Tall men Petr secures another 3 points and a clean sheet. by Konstantin Mitov
Hello lovely Arsenal people. Another 3 points! We’ve won 5 games in a row! It’s against lesser opposition but having a winnable set of games and actually winning them is different. Last season I doubt we would’ve won them, and at the end of the day, it’s about the results and when they keep coming, you can’t complain.
That said, there is still work to be done. Everton outplayed us in the first half and they could’ve been ahead, but Petr Cech performed a man of the match performance. I’ve been really impressed with the big Czech. He’s the player who’s improved most since Emery is here. Is it the new goalkeeping coach or the fact we brought competition? Whatever it is, others should take this example.
That said, the fact we got outplayed and Cech had to make so many saves is something we cannot ignore. We finally saw Xhaka and Torreira together and I think it’ll take time to get used together, but I enjoy this midfield pairing. The presence of Lucas brings more out of Granit.
What really worries me is the wings. Ozil and Aubameyang are not wingers. Iwobi and Mikhi are the closest thing to a winger we have. I’m disappointed that we continue to play a system that doesn’t work for most of the players you have. Ozil on the wing is a complete waste. This means zero protection for the full back and no help in defense.
Ozil is a luxury player. He’s on 300k a week and he’s afraid to head the ball. In the current team there’s no place for both Ozil and Ramsey and our attempt to deploy Aaron as the number 10 doesn’t work for me. I think January will be the end for him. He’s one of the last of the Wenger era and I’ll be happy to see the money spent on a proper winger.
The obvious gems in our squad are Lacazette and Aubameyang. That goal from Alex was unbelievable. What a banger. I think Laca must be paired with Auba, who really struggles on the wing. He can’t control the ball, he needs support. Put them up top together. Their link up play and individual ability were the difference today. We have 50+ million strikers and Everton don’t.
Despite the winning run, we cannot ignore the empty seats. It’s so disappointing. The Europa League was a nightmare in terms of attendance, but having an obvious amount of empty seats shows disinterest. I think the only way people will come back is by continuing to win games, but also improving, because people are not blind. We see the defensive problems.
Finally I think the reserves did really well. Iwobi was good and Holding covered well for Sokratis, who I hope will return soon. We have the league cup next, but the big one is Watford. If we beat them, we’ll be knocking on the door of the top 4. As I keep banging on, building a winning mentality is so important and the opposition we are facing right now allows for this and we must take the opportunity and we have to keep beating the smaller teams.
Let’s hope the results will keep on rolling and the performances will improve as well. Onwards and upwards people!
Konstantin
Like the positivitynd although not sure what you mean by Ramsey being one of the last of the Wenger era. Last I checked, only two of our starters yesterday and three substitutes are not of the Wenger era. And while I’m loathe to criticise Wenger, the problems in midfield are a direct result of his decision to collect number 100 like others collect stamps. It’ll take a few transfer windows to sort out the imbalance.
I remember in the second half there was a moment they showed where we had nearly all our midfielders and attackers all pushed up in a line in the Everton half. You could only see black Everton shirts in the center circle with not a single Arsenal player anywhere near. Just a loose ball from our move and it would have been 7 on 3 or something.
We still have a long way to go as a team.
Calamity.
A WIN is a WIN to me.
I don’t care how we win as long as we win.
Improving the team is up to the Manager and coaches. But I just want as many wins as possible
As long as Arsenal can steal the first goal, things would be easier
But they need explosive goalscorer(s) to do that, like what Richarlison tried to do last night
I agree Innit, a win is most important because it brings confidence and confidence will help us gel quicker. These wins are exactly what the doctor ordered, it could’ve been much worse so we need to be happy with things so far. The manager has allot of ideas and is very quick to try something else, these wins will help the players.
You don’t care how they win? Then, my head in the sand friend, you should! Of course your last two sentences are so true. Buy surely ALL true fans, which you certainly are , should be very worried about how we win. It is clear that only Cech saved us from a defeat on Sunday. I care about that ; it is worrying, so why don’t you?
Cech performs well because his contract is expiring and Leno came. Walcott and Ozil also worked harder when their contracts expiring, then slacking off after getting a huge salary increase
Ozil can only play as a no 10 and his first touches/ vision are atrocious for a so-called world class playmaker. I don’t think Ramsey would ever thrive as a no 10, due to his lack of skills and we have got younger midfielders
The good thing is Iwobi seems to be playing without brakes now. Maybe Emery instructed him not to be afraid to lose the ball and take higher risks with dribbling, as most Arsenal midfielders prefer to play very safe in Wenger’s era
I think Cech has more class than that. Who was he competing with before that, Ospina? Leno is actually capable of replacing him and I think that’s why he got way more in shape this summer and looks more awake. Cech actually wants to win titles because that’s what he’s done most of his career.
Sorry, but I just don’t buy your cheap jibe at Cech about him playing only for a new contract. Walcott ? Definitely yes. he was the arch con man of all time at Arsenal when conning high wages for virtually zero work. Ozil too, though not remotely to Walcotts degree. But Cech? No way at all . He is a total profesional and a dedicated trainer and fine man. Totallal different characters. Cech is a teak tough real man. Ozil a timid mouse and Walcott a fraud supreme. Your last two paragraphs were spot on though.
Hi JON
i will be honest with you here,i love your way of analysing things with your good use of english but i think you’r a bit harsh with Walcott,yes we’d big expectations for him and he failed but calling a player who scored over ONE HUNDRED goals for the club a fraud is a bit disproportionate…..
