Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory over West Ham at the Emirates this afternoon, a result that lifted them to the top of the Premier League table. With the chance to go above their rivals, the Gunners began the match with urgency and caused West Ham significant problems from the outset.
The visitors, now under Nuno Espirito Santo, started the game with defensive discipline, frustrating Arsenal in the early exchanges. Matters were made more difficult for Arsenal when Martin Odegaard was forced off after just 30 minutes due to injury, another setback for a player who has struggled to maintain fitness this season. Despite the disruption, Arsenal broke the deadlock soon after, with Declan Rice finding the opener against his former club. The goal was a deserved reward for Arsenal’s persistent attacking play.
Arsenal Take Control
West Ham, despite their struggles this season, remained dangerous on the counter-attack and always carried the potential to punish mistakes. This meant that Arsenal’s need for a second goal was urgent. After the break, the Gunners pressed forward with greater intent, and their efforts were rewarded when West Ham conceded a penalty. Bukayo Saka stepped up to convert confidently, doubling the lead and giving Arsenal breathing space.
The two-goal cushion allowed Arsenal to make several substitutions, with fresh legs introduced to maintain control of the match. Viktor Gyökeres remained lively in the final stages, pushing for opportunities to add to the scoreline, but West Ham held firm to avoid further damage.
A Statement Win
Rice, who had played a decisive role, left the pitch to warm applause, underlining his importance to the side. West Ham continued to look for opportunities through quick breaks, but they lacked the sharpness to truly trouble Arsenal’s defence. In the end, the Gunners saw out the game with composure and secured a valuable three points.
This victory keeps Arsenal firmly in the title race, with momentum and confidence building at a crucial stage of the season. For West Ham, it was another difficult outing, but their defensive shape under their new manager showed glimpses of resilience. Ultimately, Arsenal’s quality proved decisive, and they now sit at the summit of the Premier League, at least for the time being.
Zubimendi made Arsenal able to produce more forward passes and Timber was excellent as usual
@Gai Gyokeres is becoming a distraction to defenders rather than scoring goals, it works in Arsenal’s favour. Can’t wait for Havertz to return, ViktorG mustn’t be made too comfortable.
MLS would find it difficult to bench Calafiori, Westham had corners through LFB when Calafiori was substituted. Good win for the Boys. Defensive cohesion remains about the best in Epl.
Havertz might bench Gyokeres once he becomes fit to play, because Havertz is better in the air
Their hold-up plays aren’t consistent though
I wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal look for a new CF in the summer, because of Gyokeres’ and Havertz’s inconsistencies
Really! I doubt that. We are still in early season, so saying Gyokeres is inconsistent is not it. His presence is giving us another positive dimensions. I believe, he’ll still score goals!
@Ayan
I have been amused by the fixed wrong idea he has got nowadays. Like he lost all hints what football is about. He said Havertz will bench, Gyokeres. now both are inconsistent.
I guess he is just troubleshooting, his ”unideas”
You’d only make that conclusion if you watch highlights instead of full matches. Take the West Ham game, for example, Gyökeres was double-marked, which gave Saka a lot of freedom. That doesn’t happen with Havertz. Gyökeres pulls defenders and creates space because coaches recognize his threat and instruct their players to double up on him.
👍
@Gai NO I don’t see Arsenal looking for another CF in the summer. Apart from holdup play, there are other strength both Havertz and Gokeres brings into the game. There is just a need for competition, so that Gyokeres can step up his game. yYu can see that Matinelli is trying to improve his game because of healthy competition with Trossard and Eze/Madueke who can all play LW.
Victor Gyokeres came to the EPL with a fearsome reputation as a clinical finisher he is always man marked with 2 or 3 defenders each and every game while he’s occupying this defenders 2 things must happen consistently
1.the other attacking players must utilize the gaps and spaces left by the defenders who follow Gyokeres around.
2.the midfielders and wingers must play fast balls into the channels quickly to allow Gyokeres run the channels and stretch play.
Three points and another clean sheet.we are gradually silencing the critics.COYG
Good performance without being top of the game. Rice outstanding again much needed his quality in midfield. A little unlucky not to score more in the first half. Things didn’t quite fall as they could have. Apart from Rice, no real stand out players but none that struggled today either. The only real minus for me was the lack of chances again for Gyokores but he is doing a decent job, just needs a break or two.
