You know we had started the season well when our manager got away with being made a meme for some of his ideas in Amazon’s All Or Nothing Documentary.
Mikel Arteta tried to motivate his players before last season’s home fixture against Brighton by showing his squad pre match a light bulb!
Arsenal went on to lose.
Just say that out loud. Someone being paid thousands pounds a week to get the best out of millions worth of talent brought a lightbulb from home.
In this world of social media, he did well for that not to be shared across the internet, and again it’s a reflection of the job he’s doing that he’s left no room for mockery.
Another cringe moment was his preparation for a trip to Anfield .
Realising both as a captain and now a coach, the mental weakness we have shown on Merseyside, he had a brainwave.
He would recreate the famous atmosphere of the Kopp by in training blasting out Your Never Walk Alone on loud speakers.
You know how players say you can practise penalties but can’t create the pressure you experience when the real thing happens?
Well, Arsenal looked good passing the ball around with YNWA playing in the background in training.
In execution?
We lost 4-0!
Good TV, the kind of content Amazon paid for.
If the viewer is a Gooner it’s cringemaking but harmless enough …….Until the next time you have to go to Liverpool that Is!
No one could have envisaged when that footage was filmed that two years later this would a crucial fixture in a title bid.
At the very least though you knew that letting the public see this wasn’t going to help the Gunners from a sporting point of view .
Not for the first time, business was prioritised over what’s best for on the pitch.
Jurgen Klopp now knows how intimidated Arsenal are by Anfield because look at the lengths our manager went too?
How can the Spaniard this week down play this weekend as just another game, having essentially told the world his young dressing room is in awe of Anfield?
How can he keep a straight face in his press conference when his actions suggest he’s terrified of Anfield himself?
There are Gooners who downplay how difficult this Sunday will be.
Our manager clearly disagrees and for all of Liverpool’s issues it’s not down to their home form. They have only been beaten in the League once at home and have defeated Man City and Man United. So, as close as we are from being Champions, we still have not to overcome our two toughest fixtures of the season, at the Etihad and Anfield.
These are not fixtures we not just lose in but lose heavily.
The idea that we are suddenly going to avoid defeat at both, when the pressure is on more than any visit in decades, seems weird logic .
If we concede early do our players believe or do they fear another drubbing ?
That’s where Amazon’s footage is harmless.
Make no mistake Pep Guardiola is very much aware of Arsenal’s record at these grounds and is relying on them as where City take their destiny back into their own hands.
The champions play the team bottom of the table a day before meaning we kick off on Sunday with our lead at the top of the table reduced. Again, just adding to the pressure.
If Arteta was fearful of Anfield when chasing 4th (and his players confirmed he was correct to worry) why would now be any different?
It’s there for Arsenal, a chance to take a step into immortality.
Yet mentally it might be a step too far.
If you don’t believe me , look at our manager playing YNWA in training.
Telling the world that psychologically Anfield is an issue for our players.
Information you probably wouldn’t want Liverpool to know?
Oh well, I hope the payday from Amazon was worth it?
Dan
Well thought out and expressed… I do hope Liverpool believe we are still afraid of Anfield and take the game as business as usual.
If you check some little details this season though, you will see reasons why a win is on the card for Arsenal this weekend.
We haven’t even scored against Liverpool in the league for some time before beaten then this season…
we also haven’t won at the Spur’s new stadium until this season…
We haven’t been top of the league after this many games for over 6/7 years while facing Liverpool…
And in that game you refrenced, we had Tavares,Lokonga,Auba,Lacazett in the starting line up along with Zaka,Smith,Zhaka,Partey, Gabriel,Timoyasu. I still recall the good chances missed by Lacazett in that game.
My point is, we are a much more better team, with far more experienced players and the Liverpool team is not so strong this season.
Everything point to an Arsenal win in this game…
My prediction is 2-1 win to Us on Sunday with Matineli and Jesus scoring.
They are not so strong but still beat City and Man United 7-0
Quite rich to suggest that the intimidating Anfield atmosphere is some kind of secret, and that Arteta had made a misstep in “All or Nothing” to reveal it to Liverpool themselves…
Anyway, the squad going to Anfield this Sun is vastly different in form and fortitude from the squad that had been beaten 0-4 on 29 Nov 21. Of course anything can happen in the upcoming contest, we could still get beaten. It’s just highly unlikely that some documentary/entertainment footage will be the deciding factor.
