Considering the ruin and destruction that Covid-19 has caused all over the world in the last year, and is likely to carry on doing so for 2021 as well, I certainly never thought I would be saying that anything good would come out of it.
But inadvertantly I believe it has, as yesterday Mikel Arteta couldn’t pick two of his favourite Brazilian players in Willian and David Luiz, and suddenly Arsenal looked like a force to reckoned with again.
Okay we also lost Gabriel in defence as well as Arteta explained: “We have to follow the guidelines and protocols with Covid, the doctor is on top of that. For how long? We are not 100 per cent [sure] but he was in contact with somebody who has tested positive so he has to stay away for a few games.”
Hmmm, I wonder if Willian and Luiz may also have to “stay away for a few games”?
I don’t think anyone would complain if we carry on playing like we did yesterday!
Luiz has his issues but I’m much more concerned about Willian at the moment. The defence has been fine all season in truth, the issues are higher up with pitch and we need to build some momentum with our attacking play – GM, ESR and Saka need to play
You make it seem as if both players have been a regular for us all season especially Luiz. MA has since drop Luiz and stuck with holding -gabi partnership, Luiz only came in when Gabriel got redcarded and holding has been our mainstay all season,
last weekend willian did even start.
MA could have used AUBA and Pepe yesterday, was it covid that forced him? let’s be rational, all this ‘conspiracy theories ‘ talking about are non-existed, the coach has been trying different methods to ensure he get the best solution and it’s difficult to leave big players on the bench for kids.
We as fans should demand more from these big guys, they are paid handsomely to play well not to lazy around, jogging all over the pitch.
They are really a shame.
I wish to complain that Luiz and Willian may stay away for a few games. I want them both to stay away PERMANENTLY and take idle PEPE with them . At the time of his signing I initially supported our getting Willian.
But I have always believed in being honest with yourself and so, when it became obvious that Willian is on a permanant holiday and is thus a mercenary only in it for himself and for financial security, I have changed my mind along with the evidence.
Just as I did with OZIL A FULL FOUR YEARS AGO AND FOR THE VERY SAME REASON. Being a realist I do not need to wait years to change my mind whrn the evidence points out my initial error.
I called out Walcott as bone idle after a mere handful of games into his Arsenal stay. It took Wenger almost 12 years to eventually come to the same conclusion. Stubbornness when you are proven wrong is a weakness that should not happen to a wise person. But sadly it does and so often too.
In the opposite direction but on the same principle, it has taken no time at all to convince virtually 100% of Gooners that Martinelli and Saka are warriors and will remain so for their entire careers. Likewise Tierney, as it is either in your character OR it is not!
ODD THAT SOME EASILY SEE IT IN ONE DIRECTION BUT NEVER IN THE OTHER. Who agrees?
I disagree that it’s so black and white. It’s more about confidence and motivation.
I’ve always had a similar view to you on Walcott – rewarded too early and seemed to believe he didn’t have to improve – but had we sold him far earlier, he could have developed into something much better. He looks more motivated now at Southampton, and he’s doing pretty well
I still hold out hope for Willian and especially Pepe, who I don’t agree is so lazy, it’s more that he’s playing a very predictable style which is making him easy to stop. I do see a bit of hunger, but it’s like he’s trying to hammer a square peg into a round hole, not playing intelligently. He needs to adapt his way of playing, and Arteta must help him with that.
Davi, Sorry to be decisive on this but I reject your confidence and motivation reasons as missing the real point. If you need motivation to play for a Prem club then you are not worthy of a place in the first place. Simple as that!
Confidence I agree is a different matter in SOME ways . But even then if you are the type of player who lacks confidence , esp someone like Willian and Auba who have been idle this seasonbut are highly experienced and have played PREM FOOTBALL FOR YEARS, THEN THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU HEAD!
I NEED TO BE STRAIGHT AND NOT MAKE EXCUSES WHERE NONE APPLY. Pepe is less experienced and to my mind lacks all personal pride. Nothing, save injury, is ever an excuse not to try hard during all games. Other players also lose form but do NOT stop giving 100% and why? Because THEY have backbone , morality, character and believe in working for their wages. REALISM, MY EXCUSE RIDDEN FRIEND!
