Arsenal finally got the three points they needed to kickstart our season while Unai Emery is still working out his best team and formation, but our new star midfielder Lucas Torreira is yet to play a full 90 minutes after coming back late from the World Cup.
But the Uruguayan is gradually being introduced to his team-mates and he believes that everyone is working hard to get results and to prepare for the long season ahead. Torreira said: “I’m pleased that we’ve got the win at home against a very good team in West Ham after starting the season with two defeats. I was happy to get on too and help the team.
“We had some good spells in the first two games against top sides in City and Chelsea. We played well and took the positives from those games to prepare for today. It was a tough match today – we fell behind but we turned it around, scored three goals and played really well at times. This win will give us a confidence boost so now it’s about continuing to improve and continuing to work hard as a team – that’s the most important thing.
“I’m one of the newer players and I’ve just joined up with the squad. There are a lot of young players and we’re working very hard, with a lot of intensity. We’re getting to grips with what the coach wants from us and I think we’ve played some good football in the past few games. We got our first win today which was massive for us, but there’s a long road ahead and a lot of games to play, so the best thing for us now is to rest up, focus on our next game and concentrate on our preparation, which is vital.”
Torreira has looked good in his spells on the pitch and the team looks better balanced so we are all keen to see him start regularly and show his undoubted skills in every game.
The sooner the better as far as I am concerned.
Onwards and Upwards!
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Hoping AMN gets back to full fitness so that he can be paired with Torreira.The kid has no significant weakness when played in his actual position and I’m looking forward to seeing more of him.Luckily for us he’s also good defensively which will make our midfield mode solid and compact.He also doesn’t give the ball away easily because he’s strong,can dribble and has good decision making.
He and Kelechi Nwakali in our midfield one day will be a force to reckon with.
I agree. AMN and Torreira in the middle of the park is our best bet. With either Ramsey or Ozil or maybe even Guendouzi as the third midfielder. We need a strong spine and cover for our slow defenders and attacking backs so we need to play two midfielders who can actually cover. Even Xhaka played better with Torreira in the team, I think the little Uruguayan would be my first choice in the team.
I would also like to see Mavrapanos and Leno playing as well.
We should have 2-3 potential 11s for different opponents at home and away. For example if we decide on a 4231 with Ozil as AM then for me that is only viable at home against weaker opponents.
Also Laca and Auba need to play together. They are our best players. They can switch positions during the game between AML and Striker.
My ideal 11 for most games would be:
Leno
Bellerin -Mavros-Sokratis-Monreal
AMN-Ramsey-Torreira
Mhki-Laca-Auba
Subs Cech -Mustafi -Licht – Guendouzi – Ozil -Iwobi – Welbeck.
or even bolder bring in Nelson and Nketiah for Welbeck and Ozil .
I like your back four. two Greek speakers at center and two Spanish speaker. Each pairing has one more experienced man to help the other.
I really hope he starts on Sunday
It’s obvious to see that the pairing of mustafi n sokratis is not working mustafi should only be used as the third defender behind Mavrapanos and Holding, Bellerin is not a defender Emery should consider a position change for him, torreira should start asap
It’s a long road ahead because we are proceeding at a snail’s pace
We hardly sold anyone this summer and Sokratis was a poor signing or at least not worth £18 mil
We should have tried to sell Xhaka, Ramsey, Iwobi, Jenkinson, Asano, Campbell
We need
two quality centre backs
A top box to box central midfielder
One or two quality wingers
Maybe A consistent CAM and RB
We got 2 defensive midfielder which is great but Guendouzi wasn’t bought to start right away. He started because he earned it by playing better than our senior midfielders.
If we do the same transfer business next summer as we did this summer it will take years before we can compete
Next summer Emery must not give poor players another season to prove themselves. He needs to sell those who played average or poorly and sign better quality. At the moment we are still 6th best until proven otherwise
When he’s fit Torreira would be one of the first names on the team sheet for me. We’ve looked better for him coming on every time. There’s still a long way to go before all the players fully grasp the new system & tactics, and it will probably take until Xmas before things are fluent and Emery knows exactly which players & formation will fit-together best to make his strongest 11. I reckon Torreria will be one of those players and we’ll see a lot more of him in due course.