I beleive we will go there and at the worst we will walk away with a point. The win is there for the taking.
This season bar 1 game They are definitely not the Liverpool of old.
Midfield is slow, defending is shambolic.
We have the players and confidence to go there Sunday and do a job on them.
Pool fans are big enough to acknowledge when they see the real deal. This season we are the real deal.
Onwards and upwards
Rubbish.
It is a well known recipe in all sports, that good preparation is extremely important, and that preparation as close to, what you will meet is the best kind
To try to prepare the youngest squad in the league that way, was certainly worth the try.
To sit in hindsight making a joke about it, is really just laughable.
Well know we lost 4-0 so it didn’t work did it .
That makes the idea laughable
And how had we been performing against Liverpool beforehand? And if something doesn’t work it’s laughable? He tried something new, that’s called innovation.
As for the light bulb clip, it’s widely acknowledged that it was heavily edited, and was part of a much longer motivational speech about taking energy from the fans etc.
Those particular ideas didn’t have the desired effect, but that’s part of the learning process, otherwise the fear of failure stifles innovation.
Playing speakers with YNWA in training thinking that would recreate the atmosphere at Anfield ?
Yes that’s laughable
It’s something that was tried and didn’t work, that’s not laughable. Laughable would be doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If nobody took risks and tried new ideas we’d be stuck with the status quo.
Nah
I think thinking that you can recreate Anfield by playing YNWA into speakers is nonsense
I’m right because it .. didn’t work.
Nonsense like calling Liverpool fans thugs and hooligans after the champion’s league final?
“U are right because it didn’t work” so all this ur charade and negativity, is about proving u ar always right. Without a single care about a team u claim to love.
Since when did anfield intimidation becomes a secret that no one knows about?
How did u come to the conclusion that bcos we lost it didn’t work? Yet this season we are a total different team away from home and 8 point top of the league.
I came to the conclusion it didn’t work because we lost 4-0 lost
Just like if we win this weekend his preparation would have worked
Instead of choosing to praise Arteta for his constant innovative approach, you choose to contantly look for ways to discredit. Probably because you have been wrong all along about his ability.
It is sad, you can’t just get over it, and look at it in a constructive manner.
Exactly…..
Not really , all season I said what a great job he did
He’s never proven me wrong
This season doesn’t change my opinion that 8th and 5th were not good enough
It’s not an innovative approach , it didn’t work ?
It shows you can’t be balanced in your opinion
He’s done a fantastic season but in that moment he got it wrong
For a guy who supposedly follow Arsenal closely, you sure have a limited understanding of what has been going on under Arteta, if yout still think this season’s results, is only a product, of what Arteta has done this season.
Apparently you have missed all the neccessary cleaning up and rebuilding in the seasons before this.
It’s not a product of paying YNWA on loud speakers and that’s the topic
You are allowed to say he’s done well those but also acknowledge he’s made mistakes along the way
The real topic and issue here is, you have constantly been wrong about Arteta, and you have trouble owing up to it.
If you truly understand, how much he has improved our situation, you would have a much better foundation for your opinion pieces.
I promise you will survive acknowledging
it 😉
No watch ,
Arteta has done great this season got zero problem saying that
But when he finished 8th and 5th that was failure
It can be both
Why does it have to be one or the other?
If Spurs challenge for title next season does that mean their fans are wrong this season to say this season isn’t good enough ?
You seem to lack the basic understanding, that in the seasons before this, Arteta laid the foundation for this year. They were not failures, because it was neccessary rebuilding.
An ambitious plan to take us back to being able to compete for the title.
The owners could see, the plan was being followed, thus they backed Arteta to continue. They weren’t concerned about 8’th and 5’th, because they had the vision and the knowledge, whereas some fans still don’t understand, what has really happened.
Spurs have nothing to do with our plan, but I bet many Spurs fans wish, their club was on a plan like ours.
like he said up their, he is always right, hence the urge to always try to prove it even when he is wrong. He is the type that even if arsenal win 30 straight games and lost one he will bring back the past to discredit d team to satisfy himself that he is always right
All said, done and given in the article posting. But which are looking to have put the Gunners in a panick mode. As they are readying themselves to play away to the Reds in the epl at their supposedly fearful Anfield Stadium backyard.
