nwaneri on either side of the pitch. Lets not put Merino up top and lets not expect him to score 2 goals every game.
Right, that’s all for today. The game’s a bit late for me, but I will be up and will see you during the game.
Cheers!
For everyone who referenced my earlier posts, thanks for the kind words…I take this shit seriously so I always appreciate whenever you take time out of your busy day to read whatever I’ve got on offer…Cheers
The following excerpt was found in an article entitled “Why Arsenal’s sporting director choice could be a game-changer”:
“Arsenal have opted for Berta—a figure known for his aggressive negotiation style and sharp eye for talent, honed over years at Atlético Madrid. It is a choice that speaks volumes about their priorities. Berta does not arrive as a steward of continuity. He is not cut from the same cloth as Jason Ayto, Edu’s former deputy, whose steady, long-term approach has kept Arsenal’s operations ticking over since Edu’s departure. Instead, Berta thrives in the fast lane of transfer dealings, a figure who is less about steadying the ship and more about accelerating its course. It suggests Arsenal are prepared to take calculated risks, pursuing short-term impact rather than incremental growth.”
Now I would like nothing more than for this to be an honest depiction of what we can expect in the coming months and years, but I think I’ll take more of a wait and see approach, considering our recent history in this regards…if he turns out to be far more Dein-like than Raul-esque, who some “in the know” would have described in a very similar manner, then his appointment could be the most significant signing of the post-Highbury era…if this is little more than another PR-inspired ruse meant to shift blame away from our increasingly fragile manager, then thanks but no thanks
with that latter sentiment in mind, I simply refuse to forget that just a few week prior this same “news” outlet tried to sell us on the notion that Arteta had absolutely nothing to do with our January transfer window gong show…so there’s that…furthermore, it’s not like our well-oiled former used car salesman of a DOF didn’t dip his toes into the higher end of the market, with his signing of Pepe, but no one wants another slippery agent-loving prick ruling the roost again anytime soon…so here’s hoping that they conducted themselves vastly differently at Atleti than at Raul’s Barca…I must confess, I’m having a difficult time imagining Simeone, who was there before Berta, not having final say on all personnel matters, but I could be wrong
on a more positive note, maybe the Kroenke’s are actually trying to stick it to MA a bit, as it’s clear that his transfer practices haven’t got the job done, so this is their way of reigning him in (not too dissimilar from what transpired with Wenger during his final years)…plus, for all we know Arteta and Berta still have some beef from the whole two minutes to midnight Partey transfer chicanery…regardless, I want so badly to be a glass half-full guy when it comes to this hire, but I fear that my well-earned cynicism is getting the best of me…Serenity Now
TRVL – spot on and good piece. Iam with you let’s wait and watch to see what does Berta do and his relationship with MA. Personally I want Berta to challenge MA and question every decision. I just hope he is not an addition to the echo chamber.
I am not sure why these managers always have to have a say. Like in any job multiple views always makes it better. Discuss and arrive at a consensus. It’s the ego that will play.
I personally feel that manager has shelf life just like cXO positions. Their ideas become stale and with no change it becomes a stasis. With stasis there is no progress. That’s precisely been the problem in Wenger days and now as well. It’s the fear of unknown. What if we fare worse than what we doing which gives the vibes that AFC as institution doesn’t have confidence in its decision making ability. MA has 5 season and full backing more than enough time to prove and win something. The evidence of the last 3 seasons are more than enough to say he has reached his ceiling. Time to change is defiantly here and may be Berta will see for 6 months and challenge MA all the way. It may yet be the most interesting battle starting with TW.
Vieira
Really enjoyed reading your piece about Berta. Your powers of research are typically impressive. Seeing that our January window was (another) dud, Ayto had the easiest of rides standing in for Edu didn’t he? No transfer activity whatsoever save for losing two potential stars to Manure. Another faceless stooge on a sinecure.
I saw some of the acquisitions that Berta oversaw at Atleti (nasty club full of wankers) and I concluded that he certainly knows how to spend other people’s money. I think I could do that. Is he an ex-player of any renown? Has he managed a club? I’m going to do some Vieirian (a word with far too many ‘i’s in it but you’re now officially an adjective too) research of my own on Berta. I’ll probably discover he’s Lord Lucan or he was on the grassy knoll in Dallas in the 60s.
TRVL
What Berta needs to look at first.
I would love us to finally find the 8 and 9 we need. We need more creativity in midfield, and always have had with Ode not really living up to his plaudits to both score, say 10 PL goals with say 20 assist in the 38 PL games a season.