Oh and forgot, Calafiori had a decent game👍
We will not see the best of our attackers if we do not change our attacking play. The inverted left back does not help our left wingers leaving them unanimous. This also creates an overload in the middle giving our strikers nothing and no space to run into, we need overlapping full backs to get in crosses for Gyokeres and other attacking players to feed on. We are too predictable with our play.
Good solid win as expected ,rice MOTM by a mile .
Onto the next
This game showed me that having two attacking midfielders isn’t the way to go-not in the Prem anyway. The balance was much better once Zubimendi came on. I thought Zubimendi was superb- kept things ticking nicely,defended well and his forward passing led to both goals.
Great result considering how well West Ham defended. It says a lot that the visitors didn’t manage a shot on target. Just this one time, I hope Chelsea get the three points!
Also they just changed managers, which traditionally has uplifted a teams performance for a shortwhile.
Thatz not true
1. We were dominating Westham coz we had eze instead of merino,zubi,rice midfield trio plus Westham is a weak opponent NO disrespect
When we play the top club we’ll need odegard,eze,rice trio. (Zubi is only a dm and he offers close to nothing going forward or creatively, he cant even ball like partey besides one dm is enough and arteta knows that and he rates rice over zubi and so do i)
Kudos to arteta’s formation today , he’s now doing the right thing.
I hope to see eze on Lw and ode,nwaneri,rice midfield trio
COYG
Pretty sure Zubimendi is more effective in attack than you’re giving him credit for. I’m not saying he’s better/worse than Rice, I think it’s different players for different opposition and tactical tweaks – they can even play together. But in his defence, Zubi has been statistically one of our most efficient players in attack in goals, assists and chances created so far this season. He’s been showing it for Spain too, despite not being this kind of player last year at Sociedad.
Just checked the PL stats; Gyokeres 3 goals, Zubimendi, Saka and Timber 2 goals, Gabriel, Rice, Merino, Calafiori, and Martinelli 1 goal. Feels like our attackers could all be chipping in a little more but it’s early days.
And if anyone’s interested Rice, Calafiori and Eze all have two assists, and Timber, Odegaard and Trossard are on 1 each.
Don’t know what games you’ve been watching. Zubi is not just a DM and is more likely than anyone in the arsenal team bar Odengard to thread a well weighted through ball to an attacking player. Cue the neat through ball for Eze that lead to Rice’s goal and the little chip for Timber in the last game that was saved. These are just the most recent and obvious examples. He does line breaking passes excellently well too.
As well as the well weighted pass over the top to Timber that led to our penalty today. I don’t understand how someone could say he offers nothing going forward when literally his forward passes led to both of our goals against West Ham. He scored two goals in a game just the other day too-so much for offering nothing going forward.
Zubi plays decent forward pass yes, but his movement with the ball is mostly backward and so it his pass, he has no guile like partey but I don’t blame him, it’s those who signed him, we needed a dm.cm in one like partey or upgrade but zubi is not even close to partey
when we play him with rice (another dm who has no guile but better than zubi imo) they choke the midfield then u’ll be seeing sideways and backward passes like we were doing earlier this season with zubi,rice,merino trio. Is that what you want?
Anyway your opinions don’t matter now that arteta has finally seen the light, his formation yesterday was awesome, imagine our midfield trio before ode got injured and your zubi came in, don’t you see the difference? We lost spark but thank God we have eze now , he was still able to pull some strings in the midfield .
I was expecting arteta to bring nwaneri in yesterday, that boy is good and he’s 18, he’s one of the most skillful player in the team which the midfield require, rice ,zubi,norgard should be alternated and never to play together unless we are defending a win
The ‘lost spark” led to both of our goals yesterday.
I never liked the Zubi-Merino-Rice midfield. For me it’s just as unbalanced as the one that started the game yesterday. I don’t know why you brought it up. For me,our most balanced midfield is one from each of these groups Zubi/Norgaard/Myles, Rice/Merino and Odegaard/Eze/Nwaneri.
Partey and Zubimendi are different players. There are things Partey does better and there things Zubimendi does better. I think Zubimendi is a better partner for Rice than Partey was because of their respective strengths and weaknesses.
