Arsenal v Aston Villa

Sloppy Arsenal throw away two goal lead to drop points against Aston Villa

(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Arsenal dropped more Premier League points in a 2–2 draw against Aston Villa this evening, despite being two goals ahead at one stage.

Fully aware of Villa’s threat, Arsenal started the game by dominating possession, seeking openings in Unai Emery’s well-organised team.

Villa defended resolutely and looked dangerous on the counter-attack whenever the opportunity arose. Ian Maatsen came close to giving Villa the lead, forcing a solid save from David Raya.

Moments later, Leandro Trossard tested Emi Martínez at the other end, with both sides creating chances in a lively opening spell.

Arsenal knew it would take more to break down Villa’s stubborn defence, and Gabriel Martinelli eventually opened the scoring despite Martínez’s best efforts.

The Gunners deserved their lead and looked to double it, which they did ten minutes after half-time through Kai Havertz. At that point, Arsenal seemed to have control of the game.

However, Villa responded just five minutes later, with Youri Tielemans pulling one back to reignite the contest.

Arsenal pushed to restore their two-goal cushion, but instead, Villa struck again, with Ollie Watkins scoring the equaliser to make it 2–2.

That goal stunned the Emirates and forced Arsenal into a frantic search for a winner. Villa, however, defended heroically and continued to threaten on the counter.

Mikel Merino thought he had snatched the winner, but his effort was ruled out after Kai Havertz’s hand was judged to have interfered. Merino came close again but struck the post, as Arsenal’s frustrations mounted.

Trossard also had a golden chance to secure victory, but he put his effort wide with only the goalkeeper to beat, summing up a frustrating night for the Gunners.

Tags Arsenal v Aston Villa Match Report

190 Comments

  1. Sadly I suspect Arteta will always be a nearly man. Oh, he’ll blame all the injuries we’ve had this season but how long will it take him to realise Partey can’t play right back.

      1. Partey is easily one of the best in the world in his actual position. How does it make sense to use him as an RB? Move Partey out of midfield and slot ANYONE there and it’s just a much weaker midfield.

        He was criminally responsible for the first goal. And arteta is convicted of the crime of playing him as an RB.

        1. Partey’s best position is in MF but he has also had ineffectual games there or made mistakes.
          One of the reasons that Partey’s mistakes don’t always get considered as an issue is that we normally have Saliba and GM behind to pick things up.
          Having Kiwior as your right CB creates a new set of dynamics both in defensive and attacking phases of the game.

  2. I’m keep trying my best not to be negative …….. not an East task at all.

    We dust ourselves and up to the next

  3. Finally won a ballot and paid a fortune for Man City tickets. Why am I both excited to finally get to see a live game this season but nervous about playing them given our current form.

  4. Just not good enough. We should have signed a striker two weeks ago. Shambolic. Our eyes don’t lie….🤐🥴 RUBBISH.

  5. disapointing result. not sure on point of kiwior if they would rather play partey at right back. not enough at top of the field, odegaard only creative spark in midfield and no real options on the bench. been supportive of arteta but the issues we are facing are down to him not addressing obvious gaps in the starting 11 and squad.

  6. Arteta needs to go at the end of the season. He won’t take us anywhere as a club. How can you let go of Viera, Nelson, Smith Rowe ND gave us Sterling. Merino is average at best ND not EPL standard for a team fighting for the league

      1. He also fell asleep on Tielemans for Villa’s first goal. He has no excuse for getting beaten to that ball in that situation.

  7. Based on Zubimendi’s transfer news from Fabrizio Romano, Arteta will only be sacked in the summer if he doesn’t get a UCL ticket for Arsenal

    We’d likely sign two attackers after this season ends

    1. @Gai, I think Merino will come good next season. It’s obvious Saliba is the heart of Arsenal defense. Gabriel good but cant organize the backline. I wonder why Arteta can’t remove Timber and bring in Kiwior to help aerially at the back Kiwior is better aerially. I will be hopeful of challenging Liverpool if we bring in attackers this January. Top4 is more like it for Arsenal this season.