And at where the Gunners are yet to get a result against a coached Jurgen Klopp’s Reds team.
Nevertheless, without any iota of doubt in my mind. I stand to say, Arsenal’s superlative attacking football form in the Epl this season that is seeing them a top of the League now.
Will be the ultimate game changer in the match at Anfield on Sunday.
Which for the first time in as in many past seasons, see the Gunners victoriously prevailed over the Reds in their gengenpressing game playing in the big game match encounter.
So therefore, I personally is not afraid. But very confident Arsenal will beat Liverpool resoundingly well in all aspects of the game on Sunday.
If Arsenal park the bus, get bombarded by Liverpool and lose, many fans will blame Arteta and the team for being a coward
If Arsenal attack Liverpool and lose by two goals or more, the same fans will also blame Arteta and the team for being tactically naive and stupid
To boost the team’s morale, better encourage them to play with their usual tactics and only make constructive criticisms if they lose. It’s very difficult to win at Anfield and we have a bad history there, so a defeat would be understandable
Our travelling supporters will be the key to get a result from that place
Lurking below the surface is a fear that Dan’s previous assertions about our mentality will bite us on the bum again on Sunday. It’s a bit of a red herring to refer to years of failure at Anfield. In the last few years Liverpool have been stronger and winners at the highest level.
We may lose this away match but if I had a hat I’d eat it if we collapsed. This is not the same group of players a year ago. They are a much more focused group who aren’t currently top by accident.
Hope your right Sue
My fingers will be crossed and I hope that I’m not being over confident
So because the team felt that way two years ago they must feel the same today? Arsenal haven’t improved and Liverpool haven’t stagnated? You do understand that time is linear?
Do you understand the importance of the psychological side of football? Or human nature? Because reading your posts leaves both questions wide open. Artetas methods as shown during the programme left many fans gobsmacked, and provided answers as to why we weren’t performing. I dont doubt that the phone calls to one A. Wenger resulted in a very different approach, and hence this seasons stronger side. As for liverpool (and city) our record against them over the last decade is shocking. Footballers are human, they believe in jinxes, they’re as superstitious as the next guy. It takes a team and manager (arsenal 89, gorgeous george) with tremendous mental strength and determination, to break a ‘jinx’. This has been the case with arsenal going back down the decades. Newcastle, in particular at st james park, sunderland, Leeds, watford, until the epl era, were all ‘jinx’ sides. Whether you believe it or not is irrelevant, its what’s in the players heads that count, and they clearly have a problem. Can they do an 89? Lets hope so because a hell of a lot is riding on it.
So they were jinxes until they weren’t? That’s the point. Liverpool haven’t been beating arsenal over the past seasons because of superstition but because they had a vastly superior side. Psychology plays a part yes, but I just don’t see this side going to Anfield with the same mentality of seasons past. As for Arteta’s motivational methods, I don’t believe they have changed, but he now has a group of players/coaches that buys into them. Just read the interviews with Turner and Wilshere this week.
Please delete the above post. God knows what happened there.
Replied to below. Made a huge b up of the reply!
He tried something, but it didn’t work, we move on. He tries something different this season with the clock and stickers for away trips, and it seems to work if you go by the same logic. Arteta is brave and he’s inventive, would you want him to change, nah, me neither
I believe, we win at Liverpool, we win the league. We draw or lose, i make City strong favourites. Liverpool is such a massive game for us, it cant be stated strongly enough. I also think we have to go at Liverpool.
Paul Merson is one pundit that has been bold but spot on in his predictions of Arsenal games, he predicted the hammering of teams and those tricky ones we negotiated successfully.
But the pundit seems to sit on the fence for this trip to Anfield, emphasizing Jergen Klopp rested Sala and other big guns against
Chelsea.
In short , Paul Merson is saying Liverpool firmly have their eyes on this visit from Arsenal.
Paul Merson is not known to be a coward with his prediction, but he will only says if Arsenal beat Liverpool at Anfield they would have effectively seal the title.