Most importantly,Zubimendi is an Arsenal player. Partey is not. He is not my Zubimendi-he plays for The Arsenal we all support.There’s really no reason to keep bringing up players who are no longer here. It’s like that guy who has found a spouse, a good spouse, but always brings up the ex for some reason. It’s ridiculous and unhealthy.
I wish you would watch more arsenal games and specifically watch Martin Zubimendi saying he plays more backward passes than forward passes just proved to me that you either don’t watch our games keenly or your football knowledge is limited Zubimendi always plays forward passes and moves with the ball faster than Partey but he’s not Thomas Partey he’s a totally different kind of holding midfielder not one that will fly into tackles but one who recycles play and acts as a passing metronome it’s still early days,still adapting to a new league,new country,new environment and new style of play and teammates but so far so good
Liverpool Lost
And we are at the top of the table
But Liverpool always find a way to win or so we have been told.
And you always find a way to slag off fellow supporters .
Thats his hobby😂
Is your hobby to rubbish the team you claim to support? How many times have people like you claimed that Liverpool always found a way? Is it now slagging you off to remind you of the way you have been so eager to denigrate your own team?
And now you revert to lies. You are a nasty piece of work. I have not slagged Arsenal off!!!! I have given my opinion on each game. You OBVIOUSLY haven’t read my OPINIONS on the last few games? One of the WORST posters on here.
can you provide examples of this? I went through his history and didn’t see this at all. I might have missed something David is hard to search with David Raya in the team.
Yeah, i can’t believe i was watching a Chelsea game and cheering for their goal.
What !😂
Angry Angus is back .
Angry Angus and Dangerous David!!!! What a pair🤣🤣
Thank you Chelsea! Liverpool look nothing like the side of last season. They don’t have any decent fullbacks in their squad besides Robertson, who they didnt end up starting. And looks like Salah has inevitably finally started to decline.
As for our boys, nice and smooth and did the business. Zubimendi is an out of this world player bossing the whole pitch. Annoying Ode injured again, really bad luck 3 starts in a row to end up like this. Dec I’m sure will be fine, maybe even won’t play for England and get some rest instead. We’re in this title race for sure, just need to keep doing the business against these lower/midtable teams the next few weeks.
Arsenal 16pts GF14 GA3 GD+11
Liverpool 15pts GF13 GA9 GD+4
Spurs 14pts GF13 GA5 GD+8
Arsenal – Mun (a), Liv (a), City (h), New (a)
Trophies will always be the measure but we are so lucky to have the team we have currently.
Arsenal now top and no excuses from now on its there to be won especially with the squad Arteta has no more excuses win it’ll or get sacked!
Who replaces him? What if the players who clearly respect him and enjoy playing for him want to leave if he goes? What if the club bring in someone worse and we lose everything thats been built? What if we win every game until the last five and the team gets hit with a virus forcing us to field youth players and let a 12 point lead turn into a second place finish?
Not having a go but if you want to be so catastrophic with your possibilities at least have a few solutions to throw in 👍
This is not uncommon MM.
I’ve asked this question before. It’s not to say that there isn’t another manager out there who can’t do better than Arteta but when it’s based on ‘he’s had enough time’ or ‘22 years of hurt’ alone and without looking at the bigger picture then it’s not a rounded argument.
This time last season, Slot was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Didn’t rock the Klopp boat (could legitimately claim that the league was won with Klopp’s team). Slightly different view developing now. Perhaps he should have added to the squad then rather than putting all his eggs in one basket now. Enormous pressure to get it right and time will tell. The biggest mistake Arteta made was his CL predictions when he first became manager.
Spot on Sue, I don’t really understand the whole Arteta blind love or hate. It’s a results business so I can put personal feelings on the shelf, and in MA’s defence these are the best results we’ve had year on year since arguably our greatest modern era (can I still say modern? 👴🏼😅). Sure there’s been disappoints (last season is the only really stand out, for me at least, given the squad and competition he was overachieving in the two seasons prior) but overall the trajectory is still on the up. If there was a golden manager available in the likes of Pep or Enrique, even Flick or Alonso, who could arguably ‘finish the job’ I’d have more understanding, but it just feels like we could undo everything by being overly ruthless in this department. The way we’re currently playing, if our attack can just click a little more it feels like we’re in very good hands – and MA is only going to improve given his age.