Yossarian, well said sir!
A completely realistic view of Emery’s reign to date.
The situation is clearly one of the manager still deciding both his team and tactics.
Obviously not quickly enough for some, but patience is required in my opinion.
With five new players to be integrated into a squad that finished sixth last season, there is no reason to panic just yet.
Surely we all knew that champions was not realistic, but if we can get back to top four and a cup win, then I will be happy.
Just watching Spuds completely outplay Utd and if you think we’ve got problems, Utd must be something else!!!
Big Ken…
Sensible post as always, wont bother talking about the impatient fans, no need for now
As for Man U, i dont think they a good enough team, going by United’s high standards
I’d only want DeGea, and Martial from that team, as we have so many better players than them imo.
Pochetino has not won a trophy but he seems like the new Wenger in his prime, he is working well with that team without spending too much on transfers and wages, loyal to the club and even with stadium project on his hands, lets see if he will remain loyal
Goonerboy, I think the cost of their new stadium is going to be a real millstone around their necks.
It will be interesting to see if Poch has to sell players to balance the books.
I also believe that their squad is not strong enough to challenge City and Liverpool, but they will certainly be in the top four again.
When you think of the stick our club got for not winning a trophy for years, Klopp and Poch are getting away with murder. The media really are hypocrites when it comes to our club. Sadly that applies to some of our fans compared to the two clubs supporters mentioned above.
Ken that’s not fair on surpporters who have waited very patiently for a good number of years for our club to get back where we should belong .
Why the hell
Should we be patience with the new manager ,the players are payed thousands of pound a week to plY football ,there isn’t that many different tactics in a football match that said players can’t grasp .i keep hearing they need to get used to the new manager,it’s a game of football ffs if they can’t get it right straight away why the fck are they payed so much per week.
I stand by my season prediction 5th or 6th place ,nothing to do with tactics it’s to do with money spent on quality players .players that know how to actually play a game of football .
As for kloop I think you mite find he got pool to a champions league final and are playing quality football ,something arsenal haven’t seen in over 12 years
Xxnofx, so where should we belong?
That’s a very interesting question and one that needs looking at.
What do you think the criteria is for deciding where we belong?
Trophies won? Top four finishes? Richest club? Money spent on transfers? Transfer kitty? Match Attendances? History?
Like to know your criterias in today’s world please?
You say I’m being unfair to supporters who have waited patiently… I compared them to Liverpool and Spud supporters.
Both have been patient with their clubs, despite not winning anything under their respective managers.
We were criticising the fact that the fa cup was not good enough during the twelve years you mention.
Meanwhile, fans of our opponents remained patient despite winning nothing.
How much money did City spend after their takeover before and after Pep took over and they started winning trophies?
The same goes for Liverpool after the first American buy out. How much money?
Spurs spent over £100 million after selling Bale and what have they won?
We became spoilt after the first ten years of our ex manager and then believed we were entitled to be successful. Despite winning more than both Liv and Spud during the next twelve years it wasn’t good enough.
Hence the big split in our fanbase that still rumbles on today.
Finally, are you saying that there is no difference between the football that a team managed by Pep, Allardyce, Conte, Mourinho or Dyke? No difference in the tactics and way of playing?
We have already seen a change of tactics since Emery arrived at our club and the players have said it’s a learning curve for them.
They get the salaries because that is the market place that they ply their trade in. Obscene? Yes, but so are many other salaries paid in other areas of the workplace.. bankers come to mind!!
I also have reservations as to where we will finish and while we have an owner who dictates what money is spent, we will never be able to compete with last year’s top five clubs in regards to top player signings.
What we have to hope for is a manager who spends his transfer kitty wisely and gels his players into a team that plays together and sometimes it works out (Invincibles and Leicester).
I’m prepared to give Emery that chance and follow the example of other big club’s supporters with my patience. It is obvious that some are not.
The decision is an individual one for each supporter.
Look forward to your criteria of where we belong and why.
