There is no surprise that Arteta made a few changes after our poor display just a few days ago.
Arsenal flew out of the traps and it paid off after just 4 mins when Martinelli’s shot was parried by the keeper but it fell straight on to Saka’s foot and we were quickly 1-0 ahead.
But strangely Arsenal let Fulham come at them, and maybe they sat back too much as a cross from Willian found Jimenez on the far post and the ball was rocketed under David Raya. So after half an hour it was back to all square at 1-1.
Arsenal still seemed strangely subdued and Fulham were happy to keep surging forward when given the chance.
A very flat first half has seen an even game with 50-50 possession and Fulham are value for a point at the moment.
Martinelli was given a clear shot just before half time but he seemed to slip and his shot went tantalisingly just wide of the post.
In added time Nketiah finally got a shot but was nowhere near the target from a wide area. All in all its been very frustrating and disappointing 45 minutes for Arsenal but Fulham will be feeling like they could get a result today….
The second half carried on with Arsenal finding no way past the Fulham block and more direct action in the Gunners half.
Then on the hour disaster struck with the ball pinballing all round Raya’s box until it fell to Decordova-Reid who couldn’t miss from two yards out.
Arsenal really needed to up the tempo and we could have had a quick equalizer but Saka got a clear volley completely wrong and it flew over the Fulham bar.
Arteta had to shake things up and took off White and Martinelli to put Trossard and Jesus on to beef up our ineffective attack.
Fulham are not looking like relegation candidates at all and Raya was forced into a full length dive to deny another goal for the home side.
After half an hour of tbe second half Fulham are putting on pressire and Arsenal have not had a shot on target since the break.
The rain became torrential which was hardly going to aid our cause.
But we suddenly moved up a gear and Arsenal were looking dangerous at last but they only have ten mins to come back and Fulham’s wall stood firm.
In fact Fulham looking far more dangerous and after a Saliba booking Raya was happy to see the freekick hit his bar.
The ref added 5 minutes to give Gooners hope but this has been a deathly blow to Arsenal’s title hopes with just one point from 3 games.
Arteta has got some serious work to do if he is to get his team nack into the winning groove.It’s not looking very good at the moment.
Happy Bloody New Year!
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We had a lot of those displays lately but managed to get points. No luck today. We can’t control games and break defenses with Kai, Eddie and White. We need a fool back that can attack when we face a low block, an 8 that can do something with the ball, and a proper striker. Otherwise the rest of the season will look the same.
Our CF didn’t play with his back to goal at all and we missed several good chances to score
We dont play like that at all!!!!!!
There is no “we” here. It is only Arteta who toss and toys with our (fNs() emotions. I wish our board can be bold enough to get him sacked.
David Raya is miles below Ramsdale.
G. Jesus is not our messiah in striking role.
Saka, Martinelli & Gabriel are just a kick away from serious injury.
Elneny, Nelson & Nketiah will never be good enough to rescue us in time of need.
Again, our season has ended even before new year. We will be lucky to make top 4 now.
Please sack Arteta. He thinks he is in Guardiola class.
*(fans)
We can’t expect striker to create his own and score. The game plan was so pathetic that we haven’t had any urgency until Fulham went up, after that Fulham were quite happy to sit back as we didn’t look to score or create any dangerous chances even we were given hours of extra time. Just forget title, I wonder if we are good enough for top 4. Overly rated players and overly valued squad which they don’t deserve. But one thing not in our hand is referee decisions. No punishment for kicking, pushing, holding just like rugby match making premier league boring and boring , just losing interest is this league. better watch rugby for more physicality or watch other league for more footballing sense.
It was not a mistake
But arsenal style of play will not bring any positive outcome.
They delay dodge alot with ball no attacking, no shooting balls
Why doesn’t Ben White overlap? Other full backs help both offensively and defensively. But Ben white seems stagnant. Is he being instructed not to go forward and help Saka? What’s going on? Why are we so predictable in attack?Leo plays better as a false 9. Why is he being played as a number8?
I was saying the same, seems like he is hiding.
I suspect White is playing to instructions as why would he not overlap when the opportunity arises.
Because he used too.
Would suggest it is because he has been told not to. It is a major issue because it leaves both Martinelli and Saka unsupported on both sides and makes them much easier to defend against. I hate this formation and these tactics. It isn’t working and it’s boring to watch.
Yes, I think so. The problem is that Arsenal has no plan B, C for attacks. Other teams have carefully studied the Arsenal’s plan A and prepare for counter measures, and therefore, it has been no more as effective as last season.