We don’t want to end up like Chelsea, or even teams like Man U, and especially not their fanbases!
I personally do not love or hate Arteta. I love Arsenal. If he can do the job expected, GREAT. If he can’t then there IS managers out there that can. He has led a charmed life at Arsenal. He wouldn’t have at ANY other top club. That is a fact.
Wenger achieved greatness along with Graham and Mee, in my lifetime. And I admire them for it. Managers like Rioch, Howe and the like, I don’t hate them, they just were not good enough. Arteta HAS to win the league with everything that has been thrown at it (more than any other Arsenal manager) until then, he has failed. And can ne classed as successful. Win it and he has achieved and will deserve due credit. BUT I have a massive admiration for the owners, who are making it a probability. My problem with that is periods of the support like they have given will become harder, so it has to be done soon. Or we will have missed this massive boat.
Sorry. Can not be classed as successful. Not can ne🙂
The same applies to me Reggie having been born in the late 50s. So, going back to 1955 for ease – 70 years ago – how many league titles have we won during that time?
I only ask because there are many, many years when we didn’t and my point is that winning the thing isn’t easy as history shows. Getting rid of Arteta might be a master stroke if he falls short in May and the new bloke wins us the league. If not and Arsenal turn into Utd Mark2 then we can just sack every manager until such time as the law of averages suggests our turn will come eventually. Is that right?
One of the reasons we didn’t win it Sue, was that Wenger lost his way and we stuck with him too long, because of what he had achieved before. The finances for Wenger in those years, were either not available or we did not spend like other teams. I also think in the end Fergie bullied Wenger on the pitch and spending. And Sue, we are not talking of a few seasons. We are in our 6th season and 3 of them failures. There isn’t and shouldn’t be a feeling of, he can not be replaced. There are managers out there that WOULD have won the league with the money that has been thrown at it. We now have THE strongest squad in Europe/world and there are NO hiding places. I don’t get sentimental Sue, I see wasted time and money so far.
You have stuck with Wenger (who did indeed stay too long) as your main example. You mentioned Mee and Graham, so in 70 years, our success in the league has been down to those 3 managers and everything else has been failure – approx 6 titles in that time and Pep has won the same at City. I am not being sentimental about Arteta (I came close to thinking he didn’t have it in him just before he turned things around) and I agree with much of MM’s opinions in his reply below to you.
How long are you going to wait Sue? Or are you going to move the bar every season in hope?
No , don’t think you can move the bar, but I’d suggest that change has to be for sound reasons. If he gets the chop for finishing second I’d be disappointed. He’d have one more season before his contract expires and its thanks and good try but goodbye. I’m not sure it’s healthy for a club to hang on to a manager for too long anyway.
Timewise ALONE says we are getting to the point it is now or never.
He may win the league and fly high Sue but how long are we meant to wait? We are using time up.
Just out of curiosity, can you name any of these potential managers? I just can’t see any established enough that are guaranteed to take us over the line. There are some great ones emerging such as Glasner but the step up may be too big or too soon. All seems very risky but I’m open to suggestions. I watch a lot of European football and I haven’t noticed a manager who’d be a guaranteed improvement but maybe I’m not watching the right games.
And I personally don’t think he’s had a completely charmed life, as such. He’s been backed in most markets for sure, but thats down to him pushing the owners and creating a solid plan of progression and winning mentality in the boardroom. He’s disappointed in cups for the most part, and last season was a let down given it was our first domestic step back/lack of improvement. But I’d say the two prior seasons were major overachievements when you factor in we were up against City with a comparably meagre squad.
Funds wise the stats are adjustable – he’s had the biggest budget across 5 years, but Liverpool and City have spent more in the last 12months, Chelsea and City more over the last 10years. The funding discussion doesn’t have a clear ‘winner’.
I’m desperate for us to win major silverware but at the same time, if we hit 90+ points and finish second and lose in the CL final, I’d still see that as progress – albeit a very frustrating end to the season.
My main want in the short term is if we can improve the cohesion in our attack, still feels a little slow at times and unclinical. I’m hoping we click soon!
Please do not keep going there, I name them every time and at the end of the day, what I say doesn’t matter. ARE YOU SAYING THERE AREN’T?
I’m simply struggling to think of someone who is top tier and available and who would guarantee improvements. Like I say, happy to take any suggestions. Just never noticed anyone point someone out, if I’ve missed you making these suggestions then I apologise, maybe you can help me out now…?
