Yet again Arsenal made hard work of winning and conceded another two goals, making 8 in our first 4 games. That is not acceptable, but at least we scored more than Cardiff today and took the 3 points to put us back in the top half of the table despite losing our first two games.
But it was also bvious that the team has still not got to grips with how to play Emeryball like the cach wants them to. The point was made by the star of Arsenal’s performance today, Alexandre Lacazette, who helped set up Aubameyang and scored the winner himself. He said after the game: “I wanted to start well and prove to the coach that I could be in the first XI,”
“I started for the first time this season, so I was happy. Even if we made some mistakes, I think it was a good game.
“He [Emery] wants us to keep the ball and possession. Today we made a lot of mistakes, even though he told us before to be careful. If we listen to what we asks us, then we can do a lot.”
The fact is that the team made a lot of mistakes, especially in defence, but Lacca himself was very impressive up front and may have given Emery food for thought about who his main striker should be.
But Lacca definitely has a good understanding with Auba and he explained that their bromance is helping their relationship on the pitch. Lacca said: “When you’re friends off the pitch, it’s easier for you to play well together on it,”
“We work a lot in training, every day we work together and with the other players as well. Today it was good because I could assist his goal and it was a good finish from him.
“We work every day and it’s not only with Auba, it’s with Aaron as well.”
Hopefully Lacca is working with everyone! But it would appear that the forwards are not the problem in these new tactics, it is the defence. We have a string of easy games ahead to perfect our game before we meet any more of the big boys so we can only hope that the back line finally click as a clean sheet would be very nice one day!
Get the defence sorted Emery, but in the meantime the strikers will just have to keep scoring more than our opponents!
Admin
Not all players can fit into Emery’s system, due to the player’s skill and stamina
The next EPL game will be another away game, therefore I hope Emery would use a more cautious approach with 4-3-3 or a three-CB formation
Using a bad no 10 in a tough away game would only make Arsenal’s defense more vulnerable like today. And if he is going to use wingers, he had better start the one that has enough skill and pace to beat the opponent’s defenders
Got to say, I am pretty impressed with Ramsey’s performance these days
There are no more easy game in the league…. spuds just lost to way forward and united lost to Brighton last week, we have to take every game seriously
Watford ***
You are right, Otunba, Arsenal cannot afford to take any team lightly in the EPL. You have to turn up in every game.
They seem easy for Liverpool so far. Gotta admire Klopp’s false nine and high pressing strategy
Liverpool are lucky to have deadly inverted wingers like Mane and Salah. I think Arsenal made a blunder by not purchasing any explosive winger and using Ozil in the wing instead
Oh no, more mention of inverted wingers and false nines.
What about artificial eights and superfluous sevens?
F F S ……
Declan your showing your age mate!
I only know about inverted commas, false boobies and trouser pressing strategies.
As long as we win,they can be called anything.
We could even have purchased an implosive winger, or have we done that already?
Ken I hate ironing; all my shirts and trousers are permanent press.
who wants to have a bet with me?
we’ll finish third or fourth this season
I’m up for that mate. £20 or bitcoin?
EMERY_”I prefer to win 4-3 than to win 1-0″
Always try to remember those comments from Emery before we start criticizing our defenders and then you would know where the problem is coming from………. Emery told you guys before hand to prepare for a roller coaster heart racing kind of victories…that’s why I’m not surprised….i would most times take this kind of victories anyday…especially away from home
But I know as time goes on the defence will get slightly better and clean sheets will come
We surely can’t concede in all our 38 matches.. Unless we want to create a record ????
Perfect comment Chiza, the very same Emery comment came to my mind as well.
We all should take valium before games, because we should expect many many 4-3 and 3-2 games based on Emery and how he sets up team and plays. Opponents won’t matter, it’s about outscoring opponents, whether Chelsea or Cardiff
Durand old friend, are you enjoying this rollercoaster way of playing the game!
I’m loving it but kept having to walk out of the room it was so stressful!!!!
I firmly believe that once Emery has got his starting eleven sorted out, we will surprise a lot of people.
Not sure we can challenge City, Pool but come the end of 2018, expect to see a resilience that has been missing for over two years.
I do feel sorry for Cech, having to adapt to a new system when nearing the end of his career, but he does look like a fish out of water.
However I have said all professionals should be able to adapt and he is no exception.
Is Gazidis going or staying old buddy?
Chiza, Durand and Ken, I wish to see “1-0 to the Arsenal” again, with hopefully extra Arsenal goals thrown in!
@Admin
Your such a bias person and a hater so I wasn’t shocked at your reply to me.Imagine saying I said Soyuncu,Ramsey and Dembele had signed.All I said was Soyuncu was a done deal(which didn’t happen) and that Ramsey will sign a new deal.