While Martinelli and Saka have been less dangerous (opponents normally have two men against each of them), Arsenal does not have CF. As a results, number of goals will certainly goes down.
I think Arteta was too loyal to our players
He should’ve signed another CF in the summer instead of relying on our diminutive CFs, which made our attack too predictable due to no hold-up play
He also didn’t keep Marquinhos or sign another inverted-RW to compete with Saka, which made Saka too comfortable with his place in the starting lineup
If Arsenal keep using Jesus, Nketiah and Trossard as their CF, I believe they will lose more games
While I agree that a strong CF can completely make us dangerous, the tactics or players from recent games suggest otherwise.
Just look at this game. We lack the cojones to play a risky pass. Always going to the side and get ourselves cornered. Meanwhile, Fulham players kept pushing the ball forward from impossible areas yet the ball connects with their attackers.
How can a supposedly inferior team pulled that off and make it look easy while our supposedly world class team looks broken?
That’s true, we were playing quite safe just to hold ball, playing in the area with least congestion no matter how far we were from opposition box. It’s just pathetic and no striker can score goals if team doesn’t play well and feed them. But yes, our striker tend to miss the ball from even open goal and today Saka missed the sitter. And we have not world class team, most are overrated. Yes, we have few ver good players but world class!!! Not a chance. Alex ferguson called only 4 player world class in his all man UTD career: giggs, cantona, scholes, and Ronaldo. So that speak volume of world class and I don’t think any of our players are that level.
It’s because of Arteta, the players are playing to his instructions. If you look at our game , you will notice that there was no off the ball movements, they were too static and flat footed. Nobody wants to make mistakes and you can’t win games by being over cautious and conservative. We complain about not having enough quality when small teams with fat less quality are winning games easily. It’s all about the manager.
@gai I have told you on this platform before that “for all Jesus work rate and skills it is goals that wins you games in Epl; unfortunately Jesus won’t give loads of that.
I agree👌 with you that Matinelli and Saka aren’t in best of form lately yet the coach keeps using them, a sign that he doesn’t believe much in his bench.
Arteta also has his own fair of the blame I can see a bit of inexperience. Top Epl coaches have found a way to beat his team and he seem not to have a solution. Tomiyasu is rusty. Havertz aerial abilities not utilised in the game.
Arsenal won’t win the league that’s the reality.
Our performance could improve if Pathey and Timber returns and we sign a good CF in January
Arteta doesnnot utilise his team well. He does not trust his bench enough to start games. I have seen more of this. Same starting 11 every week.
We need to sign Ivan Toney or Osimhen in January. Even loan deals.
Also, without any addition, Havertz should start as CF going forward. ESR should play on the left side of attack.
Martinelli Havertz Saka
ESR Rice Odegaard
Nketiah should be on the bench. He should be sold if we bring in Ivan Toney.
G.Jesus should rotate with Saka and Martinelli. Same as Trossard.
Not until we sign, Alphonso Davies, mbappe and one world class forward which will never happen so our dream for title.
Gotanidea in this instance I have to agree with you, in addition I don’t understand how Arteta thinks, our play is slow and cumbersome, we play the same pace from minute 1 to 90 and its so easy to defend against us. Martinelli has been off the boil for the last 4 or so games, Saka are slightly better but way below his usual self maybe because in every game the opposition are doubling up on them but then we need to use the space that this creates to our advantage but we don’t we just leisurely passing the ball around no urgency at all. Why can’t Saka and Martinelli sit on the bench for a game or two, we have a fit Smith Rouw, Nelson and Trossard available. Sorry fellow Gooners but it doesn’t look good at the halfway mark if we thinking about the league title yes we still there or thereabout but or general play is not up to standard
How can Saka suddenly become so bad.
Hard to work this one out
Frankly, I don’t Arteta is loyal at all, he just has his favourites. Zinchenko isn’t good enough. Nketiah isn’t good enough. Vieira isn’t good enough. Jorginho, Elneny, Trossard, Nelson, none of them are good enough. Yet ESR and Tierney who are good enough can’t get a look in, or worse, get shipped off to make some other team better.
This was a worse display. They at least squandered a ton of chances last time out. This was awful.
Raya can’t seem to make a big, important save when it actually matters…
I don’t know what shakes them out of this funk but they seem to be back to the super slow backwards passing style of a few years ago.
Hopefully they can shake this off soon or top four will be the best we can hope for…
Bro, top four IS the best we can hope for this season!