Am disappointed in the pundit I have grown to respect, maybe it is safe to say he’s only playing safe.
I must admit this is one fixture I mostly watch behind my big chair at home.
But there is something call the law of average, it means that Arsenal will win at Anfield one day, maybe sooner than most pessimists or realist believe.
It is brilliant coaching. Say what you want. Liverpool’s Anfield cinema, Man Utd’s referee theatre, Man City’s intimidating superstars, Chelsea’s fake superstars, Northern teams’ brute physicality and Totty’s toilet stadium. Nothing compares to Arteta’s constant barking and screaming at training ground and at touchline. If the boys are immune and used to that, then they will face a crashing asteroid with a cool vein anytime. I’m glad Arteta finally treat footballers like blue collar workers.
The manager has shown that he is willing to try different approaches to get the team to perform. According to this author because a certain approach did not work on a particular occasion it is cringeworthy and laughable. That is an unreasonable conclusion.
As usual there is a lack of perspective and consideration of context when criticising or attempting to undermine what the manager has been trying to do during the past few years.
It is also unclear why someone who purports to be an Arsenal fan would pen such an article at this time. The only rationale I can see is in preparation for the gloating, self-righteous articles that would follow if indeed we were to lose.
This is likely to be a difficult game given how formidable Liverpool are at home. Arsenal are however one of the form teams and playing some of the best football in the league. Liverpool have clearly been inconsistent. There are, therefore, good reasons to be confident despite our recent history at Anfield. It is worth remembering also that there are still many games left whatever the outcome of this one.
There is also a presumption that ManC are unbeatable
Thanks sir @Mide. You more than mirrored my perception on this. We are a stronger, better and more determined team. All or Nothing shown what preparation behind the scenes has brought Arsenal. It’s nothing to laff about by fickle fans like Dan
Bet he doesn’t try it again ?
Why would he repeat the same motivational tactics twice? The lesson is learnt and am sure Arteta has another new one up his sleeves this time again. Stop acting like a bitter person
It’s wasn’t motivational …..we lost 4-0 lol
Going by this logic, does it mean Eddie Howe highlighting the fact that Newcastle had not won a major title since 1955 wasn’t motivational since man u went on to beat them?
If he turned round and said it worked then yes he would be not correct
To debunk the YNWA training mystery, Liverpool were flying high at the time with a squad and playing style that a rookie Mikel Arteta couldn’t help but admire. 1 and 1/2 years later we are in their position and simply must assert our dominance and crush them. I hope we win by 2 clear goals. 2-4 or 1-3.
I’m not surprised this is Dan at the beginning of this season said we won’t make top 4 just because we couldn’t make last season now that top four is secured he is like City are favourites for the title now this. Whatever happened last season is gone that’s where u get it wrong because we lost at Anfield and the experiment Arteta tried failed doesn’t mean this season we will fail. If we fail it has no bearing on the past. Lose win, draw I’m proud of this team and what they have achieved so far and will continue to support them on. That’s what a fan does but Dan only supports when it’s all rosy then come back and say I told u so if things go south.
As explained, to overcome jinxes takes either exceptional players and mentality, or as with all the sides I mentioned, a massive gulf in finances. The latter doesnt count with liverpool, but the former does. Please don’t waste my time with ‘better side not superstition’. Sunderland have never been a top side since ww2, newcastle only briefly since the 1950’s, yet we have – and still they consistently got results against us. On the flipside, despite being poor in the mid 70s and early 80s we had an excellent record against both liverpool and utd over that period. Despite forest being a much stronger side than us in the late 70s – 88, cloughie despaired at their record against us. Form goes out of the window if players get it into their heads they cannot get a result. Who says? The league tables and the results. Data doesnt lie.
So did Leeds get their first win at Anfield in over 20 years this season because of their mentality? Did Brentford best Liverpool for the first time in over 80 years this season because of the gulf in finances? Yes, streaks happen, but they also end eventually. Liverpool have not been playing anywhere near their best this season, while arsenal are playing their best in years. You’re right, the league table doesn’t lie, so where are Arsenal and Liverpool respectively? This could be the perfect moment to end all the hoodoo, and having seen the mentality of the team this season I seriously doubt that they will go to Anfield afraid.