I also said Barca had rejected an approach for Dembele later confirmed by Kike Marin himself co trary to what Ornstein(club’s mouthpiece) had said.
Funny you didn’t mention Iwobi’s contract,Nelson’s contract which I reported far far far ahead of time,Torreira ,Lichtsteiner and Sokratis deals.I even gave you the terms of Xhaka’s new contract which only added £10,000 a week to his salary.
I’m not here to boast but it shows I do my research well,follow the right people and also ask the right questions from those itk.
Shut up kev, you might have been right for some of the predictions but people do strike lottery everyday too.
Don’t blame you tbh it’s just life.
Learn to respect others else don’t expect others to respect you.
Kev you also said Ivan to Milan on sep 1st 100 %
Good and it was wrong but I didn’t make it up.Still believe he would move.As I said the same confidence that is used in the right transfer will be used in that of the wrong transfer.There’s no in between.If it happens it happens if it doesn’t it doesn’t.
Remember when I said Barca rejected a bid for Dembele.This was then confirmed on deadline day by Kike Marin.The funny thing is Barca had all already shut down any possible loan move to Arsenal weeks before that news.Most transfers aren’t news but it depends if you want to find out for yourself.
Kev, I think you should just forget about this argument you try to make. You’ve already pointed out that you have no insider information, so all you do is just mop up information from different sources and try to draw a conclusion.
The tone of your messages is what gets people pissed off. You sound so confident and assured as if you’re the assistant to Gazidis or Misilintant. You sound like you are 100% sure, whereas you’re just speculating. Adjust the way you present your opinions and I strongly believe you’ll get a less antagonistic response from your audience.
Just a candid advice.
Cheers
Alright.Thanks for the advice but that doesn’t give the right to anyone to speak to me anyhow.I read several things here I don’t agree with but I learn to react in a sane manner.No man is greater than his words so people should be careful because you don’t know how you’re words affect a person.
Btw I don’t speculate I ask questions from people “in the know” and also know people who aren’t ITK’s but have friends at Arsenal.They too give info .The fact that they have gotten things right in this window should tell you something.Theres no in between in this thing.If it happens it happens if not then it doesn’t.I don’t come up with my own story.The same confidence that was used in a correct transfer is the same that is used in getting things wrong.
I’m a hater????
You are a cheeky monkey!
The problem with Arsenal is rather the quality of the players than the shift of game style being played nowadays. Key position in our new formation is the 10. We have a brainless Ramsey who can run a lot, and a smart Ozil who cant not run a lot. Santi Cazorla in his prime would be the perfect choice for this role. But yeh. Forever he will be missed.
Emery is measuring the players but trying things out. Still experimenting, still looking for the right choices to make. We are not doing good but lets wait and see if things turn out for the best.
spot on … drop ramsey xhaka and bellerin to bench and at least we can get a decent first 11 that can begin to play together which is the key to any successful passing team … havent given up on emery yet but he is showing some worrying signs of wengeritis
Exactly. Our biggest problem is the transition from defence to attack. We don’t have anyone doing it at the moment and that was the reason why the team was better with Cazorla.
So until we get that sorted out, we’ll always be losing the ball in the middle of the park. I’m not defending Xhaka, cause it was a terrible pass that led to the goal, but it was a result of not having the channel to take the ball forward.
Definitely think we should consider 442. Let the fullbacks bomb forward but get torreria and guendouzi covering them.
Leno
Bellerin Sokratis Mustafi Monreal
Guendouzi torreira
Ramsey Myki/welbeck)/iwobi
Laca. PEA
Welbeck and Ramsey may not be the best attackers but will definitely have the stamina to work hard and help out in defence (Ramsey looked like he was actually following Emery’s instructions and pressing really well) Welbeck can definitely be a solid LM as well with his athleticism and team orientated attitude. This should give more cover to our fullbacks who are our only current source of width. guendozi and torreira can lock things up in the middle and have an eye for a pass whilst Auba and laca upfront would feed of each other.
Ramsey is so far forward that he forgets about stepping back in to our half to help out
He is more potent running from deep but just sitting up top he is a compete waste and we end up with a man down in midfield
Ozil does his best work from the middle and not wide so if he we are not going to deploy him there then drop him as again we end up with a man gogne missing
Xhaka Unfortuatly has had plenty of opportunities to shine and he fails to live up to his price tag. Drop him and sell him.
Cech looks worse then he really is with his feet because our defence will give him back some crazy balls when they should have taken responsibily and got it up field quicker.
