Sorry for being absent from some time. I wasn’t able to watch the game live replayed it first thing in the morning and it stood out to me that we had a good game against a not so good team. Forests were average at best, and we tried to encash it.
Saka opened our account with a beautiful solo goal beating 5 defenders and the goal keeper. Ok, there was a bit of help from Odegaard but I would still give 100% credit to the best right winger on the planet. Bukayo could have scored 2 hat-tricks had he been more lethal, but he has come a long way in scoring and is only going to get better. Mikel subbed off Jorginho at the beginning of the second half and Thomas Partey, within 6 minutes of his introduction, scored a worldie. Saka passed it back to Partey, who wasn’t marked at all, made some space for himself, and sent the ball on a bullet train to the Forest’s nest.
About 10min left on the clock, Odegaard and Saka made way for Nwaneri and Sterling and within 4 minutes, the pair decided to make it 3-0. Nwaneri took the ball to the final third, passed it to Sterling who fed him back and the 17 year old scored his first Premier League goal. He is brilliant for his age, and to his bad luck, we have two world class players with whom he is competing. And the best part of it all, is that, he has that knack of goals. Probably too early to say that, but he is always there around the ball and is always direct. He has got the intent, he has that natural striking mind, and with more game time, he could become a 20-goal player. Time will tell, but I have a very positive feeling about this lad.
Right, so we won 3-0 and moved to 4th position with 22 points, equal to Chelsea who sits on 3rd and only 1 behind City. Tottenham, for once, helped us by beating City 4-0 at Etihad. This will further dent their confidence and we might see a change in title winner this season. Would it be us, or Liverpool who sits with a 5 point lead and a game in hand is a different conversation.
Let me quickly say that Odegaard was brilliant. We missed him, and we struggled without him. And we seriously need Nwaneri to step up as an understudy to him because if we want to win anything, his role becomes very crucial. If he remains fit, he plays that role or we get someone else to do it.
We have lots of games coming through, and December will give us a hint of our season. We are visiting Sporting on Tuesday night, then playing West Ham on Saturday evening in our next 2 games. Some exciting games ahead, December won’t bore you and me.
Short one today, hope winter is doing you well.
Tony—you know as well as I do that so long as our neatly coiffed MIT is at the helm there’s no way we’ll have two “real” Strikers on the pitch at the same time, unless it’s late in a match and we’re on the wrong side of a scoreline…what we know for sure is that if MA remains in charge Havertz and Rice will be the first two names on the team sheet, except if the former was to experience a Jesus-like epic cold spell in front of goal…even then, I’m not convinced his minutes would be drastically reduced…with this in mind, I think Isak would be our best bet
I’ve been quite impressed by several of VG’s attributes, like his physicality, his movement off the ball and his ability to score from distance on occasion, but I think the fact that Isak is the pacier of the two and has above average link-up capabilities gives him the decided edge…this would enable Havertz to be deployed as a 10, his best position, and provide us with someone who can take the top off the pitch, which would invariably open things up for the likes of Ode, Saka and Marts (if he’s still here)
I strongly believe that if VG’s asking price weren’t so steep he would already be here, as I think MA viewed him as a “poor man’s” Vlahovic alternative, but then he put up some big numbers late last season and complicated matters…this is likely why he tried to make a cheeky bid for Sesko, who’s quite similar to the aforementioned Strikers and who he undoubtedly felt would be so honoured by MA’s interest that he would force a move at a fraction of the cost…instead the player wanted no part of any experiment that included him battling with MA’s bestie, Havertz, for minutes up top, and quickly rebuffed his advances…smart thinking on his part
if we sorted our Striker position, by acquiring Isak, we would have to rely far less on Havertz for goals and it would likely put the kibosh on the whole flawed Rice experiment, as it’s highly unlikely that Partey will be here next season, regardless of his uptick in play and relative health…he’ll be looking to get some term as this will undoubtedly be his last fiscally meaningful contract, unless he goes to the MLS to see out his footballing playing days…this will inevitably push Rice back into the position he should have been playing all along, which will give both Timber and Cala license to travel up the pitch on the regular…both are better service providers and Cala is far more likely to provide goals from the left side of the pitch
as such, our summer plans would be as follows, buy a bona fide Striker, sell periphery backline pieces then replace with like-for-like backers(shit, if I was Stan, I might even make MA bring Nuno back), get rid of Jesus and likely Tross, buy another wide side option, who’s pacey enough to fill in up top on occasion, and promote from within…this would vastly improve both our starting 11 and our bench options, which would already include some incredibly viable options in some key areas, like Merino, Ethan and White
btw you know I’m a big proponent of your Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test-like responses…keep them coming!!