Can’t you see what’s in front of you??
We aren’t winning this league!
We are done.
I am not giving up yet while there is still daylight but I am not optimistic 🙂
The performances have been poor since the start of the season. I think 40 points is an over-achievement for the way we have played so far.
40 points is fantastic from the way we have played.
Even when he changes personnel the formation and style are the same.
Play BS on the left and GM on the right as traditional wingers with LT or EN or GJ in the centre.
Inverted wingers in not the only way.
Saying that myself. Thats why we take so long to get balls in the box.
Victor Osimhen on a loan deal. He is the CF we need. He is better than what we have presently.
It wouldn’t make a jot of difference who is striker, playing like we are.
I’m just tired Reggie. We are so close. And yet so far. How do we get out of this mess? Something is wrong.
Thank you Reggie.
I’m really not surprised we lost, we got what we deserved, nothing. To slow in play, hold on to the ball far too long and our midfield to easy to bypass. I really miss Partey.
We may have to move on from Partey. Of what use is a top player who is not available for majority of the season? We need a replacement.
Well, we can throw the injury excuses, used by some desperate people last season, out of the window straight away. It was a performance that should never come from such an expensively assembled team. It was lacking ideas, energy, quality, effort and urgency. I was going to say, i doesn’t help when you have 3 players, Haverz, Nketiah and White doing ghost impressions but that would be unfair, we had a team full of ghosts. Im afraid, this has been coming, we are flattered by our position in the lethe way we have been performing but it is catching up now. Fulham had 3 Arsenal rejects in and still out played our super stars. Awful!!!!!!!
Position in the league, the way. Not in the lethe way.
Yes Reggie, that’s what I said before. I can’t see the reason why we should have supposedly super stars and still be making sideways passes. Are we not supposed to play with a much more confidence? It’s all about the manager, some people may defend him, but as far as I am concerned, he is the problem.
This has bee our level for weeks now so nothing new. 5 points lost Against Fulham is not title form so let’s just focus on FA and CL.
Think about this one
Last year is the only year arteta played attacking quick football
The other seasons with him it’s been the same slow play and no ideas
I predict another season without a real trophy
If things don’t get better soon we’re out of the top six by January. Our performances have not been good enough for weeks and weeks. Something is not right at the club. This does not look like a team who wants to win big. We almost look like we’re playing a training game. The only player who looks like a winner is Odegaard again. Shocking!
1 word…..stale!
– slow midfield
– so predictable
– Sakas been poor for months but he’s undroppable for some reason
– minimal team rotation
– fatigue (from no rotation)
– players played out of position continuously
– subs too late
– squad players show the level of coaching at training, if you aren’t naturally good yourself there’s zero improvement from training
– many wasted transfer
– failure to strengthen squad after another huge budget
– yawn
Supposed tactically astute manager than never changes tactics unless Pep does, some may be fooled into believing this “tacticsl genius” but where is it??? More like a mimic genius which credit he’s good at! Emery given that budget, we’d be in a better position with actual upward projection.
As written in the article weeks ago….I believe that MA has taken us as far as he possibly can with the absolutely massive amounts he’s been given that’s kept us ticking. Now that he has “his” squad now there’s nowhere to hide and we are slowly seeing it, we’ve been poor in many games this season with points papering over the cracks big time.
Time to change/upgrade before we start regressing which has already begun.
God bless you PJ- SA. Who’s responsible for all these? Arteta. One word: Artetaout!
MA’s style of keeping the ball, playing it around in Arsenal’s half and losing it to opponents; making our best buys worst players too soon; and dropping points when it matters most have confirmed Arsenal’s hope to win the EPL trophy in the next decade under MA is unrealistic and the Board must look for a Godot.
Current Arsenal squad can never win the league, all they do is just side pass and back pass no true pass like the days of Fabregas and Ozil, odegard need to improve on his passes deadly striker is 100% needed. Most of the crosses into the box 8 no striker his there to link up with it. Am sorry we may find it hard to be in top4 these season if proper amendments is not done in January transfer
1. Saka and Martinelli have been very poor. Can’t beat any defenders and can’t put any delivery into the box. Arteta should get Pedro Neto to challenge Saka.
2. We don’t have efficient full backs. Ben White will not play in any of the top 6 teams at full back. Arteta should get a left back he can trust.
3. Odegaard at number 10 only keeps spinning like a frisbee. He doesn’t run with the ball into the opposition box and no take ons or shots on target. His ball is always sideways.