      1. Merino has been showing good signs that would likely continue to improve next season

        I think Arsenal are looking to sell Kiwior this month

        The likes of Gyokeres, Vlahovic, Sesko and Osimhen aren’t available now, unless Kroenke is willing to spend more than £80m

        This month’s most viable CF option would be Jonathan David, but he’s not good aerially

      2. “It’s obvious Saliba is the heart of Arsenal defense. Gabriel good but cant organize the backline” – don’t know about that. Are we good when Gabriel is out? I think we miss his aggression. I thought he and timber were good today, but we didn’t have a right back, and that went fine until we were put under real pressure. Saliba’s brilliant, but he’s not perfect – I honestly think he’s as important as Gabriel to this team, no more, no less, but he is more impressive because of his age and playing style.

        1. I think this is correct. Both Villa goals were shallow crosses into what is normally Saliba’s area.

        1. Tielemans beat him like a drum for Villa’s first goal. Basic stuff. Merino just failed to track his man and got beat to the ball.

  8. Every single stat in the game, possession, passes, shots on goal, we have double what they had apart from goals. What else does Arteta need to prove we need a clinical striker?

    1. I don’t think Kroenke will sanction a top CF purchase this month and the likes of Gyokeres/ Vlahovic/ Sesko/ Osimhen aren’t available now, but there will be a lot of good options in the summer

    2. I’m sure Arteta is aware we need a more clinical striker. However, it is not straightforward to get one who would guarantee goals.

      1. What do you mean it is not straightforward to get one who would guarantee goals.

        Do you think if we were serious about getting Isak when he left RS for Newcastle he would choose them over us. Enough of all these stupid excuses to support Arteta when it was clear it was his decision not to buy one.

    3. I think you make a fair point. If he is still the manager for next season, I very much expect that a striker will be on his shopping list and bought.

      1. Won’t be surprised if Arteta signs either of Christopher N’Kunku or Joao Felix as he has a fascination for CFC players or DCL as he imagines himself turning around players carriers or their injuries 360 degrees.

  9. said it on this forum b4 partey gona cost us at rb just play kt at rb once off partey midfield we win dat game still a real striker playing for us 2day 4-2 win

  10. This is us pushing liverpool all the way and gaining ground.

    Really nothing more than a top 4 team. Time to get a manager that can take us up a level.

    1. Liverpool deserves it @Sws!! We should leave them alone …… there’s intent in their planning and execution very laking with us.

      We deserve where we are. Was quietlyhoping may be Marmoush was going to end up with us and I read something heartbreaking this morning

  11. We play Partey as RB, we praise him

    We play him 6, we trash him and make him so very bad ………..

    Something’s not adding up at all ….

    1. Sws,

      He says the usual drivel of I’m so proud of the players.

      Ah, ain’t that nice.🙄🤦‍♂️

  12. The performance was really good up until we got 2 nil up, I convinced we’re back at our best. Then I Villa stepped it up with 2 well taken goals.

    I don’t like singling players but Odegard’s leadership always looks suspect when he’s not performing, this is because he’s a player that’s not so vocal and only leads by performance in the field.

    1. Odegaard lost too many ground duels for my liking, despite his tireless high-press effort. I hope Vieira and Nwaneri can compete with him for the right-sided AM role next season

      1. @GAI He’s been poor lately and when I looked at bench there was absolutely nothing, Sterling the only attacking option, hopefully Nwaneri returns soon. By the way I heard we could be after Sverre Nypan, a no.10

        As much as Arteta has to take a lot blame, injuries have killed us. Go ask Pep if you don’t believe me.

        1. Sverre Nypan looks as ambidextrous as Santi Cazorla and Ousmane Dembele in his YouTube highlights

          I hope we’ll sign him this month, because he has played CF, has a decent height for an AM and is very young according to Transfermarkt

          1. I agree 100%, in terms of for the future (he is only 18, and coming from a much weaker league so will need time to catch up and adapt).

            In terms of what we need right now for this season though, not the answer.

      1. The mentality of the players was definitely not right today after we got 2 nil up and I think Odegard is generally a nice guy, but sometimes you need to be ruthless as a captain. I feel like if he’s not putting a captains performance on the field, he becomes useless as he’s not very vocal.

      2. David,

        If waving your arms in the air a lot and running your hands through your hair after first wiping your nose is good leadership, the Odegaard is smashing it out of the park.