In the ‘where it matters most’ season long PL stats, Ode has 2 PL goals and only 3 assists in 20 games: furthermore, we need an elite 8, as Merino is not the 8 we need. It’s clear after Merino’s Xhakaesque brace – Xhaka was mostly left unmarked when scoring – when he was first thrown up top, as a last ditched attempt to score more than our ineffective Sterling had, he was going to be marked.
Merino has not been left unmarked since, which is why he hasn’t improved with the goals we badly need.
As it is, Merino has 4 goals this PL season in 20 games with one assist. Now when you consider Ethan has 3 PL goals and one assist, at the tender age of 17 in 18 games, this highlights how poor Merino’s return is as a senior and international player,
It’s clear to anyone who understands football that Ethan is the way forward rather than Merino. When Ethan picks the ball up around or in the opponents’ box we feel rightly, that something might happen, whereas, Merino always plays the safe option, with little of the cutting edge our brilliant Nwaneri has unlocked defenses that requires at proven 9 to make the most of.
This is also true for Ode, who has no runners to hit: Rice and Merino are too slow over 10 to 20 meters.
Adding to Ethan’s game is his reading of the game and intelligent runs he makes. Sadly, MA deems Ethan as Saka’s replacement when Ethan is probably our best 9 for the moment or at least our false 9, as Ethan can score with both feet from outside the box, if given the freedom to work in an advanced central ATM position, that is basically reserved for Odegard.
Then there is the Rice 8 conundrum
https://onefootball.com/en/player/declan-rice-199615/stats
James, from Palmdale motors, calls Rice a beast, and rightly so, if he was played in his best position at 6 who has some of our Paddy’s ability to move the ball vertically on the canter, but not at Paddy’s galloping long gaited pace. Truth is Rice will never be the Vieira replacement when deployed as an 8.
At 6, though, there is a lot more to come from Rice if he’s used as a pivot where I feel he’d be more effective arriving late into the box being unmarked, as he was for his goal Sunday. In the box, Rice is not effective enough to assist or score enough PL goals, which s borne out by his 2 goals return from 26 starts.
We have no cutting edge vertical creatives in our midfield. Ode is good with his tippy tappy flicks and back heels along with a superb vision, but he can’t do it alone, which has been proved since his permanent arrival. 2 goals and 3 assists is not PL winning stats we need from our most creative player in our squad.
It hasn’t helped Ode that we have no striker of note. That is not putting Havertz down, but he’s more a Swiss Army knife player than a 20+ PL goal a season, as well as adding at least an assist every other PL game.
As it is, Kai has 8 PL goals and 2 assists.
To put that into perspective we have Marts on 6 goals and 2 PL assists while being very much underused when Saka is fit and firing on all 6 cylinders. Had Marts had a quality 8 to play with with an evenly distributed attack instead of being right centric through Saka, Martinelli could well have 8 goals with 6 assists this season with 28 of the 38 games played.
For me, Berta has to get MA to finally put round pegs in round holes.
He needs to find the 8 we have craved for since Paddy left, where Xhaka was supposed to be a Vieira makeshift. We could have had Kante as the better 6.
Xhaka was never mobile enough or two footed, as an 8 for us.
I would be much happier if Rice sat deeper as our DM with occasional forays forward, as he did with West ham. When Rice runs vertically into the opponents final 3rd at pace, he draws defenders out once passed their 6. Defenders hate tackling a player with the ball at full speed, so they run with Rice trying to keep him wider, and so gaps appear more centrally.
Berta needs to find the right 8 for us first, then bring in a proven 9.
Ethan has proved he’s ready as a permanent fixture in our creative midfield, but at 17 he is not the answer, not just yet. A key cog on our midfield wheel without doubt, so long as he is not overplayed with his body still growing, I see Ethan as our new Fabregas or Liam Brady. He has that potential if he is used right by our manager.
My hope is Berta fixes the midfield to create better, which will take pressure off Ode to be our only creator, and play with players who offer similar or better to offer a more evenly balanced attack through the middle and out left and right in equal measures. That will make it difficult for teams to double up on Saka , Marts et al without leaving gaps in their parked buses.
Then fix our attack where our attackers can achieve the stats needed to win a PL.
Let’s hope Xmas comes early this summer TW by getting the right incumbents, and thus giving MA or who replaces him far more tactical options than are being deployed this season.
If the happens, I would reconsider my “Arteta will win nothing of note” statement I made before Mikel arrived and each season thereafter.
All eyes on Berta then, and with the hope he is really MA’s boss, where finally the tail is going to stop wagging the dog.
When this happens the elite and upcoming elite players and their agents could want to come to play for us.