No need to apologise, it is a difference of opinion. I think we are generally in agreement on the issues, just have a different view on how much is down to the players (I do agree that it is a lot) and how much could be addressed with changes in club culture and confidence.
Just to add one thing: I don’t think you will find a squad of players with the innate personal characteristics you’re looking for – you need a positive club culture, a few leaders (the more the better) and a group of quality players who will work within that culture. Not every member of the invincibles were destined for greatness, but some were. They created the culture and dragged the others on.
Jon, as Walcott has remained in the PL since he left us, with everton and southampton, it seems that one must assume your opinion of players being “lazy” must have a different connotation to these experienced managers of said PL status.
Pleased to see you are now comparing your views with the most successful manager our club has ever had, along with many other professional managers, it seems you are now implying that they are dullards as well!!!
Perhaps your expectations of players, needs to be tempered with their success as professionals, because the last time I looked, Walcott is worth over £24,000,000 and, of course, getting richer with every game he plays for a team in the top six of the hardest league in the world – it seems these managers really haven’t a clue about the meaning of being lazy eh Jon?
Just a little suggestion Jon, perhaps you should look at what MA says about TW, it might surprise you…as it could mean you will view Ma as a dullard as well?!
Oh crafty Ken! Trying, as ever, to drag me into his OWN conclusions about what my words MUST mean. But only to him! Crafty but to no avail Ken, as I read you like a much read book. I don’t accept any of your premises about what I write. Why would I, as they are MY WORDS AND MY meanings ,not yours!
DO ME A FAVOUR KEN, AS I DON’T WANT TO FALL OUT WITH YOU; PLEASE STOP DOING THIS, AS IT INSULTS MY INTELLIGENCE!
YOU WRITE WHAT YOU WANT ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK AND I WILL WRITE WHAT I WANT ABOUT WHAT I THINK.
ON SOME THINGS WE MAY WELL AGREE , ON OTHERS WE NEVER WILL, BUT TO TRY CHANGING MY MIND IS JUVENILE AND FOOLISH. I REALLY DO NOT WISH TO HAVE TO THINK OF YOU IN THOSE WORDS, SO THE ANSWER IS IN YOUR OWN HANDS . HAVE WE A DEAL?
Adajim, yet another fan who accusses our players of being lazy, but doesn’t question the manager who chooses them…in fact you praise him for trying different methods.
The conclusion must be that he doesn’t see them as being lazy, or he is being lazy by picking them.
As the article says, if the three players who were unavailable due to covid, do you think MA would have chosen the team that started yesterday?
We have been crying out for creativity since he dropped Ozil, yet he has persisted with the same group of players who have seen us spiral down the table.
As for it being difficult for him to leave “big players” on the bench, that didn’t stop him from leaving out Ozil completely – so he does do it…if he wants too.
Arteta is a coward as soon as Luiz and Willian return he’ll probably drop the kids go back do the safe formula that got us where we’re at
@Ken1945
I find it quite ironic that you tell another fan to look at our manager for his role in our failings, yet you never apply that same methodology when it comes to Wenger. Which is even more bizarre when you consider that Wenger had far longer periods of failure, and so did players under his tenure.
SHouldnt have taken COVID for Arteta to finally use the kids more and stop trusting the failing senior players. Play the people who actually care and have something to prove. Willian is here for a holiday and just wanted to stay in London. Awful signing. Auba got his contract and is phoning it in. Needs to get it together or these kids should play over him
RSH, “Phoning” ? CARE TO EXPLAIN? AGREE HE AND WILLIAN ARE LAZY, AS IS PEPE TOO!
“Considering the ruin and destruction that Covid-19 (change Covid-19 to Governments, then you’re bang on) has caused all over the world in the last year.”
After a very poor start, Luiz has improved in all fairness, and played a vital role in our FA Cup win. Willian has been utter trash on the other hand!
Overall, can we please stop buying Chelsea pensioners! It never works!
No we cant. There were rumours of Jorhinho replacing Xhaka. If we are interested in Chelsea players why not buy Kante and a few others who are “actually” good. Hakim, anyone?