MM
This topic has come up from time to time, particularly during Arteta’s early years, and more recently at the start of this season.
I remember posting an article some years ago, mostly because I was curious about who the JA family were in favour of replacing him with. Apart from the Ancelotti and Conte – even Mourinho, other names were Ten Hag, Rodgers and Potter as well as Nagelsman who clearly prefers to stay in Europe. More recently, Howe has been put forward and then Iraola and Glasner
I am not anti Iraola or Glasner as both have done very well. Neither do I have an issue with Howe, but as you have already pointed out, none of the names mentioned fall into the world beater bracket. If Arsenal do consider Arteta to be sackable for failure to win the league, then the top brass are going to have to be extremely careful with the replacement. I see no merit in replacing Arteta with a flavour of the month manager, nor one who is not demonstrably better. Opinion on JA is that we should act like a big club, but even with Emery’s pedigree, it didn’t work out so the risk of doing a Man U is very real..
I couldn’t agree more Sue, how many of these ‘golden coaches’ ended up falling from grace or stagnated one way or another; Potter, de Zerbi, Conte, da Silva, etc. Even Slot is starting to look found out this past week. Amorin was mentioned in the same breath as Mourinho. Maresca had apparently overtaken Arteta a year ago. Yet Arteta in his defence keeps silencing his critics. Silverware needs to happen obviously but if we get rid of a young manager like Arteta you just know City, Bayern or someone will take him on and he’ll deliver the goods and make our fans a laughing stock again.
I’m all for debate and discussion but sites like this are starting to crush my faith in football fans. Everyone wants to complain about something vehemently yet nobody can offer any solutions, its a bit like the MAGA types and Trump, just following tweets and headlines rather than doing any independent research.
I’ve been coming to this site for years, only just started commenting this past year or so as I couldn’t believe some of the articles/comments I was reading. But I think I’m done, I like logical and rational debate and that’s disappearing. I recently joined The Athletic and its refreshing having positive, in-depth discussions more mentally satisfying than trying to talk down people from extreme views either way. I know football is a passion for most of us but when it devolves into fans against fellow fans its no better than reality tv or soap drama conversations.
Lets get this straight. I am not against Arteta at all. I am against the time he is taking. You are only at the top or flavour of the decade for a short period. We do not need to miss that period.
The person never wanted Arteta and never believed that Arsenal could win a major title with Arteta now claims he has nothing against Arteta. That’s disingenuous if not downright dishonest.
Doh!!!! DAVID HOW MANY LEAGUES HAS HE WON? You do say some stupid things!!!!!
And David, IF Arteta wins the league, then their is no more opinion. ONLY FACT. But at the moment my opinion was he couldn’t win the league. Fact, he hasn’t won the league. But opinion, if he doesn’t win it with the squad we have. HE NEVER WILL. Lets hope Arsenal win the league this season because thats ALL I want. You are a piece of work!!!
A valid point but you could equally say that City’s financial clout and Pep’s phenomenal achievements beforehand were reason enough to make it a tall order
I’ll repeat, we have won the league 6 times in over 70 years. It’s a good record to have
Never said you were, Reggie.
There is none of those managers that anyone can name that is guaranteed to get Arsenal to win a PL or CL. The closest contemporary manager in terms of circumstances has been Klopp. None of the other managers that people come up with have won major titles in similar circumstances.
People often name managers that they like but ignore the contexts of Arsenal’s squad, the PL and the CL.
For whatever reason there is a narrow band of fans who dislike Arteta. Every time Arsenal drop points they are out on force finding everything wrong with the team, the squad and the manager
But that wouldn’t be a reason to keep someone if you don’t believe in them ?
The club, the players and many fans believe that Arteta can win major titles with Arsenal.
What a simp
Merson Mersoff,
You mention Glasner and say the step up may be to big or to soon. Yet your forgetting that when Arteta was appointed to the Arsenal manager’s job he was a complete novice.
So from that aspect the Glasner argument doesn’t stand up. 🤷♂️
Derek, will you stop pointing out the obvious😂
Sorry about that Reggie. I just can’t help myself. 😂👍
Well it seems that you people are simply piling to support one another just because it seems a superficially attractive argument. Arsenal took a risk with Arteta at the time. However, things have moved on since then and Arsenal are in a much stronger position with him as manager.