his interest NOT MA’s interest
Tony, for us to be able to play 2 striker up top we will need Ode to be one of the midfielders with Saka and Mart making up the wingers. Rice/Thomas to be in the deep lying midfield of 2. The problem with this setup is that MA would be very uncomfortable with just having one defensive mindset midfielder. He would ideally like a midfield 2 of Rice/Merino/Thomas to ensure safety. For that to happen he will need to have Ode as the second striker which is why he would never got for 2 up top.
The problem is that there is never going to another Viera. When Arsene played 4-4-2 with Thierry and Dennis he had the luxury of Viera/edu/Gilberto/Parlour in the midfield. Viera was a one off player ever, he could break the play, make a slide rule pass beyond defense, dribble and also get to the end of Denniss passes to score goals. Unfortunately Rice is a million miles away to do any of those. You wonder what would Viera value in today’s football. So it’s a formation MA will never ever deploy. That’s my two cents in this.
If you see that’s why Wenger moved away from 2 strikers up top the moment Viera left.
Vieira
I’d always assumed you were a big reader. I read Bonfire of the Vanities years ago and found it a little obvious but still close to the bone. A story like that could still be played out in the US these days where racial segregation and inequality are still stark. And Tom Wolfe never struck me as a writer to whom I’d ever warm as a human being.
But do you recommend EKAAT?
Even if we only play at 80 percent of the levels we displayed against Forest and Sporting, we beat the Hammers tomorrow right? Strong team, strong bench. Should be enough.
KP—if I were to build a house out of only the books I’ve read it would be large enough for my family of 4 to comfortable live in…unfortunately in more recent years I’ve lost this passion, although I’m not quite sure why…as to the book in question, it falls well within my category of must reads, but that might have more to do with my own personal experiences, so it might not resonate with everyone…Cheers
Morning all
TRVL, I could imagine your house built on literature classics along with KP’s reading appetite probably fueled when in African and South American Brit embassies. I mean Somalia wasn’t a place you went out clubbing, was it? That said, KP has talked about happy memories from Nigeria and Nigerians I’ve met are very funny and colorful in their outlook in life, Sid comes to mind if you knew him from LG. Highly intelligent with a unique brand of humour and acid tongue needed for LG.
A good mate who’s a globally renown tech problem fixer/engineer/manager in the Nigerian oil and gas industry had a Kalashnikov toting guard who would meet him at the plane when arriving and escort him to his plane seat when departing – never leaving his side always travelling with armed drivers: it was the condition of his company’s insurance policy.
I could probably build a small shed at the bottom of your house you built from knowledge: be it fiction or otherwise. Nothing fancy for me, but I always keep around 300 eclectic titles in my small library, at home with around 400 I’ve read here in the last 12 years for junior to pick from.
From around the age of 10 & walking the 3 miles or so to the library, back in the mid 60s, until now; I’ve probably read a smaller average of around 25 books a year, so rounded up around 1500 books in my lifetime thus far. I still haven’t found the time to finish Michael J Fox’s ‘No Time Like The Future’, and haven’t started your Neal Stephenson’s Crypto-Nomicon.
As always ADHD ++ was/can still be, my reading nemesis, as I had to try to set my focus to read – something incredibly difficult when young, and still is today. My crazy speeding brain would be trying to read words way in front of the words I were reading, so not really absorbing any of the words on the page with any connection or conviction, and so would have to restart over, and over again. Often, I would have to give up and try later.
So, in a positive way I envy you both for not only having a voracious appetite for brilliant authors, but the ability to speed read with such laser focus. Conversely, because my brain is constantly scanning for data at break-neck speeds, my skimming abilities to search out key words to hone in on was fun to use and a gift when researching.
