Mikel Arteta seems to be one of the few observers from this weekend who was content with Arsenal’s performance.
Our manager felt we “deserved to win”, had dominated the game, he couldn’t ask for any more and that his players did everything feasible to give themselves the highest percentage of winning.
Of course it could be a deliberate ploy from our boss. A conscious decision not to undermine a squad’s confidence any further. With a hectic schedule, now is not the time for any hard truths.
That’s fine.
If the Spaniard wants to keep any criticism of the dressing room, that’s his prerogative. As long as he went to bed Saturday evening realizing things need to change, that’s the main thing.
What if though?
What if he genuinely thinks the Everton display was acceptable?
Because how we played against the Toffees wasn’t a one off. We are no longer a team who guarantees that they will make chances. That’s why the Emirates has gone back to not taking much to get very apprehensive.
Our tactics are designed to be hard to break down, and it should be stressed we have won many fixtures based on that approach. The Gunners can now go away from home and if needed can fight and grind out three points.
Yet Mikel Arteta used to play under Mr. Wenger. The 42-year-old used to wear our captain’s armband. He likes to preach the standards of the crest and does not tolerate anyone who doesn’t follow those values.
A former skipper of AFC must know you can’t be satisfied with what we put together in a home match against the 16th in the division?
Especially when the whole ground knew at half time that Liverpool was a goal down and man down.
With a straight face, he tried to boast how Evertonians were running the other way and were restricted to barely anything. Again, the fear is he believes these words?
In reality, Sean Dyche was always going to park the bus in North London. That was more due to their system than anything special we did.
It was our choice to pass the ball sideways, cross aimlessly, not take any risks and rely too much on Saka.
They say when someone is feeling pressure, you can tell by their odd decisions.
If Mr. Wenger needed a goal he would have sacrificed a defender for an attacker. Arteta instead in the last game made like for like changes, including taking off one of his most creative options for a teenager yet to start in the league.
He brought on Partey at right back due to his obsession with his defenders playing hybrid. An example of a coach being too clever and over-complicating his ideas.
Remember many who have worked with Arteta claim he doesn’t like flair players but prefers those he can micromanage.
He could order the ball to be moved quicker, for full backs to overlap, for players to take on their man, etc.
Unless of course he’s truly happy with what he’s seeing?
If he is, he won’t be winning a title with us!
Dan
Michelle M
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The statement Arsenal deserved to win can be “debatable” especially when there were no clear cut chances in the game. Some times it’s better for a coach to be more diplomatic than than assertive. Imo statement such as “deserved to win” may not inspire or motivate a player with poor performance to improve. This are the sort of games that accumulate to threaten Arsenal chances of winning anything at the end of the season. Winning at Emirate stadium is a big deal because we haven’t been too good on the road this season compared to last season. And other teams are highly competitive. The players need to be aware their coach wants more even through his press statements.
“was he really happy with his players” well turn that around and ask if his players are happy with him. I understand that it is being reported that kiwior now wants out after being dropped.
The days of overlapping full backs at Arsenal seem to be a thing of the past as not one player who has operated for us this season in these position is a natural full back.Timber, Tomi, White, Kwior and Calafiori are basically converted centre backs, whilst Zinchenko and young MS are first and foremost midfielders.Little wonder that clear cut chances are few and far between.
they are playing not to lose so the fullbacks can’t move up too much (and to be fair to MLS, he is new so would have been told to be careful). We have had games when we have been more free-flowing but every opponent will have watched Everton and Fulham and will replicate.
We will win possession but tie or lose.
odegard had three great looks, surely one must go in, except that seems to be where we are right now. I agree with you though, possession is the most useless of stats, big deal we had the ball. The big thing is that we did nothing with it.
We do have periods of really strong and creative play but I am afraid that Everton and Fulham are more the norm. Until we get somebody else to put the ball in the net we are a one trick pony and fairly easy to defend – back it up and put two people on Saka. Rinse and repeat.
Hope that I am wrong and we ratchet it up but I am really worried. It was telling to me that Jesus came on when we needed a goal.
The idea that you “deserve” to win a game where you didn’t score a single goal is as delusional as it is arrogant . Arsenal was rancid vs. Everton.
Emcc,
I totally agree, you only deserve to win if you score more than your opponent. Possession without intent means nothing.
I can’t stand seeing passing for passing sake, with intent yes.
It’s bordering on arrogance when games are drawn, and you hear said player or manager say they deserved to win. No you didn’t, if you did you would have scored more than them, end of story.