No one knows whether Glasner can make the step up so there will be an inherent risk with appointing him in place of Arteta at this point.
I’m just talking football, not sure why you’re both seemingly determined to turn it into an ‘us v them’ situation. We support the same club, why can’t we work towards understanding each other by sharing opinions? It’s possible to have amicable online discussions you know.
Derek
Arteta was a complete novice. Did anyone not notice that it took a while to settle in?
The reality is there are absolutely no guarantees. It’s not about being an Arteta luvvie. It’s being pragmatic By all means disagree- most people do with my standpoint. But the facts are that winning the league is blo0dy difficult and doesn’t automatically translate into winning frequently like Guardiola has done. Anyway, as Arteta is regarded as not good enough I look forward to the next incumbent being more successful than Pep.
SueP,
Of course it’s hard to win the League. I’m not saying it isn’t. But having been at the club now for 6 and a bit seasons, it’s now time to get over the line.
In his first 3 seasons it was all about clearing out the players he didn’t want. And to get the connection back with the fans, which he did. And in the last 3 seasons, he’s got us right up there challenging for the title.
And finishing second three seasons on the trot represents good consistency, you don’t win any thing for that. Now this is the season that he needs to get us over the line. He’s got the complete backing of the owners, who have backed him financially and given him the squad he wants.
Now is the time to deliver. If not, how much longer must we fans that you and certain others believe are entitled fans supposed to wait.
As for the novice part, the club new he was a novice when they appointed him, and I think three years was enough time for him to learn enough to get the team challenging. But now the question is, have the second set of three years taught him enough to finally get us over the winning line.
I guess we’ll find out by the end of this season, won’t we. 🤷♂️👍
Derek, I’m not forgetting anything and I’m not making an argument for/against Glasner. I’m making points in a conversation, I like to discuss openly without jumping to unnecessary conclusions. None of us can guarantee to have the perfect answer now, all we can do is speculate. That’s what I’m doing and I enjoy others opinions.
The point you’re making doesn’t take into account a huge amount of immeasurables, such as; Arteta’s close ties to the club and Wenger’s philosophy for Arsenal, the fact he studied under two of the games greatest minds, as well as played alongside some greats, he was also earmarked to take over from Pep at City. I’m not saying these are positives or negatives about him being a ‘novice’ (not sure you mean that word given even those of us who have coached youth teams wouldn’t be classed as novice, certainly not MA), simply points in a discussion.
Not sure what I said but I’m sorry for doing something to trigger you into thinking I have an agenda.
Merson Mersoff,
I don’t think you have an agenda, and have never said it either. 🤷♂️
You can’t keep someone out of fear of going backwards
That’s not a reason to keep someone if you think they can’t get you over the line
I’m in no way saying we have to. I’m trying to find out what those who are ‘win or die’ have as their back up plan, as demanding change whilst failing to offer solutions is what makes people look over-emotional, unreasonable and often lacking in knowledge.
If we decide to upgrade on Arteta then so be it, but if we do it better be an improvement otherwise we risk going even further back than you suggest. Look at Spurs, United, Chelsea et al, the grass isn’t always greener. If the board lose faith in Arteta and can hatch a plan to bring in Enrique then I’d have faith that was a step up. But that seems unlikely. So all I want to know is; what is the smart, upgrade solution people have if they’re of the opinion Arteta has to go?
Why is it so many commenters on this site seem to be fighting an argument in their own head and projecting it on to others? Can’t people discuss football rationally anymore? The Sky Sports generation really have ruined the game if we can’t all just share opinions and better our own understanding without turning hostile on our own fanbases. Not aimed at you personally Dan, just this comment section is slowly becoming tribal.
MM
Agree 💯.
Merson Mersoff,
Who do you get to replace the manager with, and offer solutions.
That line is used by a lot of poster’s on here when ever the manager is questioned.
Well that’s down to the owner’s of the club isn’t it. With their contacts they’ll need to make that decision. And as a fan we can only hope they get it right.