Sound words as usual Ken, particularly about Klopp and Poch, both are media darlings. Spurs 57 years since winning the title and Liverpool 28 and Klopp still without a trophy. What we would give for a top 4 finish now which many were deriding only a few years ago.
Ken, you write too much sense, looking forward to your posts
Anyone who thinks Ozil’s a waste of money on £300K + a week ought to take a look at this Pogba LOL. At £93 Million, he’s got to be the flop of the century
Absolutely Kenny!! Although I have to admit I’ve turned over to Big Brother as it was that bad!
Alexis Sanchez at 400k a week is even more of a waste. Or maybe Tottenham are just that good?
He is still a waste of money for me
One thing Wenger had and kept it throughout his career was his ability to instill confidence in his players. Even the worst of them went around believing that they were something else, Bendtner was a good example, I’d imagine he regrets those comments to this day. That fellow with the forehead too, he actually thought he was something else because he could dribble. There’s loads of examples. Alexis was brimming, Auba last season, Giroud played above himself at times with some of the best finishing you’ll find anywhere. Over confidence became a handicap, but in the last two seasons they didn’t have enough between Wenger and the fans to keep the belief going.
We need to hold it together till the next transfer window. More investment in defense, and sell off some midfielders and replace them. I think Arsenal’s main target it a top class CB. You see the difference VVD makes for Liverpool. Arsenal just need to be okay with splashing the cash and getting the guaranteed quality.
Anyone who thinks Ozil’s a waste of money on £300K + a week ought to take a look at this Pogba LOL. At £93 Million, he’s got to be the flop of the century. Just like to add, referee Pawson’s had a nightmare, such a bad referee, I just wonder what his boss and United fan Mike Riley thinks of his performance.
Kenny, closely followed by a certain Sanchez wouldn’t you say?
To think he left us for trophies after winning THREE whilst playing in the red and white of Arsenal.
Mind you, Spuds do look good don’t they?
Worst United side since before Fergy took over. Spuds? Some force seems to stop me touching the keyboard Ken. I think City, Scouse’s, and Chelsea, Spuds fighting for fourth place with the Manc’s and hopefully us. Yeah I know, a long shot.
How ironic Ken, You’re absolutely right about Sanchez.
It said online that United have never lost 2-0 at home in the premier league era…. it’s now 3-0….. pity it’s against the spuds
Sue, the Spud supporters are asking Sanchez what the score is?????????????
It is a bittersweet moment though as it’s Spuds doing the damage.
Oh but I thought the grass was greener for Sanchez though Ken!! He makes my blood boil just like RVP! I have to laugh when they lose, but as it’s against the spuds I want to cry ??
I heard the spuds fans singing you’re getting sacked in the morning!! Now who’s the specialist in failure?!! ?????
You’re right Sue, not only a failure but the defensive football is atrocious and boring. Who’s going first Maureen or Mr Ed.
I would rather see Ramsey play the 10 with Guendouzi and Torreira behind him.. also laca and Aubameyang NEED to be on at the same time.
Our defense is worrying Mustafi and Sokratis aren’t very good we should have kept chambers in London.
Very happy with the win and the way we ended though … we just have to build on that
Arnoldinho,
But Ramsey played that position against a poor West Ham at home and he didnt give a good acoount of himself, you would think Mhiktaryan was the No. 10 in the first half
But we still have many combinatiions that would suit Ramsey’ game.
4-2-3-1;
……….Torreria………Ramsey…….
4-3-3:
……….. Torreira…….Ramsey…….Guendouzi…..
Mkhitaryan was the number ten in the first half, they switched around some time during the second half and that along with the subs made was when we started to turn it around.
Arnoldhino: you we’re very happy with the way we ended? Did you go or did just watch the highlights on Match of the Day because I’m telling you we ended the game completely up against it, West Ham we’re all over us the last 15 minutes and could have easily equalised. It’s only because they we’re pressing so hard that we went down their end and nicked a late 3rd goal. Let me also tell you, we missed Ozil big time, his passing and creativeness and you’re beloved Ramsey, as a 10, was non existent. I hope Unai has now seen enough of Ramsey and sticks him in the reserves and leaves him there until we get rid of him
Couldn’t agree more.
