The Arsenal legend (and you can’t get much bigger), Ian Wright, has made it clear that he thinks the older Arsenal stars were not trying very hard, especially in our seven-game run without a win. But once Mikel Arteta brought in the youngsters like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe, the seniors were embarrassed into matching the belief and energy from their less experienced team-mates.
‘I think there was a time when they came in it was embarrassing,’ Wright told Premier League Productions (as transcribed by the Metro).
‘When they came in they brought that energy and enthusiasm and exuberance,
‘We were seeing players who weren’t really at it for him. In the end he took a massive chance and brought those guys in and they’ve done it, Emile Smith Rowe in particular.
‘Nobody was playing that role. Now he’s in a fantastic position because the youngsters have mobilised the senior players have to perform now.’
I’m not sure if the senior players actually felt embarrassed, but by having the worst form of any Arsenal side in my lifetime (and I’m old! is certainly something they should have been embarrassed about! The Gunners were 15th in the Premier League table after our non-winning run, and falling closer and closer to the relegation zone, until Saka and Smith-Rowe came in and transformed the side. The Gunners have at last got themselves back into the top half of the table. and a slim chance of making the European places again if they manage a great run in the second half of the season.
Let us hope that the team has no reason to be embarrassed again this season, or any season from now on…
When he gets some game time under his belt, I suspect Martinelli will add to the embarrassment of the likes of Willian and Pepe.Indeed he is such a talented individual he could well be effective in the attacking midfield role currently played by ESR , in which case would there be a need for us to buy someone like Buendia ?
why would one get embarrassed if one was earning, I meant getting 350k per week for scoring 1 goal or assist a season?
Why? Because strange though it may seem to you – to judge from your unperceptive post- some players have honour, personal pride and believe in working hard for their wages Such people would be embarrassed not to work hard. Even some slackers would be embarrassed, though clearly there WAS one who never was embarrassed by slacking.
If Pepe & Willian arnt up to it then cut our losses and put them on the transfer market and get a new winger.
Martinelli, Saka, SmithRowe, Laca & Auba all ahead of those 2men.
Partey, Xhaka & to be fair Elneny are doing good in the middle but we will add to that come the summer when Matteo & Lucas leave for decent fees & probably AMN after Cedric & Bellerin are the RBs and he isnt getting in the middle of the park.
Those 5 above can be sold to add to the frees of Ozil, Mustafi, Papa & Luiz (though would maybe give him another year) Kolasnic will be sold also.
Dino & Saliba will return!
That’s alot of room and movement needed before we do anything.
who is back up for Thierney @left back?
I still wonder how Willian is making mach day, if truly the man who made Pepe’s deal has been sacked then someone supposed to have lost his job because of Willian all this while. What a double standard Ozil was not good enough to play in this team but Willian is laughing on the field.
A few of us on here have been advocated saying the younger members of this squad needed their heads over some of the more experienced and they haven’t let us down. Bright future for this club, Arteta is lucky he has such talent, i hope he appreciates it and gets the best out of it.
👍 Those of us who follow the Academy teams.
And guess what there are more hale end products waiting on the wings for their chance.
Say whatever you like about willok, his agility is best among them all, again a run of games, Niles quality bully sort of player but looses focus easily, then azeez and many other wizkids we got there.
Am particularly happy cos they all can see they have a future with us if they keep their heads cool, learn the rope, get the best out of their loans and push to displace any one in the first team, i mean imagine once indisplaceble players like willian and pepe now bench warmers? Thats semi quality to our bench and team dept