4. There is no competition for places. The squad is thin. Our attackers are comfortable because there is no competition.
nobody on the crosses either when they get there, that was more apparent last game than this…
White was better before, he is not going forward and that may be direction. He always has a bad cross or two
I think Odegaard’s play is indicative of where we are right now. Scurrying sideways.
Fully agree on the subs, Arteta has no confidence in his bench and I think that shows when they come on. The subs are generally predictable, Trossard at 60 or 70 for Martinelli is a given and then Nketia. After that it is just garbage time. Throwing Tomiyasu on today was really stupid.
What irritates me the most is our pedestrian slow sluggish buildup which allows the opposition to sit comfortably in low blocks. Sheffield did yesterday but mancity very quick in transition thereby making Sheffield dazed with their quick intricate passing. We can’t get a that with harvetz in the middle . He is slower than a slug. Odegard is the one that buzz around with zest and he misses xhaka who pings the ball quickly and effectively. Also the team is full of glory hunters now. Martinelli and saka are playing for themselves now. When martinelli ought to pass, he shoots ( that’s what happened for the saka goal today) likewise saka.. so selfish today. But the fullbacks kept staying behind instead of overlapping to help the wingers.. arteta is too one dimensional and every good team has found a way to nullify his game plan
We are so predictable right now to slow in attack and to man players out of form. Arteta need to swap the formation with left back coming to midfield I think other team have work it out
Either, the players have lost faith or they dont understand. They looked all out of ideas and lacklustre.
Martin odegaad is one footed for my liking. That’s why he always seems to find saka. We need a cesc, carzola, a viera, rosicky, arteta kind of playmaker who can create his own goal if the strikes are unable. But teams have learned to force him on the right to make him turn and turn
the chat about CFs – it won’t make any difference who’s CF if the ball doesn’t get played in to them. This smacks of the Ozil-Giroud era when we knocked it around the box but rarely actually into the box..
and Martinelli & Saka have been sussed with no plan-B.
currently, only Rice&MO playing with any intent or urgency; generally, a reluctance to take a risk.. Trossard, at times, as a sub, freshens things up; otherwise, everyone looks like the same plod, plod mould – and then we get picked off.. Huge transfer window for MA as he clearly doesn’t trust anyone outside his core 16 for the squad today..
I don’t think that there is much room in January. Ramsdale could bring in some cash, Eddie won’t bring much and ESR has been out of it for so long I think the same. Plus somebody has to take them. For the life of me I don’t know why Ramsdale isn’t being a pain in the ass as he will not be in the England squad. ESR may be patient because of injury but Arteta does not change without a reason so he is going to sit.
We have little cover trusted by the manager at the back, in midfield. There are players up front with one minor fault – they can’t score.
Given a lesson in joined up football by Fulham of all teams. I don’t know where we’ll go now.
I am beginning to believe that Mr Arteta is not going to lead us to anything this season and that the likes of Saka and Martinelli are perhaps over rated and given more praise than they deserve.
Saka needs help from the RB and Martinelli needs coaching. Both got natural ability, just lacking basics. That can be coached. If we are not careful Martinelli will just burn himself out, going down blind alleys. Thinking about it, so will Saka.
A mixed wave of emotions, i am gutted we have against WH and now Fulham but a told you so moment to the novices fanboys that his tactics are lacking and he aibt no saviour. 4 years with HIS squad, 500 mil spent and we play like this?
His micro management has killed our progress. It cant be that almost our players have been poor recently. The individual flair is gone. Micro to the extent of throw ins, our wing play is predictable. Players think first instead of being instinctive
if only they had listened to you so much anguish could have been spared !
Who are you, Paul Merson?
Give it a rest, anyone with eyes and an ounce of football knowledge could see that a team that creates too little and who cannot score is going to be found out eventually. That is on the Manager.
We dismantled a functioning midfield that made us proud last season. We are reaping the fruits of a stubborn manager who has favouritism on some players and not fielding the team on merit.
When we sayZinny is not a L.b,White is not a R.b,Havertz is not a Midfielder and Nketiah will never lead the line for champions,we are just saying the truth and Arteta should listen.
Let’s not forget, this Fulham side are mostly Arsenal rejects. What the hell were we doing? From the very start of the game we never looked confident. After the goal, we definitely went into our shell, rather than looking to bury Fulham. I was hoping they’d been given a rocket at half time, but they came out even more lethargic. The other games we lost, I thought we played well. This one we were truly terrible. I can’t see Citeh ever putting on a performance as abysmal as this, which is why we won’t win the league.