        But for me personally, I prefer my club captain to lead by example both by scoring and assisting the team in winning games.

      1. Agreed @Derek, I think Gabriel is a perfect candidate. Just look at how Gabriel takes responsibility with set pieces, he takes charge and gives orders like a true leader. But Arteta has other ideas with the ideal leadership he wants, he Saka as a vice and he’s more similar to Odegard’s leadership style.

        1. Odegaard is not silent and liaises with the team at set pieces. Thinking about it, as he takes many of them, it would be daft if he didn’t.

  13. Very hard to swallow left alone digest, a disappointing result if everything about the game is considered. Anyway , attention now on dinamo Zagreb next. COYG!

  14. After spending so much money on defenders, we still could not defend a 2-0 lead against Villa?
    Where is Tomiyasu, Califiori, Kiwior?
    Why again did we destroy the core of our midfield by playing Partey an RB.

    1. Why looking for all those when we trust Partey better at RB @Rfrancis

      We don’t need them with Partey. We’re planning to sell them for it.

      1. If I understand what you’re trying to say, are you really saying we should sacrifice the core of our midfield just to spite Partey – a player we are planning to sell? A typical Mikel Arteta decision. Merino is a defensive liability compared to Partey.

  15. At least we’re competitive. Trophies aren’t that important and the money spent shouldn’t be questioned cos every team spends. Been my take for some time now cos I will not allow Arsenal FC give me a heart attack. I’m contented 😌

      1. Tyndale, doesn’t matter if he was a RB or not, has a DM he should’ve stayed with the player he was supposed to be marking !!!

  16. A manager that continously watch his players take ages to do a simple throw-in or corner kick even as early as 20mins in the game…
    A manger that watches his players (Odegard, Partey, Sterling, recycle short passes instead of crossing the ball to waiting playersin inside the box, in extra time when chasing a goal…
    A manager that keeps playing Partey at RB despite the outcome in those matches…
    A manger that has failed to sign a recognised striker the past 3 seasons…
    A manger that is heavily reliant on corner kicks and his CB to score and win matches…
    A manger that insists on slow build up, slow sideways recycling of passes waiting for an opportunity to present itself rather than attempt to create opportunities…
    Such a manger is not elite and should not manage a club like Arsenal.

    1. don’t forget:
      over 800M spent over five years
      multiple players paid handsomely to leave
      over 30 new players signed
      over 8 different goalkeepers
      not a single trophy from the players signed
      a style that is boring, slow, predictable, dull
      exciting football sacrificed for set pieces

    2. Splendiid….making senseible and accurate comments dont work on this site but at least you got published. Admin hates neg comments abt the novice. Guaraneed this wont get posted

  17. Our 2 biggest issues up front have been failing to score from simple chances and not having enough bodies in the box when the ball is played into the box. It’s nothing new but it’s not being fixed either. Our biggest issue at the back is that without Saliba, we fall appart. This is why we Villa got the draw. Our lack of quality when the likes of Saliba and Saka are out is an issue and is completely the reason our season is falling away again. We need quality, not quantity.

  18. Poor defending by Partey for the Watkins goal. That said, not a right back… Otherwise, ex defensive lapses, thought we played well overall. Impressed by the energy and fighting spirit in an intense run of games.

    1. @Sensible Gooner: Partey was bad for that goal. Seriously what do you expect from someone who doesn’t know whether he’s a Midfielder or defender?

      Too bad that for each game we’ve 1 or 2 players out to tarnish our expert manager’s impeccable reputation with the game. Partey, Harvey, Martinelliand today potentially Odegaard ….. we’re shipping all these out this January

  19. Injuries to key players have hit us hard but our failure to manage the game when two ahead was disappointing in the extreme.No doubt our forwards will be criticised by many on JA ,but to lose goals to long crosses into the box is schoolboy stuff and Partey and Merino who were the guilty parties have cost us the win which we deserved.I feel so sorry for Declan Rice who was immense today and ran himself into the ground.I’m afraid it’s game set and match ,Liverpool.