Doesn’t excuses cech poor decision making and clearance attempts
Over I am pleased with our start
We are a team in transition so it will take time.
Wegner left behind a lot of poor players . Mentailty. Tactically and skill wise
I am fed up reading about people moaning about poor tactics, slating our defence and moaning about our new manager not good enough.
He wasn’t my first choice as I wanted ancelotti and emery was bit of a bolt out the blue bit boy he was a far better choice then the front runner of arteta
I am rather pleased we have him.
Something different and he is a proven winner , which some of you just expect from day one but you have to earn it. Work for it and we haven’t done that for a number of seasons hense this is why we not considered title contenders any more.
So stop the moaning and give the man time which means a few transfer windows so he can replace the dead Wood he has been forced to use for now.
Only 4 games in to a new season
I believe we will have a solid second half of the season. this first half, be ready to see us concede even more. we will still win games 5-4, 6-3 and so on. If we keep scoring week in week out, I will be super optimistic of a good standing come May 2019
I dread to think what Liverpool are going to do to us city beat us without breaking sweat and klopp team has top quality players who will tear our defence to shreads it could be a 5 or 6 goal hiding and will just show the gulf in difference between us and the top 4 clubs absoulutely nowhere near getting close to them never mind above them!!
Try to outscore your opponents in any game, Baca was once conceding goals at sometimes in past seasons but they also score goals up front. My point is though their defense was weak but their attacking force was exceptional.
I’m not comparing the two teams but what I’m saying is so long as our front men are taking their chances and outscoring our opponents the team will come good.
Ozil’s half a decade as an arsenal player. 198 games played, 71assists 38 goals scored and 3 fa cup community shields won. What a contribution from a passenger.
?
What did he do today ?
I’m afraid his best days as an arsenal player are behind him (not that there have been that many )
If he had better players around then maybe he would have shined more .
You Sir have just found yourself a member of the Sue and Phil Mesut Ozil Appteciation Society.Please send your £100 to either of us in cash.As soon as received you will be sent a Mesut Ozil gift pack full of his personal photographs with World Leaders and a copy of his new book titled “Uli Houness and I”.I particularly like the first sentence which is two words with the second word OFF.
Phil you’re wasted on here…. you should have gone in to stand up comedy….. bloody hilarious once again ?
Just got ack home Sue.Hard fought win but I thought we showed some balls out there today.Defence is the problem but what can you do with Jake the Peg in goal and Xhaka gifting them the first goal like he did.
Was reading comments on the way home and some NUMPTY insist that Monreal was a worst player than that Brazilian twat Wenger bought as a left back.Again I thought Monreal was our best defender today and a lot better than Bellerin.Why doesn’t someone grab that mullet headed vegan and tell him that it really does help if as a full back you at least TRY and stop someone crossing the ball into the penalty area?If Emery is serious about playing to form then Xhaka AND Bellerin MUST BE DROPPED.Its no coincidence that when Torreira came on all those little midfield battles seem to go our way.Emery just has to put him in the side now.No excuses.
Lacazette was our best player and great finish by Aubamayang.When we eventually learn how to defend we might actually surprise even ourselves.
Not sure how it came over on tv but there is definitely a more positive vibe among the away fans since some of the toxic atmospheres experienced over the last few seasons.I believe Emery is being given every chance to settle in and one thing I did notice is that EVERY player came over to applaud the fans after the game.That included Guadonzi Ozil and Aubamayang who were all subbed.
Newcastle away in a fortnight and another 3 points waiting to be picked up
Finally a big shout out to Troy Deeney.I never thought I would ever be saying that
There was a time when we’d have buckled under that pressure, so I’m glad we got the win Phil. We just need Torreira to start!!
The gooners were very vocal today Phil… was looking out for your ponytail ?
I’m glad the players came over… did you get me Ozil’s shirt?!
Yes I was buzzing over Watford, even I leapt out of my seat when Deeney scored ?
Just one other thing… I couldn’t stand Santos… was awful to say the least!
Phil, agree with your assessment, but thought Monreal was unexpectedly poor defensively for both Cardiff goals.
Isn’t this a joke
He may have been good so were Utd
Come
Out of the past man
He’s a passenger what has he done in this game ?
In fact what has he done this season
well he should remember that he’s no longer at PSG where Neymar and Cavani can score 5 goals even after missing a truckload of chances. Defenses win titles in the EPL, he should shape up the defense or risk continuing last season’s form.
Manchester United and Leicester have won the league the same way recently, both teams tightened up at the back in the second half of the respective seasons.
I do not say we will be champion this season but we can still have a good season once the defence tightens.