League gone, champions league no chance FA cup no way. The way we are playing you 6 maybe
Embarrassing
Gutless
Clueless
Useless
So many more but I’ve given up
Out awful slow pedestrian tempo possession style of play wont win any league & might even struggle to get top 4
Correction. Arteta won’t win us a league he ain’t up to the job. No plan A let alone plan B. 4 years and 700m. Sack him
How are we supposed to win playing two games in 3 days in the most physically demanding league in the world?
Playing different than we currently are doing. Its poor football. Not fatigue. Mind, you do get fatigued playing the way we are.
Playing different won’t energize tired bodies. I don’t agree with your point sorry.
No but playing different will produce more than we are. And there is no need to be sorry.
Rotation
We overspend in fees and wages on Chelsea and Man city rejects that’s why we don’t have quality to rotate.
800 million spent on first eleven. Poor spend distribution.
Still to make us playing two games in 3 days is criminal and deliberate to derail our title chance.
Tired bodies?, all the teams played 2 games in a short span. We had the longest rest of all nefore West Ham, tired?
And who bought the rejects? Who can help us if the person who bought all these rejects dont trust them enough to start/ come off the bench?
We needed a jorginho to control and distribute the ball and he was on the bench AND yes against fulham, zinchenko with his attacking passes.
That’s what champions do. If we don’t want 3 games a wk just finish outside the top 6. Bet you wouldn’t like that.
Some arrogant goobers deserved this
How is it that we see them, and not those who should. How is it with the image of the whole team, regardless of its position, to see the ominous future, and to fall with such precision Inside….And those who should have seen anything else? And they still don’t see anything….unfortunately.
For those very predictable sideway and back passes week in week out ………..
We got what we deserve. No complaint ……
As for the title ….. playing like we are doing, we don’t seriously deserve it. As for the FA and UCL, we aren’t serious enough for any of these or any trophy ….. our men are scared to penetrate and bully opponents’ midfields …….. quite a bad taste in my mouth.
Fulham deserved to him!! They were hungry for it.
Our poorest display of the season to the extent that not one of our players can escape criticism.That does of course extend to our Manager who does not seem to recognise that Rice cannot control midfield when supported by two attacking minded players like Odegaard and Havertz.The need for a physical box to box operator with pace and drive was never more evident than it was today as we were outfought and outrun by a spirited Fulham team.Our defence was also in disarray on numerous occasions and the much vaunted partnership of Saliba and Gabriel struggled throughout.Robinson caused havoc as a conventional overlapping full back ,the type of player we no longer have due to the Manager’s obsession with things inverted.Ah well,at least we topped the League for a short spell and we do not have any relegation worries.On that note I wish all on JA a happy and healthy New Year.
To say the truth, Arteta is the most naive, technically bereft and arrogant coach in the PL. I wonder what he tells his players. Does the team has Psychologist? Just asking. Another question, why is it that arsenal rejects always tormenting us each time they play against us? Remember Willock with Newcastle, Mavroponis with Westham and today, Iwobi, Leno et al. Today’s performance remains the worst I have witnessed as much as I can remember.
I would like Arteta to do the needful by resigning honorably if after the big investment and noise by the Arteta foot soldiers and there’s nothing tangible to show for it at the end .
It seems the title can wait another year
I have to tell the truth….today we played the most predictable football, so slow and totally unable to alter our game pattern. No variation whatsoever. We have been found out. Tactically clueless. If we don’t sign Ivan Toney….quickly we will fade into a slow build up, repeat, repeat, boring lot of 4th placers. It’s like anything…if you do the same every time, with no variation, you will become ordinary…..and boring.
We are not playing well at all, haven’t played well all season, quality has been seeing us through. In the even we get to gear 3-4, we can still do well.
Or is someone revealing out tactics to opponent? I don’t understand lots of things.
Also, I am beginning to believe the Referee body and or FA is against Arteta and or Arsenal.
Back in November I commented on the Ramsdale and Arteta situation “I agree there is no rotation as Arteta has decided on Raya as number one. However there are some interesting consequences to Arteta’s decsion which are his and his alone.