    1. “Partey and Merino who were the guilty parties have cost us the win”
      I thought timber got dragged away on the first goal and otherwise might have cleared before tielemans could get there – merino did his best to stick to his man, but he can’t be faster than he is tbf. Had he left him, I’d agree with your characterisation, but I wouldn’t be so hard on him for this one as he did track his man.
      Agree on Partey – that’s where not having a RB is costly.

      1. We were dominant for most of the game until giving the ball away and paying the price. It really should have been a comfortable win

      2. Mainly Arteta, playing our best midfielder at RB, moving our best RB to CB, playing Merino in Midfield. And all when we had players on the bench that could play CB. Why compound a simple problem. With something that has not worked ever?

        1. This was not a simple problem to address. Those players on the bench have not regularly played at this level. Kiwior is the only one with any significant recent playing time and has not been consistent.
          The selections were by no means unreasonable given the options available.

            1. Partey at RB and out of midfield has caused us to drop points EVERY time Arteta does it. It doesnt work. never has never will. The definition of madness is doing something over and over again and getting the same poor results EVERY time. Playing Partey out of positition has failed every time.

      3. Every single goal conceded in every game from the beginning of the world till the day it ends is due to individual errors.

        How do you even think that is a defense or excuse or explanation is beyond me.

        Is logical thinking and basic intelligence out of fashion nowadays? This is what Google, Tiktok and Instagram has done to our young ones. Thank God I am not Arteta apologist. My brain and intelligence thank me for it.

  20. Another massive error made by Arteta, playing Partey R B again. 3 changes made for one player out. Partey is no RB and Timber no need to go CB. Merino had another shocking game coming in to midfield and at fault in some way for both goals. Artetas decisions are baffling and do the team no favours. Yet another big chance wasted. I repeat, Partey at RB 1.1 points per game. Partey in midfield 2.3 points per game. Shocking from the manager and his staff to keep persisting with something that plainly doesnt work.

    1. Merino nothing to do with the second goal – havertz missed the header (no idea why he was back there – should have been rice as merino was defending on the left) but it was partey who left the goalscorer.

        1. Wasn’t merino on the second goal, he was wide supporting our left back – not sure what you mean there

        1. As soon as I saw Partey RB, I thought oh no. I can’t remember a game we won with Partey as RB. He is simply a much better DM, and that’s where he should play. When Tierney came on, I didn’t think he did too badly, either him or l-s should’ve been right back as we are so much stronger with Partey as DM. L-S is an absolute revelation, he better not get injured!!!

          1. Yes, an inexperienced defender and another who has already demonstrated that he is uncomfortable when playing in the right CB position. Those were the two CBs on the bench. Tierney can play CB but again how would you set up the team as he is left footed just like Kiwior?
            Some are just saying Partey must play in MF without considering how the team would play effectively.

            1. David, you can just imagine the stick Maldini and Kiwior would get if they made mistakes that led to goals.

              As for Tierney playing in the middle of defence, I’ve only seen him play there for Scotland as the left sided CB in a 5 man defence.

            2. Somehow JK “already demonstrated that he is uncomfortable when playing in the right CB position”? Has TP always demonstrated he’s comfortable playing at RB? Surely some of us remembered how awkward TP looked when MA experimented with him as inverted RB to make space for KH in midfield.

              How many times did MA persist with TP at RB and how many times did he do the same with JK at right CB for you to conclude that JK has “already demonstrated that he is uncomfortable when playing in the right CB position”?

              1. Do you really believe that Kiwior/GM is better than Timber/GM in central defence given what we have seen this season?
                TP as RB is not ideal but there are limited options. The other potential pairings have significant risks as well.

                1. I believe that JT is better than TP at RB and TP is better than MM at CM. JT/GM might be better than JK/GM, but it weakens both RB and CM.

                  The bigger picture is that we should be better as a team overall with JK/GM, JT at RB and TP at CM than JT/GM, TP at RB and MM at CM.

                  Do you really believe JT/GM, TP at RB and MM at CM is better than JK/GM, JT at RB and TP at CM?

                  1. Kiwior/GM as a centre back pairing is not a great option in my view especially against higher level opponents and in the way we like to play and control games.

                2. I believe making one change, instead of 3 unneccessary ones, is more stable. you only weaken one area, instead of 3.

                  1. The sensible approach to problem solving is to start off with a straightforward solution. When that doesn’t work, then come up with something else more complicated.