Now tech has moved in my favour with documentaries, biographies & movies being more realistic covers of books. If not convincing but good story, then its screenplay leads us to read the book. Furthermore, we have the world’s biggest library to tap into wherever there is an Internet signal in the world; when considering this, I was born 50 years too early, but then I wouldn’t have my Gooner memories of 89, and so many more… Champagne Charlie and Liam Brady et al……
In my next living location I will find time to read again, as I miss where my creatively fueled, active imagination paints the books’ scenes in vivid colour from the words consumed, as it does with my video making and photography, where the tech is allowing amateurs like me to create our visions from both visual making disciplines; something I’m looking forward to pursuing globally next year – only now using Hasselblad and Black Magic 6K, which also uses Hasselblad lens. At 69 I’m just moving up to the pro’s kit level, and something to cross off my bucket list and hang the best I create in my new house wherever that may be.
Up until now here I’ve used Canon in Thailand to hang 150 poster size, Gic-Lee fine art prints that tell the story of our family over 25 years, and with Junior and daughter now grown having flown the nest, the story lives on and always will.
I digress.
Back to all things game day: this by MA on Raheem bench warming in the Mirror:
“He is trying his best, his application, his commitment around the team has been exceptional and now it is time for me to give him more minutes.”
WTF? How about “my tactical options currently are not best suited to Raheem’s qualities”, which loosely translated means simply not good enough for the PL’s pace”, because that is more like the truth.
Sterling is behind, Ethan, Jesus, Merino, Trossard & Zinchenko: who thinks he’s a 10 getting in the way in the final 3rd and flapping his arms because few pass to him past the halfway line.
Poor RS he was plucked from the ‘Get Rid” Chav’s list, only to be very unloved by MA, so why did MA take the loan? From MA at the time, he said “he knew in seconds Raheem was perfect for Arsenal”.
Now?
MA feels RS should play because he’s working hard in training….not the best fit for the game he plays in then? Not a brilliant piece of inventive tactical nous, but an all too familiar story nevertheless.
Another waste of KSE’s millions with Sterling laughing all the way to the bank, while at 29, when he should be in his prime, he’s actually looking more like a slower 34 year old version of his best attributes a few years ago, when he was at City. I guess some players peak at 23/4 and regress quickly.
Now, this is where I get confused because MA is largely lauded for Sterlings rise to prominence at City. Their bromance was well publicized, yet Sterling’s football decline started at around 25 after MA’s one on one tutelage, so what went wrong?
Madhu
Ah, Vieira and Dennis B with big Tone at the back kicking lumps out of attackers marshaling our tightest back four ever, I believe. Probably, the only one of that trio who has be repeated and bettered was Tony Adams, when you look at some of the great defenders past and present since.
Dennis and Viera both broke their respective molds until now, perhaps, as I see similarities between Ode and Dennis in their extraordinary abilities, be it in different styles: Vieira huge a huge man made mountain presence Roy Keane couldn’t move or beat. Yet, this colossus had two quick feet and a gait race horses would be proud to have, where He seemed to cover 50 meters in a few seconds with the ball glued to his feet. Kanu had similar ball control at speed where today, Isak kind of reminds me of Kanu.
You’re right in what you say about MA not playing 2 up top. Best we could hope for is what TRVL suggested with new striker supported by Kai in the 10 or false 9.
Both TRVL and I prefer 3 at the back with wingbacks for many games when we need to overrun the midfield and switching to 5 at the back if need be or shifting 4 into quick counters, but still holding our defensive midfield shape.
A new manager will have to see tactics differently, and it is there I’m looking to more, than under the myopic wash, rinse repeat of MA’s right sided attack, that only really works with Ode & Saka at their elite best at peak fitness levels.
When injured or sub par or service has been severely disrupted by opposing managers’ tactics, we struggle and rely on set piece goals.
In sum, we need a new manager if we want better suited tactics to the excellent squad we have that needs the few pieces added TRVL mentioned previously, then LIR will become a positive force enjoying watching a the well run club we want our The Arsenal to be.
It’s reported that White is going to be out for 3 months. I think by then Timber will have cemented RB, where we still have 4 options for LB with all our sick notes fit again: KT & Tomi.
The future is good, just not under MA.
What of this evening game?