Excellent post Kenny (about Ozil & Ramsey) ?
With Utd v Spurs, m I am being forced to choose between devil and the deep blue sea.
However, I have chosen to temporarily support Spurs because anything that will make Mourinho cry is ok by me.
mourinho will be available in the market soon
big spender
dare to drop big name player
strategist
and more….
Yes like tomorrow morning ????
But John Ibrahim, there’s one thing that you haven’t spotted in your analysis of Maureen if you are hinting that he might just come to us…..BIG SPENDER…. because those two words would give Kronkie a heart attack.
Just be patient with Unia Emery and laugh at Sanchez and Pogbas reported salaries versus Ozils and Ramsey’s suggested salary claims.
Sanmi, I know how you feel and I sympathise with you but this is a case of Logistics. United are 200 miles away whereas Spurs are just 3 miles up the Seven Sisters Rd.
Since the first day rumour of torreira i knew we had found a talent like no other keep up the spirit
i would also like Emery to give Elneny some chance bet that would be better than a matic kante combination
I enjoy seeing Manu lose, but i think with Mou negative attitude it affects the players, a different coach with the same players might get them flying.
We are waiting to see Emery’s system kick into gear, but have been left short by the intensity of our players, can some of the players being used cope with the high intensity game, in truth i would say most of the fans here would say a loud NO.
I think 3 games in Emery already knows who can manage the system he wishes to implement and have been walking around the Elephants in the building. He needs to start getting the machine ARSENAL clicking and clicking fast we can not afford to be far away from the top four positions. Emery will have to start making the right decisions and stop playing into the EGOES of our primadonnas in our team.
PICK THE RIGHT PLAYERS, we have not been good enough in the 3 matches so far.
I bet if Emery is given the chance to coach spurs team, he will deliver a trophy. Spurs players play with passion and their tactical awareness is very impressive.. They help each other on the pitch and also understand the game. Unlike the man u team, they all are playing individually and that’s why they wasted so many chances.
The way Lucas Moura played today is the way I expect Ramsey to be playing.. That guy is good with the ball and can dribble with speed.
Man U should have been 3-0 up at half time and 4-0 just after half time with Jessie Lingards miss. It appears that Man U has caught the Arsenal against Chelsea disease with the chances missed. They played Spurs off the park; however credit to Spurs for taking their chances and winning the game.
Mourinho in his post match interview supported the way his side played and the Man U fans did not boo their players as they appreciated the effort, if not the result.
Tottenham will have difficulty holding this side together; the sharks are already circling for Erikson.
By the way Ramsey should look at what Erikson earns at Spurs and compare it to his wage.
I well know the history and understand the animosity between the Arsenal and Tottenham, but Arsenal fans should show their class and sportsmanship and give credit where credit is due.
As usual Ozziegunner excellent post and yes, give credit when it’s due, no one has given higher praise on these pages to the great Tottenham double side of the early sixties than me. At the time it absolutely killed me as young lad how good they we’re, but with the greatest respect, you’re thousands of miles away in the wonderful country of Australia, Iv’e got a brother who’s a Tottenham fan and his boys who don’t stop sending me Whatsapp’s and winding me up , I’ve got neighbours down the road who are Tottenham fans, half my lifelong mates are Tottenham fans. It’s very difficult at the moment living in the heart of North London
Never mind about other sides, focus on Arsenal and how the new Manager can improve our team In my opinion until he sorts out the back four where only an aging Monreal is decent we will not improve. We have very good players in midfield and up front but that will count for nothing if we continue to leak goals.I expect us to beat Cardiff on Saturday but I suspect the home side will score for the first time this season.
Grandad, I agree with you on concentrating on our side, the Arsenal.
I believe the selection of Lichtsteiner will improve Arsenal’s defense due to his experience, winning mentality and leadership ability. However unlike you I don’t have as much confidence in Arsenal’s midfield to assist the back four. I would have liked an additional DM, say Nzonzi for example.