                    It’s unwise to go straight for a more complex option, without at least trying a simpler way out first. It’s fine if an immediate escalation to a more complicated solution works out well, but when it doesn’t, persisting at it invariably leaves the manager open to scrutiny

          1. We bought him so that we can have a CB on the bench while MA shows tactical brilliance by moving a RB to CB and a CM to RB. Only novice managers do boring stuff like replacing a CB with a CB. Tactically astute managers shuffle the pack to show that simplicity is for noobs

      1. David,

        You play Timber right back, Kiwior center back and you play Partey in midfield. It’s not rocket science is it.

        You say that that Kiwior is inconsistent, and while that may be true, playing him would have meant that Timber and Partey would have played in the positions that they’ve both been excelling in through out the season.

  21. I honestly wanted to know who named this idiot a coach? One two three four five six, and they still keep him? Obviously they don’t care about the club as a club but only as a businesses …I’m sorry because I haven’t seen a championship for 21 years because of some idiots, the club has shrunk, in the sense that when you win a championship for years. Some people come to terms with it, right?Patience must have limits. A historic club whose fans are constantly celebrating their exit to the Champions League. Stop, or they would take the road. I feel sorry for the young kids who won’t see a championship with these guys until they retire… I feel sorry for us older ones who saw this, they won’t We see nothing again, and Arsenal is losing its glory… titles and European titles were won in a row by Manchester City, United, Liverpool, and Chelsea, we were in line and waiting… they surpassed us the tortoises the hare.!Congratulations, you morons!

    1. After Arsenal went 2 goals up we became lackadaisical defensively,Partey not a RB,Rice enjoy holding the ball too long to the detriment of the team,We were just marking space and slow with ball even in transition and I knew Villa will score and when they do the match will end a draw or we’ll end up losing the match, surprisingly they drew level faster than I thought then our game improved not minding the risk factor of their impressive counter which we were lucky they didn’t score from and I ask,how is Harvertz an attacker for arsenal? Even cancelling out a goal that should have counted with his hand
      If this is the attack that Arteta wants to win the epl then he’s paranoid

  22. Why’s nobody saying anything about the disallowed goal….. I see nothing wrong in that goal as Havertz hand is close to his body…. Or am I missing something?

    1. No goal can be allowed if it is directed into the goal by an arm or hand. it doesnt matter where his arm was. It was the fact it hit it.

        1. It does exist, and it makes sense. You can’t score with your hand or deflect a ball in a way that leads to a goal – intent doesn’t matter in those instances. We’d hate for a goal to be scored against us via the use of a hand, regardless of intent.

      1. i do hate that rule, handball should be consistent, not dependent on outcome. dont see how its any different if you stopped a goal

      2. It would have hit him in the stomach if it didn’t hit him on the arm first!! MOTD showed a blow-up of the incident clearly showing it struck his arm first.

      3. Thank you sir. Was wondering if I was the only one seeing that. Curious how you can have VAR and go frame by frame and still suggest the ball was knocked in by his arm. Hit off the lower part of his chest/stomach. Approx dropped 6-8 points at this point just to VAR. still can’t figure out, other than corruption, how nobody else voted against keeping VAR in the Summer. No regular on-field ref would have ruled that out even if it nicked a hang nail. Tired of video TBH in all sports yet it’s only growing because it’s an industry, but in no way helps any sport.

        1. For me, the ball struck Havertz on the inside of his right forearm, before deflecting at an angle into the goal. MOTD blew it right up and it was so obvious. But we all seem to see it with different eyes.👀.

    2. Apparently and Arteta said this that one angle shows it did touch Havertz hand.

      But can I just say before we start hearing the it’s a conspiracy garbage, that we were 2-0 up, and that’s where the blame lye’s. End of story.

  23. Disappointing result? Yes. Surprising? No. Villa are a good team and can take points off anyone and frequently do well at the Emirates.

  24. I love how people blame Arteta for playing Partey at RB, simply because they can’t name a better choice.

    Partey has played RB at Atletico Madrid, Partey also plays as an attacking midfielder for Ghana.