Some on this site continue with their usual negativity even after a well deserved win against a determined Cardiff at their home. It is sickening to say the least. Those of us who don’t waver should stand by our team and its new manager as we rebuild our team. There is no way Liverpool will overrun us. They could win but it will be by a very narrow margin.
Once emery benches Cech and Xhaka & Ozil then we might be fine.
Sue-if Gunner Up applies to join then he will be black balled.
For sure!
Phil, could I ask you to refer back to the 1/9/18/ article titled “View from the Enemy” please?
I have replied to your comments, having originally forgotten the article.
If you have any further comments, can you reply on that page please?
Thank You.
Hi Ken-I did reply to the one you asked for my comments on (@chiza) If that’s the one you are referring to.If it is then it’s difficult to give a view about someone who certayneeds no help in standing up for himself.If not that one then I’m not too sure which one it is.For some reason I cannot seem to access previous posts.
Phil that’s a shame then because you really got the wrong end of the stick with exactly what I was saying.
Jon and I have slung it out toe to toe over various topics, that goes without saying and I think he enjoys it as much as I do!.
We are both big enough and ugly enough to stand on our own two feet.
I was very disappointed with your comments regarding my belonging to a little boys club however.
Still if you can’t access my reply it doesn’t matter, just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Ken-apologies as it was not you my comments were directed at.My reply was more at the ones who were keen to slate Jon.Apologies if you took offence but I was honestly not including you in what I posted
Now I really do wish I hadn’t got involved
Phil, that clears that up then.
Must admit I was surprised.
OT. If we are drawn against Celtic / Rangers in Europa cup and you fancy making a holiday out of it, let me know and you are welcome to use our holiday cottage.
We are two-three hours from Glasgow and in central Highlands near Glenshee ski centre.
Ken-thank you for this very kind offer.I can see my wife and I taking you up on the offer in 2019 if that’s ok?Ive only ever been to Scotland a handful of times so will look forward to this.
Following instructions and being able to follow them is another thing.
Most of our players do not have the kill to play the type of football the manager wants them to play. For example playing from the back when you don t have the quality to do it is suicidal.
Too many passengers
Ozil
Xhaka
Ramsey
Czech
What has Torriera got to do to start before Xhaka
I’m sure Xhaka has it in his contract to play, yet again gives the ball away for the goal
Let me point this out to ozil fans is he better than Febregas ?
I don’t this so year he’s supposed to be our “
Star”
Player some say world class wake up and educate yourself
We have beaten the team with the worst record in Allen 4 devise me and a team who can’t score but scored 2 against us
All 4 divisions
Everybody saying we were poor when we played from the back as if every attempt we made was an error. Except for the one error made by Cech there was were not anymore that i can recall and this was due to the body shape of a defender that only use his right foot and not the left.
Leno will get his chance and then we will see who is better. A goalkeeper’s main function is to save goals, Cech has done that in all games so far, looking at Liverpool’s Keeper i saw him causing a goal for his opponent and do you think Klopp will bench him the next game, we all know its a big NNNOOOOO. I have seen the Mancity keeper done a similar thing against us but he still kept the next match.
I think we should judge Cech for his keeping skills, not by standards we set for Xhaka. I expect to see Leno sometime this month where we can start to make Comparison on both keepers. Leno was ok in pre-season, but ok does not make you number 1
We keep making things difficult for us. Cech is clearly uncomfortable with playing out from the back and the other teams have noticed. Therefore, a lot more pressure is put on him than previous seasons and he struggles. Let Leno get a chance. Xhaka needs to be benched, he keeps making silly mistakes that often results in a chance for the opposition- today a goal. All things equal, I hope the line up in two weeks looks like this:
Leno
Lichtsteiner, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal
Torreira, Ramsey
Mkhitaryan, Özil, Aubameyang
Lacazette
BEST POSSIBLE LINE-UP AGREED.
AS LONG AS RAMSEY CAN STAY PUT AND DO NOT DISSAPPEAR THIS MAY WORK WELL.
SOMEONE TELL EMERY THAT TORREIRA IS A LOT BETTER THAN XHAKA AND GUENDOUZI.
HIS FORWARD PASSING IN INCISIVE. HENCE THE ASSIST TO LACA TODAY.
HE WAS FAR MORE INFLUENTIAL IN THE SHORT TIME HE WAS IN THE GAME.
I AM NOT SURE WHY EMERY KEEPS SAYING HE NEES TO WORK HARDER TO GET IN BECAUSE FROM WHERE I SIT THIS GUY IS THE FIRST NAME ON THE SHEET
I believe Xhaka plays better (as for Switzerland) when played in a slightly forward position in front of Torreira. He adds height and physicality to Arsenal’s midfield, but is not a DM.