Hi PIRES, You and I are different generations. When I was very young and until around 20 years ago, it was a given that ALL players, whatever their ability or lack of it, gave 100% every game, OR were dropped and ostracised by team mates and fans. Now , laziness is accepted by some fans; but never by me. It is conning the club and us fans. A con is a fraud; hence the rightful use of “fraud ” for Walcott. In this day and age when all regular players are millionaires and multi millionaires, they OWE the fans and team their very best endeavours OR they lose the right to play. I have never been afraid to call a spade a spade. I write as I think and am always honest as I see it. I say again , Walcott was a fraud and con man. Mainly though, he was simply a coward who did not want to get hurt. Sadly, I see Ozil being similar in that respect.
I will take the 3 points. Thank you very much.
But Cech getting MOTM is worrying. Against a poor Everton team at our home ground (Emirates Stadium) and we have our keeper as MOTM. I know we have to find positives but I can’t find the energy to deluded myself about it.
A Top 4 or Top 6 team would have put us to the sword before halftime.
We look so disjointed and we are playing “Hope For The Best” kind of football at the moment. It’s like Wenger since the Fabregas Era came to an end. We have been playing a football style I can’t understand. Under wenger were we a counter attack team? Possession team? Defensive team? High Press team? Tiki Taka team? Etc
Same question i am asking Emery. What is the style he is trying to implement. Because the High Pressing Style we had convinced ourselves of when hired him as manager is not showing whatsoever.
I don’t know.
Am i being pessimistic?
No
If you really want to know what he is aiming to prepare us like, check out his PSG games. Fullbacks are the width, to stretch the pitch. A DM ready to drop back and make a three at times. One two touch possession and very direct working the ball diagonally along up the field. The best evidence we’ve shown so far of how Emery sees attacks, is that couple of touches before it makes its way to Bellerin who whips it across the box first time (the one Ramsey just couldn’t reach in time, a couple games back). Pressing of course but at PSG most of the good pressing was done nearer the centre circle. When PSG played Che in the CL on a few occasions, that would be a good game to check out. Even Torriera and Ramsey are like the type of players he had at PSG, LT is similar to Verratti and Ramsey is similar to Rabiot. He had Cavani on the wing scoring goals even though he’s mostly a CF, he’s done the same here for Aubameyang. His defenders though, he hasn’t got his ideal types of defenders at Arsenal, so there’s still allot more to do. So if you want to know what he envisions for us, check them out.
Not at all..
Well said
The players are still trying to implement his high pressing system. But I think not all players can do it, due to their stamina
I believe there would many changes in the squad next season
I feel like we have stopped high pressing since the first two games of the season. It’s been on and off and very inconsistent these last few games. Have to agree with Goonster. Sometimes it does feel like we go into these games playing “hope for the best” football and without any real plan. We are on a nice winning streak while playing pretty mediocre. I’ll obviously take it, but we’ve gone on winning streaks with AW as well before the bubble completely implodes and we see typical Arsenal again. Can Emery avoid that, and actually improve the side as we go further into the season? We’ll have to wait and see
No, you are not. You are being realistic. And realism is the only way to think. Like you, I see no discernable Emery style whatever so far. Early days of course, but where is the promised pressing? I won’t say it is gone ,as it never arrived.
there may have been empty seats but the support was outstanding.
I liked the voice and support from our fans.
But even with 5 straight wins our deficiencies can still not be ignored.We cannot face teams like liverpool and city like this.
The fullback position is a problem.
our midfield is being overpowered and outran.
keep up the good work cech though.you make me nervous when the ball is at your feet but i cant complain if you keep winning us game like that.
laca and aubameyang too big thumbs up to you
Watford won’t be an easy game
Something crossee my mind a day before. What if Arsenal are trying to offload Mesut in the january tranfer window due of him being an expensive surpluss in the team knowing that we use him on the wings. By ofloading him maybe Ramsey only then signs the contract securing his place in the 10 position for many years to come. I am no fan of Mesut atitude yet i aknowledge his talent as a creator. Ramsey securing the poz as a 10 makes no sense to me. Younger players like Niles are better and ready to make some history and they have to play.
good win as we are playing with 10 men-Ozil
I wonder why Unai has cold feet dropping Ozil & trying out Iwobi or Mkhi in that spot.
Lets see how he sets up the team on Wednesday & how the players selected will perform.
Not Ozil’s fault his always on the team sheet & playing in a whole he clearly does not fancy.
hang on is not PEA’s goal was a creation from ozil? If ramsay scored instead of slipping, it would be an assist for Ozil. And actually he played well once moved back to center.
John0711-Do you feel the Team would benefit from Sokratis playing Wide Left up front?Or Ramsey at Left Back?How about Xhaka up front instead of Lacazette?
Ozil should never be played in any other position than as a No10 in a free role.Especially with Tamsey being given that position over Ozil.
It really is the proverbial square plug in a round hole.I am loathe to criticise Emery as he is attempting th change the whole dynamic of the team.But if after 6 games he is unable to see Ozil is NOT a wide player then I simply cannot help but question his thinking
While I am pleased we won, by no stretch of the Imagination could the win be described as” Great” Emery has a big job ahead of him and without serious financial support from our owner it will take him some time to offload a number of the underperforming players acquired by Wenger and replace them with better quality.By my reckoning at least 5 players need to be replaced but who are they?
I maybe wrong but it seems that there is a lot of attention to ozil playing on the wing.didnt he play for Germany on the wing..I also recall many of his assist coming from a wide position.
On another note arsenal have always struggled without their main centre back koshienly…he has obviously been carrying an injury for a couple of seasons now which correlates with poor defensive performances.