    Lastly, why am I not hearing people blame Arteta for playing Lewis as a LB instead of Midfield? And why are people quick to criticise Merino and Havertz, yet are silent on Odegaard who has been playing shit of late?

    1. Well Timber is a better choice and, as we bought Kiwior, shouldn’t we play him in the position that MA bought him for?
      That way, we’d have had a RB playing at RB – a CD playing at CD and a DM playing at DM.

      As two of them, Partey and Timber have been playing excellent football in their natural positions, why were they switched and Kiwior ignored?

        1. Timber is better as RCB than Kiwior especially the way Arsenal play. Kiwior would be safer as a LCB. The issue is that we have so many injuries hence the repeated reshuffling.

      1. Ken1945 and Reggie,

        The Kiwior situation can be leveled at Arteta in more than one case.

        I’ve read how good our squad is when we have a fully fit one.

        Something I personally don’t buy into.

        If Arteta really did believe in his squad, he would never hesitate in using any said player of the squad when needed, but that’s clearly not the case.

        I’ll give you four examples of this, and there are more if I’m honest.

        1. Playing Saka game after game, not trusting Nelson to deputize more.

        2. Saliba and Gabriel, not letting Kiwior deputize more.

        3. Our left back position over the seasons has become some what of a luck dip as to who plays there, to be honest.

        4. While we have been hit in our right back area, I personally would have tried to find a better solution than playing out best midfielder at right back. Even if it meant playing one of our Centre backs there.

        The real point is, that Arteta may try to convince us that he’s happy with the squad, but looking at the examples that I’ve given, clearly shows he doesn’t have the belief he claims to.👍

  25. We made one sub, they made 4.THATS why we fell apart after 60 minutes, because they had a proper bench, or at least a bench the manager was willing to play. Why have we sold so many players without replacing them? It’s ridiculous. The amount of injuries is due to overplaying players BECAUSE of this thin squad.

      1. And it doesnt help when our manager swaps 3 positions around to accommodate one injury, a CB, when we have two players on the bench who can play CB. He keeps playing Partey at RB and we keep losing points every time he does ot and weakens our midfield, Negligence!!!

      2. Actually since the summer transfer window closed we have named 22 players in our 25 man squad. So we haven’t got a full squad.

      3. What you have written doesn’t make sense to me. It’s depleted but we have a full squad. Do you mean that it is depleted because of frequent injuries, several long term?

        1. Thats football Sue. And HD, I listed the squad the other day. Off the top of my head, I came up with 24. Pep used to and still does prefer a squad of 18. I also think that is Artetas problem. He wants to trust a snaall squad but can’t handle it like Pep.

          1. Reggie, the 25 man squad is as named on the club’s website.

            Raya
            Neto
            Saliba
            Tierney
            White
            Gabriel
            Timber
            Kiwior
            Zinchenko
            Tomiyasu
            Calafiori
            Partey
            Odegaard
            Jorginho
            Merino
            Rice
            Saka
            Jesus
            Martinelli
            Trossard
            Havertz
            Sterling

            So as you can see, that’s 22.

              1. Reggie, Nwaneri and MLS aren’t named in the 25 man squad, as due to their age they don’t need to be.

          2. Also Reggie, according to the Man City website, they named a 24 man squad, not 18 as you said

            It does help if one check the facts first before posting. Just saying 😁

                1. Every manager can call up under 21 players whenever they wish. These players are often used to fill places in the team when there are absences for various reasons.
                  This is quite well known yet for whatever reason certain people keep posting inaccuracies to drive their narratives. Of course, the younger players can have an extended run if they prove good enough.

            1. HD thats not what I said. I said Pep prefers to work with a squad of 18 players, He has said so himself. He prefers a small squad.

              1. Reggie, you said and I quote “Pep used to and still does prefer a squad of 18”.

                Yet his squad this season stands at 24.

    1. @Gmv8

      It’s the other way around, we have had a colossal injury crisis since the season started, hence the thin bench, and NOT because of “overplaying”.

      On that note, you wouldn’t complain if we drew or lost games where Arteta rested our key players because of the fear of burn out?

    2. You are right about the substitutions. I was surprised until I looked at who was on the list. I didn’t feel that we fell apart. Villa clawed their way back, but the players still carried on trying to score again for the win.