1) Ramsdale confidence is very shaky (not surprisingly) and he is under more pressure and scrutiny than any other goalkeeper as one mistake gets all of the pundits saying Arteta is right to choose Raya. For example Allison made similar errors in the Man City game but no one was saying replace him. Arsenal should loan Ramsdale out in New Year to get him playing and restore confidence and see what the end of the season brings, which brings me to point 2
2) Ramsdale’s keeping got us to second and into the Champions League . The reason we didn’t win the league was due to outfield deficiences in defence and midfield to cover for injuries etc. and hence has made signings in those areas. Arteta must do better by winning something or at least equal second in PL to justify his recruitment of Raya or the criticism will be he has trod water. The pressure is now on Arteta to deliver trophies . So Ramsdale sit back, enjoy your football elsewhere and watch Arteta flap as the pressure gets to him”
So now today. Unfortunately the pressure has got to Arteta and hence the team and success seems a long way away. Why oh why did he drop Ramsdale, a guy with enthusiasm and character who brings so much to the whole team. We need players like him
mark, I could not agree more. There was NO need at all to bring in RAYA who is no better than RAMSDALE and lacks his presence and personality, both needed qualites in a keeper.
Simply another poor import judgement by MA, to add to TAVARES LOKONGA, VIERA AND EVEN HAVERTZ , for all that fee and grossly stupid wages too.
I am fast losing trust in MA as a manager who I want for the long term future .Too much obstinacy,lack of rotation , too late subs, import mistakes and tactical rigidity and poor shape.
This thread is just an attempt to shoehorn a side issue into the current concerns about performance. Our recent form has nothing to do with Raya.
I really like Ramsdale but you comment seems a little off the tracks.
May be it’s just me
Arsenal team are not like before when unite,love and strong passion for the team is strong in the midst players, and the only reason for that is ramsdel remover from the team even cause arsenal some poor officiating from england football association. So arteta should adjust to avoid sake from his job
Arsenal are nowhere neathe level required to even challenge for prem league the West Ham and todays defeat really bought us down to earth and shows how far behind we really are need at least 4 top quality signings and mean top quality in Jan transfer window to have a chance as it stands will struggle to finish in top 4!
I didn’t watch it
Instead, I spent the afternoon at The Hyde Park Winter Wonderland with my son, daughter in law and granddaughter in the pouring rain.
Reading all your views, I’m glad I got soaked and ripped off.
Arteta has done a good job up until now and he needs to fix the problem or there will be more chants for his removal. Clearly something is amiss
Hopefully we do better in 2024 which reminds me to wish you all the best for the coming year
Very poor Display. Need urgent squad over haul and only leave saliba,. Gabriel, white, and rice and partey. Ship all the rest and get a new tactical and physical squad. These babies are just annoying. End of story. Don’t expect to win anything with this limping team.
Sorry Gai. White is the weakest link in the team. Stop the hype on below average players. It’s killing the team
This was comming. As we have not played very good for most part of the season. But some how getting the results. Now the law of average is catching up. In all honesty we are a average team bought expensively by a average manager.
The tactics are the major let down. Seems like ‘pass the ball to Saka’ when the other wing is a better option. We need to utilise the field than using one wing. Trossard got the ball one or two times but he delivered a beautiful ball into the box. Most of the time he was throwing his arms in despair.
We were collectively crap. I can’t single out a single player for praise. We looked second best all over the park, but our midfield was none existent. We moved and cycled the ball so slowly, we struggled to string three passes together. Oh my word, we look like a mid table side, maybe not that good.
Am surprised that some fans actually expected something different from the result against it Fulham today. With the way things are going, fifth position may not really be easy for the team to get.
There’s no urgency by the players. They are all worn out. No hunger at all. This can only be attributed to over use of players. The effect was what happened today. The fringe players can not perform because sitting on the bench has affected their form.
Well, it’s good all these are playing out now. The season can still be rescued if only Arteta and Edu did the needful.
Right now, the message is clear. With Jesus and Nketia top 4 will be cb a Herculean task not to talk of winning the title. Sell Nketia and all those squad players you do not rate and get a business-like striker who knows nothing but to score goals , a quality defensive midfielder and a right winger to assist Saka. Failure to do this during this January window, we shall continue our stories from where we stop at last summer.
Just as some of us who does not believe in Arteta would say, it’s early to celebrate. Why? Because, NOTHING is won yet.
A big Arteta fan.
But now question has to be asked.
4 years now in charge and we are regressing.
Ruined my new years eve.
Neath Gunner. Then your post begs the obvious question of WHY are you a big Arteta fan, when you admit, correctly, our team is regressing?
Til very recently I was a staunch MA fan like you. But also a being a realist, I take note of our teams regression and staleness, including extremely slow passing pace, and am in the process of changing my view of MA
A tad early to say we are regressing but have we gone as far as we can go with the present set up. I have had my doubts over the way we play for a few seasons. Its not a robust system. It get found out far too often and is easy to read. We all know how we play and what is going to happen. If we can see it, im sure premiership managers can.