Here’s that research in full, only took a minute(!)
Described as an Italian businessman (oxymoron territory given the fragility of the Italian economy), his wiki page is, shall we say, minimalist. No apparent connections to any clubs other than Atleti (wankers – see my last post!), neither as a player not coach. Therefore zero footballing background other than fluffing Simeone’s dyed curly pubes. Ouch!
In essence, the guy holds bic pens for a living while some preening ponce signs ‘da ting’. Some fawning Spanish article suggested he’ll become the brains of Arsenal. A low bar given Arteta and Kroenke junior’s collective acuity. He’s gonna make Delia fucking Smith look like Ancellotti multiplied by Jock Stein!
It might just be because I’m in Mallorca at the moment, but my cavernous culo is twitching a little about this appointment.
Hi Tony
Nice piece. You’ve accurately identified Berta’s job description. Will he be able to put the bic down for long enough to get out and find some squad strengtheners? And does he even know anything about football?
It would be pretty brave if him to say, ‘just trust the youngsters – they’re brilliant.
Any guesses as to what Arteta thinks of the appointment?
If the new arrival is any good, we shall soon see by his deeds.
Sacking the cunt early doors, will prove he is serious for starters and not one to take fools. Failing that ignoring him totally or taking the piss by calling him ‘Win Fuck All’ will also do.
The Italians normally are no nonsense in their business dealings, so it will interesting to see how it plays out.
From the big girls blouse act Sunday, the cunt is getting more tetchy by the week.
Vamos Cunt.
Or vamos coño…
But yours is better I think.
AF – I’m not too up to speed on the exact hierarchy at Arsenal. Do you think Berta will be Arteta’s line manager in effect?
Fucking hell, I’d pay good money to be able to write the little twat’s appraisal.
Kroenkephobe
Berta is used to dealing with high achievers in Simeone.
I suspect there will be clashes very soon.
And if there is not, he is the wrong appointment and a typical ArsenalKSE yes man appointment.
Not to get into politics, but he needs to implement a DOGE type of policy on our squad of babies.
Its overrated, over paid, soft and basically shit.
Vieira
I forgot to acknowledge the serenity now analogy. I think George Costanza would have done a better job at Arsenal. Even while he was also working for the NY Yankees.
You get to many Blue Jays games?
AF
You gave me pause for thought there…maybe he could temp Simeone over to N5? Now he’s a belligerent cunt that would stir things up.
I love the way predictive text turns ‘Simeone’ into ‘someone’.
Maybe it’s an omen…or omeone?
Given all the fun things that are happening in the world, I think we need a new DOGE on this side of the pond.
Department Of German Expansionism…things didn’t work out that badly 90 odd years ago did they? Too soon? I’ll get me coat.
KP–you’re on fucking fire today…all sorts of brilliant wordplay throughout…your last bit linking Musk’s recent actions with those of a rather famous Austrian-born artist could have been too on the nose for some if it weren’t for your perfect “I’ll get me coat” sign off…it could have been the very basis for a Flying Circus reboot, with Cleese playing Adolf with a Basil Fawlty flare…maybe the backdrop is a fancy diplomatic dinner party in late August of 1939, where Adolf’s all in his bag and reaming the shit out of anyone and everyone, but things take a decided turn when in an awkward moment of silence that little cunt of a man farts…”I’ll get me coat”
Tony – Regarding creative outlet being just Ode, what would you say for the fact that ESR who has shunted out had 5 goals and 2 assists in 25 games he has played for a Fulham side. He has history with us of 10 goals. If he had handled properly, coached better and deployed better wouldn’t he have had a 10 goal season again? Surely he could have played in place of Ode and partnered him as well. Doest MA have confidence in 105M Rice to be the single pivot and allow ode and ESR to run riot in the final third? With Ethan slowly bedded we could had a wonderful midfield
Great responses by all regarding our recent DOF hire…I guess only time will tell…that said, I’m quite nervous about what the future may hold when it comes to both our ability to re-up the likes of Saliba, Saka and Ethan and who our primary targets will be come the summer…the rumour mill is all over the fucking map right now, ranging from world-class Strikers to a variety of more settling options…I’ll have a fucking shit-fit if Morata’s name comes out of Berta’s mouth…just saying
Great posts guys by one and all.
Madhu
Looking at ESR’s Fulham returns should have KSE asking MA serious questions?
I never wanted him sold but MA as belligerent as ever had to have how own way.
KP
I love it when you go all in here with such passion, I can only enjoy your take on things. Keep the fire burning my friend.