The only doubt is MA doing his usual boring mind games only he probably reads about to feel smug, but Big Gabs missing the game is not going to ruin our party if Saliba and Kiwior have to play together. The bigger loss of not having Gabs are his set piece goals.
So, if Gabs is out, and with Tomi still out, we could see Kiwior in his stead. The rest of the team picks itself and mysteriously Jesus is out with an unknown injury, not that it matters with his form this season.
Our player confidence should be brimming with excitement to play again. Not invincible level, but knowing we’ve got more than West Ham in our collective lockers to add 3 more points from the 9 games after the break.
With Kudus sitting out a straight red ban, the Hammers have lost their strongest and most creative, pacy striker. I’ve liked him since he was a Hammer’s regular. He would have been a thorn with big Gabs out, as I’m not sure Kiwior can handle his pacy trickery.
For once I feel we are too strong in midfield if we keep Soucek quiet and starved of the ball. Bowen can score from nothing, and Paqueta is decent, but Soler and Summerville are not putting up stats to worry about, quite the reverse.
We could easily rest Big Gabs and still bag a comfortable win, where I feel Bowen will grab a goal, but we’ll net 3 more, so a comfortable 1:3 win for us is my score prediction I’m rarely right about.
If we draw or lose, then it will only go to underpin my deep reservations about us mounting a serious title charge where concern will set that our roller coaster season is back in full swing.
From the Mirror
“Mikel Arteta says the slide when his top Gunners turned to “plop” gives Arsenal hope of reeling in Liverpool’s eight-point lead in the title race. Kop boss Arne Slot told his players not to get “carried away” after stretching their advantage at Southampton last weekend, citing Arsenal’s surrender of an eight-point gap at the Premier League summit two seasons ago. In return, Arteta warned Liverpool that being front runners for virtually a whole campaign is no guarantee of success – because the Gunners were top for 248 days of the 2022-23 season and still didn’t win the title.”
How deluded is MA? Does MA not see the gulf in managerial class between himself and Arene Slot?
Then what about the squads’ comparison?
Defensively, Pool have shipped 8 compared to our 12 with Manure and Newcastle next on 13.
Midfield, Pool have more attacking options while being well drilled defensively with not too much getting through, and where they recover possession quickly before the back four tidy’s up.
Up top, they have the aging Salah, and we have the youthful, overplayed Saka.
That’s where then comparison ends because Pool have Gakpo, Nunez, Jota vs Our Marts with his loss of form, and Kai who’s asked to defend as much as he he’s ask to be up top, so we’ve relied on set pieces this season.
Pool’s bench is much stronger where Slot has turned several games round to win 3 points from inspired subs, in fact we come to expect them now and are not disappointed.
The same can’t be said about MA.
Now! To say we were at the top for 248 days then lost is saying that Slot is going to capitulate in the same way we have done for three seasons.
MA clearly sees Slot as the same as Him or even the lesser manager.
What is even more bizarre is Arne is, in his first season, and beating MA in his fifth, with Arne mostly likely to win the PL, now City shitting their Mancurian beds too often out on the pitch and a beautiful sight it is to behold.
Can KDB stop the rot?
If I were MA I’d be praising Arne for the record breaking season he’s having, and give Slot the kudos he rightly deserves. Then, quietly go about breaking Slot’s dominance by adding more points, but maintaining our underdog presence to the press.
I wouldn’t be comparing my poor managerial capitulation prowess to obviously the better manager sitting comfortably at the top of the table.
The game we are all licking our lips for is Slot Vs Pep Sunday afternoon. I see another Pool home win.
The Chavs Vs Villa? Home win I think or draw, I don’t see Emery getting 3 points from this one.
Manure have to beat Dyche’s Toffees at home, but I wouldn’t bet money on it.
Spuds v Fulham is a difficult one to call as Spuds form has been erratic. Maybe a draw
Looking forward to this weekend’s football. Just wish our games was earlier.
KP
Where are your local footy games taking you this weekend?