A large part of the blame goes to Arteta for recent performances, all which were summarized by this embarrassing display.
1. Rinse and repeat tactics, where is the so called genius?
2. Stubbornness to drop underperformers, and lack of rotation shows bench players are rusty.
3. No plan B or ability of in game management.
I don’t want to hear excuses about the bench, they are ALL ARTETA’S CHOSEN players.
Arrogantly keep Nketiah when he clearly isn’t suitable as a striker for the club.
Arrogantly (so far) says he doesn’t want clinical striker, wants goals spread around.
Well, Jesus 3 goals (never was or will be a scoring striker), Nketiah is embarrassing and wearing 14 jersey as well, and Saka/Martinelli off the boil.
The “genius” has no plan B, merely replace a player or 2 and use the same tactic.
We need more than just a striker and midfielder, we need a change in tactics. Ego be damned, Arteta needs to look in the mirror and admit he’s wrong and needs help.
He is great at spending, but questionable at coaching. Serious concerns about perhaps he has taken Arsenal as far as he can.
Heavy blame on Arteta for our poor form lately; tactics, selections, and transfers he made have not pushed us ahead.
Intervention needed, not just for players but for Arteta. Sinking like last year and looking as fragile and mentally weak as last year. We just can’t overcome pressure.
Largely agree with that Durand.
DURAND YOU SAY HE IS GREAT AT SPENDING.
But if I asked you is he great at spending WISELY, what would you answer be then??
Whatever your answer and referring back to our debate on him an hour or two ago, I have given the whole situation a great deal of thought and must sadly conclude that he is no Klopp or Guardiola, nor anywhere remotely near either of them.
Simply put, he makes TOO MANY mistakes and worse still, keeps repeating them!!
Jon
I have to consider the evidence and results and conclude “No” he does not spend wisely.
In attempting to rebuild the midfield he chose Havertz? He is not a DM or B2B player and it shows in his performances and our midfield struggles.
Extending Nketiah was a MASSIVE mistake. Championship player offering us nothing.
Most concerning is Jesus as striker and Zinchenko at LB. Both failed those roles at City, yet Arteta thinks he can get results from them when Pep couldn’t?
I am thinking Arteta has merely imitated Pep, and tactically can’t solve his current problems.
He is talking transfers rather than a self examination of his failures and shortcomings. Ego and stubbornness are a real concern with Arteta.
D
Real talk
How do you change your system to accommodate a Chelsea flop who does not know his best position?
No rotation, no plan B, coaching creativity and chaos out of players.
“Slow, multi-touched horseshoe predictable total control futbol” is going to be the death of creativity this year.
Grrrrr.
Get a few players in January, rest and recovery, work on 1-2 touch futbol, and chaos in the final third.
For the first time, I felt like we were paid to lose,I’m sure if fifa were to dig into the EPL, alot of footbal clubs will never play soccer again,
we were so sluggish, we made so many terrible passes, no urgency, we played rubbish, we may need to bench Odegaard for some games, sell some players and possibly 1 or 2 stars in January,
I hope we bounce back in January.
Jorginho, Veira, Smith, and Lokonga are better midfielders than Havertz. They aren’t still good enough for our midfield, but Havertz is who Arteta thinks will improve us
To be honest, I think we would be better had Partey been fit and playing over the past few months. And yet, I hear Arsenal may be looking to sell? Partey offers us much more than all our other midfielders. Had Timber also not got injured I feel we may also have been much more solid at the back.
Arteta played Partey as a RB is our first match, that is how obsessed he is with Havertz in midfield. In the absence of Partey, Jorginho should be an undisputed starter
Compared to the West Ham match this really was a poor display. It’s only halfway through the season and the players already look shattered. We need to start winning again soon or even top 4 will be beyond us.
Happy New Year to all on JA, let’s hope we kick on in 2024!!!
If we had Partey available we would clearly have more options. We are very unlikely to sell unless we can bring in a quality replacement.
At Right Back?
😂
Although we scored, todays performance was worse than our performance against West Ham. Absolutely abysmal.
While defeats hurt, I’ve realised over the last few months that health is so much more important than sport.
As much as we have had our fallouts i hope you you are good with your health ,come to realise myself arguing over football matters just makes no sense whatsoever.
Wish everyone a happy new year on JA and yourself good health if you have been down 👍
Hello Dan. I hope you are well and doing fine. Wishing you a happy and blessed new year!