But if they don’t then we as fans have a right to ask or hope for change. That’s how it works I believe. Said manager is brought in, if successful and provides trophy’s he stays. If he fails he goes, it really isn’t rocket science. It’s been happening since football began. SIMPLES!.🤷♂️
I think it’s used a lot as its an incredibly important factor, the wrong appointment could send us back to the banter era. Every time I ask for suggestions I just get ‘I’m always giving suggestions’, ‘Thats for the owners to decide’ or ‘Can’t we expect better?’ – I’m not saying any of that is untrue I just can’t get my head around why I have never, not once, been given a single name. I’ve offered several names as I put the club before the manager (Enrique being the only one who would almost guarantee success whilst not disrupting the last few years progress and on-field tactical evolution), I just figured that if people are so tired of Arteta they’d be nuanced enough to at least suggest viable candidates, that too isn’t rocket science. If it means Arsenal are improving then brilliant, but we aren’t doing badly enough to demand change without sounding a little entitled and with no solutions being thrown in it just seems like folk are prioritising tabloid drama to vent excessively. If people point out problems but offer no solutions then they too become part of the problem – an old philosophy but one that still stands strong.
Merson Mersoff,
I don’t need to give solutions. There are people paid the big bucks to do that. If they get it right, I praise the manager. Get it wrong and I’ll have my say on the manager.
And those people paid the big bucks currently seem very happy with Arteta, so do his coaching staff and squad, so too most of the footballing world bar the Sky Sports and Talksport braindrainers looking to create sensationalist drama. I’m happy to keep faith in the current judgement and get behind my team, top of the league and doing great in Europe, only conceding a single open play goal in all competitions thus far…
Merson Mersoff,
I agree with this post. But as nice as it is to be top now, and being tight defensively. It’s in May that we need to be top, and here’s hoping that this is the season we do it. 🤞👍
🙂👍
Not a classic but a win is a win. Shout out to Calafiori but worryingly, there were yet more injuries.
Liverpool have lost the aura. Any team hereafter thinks they can get at least a point from Pool. If Palace win tomorrow, Pool go down further to 3rd. Pool are saved by the bell this international break arrived in good time to save them. Next Pool at home v the unpredictable Man Utd on Sunday. Saturday Arsenal away to Fulham. If Arsenal beat Fulham they’ll be 4 points ahead of Pool. That puts too much pressure on Pool. It looks good so far.
As stated an crucial win in a game where our team was in cruise control. They’ll already be measuring up the statue for Rice who lead the way. Zubamendi, (Arteta should give him the freedom to go forward more), Califiori and Timber also had big games. I think Gyokeres was provided with enough opportunities but simply didn’t have the pace or mobility to beat his markers. On the plus side he worked hard and provided an excellent foil for our forwards, drawing away markets and creating spaces. This Arsenal team is still finding it’s rhythm. They are not too many games away from truly demolishing some unfortunate team.
I so hope its Spurs that are that unfortunate team 🤞🏽
I also do think Gyokeres needs to sort out his first touch. Sometimes he receives the ball in promising positions but a poor touch takes the ball away from him. Defenders then crowd him out and win the ball or force him back.He’ll be more dangerous once he can control the ball better,particularly against compact teams.
That and being stronger on the ball. He’s sometimes easily dispossessed when playing with his back to goal. He looked excellent in this aspect against Olympiacos, not so much today. Perhaps it’s the many minutes he’s played.
A sloppy first touch has occasionally been a historical criticism of Gyökeres, along with a habit of dallying on the ball too long. Overall he’s doing well, and playing an important role, so let’s hope the coaches can sort those tendencies out. Other teams will realize this too. When he’s being constantly marked by two central defenders as he is now, a slip up could result in disaster against a super-fast counterattacking team.
Not the most enthralling game but we dominated everything and didn’t look like we’d ever lose control. Historically we have struggled against teams with new managers but thats now two in quick succession pushed aside, and also this has been a bogey fixture for us in the previous two seasons. Hope Gyokeres gets a bit of luck and finds his finishing feet, his overall play really deserves it.
With the liverpool result it makes it even more frustrating the way we played against them going there with the mindset of not getting beat when they were there for the taking and a statement there to be made same with Man City game had we won those 2 would have had a nice gap at the top of the league!