Tony—I think it’s important to note that a sizeable portion of those books were of a more “forced” variety, which certainly doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t count or nothing of value was gained…when you’re assigned an average of 80+ books for 5 consecutive years, that shit really adds up…it was during those years that I honed my speed reading skills, as information retention was an absolute must…unfortunately it made it next to impossible to take a more leisurely approach when I was reading purely for pleasure…kind of like when I would get baked and go on lengthy “power” walks during covid and now I can’t seem to gear down when I’m out with my wife (who btw is slow as fuck lol)
as for Sterling, it was only a matter of time before things got messy…it’s clear that RS and his “people” are more than a little displeased by what has transpired since his move, so they’re playing the assurances card…this is starting to resemble the Willian debacle…there were rumours a few weeks back regarding his poor efforts in training, which instantly reminded me of ESR, so it could easily be total bullshit
simply put he never made sense here considering his form in more recent times…he’s clearly lost a step, his finishing has regressed and he tends to give up the ball too cheaply, plus he’s bang average from a defensive capacity…so what exactly would make MA believe that this particular player could help get us over the hump…it seems rather apparent that the only reasons why he landed here was because MA saw him as another path of least resistance/yes man option and he likewise didn’t trust his one-two punch of Havertz and Jesus up top
in somewhat related news, it’s clear that there’s another pro-Arteta campaign being orchestrated by the bootlickers in the PR department, as I read an article today involving Raya which tried to suggest that no one in their right mind could ever resist MA’s advances…I bet the exceedingly large contingent of players who quickly rebuffed his overtures would suggest otherwise
sadly I can’t watch our match in real time, so here’s hoping that by the time I’m able to check it out we’ve already secured all 3 points…based on how boring the Hammers tend to be, this might be the perfect time to watch it in replay mode, that way I can fast forward in slo-mo speed so I won’t really miss anything important…Cheers
Dear Gooners good morning.
Hammers have won against New Castle last game and they are on the up. So it’s not going to be an easy game. If big Gab is not there we lose on both defensive side and attacking in set pieces. Also typically MAs setup needs all pieces to be in its place and any chnage means a bit of a disruption in his robotic playing style. Hopefully for the last two games we have been exceptionally good and hoping long may it continue.
Wow reading is a habit that seems to have lost with OTT. But iam 50 and have been hoarding books to read after my retirement which iam targeting be around 60. Let’s see if I can keep up with my own promise.
MA should really stick to his team rather than peeping to his neighbours when he has so many holes in his own house. Put your house in order and then start peeping into others. Sterling is nothing but Willian repeating again. Looks like the Kreonkes haven’t learnt anything about MA and the checks and balances are not there. Any right minded vetoed MA on sterling and instead asked him to integrate any academy player. It’s not that we are winning trophies for fun and academy players will hinder that. Iam more than happy if we give academy players chances and we need up in the same place which is short of title. MA hasn’t convinced anyone yet that he can deliver trophies so this nonsense of his treatment of academy shouldn’t be accepted. Slot will make a statement of he wins against city and that’s the interest this weekend. Let’s wait and watch. Really MA should look at his own shit before peeping in other bathroom.
Tony
County have a rare weekend off. Something to do with a women’s international two legger against Ireland I think. It’s got a refreshingly small number of Welsh misogynists clutching their pearls about it. I’m still drying out from last week’s game so no complaints. Cardiff are away to Coventry (over in Madhu’s neck of the woods) but they’re sooooooooo shit at the moment, I cannot face the inevitable defeat and long wet drive home. So I’m popping round to mate’s house this afternoon . He’s a big Hammers fan so I’ll have to maintain my poker face when we beat them 6-0 again…
Madhu
I’m retired so have time to read. I’ve converted a shed into my personal library. Sounds posh but it’s fucking freezing sometimes. I bought a really cool 70s reclining chair for 35 quid which is perfect for getting through a few chapters with a cup of tea followed by a snooze . In essence, I think it helps if you create the right physical conditions for reading. What sort of stuff do you like?
6-0 is wildly ambitious but I do think we could get a few goals today. Kudus is out I think. Bowen is the main threat but I think Richard Cauliflower will contain him. We like playing at their place.
KP sounds very nice. I read non fiction so have some books still pending to be read. There is book on Vietnam war, a book on Middle east crisis , a book from Micheal holding on racism, a book on endless incarceration of 16 social workers working among coal miners and forest dwellers pending for me to read. It’s my post retirement plans. I am.envisaging me moving back to my Bangalore apartment and converting my office into a study. Pipe dreams let’s see how things and world works out.
Match day post is live.