  26. I kept reading comments about how Arteta would set up the team without Partey at right back and wonder why he sould play 4 centre back. Why not trying three at the back and use the wing back if there is no solution? Gabriel can be in the middle with Tierney on the left side and Timber on the right. Then Skelly on left wing back and Martinelli on the right full back. Midfield Partey and Declan. Odegaard, Kai, and Trossard. The system should be : 3-4-3

  27. Always I look for the big “picture” .I am not an expert on tactics but I have a good knowledge and understanding of the “game” playing it in my youth and following and watching the game in different countries; being an spectator in three world cup in different continents and a passionate fan of Arsenal since Wenger era.
    My opinion on the actual situation of the club at the moment is simple ;we are paying the consequences of a very bad planning and directions taken by Edu and Arteta on confection of the squat after given them a lot of money.
    We started this campaign with only 22 players including 2 eternal injured (Tierney,Tomiyasu),
    and a discarded and semi retired Sterling on loan. In effect only 19 players.An unbalance team: 2 Gk.9 defenders,5 midd,6 attackers. We should easy add 2 more attackers an a midfielder plus the Academy players making the loan unnecessary. We are participating in 4 competitions playing every 3 days; we needed a big squad with quality if we were ambitious.
    This year our position should be top 4 if we do not get more injuries; Saliba now is a big,big worried.
    We will need a very good S.D.to rectified our course as I thing we will not get rid of Arteta signing him a new contract recently.

    1. The squad is relatively thin considering the number of competitors. I also hope you understand that getting top quality players is not straightforward. Arsenal do not have unlimited funds unlike what you might believe.

          1. Dan Kit,

            For me it’s not so much the amount of players we’ve signed.

            For me it’s the lack of quality that’s the real problem

          1. SueP, to ignore the injuries we’ve had is ridiculous and I don’t care what other clubs have had.
            That’s one reason we’re struggling.
            We haven’t to look at all the players MA has signed and d, just like Arsene, Mikel has bought some real stinkers… and that’s by his own admission it seems.
            I asked why we bought Kiwior if he doesn’t play him at CB when he’s needed there. That’s another reason why we’re struggling.
            Referees decisions – I’m not getting into whether or not it’s a vendetta, let’s just say we’ve had son very individual and unheard of decisions go against us, particularly by Mr Oliver and Mr Kavanaugh.
            That’s the third reason.
            Our poor use of subs, as was seen against villa.. we had Kiwior and Tierney on the bench, yet used neither, while they used four.
            Another reason.
            Finally, no plan B to fall back on.
            If we did have one, the above would have been used

            1. I am glad you put injuries at the top of your list, Ken1945.

              It is true to say that there have been a few stinkers and all clubs are guilty of it too. Even Pep with all that the buying power made a pig’s ear with Kalvin Phillips. I get your point about it and it comes to something that he rarely gives Kiwior a go and prefers to take a punt on Partey out of position. I take the view that had our injury issues not been so deep, that damage limitation might have been avoided. I hadn’t paid much attention to the subs until I noticed that none had come on and then looked at what was available. A bit thin and as MA didn’t want to use them there was added pressure on those still playing to keep up their tempo. What I don’t buy is that it was all down to Partey playing at RB.

            2. Every manager signs players who do not work out unless you decide you are only going to be a Head Coach. Even then it would make sense for the HC to be consulted when transfers are planned.
              Kiwior is a capable LCB. Playing him at RCB in Arteta’s system is more of a risk than playing Timber there given the way the team is normally set up.
              The biggest problem this season has been the number of injuries which means that the team has often had to be reshuffled from game to game.

              1. Injuries are an excuse and covering up the real faults. Poor tactics and complicating simple solutions. How did the Injuries that were there yesterday in the first half, suddenly affect us so badly in the second.

                1. And don’t talk about injuries when you see the mess Arteta made of his team selection with one player missing from the team, he could have picked from and he made THREE unnecessary changes. Instead of one simple one. TINKER MAN!!!!

      1. How come teams like Liverpool, Villa and even Newcastle don’t have thin squads given that they’ve spent considerably less than us?

        Little wonder Edu jumped ship at the first time of asking. The sins he has committed at Arsenal will catch up with him

        1. Waste of time panic buying now might as well leave it to the summer to get the right players and manager in!

      2. David,

        I agree with your limited funds quote.

