All Arsenal fans were very disappointed that we couldn’t continue our long winning run with the home draw against Crystal Palace, but the fact that we managed our fourth clean sheet in a row is a very promising sign that we are going the right way.
With Gabriel, Holding, Pablo Mari and David Luiz we have the makings of defensive solidity in the squad, and now Mikel Arteta just needs to fix our problems at the other end of the pitch. The boss is hoping that we can continue our clean sheet record against Newcastle tomorrow. “It’s very positive because that s the foundation to win any game, and gives you a great opportunity to go on and win every single game.” Arteta told Arsenal.com.
“[Against Crystal Palace] we lacked that quality in the final third, that are needed against teams like Palace. Roy is a manager who gets teams really organised, they have been so successful against big teams over the years because they are a real threat as well in transition and on set pieces. We lacked that against them.”
Newcastle managed to stop us scoring until well into extra time in our FA cup game just 8 days ago, so we are all hoping that Aubameyang and Co find their scoring boots again this weekend.
Another clean sheet would be nice, but can we start scoring goals again too, please?
Newcastle is an terrible state right now. If we can’t win, might as well start the new manager talks again.
The goal would likely come at the Newcastle game if Tierney, Magalhaes and Xhaka start. It’d be better if Martinelli could replace Aubameyang on the left wing, but I don’t think Aubameyang would be dropped
Arteta has not got the balls to drop Aubameyang he should be dropped not done a lot since he signed new contract
Maybe after Martinelli is fully fit and plays at some cup games
Winning 10-9 is better than having a clean sheet and not scoring. No?
The AW philosophy lcw?
Agin, we should remember that it was the first time we failed to score in our “mini revival”, so let’s not get too desperate yet!!
ken: One can only dream. I really miss my Arsenal.
👍
Yes,lcw don’t we all,except for some who’d want to see the return of George Graham.
See my post below, which unfortunately dropped to the bottom, comparing Arsene Wenger and George Graham’s best seasons.
The facts that George Graham’s 1990-91 side scored 1 more goal and had a superior 9 goal for and against record to Arsene Wenger’s 2003-04 “Invincibles” may cause Joe.S to reconsider.
There was nothing boring about the football George Graham side’s played when he had the right players.
Like the 1970-71 and 2003-04 sides, the 1990-91 side was broken up with key players sold and performances dipped due to rebuilding.
I think Leno is showing that the club was right to keep him as number one ,the last 4 weeks he has been improving and improving regarding his commanding of his 18 yard box ,and his shot stopping is second to none as shown again with his fine stop against palace.
His confidence is now rubbing off on our defenders who all look like they have upped their game .
Finally Dan, thank you for telling the truth for the first time in months. Leno was criticized heavily and now he’s on form, am waiting for the Martinez sympathizers to come out and praise Leno.
The guy is top class and he’s enjoying the same protection Martinez had.
No way, Leno×3 = Martinez.
👍 Dan
Its not about clean sheets, its about winning. Winning is more important than anything, keeping clean sheets has made us negative and tentative, it is also pretty boring to watch.
The AW philosophy Reggie?
No my philosophy Ken. 😂
Clean sheets are only good when you score one, if you ultimate ambition is to get one, you are in trouble.
😂🤣👌👍for you and Le Prof!
Don’t tell me le prof has pinched my philosophy Ken. Lol
I agree completely. The best teams win whether it’s 5-0, 4-3, 2-1, 1-0
If we had beaten CP 2-1, 3-2 4-3, etc I would have felt better because we would have won
I have lowered my expectations as regards to where we will finish this season. What I won’t take is the kind of bland performance we gave against CP. We some can beat Wolves at our home but Westbrom just beat them at their backyard. This is what is wrong about Arteta’s tactics and coaching. If we laboured to beat Newcastle or draw with them we should start looking out for new coach.
I’d rather win than just get a clean sheet.
It’s great seeing quality defending again, as it became Sunday league stuff under Wenger, but we need to start winning more.
Arteta has done the right thing by sorting out the back first, and building from that.
Question for you TMJW ..
was it the right decision to keep Leno as our number one ?
As I get so much crap keep defending the decision to get rid of Martinez and personally saying that Leno as been one of our top players since he signed and in the top 3 keepers in this league easily.
It was a no win situation for Arteta. He wanted to keep both, but Martinez wanted to play which is fair enough, but then it would have been extremely harsh dumping Leno who had been so good since arriving.
I agree, I think Leno is one the best in the league, and has far more experience than Martinez. When you consider Auba’s dreadful form this season, I would argue that Leno has now been our best player since arriving.
Overall, I was happy with the outcome. Whoever we kept, they were quality, which was a nice problem to have for once.
👍
So we agree once for a change .
Hope for us yet
👍 👍
I don’t think it matters if we are not the league leaders in keeping a clean sheet. In any case it’s only been through luck hasn’t it. Leno has saved us a few times, but the opposition haven’t put away chances either, think Leeds. If Arsenal had better attacking options we wouldn’t lose the ball so much and then see the opposition charging towards our goal with only a couple of direct passes. It’s a systemic problem the starts with the coaches and also reflects badly on the type of players who have been acquired.
Also a statement made by UE, which he was unable to implement.
I still enjoyed greatly, 1-0, or 2-0 or any number greater to the Arsenal!
Arsene Wenger 2003-04
P W D L GF GA Pt Pos
38 26 12 0 73. 26. 90. 1
George Graham 1990-91
38 24. 13 1. 74. 18. 83* 1
*Arsenal deducted 2 points for their part in the Old Trafford “Brawl”
George Graham’s “boring Arsenal”
1 goal more for and 8 goals against less than the “Invincibles”; GD 56 versus 47
Response to lcw and ken1945.
Off topic.
Sell Willock. Get Maddison.
Sell Nketiah. Get Costa on free transfer.
Simple!
The 19 January 2021 will be the 143rd anniversary of the birth of the great Herbert Chapman (born 1878). He died on 6th January 1934 from pneumonia just short of his 56th birthday.
Chapman is recognised as one on Association Football’s most innovative mangers with his perfection of the “WM” formation, numbered shirts, his interest and contacts in European football, mass defense at the 18 yard line and fast counter attacking football. He added the white sleeves and hooped socks to Arsenal’s kit. He also advocated floodlights and white balls. He oversaw much of the development of Highbury (he was a qualified mining engineer), including the West Stand in 1932 and the clock at “Clock End”. He designed the scoreboard and turnstiles, as well as being credited with having the tube station “Gillespie Road” renamed “Arsenal”.
When he came to Arsenal at the close of the 1925 season, the Club was skirting relegation. Chapman won two first division titles 1930-31 and 1932-33 and the FA Cup in 1929-30 managing Arsenal.