I wish you and Herr Drier a healthy and happy new year
Being down in the dumps occasionally is nothing compared to mental health issues so I hope you’re able overcome any problems that arise
For Everyone associated with JA (i.e. staff, posters and the many interesting conversations I have had).
Happy New Year to all of you.
Don’t want to spoil the New Year for all of you at least for the next 2 days by talking about our failings this season as I feel I could write an essay which is boring for the readers.
Cheers Dan 🤝. It’s more of a physical thing for me, (lost the use of my legs for a while, still can’t walk unaided) but now the mental health is taking its toll as I’m still waiting to go home.
Happy New Year to you, and to everyone connected to JA.
For HD
Sorry to hear about your difficulties. Wish you a speedy recovery on the mental health side and a Happy New Year 2024.
HD, I always admired your knowledge of our club The Arsenal.
You have pointed out my “failing memory” on a few occasions and made me go back and check my own knowledge of the club we both have followed for years.
I’m so sorry to hear about you problems and hope that you recover and get back to The Emirates.
Nothing would give me greater pleasure than meeting up with you, buying you lunch and reminiscing about the good old days… so keep in touch via JA and all the very best for 2024.
Dan kit, great to see your still about and your thoughts regarding MA seem to have been right all along… at least since the liverpool game.
Hope you keep contributing and all the best for 2024.
MA and Fulham?
It seems that he has hit a brick wall… it will be interesting to see how we play against liverpool.
If we lose that, the long knives will be out, especially when I read what those who supported him are now saying.
Strangely, I’m not yet prepared to say he should go, buy then again I had every faith in Arsene Wenger, right up until his last season and I still miss him!!!
Happy New Year to everyone of you Gooners and take a bow Pat, for running this site so well.
Ken, thanks but I can’t see myself being physically able to get to a game this season. Hopefully I’ll be back walking properly next season and will look forward to meeting you 👍
Let’s keep to that HD, perhaps the first home game next season?
Take care of yourself, as I want to see the walking Arsenal Encyclopedia in the flesh!!
A prosperous and happy new year my fellow Gooner 👍
IGL, thanks. The problem with my legs is going to be the biggest problem. Once I can walk properly, my mental health will be fine.
The club needs a total clear out starting at the top with edu and arteta and before anyone says anything it’s just my opinion but we are crap at the moment and I’m thinking he has losed the dressing room especially with the way the team is playing
Two games ago we are on top, now “a total clear out”? A bit overreacting? We need to improve some areas of the squad, that’s all.
We have been rubbish since April but if you are happy with the way we have played all season I find that worrying
Arteta should go back to first style of play one to one and two touches not only that bring odegard to no 8 has spoiled the talk, he should push Rice to 8 Party is now back he should play 6 Odegard to 10 and Saka and Matenilli wings, upfront Jesus then arsenal will come to live
Let’s now look forward to memorable new year guys. This year is Arsenal’s, COYG!!!
Lack of rotation from Arteta is telling on our forwards. They all look jaded because they play every game as long as they are fit including bringing them on in a useless match vs PSV, while De Jong sat the game out.
And Saka plays 90mins in every game once fit as if he’s a machine.
We lust the title when the players were exhausted, I fear same is happening cos I don’t think Saka will be given the rest he needs.
Arteta is just trying to copying pep with this ridiculous inverted LB/RB moving into midfield freakshow. Kiwor and tomiyasu are not ball playing players like zinchenko and they were so confused with the role yesterday. Don’t know why arteta feels the need to use crucial games like this to experiment? He has totally ripped the formula that worked for him last term with needless experimentation. Zinchenko moved to the xhaka role would have solved all the quagmire in midfield. Also rice can be used in the xhaka role when we have a fit partey.
( Partey/ jorginho -rice- ordegard) OR (rice-odegard- zinchenko) would suffice. Havetz brings no aggression, no zest, no speed to the midfield
If I was Ramsdale I would wait, if we don’t finish top 2 with the money we’ve spent and don’t start next season much better Arteta will be under pressure
A new manager would pick ramsdale
Hallow gooners,
Does Arteta reads these comments?
I wish he could respond to the fact that we are suddenly slow, very slow and he doesn’t make changes to affect that. I wonder why
We urgently need to sign a striker and a proper left back. Jesus can create, draw defenders and dribble but is not a proper no.9 and Zinchenko is a good attack minded midfielder but not a proper left back. So we need a striker and a left back.