        That being said, if that’s true then Arteta needs to make damn sure he doesn’t waste the funds given to him.

        £65 million on Havertz, and more wasted on Calafiori, Merino, Kiwior. Ring any bells.🙄🤦‍♂️

  28. Waste of time panic buying now might as well leave it to the summer to get the right players and manager in!

  29. All the negative talk is unnecessary! Whoever doesn’t see that injuries have taken their toll on our team is unrealistic! I only blame the manager for removing Partey from midfield. This made the midfield vulnerable while also weakening the right back.
    There are still many games to play and Liverpool has many tough matches ahead of them. Let’s wait until mid February to make conclusions.

    1. We are not good enough. Creatively redundant. No way can this team win the league. Where is our striker, our Jota, Salah, Nunez. We are simply ‘not good enough’. We are playing without an Alexis Sanchez, Louis Suarez type player. Bad management.

  30. The injuries to White and Tomi have had a considerable bearing on our results with TP being used at RB.One of Arteta’s obsessions seems to be a need for pairing a right footer and a left footer in central defence.Historically all the great centre back pairings have consisted of right footed players apart from the great Nesta/Maldini partnership.Significantly Liverpool seem to get by with Konate and VVD whilst the Bournemouth duo of Zabarnyi and Huijsen have impressed me this season to the extent that they completely nullified the over hyped Isak yesterday.In essence,when next we recruit a central defender our Manager should ensure that he is comfortable on the right .Clearly this is not the case with Kwior.

  31. Pep Guardola never for once played Rodri at right back no matter what and that is what won him and the club so many trophies.but our manager has consistently decided to play our best midfielder at right back.mention one EPL team that did what our manager is doing and won the EPL even leister city was consistent with their midfield and they won also look at inform nott. forest but our manager will not that .in football there some players you dont touch their position even when they are not on form because they carry some luck and grace which makes it very difficult for other players to play in their position .the only way that player who plays in their position can excel is when they are not available for selection at all.so the secrete is dont ever move partey out of position till the end of the season if fit.

  32. If Arteta didn’t surround himself with “yes men” then we would probably not be in this position. Why hasn’t anyone told him it is ridiculous playing Party at right back is beyond most of us. 4 home games and only 0ne win is awful at best and the fault must be and will always be the managers, no debate no excuses. Far too many people on here for whatever reason making excuses for Arteta when he is clearly to blame
    1. His team
    2. His tactics
    3. His substitutes
    4. His fault
    No sign of any players coming in so those who defend him I have one question, who’s fault is that

  33. More of the same from bottle job FC, only Arsenal can serve up a second half like that, had the game done and dusted at 2-0 and somehow found a way to bottle it again, another pot less season I’m afraid.

    1. Also the fact we made one sub, Sterling, which I’m not sure if he improved our energy, while they made 4 subs, which definitely improved theirs.. Odergaard obviously struggling still, as he looked dead in the second half, not sure why we’re still selling potential first team players, I.e. Jorghino, when we don’t have a bench.

  34. THE ARSENAL WITHOUT A GUN
    We all knew from the start we left ourselves short from our summer business and hoped we’d be lucky AGAIN with injuries and loss of form.
    The chicken came to roost this season and o my! its laying eggs a plenty! With the injuries,fatigue,loss of form,ill luck and on field decisions.
    While its okay to make mistakes,miscalculate,etc what is not okay is not responding PROACTIVELY..i repeat PROACTIVELY!!! ‘ if you wana help a hungry Man…give Him food while He has energy to eat..than wait for Him to Faint and has to be fed via fluids..
    The Arsenal Board should help Arteta and the Team NOW!!! not tommorow Now..all is not lost in our Season..there is still a lot to play for..a lot to win together…and the collective Joy that comes with overcoming adversity.
    Its hard to believe that accross the french,dutch,belgian and turkish leagues Arsenal cannot UPROOT two decent starting attackers who would jump at the opportunity of playing for Arsenal on loan.?? Arsenal is still a very attractive Brand and Has a strong pull..
    Our Current tears can still be Tears of Joy🥲🤐 if only……..

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