TRVL
Your thoughts do provoke concerns but as you say we’ll know soon enough.
Pool living dangerously at 1:1 now. End to end cool game to watch.
Tony—I must say I didn’t like how Slot managed the extra time…I get it, they’re at home and Alisson was an absolute beast in the first leg, so he likely felt that going to penalties favoured them, but he misread the room on this occasion by not playing on the front foot enough in the final 30 …I just felt that if he got too conservative and it went to kicks PSG was going to win this one…on this particular evening Donnarumma was the in-form Keeper and Slot’s tactics should have taken that into account…not to mention, I don’t think I would have had Darwin stepping up to the spot, especially not an early one, as those should be reserved for the most unflappable of individuals and we all know he’s been a bit of a basket case for some time now…this is the same guy who almost got tossed from their match on the weekend right before half for some totally unnecessary reckless shit, then somehow acted as if he was the aggrieved one…anyways, the real cuplprit was the woodwork…if it were me I would teardown those nets and chuck them straight into the fucking River Mersey…good news for us though, as it’s one less top seeded team to contend with
PSV were so bad in our first leg that they’re willing to compensate any fans attending the 2nd leg tonight…interesting gesture on their part…maybe they were incredibly fearful that the sommentators would focus too much attention on the potentially empty away section
I will be intrigued to see what lineup MA rolls out there and what kind of tactics Bosz will deploy…with this in mind, this could have the feel of a premeditated snoozer…I hope not, as I don’t know how that would help either side…I have a strange feeling that I’m going to see considerably more of the Madrid derby, which could be a fucking doozy
From an ornithological point of view, expect to see the great crested Sterling, lesser spotted Kiwior and the flightless Zinchenko strutting their stuff in the aviary tonight. I’m predicting a spineless 0-5 defeat with Arteta claiming a major aggregated victory over the best team in the world.
Nice that Liverpool are out btw.
TRVL
Pool were unlucky hitting the posts a couple of time, where I felt they were leggy in extra time. I agree with you PSG were favorites for pens, and I said to junior as Nunes walked up to take his penalty that he’d miss. Junior said the same about Curtis Jones.
Still, good to see them out of the cup, as it would be too much to take if they won the PL and CL double in Slot’s first season or any season for that matter, and hope Newcastle win the Caribou Cup to help put any mockers possible on Pool’s PL trophy aspirations: a very tall order, but I’ve always been a glass half full type, so there’s also hope no matter how slim.
MA is claiming we have 6 games to go to win the CL. How he kept his stoic, straight face I don’t know, as I really don’t see us getting past either Madrid side. Then after that is PSG and Barfca no spelling mistake intended.
Really looking forward to the Madrid derby tonight. Like you we will watch that game while keeping an eye on our game. If PSG start scoring, we can hop back to understand why they are scoring.
KP
Let’s hope they don’t contact bird flu. Your avian analogy made Junior and me laugh.
Looking Radcliffe’s monstrosity for Manures new stadium I’m expecting Hugh Jackman to sing the greatest show before each game. The Mancs are not happy it seems.
Long may that continue. The Mancs and Ratcliffe deserve each other along with the Glaziers.
Liverpool ran out of steam , used up too much energy in the opening 25 minutes and paid for it from the hour mark onwards when psg’s quality made the difference.
Have to say I was very impressed with their diminutive DM Vitinha , who controlled the tempo of the game once Liverpool tired. Apparently he was at wolves prior to signing for PSG.
The fact that we beat PSG comfortably earlier on in the season seems to have been conveniently overlooked , they have looked impressive over the 2 legs with Liverpool.
Tony , I agree that Rice would be better used as a no.6, however I would just point out that one doesn’t normally expect a no.6 to make late runs into the box, that is usually what no.8 is there for.
The no.6 role is all about discipline and reading of the game so you would rarely if ever see a genuine no.6 get ahead of the play or in fact make runs into the opposition box during open play, but yes I do do agree that Rice has a better influence on the game in a deeper role , I suppose the good form of Partey in the 6 role has given Arteta a decision to make regarding Rice’s position but shoehorning a player into a different position rarely works although Rice has been decent not brilliant.
It wouldn’t surprise me that tonight we will see what a dangerous side PSV are going forward, I think they will throw the kitchen sink at it in the the hope they can grab a couple of early goals.
PSV are a side that could easily overturn a 2 or 3 goal deficit but 5 will be too much as they will leave themselves open to the counter in their endeavour to reduce the deficit, Martinelli with his pace may be the player who will benefit from the gaps in the PSV defence,maybe play him up top to utilise the space.
Match day post is live