Very true, the Liverpool game did feel like a miss but at the same time it was early in the season and we didn’t know just how vulnerable Liverpool had become yet. It was very much a game where two big, talented teams cancelled each other out. Though to be fair we did nullify them in all open play, a feat nobody else has yet managed. Just wish that game-altering wonder strike could’ve come from our own team! I’ll give MA the benefit of doubt on the City game, I was actually watching it with a Liverpool fan who couldn’t believe we were the first team to ever make Pep Allardyce park the bus – the stats show we were superior in every way that day. Our top 6 record has been impeccable the last two seasons, if we drop a small number of points in those games compared to previous seasons but gain a load more points from the the games we should be winning against mid-lower PL teams then we’ll be in a stronger position come May. Defensively we’re superb, if we can kill games off earlier and keep seamlessly rotating we’re in for a great season 🤞🏽
A solid performance against a side which i suspect will improve under their new Manager.Rice and Timber once again were excellent and i thought Zubemendi did very well when he replaced Odegaard.He may lack the physical presence of Partey but he has many of his attributes when it comes to judgement and timing of passes..Along with Rice and Eze he makes up a well balanced midfield trio.
Three good wins in a week. And now for those irritating International breaks😣.
As for this game, a good professional performance. Good finish by Rice, a well taken penalty by Saka. Timber was his usual 7+ out of 10. A pretty good week all in all.
I hope on the return from the Internationals that Gyokeres can get on a run regards scoring. Even though there’s more to being a striker than goals, it is their main job. And that’s what their judged on at the end of the day.👍
Derek, returning from the break, we have a run of winnable games until late November, before two probably more difficult derbies. A good chance to rack up some points.
Morning Jax,
I hope your right. Here’s hoping.🤞
A massive win in the game of things, nice penalty taken by Saka, but in the future Gyokers should be the one taking those spot kicks.
The Big Swede is far more convincing taking penalties.
Sakas was a great penalty?
Yes Saka took a good penalty this time.
But they are not always convincing
Our next 5 matches –
If we can win these 5 matches we will have a firm grip on the title.
Fulham A – Difficult
C. Palace H – Difficult
Burnley A – Easy
Sunderland A – Easy
Tottenham H – Difficult
It doesn’t work like that?
Haha, right, though at least we can maybe win the Christmas Trophy again!
SJ,
Tempting fete. Don’t do it, complacency has a habit of biting you on the backside.🤷♂️
My line up against Fulham if we have no injuries during the International break –
Gyokeres.
Trossard. Eze. Saka.
Rice. Zubimendi.
Calafiori. Gabriel. Saliba. Timber.
Raya.
This is the way.
Also hoping we get to see something of Hincapié who should be available.
The guy is absolutely top notch and we should be getting him up to speed quickly. I think he will ultimately nail the LB position down.
Well, winning our next 10 premier league matches is not a guarantee for the title.
The last 3 months, March, April and May are usually when the league is lost or won.
Arteta and the team usually break down then.
Hopefully it’s not the same this time.
Right.
This season we finally have the sort of depth that can carry us through those months even with injuries to first team players.
Pep will doubtless figure out how to get Man City steaming again, and this time we’ll be much more capable of maintaining momentum.
We won’t win our next 10 Prem games
Of course we won’t.
But you never know. it’s still a possibility.
Lots of things in life are technically possibilities that don’t happen
Got to be realistic
It is not beyond Arsenal to string a win of games together, they are several instances from the Invincibles to recent history
10 in a row is tricky
Even the Invincibles would have struggled to do that and this team doesn’t have those players
Let’s just take a game at a time
Just remember this time last year Gooners were saying we had an easier run on paper and we went on to lose to Cherries and draw at home to Everton
At Xmas some Gooners said same thing ( we got most hard away games out of the way )
Palace , Brentford, Cherries , West Ham all then got results at Emirates
If arsenal can capitalise on the demise of pools current poor form
And keep doing that, then we have more than a great chance of being top of the tree come May.
At times, i dont think it was the football that stopped us winning but the mental strength was lacking. For now, we seem stronger, and even playing in 2nd gear, we seem to get the job done
Ps
MA needs to win the league or CL this season and I believe he will win one or both but if he doesn’t, that wont get him the sack
Falling out with the players or board will and not the minority who still want him gone
Onwards and upwards
it seems that we are going to lose Martin Ö on a constant basis through injury from now on, he needs
to be replaced in jan. though we might have short term
solutions in Nwaneri and/or Dowman..
That’s a bit of an over reaction